I love the emotional play Nodame has with Chiaki in these later chapters. Nodame isn't just the wacky-skilled-piano player, with limited emotional development. No... limited isn't really the word... just not truly expanded upon. We've seen her love of Chiaki, her love of anime, love of music, her love of Chiaki's food... love of His smell. But this is more of the why of Nodame, then just her reactions. I mean I was nearly crying when she was.
She's aware of how other see her. She's aware of her deficiencies. She is learning to care about what they are; and has a desire to change. And she isn't afraid to take Chiaki to task for his neglect of her emotional wellbeing. I'm feeling like their relationship has reached another plateau. As well as this manga.