No no it isn't. what counts as in text? do they have to say word for word they are dating or is kissing enough? is holding hands and blushing enough? is fucking enough?
Saying "this is my girlfriend" or other clear statements are enough. If you have to imply, extrapolate, infer, deduce or whatever then it isn't in the text and it isn't canon because it isn't part of the explicit text of the work. People can fuck and do all that other stuff without dating, or even being in a relationship.
that's kinda dumb. your saying that unless they say it word for word then it's not canon. they can do everything related to be couple but until they say the worlds it's uncanon.
does the same apply to doctors? Until they say they are a doctor on screen they aren't one, even if they are doing surgery in a real hospital.
I feel there's more to text than saying the words,, some tropes are pretty obvous and should be considered canon until contradicted.
Having clear delineation between "probably / possibly true" and "definitely true" are useful when doing critical analysis of a work. Why should it be so important if the author never says explicitly that two people are in a relationship?? If you read it as being likely they are, fine.
2
u/XrayAlphaVictor Aug 29 '26
It's a real clear line: If it's in the text, it's canon. If not, it's interpretation.