While Akio doesn't truly love Masako, love remains a theme in the story because he uses the promise of love to entice her. His intention is merely to initiate a relationship with Masako, only to eventually end it. Akio feels no emotional connection to Masako, yet he assumes she is emotionally attached to him, believing this is why she cries. However, by the story's conclusion, he realizes that Masako isn't in love with him either. She reacts to his statements with calmness and logic, seemingly unaffected by the conclusion of their romantic involvement.

The narrative is heavily infused with themes of sexuality. Akio is convinced that being intimate with Masako will make her fall in love with him and will validate his expressions of affection towards her. This belief illustrates how Akio conflates sex with love, despite his own admission that he doesn't truly love Masako. He also takes satisfaction in what he perceives as his ability to master his desires, mistakenly believing himself to be "free from the dominance of desire." However, when confronted with the fountains, his true feelings surface: Akio is captivated by the flowing water, which takes on complex sexual symbolism in his eyes.

The art of deception is crucial to the success of Akio's plan, yet he lacks skill in this area. He feigns affection for Masako, though he does not truly love her, and he mistakenly believes that Masako has fallen for him, when she has not. Akio deceives himself by suppressing his sexual desires and misdirecting his sexual attention toward women, despite being aroused by images that suggest male sexuality. Throughout much of the narrative, Akio lives in a state of self-deception. However, in the end, he has one genuine thought, albeit a trivial one: “If I’m not careful I’m going to get a cold.” This conclusion highlights the extent of Akio's self-deception and the inflated sense of reality he derives from this false perspective on life.

Throughout this short story, Akio experiences a wide range of emotions. Initially, as he sits in the tea room with Masako, he feels a mix of anticipation and excitement about ending their relationship. He believes this decision will help him grow more mature. However, when Masako continues to cry, Akio starts to feel embarrassed. He wants to leave her behind, but is unable to because she lacks an umbrella, forcing him to share his with her. When he devises a plan to take her to the fountains, Akio feels a sense of elation. He views it as a prank on Masako, intending to embarrass her. Yet, upon reaching the fountains, Akio inexplicably becomes angry and loses any enjoyment he had in his scheme. He attempts to distance himself from Masako by running toward the fountains, but she follows him. Akio then becomes captivated by the water's movement. Once that moment fades, he enters a state best described as vacant. He drifts away without thinking about Masako. It's only then he realizes she never even heard him end the relationship, leaving him in a state of shock.

Foremost, Akio places a high value on self-control. He likes to see himself as a young man with great self-discipline, but his behavior suggests the opposite. To convince himself that he possesses control, Akio attempts to dominate others; this is why he decided to end a relationship with a woman. The story's elements—such as Akio's firm belief in his toughness, which extends beyond sexual desire, and his intrigue with the fountains—make it clear that he actually lacks self-control. Additionally, Masako's response to the breakup news indicates that Akio's actions have minimal impact—and therefore little control—over her.