The line 'I still hated you' hits hard because it’s layered with unresolved emotions. Maybe the character spent years burying resentment, only for it to resurface in a moment of vulnerability. I’ve seen this in stories like 'Kaguya-sama: Love Is War'—where pride masks deeper feelings. Here, it could be a defense mechanism, a way to push someone away before they get too close. The bitterness might stem from betrayal, unrequited love, or even self-loathing projected outward.
What fascinates me is how often this line isn’t about hate at all. It’s a cry for acknowledgment. In 'The Last of Us Part II,' Ellie’s rage toward Joel isn’t just about his lies; it’s grief dressed as fury. The character saying this might desperately want the other person to fight back, to prove they care enough to dismantle that hatred. It’s messy, human, and painfully relatable.