The central theme of the story is the contrast between two different forms of social survival:
Their dynamic is one of "opposites helping opposites." Misuzu eventually stops using time as a crutch and learns to face reality, while Haruka learns to be "selfish" and prioritize her own needs over the expectations of others. Production and Narrative Style
Critics from The Qweer Manga That (Accidentally) Explains Online Relationships suggest the frozen time acts as a metaphor for the internet. The two girls develop an intense connection in a "space apart" from reality, which complicates their ability to function together in "real-time" where social pressures exist.
Misuzu uses her time-stopping ability to literally run away from reality. For her, the three-minute freeze is a "protective bubble" where she can exist without the fear of judgment or the exhaustion of social interaction.