I found it more touching then sad, Switch's past is sad, but Himeko's past... It's not that sad, just that its more of a Bossun orientated story, after all, Bossun came and shot the thugs. I think it explains the loyalty of Himeko to Bossun.
That's quick! So who's backstory was your favorite? I didn't like Himeko's one, cos I was expecting something more. Switch's one was the best, Bossun's one was okay... But I loved it when he told his mother even though she's not his birth mother, she's still his mother, that part also made me cry. This anime made me cried 2 times, Switch's and Bossun's.