I think you’re right.

I had pretty much forgotten until this chapter, but it actually started out with Sumire in particular wanting to be sympathetic to the flies, but then it all went badly sideways, and it’s been this awful fight for survival ever since.

I suspect, especially because the chapter title calls attention to it, that that’s the way it’s going to go - one way or another, she’s not only going to survive but is going to eventually be won over, as pretty much everyone who spends enough time with Sumire is.