kalen, did you read the whole thing? Ikuro's mom physically and sexually abused Norihiko which went on for years until she died. Whether it is conscious or not, Norihiko's mental/sexual manipulation of Ikuro is definitely compelled by feelings of revenge. I'm not going to definitively say that Norihiko hasn't developed deeper more complex feelings for Ikuro, but "love" is definitely not his primary driver, if at all. I personally think that Norihiko has an end-goal, which I don't know yet what it is; but, I think that it is either to destroy the entire family, or to subjugate Ikuro to his will for life, mind-break him or ultimately even kill him. Whatever his true motivations, they cannot be anything good. Deep down I was hoping beyond hope for a happy ending for all of them, Norihiko with Ikuro, Ranzo with Kenichi and for Ikuro's wife to walk away unscathed, but after finding out that it was Norihiko who set those assassins to kill Ranzo, I can't say I care anymore. I just want Ranzo and Kenichi to escape and be happy together. All of them have been victims of Ikuro's father, but in my estimation, Ranzo has been damaged the most even though he is the most innocent. （/TДT)/
You've described Norihiko so well! I've mostly been thinking of Ikuro and Ranzo's abuse and completely forgot that the mother was taking advantage of Norihiko. His motives make more sense now. Yes, he always wanted power in the family, and now he's pulling all the strings. He does whatever he has to to get what he wants, I don't think his feelings for Ikuro are that of love at all. At most what is there is lust, but realistically I think what he likes is the power and Ikuro's submission. I want Ikuro to get out of that family, hopefully find that guy from chapter 6 again, and Ranzo to get out with his caretaker and finally have an actual life. Somebody save these children!
And the wife of course! I don't want anything bad to happen to her...poor girl has no idea what kind of twisted family and house she has married into.
Norihiko didn't send the assassins to kill Ranzo. If you can, please read chapter 11 again and give it some deeper thoughts :)
I did as you suggested. Is this what you are referring to?
http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/tourou_no_ori/mf/2f1add6d4d62f5cf5ba95aa7f95f8a3a_chapter-11/pg-41/
Where Ikuro asks him "why did you lie?", meaning, Norihiko didn't send the assassins? If Ikuro is right, then you are correct and Norihiko did not directly contract the assassins/had nothing to do with the kidnapping attempt. Based on the scene provided, those men plotted the kidnapping on their own; however, whose POV is referring to the two men resentful of the Ota family, and the "thought" bubble stating, "things could not have turned out better?".
I would infer that Norihiko was aware of how those men felt and of the whole plot; even if he did not directly orchestrate it, if those men would have kidnapped or killed either Kenichi or Ranzo, Norihiko would have been indirectly responsible for standing by without doing anything. Again, assuming the background POV is Norihiko's.
Yes, I don't think he'd do something like directly hire some men to kill ranzou, he's smarter than that
lol out of all the twisted parts here my top 1 most sketchy character is norihiko aka butler-san. i feel like he's trying to get iku for a certain reason, it doesn't feel like he loves him at all. he clearly said that the mom was sweet when she broke down but iku was sweeter. it's like he's trying to get a revenge. "revenge is sweet". maybe something happened to his family or he's just a complete saddist who likes watching people be at their worst. he's like that parasitic worm who killed the mantis. we are convinced that ran is the problem "mantis" bht then there's an even bigger obstacle "worm"