While I understand your point, I partially disagree. This is what I think: Is the bottom responsible for the top's feelings? Of course not. Is top in the wrong for pursuing a fruitless relationship with someone who clearly stated he wasn't interested? Yes, he is being a fool.
But, does that mean the bottom is doing nothing wrong by letting it all happen, even though he knows the seme is being hurt every time they have sex? Does being like "hey, I will never like you and I know you like me, but let's have sex because it's convenient for me, I don't care you get hurt after it because I made clear I don't like you so that automatically makes me not at any fault here, even though I'm aware you will get sad, and I kinda like when that happens" sound like he's doing nothing wrong?
For me, that just shows a lack of affective responsibility. We are not responsible for other people's feelings, but we are responsible for our own actions and how it resonates with the others. If know the other party is getting hurt by something I'm letting happen or doing, why the heck would I continue this? Since it's doesn't affect me at all and it's convenient for me, the fact that the other party is hurt is not enough to end this, because I'm the one winning in this situation (and yeah, its not reallt a win-win situation, because the top just receives crumbs of affection and get sad right after lmao how is that goot for him)? Talk about a lack of empty...
The problem isn't about the bottom being obligated to feel in love with the top just because they had sex (that doesn't even make any sene). The problem is that the bottom is conscious of how the seme is getting hurt because of that physical relationship, and since it doesn't affect him in a negative way (just the seme), he allows it to happen. That's what I think it's not what a person with a health state of mind would do, and giving the fucked background we are seeing about the bottom, honestly it makes sente why he shows a lack of empathy.
You make several good points. I simply disagree entirely that it is any responsibility or even morally right for the bottom to turn down sex just because he knows the top will feel hurt when his feelings aren't returned. What if the bottom was aromantic and not just traumatized or whatever the case might be? He's not allowed to have sex with people that like him? That love him? Those people are adults who are making their own choices and they have that right. It's not his responsibility to say no to sex as long as he's open and honest about his own, which he is. That's my take on it. Thank you for your thoughts!
Hmm, I guess we got to a point where it just comes down to not it being nor right nor wrong; it just depends on how our beliefs/ethical thoughts are aligned.
It's kinda crazy, because for me while your take on it is totally valid and it's coherent, it's also not aligned with what I would consider "right". I was once on the bottom's shoes, seeing a guy whom liked me even though I always stated I didn't want nothing serious, but overtime I saw how he was getting real depressed and having his mental health deteriorating. I felt like shit seeing other person get sad over something I was agreeing and collaborating to (unlike the bottom hahah); it was not my problem nor fault he was feeling like that, he was and adult, knew it was fruitless and actively chose to do it, but I could not bear continuing seeing him because I knew the effect it had in him, y'know. I did us both a favor and ended it, but that's why I think it's not okay to do stuff like that.
Even if the bottom was aro or something, if the other party was okay (as in not crying middle sex bc of how depressed he felt) with their relationship being physical-only I do not see an issue, but if the other party was feeling bad and getting hurt everytime like in this manga, that's when I a problem.
It's not about having sex with no feelings or maintaning a relationship like that, it's about doing that when you know the other person is getting fucked up in the head because of it. I mean, for me I could not, so that's why I (and many others) thought the bottoms attitude was kinda off-putting.
It's not the bottom's responsibility to end that? Yeah, he is not obligated to do anything. But, it is morally to continue it? Well, for me it's not because of what I explained earlier, but I guess it can also be morally right depending on your personal view and experience.
Btw, I don't think the bottom's being manipulative or is a villain of some sort, like how some people are saying in this comment section. It's not like he's a psycho and is actively using the seme or something, thing is he just do not care and gives off aphaty.
I also thank you for being respectful and patient, it's pretty rare to have discussions like that.
Besides that he knows the guy likes him and is still having sex, he hasn't really done wrong though?? I'm actually pissed at those hating on the bottom because fact is people don't owe you return of feelings just because of sex. Period. Full stop. So I'm here waiting on them to grow instead of being pissed at a character for not instantly falling in love. Plus I fuckin love this author and say let them cook