He never forgave the aunt. Both Otoha and Asanaga told him to not bother with it. Asanaga met her because she is the only fanily he has left, but they are close with Otoha, not his parents.
he does though. in chapter 6 he tells otoha he’ll try his best to reconcile with her. he asks if he’s intruding, and thinks in his head why he won’t stop hoping (because he wants her affection and isn’t even mad about how he got treated). when the seme tries to call her out/confront her he stops him because he’s “making her uncomfortable”.
i’ve only read the first volume but it’s pretty obvious the mangaka is giving her excuses for her. not mad at the uke but I’m more mad for him.
I mean did you miss the part immediately following this where Asanaga tells him he doesn't actually have to forgive her? And then goes on to explain that reconciliation comes from both sides wanting it, and that doing it for Otoha wouldn't ACTUALLY make either of them happy. In the latest chapter, Otoha is clearly hesitant to bring up his mom because he knows Yanagi hasn't forgiven her. I get the sentiment and hate that setup too, but I just don't feel this is that. I don't think Yanagi forgave her. He said he wasn't going to see her again. Seems like he cut off the family besides Otoha.
Exactly... Forgiving the aunt had nothing to actually forgiving her but more like letting go of the resentment because he was only hurting himself. Thanks to the aunt, Yanagi had grown distrustful of others and would never open his heart to anyone.
Asanaga wanted Yanagi to let go of the past and start the healing process. Yanagi has cut off ties with that part of his life, but she is still Otoha's and Otoha is very much a part of their lives.
Still Otoha's mom**
I hate the trope of MCs forgiving abusive parents because they were “justified” in the abuse. ESPECIALLY when the MCs apologize to the abusive adults!!
NO the childhood trauma affected him into adulhood! that doesn’t go away just cause the aunt actually felt guilty all along