Uh

I mean, yeah, but still no reason to treat Craig as badly as Theo does. I’m gonna make a quick list of everything Theo did to Craig that I absolutely do not agree with:
1. Told him not to get sick because he had to pay the bills
2. When she was being threatened, was completely ready to tell the attacker where Craig was and told them to attack him
3. Hit him when he went to hug her because he was worried
4. Told him to go kill himself
Fortunately, I have never had an experience like Theo, but I think that she’s being unfair and cruel to the only person in the world that loves her and takes care of her.

But u have to understand that Craig went through the same she did. He could not take it any longer that's y he left thinking that she's a girl so her father won't hit her. It doesn't give her the right to blame it on her big brother for leaving and escaping to military. I mean who would want to experience such torture. She is being too harsh on him. Even though she experienced the same torture her big brother experienced, she didn't think about his situation and what he had to take responsibility to make her life a little better than before. That's y she's an a**hole for taking it out on him. She should look at his life from his perspective too since she also experienced the same he did, she should be understanding. No?

You say "yeah", but you don't get it.

Imagine being in a normal, happy family with loving parents and a brother that dotes on you. Then arguments start happening, getting louder every time. One day your mother is no longer around and your father becomes a loud, violent stranger. Then the ONLY person you have left that you were counting on disappears without a word. Before it was only verbal abuse filling you with cold fear, then the beatings begin - every single day. And the only truth you have left is that like your mom who never came back, your brother probably won't either. Your own father doesn't care if you've even eaten a meal - as long as you give him the money for his booze and addiction. He'll beat you senseless if you don't, you may even be threatened of being pimped to men for the money. There may have been instances of sexual molestation. Who cares if you're cold? Who cares if you're hungry? Who are you going to turn to?

How long can a child keep their sanity under those conditions? How long until they are filled with hatred at being left behind, not just once, but twice?

Pent up rage, fear and frustration - Craig understand this. That's why he's doing everything to regain that trust, even if it hurts him. As a brother who loves his sister - he's taking responsibility (you don't see that often now these days).

Theo loves her brother, too. But she's had to be tough to survive. She's had to harden herself, and her heart, to stay alive.

I think the author does her (Theo) character justice of being a victim of child abuse and abandonment.

You’re right, I can’t even begin to imagine how horrible and traumatizing an experience like that must be, or how it changes your personality and your world-view. But, despite it all, I would never ever treat my sibling in such a way. Craig loves Theo and cares and provides for her, and I believe that Theo knows that Craig never meant any harm and trusted that their father would never abuse her (even if he turned out to be wrong), so she could at least try not to hurt her brother that much.

Not everyone one will act the same way in a traumatic situation. No one can truly say what their actions will be. You can't say what Theo thought or felt - she was younger than she is now in the story. Imagine how confused she felt when he did not even tell her his plans - would he be coming back? The damage was done. Theo felt betrayed. She was abused and had to survive alone. Sure, Craig never meant any harm - he just wanted to escape from it all without her.

Would you have done the same thing Craig did to your younger sibling? Leave them alone with an irresponsible, violent parent? Would you truly trust that parent to not hurt your sibling?

Craig and Theo are in the phase of mending their relationship as a family. Theo being the younger one that was left behind - I just can't blame her attitude. She's at this point is still at the blaming phase - "if only she wasn't left behind", "If he hadn't left her alone with their abusive father". She's at the "I'm super pissed at you, don't show your face" and "Don't you leave me again" state of mind.

Craig is doing a fantastic job understanding where all the hate and hurt from Theo is coming from. He tries to reassure her that he'd never leave her again (that's why he risked leaving Dean/Director back then).

As the saying goes - "Don't judge a person unless you've walked a mile in their shoes".
Although you do seem to be the type of person who'd go an extra mile for their sibling (not being condescending). And there are alot out there who'd rather not have anything to do with their brothers/sisters.

On that note - isn't the mangaka doing a great job getting us all emotional about this story as well as the characters? Not just your run of the mill yaoi - a story you can really sink your teeth into.

Yep. All that was wrong.

You do have a point. Like you said, in the end you don’t know how you’d act in a situation unless you’re actually in it. Itks just that for me, siblings are very important, so it’s hard to picture a relationship that has gone off the rails.
By the way, I think this is one of the few times I’ve had an actual civil discussion on the internet where the other party doesn’t defend itself with insults, so thanks for that, too :)

You're welcome! I really respect your view about sibling relationship - not many have that view and bond with their siblings these days.

I enjoy having discussions with people who have a different view and opinion from mine. Not to argue, but to understand and gain a wider perspective of people. To insult someone who is politely replying to my comment in an intelligent manner, would be like insulting myself.

Keep your heart strong that it never becomes jaded!