I actually really like this and I hope it continues to be fleshed out. I'm all for slow burn romances if done right. Tamaki has a lot of things he needs to work on, but the problem is no one knows he needs to work on those things besides us, the readers.
It's fine to feel uncomfortable by Shi's advances, but also important to remember that Shi has liked Tamaki since they were kids and like someone mentioned below, he's never been in a relationship with anyone, so not only is he exploring his sexuality hand in hand with Tamaki, he's also navigating his first relationship and he just happens to be a very forward person. In addition, he has no idea that Tamaki has trauma around women and sexuality in general. Even Tamaki doesn't understand, so it's impossible for them to have a conversation if He himself doesn't think there's anything "wrong" with him. Shi's advances in the relationship is what will finally bring those thoughts to light, if done right, and I believe that's what the mangaka is doing.
Also Shi and Tamaki are very honest with each other, as in they both aren't afraid to say whats on their mind. I don't really see that as manipulation on either end, its actually a good quality to have in a relationship. The only reason it feels like that to people is bc we know Tamaki's back story. If we didn't we'd just think he was shy. All in all, Shi is still in the process of accepting his sexuality and Tamaki literally has no idea what's going on with him on a psychological level. I understand people's fears, but I definitely don't think this story will have rape in it. It wouldn't work knowing his past.
I actually really like this and I hope it continues to be fleshed out. I'm all for slow burn romances if done right. Tamaki has a lot of things he needs to work on, but the problem is no one knows he needs to work on those things besides us, the readers.
It's fine to feel uncomfortable by Shi's advances, but also important to remember that Shi has liked Tamaki since they were kids and like someone mentioned below, he's never been in a relationship with anyone, so not only is he exploring his sexuality hand in hand with Tamaki, he's also navigating his first relationship and he just happens to be a very forward person. In addition, he has no idea that Tamaki has trauma around women and sexuality in general. Even Tamaki doesn't understand, so it's impossible for them to have a conversation if He himself doesn't think there's anything "wrong" with him. Shi's advances in the relationship is what will finally bring those thoughts to light, if done right, and I believe that's what the mangaka is doing.
Also Shi and Tamaki are very honest with each other, as in they both aren't afraid to say whats on their mind. I don't really see that as manipulation on either end, its actually a good quality to have in a relationship. The only reason it feels like that to people is bc we know Tamaki's back story. If we didn't we'd just think he was shy. All in all, Shi is still in the process of accepting his sexuality and Tamaki literally has no idea what's going on with him on a psychological level. I understand people's fears, but I definitely don't think this story will have rape in it. It wouldn't work knowing his past.