This will forever and always be one of my favorite mlm stories ever. Their relationship dynamic is literally unmatched.
I really appreciate how the author didn't rely on the stupid miscommunication trope for the conflicts that arise. I also appreciate that the conflicts weren't big and crazy like they typically are in bl. The conflicts used were enough to make the story interesting without making it toxic and because the couple actually talked to each other, I didn't feel like pulling my hair out. The age gap was also so cute because it was done properly between to experienced and consenting adults and the accurate depiction of a dad bod also made me extremely happy! This manga deserves everything and more honestly!!
I re-read this for the fourth time (I read this once a year) and oh my gosh does this one still HURTS. I don't typically get sad over "sad" stories (ngl I usually get angry on the behalf of the characters more than sad) but for some reason this one has always been a tear jerker for me. I partially believe it's because I really enjoyed the chemistry and the relationship between the two main characters. They had their issues, but they were never toxic about it. They were more relatable and realistic. So I got attached to these guys and for those who read the story, yk what happens . It was devastating and bittersweet but I genuinely cannot stop re-reading this story. Their dynamic is literally everything and I've been searching for a mlm or wlw work (I've found some straight works that do it but ngl shojo is home to many couples like this so that's unsurprising to me) that portrays a realistic, healthy, and heartwarming relationship like our main characters here but nobody has gotten close so I force myself to re-read at least once a year and cry. I'm so glad the author did a side story for this !!
I love the main couple so much which is why I always come back to read this but I cannot believe the author actually wasted time putting together a side story for the side couple. Everything about it was extremely weird and uncomfortable. The incest, the victim blaming, every time I reread this I skip anything to do with the side couple. I wish the author would've used the final chapters to focus on the main couple and their life after marriage. It seems a waste that we never really get to see the baby.
I usually don't comment but I was inspired to after seeing the debates on whether shota themes are truly unethical. I think a lot of the people who are arguing that shota media doesn't harm real children are way too focused on the fact that the children are "just fictional" and not taking any other aspects of human morality into account. Yes, the characters are "just fictional" but media that paints children in a sexual light HAS and and will CONTINUE to harm real children in the process.
Think about some sort of killer. Many of them take inspiration or get some sort of drive to commit the unspeakable act through media, Christopher Wilder for example. Wilder was a serial killer in the 80's. He kidnapped, assaulted, and killed many women in the early 80's. He stated that the book "The Collector" by John Fowles, a book where the main character abducts a young girl, inspired his string of murders. This applies to a wide range of crimes. Actual ped0s use sexualized depictions of children in media to fuel their hunger, which can ultimately lead them down a path of actually acting upon these desires. Not only that, but there have been some doujinshi authors that were arrested for using real cp for references for their works. I think a lot of people are way too hung up over the fact that they are "just fictional characters". Of course, most of the time the characters aren't based off of any particular being and isn't based off of any real events. But that alone doesn't mean media like shotacon doesn't at all harm real children. It's not a debate over whether or not the stories are fake but if it can impact real children.
I'm not really here to debate but to offer my two sense on someone who is currently taking a class where this ethical dilemma was explored and explained. I'm not necessarily saying this particular manga is the root of all evil. This is just based on media that sexualizes children as a whole. I personally dropped this because I thought it was a childcare manga and my sense of morals are against this type of media. Not really here to debate so if this irks you then I mean scream in your pillow or something because the most reaction you'll get from me is "I'm sorry you view it that way".
Edit: people are mad so I'm going to clarify something: I'm simply saying I understand why people are irked by this type of media and this is an argument to people who say that this media doesn't harm children in any way shape or form because it's fictional. If this is anger inducing then take a walk. If you aren't a pedo, then the shoe doesn't fit.
This is giving "video games cause violence" argument. Are u going to ban horrors because people die in them in some gruesome ways so a psychopath doesn't get "inspired"? If someone wants to harm a child they will do it without fiction anyway. You will always be on a losing side. You can't ban fiction because someone might get "inspired" as you said. In fact, it turns out people who don't engage in such "problematic" fiction are more likely to be abusers based on all those social media scandals form recent years. People like you who advocate for xyz being problematic have turned out to be malicious individuals who groomed kids. But I bet you don't wanna be associated with them so maybe stop associating people who enjoy/read/watch problematic stuff with abusers as well.
you say a lot of words to show a high moral ground but the only reason you're uncomfortable is you're projecting
I mean I don't feel as if I have a "high moral ground" I just think that a lot of people ignore other major parts of the bigger argument. At the end of the day if that's the media you choose to consume, I can't stop you nor am I interested in trying. I just think the amazing of banter over this topic is interesting
I don't remember saying anything about banning this sort of media or trying to stop every single person who consumes it. You're right, regardless of media people will find a way to harm a child, that's not the point here. What I was trying to get across was that I understand why people are so wary of this type of media and shouldn't be attacked for expressing their overall discomfort. I never said that all people who consumed this media were pedos either. Seems like you're putting words in my mouth because you are offended because you consume this type of media and feel attacked that I spoke poorly of it. I should've made it more clear that I don't really care who consumes it because at the end of the day it's not my job to police people. Please don't put words in my mouth and assume things
AGREE AGREE AGREE
After having an awful day, to see this being updated might have actually been the highlight of my day. The baby is adorable, their relationship is adorable, healthy, and have no signs of toxicity. I actually love this it's a 10/10 all around I definitely need more recs for fluffy mlm/wlw couples in manga/manwha !!!!