Because anthologies are usually oneshots, I figured that this one would, be, too, and let down my guard.
...
Chapter 4 definitely should have a continuation out there somewhere because not even oneshots end like that! I've read that it's likely found on the other volumes, but I don't think it'll ever be translated or even seen...
It felt like a mad dash to the ending...
It was building up to something really big.
I mean, the confession happened, the truth of how the younger brother ended up in their clutches was revealed (it was nothing unexpected), and they're all happy, but... but I don't know, it's like the important parts were snipped - no, like an entire 5-10 pages were omitted!
Suddenly, Suzu is awake already, Hana appears to be working alongside him and with only a few words; we know that it's likely he decided to settle jn with Suzu's family, not even a moment with explanations, or at least a nice meeting with the rest of his family, just like how Suzu got acquainted with Hana's, or even any details regarding said "deal" and how or why it was resolved in a single chapter when it's been the main conflict...
Well, at the end all I can say at this point is at least it's great that everything is resolved. Suzu got his brother back, Hana is with Suzu, and Hana's family visits from time to time. Maybe there'll be a short extra, maybe there won't be.
I know he is basically irredeemable - he destroyed lives and performed unscruplous acts, and he genuinely does not care or love...but I felt a sort of pity for that black shadow guy, especially during his final moments. Considering what he did, he would not deserve pity, nor does he need it... but despite my hate for what he did, and what he was, I couldn't help but feel sorry, anyway... (likely because I'm a reader who has a soft spot for lonely people...) I hope that when he was erased from this world, he will be reborn again as a proper character who will know love, everything he wasn't before. Perhaps then, he will finally be fulfilled and free. I'm happy that most of the characters we came to know had their happy endings, and the most important thing is that they were somehow able to achieve the impossible - bringing a fictional character into the real world, and making him real enough to stay.
I kind of wish I could see a short extra detailing the lives of those 3 - I mean the no-good trio. There's likely a possibility that their lives are all similar to Kagami's, hence why they're rather skewed (like that one time in the fireworks festival, when Kagami tells them off and they make it sound like that's a main feature in their friendship. They appear to know what normal friendship is, but at the same time they like treating their "friend" like this as well, thinking it's all good.) I guess the leader is the type who was lonely yet refuses to be pathetic, so someone else has to be the receptacle of his dissatisfaction. Refusing to be abandoned, so he's the one who doesn't cling, and doesn't show affection. Maybe he grew up in that environment, seeing someone who clings, and someone who abandons, so he decided, "I'm not going to be like this". Seeing someone so willing to give everything to him, and in the same muddy situation, feels less lonely, even if it's empty... hence why he can never fully be rid of loneliness, as Kagami observed later on. Buuuut this is all just speculation...
While this already feels complete, and it is, I feel like there can also be a potential volume 2, because there's possibilities to explore - like Kagami's parents, How the two friends are going to act towards Kagami (would they be awkward? Feel betrayed? Try to joke a little, like before? Etc...), and their future together. High school sometimes feels a little incomplete in settings like these, after all.
I'm just kind of surprised that not one person overheard that conversation, or saw what was going on, in spite of the place being crowded.
Then again, it's either people were super drunk or chose to turn a blind eye because it's their well-respected sunbae. The sunbae probably made sure that the only ones at the table are these types (because some people didn't like him and some people appeared to believe in Ba-Da), and the two allies he had were gone because one was too drunk and unrestrained, and the other had to go and stop her.
With the promise of tomorrow, they walk forward... separately.
Like a lot of the readers, I was pretty disappointed. I felt like the secretary strung me along, too. I understand that it can't always be a happy ending with rainbows and flowers, but I was hoping that both of them would move forward hand in hand, because they were still special to each other even as one suffers unrequited love and the other burdened with deep wounds from a previous relationship. To be frank, I felt dissatisfied, not just that they didn't end up together, but also that their problems from the beginning persisted up until the end: there's still unrequited love, and there's still the haunting past. But if the last chapter was anything to go by, they may have just moved forward and taken their first step again, albeit separately. (Of course it still makes me sad!!!)
I may be a hopeless romantic, but I think that "dilemma" of the mom may still give them an opportunity to meet and collaborate. They may not end up together, but they might still work together sometimes - who knows, maybe the overly capable former secretary can run a restaurant properly with President Mo, whose hobby is cooking, occasionally.
Maybe, given time, they can become friends, and Xiao, having finally confided the truth to people (his mom and the president), can breathe easier, and perhaps start his journey to healing, probably. Not forget, not replace, not erase his past love, but at the very least, there's a glimpse of hope in someday healing. At the end of the day, they won't be working together anymore, maybe they'll find other people to be with, but I think President Mo will be a different kind of special, irreplacable person to him as well.
If the story is meant to end like this, then the curtains have fallen. Unlike a promise of love, or a promise of a future together, this is more like a simple, bittersweet promise of tomorrow for both of them.
...but yeah, I wish I read the comments first and spared myself of pain. This little comment of mine is a little salve, a balm, a consolation for the wound I got from my expectations of "the" happy ending. I didn't want to be prejudiced for or against the story so I skipped comments, but this is one of the times I wish I read comments first.
I know this is such a small thing in contrast to the depth of the story and emotions, but I'd like to give a special mention to the merman's fins and tail. Especially the fins. I like how they swoosh and flap around when he's excited or energetic, it's so cute!
I was surprised to see that there were more of those dolls; it must be pretty hard for the hero to remember all their names in a day even if he named them all.
Oliver - green-haired, green-eyed doll who's always with Hugo. Appears to be a general asssistant in the home. Seems to be a little more energetic than Hugo.
Hugo - black-haired, dark eyed doll who's always with Oliver. Appears to be a general asssistant in the home. Seems to be a little more reserved than Oliver.
Cookie - white haired doll with distinctly darker skin. Prototype, so he doesn't speak as much as the others (although we haven't heard the two others speak yet.) Cooks food.
Flona - Blonde haired doll. In charge of "groundskeeping".
Paprika - Red haired doll. In charge of laundry.
Considering how happy Oliver and Hugo seem to be with their names, and how much they anticipated Guster to name everyone else, I think it's safe to presume that the other dolls are also pretty pleased upon receiving names. (And headpats)
It's so short and fast-paced, but the art is pretty and it's a rare merman story.
One may think that she transitioned so fast from cold and grumpy to sweet and loving, but I guess they did what they could to fit it in 5 chapters, much like fairytales where a people fall in love in a matter of minutes. Because she started out grumpy it looks unnatural rather than if she was bewildered and curious from the beginning, it'd be easier to transition into love. The backstory was the main brace and backbone of the story:
Because they met during their childhood, it's easier for the girl to accept that he's not a stranger, even becoming her savior, and easier for us to understand why the merman trusted her despite the possibility of being captured and exploited, because she didn't immediately do anything untoward, and even later tended to him and told him to go back to the sea, reconfirming his initial impression of her. Plus, it provides the brewing point of conflict for the confrontation later on, although this was not too necessary, as other humans can easily fill in that antagonistic role.
They could've explored more things that remain unanswered to the end, but I suppose it's a matter of fill in the blanks for the readers.
Like why merman has no voice, or how her sister/friend was able to know that she and the merman are ok, or even what may have happened to everyone else, including the villain. Then there's also the possibility of the existence of other mermaids, or why there's one young merboy who thrives despite avid hunting of mermaids.
So, if I'm just going to presume, I might as well just believe that the reason the lady knew their fate with strange certainty is thar maybe the girl remembered how they panicked when they hadn't heard from her when she disappeared for a few days after diving, so she decided to send a letter from an undisclosed location telling them that she's fine. The woman seemed so sure, and I want to believe in that happy ending.
Problem with this is that despite their happy ending, there's a looming cloud of uncertainty. What if the crazed villain eventually finds them? He knows what they look like. It only takes a little water to transform the guy into his original form, so even any of their possible future children can also be in danger.
But, like I said, since author ended it here for now, and it's good for a quick read like a little fairytale, maybe I ought to leave it at, "And they lived happily ever after".
... Like the others have said, it feels like it was all just put together in a rush.
Suddenly, sleeping together is part of a contract we barely had any info on.
Suddenly, his friends betrayed him, only to later seek him out, and he forgave them immediately, as if his life wasn't endangered earlier. Even if the way he was betrayed was cheap, the way the traitor was just shown with bandages and a swelling face just felt like a pasted resolution. Even if it seemed small on the grand scheme of things, I at least wanted to see how their meeting went with Shinichi. They don't even have to show the full on thoughts, even just "man, Samejima-senpai got involved with terrible people, huh? Not like we're any good, either~" and then meeting him - like a little bridge, rather than a fast gap, as if the serious betrayal was just a random event that happened. It would've been smoother. The loan shark job felt a little like a passing gig (because he was also a cafe owner and he seemed unsuitable for it, not like he dreamed of being a loan shark either...) and while I understand that he wanted a different path, it's like he rolled a dice and stuck to whatever he saw. Even the way Samejima reconciled with his family felt unsatisfying. It was all just mentioned in passing, after all the heartbreaking tidbits like being denied by his brother, being denied an opportunity to pursue his interests, and a serious back story... even just one panel of a mini-illustration would be better than nothing. But, well, it's cute, and we still got our happy ending, as author intended.
Is this completed? I think this is one of those stories that may need a second volume.
There's a lot of things resolved and clarified, and also a lot more things that I'd like to see, like Haruto being able to go back into society and get a job.
It was worrying to see him caught between two people who scare me a little:
A woman who wants him to throw away everything and become her little pet or doll, and sees nothing wrong with it who he fell in love with
Or
A man who is possessive, can get forceful, and makes decisions for him a lot.
Either way he can't be free with those two, no matter how much they promise their own terms of freedom. (In that regard, Asahi is better; thinking of a way to let Haruto get back into society)
It would probably be better if he gave some space while checking in on Haruto from time to time. Give him encouragement, maybe enjoy some activities together like playing games, hiking, traveling, etc.
It's scary to think that if it wasn't for his mom's call, it would just be Asahi persisting in something Haruto can't accept, and him feeling terrible and coerced into everything, rather than him genuinely making a foundation to stand up in.
I was thinking that Asahi's love is purely unrequited to the end, and nothing will change that, but with the extras, I think that Haruto is starting to also be interested in Asahi- visiting Asahi in his workplace and getting jealous, wanting to be together after being given space - perhaps all according to Haruto's plan, by monopolizing him and yet making it appear that he is setting him free - like a push-pull effect of sorts.
But I think that, despite his possessiveness, if Haruto genuinely falls in love with a suitable woman, and is adamant about being with her, Asahi will probably let go. He was close to doing so until he remembered that the lady was a terrible person to be with, one that might destroy his brother. No waiting "for things to settle down", no chance of him becoming independent, or even be his own proper person, just overly dependent on her. And while he kind of wants the same from Haruto (for Haruto to depend on him the most), he understands, at least, that this will cripple his brother and make him no better than a doll on display. So, if a suitable woman who really appreciates and encourages Haruto appears, he might relent eventually.
Right now, at its ending after the extras, while his feelings show promise, it's not like Haruto has acknowledged them. Unless he meets new people, especially those who are accepting and nice, we can't really tell, and he might consider his dependence on Asahi's encouragement and pampering as "love" rather than genuinely being on equal footing and properly falling in love: as in, "despite all options, I chose you, because I love you even with all other things considered" kind of thing, rather than "he gives me what I want, I give him what I want, he's the only one who can do this for me, it must be love." It's almost similar to how he was with the lady from before.
I guess Asahi doesn't mind as long as Haruto ends up his, but it'll always linger as something wobbly, unsecure, and delicate rather than something sturdy and sure.
It would have been a disaster if due to that misunderstanding, he somehow fell in love with someone else during those 4 long years.
Then again, if he was the type to somehow lose his hearing temporarily due to shock and heartbreak, enough to misunderstand the main point, then I doubt he'll move on all that easily. Even at the point wherein he was angry and wanted to give up before being confronted with the truth, I doubt he'd be easily able to move on considering how he is. I mean, in spite of everything, he continued to love his Hyung.
So it all worked out despite the mess at the beginning, thanks to their unwavering love and dedication to each other.
Since it's "The end", I hope that Lala gives birth safely, that she remains healthy and lives a good, long life for her own sake and for all those who love her. I do think she'll be fine because she has Alistair with her and he's an excellent mage, but that doesn't discount the threat of other nobles, not to mention royalty. Her good heart is her greatest strength and weakness, and she can put a lot of trust in others, so if someone could zero in on Alistair's weakness, and then to Lala's weakness, and exploit it...
They shouls check on the villains every now and again, watch over their dealings, and keep them away from Lala and those she knows. That way they won't exploit a poor child or family or creature and Lala won't end up being ensnared. (Hah, at that point Alistair might end up becoming
Artstyle is cute. The eyes are sometimes too vivid, like they're permanent floursecent bulbs, but it doesn't look too bad.
Story was... ok. It's not too different compared to similar "pitiful ML/2nd ML/Villain finds love in a dedicated reincarnator/transmigrator who will do everything to make them happy." There are a ton of stories with that premise that I've grown to love.
What I wasn't too fond of was the way she left due to the plot changing too much. I understand if she left because of their positions and ages.
I understand if she considered his fixation.
But after changing the plot so much and even being resonsible for healing his curse, she says she doesn't want to change the plot too much? It already changed the moment she stepped in as his maid and warmed his heart. It already changed when he healed him. Did she really want the plot to proceed as normal? Even considering what could happen to him later? There are potentially other ways for her to try and divert his feelings:
Try to let him meet new people.
Make him trust others more.
Be by his side and treat him as a family member, and be firm about it, regardless of how she also feels.
Why leave him and cruelly reject him with the thought that the story changed too much after decidedly changing his childhood?
...Ok, I guess I'm too nitpicky with that tiny detail.
But it's like watching a teenage comedy romance, with the only reason why they're aged up is for them to participate in politics and make big decisions. Pouting, whining, and acting cute are commonplace. It gets a little tiring after a while. It's not even a cute trait - the entire family acted like that 20 years later. I get that there's sappy love, and unchanging relationships, but they really are acting like literal children - even Ibelina, who seems the most mature, is no exception. I'm all for "being yourself", I tend to have childish interests and sometimes act immature but it's like they don't act like children, they ARE children. In the case of the audience with the emperor during his birthday - the emperor might forgive it, and they are 2nd highest, but doing being petty, rude, and childish in front of other nobles? On his birthday? It sets a bad precendent. You can express your displeasure without downright disrespecting him ON his birthday IN FRONT of the nobles - even if it doesn't foster potential disrespect from the other nobles and other classes, even if the emperor doesn't mind, the other nobles might. They may not do anything about it, but it still reflects badly - and in a noble society wherein connections are essential, they basically played jesters of the court.
I don't know, I'm just whining, it all just didn't sit well with me. Nonetheless, I did like the story enough, and as one of the first I've seen of its kind back then, it holds a spot in my memories.
The last sidestory(?) was a little confusing, but I think I can imagine what may have happened, maybe. Little 8 year old Nine wanted to meet someone warm, as he said somewhere here. He likely made that wish on a full moon, and hence it was granted - on the moment wherein there is no more danger nor crisis, and their feelings for each other are already clear and determined. If it happened earlier, Melissa might not have been able to give him all that much care due to dealing with crisis after crisis, not to mention how it might impact future Nine's relationship with Melissa. So, he likely replaced older Nine for a moment, until the magic wore off and he went back to his world. After that, little Nine was determined to meet her again - perhaps in a different timeframe, in a path that leads to a similar future? This is what confuses me. I don't think Melissa had to wait for this Nine to grow up, as old as she is, for them to reunite, when they were already together.
If it's an alternate story, universe, and timeline, then we can't guarantee if it's the same "Melissa" that this Nine will meet. So, maybe, little Nine reunited with another version of this reincarnated Melissa, outside of the usual story too, but in a different path? And then, in the previous world, adult nine must've simply thought of it as a strange dream, probably to be told that a younger him had played with everyone in there?
While other's mind was immediately centered on something else, the first thing that came to my mind is worry. First, the dragon doesn't remember Taehyuk. Then, Hyo Un remembers him, but Taehyuk nearly dies. Then, Taehyuk forgets, gets abducted, and gets thrown to the sea. Even their past life is tumultous. Just when things were looking up, he's suddenly seized by a strange sickness which made him turn into a child... Considering the seriousness of the problems they faced, I'm just worried something terrible is brewing in the horizon.
Thinking about it more clearly, I am probably worrying too much. Taehyuk now has the orb, and their memories are restored. This could be nothing more than a small hiccup, perhaps an allusion to the fact that Hyo Un was once a child spoiled by Taehyuk along time ago. Maybe, like someone else said, he just wanted to relive his youth subconsciously, and wanted to be taken care of. Hopefully it's not too serious.
I guess what was really off is the timing of when this event took place. It could have happened before, or after... rather than when they're on their honeymoon. But, maybe the author will reveal the reasons why it had to take place now and how it should fit in the story.
... Seeing the update date and the lack of topics under here, it looks like this might be one of those consigned to oblivion. If we're only to base this story on the 3 chapters we have, it doesn't seem to be the type to stand out too much, apart from that premise of an omega lady pretending to be an alpha, and a man who was supposed to be an omega but might be an alpha. Who knows? Maybe someone will pick this up...
...In past life and Current life.
Past life:
Sia: Intensely possessive, Highly emotional, more dangerous.
Heeyoun: Keeps up walls and bluffs his way through (didn't let her know his feelings, didn't let her know the truth about his name , tried to make it appear that he doesn't care for her until his life was nearing its end, which was when he did express that he probably did care for her more than he let on), Didn't want to bear children, Wants to leave her and doesn't want to shackle her, Doesn't wish to cling.
Current life: (as if to make up for their past lives, somewhat...)
Sia: Still possessive, but keeps reminding herself of the contract, and trying to keep her thoughts and emotions under control more.
Heeyoun: Still trying to not to shackle her, still tries to bluff somewhat, but is more honest with his feelings- to the point wherein he wanted to hide his pregnancy for a little longer if only to maintain their contract, Expresses his love for her more (esp. in his youth), Wants to have children.
As if they're trying to make up for their regrets in their past life subconsciously, with Heeyoun being more honest and Sia being (slightly)more in control with herself (although the changes of the boy are more pronounced.) Maybe he also regretted the death of their children in his past life - so rather than see them as shackles like before, he sees them as a new family, that he is capable of taking care of. After all, times have changed - prejudices are less pronounced and his being an actor can rake in money compared to back in those days. The most pronounced thing, though, is probably that unlike his past self, rather than think that she should fall in love and find someone else, he isn't completely against the possibility of that someone being him.
It feels like the series has ended in a way that might allow for another volume, but whether it does or doesn't I hope to at least see an extra - nay, even just a single page- wherein he can finally see the restaurant owners' faces fully. I'm happy that the ending hints at him starting to truly move forward.
So...
Does the man return the locket? I sort of skimmed near the end.
Also, did the investigators find the culprit? I feel like the main characters should sort of try and keep an eye out at least to properly clear Lenny's name.