Honestly Chanyoung seems like a self-serving individual, and shallow at best. I really can't like him as a character because we all have that one friend who we know doesn't contribute equally to a friendship and often gains more out of the relationship while barely doing anything. It definitely seems feasible that he realized that he could get something out of playing match maker to Heesu and Seung-won besides helping Seung-won and absolving himself of Heesu's feelings to get closer to Jiyu. Yet last we remember Chanyoung is already in a relationship at the moment. Though he seems like a serial dater, and likely the type of shallow guy who runs through girls mainly to maintain his ego and self importance. The more we delve into his character it really frustrates me that Heesu continues to like such an individual. And as someone has mentioned Heesu is cute, but he's also very childish admittedly. How is your first response to say no to someone who's previously helped you improve you grades, when inviting you to their academy with the foresight of benefiting yourself academically. I won't comment on Seung-won asking under the guise of getting closer to Heesu, because while his whole approach to getting Heesu's attention is slightly underhanded he has done nothing that would seem harmful to Heesu. We've all told a "white lie" to someone we love, but I won't go into the morality of that because people differ in what's an acceptable lie. Yet, when Chanyoung inserts himself yet again, only then does Heesu consider the option? Heesu follows Chanyoung lead without hesitation. He already was beginning is own relationship with Seung-won, but the thought of Chanyoung being around someone else not him spurs Heesu's decision. Heesu's need to monopolize Chanyoung is unhealthy. Have we observed if Heesu talks to anyone besides Chanyoung and presumably Chanyoung's friends besides recently Seung-won up until now? Heesu describes himself as Chanyoung's closest friend, and doesn't allow himself or want to break away from this association. I do to some extent sympathize with Chanyoung's desire to no longer be the focus of Heesu's unyielding attention.Though, Chanyoung's method of doing so comes across as disingenuous and only for his own comfort. I really do want Heesu to be happy but it's so hard to read at times knowing Seung-won's feeling and having them crushed continuously as Heesu has no knowledge of them. It's weirder yet that is juxtaposed for the reader as we know that Heesu's own feelings toward Chanyoung are fully known and are purposely crushed. In fact at the moment Heesu is replicating the exact way Chanyoung treats him half heartedly and projecting this towards Seung-won without realizing it. While Heesu is under no obligations to Seung-won's feelings and has every right to his own feelings towards Chanyoung, his feelings greatly restrict him and I think he knows it but continues to fall back into a relationship he won't try to break. Heesu know's he's too obsessed/clingy towards Chanyoung, but I think he relates his crush to his own individuality. Without the crush, then he doesn't really know who he is at least to himself that is. Man for such a light-hearted manga this is actually pretty pitiable to witness as an observer.
Okay,but to the first point that's what having a crush is like. People often do things they shouldn't because the person they like ask/told them to. People often do things they should have been doing because someone they like told them to. Besides Chanyoung isn't just a crush he's Heesu's best friend. also just because Seung-won helped him doesn't make Heesu obligated to do anything, also he doesn't care for him in a romantic way so why should he? Also he just tells Seung-won the truth "he dosn;t like studying" that's it he doesn't need a reason more than that. The story also gives us he'd probably need his moms permission. The way Heesu acts is cringy and embarrassing, but I think it's because it's so realistical and believable for what people will do when they're infatuated with someone
You do realise that you wrote a pretty amazing Thesis/article on This manga
That's my point though is that Heesu's makes the crush define him. Of course Chanyoung being his best friend is without a given, but doesn't want to be friends with anyone else accept Chanyoung and those associated with him. Notice we wants to go when he feels threatened that Seung-won is around Chanyoung more lately when really it's the other way around as we know. I'm not saying that people don't do crazy things for love either or think irrationally. I completely understand that. Also mentioning that he doesn't like to study is valid, but notice that doesn't matter once Chanyoung is involved in the issue. His flashback to the first attempt at the academy shows he obviously paid more attention to Chanyoung than even bother studying hence his mother scolding him. I doubt it would have been an issue of parental consent when said flashback highlights that he's been to an academy before.
(⊙…⊙ )
Ryouhei seems like the type of person who's had bad luck most of his life, so now he's living for himself on his own terms. Really sucks that no matter where he goes, the fact that he's gay becomes a priority to others around him. For some reason the fact that this will go the typical he's "straight but bicurious" for the first gay he man he encounters trope so now he can transition towards being gay happening for Onodera really undermines Ryouhei's autonomy. Onodera's constantly stalking him and appearing to see Ryouhei as an opportunity to test a new sexual experience is gross. Ryouhei clearly is gay but doesn't want to be defined as the gay guy who's treated as a spectacle. The fact that Ryouhei caves in because his friend's call him "easy" and Onodera keeps pestering him is so toxic. I know this isn't popular opinion but I actually hate that so much in yaoi and especially how Onodera goes this route to win over Ryouhei who seemingly before he thought Ryouhei was straight so had no interest in him. I mean the man has been divorced twice he clearly loves woman, goes to a female host club often too. Probably ruined his marriage because of such visitations as Ryouhei points out. Of course there are bisexual people, but that's not how his character is being displayed. It continues to perpetuate gay man as only capable as sex obsessed and weak to the whiles of straight men being so apparently "special" and "desirable" that they'll throw out their integrity for no reason.
YES YES YES Y E S PREACH OML
**FURIOUS APPLAUSE**
I CAN'T EVEN WRITE A COMMENT, YOU DID THE MOST
Don't get me started on the first couple and the slut shamming and domestic violence. That is such a serious problem in the queer community. Like so many queer people( especially queer teens) are subjected to violence by their partners or loved ones for the author to joke about it like that is actually disgusting.
The slut shaming irked me so fucking hard because I see it so often like, "ah you've been with other people so I have to have a life crisis and reevaluate everything so that I can *still* be jealous"
like chill the fuck out and sit the hell down ugh
honestly yaoi is filled with so many things that I've somehow been growing less desensitized to over the years. I mostly read shonen ai these days because stupid drama is better than brushing off actual felonies
Not an unpopular opinion, my dear. I also agree with everything you’ve just said
And again I agree with you
But I’m glad somehow (only a few times though) such attitudes were criticized (like the “prejudice” in parenthesis on page 5/chp2, and Seta’s /late/ reaction to being called a slut on page 20/chp2, though his arguments are not the best)
You are not the only one, I think a lot of us are getting fed up with this kind of plot devises.
Honestly I still don't understand why Taiga is obsessed with the aniki, Ryuusei? The guy treats him like shit but when it comes to acts of sex he'll act kind only then. He actually left Taiga to "die" in the hospital too, I think another character pointed out. Just hoping there's a reason like, Ryuusei stopping other gangsta's from attacking Taiga at the hospital at the very least. If not running away to be a daycare teacher while the person you love is in a coma for your sake is just amazingly shitty. While the aniki says he loves Taiga so for his protection acts like a tsundere I suppose?I'm just not a fan of characters who are dicks to their supposed love interests and then it will probably written off never to be addressed.
You'll see in the next chap
Honestly while it's a happy ending, the two of them really shouldn't be together. While Keisuke acknowledges he took advantage of Akane's grief and Akane used Keisuke for atonement. A relationship founded on their over reliance on one another is toxic. They may be happy with one another for now but it'll never truly feel genuine based on how greatly they've used one another up until this point. I'm still seriously angered by Keisuke actions too. While I recognize he didn't know the role Akane had in Mei's death, how he fully knew he was emotionally using Akane who's already in a fragile state worsened Akane's guilt, reliance on Keisuke, and self worth. Keisuke knows this. Even him falling in love with Akane could simply be a result of Akane was always around him with Mei's face. Now that he loves Akane for him, does that mean he still won't think of Akane as a connection to his twin, Mei? This projection actually happens often to people dealing with grief, falling love with someone sharing similar extreme emotions as a coping method. It's just going from one extreme emotion to another hoping it's will alleviate the anguish. The two of them probably should have taken a break from each other at the very least and then seen if the feelings they have are 'real' not a product of their proximity. Akane's love for Keisuke morphed into codependence really at some point too.The whole thing honestly is just sad to read. I just hope Akane wouldn't continue to feel less than and push those feelings away for the sake of Keisuke once again.
I don't know why but this has been bothering me. What are the ages of the characters as of now? I know that Sajou and Kusakabe are likely 20. But Hana-sen and Sano's ages confuse me. As well as Hibiki and Satoshi sensei. In the Occupation to Beloved it's implied that Sano is 20 because he can finally have sex with Hana-sen which makes no sense as he's suppose to be at least 3 years younger than Sajou and Kusakabe. The same goes for Hibiki technically because he was still a highschooler when Sano was a high schooler but is now at pastry school. I know this is random but it's been bothering me because I can't figure out the time line of the stories. Like are all the stories simultaneous events happening at the same time or are they their own stories centered around each pair happening in their own specific time and just relayed to us in sequential order? I mean Sano is clearly an adult who's living with Hana-sen by OTB and Kusakabe went to visit Hana-sen when he was 18 because Sajou mentions there's still two years before they can get married so I feel like that proves that events are happening simultaneously. So are their ages screwed up just to speed things up in the story? Does someone have an explanation for this?
I've been wondering about this too and I'm really glad I saw your post! Sajou definitely makes a comment in OTB that he has two years left and "marry me" at 20, which has always made me think he was 18...or at the very least NOT twenty yet. I agree it seems like they're about 20 now. But you're right about Sano, because he talks about having already waited five years to sleep with Hana in OTB, which would put Sajou and Kusakabe into their 20s, I think? I used to think the two stories were set at different points in time, but they interact in the high school reunion chapter, so...
TL;DR I'm also confused about the ages.
Wow that new info that made everything so much worse. Giving off those Canis vibes now.
Also, given that similar events have happened in real life, it makes the apathetic response to the abuse from the Arnault son, who too is only caring about his dick at this stage, even more infuriating. Child abuse concerning the care system was a well known secret, and has led to some high profile allegations and prosecutions relatively recently, so I wonder, given the UK/ European setting if the author was unfortunately inspired by these recent cases.
It's hard to have sympathy for the son, at the end of the day he is contributing to the cycle of abuse experienced by the staff at the salon, and the political corruption by being it's patron. He also was made aware of two instances of abuse, Heath being battered by a client, and Arwin being forced to work as a child, yet all he can think about is the next time he will get to sleep with Arwin.
It also makes the dad look worse, if that was even possible.
What are you on about???? Are you reading the same thing i am
?
Honestly I’m glad this is likely done because I’m done with this. Both stories were just stupid.
sometimes i just wish if both characters are originally seme, they'd just be a seke couple. I know yaoi is a terrible reflection on actual gay relationships but always needing to be forced into seme,uke roles gets old.Though some people prefer such specific roles in real life too.
Ooooh I love reversible couple in yaoi~
100% agree with you but the thing is Yaoi is pretty much porn made for japanese girls thats why they force this uke/seme thing into the manga so those girls can somehow feel related to the Uke since they can never be a seme (unles they wear a strapon LOL) thats also why there are tons of yaoi out there where the uke is pretty much a girl in a man's body wich is annoying af. Things are getting better nowadays tho, there are a lot more seke couples and manly ukes then it used to be
Yeah! I totally agree with you! It is really getting better! I also used to really love your standard yaoi but now that I have been reading it for soooo long I like the new stuff! with uke not looking like your usual uke (same for the seme) reversible couple and really manly uke ahaha
Oh ya! One of my favorite couples has a scene where the uke is being harassed for being gay and he beats up the guy, then the seme comes in and they beat him up together. I normally don’t like fights but the whole uke handeling himself and the working together made me really happy. (Then again I don’t know actually who has what position, but either way both are strong characters)
Any suggestions for good yaoi manga with reversible couples?
I love this one http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/mazu_wa_ubaiai/
this one if you can handle cheating http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/mukizu_ja_irarenee/
this one is very close to seke(to me it is seke but maybe im imagine too much) http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/i_m_not_your_stepping_stone/
super hot seke(this one aint flufy nor romantic so if you're really into romance dont read) http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/innai_kansen/
since they are all old you probably already read them all ╮(￣▽￣)╭ but who knows maybe you get lucky. Have fun
Thank you~ I will probably just read them again (⌒▽⌒) since good yaoi mangas are hard to come by.
I don't speak for everyone, but for those who like/dislike Zono, this is how I see his behavior. I get the feeling that Zono and Fumi don't interact at all without Kaede or Ryousuke as a buffer, or without them having sex. There's nothing that shows that they've grown romantically inclined towards the other that's organic i.e. just hanging out or those lull moments that provide character depth with one another. Zono's at the moment speaks more towards a lust filled jealousy with a sprinkling of pity more than i've fallen in love with Fumi even by the end of the chapter. They're definitely within their right to have a physical relationships with one another and other people while neither is in a relationship. However, Zono has indicated that Fumi is simply lonely and using Kaede as a crutch so Fumi should focus on someone else like Zono to ease his "broken heart". Then with this in mind what makes Zono any different? They're using each other which is again within their right, but how is Fumi getting a happy ending then if that's apparently the end goal? He's clearly doesn't have feelings for Zono at the moment, and Zono's own feelings towards Fumi are ambiguous. If Fumi falls in love with Zono it'll be the typical you took my virginity, now i'm conditioned to think that sex equals love situation because you're my first intimate interaction. Zono's only indicated that he wants Fumi to give up on Kaede and choose him, not the promise of a romantic relationship. After all they began having sex because of Zono's attraction to Fumi's face right? It's not even explained why they were having sex initially or technically continue. Zono "blackmails", Fumi but doesn't really mean it, it's just a sex game really. More or less a kink for their foreplay with one another. In real life Zono would probably bore of Fumi just as quickly has they began and go back to sleeping around tbh. That might change in future chapters, but right now it's the typical rich boy is lonely and settles for the resident player bad boy who just likes the chase.
More or less the author wants Fumi to be happy but really it's just toxic projection of needing affection more than love that Fumi keeps falling into. I don't even dislike Zono or anything like that he is what he is. I just feel it's forced that just because he's introduced among the initial central pairing, he's the fallback plan for someone like Fumi who needs clearly someone who would coddle him rather than play mind games. There'e not even enough character growth in Zono in one chapter for him to seemingly now love Fumi regardless of if he's still sleeping around. People who are in love still have sex with others, fair enough too. Yet, sometimes I'd rather just have the author introduce a new character instead than clash preexisting characters just for the sake of a relationship which clearly wouldn't mesh well without the central pairing to prompt it.
also side note Chapter 5 has been translated. You'll see what I mean about Zono now.
https://myreadingmanga.info/chiba-tayuri-okukoi-escape-eng/5/
While I completely understand why Yukio is sleeping around as some of mentioned as a tool to aid Yamato and Yukio gain more power. My issue is Yukio did so behind Yamato’s back. He never told Yukio he was still sleeping around, another member of their friend group ratted Yukio out unknowingly. Yukio knows he’s cheating on Yamato rather than this is an equally acknowledged action between himself and Yamato. They’re a yakuza couple their standard of monogamy probably doesn’t apply and even if it does every relationship Is different. Open relationships and polyamory is acceptable to consenting individuals within a relationship. However, these sort of relationships aren’t implied as the basis of Yukio and Yamato’s relationship as Yamato seems to be exclusively dating Yukio. Worse I was irked by Yukio even slightly being jealous of Yamato’s past lovers as presently Yukio while with “good” intentions is sleeping with others and lying about it to Yamato. I think that’s what upsets me more than anything for the couple. Yamato might not mind given their circumstances, his personality, and Yamato ‘s overall loyalty to being a yakuza for Yamato ‘s sake but I’m definitely pissed for Yamato. Maybe one they’ll be dedicated to one another wholly but right now it seems they aren’t.
don't even understand why this is being down voted when it's clearly stated that Yukio hadn't intended to tell Yamato of his infidelity. People really like to ignore what's reality.
Don't worry Iam with you!
He doesn't cheat on him. They both know explicitly they'll have to do this kind of thing. He didn't do it for his pleasure, it's part of the job. It'll be unhealthy if each time Yukio had sex with someone else, he comes home and tells to Yamato. It doesn't mean he can't be jealous of Yamato's previous relations, he's human and in love. They chose to preserve their love of the darkness surrounding them and not taint it. They love and trust each other. They're willing to do some sacrifice.Yamato would like to have Yukio only for himself but he knows Yukio loves him so much, he would do everything for him and to help him with his goal.
So you're OK with him still sleeping around? And continuing it?
That's what I meant by they're in yakuza they're not going to be a "traditional" couple. The problem was it's likely they hadn't talked at that point on what they'd be doing to secure their potion including sleeping with others. They obviously love each other, it's that Yukio wanted to hide that he's sleeping with others. Yamato is a big boy who grew up as a yakuza he's not stupid and he's definitely not the type to get jealous and clingy so why wasn't Yukio upfront about this? I mean he was wiling to betray is own father for Yamato you can't tell me that sleeping with others and telling Yamato would damage Yamato anytime soon.
making excuses, doesn't excuse honesty. Which Yukio and Yamato have always been to one another except for this apparently.
when you're hiding what you did, it's cheating. Yamato doesn't care, but it's still cheating. People in open relationships have ground rules and are honest they may not tell their s/o everytime they sleep with someone else but they at least tell them they're sleeping with other people to begin with.
And yamato clearly did get jealous, he said it himself that he doesn't like it when yukio touchs other girls and I bet if yukio had to sleep with someone yukio would be ALOT more jealous
If Yamato agrees with that. I don't have any problems. I prefer monogamy and I like people to be faithful. If they want to reach their goal regardless of the means and the two parties see no problem, it's their relationship. Yamato doen't think Yukio is unfaithful to him,he knows there is no feeling involve. It's the reason he is not insecure. Yakuza's world is not beautiful. Yamato is the one who made the choice to stay there and wanted to have Yukio with him, he knows what world they live in. I hope when they'll reach their goal or if Yamato doesn't consent, he stops.
Their lives are the bleak ones this aint k drama where everything is rainbows and butterflies they might even have to kill in order to be with each other. Yukio uses sex to gain some useful informations. He doesnt do it cuz he wants to. Duh.
I don't think he was intentionnaly hiding it. He thought it wasn't worth to talking about. He didn't do it for his pleasure. In addition, he did it at home or so, where everyone could be aware and see it.
They are quite right to be jealous because it is not an open relationship where they sleep with people for pleasure, everyone get what he want. But here, it's the circumstances that force them to do that.
I really think you're not reading what I'm writing fully. I never once said that Yukio is having sex with anyone else besides Yamato for pleasuring that's not I mean by Yukio cheating. It's his shocked reaction to Yamato knowing about he's doing. While, Yamato is apparently understanding of it since it's him who clearly states that Yukio doesn't enjoy sleeping with others, what I'm pointing out is that Yamato was hiding this information from Yukio. Yukio might have done it at school where anyone could have found out, but he didn't think Yamato had that's it. Hence why Yukio said that comment about Aki tattling on him once he was found out. You're right it's not rainbows and butterflies within their bleak lives, but it's definitely trust and comrades. Yukio is doing this with Yamato in mind, but it's the point of doing it as if Yukio knows best by doing so without alerting Yamato. If Yukio had so much as told Yamato himself without someone else doing so, it wouldn't be cheating. Sex doesn't have to be attached to feelings for someone people, it's the clear distinction and honesty that prevent it from being cheating. Think of it as a porn star having sex for money compared to them having sex with their s/o. It's just a job clearly, but there need to be clarification. Regardless Yamato won't be completely without jealously, but you make the distinction as i've said in order to overcome it. These two are very close there is no question about that and like i've said before Yamato isn't happy about it but he doesn't mind given their circumstances. i'm not arguing with you about that. My point is that with the fact that Yamato can't trust anyone given who he is, Yukio wouldn't just hide sleeping with others unless he felt bad about what he was doing somehow. Yamato loves Yukio and probably won't spare Yamato feelings, but Yamato again isn't fragile nor filled with rainbows and butterflies to not know the reality of their live to be fully informed.
to not be fully informed* excuse my phone's typos
also should Yukio have to sleep with others in the future it won't be considered cheating because Yamato fully knows what Yukio is doing. It's this instance that i'm saying is cheating because Yukio wasn't fully honest. I'm only concerned about the honesty not the sexual act itself.
I understood perfectly what you are trying to say. It's just that I don't see it this way. Yukio took liberties and did things without informing Yamato. You consider it to be cheating. You have the right, and many would certainly see things this way. For me, their relationship is based on a certain understanding of who they are, a trust and also the reality of their world. For you, he wasn't honest. For me, it was insignificant, hence the fact he didn't say it, not because Yamato was not going to support it or take it well. We'll just agree to disagree.