TachibanaChiharu's Topics (173)

This story must be read in conjunction with the prequel "I: Episode 0". A good chunk of the motivation for this story is only present in the prequel, and without it, this story just isn't as good. The prequel has some really difficult/stomach-turning scenes though, so mentally prepare yourself...

I went to look on amazon.co.jp and there is only one 32-pg / 33-pg (the sites disagree on the pg count) issue listed for this title, released in Nov 2018. I checked Renta too and same story. I don't know if this title was dropped by the author/publisher after one chapter or what. We may not get anymore because there may not be anymore.

There's so much to like about this story that all the slut-shaming on the part of the semes just nearly completely ruins it. Shinkai at least has room to grow out of being like that. Maru has no excuse; he's such a jerk to Mu over something that is none of his business**.

Also, going in dry isn't just rude, it's physically harmful. It's not something you do to someone you love; it's the type of thing a rapist does to have a power trip over their victim. The tone of this story is inappropriate for a plot development like this.

** Like, I get that he wants to have an exclusive relationship with someone who has been pretty cavalier with his sexcapades, but it's still no excuse. You talk about it with your big boy words and come to a mutual agreement, rather than act like a jerkhole. Maybe this was intended to be funny. I didn't find it funny though. A person is allowed to do whatever you want with their own body, with others, as long as it's mutually consensual, which it seemed to be, while not in an exclusive relationship. Maru needs to get over himself.

This comic has no plot. What is the season or series building up to? Usually you can tell, e.g., "oh, when it gets to X plot point, it will be the season finale". But for this... what is it? Is it Dir Park and Suha dating officially? Is it Dir Park proving himself to President Lee? Is it Dir Park standing up to President Lee? Is it Suha calling it quits with Dir Park from his end because Dir Park is kind of a jerk to him? Is it Dir Park learning a lesson about how to treat the people you care about?

This political struggle w/in the company and the romance plot both seem to get about equal time in the story. I'm stumped. Now that it's past chapter 30, we should be expecting a season or series finale soon. In the next 15 chapters or so I'd guess? But Suha's back to doing a booty call subplot over the next several chapters. That doesn't seem like any kind of build-up to anything important. Maybe this will be character development for Dir Park, then? And then something can happen with the Dir Park/President Lee dynamic directly after?

Also, Suha and Dir Park are in this weird, nebulous "who's ahead of who" political situation. Director Park is obviously Suha's direct report boss, thus, is in a position of power over Suha. But Suha is an adoptive son of President Lee's family, and President Lee does not seem to like Dir Park much and is in a significant position of power over Dir Park, with the axe held directly over his head. It's a weird but interesting dynamic. Wish the author would do a little more with this. She started to, but then went back to the horny rabbits again. Ah well.

This is supposed to be a light-hearted rom-com, but the story struggles right out of the gate before dropping a doozy midway through that tanks it completely. It's unfortunate, because the author is very good at writing comedic moments, and characterizing interesting side-characters, but seems to struggle with holding a long-form plot together. Noboru's brothers in particular are stand-out positives in an otherwise mediocre property.

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Note: I did finish the entire story.

First off, BL stories are usually written with one of two setups: "childhood friends" or "strangers' chance meeting". This story is setup like a childhood friends story, but is actually a strangers story, and so these two things don't quite line up right.

Basically Noboru and Naoya didn't know each other before HS, yet Naoya decides immediately that he has a crush on Noboru for no reason at all. He starts pursuing Noboru relentlessly, leaving Noboru confused and flailing because he's like "who is this guy and what the heck, man". Note that even by the end of the story this initial attraction is never properly explained. It skips past all the push and pull of such a setup, which is usually the most interesting part to read of this type of story. I will concede that the story does eventually explain why Naoya likes Noboru after he gets to know him better, because Noboru doesn't care about Naoya's family status, but this isn't something Naoya knows about when they first meet, and he doesn't even really know until many chapters later.

The next major problem is that the author can't figure out for several chapters how she wants to characterize Naoya, so instead we get a sequence of events of him behaving in completely different ways from the previous scene, for scene after scene, so the reader (and Noboru as well) can't be sure what sort of person he is. Anything he says could be a lie or an act, because we have no preestablished consistent expectation for his behavior. So Noboru is completely legitimate in not trusting him and/or expecting him to be full of BS, or to be teasing/playing with his feelings.

The next part is a personal preference, but Kazushi is an annoying character used in a cliche way in the first section of the story. Meanwhile, after he acts like a jerk, ruining things for both Noboru and Naoya, the story never really bothers to redeem him, yet the two leads keep allowing him to be around them to ruin more things. I can't tell if this was supposed to be some kind of comedic setup to be played over and over, but it falls flat because some of the things he does are really, really crappy, which doesn't fit for a character typically used in this manner (comic relief). Also, why didn't they call the police when he absconded with the twins? He literally committed a crime.

Also, another personal preference, but Naoya is a horribly generic seme/protagonist, and he isn't really that interesting to read about because you can practically predict everything he's going to say or do in a given situation. Name a hobby of his. Something he likes besides the uke. A personal tick or quirk that only he does? A subject in school that he's good at or a class that he likes? A sport he plays? Compare this to another one of the author's works, "Dekiai Itokon", the seme in that one is so chock full of personality that he's the best thing to read about in the entire story. (Also, the uke is less-interesting in that story and acts like a girl stand-in, so pair up Touji (seme) with Noboru (uke) and you have a much better story between the two of them, LOL)

Anyway, a side effect of the boring and predictable seme is that the story about Noboru/Naoya gets draggy and boring in the middle/end, making it difficult to finish. By the third volume you're begging for a side story about Ayumu, or some kind of redemption story about Kazushi, or maybe a Hiroya (older bro) story just to spice things up. Just something else that is more interesting than the Naoya/Noboru relationship which has been tiresome for a while.

And lastly, of course, the elephant in the room. In every story I've read with the rape-to-love and stockholm-syndrome trope, there will be people in the comments screaming that the seme is trash, and others trying to explain it away as justifiable. I shall submit one of my typical lists of points to be made about this subject in general, and also this subject as handled in this story specifically.

- Let's start off with a minor point. This sex scene was burdened with the cliche "teleport to a bed somewhere" trope that plagues so many BL stories, immediately disorienting the reader as they try to figure out the context of the situation. Were they in a hotel? Did they go all the way back to Naoya's house? Surely they weren't in Noboru's tiny house with all his brothers around?! I was like "what the heck is even happening" while reading the beginning of this scene, which served to make subsequent actions in the scene much more grotesque because the reader is already in a state of disorientation before the rape-y part even begins.

- Now, for the biggest point (and longest). Rape is a justifiable plot element in a story written appropriately around it (Kokoro o Korosu Houhou), but it is never, ever, a justifiable character action for a character played straight, towards someone they supposedly love, with no redemption arc to bring them back into the sphere of "good people". It doesn't matter if Noboru has some wrong idea about Naoya. It doesn't matter if Noboru yelled at Naoya, or if they got into a fight where Noboru was clearly wrong. It doesn't matter if Noboru was being a cocktease, being cute while not letting Naoya tap that azz. It is Noboru's body, and what he says goes, and any action taken by an outsider to violate Noboru bodily is a crime. Blaming Noboru for this is victim-blaming. "Oh she dresses like a slut so she wanted it" or "she was drunk, so clearly she didn't care if someone did that to her". This is not a good look to wear. Because Naoya is a seme played straight, this scene does not fit with the "good person" image the manga tries so hard to convey for him both before and after.

Also keep in mind that Naoya pushed his way into Noboru's life at the beginning of the story completely against Noboru's will, and insisted on continuing to invade Noboru's personal space over and over until Noboru effectively gave up on his pursuit of girls and allowed Naoya to have his way. This might be an acceptable sequence of events when the pushy seme is a rich, smart, talented sexpot, but if he was a balding, overweight, middle aged man, would people still think this was acceptable? I find, when viewed in this way, there is even less justification for Naoya raping Noboru because having a relationship with Naoya was never Noboru's choice to begin with, and of course he's going to be hesitant about going that far over to the "other team" until he settles it internally on his own.

I know this bullet point is already too long, but this is the last addendum to it -- I also find the story's explaining-away of Noboru's straightness to be suspect. He clearly liked girls from the beginning. Then Naoya's like, "you just appreciate their aesthetic in a non-sexual way, just believe me, I have no ulterior motives", and Noboru's like, "okaaaay" and just accepts this weird explanation like, what? This needs to be a decision Noboru comes to completely on his own, not something Naoya shoves onto him just to get his way. Otherwise the story turns into schlock that doesn't even bother trying to make sense anymore.

- Not only do we NOT get a redemption arc for Naoya after he does this hideous thing, but Noboru immediately forgives Naoya and then subsequently blames himself for the whole thing BEFORE Naoya even has a chance to apologize. Ugh. Why, manga, why? Again, I reiterate: Noboru did nothing wrong, and none of this is his fault, and Naoya is completely to blame yet never has to reap any consequences for his actions because he's already been forgiven before he has a chance to even think about what he did.

- This rape scene in general is inappropriate for the tone of the story. Light-hearted rom-coms don't have ugly rape scenes. This isn't Perfect Blue. This tonal dissonance is why this was such a jarring plot development for most people to read.

- The purpose of the rape is intended to convey to Noboru that Naoya is no saint, but instead makes Naoya look like a terrible arsehole, which is not the same thing, and is also incredibly detrimental to the overall story. People want to see the protagonist (Noboru) with someone they like who is portrayed as a good person because this is a rom-com not a psychological thriller. This plot development takes it in the opposite direction and turns a bland character (Naoya) into a bad person, because now he's disrespectful of Noboru's personal space, bodily autonomy, and personal choices.

- This disagreement between Noboru and Naoya could've been handled in any number of different ways and been less offensive and inappropriate, while also being more interesting and not a detriment to Naoya's character. Have Naoya communicate his feelings with his big-boy words, for a start. Or, have Naoya pull back from being friends with and stop associating with Noboru. Have him start becoming friendly with someone else, leaving Noboru to try and figure out what's wrong, and then they get into a shouting match with tears and whatever when things boil over. Have Naoya whip his own dick out and jerk off in front of Noboru while moaning Noboru's name, but not touching him, leaving Noboru to decide how to react (note: this is a crime too, but it doesn't involve personal violation of Noboru's body, which makes it feel less sleezy). Heck this last one could reasonably be played for laughs, and since this is a rom-com, where characters talk about poop almost constantly, would've been a better addition to the story. But honestly, anything else than what we got would've been better, really.



tl;dr -- The story had lots of problems right from the start, between questionable characterization choices, a bad plot setup, and tired tropes that should be put to bed already. The rape scene in particular was inappropriate and damaging to the story as a whole and Naoya's character in a way that it and he never fully recovered from, it was simply ignored and forgotten as if it didn't happen. I know this author can do better because she has, so its just a disappointment. There are good moments here, especially anything to do with Noboru's brothers, but overall these side characters and the interesting lead, Noboru, is wasted here.

Dekiai Itokon is a better story by the same author.
http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/dekiai_itokon/

Chapt 64 is lit; but I can't help but keep thinking that this entire situation is Joowon's fault. He pushed Haesoo into sex back when they were young then told Haesoo not to fall in love with him. Haesoo has never forgotten this. Meanwhile Joowon has become completely obsessed with Haesoo in the intervening years. The only thing I can't tell is if Joowon forgot he'd told Haesoo not to fall for him and this whole thing is a misunderstanding, or if he's just being a jerk, wanting Haesoo to be codependent on him but while not wanting to actually give himself completely to Haesoo. He did have the ring he was gonna give Haesoo (I think), so seems more likely to be the former situation.

I do like Taku's chill and easygoing attitude though. It'd be interesting if he turned out to be a bad azz and completely hands Joowon his own butt when Joowon finally throws a punch. Joowon certainly has the volatile attitude to do something like that, and Taku's cool attitude seems to go hand-in-hand with the sort of person trained to handle himself in a fight (Karate or Judo or whatever).

I came here a while back and saw the mediocre rating and the mixed opinion comments, and decided to skip this one. I came back again today, but this time I saw it was a Harada story, so I read it immediately. Harada never disappoints. (๑•ㅂ•)و✧

Kanade is drawn to be extremely cute, LOL. I like how the author took the time to make Kanade's cuteness unique in terms of character design, and that the characters don't just look like palette swaps on the same basic face design.

Like, what I'm trying to say is it's hard to believe a character is a uniquely cute character in a setting (to where someone would be obsessive over it) when all of the other NPCs are visually drawn at the same cuteness level. This story isn't like that; Kanade is stand-out in terms of cuteness even among even the girls (but without seeming girly somehow). Although I will admit I was imagining him with bows in his hair during the sex scene at the end, LOL.

Side note: Ayato and Takamiya looked sort of similar but not similar enough to mistake them. I would love to see a spin-off about poor Takamiya. He's such a good sport.

Also, I like how Ayato is a low-key yandere when Kanade is in approval mode (of Ayato). But when Kanade tells Ayato to step-off, he does without question. Thumbs-up for Ayato!

Lastly, I do think the sudden transition to penetration sex was jarring and rushed here. I get that there are only so many chapters, pages, and panels to work with though. I would've preferred Kanade more solidly deciding and telling Ayato he wanted to date Ayato rather than kind of half-arsing his confession and admission and then rushing into sex. But its not bad even with it like this.

I'm so glad Bexan's mom ended up getting a wrap-up, and not only that, but sort of a happy ending in that she got to see her bae again. Seems like she had a hard life and was forced to make tough choices, and it is kind of nice that through her efforts, Bexan was able to make the choice that she wanted to but couldn't when she was young. I'm glad that by the end she has accepted Bexan's choice and that the idea of trusting (some) humans has become a possibility for them.

I do kinda wish there was something more of Pablo and his crazy lifestyle, but that's for another spin-off or side story (that will probably never happen, LOL).

I also wish there was some kind of closure with Minsuk's family, but I suppose I can live with out it (I'm gonna have to, LOL).

The art, mood, characterizations, and plot were strong up until the very end. The ending falls flat for a number of reasons, but at least it's a "happy" ending (sort of).
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The ending of this is "happy" in that the leads are together and both alive, but the situation also leaves you wondering if these two can really make it due to Jiwoon being disgruntled and Soohan being possessive to the point of obsessive. I choose to view the situation charitably, in thinking that Soohan is concerned that Jiwoon is too visible this close to their escape from the Korean yakuza. If in a year or more Soohan is still trying to prevent Jiwoon from going out and getting a job or talking to other people or otherwise doing reasonable things he wants to do, then it's probably time to be concerned.

I do think Jiwoon is taking the situation a little too lightly considering Yoonshik (yakuza-boss-guy) was gonna have him murder a high profile politician, and he really should lay low for at a minimum of six months. Also, they should probably move somewhere else where chica-who-came-by-to-bring-their-stuff doesn't know they've gone so that there really is no trace left to find them. If she knows, she can be interrogated if Yoonshik cares enough. Just clean up your full trail and then Jiwoon should be able to go outside without worry.


General problems with the ending:
- Yoonshik being in love with Jiwoon is not really resolved. It kind of is if you read heavily between the lines, but he never admits it on screen.

- What happened with the plot to kill the politician? Did the Yoonshik's group go through with it? Did it succeed or fail without Jiwoon?

- What's going on with the disgruntled underlings of Yoonshik now that Jiwoon is out of the picture? Did Yoonshik straighten up his behavior and decide to let Jiwoon go, so now his underlings aren't disgruntled anymore? Did Yoonshik have a meltdown after Jiwoon left and loose his position of power? Did he punish the underling who ignored his order to search for the boys and continue prepping for the assassination?

- Did Yoonshik in general decide to let Jiwoon go and never search for them again? It'd be nice to know if they have to be on the run forever or not.

- Plot threads are introduced at the 11th hour that are then not resolved or shakily resolved: Soohan's possessiveness, Jiwoon being disgruntled that he can't go anywhere or do anything while Soohan is gone for 12+ hours a day, Jiwoon wanting to find a career of his own, Soohan accepting Jiwoon wanting to get a job and not being sh!tty about it, Jiwoon leaving Soohan because he's never there and won't let him go out without yelling at him, etc etc. This stuff was all introduced in the last 2 chapters and almost none of it is resolved.

Jiwoon wants anyone at all to care even a smidge that he exists to the point he's almost suicidal about it; and Soohan wants a relationship where he can carry all the weight in the relationship so badly he can barely stand it. Their neuroses certainly have a synergy to them, but if they don't develop a true respect between them, Soohan is probably going to end up dead at Jiwoon's hands (Jiwoon is a trained killer, recall).



I think the ending would've been much better and more solid if:

- The two escape and don't meet the girl who gives them their stuff, or if they do, they meet her before they hop the bus/train. This would mean they could be a bit safer in letting Jiwoon go outdoors since that zero people know where they've gone. Honestly this is a level of detail we didn't need in the story at all; it's just assumed that they can get by for a few days while Soohan and/or Jiwoon wrestle up jobs in a new town.

- The two escape to whatever-town and are happy being completely obsessed with each other; cut all the angst about Soohan not letting Jiwoon do anything. This would have the effect of still giving it a dark ugly feel because they're co-dependent with each other and still basing their relationship off of their own particular neuroses, but would remove the dangling plot threads introduced at the end that don't need to be there (Soohan's possessiveness). Let them have a true happy ending.

- The two see on the news that politician guy was nearly murdered but escaped with injuries, implying Jiwoon was definitely necessary for the success of this mission, which would give his character much more weight in the story than the alternative. This would wrap up the dangling plot of how the hit went, and show that yakuza-underling was wrong about Jiwoon being unnecessary or more trouble than he was worth.

- A few days after the failed hit on the politician, the boys see on the news that Yoonshik has been found dead from apparent suicide, and is to be replaced by underling-who-let-them-go. The official story on the news implies it's because Yoonshik was depressed because his lover left him, even if it's not necessarily true or completely true. This would wrap-up the dangling question of whether or not they'll be pursued forever (they won't be), and add a little more credibility to the idea that Yoonshik was in love with Jiwoon.


All that said, I still liked this one a lot and feel it has enough positives that more than outweigh the lackluster ending. I still give it a 5/5.