Hadakeru Kaibutsu
This is one of the most complicated protagonists I have encountered in a BL and it made for a very compelling story. 5 stars! ***Spoilers*** After re-reading the entire series again (including the prequel and the previous volumes), I have great respect for how challenging a character Kan-chan was to write. There is no denying that he is an abuser, and what he has done in the past was purely wrong. Many tormented heroes commit bad acts but it is revealed later that they did it for the "greater good." Kan-chan's abuse of Yumi was unacceptable, there is no story trope "greater good" in abuse. And yet... People change. Sometimes people (with the help of therapy) can overcome their past and change who they will be and how they will act in the future. But it doesn't erase what they did in the past. That was what was so impressive about this story. In many ways Kan-chan doesn't deserve a "happy ending" but by the end of this story, I wanted him to have one. I wanted him to be at peace with himself and the things that he's done. He knows that he can't ask Yumi's forgiveness and doesn't try to ask for it. He doesn't try to escape responsibility, but he does choose to carry the burden and walk forward and that's what makes this story really beautiful.
My Love, Meine Liebe
Utsukushii Koto (INUI Nao)
Omega wa Pink no Yume wo Miru