Ethingan's manga / #shoujo(12)

I LOVE this! The story is intriguing, the art is beautiful and the characters are wonderful! I love how they feel so 3-dimensional and realistic. The story also delves a bit deeper into some characters where several chapters are about their backstory. Haven't read a straight romance story in a while since I think the stories are often very vain and childish with overly bright colours that might be pretty but ends up only giving it a children fairytale vibe. But this FL is SO GOOD! She's strong, intelligent and reflective without feeling like a Mary Sue. The ML is also perfect. LOVE how stoic he can appear yet super cute when he blushes. Love the dynamic between the FL and ML. Nothing is rushed and it's beautiful to see their relationship develop. Oh and I also love that the FL actually has a bit darker skintone. Extremely rare. Especially in romance. Shouldn't be special but I feel that it's actually kinda progressive. Actually got this recommended after asking for dark skinned FLs. The story actually treats some gender equality aspects as well. Like the need for women to be pretty and for women to give up everything once they get married. I love that. It also felt natural with the story and not forced. I love how the main characters notice and reflect on these things, pretty uncommon. Only sad thing is that it's dropped. I think there are some more chapters in Korean but ultimately it was dropped there too apparently. Extremely sad. But I think it's worth reading anyway since it ends at a relatively satisfying place.

Very heartwarming but still drama and good characters! A prime example of that a guy doesn't have to be a toxic asshole to be interesting or manly! And the girl isn't some weak crybaby either! The art is good and rather unique though it gets even better in her later works.