Lauvil's manga / #Bastard ex-boyfriend(2)

Ah, the magical aphrodisiac that turns rape into pleasure. Classic. I really disliked everything about this story, but I'll list my least favourites: 1. Hikari's ex-bf got off scot-free, despite tricking women and selling them to human trafficers. No jail time, no beating, nothing. He went unpunished. 2. Multiple rape-scenes with the ML as the rapist. First while Hikari was drugged so she couldn't say no properly. Then later he rapes her again just to prove that he won't sell her off and doesn't need her to keep her virginity. 3. Despite being raped, confined and genuinely scared of Nero, she still manages to fall in love with him. I mean, I get that if you're in a scary place where you have no control over what happens to you, then it's natural to grab onto anything that makes you feel safer. But then she should've realized it when she went back home, sought out a therapist and put it all behind her. But nope, she went back to the rapist. Also the whole "he raped me, but he's still kind and gentle" bs she spouted... No. Just no.

The way Hikaru jumped her in the first two chapters was so weird. Like, boy, calm yo tits. What the hell is up with men in manga (josei)? That whole "women should be on guard" and "all men are wolves" attitude is such bs. How about men keep their hands to themselves until they've gotten consent? Sheesh. Also Honoka's behaviour was a bit attention-seeking in an unflattering way (mentioning how her bf spoke to her, out of nowhere and completely unprompted). Aside from that, I liked the rest of the story. Even if it was a little over dramatic at times. They were cute together and Hikaru was such a sweetheart. Kind, protective, clever and most importantly: He helped Honoka gain more confidence. (No wonder Honoka had such low self-esteem when she was with that crazy sob of an ex-bf. Yikes)