Lauvil's manga / #Cliché(7)

It's a cute story, it just dragged on for too long. I like the kind of story with an insecure mc, like Haebom, who then learns to trust those around him and believe in himself. It's so satisfying to see the angst and self-doubt be disproven. However, from the moment the two of them confessed to each other and got together, not a lot happened. It was cute to read, sure, and it was nice when the smut was introduced. I just kinda stopped reading, though, bc I couldn't focus properly. Imo, the author should've just ended the story there and maybe have had a few extra chapters about the characters moving in together and the people closest to them learning about their relationship. But psychotic seniors, old exes and the like, were really pointless and forgettable drama, that had no obvious or lasting effect on either of the characters or their relationship.

I already don't like the premise... I've read enough stories about FL's who were neglected and/or abused bc of their thoughtless husbands, to know what's coming. It will probably be revealed that the ML loved the FL all along, but some misunderstanding or trauma caused him to act cold towards her. But I call BULLSHIT on those excuses. Bc the "misunderstanding" is never the root of the problem, that caused the first timeline to end in tragedy. No, the reason is that the ML didn't realise that his position as a man, noble, leader and husband is one of privilege. His actions forms the basis for his wife's life; whether she will be respected or disregarded, be cherished or neglected, be served or spend her life in servitude. He has no regard or compassion for his wife's feelings or circumstance. If, in the first timeline, he had just spent a minute to think about how his words sound or how his actions can be interpreted by her and others, she wouldn't have had to experience the abuse and neglect in the first place. One could argue that he simply didn't know how his actions affected her and that he didn't have the sense to understand or predict it. But even that is an empty excuse, bc he could've found out if he simply asked her, spent time with her or checked up on her. Imo, there are no excuses for his behaviour. His wife was completely at his mercy and HE SHOULD KNOW THAT. Even if he lacked common sense and empathy, that much should be obvious. Yet he still spoke and acted like he did and made his wife MISERABLE. I think it's great that our FL gets a second chance - she deserves it. But he doesn't. The fact that she has to go through hell, be executed and DIE, and then still has to teach him how to not be an inattentive asshole, just means that he wasn't worth it in the first place. Run away from that bastard, please. He doesn't deserve you.

The ML is just my type. Big and brawny, with a scowling face that makes him look Intimidating, but in actuality he's just a big softy. I have a feeling, though, that I'm not going to like the plot. Or at least that I'll be indifferent to it. The fact that the author brought in the "The protagonists know each other from way back, though only one of them realizes it"-trope, killed my small hope that the plot would be original. But whatever. I'll read it for the smut, bc for once it's consensual.

Not really my cup of tea... The ML just seems like a psychopath and the FL is super generic, and the first few chapters really bored me.

There are way too many details and plot points in this story that makes me uncomfortable. Mainly things that reek of interlised mysogyny. One is the trope of a beautiful, but weak girl, who needs a man so rescue her all the time. Another is the clear implication that rape is not about violating a woman's right to bodily autonomy and integrity, but about her and her family's honour, which is why the bad guys try to rape Mei to hurt Kou. It's bullshit though. The idea that raping a woman could somehow hurt her family or lover, more than it would hurt her, is archaic and misguided. In general the story feels like it was written by a man. The way the MC's body was posed and exposed to please the male gaze in ch.1, and the thoughts she had about herself and her body, just felt so charicaturized and cringy.

Sumire Nakadou is a 27 yo office worker, who has never had a boyfriend, much less had sex. It's not out of disinterest, though. Barely being around men and boys during her formative years, she just doesn't now how to talk to them - not to say flirt with them. One day, after having a meal with a co-worker she suddenly blurts out: "Would you make love to me". Fortunately, he's not taken aback by the sudden request. In fact, he agrees to it - though on the condition that she becomes his (pretend) girlfriend. As per usual in the smut-genre of manga, there are some sexist tropes: - The man knowing a woman's body better than herself and her never having tried to masturbate - Jealous women with crushes on the ML try to meddle in their relationship/obstruct the FL - FL acts subservient to the ML, putting his needs/desires above her own - Doesn't pass the Bechdel test - so far any conversations between women are about a man (Tachibana) There's also a rather uncomfortable scene, where the ML begins touching the MC while she's asleep. And when she finally wakes up, he penetrates her without warning, consent or letting her catch her bearings. And he knew he was in the wrong - even expected her to get angry - but did it anyway. Even told her to "yell at him afterwards"... Yikes. The story itself is a bit cliché and a few moments made me cringe, but it's not too bad. Or at least I thought so until the chapter with the sleeping sex. I was gonna rate it 3/5, but that scene knocked its rating down. 2/5 stars.