Whew, I don't 100% know how to feel about this. I mean, yes, I'm glad they kissed and fucked, and they seem to be getting a lot softer together and closer, and Dorothy is clearly starting to view Maria as a partner, which is good food. And clearly this is the author trying to do right by everyone and finish out the story before being put out of commission by injury, which is really appreciated--it's like the next level beyond the plot summaries that people put out when they can't finish their fics, which as a reader is super appreciated.
On the other hand... after all the, voluptuous decadence of the story, I was hoping that the moment where the sexual and romantic tension between our two leads explodes would be something toothy, urgent, and dark-sweet. I obviously can't blame the mangaka who was in obvious physical discomfort putting this chapter together, but I really, really wanted to see the intense atmosphere this story has show up with this scene, and that didn't really happen. I guess I'm still sad that this story and its writer has been met with misfortune, and that we won't see what we might otherwise have.
On that note--does anyone feel like the pacing is going quick as well? It's not bad, per se, but I do feel like we're skipping a lot and cutting to the quick. Again, understandable, but I wanted to know if that was just me and my worries, or if this is actually something multiple people are seeing.