This is the first time im wishing it could end with poly
Natori+diana is such a good ship, but natori+villainess too...
(⁠;⁠ŏ⁠﹏⁠ŏ⁠)

diana wants to square up

This might be the first time that I want the MC to end up with the second lead if Diana becomes more savage lmao.

Diana: So you have chosen... death.

Here's to hoping for the poly ending

The heroine is working hard to NTR Natori-san today as well

I don't even want a Poly ending, I want Natori to end up with Diana

Diana is pissed.

And because someone decided Natori was worth harming.

If Diana doesn't kill 'em,Lapis will with a follow up.

I wonder if the intended result of this chapter was for the entire readerbase to fall in love with Diana.

Well Lapsis isn't getting much character Growth and overall she's harder to read. On the other hand Diana is much more open with her feelings and gets bolder each chapter.

Lapsis needs to step up her game

Diana becoming Mr steal your girl (Lapsis Im waiting for your next move)

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 6:13AM

Where are you getting "Lapsis" from? Her name is Lapis, probably named after the blue semi-precious stone lapis lazuli

It is astounding to me and almost infuriating that somehow the conclusion Natori came to regarding her nature was that she's selfish and only thinks of herself. That's like Olympic-level mental gymnastics and self-deprecation that I really want her to pull herself from. Hopefully with the help of both Lapis and Diana.

It is clear to me that Lapis has some sort of inclination toward Natori. I do not think it is romantic just yet, but Natori has most definitely gotten through her shell and it was like 3 pages after introduction or something amusing like that. I'm hoping there'll be more fleshing out for her in the next chapters.

Diana on the other hand is becoming more and more endearing. Like, hell, she was so cute this chapter it was blinding. If this goes for a singular route, I'm in the villainess camp, but my faith is starting to waver, please help. Also lord have mercy on these girls they have stumbled right into an encroaching storm.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 6:36AM

Well, not exactly like the plot said...

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 7:33AM

Lapis and Diana can share Natori and be evil together

And.... they touched the hornets nest, shits bout to go down.

Yes, Natori, the plot proceeds as intended... now that the Heroine has unlocked the Villainess' Familiar route. :D

I wonder if the intended result of this chapter was for the entire readerbase to fall in love with Diana.

It definitely was. Chapter 6 is the opening of volume 2, and if you recall, Diana has been a rather flat and bland character in volume 1 (compared to Lapis), who suddenly started acting inconsistently and violently in chapter 5. I am pretty sure that the author and their editor received feedback from the first volume about it and went back to the drawing board on how they present Diana, effectively removing Lapis for an entire chapter to give Diana enough time to shine and to establish her as a credible rival to Lapis for Natori's heart. And I say they've achieved their goal admirably.

It is astounding to me and almost infuriating that somehow the conclusion Natori came to regarding her nature was that she's selfish and only thinks of herself. That's like Olympic-level mental gymnastics and self-deprecation that I really want her to pull herself from. Hopefully with the help of both Lapis and Diana.

The self-realization Natori had this chapter makes me think that she was either emotionally neglected or even abused as a child. Something like getting repeatedly called a disappointment by her parents and teachers would make a person hypersensitive to expressions of disappointment and disapproval in others, turning it into an emotional driver for the rest of their adult lives. From what I hear such treatment of children who do not immediately excel is common in traditional East Asian cultures.

EDIT: Another point to support my earlier assessment about Diana being a shonen protagonist: on page 13, she says to the prince "I want to become stronger!", which is the universal motto of all shonen protagonists.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 8:40AM

The self-realization Natori had this chapter makes me think that she was either emotionally neglected or even abused as a child. Something like getting repeatedly called a disappointment by her parents and teachers would make a person hypersensitive to expressions of disappointment and disapproval in others, turning it into an emotional driver for the rest of their adult lives. From what I hear such treatment of children who do not immediately excel is common in traditional East Asian cultures.

Yeah, like here is where I insert something-something Japanese culture har har, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's simply how it is. I do think that saying emotionally neglected might be reaching too far with the little information we have, but considering how repeatedly she's mentioned that she has no unique qualities or skills, both factors/ideas make some sense.

Also about your observation regarding Diana... does that mean were inching toward a TOURNAMENT ARC? Boy oh boy! Actually it might be kinda amusing.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 9:51AM

Yes, Natori, the plot proceeds as intended... now that the Heroine has unlocked the Villainess' Familiar route. :D

I wonder if the intended result of this chapter was for the entire readerbase to fall in love with Diana.

It definitely was. Chapter 6 is the opening of volume 2, and if you recall, Diana has been a rather flat and bland character in volume 1 (compared to Lapis), who suddenly started acting inconsistently and violently in chapter 5. I am pretty sure that the author and their editor received feedback from the first volume about it and went back to the drawing board on how they present Diana, effectively removing Lapis for an entire chapter to give Diana enough time to shine and to establish her as a credible rival to Lapis for Natori's heart. And I say they've achieved their goal admirably.

If they want Diana to truly feel like a rival they need to have Natori acknowledge and feel similarly for Diana as she does for Lapis. Right now Diana follows along and crushes on Natori but Natori hasn't really reciprocated. The fact that Diana is so upfront with her crush is becoming a hindrance to her being a true rival because, even with that constant affection from Diana, Natori still treats Lapis as a completely different entity compared to Diana. Natori's meaningfully touching moments have all come with Lapis and it seems Lapis is able to touch her heart with comparatively fewer words than Diana, implying that Lapis has a connection and understanding of what Natori wants to hear more than Diana (at this point). This works both ways, since Lapis also seems to have been greatly touched by Natori, even within their short time together.

If Lapis weren't busy with her schemes and forced to be away, would Diana even have a chance? It doesn't seem so. And Lapis won't be away forever. As of now, Diana has more been positioned as a 3rd wheel who desperately wants what Lapis seems to have--even with Lapis's limited presence--while maybe not fully understanding what makes Lapis stand out and affect Natori so much in the first place.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 11:45AM

Yes, Natori, the plot proceeds as intended... now that the Heroine has unlocked the Villainess' Familiar route. :D

I wonder if the intended result of this chapter was for the entire readerbase to fall in love with Diana.

It definitely was. Chapter 6 is the opening of volume 2, and if you recall, Diana has been a rather flat and bland character in volume 1 (compared to Lapis), who suddenly started acting inconsistently and violently in chapter 5. I am pretty sure that the author and their editor received feedback from the first volume about it and went back to the drawing board on how they present Diana, effectively removing Lapis for an entire chapter to give Diana enough time to shine and to establish her as a credible rival to Lapis for Natori's heart. And I say they've achieved their goal admirably.

If they want Diana to truly feel like a rival they need to have Natori acknowledge and feel similarly for Diana as she does for Lapis. Right now Diana follows along and crushes on Natori but Natori hasn't really reciprocated. The fact that Diana is so upfront with her crush is becoming a hindrance to her being a true rival because, even with that constant affection from Diana, Natori still treats Lapis as a completely different entity compared to Diana. Natori's meaningfully touching moments have all come with Lapis and it seems Lapis is able to touch her heart with comparatively fewer words than Diana, implying that Lapis has a connection and understanding of what Natori wants to hear more than Diana (at this point). This works both ways, since Lapis also seems to have been greatly touched by Natori, even within their short time together.

If Lapis weren't busy with her schemes and forced to be away, would Diana even have a chance? It doesn't seem so. And Lapis won't be away forever. As of now, Diana has more been positioned as a 3rd wheel who desperately wants what Lapis seems to have--even with Lapis's limited presence--while maybe not fully understanding what makes Lapis stand out and affect Natori so much in the first place.

I don't see it that way. Natori's feelings for Lapis come from her necessity for external approval. There's a reason every time Natori goes doki-doki for Lapis is when the latter acknowledges her efforts. But that need for approval is unhealthy. What Natori actually needs is to get a boost on self-esteem, and she can't get that from Lapis. It has to come from withing. Only then she will be ready to have a real relationship (be it with Lapis or Diana).

Basically what I'm trying to say is that despite appearances, I think neither Lapis nor Diana has broken Natori's shell just yet. Which means both of them have equal chances right now.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 12:34PM

I don't see it that way. Natori's feelings for Lapis come from her necessity for external approval. There's a reason every time Natori goes doki-doki for Lapis is when the latter acknowledges her efforts. But that need for approval is unhealthy. What Natori actually needs is to get a boost on self-esteem, and she can't get that from Lapis. It has to come from withing. Only then she will be ready to have a real relationship (be it with Lapis or Diana).

Basically what I'm trying to say is that despite appearances, I think neither Lapis nor Diana has broken Natori's shell just yet. Which means both of them have equal chances right now.

This got a bit long. Sorry.

But I think we agree on the shell but my argument is that Lapis' relationship with Natori has the ingredients to solve her issues and is working in that direction even with their limited contact. I'm arguing that Lapis does understand Natori's shell issue and in her brief moments with Natori, Lapis has tried to help Natori recognize her worth. That's part of what I was alluding to by saying that Diana does not fully understand what makes Lapis stand out and what Natori truly requires (as of yet).

This might be provocative but a lot of Diana's focus has been insular, a crush and wanting it to be fulfilled (and being sullen when it is not). Lapis on the other hand is more selfless when it comes to Natori and even is willing to push Natori away because she seems to believe it will help Natori solve her issues by being around other good natured people (Diana being one of them). The common "if you truly love it, you can let it go." Diana's focus is not so keenly attuned and she doesn't attempt to soothe Natori in a similar manner. Lapis' interactions mean something because Lapis is purposefully saying things to help Natori along with her core issues. The brief moment they had at the beginning of the chapter is one such example.

Lapis is aware of the issue in a way I don't believe Diana is yet. The only problem is Lapis is very busy at the moment and Lapis is also reluctant to fully say what is in her heart (for whatever reasons not yet revealed), so she touches on the issues (like begging Natori to relax and eat, as she's worth it) but does not get say it bluntly. Lapis has to keep things to her chest for the moment but what happens when she can speak more freely?

Edit: I'd also bring up that in chapter 5 Natori already began to confront her growing feelings for Lapis. After Lapis praised Natori but then said she would also work for the prince, Natori began to recognize that although she got something that should make her happy, she was not. Her so called "burning sensation." In fact Natori is scared of this feeling. She says "If I continue to ignore [this feeling], I'll be able to stay by her side."

She wanted to stay with Lapis, despite it all (going so far as to blurt out that she is Lapis's alone). This assumes that she has other reasons, besides being a good praised worker, that she adores Lapis already.

It's this act that Lapis recognizes and causes her to push Natori away in that moment (likely for a reason not yet revealed but possibly fear of something for Natori). This is what leads to the climax of the first volume and Lapis attempting to further even more space for the moment. Basically, Lapis is having to push Natori away, in order to prevent their coming together and Diana is having to work hard for her attention. But Lapis won't always have to push and even while pushing she's had large effects.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 2:40PM

Are we ever gonna get a real hardcore villainess for these types of stories? Less "Oh I am just a misunderstood cinnamon roll" and more "You and your kingdom and your dog is going down" type of gal. It is easy to love a "villainess" with puppy dog eyes. Lets see how heroine deals with her feelings when her lover goes through soldiers like tissue paper.

if you look to korean villainess comics, while still the minority, you'll find a few that are much more on that side

goddammit i'm shipping natori and diana even MORE now, shoot. gotta keep telling myself they most likely won't be endgame

I don't see it that way. Natori's feelings for Lapis come from her necessity for external approval. There's a reason every time Natori goes doki-doki for Lapis is when the latter acknowledges her efforts. But that need for approval is unhealthy. What Natori actually needs is to get a boost on self-esteem, and she can't get that from Lapis. It has to come from withing. Only then she will be ready to have a real relationship (be it with Lapis or Diana).

Basically what I'm trying to say is that despite appearances, I think neither Lapis nor Diana has broken Natori's shell just yet. Which means both of them have equal chances right now.

This got a bit long. Sorry.

Too long, to be honest. It's hard to read and even harder to pick up your points to discuss. I would appreciate it if you could summarize the main points so we can have a proper discussion.

Too long, to be honest. It's hard to read and even harder to pick up your points to discuss. I would appreciate it if you could summarize the main points so we can have a proper discussion.

Got it! Which points need clarification? Is it just long or is something unclear? I could just focus on one point at a time. Would you rather that? Everything there is necessary to explain the arguments I'm making, since I'm touching on a couple different things and wanted to do it all at once. Conversations here are difficult to maintain, so I often say what needs to be said fully and work from there.

last edited at Apr 14, 2023 3:56PM