Yeah Nanao is pretty understanding of the whole thing and already told her. Also it's VERY clear Asumi has feelings for her, even if she's living in the "Do you want dinner, a bath or me?" fantasy.

IMO if Asumi has no feeling for Nanao, her line "We may as well be girlfriends at this point" in P.19 should be followed with something like "No no she's just my FWB" Asumi seems to be chill about the thought of they being girlfriends, so I think it's acceptable to her.

Is she tricking her though? That feels more ambiguous to me. In chapter 16 she told Asumi how she feels and that she wants to go out with her and Asumi said no. Then a few chapters later she says yes to being friends with benefits, but she asks Nanao if she's ok with that. Asumi knows Nanao's feelings.

From my perspective, if there's anyone who's not being honest about her intentions it's Asumi. She talks to the effect of saying she doesn't want a romantic relationship because she wants to pay to be with her childhood friend. However, I can't think of anyone who would then decide to go on a practice date in order to be sure that she treated the girl who just confessed to her, that she totally isn't interested in, well enough to have a good time. It's such a strange though process that I struggle to express it coherently in words!

If her thoughts on Mai really were "I have a lot of fondness for you, but my heart belongs to another. I'd still love to hang out (and even have sex...)" then she wouldn't agonize about leaving such a strong impression with an ideal date night out. They'd just...hang out. Asumi was definitely overthinking how she wanted to spend time with Nanao; while I wouldn't call that a romantic thing to do, it's an inevitable result of trying to rationalize away her own romantically-inclined feelings toward Nanao. If she could get over herself (which, to be honest, seems to be what's happening), I think they'd be very happy together. As nice as reconnecting with Mai might be, she is, in the words of Don Fagen, "A concept, more or less".

Is she tricking her though? That feels more ambiguous to me. In chapter 16 she told Asumi how she feels and that she wants to go out with her and Asumi said no. Then a few chapters later she says yes to being friends with benefits, but she asks Nanao if she's ok with that. Asumi knows Nanao's feelings.

From my perspective, if there's anyone who's not being honest about her intentions it's Asumi. She talks to the effect of saying she doesn't want a romantic relationship because she wants to pay to be with her childhood friend. However, I can't think of anyone who would then decide to go on a practice date in order to be sure that she treated the girl who just confessed to her, that she totally isn't interested in, well enough to have a good time. It's such a strange though process that I struggle to express it coherently in words!

If her thoughts on Mai really were "I have a lot of fondness for you, but my heart belongs to another. I'd still love to hang out (and even have sex...)" then she wouldn't agonize about leaving such a strong impression with an ideal date night out. They'd just...hang out. Asumi was definitely overthinking how she wanted to spend time with Nanao; while I wouldn't call that a romantic thing to do, it's an inevitable result of trying to rationalize away her own romantically-inclined feelings toward Nanao. If she could get over herself (which, to be honest, seems to be what's happening), I think they'd be very happy together. As nice as reconnecting with Mai might be, she is, in the words of Don Fagen, "A concept, more or less".

I think this is very much a possibility, but just one possibility of many. I think it's pretty reasonable that as someone as kind and sensitive as Asumi would want to show Nanao a good time after rejecting her because she feels bad for doing so.

I know what I've been arguing in these comments. To be clear, I'm not saying Asumi cannot have feelings for Nanao or that she won't, I just think people are making premature evaluations based on flimsy evidence. Maybe this is Asumi not being able to face her feelings. Or maybe this is Asumi enjoying sex in which she doesn't have to overwork herself to be able to pay for it. I could see it going either way.

From the pov of manga ethics, Nanao has wronged Asumi real bad by not telling Asumi her feelings.

This is something I have seen in a zillion mangas. It's always an important plot point. Eg in the After School series (that I have been rereading because a new chapter just came out) Shiine and Ichika are "kiss friends" who meet every day after school to kiss and kiss; but Shiine is secretly in love with Ichika and doesn't tell her. When she finally admits it, she bows and apologizes a hundred times, calls herself a wretch and a scumbag, says she knows she has betrayed Ichika's trust by kissing her while hiding her real feelings, runs away crying and vows never to appear in front of Ichika again. Then Ichika must go looking for her to tell Shiine she loves her too, happy end.

I'm bringing this up because it seems a lot of posters here don't realize something that for Japanese readers is pretty obvious: that Nanao is kinda playing the role of the bad guy rn as she's tricking Asumi and wronging her (again, from a manga pov) by telling her she just wants friendly sex when in reality she wants much more.

I....*What?*

Nanao DID tell Asumi her feelings. She confessed. Explicitly. Then asked her out on a date, gave her a necklace, kissed her, took her to a hotel, had sex with her while telling her she loved her.

Asumi is perfectly aware off Nanao's feelings. For her to not be, it would require her to A) not understand Japanese, and B) collapse into a singularity from the overwhelming density required for her to not pick up on the blatant non-verbal cues.

I'm a bit surprised that we still are going with the Moderate amounts of sex tag.

This manga has "moderate" amounts of sex?!?!?!?

I'd love to meet the taggers who made that choice and ask them exactly what it is that they call lots and heaps and truckloads of sex.

The Dynasty sex tags have always been about the vibes of the sex as opposed to the amount tbf

From the pov of manga ethics, Nanao has wronged Asumi real bad by not telling Asumi her feelings.

This is something I have seen in a zillion mangas. It's always an important plot point. Eg in the After School series (that I have been rereading because a new chapter just came out) Shiine and Ichika are "kiss friends" who meet every day after school to kiss and kiss; but Shiine is secretly in love with Ichika and doesn't tell her. When she finally admits it, she bows and apologizes a hundred times, calls herself a wretch and a scumbag, says she knows she has betrayed Ichika's trust by kissing her while hiding her real feelings, runs away crying and vows never to appear in front of Ichika again. Then Ichika must go looking for her to tell Shiine she loves her too, happy end.

I'm bringing this up because it seems a lot of posters here don't realize something that for Japanese readers is pretty obvious: that Nanao is kinda playing the role of the bad guy rn as she's tricking Asumi and wronging her (again, from a manga pov) by telling her she just wants friendly sex when in reality she wants much more.

Nanao is also keeping it a secret that she went and saw a sex worker herself, and directly lied repeatedly to Asumi while having sex with her, claiming it was her first time. I absolutely think Mai, Serina, and maybe even Senpai have a better chance at being end-game for Asumi than Nanao does right now. She should really try dating someone who doesn't live in her house and work for her, it'd really grow her as a person lol. Maybe then she'd be more capable of winning Asumi's heart.

I....*What?*

Nanao DID tell Asumi her feelings. She confessed. Explicitly. Then asked her out on a date, gave her a necklace, kissed her, took her to a hotel, had sex with her while telling her she loved her.

Asumi is perfectly aware off Nanao's feelings. For her to not be, it would require her to A) not understand Japanese, and B) collapse into a singularity from the overwhelming density required for her to not pick up on the blatant non-verbal cues.

But Nanao's still not being 100% honest, probably not even with herself, proposing the FWB arrangement when what she really wants is true love forever, and then acting like Asumi agreed to true love forever instead of FWB with how she's treating her. Fundamentally, Nanao wants to possess Asumi. Even right from the start of her feelings, remember how she stalked her and saw her entering the love hotel with a woman, which is how she got the idea that Asumi worked for the brothel to begin with? Asumi, however, does not want to be possessed. This is a fundamental gap between them that is irreconcilable without Nanao coming to terms with it and realizing she can't have what she wants.

last edited at Jan 29, 2024 11:14PM

I always had this feeling Nanao was a beast, but wow she's a really HORNY BEAST

Oh, and I forgot she existed lol.

I don't really get this fixation with Sayaka an the other girls at the brothel, like yeah it was a funny subversion of the "the client got too obsessed with the prostitute" trope. But as a real end goal for asumi it lacks any kind substance, they barely know each other and aside from the sex asumi doesn't seem particularly interested in any of the girls.
Nanao doesn't fell for asumi cuz "OMG she cute" like the other girls, she actually got to know asumi and spend time with her through college and shared hobbies, she isn't just lusting after her, she actually loves her

last edited at Jan 30, 2024 3:40AM

But Nanao's still not being 100% honest, probably not even with herself, proposing the FWB arrangement when what she really wants is true love forever, and then acting like Asumi agreed to true love forever instead of FWB with how she's treating her.

When did she act like that tho? They're friends with benefits and they fuck that's the extent of their relationship right now, nanao is not asking anything out of asumi, she's free to do whatever she wants with her free time, asumi spends time with nanao out her will

Fundamentally, Nanao wants to possess Asumi. Even right from the start of her feelings, remember how she stalked her and saw her entering the love hotel with a woman, which is how she got the idea that Asumi worked for the brothel to begin with? Asumi, however, does not want to be possessed. This is a fundamental gap between them that is irreconcilable without Nanao coming to terms with it and realizing she can't have what she wants.

You're making nanao intentions and actions look way more heinous that they actually are, from her point of view her friend seemed in desperately need of money to the point of having several jobs at the same time, she was genuinely concerned about her situation. Also let's not forget that asumi was the one that invited nanao to the hotel after the date ended, nanao was perfectly fine with letting asumi go after that.
Asumi is interested in nanao that's just a fact, and the idea that she's manipulating her or that she sneakily dragged her into a relationship is just ridiculous, cuz again it was asumi that invited nanao to the hotel and accepted being friends with benefits after that

yo if Asumi were my friend, and I knew she was considering giving up Nanao and heading back to the brothels, I'd slap her upside the head and/or call her an absolute mong

I'd say it's pretty clear that Asumi does care for Nanao quite a bit at this point. Nanao cares for Asumi. Nanao, as best as we we can know, is an intelligent, decent person with no serious vices and a good future in front of her. Nanao is the best thing that has ever happened to Asumi.

Buddy of mine did something similar a couple years ago and I called them a whole circus.

Is Asumi the most powerfull botton in the universe?

Yup, I knew Asumi was going to her room to masturbate in the previous chapter. It was quite surprising that Nanao acted immediately when she realized she had disappointed Asumi by inviting Asumi to her room and not doing anything ( Ok, they watched the movie, not doing nothing)

I'm a bit surprised that we still are going with the Moderate amounts of sex tag.

This manga has "moderate" amounts of sex?!?!?!?

I'd love to meet the taggers who made that choice and ask them exactly what it is that they call lots and heaps and truckloads of sex.

I think this website has the tag Lot of sex. With every chapter having sex scenes like this one, that tag is more appropriate

Fundamentally, Nanao wants to possess Asumi. Even right from the start of her feelings, remember how she stalked her and saw her entering the love hotel with a woman, which is how she got the idea that Asumi worked for the brothel to begin with? Asumi, however, does not want to be possessed. This is a fundamental gap between them that is irreconcilable without Nanao coming to terms with it and realizing she can't have what she wants.

You're making nanao intentions and actions look way more heinous that they actually are, from her point of view her friend seemed in desperately need of money to the point of having several jobs at the same time, she was genuinely concerned about her situation. Also let's not forget that asumi was the one that invited nanao to the hotel after the date ended, nanao was perfectly fine with letting asumi go after that.
Asumi is interested in nanao that's just a fact, and the idea that she's manipulating her or that she sneakily dragged her into a relationship is just ridiculous, cuz again it was asumi that invited nanao to the hotel and accepted being friends with benefits after that

This isn't a matter of moral judgement. It's simply a matter of two people having misaligned interests. They tell you pretty clearly in this chapter: Nanao's on cloud nine, while Asumi likes the pleasure of the moment but does not feel comfortable with this being a long term situation. Nanao wants far more and on a permanent basis than what Asumi wants to give her. It's not that Asumi doesn't like her or enjoy being with her, it's that she wants more than this for herself, desires that conflict with Nanao's desires.

girl really just unlocked free sex lmao

WAIT OH GOD , IT'S HAPPENING ! , STAY CALM ! I THINK ASUMI IS HAVING FEELINGS FOR NANAO

Yup, I knew Asumi was going to her room to masturbate in the previous chapter. It was quite surprising that Nanao acted immediately when she realized she had disappointed Asumi by inviting Asumi to her room and not doing anything ( Ok, they watched the movie, not doing nothing)

I'm a bit surprised that we still are going with the Moderate amounts of sex tag.

This manga has "moderate" amounts of sex?!?!?!?

I'd love to meet the taggers who made that choice and ask them exactly what it is that they call lots and heaps and truckloads of sex.

I think this website has the tag Lot of sex. With every chapter having sex scenes like this one, that tag is more appropriate

no Lot of sex designates more the tone of the manga , Lot of sex is more appropriate for hentai , this manga is too wholesome to be concidered hentai, way too lewd for anything else other than moderate amounts of sex , I think the tag is very appropriate

Fundamentally, Nanao wants to possess Asumi. Even right from the start of her feelings, remember how she stalked her and saw her entering the love hotel with a woman, which is how she got the idea that Asumi worked for the brothel to begin with? Asumi, however, does not want to be possessed. This is a fundamental gap between them that is irreconcilable without Nanao coming to terms with it and realizing she can't have what she wants.

You're making nanao intentions and actions look way more heinous that they actually are, from her point of view her friend seemed in desperately need of money to the point of having several jobs at the same time, she was genuinely concerned about her situation. Also let's not forget that asumi was the one that invited nanao to the hotel after the date ended, nanao was perfectly fine with letting asumi go after that.
Asumi is interested in nanao that's just a fact, and the idea that she's manipulating her or that she sneakily dragged her into a relationship is just ridiculous, cuz again it was asumi that invited nanao to the hotel and accepted being friends with benefits after that

This isn't a matter of moral judgement. It's simply a matter of two people having misaligned interests. They tell you pretty clearly in this chapter: Nanao's on cloud nine, while Asumi likes the pleasure of the moment but does not feel comfortable with this being a long term situation. Nanao wants far more and on a permanent basis than what Asumi wants to give her. It's not that Asumi doesn't like her or enjoy being with her, it's that she wants more than this for herself, desires that conflict with Nanao's desires.

there is a peaceful resolution to all of this, where everyone is happy ... we all know what it is

The implication seems to be that it's healthier because Nanao has feelings for her and their relationship isn't based on paying for sex, which sure, that is healthier. But the idea that because Nanao loves Asumi therefore Asumi should get into a relationship with Nanao, that feels toxic to me. Asumi doesn't owe Nanao feelings. And that's kind of my point, even if it is just because of an emotional hangup, that still means Asumi doesn't have feelings for Nanao. Being in a relationship with Nanao wouldn't be fair to either of them.

At the end of the day, even if Mai didn't exist, there is no indication that Asumi would choose Nanao. Of course, feelings could develop later, adults don't get into relationships with each other having equal feelings at the start necessarily, but

that also means there is no guarantee that feelings will develop.

that's why I like this manga , I feel like the story could take a turn at each chapters , just like the feeling I got when I watched HSL , I just feel that that something is cooking up and each pieces on the checkerboard are slowly moving into place for the bang , and for now I have no way to know when/what the bang will be or what kind of bang it'll be but oh boy do I know that there's one coming

They're being really intimate, and Asumi is still thinking brothels would indicate, if anything, that she has not become more emotionally vulnerable with Nanao.

To use a different manga as an example, Sorry but I'm Not Into Yuri, the main character in that is intimate with a number of different girls,

but only two of them feel like she could have feelings for

who's the second one ? yayoi ? I know there's hanei but who you're referring to ?

It is so adorable how Serina is waiting for Asumi. I really feel bad for her she sounds lonely.

I really want to see Asumi-chan return to the brothel to play prostitute lottery again in hopes of finding Mai, then Nanao taking a little vacation to Tokyo to get her mind off Asumi a bit so she won't feel jealous, and theeeen having her request Mai at the sister branch on pure coincidence, but since she doesn't know Mai's name nor apperance, she doesn't realize that she's the one Asumi is looking for.

For real, I wonder what will happen with Mai in Tokyo, I hope we get to see her at least serving a random girl while thinking about Asumi and this trip isn't just to keep her away from the plot.

reminds me of when my friend first started living with her now wife

Well, um, look. I'm conflicted. This is nice and all, but I really do hate being given the run around of coincidentally missing one another all the time.

Well in this case the odds of meeting are low to begin with...

I really don't care about Mai anymore

I really don't care about Mai anymore

I bet Baba would care. :p