Man idk how to feel about the discussion here. All about being a martyr. It just strikes me as people who dont know compromise, communication and understanding in a relationship.

Well, at least media like this is sparking more conversations about it.

Does this actually count as aro? Seems like there's at least some flavor of ro in there lol

Aro/Ace tag description reads "For stories in which at least one primary character identifies along the asexual or aromantic spectrums." It's an 'aro and/or ace' tag, not an 'aro and ace' tag, basically.

To add to this:

The definitions of both asexuality and aromanticism are "Experiencing little to no sexual and/or romantic attraction". These identities are spectra. Iori very well COULD be aroace, even if she does experience a little romantic attraction.

This is super heart warming.
There's nothing wrong with having no desire for sex/romance/intimacy, just like there's nothing wrong with loving a person that's not of opposite sex.
There's no such thing as "normal" or "not normal" (there's only "majority" and "minority"), and we should all be able to be happy with ourselves.

And for the comments like "won't work"... None of them said it's a romantic relationship (though Jun does seems to want to advance it) at all?

And to be blunt, why can't they live together just as friends? Why does it have to be romantic couples for them to live together? Many of us like to joke about "just gals being pals", but seriously, even if they're just pals, SO WHAT? What do we got to say if they're content themselves?

Here:
https://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/the_ennui_of_being_an_egg#19
Author only implied Jun doesn't hate sex, but whether she needs sex or not, she (Jun) didn't give a clear answer. For some people, sex is an inseparable part of a romantic relationship (like the man in P17 that break up after finding Iori unable to have sex with him), others, probably not. But again, we have no definitive answer, since it's not clearly indicated. (side note: sometimes I hate Japanese creators for like to play it vague)

Some may say Jun is holding back desires and it's not healthy, probably. But we live in the society, and we all held back desires on a daily basis (heck, the very foundation of consent is people withholding their desires without consent), if that worked, why not Jun&Iori too?

(side note2: Given that Iori did give marriage some thought in P17, she's probably not aromantic. But again, I'm just a reader, what do I know.)

last edited at Dec 14, 2024 9:38PM

i feel like this is a story of Iori healing: Healing as a person in society who doesn't conform, not even with nonconformers like Jun. And healing as a woman in relationships: from all men who rejected her for not wanting sex.
Healing enough to accept touch, and physical comfort from her girlfriend.
So they can have a more equal relationship.

This was a beautiful story and a lovely representation of their relationship. I'm glad I didn't completely miss it. They have something powerful, filled with good communication and empathy for each other.

last edited at Dec 23, 2024 2:49PM