I have to be honest. When I first read the chapter title: "To the Point Everything Else, Except for Me, Will Turn Gray"

I was speed reading titles, so I read 'Gray' as 'Gay', and I thought that sounded absolutely silly. I only realized my mistake when I loaded the chapter and saw the Angst tag.

So, I somehow disappointed myself.

I read the title three times, and I still thought it said "Gay." My perception filter is rainbow colored.

Nya-chan posted:

Seeing the tag line ("A battle without honor or humanity...") and that "Fatale" is the name of the manga reading app, I guess it's going to evolve into an all-out war between Nanakusa and Gonda (maybe more?) for first place in the rankings of the app, all to "win" Futami or something.

Looks like I was right.

Somehow this is one of the more disturbing works I've read, despite nothing extreme happening. "I can tell this will end badly for me, but I don't care since it's better than feeling nothing" from an affection starved person is a much more relatable motivation than I see in most series.

In terms of "How does she not get fired?", it seems like the answer is that emotionally healthy people request another editor after being beat over the head with the red flags. This leaves the people who won't challenge her with whom she can get away with more. Since she gets good results, higher ups would be inclined to leave her alone without very clear evidence she's a liability.

This leading to a manga artist harem is not that realistic, but it's a good setup for a manga storyline. It's also funny a female love interest is the first manga I'm seeing portray harems as emotionally insecure women (mostly women) competing to win affection and status from someone with power over them. That's much more like real world polygamous relationships functioned, where the husband determined the women's standing in the marriage.

last edited at Sep 7, 2025 12:51PM

The only way out is for Nanakusa to hook up with Gonda and break the cycle

I keep reading this and I don’t know why lol. I hate how it makes me feel, I hate the editor, and I hate how much everyone is so obsessed with that emotional slut. I kinda hope this ends with the editor being abandoned by everyone after manipulating them all and realizing what a piece of shit she is while they all go off to be better people and live better lives. Though I doubt that’ll happen obviously lol

The only way out is for Nanakusa to hook up with Gonda and break the cycle

She reminds me a little of Tamaki from HDWR. I hope she's the endgame (if there is one?)

I keep reading this and I don’t know why lol.

I get you, I also end up reading the next chapter even though the previous one made/makes me feel iffy. I guess it’s curiosity, we as reader are drawn to see how this manga unfolds because it’s so unusual and absurd.

Reading this feels like a slimy hand is squeezing my heart....

i hate the vibes but im hooked, oh wait thats the point

I feel sorry for Shimazaki san.
He was a courageous man, and perhaps a little romantic on the inside of thinking the what ifs scenario with Futami san, only to be splashed with cold water by Futami san, saying that his work is getting axed..

I think I can finally understand a little of Shimazaki san's situation. For example: I am living a life that I might find hope and optimistic towards something, and then something came and happened.
It's like that particular event struck to you and you are left befuddled..

It might take some time to get healed and get back to feet again..

last edited at Oct 3, 2025 1:56PM

I've been reading a lot on cult leader tactics recently, and Futami is such a capable cult leader. The constant "come here, go away" behaviors, emotional manipulation of egos, pitting circle members against each other to extract talent and labor...

I've been reading a lot on cult leader tactics recently, and Futami is such a capable cult leader. The constant "come here, go away" behaviors, emotional manipulation of egos, pitting circle members against each other to extract talent and labor...

This is such a great point, im recalling all the qualities of a cult leader and she checks off all the boxes, waiting for it to mention she's creating her own religion next lol

futami is fucking crazy, holy emotional manipulation batman. i looooove this

I assume the chapter title is meant to contrast with the fact that we just got Shimazaki's entire story in one chapter and are never going to see him again, unless he appears at the very very end :V

Futami san really is a trash person and all the authors simping for her couldn't be more disgusting to be honest, I'm really sorry Battan but even if I've enjoyed your work a lot so far this series doesn't cut it at all, it doesn't make me cheer or care for any character or relationship so it's boring and twisted for no good reason

I figured from the start that this was going to be psychological drama with a lesbian main character, but the Romance tag seems less appropriate for this series with every chapter.

Maybe this needs to be clarified: the fact that something or other might happen between the female main character and the evil editor lady is already covered by the Yuri tag. The romance genre is a more specific concept; so far this story does not seem to have a pair of women heading down a journey together or in parallel, much less falling in love. Nanakusa seems to be heading down a path to destruction and we now next to nothing about Futami's trajectory. There is not much of a specific connection between them either.

last edited at Nov 5, 2025 12:50AM

futami is fucking crazy, holy emotional manipulation batman. i looooove this

manga editors are scary, this is great keep going

The sociopath cult leader tactics showcased in this chapter: Pretend that leavers have never existed, make those who remain feel extra special.

idk what would be worse: if it was all cold, calculated and deliberate or if she was just completely oblivious to the manipulative effect her behavior has on the people around her.

Futami is the fucking devil, man.

Here's hoping Nanakusa can escape and find a woman who actually likes her.

The only way out is for Nanakusa to hook up with Gonda and break the cycle

waitttt... chat I agree O_O

poor shimazaki.. the whole situation is so grimy lol. beautiful panelling as always.. battan is so smart and perfect and amazing...

i'm firmly planting myself here. Futami is a trashy woman but call me a garbage collector the way i fuckin love it.

my prediction is Nanakusa finds her passion for making manga again independent of Futami, ditches her as an editor, and Futami is thrown into peril at someone breaking free from her grasp for the first time. etc. call it wishful thinking even. i'm heavily looking forward to the next few chapters... i'm no stranger to this thread of fate... i waited years for On A Leash

Yes, it needs to be reminded that Battan isn't a yuri mangaka. And she never pretended to.

Her stories are about human relationships, not necessarily WLW. "Kakeochi Girl" and "My Sister's Friend" are less about lesbians than about life struggles, emotions, love and growing-up.

She recently published a oneshot (for the first time!) in Yuri Hime and Fatale Game seems to be geared toward relationships between women, but there's no guarantee there'll be no meaningful interactions with men.

Just enjoy the story for what it is, without expectations it'll glorify WLW, ala Sal Jiang.

I think that’s what makes her work resonate beyond the yuri sphere.