Get over yourself and pull that stick out of your ass. Grooming involves actively shaping the child's psychological development, not simply waiting for them to grow out of being a minor while interacting with them more or less no differently than any regular acquaintance/neighbor.
This may not be too interesting, but I still felt like writing about my thoughts and conclusion regarding this, after reading the manga and these comments:
- The concept of grooming was completely new to me. I'm not well-versed in such matters, what remotely affects me is how some people try to mix in pedophilia in their opposition to LGBTQ+ matters. Slippery slope and so on.
- I went to look up the description, etc.
- After reading about it, I was still of the opinion that the actions depicted in the story still did not match the (basic?) definition of grooming, if Riku really waits until Otome becomes 18, i.e. 8 more years. My understanding was for it to be grooming, the gained trust and access to the child had to be turned into abuse, which wasn't the case here. It made the impression that Riku has been making responsible choices, given the large age difference.
- Thinking more about it, and getting over the story's wholesome atmosphere, certain things, like listening to Otome peeing, the lap hugs, the staying over without the parents worrying, started popping up as ways Riku, a working adult, is abusing the relationships she established with Otome and her family. Sleeping in the same bed or taking a bath together would've just made it an even more glaring example of grooming.
- After that realization, I got to the conclusion that establishing the depicted relationship, with or without the vows, was a fundamental mistake. It has to be hidden from the parents not because of their gender, but because it's obviously problematic, and more importantly, it shapes the decisions Otome makes while growing up.
The truly responsible thing for Riku would've been not to make that "future lovers" promise, or to call it off as soon as she thinks it over. Whether Otome dates someone else before she becomes 18, or keeps being in love with Riku and waiting, should be completely up to Otome. Riku could have told her back then that she might be interested when Otome becomes 18, kept the right distance, and by waiting she could keep taking the risk that Otome may choose someone else in the meantime, on her own, without establishing a relationship that is more committed than it isn't.
I could write more about why that would be more wholesome and healthy in even more ways for both of them, but it is long enough already. Thanks if you've read it.
TL;DR
After learning about grooming and thinking about its implications, this manga lowered my tolerance towards such concepts, even in fiction, which is probably the opposite of the author's intention...
Thank you for being civilized in the discussion. The person you're replying to has no idea what they're talking about. Assuming no one here is an actual p3do, the response of the opposing side in issues like this is mocking at the very best.
Here are some examples of grooming from Wikipedia:
•Taking interest in someone's child (having a "special" friend)
•Giving gifts or money to the child for no obvious reason
•Talking about sexual topics that are not age-appropriate
•Invading the child's privacy (e.g. walking in on him/her in the bathroom)
•Allowing the child to get away with behavior that is not right.
Do they all sound familiar?
Grooming doesn't always mean physical abuse. Grooming is a manipulation of a child (quite often by actually being nice) with the intention of when they're of age they will have a sexual relationship with you. They essentially brainwash that person's brain and structure so they can take advantage of it when it is legal. It's a legal window people like that have found to not get caught.
