I assume everything will be revealed in the process of finding Sora, but also I have no idea why she would be missing, that came out of nowhere.

Sora's mother lives in Hokkaido and the class trip has brought them to Hokkaido, so I am assuming her mother has made her return. If I recall correctly, the mother's permission for Sora to stay behind was temporary and conditional. And the matter between them hasn't been fully resolved yet.

last edited at Aug 29, 2022 12:34PM

lmao the author saw everyone panicking and was like "oh shit oh god hold on dont worry i got you"

The series is tagged Romance, so in contemporary understanding this means a love story with an emotionally fulfilling or optimistic ending. It has been a long time since Romance was defined by tragedy.

It's worth noting that the romance tag on this site only means that the story is romantically inclined or focuses on a romantic relationship. We don't have any insight into how a given story will end when we tag it and it's our opinion that the tag fits, not the authors'. It's roughly used to separate yuri stories where there is no relationship from yuri stories focused on relationships

In context to this series though there is enough published or posted content, even without the latest update, to reasonably conclude a satisfying or optimistic (hopeful) romantic ending. The tag, though tentative, works as a Genre label even if the site's use differs.

lmao the author saw everyone panicking and was like "oh shit oh god hold on dont worry i got you"

The series is tagged Romance, so in contemporary understanding this means a love story with an emotionally fulfilling or optimistic ending. It has been a long time since Romance was defined by tragedy.

"But you've become somebody else 'round everyone else... Dressed up like you're something else. The way you're actin' like somebody else gets me frustrated... You fall, and you crawl, and you break and you take what you get, and you turn it into honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it" Avril Lavigne - Complicated

last edited at Aug 27, 2022 8:17AM

I was hoping for and expected an eventual return of the mother and a redemption arc for her. Though often ineffectual, she never showed a complete lack of interest or concern for her children. And so I wondered if her complete absence was due to her own struggles, but also from her children not reaching out to her over the years. Like her daughter, neither are unfeeling. They simply lack confidence and direction and an understanding of place of self and among others.

Though not to fault Miss Sunflower nor Nii-san, their feelings of abandonment and struggle with expression are understandable, but I do wonder how the mother would have reacted had Miss Sunflower not kept silent back then.

Miss Sunflower will likely be more forgiving and understanding and not give much as to why but give more to the moment. However, Nii-san is very much attached to the past, not so in tune with the moment, thus may be resentful, faulting, and attempt to "protect" his sister when he's truly protecting himself.

I'll find his reaction ironic, if true, because he in his own way walked out on his sister. Even so, Miss Sunflower didn't entirely fault him (even if distrusted at first), so I don't see her faulting her mother, especially with the growth she has had since then.

I am curious how Miss Sunflower will introduce Matsuri to her mother or if the mother will remain a mystery to Matsuri. I could also see Matsuri acting as a bridge between the mother and her children.

last edited at Aug 20, 2022 11:29AM

Ooh I’m glad we get to see more exploration of Yuu’s character, I’d been wanting that.

Just to keep hate-flirting with Onii-san?

Worth it lol. Those two had better be endgame

Personally, I see the relationship between Yuu-san and Onii-san as bickering between an older sister and younger brother where a mutual care is hidden. Or a bickering Subordinate-Master relationship with the same underlying care. I can see them both disgusted by any romantic or flirtatious implication or conclusion.

Yuu-san's current residence was chosen out of its proximity to the previous Miss Sunflower. And since her passing, Yuu-san has kept close both physically and emotionally to her. The context of Yuu-san moving was prefaced with the current Miss Sunflower accepting and addressing her attachment to the previous Miss Sunflower. This allowing her to further develop individually.

Yuu-san notes that some of the direction of the new Bookery would be opposed by the previous Miss Sunflower. However, she also notes the current Miss Sunflower as moving on in her own direction and then notices the good that has been cultivated with change and acceptance of what is not permanent. This is when Yuu-san suddenly feels the urge to move.

She decided to move, because she no longer needs the proximity to the previous Miss Sunflower. It can also be concluded that Yuu-san has developed an affinity for the current Miss Sunflower and wants to be closer.

I doubt Yuu-san's decision has anything to do with Onii-san. In this chapter, Yuu-san, though not so seriously, equates Onii-san to a car.

last edited at Aug 6, 2022 1:34PM

I don't get why very poor social skills are deemed as "cute" in manga. Irl they're considered "creepy" or "weird".

Except by people who find them cute, and maybe don’t harass them with conformity labels like “creepy” and “weird.”

I'm wondering which character has poor social skills. Seem fine to me.

last edited at Aug 5, 2022 8:21PM

This will be my last reply to this current chapter

You know exactly what he meant with that question, so I think your question answers itself, lol
I guess that’s what they call “foreshadowing.”

Yes...

What fun is he referring to?

He just wants to be friends with them.... In the raw with the little to no knowledge i have i saw that at that moment there was the word "Nakama" there...

Being friends is illegal though

It seems so...

It is not illegal to be friends between girls and guys. No one said it was and that was already clarified. However, "he hurts you because he likes you" is archaic and harmful information and not a showing of friendship nor love. Either the translator did a horrific job, which I do not think they did, or Jerkface literally said he's used to manipulating girls to get what he wants, He also attempted compliment, in appeal to a sense of masculinity he sees and likes in Mitsuki, but ended up insulting her to where she's offended enough to swear.

He's clearly acting out of some selfish fulfillment. I think one of you even called him a narcissist: extreme self-involvement that disregards the needs or space or agency of others.

It is unfortunately a not so uncommon response for some men to see women together and assume they have an opportunity to join in. Being a Jerkface to someone he once tried to manipulate and then mock, then further insults, and yet now he's just a misunderstood soul looking for friends?

It is very possible that he's a lonely person. It is very possible he has few or no actual friends. And this is how he reaches out? Possibly, he wouldn't be the first, but that doesn't make it right. I know people are engrossed with cancel culture and see any and all criticism as an attempt to condemn someone. However, he is a Jerkface and he needs to learn that, and learn boundaries, and learn from it if he wants friends.

He's used to getting what he wants through manipulation. His reactions are scattered when girls speak up to him and or confront him. But once he learns he can not walk over girls he's actually can be decent.

Maybe that's the point of his character. Not to be condemned, but as someone who can do better. This does not invalidate the criticism nor say girls and guys can't be friends nor say he can't be anything other than a jerk face for the rest of his life. This is not a complication, if my prior explanations did so then that is on me, but this is me clarifying.

Goodnight. And no comments of "it's just a story". It is and it isn't and this discussion isn't unwarranted.

last edited at Aug 1, 2022 2:29AM

Sigh... Sucks this series is gay bait according to interview with author.

the author just didn't see this as "yuri" but Woman loving another woman situation (like a gender based) also she loves matured girls if u see her other works js.

But that's literally what Yuri means, lol

Yuri is more about the fetishized fantasy girl on girl romance designed more for crowd pleasing and eroticism than realism. Needless to say, real world lesbian romances tend to be VERY different from those you see in yuri stories

If someone seeks realism on a genre from Japanese media they sure came to the wrong place, not only Yuri is like that. yet, I'm still to see all those numerous fetishized Yuri works that people talk soooo much about, I can list 3 from the top of my head after reading this genre for years

You never noticed how much faster yuri couples start kissing and getting naked compared to straight romance manga?

I was mainly referring to how the Author saying he doesn't see this as "yuri" probably means that she is looking for more realism in the romance and doesn't just want it to fall into the trap of "girl on girl hawt."

Yeah, I think that's what they mean too. Yuri as a genre has long relied of socially palatable views of lesbianism being pure, tragic, simply sexual, or not serious or not actually lesbian. In general, male Yuri writers used the genre to express their ideals whilst female Yuri writers used the genre to express their real experiences or thoughts in a socially palatable way. Realism or normalization wasn't the objective.

...and why the guy doing the "can I be part of it in some way?" is a Jerkface (sorry for being over-complicated).

last edited at Jul 31, 2022 9:28PM

Jerkface finds self-sanctification in both controlling girls and images of a specific masculinity he aspires to. He says as much himself. Even if not sexual, it's still a matter of self-fulfillment and control at the expense of others. He's not used to girls telling him no, so when they do he's emotionally harmed as the dominant party. However, if the rejection meets his view of masculinity then he's fulfilled as the submissive party. He was first scared of Mitsuki, but then gets all blushed and starry eyed by her aggressive approach to him.

I suppose I'm simply not getting all of that from his character.

Wrapping someone around one's finger is controlling them to perform what one wants out of them. Jerkface says he's used to getting his way with girls in this manner. When Mitsuki can not fulfill what he's after, he mocks her. Aya in response calls him Jerkface, which slowly eats at him the rest of the day. He's wounded.

He then gives Mistuki, "pure and manly praise" for her appearance. He's not hitting on her, just praising her for a "male" image he's partial to. And when she acts strongly to him, he shows fear but also stars come to his eyes and he blushes. Mitsuki looks and acts, in Jerkface's opinion, in a "manly" way that appeals to Jerkface, but also scares him.

Whether he meant by the way or not, it doesn't much matter. Because he's still looking for an in into a relationship he's otherwise not part of. What fun is he referring to?

When pushed he's not that bad. But otherwise how he treats people initially is not nice at all. Guy can learn.

last edited at Jul 31, 2022 7:47PM

So many people are willing to give Jerkface another chance one he said he'd keep his mouth shut, but he confirmed his jerkface status when he realized that Aya was into Mitsuki/Shop Clerk and his first inclination was to suggest that he could join in with them in their relations. I understand that impulse to want to watch/join/admire two (or more) attractive women enjoy each other's company, but to suggest that, out loud, to her face, in public (since she was at work), was a true jerkface move. It totally cemented his status as sleaze in my mind.

Yep I'm worried about this as well. I try and give people the benefit of doubt and give others a second chance but the first thing I thought of is he's gonna attempt to blackmail her eventually. Hoping he's not as much of a jerkface as it's lead onto believe though. But I def foresee some kind of blackmail in the future.

Riiiiiight bc Boys and Girls cant be friends or that a boy cant be friends with 2 girls without having "threesome" reasons in mind right? Thats bs

No, guys and girls (of any age group/gap) CAN be friends without any of the physical aspects. It wasn't my intention to say that can't happen. My reading of that character and his intentions, based on his behavior and introduction, gives me reason to doubt his sincerity for any kind of friendship that doesn't involve the physical aspects. It's been my own experience that anyone who would try to manipulate people based on their own outer attractiveness (his introduction), isn't too far away from taking that next step down 'that' path. (Not trying to be mysterious or obtuse, I'm trying to not be crass or straight up obscene).

I think he's just a bit of a narcissist. I don't think there's anything romantic or malicious involved, he just thinks each of them is individually super cool and subconsciously thinks he can raise his status by hanging out with these two really cool girls.

At least that's how it reads to me. He needs a humbling, but at the moment at least he's not actively bad.

It's a bit of both.

In lieu of a name, Jerkface makes clear in Chapter 13 that he approaches girls as a manipulator and is used to, "wrap a girl around my finger" (Chapter 12 pg 1 and 4). Even if the approach is non-sexual, he still expects girls to fulfill some personal service to him at their expense.

In his request to be "part of the fun" in a female only relationship, he prefaces his interest in Mitsuki's physical appearance as "hot" and masculine. Though his compliment offends, his attempt was to manipulate through flattery and a sense of "comrades among men" to get Mitsuki to "allow" him access to a close relationship between girls he is otherwise not privy to (Chapter 15 page 2)

His expectation may not be sexual per say (it's also best not to confuse romantic with sexual), but he is still using manipulation to use a relationship between girls for his own self-fulfillment. What he wasn't expecting was girls telling him no nor confronting him.

However, even in the confrontation he still manages to find self-fulfillment. There is nothing explicit sexual, but sexual isn't the only form of bodily and or psychological self-fulfillment. It's most often about having control. Otherwise, it's not friendship he's after and his actions remain in line with the sexual "lesbians are hot, let me join in" even if sex isn't the desire fulfillment looked for.

Is he irredeemable? No, not in general. But he's a jerk for sure and he may be irredeemable to others he may have hurt before.

what

Jerkface finds self-sanctification in both controlling girls and images of a specific masculinity he aspires to. He says as much himself. Even if not sexual, it's still a matter of self-fulfillment and control at the expense of others. He's not used to girls telling him no, so when they do he's emotionally harmed as the dominant party. However, if the rejection meets his view of masculinity then he's fulfilled as the submissive party. He was first scared of Mitsuki, but then gets all blushed and starry eyed by her aggressive approach to him.

last edited at Jul 31, 2022 6:49PM

So many people are willing to give Jerkface another chance one he said he'd keep his mouth shut, but he confirmed his jerkface status when he realized that Aya was into Mitsuki/Shop Clerk and his first inclination was to suggest that he could join in with them in their relations. I understand that impulse to want to watch/join/admire two (or more) attractive women enjoy each other's company, but to suggest that, out loud, to her face, in public (since she was at work), was a true jerkface move. It totally cemented his status as sleaze in my mind.

Yep I'm worried about this as well. I try and give people the benefit of doubt and give others a second chance but the first thing I thought of is he's gonna attempt to blackmail her eventually. Hoping he's not as much of a jerkface as it's lead onto believe though. But I def foresee some kind of blackmail in the future.

Riiiiiight bc Boys and Girls cant be friends or that a boy cant be friends with 2 girls without having "threesome" reasons in mind right? Thats bs

No, guys and girls (of any age group/gap) CAN be friends without any of the physical aspects. It wasn't my intention to say that can't happen. My reading of that character and his intentions, based on his behavior and introduction, gives me reason to doubt his sincerity for any kind of friendship that doesn't involve the physical aspects. It's been my own experience that anyone who would try to manipulate people based on their own outer attractiveness (his introduction), isn't too far away from taking that next step down 'that' path. (Not trying to be mysterious or obtuse, I'm trying to not be crass or straight up obscene).

I think he's just a bit of a narcissist. I don't think there's anything romantic or malicious involved, he just thinks each of them is individually super cool and subconsciously thinks he can raise his status by hanging out with these two really cool girls.

At least that's how it reads to me. He needs a humbling, but at the moment at least he's not actively bad.

It's a bit of both.

In lieu of a name, Jerkface makes clear in Chapter 13 that he approaches girls as a manipulator and is used to, "wrap a girl around my finger" (Chapter 12 pg 1 and 4). Even if the approach is non-sexual, he still expects girls to fulfill some personal service to him at their expense.

In his request to be "part of the fun" in a female only relationship, he prefaces his interest in Mitsuki's physical appearance as "hot" and masculine. Though his compliment offends, his attempt was to manipulate through flattery and a sense of "comrades among men" to get Mitsuki to "allow" him access to a close relationship between girls he is otherwise not privy to (Chapter 15 page 2)

His expectation may not be sexual per say (it's also best not to confuse romantic with sexual), but he is still using manipulation to use a relationship between girls for his own self-fulfillment. What he wasn't expecting was girls telling him no nor confronting him.

However, even in the confrontation he still manages to find self-fulfillment. There is nothing explicit sexual, but sexual isn't the only form of bodily and or psychological self-fulfillment. It's most often about having control. Otherwise, it's not friendship he's after and his actions remain in line with the sexual "lesbians are hot, let me join in" even if sex isn't the desire fulfillment looked for.

Is he irredeemable? No, not in general. But he's a jerk for sure and he may be irredeemable to others he may have hurt before.

last edited at Jul 31, 2022 6:18PM

The only way for the readers to get the actual "nuances" would be to learn the language or abuse translation notes.

I'm not certain by what you mean by, "abuse translator notes".

If a word-for-word translation can not bring forth the depth of meaning beyond the literal words, providing clarifying notation is the obligation of the translator and their purpose. A translator does not simply replace words, they transfer meaning exactly to or as honestly and deliberately close to the exact meaning of the original source. If misunderstanding is possible, especially egregious misunderstanding, the translator is obligated to provide notation.

If clarifying notation is needed to bring across meaning then that it also the job of a translator. If not an equally deep explanation, then at the very least a source for readers to follow up on.

If a translator deliberately or incompetently or through general human-error withholds meaning, they are not translating. They are misrepresenting, no matter how inadvertently. They may be providing disinformation, and could potentially be plagiarizing or mutilating the work of another.

Giving exact meaning or meaning as honestly and deliberately close to exact meaning, and providing clarifying notation when and where necessary, is to respect the work, author, nuances, culture and etc... of the original.

last edited at Jul 24, 2022 9:03AM

In most manga I would say that Matsuri's shrine to Miss Sunflower is a bit on the creepy side...

I don’t quite get this. It’s less of a shrine than—what Matsuri’s bookshelf would have to be. I think the page design just makes it look like a full-scale shrine.

We know that Matsuri didn’t read books before she met Miss Sunflower (except the manga she shared with Fuuko), so most of the books she now has will be from the bookery, with a few from Ayame’s shop. And of course the Christmas-gift bookmark would be a prized possession.

The various shelves also hold a bunch of things that clearly aren’t about Miss Sunflower—plushies, containers, pictures, etc. Matsuri’s just pointing out the things that are. (Although it looks like she does have one of those little hand-drawn signs from Miss Sunflower’s store promos.)

If a memento bookshelf is creepy, then don't look at Ayame's photo collection. It's roughly 30% Miss and 70% Sunflower

Such a collection is creepy in other works, because they character collecting them has an unhealthy and dangerous obsession. The why and the way and or reason they took the items into their possession can not be reasonably and or lawfully explained. Otherwise, the item itself is problematic or too private or personal or is symbolic of something the collector shouldn't otherwise have access to or isn't wanted to have access to.

All the items here are given to or made by Miss Sunflower for Matsuri. Or they involve a mutual project or passion that they have made or share together in a mutually beneficial enjoyed and wanted way.

last edited at Jul 11, 2022 6:36PM

Hey hey I'm not demanding sexual advancement, you think I've been here since 2013 to not know that? even if they were alone together, it wouldn't happen because they're not at that stage and I can agree 100% on this of course but I disagree with saying that any romantic development would be sudden, it's practically just waiting to happen, but those things don't happen so easily in a group or working.

Even if they were left alone and nothing "big" happens, it would still be special just for the fact that it was their moment, a memory for just 2, a couple.

I meant no accusation that you were. I only meant to explain a theory as to why it appears the author makes use of third parties to help facilitate a slower development and keep to a potential application of a world view and experience. This in response to comment on Kaoru being there.

Something like a sudden and explicit confession or physical development would certainly be unbefitting of a story that has long kept to a "moon is beautiful" subtlety and often ambiguous approach to love. Such things being a single element, that is no more than nor less than, to a larger story that is a bittersweet coming of age tale with a balance that keeps it gentle - never too bitter and never too sweet. No sudden fulfillment.

The big would not be gentle, it would be sudden. This may come about later, but it isn't fitting for now, so the author keeps to using third parties.

And sure enough, in this chapter, their appreciation for one another is expressed indirectly. There's no sudden embrace or clear saying. Their expression is poetic and by proxy, not directly.

I think we're all saying the same thing more or less, the approaches are just very different.

last edited at Jul 11, 2022 6:01PM

The slow progression of the existential Jerkface crisis... classic.

We have the trope of the kinda cool and well meaning but utterly embarrassing Uncle / Father-figure and now the chauvinist or manipulator of women type. Male representation isn't so bad.

That said, why do people think this guy has a chance to begin with? The continued promotion of the "jerk" being a legit romantic option is really sad.

last edited at Jul 11, 2022 3:00PM

I don't think page 35 shows anything but Arashi spotting Yuki walking up behind Mao considering the next panel is, presumably, her calling out to Yuki.

The top of pg. 35 is Arashi's reaction to Mao's appreciation and smile. The blushing and style of background being indicative of an attracting pull towards someone. It's after this that Yuki calls out to them asking why they're both drenched.

Mao doesn't call out to Yuki. She says she'll go meet Yuki, so they're both unaware of Yuki during this exchange. It's after this that Yuki calls out to Arashi and Mao who are still together. We only see Yuki in front of both Mao and Arashi, so it's hard to tell which direction she originally came from. Though I don't believe it was from behind Mao.

It's subtle, but there is setup for Arashi to be interested in Mao. This would then develop in a continuance to establish a love triangle.

last edited at Jul 11, 2022 1:53PM

I don't remember being bothered by the brother being around...until now, like I'm not angry just disappointed.

I believe the author has used this tact more than once, at least with Matsuri's friends or another character like Ayame. And it's deliberate to prevent the expectation and realization of certain events that would counter act the slow-burn and sweetly or brightly innocent yet also bitter coming of age story. What I ague to have a mono no aware like quality.

Though more simply, Matsuri has a quality to her maturity that is often well below her years (she's well protected in her environment). Conversely, Miss Sunflower has a quality to her maturity that is often well above her years (she essentially had to skip adolescence to care for her brother, father, and take over the Bookery).

Despite them being relatively close in birth years (17/18 - 23), their personal qualities and life experiences create a far more significant age gap. Miss Sunflower also tends to keep her distance while Matsuri avoids imposing, which brings them back a little closer in mental age, but requires both of them to "grow up" a bit to meet on the same page. And we see this occur little by little.

It would truly be inexplicable for there to be a sudden romantic and or sensual development. And I would argue wholly inappropriate.

last edited at Jul 10, 2022 7:09PM

I think it's hinted that this is an "actual" love triangle or is headed in that direction.

Shingatsu says she's looking only for friendship, which is likely true for now, but page 35 shows that Mao can make her heart all fluffy when Mao smiles and is appreciative. Yuki's kindness also can set Shingatsu a flutter. Pg 36-37 shows that despite Mao's temper, Shingatsu can find it humorous and enjoy herself in Mao's company anyway. Mao also shows that despite her temper, she can appreciate Shingatsu. And then, perhaps symbolically, Mao and Shingatsu walk ahead together leaving Yuki trailing yet all fluffy over Shingatsu.

It would be
Mao loves Yuki and has a building attraction to Shingatsu*
Yuki loves Shingatsu, but her love or care for Mao is platonic
Shingastu loves Mao and Yuki*

*not necessary poly, monogamous love can and does overlap

Or "the friend of my friend is my enemy who becomes my lover". It's not that uncommon of a trope for the two sworn enemies to help each other or one or the other and fall in love with each other instead.

Meanwhile, Yuki more pities Mao and her temper and acts accordingly to be her friend. This is not bad per say, she does genuinely care for Mao, but romance isn't in the equation. At worst, there may also be part of Yuki that resents Mao, because Mao's temper keeps people distant from Yuki. When Yuki spoke of Mao not having any other friends, she was talking about herself as well.

Yuki was quite casual about losing Mao's ribbon. Mao was desperate losing Yuki's. This could highlight their respective attachments to one another as greatly different.

I'd like it where Yuki gets some distance and freedom while Mao accepts Yuki can have friends other than her. It would be best for both of them. And if Mao can become more considerate and less desperate, then all the better. I just worry that events in the story could get really ugly before they get better, so overall it works good as a postulating one-shot.

last edited at Jul 10, 2022 3:07PM

I never understand why so many people want poly relationships I don't like those or harems or anything like that they always feel less genuine even if everyone is in love and happy. I guess I'm just a person that loves a normal two person relationship everything else just feels complicated.

Calling monogamy normal to imply polyamory/polygamy being abnormal is probably part of the problem. It's the same kind of narrowmindedness that encourages other bigotry.

But, that aside, polyamory isn't for everyone, and it must not be for you either. However, there's nothing less genuine about a poly relationship than a two person relationship. You'd probably do well to work on not thinking about it like that and that might help you understand why others might want it.

whoa whoa wait... I have NOTHING against it at all if everyone is happy please be happy that's all I want for people. I guess I might have phrased what I said wrong please do not take it that way and if I offended you or anyone else I deeply apologize. My thought was mainly people just thinking "yay lesbian threesome" and not more outside of that.

I also never implied that poly of any kind was abnormal or anything like that when I said a normal two person relationship I legit meant just two people I just don't get where I implied it was abnormal for poly or anything like that.

You might not have done it intentionally, but the way your statement is presented you are implying that polyamory isn't normal, only the two-person relationship is. Additionally, even if you didn't mean it intentionally, by even making a statement about it in such a way "why do people want x thing and not a normal thing" you're further pushing the idea that polyamory is abnormal and people are abnormal for wanting it

I agree that the wording in the initial post was off, but you could read normal as a statistical statement, not a moral one, in which case polyamory isn't normal, in the same way that being 7 feet tall isn't, which is that it's not common.

You're technically correct. A Bell Curve or "Normalcy Curve / Distribution" only charts or hypothesizes what is or will be most probable. These curves hold no inherent ethical or intellectual value whatsoever. Unfortunately, people will and do exploit these amoral probabilities to erroneously argue a moral. With that said, "Normalcy Curves / Distributions" can tend to destabilize and flatten as data sets increase. So they're not that reliable and often lack peer review.

In fact, if we look at all of human history, strict monogamy has at times been the exception not the rule.

Either way, the problematic part of their statement is conflating poly with harems whilst questioning their authenticity. They could be questioning the poly orientation of harems themselves as disingenuous or they are questioning how such relationships are often disingenuously portrayed by authors. Inexplicable of dis-believable "love" due to the fault of writing or approach to genre is fair criticism. Harems are often full of characters where their love for the primary character is difficult if not impossible to believe.

Though I agree the poster's wording gave lots of room for misunderstanding or negativity even if unintended. It's difficult to accept them saying that they just want a normal two person relationship, (implied to be more believable on the grounds of the dynamic not quality of presentation), as a mere slip. Though asking for clarification would have been the better approach given that it is such a sensitive topic.

That said, I wish people could just appreciate or not appreciate a story and or characters fairly for what it is and they are in their own right. This instead of projecting themselves into a story and praising or condemning a story because it does or doesn't fulfill their personal identity or desires - regardless of how well or poorly the story is written in its own right.

To respect something for what it is, to show actual and true and functional empathy towards it, one can not dissect it to find elements one can possess as their own. If the argument is that the love is the same regardless of the orientation or dynamics, then there is no reason to dissect the superficial orientation or dynamic, nor its internals, to appreciate the love argued universal.

Homo or Hetero, Cis or Trans, Mono or Poly, so on and so forth... none of these things are better or worse than the other.

last edited at Jul 10, 2022 2:59PM

i like how the towel cowers her hair, since aya never actually saw mitsuki having long hair, nice touch also maybe next week's main plot point?

I feel at this point I am having to suspend too much belief to accept the misunderstanding or miss identification. There's the voice, but also Aya saw Mituski at work with her mask down in the last chapter.

The author also appears to draw Mituski's body and body proportions differently between the store and school.

last edited at Jun 19, 2022 12:30PM