Oh brother. Is this going to be the next volume? Forced into the service of a rapey dominatrix with a punchable face?

last edited at Aug 20, 2023 7:30PM

Alright, who wants to bet that big sis is in love with the childhood friend? Especially with that little blush on pg. 6.

Honestly, most of the series is pretty good, despite the monologues of the last few chapters, but this ending feels so anticlimactic. We got the fight between Gina, Hibai, and Rose, yes, but just about everything else the story is building up to either feels unresolved or is resolved in a bit of an unsatisfactory manner. For example, while we did get to see Benika find out about Rose’s work, we never really got her reaction to it (all of the time that she would have had to react was taken by Hibai and Gina’s joint monologue about the relationship, and then by the subsequent fight).

I don’t know if the series got axed, or if the author just ran out of time, or if they’re just really bad and concluding what they start. but it’s a shame all the same. They did a pretty good job building everything up, but just jumbled it near the end. This whole thing just feels like it needed more time. But who knows? Maybe we’ll get a sequel series with Rose and Benika murdering and politicking their way up the city’s ranks while dealing with the fallout of this story? A guy can dream.

last edited at Aug 16, 2023 3:51PM

Just to make sure, the cause of Sakura's death hasn't been revealed, has it?

Not the exact details, but they mentioned an accident a couple chapters back, so I imagine that she was hit by a car, or something to that effect.

Sorry but, fuck this chapter
All commentary and no actual character sense. According to this chapter Rose really did only play around with Benika

Same. I get that the story is coming to an end soon and that the author might want to make their message a little clearer before then, but to rush through an entire chunk of the story, including seemingly handwaving away the fates of two fairly important characters, just so they can take half a chapter to have one of the characters deliver their message with all the grace of a sledgehammer is just… lame. Like, there had to be a better way to incorporate all that into the last few chapters.

It’s not even a bad message- that strife and chaos is inevitable so long as the people with advantages keep willingly reaping the benefits of society’s abuse of the disadvantaged. The author was doing a good job of building up to it this entire time, and then they just up and dropped the ball at the very end. Hopefully they can recover with the last two chapters, but right now, this is starting to feel a bit rushed.

Welp, now we're getting into truly unknown territory. I had no doubt that Rose would come on top, but what happens next ? If Gina and/or Hibai turn, what will be the cause, and how ? That's an... interesting look Gina got at the end.

It seemed that Gina really believed in Archbishop's acceptance of Benika's queerness so now when he shows no qualms about blowing Benika up, she has a good reason to revolt. I'm pretty sure her mission said nothing about hurting Shirafune's daughter, after all.

I really don’t think that the Archbishop’s homophobia is the sticking point for Gina, here. She probably a bit more upset about his willingness to kill 2 innocent people, as well as anyone else caught in the blast radius, to get what he wants. The fact that she was also considered expendable probably doesn’t help things, either. I’m not even sure if she realizes that his show of acceptance was a lie in the first place, though she’ll probably start to suspect it now.

Yeah, I don't like the ending. I understand what others are saying about them "learning what really matters," but it honestly still feels so disappointing. Like, at the start of this we're shown two girls who have been absolutely beaten down by the world they're living in, and who resolve to find a place where they don't have to live under the weight of those expectations. It felt like it was as much a rebellion as it was an escape. To end it all by effectively saying, "the problem wasn't their situation, it was their attitudes," feels so lame.

I don't know, maybe I just came into this story with the wrong mindset. Maybe this story was always meant to be a pragmatically "realistic" story with some fluff. Maybe the author always intended to subvert audience expectations and turn a tale of romantic escapism into a realistic tale about finding what really matters. All I know is that it is not what I was reading this manga for, that the ending does not vibe with me, and that I won't be rereading it or picking up any official releases anytime soon.

Thanks to the scalation team for their hard work, but yeah, not for me.

last edited at Aug 5, 2023 6:58PM

There’s desperation, and then there’s slitting your own wrist in order to use your blood as a weapon. Jesus Christ, Hibai.

It's very funny to me that Kyouka says Nakano is hers now, she's bought her when like earlier in the chapter it's pretty clear that she's given Nakano this job because they're friends and she's like in desperate need of money.

Especially when saying you bought her conjures up the idea that you're using her for whatever perverted ends you have when again, it looks like Nakano is literally just being made to clean a specific wall of the mansion over and over again for Kyouka's entertainment.

This is literally just Kyouka going, "oh I can totally fool her into having sex with me to get Nakano back when she really doesn't need to. This'll be fun"

I mean, it’s possible, but there was that line about students around her going missing. I’m thinking that, once she “employs” someone, they aren’t allowed to leave for the duration of their contract.

Also, if there was ever a time for Miyako to unlock her hidden top side and put someone in their place, now would be that time.

last edited at Jul 31, 2023 2:30PM

Now to find out whether he respects her because she came to church all the time, or if he's shitting his pants because he doesn't know if the other two are also assassins.

This woman has been confessing all of her numerous murders to him for possibly years, and he just found out that she’s dating his daughter. It’d be weirder if he wasn’t terrified for awhile. I doubt the idea that the other two are agents will even cross his mind until he’s come to grips with this new information.

At this point, I'm wondering whether Gina will eventually learn that the archbishop considers her expendable (he told her about the bug but not the bomb) and if so, how she'll react. It could potentially lead to her abandoning the church, but if so, what she'll do after that is anyone's guess.

I’m guessing that revelation will drop at some point when the Archbishop tries to detonate the bug. They’ll likely be safe, but it might alert Gina to the fact that Father Firebomb was perfectly willing to blow her and everyone else in the vicinity to smithereens.

It’s funny, this chapter feels like a volume extra that got a bit too long to properly be considered a .5. Still kinda funny, though.

Also, is no one going to make a joke about Kurumi wanting Yoroizuka’s cake? Really?

Nah, that’s too quick. Instead, she should absolutely tank the interview. Just act utterly deplorable to the point of imputing the shame to her family, maybe even drop a few secrets that they’d rather not have anyone know if she’s got them. Attack their reputation with such vigor that they know that continuing in this course of action will expose them to a social death by a thousand cuts. Physical death is momentary, but humiliation lasts a lifetime.

And if they try to escalate things by forcing her hand, then she can consider violence.

And what's she gonna do after that? These assholes treat their daughters as if they owned them; the moment she stops being "useful" they're gonna kick her out, she's unemployed and she doesn't have a higher education.

I mean, the only way to avoid that outcome right now seems to be agreeing to marry whatever bozo her parents pick for her, which is the only “use” they see for her anymore. That prospect is about as ideal for her as getting kicked out would be. Might as well take them down with her.

As for what she would do afterwards. Find part time, low-skill work, see if her sister or Satou are looking for a roommate/pet scumbag, take advantage of being close to a good tutor and see if she can get her ass into enough shape to get some sort of high education, certification, or just a more permanent position. It’d probably suck for her, and would probably be a lot harder than I make it sound, but at least she wouldn’t be under the thumb of parents who want to effectively whore her out in order to bring in a replacement for her gay older sister.

Also, I initially misread “sparrows” as “swallows” in the author’s note, and was ready to express my condolences to the author. Those little monsters are aggressive when they’re nesting.

the first time it actually does say swallows!

So it does, that explains my confusion then. I really do mean she made. Fuck swallows, little dive-bombing assholes.

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 12:57PM

she should resort to violence. Maybe a little murder

Edit: Arranged marriage is good if you don't have to worry about retaliation for saying no, because you get free dinner. Free fancy food... awesome...

Nah, that’s too quick. Instead, she should absolutely tank the interview. Just act utterly deplorable to the point of imputing the shame to her family, maybe even drop a few secrets that they’d rather not have anyone know if she’s got them. Attack their reputation with such vigor that they know that continuing in this course of action will expose them to a social death by a thousand cuts. Physical death is momentary, but humiliation lasts a lifetime.

And if they try to escalate things by forcing her hand, then she can consider violence.

As to the second point, it’d still be kinda weird to meet someone for the first time, along with their parents, with marriage not only being on the table, but the expected outcome. A blind date arranged by my parents I could see myself going to, despite being a little awkward, but the idea of a marriage interview, even one where there’s no pressure to accept, would just be too weird for me.

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 2:59AM

Wowzers, Makino’s mother is so scummy that she somehow makes Makino look like an angel by comparison. On the bright side, those two assholes are probably going to wind up dying old and alone, having destroyed their relationship with both their children, and with their company, at best, falling into the hands of some random adult they “adopted” for the sole reason of keeping their oh-so-precious company “in the family.”

Also, I initially misread “sparrows” as “swallows” in the author’s note, and was ready to express my condolences to the author. Those little monsters are aggressive when they’re nesting.

Huh, guess they were going with the “expose Rose as a hitman” plan after all. Shows what I know.

Still, I question Hibai’s logic in having Rose expose herself by saving Benika from kidnappers. That just feels like a quick way to make Rose seem like a hero and make it easier for Benika to accept the darker side of her.

Yuzu: Obviously distressed, barely in the wrong headspace, barely able to explain the reason for her stress.

Mei: If this keeps up, you’re going to cause [me] problems.

What lovely bedside manner, Mei. Fucking dickhead…

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 3:19PM

So this is what happens when the Warden tries to double dip…

^^ I’ve always seen black hair rolled into the brunette category, since it’s usually just a dark shade of brown. I know some people use the term “ravenette” to refer the black hair, but the only (natural) hair-color categories I’ve ever seen used in common parlance are brunette, blonde, and red head.

This wasn’t the end was it?

It’s probably best that we leave them there, before their all cup ramen diet gives them both scurvy, or before they burn down the entire building trying to make toast.

last edited at Jul 17, 2023 8:08PM

The ones actually morally in the wrong here are the government, not the refugee vigilantes, for explicitly excluding refugees from the justice system. That's a fascist policy at work.

fair enough though I would say that if you're a willing participant in fascist policy, in this case being part of the vigilante group then you're not causing the problem but you are helping continue it.

So I agree with you that the government is ultimately responsible for creating this situation but the vigilante group and its members have some amount responsibility in perpetrating it. Even if they themselves believe they are doing a good thing by getting rid of the "undesirables" given that even in a functioning judicial system innocent people can be punished by faulty processes, and in a vigilante situation like this one, I would be surprised if even half the people they end up executing are actually responsible for the things they get accused of.

though of course that metaphorical blood while on the vigilante's hands is also on the hands of the ministers responsible for creating this situation to begin with.

I will say as heavy as the discussions are getting for this series I am enjoying it, especially given that I wouldn't have expected this to go from ninja bullshit to the extremely fraught reality that many refugees end up in.

It’s easy to say that someone is “helping continue” a bad policy when one is not currently stuck in that person’s situation. In this case, it is necessary for the refugees to maintain a form of law and order, because without it, their current way of life would become chaotic and lack what little safety they gained when they fled their old country. Ordinarily, said safety would ideally come from their new government, but the powers that be have abandoned them, and the vigilante group is perhaps the only thing preventing their community from becoming overwhelmed with crime and inevitability turning against itself.

I do agree with you on liking the series, though.

last edited at Jul 16, 2023 8:43PM

Good lord, Benika! Didn’t have to scald the man.

Also, was that implying that some of the fuel is human remains? Because I feel like the smell would be a lot harder to bear in that case. In either case, I get the feeling that whatever fuel the government is supplying the refugees with isn’t particularly healthy.

And their lightning held in fist armbands which are certainly not meant to be reminiscent of uhh literal fascist groups huh.

Guess the lightning bolt kinda is, but the clenched fist is if anything a symbol of socialism, so ...

Anyway. Still don't really get how this is supposed to convince Benika of anything but that the refugees need to get every help they can possibly get

Yeah I was moreso looking at the lightning bolt since fascists love their lightning bolts, and the clenched fist is actually symbol for tons of different groups from all over the political spectrum though the benign versions like the black power fist are admittedly the most well-known but there are also versions used by fascist groups additionally I should have made a greater note of how they're apparently putting the skulls of everyone they've killed in a big totem for everyone to see and like I don't think that's something you do if your goals are anything less than extremely malicious.

Also yeah unless miss spy is going to turn around and say "and Rose is actually an active agent of this oppressive regime working as an assassin" which is unlikely considering she works for that regime herself. I don't think she'll manage to scare Benika away, it seems a lot more likely Benika will be developing a life-long belief that the refugees need to be treated better instead.

The SS’s lightning bolt is definitely a popular symbol among facists, but I don’t think that’s what that patch was meant to be invoking. It’s got two curves, where lightning bolts normally are drawn with one, and I’ve never heard of the lightning bolt being displayed clenched in a fist (although I’m admittedly not terribly up to date with modern facist symbolism). If anything, it looked more like a snake to me.

It would also be weird for her to pull back the curtain on the assassin game, since she’s also risk outing herself as a spy. Unless, she’s planning to catch Rose in the act, or frame her as a vigilante.

a) Y’know, I’d normally say there’s a bit of logic to the Babylon leader’s opinion that peaceful coexistence with gradually give rise to acceptance, but with the extent the government is going to in order to maintain the wedge between refugees and other citizens (down to keeping the train lines separated)… yeah, the archbishop has a point here.

b) I love the fact that most of the comments here have basically decided that Gina’s insult for the government agency is now its official moniker.

Which of those bar women thought it was a good idea to have Ayaka dress up as Hiroko’s first love? That’s some horror movie shit right there.

I knew their parents were pieces of shit and Makino’s big sis was too naive or is just plain dumb to think these controlling parents would be accepting of her doing anything outside their little heir mold.

I am so sorry for Makino. Her sister is out of the house, so all the pressure falls onto her.

F for scum-chan y’all

Big sis was always the clear favorite, so she probably never got to see just how terrible her folks are. The worst part is that this chapter just cements the idea that they never saw Makino as anything more than a backup. They had to make sure she did well so that she didn’t embarrass them, of course, but it’s not until they write off their older child that they really start trying to cram her into the mold they had made for the older one.

I dig this more than most "fall in love with the villainess" love plots. Mostly because there's some danger involved and the evil forces are actually evil. At least to some degree. I thought this would end up being just a comedy slapstick with some incompetent demons and their goofy shenanigans but so far in 4(+1) chapters we had two attempts to kill or at least harm the princess.

I guess it's a bit too early to say anything else. The princess seems like the caged bird type who wants to be set free and not much was said about the demon lord herself. But I do like it so far, so I can't wait for more.

I love how you just assume that the demons are the evil ones when it could very much be the human side. First girl littreally thought the princess was trying to undermind her lord and aggression at her is expected since she just explained they had a war.

Okay, I know that “humans are the evil ones” is a common trope in this kind of work, but in this case there are at least two different creatures that eat human flesh, a reference to humans as an “inferior species,” an apparent attempt on the princess’s life by a jealous crab queen, and a siren who I’m pretty sure is trying to steal the princess’s legs. Even if it turns out that the humans aren’t exactly bastions of purity (which seems likely), it feels pretty safe to say that the demons here are appropriately demonic.