I haven't read anything else from the author, so I have no way of knowing the intentions of this manga. But I felt it was supposed to show/portray an unhealthy and toxic relationship without going much into it's particularities. Like it was just made to be looked at and that's it.
I didn't feel like I was supposed to root for anyone (maybe a bit for Brad, but not really), all of the characters were extremely flawed. I personally liked Brad the most, but he still pretty much forced Cole to cheat on Alex and I wouldn't want him to end up with someone who has and could point a gun at someone because they're insecure, y'know.
I found interesting the take on how the author leaves behind their characters before "fixing them up" or without completely finishing them. I think it kinda reflects an interesting part of society: how some people never grow out of their toxic behavior or just never grow up into maturity. And how sometimes you just have to leave them before they could change, in the way us the readers have to leave the text before the characters get that "good end" or resolve their problems because it "became too much for us to take" (like you might do in real life).
Sorry for such I long answer!! I got excited when I started thinking a bit too much about this hahahah <3
That’s actually a really interesting way to look at though. if this was how the author intended then yeah, i can see the value of it. I’ve never read any of their other stuff either so i wouldn’t know. it’s hard to tell the difference in an intended toxic relationship thats meant to portray a certain meaning and give make you feel complex emotions, or if it’s toxic because that’s how bl authors believe mlm relationship are supposed to be, you know?
i like your outlook on it tho, so I’m gonna take it to be the former
I enjoyed reading this to some extent. i wish they addressed both of their backgrounds and i kind of wish cole ended up with brad — putting his own happiness first rather than his lust. My main problem with this was the fact that cole and Alex’ relationship seemed more like glorified committed fuck buddies rather than a relationship. although they were committed to each other, trust was never fully developed on Coles behalf, and clearly, Alex wasn’t as in love as you’re made to think he is. especially with the blow that Brad hit us with that chapter saying that alex is only with Cole because he enjoys looking down on people. like, if that’s the case then it’s all the more fucked.
i agreed with one of the posts i saw before saying that author makes really interesting and complex characters, but they never seem to give them a good end, or resolve their problems in a satisfying way. rather it’s more like the author was like “welp, that’s enough of that.” and tossed them to the side after the last chapter.