I agree but the dad is being intentionally antagonistic for his own entertainment. His thought process and actions themselves aren’t problematic but the same water than hardens the egg will soften the potato. You can’t just say harsh words to everyone and expect them to be fine mentally and emotionally after that. Especially as a fox! Aren’t they meant to be able to tell at a glance the words you wanna hear the most so they can manipulate you better? Unless he’s being mean on purpose to prove he’s NOT manipulating?? I don’t know.
He's not just putting the pressure to uke, but he is mostly putting it on Ukano. That's the reason why he is cunning. Forget about the fox trait, he knows his son better. He knows how bad he wants the uke so he got him dancing in his palm like that. If the uke's editor isnt Ukano, I doubt he will make that challenge. Im not saying dad did the right thing, but not all manipulators use sweet words. They can also shatter you so that it'll be easier ti remold you into something they want better. Ukano's family is tremendously rich and influential. The world they live in is tough, so if uke will be shaken only by those harsh words, then that just proves he doesnt deserve a big shot like him.
I’m aware not all manipulators use sweet words. I was raised by 2 narcissists. But the thing manipulators have in common is that they have to lure you in with sweetness. Him holding uke’s manga over his own son’s head is NOT how you cultivate a healthy relationship with your son or son-in-law. Like I said, the same water that hardens the egg will soften the potato. Just cause this bs might have worked on his eldest son who clearly had a bad relationship with a prey animal, doesn’t mean this will make ukano want to rely on his father. That’s what this all boils down to. Everyone has a breaking point when they stop tolerating abuse and say “fuck it. Do your worst. I’m done.” And if dad keeps pushing the couple and saying “no blessings for you and I’ll ruin your beloved’s life~”, no child who loves someone will care for a parent after that. You can’t set someone up for failure and then blame them when they don’t succeed. Maybe not now, but eventually they will clock on and he will be in a nursing home because no one from his family cares enough to stay in the same room as him. Money be damned. Most people just wait for their narc relatives to die so they can get the inheritance or not and move on with their lives.
Also ukano isn’t a big shot. He’s an editor at a company not owned by his dad. He’s currently maybe upper working class BUT THATS STILL WORKING CLASS! His dad’s money isn’t his own.
It's not about the blessing per se, it's about how his father's influence could affect them in the long run. I mean Ukano is a catch, and let's admit Uke is a not so well known manga artist. I mean I would want to at least have son in law who's almost on par with my son so at least I'll have the peace of mind.
Tbh, I think the dad Ukano, being sly and cunning as he is, saw the potential in uke and is aware him not having the confidence. That's why he stressed the fact that he is sticking to a series that does not sell and used his influence to cancel it. Maybe he wants him to start fresh and aim higher and use Ukano being his editor to help him succeed. I mean that's what partners should do right?