the whole discourse reminds me of blue spring ride when people hated (& still do) on kou so bad js cuz he made some stupid decisions, when he was literally a traumatised teenager dealing w grief & loss. people can NOT stand two dimensional male leads, they only exist to be hot and worship the ground the female lead walks on
I agree that readers are being too critical of ML, but I will say while his circumstances are difficult to manoeuvre and out of his hands given his parents, his actions could've been carried out better for sure. He definitely should've told his gf about this, and his cold attitude towards her when she asked him about it was uncalled for (referring to last chapter). It doesn't help that he's about to leave soon, has his stuff all packed up...and still has yet to contact his own gf. They may be teenagers, but this doesn't mean that their actions aren't free of criticism. But again, don't think it should warrant any hate towards either of them.
And about your point on ML carrying their relationship and initiating 98% of the time - just want to point out that ML is the experienced one between the two. He pursued her first, bc he is was interested in her first. The reason why they began with the fake dating is bc FL has never dated let alone even experienced having romantic feelings. While yes, ML initiates, I don't think it's quite fair to make it seem like FL doesn't put in as much effort to their relationship. She has her own insecurities, moments of low confidence and sometimes it's hard for her to understand sensitive moments/feelings. Yes, she needs to be reassured by others such as her friends but I think her willingness to hear them out, look at her own relationship and immediately wanting to fix the problem is something to be appreciated. I quite think this quality of hers is heavily underappreciated by readers. FL, imo, puts in a lot of effort and initiates to their relationship as much as ML. Heck, with the recent arc...I'd even say she's the one doing the effort and initiating the most.
The story already clearly showed why he isn’t communicating. He’s a teenager who can’t even believe that he has to move. Bro is barely coping and is still in a state where it feels like it isn’t real. At this moment, relationship isn’t a priority, and doesn’t come to mind. Bro is experiencing a life changing situation. I’m annoyed at readers specifically who don’t even bother to have any sort of understanding or compassion in that case. All they think about is, “what about the FL?” And the romantic relationship is their priority. They don’t consider that there is more to a character than their relationship. They get mad at anything that isn’t focused on it.
I already addressed it in my original comment and it was SPECIFICALLY aimed at the hating ass readers. In any other scenario, I wouldn’t even be talking about the FL. I’m just putting it in perspective the reality that the FL is not all perfect herself, and yet not a single person said a word about it. You are the proof that a FL can’t have any criticism without a reader backing her up. You put more compassion and detail describing her low confidence and inexperience but didn’t really take note of the ML’s feelings in this case too. You focused more on my comment about the FL, than the fact that I said both are flawed teens. Most of your comment was one sentence saying the ML shouldn’t be hated, while criticizing him for the rest and coming to the FL’s defense. That shows a lot, my point. Maybe you don’t see it right now, but I can tell that you are leaning on a bias here.
And also to put it into perspective for you to be able to understand the ML:
He’s forced to move to a different country in an entirely new environment surrounded in a foreign language, forced to leave his friends and gf behind, likely to have anxiety with long distance thinking of who might approach his gf like the coworker who had his eye on her, has to QUICKLY move and pack everything, and leave the place where he grew up and made home. He has to process all this huge news and realizations. As an emotional teenage boy, he is not focused on anyone else right now. He’s focusing on himself and trying to come to terms with the situation he’s facing right now.
And what you said is like, “I agree the hate on ML is too much, but think about how he made the FL feel.”
Like I said, I speak from experience as a child I had to move around a lot, lost so many friends and at some point didn’t bother to form deep connections with new friends cause I knew I’d move again. Relaying info that I’m moving to others, as a kid, was the last thing on my mind. And long distance contact is extremely hard. At some point ppl get busy and you both slowly start to contact each other less and less. What the ML is doing is basically a coping mechanism. He’s trying to both accept the situation and also push ppl away before it sinks in and gets hurt.
Listen, no need to get defensive. My comment was just to show that both leads equally put in effort to their relationship, I wasn't even trying to defend FL to put down ML. I was simply pointing out your comment of "ML initiating 98% of the time". Perhaps you need to reread my comment again.
My criticism for ML is just for this particular arc, not even for the entire manga. While yes, the situation is difficult, his ATTITUDE is still cold towards his gf and imo, uncalled for. You can understand the reason and motives behind their actions, but still don't agree with it. It doesn't all need to be black and white. I also had to move several times even in high school while I had a BF too. The first thing I did was tell him lol It's not like it's crazy to say that people, even TEENAGERS (mind you, he's a senior, 18 yrs old atp but alas), should be communicating with their partners even if emotions are high and situations are difficult. You're making it seem like I'm putting ML on the stake here and burning him. FL is as valid with her feelings in this arc too..
You're really jumping the gun, making judgments of me as a reader saying I'm proof that readers can't criticize an FL. Again, I was just simply making points to your initial comment where it seemed like you weren't really considering FL's effort to their relationship. Not at all am I saying that FLs are not free of criticism. Just bc someone is criticizing ML, doesn't mean they're coming to defend FL. You are FREE to think and feel however you want. This is a comment section, people are also going to disagree with you, and if they do, it doesn't mean that they've got bias going on...it's just their opinions of the story. Plain and simple. I'm not looking to argue with you here, though I will say, pretty disappointed with your responses.
'You can understand the reason and motives behind their actions, but still don't agree with it.' PREACH IT.
i understand and empathize with ml and his situation, but it doesn't make it any less when hurtful the way he's handling this with fl. as someone who's own bf actually moved away without telling them (basically ghosted me lol), ml is triggering me bad with his avoiding and not communicating. shout out to you for actually telling your bf before you moved.
Wait...he moved away AND ghosted?? This is awful, I can't even imagine how painful this must've been. I'm really sorry you had to go through this I hope you're doing better now.
This is the one thing I can’t stand about specific readers who strictly read shoujo or green flag ML stories. Such people have insanely high standards to the point it’s toxic, thinking the ML must be perfect, have no flaws, and should never be upset or make the FL/readers upset even a little bit. (They did this to yamada-kun manga too. He was the perfect bf for nearly all of the story but one single action he unknowingly does, and ppl call him toxic??) Their brains are so small, they can’t comprehend anything besides their anger. The fact that the ML is ALSO a teenager who is dealing with a huge decision to move to a new country. Which by the way, majority of normal kids don’t have any say in whether they want to move with their parents. Those that do, either are very lucky or have the privilege to choose. I’m also speaking from experience because I had to move nearly every school year due to my parents job, and had no say cause I was just a child.
People are saying, “oh the ML doesn’t do anything!” Bffr. He’s the one that initiated things in their relationship 98 percent of the time. And the two percent is FL getting a boost of confidence either on her own or had to be persuaded by ppl around her. The whole reason they’re even together now is cause he pursued her. Yall forget they even had to do a trial relationship for FL to say yes. Even in the latest chapter she had to be convinced by a friend. Anyways they’re both teens who are still immature and have normal emotions, make stupid decisions/mindsets, and will make mistakes. I’m more side-eyeing those adult readers who still have such extreme standards and don’t use their brains.