just some grammar edit: "It's just sad to see some readers NOT realizing this, and making excuses for the ML".
You’re so right there was a big communication gap between them not to mention taking into account that this is FL’s first relationship,and she doesn’t know how to go about saying things because as seen throughout they both kind of don’t really outright say what they want from the other person due to overthinking and more. I think it also speaks a lot about boys and society because ML has been a pretty boy his whole life and hasn’t had to try too hard to get girls and he even said it himself for him it was all about sex until he met FL, so he’s never had to fight too hard and when it was over it was over. I love your take on this tho (I currently don’t have a lot to say but I would like to see your comments and thoughts about this more often)
Yeah, you quite nailed it with the ML. This would also explain his avoidance when things go rough bc well..he's actually never really had to put effort into something until this relationship. So he shuts down, runs away, refuses to communicate, and when confronted, he projects at his gf (still not over the whole "What difference does it make if I tell you?" on chapter 37..just so cold and hurtful to say to a partner lol) ML is quite literally the epitome of an avoidant bf through and through. While FL also has her own shortcomings, we do see her willingness to grow and initiate for the sake of their relationship. All the more reason why it's been disappointing that the author hadn't shown any development for the ML when it comes to his weight of their relationship. The arc isn't over yet and I'm sure it'll all be resolved but this doesn't take away how upsetting ML has been.
It's a very hot and cold relationship they've got, and although shoujo mangas tend to romanticize this - reality is, this is the start of an unhealthy relationship especially if you don't get out of the cycle of breaking up and getting back together when faced with relationship problems. Some readers like to note that they're both teenagers so of course, they'd be immature...but as someone who's dated a bf like ML as a teenager and well into their early 20s - avoidant boys more often than not, just grow up to being avoidant men. They don't change haha, the harsh reality of it all.
No yea I definitely understand the point of them being young but even then like you said this is the beginning of a terrible cycle and it does end with one person deeply exhausted because their having to carry so much of the weight of the relationship. And you can see how the FL was replaying those words in her mind even if when he said it he immediately apologized it showed how he really felt maybe not towards her but even the mindset he carried through previous relationships as well, cause those girls were probably also there for the pretty boy trophy and nothing serious, this is not an excuse for his behavior tho. I think that at the end of the new chapter where he decided to end the relationship was honestly the best he could’ve done for both of them,yes it was hurtful and honestly there was so much conversation they could’ve had but I’m glad he was mature enough to know it would end with hurt cause they kept jumping around it. I hope these new chapters is about their personal development before getting back into it, but knowing these types of stories they’ll most likely get back together.
So I am new to this series and looking the reviews but when you said that word “sex” it caught me off guard, aren’t they in high school? Is the ml a playboy somehow?
Yes I don’t exactly remember the chapter and I’m not sure how far ahead you are but during the start of their relationship he briefly mentioned that girls approached him so willingly and ready to give it up so he thought that sex was the only thing he could get from a relationship. He didn’t feel the need to fight for a girl when she got tired of him and left so I think that’s where his avoidance to confront issues in his relationship comes from of course along with not being able to confront his parents. But for him I believe it was always “hey if they leave they leave”
Because last time I had some words for the ML, I got labeled as a woman defender and proof that FL's can't be criticised lol We got some overprotective readers for the ML here, so I'll tread lightly...
Someone else pointed this out but I really don't like the lack of character development for the ML in this manga. He's been written as avoidant every time the couple reaches a problem, and the weight is always on Yoi's shoulders to initiate and speak up. I really wished ML had learned from their previous conflict and stepped up in communicating rather than keeping it in and avoiding your girlfriend. I respect the decision to end the relationship, it's valid and realistic but yet again, it's very one-sided and lacks consideration of Yoi's feelings. All the way to the end, he's never once asked how she feels about all this. I know a lot of people like to use the fact that they're teenagers, so they have the immediate excuse card to be immature. But as someone who also had to move as a junior in high school (16 at the time), away from my boyfriend, I still had the consideration to communicate with my bf. In fact, I told him right away despite how hurtful the situation was...this is what being in a relationship is all about. Even teenagers can carry a sense of responsibility and consideration for others, they're all not clueless.
Another commenter said it nicely, the main plot device of this manga is ML's lack of delicacy. The author really is depicting the reality of dating an avoidant bf, and the harsh truth of the gf often having to carry the emotional/mental weight of the relationship. It's just sad to see some readers now realizing this, and making excuses for the ML. We can be empathetic towards his situation but not appreciate his actions all at the same time..