I love the glasses couple. There’s not too many glasses couple across different genres out there, and not one I’ve read — until now. Having double-whammy glasses main characters is killer <3 On top of that, the couple has other personality quirks that break the mold of a glasses character stereotype too. There’s more nuance but it wasn’t overkill. My OTP out of the selection of cute couples — like so far ahead of the rest! I was so happy that the author chose to write an extra on them! They should be a series honestly lol
This is a weird read for me because I have step siblings myself and I can’t imagine falling in love with them definitely a big NO
BUT it’s exactly because I’ve never and swear to never fall in love with my stepsibling or sibling that I feel I don’t have the right to judge — I haven’t been in their shoes after all.
There are people who believe in multiple reincarnation cycles — when I think of that, and consider how we all have that destined person for us, it is actually quite possible that someone’s romantic soulmate can be reborn as part of your family.
It’s a painful twist of fate.
Plus, love is a powerful force, akin to natural catastrophes at times — it can be beyond one’s human will or understanding really.
Anyway, it’s weird, but I don’t think I should judge it.
I wouldn’t encourage it for anyone to do, and I definitely feel like poking my own eyes out with that the notion of seeing my step siblings or siblings like that — it’s like caterpillars crawling over my skin :O — however I do not see myself as a divine judge and an omniscient being who has all the wisdom in the world, therefore I still feel like these are people’s choices for themselves to make.
Tbh I do want happiness for the characters themselves.
I may not relate with the specific stepsibling romance, but the love aspect is relatable. Plus there’s no rape thank goodness
The main couple aside, I’ve missed Haruki and Fujie — so happy to see them again albeit fleetingly
I want to see both characters resolve their differences and unpack how they feel towards each other as their feelings develop deeper — more importantly, I wanted to know if they were end game
I had read this a few times already, and I admit I love the MC more now than the first few times. The chapter that encapsulated his strong points struck the heart.
It’s true he can be serious but as ML said that is his good trait — that sincerity and directness can be a saving grace to those around him at the right opportunity, whether that be conveying how much he respects his friend, how much he means his apologies, or how much he believes the person right in front of him deserves better.
I think it would have been interesting to see how ML could commit to their relationship. After all, their degree of seriousness is different personality-wise (just an observation and not a criticism at all).
Imagine if throughout their whole relationship, that frivolous ML not once cheats on the serious MC or dumps him when he finally got bored. And curious how that would have panned out, you know?
Anyway, underrated work — how is this an 8.7?
if MC forgives or be together with ML at the end of this, I’m gonna lose it. It’s a shame the love interest is like this. The art style is pretty good. Please can we have a story where a person like ML is made to be accountable and faces karma for the things he did? This ml doesn’t deserve MC and mc deserves happiness elsewhere - a wholesome and tender romance after all that abuse
It might seem weird to say this story is beautiful when the dystopian setting is far from what people would associate with that descriptor, but if you read this all the way through, it will really click. Think of the butterfly effect, and Xiao Yan (mc) is that butterfly. While ML Hein Burton is the catalyst and the compulsory ingredient to Xiao Yan’s growth.
Their relationship is not without its innate perils and obstacles. However they truly belong together. And if passion is what you’re after? This one is simmering with it. (Hein kinda reminds me of Edward Cullen, in the way that the latter had to have self-control while he was with Bella. He also treasures XY’s future very much because he himself has lost his humanity to the x virus; similarly, Edward didn’t want Bella to become a vampire and throw away her future as a human.) But there’s a lot more sexual tension in this one than Twilight.
Moreover, it’s very heartwarming to meet an ML like Hein. Rough start, but hear me out. The more you read, Hein’s thoughts become more transparent to the readers and you’ll understand that he truly understand and deeply loves Xiao Yan. (Spoiler alert) Near ch 80, perhaps ch 79, Hein says this: ‘why are you all so scared and stopping him from going to the place he dreams of, even though he could actually reach it?’ This is what the translation was in what I read. Later on he also revealed that when he saw Xiao Yan almost without breath and heartbeat, he felt like he (himself) will die, and beginning from that day, whenever he could not see XY, Hein will feel fear. He said this in his required psyche session. (End of spoiler)
To anyone who is interested, it’s also based on a book called Thrive in Catastrophe.
Both are good but I have to say that I’m very much liking the manhua version more. My biased opinion is that MC here is very likable, as supposed to in the book, where there were instances I found MC insufferable (although I still decided to like him in the end).
Aside from the characters, the world building is very fascinating and cohesive, although the storytelling at times have choppy transitions (not too many though). I find the science in the fictional dystopian novel acceptable so there no feeling of THIS IS RIDICULOUS - which can be a jarring experience I’m sure.
Very immersive read, on top of beautiful. The translator is adorable and put a lot of effort into it.
Update: however! Fair warning, it’s not all rainbows and sunshines. Hein has this insatiable hunger for MC that may be due to the virus or may be his innate feelings exacerbated by that virus, who knows. But Hein with all his self-control outside of the mental realm, capitalizes on training Xiao Yan on blocking hackers, and unleashes this all-consuming and oppressive desire on MC inside their minds. I have yet to see it in the manga, but in the book it was disturbing for sure - and that was the idea, these feelings that Hein suppresses in the material world are not in the normal level of intensity; the only time he can possess XY as much as he wanted was in the guise of training and only in the mental realm, and ultimately to train MC to learn to defend himself from anyone who wanted to hack his mind - starting with Hein. It was a very shocking reminder that Hein was very much capable of brutality, even though he might have that tolerance and patience and softness towards MC that he doesn’t show anyone else. Throughout the story there are forewarnings about this.
Update: (spoiler alert) Imma cry. The reason ML fell in love with MC, it’s really heartbreaking. In a world riddled by zombies, this battle-worn soldier who remains to be humanity’s greatest fighter, finds solace in the MC’s subconscious, which was filled with natures wonders. For the ML, whose life could end anytime not from the threat of others but from the very source of his strength. The ravaging X virus may disintegrate his life anytime and every kiss with MC may be the last — ml has even more reason to feel this insatiable hunger for mc. Hein’s affection at each precious moment is heavy for a reason… TT^TT
Instead of worrying for the lives of the people on the ship, he capitalizes on MC’s strong processing power and risks their already jeopardized lives to get information on the mind hackers attacking MC. If MC wasn’t there, they were all good as dead. Two captains already lost their lives. And now that someone step up to the plate, that person even has to take orders that blatantly disregard the value of his life! That colonel deserves a shoeprint on his face. Ugh. Even the translator was pissed.
This is underrated. The couples is pretty cute :) they are crazy for each other. Despite the dicey beginning
Personally had to drop this. I understand but I can’t stand how MC still has to endure her connection with this other girl. I also don’t agree that the parents have to decide their relationship for them and kept forcing them together.
My repulsion got to the point where I can’t read on.
Will always LOVE the artstyle style though.
one moment I’d be laughing so hard, then feeling a pang the next . The comedic timing is impeccable throughout the story (!) while maintaining a firm grasp of the plot with admirable lucidity I followed it with bated breath. Simultaneously, my emotional investment in the characters gradually grew without me noticing — a testament to the author AND translator(s)’ master story telling