beta
Spoilers ahead up to chapter 24:
Case 1: Best friend
overprotective
kissed while asleep
projecting his own trauma
Case 2: ML
drunk grape
grape and/or dubious consent
taking off condom
heat grape
liar
Case 3: MC
too sheltered yet bit more than he could chew
doormat
puts his trust where it doesn't belong
First and foremost, MC is a victim from both guys, friend causing long term damage since early, ML being such a destructive bomb omg. Even if I call him a doormat, I cannot blame him for everything, but his behavior shouldn't be fed (it's more of a cautionary example of what could REALLY happen).
Second, you all hate the friend, but I don't find him behavior THAT unforgivable besides the kiss while asleep. Yes, he's overprotective, he watches over him like a hawk, he never confessed his feelings before the plot, he is like a mom, and indeed it's because he's like a mom that some of you are annoyed?
He wants to know where MC is and who he is with, he wants to be with him all the time (for watching over and as his crush) and stops MC from furthering his relationship with ML (which in this case not only spans jealousy but come on, IT'S AN OBVIOUS RECIPE TO DISASTER). But besides the recent interference on the weekend, he never stops MC from doing what he wants. If MC can go around while lying, it's because the guy isn't that stalkerish (yet). He projects his own trauma of letting MC almost be graped by the neighbor unto MC, how he sees his guilt and fear for his safety. Hell, I'd be annoyed if I had someone like that irl but not to the extent of putting myself on harms way over a fake sense of freedom rather than talking it out. Like, freedom for what? For going out alone and drink? The funniest part is that the first drink party is quite realistic, it's hard to just blend in a party as an introvert for the first time, doing so without a friend is even harder (talking from experience). It wasn't even enjoyable.
THIRD, the ML is such a red flag since the first encounter idk y'all but taking off the condom and lying about the pill is beyond saving. Idc if feelings develope and considers MC more important over time, it's unforgivable the amount of times he takes advantage of MC. If this was real life I'd kill that motherfcker. At this point in the timeline, even if you dislike the best friend which is reasonable, no way in hell are you rooting for this jack ass??????
Like, I get it, best friend sucks but it's like going from the pan to the fire??????
Istg, it's the security that a fictional story where MC and love interest/ML/FL are determined and are SO SURE there is a good ending with a redemption and sweet arc, that overlooking the PAST and PRESENT (the process) seems like Second nature. Yall want a result, no matter how painful it is to the MC currently, specially such experiences that leave indelible marks in people. I wouldn't usually care but this story feels quite real, in a sense that their personalities and experiences feel close to people I knew or heard of. This comments is mainly due to other comments I saw where they were rooting over a grapist and trashing the best friend when the scale of their crimes do not compare??
Like, I get it, there will be redemption, happy ending and the oficial ship, maybe the plot will developed into the best friend doing something unforgivable and the ML getting better, but reading people's takes based on current affairs and information is worrying. There were times where I read such thrilling stories with peace of mind that we all agreed it was a shitty situation but seeing some takes nowadays makes me reconsider .