i know how some criticize female bl readers as seeing mlm as fetishes. but for me, im just enraptured by the masculinity in it (no, not the "macho man" toxic masculinity). same with women with masculine features. or just people excuding masculinity regardless of sex or identity. it gives that feeling of being enveloped, possessed, wanted,and they're just so cool and assertive. (im a lonely and passive person who finds peace in such characters lol) also, i just find a lack of assertiveness in wlw, or at least have found too little of wlw stories that works for me
coz in my eyes, it's less about being man and man, rather it's the manifestation of masculinity which is typically used for men and less of women. (i might sound like im being defensive or that im not making sense, but i also have gender dysphoria or at least i dislike being in a female body that's why i identify with male characters more than i do with female characters, all the while attracted to masculinity regardless of sex.)
that's why, just as heterosexual men can enjoy bl, i think same goes for females (coz there's this belief, again, that females who read bl fetishizes mlm only).
wow i love u
THIS !! also i feel like the oeople who say "females who read bl, fetishize mlm" fail to consider the aspect lgtbq+ reason straight smut.
im in love with this, thank you because this is exactly why i like bl too
im glad i found people who identifies with me :) oh, also, i don't look down on femininity coz empathy, gentleness, and the general feel of delicate motherhood are strong suits, too. i really really just identify with masculine reasoning, assertiveness, and that bold outlook coz i seriously feel more secured as someone who can be too empathetic and turbulent. and there's just somehow more energy and the the feeling of being grounded when im exposed to positive masculinity.
but like, the time you'll have together would kinda decrease no? with the internship or residential or something. if there's one thing i learned from typical dramas, choosing the profession that would help your loved one won't exactly save them in time. especially with doctors coz their loved one would just die in front of them coz they can't help yet or would be restricted in another case but that's just my drama experience scaring me.
There's no drama or angst. the story building is natural and real. i love the portayal of loneliness and the lack of awkwardness. Nanami is a ray of sunshine. the sensei is right, he had a good attitude in life. even his silly blackmail is humorous. the senpai is also adorable because the way he opened up is natural. and o my god, that last chapter huhuhu
this is a perfect tsundere for me
this story is triggering my possessiveness... manifesting my insecurities and desires. like, the other two revealed the quiet possessiveness or tone of the mangaka, it just feels more solid here. the first chapters seemed to skip alot tho, like it jumped too quickly in comparison to the slower burn in the middle towards the end.
literally read this for laughs, but ended up having a wholesome experience. T T
im so proud of myself for realizing who her soulmate is during the second travel and with her observation regarding her suitors. Plus, im so happy she had decent suitors (kinda in a sense that they break stereotypes positively). Something about tender yet quiet pursuance hinted him in my head and when he finally went and pursue her, im like! SHIT, I CALLED IT
and their wedding?? and their kid?? and that special?? i feel so spoiled <3
It began all too suddenly, I don't even understand the first couple nor the second, until they properly establish what the context is regarding a house of masters and slaves welcoming their guest. From there on, the story progressed slowly as they introduce more and more couples. Then, it continues what has been initially established. Truth to be told, the ending for the master didn't make much sense to me, but the atmosphere really paints a bittersweet reunion and final goodbyes.
for one thing, aaaaa-san really has the talent for having a one-track mind, the epitome of singlehood. like, nuances of love and dating? nah. it's guild and platonic relationships all the way. This guy can feel shy and be star struck for his boss' abs but be totally oblivious of its nuances. I feel so bad for Kumada but also aspire to be as headstrong as he is.
You put it perfectly
the thing i love the most is how they can confront their fears because of how strong their feelings are. there's a mix of maturity and immaturity here. I especially relate to Shima's fear but also Daguchi's playful way of confessing. like, as long as i can slide it off as a joke as a way to test the waters but also fear that it wouldn't last because I may not be enough anyway.
plus, I like what Togawa said regarding the fluidity of sexuality. Just like those we assume to be straight can be homosexual, what's stopping homosexuals from falling in love with the opposite sex? and NO, NO, im not talking about conversion therapy and "well shit, they can be noRmAL" bullshit. It's that spectrum of bisexuality where you lean on one sex preference but meeting a person who just makes you fall in love.
I just realized something after trying to summarize this... when Daguchi confessed, he didn't try to court Onoda at all. It was a quick yes or no moment which he drops upon receiving an insincere rejection. But there's also Onoda who was too lost in his own indecisiveness that he tries to make things normal...like I understand Onoda, it's always easier to notice things as an outsider but always a little more difficult to figure things out alone—especially for him who just noticed his feelings for Shima while also dense with his jealousy upon realizing that Daguchi's sex life.
and yeah! that, too... Daguchi never really planned to confess so he couldve tried to douse it thru casual sex... and it wasn't really clear if he still had casual sex after he confessed. coz that would be a problem, he already confessed which reserves a sense of devoted waiting. to be honest, i still liked the complexity of their relationship coz none of them is ever completely right or wrong —a total grey area of being wrong about something and their conflict is just the consequences of it.
But in terms of emotional impact or poetic execution, definitely shima and Togawa. Onoda and Daguchi are more of candidly written, the type you'd actually witness irl cause everything unravels in verbal communication.
if they're gonna pair Miyuki and Yuu, i did wish that the time skip had given Miyuki a growth spurt but anyway, the main couple is best just a bit bothered with how gullible Yoh is... it makes his partner look like a criminal manipulating an innocent child Then again, Komiya doesn't go too far with his teasing and Yoh is proactive on his own sksksk
Shouta isn't a goody two shoes or the naive type who tries too hard to the point of insensitive. He endured Aoi's relapses and understood how deep Aoi's wounds run. he wasnt even jealous of Aoi's dead lover and made it that Aoi understood how much Masato loved him before his death. He helped Aoi more than the owner did, made sure that Aoi heals instead of burying it thru hatred. Aoi has his scars and the author did so well in letting it fester and mark his personality even when they became lovers. Most would have made it as if the trauma had gone coz of love, but this one tackles it well.
and seeing them grow older is beautiful! Lantern plants and how lanterns are often used to light the way, kinda makes it more symbolic for me. And Masato's death even lingered in a positive way, as if he blessed them unintentionally because he loved Aoi that much.