Honestly, this sorta cheating angsty lesbian plotline feels right up my alley, but it all feels sooooo underdeveloped. Characters act really irrationally, like the whole trauma over the ears thing while it does seem overblown, i can wrap my head around liz overreacting, but the story treats it like it was maki's fault? Even though she has no idea what or why it was linked to her past trauma, nor does Liz ever explain it to her afterward. And not only does Liz treat it like it's Maki's fault, but Maki feels like it's her own fault as well? Like, for what, for getting the person you like a birthday gift? OH WOW Maki, why didn't you know that Liz's ex gave her earrings, and now nobody can give her earrings ever again? It legit makes no sense. Also, the stuff with the slave contract? I mean, I really don't get it. Was it just a joke? Cause after that, it just seems like they're dating like normal, but that slave contract thing did kinda come out of nowhere, and the whole i own everything you own and everything i own just paints liz in a weird light.
Regarding the cheating and the ex, liz folds like a wet paper towel, which honestly bothers me only a little. I get it, she's supposed to be a flawed character, and the fact that her first love is back and "tempting" her is framed as the ex is the villain, but Liz literally puts up no resistance, none at all. Like, if we had a few more pages showing some restraint before she gave it, I'd be able to be more attached to this character, 'cause I'm assuming they still want me to like this character. But no. I actually had to get receipts. In the chapter her ex comes back, Liz is already blushing and swooning over her, talking about some "she's so cool" like you arent in a commited relationship right now. In the chapter right after shes introduced we see her get drunk and the ex kisses liz. Liz says "let me go" and the ex responds "i know you love it when i do this" and licks her ear. The next scene they're in bed together fucking. Not once does Liz ever say oh im actually in a relationship right now we cant do this. After cheating she returns to Maki kisses her and apologizes, but doesnt explain why she is acting this way. Then she goes on a car ride with the ex and kisses her again multiple times before she gets caught by Maki.
And the fact that she only realizes "oh it was Maki who always loved me", after its revealed her ex has a fucking husband and kids, really makes Maki feel like a rebound, which is crazy cause she already felt like kind of a rebound on the first go-around. It's like, are you gonna give any likable traits to this girl, she's our MC's main (and only) love interest, cmon now. Liz feels torn between her first love and maki, and she feels like she can't choose either one, so she cheats on Maki with the ex, but she only goes back to maki once shes essentially been rejected by the ex, so it doesnt feel like she made a decision or anything.
The ex's motivations don't really feel all that well defined, and the argument she has with Liz before she storms out just doesn't hit me that hard. Maybe she represents the homophobic sentiments of how queer relationships are not as legitimate as heterosexual ones, but I think I'm giving the manga too much credit when I say that.
The one thing I do like about this manga and about Liz is her battle as a queer artist trying to make a space for people like her, but aside from that, she might have 0 redeeming qualities, bro.
And because the manga is so shameless with Liz, it makes Maki feel like such a doormat. You fall in love at first sight with this girl, she takes you backstage blindholds you and then leaves you there. She cheats on you in front of your face, and instead of apologizing she sides with her ex and stands there as you run away crying. Also during your relationship it was clear that she viewes you as lower than her. Despite all that Maki will instantly fold to anything Liz does. Like it gets to a point i cant even feel bad for you, this is your fault.
So basically our main character is a doormat, and the main love interest is a cheater that is shockingly non-apologetic. With better writing i think this could have been slavaged, but yeah i dont see that here. The only reason im still reading is because its short, and i'm still curious to see how it ends. If this ends with Maki finally growing some backbone and rejecting liz i'd be so happy (i get a feelign thats not gonna be the case).
