this ^
Also something to note: it was a very quick kiss that was out of the blue. Tess just straight up did it and bolted, which doesn’t leave someone, even Art, a long time to react. If a childhood friend like mine kissed me out of NOWHERE, I’d be pretty dumbfounded too.
Art definitely froze up, because he was taken aback by the situation, he probably didn’t immediately push her away because it was someone he was comfortable with. Plus being injured (and I think he just woke up? I can’t really remember the chapter), his brain is probably lagging and not fully awake. Since it was a quick sort of, peck, and then she runs off, by the time Tess is running out the door, Arthur probably only just processed what’s happened.
Agree, you already said what is needed to be said, does a 13 year old will kiss a guy just because it was her crush, especially the guy is bedridden.
I thought she will act more mature than her age because of the scene where Tess gave ellie a bow, which is different from other gifts. She was also thoughtful that time about Arthur giving his time for his family, but after the school arc, her attitude changed and become a spoiled brat.
The author put too much emphasis on building the character of Arthur (the protagonist) and forget that Tess (the FL) was poorly written character, the author must had think thoroughly when he or she started to add some romance in this manhwa.
Literally what Tess did was SA whether you like it or not. Saying she’s 13 and it’s okay is SO disgusting it’s literally wrong whether Tess is a minor or not. Stop normalizing and giving Tess a pass for kissing Art without his consent cause it was blatant sexual assault. Being charged with sexual assault can happen at any age if you’re an adult or minor. What Tess did was kiss Arthur with him severely injured, so if you’re gonna say “if Art didn’t like it why didn’t he just push her away” or something use your brain, he’s I N J U R E D. He can’t even walk without a stick right now and thats when he was discharged, what more if he was still healing?
Tess literally is forcing herself on Art, it’s so blatant its annoying. How would all of you feel if you were uncomfortable about someone making moves on you? You would try to take it lightly and indirectly rejecting them by making them read the room cause you’re showing how uncomfortable you are, right? Of course I am not saying everyones the same, but in the context of this comic, it’s clear Art doesn’t want to shoot Tess down and hurt her feelings. Although, I agree taking light of ones’ feelings is an asshole move, but in this case Tess is literally not even reading the room anymore, she’s just trying to force Art into giving her an answer which is an asshole move too cause you’re the one asking to date this person and forcing them to answer you now will not allow them to sort their feelings (but in this case, you don’t need to think to see how uninterested Art is).
In short, stop defending Tess for her horribly written character.