To be honest. I've read this manga countless times and I weirdly like it. I think it's because it's one of the earliest yaoi I read so there's a nostalgia factor in play. I read the story with his brother first but I found this version more compelling so I like it more. But even so, the more I read it, the more I just find it so sad and annoying what happens. Jinnai is too forceful. He forces Reiichirou into a relationship without waiting for a response even though he SAID HE WOULD. Kijima comes on to him and he hides it from Reiichirou and acts like it's fine that HE'S alone with Kijima when he kept throwing a fit when Kijima was alone with Reiichirou. Even though it's for work and unavoidable. Then he hypocritically keeps hanging out with Kijima when Reiichirou is forced to hang out with the girl from the omiai. Like I do understand Reiichirou tends to take things as they come, but he can't help it. That's how he is and his family is pressuring him. Like at this point I read it for Reiichirou. His whole story is just sad. Like I said, he takes things as they come. He can't fight back, nor does he want to. His entire life was basically planned for him and he accepts it. He doesn't dislike the family business, so that aspect is fine. But since he's very sheltered, he's not very social and doesn't understand social cues that well. Yet he managed to have a best friend in Haru, which is great. But Haru leaves him due to his own feelings for Reiichirou. That's understandable, Haru's not at fault for that. It hurt too much to just be friends, and in that case it's fine for him to step away. But it also really hurt Reiichirou because the man DOESN'T HAVE FRIENDS. As far as the reader knows, he has no one else in his life he's particularly close to. It's hard to even say if he's close to his family. He WANTS to be close to his younger brother, but his younger brother finds him hard to deal with as well. Since Reiichirou is hella blunt without meaning to be. And plus, Tsukasa is in love with Haru sooo jealousy's involved. Jinnai even acknowledged he's lonely and sensitive. And so Reiichirou just wants Haru back as a friend because he misses him, since again. He was literally his best (and possibly only) friend. But Tsukasa doesn't want that to happen. And who knows if Haru ever did become his friend again after saying they could be. After basically being told he loves Jinnai by Jinnai, Reiichirou starts dating him. His love for him does grow and become more obvious, especially when we see his viewpoint. But he's got his family on his back, and he's not one to rebel. And his family situation really doesn't call for it. I can't even say he's too soft or a doormat for that because it's not easy going against family. Especially since before he never really had a reason too. So he's not sure how to handle the situation of his omia and how to say no or convince his family that the answer is no. It really isn't his fault. And then to top it all, he has to suffer from Jinnai's insecurities and abuse (yes that was abusive) when Jinnai literally yanks his arm away from him and caused him to fall. Then slams his hand next to his head when interrogating him. And then again yanks him by his tie and shoves him when he's upset about Reiichirou having to still meet that girl, then rapes him again (since he did that the first time around when beginning the relationship too like yeesh man.) And then yeah again he has to watch Jinnai choosing to hang out with Kijima even though he knows Kijima has feelings for him. All out of spite? Jinnai doesn't think it's the same but it is. Then Jinna starts running away and trying to leave him. Like this page basically sums up Reiichirou's experience and breaks my heart:
This basically forces Reiichirou's hand and causes him to come out to his family just to be able to be with Jinnai. It's a good thing his father didn't go trying to figure out Jinnai's identity. Like. Reiichirou deserves better. It's ironic as hell that Jinnai is even aware that he doesn't treat Reiichirou that well, what with him being worried Reiichirou will go along with Kijima's advances since he ended up going out with Jinnai. And then sure he did apologize when Reiichirous does give him a blowjob later since he was forced to the first time around. And he realized he was the running but seriously most of the problems really did come from his own insecurity. Being hurt from the omia is natural, but he didn't have to react that cruelly. Like do better sir. I really, really feel sad for Reiichirou. I really do.
To be honest. I've read this manga countless times and I weirdly like it. I think it's because it's one of the earliest yaoi I read so there's a nostalgia factor in play. I read the story with his brother first but I found this version more compelling so I like it more. But even so, the more I read it, the more I just find it so sad and annoying what happens. Jinnai is too forceful. He forces Reiichirou into a relationship without waiting for a response even though he SAID HE WOULD. Kijima comes on to him and he hides it from Reiichirou and acts like it's fine that HE'S alone with Kijima when he kept throwing a fit when Kijima was alone with Reiichirou. Even though it's for work and unavoidable. Then he hypocritically keeps hanging out with Kijima when Reiichirou is forced to hang out with the girl from the omiai. Like I do understand Reiichirou tends to take things as they come, but he can't help it. That's how he is and his family is pressuring him. Like at this point I read it for Reiichirou.
His whole story is just sad.
Like I said, he takes things as they come. He can't fight back, nor does he want to. His entire life was basically planned for him and he accepts it. He doesn't dislike the family business, so that aspect is fine. But since he's very sheltered, he's not very social and doesn't understand social cues that well. Yet he managed to have a best friend in Haru, which is great. But Haru leaves him due to his own feelings for Reiichirou. That's understandable, Haru's not at fault for that. It hurt too much to just be friends, and in that case it's fine for him to step away. But it also really hurt Reiichirou because the man DOESN'T HAVE FRIENDS. As far as the reader knows, he has no one else in his life he's particularly close to. It's hard to even say if he's close to his family. He WANTS to be close to his younger brother, but his younger brother finds him hard to deal with as well. Since Reiichirou is hella blunt without meaning to be. And plus, Tsukasa is in love with Haru sooo jealousy's involved. Jinnai even acknowledged he's lonely and sensitive.
And so Reiichirou just wants Haru back as a friend because he misses him, since again. He was literally his best (and possibly only) friend. But Tsukasa doesn't want that to happen. And who knows if Haru ever did become his friend again after saying they could be.
After basically being told he loves Jinnai by Jinnai, Reiichirou starts dating him. His love for him does grow and become more obvious, especially when we see his viewpoint. But he's got his family on his back, and he's not one to rebel. And his family situation really doesn't call for it. I can't even say he's too soft or a doormat for that because it's not easy going against family. Especially since before he never really had a reason too. So he's not sure how to handle the situation of his omia and how to say no or convince his family that the answer is no. It really isn't his fault. And then to top it all, he has to suffer from Jinnai's insecurities and abuse (yes that was abusive) when Jinnai literally yanks his arm away from him and caused him to fall. Then slams his hand next to his head when interrogating him. And then again yanks him by his tie and shoves him when he's upset about Reiichirou having to still meet that girl, then rapes him again (since he did that the first time around when beginning the relationship too like yeesh man.)
And then yeah again he has to watch Jinnai choosing to hang out with Kijima even though he knows Kijima has feelings for him. All out of spite? Jinnai doesn't think it's the same but it is.
Then Jinna starts running away and trying to leave him. Like this page basically sums up Reiichirou's experience and breaks my heart:
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/kimi_ga_koi_ni_oboreru/mf/v03/c005/21/
This basically forces Reiichirou's hand and causes him to come out to his family just to be able to be with Jinnai. It's a good thing his father didn't go trying to figure out Jinnai's identity.
Like. Reiichirou deserves better. It's ironic as hell that Jinnai is even aware that he doesn't treat Reiichirou that well, what with him being worried Reiichirou will go along with Kijima's advances since he ended up going out with Jinnai. And then sure he did apologize when Reiichirous does give him a blowjob later since he was forced to the first time around. And he realized he was the running but seriously most of the problems really did come from his own insecurity. Being hurt from the omia is natural, but he didn't have to react that cruelly. Like do better sir. I really, really feel sad for Reiichirou. I really do.