Harada doesn't disappoint with this Mature slice of life that realistically touches on the darker themes of teenage pregnancy, poverty and child sexual abuse. Momo is the product of sexual abuse that learns to navigate life selling himself, adopting a materialistic viewpoint as a defense mechanism against feelings of abandonment, disappointment, hurt and expectations of love and intimacy, moving from man to man (or woman) as long as they can give him money and a roof over his head, ending up several times homeless; however, upon meeting Yata, Momo's fragile world is shaken as for the first time he encounters someone who defies his cynical viewpoint on human motivations, who becomes truly dependable and learns to love Momo for who he is, both his virtues (which are not many) and his faults (which are a lot), teaching Momo what love, caring and tenderness feel, look and taste life for the first time in his life.
Momo struggles with issues of faithfulness, gambling addiction, dependability, responsibility and intimacy; Yata, despite loving Momo wholeheartedly and treating him with great tenderness, Yata has issues with self control during sex which at times may exacerbate Momo's anxiety, inferiority complex and feelings of self-repudiation due that sometimes Momo shows to be in need of non-sexual intimacy/comforting which Yata struggles with because he desires Momo greatly. However, as their relationship and feelings for each other deepen, Momo starts growing by wanting to become more independent, looking for a job, getting his own place all so that he can ease the economic burden on Yata and I would argue, to feel worthy of him as well; and Yata with great and loving patience, is able to give Momo the loving care, respect, attention and tenderness Momo had never received from anyone before.
Both characters are flawed, with Momo suffering the greater emotional damage; however, it is indisputable that they are perfect for each other, and only with and through each other can they both overcome their emotional traumas as much as they can to become better human beings that can accept love and the good and bad that it entails. Again, they are perfect for each other because they ELEVATE each other. I love them both so very very much; their neighbor is not too shabby a person either :D
Harada doesn't disappoint with this Mature slice of life that realistically touches on the darker themes of teenage pregnancy, poverty and child sexual abuse. Momo is the product of sexual abuse that learns to navigate life selling himself, adopting a materialistic viewpoint as a defense mechanism against feelings of abandonment, disappointment, hurt and expectations of love and intimacy, moving from man to man (or woman) as long as they can give him money and a roof over his head, ending up several times homeless; however, upon meeting Yata, Momo's fragile world is shaken as for the first time he encounters someone who defies his cynical viewpoint on human motivations, who becomes truly dependable and learns to love Momo for who he is, both his virtues (which are not many) and his faults (which are a lot), teaching Momo what love, caring and tenderness feel, look and taste life for the first time in his life.
Momo struggles with issues of faithfulness, gambling addiction, dependability, responsibility and intimacy; Yata, despite loving Momo wholeheartedly and treating him with great tenderness, Yata has issues with self control during sex which at times may exacerbate Momo's anxiety, inferiority complex and feelings of self-repudiation due that sometimes Momo shows to be in need of non-sexual intimacy/comforting which Yata struggles with because he desires Momo greatly. However, as their relationship and feelings for each other deepen, Momo starts growing by wanting to become more independent, looking for a job, getting his own place all so that he can ease the economic burden on Yata and I would argue, to feel worthy of him as well; and Yata with great and loving patience, is able to give Momo the loving care, respect, attention and tenderness Momo had never received from anyone before.
Both characters are flawed, with Momo suffering the greater emotional damage; however, it is indisputable that they are perfect for each other, and only with and through each other can they both overcome their emotional traumas as much as they can to become better human beings that can accept love and the good and bad that it entails. Again, they are perfect for each other because they ELEVATE each other. I love them both so very very much; their neighbor is not too shabby a person either :D
Harada, keep 'em coming!