In tears at the end, I remember years ago reading Yumi's story and now I don't remember much but I know his current partner helped him leave his abusive relationship. Hence, I don't remember if I actually read the spin-off about his ex right after because of Yumi's grief/suffering. Much later did i read (and reread) the prequel to this story just as a standalone because i didn't want to feel hurt for Yumi again.
But here, I loved how this story handled it, and that you shouldn't romanticise "the abusive ex who actually was broken inside" because at the end of the day Hayashida knows that it was his actions that hurt Yumi and that he couldnt just let it go. That he harmed someone he held so dear to his heart.
I liked that they didn't ask for Yumi's forgiveness because really Yumi had no reason to but he gave him that album and let him know that you can move on now from being haunted too. There was no redemption arc, no him going to apologise etc. Just that, their stories will be seperate as life goes on for both.
I'm happy that Hayashida while is tormented, his abuse wasn't just written off in his own story(like the author going that now that he's in love he's perfect and an angel etc etc) they held him accountable while still treading the path of self- forgiveness (since he knows asking Yumi that would be tremendously unfair and wrong). It's a capturing both sides without undermining either. And I love them, I hope both heal and I'm happy that both have found loves that understand them.
In tears at the end, I remember years ago reading Yumi's story and now I don't remember much but I know his current partner helped him leave his abusive relationship. Hence, I don't remember if I actually read the spin-off about his ex right after because of Yumi's grief/suffering. Much later did i read (and reread) the prequel to this story just as a standalone because i didn't want to feel hurt for Yumi again.
But here, I loved how this story handled it, and that you shouldn't romanticise "the abusive ex who actually was broken inside" because at the end of the day Hayashida knows that it was his actions that hurt Yumi and that he couldnt just let it go. That he harmed someone he held so dear to his heart.
I liked that they didn't ask for Yumi's forgiveness because really Yumi had no reason to but he gave him that album and let him know that you can move on now from being haunted too. There was no redemption arc, no him going to apologise etc. Just that, their stories will be seperate as life goes on for both.
I'm happy that Hayashida while is tormented, his abuse wasn't just written off in his own story(like the author going that now that he's in love he's perfect and an angel etc etc) they held him accountable while still treading the path of self- forgiveness (since he knows asking Yumi that would be tremendously unfair and wrong). It's a capturing both sides without undermining either. And I love them, I hope both heal and I'm happy that both have found loves that understand them.