Very well put! Unfortunately, you can never win with these people!! If he falls too fast, they say it's unrealistic and he's a pedophile grrooming his student. If he takes long, they still say it's unrealistic. I think this story hits just the sweet spot. You can see him slowly, piece by piece, fall in love with Katou throughout the story and I think it's lovely.
Yes exactly! And thx i agree. If he rlly fell fast, everyone would be uncomfortable saying he was preying on him. But bc he took his time and rlly fell in love, its said he doesn't love at all? There is no right answer. This is indeed perfectly paced and I can feel the love develop properly.
Yall can't read saying Sensei doesn't love Katou. I think we're so used to taboo relationships being instantly accepted in manga that sensei struggling with his moral code and sexuality he's had for 30+ years and taking too long to fall in love is looked at as being not in love at all. But the truth is Katou identity as a former student causes a big impact on Sensei, which makes him not even dare to think in that direction even if he rlly likes him and thinks he's cute. He even mentions the word pedophilia several times! It's not a joke or an excuse. It elly weighs on his mind, esp bc he still teaches students.
It's much more serious than just returning Katous feelings. It's rethinking his moral constraints and his sexuality. Halfway through, I believe Sensei acknowledges his feelings of love and willingness to do anything for him, but is uncertain about whether he can view men in a sexual light. He thinks about letting Katou go bc of this. He didnt want Katou to live with incomplete love. But then he is possessive and jealous at the thought. Later they have sex. Which again messes with Sensei conscience. He cant even face the room full of students.
But as soon as smth serious happens, Sensei throws his personal morality out the window and does what he can to fight for Katou. Atp, he doesn't know if his love is as deep as Katou wants in thoughts. But in action, Sensei goes above and beyond, fighting to keep Katou job, confronting his ex, chasing him down, worrying about him, stressing over him, and finally reuniting with him all through his own efforts. And his sentence saying he might not be able to make him happy, but will def share half his sadness, is a great confession of love from Sensei. Katou asks about liking, Sensei speaks of love. And his actions show love.
Later, Sensei is willing to tell his father about his relationship. He also comes to discover Katou is his first love, as he has never developed such deep emotions for anyone else. With Katou, he even becomes flustered seeing him smile. It is first love for Sensei. You can't say he doesn't love just bc he didn't fall in love immediately. It's not realistic. Instead this is better. Deeper, more thoughtful. I feel it is very moving.