Wow, I’m honestly so surprised because I really didn’t look at it that deeply while reading But now that you’ve pointed all of this out, I completely agree with you. I think I was so focused on the one-sidedness of their relationship that I didn’t really stop to think about what the story was actually trying to say underneath it all.
The whole internalized homophobia angle makes so much sense, especially with how Hyeon-ho keeps making excuses for himself while simultaneously judging Junhyeok for basically doing the exact same thing. And I LOVE what you said about the omega boss too, the fact that he was completely fine with them having sex but suddenly disgusted by the idea of Hyeon-ho being the bottom is such a painfully classic form of homophobia Like, apparently it’s only gay when you bottom lmao.
And now that you mention it, Hyeon-ho’s whole attitude really does feel like he’s trying to convince himself of something rather than genuinely believing all the bullshit he’s saying. That makes his character a lot more interesting to me.
Also YES, the student was an absolute queen for that text She understood the assignment.
In the middle of it, I did have my complaints because the love seemed so one-sided from the seme’s side and the uke doesn’t really seem to return the feelings at all. But seeing the comments below how you can sorta read this as a story about homophobia like that really changed my mind. It still definitely has its flaws but.. lemme ramble.
I think a lot of us usually read stories where the straight top refuses to romantically acknowledge the gay bottom in favor of a purely sexual relationship, while knowingly taking advantage of their feelings, hurting both of them in the process. Clearly it’s more than that, but internalized homophobia, the belief that it won’t work out, it’s unnatural, prevents them from thinking seriously about themselves.
These are all things that Hyeon-ho says, but unlike the usual, he’s the bottom. It’s not like this is some groundbreaking bl, but I do think it’s kinda unique. You can see himself talking about his bullshit justification for why he can’t also like alphas like “See Junhyeok, i like omegas (or women in the case of our regular world) because I’m an alpha and of course I’ll have a biological reaction and act like an animal, and if you met them you would like omegas too”, “you’re messed up for being attracted to alphas” But Hyeon-ho himself keeps delaying the confession to his boss. For what reason? I don’t know. Feels like he started crushing to prove a point to himself.
The omega boss’ reaction is so interesting too, because yeah he only got disgusted at the idea that hyeon-ho was the bottom, but he was fine with them fucking, so it’s like only gay if you bottom? Lmao just classic bs homophobia.
Anyway the student junhyeok tutored is the absolute goat for texting him about what was bouta go down, just dropped a bombshell and dipped. She was shocked at first, but love is love. Just an ally thru and thru.