Azusa even held onto Karino's finger at the end, there's more trust between them now
Totally. That moment expressed so many emotions <33 As Azusa held Karino's index finger, Karino had his face close to Azusa too. It felt reassuring to see Azusa reach out, and there was a feeling that it was a mutual experience :)) I really appreciate seeing Karino pay attention to Azusa, and Azusa being honest with his desires. They're moving to a healthy path sexually, which I'm happy for! (Now we're waiting to see the romance develop... ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~)
I literally reread the whole thing three times within the span of two days bc they were being so wholesome in the last chapter
That sounds like a pleasant thing to do! :) Were there moments highlighted to you?
Have you seen the raws by the way? I'm curious about what's happening in chapter 24-25. And I heard there is some more intimate-looking lovemaking in chapter 26 :O
I have only seen chapter 26, Karino kissing Azusa during sex, so look forward to it!
My favourite moments are def Azusa cooking yakisoba for Karino (so domestic!), the two of them doing the school marathon in the extra chapter and how Karino told Azusa's mum to stop pitying him! What about you?
I've been looking at this Facebook album!! https://www.facebook.com/pg/B0YSL0VE/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2071338806269263 (I'll talk about chapter 27 in my next paragraph)
T____T Did you see that?? Karino handcuffed Azua to himself, and Azusa INITIATED a kiss!! And then they both continued kissing, with Azusa holding onto to Karino's shirt twice *____* They were then eating so casually on the rooftop. I love their gentle moments together :)) They really are creating unforgettable memories together <33
I saw chapter 26 images as well! Karino held onto Azusa's hair... Seriously, kissing during sex just seems more intimate than usual, and we can see Karino and Azusa's connection getting stronger :))
There are honestly too many good moments in Caste Heaven... I love the times Senzaki and Tatsumi spent together. <3 They explored themselves without shame, and I just love that transparency! Tatsumi really showed the reality that some people face, where they have expectations from society that they need to follow, even if that means they're not being their true selves ;/
Azusa and Karino... I also adore the time when Azusa cooked for Karino. I thought it was so sweet when Karino said he doesn't generally eat tasty food; I loved how genuine it was when Karino said Azusa's cooking was tasty :') And when they had sex afterwards, I loved that they communicated! We're starting to see them enjoy their time together. ^^ That KISS was so sweet too ;------; Kissing in the morning during a walk...that was romantic <33
Their relationship didn't begin on a healthy note, but overall...I feel that love found them, you know? :) Azusa used to feel like he needed to shoulder all the obstacles the world gave him alone, and Karino used to only assert power when they were together. It feels nice to see Azusa connected with someone -relax in a way, and I believe Karino has felt content with Azusa too :) Their relationship, I think, gives the two of them experiences and emotions they haven't had before. And I like seeing that in their moments together...they're in their own world, and it feels reassuring somehow. I don't get the feeling that one party wants to leave the other person, or that they intend to "cheat" (well, they're not officially dating, but they don't intend on seeing other people either :P). So, I'm looking forward to seeing them grow :)
Happy New Year too!!
Happy New Year! You’re absolutely right with Senzaki and Tatsumi, I love how T went into the relationship as a way to find escapism and seemingly as a joke/experiment then ended up totally in love. If Senzaki doesn’t come back to the series or get a spin-off I will be very upset.
To be completely honest, whilst Karino and Azusa has found affection and perhaps even love, they don’t seem to be a couple that I see working out in the future unless K values A's opinions and views more, take his feelings into consideration and stop simply dragging A along whenever he feels like it. Hopefully when the piercings guy (forgot his name) threatens their relationship, K can grow a little.
Not going to lie, I have been thinking that a plot point such as Karino's politician dad getting found to be corrupt or immoral wouldn't be bad. I really want to see K being dragged off his pedestal and feeling a little vulnerable since he has been in control and superior to everyone else both inside and outside of the caste game. After all, K has an influential family and a future set out for him, and no matter how much the caste can affect your school life, it is only a game. So even if K has his title revoked by the reshuffle, his situation in life is vastly different to Azusa's so it may be interesting to see how he can adapt. But also I really like seeing semes feel vulnerable ;)
I'm so glad I took 1.25 hours to read chapters 18-22 and I reread chapter 23. What a lovely Saturday I'm having! I genuinely enjoy the changes I'm seeing. This may sound ironic since we're talking about a student body that is organized based on a caste system, which shouldn't be questioned, but I feel hopeful. I genuinely do.
There are moments like when Inukai said, "Kinda strange, isn't it? That someone from a totally different world could be in the same class as people like us, huh?", and Azusa retorted, "What's weird about that? They're just humans like us." It's moments like these that genuinely highlight that we're all humans, so it can be argued that we're all equal. Why is there a need to label and differentiate people? I think this story is a representation of how our society is structured. People feel entitled and feel powerful, once there is a label given to them and if they're born or married into a social class. But people aren't inherently powerful just because. It's all socially constructed.
I enjoy seeing Azusa stand up against what's not right, like the times when he punched that person who bumped into Atsumu (poor Atsumu had ice cream on his shirt); treating their group like nothing, and when Azusa stopped the queen from having his group swap spots so that she and her group could be ahead in line. People may downgrade you, but that doesn't mean you need to accept their treatment towards you.
I sometimes see questions like, "Why don't the students go to other schools?" There could be a multitude of reasons, like maybe the school is reputable so the parents want their children there; it could be the closest school to someone's house and another school would be too far to commute to; maybe the school has an academic program and notable teachers that other schools lack... Sometimes, people just bite their tongues and wait for the three years of high school to pass. Not everyone wants to deal with transferring and being a new kid, making new friends, getting to know people... Unfortunately, bullying does happen in real life, and we all deserve to be supported if we're victims of it or we know people who are impacted by it. Although, I recognize that not everyone receives help, so people learn to deal with it on their own and those skills could be transferred to the 'real world' (after graduation). Sometimes, people become resilient after hard situations, and sometimes we grow and learn too.
I like seeing the approaches people take. Anji realized how selfish he was when Inukai was trying to protect Anji all alone. But realizing that there was just enough with the hiding and to just be together freely, even if it means they're targets... There can be beauty to that. Is it worth it to live a life where you're not even yourself? Or, you're constantly hiding yourself? I'm thinking of how miserable Tatsumi continues to be from being forced to live a life he never chose, and we saw how happy he was when he and Senzaki were together. So, mob society can be scary because they control so much of our lives, but if we can be ourselves -and even better when we have someone with us- maybe it's not such a bad thing to go against what the majority says. :)
I like that we are seeing changes in how Karino and Azusa are communicating too. In chapter 19, Karino fingered Azusa to see how much was done by the people Inukai called. Karino was planning to just leave after checking on Azusa, yet Azusa was the one who asked to have sex. And it was Karino who watched Azusa take his own pace, until Karino then took the lead and looked at Azusa's face to ensure it was enjoyable for the two of them. So, it wasn't one-sided sex; there was mutual communication without many words :)
And of course, we have chapter 23. Karino said, "Lick it. If you bite me I'll leave you naked in the river and you'll become bird food." Azusa complied, not out of fear, but out of desire. Karino could have pushed Azusa's head, without even saying anything beforehand. Azusa even put his left hand around Karino's penis and took his own pace, by himself. Azusa was basically doing what felt good for HIMSELF, not just Karino. And that's a difference compared to the past when Karino raped Azusa, without preparation or an understanding of what the other party enjoys.
Even when Karino fingered Azusa and Azusa took his mouth away, Karino said, "Don't stop" and he guided Azusa's chin back to resume the blowjob. And Azusa's eyes were closed, out of pleasure, specifically focusing on that task. And when Karino said, "As special service, I'll open you slowly today," his left hand moved from Azusa's chin to where Azusa's ear was. Azusa even placed his right hand on Karino's thigh, which was comfortable for both parties. They weren't focused on just having sex quickly, but honestly feeling the pleasure together.
^ So, I can see why Azusa said Karino was acting weirdly. Karino was being attentive and slow, and patient lol. Karino thought Azusa was being weird for not continuing the sex, but he himself didn't realize he wasn't treating Azusa as a target. Karino was treating Azusa as a person. And that can be scary, considering that Azusa's been talking about wanting to take down the king; what would happen now that their feelings are becoming transparent?
I like that Karino and Azusa feel comfortable enough to talk with each other too. Azusa's "I don't want to on the futon," had Karino question what Azusa really wants then. "Huh? You clearly don't want to do it in the hallway. What is with you today?" was a way of Karino saying he knows Azusa's horny, so they could just have sex like usual and move on.
"It's like we're a couple" moves beyond being a king and a target. The way they behave where they talk, they learn more about each other, they're attentive to the point where sex feels like lovemaking... And Karino replying, "That doesn't matter right now, does it?" regarding their statuses was certainly a moment for them. They've always been acting in the context of being a king and a target, so without that, what reason do they have? Karino's "Don't go to sleep on your own. Wake up or I'll cum on your face," was similar to what he said before Azusa gave him a blowjob. Karino has threats, but he hasn't followed through with them, like stripping Azusa naked in front of the whole school or cumming on Azusa's face while our blonde boy was asleep. Karino has a soft spot for Azusa that he may not have acknowledged to himself. - Heck, in chapter 21, Karino asked Azusa what's wrong and left a drink to the latter, so Karino does watch out for Azusa.
I like seeing Azusa's sweetness too. Him wishing his mom finds a good boyfriend in chapter 21 was so sweet <33 She would be gushing with joy if she knew he wrote that at the shrine lol. And I like seeing Azusa hang out with people for once. And his team recognizes his kindness. :)) That time when Azusa climbed up the stairs to the shrine alone in chapter 20, so his team didn't have to was so sweet. Azusa didn't do it to get the credit, but with the others being tired and complaining, he took on the task alone. Azusa is a good leader.