ayfct

I think some parts of the story could do with more polishing but overall I really like the story. There's a good balance between serious/thoughtful and humor. And it's a bit too focused on the main relationship compared to the action/plot for my taste (Gwangwoo pls do /sth/) but I love how the characters are explored, especially Nakwon (he also gets extra points for being a bitchy top with long lashes).

He's a manipulative bastard that's used to doing whatever he wants and not caring about anyone else. He actively seeks out Mokhwa's weaknesses and exploits them for his gain. And I love that even when he does realize his feelings and wants to be on his best behavior, his manipulative nature doesn't just go away. His change of heart doesn't suddenly make him an entirely different good person. He still both consciously and unconsciously tries manipulating Mokhwa. There are times when he thinks he's being reasonable, like doing sth nice but thinking that it should be rewarded or his outbursts. And times when it's deliberate, like trying to make himself more pitiable or his main motivation for wanting to capture Gwangwoo - it's not morality or Mokhwa's feelings but his own selfish desire to keep Mokhwa. It's also kind of endearing to watch him be confused about his own feelings and bad at handling relationships, since before Mokhwa he never cared about someone or regretted his decisions. His whole mood changing just based on their relationship is cute (I might have a weakness for blushy tops). He's egoistic, moody and arrogant and I love him for that honestly.

I also like how the rape scenes were handled. It isn't the prelude to their relationship, they don't become closer because of it, on the contrary it keeps them further apart. There is a clear divide and difference between Nakwon when he intends to rape Mokhwa and when he's seeking intimacy, with the former being driven nearly entirely by his need to harm, humiliate and dominate. It's good to see Nakwon being aware of how he hurt Mokhwa and in some ways even more than Mokhwa himself. He's actually lamenting that Mokhwa should be more concious of how he hurt him not only physically but also mentally. He notices the consequences (like Mokhwa tensing when he touches him), regrets it and he tried punishing himself for it. And the narrative doesn't try to use that as a get-out-of-jail-free card - he's still flawed, still regretting, still working on the relationship. It was also great that in the latest chapters he realized that while the time he was seeking intimacy was different to him, it was still assault since Mokhwa didn't exactly consent.

The misunderstanding trope is getting a bit bothersome but I still like it. Their inability to communicate well is deeply rooted in the differences in their character, social skills and experiences.

The art is beautiful and I started reading it for the main couple but honestly at this point I'm just invested in Yesing and Shahid (and Kiyan). I want to see how it goes from here, I want to know more about them, there are so many misunderstandings and missed clues. And Kiyan is lovely but I am so rooting for Shahid and Yesing.