It's an interesting story, but I can't say that I think Akino really loves Eichi, especially with that manipulative paparazzi bullshit. He recognized a weakness in Eichi and exploited it, and it turned out well. I never got the sense that he actually cared about Eichi's mental state, except for how to get Eichi to obsess about him the same way he did Eichi. The one scene I really felt the romance was that scene near the end in the shopping mall. I don't really enjoy the kind of calculative love that was used here, but I did start to buy that these two might actually make something real by the end.
I liked the character development, even if I don't think it was all quite...positive. I always enjoy seeing characters take on a new perspective about themselves. The manga was a little short for all the things the mangaka seemed to want to do, but it was an enjoyable short little read nonetheless.
I think you are mistaking something.
Akino didn't have anything to do with the paparazzi.
What he did was push his Aniki's jealousy buttons who then went after Akino by planning on humiliating his model/muse and force Akino into a retreat.
Akino knew something would happen because this is typical shady shit that happens in such industries...but I honestly don't think he expected the stuff about Eichi's family.
He probably thought it would be a typical romance scandal of actors dating and there being a bit of pushback and a way to test him and his feelings.
Still a bit manipulative...but Eichi probably realized that such things could happen considering the contest...so they both knew something like this could happen due to industry shenanigans and gossip paparazzi.
But that is just the way that show business and the fashion industry are like.
But Akino himself didn't do anything, he just pissed off his insecure jealous half-brother.
Well it's nice that they called the rape rape but this manga is most likely not going to maintain this refreshing trend. I'm calling...rapist saves MC from Bad Guy thus 'redeeming' himself, the MC apologizes for something that he absolutely doesn't need to apologize for, and it all ends up happily ever after. I don't read raws, but I feel lucky.
And that's fine. Honestly people are mostly here for the sex scenes and story is secondary, and this manga is, if nothing else, well-drawn. Yaoi has been 'problematic' for literally decades so at this point everyone knows what they're getting into. That being said, I can read the same exact story without the extra spicy details such as 'rapist already tried to rape a girl' and 'rapist not able to jack off to memory of rape, isn't that funny?' and 'wait hold on a sec, none of these characters are actually likeable, funny, or smart.'
inb4 snotty comments of 'well why don't you do that instead of commenting here?' - I read this dreck. I get to comment.











I've only read the last three chapters of this just to see if I'll enjoy it, but I'm liking this kid Anton. He's got some chutzpah lurking in there.