This gave me whiplash. From snickering at the first skipped heartbeat and flirty teasing, to squealing at the mention of "bi" (although still fully committed to the bi erasure) to my groans of annoyance at the rape and blackmail, to the increased interest when they caught feelings, then the disbelief when Seme tortured the guy for wanting the exact same thing he had done and we're doing, followed by frustration by the "gotta end it without communicating my feelings at all" just to top it off with the needless, yet cute, childhood memory.
What the actual.... ????
Been seeing these titles around and finally I gave it a shot. Honestly, probably the best rep I have seen of anything akin to a pleasure dom. Gonna be interesting if the series continues like that. Cause this was honestly great.
Only thing I would have liked is a safe word, but even without the communication here was so important, and none of the "no stop. Wait." I usually see in ero mangas.
At first, I related very much to the last panel in the first chapter. Definitely a good chuckle or two here. Kinda explains both everything and nothing at all.
Honestly, the bi-vibes here is the only thing keeping my score/rating of this pretty high.
In an ideal world, the SA and non/dub con in the beginning would not have been there. And the whole kidnapping scene would have gone differently.
Two: rape intention.
The whole communicating before, during, and after. Dialogue and asking for consent like: "Can I...?", "Does it feel good..?", "You are cute when you feel good..", etc.
Even the suggestion of 'pretend dating', as well as the assumption drama seems pretty spot on for a first love kinda thing.
Take heed, my peeps! While definitely Vanilla by most standards, and a suspicious lack of lube for two boys, this is honestly one of the best depictions (imho) of first love, first time and how communication is so important, even when it is uncomfortable.
A+ my peeps.
I made a choice to read some of the comments left here, before I finished reading. Which kinda made me more anxious about the potential for angsty drama in regards to the plot. And while I agree with the other comments, my own mind really pulled ne along for a ride.
All in all, I really enjoyed this. It had focus on communication, and I kinda enjoyed reading along to some of the characters' thoughts. The fluff factor there was tremendous.
With that said,, my biggest PERSONAL issue is probably the abundant bi-erasure that is deeply rooted in the YAOI genre. And I really wish that we could all embrace the idea that you can't always predetermine and pick who you are into, or who you are not.
In that regard, the best Bi Rep was probably President Sunbeam, and I just don't accept that. T.T
This story is far from perfect as it stands, but it had a a very wholesome bi vibe despite everything.
And for the most glaring of flaws, my eyelids kinda works as a "selective reading" accessory. Something I wish my ears had at times. ^^.
The 2020 Manhua did fit the Anime/Donhua better in art style, but I am looking forward to seeing what the 2025/Remake will get up to. (=・ω・=)
The biggest issue with the absurd amount of abuse in this story, is that it is such wasted potential.
The art is good. The plot could have led to to do many places if handled properly. The characters reactions would even have made sense because by god teenagers can be dumb, if there had just been any kind of care taken to create something that wasn't just rape on rape.
Like... The MC already enjoys showing off on camera. But at no point does he even even think to himself "geez. This sounds kinda hot" as some sort of indication that it could be a fantasy of his. The consent is continuously not given. And not even in a CNC kind of way. It is just flat out SA.
And like ... I get it... Communication is hard. But like... Even with a severe suspension of belief, this is so far from romance.
I sincerely hope that anyone who reads this understands that this is in no way acceptable, realistic, or legal. Do not do this at home kids - or adults or whatever you are - just .. don't ..
Fuck... If I had not left my word smithery behind me, I would be tempted to rewrite this to a consensual exploration of sex rather than whatever this is supposed to be.
This really should have more trigger warnings or be on warning lists. Like... I cannot count the amount of rape in this.
A rape fantasy is only hot because it is something wanted. That is the fantasy part. Without it, it is just rape.
Damn, bruh.
Holy fuck stick.
I genuinely feel like a smutty fantasy hentai with this plot - a commander/soldier cursed with sexual desires as he slayed a monster (could even be an incubus or succubus if we want to build upon the lore) - could be interesting to explore. Not just the sheer willpower of desire it self, but also oneself. Watching the commander testing out ways to settle his cravings through masturbation and toys were interesting and even quite funny ..
Even the visions of the curse could work as a point to drive the plot and what the cost of pleasure evidently proves to be...
But why you have to ruin it with rapeyness T.T it's not even that the Marquis isn't traditionally "yaoi lead handsome" but the fact that the commander clearly has very real distaste for the man. Sure, desire can overpower shyness, embarrassment and in some cases blunt denial (as is seen when the commander thinks to himself that he normally wouldn't do something as filthy as going to wank town on himself) but the smell that he compares to unwashed. The clear panic he feels. And the fact that he very much do not find the Marquis attractive isn't suddenly changed by sheer desire of a good trip to pound town.
I realize that the idea probably (I hope) is to paint the Marquis as the villain and possible the cute blond soldier as the actual Love Interest but still... Considering the effort to show that the "treatment" kinda works too, I find it extremely unnecessary to go to these lengths to show actual rape just #because.
Like... Why not have the Marquis simply explain the whole "no sperm allowed" thing and have him help to find someone that is agreeable to the commander. Could even work as an exploration of the world. There are most likely prostitutes around. The sex toy shop guy probably know all the kink spots and meetups too. What if we were shown the commander search for a way to deal with this like he tried in the beginning, only to slowly come to the realization that he not only needs to be pounded, but that he also very much wants it to happen - possibly from the cute blond soldier that thanked him.
I mean... Why the need to go into that detail about how the Marquis is disgusting, smells unwashed and bitter only to completely disregard all of that and let him skullfuck the commander in the next scene.
That's just not how sex with anyone, let alone a newbie, happens. It's not even hot or a case of "in denial" - even though the thoughts kinda attempts to make it seem like the rational mind and the subconscious are fighting.
True denial would be something like, "I can accept you use that you but I won't enjoy it" to "this toy is not enough, and I actually want and need more, give me something else that I can and intend to enjoy".
Like the build up is so important here.
Mangakas for erotic stories really ought to begin treating Consent as a very real, physical shield when it comes to sex. Not just curses like here, but also romantic and in the sense of desire. I honestly think it could do much to revolutionise how we perceive consent and desire.
Oh well, I guess I am just sad that this wasn't the groundbreaking story it seemed to be at first. Sadface.