Oni to Tengoku
Trigger warnings: Forced, S&M, sexual control 36yo Japanese teacher Aoki has never had a successful relationship. Mentally scarred by his mother, this unkempt and tired man goes through the motions in life and avoids difficult situations. Nothing is more difficult for Aoki than dealing with the 32yo nurse teacher at school, Tengoku. Unable to avoid him when a student is in trouble, Aoki is swept into the sphere of a keen predator looking for an Aoki sized toy to torment and pursue. What followed was a psychological game that had me feeling uncomfortable for Aoki. Tengoku was the kind of lover to obliterate boundaries. He was very sexually experienced and savoured the fun he got from Aoki’s helplessness as he uncovered Aoki’s masochist nature and his own sadism answered. Tengoku was difficult for me to like for many chapters. But as the story progressed his own intense need for Aoki started to reveal his vulnerabilities too. It’s probably safe to say he is some sort of sociopath based on his actions throughout the years, but the bond he unwittingly forms with Aoki is actually pretty intense and even sweet in its way. Turns out he was more naive than you would think, at least when it comes to love.
A Thousand Cranes