Genkai OL-san wa Akuyaku Reijou-sama ni Tsukaetai - Ch. 26

[Sunzo]

Please kiss natori

 

[Lalyjo]

Allie you’re the best waifu I would’ve proposed 10 times already but I‘m loving the slowburn

 

[SrNevik]

Diana's the one I feel most bad for as of now.
I feel like I must've misread something at some point and need to go back, because it almost felt like Natori was leading her on at one point (not intentionally, mind) and got her hopes up. But if Natori continues to only have eyes on/for Lapis (she wants to save her, but it clearly goes beyond that), and....I just hope Diana can see this through, given she's effectively the Losing Heroine at this juncture, because she's also Natori's biggest hope and ally in all of this...only to be just that.

Natori has never given Diana the impression that she likes her (romantically). That's always been entirely from Diana's perspective alone. Diana is a good friend though and Natori's Oshi. Natori has treated her like a sister or fan. That's why this whole poly thing has never worked. Natori is not feeling romance for two people, only for Lapis. Now, Allie is here and we see what a person who actually feels romance for Diana looks and acts like.

I've made a bunch of comments in previous chapters discussing this throughout the series, so this isn't a recent thing. The story has always made it clear that Diana has "Diana Vision." Pretty much any "moments" she had with Natori were friendly from Natori's perspective, while Diana's perspective would be filled with romance cues. With Lapis however the romance would come from both of them together. It was mutual.

 

[UdenEmpati]

Natori has never given Diana the impression that she likes her (romantically). That's always been entirely from Diana's perspective alone. Diana is a good friend though and Natori's Oshi. Natori has treated her like a sister or fan. That's why this whole poly thing has never worked. Natori is not feeling romance for two people.

I guess I'd have to go back and re-read; there were certain parts where it seemed like Diana could absolutely infer one thing out of Natori's behavior toward her that wasn't actually present, but maybe that's also me putting too much meaning into certain actions.

I do believe that Natori has always meant to treat Diana as an oshi, but unless I miss my guess, Diana wouldn't understand that. And if she saw Natori come up and gush over her and want to get close and was praising her and doing all the things that people do for their idols--in a world where that dynamic doesn't generally exist in the way it did in Natori's--then I guess I assumed that Diana saw something that wasn't intended to be there, and thus got her hopes up about Natori until it was made clear that Lapis had claimed ownership (at least until now).

And that is why I say I feel bad for Diana - because the way I was reading it, she thought she had a chance, when she never did, and now she's resolved to see Natori happy at least even if it's not with her, which--even if I was incorrect about everything else--still puts her in the position of helping the one she's attracted to get with someone else knowing she has no shot, and that ......still sucks, majorly, even if she's doing it on an opt-in basis.

 

[SrNevik]

I guess I'd have to go back and re-read; there were certain parts where it seemed like Diana could absolutely infer one thing out of Natori's behavior toward her that wasn't actually present, but maybe that's also me putting too much meaning into certain actions.

I do believe that Natori has always meant to treat Diana as an oshi, but unless I miss my guess, Diana wouldn't understand that. And if she saw Natori come up and gush over her and want to get close and was praising her and doing all the things that people do for their idols--in a world where that dynamic doesn't generally exist in the way it did in Natori's--then I guess I assumed that Diana saw something that wasn't intended to be there, and thus got her hopes up about Natori until it was made clear that Lapis had claimed ownership (at least until now).

No, I agree that Diana saw something that wasn't there because of how nice Natori has been. My comment is more for commenters who might imply that Natori was leading Diana on or something like that. Some people think Natori has been romantic with Diana already and I would say (and have been saying) no to that.

 

[UdenEmpati]

No, I agree that Diana saw something that wasn't there because of how nice Natori has been. My comment is more to fend of commenters who might imply that Natori was leading Diana on or something like that. Some people think Natori has been romantic with Diana already and I would say (and have been saying) no to that.

okay then we're both on the same page - I honestly was kinda upset at Natori for a chunk of the narrative because it seemed like she was obliviously leading Diana on with her behavior, thinking it was innocent fangirling over her beloved heroine, not realizing it was giving both Diana and Lapis a very, very specific misconception.
And like....I'm absolutely biased because I'm self-aware to the point where it's painful and anxiety-inducing, but seeing characters just being blind to how their behavior might be perceived (even when it's an obvious plot device) makes me feel like I'm chewing on a mouthful of cotton balls.

 

[Scrabbleman]

Wait, so is the theory about Lapis actually being a commoner who took the place of her dead sister (a noble) actually true?

 

[Ravenna-rei]

Magic is a thing, but is resurrection one too?
In some works, it does, but others not.

 

[flowsthead]

Diana is like a shoujo protagonist to me in her perseverance, while Lapis and Natori are struggling with some Josei-like issues, and the contrast is making it hard for me to care about Diana when she's with Natori. Diana and Allie? Super cute. Diana and Natori? I'm like, girl she's got bigger problems to deal with than you, and you still can't get her name right, please no.

 

[celstra]

Allie, I'm rooting for you girl! You will definitely get her when she inevitably get rejected romantically by our useless ex-OL-san.

 

[Mlfg_AK]

because it almost felt like Natori was leading her on at one point (not intentionally, mind) and got her hopes up.

Diana kinda forgets abt personal boundaries when it comes to Natori and Natori just allows it not reading much into it, if anything I think she was treating Diana as a child and indulging her, and i feel like Diana has always been aware of her own Uncorresponded feelings (so always being aware that Natori was just being kind to her) but she's impulsive, heck I think there were at least 2 instances where Diana almost kisses Natori but i don't think her brain processed it as such. The only time Diana had hope for her feeling was when she made the bet abt winning the tounament and even like that she gave up on being corresponded

Poly would make sense if Lapis fully warms to Diana and vice versa.

Poly doesn't need to mean they all dating eachother but Natori dating them both and they dating her me thinks🤔



Something something abt Gran being "I can't save her" save her from what? herself? It gives me the impression that they know she's planning something, like what other reason could it be for Lapis to reject someone that she clearly likes other than there's some danger involved and it's not like Rubeus is being subtle abt it either

 

[UdenEmpati]

Poly doesn't need to mean they all dating eachother but Natori dating them both and they dating her me thinks🤔

I don't mean that Diana and Lapis have to date. I mean they have to actually like and not merely tolerate one another for the sake of Natori, which I don't think Lapis at least can do.

Which is why I'd prefer (almost always) that "poly" not be the answer. A lot of the time, it feels like lazy writing to appease fans who don't want their ship to lose, because a ton of the story would involve characters clashing and conflicting against one another over a shared love interest, and the narrative would have to at least double in length to convincingly walk back the conflict and make a sudden "everyone kisses now" ending work.

Natori gets Lapis. Diana gets Allie. That's how it should go, assuming a "good" ending.

 

[Dark_Tzitzimine]

Now that it is certain, we have a switcheroo plot in our hands, I am really curious to see the justification for it. Since everyone is aware of the Tenebrae adopting a commoner orphan, the idea that she could simply replace Lapis without noticing is really dumb, unless everyone would be into the plan, but that sounds even more ridiculous.

Really interesting how invested Gran is into making "Lapis" happy, maybe he actually has feelings for her?

Allie subtly advancing her ship with Diana is adorable while it hurts to see Natori being so utterly depressed.

Also, the first english volume is coming out this week.

 

[WhimsiCat]

I actually kinda figured Allie was introduced to replace Natori for Diana (over time, I mean). Assuming it all wraps up neatly in the narrative sense and Natori & Lapis end up a couple by story's end, Allie coming in and getting real close with Diana during the tournament seemed like the "well you're not getting the protagonist, but you get this awesome chick so it's not all bad"

Poly would make sense if Lapis fully warms to Diana and vice versa. If the only thing holding those two together is our Lovably Useless Lesbian OL, then I can't find myself being satisfied with such an uneven & unhealthy dynamic.
If the author can bring the two of them together as closely as Diana overtly/Lapis covertly wants to be with Natori, then I'll be happy. Otherwise, I'd personally rather everyone pair off in some manner than build a toxic lesbian struggle cuddle pile.

Spoiler

Nah, Allie's in the full Diana x Natori shipper

As for Lapis-Diana dynamic, it's been there even in OG game, just not as much big geh as Natori-Lapis.
Like, Lapis was ok with giving Natori to Diana, considering 'why' would that be.

 

[UdenEmpati]

Like, Lapis was ok with giving Natori to Diana, considering 'why' would that be.

I thought Lapis was willing to "give" Natori to Diana because Lapis wanted to excise anything she thought would make her happy from her life, given her plan to wreak havoc and mass death and then die.

That always felt like a "I love Natori but I'm seeking to genocide a socioeconomic class and thus I'm not allowed to be happy, so I'll give her to this other person who might be able to take care of her once I'm gone", and not because she was actually okay with Diana getting her girl.

Basically what I'm saying is, it would take a fair bit of effort on the part of the author to make me buy-in on any sort of poly situation involving those three, because their dynamic at present absolutely makes it nothing more than fans coping that their personal ship isn't gonna work out.

 

[dbgecko]

Wait, so is the theory about Lapis actually being a commoner who took the place of her dead sister (a noble) actually true?

That's the theory I got from this chapter. But considering how badly Lapis reacted to the "You haven't killed anyone yet" line in the last chapter I wonder how bad the situation really is?

 

[SrNevik]

Spoiler

Nah, Allie's in the full Diana x Natori shipper

As for Lapis-Diana dynamic, it's been there even in OG game, just not as much big geh as Natori-Lapis.
Like, Lapis was ok with giving Natori to Diana, considering 'why' would that be.

I wouldn't describe Allie that way. She's doing the same thing Diana is doing for Natori, trying to support the one she loves. She's essentially Diana's "Diana." Allie does not genuinely want Diana to end up with Natori. She definitely likes her.

 

[mangaburner1979]

The throuple route endures despite Lapis's stubbornness. It's in your hands now Diana!

 

[WhimsiCat]

I thought Lapis was willing to "give" Natori to Diana because Lapis wanted to excise anything she thought would make her happy from her life, given her plan to wreak havoc and mass death and then die.

That always felt like a "I love Natori but I'm seeking to genocide a socioeconomic class and thus I'm not allowed to be happy, so I'll give her to this other person who might be able to take care of her once I'm gone", and not because she was actually okay with Diana getting her girl.

Basically what I'm saying is, it would take a fair bit of effort on the part of the author to make me buy-in on any sort of poly situation involving those three, because their dynamic at present absolutely makes it nothing more than fans coping that their personal ship isn't gonna work out.

And I'm saying Diana would be the one that could push Natori into actually getting Lapis out of that suicide route.
Without Diana we already see how Natori did.
Even in the OG Lapis had high enough opinion of Diana to use her as the catalyst in her plan.

Also I don't think you hoping Diana get shipped off with Allie as some sort of substitute is the better option.
"Hey, you're not going to win so just drop all those feelings you had and go with this substitute kthx"

 

[UdenEmpati]

And I'm saying Diana would be the one that could push Natori into actually getting Lapis out of that suicide route.
Without Diana we already see how Natori did.
Even in the OG Lapis had high enough opinion of Diana to use her as the catalyst in her plan.

Also I don't think you hoping Diana get shipped off with Allie as some sort of substitute is the better option.
"Hey, you're not going to win so just drop all those feelings you had and go with this substitute kthx"

I'm aware that Diana will be instrumental in helping Natori get through to Lapis, yes.
Also I admit I'm not familiar with what you mean when you say "OG" - do you mean the game that she got Isekai'd into?
Having a "high opinion" of someone doesn't mean you want to date them, necessarily - especially when Lapis, as you say here, went on to use Diana in her schemes to.....murder a ton of commoners in the kingdom and throw everything into chaos. Sounds less like "you're strong, I wanna kiss you" and "you're strong, therefore you'll make a good tool for me to use to my own ends".

And yes, as-is Allie and Diana wouldn't work. That would take time and plot development, but I'm working off the angle that Natori will save Lapis and get her to accept love and happiness in the end. In that event, there's no room for Diana, because Natori doesn't love Diana; it's a one-way attraction, so there's no reason for Diana to be in the picture if Lapis is saved and reciprocates Natori's love.

But Allie is right there by Diana's side and continues to support her through the narrative that's in the pipeline, thereby strengthening their relationship over time and with Allie actually showing romantic feelings with intent toward Diana, thus building romance and chemistry between them until it clicks in a natural way.