Ohitorisama ni wa Naremashita node.: Kon'yakusha Houchi-chuu! - Ch. 20 - Honest Feelings

[MangaDex]

 

[AHOLEISAHOLE]

Spoiler: Page 38

"Why doesn't any of this make me feel happy." Because you don't love him anymore bbg. It's too little, too late.

 

[AHOLEISAHOLE]

This series has been a blast for me personally, I've read so many manhwa and manga with "Divorce" in the title that end up with the FL still with their douchey husbands. While I appreciate Keios's efforts these past few chapters, I honestly still can't see this going anywhere else other than the previously mentioned "Marriage Blanc." I hope we're able to see Nicole in Iliegale before this ends.

 

[pink_rabbit]

I love this manga but Claude keeps ruining it for me. He's an arrogant, small dick energy, misogynistic piece of shit. I don't know why the author wants to redeem him. Why should we when he said women shouldn't be working and studying!!

 

[catbot158]

Oh, thanks for continuing! I give Claude credit for trying so hard to patch things up, but Nicole isn’t going to forget how badly she was treated so easily. She isn’t gonna fall back in love like she had been before. If she does, it has to be by Claude changing into a person that deserves to be by her side and becoming someone who can prove he learned from his mistakes. I worried when the manga continued past the original ending but I'm glad reconciliation isn’t going to be easy, for both of them.

 

[catbot158]

I love this manga but Claude keeps ruining it for me. He's an arrogant, small dick energy, misogynistic piece of shit. I don't know why the author wants to redeem him. Why should we when he said women shouldn't be working and studying!!

You’re right. I do wonder if Claude and his fiance are supposed to be like a foil to Keios and Nicole, that Claude is Keios if he had angst trauma and ALSO acted like a total fool. Different flavor, possible same outcome if Claude doesn’t get some sense knocked into him.

 

[epicfail48]

"Vying for my attention"?! Fuck this dude with a saguaro

 

[UdenEmpati]

Oh, thanks for continuing! I give Claude credit for trying so hard to patch things up, but Nicole isn’t going to forget how badly she was treated so easily. She isn’t gonna fall back in love like she had been before. If she does, it has to be by Claude changing into a person that deserves to be by her side and becoming someone who can prove he learned from his mistakes. I worried when the manga continued past the original ending but I'm glad reconciliation isn’t going to be easy, for both of them.

Think you meant Keios instead of Claude.

Otherwise, yeah - the other thing is, Nicole's just fully bought-into the idea that Keios doesn't love her. It's cemented in her mind so much that she sees all of his most ardent effort of the last several chapters as him effectively "giving her a nice send-off". And because Keios isn't saying "I love you, don't leave me, I want to be with you" to her face, she's going to twist every word from him into some iteration that leaves her at that same conclusion. And I'm of a mind that she might even take a direct, unfiltered declaration of love as something "out of duty" and not his most deeply desired wish for a life with her.

The ship has sailed for Keios, for better or worse. He hasn't fully internalized that yet, and I do think he'll fight to the bitter end to make Nicole see that he's changed and wants her in his life. I am of a mind that Nicole should absolutely stick to her resolution to go to Ilegale, because it represents the natural conclusion to her character arc of liberation as a woman in a backward(comparatively) nation. To have her not go, and end up married to Keios, would kinda spit on the foundation of the setting and the trajectory of her biggest wish, and seems like it'd be bad storytelling, and poorly received by the readers (I'd hope).

The only "reconciliation" I'd want to see between them is maybe Nicole actually realizing that Keios was serious during this last hurrah, but that Keios also realizes he needs to not hold her back, and let her fly. They can have an understanding and part ways respectfully, maybe even as friends--but Nicole needs her suffrage, or else I suspect her character's journey is wasted.

 

[Debug23]

Think you meant Keios instead of Claude.

Otherwise, yeah - the other thing is, Nicole's just fully bought-into the idea that Keios doesn't love her. It's cemented in her mind so much that she sees all of his most ardent effort of the last several chapters as him effectively "giving her a nice send-off". And because Keios isn't saying "I love you, don't leave me, I want to be with you" to her face, she's going to twist every word from him into some iteration that leaves her at that same conclusion. And I'm of a mind that she might even take a direct, unfiltered declaration of love as something "out of duty" and not his most deeply desired wish for a life with her.

The ship has sailed for Keios, for better or worse. He hasn't fully internalized that yet, and I do think he'll fight to the bitter end to make Nicole see that he's changed and wants her in his life. I am of a mind that Nicole should absolutely stick to her resolution to go to Ilegale, because it represents the natural conclusion to her character arc of liberation as a woman in a backward(comparatively) nation. To have her not go, and end up married to Keios, would kinda spit on the foundation of the setting and the trajectory of her biggest wish, and seems like it'd be bad storytelling, and poorly received by the readers (I'd hope).

The only "reconciliation" I'd want to see between them is maybe Nicole actually realizing that Keios was serious during this last hurrah, but that Keios also realizes he needs to not hold her back, and let her fly. They can have an understanding and part ways respectfully, maybe even as friends--but Nicole needs her suffrage, or else I suspect her character's journey is wasted.

I agree with a lot of what you said and it completely makes sense that the series would end with Nicole being in Ilegale as symbolic for her earning her own freedom, but I do wonder if it’s possible for Keiros to follow her to Ilegale, obv with her consent and if they do end up together. Was there anything that really prevents this? The fact that Keiros has to be a lord over a territory?

 

[UdenEmpati]

I agree with a lot of what you said and it completely makes sense that the series would end with Nicole being in Ilegale as symbolic for her earning her own freedom, but I do wonder if it’s possible for Keiros to follow her to Ilegale, obv with her consent and if they do end up together. Was there anything that really prevents this? The fact that Keiros has to be a lord over a territory?

you are correct - I had laid it out on a previous chapter's discussion forum, but Keios following Nicole to Ilegale--and explicitly not trying to be "the man in the relationship"--is the only way I think it would work out between them. He'd have to get real 'feminist', as it were, about gender roles and forget most of what he's learned about social norms in his home kingdom, but I could see it working that way.

But if he's just going to try and be like "nah, I'll bring home the money, you just tend the household" even over there, then no. He's not actually learned anything about Nicole and what she's aiming for, and thus I would argue he should not even try to accompany her.

 

[pink_rabbit]

You’re right. I do wonder if Claude and his fiance are supposed to be like a foil to Keios and Nicole, that Claude is Keios if he had angst trauma and ALSO acted like a total fool. Different flavor, possible same outcome if Claude doesn’t get some sense knocked into him.

lowkey hope he doesn't get any sense to him but I am sure he is going to be used as a plot device because Keios thinks of him as a "rival." If not then I can see Keios inspiring Claude in someway

 

[columbidae]

Can't help but think back to the "but you only want me as an accessory" line... The author is doing a great job making Keios's sincere attempts feel really hollow. He's doing all the "right" things, but out of a self-focused fear of losing her, and as a result is not even really looking at her. It's the same flavor as the initial neglect, despite his best efforts.

Either that or I'm misreading it and am in for some severe disappointment at the end of this. Dude needs to hit actual rock bottom, and I don't even know if that'd fix him.

 

[UdenEmpati]

Can't help but think back to the "but you only want me as an accessory" line... The author is doing a great job making Keios's sincere attempts feel really hollow. He's doing all the "right" things, but out of a self-focused fear of losing her, and as a result is not even really looking at her. It's the same flavor as the initial neglect, despite his best efforts.

Either that or I'm misreading it and am in for some severe disappointment at the end of this. Dude needs to hit actual rock bottom, and I don't even know if that'd fix him.

you're not wrong. He even thinks he's "looking at her", which makes Nicole's observation of him at the end of this chapter when they're at the table extra interesting.
But he's still doing it because he sees his engagement at risk. Maybe I've missed something myself and would need to re-read the whole of the series again (gonna do it anyway later on), but I do not believe Keios has actually had a "I love Nicole and I want to make her happy" moment of clarity, at all.

It's just that other guys had their betrothed start copying Nicole, started getting mad, then started taking it out on Keios, and Keios suddenly realizing he's pushed his fiance away to the point she's intent on leaving the country entirely. And he got badgered and harangued by their peers into "doing something about it" and to stop being such a terrible person to Nicole, but he's seemingly doing it because "she's my fiance", and not out of actual love or affection or a desire for companionship.

 

[Rxnfr]

the only problem with keios is he still "think about himself" when he's trying to win Nicole. Sure he's afraid of making her more and more uncomfortable, but he even worried too much about something that Nicole may not even cares of at all, that results to him just making assumptions and never actually understand how Nicole feels about anything. Heck with Nicole's mind set on him not loving her at all, that just make his effort worse

i don't know which to side anymore, whether i should wish for nicole to find her own happiness no matter what it is, or for Keios to finally win her. I would love how it ends up either way imo, but reading this gave me a complicated feelings

 

[MagnaDrake]

I love this manga but Claude keeps ruining it for me. He's an arrogant, small dick energy, misogynistic piece of shit. I don't know why the author wants to redeem him. Why should we when he said women shouldn't be working and studying!!

He's a little bit naive/stubborn in that regard, but its just his (presumably noble) upbringing. Ultimately he's a kind person that means well with a really, REALLY skewed perspective of life.

Just by looking at his interactions with Nicole you can see that he's (very) slowly changing.

I do agree that he's still a jackass for distancing himself from his fiancee though. At least Keios had a clear, albeit stupid, reason.

 

[MagnaDrake]

the only problem with keios is he still "think about himself" when he's trying to win Nicole. Sure he's afraid of making her more and more uncomfortable, but he even worried too much about something that Nicole may not even cares of at all, that results to him just making assumptions and never actually understand how Nicole feels about anything. Heck with Nicole's mind set on him not loving her at all, that just make his effort worse

i don't know which to side anymore, whether i should wish for nicole to find her own happiness no matter what it is, or for Keios to finally win her. I would love how it ends up either way imo, but reading this gave me a complicated feelings

I personally think it could go either way, but as you said, Keios needs to know when to "get himself out of the picture" when it comes to Nicole. As long as his attempts focuses on fixing his past mistakes instead of just trying to naturally get along with Nicole, it wont fly. At least they might be good friends again, but romantically? No shot.

 

[Rafalga]

Keios is still only thinking about himself and the moment he gets whatever he is after, it will be back to neglect. He is not malicious but his upbringing apparently fucked his psyche up from ground up. I think deep down, Nicole can see it as well. And she looks like she is pretty much not in love with him anymore though was she ever? It was all arranged and that dumbfuck didn't make things easier. She probably "liked" the idea of a fience at the time but now that she has other prospects in life instead of this retard, her view on it changed fundamentally. Just can't put her finger on it currently.

Regardless, i sincerely hope she can cut him off entirely instead of this "story will wait till Keios understands what he is doing wrong and FMC will accept it eventually because he, somehow, has infinite narrative credit" bullshit currently going on. But considering the overall writing in anything mangaverse, she will most likely move to the other country and dude will follow her as the "and adventures continue" sort of no ending.

 

[catbot158]

Think you meant Keios instead of Claude.

Otherwise, yeah - the other thing is, Nicole's just fully bought-into the idea that Keios doesn't love her. It's cemented in her mind so much that she sees all of his most ardent effort of the last several chapters as him effectively "giving her a nice send-off". And because Keios isn't saying "I love you, don't leave me, I want to be with you" to her face, she's going to twist every word from him into some iteration that leaves her at that same conclusion. And I'm of a mind that she might even take a direct, unfiltered declaration of love as something "out of duty" and not his most deeply desired wish for a life with her.

The ship has sailed for Keios, for better or worse. He hasn't fully internalized that yet, and I do think he'll fight to the bitter end to make Nicole see that he's changed and wants her in his life. I am of a mind that Nicole should absolutely stick to her resolution to go to Ilegale, because it represents the natural conclusion to her character arc of liberation as a woman in a backward(comparatively) nation. To have her not go, and end up married to Keios, would kinda spit on the foundation of the setting and the trajectory of her biggest wish, and seems like it'd be bad storytelling, and poorly received by the readers (I'd hope).

The only "reconciliation" I'd want to see between them is maybe Nicole actually realizing that Keios was serious during this last hurrah, but that Keios also realizes he needs to not hold her back, and let her fly. They can have an understanding and part ways respectfully, maybe even as friends--but Nicole needs her suffrage, or else I suspect her character's journey is wasted.

Damn, I misnamed characters, sorry great point made otherwise. Friendship ending would be most ideal, but will the manga editor let it happen? This is Japan, home to a serious depopulation crisis (of their own making tbf)

Keios is still only thinking about himself and the moment he gets whatever he is after, it will be back to neglect. He is not malicious but his upbringing apparently fucked his psyche up from ground up. I think deep down, Nicole can see it as well. And she looks like she is pretty much not in love with him anymore though was she ever? It was all arranged and that dumbfuck didn't make things easier. She probably "liked" the idea of a fience at the time but now that she has other prospects in life instead of this retard, her view on it changed fundamentally. Just can't put her finger on it currently.

Regardless, i sincerely hope she can cut him off entirely instead of this "story will wait till Keios understands what he is doing wrong and FMC will accept it eventually because he, somehow, has infinite narrative credit" bullshit currently going on. But considering the overall writing in anything mangaverse, she will most likely move to the other country and dude will follow her as the "and adventures continue" sort of no ending.

lol get this

Spoiler: Original light novel ending

Thats how the original light novel ended. She goes abroad and he follows her there. The end. Glad the manga did decide to continue on its own path but yeah it could still end that way.

 

[HaxtonFale]

He's a little bit naive/stubborn in that regard, but its just his (presumably noble) upbringing. Ultimately he's a kind person that means well with a really, REALLY skewed perspective of life.

Just by looking at his interactions with Nicole you can see that he's (very) slowly changing.

I do agree that he's still a jackass for distancing himself from his fiancee though. At least Keios had a clear, albeit stupid, reason.

But we've been shown that a lot of men around Nicole (namely most of the fiancés of her female friends) have no problems respecting women. Telling Nicole to her face that she's wasting a spot that could have gone to a man who would appreciate it is a bit beyond "a little bit naive" and well into the "actively misogynistic" territory.

 

[Vaudevillian]

the only problem with keios is he still "think about himself" when he's trying to win Nicole. Sure he's afraid of making her more and more uncomfortable, but he even worried too much about something that Nicole may not even cares of at all, that results to him just making assumptions and never actually understand how Nicole feels about anything. Heck with Nicole's mind set on him not loving her at all, that just make his effort worse

i don't know which to side anymore, whether i should wish for nicole to find her own happiness no matter what it is, or for Keios to finally win her. I would love how it ends up either way imo, but reading this gave me a complicated feelings

Keios is still only thinking about himself and the moment he gets whatever he is after, it will be back to neglect. He is not malicious but his upbringing apparently fucked his psyche up from ground up. I think deep down, Nicole can see it as well. And she looks like she is pretty much not in love with him anymore though was she ever? It was all arranged and that dumbfuck didn't make things easier. She probably "liked" the idea of a fience at the time but now that she has other prospects in life instead of this retard, her view on it changed fundamentally. Just can't put her finger on it currently.

Regardless, i sincerely hope she can cut him off entirely instead of this "story will wait till Keios understands what he is doing wrong and FMC will accept it eventually because he, somehow, has infinite narrative credit" bullshit currently going on. But considering the overall writing in anything mangaverse, she will most likely move to the other country and dude will follow her as the "and adventures continue" sort of no ending.

It's observations like these that make me disagree with the notion of redemption for Keios, we have been shown time and again that, not only is Keios putting himself first throughout the whole endeavour, but his attitude, while not malicious, is the standard for the noble men of this society. Not helped by the fact that Nicole is emotionally tuned out of the relationship, making any specks of true appeal get bludgeoned down my her interpretations, which Keios will not correct.

For Keios to ever be able to get Nicole back, he needs to completely overall his understanding of relationships in an environment where all will tell him that he is wrong, and that Nicole is influencing in major ways. Then overturning Nicole's view of him with clear and concise language that cannot be misinterpreted, that is also not portrayed as farcical and facetious. In essence, with the growing movement for woman's rights, Nicole's unchallenged view, and the lack of a serious will to change by Keios, I feel like Nicole will leave Keios and that'd be that.