even though I'm pretty sure this isn't supposed to be directed as a "sad" story, I can't help but feel sad for the mc 'cause she was living a pretty good life before this.
@MilkDust I dunno it seems tragic more than sad imo. And for me tragedy usually makes me sad or feel bad. The fact she has accepted being like this is just straight up depressing and I’m sure there are people who live like this irl too(i mean accepting being abused or violence is just a thing that comes and goes)
This chapter was a rollercoaster of feels from disgust and depression to a bit of sweet wholesomeness near the end. @TheFlash080
Lol. What'd you expect from a nice virgin guy like Sumo? He may be cool for saving her, but he's still an innocent young man at heart. On the other hand, I found the awkwardness to be sweet and a little wholesome with how he's trying to make her feel good. That made up for the sad beginning of the chapter.
The realism of this manga is nice. I feel like I could type an essay saying how unique this is, but I shouldn't impose on others. For now, all I'll say is I like this manga a lot and its a shame others can't get past the face value of the inclusion of "taboos" like misogyny and sex to appreciate this.
Sumo never acts on his emotions aside from engaging in bidding wars against Chiba. Haru knows Sumo likes her, but finds someone she REALLY likes, and goes out of her way to “advertise” or talk with him. They do become friends though, as Sumo uses his father’s diner/cafe to host Haru’s gatherings with her other friends (like Lupe), effectively become a bastion where the ladies can somewhat hang out safely.
Chiba’s side girl, Kiyori becomes deeply romantically interested in Sumo, to the point that watching him work with flour or dough with his fat fingers excites her.
Kiyori comes to greatly understand Haru, particularly on why she doesn’t like Chiba.
Does this manga change? Because all this realistic dehumanising sexwork is really depressing. The art and writing is great though so I’ll stay for now.
@Monky
It seems to touch the things that make us most uncomfortable, to remind us that even people treated like mud that sinks to the bottom of a swamp are still people.
After something extremely terrible happens, the story changes almost completely, and it no longer becomes a tale of Haru’s everyday sexual abuse as a sex worker.
While I get the message that sex work is a brutal and tough job at times, even in a fantasy setting I find it really unbelievable that the brothel would have no security or standards about what you can or cannot do in the commons area vs. what you can or cannot do in a private room.