besides this being an interesting extreme revenge story where suspending disbelief would kind of heighten the ride i don't think it's completely ridiculous what okaya has going on?
it's cool to juxtapose these two incredibly similar characters with the same single point exception tempered in different directions only by circumstance, and that would also be enough reason for me. total vengeful fallen angel vs extremely twisted elevated devil vibes
but I've also genuinely known folks like him in terms of manipulation before. maybe not as extreme in action? but they had their parents and partners under foot—and going to bat for them and constantly belittled them for perceived failures, picking at those poorly scabbed scars. ive seen them threaten or enact physical harm on them and turn it on every partner or animal they had, and turn right back around after beating some one, calling and acting like they were attacked.
of course the adults enabled them back but it's pretty scary to watch and even harder to break that shit up when they're all in so deep again, coming from personal experience.
besides that tho, i also kinda see it as an exaggeration of what parents who don't want to like, step up or take blame when their kids hurt other kids can kind of breed.
im looking forward to seeing how the author explains the history of this psycological mess, and i hope if okaya breaks it's reallt interesting.
i also think maria's new pet is cute and kinda hope she can build a good relationship with the kid that isn't just about revenge, and helps them recover.
would be nice to see her husband reconnect with her again too