Shin'yuu no Furin Aite wa, Otto deshita - Vol. 2 Ch. 16

[Mangamoz]

My fault but hey I ain't no psycuck.
If anyone didn't notice, I'm proud of that one.

Anyways NTR bad. Tsk tsk.

Let's just say my fav character is the playboy brother.

 

[BobBob]

Mahoro's kinder than I am, and I respect that. Maybe now that Kyouko's out of her own head a little she can grow as a person. At the end of the day, you can't be truly happy if you're not happy with yourself.

 

[YoJimbo0321]

Kyouko feels like a pretty realistic depiction of a certain type of person.

Of course some people are more gifted in natural looks/beauty than others, and that's certainly a big factor in catching the eye of potential romantic partners. However, even though Rei was obviously being a smug asshole about the way that he said his piece, he did at least have a point. If you're desperately trying to "entice a man", as he put it, there is some onus on you to put some effort into presenting yourself as well as you can. You want to put your best foot forward and do whatever you can to make yourself appealing looks- and personality-wise to the person you're interested in, because they don't have any obligation to force themselves to try to get to know you and fall in love with your "inner beauty".

Kyouko claims that she's always been self-conscious about her appearance and that she was jealous of her friends, yet her friends are clearly not the type to try and use Kyouko as the "ugly girl" in their friend group or anything like that. They would surely have given her advice on hairstyles, fashion, or anything else if she ever asked, but she seemingly never did. Not only was she not at all interested in improving that part of herself, she clearly has a very dismissive view of her friends when it comes to that stuff. On top of that, she has been shown to have a pretty polarizing personality, where she just starts one-sidedly yapping about health foods, her favorite bands, or other interests whenever she has an opportunity, often in a pretty condescending way.

It's pretty telling that she just thinks of Mahoro as "carefree", somehow landing an attractive husband without any real effort, when it's clear that Mahoro puts a lot of work into maintaining her appearance, doing her best at cooking and cleaning, and being a good friend and decent human being, among other things. The same is (seemingly) true for Rio and Momoka as well, but Kyouko dismisses all of it as just being the gap between her and them in their natural beauty. She doesn't seem to have any self-awareness of that difference in effort between her and her friends, and has this borderline incel way of thinking, blaming everything on guys only liking the pretty girls, essentially going "I've tried nothing and I'm all out of ideas".

If someone puts in an honest effort to really improve themselves and yet still struggles to find a romantic partner that they're happy with, then they definitely deserve to be consoled. Sometimes life just isn't fair. But in Kyouko's case, the moment a man seemed even remotely receptive to talking to her about her interests, she immediately got full of herself and felt that she could just steal him away from his wife solely through entertaining them with conversation about that shared interest. She was even willing to betray a longtime friend to do so, and even spoke poorly of her behind her back to try and win the husband over, showing that natural beauty is far from the only aspect she is lacking in as a person.

 

[NovelistOrange]

Me realizing im kind of like Rei makes me feel like im being attacked by this manga.

I think having that realization makes you better than Rei to begin with. If you can feel attacked, then there’s hope for you. It’s an opportunity for growth!

To put it another way, if Rei were to read this manga, I kind of doubt he’d feel attacked at all.

 

[Ohin]

Kyouko feels like a pretty realistic depiction of a certain type of person.

Not intending to condone or even really defend the things Kyouko did, they aren't good and they were selfish and mean towards someone who has been her friend for a long time. That being said, I think we can and should be more sympathetic to how she feels. Your comment puts the onus of her insecurity on her, and I think this minsunderstands one of the points the manga (as a comic for women) is trying to make by including a character like Kyouko - that being her insecurity is derived from the way that the men around her have treated her. They are either subtly making jabs (like her husband and Rei when he called her cute) or being outright horrid (like Rei when she wanted to cheat with him) to her about her appearance. This contrasts sharply with the way in which Mahoro describes Kyouko from the beginning, always calling her the voice of reason (I don't even think she ever even mentions her appearance). Kyouko's actions then kind of highlight the way in which male voices pit women against each other, she stops seeing a friend and starts seeing an enemy (Mahoro also goes through this when she suspects her friends of cheating with Rei).

Could Kyouko put more effort into her apperance? Maybe, but like, we have no real frame of reference for how much effort she's putting in. Rei is the only one who said she isn't and I don't trust a fucking word that guy says. Should Kyouko have to put in effort in order to be treated well by the men around her? This is, I suppose, more debatable (in the sense that everyone has to put in a bit of effort not to be hated/to be liked), but I also think that she deserves the same respect Mahoro affords her (before she tried to cheat) from the men around her at the very least, and it's pretty clear she never got that.

 

[darekpawlo]

God, I wish that husband didn't cheat on the MC in the end. It would be so funny to see all the comments turn on MC, but I doubt it will happen

 

[MrMeh]

You asked a person who translates NTR hentai on an alt account what he thinks of cheating...

The media you produce creates the male equivalent of Kyouko.

I sentence you to consume only vanilla POV hentai for 200 hundred years.

 

[Mangamoz]

The media you produce creates the male equivalent of Kyouko.

I sentence you to consume only vanilla POV hentai for 200 hundred years.

Only if its monster girl or incest vanilla.

 

[orangerain7734]

I do think It's possible to still be unsympathetic to Kyouko while being emotionally mature and getting the point.
I think it's more down to temperament, one's opinion the level of the crime and the best course of action in this situation.

I can empathise with Kyouko's insecurity but am in the camp that she doesn't deserve sympathy nor any other reaction that may provide pre-emptive redemption. (for instance receiving anger can feel like redemption in a flagellant/punishment sense)

That being said, It's good that Mahoro went up to her as that forces Kyouko to face the full blast of her guilt.
But Mahoro should keep as emotionless approach as possible otherwise Kyouko's insecurity can become an excuse rather than just an explanation.

Yeah, even if she's having problems with her marriage, instead of confronting her husband about it, she went to a friend's husband and tried to seduce him while badmouthing said friend.

Being insecure about yourself, your flaws, and your relationships is one thing, but that doesn't excuse the actions you took that will potentially destroy all of that and then some.

 

[Fauntleroy]

I don't like Rei, but I also don't think what Kyouko did was okay. Friends don't try to pick up their friend's husband lol, not a true friend.

Though I think if Rei wasn't a dick about it, Mahoro probably wouldn't be there comforting her.

 

[MrMeh]

Not intending to condone or even really defend the things Kyouko did, they aren't good and they were selfish and mean towards someone who has been her friend for a long time. That being said, I think we can and should be more sympathetic to how she feels. Your comment puts the onus of her insecurity on her, and I think this minsunderstands one of the points the manga (as a comic for women) is trying to make by including a character like Kyouko - that being her insecurity is derived from the way that the men around her have treated her. They are either subtly making jabs (like her husband and Rei when he called her cute) or being outright horrid (like Rei when she wanted to cheat with him) to her about her appearance. This contrasts sharply with the way in which Mahoro describes Kyouko from the beginning, always calling her the voice of reason (I don't even think she ever even mentions her appearance). Kyouko's actions then kind of highlight the way in which male voices pit women against each other, she stops seeing a friend and starts seeing an enemy (Mahoro also goes through this when she suspects her friends of cheating with Rei).

If we're being accurate this chapter shows that the origin of her insecurity derives from the comments from other girls.
Later down the line her husband says something insensitive given the context but I also question whether he's aware of Kyouko's complex. Some normal couples are okay with that kind of comment (though not me personally).
And Rei's comment being misinterpreted as flirtation, the latter two events being escalations but not the origin of her complex nor necessarily intentional.

The whole male voice thing honestly comes across as avoiding responsibility for managing one's insecurity, envy and lust.
Especially if one doesn't raise when they find something upsetting nor tries resolve one's personal issues.

Women can also say some incredibly confidence shattering as well as unintentionally titillating things but those men that succumb to such aren't defended.
If we act upon these emotions, we're seen as creeps, incels and pressuring, and rightly so.
We can empathise with these people but if we show sympathy to them or we easily slip into enabling such destructive behaviour.
Instead one should channel one's angst into self improvement, distracting oneself from one's pain so one maintains a level head and bury ludicrous fantasies until they go away.

The onus is entirely on each of us, regardless of gender, to confront to our baggage and ensure we don't allow such to consume us.

 

[story645]

Could Kyouko put more effort into her apperance? Maybe, but like, we have no real frame of reference for how much effort she's putting in.

This is a good point - she's made up: Has on a nice dress & jewelry, it's subtle but her bangs are styled compared to chapter 2, which would presumably mean she's probably also done her makeup but this art doesn't show it. Like she's put in the effort - she just doesn't fit conventional Japanese beauty standards. That's why Mahoro clocks that Rei's probably only turning her down cause he doesn't find her hot.

Not to excuse her behavior - trying to get w/ her friend's husband is obviously wrong, but also a different discussion.

 

[Bireus]

I do really like how Mahoro is so pissed at Rei that she's even marginally willing to forgive Kyouko. Sometimes it really just do be like that. Seeing someone you hate mistreating someone, even if that someone wronged you can definitely instill sympathy

She's better than me, that's for sure.

 

[Jatopian]

Ah okay, so the friend's issues are because of a deep well of trauma that we're to empathize with. Surely we'll get the same level of empathy and excuses for the protagonist's husband, right? It's not going to be a massive double standard, right?

(It's totally going to be a massive double standard.)

You asked a person who translates NTR hentai on an alt account what he thinks of cheating...

I mean, you can have something as a kink without supporting it in reality.

 

[tototototoo]

God, I wish that husband didn't cheat on the MC in the end. It would be so funny to see all the comments turn on MC, but I doubt it will happen

I can’t speak for others but I wouldn’t see why people would turn against Mahoro if that were the case. From the beginning there were very serious reasons to believe Rei is cheating and not a whole lot (so far) that would argue the opposite. Of course if it’s true he didn’t cheat, then I’d at least hope Mahoro would part ways with him in a proper manner as he’s still just not a good man. At the same time if it’s true he didn’t cheat, I’d also understand that Rei would feel seriously insulted and hurt by being accused of doing such a thing and he’d be completely right to feel that way.

 

[Friendly-Sentence710]

DrakeNo: Talking to my husband/father of my child about my insecurities and trying to work on them as a couple.
DrakeYes: Attempting to seduce my friend's husband.

Mahoro's kinder than I am, and I respect that. Maybe now that Kyouko's out of her own head a little she can grow as a person. At the end of the day, you can't be truly happy if you're not happy with yourself.

One of my best friends attempted to seduce my husband into an affair.
I was pretty bummed about it.
But I think she was more happy to ride my husband's bologna pony than I was sad to be cheated on. The total happiness in Japan increased.
So, whatever.
(also fuck my husband I'm only mad at him, my friend is just misunderstood)

God, I wish that husband didn't cheat on the MC in the end. It would be so funny to see all the comments turn on MC, but I doubt it will happen

The best ending at this point would be Rei cheating with Haruto.
Next best would be it IS actually Momoka.

 

[EchoGirl]

love how it has a thriller tag, idk if other 'affair' manga have had it, wonder if that means someone's gonna get stabbed or at least a fist fight

(and affair aside, while it's not right/sleazy to do, i wonder how many 'hot guys' back in the day chose to go over 'plain' or unattractive meek girls b/c they'd be 'easier' to seduce or so
tho i guess there is Host and rental bf culture so yeah)

 

[Machaka22]

The beauty privilege is so real.

 

[AnimuVsMango]

Ngl writing the best friend character who was just trying to steal the MC's husband away and got booty blasted for it as the sympathetic character is kind of a . Imagine if the roles were changed, pretty sure the audience response wouldn't go the same way.

 

[SirNoble]

Yeah I can only see this as your emotional immaturity, or maybe you're just missing the point.

Mahoro's relationship with Rei is basically over already, she has started to see him for what he is (emotionally abusive, lazy, cruel), and she already suspects him of cheating. In this context her relationship with her friend is much more important to her to salvage - its a betrayal sure but this is also a woman facing deep insecurity and an uncertain future, Mahoro is obviously going to be (and probably everyone should be) more sympathetic to her than her asshole of a husband.

Innocent until found guilty is a thing. Here the one found guilty is kyouko, while rei remains innocent. It's completely possible that he is not cheating on mahoro at all although he is still a jerk to her. Sympathising for kyouko because rei is an asshole is a show of your emotional immaturity as well as a lack of sense of justice. Does being a women with a deep Insecurity or a uncertain future justify going after your friends husband? Most people become thiefs/criminals due to dire states that they are in, are they exempt because they were living an ass life? What she did here is already a dick move, but she also tried instigating mahoro to break up first by showing her the account and straight up saying that rei is cheating, and likely also sent that letter to her. Both of them are ass and none of those two deserve salvaging, although if someone did, rei would be more towards being salvaged under the context of him not cheating as his actions and behaviours can be changed, but kyouko can't change what she already did. But if he is cheating on her, then both of them do not deserve anything from her. You dont just go to the less jerk of a person and be friends with them again. What she needs is better friends, and a husband. She should not be sympathetic especially towards kyouko as she is the one 'guilty', the best thing to do here as someone mentioned already is to approach her as neutrally as possible and and make her face her actions. You get what you do, no matter the state you did it in. If rei does cheat on her, then he deserves the same if not more punishment, and in that case he would be worse a person then kyouko, but bothe of them still shouldn't be sympathised with by the victim, Mahoro. If you hate a person, you can't just convict him on that.