I was really vibing with this manga: second chance love, college aged MCs, a backstory between the two MCs that involved a lot of complex and budding emotions. Both MCs were messy and dumb and have trouble being honest and communicative about their feelings for each other. And while I got that, we also got the unfortunate rape scene, one that is NEVER ADDRESSED. Never.

I very rarely ever like the use of rape and sexual assault in any of my media. “But it’s realistic!” Okay, fuck off, I’m reading for escapism. If I was reading a book about rape and SA, then absolutely talk about it. But in my fantasy fiction? In my slice of life manga? In my romance novels? No thank you! It’s a tired trope, especially when used against women or femme-presenting characters, and I for one believe we have progressed past the need for that to happen to any of our characters. What makes it worse in this manga is the fact you see it graphically happen and it is never brought up. It is only addressed in a text message from the one MC to another MC that he is sorry for what happened last night. He also slapped him so hard, he drew blood, so I’m a little confused: are you sorry for assaulting him or sexually assaulting him? Both?

Of course, SA/rape will be used in media until the end of time. I DO believe it can have its place in our media if done correctly, but you cannot sit there and tell me that in the context of this romance manga that we should turn the other way when someone SA/rapes their partner. Absolutely not.

Two stars from me for the pretty art. I won’t be reading more though.