In terms of mind games and scheming, this book is a masterpiece. But in turn, morality can be thrown out the window with no regard towards any sense of uprightness.
In the shoujo genre, there are limited premises tied to a character's circumstances that often serve as the foundation for stories. Examples include pretending to be a slave due to someone knowing your secret, working as a maid to pay off debts or earn money, wanting to live alone but ending up sharing an apartment with a guy (or in a co-ed dorm), or being forced into a fake engagement to settle debts, among others. Despite these scenarios being overused, readers still engage because of how they're presented.
This manga employs one such premise but represents a different kind of shoujo—perhaps even a parody of the genre. One notable feature is its lack of narrative; we don't experience the story through any specific character's perspective. Instead, we see thought bubbles and deduce the situation from the characters' viewpoints. Another unusual aspect is the protagonist: she's anti-shoujo. She doesn't blush or experience "doki doki" moments, instead pursuing the male lead with determination—though whether it's romantic or lustful remains questionable. The male lead, meanwhile, is somewhat tsundere, openly voicing his thoughts rather than silently pining while acting indifferent. Additionally, the female lead may lack common sense but excels academically, which is rare in shoujo.
These elements had the potential to create a great rom-com or shoujo comedy manga. However, the predictability and lackluster humor let it down.
Story (5): The main character, Homrae, has been sold by her parents to a friend (with three sons) to settle a debt. A love triangle might be expected, but Homrae is carefree, oblivious, and sexually harasses one of the boys (the tsundere). She's terrible at housework, causes endless problems, and continually increases her debt due to the damage she inflicts. After the first chapter, the story became predictable, with the male lead gradually warming up to her and a brief, minor love triangle. Beyond that, there's little plot or story development.
Art (6): The artwork is average, similar to other shoujo series, featuring bishie brothers and a somewhat ordinary-looking girl. While there aren't many blooming flower panels, when they do appear, it's usually for comedic effect. The same applies to sparkly big eyes. This is one reason the art works well—it repurposes clichés effectively.
Characters (5): Homrae is the standout, driving the comedy through her erratic behavior. The story feels more character-driven than plot-focused. Other characters fit into archetypes, making them feel unoriginal. The male lead, however, blends traits of a shoujo heroine and a tsundere, making his reactions entertaining.
Enjoyment (5): My enjoyment could have been higher if the clichés and jokes were funnier. It might have been lower without the unconventional heroine. Ultimately, I enjoyed it somewhat because of Homrae.
Overall (6): I'd give it a 5.5, but 6 works too. I think if it had been condensed into one volume, it would have made the same impact. After reading six chapters, I skimmed or skipped three because nothing interesting happened.
In conclusion, this manga lacked romance but aimed for comedy. I continued reading because it was a unique take on shoujo, though not exceptional. It succeeded in being less stereotypical, and I commend the mangaka for experimenting.
Sorry for the lengthy review—it's sometimes challenging for me to convey my thoughts concisely.<p>
Popular Reviews
This manga employs one such premise but represents a different kind of shoujo—perhaps even a parody of the genre. One notable feature is its lack of narrative; we don't experience the story through any specific character's perspective. Instead, we see thought bubbles and deduce the situation from the characters' viewpoints. Another unusual aspect is the protagonist: she's anti-shoujo. She doesn't blush or experience "doki doki" moments, instead pursuing the male lead with determination—though whether it's romantic or lustful remains questionable. The male lead, meanwhile, is somewhat tsundere, openly voicing his thoughts rather than silently pining while acting indifferent. Additionally, the female lead may lack common sense but excels academically, which is rare in shoujo.
These elements had the potential to create a great rom-com or shoujo comedy manga. However, the predictability and lackluster humor let it down.
Story (5): The main character, Homrae, has been sold by her parents to a friend (with three sons) to settle a debt. A love triangle might be expected, but Homrae is carefree, oblivious, and sexually harasses one of the boys (the tsundere). She's terrible at housework, causes endless problems, and continually increases her debt due to the damage she inflicts. After the first chapter, the story became predictable, with the male lead gradually warming up to her and a brief, minor love triangle. Beyond that, there's little plot or story development.
Art (6): The artwork is average, similar to other shoujo series, featuring bishie brothers and a somewhat ordinary-looking girl. While there aren't many blooming flower panels, when they do appear, it's usually for comedic effect. The same applies to sparkly big eyes. This is one reason the art works well—it repurposes clichés effectively.
Characters (5): Homrae is the standout, driving the comedy through her erratic behavior. The story feels more character-driven than plot-focused. Other characters fit into archetypes, making them feel unoriginal. The male lead, however, blends traits of a shoujo heroine and a tsundere, making his reactions entertaining.
Enjoyment (5): My enjoyment could have been higher if the clichés and jokes were funnier. It might have been lower without the unconventional heroine. Ultimately, I enjoyed it somewhat because of Homrae.
Overall (6): I'd give it a 5.5, but 6 works too. I think if it had been condensed into one volume, it would have made the same impact. After reading six chapters, I skimmed or skipped three because nothing interesting happened.
In conclusion, this manga lacked romance but aimed for comedy. I continued reading because it was a unique take on shoujo, though not exceptional. It succeeded in being less stereotypical, and I commend the mangaka for experimenting.
Sorry for the lengthy review—it's sometimes challenging for me to convey my thoughts concisely.<p>