- #1
Wow I'm not sure if some of the other reviews read the same novel I did. Slow paced, sure. Emotionally abusive??? What???The ML and MC have a reasonably healthy relationship. I say reasonably healthy because it starts out as a contract relationship where they both agree to not develop feelings for each other, and then they both do, and that's a bit of a mess. The MC is very reserved, and the ML is totally inexperienced in relationships and doesn't know how to recognise his own feelings. But they still do communicate about major conflicts and show each other respect. They work together to meet each other in the middle and take care of each other repeatedly, and are very, very careful to respect each other's boundaries. It is definitely NOT emotionally abusive. (important caveat: the healthy dynamic is NOT in the first few chapters. The first few chapters are a super messed up dynamic but then things normalise and thereafter the relationship is functional).This is overall a pretty fluffy and warm novel. Then there's the occasional super dark note and you're like, wtf. Like what happens to the main antagonists is seriously disturbing even if it is a sort of just comeuppance...Spoiler
rival MC gets trapped in abusive contract relationship with rival ML, like straight up r*pe type stuff
[collapse]The side characters are very fun, including the main female "rival" who rapidly becomes a good friend.By chapter 148 I started to get a bit bored MTLing. May return to finish it once translation is done.