Liltsu

oh interesting, then again it is written by MAME so I'm not surprised (gonna casually ignore the novel)

Ikr, i still think that the series itself was really clumsy with a few of the earlier moments, which still makes those particular scenes questionable or morally grey (the two scenes about Payu misunderstanding / insisting, then the bathroom scene).

Like I know that they wanted to convey the fact that 1. Payu was just trying to “tease” Rain or see how he reacts, and to show that 2.) Rain does feel a strong attraction to Payu (with the narration and all), but because it could easily pass of as SA, it’s just…hard to know how to judge those scenes because, later on, when they actually get to know each other better and start dating, there aren’t really any problematic scenes at all. What do you think about that?

Yes exactly! That’s a good observation and def adds to it. I was relieved when the series didn’t dwell on it too much.
I also really liked how in the recent episode, Rain and Payu were talking about their feelings for one another, and Rain tells him that for a while now, he’s exceeded liking him, that he truly loves Payu, which affirms how strongly the feel about one another even though we could see that from their actions already (but that verbal confirmation was so satisfying).

It seems like Rain initially had a crush on Ple before he even met Payu, and we see that Rain at first denies his attraction to Payu which is why he tells his best friend that he still likes Ple. But after that Rain only has eyes for Payu and expresses it vividly. On multiple occasions, we actually see the progressive disinterest in Ple: passing by the chance to talk to her because he's so excited to see Payu, not talking about her or showing interest when she's on screen, rejecting her when she tries to comfort him when his project was not graded, and then also keeping his distance even when he thinks that Ple is confessing to him (tho she ended up wanting Payu's number). 💕

Do you think Payu and Rain's relationship is more problematic or more healthy (or somewhat grey)?

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFR4wBJj/ (for me, i explain it in this edit)

Ray x Ah Jian

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFddQQmX/

:>

My "theory" as to why Fahlan acts the way he does:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFe32qHR/

:>

You explained this perfectly, thank you :)

Eiw realizing that he had feelings for Cake and what that meant had me in TEARS:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMF1PbpL9/

No but really, im glad they touched on the fact that a lot of older queer representation portrayed queerness as intrinsically associated with misery and misfortune. I like how they showed a realistic portrayal of Eiw trying to understand the prejudice toward queer people and how much that affected his own perception of hismself

The moment when Puen remembered Talay and 'saw' his face for the first time was probably one of the most touching scenes in the series yet:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNo6Eum6/

had to make an edit of it ofc ^^

We know that Rain is supposed to be 19 years old but does anyone know how old Payu is?

It's easy to hate Vegas and hard to understand him;

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNENLb1Y/

I love how complex his character is, and in the second season, i cant wait to see him grow and sustain his relationship with Pete healthily, or see what kind of struggles get in the way of that

Really hoping i could watch this soon TT

"People can go to people you know to people you dont" trend but with Not Me:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNwAgNtV/

Tried not to make Sean's fall look too funny

Oh thank you so much🥰

The way payu comforted rain in this scene was so heart-warming, i had ro make this edit:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNTQknuS/

Puen/Tun going from faking it to actually developping real feelings:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNvbu3ga/

I find that their love story has one of the most natural progression in a series, its rare to see

I think whilst you’re right in saying that Shin didn’t have full-blown romantic feelings for Minato when they first met, I think that the moment was memorable enough for him to keep him in his mind, and so when they met again, I feel like it’s more so an opportunity for Shin to spend more time with Minato to be able to actually love him. It’s what Shin implies, that he was given a chance, not just to get closer to him, but also to understand his own feelings better (that’s how I interpret it at least,) but I’ll admit it’s still ambiguous and questionable for this point.

For the next idea you presented, about how there are few scenes in which we see Shin develop feelings for Minato, I think that by showing them hanging out, having dinner and stuff like that is what gets Shin to develop deeper feelings for Minato. Sure, there isn’t a clear-cut reason for why he does like Minato (like how in some series, the cliche is that a character sees another character rescuing a cat or smth which makes them intrigued, showing that it’s their warmth attracted them to that person).

However, I don’t think it’s necessary for there to be a clear reason, because oftentimes, exposure to someone is what allows people to love, especially when one already has a positive impression about someone. Shin is first curious about Minato (oh he’s back in this hometown, why is that? What’s the reason he’s taking over this laundromat, how is he so welcoming yet so silly? Etc). Then this transforms into care and affection as he gets to see Minato joke around with him, blush and get shy, all those sides that make him likeable and cute in Shin’s eyes. I mean, Minato is friendly, goofy, endearing, fun to tease and to bicker with. Sure, it would have been nice to have more scene where they talk more about serious topics but you can see the gradual attachment they form for one another.

I disagree the most with your last point to be honest. It’s very possible that Shin has an abandonment issue, but if that was true, there would be more signs to indicate that. For example, that it would negatively affect other areas in his life, because that’s the problem with those kinds of issues: they tend to be damaging and lead to self-destructive behaviour, and that’s why it’s unhealthy, especially for a romantic relationship. But you see that on the contrary, Shin gets great results on his exams after the rejection, showing that even without Minato, he can go on about his life without issues. And the only reason why it was affecting his grades before, wasn’t because he was obsessed with Minato in general (which would then continue if they were to date), but because he was anxious about having to make a decision for his future, not knowing what to decide on because he needed Minato’s answer before moving on. It also shows, that if rejected, he would probably go to Tokyo and live independently, because he’d have no reason to stay. Proving that he’s not dependent on Minato.

You also need to consider tone and nuance. When Shin is rejected, he looks extremely sad about it but not agitated. What this means is that there isn’t a deep-seated worry coming from him about needing to be in Minato’s presence. He’s sad because his feelings weren’t reciprocated but his lack of anger and frustration shows that on the other hand, he can accept that. He can accept that Minato can’t be with him romantically, can accept that he will eventually need to go on about his life, without him. If he had an abandonment issue, he would be a lot more desperate, and therefore we would see agitation, anxiety or worry in him, especially when telling Minato about wanting to help him find his happiness. On the contrary, he’s quite calm about it, and gentle. He’s just expressing his inner wish to see Minato happy, without expecting anything in return, not even Minato’s company. So that’s why, if he can, he’d like to help with that. It may also be a way for him to process this rejection better, but you can tell from his mannerisms and facial expressions that this isn’t a desperate attempt at staying by his side, rather it feels more like a farewell.


About the age gap, there is always that risk of course, and I understand where you’re coming from. I tend to be quite sceptical about that myself. Though, I think that the biggest issue that a relationship with an age gap can have is a power imbalance, and that’s something that isn’t present in theirs at all, in my view. the two treat each other as equals, as though they were the same age, and it truly feels like it. As for whether if Shin actually feels love, I feel inclined to say yes (though of course they could have developed this better) because they didn’t keep in contact after he was first saved, and they didn’t know each other before either. Basically they have no further connection apart from that. Had Minato stayed around and watched Shin grow up, then I could easily say that, well, Shin may be confusing affection to an older and kind “brother” for love, and then it would be more questionable if Minato was developing feelings since he could have influenced him. Since that isn’t the case, it feels more like a love that was nurtured in the present moment, that was possible because Shin wanted to know more about him due their incidental first meeting.

Those are my thoughts on it, thank you for your previous answer, I appreciate your take :)

I can’t really judge the kind of love you’re experiencing, but even if what you’re feeling isn’t unconditional love, then more than selfish, it just makes you human :)