#mikanuji

They learn together that revenge can't undo the damage.

"It's only fun if you hate it."

Their relationship becomes sexual the same day they reconnect, and consent's not part of the equation - not that Sugiya seems to particularly mind.

This one surprised me, because my first introduction to Mikanuji was a too-short serialization with the premise "what if two gamers fell in love…", an idea she'd carry through to the long-running Fuzoroi no Renri. Fuzoroi no Renri isn't without the juice, of course, but this is a knockout blow. I wasn't exactly expecting sexual violence from this author, lol.

"That's my toy for you. You really do whatever I say."

Sugiya does eventually call things off; something that I could stand to see more of in blackmail stories. Even though she doesn't hate the things Kamisaki does to her (her words): she calls things off because it's getting her hopes up.

The extreme emotions that connect them refuse to fade. Sugiya can't stand not being involved with her, and Kamisaki presses her on this. Sugiya reveals her feelings along with her guilt for having them (still believing Kamisaki is a victim who has nothing but loathing for her). Kamisaki confirms that they're mutual in an unconventional way - she takes the other girl's hand, and places it on her rapidly beating heart.

"I think you know what it really is you want to do and what you want us to be."

On the final page, both girls are blushing, eyes locked.

We are blessed with a note from the author in the compilation: "I'm pretty sure this was the first long-form story I ever drew. You can really tell how my love for eroticism and my desire to tell an emotional story were in conflict."