One of the most memorable moments for me is from rp&ns (ch.4, gonna quote it):
“He’s joking, but still, she’s relieved. She’s been raised on a healthy diet of woman empowerment, taught to not accept a man who won’t take her as she comes but –
But they never tell you how all that fritters away when you like someone; when you really, truly want them to want you. She doesn’t let herself think about what she would have compromised for him; she’s just grateful – so, whole-heartedly grateful – that he didn’t make her find out.”
I think about this often :)
Man, this is a part of RPNS that I really enjoy too. It came directly from being a teenager and feeling like I both had to be completely confident in myself, I Don't Need No Man...but also that I had to be what boys I liked also wanted. Most of the time the former won out over the latter, but I felt like a Bad Feminist for feeling conflicted at all. And then of course I grew up and realizes LOTS of people felt that conflicting pressure, especially when it came to partners they really felt like they could connect with, so I wanted to give that to Shirayuki.
After all, it's one thing to like Zen, who has never done anything and she can feel comfortable saying a stern no to, maybe even walking away from the whole thing....and being with Obi who IS experienced, who might think her balking at something sexual is childish when she wants to be seen as a Grown Woman by him. And if Obi WAS that type of person, this relationship ultimately wouldn't work, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't have compromised her own comfort first before figuring that out.
Of course, Obi isn't like that at all. He's just enjoying taking it slow and having her ASK for things...since he certainly never got to coast at the level of his own comfort. She's so worried he's expecting sex and meanwhile he's probably watching 2000-era teen dramas to figure out what boyfriends are supposed to do.
