Because Fictional Guys are Better
Voltage Inc. are giving us a whole slew of stories for free this month, and one of them is from the After School Affairs series. I’ve actually read a few stories from that continuum, and while I’m not overly fond of teacher-student relationships, teacher-teacher stuff is fine by me. Also, the stories of this series like to tackle sometimes profound social issues. I find most of the characters interesting, even if the power balance is very obviously off in the beginning.
Now, this is a welcome change! You know how most otome games err terribly on the side of chastity? Well, not this one. This one starts with a supremely drunk and perfectly ill-advised one night stand. I love the premise. Obviously, the MC is beyond embarrassed by her own behavior, and since the other party must be someone from work, she is also mortified because she will a) see this person again and b) totally not remember who it was. Which is hilarious, since she comes across all the possible candidates, and, not knowing who she slept with, doesn’t know what to do with herself around them.
Now, again, we have the sticky issue of consent, or, more to the point, its absence in this story. Reader, I am aware, as mentioned here. At this stage, I guess, if you’re into otome games at all, you will have resigned yourself to the circumstance that consent just isn’t a thing that’s gonna happen here. As did I. Apparently, the MC did have a good time, though, so, er, okay.
It’s also funny that she worries quite a bit about what the men in question might think of her. You know, those men who did the exact same thing she did? Nice double standard you’ve got there, Voltage/Japan/world.
I will not lie to you. I did spend money on some of the stories of this series, and I do not regret it. Some of the characters are not just okay, they’re actually good underneath it all. Ota was not one of the ones I wanted to read, not ever. His archetype gives me the creeps. He treats the MC like a pet. Not like a kept woman or anything, but like a literal pet. This, combined with an angelic smile on the outside and contempt for humanity in general on the inside. Do you know what we call this in the real world? A psychopath.
Ota demands absolute obedience, which makes him no different than Eisuke or Soryu, I guess, but again, he expects the blind obedience he gets from a dog. He calls the MC by his former dog’s name. He takes her for walks and refers to her pager as her leash.
Why am I reading this, even? Because it’s free this week and curiosity got the better of me. But I can already feel the bile in my throat and I really wonder if there will be something that turns it all around. He must have some redeeming qualities, right?
So, I’m sure you’ve read me go on and on about how the main character’s consent in most stories is not something the writers are actively interested in. Some of the stories are better, and some are worse, but as a general rule, the MC usually meets her roster of suitors through some element of forced circumstances. Sometimes they’re supernatural (she is a reborn goddess who must help some gods get back to heaven) sometimes they’re mundane (her stepfather accidentally rents out the apartment to her and his son at the same time). And sometimes, well, I guess it’s just gonna be human trafficking and slavery.
I KNOW RIGHT?? What an excellent premise for a romance! Who wouldn’t want to be auctioned off to the highest bidder? And yet, this is one of Voltage’s most successful titles. Humans are weird. And I am weird, because I actually read the stuff. So, here it is, the worst of the worst. Have, er, fun.
Side note: this is, obviously, also one of the worst actual titles. The Japanese original is called “A Mischievous Kiss in a Suite Room” (スイートルームで悪戯なキス). Which is also not great, but at least it doesn’t insist on the questionable alliteration. Also, behold the original icon: yes, that is the cage the MC is auctioned off in.
Me: Gah! You mean I have to PLAY the bastard?? 😉
The Librarian: You will learn to… tolerate him. 😝😝
Me: The hair will probably save him. And [my] having read Zyglavis’ sequel.
The Librarian: As it does most Leos. He might actually be more up your alley than Scorpio. The MC is required to be a bit more forceful and brash to get along with him.
Me: Damn. Now I’m almost excited!
The Librarian: Pro tip: shoot Zyglavis dirty looks whenever you can.
Me: I COULD NEVER! He’s my man. 🖤 Wait. That means you totally did!
The Librarian: No, I didn’t!!! I didn’t even know him and couldn’t. But it was one of the options and in the POV it’s made clear that it was the correct choice.
So, Voltage has finally transferred Star-Crossed Myth to Love365, and as a treat, they offered us Leon’s route for free. Well then. I guess I have no choice but to read it. The things I’ll do in the interest of… uh… SCIENCE! Yes. Science.
Pretty Boys All in a Row 