Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu Chapter 157 Discussion

tell me how this makes sense. These two “MIDDLE SCHOOL” students are progressing faster in their romance than COLLEGE STUDENTS. AND YES I AM TALKING ABOUT RENT A GIRLFRIEND.

the animals in beastar has gotten further 💀

Holy fuck, my goat did it. He's up there with the greats now.



"I ejaculated" xD

Absolute fantastic chapter! That’s why I love this series, and it’s my favorite RomCom, because it has the courage to tackle topics that most works of this genre tend to avoid or treat superficially, like the sexual development and curiosity of an adolescent couple. Let’s be honest, at this age, everyone starts to develop an interest in the opposite sex, and it's frustrating to see so many RomComs create adolescent characters that are so “perfect/pure” that they never think about having relationships or even show any physical attraction toward each other (to the point of seeming asexual). It's tiring and unrealistic. Don’t even get me started on works that skip over this entire process of emotional growth and discovery and go straight from confession to marriage. Thanks to Norio, Bokuyaba is not like that.

I love how Norio hints at several things in this chapter:

1-It’s obvious that they are still not ready, neither mentally nor physically, but they both want to try to reciprocate each other. As a result, they show signs of awkwardness and inexperience while trying, and even some frustration.

2-There is attraction between both of them, and a significant advancement in intimacy, trust and complicity, now even reaching the point of being able to touch private parts of each other's bodies, like Anna’s breasts. I wouldn’t be surprised if soon it’s Anna who starts touching Kyoutarou’s body more.

3-How Kyoutarou is gradually taking more initiative in the relationship. It’s been visible for a while now, but even more so now, and that’s why the dynamic between them is so good. There’s no “one who is always passive and another who is always active.” They take turns in these roles from time to time, or both become very active at the same time, taking the initiative in different parts of the story.

In any case, I'm very surprised that there are people who feel disappointed because there was no sex, I mean, they are just teenagers of 14/15 years old, I understand that on this side of the pond it is more normal to see boys of this age having intimate relationships (mainly Latin America), but it is a cultural thing, the Japanese are much more conservative, it is obvious that they still have to go through a process of emotional discovery and acceptance in which both can put their feelings in "sync" with their desire, and I think that is what this arc will be about.

One thing is for sure: the sex will come. I don’t know if it will be explicit or not (probably not), but I’m sure that Norio will dare to show more than what we usually see in most mangas. You know, those that "want to show you something" but, at the end of the day, show nothing, limiting themselves to a couple of panels with the protagonists hugging or lying in bed, then skipping to the next day and leaving everything to interpretation.

To finish, I read a comment that I agree with, and it’s that Norio is likely trying to fit the "end of a hypothetical third season" with the episode where they will finally have sexual intimacy. It would be a spectacular way to close the third season, but I still believe they’re too young and should experience more things together first. But well, Norio knows what he’s doing, and I know he won’t disappoint me. What is certain is that he has already laid the groundwork so that when the act happens, it will feel much more natural and meaningful.

@GonXalo

Excuse me for replying, but this comment is amazing. Just, I gotta applaud your detailed response of the chapter. It was a very welcome read after I read a negative interpretation of the chapter on Twitter, thank you!

@sauragorn10 Hey, no worries! It’s always nice to chat about this series with others, haha.

Are you by any chance referring to the comment by "OKKA", right? If so, I’ve read it too, and I think it brings up some interesting points and a perspective that might be on the right track. However, I don’t agree with their take that this could be a setback in their relationship. I see it more as a small obstacle that Norio will probably address in this next arc—the challenge of aligning their feelings with their desire to fully give themselves to each other, without feeling obligated to do so. I really like this aspect. It’s obvious that their first more intimate moment wouldn’t go much further. As I said before, they’re young and inexperienced. But this experience (which might seem negative from the perspective of "not being able to go through with it" but also positive in the sense that they’re now more aware and free to explore each other’s bodies) will help them overcome the insecurities and doubts they currently have.

I also don’t think this will cause any major issues with Anna’s parents, even if they find out that Kyou spent the night at her house. They’ve already shown themselves to be pretty understanding parents. In fact, Anna’s mom once told her that when she was young, she also got into a lot of "mischief" and lied to her parents (in the episode where Anna’s phone fell into the water). So, at most, I think we might see Anna’s dad give them a scolding or maybe even have a conversation with Kyoutarou about Anna and this whole situation.

@GonXalo

That is exactly what I’m referring to!!! Wow, it’s great that you understand me perfectly! Yes, I completely agree with what you said here. I was very put off by the claim that this is going to regress their relationship, or they made some kind of critical mistake. Like I understand the claim that “they didn’t make a spiritual connection” this chapter, but honestly I would argue they did last time, I mean with Ichikawa saying they should just say what they want to do with each other, and Yamada pouring her honest feelings out to Ichikawa, that was an emotional connection, and then clearly the focus was on their physical intimacy in this chapter. As you said, they’re young and inexperienced, this was their first significant sexual encounter as a couple, naturally they’re both awkward and deferring responsibilities to each other, but they still made very tangible progress with each other. I mean, Ichikawa is being more proactive with expressing his love more than ever, Yamada was explicitly honest to Ichikawa (and the readers), which is not too common to see, and she is trying to make it happen the best she can, and the fact they went a bit further but didn’t go all the way should keep them both motivated to try again. Saying they made no growth or progress is a narrow minded and unfair opinion to me.

I just thought OKKA was being too critical and overly focused on the negative possibilities, because almost everything he said beyond reacting to what happened was him making assumptions, like about Yamada’s parents, Ichikawa and Yamada’s personal perceptions of this event after the fact, Ichikawa’s future studying, and whether or not Yamada has any regret or not. Bottom line is I’m sure they both probably feel a bit embarrassed, but they spent quality time together which they both wanted, and then I’m sure when it’s time to try again they’ll be a lot smoother with doing the deed. Also I don’t think Yamada wasted her special underwear lol, she can always wear it again anyway. It’s an experience that illustrates their youth, it’s not the end of the world or the beginning of total fire and brimstone, I just didn’t like that angle that OKKA took.

I think Yamada’s parents losing their minds would be unfair, I mean at the end of the day they’re dating, it’s only natural they would get lovey dovey at home, and they didn’t actually have sex so they didn’t cross that line. At worst they should get a light scolding and advice, some people on Twitter are worried Ichikawa is gonna get banned from Yamada’s home, or Yamada is going to be completely banned from seeing Ichikawa, and that everything that’s happened the last 3 chapters was all a mistake. That’s simply ridiculous to me. I mean would we rather have Ichikawa and Yamada’s avoid each other all day long and grimace over not seeing each other at all? I also take issue with people saying they’re being dishonest with each other, I mean what more do they need? Ichikawa and Yamada are making very clear and honest statements and physical moves with each other but people still think that Yamada is not telling the truth or manipulating Ichikawa, and Ichikawa just doesn’t really care that much, doesn’t really want to do anything with Yamada, and is just going with the flow, that’s all very strange to me.

Obviously there are still big things to solve, namely the exam, the agency, and telling the school they’re dating (at least I hope, I want them to avenge the flash mob incident), but I have complete faith they’re gonna be fine. I was just shaken because some people, like OKKA who is a popular account on Twitter, have gone from being super happy and excited over this home date, myself included of course I’ve been calling for this ever since the flash mob chapter, to now people are second guessing everything and think they’ve done nothing, made no progress, and this was all meaningless. That is depressing to be honest, it makes me sad and uneasy so I wish those anxieties and fears are not actually reflected in the story. I don’t expect a completely smooth road but I hope Norio doesn’t blow this all up.

Sorry for the super long message but I’m glad you knew where I’m coming from!

@sauragorn10 I agree with many of the things you’re saying. Besides, we’re talking about Norio. I fully trust her. I know she’s not going to ruin her work by adding unnecessary or melodramatic conflicts just to delay resolutions. She’ll handle this situation in a mature and natural way, as she’s done throughout the story. She’s never introduced any unnecessary element that only serves to interfere with the progress of the relationship. Everything she’s included in her story has been to help the protagonists grow and strengthen their emotional bond. This time won’t be an exception.

Absolute fantastic chapter! That’s why I love this series, and it’s my favorite RomCom, because it has the courage to tackle topics that most works of this genre tend to avoid or treat superficially, like the sexual development and curiosity of an adolescent couple. Let’s be honest, at this age, everyone starts to develop an interest in the opposite sex, and it's frustrating to see so many RomComs create adolescent characters that are so “perfect/pure” that they never think about having relationships or even show any physical attraction toward each other (to the point of seeming asexual). It's tiring and unrealistic. Don’t even get me started on works that skip over this entire process of emotional growth and discovery and go straight from confession to marriage. Thanks to Norio, Bokuyaba is not like that.

I love how Norio hints at several things in this chapter:

1-It’s obvious that they are still not ready, neither mentally nor physically, but they both want to try to reciprocate each other. As a result, they show signs of awkwardness and inexperience while trying, and even some frustration.

2-There is attraction between both of them, and a significant advancement in intimacy, trust and complicity, now even reaching the point of being able to touch private parts of each other's bodies, like Anna’s breasts. I wouldn’t be surprised if soon it’s Anna who starts touching Kyoutarou’s body more.

3-How Kyoutarou is gradually taking more initiative in the relationship. It’s been visible for a while now, but even more so now, and that’s why the dynamic between them is so good. There’s no “one who is always passive and another who is always active.” They take turns in these roles from time to time, or both become very active at the same time, taking the initiative in different parts of the story.

In any case, I'm very surprised that there are people who feel disappointed because there was no sex, I mean, they are just teenagers of 14/15 years old, I understand that on this side of the pond it is more normal to see boys of this age having intimate relationships (mainly Latin America), but it is a cultural thing, the Japanese are much more conservative, it is obvious that they still have to go through a process of emotional discovery and acceptance in which both can put their feelings in "sync" with their desire, and I think that is what this arc will be about.

One thing is for sure: the sex will come. I don’t know if it will be explicit or not (probably not), but I’m sure that Norio will dare to show more than what we usually see in most mangas. You know, those that "want to show you something" but, at the end of the day, show nothing, limiting themselves to a couple of panels with the protagonists hugging or lying in bed, then skipping to the next day and leaving everything to interpretation.

To finish, I read a comment that I agree with, and it’s that Norio is likely trying to fit the "end of a hypothetical third season" with the episode where they will finally have sexual intimacy. It would be a spectacular way to close the third season, but I still believe they’re too young and should experience more things together first. But well, Norio knows what he’s doing, and I know he won’t disappoint me. What is certain is that he has already laid the groundwork so that when the act happens, it will feel much more natural and meaningful.

really great chapter... I wish more mangás address this sort of stuff...

really bother me how most romance mangá either completely ignore the existence of any sexual desire (like someone already commented) or restrict it to ecchi fanservice... what we still get here, sure, but I feel like this chapter's focus is more the characters experience...
they even mock the usual artistic beautiful interpretation of sex, XD...
yes! gimme first times with the characters being clumsy, and not knowing how to act... yeah, that I can relate

now... I little doubt about the end... did he really come, or that panel before the one with the building, was just them surprised the day was already rising? because the extra page after seems to imply the "joke" was that they spend too much time in each "stage", and the whole night passed without them noticing


ps: Yamada was about to take off her bra and Ichikawa interrupted, XD

tell me how this makes sense. These two “MIDDLE SCHOOL” students are progressing faster in their romance than COLLEGE STUDENTS. AND YES I AM TALKING ABOUT RENT A GIRLFRIEND.