I love realistic stories like this. It portrays the experience of women in this modern world, and how people perceive the beauty of women & the treatments they gave to them. It is heavily implied that “ugly” women would be outcasted & bullied, driving them to turn themselves prettier as per the social standards — even though it eats them alive inside.
The first volume follows the story of Yuki. I find myself attracted to her and I believe she is well-written as a character. The way she carry herself is so mature, it made me think — what traumatic experience had she went through in life, that had made her mature up so fast at such a young age?
I really love the part where Yuki notices how self-absorbed the guy is without his intention in being so. He is just having a really healthy upbringing that he doesn’t really “sees” other peoples’ struggles of those whose family background are less attentive. Being that way, he’s less understanding and empathetic, as he only comprehends a limited point of view when it comes to pain and hurt. Which is why, I do believe that Yuki leaving him & putting him on the blacklist is a smart move. She knows how men like him think — they only see what they wanted to see, and only feel what they wanted to feel. I’m not saying that guy is a piece of shit. He’s kind, he really is. He just lack emotional intelligence and social interaction with others beyond his bubble — which makes me think, does he mistook the comfort he has around Yuki for love?
As much as I respect him for accepting Yuki and her scars as she is, I do not think he truly loves her. Fortunately, I do think Yuki gave him more lessons to make him understand things better.