I’m not dropping this manga yet, and there’s a reason for that. I want to see how the author handles this situation, especially now that he’s facing backlash from a large part of the audience. This series has always been uneven, but this arc is a decisive point. How Hanabi is treated from here on—whether she is reduced further or handled with responsibility—will determine whether I continue reading or drop it entirely.
What matters to me is not redemption or romance. It’s whether the author understands that sexual violence, especially against a minor, is not a narrative tool for punishment. If this is handled carelessly, I’m done. If it’s handled with accountability, context, and consequences, then at least the author tried.