This is one of my favorite age-gap, caregiver yakuza romance stories. I've re-read it a few times.
The author spent multiple chapters going over the ML Iori’s background, which gave the readers a better understanding of how he turned out so twisted. The birth of a yandere. ML’s love is obsessive and toxic, and he openly admits that he raised FL to be dependent on him: "It’s better to strip off all your limbs. I’ll coddle you so much you won’t be able to stand on your own. I’ll raise you into a child who can’t do anything without me, so that you’ll always need me. So that you’ll never be able to live without me.”
The ML has an intense fear of abandonment, so he creates a codependent relationship with the FL. It’s definitely not healthy love… but you have to admit: there is something intriguing about an attractive, older yakuza that is so devoted that he’d starve himself if you ignore him, he’d kill for you, spoil you, threaten to never let you go, etc. Kinda tantalizing?! Definitely a “hell no” in real life, but a decent fantasy.
There was so much potential with this series, but in the end it felt really rushed. This could have turned into a longer series (think A Girl & Her Guard Dog), especially with all of the character development surrounding the ML, and the relationship dynamic between ML and FL. I don’t think the author ever intended to continue with the series, which is unfortunate.
Art: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Character development: 5/5