There are topics you simply can not write about if you have bad or barely average storytelling skills. Peadophilia is one of them.

I honestly don't think (or rather: I try to not think) that author had bad intentions or tried to show paedophilia as a controversial yet positive casus. It is definitely not a level of those disgusting lolicon hentais, it didn't piss me off so much as the trope of adult women trapped in bodies of girls for the sake of fetishist target. It is just written so badly it not only hurts but spreads very, very dangerous subtexts.

Author tried to portret a broken family, broken to the point where everyone hurts everyone due to plain egoism and lack of communication. It is clearly seen that he made quite of research, especially for a process of bonding between paedophile and their victim. The problem lies in his unability of showing it all realistically, with a clear narrative and intentions. Let's take Nabokov's Lolita as an example - it is a storry written from predator's perspective and yet the reader has an idea what is bad and how and why it is bad. From the beggining till the end we are aware we are inspecting perspective of a wicked, disgusting person. We not only feel it but understand it thanks to the author.

Mon Seul's author, however, tries to remain neutral and switches the point of view from the predator, to the victim and (mainly) to the victim's guardian. And he is not sincere with his intentions. Thanks to it we can see how older brother abuses, controls and feels jealous for younger sister who he caught being raped. We see the younger sister (10yo) initiating romantic relationship with adult friend of family and finding herself mature enough for it. Finally, we see the predator finding himself a victim of wicked family actions. It all would work if any of those narratives was the only one AND written wisely. Yes, horribly egoistic and control-freaky brother could feel betrayed by his remaining family member being dragged away - even if it's a child abused by a paedophile. Yes, kids often fall for paedophilies looking for a bond that could replace non-exisitng or problematic ones - and they can get attached to the predator. Finally, yes, peadophiles can think of themselves as innocent and even push the responsibility on their victims. But none of this point of views is correct or healthy and they are connected with psychical disfunctions. It should be precisely shown.

Author treated paedophilia as a casual family drama. And it would somehow - still badly but not as bad - if the girl was older, 13-15 years old. Still too young to get involved into relationship with 20+ guy but old enough for this plot to work the way author wanted. Without it, it's simply very wrong and very toxic and I'm very not happy I stumbled on it thanks to 2019 Manga Reading Challenge.

Ah, also the art style plainly sucks. Gave 3 points 'cause it was quite funny to see what the author could do with feet.