#ln5 epilogue

[cjrae]

So, I've been waiting for the Apothecary Diaries BG manga to get to The Frog scene in the official English translation. Since I don't have a subscription to MangaUp! I've been waiting patiently for the volumes to be released on Kindle.

Here's a tiny detail that I've noticed between the official translation and the fan translations that I think is interesting, because the official translation really shifts the tone of the scene. Let's take a look at the two panels side by side. Fan translation is on the left, official translation is on the right.

So, the fan translation is leaning into the comedy of the scene, rendering the sound graphics above their heads as "grrt." Which, when I read it, pushed the frog imagery inter played with Jinshi's shock. The sexual subtext of the scene is left to the visual of her sitting on top of him, which makes her consent much more ambiguous because he has pulled her into that position.

The official translation leans much more into the unresolved sexual tension, taking the "grrt" sound and turning it into "griiiind" as Maomao thinks "I will not be beaten!"

Suddenly Jinshi's shock is twofold. What Maomao is saying, denying the evidence RIGHT UNDER HER HAND, is contrasted with her deliberate provocation of grinding her body on top of his lap. She is demonstrating to him that her words and her actions are at odds.

This is a blatant, sexual challenge that Maomao takes further than she is ready to go as Jinshi shifts the whole dynamic of their relationship by refusing to allow her to deny knowledge of his manhood- and a new push/pull element to their relationship is established.

I'm now much more interested to see how they will render LN 5's epilogue. While a lot of the push/pull is there in the text, I'm wondering if the 'sexy power struggle' dynamic present here will be more easily rendered to an audience that might not be as familiar with Japanese romance tropes if there are visual cues to show us the conflict between Maomao's thoughts and her actions.

[yumiayumu]

it’s interesting that some would want jinshi to be emperor and maomao to be empress when it’s been hinted multiple times that he doesn’t want to be and it’ll be the cause of his early demise. nothing wrong with wanting him as the emperor but i personally don’t see it as a good thing.

just a short rambling after reading the web novel and seeing the latest ln15 spoilers.

> jinshi, especially after that scene on ln5 shows immense character growth in the latter volumes. in the latest ln, he’d rather let go of maomao than chain her to him when he (unwillingly) becomes emperor. previously, he proclaimed that he wanted her to be his wife and would get rid of any obstacles hence why he branded himself to the disappointment of the emperor and maomao. he was quite possessive and childish when he was young, far from the current jinshi now.

> same with maomao, she used to avoid trouble and involvement in the royal court but now she’s more outspoken about her thoughts and feelings. confident with her skills and quite assertive.

> there is this deep understanding between them and in the epilogue it’s clear that they both didn’t want him on the throne. they used to be evasive with their feelings and now they’re being straightforward with each other and that’s progress if you ask me. it’s subtle but they show their care through physical touch and company (it’s their love language!!)

> a lot of fans have noted that they parallel both of their parents’ failed relationships and i agree (don’t want to elaborate on this cuz it’ll be long)

> ah duo and the emperor (also maomao) know that jinshi will be a wise and kind emperor but this will cause him to die early. now that he’s doing the emperor’s work while he’s recovering, he was clearly overworked to the point where maomao has to take care of him. this is just a glimpse of what will happen to him once he ascends the throne and that’s not what ah duo wants for her only child, same with maomao. if he does become the next emperor, he needs maomao by his side to keep him in check and that’s another problem to face politically and emotionally. she’s willing to be by his side but at the expense of her freedom and jinshi doesn’t want to rob her of that.

tldr: jinshi becoming the emperor is not the happy ending we’re looking for. unless the author will give him a leeway like him becoming a regent until his siblings are of age or if maomao is the only consort he will have. and there’s still a long way to go tho because he still doesn’t know his real parents and if iirc there’s this faction who wants him on the throne. more content to consume lol.

[chibimui]

The Apothecary Diaries LN3 Thoughts - Epilogue

Volume 3: Prologue-ch2 - ch3-5 - ch6-8 - ch9-11 - ch12-13 - ch14 - ch15-17 - ch18-19

We've finally reached the end of one of the bigger volumes of this series and upon re-read, one of my favourites for sure! I share my final thoughts on the epilogue and the volume in general to wrap up light novel volume 3 of The Apothecary Diaries. :)

(Warning: These thoughts may contain spoilers from later light novels all the way up until LN15.)

Epilogue

Despite all of Maomao's misgiving's last chapter about being dragged into Jinshi's mess, once she's caught in it she can't help but be intrigued. I think this is also why she can't really bring herself to be that mad at Jinshi at the end of the day. As we saw at the end of last chapter, Maomao is quite aware of her own responsibility in this situation.

I genuinely really love this whole interaction between them in this epilogue. I love how the awkwardness between them is palpable. I appreciate the fact that Jinshi is apologizing in this moment and that Maomao apologizes for her actions as well. We don't get this in LN5, but I think it makes sense that this is the fight that gets a clear apology and where both parties show genuine remorse for what happened.

As I said in my ch19 thoughts, Maomao was genuinely scared of what was happening in the cave. Not of Jinshi himself, but of the boundary that had accidentally been crossed and which Jinshi was inadvertently pushing even further. The first boundary was simply learning Jinshi's secret - that already placed Maomao in a very difficult position and one she was very actively and stubbornly trying to push back against despite it being futile. You can't take back knowledge you already have. This is why she is freaking out. She doesn't want to know, but she also cannot take back what she knows and so she acts immaturely and childishly instead of just accepting the truth.

There was another boundary being crossed though - the line between a servant and master, and the fight they were having was crossing that line as well. Maomao clearly thinks at one point that she just wants to stay as servant and master because in that moment I think she is starting to recognize, and Jinshi is also acknowledging, that is not what Jinshi wants from her. And he scares her by reaching too far for what he wants -- not just for Maomao to know his identity, but to be something more than just servant and master.

I also like how Natsu-sensei leans into the classic scene of two people who have recently had conflict, talking between a wall with their respective backs pressed against it. It's a classic because it works! It conveys the sense of boundaries, as well as the desire to connect.

I also love the little note that Maomao doesn't even need to see Jinshi to know what he's probably doing. She knows him.

I also looooove the way the English translation phrased this part "Anyone would lash out. Even Jinshi. Even at Maomao". Such good phrasing and small acknowledgment of how patient Jinshi typically is with her despite how rudely Maomao has started to treat him.

This part coming from Maomao is also very telling of how she feels about Jinshi. Maomao is fundamentally a kind person, but she also isn't really going to give someone the extra time of day if she doesn't really care about them. So it stands out that she is a) genuinely curious about what Jinshi could be thinking/feeling and b) thinking hard about how to reply to him. Especially since she knows she's not good with her words.

Also the fact that Maomao is acknowledging she isn't good at recognizing others affection for her is an almost roundabout way of acknowledging that she recognizes Jinshi could possibly have affection for her. She knows it's a gap she has and it's something she is considering when thinking about what Jinshi could possible be feeling and thinking about in regards to her.

And despite her uncertainty, she still manages to find the most perfect thing--probably the one thing Jinshi needed to hear even if neither of them knew it.

In Japanese she says: 「私にとって、壬氏さまは壬氏さまです」 (To me, Master Jinshi is Master Jinshi). Given the fact that in a few pages we learn what Jinshi's actual name and status is, I think the repetition of his name here is super important. Jinshi will always be Jinshi to Maomao. Regardless of what his true name or his true status may be. Maomao will always consider him as "just", Master Jinshi. And that's exactly what he wants.

Unfortunately Jinshi then shoots himself in the foot by choosing this moment to give Maomao the much long-awaited ox bezoars and he ruins his chance to complete the ONE THING HE WANTED TO DO THIS WHOLE TRIP. Arguably though, I think giving this gift to her really sealed the deal for Maomao to toss away any bad feelings that might have lingered, so it worked out in the end.

Meanwhile... Gaoshun and Basen are both having a rough night.

The last line, on a first read, just makes Gaoshun seem like such a faithful husband--which I'm sure she is. On a re-read that line actually becomes hilarious when you have knowledge of Taomei. I'd be too terrified to even think of another woman, let alone look at one, if I was married to her.

I wonder if we will ever learn Gaoshun's "Ma" family name.

Also Gaoshun's interaction with this random official makes me think... how many people know who Jinshi is? Because the implication is that this official knows Jinshi and the "masked man" are one and the same, which means he must be a pretty significant official. I want to headcanon that it's someone like Hao, got the same smarmy vibes. But I feel like Hao is probably some degree of relation to Lady Lihua, so probably not? Anyway, not important.

And there we have it. The big reveal.

By the way - Ka Zuigetsu? I'm so sorry. I know the kanji for Zuigetsu (瑞月) is actually really pretty and has a really lovely meaning (Auspicious Moon), but I can only ever think of Ichigo's zanpakuto from Bleach (Zangetsu) and his dad's zanpakuto (En'getsu). That is to say, I low-key hate the name Zuigetsu. LOL. I AM SORRY. I JUST CAN'T NOT MAKE THE ASSOCIATION.

I guess because his last name uses the Japanese reading, "Ka" instead of mandarin "Hua", Natsu-sensei felt she had to stick with the full Japanese reading and called him Zuigetsu, but Ka Ruiyue would have sounded soooo much better. Heck even Ka Zuiyue since the Emperor calls him Zui and Ah-Duo calls him Yue. The ultimate bastardization of Japanese and Mandarin pronunciation.

Anyway - I'm with Maomao. Jinshi is always going to be Jinshi. Maybe Zui, maybe Yue (it's a cute nickname!), but Zuigetsu? Absolutely not.

Final Thoughts

I think I must've mentioned this when we started LN3, but this is one of the volumes I was most excited to re-read. It's one of my favourites because of how much it expands the world of The Apothecary Diaries. This is the book where we learn more about the working of the rear palace, the former emperor, and we even get the name of this country we're in--Li, and a sparknotes version of it's history!

I also like how, despite Maomao still being the main narrator, it is a very Jinshi focused book. It begins with Jinshi as a child, scared, confused, and I feel like that sentiment follows him throughout the novel. He is still confused, he is unsure of himself, he tries his best and has good ideas, but he doesn't know what to do with Maomao and when he gets the opportunity he completely fumbles it. He's just... he's so sad. XD;;;

It's also the novel where I think we really begin to see Maomao's perspective of Jinshi change. Of course there's the events in the cave, but I don't think Maomao's easy acceptance of his apology would have panned out the way it did without all the small nuggets prior that reveal a much more positive view of Jinshi compared to LN1. The small moments where they bicker (Jinshi drinking her tea), the moments where Maomao appreciates Jinshi's initiatives and his professionalism--it's there, sprinkled in and out. Her thoughts about him are shifting whether she knows it or not and I am looking forward to continuing to closely observe how their dynamic continues to shift as we get further on in the series.

Onto volume 4!

[the-lost-profile]

A redraw of the art from LN6, yes the one after the infamous LN5 choking epilogue. It's one of my favourite Maomao's outfits.(I really like the one from the Named Clan meeting in LN14)

[ladykyriaa]

I would say this reblog from @chibimui pretty much sums it up honestly. I was originally confused if, that scene had been translated differently from the original LN. Some words gotta be fitted into english, and obviously there's no way it could ever be 100% accurate. I'm not gonna fault them for that obv.

BUT. Coming from someone that actually reads KnH fanfiction on pixiv (with a very, roughly and shitty google translate), japanese fic writers really do mention that scene a lot. And I don't just mean it in a, "oh this happened once, several years ago"

But in a "I'm gonna add this one power dynamic scene again!!!" And let's not even mention the fanarts, they LOVE it.

At the end of the day, I'm just gonna chalk it up to our own interpretations honestly💁‍♀️

(Also if you do end up making that LN5 epilogue post, I would love to read it)

So..is this why I've been getting the vibes that japanese readers and fanartists fucking love that scene while the internationals are...idk kinda horrified/confused/not really getting it?

[ascendance-bookworm]

Ehrenfest Map - Part 3

Purple - Florencia and Elvira’s faction

Yellow - Leisegang faction

Red - Veronica faction

Green - Neutral

None - undetermined / neutral

Groschel (Leisegang)

Giebe Groschel

oldest daughter, Lady Brunhilde, (3rd year archnoble, attendant to Rozemyne) amber eyes, crimson hair

youngest daughter, Lady Bertilde (archnoble, same age as Charlotte)

Paper making workshop established [LN17]

Printing Workshop established [LN17]

Brunhilde is firmly in the Leisegang faction, as the daughter of Giebe Groschel who is a descendant of the First Giebe Groschel who though political marriage to Gabriele from Ahrensbach, lost out on being Aub Ehrenfest.  Under different  circumstances, Brunhilde might have been an archduke candidate. Close ties thru marriage to Leisegang and Haldenzel.

Glaz

Giebe Glaz (laynoble) [LN 7]

son, Bernadet [LN 8]

Kirnberger (Neutral ?)

Giebe Kirnberger

- - -

Kirnberger knight, father to Judithe, mednoble guarding the country gate in Kirnberger (Fanbook 2)

daughter, Judithe (2nd year mednoble, guard knight to Rozemyne) violet eyes, bright fluffy orange hair

son, Theodore (mednoble, same age as Charlotte)

Judithe also doesn’t seem as interested in politics as yet, her province and Giebe is mentioned as being neutral by Brunhilde (Fanbook 2 - Starting Life as a Retainer)

Hirsch

Giebe Hirsch

Kark

Giebe Kark

Haseney

Giebe Haseney

Dahldolf

Giebe, Viscount ( Neutral ?)

first wife (deceased)

first son, heir, Jeremias (son of first wife)

second wife, current first wife, Gloria, Viscountess Gloria, Lady Gloria (Veronica faction)

Youngest son, Shikza, (Gloria’s son) executed because of Rozemyne and Ferdinand LN5)

From LN11 epilogue with Gloria as the POV, we learn that she is firmly in Veronica’s faction. As a second wife with a son born with little mana she worked hard to give her son what little advantages she could by getting close to Veronica and her little brother the High Bishop. When her son was executed for going against Ferdinand and Rosemyne, Gloria only lives to get revenge.

Her husband seems more neutral, he is unaware of her politics and actions as she hides them from him, and seems to be trying to stay neutral after Shikza brought on such shame to their family.

Joisontak (current state ?)

Giebe Joisontak (failed to kidnap Charlotte, executed [LN12])

sister, Rosemary (third wife of Karstedt, deceased)

From what I can determine is that this is an ambitious but not very bright family. Rosemary being a mednoble had a high enough mana and caught the eye of Karstedt to became is third wife (most likely his only personal choice / love marriage as the first two were politically motivated). Even though Karstedt was enamored of her, she and her family seemed to have caused lot of problems especially for his second wife Trudeliede (who came from the Veronica faction, not sure which family [LN17]) which forced his first wife Elvira (Florencia / Leisegang connections) to step in and takes sides with Trudeliede, which considering her Veronica faction connections says a lot against the Joisontak over reaching.

Trying to get closer to Rosemyne, who was presented as Rosemyne’s secret daughter, Giebe Joisontak was tricked by Giebe Gerlach into kidnapping Charlotte in order to play the hero to Rozemyne when he helped her ‘rescue’ her sister, the plan failed and he was executed. [LN12]

Bessel

Giebe Bessel

[chibimui]

The Apothecary Diaries LN3 Thoughts - Ch18-19

LN 3: Prologue-ch2 - ch3-5 - ch6-8 - ch9-11 - ch12-13 - ch14 - ch15-17

Honestly this post was basically just about chapter 19 because... well, who doesn't have a lot of thoughts about this moment? I took a pretty specific approach to talking about this chapter though because I find it interesting how much more positively people look at the events in the cave compared to the LN5 epilogue, and I kinda wanted to poke at that discrepancy a bit.

What do I mean by that? Guess you can read more to find out.

(Warning: These thoughts may contain spoilers from later light novels all the way up until LN15.)

Chapter 18 - The Hunt (Part 2)

It's kind of interesting how much this chapter insists that Shishou couldn't be involved. I do wonder if he knew about this particular incident, or not. I always assumed he did, but when I think about Shishou's motivations for doing what he did, and Jinshi actually getting killed in the process it never really adds up to me.

If I remember correctly, Shishou allowed Shenmei to do whatever she wanted because a) he was too cowardly to actually stand up to her, and b) to weed out all the bad eggs in court because he actually was still loyal to the royal family. But, if he was trying to attempt B, my question again - which I am pretty sure I brought up in the last assassination attempt - is... what would Shishou have done if these plots actually succeeded? What if Jinshi had actually died...?

I guess if Jinshi died the Emperor would have probably put in 1000% trying to find the culprit so I guess all the bad eggs in court would have been routed anyway, but... I feel like having a crown prince killed is objectively not in the best interests of a royal family that is already low on heirs. Anyway. It's all fine because Maomao saves the day.

I just want to say the Sunday GX manga with the panel of Maomao holding the gun is absolute fire and the best take to this scene by the way.

Chapter 19 - The Hunt (Part 3) 🐸

As I said in my intro, it kind of surprises me how much people are more willing to let this chapter slide as a fun joke while LN5 epilogue is so contentious. I remember when I reached this chapter the first time I was like "haha oh I get the frog jokes now" and then very quickly I was like "WAIT JINSHI STOP" because... objectively, Jinshi also assaults Maomao this chapter too? And in some ways I feel like his actions this chapter actually come off worse given where their relationship is. He's just lucky the dog stopped him.

I'm getting ahead of myself though. Rewind to the start.

First off... Jinshi performing CPR on Maomao... *smirks* (although in reality performing CPR on someone is super unsexy, LOL).

Second, I looked up what is the tallest dive someone has done because jumping 50 meters is WILD, and it's apparently 58.5m. So I guess Jinshi jumping from that height is feasible, but in reality I am 100% sure Maomao would have died. LOL.

This moment is hilarious because even though it's entirely from Maomao's POV, everyone and anyone knows that Jinshi is probably having a crisis off to the side. He is probably wondering if he actually smashed is head during the jump, died, and is now living in one of his fantasies. He is suffering.

On a more serious note - I think Jinshi's mentality here is important to consider given what is about to occur a few pages later. He's 19 (or probably 20 by this point?), yes he's taking some version of hormone blockers but I doubt they're as effective as our modern days ones. The girl he's attracted to has literally just started stripping in front of him after he nearly got killed AND he is both dehydrated and probably starving. Mentally and emotionally, this guy is probably at his limit.

This moment is so cute. One of the few rare moments we get in the early days where I think they're both just being entirely themselves--even if Maomao held back her full reaction, the fact that she still let out a small pout speaks volumes. Jinshi afterwards licking his fingers like a kid adds to this.

The words used to describes Maomao's feelings in this moment in Japanese are 恐る恐る (osoruosoru), which is an adverb to describe a nervous/timid action that occurs as a result of feeling fearful.

I highlight this because for me personally when I read this chapter in English, Maomao being afraid, at this point, didn't really register. The word "uneasy" to me feels more like someone is worried about an external situation, but not necessarily fearful of personal danger. She does panic more later, but I think reading the Japanese it really struck me that actually Maomao was probably low-key panicking right from the very beginning (whether she even realizes it herself or not).

This is also the first instance in this chapter where Maomao expresses not wanting to get dragged into things, although she does acknowledging bringing a bit of this onto herself. The highlighted part by the way is a mistranslation - in the Japanese text Maomao notes that she was the one that brought Jinshi further into the woods which results in him becoming an easier target (i.e. she is at fault).

This is another moment where the Japanese really creates a different vibe compared to the English. The way it was structured, it really felt like I was reading directly into Maomao's thoughts as she slowly became aware of what just happened and who saved her fall.

It also made me realize... I consider the end of LN4 as the first moment Maomao connects Jinshi to safety, but I think this is actually the first real moment where Jinshi saves Maomao from harm (I don't count him jumping off the cliff because that was just as much for himself). On one hand you can read her increased heart rate as just due to falling and the proximity, but in Japanese the first phrase you read is actually "There was no pain".

It's very direct and to the point. In Japanese, the line to indicate Jinshi's silence is just "..........". The lack of pain is truly the first thought Maomao has, and then the feel of warm skin underneath her, the arms around her and the word used in Japanese to describe the hold is ぎゅっと (gyutto). Jinshi isn't just holding her closely, but tightly. The way Jinshi caught Maomao in this moment is the epitome of safety--to not have to experience pain, to be held close, to feel warmth--whether Maomao reflects on it or not, I think this moment left a pretty deep impression on her.

And then... well, Maomao gets a fistful of.... 🐸 and Jinshi gets a teaser of what may come in a future where they get married. LOL.

Maomao is panicking (for multiple reasons, one because of massive embarrassment and two because she just learned a secret she really doesn't want to know!!!)

The focus on how muscular Jinshi's body is in this particular moment is... a choice. It's almost like Maomao is completely re-assessing and fully registering the concept of Jinshi as a man. A male person. I won't go so far as to say it's a sexual awakening for Maomao, but it's certainly a huge restructuring in her assessment of him as someone she could be attracted to.

So... remember how back in ch4 I mentioned there is a particular pattern Jinshi and Maomao follow when they fight? Here it is again, simplified if you need a quick reminder:

Jinshi wants something, Maomao refuses.

Jinshi acts put out.

Maomao doubling down on her decision and nitpicking at his disappointment.

Jinshi getting back at her by being a petty little shit and getting what he wants anyway.

Here are steps 1-3. Jinshi wants something, Maomao refuses, Jinshi is clearly put out/angry/upset/hurt, Maomao ignores it, and then doubles down (again, because in this case she is panicking). Jinshi, who is not one to back down, goes for a round 2.

Maomao, of course, doesn't back down an inch either. In fact, for most of this fight Maomao definitely has the upper hand - she is beating Jinshi's ego down hard, and what does she do when she realizes her hits are landing? SHE GETS CLOSER INTO HIS FACE. The nitpicks, she pokes, she pushes even more because they're children and this is a childish fight. It's literally "EW BOYS ARE GROSS, THEY'RE SLIMY" and "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M SLIMY?!?!"

And it really shows how far their relationship has come. The whole time she's been nervous about getting dragged into his mess, questioning "Just how important IS HE" and wanting to protect herself from it all.... and now here she is, sitting on his lap, getting in to his face to insult his pride---all her self preservation instincts gone out the window.

Unfortunately for Maomao, when Jinshi can't win fights with words (which he typically can't because Maomao really knows how to hit where it hurts), he tends to resort to direct action to get what he wants, completing "step 4" of the process.

Now, I don't personally actually care whether people consider what Jinshi does assault, but I feel if someone is going to be grasping their pearls at the LN5 epilogue, I genuinely think what he does here (highlighted part) is basically on the same level. What he's doing here is overtly sexual, it's meant to be dominating, to put Maomao in a very compromising position. He does it purposely to get a reaction out of her, and she is clearly freaking the fuck out given the physical reaction that is described (goosebumps and sweating).

I don't think Maomao is scared of Jinshi necessarily in this moment, but she is scared of what Jinshi might do. Remember the pattern. Maomao realizes we have reached step 4 - the part where Jinshi takes her cup of tea anyway, the part where Jinshi gets what he wants anyway.

To be fair to Jinshi though, I do not think he was really going to do anything that terrible - at most it seems like he was trying to go in for a kiss by the end. I think he pauses whatever he was initially going to do because he notices Maomao freaking out. Unfortunately, I also think his horny brain was still a bit too active mixed in with his desire to "win" this dumb fight. I also feel like, just as Maomao is registering Jinshi as an actual attractive male, this is also probably the moment Jinshi really registers for himself that he is attracted to Maomao, that he wants her. For Jinshi, I think there is an element of a sexual awakening happening here.

Does he even remember that he hasn't actually told her his real identity? I don't know, but I feel like he's so caught up in the emotion of... basically all his pent up feelings, the stress of the day, that by this point that he is just acting on impulse. He likes Maomao, he's attracted to her, he's in a position where he can "win", and he's going to go for it.

Except he doesn't because a good doggie saves the day.

I suspect partly why people seem more okay with the events in the cave is because we get more of Maomao's perspective immediately after the fact. It's pretty clear she doesn't blame Jinshi, and she also acknowledges her role in escalating things as we see in this bit at the very end:

(we see you calling it a "fine" frog Maomao, we see you).

So--all in all, what is my conclusion of this chapter after all my rambling?

Again to me, I don't really care to label what Jinshi does because these are fictional characters doing fictional things in a fictional world--that's up for you to decide, but I do think that the double standard between this chapter and LN5 epilogue is... somewhat odd given the circumstances of both.

Jinshi may be a bit more physically violent in LN5, but I think why I feel an argument exists that this chapter is just as bad (if not worse) is because Maomao is actually scared throughout the events of this chapter. Jinshi's actions might not be as bad on paper, but Maomao's emotions are much more negative. She is panicking, she doesn't want to know who Jinshi is, she's scared of what he might do to her. I also think this is why Jinshi manages to restrains himself in a way he doesn't do in LN5--because Maomao isn't actually scared of him at all in LN5, they are just mad at each other.

In this chapter, I think Maomao is scared and Jinshi is confused, frustrated and hurt. They are both kind of low-key realizing there is a physical attraction in their relationship and neither of them know what to do about it, which results in them fighting like literal 10 year olds screaming about cooties.

My real real thoughts? Despite how seriously I talked about this chapter, I actually find this chapter so unserious. It's so silly, and for the most part I just find it hilarious. I love how Natsu-sensei basically takes what could have been a typical romantic relationship development scene and flips it on it's head because Maomao is so unromantic she's just like *strips* "sorry I'm not sexy enough" and then when she gets a handful of Jinshi she's just like "OMG GROSS WTF GROSS GET THIS OFF ME WTFFFFF" (Which, yeah, that is gross.) and Jinshi is understandably SO OFFENDED.

So that's that!

Anyway, I'm ending it here for today because if I add in the epilogue and my final thoughts this post will get too long. We're almost done LN3 though folks!!

[epilogue + final thoughts]