Keiii's Favorite

I honestly can appreciate Taku as a fictional character because I do find him interesting and layered. But I am TIRED of ppl claiming he was incredibly sincere and cared about Haesoo so much. Idk if some of y’all skipped these parts, or chose to ignore it... but pls do see the following examples of Taku's manipulative and selfish behavior, and taking advantage of Haesoo:

Exhibit 1 - He wanted to use his sex tape to guilt trip Haesoo in their relationship. He said: “I hoped that guilt would bring you to me”. It only didn't happen cause Haesoo turned down publishing the sex tape. It was not that Taku backed away and stopped himself because he realized how fcked up his actions were. It made Haesoo uncomfortable and weirded out too,, pretty sure this can count as sexual/workplace harassment lmao

Exhibit 2 - In chapter 96’s flashback Taku says "i just want to read the story he writes about me when i'm gone” (his friend calls him an asshole too lol). This is a throwback to Leo telling Joowon over the phone about how Taku uses his models for his work, and then tosses them aside with little regard. He was planning the same with Haesoo, until he later got “attached”. that’s karma ig~

Exhibit 3 - Haesoo expressed that he was unsure/not ready for a relationship. Yet literally RIGHT AFTER his quasi breakup with Joowon, Taku is pressuring him like, "I'm still waiting for an answer". It's weird cause Haesoo's wounds are fresh from his breakup, and Taku is NOT stupid. He knew this and persisted. Haesoo shouldn't have agreed and that's his own fault (HS is not entirely a victim here lets make that clear). Meanwhile Taku? He was flat out taking advantage of Haesoo's broken emotions.

Exhibit 4 - Quote: “It must have been painful for him no doubt, but I still wanted to see more". This was Taku's thought during a photoshoot with Haesoo, which later made Haesoo cry at the exhibition (Chapter 92/93). Taku told Haesoo: "think about having sex with someone you love, but you can never see them again". This was RIGHT AFTER Joowon and Haesoo's big separation. To inflict emotional pain in your partner, and then say you were interested in seeing more? Bruh no… just no.

Exhibit 5 - Quotes: “Every time I saw how sad you were, it felt good.” “You were lonely. You need me because of your unhappiness.” —Chapter 58. This is from Taku's monologue of how Haesoo’s unhappiness made him feel good, because he felt depended on by Haesoo for comfort // hs get away from this man pls haha

Exhibit 6 - Another quote: “If I can’t beat him [jw] one-on-one, then I at least want you [hs] to feel bad” —Chapter 66 ...Can Taku stop wishing for Haesoo depression, like he's already sad jfc

Exhibit 7 - "I want to bury inside the void he [jw] left in you. And later I'll push him aside however I can." ...honestly this quote struck me as Taku taking advantage of Haesoo's heartbreak and being hella 'opportunistic' (btw: Taku called HIMSELF that in his interview in chapter 5 so I mean... lol). Maybe that's just me though idk.

Exhibit 8 - In Chapter 84 when Joowon's scandal broke out, notice how Taku starts texting "are you okay?" to Haesoo, then deletes it and instead tells him to stop caring about Joowon? This moment said a lot to me, because it's the fact that Taku is SO AWARE of how Haesoo must be feeling, but he purposely chooses to ignore that and cares more about winning and keeping him away from Joowon. Kinda struck me as the opposite from Joowon's phone call after Haesoo's modelling news dropped in chapter 68. JW asked Haesoo to not do the exhibition because he knew its not what HS wanted (he is right: haesoo always wanted to be known for his writing not his face, and felt crappy abt it all day). But when Haesoo said he was fine, JW told him he'll always be on Haesoo's side even as a hyung/friend. He made it so clear how he cares the most about HS simply being okay, even after Haesoo left him.

Exhibit 9 - Taku tells Haesoo he hopes he has a hard time with Joowon after their breakup (Chapter 99). It felt wrong to me cause Haesoo genuinely apologized and gently let him down in their breakup... but Taku tries to make Haesoo feel worse. I honestly understand being spiteful towards exes who mistreated you in some way. HOWEVER with this relationship: it seemed to highlight Taku’s selfishness. Taku is out here acting like Haesoo wronged him for simply not liking him back in a 1 month TRIAL relationship. As if he wasnt the one who initiated and *insisted* on their relationship. As if he was unaware of Haesoo’s feelings for Joowon. As if Taku didnt say it was better that they use each other. Him wanting to make Haesoo feel bad over this is wild considering all the conditions of their relationship and his past manipulation too.
((Also, Taku in this scene to Haesoo: “Sorry I told you I'm not a good person” … Like sir, if you know you’re not a good person, THEN FIX IT. Joowon spent almost 40 chapters self-reflecting n trying to correct the mistakes he made, when he never *intentionally* wanted to hurt Haesoo lol. Meanwhile some Taku fans: “omg he’s a good person that was wronged. haesoo never deserved him!” lmaooo))

///end of examples

Anyway I’m gonna have to start sending this to some of y’all who selectively read Taku’s character to all hell. He was really manipulative with Haesoo and had some bad intentions. And when Taku grew to stop being a robot and showed “real feelings” getting all attached to Haesoo and liking him more than he expected, he was STILL selfish and wanted Haesoo to suffer for him. He didn’t get enough development to stray away from that, but imo that’s exactly why he’s the second lead
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This spoiler could be found in Novelupdates forum. Here's the link; https://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/please-dont-eat-me-saha.102123/page-3

I just copy-pasted what was written there. So, here's part 1. I'll comment the next part here.

This happened after ch.11 of the novel. Ertha and her siblings were already in the duke's mansion.

Ertha is making a preparation for the wedding, while Ethan and Charles are learning etiquette.

Because Zahid destroyed the Vatican (he did this because of the Pope who has an interest in Ertha) on the day the Pope calls Ertha, the Emperor calls him. Ertha comes along with Zahid. That’s where they meet the prince of Bahalun, Hesion. He’s the wizard of water. He actually admires Zahid.

Then suddenly Ertha’s hand was hurt by roses’s thorn (i kinda forgot this part and i lost the raw for this particular chapter so it might not be 100% accurate). Hesion smells her blood and his focus gets blurry. That’s the beginning of his interest towards Ertha.

As a punishment for destroying the Vatican, Zahid will join the battlefield again, he’ll bring Ertha after their wedding, other people only kniw that they will go on their ‘honeymoon trip’.

Ertha goes to the market, but she gets kidnapped. She’s surrounded by a lot of men, and scared. Zahid saves Ertha.

After he saves her, he’s been thinking by himself, he never feels this way (cares about someone) up until now.

The Princess of Bahalun, Diana comes to the Duke’s residence when Zahid hasn’t arrived yet. She meets Ertha.

When Diana hears Zahid has arrived, she tells Ertha “pardon me for what I’m about to do” then she poured the drink on her. Zahid sees it and did the same to the princess.

Ertha accompanies Diana to change her clothes since it’s ruined. Diana tells Ertha that she likes her, she warns Ertha that Zahid is a madman. Ertha sees Diana’s body and notices there’s a lot of bruises on her body. (Ohoo, what happened to her)

Ertha and Zahid ride a horse in some-kind of garden field. Charles and Ethan ride a pony. They have a very good time here (this place will be mentioned again in the future, when they’re—cough)

The wedding day is finally come. They kiss very passionately. It becomes the talk of people. On their first night. Ertha is on her period (I’ve gave spoiler for this one). They spend the night while talking.

They go to the southern part, the place where they have a war with Niacal. There’s Zahid’s place too in there, called the Ishtaban Castle, they will go there.

Zahid had two types of knight. But the one who mentioned frequently is the Nameless Knight, Ronya is the leader (she’s a woman), Anchen is the deputy. Anchen...that big guy..is really like to read romance novels, while Ronya is a crazy woman.

When they’ve arrived on the southern part. Ertha is currently alone in the bedroom. She falls asleep. Then realizes someone hugs her, and the person is not Zahid. She recognizes who the person is, he’s Hirkan, the wizard of earth.

(A little information: Hirkan has used magic since he was a child, Niacal uses him to join the war. He has never been purified before and use all kind of accessories in his body made by the crazy Pope, Xenosius, but it’s not enough).

When Hirkan comes to Ertha, he’s already been so desperate and hurt. While hugging, Zahid suddenly cames and he’s mad. Ertha tells Zahid not to kill Hirkan. Hearing she mentions Hirkan’s name, Zahid says “you’re already familiar” but Ertha can’t say it’s because she knows from the novel.

Hirkan is still desperate, suddenly Ertha’s body moves by itself and tries to scratch her neck using the blade, she’s bleeding. Zahid stops her and deals with Hirkan. (Her action was controlled by Arantium at the moment). This is where the Nameless Knights see for the first time that Zahid is a wizard (because no one know). Later Ronya realizes about the contract marriage since Ertha is purifier, Zahid is a wizard.

(Another information: don’t forget about Essis, the God and Arantium, the betrayer who once was an angel in this story, they will play an important part, really really important)

While sleeping, Ertha dreams about Arantium that night. She sees Arantium was really mad at Essis. She’s been speculating that Arantium is not betrayer since this moment. When she wakes up, Ertha can’t breathe, Zahid helps her until she calms, they end up kissing in here).

Because they already capture Hirkan, they have a negotiation with Niacal and decide to end the war and Ertha offers a deal. Hirkan will come with them (Zahid and Ertha). Ertha will purify him. This happen without the knowledge of anyone in the Empire, only a few people will know, even Charles and Ethan don’t know.

The war ended quickly, then Zahid and Ertha go to Ishtaban Castle. They walk on the beach. While Zahid leaves her for a while, a man tries to flirt with her. Zahid comes, but the man still persistent, he doesnt recognize Zahid. Zahid attacks him in the end. Then Zahid and Ertha go to Arantium temple. The man from earlier brought his ally, turns out they’re pirates.

Zahid asks Ertha “which one would you choose? Fast and cruel or a little longer but less cruel?” Ertha is scared because she’s still traumatized by the kidnapping. Zahid says it won’t happen again, he will make sure of that and closes Ertha’s eyes.

***