According to your imagination in an alternate universe Sumeragi Itsuki is not in love with Kaede Manyuda, also Sumeragi Itsuki owns Kaede Manyuda's life plan. How do you think Sumeragi Itsuki would have treated Kaede Manyuda then ?
I know how Sumeragi Itsuki, even though he owns Manyuda's life plan, at the same time helped Kaede Manyuda out of that depressed state and regained his self-confidence. I believe that a main reason why Sumeragi Itsuki helped Kaede out of that depressed state is the fact that she loves him. Even if Manyuda is so blind and doesn't realize this (he is the one with whom Sumeragi Itsuki is in love).
Sumeragi Itsuki saving Kaede Manyuda.
1.
2.
P.S: According to Chat GPT, as I said in the above comment, how Kaede Manyuda could end up suffering from Stockholm syndrome + a possible crime "for love", also caused by Stockholm Syndrome.
Dialogue from chapter 44 or 45 of the manga:
Sumeragi Itsuki(to Kaede Manyuda): How humiliating, to serve the girl you looked up to arrogantly for so long. I will use and abuse you for the rest of your life. Since your life is mine, are you willing to obey me for the rest of your life?”
Kaede Manyuda (to Sumeragi Itsuki in a resigned voice): This can't be that bad. /That's how it should be.
Option 1:
The development of Stockholm syndrome
Initial Submission and Acceptance: Manyuda begins to accept his humiliating role, seeing it as an inevitable consequence of his past actions. Initial resignation is a first step towards developing Stockholm syndrome, where the victim begins to rationalize the abuse as something "deserved" or "justified".
Emotional Dependence: As time goes on, Manyuda becomes more and more emotionally dependent on Itsuki. This dependence can be exacerbated by his isolation and lack of other sources of support or affection.
Feelings of Gratitude: At times, Itsuki may show small acts of kindness or reduce the severity of treatment, which Manyuda perceives as a form of affection. He begins to develop feelings of gratitude towards her for these small "favors".
Idealization of the aggressor: Manyuda begins to idealize the figure of Itsuki, seeing her not just as a owner, but as a savior, or someone who gives her a purpose in life, even if that purpose is humiliating.
Love as a survival mechanism: Feelings of love may appear as a psychological survival mechanism, with Manyuda coming to believe that through his love and submission, he can find some form of emotional security and reduce the pain of constant humiliation.
Extreme Behavior: In this state of dependence and distorted affection, Kaede Manyuda comes to completely identify her worth and existence with Sumeragi Itsuki's needs and desires. Anyone who upsets his owner becomes a potential danger that must be eliminated.
Kaede Manyuda(Talking to himself, thinking of Sumeragi Itsuki): If someone is harming my owner, I must stop them at all costs. My life has no other purpose than to protect her.
Possibility of "love" murder: This fixation becomes so strong that Kaede Manyuda may commit murder to protect Sumeragi Itsuki's honor and safety, even though she does not share his feelings.
Hypothetical Scenario: A rival student tries to defame Sumeragi Itsuki in public. In a fit of rage and twisted loyalty, Kaede Manyuda attacks that student, determined to defend her owner's honor.
Option 2:
1. Submission and Initial Acceptance
In the first stage, Manyuda begins to accept his slave status, seeing it as an inevitable consequence of his own arrogance and wrong decisions. He feels guilty for everything that has happened to him and begins to rationalize the abuse he is subjected to, telling himself that he deserves to be treated this way because he underestimated Itsuki and ignored the warnings of those around him.
Manyuda's thoughts:
"Everything that happened to me... I brought it on myself. If I hadn't been so arrogant, so blind... maybe I could have avoided it all. Now, this is my fate. I deserve it."
2. Emotional dependence
As Itsuki becomes his only source of constant interaction, Manyuda begins to become emotionally dependent on her. The isolation from the rest of the world and the lack of any other form of support make him see his mistress as the only constant in his life. This emotional dependence makes him increasingly obedient and docile towards Itsuki.
Manyuda's thoughts:
"Without her, what would I be? I'm bound to her now... I can't break away, nor would I want to... She's the only one who gives me meaning, even if it's a painful meaning."
3. Feelings of gratitude
Itsuki, for her part, can sometimes show small gestures of "kindness"—a reduction in punishment or a lighter task—which Manyuda interprets as signs of affection. At this stage, he begins to develop feelings of gratitude for these "small favors", forgetting about the abusive context in which he finds himself.
Manyuda's thoughts:
"When he lets me rest or when he doesn't humiliate me in public, it's like he's showing me a little pity... maybe even care. I should be grateful for that."
4. Idealization of the aggressor
At this stage, Manyuda begins to idealize Itsuki, seeing her not just as a proprietress, but as someone who gives her purpose in life. He begins to believe that she is more than an abuser – she is an important figure, perhaps even a savior. In his mind, she gives him direction, even if it is humiliating and painful.
Manyuda's thoughts:
"Itsuki…she's a lot smarter than I thought. Maybe all she's doing is helping me learn, getting stronger. In fact, without her…I'd have no purpose."
5. Love as a survival mechanism
Manyuda begins to develop feelings of distorted love for Itsuki, seeing this love as a survival mechanism. In his mind, love and submission to it become the only way to find some form of emotional security. Thus, he believes that if he proves his loyalty, he could escape the suffering.
Manyuda's thoughts:
"If I love her and obey her completely, maybe she'll show me affection too. Maybe one day she'll see me not just as a slave, but as someone important."
6. Extreme Behavior
His addiction becomes so intense that Manyuda devotes his entire existence to Itsuki's needs and desires. In this state of extreme submission, he comes to believe that anyone who upsets or harms his mistress becomes an enemy to be eliminated. Itsuki becomes the center of his world, and Manyuda is willing to do anything to protect her, even if it means hurting or killing someone.
Manyuda's inner monologue:
"If anyone dares to harm Itsuki, I must stop them. My life has no other purpose than to protect her... It doesn't matter what I have to do, I will do whatever it takes."
7. The possibility of a crime "for love"
This obsession comes to a head when Manyuda begins to be willing to commit murder to protect Itsuki's honor and safety, even if she does not share his feelings. At this point, Manyuda has completely lost his identity and sense of morality, and all of his actions are motivated by the desire to serve and protect his mistress.
Manyuda's thoughts:
"It doesn't matter what others think anymore. It doesn't even matter if she loves me or not. All that matters is that I protect her. If anyone gets in her way, they will pay dearly. I… I will be the one to defend at all costs."