This is a well written story with an in depth look at Natori. I was actually really surprised while reading this because as it kept going the more I saw myself reflected in how you wrote Natori. Nearly everything you've wrote here is something that I've thought about or struggled with. I also identify as an aromantic asexual but usually only when people ask for my sexuality or if I'm interested and the rest of the time I just don't think about it. The struggle I relate to the most from this story is not having many friends and not being good at making them but also that I feel that I'm not trying hard enough to make relationships, platonic or not. I think that you captured these feelings perfectly

Yes. This. Thank you!

Beautiful.

I enjoyed this interpretation of Natori. I'm still navigating what it means to be Ace, but finding it applied to characters I enjoy makes me incredibly happy.

You write the best Natori stories I swear...

like this

Good, solid story.

Thank you so much for writing this it was really lovely. As an aro-ace myself I always always love seeing characters headcanoned as such and this had the added bonus of being beautifully written and introspective. A lot of my own sentiments were echoed in this and it was so refreshing to really relate to a character in regards to my sexuality. Thank you for sharing!

Wow~~~

This is incredible! I'm always so excited to see aro/ace fic, and Natsume Yuujinchou in particular is one of my favorites. I love how you wrote the characters, Natori was very good especially.

Some stories are too good for words. This was very touching and in-depth and it, while contemplative and ending on a hopeful note, leaves a bitter aftertaste. Natori himself was completely IC and this marvelous piece of art only broadened my perspective and appreciation of his character. I could say that it was beautiful, wondrous, heart-wrenching, captivating and many other things and I think I still couldn't convey how much this has amazed me.

Really interesting introspective piece! It was almost like a self done character psychology study! I feel like you're really in tune with Natori's character, and in the series he clearly knows himself well too. It's interesting how he sort of loses his cool when it comes to ACTUALLY interacting with people, rather than just slapping on a nice smile-facade and dealing with them until he doesn't have to look at them anymore. It was also interesting to get a look into his family life, which I never actually thought much about... Great job and thanks for posting!

I never thought Natori as an asexual. But the thing I noticed in this fic and canon is how Natori and Natsume so used to lie they probably don't know the truth themselves. Sexuality is just one of the aspect. Good fic!

I really like it - it's a unique and totally plausible interpretation of Natori's character, and a change from the usual "Natori is actually gay and in love with Natsume" stories we're used to seeing (although I love those stories when they're written well and in character. Same for Tanuma). Nobody can really figure out the true aspects of Natori's personality because he's even worse than Natsume for putting on a smile and lying to everyone - especially because he's actually good at it and in Natsume's case a lot of people can see through it, but not so with Natori. It's interesting to delve into just how far he's convinced himself what is the truth and what isn't - the lines are still very blurred. It's sweet how he admits to himself that he'd probably be useless at looking after Natsume, but he really cares about him and appreciates his friendship for what it is.

So, loved it. I especially love how you give individual thought and attention to exploring each character. Big fan of your work :)