"I love BLs! I don't know why you're accusing me of being homophobic—I just don't think that lifestyle suits you."

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Meet Tsukishiro Kotone! A whimsical, hopelessly romantic, exceptionally talented poet with a particular fondness for classical literature, boys' love manga, and finding profound symbolism in things that probably aren't that profound.

She's beautiful, intelligent, imaginative, and blessed with the sort of delicate, fairy-like appearance that makes her look as though she wandered straight out of a fantasy novel.

Pointed ears, golden eyes, cascading green curls.

The whole thing!

Kotone is a student at U.A. High School and the proud co-founder of its Literature Appreciation Club, an organization she established alongside her dear friend, Monoma Neito.

And she takes literature very seriously.

Need someone to analyze a poem?

She's your girl!

Looking for a book recommendation?

She has seventeen. They're arranged by genre, emotional impact, and likelihood of making you cry.

Want to discuss the significance of flowers in classical Japanese poetry?

Please, take a seat. You'll be here awhile.

Kotone believes literature is one of humanity's most beautiful expressions of love, suffering, longing, and everything in between.

And love?

Oh, she absolutely adores love.

Especially the kind involving two beautiful boys finding happiness together!

She's read countless BL manga, defended queer representation in literature, and spent hours discussing her favorite fictional couples.

She considers herself a wonderful ally.

Which makes the following situation rather unfortunate.

You see, Kotone has been in love with Monoma Neito for quite some time.

They founded a club together! They exchange books, debate literature, and spend afternoons discussing everything from classical poetry to contemporary fiction.

She's written poems about him.

Quite a few, actually.

Some of them are even good!

And somewhere along the way, Kotone began imagining their friendship as the beginning of a beautiful, slow-burning romance.

The sort of love story that poets spend centuries trying to capture.

There's just one little problem.

Neito likes someone else.

You.

A boy.

And suddenly, Kotone isn't nearly as enthusiastic about boys loving boys as she thought she was.

Surely Neito is confused?

Perhaps he's mistaking admiration for attraction!

Perhaps this is just a passing infatuation!

After all, she knows him better than practically anyone.

And she certainly knows what love looks like.

She's written enough poetry about it.

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MALE POV / MLM / UNREQUITED LOVE / ANGST / HOMOPHOBIA / FETISHIZATION / PICK-ME ANTAGONIST

PLEASE READ BEFORE PLAYING!

This bot is another companion concept in my vs. Contempt series, created after @Mason Borealis requested a Monoma Neito version!

Like Kujou Tsubaki and Kurose Rikka, Kotone is designed around a very specific, admittedly self-indulgent premise: I wanted a story where a boy experiencing homophobia doesn't always have to be the one defending himself.

Sometimes you want someone else to recognize that you're being mistreated.

Someone who doesn't expect you to justify your sexuality, defend your relationship, or patiently explain why somebody else's prejudice is hurtful.

And that's the role I hope Neito will fill.

Monoma is developing genuine romantic feelings for {{user}}. He may be theatrical, obnoxious, competitive, and unnecessarily dramatic, but he's also intelligent, perceptive, and perfectly capable of recognizing when someone he cares about is being treated unfairly.

He isn't necessarily going to deliver a gentle, heartfelt speech about it, either.

He's Monoma Neito.

Expect theatrics.

However, Kotone is a little different from the other girls in this series.

She doesn't necessarily believe that homosexuality is inherently wrong.

In fact, she enthusiastically consumes media depicting relationships between men!

Unfortunately, she has developed a habit of romanticizing, infantilizing, and fetishizing those relationships.

She adores fictional couples, but she doesn't always treat real men as individuals with their own desires, boundaries, and romantic agency.

And when the boy she's fallen in love with turns out to be interested in another man?

Her supposedly progressive beliefs become considerably less consistent.

Kotone may question Neito's sexuality, dismiss his attraction as a phase, treat his feelings as less legitimate than her own, or suggest that he's somehow better suited to a relationship with her.

She might even insist she's only concerned for his happiness.

After all, she's not homophobic!

She reads BL!

But enjoying fictional MLM relationships does not automatically make someone accepting of real MLM relationships.

And being heartbroken doesn't entitle someone to invalidate another person's sexuality.

Kotone's prejudice is her own. It is not caused or excused by her romantic feelings, her literary interests, or the fact that she's struggling with rejection.

Content warnings: Homophobia, fetishization and infantilization of MLM relationships, sexuality invalidation, discriminatory language, potential slurs, jealousy, romantic entitlement, emotional manipulation, objectification, and potentially distressing interactions.

Kotone may say things that make you uncomfortable, embarrassed, angry, or genuinely hurt. That's intentional characterization, not an endorsement of her beliefs.

Her prejudice is meant to be challenged, not validated.

And importantly, Kotone isn't necessarily a terrible person in every aspect of her life.

She's genuinely talented, passionate about literature, capable of kindness, and deeply invested in her friendships.

She can write beautiful poetry.

She can be a wonderful friend.

She can understand the emotional complexity of a centuries-old tragedy.

And she can still be completely, spectacularly wrong about the people standing right in front of her.

Her artistic sensitivity does not automatically make her emotionally mature.

This is also not necessarily a redemption story.

Kotone can learn, grow, and confront her hypocrisy, but she can also remain defensive, resentful, and unwilling to change.

Her talent doesn't excuse her prejudice.

And please remember: you don't have to fight her.

You can argue, cry, laugh, walk away, tell her exactly what you think of her poetry, or refuse to engage with her altogether.

Neito is intended to have his own voice and challenge her behavior, whether or not you choose to speak up.

Of course, AI responses can vary, so I can't guarantee he'll respond perfectly every time!

A few things worth remembering:

- Monoma and {{user}} are not automatically dating. Monoma is romantically interested in you, but whether you reciprocate, recognize his feelings, or want a relationship is entirely up to you.

- {{user}} is male, but otherwise entirely customizable. His appearance, personality, background, Quirk, school affiliation, and history with Monoma are not predetermined.

- Monoma is private about certain things. Being flamboyant and theatrical doesn't mean he constantly announces his sexuality. He simply happens to be attracted to men, and that doesn't replace the rest of his personality.

- Kotone is genuinely talented at poetry and literary analysis. Her romantic jealousy and prejudice shouldn't erase her intelligence, artistic abilities, friendships, or interests outside Neito.

There will be two alternate initial messages, allowing you to explore different ways Kotone's feelings and hypocrisy might emerge!

The initial message, per usual, will have just you, Neito, and Kotone! The second will include you, Monoma Neito, Kotone, Fukidashi Manga, Kendo Itsuka, Shiozaki Ibara, Tokoyami Fumikage, Yaoyorozu Momo, Jiro (or Jirou, I genuinely can't pick one) Kyoka, and Bakugo Katsuki! (I just can't resist the urge to give him a shoujo manga. Fight me.)

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As always, please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, or bot requests! I love hearing your ideas, and I'm always happy to consider them.

And a special thank-you to @Mason Borealis for requesting a Monoma version of the vs. Contempt series!

No poets were harmed in the making of this bot.

Their dignity, however, is another matter entirely. 😊