Tramps Like Us

Tramps Like Us. It was a manga I purchased dirt cheap in a second hand book shop around the metro stop of Notting Hill Gate, London. It was pure coincidence. It was in the basement, buried under other books. I almost didn't buy it because my package was pretty heavy already and it had to be lighter than 20kg. It was an utter coincidence I bought it. If Satrio didn't point out the basement and the dirt cheap books, if Eleanor wouldn't have picked it up and then discarded it, I don't think I'd have seen it, ever.

But I did. And bought it. I read the first two chapters right that night. The story appealed to me in so many ways. I mean a working woman takes on a guy as a pet. He is an easygoing, younger guy. She gets a clean, decently-behaved, intelligent pet, he gets a place to live, food to fill his stomach and amazing backrubs. She gets to vent her anger and spoil her pet, he gets pampered and spoiled... and sometimes yelled at. They click. But of course there is a catch: no romantic feelings and absolutely no sex.

And then you have to read about his exes, her big relationship with an old flame, almost getting married with said old flame while her pet hardly ever gets recognized as a guy by her. Although he is trying and hard.

Through agonizing volumes this goes on. Until finally, finally the woman gets a clue.

I finally got to read the last 6 volumes tonight. Let's just say this was a huge overload.

But somehow this manga was dear to me because hell, as a working woman I'd love to have a pet like that. Easy to amuse yourself, you don't have to worry about cajoling said pet out of it's cage, he wouldn't scratch the sofa, no poop on the carpet and he can actually tell what the hell is wrong or what he wants to eat. Pure win.

Yeah, I have a scary and twisted personality. But I don't care. I don't think there is anything wrong with wishing to be an office woman who keeps a guy who has his own life by day but is your pseudo-pet in the evenings. Ok, the no sex and no feelings attached rule is pretty stupid, but otherwise... I'd take that anytime.

And yeah. I am serious. Crazy as it sounds. Although I don't have sadistic or masochistic tendencies out of the norm.