Teasing someone for being different doesn't qualify as a phobia. I'm sure all of the teasing and insults I got for being a redhead were just because I was unusual, not because people hated me.
And it's not that Renko necessarily hates homosexuality. It could simply be that her classmates were intending the accusation as an insult, and she was offended by their desire to ridicule. Even if she and Maribel were happily in a relationship together, she'd want to beat up people who were teasing them about it as though it was weird and wrong.
I'm pretty sure Chainsaw Guitar isn't talking about Renko's behaviour when he (or she) mentions homophobia, but her classmates'. (Also, it's not a clinical phobia, but it is the most common term for anti-homosexual prejudice and behaviour.)
Regarding which, yes, homophobia is everywhere - most particularly by the same sex (since they usually feel more threatened by it). I once read something describing the stereotypical young male as "can't get enough of lesbian porn, but they'd beat a faggot to death"; I'm sure the converse is frequently true of young women as well.
Red_Inugami said: And it's not that Renko necessarily hates homosexuality. It could simply be that her classmates were intending the accusation as an insult, and she was offended by their desire to ridicule. Even if she and Maribel were happily in a relationship together, she'd want to beat up people who were teasing them about it as though it was weird and wrong.
I have to ask, how the hell did you come to that conclusion? It's obvious here that Renko also thinks of it as a bad thing, but is more angry at the people for spreading blatant lies about her and Maribel. Thinking of myself in her place, I'd be pissed off and angry at falsely being called gay too, especially in a negative sense. I'm not a pro-gray person, but bullying and hurting someone because they are (gay) is even far more morally wrong and just plain despicable.
I also have a feeling that this is maybe the artist's probable reaction to the constant romantic shipping of Renko and Hearn. It seems so obvious...
For some reason, I could kinda think this could be semi-canon, as while some people ship them as girlfriends, they’re just friends, and only friends. And also, I kinda like that Merry actually cared about Renko as her FRIEND, sometimes is nice to have a friend...
...the reason for her tears.Mary.We're just friends!Some heartless classmates of ours started spreading some baseless rumor that Mary and I were in a homosexual relationship with one another.I, in my anger at seeing my best friend insulted......got into years' worth of fights denying it.Mary and me?! You think that's the truth?!Shut up, lesbo.Don't insult my friend like that again!I was worried about the horribly shocked face I saw Mary make out of the corner of my eye, though.Mary, why are you crying?But it's okay now. The guys who were spreading the rumor promised not to do it anymore.I didn't understand......Thank you.It's a bit of an old story.Did I scare you? I'm sorry.Hey.C'mon, look at me?No... it's nothing.I'm sorry.