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In These Words #2
In These Words, Volume 2
Das Katz-und-Maus-Spiel geht weiter: Ganz allein in dem verschlossenen Schutzhaus ist Psychologe Katsuya dem Serienkiller Shinohara schutzlos ausgeliefert! Doch welches kranke Spiel hat dieser für ihn vorgesehen? Und wieso hat er es überhaupt auf Katsuya abgesehen? Gibt es etwa eine tiefere Verbindung zwischen den beiden?
232 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2014
About the author
Kichiku Neko
51 books487 followersName: 鬼畜猫: Kichiku Neko (ナルキッソス)
Name (in native language): 猫鬼畜
Associated Names:
Guilt | Pleasure
G|P
KichikuNeko
narcissus
Sadistic Cat
Birth Place: Taiwan
Doujinshi Circle: Guilty Pleasure (G|P) with CHEN Jo
In Real life she is a cop. She is also a Taiwanese.
Horoscope: Scorpio
Favorite Places: Rome, Italy; Normandy, France.
Favorite Movies: Tampopo and Shall We Dance? (Japanese Version)
Hobbies: Travel; BL Manga/Novels/Drama CDs
Secret Lust: Men in sharp, expensive suits or uniforms
Genres: Drama / Mature / Psychological / Smut / Yaoi
Email: kichiku_neko@guiltpleasure.com
Social Networking:
http://kichiku-neko.livejournal.com/
https://twitter.com/Kichiku_Neko
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
March 29, 2023
sexy as fuck, but also confusing so far. maybe i was just too distracted by the sex scenes and couldn't figure out the plot properly. idk don't ask me the colour of anything
July 8, 2018
Yeah quick question, WHAT THE FUCK??? I mean I'm all for a good old-fashioned plot twist but you do realize that they actually need to MAKE SENSE, right? God, this was so disappointing after the first volume and I'm just so confused. The only reason this gets two stars instead of one is because the art is still gorgeous and there were a few good sex scenes in there so at least it wasn't a total wash but SERIOUSLY. WHAT THE FUCK?
I just don't even know. I would like to read the last volume to see if there is literally any way of saving this, but I can't find the last three chapters online anywhere and i am NOT paying $8 a pop for a 40 page chapter of a series that I don't even really like anymore. Seriously, who thought that was a fair price? So maybe I'll just read up to chapter 13 and take a look at the extras I found and be done with it. I don't know. This is so frustrating.
I just don't even know. I would like to read the last volume to see if there is literally any way of saving this, but I can't find the last three chapters online anywhere and i am NOT paying $8 a pop for a 40 page chapter of a series that I don't even really like anymore. Seriously, who thought that was a fair price? So maybe I'll just read up to chapter 13 and take a look at the extras I found and be done with it. I don't know. This is so frustrating.
April 17, 2017
Ooohh yeaahhh....
It's one thing to start reading at the back and then read from the right to the left, it's something else to have my Japanese, Western looking, who-the-hell-cares hotties talk in German. Too much of a mind fuck, Entschuldigung! So I waited impatiently until an English version finally became available, and here I am!
And now I understand why my friends who'd given the first volume 5 stars have all pretty much given this one 4 stars. Overall, the 2nd volume is a feast of gorgeous art and rape-y awesomeness as well. And the volume itself is lovely with its glossy cover starring Shinohara and small posters. A special mention for Shino, who is still touching my tralala...
However, there are two things I'm not sure I'm all that happy with. The first is merely a small niggle regarding the art; what makes Guilt Pleasure's works stand out for me is the fantastic art work by artists that aren't cutting any corners and that appear truly invested in their characters. Imagine my surprise when on several occasions THIS happened in the 2nd volume....
And THIS...
I'm aware that it's a common occurrence in most mangas, but it never was in Guilt Pleasure's works, and so it tore me out of the story. And frankly, I'm not impressed with my Shinohara being reduced to a fucking emoji.
My second niggle concerns a more prominent part of ITW, namely the story itself. I get why the Guilt Pleasure ladies felt that since they've apparently decided not to go down a The Bride or Father Figure road (and I'm secretly relieved), the was necessary. I mean, Shinohara would basically be unredeemable otherwise.
BUT....I'm not entirely satisfied with the ruthless bastard I fell in love with turning into an ? I'm hopeful that Guilt Pleasure can somehow turn the story into something heart-stoppingly intense yet again, but I have to say that the sloppy flashbacks and flashforwards and uninteresting new dynamics between Katsuya and Shinohara don't seem that promising to me.
Oh well, this series is an absolute treasure and I'm still excited to see what comes next.
It's one thing to start reading at the back and then read from the right to the left, it's something else to have my Japanese, Western looking, who-the-hell-cares hotties talk in German. Too much of a mind fuck, Entschuldigung! So I waited impatiently until an English version finally became available, and here I am!
And now I understand why my friends who'd given the first volume 5 stars have all pretty much given this one 4 stars. Overall, the 2nd volume is a feast of gorgeous art and rape-y awesomeness as well. And the volume itself is lovely with its glossy cover starring Shinohara and small posters. A special mention for Shino, who is still touching my tralala...
However, there are two things I'm not sure I'm all that happy with. The first is merely a small niggle regarding the art; what makes Guilt Pleasure's works stand out for me is the fantastic art work by artists that aren't cutting any corners and that appear truly invested in their characters. Imagine my surprise when on several occasions THIS happened in the 2nd volume....
And THIS...
I'm aware that it's a common occurrence in most mangas, but it never was in Guilt Pleasure's works, and so it tore me out of the story. And frankly, I'm not impressed with my Shinohara being reduced to a fucking emoji.
My second niggle concerns a more prominent part of ITW, namely the story itself. I get why the Guilt Pleasure ladies felt that since they've apparently decided not to go down a The Bride or Father Figure road (and I'm secretly relieved), the was necessary. I mean, Shinohara would basically be unredeemable otherwise.
BUT....I'm not entirely satisfied with the ruthless bastard I fell in love with turning into an ? I'm hopeful that Guilt Pleasure can somehow turn the story into something heart-stoppingly intense yet again, but I have to say that the sloppy flashbacks and flashforwards and uninteresting new dynamics between Katsuya and Shinohara don't seem that promising to me.
Oh well, this series is an absolute treasure and I'm still excited to see what comes next.
March 29, 2026
im not gonna talk about the plot or the twist bcs honestly its ridic but its also very fun and the art is chef's kiss.
July 25, 2015
4.5 stars
เล่มนี้สนุกมากๆ แบบสนุกไม่บันยะบันยัง เราเข้าใจแล้วล่ะว่าทำไมหนังสือชุดนี้มันถึงได้ดังนักหนา เมื่อเทียบเล่มนี้กับเล่มที่แล้ว เล่มที่แล้วเป็นเพียงแค่น้ำจิ้ม เล่มนี้เปิดเผยการปอกเปลือกจิตใจของคนออกมาได้อย่างหมดจด และนั่นคือจุดที่เนื้อเรื่องพลิกผันไปในทางที่เราคาดไม่ถึงมาก่อน
บอกเลยว่าคดีพลิก...ชีวิตก็เปลี่ยน คือเล่มที่แล้วเราไม่คาดหวังว่าชิโนะฮาระกับคัตสึยะจะลงเอยอะไรกันได้นะ แต่พอมาเล่มนี้ อื้อหือ...คู่นี้มันเกิดมาเพื่อกันและกันจริงๆ ชิโนะฮาระดูเหมือนจะเป็นลูกไล่คัตสึยะ แต่เราชอบความสัมพันธ์แบบนี้นะ เพราะมันดูมีอะไรๆดี
เล่มนี้กลับมาโรมานซ์ละ ไม่ได้ทริลเลอร์ตึงเครียดแบบเล่มที่แล้ว...
เล่มนี้สนุกมากๆ แบบสนุกไม่บันยะบันยัง เราเข้าใจแล้วล่ะว่าทำไมหนังสือชุดนี้มันถึงได้ดังนักหนา เมื่อเทียบเล่มนี้กับเล่มที่แล้ว เล่มที่แล้วเป็นเพียงแค่น้ำจิ้ม เล่มนี้เปิดเผยการปอกเปลือกจิตใจของคนออกมาได้อย่างหมดจด และนั่นคือจุดที่เนื้อเรื่องพลิกผันไปในทางที่เราคาดไม่ถึงมาก่อน
บอกเลยว่าคดีพลิก...ชีวิตก็เปลี่ยน คือเล่มที่แล้วเราไม่คาดหวังว่าชิโนะฮาระกับคัตสึยะจะลงเอยอะไรกันได้นะ แต่พอมาเล่มนี้ อื้อหือ...คู่นี้มันเกิดมาเพื่อกันและกันจริงๆ ชิโนะฮาระดูเหมือนจะเป็นลูกไล่คัตสึยะ แต่เราชอบความสัมพันธ์แบบนี้นะ เพราะมันดูมีอะไรๆดี
เล่มนี้กลับมาโรมานซ์ละ ไม่ได้ทริลเลอร์ตึงเครียดแบบเล่มที่แล้ว...
March 10, 2015
Reread 2/14/2015
The story continues and while chapter 1-5 was just the prelude here starts the action.
Some new secrets appear and we get some surprising flashbacks.
***********************************************
And again it got me!
Can't wait for the story to continue!
April 12, 2015
» 4 stars! «
This book was HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK?
I definitely did not think of this turn of events when I read book 1. I was very sure there wasn't going to be a positive ending for these two characters BUT it has. IT FUCKING HAS.
However, the Shinohara in this book was not the character I fell in love with. And it fucking sucks.
The collateral of having a possible good ending with the two MCs together perhaps? Grrr.
Still loved the art. But I tell you book 1 has more finesse in that aspect than this book.
••••••
Well, fuck me sideways. Tonight's going to be a fuckin A!
This book was HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK?
I definitely did not think of this turn of events when I read book 1. I was very sure there wasn't going to be a positive ending for these two characters BUT it has. IT FUCKING HAS.
However, the Shinohara in this book was not the character I fell in love with. And it fucking sucks.
The collateral of having a possible good ending with the two MCs together perhaps? Grrr.
Still loved the art. But I tell you book 1 has more finesse in that aspect than this book.
••••••
Well, fuck me sideways. Tonight's going to be a fuckin A!
August 3, 2015
เล่มแรกยังเฉยๆนะ....
แต่พอมาเล่ม 2 นี่อยากจะกรีดร้อง อ๊ากกกกก
ทุกอย่างที่คิดปรามาสไว้ตอนเล่มแรก มันกลับกลายเป็นคนละเรื่อง อย่างกับดูหนังคนละม้วน ต้องเรียกว่าคดีพลิก...
ตัวเนื้อหามีมุมหักหลายช่วงหลายตอนมาก แทบปรับโหมดกันไม่ทันเลยทีเดียว มีความเป็นมา และได้สัมผัสกับตัวตนของตัวละครมากขึ้น (นอกจากจะดาร์กแล้ว ยังมีฮา และฟินได้อย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ)
แม้ฉากเรทมาเต็มแบบ non stop เลือดไหล กำเดาพุ่งกันไป (ชักจะเริ่มไม่แน่ใจตัวเองแล้ว >/////<) แต่ทุกๆอย่างมันผสมผสานกันได้อย่างลงตัว (กว่าเล่มแรกมาก) แทบจะหยุดอ่านไม่ได้เลยที่เดียว
อ๊ากก ทำอารมณ์ค้างสุดๆ อยากอ่านเล่มต่อแล้วววว
แต่พอมาเล่ม 2 นี่อยากจะกรีดร้อง อ๊ากกกกก
ทุกอย่างที่คิดปรามาสไว้ตอนเล่มแรก มันกลับกลายเป็นคนละเรื่อง อย่างกับดูหนังคนละม้วน ต้องเรียกว่าคดีพลิก...
ตัวเนื้อหามีมุมหักหลายช่วงหลายตอนมาก แทบปรับโหมดกันไม่ทันเลยทีเดียว มีความเป็นมา และได้สัมผัสกับตัวตนของตัวละครมากขึ้น (นอกจากจะดาร์กแล้ว ยังมีฮา และฟินได้อย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ)
แม้ฉากเรทมาเต็มแบบ non stop เลือดไหล กำเดาพุ่งกันไป (ชักจะเริ่มไม่แน่ใจตัวเองแล้ว >/////<) แต่ทุกๆอย่างมันผสมผสานกันได้อย่างลงตัว (กว่าเล่มแรกมาก) แทบจะหยุดอ่านไม่ได้เลยที่เดียว
อ๊ากก ทำอารมณ์ค้างสุดๆ อยากอ่านเล่มต่อแล้วววว
May 28, 2023
27/05/2023 : relecture. fun fact, j'avais en fait déjà lu le tome 3, mais aucun souvenir de quand. et aucun souvenir non plus de ce qu'était pas Théorie de l'année dernière.
13/08/2022 : il faut que je relise cette série et que j'arrive enfin au tome 3, que je n'ai jamais lu après la déception du tome 2, mais j'ai à présent une Théorie.
WTF ??? J'avoue... ça fait sans aucun doute de moi quelqu'un de tordu, mais je crois que j'aurais préféré... Mais pour autant ! Je suis d'accord, je dis oui, ok, tu me retourne complètement le cerveau mais d'accord. MAIS POURQUOI PAR CONTRE ??
Il semblerait que le tome 3 sorte le 26 octobre. Heureusement.
13/08/2022 : il faut que je relise cette série et que j'arrive enfin au tome 3, que je n'ai jamais lu après la déception du tome 2, mais j'ai à présent une Théorie.
WTF ??? J'avoue... ça fait sans aucun doute de moi quelqu'un de tordu, mais je crois que j'aurais préféré... Mais pour autant ! Je suis d'accord, je dis oui, ok, tu me retourne complètement le cerveau mais d'accord. MAIS POURQUOI PAR CONTRE ??
Il semblerait que le tome 3 sorte le 26 octobre. Heureusement.
September 9, 2019
Far better than the first one. That plot twists had me gaping like a moron, which almost never happens. And it somehow turns this awful story is something that is actually quite sweet is a very twisted way ??
February 25, 2021
My heart gonna explose wtf is that incredible yaoi 😩😩
(Mon cerveau en surchauffe là, c’est incroyable merde)
KATSUYA MARRY ME PLEASE BOY <3
(Mon cerveau en surchauffe là, c’est incroyable merde)
KATSUYA MARRY ME PLEASE BOY <3
January 11, 2015
There's so much I can say about this... But today, I'll just write down a couple nasty things I can now say in German, z.B.,
Ich mag es, wenn du dich wehrst. "I like it when you struggle."
Ein saftiger Schwanz ist mein Finger zwar nicht gerade, aber auch kann ganz schön schmerzen, wenn du nicht locker lässt. "It's true my finger is no juicy cock, but it can still hurt beautifully if you don't relax."
And, Warum macht es mich glücklich, wenn ich andere leiden sehe? "Why does it make me happy to see others suffer?"
Why, indeed. Perhaps everyone who reads this book will ask themselves that... in any case, I'm sure these phrases will be useful in the future.
*joking*
Ich mag es, wenn du dich wehrst. "I like it when you struggle."
Ein saftiger Schwanz ist mein Finger zwar nicht gerade, aber auch kann ganz schön schmerzen, wenn du nicht locker lässt. "It's true my finger is no juicy cock, but it can still hurt beautifully if you don't relax."
And, Warum macht es mich glücklich, wenn ich andere leiden sehe? "Why does it make me happy to see others suffer?"
Why, indeed. Perhaps everyone who reads this book will ask themselves that... in any case, I'm sure these phrases will be useful in the future.
*joking*
July 8, 2021
4.5 really
January 27, 2024
The color insert pages are just beautiful. Jo Chen's (TogaQ) artwork is always amazing. The story and plot comes to an enlightening twist. Can't say more without giving away spoilers. So worth reading!
July 23, 2015
โอ๊ยยยยย ครึ่งแรกตัดได้ค้างมากกกกกก แม้จะพอเดาๆ ได้ แต่มันค้างง่ะ ฮือออออ TwT
ส่วนครึ่งหลังที่พาย้อนอดีตก็เป็นอะไรที่มุ้งมิ้งฟรุ้งฟริ้งมาก น่ารักมาก
ปรับอารมณ์ไม่ทันกันเลยทีเดียว >_<
ส่วนครึ่งหลังที่พาย้อนอดีตก็เป็นอะไรที่มุ้งมิ้งฟรุ้งฟริ้งมาก น่ารักมาก
ปรับอารมณ์ไม่ทันกันเลยทีเดียว >_<
October 12, 2021
This is my combined review for V01 and V02.
I first read In these Words V01 back in June of 2012; I continued on to chapter eight and then stopped. The Redux arc starts with chapter nine, so until now I only had the vaguest of idea of what was truly going on in the story. Last night I read the 2015 edition of volumes one and two. Chapter 14 comes out soon and I can see the story has almost come full circle, so I thought I should resume my reading. It will be slow going because I only have the uncollected chapters in print and the trim size is not conducive to comfortable bedtime reading. I’m determined, so I will manage somehow. I just hope my body doesn’t hate me for the weird positions I’ll be reading in.
It’s taken me a few years to get up the courage to talk about this story, but now that I’m doing it, I realize that there’s only so much I can say without spoiling it.
In These Words is an intelligent and perfectly paced psychological mystery. It begins with Dr. Asano Katsuya, a U.S.-educated psychiatrist, returning to Japan after working for the NYPD. Some time after he takes up a teaching position at an elite university, he is approached by the Tokyo Police Department to work with them on a serial killing case that is currently under investigation.
In the prologue, after his second encounter with a nameless man, Asano wakes up to find himself drugged and in an abandoned place. He stumbles about and almost escapes, but his captor catches him at the very last second and drags him back to the room Asano just left and proceeds to torture him. Chapter one puts us at the onset of Asano’s sequestering to interview Shinohara Kenji. Shinohara is being held in a lock-down and while the days-long interview continues, The Good Doctor is to be chauffeured back and forth between the facility and a police dormitory.
During the day Asano is both annoyed and intrigued by his subject, but at night he is plagued by migraines and horrible dreams that make his waking hours confusing and uncomfortable, to say the least. And it’s within this blending and twisting of realms that the mystery of the story lies. Are they dreams or are they memories or something else altogether? This is what confused me when I first read it–I wasn’t sure, between reality and dreams, which was which; G|P does a good job of screwing with your head, making you question time and place right along with Asano. Of course, stopping where I did did nothing but keep me in the dark.
Well, I’ve finally seen the light, or a sliver of it anyway, and it’s being cast by the Redux arc which takes the story back to before the beginning, back to Asano’s recruitment and back to his first encounter with Shinohara. I only read what was collected in the first two volumes–c01-c11 and “Wrapped Around Your Finger”–but the arc continues to chapter 14, at least, so there are still questions to be answered. Interestingly enough, I have most of the same questions I had when I read chapters one through eight the first time around, but I’ll get to those in a minute.
Most of the time, I’m a voyeur; it’s rare that I find myself identifying with one character or another to the point that I put myself in their place or want to be on the receiving end of whatever they’re giving. That said, when I do, it’s almost always the pov character regardless of their role. But, of those times, I’m more inclined to latch on to the seme. So, it was to my utter surprise that I fell in love with Asano. Moreover, I realized I wouldn’t mind at all being taken by him. I still can’t wrap my head around it, but it’s the truth. It would never work, of course. Him being the “Ice Queen” and me actually being rather frigid. Among other, more obvious reasons. But, that it is something to mention at all is a testament to finesse of both the writing and art. He’s gorgeous (the art is freaking amazing, so delicious, so many beautiful penises), but he’s also an interesting character.
I think, for the most part, that he doesn’t deny the Ice Queen label because he really is and he has no problem being upfront about it or much else for that matter. Usually the straightforwardness a uke has in regards to sex is accompanied a mercurial or overly flirtatious attitude, so him being anything but is a nice change. It also tells me that he’s not going to have that typical moment where it’s revealed that he uses his body to get close to people because love is impossible. I’m not saying that he doesn’t believe in it, but he doesn’t believe that the two are part and parcel and, for now, while it may be informed by his yet to be known experiences, his attitude about it is pretty refreshing.
However, since there are things in his past we don’t know about and some of them seem to be things he’d rather not discuss, I think he also uses it as a shield. Another thing is that even though he is an Ice Queen, he’s very affectionate, receptive, and assured. And it’s his direct way of addressing things that keeps him from being a tsundere. Man am I thankful for that–other than irritate, they do absolutely nothing for me. I suppose some of this is kind of cheating since my impression of him is the sum of what’s in more that these two volumes, but there are some things I just can’t unsee–like that one exchange in “Wrapped Around Your Finger” when Shinohara made a comment and I KNOW Asano was reminded of David from the prequel.
Then there’s Shinohara. The second time we meet him is the first time for Asano. He has a sharp mind and seems to operate knowing that he’s good at what he does. He’s a bit playful, but he also seems kind of helpless in front of Asano as if he understands that he can’t win against him, but it won’t stop him from trying. What’s interesting is that he isn’t all that different from the first time we meet him. The first time around, the confidence is there, the desire to win against Asano is there, and the playfulness is there. It’s only because they’re backed by different motives, that they seem twisted and depraved. I wont go into him too much because that’s a sea of spoilers. But, for the record, I prefer Shinohara with shorter hair and I think he is really good at what he does and I’m am looking forward to seeing him do more. I won’t go into the other characters because while they’re interesting, I think it’s better for the story if people discover them on their own.
On the subject of discovery, those lingering questions… What continues to puzzle me is why Asano took those pills he didn’t remember being prescribed? Although he seems uptight, he’s not, he’s just very precise and that precision wouldn’t usually allow for the unknown, especially when it comes to something like an unremembered substance supposedly prescribed during an unremembered encounter. That precision also wouldn’t allow for unprotected sex with someone he wasn’t exclusive with (well, at least the visuals didn’t suffer for the lack). And what of Shinohara’s lack of restraints? Why was he escorted through the lock-down facility uncuffed? Then, when he was left in the room with Asano while Iwamoto–the officer at the lock-down–stood sentry outside the door, he was told to stay seated, but nothing was done to physically prevent him from disregarding that order. He’s supposed to be dangerous. I don’t think I’ll get answers to these, so I’m just shouting into the wind, but they’ll bother me forever more. There were other questions, and not that they were necessarily answered, but I feel like their answers are coming, so I’ll wait.
From this point, I don’t know if I’m going to read chapter 12 and on or if I’m going to re-start and catch up with the prequels. But either way, I expect to have a good time.
I first read In these Words V01 back in June of 2012; I continued on to chapter eight and then stopped. The Redux arc starts with chapter nine, so until now I only had the vaguest of idea of what was truly going on in the story. Last night I read the 2015 edition of volumes one and two. Chapter 14 comes out soon and I can see the story has almost come full circle, so I thought I should resume my reading. It will be slow going because I only have the uncollected chapters in print and the trim size is not conducive to comfortable bedtime reading. I’m determined, so I will manage somehow. I just hope my body doesn’t hate me for the weird positions I’ll be reading in.
It’s taken me a few years to get up the courage to talk about this story, but now that I’m doing it, I realize that there’s only so much I can say without spoiling it.
In These Words is an intelligent and perfectly paced psychological mystery. It begins with Dr. Asano Katsuya, a U.S.-educated psychiatrist, returning to Japan after working for the NYPD. Some time after he takes up a teaching position at an elite university, he is approached by the Tokyo Police Department to work with them on a serial killing case that is currently under investigation.
In the prologue, after his second encounter with a nameless man, Asano wakes up to find himself drugged and in an abandoned place. He stumbles about and almost escapes, but his captor catches him at the very last second and drags him back to the room Asano just left and proceeds to torture him. Chapter one puts us at the onset of Asano’s sequestering to interview Shinohara Kenji. Shinohara is being held in a lock-down and while the days-long interview continues, The Good Doctor is to be chauffeured back and forth between the facility and a police dormitory.
During the day Asano is both annoyed and intrigued by his subject, but at night he is plagued by migraines and horrible dreams that make his waking hours confusing and uncomfortable, to say the least. And it’s within this blending and twisting of realms that the mystery of the story lies. Are they dreams or are they memories or something else altogether? This is what confused me when I first read it–I wasn’t sure, between reality and dreams, which was which; G|P does a good job of screwing with your head, making you question time and place right along with Asano. Of course, stopping where I did did nothing but keep me in the dark.
Well, I’ve finally seen the light, or a sliver of it anyway, and it’s being cast by the Redux arc which takes the story back to before the beginning, back to Asano’s recruitment and back to his first encounter with Shinohara. I only read what was collected in the first two volumes–c01-c11 and “Wrapped Around Your Finger”–but the arc continues to chapter 14, at least, so there are still questions to be answered. Interestingly enough, I have most of the same questions I had when I read chapters one through eight the first time around, but I’ll get to those in a minute.
Most of the time, I’m a voyeur; it’s rare that I find myself identifying with one character or another to the point that I put myself in their place or want to be on the receiving end of whatever they’re giving. That said, when I do, it’s almost always the pov character regardless of their role. But, of those times, I’m more inclined to latch on to the seme. So, it was to my utter surprise that I fell in love with Asano. Moreover, I realized I wouldn’t mind at all being taken by him. I still can’t wrap my head around it, but it’s the truth. It would never work, of course. Him being the “Ice Queen” and me actually being rather frigid. Among other, more obvious reasons. But, that it is something to mention at all is a testament to finesse of both the writing and art. He’s gorgeous (the art is freaking amazing, so delicious, so many beautiful penises), but he’s also an interesting character.
I think, for the most part, that he doesn’t deny the Ice Queen label because he really is and he has no problem being upfront about it or much else for that matter. Usually the straightforwardness a uke has in regards to sex is accompanied a mercurial or overly flirtatious attitude, so him being anything but is a nice change. It also tells me that he’s not going to have that typical moment where it’s revealed that he uses his body to get close to people because love is impossible. I’m not saying that he doesn’t believe in it, but he doesn’t believe that the two are part and parcel and, for now, while it may be informed by his yet to be known experiences, his attitude about it is pretty refreshing.
However, since there are things in his past we don’t know about and some of them seem to be things he’d rather not discuss, I think he also uses it as a shield. Another thing is that even though he is an Ice Queen, he’s very affectionate, receptive, and assured. And it’s his direct way of addressing things that keeps him from being a tsundere. Man am I thankful for that–other than irritate, they do absolutely nothing for me. I suppose some of this is kind of cheating since my impression of him is the sum of what’s in more that these two volumes, but there are some things I just can’t unsee–like that one exchange in “Wrapped Around Your Finger” when Shinohara made a comment and I KNOW Asano was reminded of David from the prequel.
Then there’s Shinohara. The second time we meet him is the first time for Asano. He has a sharp mind and seems to operate knowing that he’s good at what he does. He’s a bit playful, but he also seems kind of helpless in front of Asano as if he understands that he can’t win against him, but it won’t stop him from trying. What’s interesting is that he isn’t all that different from the first time we meet him. The first time around, the confidence is there, the desire to win against Asano is there, and the playfulness is there. It’s only because they’re backed by different motives, that they seem twisted and depraved. I wont go into him too much because that’s a sea of spoilers. But, for the record, I prefer Shinohara with shorter hair and I think he is really good at what he does and I’m am looking forward to seeing him do more. I won’t go into the other characters because while they’re interesting, I think it’s better for the story if people discover them on their own.
On the subject of discovery, those lingering questions… What continues to puzzle me is why Asano took those pills he didn’t remember being prescribed? Although he seems uptight, he’s not, he’s just very precise and that precision wouldn’t usually allow for the unknown, especially when it comes to something like an unremembered substance supposedly prescribed during an unremembered encounter. That precision also wouldn’t allow for unprotected sex with someone he wasn’t exclusive with (well, at least the visuals didn’t suffer for the lack). And what of Shinohara’s lack of restraints? Why was he escorted through the lock-down facility uncuffed? Then, when he was left in the room with Asano while Iwamoto–the officer at the lock-down–stood sentry outside the door, he was told to stay seated, but nothing was done to physically prevent him from disregarding that order. He’s supposed to be dangerous. I don’t think I’ll get answers to these, so I’m just shouting into the wind, but they’ll bother me forever more. There were other questions, and not that they were necessarily answered, but I feel like their answers are coming, so I’ll wait.
From this point, I don’t know if I’m going to read chapter 12 and on or if I’m going to re-start and catch up with the prequels. But either way, I expect to have a good time.
April 15, 2023
the plot twist confused me instead of intriguing me which kinda ruined the experience. the main character's personality gives me secondhand embarrasment. sex scenes still good and i'm curious about the development of the couple dynamic.
July 27, 2018
I AM SO CONFUSED???!?!?!?
January 1, 2019
DAS habe ich so nicht erwartet. Genial! 😱👌❤
April 24, 2019
The plot twist wow. Really did not see that one coming. Surprised and relieved at the same time.
Aside from that, here the story becomes even more interesting and shows us a different side of our MC (the pre trauma MC who is so different from the one we know : good characterisation).
Aside from that, here the story becomes even more interesting and shows us a different side of our MC (the pre trauma MC who is so different from the one we know : good characterisation).
June 10, 2019
Der Hintergrund zu Katsuyas und Shinoharas Beziehung zueinander war sehr...eindringlich. 😳 Good job.
February 25, 2021
I AM CONFUSION ???????????????????????????????????????
W H E R E
IS THE THIRD VOLUME
GIMME
HAND ME OVER THE SHUTTER ISLAND TYPE BEAT YAOI
W H E R E
IS THE THIRD VOLUME
GIMME
HAND ME OVER THE SHUTTER ISLAND TYPE BEAT YAOI
March 2, 2021
4,5 Sterne
June 26, 2021
Such a great follow-up to the first volume, really wasn't expecting the twist in the middle! Really enjoying learning more about the characters and their pasts too. On to Vol 3!
May 19, 2022
Une pépite, j’adore absolument tout !
Read
March 8, 2023Das nenne ich mal einen Plot twist
Read
February 29, 2024[reread]
March 11, 2019
super plot twist !
March 27, 2023
I didn’t understand a single thing going on in this book.
I still enjoyed it… i think
I still enjoyed it… i think
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