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憂鬱な朝 / Yūutsu na asa #3
Blue Morning, Vol. 3
Downton Abbey meets Emma in this tale of tumultuous love between a butler and his young charge.
Akihito Kuze inherits the Kuze viscountship when he is a mere ten years old. His butler, Tomoyuki Katsuragi, becomes his caretaker and tutor. As he matures, Akihito finds himself relentlessly drawn to Katsuragi, frustrated by the distance the older man maintains and driven to discover the reasons why.
Clinging to his fierce, unwavering love for Katsuragi, Akihito moves ever closer to an engagement to the daughter of Duke Sajo. Firmly focused on his future, Akihito asks his friend Ishizaki’s father to be his go-between in the marriage talks, but Ishizaki insists that in exchange he wants Tomoyuki Katsuragi! Around the same time, former houseboy Amamiya discovers mysterious documents relating to Katsuragi’s lineage.
Akihito Kuze inherits the Kuze viscountship when he is a mere ten years old. His butler, Tomoyuki Katsuragi, becomes his caretaker and tutor. As he matures, Akihito finds himself relentlessly drawn to Katsuragi, frustrated by the distance the older man maintains and driven to discover the reasons why.
Clinging to his fierce, unwavering love for Katsuragi, Akihito moves ever closer to an engagement to the daughter of Duke Sajo. Firmly focused on his future, Akihito asks his friend Ishizaki’s father to be his go-between in the marriage talks, but Ishizaki insists that in exchange he wants Tomoyuki Katsuragi! Around the same time, former houseboy Amamiya discovers mysterious documents relating to Katsuragi’s lineage.
226 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2011
4 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Shoko Hidaka
47 books113 followersShoko Hidaka (native name: 日高ショーコ) is a Japanese mangaka unit.
The drawings are by Shoko Hidaka, and the stories are by Takie (タキエ) but the author name is always "Shoko Hidaka".
Dōjinshi Circle: speaker
The drawings are by Shoko Hidaka, and the stories are by Takie (タキエ) but the author name is always "Shoko Hidaka".
Dōjinshi Circle: speaker
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 30, 2016
I absolutely love the way this unfolds. Whenever I read books like this, though, I keep thinking that nobility and royalty are so *weird* and 面倒くさい.
Unrelated to that I discovered a new kink: naked inner upper thigh and fundoshi. Hel-lo.
Unrelated to that I discovered a new kink: naked inner upper thigh and fundoshi. Hel-lo.
May 3, 2020
Okay, I'm really invested now.
August 17, 2013
Akihito is such an admirable, beautiful man. I love how he develops during the story, how intelligent he is when he makes choices, and yet how sensible and honest, blunt and vulnerable he is with his feelings towards Katsuragi. The scene when Katsuragi is brimming with anger towards him for a faulty decision Akihito made in his opinion, and Akihito instead of becoming agitated by being confronted by Katsuragi, answers relaxed and calmly. One brilliant, among the countless brilliant things about 憂鬱な朝 is, how Hidaka Shoko portrays reality. From the outside people of high class, beautiful and smart, are always looked up upon, people thinking they are gods and perfect. A feeling towards them that they are absolutely flawless, and their way of life works just as flawlessly. However, it's not like that. And perhaps the way in which it is portrayed is the most brilliant thing of all. Because it is portrayed as if unaware of it, straight from the hearts and minds of these seemingly glorious personalities. This is a valuable display of how people who are looked up upon with beauty and high class, of any kind, are very different from the perception people incorrectly have of them. I love how Katsuragi “hated” Akihito from the beginning, and Akihito relentlessly, naturally, made him realize he really didn't. Usually a behaviour like Akihito's in such a situation is looked down upon as desperate, but it so brilliantly and naturally makes one think completely differently in confronts of Akihito. This because he acts in such an admirable and unique way in regards to his own values and personal desires. A perfect, unique balance in between the two, when it comes to Akihito. He is so vulnerable and honest with his feelings towards Katsuragi, to the point where most people would probably think it is desperate and submissive, however, those people will soon be forced to change their mind, since that is in this case, what completely seduces the poised and seemingly perfect Katsuragi. And to mention, that it is not because of the behaviour in itself that Katsuragi is seduced, it is because of Akihito himself. Implying, Akihito's true self is much stronger than what the reader might think initially. It is so brilliantly and subtly portrayed how Akihito matures into a very intelligent and sensible young man, how naturally and undeniably the reader can sense that. He takes complete control of his life, proving everyone wrong about him being childish and irresponsible. The person who is the most shocked to realize this is Katsuragi, who's reaction to his growth is priceless. The dynamic of their relationship is incredibly fascinating. It is love, yet it is problems. Real problems unlike most other relationships. It's caring, yet there's a bitter feeling one cannot quite explain in words, nevertheless as tangible as can be. Furthermore, Hidaka Shoko supports the passion exuding the work itself, with a mysterious, intriguing and intelligent plot, existing and acting as independently and eager to say its point like the main element of the story itself.
On a technical level Hidaka Shoko plays brilliantly with the element of passion and how to stimulate the reader the most. She does this through truly stripping down passion and excitement into the most simple, most basic formula it can be described into being. She does so in absolute poise and class, awaiting the exact right moment, in a manner which I never cease to be amazed by when it comes to her unique work. I am always so impressed by how she portrays intimacy and vulnerability in such a unique and intelligent way. She is in control of the passion by reflecting passion right back. Passion in itself is the dictator, however, it is passion with a point. Instead of thinking of how to release the passion as soon as possible, she thinks about how to accumulate as much passion as possible. That is the main goal, rather than exercising it. How can I keep the passion, instead of throwing it out? This, makes the passion play out, exactly in the right moments, and be built up in the rest of them, the story naturally exuding that very passion through every simple act, seemingly unrelated to the main stimulation of typical yaoi readers. When there is a passion with a point, the story naturally unfolds deeply in every aspect of the story itself, taking the enormous unbridled power of passion to reach another level. Hidaka Shoko works in such an instinctual, yet incredibly intelligent and imaginative wise. She is not interested in what stimulates passion, but in passion itself. This alone, makes a work of art, pure, and endless, exactly because of its purity. The difference between the passion itself, and the things that stimulate passion. The latter I believe, can be described with the analogy of intaking a thing cooked or manipulated, contaminated even, and not intaking it in its true, raw, pure, vital form. Thus, making Hidaka Shoko's work a dazzling, incredibly fascinating untouchable work of art, independent and able to satisfy itself by its own greatness it couldn't care less about. All there truly is, is passion, passion with a point. Brilliant. I admire her immensely.
On a technical level Hidaka Shoko plays brilliantly with the element of passion and how to stimulate the reader the most. She does this through truly stripping down passion and excitement into the most simple, most basic formula it can be described into being. She does so in absolute poise and class, awaiting the exact right moment, in a manner which I never cease to be amazed by when it comes to her unique work. I am always so impressed by how she portrays intimacy and vulnerability in such a unique and intelligent way. She is in control of the passion by reflecting passion right back. Passion in itself is the dictator, however, it is passion with a point. Instead of thinking of how to release the passion as soon as possible, she thinks about how to accumulate as much passion as possible. That is the main goal, rather than exercising it. How can I keep the passion, instead of throwing it out? This, makes the passion play out, exactly in the right moments, and be built up in the rest of them, the story naturally exuding that very passion through every simple act, seemingly unrelated to the main stimulation of typical yaoi readers. When there is a passion with a point, the story naturally unfolds deeply in every aspect of the story itself, taking the enormous unbridled power of passion to reach another level. Hidaka Shoko works in such an instinctual, yet incredibly intelligent and imaginative wise. She is not interested in what stimulates passion, but in passion itself. This alone, makes a work of art, pure, and endless, exactly because of its purity. The difference between the passion itself, and the things that stimulate passion. The latter I believe, can be described with the analogy of intaking a thing cooked or manipulated, contaminated even, and not intaking it in its true, raw, pure, vital form. Thus, making Hidaka Shoko's work a dazzling, incredibly fascinating untouchable work of art, independent and able to satisfy itself by its own greatness it couldn't care less about. All there truly is, is passion, passion with a point. Brilliant. I admire her immensely.
December 12, 2017
Akihito being a clever boy is really so much better than in volume 1 where he didn't get anything :=) Love it!
September 27, 2020
OMG ese final, de verdad ese final me dejó en shock, no puedo esperar a seguir leyendo esta historia.
May 21, 2017
I thought the first two volumes were great but this one is outstanding. It's just so fun to read and unpredictable. There was also a lot of character development ( the characters are actually 3-dimensional, yay! ) and some improvement in the relationship between Katsuragi and Akihito. The story is starting to get more interesting in this volume and I believe this volume has begun to take a new turn.
Anyways I won't be saying any more than this or I'll be spoiling the volume.. read the book!
Anyways I won't be saying any more than this or I'll be spoiling the volume.. read the book!
July 29, 2023
Ci risiamo.
Considerate le emozioni che riesce a darmi con una traduzione tanto scarsa e malfatta, sono persuasa che l'opera originale valesse cinque stelline.
Peccato.
Loro tanto belli però.
Considerate le emozioni che riesce a darmi con una traduzione tanto scarsa e malfatta, sono persuasa che l'opera originale valesse cinque stelline.
Peccato.
Loro tanto belli però.
July 10, 2024
Some secrets have been revealed and one of the things that was giving me anxiety has been cleared. Let's see what the future brings.
September 22, 2024
best series /ever/
March 25, 2020
Este es el tercer tomo ya de esta serie. Recordemos que este manga es un drama de época, dejando de lado su parte yaoi clara y evidente. Blue Morning nos adentra en una compleja historia ambientada en el Japón de la restauración Miji a principios del siglo XX. Es la época cuando Japón se está occidentalizando.
Este tercer tomo es, de momento, el más emocionante. Vamos a conocer la infancia y el pasado de Tomoyuki Katsuragi y qué relación tenía que el anterior vizconde de Kuze, el padre de Akihito. Además conoceremos todos sus sentimientos más profundos y todo lo que perdió cuando llegó de niño Akihito. Y lo más importante, ¡qué secreto hay detrás de Katsuragi. Para ello, Amamiya seguirá investigando hasta dar con la clave. Y eso pondrá patas arribas el mundo de Akihito.
También se va a ir acentuando esa extraña relación donde a veces hay odio y a veces amor. Pero amor de verdad, no solo el sexual (que también lo hay). ¡Y qué dramón! Un tomo lleno de sentimientos en todas sus páginas. Además tiene un final totalmente sorprendente y súper sentimental. Es un tomo que se centra casi exclusivamente en estos dos personajes, ¡y me encanta!
Por último, seguiremos teniendo temas económicos y sociales de la época, especialmente sobre la ambición de cada casa por ir ascendiendo y las diferencias sociales que existían según el título nobiliario que uno poseyera. Así como el espíritu innovador y rebelde de Akihito, el cual quiere cambiar la sociedad y modernizarla.
Hidaka refleja la ambición de la aristocracia y un mundo de intrigas palaciegas. Aquí encontramos mucho sentimiento, especialmente too lo relacionado con el amor, como por ejemplo la traición, que te rompan el corazón, etc. Y esto hace que empaticemos muchísimo con los personajes y nos metamos en la historia.
El dibujo es muy bonito y me gusta mucho la forma que tiene Hidaka de mostrar las expresiones faciales de los distintos personajes. La edición también es muy buena. Tiene una sobrecubierta donde se muestra a los dos protagonistas mucho más cercanos y la primera página del tomo también está a color.
En conclusión, en este tercer tomo se centra mucho más en las historias y personalidades de los dos protagonistas: Kuze y Katsuragi. La trama es un drama de época, donde encontramos una lucha de poder, de intrigas, de misterio y de amor. La guinda de este tomo será el final, totalmente sorprendente y espectacular. Una historia donde el deber y el honor de la casa debe ser lo primero y de sacrificios personales por la misma.
Más en mi blog La Gran Biblioteca de David: https://lagranbibliotecadedavid.blogs...
Este tercer tomo es, de momento, el más emocionante. Vamos a conocer la infancia y el pasado de Tomoyuki Katsuragi y qué relación tenía que el anterior vizconde de Kuze, el padre de Akihito. Además conoceremos todos sus sentimientos más profundos y todo lo que perdió cuando llegó de niño Akihito. Y lo más importante, ¡qué secreto hay detrás de Katsuragi. Para ello, Amamiya seguirá investigando hasta dar con la clave. Y eso pondrá patas arribas el mundo de Akihito.
También se va a ir acentuando esa extraña relación donde a veces hay odio y a veces amor. Pero amor de verdad, no solo el sexual (que también lo hay). ¡Y qué dramón! Un tomo lleno de sentimientos en todas sus páginas. Además tiene un final totalmente sorprendente y súper sentimental. Es un tomo que se centra casi exclusivamente en estos dos personajes, ¡y me encanta!
Por último, seguiremos teniendo temas económicos y sociales de la época, especialmente sobre la ambición de cada casa por ir ascendiendo y las diferencias sociales que existían según el título nobiliario que uno poseyera. Así como el espíritu innovador y rebelde de Akihito, el cual quiere cambiar la sociedad y modernizarla.
Hidaka refleja la ambición de la aristocracia y un mundo de intrigas palaciegas. Aquí encontramos mucho sentimiento, especialmente too lo relacionado con el amor, como por ejemplo la traición, que te rompan el corazón, etc. Y esto hace que empaticemos muchísimo con los personajes y nos metamos en la historia.
El dibujo es muy bonito y me gusta mucho la forma que tiene Hidaka de mostrar las expresiones faciales de los distintos personajes. La edición también es muy buena. Tiene una sobrecubierta donde se muestra a los dos protagonistas mucho más cercanos y la primera página del tomo también está a color.
En conclusión, en este tercer tomo se centra mucho más en las historias y personalidades de los dos protagonistas: Kuze y Katsuragi. La trama es un drama de época, donde encontramos una lucha de poder, de intrigas, de misterio y de amor. La guinda de este tomo será el final, totalmente sorprendente y espectacular. Una historia donde el deber y el honor de la casa debe ser lo primero y de sacrificios personales por la misma.
Más en mi blog La Gran Biblioteca de David: https://lagranbibliotecadedavid.blogs...
July 11, 2022
3 painful volumes and we have finally covered (hopefully) all of the background nonsense and bloodline bs and the characters are finally trying to help each other and aren’t being toxic the entire time. Maybe I can get through the rest of this series now.
August 15, 2024
Ugh, just go and break my heart, why don't you?
Volume 3 is where all the dirty laundry is aired and Katsuragi sees how far Akihito is willing to go.
As things stand, it's implied Katsuragi *might* be a direct descendant of the Kuze line - Akihito's uncle, son of his grandfather. However, Katsuragi adds some doubt to the story, so we're not quite at the incest too-close-for-comfort stage, yet.
Volume 3 is, for me, where someone took a massive bag of feels and just threw them all on the floor and walked over them. My heart is broken. Onto Volume 4 to mend it.
I have two favourite moments. The first is when Akihito utterly breaks down, thinking Katsuragi will never be honest with him, or love him - but that lasts about 2 pages. So, here is the next best moment of the volume:
Volume 3 is where all the dirty laundry is aired and Katsuragi sees how far Akihito is willing to go.
As things stand, it's implied Katsuragi *might* be a direct descendant of the Kuze line - Akihito's uncle, son of his grandfather. However, Katsuragi adds some doubt to the story, so we're not quite at the incest too-close-for-comfort stage, yet.
Volume 3 is, for me, where someone took a massive bag of feels and just threw them all on the floor and walked over them. My heart is broken. Onto Volume 4 to mend it.
I have two favourite moments. The first is when Akihito utterly breaks down, thinking Katsuragi will never be honest with him, or love him - but that lasts about 2 pages. So, here is the next best moment of the volume:
March 21, 2023
(RELECTURA)
Si los dos primeros números son el planteamiento de la historia y la motivación de los personajes, este es de revelación y de cambiar el juego a lo grande. Las dos tramas, la del idilio y la trama política van convergiendo de forma magistral. ¡El final es de infarto!
Si los dos primeros números son el planteamiento de la historia y la motivación de los personajes, este es de revelación y de cambiar el juego a lo grande. Las dos tramas, la del idilio y la trama política van convergiendo de forma magistral. ¡El final es de infarto!
April 3, 2021
[ ★★★,5 / 5 ]
Characters development ☑
It's getting more and more interesting.
Characters development ☑
It's getting more and more interesting.
August 14, 2021
sher's morals have left the chat.
SO PROBLEMATIC AND YET. SO GOOD. the artwork esp won me over. hidaka's art is simply exquisite 😍
SO PROBLEMATIC AND YET. SO GOOD. the artwork esp won me over. hidaka's art is simply exquisite 😍
June 7, 2019
Akihito is beginning to take greater control of Kuze family matters, much to Katsuragi’s surprise. All letters in regard to bank business are to go straight to Akihito. Meanwhile, Akihito is paying his court to the fifteen-year-old Chikako, of the Sajo family, and spends their time together playing games with her. He realizes the gap that exists between the Sajos and the Kuzes, and intends to call upon the —Moriyama, as well as the Ashizakis. Meanwhile former houseboy Amimaya is visiting with the retired housekeeper, Kiku. He reveals to her some of his thoughts regarding Katsuragi, but the older woman makes no direct comment.
Akihito requests that Ashizaki act as his agent in the matter of his proposed marriage, explaining his reasoning behind this decision, which Ashizaki concurs with and agrees to help. But that help will come with a steep price. Is Akihito willing to pay such a price? Afterward, Akihito goes to Katsuragi, and initial conflict becomes into their usual method of resolution—lovemaking. Later, Katsuragi thinks on the original plans he made when he was first put in charge of Akihito’s education, the revenge he intended to extract for promises made to him but never kept, for unforgivable behavior toward him. Has something changed now?
Akihito is not pleased that Katsuragi no longer dines with him. He tells the two highest ranking servants that they will dine with him from now on, which makes them uncomfortable. When Katsuragi arrives, Akihito informs him that he will be joining them as well.
When Amimaya returns to visit Kiku, he learns she has returned to her hometown, to his dismay. Furthermore, she has left instructions for him to clean every corner of the storehouse. Furthermore, her instructions emphasize papers that he will find there, given to her by Lord Kuze. Is this significant? Amimaya grasps what he perceives to be the meaning behind Kiku’s actions and agrees to do as she has requested. Maybe his lifelong dreams will come true after all.
Akihito seeks Katsuragi’s opinion on household matters, and as they work together, the butler does something quite unexpected—he kisses Akihito. A thrilled Akihito responds in kind, kissing Katsuragi’s hand. But the moment is spoiled when Katsuragi demands Akihik\to release him, and he walks away, to Akihito’s dismay.
The next day, Katsuragi receives a request for him to go to the storehouse, where Amimaya has something to tell him. Meanwhile, at school, Ishizake searches for and finds a despondent Akihito, who is no mood to talk. Ishizaki can only imagine what has him so upset, what is usually the cause of his upset—Katsuragi. Ishizaki knows what is being asked of Akihito, and he asks can he actually go through with it, but Akihito doesn’t want to listen and asks, instead, what message Ishizaki has from Katsuragi’s brother.
Amimaya lets loose some rather nasty accusations at Katsuragi. Akihito goes to see Katsuragi’s brother, and learns the former houseboy has made accusations of his own. But the elder Katsuragi also warns Akihito not to trust Tomoyuki.
Back at the Kuze manor, Akihito and Katsuragi now dine alone, as the other servants have begged off, due to their discomfort. Alone, they can talk more freely concerning what Amimaya has alleged. Will this new information tear them apart or drive them closer together? What is Akihito willing to do in order to stay by Katsuragi’s side and raise the Kuze house, as he has sworn to do?
In this volume of Blue Morning, we learn about Katsuragi’s parentage, and we also get a glimpse into the boy he was, and the expectations he was raised to have by Akihito’s father. There are still pieces of that puzzle that are missing, and if they include, as I suspect, Katsuragi’s sexual abuse by the older Kuze, that will explain much. At the same time, we see more of Katsuragi’s own feelings for Akihito, as his tightly wound façade beings to unfurl at Akihito’s continued tenderness and unswerving loyalty, something he has received from no one before and certainly did not expect from the target of his own ambitions. No wonder he’s becoming confused and uncertain, as he never saw this coming. Will he embrace his feelings for Akihito or deny them in order to proceed with his plan? I’m leaning toward the former, but I am also a hopeless romantic. I’ll be very disappointed if this series ends and these two are not together and very much in love. Guess I’ll have to wait and see.
As usual, the artwork is superb, the story excellent. Both men are very lovely to look upon, but especially Katsuragi. I’m looking forward to the next volume.
Akihito requests that Ashizaki act as his agent in the matter of his proposed marriage, explaining his reasoning behind this decision, which Ashizaki concurs with and agrees to help. But that help will come with a steep price. Is Akihito willing to pay such a price? Afterward, Akihito goes to Katsuragi, and initial conflict becomes into their usual method of resolution—lovemaking. Later, Katsuragi thinks on the original plans he made when he was first put in charge of Akihito’s education, the revenge he intended to extract for promises made to him but never kept, for unforgivable behavior toward him. Has something changed now?
Akihito is not pleased that Katsuragi no longer dines with him. He tells the two highest ranking servants that they will dine with him from now on, which makes them uncomfortable. When Katsuragi arrives, Akihito informs him that he will be joining them as well.
When Amimaya returns to visit Kiku, he learns she has returned to her hometown, to his dismay. Furthermore, she has left instructions for him to clean every corner of the storehouse. Furthermore, her instructions emphasize papers that he will find there, given to her by Lord Kuze. Is this significant? Amimaya grasps what he perceives to be the meaning behind Kiku’s actions and agrees to do as she has requested. Maybe his lifelong dreams will come true after all.
Akihito seeks Katsuragi’s opinion on household matters, and as they work together, the butler does something quite unexpected—he kisses Akihito. A thrilled Akihito responds in kind, kissing Katsuragi’s hand. But the moment is spoiled when Katsuragi demands Akihik\to release him, and he walks away, to Akihito’s dismay.
The next day, Katsuragi receives a request for him to go to the storehouse, where Amimaya has something to tell him. Meanwhile, at school, Ishizake searches for and finds a despondent Akihito, who is no mood to talk. Ishizaki can only imagine what has him so upset, what is usually the cause of his upset—Katsuragi. Ishizaki knows what is being asked of Akihito, and he asks can he actually go through with it, but Akihito doesn’t want to listen and asks, instead, what message Ishizaki has from Katsuragi’s brother.
Amimaya lets loose some rather nasty accusations at Katsuragi. Akihito goes to see Katsuragi’s brother, and learns the former houseboy has made accusations of his own. But the elder Katsuragi also warns Akihito not to trust Tomoyuki.
Back at the Kuze manor, Akihito and Katsuragi now dine alone, as the other servants have begged off, due to their discomfort. Alone, they can talk more freely concerning what Amimaya has alleged. Will this new information tear them apart or drive them closer together? What is Akihito willing to do in order to stay by Katsuragi’s side and raise the Kuze house, as he has sworn to do?
In this volume of Blue Morning, we learn about Katsuragi’s parentage, and we also get a glimpse into the boy he was, and the expectations he was raised to have by Akihito’s father. There are still pieces of that puzzle that are missing, and if they include, as I suspect, Katsuragi’s sexual abuse by the older Kuze, that will explain much. At the same time, we see more of Katsuragi’s own feelings for Akihito, as his tightly wound façade beings to unfurl at Akihito’s continued tenderness and unswerving loyalty, something he has received from no one before and certainly did not expect from the target of his own ambitions. No wonder he’s becoming confused and uncertain, as he never saw this coming. Will he embrace his feelings for Akihito or deny them in order to proceed with his plan? I’m leaning toward the former, but I am also a hopeless romantic. I’ll be very disappointed if this series ends and these two are not together and very much in love. Guess I’ll have to wait and see.
As usual, the artwork is superb, the story excellent. Both men are very lovely to look upon, but especially Katsuragi. I’m looking forward to the next volume.
September 3, 2024
What an incredible follow up to the previous volume, and what a twist too.
Immense improvements have already been made in almost all facets of this manga including the art, the pacing, the storytelling, and the atmosphere. While the story is moving away from frequent non-consensual relations, the connections between the majority of characters has become only more messy and contradictory. As a matter of fact, the Ishizaki boy says something about Kuze and Katsuragi that paints their relationship on the surface particularly well.
“You two are a mass of contradictions. There’s a disconnect between what you say and what you do.”
Kuze loves Katsuragi in his own way, and continues to hurt him. Katsuragi loves Kuze in his own way, and continues to deny it and push him away. Though… in this volume, they’ve BOTH finally changed in big ways for them both. Kuze is finally willing to look at himself and is maturing somewhat. As for Katsuragi, his cold demeanor is grumbling, his mask is falling, and I fear he might abandon Kuze for fear of loving him outright when they both know it could never end well for anyone involved.
Things COULD be so simple behind closed doors, but they are vehemently not— they are no less complicated in the dark than they are in the spotlight.
This volume has not only rekindled my interest but given me a newfound one in Blue Morning. The art is stunning and the story has taken a turn I feel something for without it making me feel disgusted afterwards (unlike the previous two volumes).
Immense improvements have already been made in almost all facets of this manga including the art, the pacing, the storytelling, and the atmosphere. While the story is moving away from frequent non-consensual relations, the connections between the majority of characters has become only more messy and contradictory. As a matter of fact, the Ishizaki boy says something about Kuze and Katsuragi that paints their relationship on the surface particularly well.
“You two are a mass of contradictions. There’s a disconnect between what you say and what you do.”
Kuze loves Katsuragi in his own way, and continues to hurt him. Katsuragi loves Kuze in his own way, and continues to deny it and push him away. Though… in this volume, they’ve BOTH finally changed in big ways for them both. Kuze is finally willing to look at himself and is maturing somewhat. As for Katsuragi, his cold demeanor is grumbling, his mask is falling, and I fear he might abandon Kuze for fear of loving him outright when they both know it could never end well for anyone involved.
Things COULD be so simple behind closed doors, but they are vehemently not— they are no less complicated in the dark than they are in the spotlight.
This volume has not only rekindled my interest but given me a newfound one in Blue Morning. The art is stunning and the story has taken a turn I feel something for without it making me feel disgusted afterwards (unlike the previous two volumes).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
wanna ramble about some points:
1. tomoyuki is truly one of the most beautiful characters i have ever seen. all of his panels, so beautiful.... so breathtaking...... that face would be the reason i go to war, i'd go to war for HIM (embarrassing, but a fictional character would never hurt). i wish i was born to love a person with that face. he was drawn with so much love and also.... DESIRE. it's so heavy i need to pinch myself multiple times to make sure that his character does exist in front of my very eyes. i have been yearning for such character since forever. where have u been all these times??
2. the angst and so so much feelings have been laid out and this odd mystery that surrounding tomoyuki is slowly unraveling. it stings a bit to be able to perceive both of their honest trains of thoughts towards each other. but like.... the political things that happened kinda did me some numbers ngl. i need to reread some conversations to make sure i didn't misinterpret their noble family intentions (i'm afraid i already did, bc, whew...... the bloodline and family affair is not something i'm willingly getting myself familiar with)
3. tomoyuki is really really really beautiful, i swearrrrrr.... so i totally understand akihito..... i, too, would do everything for tomoyuki even if i had to give up on my title or something.
1. tomoyuki is truly one of the most beautiful characters i have ever seen. all of his panels, so beautiful.... so breathtaking...... that face would be the reason i go to war, i'd go to war for HIM (embarrassing, but a fictional character would never hurt). i wish i was born to love a person with that face. he was drawn with so much love and also.... DESIRE. it's so heavy i need to pinch myself multiple times to make sure that his character does exist in front of my very eyes. i have been yearning for such character since forever. where have u been all these times??
2. the angst and so so much feelings have been laid out and this odd mystery that surrounding tomoyuki is slowly unraveling. it stings a bit to be able to perceive both of their honest trains of thoughts towards each other. but like.... the political things that happened kinda did me some numbers ngl. i need to reread some conversations to make sure i didn't misinterpret their noble family intentions (i'm afraid i already did, bc, whew...... the bloodline and family affair is not something i'm willingly getting myself familiar with)
3. tomoyuki is really really really beautiful, i swearrrrrr.... so i totally understand akihito..... i, too, would do everything for tomoyuki even if i had to give up on my title or something.
January 8, 2018
Again, 9/10 of this book was a history lesson and convoluted plot and 1/10 had anything to do with the main "couple." Finally, in this volume, the butler Katsuragi begins to acknowledge feelings towards his master and even initiates kissing and lovemaking. But the bulk of the book is about the main character trying to convince the noble families to let him marry a very high-ranking noble woman to gain his own bloodline more prestige. All the political play is very boring. And the series thus far has been building up to make you believe the couple are actually siblings or something. It finally comes to light that they may be uncle and nephew, but Katsuragi says his mother was such a loose concubine that he long ago gave up trying to figure out who his real father is. So it seems that question will never be resolved and neither of them cares, anyway, so...not sure why the author made it such a big question mark up to this point. I'm only still reading because I already bought the whole series but at this point I'm kind of skimming all the filler crap, to be honest. There are too many players in this series to keep track of anyone.
July 6, 2023
Akihito is growing… He’s taking control. I love it. And it’s all for Katsuragi.
Now, the drama involving Katsuragi’s biological parents… It’s whatever. I’m not grossed out. They aren’t brothers like I thought -Thank god! But for that time period, does it matter and they’re gay?? So who gives a crap lol
I loved that Katsuragi had a moment and realized that he was being so goddamn cold to Akihito and it’s not Akihito’s fault. He didn’t choose this situation.. Hell, he didn’t even want to be master!!!
Near the end of the volume was the best part… Katsuragi kissing Akihito first… Coming to him without being forced. He totally loves him…
But of course, we can’t be happy yet!!! Katsuragi moves out at the end and Akihito is ready to give up his title!!!
So much angst!!!
Now, the drama involving Katsuragi’s biological parents… It’s whatever. I’m not grossed out. They aren’t brothers like I thought -Thank god! But for that time period, does it matter and they’re gay?? So who gives a crap lol
I loved that Katsuragi had a moment and realized that he was being so goddamn cold to Akihito and it’s not Akihito’s fault. He didn’t choose this situation.. Hell, he didn’t even want to be master!!!
Near the end of the volume was the best part… Katsuragi kissing Akihito first… Coming to him without being forced. He totally loves him…
But of course, we can’t be happy yet!!! Katsuragi moves out at the end and Akihito is ready to give up his title!!!
So much angst!!!
April 3, 2023
Długie, długaśne rozmowy o dziedziczeniu i całej tej rodowej polityce to najsłabszy punkt tego tomiku. Gubię się w imionach i koligacjach, a to niedobrze, bo na tym głównie opiera się cała historia. Na szczęście romantyzm w związku głównych bohaterów wynagradza wszystkie nużące fragmenty. Balansowałam więc pomiędzy sennością a wzruszeniem.
Zakończenie tomiku to duży cliffhanger. Na pewno zabiorę się za kolejną część, chociaż nie jestem pewna, czy autorka odważy się na duże zmiany. Polecam fanom romansów, z naciskiem na dworskie intrygi.
Zakończenie tomiku to duży cliffhanger. Na pewno zabiorę się za kolejną część, chociaż nie jestem pewna, czy autorka odważy się na duże zmiany. Polecam fanom romansów, z naciskiem na dworskie intrygi.
July 11, 2022
omg that end !! makes me wonder how this will play out
im glad to see akihito grow, becoming a man katsuragi can rely on, and take on more responsibilities ,, its also nice to see how katsuragi is affected by all this. usually he’s seen with a very passive/indifferent look but in this volume especially, he even took initiation and truly began noticing the changes in Akihito.
im glad to see akihito grow, becoming a man katsuragi can rely on, and take on more responsibilities ,, its also nice to see how katsuragi is affected by all this. usually he’s seen with a very passive/indifferent look but in this volume especially, he even took initiation and truly began noticing the changes in Akihito.
May 10, 2023
This one moved a little slower but fast at the same time. All of a sudden we were thrown so many reveals and connections to characters that I was confused for a bit. But perhaps the next volume will be enlightening. The one thing that I am so loving is the growth with Akihito!! He’s really stepping into his own for the ‘game’ of politics !
June 3, 2024
Akihito matured more and embraced his duty of being the head of the Kuze family, which was good to see, because his actions pushed Tomoyuki to realise his own position and feelings. The angst in this volume was so good though! At first it seemed as if neither of them was willing to back down from their ideals but in the end, it was Tomoyuki who chose to let go.
June 17, 2021
This continues to be a very strong series. I was not sure about the first volume, but the 2nd and 3rd solidified my interest and now I crave the love/hate relationship that the characters are going through. The slow integration of others also works well to add more to the narrative arc.
August 25, 2017
SEBAL. GEREGETAN.
July 28, 2020
Nunca me cansaré de decir lo maravilloso que es ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Necesito leer el siguiente YA 😢
July 17, 2025
4.25/5☆
May 17, 2021
The complications continue to pile up, with so many tangles of peerage and heritage and bloodlines and sinister decades-long plotting that could get overwhelming to slog through, but manages to be clear and engaging throughout. What an intelligently written story.
I can't even hate Amamiya, although I would like to. At this point, he's the closest thing to a villain we've got, since he appears to have it in for Akihito and believes, for some reason, that his own stability in the Kuze household relies upon it passing to Katsuragi. I'm not entirely certain why he couldn't just come to Akihito directly to volunteer his services, but I suppose he wants more power than he could grasp under those circumstances.
I'll be honest, I'd thought the Amamiya issue was going to be an old romance between him and Katsuragi, but this is a lot more difficult and dangerous - and cutthroat in a way that really befits this setting. And the revelation that Katsuragi had set most of the wheels in motion is a pretty huge one.
I love the continued window into Katsuragi's messy, complicated feelings. And I am so intrigued by what Akihito is plotting at this point.
I can't even hate Amamiya, although I would like to. At this point, he's the closest thing to a villain we've got, since he appears to have it in for Akihito and believes, for some reason, that his own stability in the Kuze household relies upon it passing to Katsuragi. I'm not entirely certain why he couldn't just come to Akihito directly to volunteer his services, but I suppose he wants more power than he could grasp under those circumstances.
I'll be honest, I'd thought the Amamiya issue was going to be an old romance between him and Katsuragi, but this is a lot more difficult and dangerous - and cutthroat in a way that really befits this setting. And the revelation that Katsuragi had set most of the wheels in motion is a pretty huge one.
I love the continued window into Katsuragi's messy, complicated feelings. And I am so intrigued by what Akihito is plotting at this point.
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