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S (Light Novel) #4
S, Vol. 4: Afterglow
At the end of S volume 3, detective Masaki Shiiba was last seen running away from the hospital room of his injured S, Keigo Munechika. Now, Shiiba has turned in his resignation, bought a gun of his own, and is bent on only one mission—to kill Takanari Godou.
He vows to get the truth from Godou, even if he has to throw away his morals and life to do it. But can he do it? Can he shoot another person and commit cold-blooded murder for revenge?
He vows to get the truth from Godou, even if he has to throw away his morals and life to do it. But can he do it? Can he shoot another person and commit cold-blooded murder for revenge?
210 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2006
5 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Saki Aida
25 books56 followersSaki Aida（英田 サキ）is Boys Love (BL) author of Japan.
Birthday: January 3, Zodiac signs: Capricorn, Blood type: AB. Born in Osaka, Japan.
Saki Aida was one of the disciples of Azusa Nakajima (Another pen name of Kaoru Kurimoto ) Kaoru Kurimoto is very famous author of "The Guin Saga series", and at the same time she is known as a Boys Love author in Japan. In addition, she contributed as a founder of the genre of the Boys Love novel.
There is a possibility that pirated editions are included in this page. Because, there are pirated editions and illegal download sites of Japanese books in overseas. This has very serious problem in Japan. If you like this author, stop reading by illegal means for the author's copyright.
Birthday: January 3, Zodiac signs: Capricorn, Blood type: AB. Born in Osaka, Japan.
Saki Aida was one of the disciples of Azusa Nakajima (Another pen name of Kaoru Kurimoto ) Kaoru Kurimoto is very famous author of "The Guin Saga series", and at the same time she is known as a Boys Love author in Japan. In addition, she contributed as a founder of the genre of the Boys Love novel.
There is a possibility that pirated editions are included in this page. Because, there are pirated editions and illegal download sites of Japanese books in overseas. This has very serious problem in Japan. If you like this author, stop reading by illegal means for the author's copyright.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 1, 2021
And I have reached the last book in the S series. I enjoyed the first three books more. S: Afterglow is a bit darker, which is not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned, but there is less Munechika for the first half of the book which is just cruel (although I did enjoy reading it) and at one point things get a little too dramatic for me. I could have done without stretching a certain encounter.
Despite not having a lot of Shiiba and Munechika time together compared to the first three books, I did enjoy the final one just as much. Every book had something memorable to me, but this one had two things I remembered well and I did like re-reading them.
I did not notice any timeline inconsistencies in the final book! Yay!
I really want to make sure I mention something about this series as a whole. Shiiba and Munechika's relationship didn't start in a healthy way and it was definitely not okay at first. They were both troubled people with heavy backgrounds, but they were right for each other. They were right for each other because they genuinely cared for one another and were willing (in varying degrees, of course) to make it work, to put themselves second for the sake of their lover. So although their relationship didn't have the best start, they nurtured it and worked to make it good.
I loved the character development in the series, especially Shiiba's, since the series mostly follows him. His struggles felt real and it is impossible to not see and understand his point of view if not agreeing with him completely. Saki Aida did a fabulous job in writing this story and no matter the inconsistencies, little errors, maybe some questionable actions, it draws you in. Yes, I still am very biased and this is not the case for everyone, but I just can't not love it and praise it. The sheer amount of thought that went into creating the characters and the plot, the care put in every character, giving them a distinct personality and an important role in the series is enough to make me appreciate it. Pair it with good writing (thanks translators as well!) and I'm a fan.
Chiharu Nara's illustrations were great here too, I enjoyed looking at them. I think I'm going to read some of her mangas and maybe other novels she illustrated if I can find any in English. I took quite a turn there from not thinking much about the illustration to seeking more. What can I say, Chiharu Nara's illustrations are really good.
So yeah, in conclusion I enjoyed my I-have-no-idea-how-many re-read of S and it still is one of my favourite series. Shiiba and Munechika are a great pair and I just might want to re-discover them again at some point. Who knows.
Despite not having a lot of Shiiba and Munechika time together compared to the first three books, I did enjoy the final one just as much. Every book had something memorable to me, but this one had two things I remembered well and I did like re-reading them.
I did not notice any timeline inconsistencies in the final book! Yay!
I really want to make sure I mention something about this series as a whole. Shiiba and Munechika's relationship didn't start in a healthy way and it was definitely not okay at first. They were both troubled people with heavy backgrounds, but they were right for each other. They were right for each other because they genuinely cared for one another and were willing (in varying degrees, of course) to make it work, to put themselves second for the sake of their lover. So although their relationship didn't have the best start, they nurtured it and worked to make it good.
I loved the character development in the series, especially Shiiba's, since the series mostly follows him. His struggles felt real and it is impossible to not see and understand his point of view if not agreeing with him completely. Saki Aida did a fabulous job in writing this story and no matter the inconsistencies, little errors, maybe some questionable actions, it draws you in. Yes, I still am very biased and this is not the case for everyone, but I just can't not love it and praise it. The sheer amount of thought that went into creating the characters and the plot, the care put in every character, giving them a distinct personality and an important role in the series is enough to make me appreciate it. Pair it with good writing (thanks translators as well!) and I'm a fan.
Chiharu Nara's illustrations were great here too, I enjoyed looking at them. I think I'm going to read some of her mangas and maybe other novels she illustrated if I can find any in English. I took quite a turn there from not thinking much about the illustration to seeking more. What can I say, Chiharu Nara's illustrations are really good.
So yeah, in conclusion I enjoyed my I-have-no-idea-how-many re-read of S and it still is one of my favourite series. Shiiba and Munechika are a great pair and I just might want to re-discover them again at some point. Who knows.
January 18, 2012
While book 1 and 2 can be read as stand alone ones, I consider Split (book 3) and Afterglow (book 4) as one book in two parts. And they are definitely the best, and darkest, part of the story.
I like that Saki-sensei not prolonging this series and how she built the relationship between Munechika and--the not so typical uke--Shiiba with Shinozaki, Kaname, and later on Motoaki with them.
Even if on most yaoi novels/mangas you can almost always predict the outcomes, S is above the average. I don't regret reading the series at all. :)
I like that Saki-sensei not prolonging this series and how she built the relationship between Munechika and--the not so typical uke--Shiiba with Shinozaki, Kaname, and later on Motoaki with them.
Even if on most yaoi novels/mangas you can almost always predict the outcomes, S is above the average. I don't regret reading the series at all. :)
February 4, 2014
As a whole series, I actually love S.
I have read all the novels, I have listened to the drama CDs since there were extras that were not included in the novel at all (like how Shiiba and Munechika lived after Afterglow).
But S isn't that realistic for me. Okay, you may not get me or something but, really, the whole thing is too cheezy (I think there's a better word to describe it) for me despite the fact that they're dealing with underground stuff including mafias from other countries.
I have read all the novels, I have listened to the drama CDs since there were extras that were not included in the novel at all (like how Shiiba and Munechika lived after Afterglow).
But S isn't that realistic for me. Okay, you may not get me or something but, really, the whole thing is too cheezy (I think there's a better word to describe it) for me despite the fact that they're dealing with underground stuff including mafias from other countries.
April 13, 2011
I'm going to cheat and review the whole series here. S took me on a really pleasant ride. The sexual tension between the two main characters are sizzling and the smut is quite well written. From volumes 1 to 4, we gradually learn more about the characters and why they are the way they are. Flawed. The almost co-dependent relationship that Shiba has with Munechika while trying to maintain his own independence stubbornly... This was sweet, dark and all things smexy simultaneously.
May 28, 2024
Hm. Hm. Hm.
I find myself torn on this volume. I didn't enjoy it as much, though that could largely just be due to the fact that I read it over the course of 15 days instead of one to three days (which, in and of itself, is due to the fact I had to read this one digitally, sob sob sob). I am sure if I had a physical copy, I would have read it faster and the pacing wouldn't have felt so stagnate... but even with that in mind, I am not sure what I think about this volume.
It is a significant departure from the first volume, to the point where I am not sure what this volume, or this series, really wanted to be. Which makes sense, given that (it is, at least, my understanding) the author did not plan on a full series originally. While understandable, this is also unfortunate, as it makes the first book the strongest (I can see myself rereading it as a stand-alone again and again), the second book kind of out of place (it would have worked better if all subsequent volumes focused on different people, instead of one, three, and four having a common through thread and two just kind of being there), and volumes three and four being, really, two parts of one longer volume, with three setting up a lot of moving parts and four... kind of drawing it all to a close, but in a very slow and character-exploration way. Which I like and don't like at the same time.
I normally really love character driven stories. I love putting a guy in situations and having him face himself, his enemies, his friends, his beliefs, his identity, truth, justice, and god. And I love it when a series has many complex characters that all have their own drives, motivations, backstories, and relationships. So in that regard, I did like volume four. However, the huge focus on character development really stagnated the pace of the story.
Even though I liked that Shiiba had to look inside himself and emerge more resolute in what he wanted from his life and from himself, the fact that he had to do this again was almost ridiculous, because he's been going through the same cycle of character growth for the last three volumes. Yes, this final push was a natural evolution for his character, but his wishy-washiness just dragged the whole process out. I did, however, really like Shiiba's interactions with Kiri and Motoaki, and how, subtly, he was influencing them as much as they were influencing him. So while I was initially frustrated that Shiiba, once again, made the worst possible choice in going after Godou and then agreeing to stay with him for some time, I ended up liking that part of the story for how it allowed him to interact with the other characters.
On the flip side, Godou's character development felt a bit to random and rushed. Godou is introduced near the end of volume three as something like an overarching antagonist for the series. He is , he has been manipulating Motoaki for years, and he even . His life is completely entwined with our two main characters and the people closest to them, and he is noted as being extremely rich and powerful, as evident from his political power that gets Shiiba investigated and the hit he puts out on Munechika. And yet, he is not introduced until the second half of volume three. Because of this, a good chunk of volume four becomes dedicated to unpacking (or, rather, straight up telling us, through characters who were introduced seemingly just to provide this exposition) who Godou is and how he became this way, all of which is rushed, as the author is trying to set him up as a a real threat and sympathetic villain when we have only just been introduced to him. Godou would have been served much better as a character if he was introduced earlier in the series and his influence and power was shown more clearly. It would have lead more naturally into his role in the main characters' lives and allowed him to be a shallow character who slowly gains complexities and dimensions.
I didn't really mind that Shiiba and Munechika were apart for the first part of the book, but I was let down a bit by the ending, because even after they get back together, they're still apart quiet a bit. I did, however, really like the ending-ending, mostly because I could see how much better their lives were going to be, and I LOVED seeing how much happier Shiiba seemed. Like, it was honestly really impressive that just through a few different word choices, Shiiba smiling, and the tone, I could instantly tell that he was so much happier now than he had ever been before. And I was really happy for him, and happy for the future he was going to finally get to have with Munechika, with neither of them weighed down by the past and expectations.
I find myself torn on this volume. I didn't enjoy it as much, though that could largely just be due to the fact that I read it over the course of 15 days instead of one to three days (which, in and of itself, is due to the fact I had to read this one digitally, sob sob sob). I am sure if I had a physical copy, I would have read it faster and the pacing wouldn't have felt so stagnate... but even with that in mind, I am not sure what I think about this volume.
It is a significant departure from the first volume, to the point where I am not sure what this volume, or this series, really wanted to be. Which makes sense, given that (it is, at least, my understanding) the author did not plan on a full series originally. While understandable, this is also unfortunate, as it makes the first book the strongest (I can see myself rereading it as a stand-alone again and again), the second book kind of out of place (it would have worked better if all subsequent volumes focused on different people, instead of one, three, and four having a common through thread and two just kind of being there), and volumes three and four being, really, two parts of one longer volume, with three setting up a lot of moving parts and four... kind of drawing it all to a close, but in a very slow and character-exploration way. Which I like and don't like at the same time.
I normally really love character driven stories. I love putting a guy in situations and having him face himself, his enemies, his friends, his beliefs, his identity, truth, justice, and god. And I love it when a series has many complex characters that all have their own drives, motivations, backstories, and relationships. So in that regard, I did like volume four. However, the huge focus on character development really stagnated the pace of the story.
Even though I liked that Shiiba had to look inside himself and emerge more resolute in what he wanted from his life and from himself, the fact that he had to do this again was almost ridiculous, because he's been going through the same cycle of character growth for the last three volumes. Yes, this final push was a natural evolution for his character, but his wishy-washiness just dragged the whole process out. I did, however, really like Shiiba's interactions with Kiri and Motoaki, and how, subtly, he was influencing them as much as they were influencing him. So while I was initially frustrated that Shiiba, once again, made the worst possible choice in going after Godou and then agreeing to stay with him for some time, I ended up liking that part of the story for how it allowed him to interact with the other characters.
On the flip side, Godou's character development felt a bit to random and rushed. Godou is introduced near the end of volume three as something like an overarching antagonist for the series. He is , he has been manipulating Motoaki for years, and he even . His life is completely entwined with our two main characters and the people closest to them, and he is noted as being extremely rich and powerful, as evident from his political power that gets Shiiba investigated and the hit he puts out on Munechika. And yet, he is not introduced until the second half of volume three. Because of this, a good chunk of volume four becomes dedicated to unpacking (or, rather, straight up telling us, through characters who were introduced seemingly just to provide this exposition) who Godou is and how he became this way, all of which is rushed, as the author is trying to set him up as a a real threat and sympathetic villain when we have only just been introduced to him. Godou would have been served much better as a character if he was introduced earlier in the series and his influence and power was shown more clearly. It would have lead more naturally into his role in the main characters' lives and allowed him to be a shallow character who slowly gains complexities and dimensions.
I didn't really mind that Shiiba and Munechika were apart for the first part of the book, but I was let down a bit by the ending, because even after they get back together, they're still apart quiet a bit. I did, however, really like the ending-ending, mostly because I could see how much better their lives were going to be, and I LOVED seeing how much happier Shiiba seemed. Like, it was honestly really impressive that just through a few different word choices, Shiiba smiling, and the tone, I could instantly tell that he was so much happier now than he had ever been before. And I was really happy for him, and happy for the future he was going to finally get to have with Munechika, with neither of them weighed down by the past and expectations.
February 1, 2018
Continues straight on from Vol3 and Shiiba's decision to leave both Munechika and the police force. Shiiba continues a streak of dumbass decisions, like deciding to kill Godou and then wavering in the face of Godou's words that he isn't the villain. Oh, and also he still has a hit out on Munechika and will have him continually attacked/shot unless Shiiba follows his every order -- but he's not the bad guy, promise!
Vol4 gets very wishy-washy and unreliable. And not as in an unreliable narrator (which can be a fantastic device), but as in the story keeps presenting wildly conflicting stories as completely 100% true. And also misremembering events/feelings that were very clearly not there the first time around.
The relationship between Shiiba and Munechika is very touching and sweet in this volume, and they both finally speak honestly with the other and reveal their true feelings. Major points for this, combating some of the problems I just listed above. There were bittersweet moments as they still seemed destined for separation or a doomed relationship, given their respective careers and the decisions they make regarding said careers over the course of this novel. I was impressed with how maturely they handled this, though, and their discussions and decisions regarding it.
I remain unimpressed with the main antagonist/villain of the series, who comes off as a psychopath who performs completely random actions (a la DC's Joker) but hides it fairly well behind a handsome facade. Between that and the random attempt to woobify him, he just comes off as badly developed and jumping all over the place to serve whatever random needs the plot has for him. Similarly unimpressed with the minor antagonist, who is just as much of a psychopath, but his 'tragic' (it's not actually tragic at all) backstory means everyone forgives him and wants to help him out.
When I say it was a good end to the series, I mean I like how the very end worked out for our main couple. Not that it was necessarily strong plot-wise and with its villain/s. I feel like this was a technically weak novel, and only the development of the main couple and their relationship kept it in 'good' territory.
Rating: 3 stars - could have been great, if not for unreliability of author/novel and random woobification of psychotic antagonists
As a note regarding the series overall, I will be throwing out Vol2, and just keeping 1, 3 and 4, which make a better series on their own without the out-of-character and pointless-plot of Vol2.
Vol4 gets very wishy-washy and unreliable. And not as in an unreliable narrator (which can be a fantastic device), but as in the story keeps presenting wildly conflicting stories as completely 100% true. And also misremembering events/feelings that were very clearly not there the first time around.
The relationship between Shiiba and Munechika is very touching and sweet in this volume, and they both finally speak honestly with the other and reveal their true feelings. Major points for this, combating some of the problems I just listed above. There were bittersweet moments as they still seemed destined for separation or a doomed relationship, given their respective careers and the decisions they make regarding said careers over the course of this novel. I was impressed with how maturely they handled this, though, and their discussions and decisions regarding it.
I remain unimpressed with the main antagonist/villain of the series, who comes off as a psychopath who performs completely random actions (a la DC's Joker) but hides it fairly well behind a handsome facade. Between that and the random attempt to woobify him, he just comes off as badly developed and jumping all over the place to serve whatever random needs the plot has for him. Similarly unimpressed with the minor antagonist, who is just as much of a psychopath, but his 'tragic' (it's not actually tragic at all) backstory means everyone forgives him and wants to help him out.
When I say it was a good end to the series, I mean I like how the very end worked out for our main couple. Not that it was necessarily strong plot-wise and with its villain/s. I feel like this was a technically weak novel, and only the development of the main couple and their relationship kept it in 'good' territory.
Rating: 3 stars - could have been great, if not for unreliability of author/novel and random woobification of psychotic antagonists
As a note regarding the series overall, I will be throwing out Vol2, and just keeping 1, 3 and 4, which make a better series on their own without the out-of-character and pointless-plot of Vol2.
March 30, 2020
I think this is the best one of the bunch. I'm sad to finally let this series end.
October 23, 2023
I liked this, but it wasn't as engaging as the previous volume. The main villain also could have been built up more.
January 6, 2019
Oh God. Oh God. This was the best thing I have ever read. It had everything I could ask: good plot, sexi men XD and of course Godou who was a really good antagonist. Ok, the man was crazy maybe a little disturbed but he was awesome and the way he died was... just magnificent for someone like him. Also I liked the happy end, I'm such a dreamer. I think it was a nice way of endindg this serie which I will miss.
September 9, 2023
"I swear. I swear a million times. I love you, only you...I want you to let me love you. And please...I want you to love me, too."
"You don't even have to ask. I already love you. I have for a while now."
This series made me frustrated and mad but at the same time it is filled with just so many unexpected things that I just can help but to love it.
"You don't even have to ask. I already love you. I have for a while now."
This series made me frustrated and mad but at the same time it is filled with just so many unexpected things that I just can help but to love it.
April 1, 2012
Okay this was a good ending to this 4 part series. Keigo Munechika was a super cool dude and his interest in Masaki Shiiba never wavered. All the loose ends were caught and wound up tight. All in all it was a great read.
August 1, 2015
Woah. What a great end to a great series. Everything was answered, Godou is twisted (understatement of the year), Shiiba has healed, Munechika and Motoaki have made up.... Just splendid. Only wish there was more :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2016
Finally Shiiba realizes different meaningful events in his life...
Some parts of the novel were a bit overacted but all in all a good end of the series. I loved the development of Shiiba's and Munechika's relationship...
Some parts of the novel were a bit overacted but all in all a good end of the series. I loved the development of Shiiba's and Munechika's relationship...
December 31, 2015
It happens very frequently when the sequels just don't measure up to the first volume, but, Afterglow was a good ending nonetheless. I just dislike it when some Uke ends up acting feminine? Yep, anyhow, worth reading and re-reading <3
October 13, 2010
It was a sweet, sweet end!
December 31, 2014
This is one of the firsts of my first series that i have read of the genre and I really enjoyed it. I recommend it to everyone who like this kind of books :)
May 17, 2015
OMG!!!! This was wonderful. I loved every second of it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews