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In These Words: Prequel
Equilibrium Light Novel - Side A
Rare Book
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2016
9 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Kichiku Neko
51 books465 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
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 24, 2016
Can't wait for the next one!
I love the dynamic between M and David.
I love the dynamic between M and David.
"I suggest you find someone less broken to invest your time in, David," M continued, as he walked toward the coffee machine. "You won't believe me now, but I can assure you that he will destroy you one day." He turned and looked back. "Everything that you are now, and everything you have... he will take it all with him the day he leaves you. And he will leave you."
October 31, 2016
This is an illustrated prequel novel for In These Words. I suppose I saw this coming and it feels like the beginning of the end.
David introduces Katsuya to someone from his past, a man named M. M runs a BDSM outfit and, while it isn't clear how the meeting came about, it is clear that in it's aftermath, David wishes it never happened. Katsuya, being himself, is intrigued and after receiving an invitation in the form of a collar, becomes more so. David warns him against having any further contact with M, but true to Katsuya's complex opinion of himself, he feels that he may be the exception to the rule. And to that end, he makes an appointment with M to satisfy his curiosity. But he doesn't tell David.
David feels that Katsuya doesn't truly understand the type of change someone under M's care would go through, but Katsuya thinks he does and thinks that it will help him find some kind of answer to a question he's had for a very long time. It's painful watching them step through this grove of thorns as David tries to cut a path back to the prick-free meadow without being a prick about it and Katsuya practically frolics and cartwheels his way deeper in. Katsuya's not giddy or anything and there are moments when he pauses, but, for the most part, he's pretty one-track minded about the whole thing. What's worse is that he's doing it knowing how it is doing something he's never seen to David. He apologizes for making him worry, but not for taking action.
M tells David that Katsuya is going to leave him and destroy him in the process--he is completely certain that it's Katsuya who will end things between them. I agree. I've been in agreement since I read New York Minute. Up to a point, my simple thought was: I don't know what it's going to be about, but when they break up, it will be a decision that Katsuya makes that David has to live with. From the beginning, their chemistry was undeniable, palpable, and I couldn't imagine them falling out of love with each other. But since falling out of love isn't always the reason people walk away, I knew it would have to be about something Katsuya wanted that David was incapable of giving. Not like requited love or fidelity, something a little more fundamental to who Katsuya understood himself to be and what that person needed, something I can't quite put into words, but when it comes up, I'll probably say, "yeah, that."
Way back forever ago there was a two-part short written about Katsuya's birthday called Our Day Begins When Yours Ends. I believe it was on Kichiku Neko's LJ page; it's been since taken down, most likely because it now conflicts with canon (I still have it saved in a PDF though!). It could be seen as kind of a prologue to Equilibrium. Katsuya's interest and David's resistence were present, but there are some other details that have been reworked or eliminated in favor of the story Equilibrium tells. Nevertheless, I think that the essence of the piece and the feeling it gave me and the thoughts it stirred in me are still valid. And it was from the conversation they had over Katsuya's birthday steak that I could see the path to their end. Not clearly, but clear enough that the story being told now has resonated with me in a way that it wouldn't have otherwise. It would still be great and I think I would probably still see it as a prelude to their outro, but without the feeling of suspicions being confirmed.
Most people into the ITW-verse understand that David and Katsuya will come to an end, but I can't imagine that any of them seeing things the way I do can come away as anything but a little heartbroken after reading this. Maybe now would be a good time for a hug.
David introduces Katsuya to someone from his past, a man named M. M runs a BDSM outfit and, while it isn't clear how the meeting came about, it is clear that in it's aftermath, David wishes it never happened. Katsuya, being himself, is intrigued and after receiving an invitation in the form of a collar, becomes more so. David warns him against having any further contact with M, but true to Katsuya's complex opinion of himself, he feels that he may be the exception to the rule. And to that end, he makes an appointment with M to satisfy his curiosity. But he doesn't tell David.
David feels that Katsuya doesn't truly understand the type of change someone under M's care would go through, but Katsuya thinks he does and thinks that it will help him find some kind of answer to a question he's had for a very long time. It's painful watching them step through this grove of thorns as David tries to cut a path back to the prick-free meadow without being a prick about it and Katsuya practically frolics and cartwheels his way deeper in. Katsuya's not giddy or anything and there are moments when he pauses, but, for the most part, he's pretty one-track minded about the whole thing. What's worse is that he's doing it knowing how it is doing something he's never seen to David. He apologizes for making him worry, but not for taking action.
M tells David that Katsuya is going to leave him and destroy him in the process--he is completely certain that it's Katsuya who will end things between them. I agree. I've been in agreement since I read New York Minute. Up to a point, my simple thought was: I don't know what it's going to be about, but when they break up, it will be a decision that Katsuya makes that David has to live with. From the beginning, their chemistry was undeniable, palpable, and I couldn't imagine them falling out of love with each other. But since falling out of love isn't always the reason people walk away, I knew it would have to be about something Katsuya wanted that David was incapable of giving. Not like requited love or fidelity, something a little more fundamental to who Katsuya understood himself to be and what that person needed, something I can't quite put into words, but when it comes up, I'll probably say, "yeah, that."
Way back forever ago there was a two-part short written about Katsuya's birthday called Our Day Begins When Yours Ends. I believe it was on Kichiku Neko's LJ page; it's been since taken down, most likely because it now conflicts with canon (I still have it saved in a PDF though!). It could be seen as kind of a prologue to Equilibrium. Katsuya's interest and David's resistence were present, but there are some other details that have been reworked or eliminated in favor of the story Equilibrium tells. Nevertheless, I think that the essence of the piece and the feeling it gave me and the thoughts it stirred in me are still valid. And it was from the conversation they had over Katsuya's birthday steak that I could see the path to their end. Not clearly, but clear enough that the story being told now has resonated with me in a way that it wouldn't have otherwise. It would still be great and I think I would probably still see it as a prelude to their outro, but without the feeling of suspicions being confirmed.
Most people into the ITW-verse understand that David and Katsuya will come to an end, but I can't imagine that any of them seeing things the way I do can come away as anything but a little heartbroken after reading this. Maybe now would be a good time for a hug.
March 23, 2024
Better than I expected.
I love In These Words, the characters, the darkness, the psychology of it.
After the Shinohara Spin-Off "Maybe Someday" [MS] my expectations for the light novels, however, dropped considerably.
But I must admit, the literary quality of Equilibrium was better than [MS], the characters felt more alive, their interactions and dialogue was more fleshed out. Where [MS] felt like a voyeuristic smut fanfic, Equilibrium gives you the feeling it cares about its characters, and especially Katsuya's explanation as to why he wants to engage in BDSM was enlightening, though, for me personally, hard to understand. Why someone would want to fill their inner void with pain instead of nice things is still very abstract to me.
A must-read for fans of In These Words and if you want to dive deeper into Katsuya Asano's psychology. And a satisfying follow-up to the forgettable Maybe Someday.
The illustrations, as always from Guilt|Pleasure, are pure eye-candy. Probably the best out there for people looking for a mature Yaoi style.
I love In These Words, the characters, the darkness, the psychology of it.
After the Shinohara Spin-Off "Maybe Someday" [MS] my expectations for the light novels, however, dropped considerably.
But I must admit, the literary quality of Equilibrium was better than [MS], the characters felt more alive, their interactions and dialogue was more fleshed out. Where [MS] felt like a voyeuristic smut fanfic, Equilibrium gives you the feeling it cares about its characters, and especially Katsuya's explanation as to why he wants to engage in BDSM was enlightening, though, for me personally, hard to understand. Why someone would want to fill their inner void with pain instead of nice things is still very abstract to me.
A must-read for fans of In These Words and if you want to dive deeper into Katsuya Asano's psychology. And a satisfying follow-up to the forgettable Maybe Someday.
The illustrations, as always from Guilt|Pleasure, are pure eye-candy. Probably the best out there for people looking for a mature Yaoi style.
January 24, 2016
Already read the chapter via patreon. :3 Getting these chapter combined in one volume was a great refresher. :3
February 2, 2019
Wow, was ein Buch. Ich bin völlig sprachlos. Ich weiß nicht wirklich wo ich anfangen soll. Es ist großartig, ein kleines Meisterwerk. Equilibrium ist ein Prequel von InTheseWords und allein an dem Cover kann ich mich nicht satt sehen. Anders als die Hauptreihe, handelt es sich hierbei nicht um einen Manga, sondern einen kleinen Roman mit einigen wirklich sehr eindrucksstarken Zeichnungen.
Es geht um Katsuyas Vergangenheit und seine Beziehung zu David. Schnell wird klar, dass er eine unbändige Neugier verspürt, als das Thema BDSM auftaucht und damit beginnen die Probleme. Er trifft auf M, einen Sadisten und Dom, der seinen Gefallen an ihm gefunden hat...
Ich liebe dieses Buch! Von vorn bis hinten. Da ich selbst im BDSM unterwegs bin, kann ich mich vollkommen mit den Figuren identifizieren und sie nachvollziehen. Die Beziehungen der 3 Männer zueinander, die Chemie, die Gefühle, die Konflikte, ihre Handlungen und ihre Art sind sehr realitätsnah.
Ich glaube, jeder der in der Szene bewandert ist, wird dieses Buch mit einer Mischung aus einem Lächeln, einer Träne und einem schweren Seufzer lesen. Alle anderen Fans der Reihe finden hier sicherlich auch die Background Geschichte, die sie fesselt. ⛓️
Es geht um Katsuyas Vergangenheit und seine Beziehung zu David. Schnell wird klar, dass er eine unbändige Neugier verspürt, als das Thema BDSM auftaucht und damit beginnen die Probleme. Er trifft auf M, einen Sadisten und Dom, der seinen Gefallen an ihm gefunden hat...
Ich liebe dieses Buch! Von vorn bis hinten. Da ich selbst im BDSM unterwegs bin, kann ich mich vollkommen mit den Figuren identifizieren und sie nachvollziehen. Die Beziehungen der 3 Männer zueinander, die Chemie, die Gefühle, die Konflikte, ihre Handlungen und ihre Art sind sehr realitätsnah.
Ich glaube, jeder der in der Szene bewandert ist, wird dieses Buch mit einer Mischung aus einem Lächeln, einer Träne und einem schweren Seufzer lesen. Alle anderen Fans der Reihe finden hier sicherlich auch die Background Geschichte, die sie fesselt. ⛓️
January 9, 2023
🇩🇪 Ok. Ok. Ich hab ein bisschen Angst vor dem Folgeband. Und das nicht mal wegen Katsuya. Der weiß offenbar definitiv was und vor allen warum er es tut. Mittel zum Zweck und so, auch wenn ich es immer noch sehr fragwürdig finde und der Meinung bin, dass es bestimmt andere Wege gibt.
Nein ich hab Angst, was das mit David macht.... Kein Schimmer wie seine Vergangenheit aussieht, dass er so Schiss vor sich selbst hat, aber jetzt WILL ich wissen, wie seine Vergangenheit aussieht. Gibt es dazu auch eine Side Story? 🤔
🇬🇧 Ok. Ok. I'm a little bit scared of the next volume. And not even because of Katsuya. He definitely seems to know what he's doing, and more importantly, why he's doing it. Means to an end and all, even though I still find it very questionable and think there are definitely other ways.
No I'm afraid of what this will do to David.... No clue what his past is like that he is so scared of himself, but now I WANT to know what his past is like. Is there a side story about this as well? 🤔
Nein ich hab Angst, was das mit David macht.... Kein Schimmer wie seine Vergangenheit aussieht, dass er so Schiss vor sich selbst hat, aber jetzt WILL ich wissen, wie seine Vergangenheit aussieht. Gibt es dazu auch eine Side Story? 🤔
🇬🇧 Ok. Ok. I'm a little bit scared of the next volume. And not even because of Katsuya. He definitely seems to know what he's doing, and more importantly, why he's doing it. Means to an end and all, even though I still find it very questionable and think there are definitely other ways.
No I'm afraid of what this will do to David.... No clue what his past is like that he is so scared of himself, but now I WANT to know what his past is like. Is there a side story about this as well? 🤔
December 24, 2018
I dunno... I'm really bad at coping with people cheating on each other and eventhough this technically ain't really cheating, it hurts reading. I don't understand why anyone would give themselves to someone else and even Katsuya hinself said that it's a weird and hard decision but he did it regardless. Apparently to find himself, still a doubtful decision to me.
November 18, 2023
A nice shorter read. There is some heavier psychological intonations in this book but over all the characters are well developed and enjoyable. The story also kept me from wanting to put the book down until finished.
March 5, 2021
3,5 Sterne
January 18, 2023
I love this project...but I also know there is A LOT more to love. Looking forward to Side B!
August 2, 2023
Traduzam em português please
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews