寄宿舎の黒猫は夜をしらない 下

Black Cat & the Vampire #2

by Nikke Taino, 鯛野ニッケ

愛ってそういうものなんだって、腑に落ちてしまった――アウラを襲った犯人が見つかったらしい!?
ジーンに首筋を噛まれ、学園の吸血鬼の秘密を知ってしまったユキ。
それは、吸血人類との間に課せられた、あまりに切なく愛おしい恋の顛末だった。
俺たち人間は、愛さないということでしか彼らを幸せにできないのか――
ユキは、己の中に芽生え始めていたジーンへの気持ちに蓋をしようと決意して…!?

肌に喰いこむ牙の感触が、言葉よりも雄弁に愛を囁く――人間と吸血人類の、種族を超えた真実の愛の物語!!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, LGBT, Vampires, Boys Love, Supernatural

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2021

About the author

TAINO Nikke
Name (in native language): 鯛野ニッケ
Associated Names:
あいかわ
ころけら
煮.com
Aikawa
Corokera
Ni.com

Circle : Ni.com, Corokera

Pixiv: あいかわ
Twitter #2: tai_nikke

Reviews

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a weird series; it has interesting ideas and absolutely gorgeous art, but it feels very incomplete. Not something that could easily wrap up in two volumes, when the conclusion is basically a student's bold decision to change the entire blood drinker (vampire) world...and then we cut to some future scenes and close out the story.

There are a lot of unanswered questions left, and what felt like the introduction of a bunch of plot holes in this volume.

I loved the big twist at the end of volume 1, when it turns out that the entire school is a testing ground for blood drinkers who have to learn how to control themselves in human society, without ever giving into the temptation to drink blood. But then we also find out that if they do not drink blood, they die at any point between age 20 and age 40...which means some of these students will successfully graduate from this training environment and then die a couple years later. What's the point?

And if blood drinkers live such short lives, who is running their society? Who set up the school? Most of the teachers are probably nearing the end of their lives, too. (Except the one human-turned-blood-drinker who seems to be immortal without needing to drink blood? He was interesting, but he didn't get much to do in this volume... I thought his tragic boyfriend might at least come back.) All the teachers seem sort of...passive. Who is making the decisions? Who approves Jean's plan to drink blood from a human (his boyfriend, Yuki) as a willing host who can prolong his life while he researches their race, alternate food sources, star scales, etc? Who funds the research institute he's setting up? If they're so afraid of their race going extinct, where are new blood drinkers coming from? Is it all hereditary, so they have to leave this school and go find lady blood drinks to have babies? Is there a similar girls' school set up in another location? Are these schools spread all over the world, or is this all of them?

A lot of it just...doesn't really make sense, and instead of actually expanding upon the world, we just close out with some quick summaries of their research efforts. Are all the other researchers also finding willing human hosts? Is Yuki donating his blood on the regular? Why don't any of them follow the traditional fictional vampire path of just drinking donor blood?

Then there's the whole deal of the star scales, which I did like a little bit more in this volume, mostly because the love story between Pavel and Aula ended up being devastating and beautiful. (I wonder if that was actually the initial inspiration behind this story - a tragic scenario where you lose your memories every time you realize you're in love.) But I still don't feel like it makes much sense.

The only time blood drinkers actually lose control is when they encounter star scales...which only happens if the human they're around is deeply in love with them...which is apparently such a rare occurrence that most of the blood drinkers don't believe star scales are anything more than a fairy tale. (Even though it apparently happened to Jean a ton throughout his life, because people were constantly falling in love with him and triggering his feral blood drinker nature.)

I guess that's why they isolate the blood drinkers in same-sex schools with same-sex teachers, so the only danger comes from the gay students. But then what are they actually learning to control? They literally can't control themselves around star scales, which means in the human world, they can't ever form close friendships or work relationships or anything with humans who might develop an interest in them. So again...is there a blood drinker network of careers and social activities where they always stay isolated?

I have so many questions!!

It is an interesting setup, but this volume was kind of disappointing in its follow through. I liked the beginning a lot, with Pavel and Aula's story, and Yuki taking a firm pro-blood-drinker stance, even after experiencing the effects of Jean's fangs for himself. There were a lot of good ideas to chew on and develop more, but we just rushed to an ending that didn't resolve much of anything.

And...how long is Jean going to prolong his life and his research? Is he going to outlive Yuki? What about Pavel and Aula? Are either of them going to try the immortal-teacher route, under more controlled conditions?

I don't know. Not a favorite series for me, and maybe one I'll let go of when I'm in need of more shelf space. I'm not sure if I'd reread it or not.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked volume one, but I loved volume two. It had the perfect amount of angst, drama, and love. The vampire lore is so unique here, and I'm very happy they were able to find a way to fight the curses. The bonus story at the end was adorable, and gave a glimpse into multiple characters' happily ever afters.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel pretty much the same about this volume as the previous: that I didn't really care for the main romance, but liked the mystery with Aula. This one gets an extra star though because I ended up absolutely loving the Aula story line. It was so much more emotional and interesting than Yuki and Jean's relationship. It left me in tears and was all I could think about.

[zy忍 · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a plot that relies on the characters to fall in love, the main couple isn't giving me that satisfaction. The secondary couple's story definitely made more sense and in my opinion has a sadder nature to it.

[Minaru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una pena que la obra se acabe en 2 tomos porque tiene una historia que te deja con ganas de más y que de haberse desarrollado debidamente, habría salido como resultado algo similar a Vampire Knight (salvando las distancias y siendo un BL).

[Janina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah! Hätte ich sofort nach dem ersten Band den zweiten gelesen, hätte mir das bestimmt besser gefallen. Aber selbst dann war alles etwas sehr schnell - die Romanzen, die Subplots, die Backstory von Wechsler (ohne vorherige Andeutungen) - das hätte spannender/besser sein können, wenn es eine Reihe geworden wäre. Und ich habe die schöne Atmosphäre vom Internat vermisst, ich hätte gerne mehr Shots vom der Katze und der Umgebung. :(

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Could it have been longer? Yes, and the world would have benefited from it, because the vampire lore is unique. But it was good enough at two volumes, and I'm relieved and pleased with the characters' endings.

[Rebecca Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but the ending was rushed. I felt like it could have at least gone 2 more volumes but they condensed everything into the last bit. I enjoyed the characters but I also wanted more of the secondary couple. I feel a little cheated.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the way I cried with this volume was not sane. Even when some things might have been predictable, I was not ready at all for the angst that was coming with each love story. But what I loved the most about this story was how each one was ready to fight for the person they wanted. It was just not a promise of loving the other forever, they actually made it happen. The drawing is gorgeous.

I feel like I have so much to say about this story but at the same time I'm freaking sad. The only thing I might complain about this story is how it should have been longer. THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING I WAS HOPING FOR AT LEAST 5 VOLUMES MORE.

But even if it was short, it really touched my heart. I live for angsty cliché romance. As much as I want to deny it, I live for it and this story reminded me that. Second couple really was so great and so sad. As much as I liked the main couple, I was not feeling much until the very last chapters. And hell, I felt A LOT with them in those chapters. Seriously, I wish this was longer but I will make all of them live happily in my mind forever.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this series would be so short. The book is sizeable, at least, and packs quite a bit of story into it. We get history, present, and future in this conclusion, along with a few awkward scenes that aren't really explained, and a surface dip into the complexities of love. I enjoyed the overall story and wish it had been spread out to go a little longer and expand on things that are quickly skipped over. I'm more irked than I should be that the black cats played such a minor role. 😆 Glad I read it. Wished for more. Probably a series I'll end up selling for shelf space.

[dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling conflicted about the conflict at the start(ish) of the book. I just felt like there was no point to what the teacher did, like...you just caused the kid pain for no reason?? But everything else was so good! I didn't expect things to resolve as they did but I was really happy with it and the time skip was 💯💯💯. Honestly, I need a next volume with them in timeskip! I am curious about the star scales though...I just feel like there's something nagging in my brain about it but I'm not entirely sure what bothers me, LOL. But the blushing? Excellent!

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first volume really drew me into this world. I was excited to start this second volume. It continued with the unique world of vampires it gave us in the first volume and I was happy with the way Jean and Yuki progressed. I was looking forward to moving on to the next volume after this until I realized it was over. I’m left feeling a bit empty. It’s okay enough in the end but I thought this was going somewhere and it threw me that it’s done. Oh well.

[Karura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think much of this story, but I got hooked from the first volume and, believe me, the second volume is so much better! In this story I felt happiness but at the same time pain, but I also felt that I was witnessing something beautiful but sad. Strange, isn't it? With such beautiful art and a story capable of bringing so many feelings to the surface, I can't help but recommend it. If you love a good plot, magnificent art and a lot of mystery, this manga is for you!

[SanNit's Büchersalat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das war eine richtig schöne Dilogie. Für mich hätte es auch eine Trilogie werden können, denn im zweiten Band wurde das Tempo ganz schön angekurbelt. Ich liebe ja Vampire und etwas mehr Informationen aus ihrer Welt hätten mich sehr interessiert. Es wurde dann allerdings alles sehr schnell abgewickelt. Die Slow Burne Romance ist richtig schön aufgebaut und auch die Zeichnungen waren genau mein Geschmack. Ich hatte viel Spaß beim Lesen und Schauen.

[may · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those black cats are the highlights of the story! / I love how Yuki sees reason in things and by default helps others too. He’s so precious / no love, don’t think that way, it’s worth it! Be brave! / why would you say sorry for that if you want to cherish him? / “not even the most famous pieces of art have ever been as beautiful as this” wow

[Cas ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could’ve been a lot better without the weird time skip and vague ending; the premise was really unique and after all that build up, it feels very incomplete the way they just fast forward to their HEA. But it was still cute. And the art is pretty!

T.T the poor second couple’s story was SO tragic. I wish we got more of their romance too.

[Heartwand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was kind of mid. Interesting plot at first but not what I expected, I was expecting more drama tbh. However, I did like this volume better than the last one. The angst and the story with Aula and Pavel was the most interesting. I also think this should almost be rated 18+ due to the smut 😳 It may be my fault for not reading the warnings tho.

[Noortje · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun duology with some interesting concepts. Just don't think too much about all the plotholes. I definitely think the story would've benefitted from a longer series to flesh out the worldbuilding more, but I also think it's a good place to stop because sometimes a shorter story is just what you wanna read

[Heather Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the variation on vampires in this series. I think it was a really good short story, well contained in two volumes, but I would love to see more in this world. The lore is really interesting and I would love for it to be explored more in further stories.

[Ares · Rating 3 out of 5]

良かった点:
- 前巻よりも興味深い展開があった。
- 他のキャラクターに焦点を当て、物語に深みが増した。
- サブキャラクターたちのエピソードや対話が豊かな物語を作り出した。

問題点:
- 一部のプロットは依然として混乱していた。
- 主要なストーリーラインの繋がりが不明瞭だった。
- キャラクターデザインに不満が残った。

総合的に、「寄宿舎の黒猫は夜をしらない 下」は前巻より改善されていたが、完全に満足できる作品とは言えなかった。他のキャラクターに焦点を当てたことで、物語の興味深さが向上した点は評価される。

[masquereadss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had the cutest ending ever😭.
I'd have been really really happy if it was more longer and we had more insight to what went on when our mc claimed to change the decision for his people, but well as it's only of 2 volumes I guess we gotta be happy with what we were given. 😭🤌

[Camron Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having gotten some answers now on a few things, this was better but also pretty sad. I like it more than the first, but this was a series I could have done without reading. I appreciate the spice in this second edition though, that was heavily lacking from the first one.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is lovely again. It had the right amount of cute, angst, and lore for me. I liked seeing the HEA chapter, I love an epilogue. I guess I wish there had been more black cat references through out as its in the title. But I wouldn't say no to reading more by this author.

[bow down to our ace king victor vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.45!

[jay reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

the angst!

[Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, just the continuation of volume 1. Ended really quickly but this volume does have some length to it. Volume 1 was more impactful to me but this was still a good read

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first and second volumes back to back and really enjoyed both of them. The art was beautiful and I liked the plot even though it was predictable. I would definitely re-read this series.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painful volume, beautiful ending

[July · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6
Even better than the 1st volume. And so many sad chapters, i even cried.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining series, and I really liked the tensions they had to navigate in their relationship.