Midnight Secretary, Vol. 04

Midnight Secretary #4

by Tomu Ohmi

Kaya thought she had found the perfect job when she became the private secretary of Kyouhei Touma - the director of a tableware company of the same name. Kyouhei is a capable director, but his arrogance and sluttish behavior are almost legendary. Kaya is doing her best to prove that she is capable in her work, but one night, by accident, she discovers his secret... of him being a vampire!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Vampires, Josei, Fantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance

192 pages

First published July 10, 2008

About the author

Name in native language: 大海とむ

Ohmi sensei's first volume was Kindan no Koi wo Shiyou.
Likes: monsters, red tea, stamps, and beautiful ladies

Blood type : B

Reviews

[R ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

I think I might give up on this series, I'm really close to finishing it but I just can't do it anymore. I don't like anything about these books. The only reason why I give them 2 stars and not less is because of the occasional funny joke and art but this one managed to be even worse than its proceeders.

ALSO, I SWEAR THIS MANS BE SAYING "YOU'RE MY SECRETARY" EVERY GODAMN MINUTE. I AM NOT HERE FOR IT. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO FINDS HIM SUPER ANNOYING? AND ALSO, HE'S LITERALLY BEEN CHEATING ON THIS GIRL FOR THE ENTIRETY OF 4 VOLUMES. I GET IT, THEY'RE NOT DATING, BUT HE LITERALLY KISSED ANOTHER CHICK IN FRONT OF HER EVEN AFTER HE CONFESSED TO HER THAT HE "LOVES HER" AND THEY'RE RELATIONSHIP IS "EVOLVING". HE COMPLETELY DISREGARDS HER FEELINGS. PLUS, THE PROTAGONIST ALSO HAS TO CALM DOWN, THIS MANS IS BORDELINE A**HOLE AND SOMEHOW SHE "LOVES" HIM????? GO GET A BRAIN GIRLIE.

#1 [ Midnight Secretary ] ★★★☆☆
#2 [ Midnight Secretary ] ★★☆☆☆
#3 [ Midnight Secretary ] ★★☆☆☆

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[DianaRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

one rival turned down only for another to show up...

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first four volumes of this series in a single evening and I would have continued if it weren't for such a manwhore hero and a doormat heroine.

I am ready to pull my hair out. I probably could have read all seven volumes last night if I'm honest with you. Cause I actually like the series. It's sexy and sizzling and everything I wanted in a mature manga right now. BUT OMG! I don't know how much more of these main character antics I can take. LIKE HOW DOES A WOMEN NOT RESPECT HERSELF ENOUGH TO BE LIKE, "Okay, this guy's a jackass and controlling and doesn't really care about me since he has numerous women at his disposal (of which he utilizes)." LIKE HOW DOES SHE NOT WALK AWAY! I don't get it! It's driving me bonkers!

Before you ask yourself, "Then why are you still going to read this, Angela?"

Precisely because it's sexy *wink wink* and I am holding out hope that these two will pull their heads out of their ass long enough to respect each other. Damnit. That's all I want!! I want respect, and sex and heavy romance (I've gotten 2/3 so there is that)

[Vina]

After so many years this manga is still one of my all time favorites.Gotta loove Kyouhei!!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2'5.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

man Takasu is my kind of man. A loving, kind, cat dad. GIVE MEEEE!!! but of course she choses the alphahole she is overly attracted to... girl that is the type of men you divorce and then get a Takasu, just get him the first time. But a rival vampire has been introduced so we will see.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A gentle, dependable husband, and a cat who loves only him... bright sunlight and a warm home. It would be ideal, and as you say, very natural. But... no matter how bright a place I imagine... I keep staring into the darkness behind me. Because that... is where he is."

By some strange mishap, I thought that I had read volume 3 already and skipped straight to volume 4, barely noticing throughout?? That's the first time that's happened to me, so I guess I'm reading slightly out of order!

Silly mistake aside, I find this series as compelling as always. The artwork is still nothing short of perfection to me. The linework is so exquisite, with every page having an impressively strong sense of composition, with Ohmi using screentones and contrasting values in a very artful manner. It's such a treat for the eyes. I especially really like the two illustrations of Kaya and Kyohei at the very beginning of the volume, they look so great! Kaya also has a really great variety of business outfits that she looked great in, I would really love to see a look-book for this series honestly. Ohmi has a great way with fashion in this series, in my opinion.

As always, these two silly kids are going around and around in their relationship. Kaya always wants to protect Kyohei's reputation, but he actually steps up and protects hers, even though she wasn't even thinking of herself. The way he shows his care for her maxes out the tsundere scale. And speaking of their individual immaturity despite being business professionals -- Kaya is treating Kyohei like he's just her boss and that feeding him is just her job, and that's pissing him off; in turn, he starts treating her as just a secretary, and that pisses her off, too. They need to learn how to communicate already, but they're both so proud!

As Kaya and Kyohei go in circles, I can't help but wonder how things will come to a head for them. I'm looking forward to it (although pardon me as I go back and read volume 3 before I tackle volume 5, haha).

[Jes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lower rating because okay. Yeah sure, I mentioned in my last review how much I loved Kaya’s lack of any sort of pride or care for her emotional well-being. But it’s getting more ridiculous. Like, girl. Why on earth are you still arranging this man’s hook-ups and liaisons with other women? And I’m a little salty over the fact that the first (non-Kaya) female character we’re introduced to is a shrewish competitor for Kyohei’s affections. Girls, please. He’s isn’t all that.

That aside, I do feel like Kyohei was drawn as more attractive as usual. The proportions are still as wonky as any josei/shoujo manga, but he looks better in the face. It seems if the mangaka’s style is getting developing, even though this isn’t her first manga.

One more volume and I’m going to bed.

[Laura✧˚ · . · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5
Sinceramente esperaba más de este tomo, y aunque al final se pone interesante el resto es más de lo mismo. Kaya sigue llevando una vida doble, trabajando para Erde y para Kyouhei en privado. Este ha abandonado la empresa Touma y ha empezado una por su cuenta. Kaya oculta que sigue trabando para su ex jefe hasta que un día esté se presenta en Erde y lo destapa todo. Kyouhei dice que la necesita como secretaría y que es muy valiosa y leal y que ha mentido a Erde para protegerle. Obviamente, no puede trabajar en dos sitios a la vez pero finalmente, ambos jefes deciden que lo haga. El jefe de Erde tiene una propuesta de matrimonio para ella, ya que está interesado y cree que harían buena pareja. La vida con el sería fácil y sencilla, pero ella ama a Kyouhei y le rechaza. A pesar de todo, el sigue manteniendo la oferta por si cambia de opinión y honestamente creo que sería mejor si se fuera con el jefe de Erde. Su relación con Kyouhei es demasiado simple y repetitiva. En este volumen, Kaya está empeñada en ser la mejor secretaría y se convence a sí misma de que se acuesta con el ya que su obligación es darle su mejor sangre, pero no quiere que la considere su amante. Kyouhei se sigue alimentando de otras mujeres y de Kaya y esta finalmente confiesa que le molesta y que le duele tener que comprarle regalos para otras mujeres. Kyouhei no lo oye y parece que está cabreado. En la empresa sospechan que Kaya tiene una relación muy estrecha con el y quizas sea su amante. Ante esta situación, Kaya decide ponerse sería e ignorar los rumores y ser profesional, pero no sale como esperaba. Hacia el final, aparece otra vampiresa que tiene una relación muy cercana con Kyouhei. A pesar de que se ha pasado todo el libro rechazando que la consideraran la amante de su jefe, se cabrea cuando este le dice a la otra mujer que es su secretaría y nada más. Ambos son vampiros y aunque no se pueden alimentar el uno del otro podrían ser pareja y estar juntos. Kaya le confiesa a la vampiresa que el se alimenta de ella porque su sangre es especial y esta le dice que tenga cuidado ya que Kyouhei es un vampiro orgulloso y los humanos son solo herramientas. Al final, Kyouhei se marcha con la vampiresa y le pide a Kaya que cancele todas sus reuniones y la deja sola. Ella confía en el en el trabajo pero cree que hay un muro demasiado grande entre ellos y ambos son muy orgullosos.
Mi problema con este manga es que no tiene nada de memorable. Kyouhei es un personaje plano. Es cierto que se va abriendo y vemos como se preocupa por Kaya y como se da cuenta de sus sentimientos pero por lo demás su relación no avanza. Ella es una contradicción constante y aunque siempre está ahí para el tiene miedo de abrirse del todo. Y aunque entiendo que el conflicto está ahí lleva siendo el mismo desde el volumen 1 cuando ella descubre que es un vampiro y no pasa absolutamente nada. Lo más entretenido es que Kaya ha abandonado Touma y Erde (grave error) y ahora está en una empresa sola con el director. Supongo que continuaré con la historia aunque no tengo grandes expectativas.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Delulu is the solulu, right, kaya?? This series has officially entered the territory of psychological damage. The choices the main character makes.... GURL. GET A GRIP AND GET SOME SELF RESPECT!!! THIS MAN IS GIVING YOU BREAD CRUMBS AND YOU DROP EVERYTHING TO SERVE HIM???? HES FUCKING OTHER BITCHES AND YOU DONT BAT AN EYE????! I have a lil crush on takasu which makes kayas choices SO MUCH MORE INFURIATING!!! Takasu is my pookie bear and kyohei is a combo of the worst attributes of jacob and edward.... kyohei would imprint a baby.

Sure, stuff happened in the plot, but the main charas relationship did not progress at all. I am beginning to get fustrated so of course i must keep reading.

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 3 out of 5]

!! More of like a 2.5 / 5 // I’ll be leaving the same review on volumes 2-7 as I read them all in one day !!


Quite an enjoyable series tbh, but definitely won’t be a favourite. It was nice to read something more adult for once, though I did find myself kind of getting bored at times as the main character just monologues to herself a lot. I liked how it started to go in the last 2 volumes tho, super interesting, just sad it ended so openly!!

[charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK OR I'LL DIE.

[Enchantedandbeautifulbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ay es que me está dando mucha penita ella que la entiendo, estoy sufriendo con ella y por eso le quiero pegar un librazo a él para que abra los ojos ya

[Indy Van Den Heuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 1st and 2nd last year, but up to this and the halfway tgmhe 3rd volume it was kind of slow paced, the same thoughts and situations kept coming up multiple times. But after around night 20, new characters got introduced and now this manga has me wrapped up. I expect to finish this gem of a series finished in the upcoming days.

[MasterSal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our titular couple have been reunited - finally - and a new arc stars. Kaya is back being the vampire secretary officially (thankfully because I was getting a little annoyed at the separation arc).

There is a rival for her affections - sort of - but not really. And some new side characters are thrown in and it seems like the vampire world may be expanded upon.

I didn't like this volume as much as the others. I am interested to see how the author handles the romance - to me the story doesn't have much to go on now that the couple are together but I think the author will focus more on the "vampire pride" aspect of the hero.

Let's see - this is usually why manga series don't work for me as the plot overstays its welcome. Still quite fun and OTT.

[Génesis Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pinches pendejos

[Holly Letson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satozuka is torn between loyalty and love. She wants to be loyal to Erde, whom she works for. But, she also wants to be with Touma, whom she loves. Being torn in two different directions, causes her to need to make a choice.
She decides to quit Erde to follow Touma to his new business as his secretary there. But, she starts somewhat regretting her choice, when she see Touma's vampiric gal pal, Marika, being so "intimate" with him.
-----------------------
Satozuka is wondering why Touma won't be with her in the same way as he is with Marika. Touma is wondering why Satozuka, a mere human, has such an effect on him. I am definitely interested in watching the story progress further.
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This volume was provided to me as an eManga by VIZ Media, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Solace Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

She spends a little too much time reminding the audience what it means to be a secretary. We get it. We got it in the first three books. It's the fourth one now, with what I believe to be three more in sight. Stop wasting text/pages on reminding us of her duty and her fortitude and just tell the plot at this point. She's growing tiresome with the reminders while when she's not doing that she's an inherently interesting character, as is everyone else. Good add-on character for plot derision, interested to see where it's going, and if her prediction is in fact correct.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

these books are getting harder and harder to finish cause this guy is such a fucking dick. he literally calls her a prostitute and then a few pages later he’s kissing a woman in front of her and telling her to leave so he can have sex. he has no redeeming qualities but the FL is in love with him and makes excuses for his bad behaviour. have some self-respect, girl.

[Lady Entropy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still good, light, sweethearted fun. Although I do have to agree with the main heroine - the love interesting reaches the douchebaginess levels, and her other suitors are so much more nice and interesting.

[Lamaya booklit · Rating 5 out of 5]

the drama

[thatbrunettebooklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌟

SUMMARY

kaya satozuka is living a double life as the secretary for to two men. she is managing to accommodate both schedules, but she’ll eventually have to put in her resignation at one of the companies. she plans on returning to work for her vampire boss full-time, but she’ll simply be making him wait a bit longer.

kyouhei touma is impatient that he doesn’t have his secretary all to himself. he’s been reluctant to recognize that he become developed a personal attachment to a human. he tells her he just wants her for his own personal blood source—but he really just wants her.

💛 vampire
💛 bossxemployee

SPOILERS

her current boss is yoshifumi takasu, the president of erde. he saw her getting into her former bosses towncar as she was leaving work, and he started to get suspicious thinking she might quit.

kyohei tohma wants her to quit and for her to only work for him at lakes venture capital. LVC hires erde to do the interior design work on his properties and he assigns kaya as the lead. she personally picks out each item of furniture.

her human boss accompanies her furtnatude shopping and the salesperson mistakenly assumed that he’s her husband. he even asks her out on a date, knowing that she’s in a relationship with kyouhei. she turns him down but he still makes it known to kyouhei that he’s interested in kaya as more than his secretary.

i really don’t like that he’s continuing to see other women and i don’t understand how kaya puts up with it. it’s was okay before they got together but it’s basically cheating at this point. he doesn’t look forward to seeing the other women but it doesn’t matter because he still does. he tries to get a rise out of kaya and then insinuates that she’s a prostitute😤

if i was her, i would have quit by now.

2🌶️

-🩸play

[Eleonora - La collezionista di Fandom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ci sono così tante cose sbagliate in questa storia che non so nemmeno da dove partire.

1. Lui è un fuck boy a tutti gli effetti ma è anche il classico "padre padrone". Una Red Flag da ogni punto di vista da cui lo si guardi... E a me le Red Flag piacciono, se scritte bene. Lui non lo è. Ripete due frasi di repertorio e quella è tutta la sua caratterizzazione. Imprigiona lei in una relazione in cui tutti la denigrano, la tradisce continuamente, anche davanti ai suoi occhi, e l'allontana da chiunque voglia avere una sana relazione con lei. Il classico comportamento da abusatore in una relazione già abbastanza squilibrata.

2. Lei è la classica vittima della sindrome di Stoccolma. Si innamora di un mostro che non le riserva quasi mai attenzioni positive, la usa e la getta via quando non le serve. Per tenerla legata a lui, ogni tanto fa qualcosa di vagamente "umano" per farla illudere e restare. La "dichiarazione" ne è un esempio. Parole vuote ma che hanno avuto il potere di tenerla ancora più incatenata a lui. La cosa grave è che lei si rende conto che sta buttando via ogni sua possibilità di una vita normale e felice per un cazzone ma siccome è senza palle, debole e senza un minimo di cervello nelle relazioni, si butta a capofitto in questa storia malata.

3. Si usano le scene hot per compensare la mancanza di una vera e propria trama. Sono 4 volumi e non è successo nulla di particolare. Solo poche scene hanno un senso e fanno evolvere la storia. Praticamente si basa tutto sugli abusi del direttore e su lei che incassa giocando a fare la brava segretaria.

Lo finisco perché ho comprato i volumi e mi spiace aver speso per nulla, ma non lo consiglierei al mio peggior nemico.

[OnceUponATam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effectivement, l’histoire est banale et extrêmement prévisible : la secrétaire et son patron qui tombent amoureux avec une touche de fantastique qui fait du patron en question un vampire. Je pense que c’est pas le genre de série qui révolutionne quoi que ce soit ou qui offre des twists surprenants. C’est plutôt le genre on plonge et on a le coup de cœur soit on l’a pas. Perso, je l’ai eu.

Kaya est très mignonne. Contrairement à beaucoup de personnages féminins impliqués dans des histoires d’amour mangas, elle n’est pas niaise. Elle est intelligente et a la tête sur les épaules. Elle est très vite parfaitement consciente de ses sentiments pour Tohma. Il n’y a que son rôle de secrétaire trop présent dans son esprit et son dévouement un peu trop précipité dans l’histoire qui fait un peu d’ombre au tableau. Mais ça ne la rend pas moins adorable. Son complexe d’avoir un visage trop enfantin est compréhensible et brise l’image de la secrétaire-robot et sévère qu’elle souhaite se donner. Ça la rend plus humaine. Plutôt drôle étant donné le contexte de l’histoire…

Tohma est exactement ce qu’on attend du personnage. Séduisant, mystérieux, charmant et en apparence, froid et distant. Il est en vérité très attentif envers Kaya. Il l’aide à passer au dessus de son grand complexe et reste étonnement à l’écoute de Kaya. Il répond parfaitement à l’attente qu’on peut avoir d’un personnage de ce genre de josei : qu’il nous plaise, que le lecteur le trouve séduisant. Il l’est totalement.

(Le reste de la critique ici : https://tamtaminwonderland.wordpress....)

[Sena Yağmur Yalçın · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sıfır verebilsem verirdim. Bu başrol kadının aklı başında olması gerekmiyor mu kim bu okuduğum ya? Adam resmen kadına metres olduğunu söyledi, hala ertesi gün "Başkanım, başkanım" diye peşinden dolaşıyor. Alo, kızım?? Adam sana resmen "Para karşılığı seks yapan kadınlardan farkın yok." dedi uyansana! Biraz gururun olsun ya, nerede senin gururun? "Kan vermek benim işimin bir parçası." ay götüm! Nerede lan o iş tanımı? Götünden element uydurma, yok öyle bir şey. Resmen aşık olduğu bahanesinin altından kendini adama öyle bir kullandırtıyor ki yok böyle bir kullandırtma.

Dünyada çok sevdiğim isimlerden birine sahip olabilirsin Kaya ama senden ciddi anlamda tiksiniyorum. Bu kadar aşağılanmana rağmen "Başkanım, sizin için lezzetli kan üretmek benim görevim." tarzı konuşmaya devam ettiğin için senden ciddi anlamda tiksiniyorum.

Buraya kadar dayanabildim benden bu kadar. Ne bu kadının ne de adamın suratını görmek istemiyorum. Sinirlerimi tepeme çıkardılar resmen.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tension continues to grow in Kaya and Kyohei’s professional and intimate relationship in this volume. The addition of a rival love interest makes things even crazier, too, which adds some more trouble to their already rocky connection. As for Kaya, feel bad for her in some aspects, especially because she’s torn between companies and Kyohei, and how easily manipulated she is. Yet, while I would love to see her with a nice guy, I continue to ship her and Kyohei just because they’re so attracted to each other (which is problematic, but this is a guilty pleasure read). I’m addicted to this series!

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is this going 3.5 stars?

I'm a little disappointed in the direction of this series. I feel like I am reading a frustrating manga. The ML has ALL the upper hand and most of the time I'm reading recap. I know these episodes are issued in magazines, but a recap on each episode on what the series is about is a little annoying.

I don't like that the ML thinks Vampires as the all superior race. He can do some cute stuff for her! He treats her like dirt, toys with her and uses her. And she keeps on running to him because she "loves" him.

I still want to read the next volume because I am curious of the FL will get a back bone. I really hope she does.

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read the first three volumes, so I am glad there is a brief character/plot summary at the beginning of this volume.
I felt as if some of this volume was a little disjointed between the chapters, as if there was not a really nice flow, but it is not enough to stop reading the series, I want to know how it ends. We'll see how the next volume goes.
There isn't much bonus material, but over all the graphics are pretty good.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 Read #63

I continue to enjoy this series even though the male lead, Kyohei, is not melting or softening up around the heroine at all. I like my dark, broody guys to show a romantic side to their lovers eventually; with Kyohei, however, he feels he has a right to Kaya’s body, that he basically owns her no matter what. While I appreciate that kind of characterization for a vampire, I just really want to see him open up instead of sticking to being an asshole. Kaya is too good for him!!

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am starting to get a little infuriated with the series. He is an egotistical man who makes it hard for me to even believe that he cares. It really looks like a very emotionally abusive relationship and she just can’t seem to make herself see it. The last volume made it seem as if he was having realisations but it is obvious he is not. I am starting to struggle with the series.