Other Sotsugyou M stuffs :novels (M+)

Oretachi no Kinou, Kyou, Ashita

Before I even begin with the plot, I have to say something about how amusing the blurb for this novel is - since it's written from Mikimaro's viewpoint...he comments on Takagi's bracelet from Kazuma, on him not taking it off...on Nakamoto's odd behaviour, Kyouko's coming and how (irritatingly for him) he asked Arai for advice instead of coming to him...plus Yuusuke's ongoing situation with Mayumi. *lol* :) Mikimaro is so cute sometimes...

The boys begin this story in PE class, where Takagi is getting yelled at for wearing a bracelet. Of course, he can't take the bracelet off because it's locked and Kazuma is the one with the key. And he can hardly tell the teacher that, so instead he gets Arai cross by pointing out that Arai is still wearing his earring...Mikimaro is happy because it means that the class is disrupted and he doesn't have to do any more sport for that day, while Katou heads off to play ball by himself.

Takagi is in his room agonising over whether to meet with Kazuma again or not. He knows that he has modelling work in 3 days time and that he can't have the bracelet on for that. But he is uncertain as to what might happen if he goes to Kazuma's hotel. As hes about to go to bed, someone throws a stone at his window. It's Arai, looking to get into the building after curfew again. Takagi reluctantly lets him in, and they have a brief conversation. Arai mentions how it's unlike Takagi to be defiant in class, and Takagi explains that he can't unlock the bracelet. However he doesn't say who has the key. Arai teases him that it's a lover, and Takagi negates it - then Arai falls asleep on the spare bed in Takagi's room, much to Takagi's annoyance. However, the chat with Arai has made up his mind. He will go to see Kazuma the next day.

Kazuma is glad to see him, although they've not met in a month, and Takagi finally gets the bracelet unlocked. He also discovered that he's been playing into Kazuma's hands a little, in that Kazuma knew he'd come because of the modelling situation. Takagi is a bit cross at being manipulated and Kazuma admits that he hasn't been completely honest about his motives or actions. He also asks Takagi to pose for him to "paint" a picture...er...yes. Takagi leaves, still confused about Kazuma's presence.

Back at school, and an entirely different theme is raising its head. Nakamoto gets a call to say there's a visitor waiting for him. It's his stepmother Kyouko, who brings the startling news that Masakazu, Nakamoto's father...apparently has another woman. This of course sends Nakamoto into panic, especially when Kyouko is crying and refuses to go home. Desperate, Nakamoto goes to his room and asks Arai's advice on what he can do. Arai teases him, but eventually takes pity on his roommate, offering him the use of his cellphone for Nakamoto to book a hotel room for Kyouko. Then Nakamoto leaves with Kyouko to go with her to the hotel.

Takagi is at Kazuma's hotel room again, this time to pose as his model for the picture. Yeesh, he's playing a weird game if he really doesn't intend to let Kazuma "own" him. But anyhow, he changes into the suit provided and waits for Kazuma, who duly arrives and begins to set up to paint him. Kazuma mentions that he saw Nakamoto coming into the hotel and Takagi is surprised. What is Nakamoto doing in the hotel?

Meanwhile, Nakamoto is probably wishing he was anywhere but the hotel, since he's with Kyouko in her room. She's apologetic - for putting him in a difficult spot with his father, although Nakamoto observes bitterly that he and his dad already have a "surechigau" relationship and she can't make it any worse than it is. He goes to leave, and Kyouko seems anxious, so Nakamoto assures her he's not going home but back to the dorm and he has no plans to tell anyone where Kyouko is. This isn't Kyouko's concern, however. She doesnt want to be left alone (read into that what you like) and asks Nakamoto not to leave her. Panicked, Nakamoto flees.

In the lift, he meets Takagi and Kazuma on their way out to dinner. Kazuma invites him to come to dinner with them and on seeing Nakamoto's pallor, Takagi agrees that he should come. Nakamoto is so emotionally shaken up that he doesn't put up a fight and winds up with them. He does twig that it's odd that Kazuma and Takagi are together, especially when he hears Kazuma call Takagi "Shimon." He offers to keep it a secret, but Takagi tells him it's not what he thinks. Kazuma asks Nakamoto for any good ideas on making Takagi "his" and Takagi is cross, telling him he has no plans to let that happen. Kazuma offers Nakamoto wine, and Nakamoto refuses, knowing he's weak with alcohol. Kazuma, being Kazuma, semi-forces him to drink some, however. Takagi objects, saying that Nakamoto's "delicate", but Nakamoto decides it's ok and that maybe the wine will help him calm down. They are then interrupted by a drunk, cantankerous business associate of Kazuma's who isn't impressed when Kazuma summarily dismisses him and threatens to tell school officials that he's been out encouraging underage boys to drink alcohol...

Next day, Yuusuke's date's been cancelled so he and Mikimaro drag Arai out into a very busy Shibuya in order to - well, if Yuusuke had his way, do everything under the sun ^_^. In the end they decide to see a movie. Mikimaro thinks its weird Nakamoto isnt in his room, but Arai tells him he's gone to see his family. (A rare state of events. Ooh.)

Takagi's at...yeah, that place again. Posing. Again. I'm getting bored with it now ^_^. Something in Kazuma's reminiscences about painting seem to trouble him and Takagi sees a different, less confident side to him. This inspires him to drop the formality somewhat and call Kazuma by his first name. Blah. Kazuma decides to end the session rather abruptly...honestly, unless its going to reveal whether or not Kazuma killed Takumi, I no longer care about his issues ^_^.

Nakamoto has indeed gone home to find out some answers. Poor Nakamoto. This is a really clear view of how cold the Nakamoto house is. For once, Grandma, Masakazu and big sister Miyabi are all in residence. Nakamoto plays dumb and pretends he knows nothing about Kyouko's absence. (They all underestimate his ability to think for himself!). At first, Grandma isn't convinced that Nakamoto should be told anything - he's the youngest, after all, and treated like it, too! - but Masakazu says he's a member of the family, therefore it's better that he knows. Their general attitude about it is cold - she's been a nusiance and disappeared, it would be a scandal if they called the police, of course she wouldn't have dared "leave" the Nakamoto house because they're too important...yada yada. Nakamoto asks if anyone is actually worried about Kyouko, and is told quite firmly that obviously they are worried since they've all cancelled their own plans and gathered like this. Nakamoto is really not impressed by their idea of 'concern'. He wants to find the courage to ask his father for the truth regarding Kyouko's suspicions, but he loses his nerve and can't do it. Instead he leaves, still worrying about Kyouko and the situation. (Aww. He needs a hug.)

In town - who didn't see this coming - Mikimaro spots Yuusuke's girlfriend with another man. They trail her for a while, then Yuusuke says that he's had enough and is going to split with her the next time he speaks to her (although he doesn't want to do it in the street, apparently). Arai proves what a good friend he is, making all kinds of suggestions of things to cheer Yuusuke up, and eventually they go to a restaurant that Arai knows from his childhood (where Matsunaga has taken him many times in the past.) There's a nice little mental flashback to his rapport with Matsunaga and it shows that they've been good friends since Arai was about eight years old. Mikimaro and Yuusuke wind up fighting over the food, and Arai winds up turning to the sake...

Nakamoto goes back to the hotel to see Kyouko and she's not yet checked out. Even though the previous night was kind of her fault, Nakamoto feels that 'as the man' he has to apologise, so he does. Kyouko tells him she's made up her mind to go back and talk things out with Masakazu. She also says "if Masakazu-san doesn't need me around, there's no reason for me to stay in the Nakamoto house". Obviously Nakamoto doesn't think so, but Kyouko tells him not to worry. Nakamoto admits he went home but couldn't ask his father about the rumoured affair. Kyouko assures him it's not his problem to fix and that she'll write to him and tell him what's going on.

Takagi goes back to see Kazuma (yeah, again...yeeps, this is getting repetitive, I'm fed up of that hotel room) and his portrait is hung on the wall, which freaks him out somewhat. He's both pleased and embarrassed, especially when he finds out Kazuma has plans to display it through a friend of his. It's the Takagi that Kazuma sees, not as Takagi sees himself, whatever that means ^_^. Kazuma then makes a move on Takagi (took him long enough) and Takagi...laughs. (Hah!). Suddenly it's struck him how funny it is that, since he came to Seiryuu Academy, he's been propositioned by guys. (Kusanagi springs to mind...). Before he came, that never happened! (Just proves the kind of company he's in, right?!) So Kazuma laughs too, pulls back and lights a cigar instead. (Can't seduce him, lets try poison! Ahem. I'm getting catty now). So they start talking and Takagi explains about Kusanagi. Who Kazuma already knows about (surprise surprise) and apparently Kusanagi has a fiancee!! (Ok, that piqued my interest, but there wasn't much more info about that.) Anyhow, Takagi invites Kazuma to come see a musical with him, and asks for his bracelet back, since it was a gift given to him. Kazuma acquiesces. And off they go, with Kazuma's hopes still very much alive.

The story finishes in Nakamoto and Arai's dorm, and Nakamoto explaining to Arai the outcome. Arai suggests Nakamoto will want Kyouko and Masakazu to divorce, but Nakamoto says that if that happens he'll never see Kyouko again. Arai points out to him that if they split, he has a chance to tell Kyouko how he feels. And Nakamoto, this buzzing in his brain, heads out to feed the cats...

Yeesh. As the continuation of the plot gets more complicated from novel to novel, so do my summaries. They'll be coming out in paperback form themselves at this rate...


Illustrations (scans) from Volume Five
(Click on image to view bigger)