Himitsu na Kankei by CJ Michalski
vol. 1
ISBN4-8322-8218-2
number of volumes: 1 (so far)
comic line: Hanaoto
publishing house: Houbunsha
size: B6
Major Characters:
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Kobayashi Kakeru works in a ramen shop by himself after his father was injured. Somewhat innocent, tends to shed sparkles and flowers. |
 
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Tatsumori Ukyou is the botchan of a yakuza group who diguises himself to get closer to Kakeru. He alternates between uber-pimp and shabby. Prone to wild imaginings and general perving where Kakeru is concerned. |
The Story
2 years ago, Ukyou was running from a group of rival yakuza and ducked into a ramen shop to hide. There, he was served (BBQ pork?) ramen by a very cheerful Kakeru and his father, both of whom had no idea who he was.
Ukyou comes back in a suit, trenchcoat, neckcloth, and sunglasses with grand plans of sweeping Kakeru off his feet. He even imagines that Kakeru held a flame for him over the years.
Unfortunately, Ukyou's grand plans are made moot, because there's another group of yakuza menacing Kakeru inside. Ukyou, of course, saves Kakeru by smacking the other yakuza around. But when he tries to help Kakeru up, Kakeru yells that yakuza are the worst! (dai kirai!)
See, Kakeru's mother ran off with a yakuza and his father was put into the hospital by yakuza (for debt). Naturally, Kakeru has a hatred for all things yakuza-related. Poor Ukyou.
But! Ukyou decides to disguise himself as a layman and goes to work for Kakeru as a part-timer. Whenever it's needed (yakuza attacking, etc), he ducks into his yakuza persona with the help of his underling, Sasaki, and comes into save Kakeru.
There are other conflicts (yakuza, Ukyou's father, Kakeru's dad) that enter the fray and we learn why the yakuza are so persistant in chasing Kakeru (repeat after me: mother complex), but Ukyou never forgets his purpose: Kakeru must love him!
Commentary
I have to admit that I almost didn't buy this comic, because most of the stories I've seen by CJ Michalski were shota-kon. While I have nothing against that genre, it does not float my boat, so to speak. However, I'm a sucker for (silly) yakuza stories, and this one certainly sounded like one.
The art looked cute! How could it be a serious yakuza story?
Ukyou is equal parts laughable and pitiable. It amuses me a great deal to see someone switch from a (supposedly) slick persona to someone that gets nosebleeds over putting his cheek where Kakeru's butt would rest. It's funny? But woah, kinda scary.
Kakeru is a bit stubborn in his dislike, but he slowly (very slowly) comes around. When he admits to liking that 'sunglasses-man', Ukyou gets happy inside (and cheers outside). It's very cute.
The manga ends at a decent spot that leaves it open to continuation. I hear there's a sequel in the works! I'm looking forward to it.
Oh yeah. For you pure-lemon people? There's nothing along the lines of that in here.
Random
Lift up the dust jacket for comics and some perving, which is reprinted in the book.
