history/synopsis

[shakkin]

Notes

◦ There's currently a manga and a short OVA. These events will cover the manga though the OVA is actually just the first part of said manga so there should be little to no changes.

◦ Headcanon will be limited, but for the sake of understanding, I will add events and thoughts that I believe canon suggests that I believe would shape Ayase and some very important facts are never mentioned, such as the reason behind his parent's deaths.

【Please read so as to be warned. There will be no more warnings past this point. While Ayase's history is fine, the current story is FULL of sexual assault. It really does go into ridiculous territory.

There will be no graphic descriptions, but this will be a full dive into the canonical history and some assumptions I draw from the material so as to connect his history to his character so I also won't shy away from details.

Again, this is basically a graphic tale of a man who gets sold into sexual slavery and falls into Stockholm syndrome because of his kindness and the loneliness of his previous life. However, being a yaoi story, it's disguised as an abusive relationship turning into love, but that's not the lens I use to view the story or to summarize its events. 】

Tokyo, Japan - History

◦ Childhood

〉Ayase was born to loving, doting parents, which likely helped cultivate his loving personality. In the flashbacks, it's very obvious that they adored their son. However, even when he's young, his mother is shown as being in the hospital, hinting at an illness I assume will take her life. Japan is a very healthy country. Based on my research, cancer is the most common fatal disease and with it seeming to be long-term in nature, my headcanon is that she had leukemia.

〉When he was in 2nd grade, his grandma took him to the aquarium. His parents were still alive, but they weren't able to take him. Probably, his mother was already sick.

〉At some point, he's introduced to his cousin Tetsuo, who is 2 years older than him. Originally, Tetsuo avoids him, but a very young Ayase keeps following and wants to play with him. Tetsuo gives in, and they play together. Taken in by his cuteness, Tetsuo has a great time. However, Ayase is horrible at remembering people and forgets him. Tetsuo still kind of holds this against him.

〉We do know that both of his parents pass. I believe his mother likely dies first due to her illness and his father follows a little later though it's pretty unusual for two people to die so young in Japan. Since they live in Tokyo and his father likely wouldn't have driven very often, and it's never mentioned when Ayase himself starts learning to drive, I'm going with the headcanon that he died from pneumonia, which is actually the second-highest reason for death in Japan.

Based on what we do know, my thoughts on the timeline are as follows:

〉When Ayase is 15, he finds a wounded Kanou Somuku and offers him help. This creates Kanou's obsession with him which will come into play during the main story. Based on information in a gag comic ((but fits well enough I'll believe it)), Kanou's been stalking Ayase since.

〉In his 2nd year of high school, Ayase meets Tokikawa (he'll be mentioned more later) while dressed in a skirt and wig, a costume he's wearing for a play. During this flashback, we see the boys in his all-boys school think of him as very cute and gentle but reserved. He finds them talking about the gap between them and how it's impossible to think of him as a normal friend.

Tokyo, Japan - Synposis

◦ Bought and sold

〉Ayase's cousin, Ishii Tetsuo borrows money from a group called Akushi. As a result, when he fails to pay it back, Ayase is kidnapped and auctioned off to reclaim the money as he'd unknowingly signed to help Tetsuo. Having heard about the auction, Kanou shows and buys Ayase for 1.2 billion yen.

〉Kanou takes an unconscious Ayase home, where he agonizes over what to say to him. When Ayase wakes, he's very grateful and thanks him for his kindness, which is much more than he could expect from someone who doesn't know him. Kanou realizes this means Ayase doesn't remember him. Further irritating the man is Ayase's insistence that he has to help his cousin who also owes Kanou 3 million yen. Kanou snaps and begins to rant about how little Tetsuo cares for Ayase, which Ayase isn't able to believe. When he won't stop and begins to roughly hand him, Ayase slaps Kanou to try and push him away. Realizing that his dream of reconnecting with Ayase and having him not only remember their meeting but also return his feelings isn't going to happen, or at least not immediately, Kanou rapes him.

〉After the assault, Ayase begs him to let him go, still claiming Tetsuo needs him as he's likely in trouble for the rest of the money. Kanou agrees on the condition that Ayase returns the money he paid at auction as well as what Tetsuo owes him, which totals 2 billion yen that will continue to college massive interest. While this is a lot of money for anyone, it's especially so for an 18-year-old college student. Knowing this, Kanou continues with his plan: he'll pay Ayase 500,000 yen every time they have sex together.

◦ His new life

〉Kanou seems to hold some guilt that seems to be decently connected to the fact that Ayase likely won't fall for him now, but also still harbors some blame toward Ayase himself. In hopes of winning him in the more traditional sense, Kanou vows to be a bit nicer. Coming home, he startles Ayase, causing him to drop a glass, and upon checking on him, notices he has a fever. Kanou rushes him to the bed where he finds medicine and makes some soup since it can't be taken on an empty stomach. Since he's been alone for so long without any kind of care, Ayase is touched by the gesture.

〉At Kanou's financial firm, Imperial Capital Financial Corportation/Teito Finance (roughly the same name, Teito is just the Japanese word), we meet the Kuba twins: Homare (elderly) and Misao (younger).

〉Kanou also gives Ayase a bandage for the finger that was cut by the glass and Ayase gives Kanou one in return for the cut under his eyes, the one Ayase gave him when slapping him earlier.

〉As Kanou's about to leave for work, he receives a call from Tetsuo. Though he won't let Ayase speak to him, Ayase hits the speakerphone. Tetsuo begs him to return to help him, which Kanou rejects and points out that somebody who cared for him wouldn't beg him to return. Finally, Ayase admits he's known something was wrong but that Tetsuo is still one of the last members of his family he has left and wants to help him. Realizing Ayase needs someone he can call family and thus deceived himself to hold onto the illusion, Kanou agrees to let them meet and takes Ayase to the meeting place.

〉Along with his men, Kanou and Ayase are welcomed to Akushi. Here, Tetsuo waits for them along with Hayashida and his men. Hayashida offers to buy Ayase back from Kanou because he's found a nice man who wants to buy Ayase and care for him like a son. Ayase doesn't like the idea as he wants to work and pay off the debt himself instead of relying on others. While Tetsuo urges him to take the deal, Kanou informs Ayase the man in question actually belongs to a club where people can pay to torture others until they're killed. Instead of accepting the offer of money, Kanou agrees to play a game of Russian Roulette with Hayashida. Thinking to kill Kanou, Hayashida switches out the supposedly plastic bullet for a real one. However, Kanou manages to win and the man must close his financing firm and pay Kanou the cash he paid for Ayase plus extra.

〉Back at home, Kanou reveals they've met before and tells Ayase if he can remember, he'll let him out of the deal.

〉During one of the visits to Kanou's office, he meets Someya Kaoruko, Kanou's cross-dressing childhood friend who is taken with him immediately. While Kanou is often angry with Someya, Ayase likes her as well. Seeing how easily the two get along, he asks Someya's advice on how to get Ayase to like him. As a joke, he's given a book on how to care for small animals and begins to follow the instructions, slowly trying to acclimate Ayase to his presence and work up to touching him. Instead, he spends a lot of time gone, and Ayase worries he did something to make Kanou angry.

〉Kanou reaches an end to his 'patience' and decides to get Ayase drunk instead. Surprisingly, Ayase enjoys drinking but unsurprisingly, he's horrible at holding his alcohol. That night, he confesses to being happy when Kanou accidentally called him special when in the office. His bar is really low, okay?

〉Kanou introduces Ayase to Mizoguchi Eishou, a designer meant to give him new clothing. Ayase insists he has things in his apartment and begs Kanou to allow him to go back. Instead, Kanou tells Ayase they're living together now and he's just going to sell Ayase's old place.

〉One day, after coming home, he finds Ayase missing. Knowing he went to the apartment, he rushes over to find Ayase sorting through things. He goes to hit him but sees Ayase flinches and stops. He tells Ayase that he'll be tracked even if he tries to run away, but seeing that Ayase clutches a bag and says he had to get it no matter what, Kanou realizes he'd only wanted to collect the things that mean a lot to him, such as albums and mementos of his past. He assures Ayase he wouldn't have thrown such stuff out, and they look through a few together. One item is a small car that he made with his dad while in primary school. We see that by this time, his mom was already in the hospital.

〉Realizing Ayase's apartment was also special to that night, the night that has never been revealed, Kanou decides to keep it.

〉In an odd switch at the end, we see Kanou letting Ayase pick out some clothes from a magazine. When he chooses an outfit that would better fit into a gang, he changes his mind.

◦ Struggle and fight

〉Ayase seems to have almost gotten used to their routine. However, he overhears Kanou talking about a client who had a female grantor, his first look into how cruel Kanou can be to other people. Hearing him say the woman should be urged into prostitution and that she'd eventually find it easy to sell her body for sex, he realizes the correlation between what he's hearing and what's happening to him. Ayase doesn't enjoy the sex, but he's finding Kanou's company outside of the bedroom to be preferable to the loneliness that used to surround him. Hearing the phone call, he realizes how much he's normalized sex between them and begins to panic at the thought of becoming numb to the thing he hated so much.

〉During their next sexual encounter, we see that Kanou's been training Ayase in how he enjoys sex. While he doesn't want the sex, once it starts his body reacts, and he begins to behave in a way that shames him after the sex is over. He begs Kanou, again, to let him go, promising to work very hard in any way he can to repay it. Kanou replies that nothing will pay as well as he does, but when Ayase insists he can't keep selling himself, Kanou cruelly tells him to get dressed with the promise of introducing him to a job. Show of hands for who thinks this is going to end well?

〉The two arrive in a hotel to meet Gion Toranosuke, a graduate student who also films adult videos. Though he calls Kanou 'Nii-san and' is referred to as his brother, it seems more like a nickname as he's never referred to as family past this point it isn't mentioned at all when Kanou's family comes into place. Kanou commands Ayase to stay by his side and begins to grope him while telling Gion that Ayase is selling his body, intentionally shaming Ayase in front of an audience. We also find that a man named Yoshiizumi is looking for Kanou as he has a tape of Yoshiizumi Keigo that the man wants back — the tape shows him engaging in sexually deviant behavior.

〉The conversation returns to Gion's profession and Ayase. Kanou says he'll allow the cameraman to record the two of them having sex, allowing Ayase to make money from the sale of the tapes. Gion is originally enthusiastic until he learns how much the idea horrifies Ayase. However, though Gion refuses, Kanou threatens him though internally, it seems like Kanou doesn't plan to go through with the idea; he's only wanting to scare Ayase into being thankful he only has to sexualize himself for Kanou.

〉As they wait for Gion to return with his equipment, Yoshiizumi arrives (of course) and tries to physically intimidate Kanou. At first, he's shrugging off the threats, but Yoshiizumi bumps into a waiter who spills drinks onto Ayase, resulting in Kanou finally reacting and threatening Yoshiizumi. The staff escorts the man out, and the two go upstairs, where Ayase once more begs Kanou not to go through with this. Instead of assuring it won't happen, Kanou continues to torment Ayase and insists he loves what they do. Pushing further, he reminds Ayase that the video will follow him for the rest of his life, likely meaning he'll even have to drop out of University. This tape will trap him into sex work indefinitely. Horrified and desperate, Ayase kisses Kanou and begs him again not to record. Finally seeing how upset this is really making Ayase ((?? I dunno why it took that much)), he agrees not to record anything. Needing time to collect himself after almost making such a cruel 'mistake', he tells Ayase to stay in the hotel room for the night while he goes downstairs to cancel with Gion and then heads back. Confused by the duality of Kanou's cruelty and the warmth of his embrace, Ayase stays behind until he hears a knock on the door. Assuming it's Kanou, he answers, only to find two men standing outside. He's grabbed and drugged into unconsciousness.

〉It's revealed that an injured Gion is also present. Another man, Kuduo who is a politician, seems to have become interested in Ayase and worked with Yoshiizumi to have Gion record Ayase's rape, allowing Yoshiizumi to get his revenge while Kudou receives his sexual pleasure. The man begins to undress and assault Ayase, who strikes back. Enjoying the fight, he drugs Ayase and promises to make his body enjoy it so that even his heart and soul become destroyed.

〉Kanou shows, which goes against Gion's predictions. No one expects Kanou to care for anyone other than himself so having him show to help Ayase is a big surprise. Using Ayase as a hostage, they make Kanou bow down and tell him to beg forgiveness. When Kuduo compares the two of them and says it's the reason they couldn't miss a chance to corrupt someone like Ayase, Ayase objects. At this point, he really does think Kanou has a soft side and can be kind. Hearing the exclaiming, Kanou goes for his briefcase, which they'd assumed contained the requested money and tape. Meanwhile, Gion hits one of the henchmen over the head with his camera, freeing Ayase.

〉Instead of money, the suitcase contains Mika, Kudou's daughter. Kanou demands they all submit to him before he starts chopping off pieces of her face. They agree, and Kudou says he doesn't care about the money or tape. However, Kanou is still angry and wants to know who slapped Ayase, though he won't say who injured him. Kudou incriminates himself and as punishment, Kanou goes to hit Mika. However, Ayase grabs his arm and forces him to stop, pointing out that she hasn't actually done anything wrong. Kanou backs down, is attacked by Yoshiizumi, but easily handles the man. Now, he has blackmail on Kudou, who is powerful, thanks to Gion's tape.

〉Back home, the two have sex as Ayase is still under the influence of drugs. Later, Gion arrives, bandaged but well. He also brings Ayase a sweet s basket ((Kanou doesn't like sweets)), and confesses that Kanou's changed after meeting Ayase. It's worth asking if it's a better change considering his line of work, but Gion is happy with it. He also points out Kanou really likes Ayase which Kanou casually confirms, but Ayase has never thought of his affections as 'like' or 'love' so much as a combination of cruelty and kindness. Gion offers to shoot a film between them after all since it wouldn't be a scene without love, which Kanou seems to accept but the idea is rejected when Ayase refuses.

◦ School Days

〉Kanou allows Ayase to go to school (it's specifically mentioned summer school, but summer school is mentioned much further on so I believe this is a mistake and is just a regular semester) on three conditions: he answers as soon as he calls, Kuba (Homare) accompanies him, and Ayase reports his entire day to Kanou afterward. Here, we see Ayase has never had a phone before and has to be taught the basics. We're also introduced to his university friends: Tokikawa Takakaki (this scan spells it -gawa but all other references in the manga shows -kawa), Yamaguchi Kazunobu, Kiuchi Takanori, and Iida Jun.

〉This interaction and these characters are important for many reasons. Two things to note: though he considers them friends, their relationships all border on new, and he's still unable to open himself up to them so he doesn't think of them as closely as friends might, at least not enough to fight the loneliness. Secondly, he isn't honest with them about what happened during Holiday Break. The reason the characters are important is that we see just how restrained Ayase is with normal people. When Kiuchi invites him to an exhibit, he agrees but when Iida says there's no way someone would enjoy that kind of thing, causing Kiuchi to hesitate, Ayase isn't able to find the words to protest even though he does really want to go. Expressing himself is one goal Ayase has throughout the run of the manga.

〉Outside of the classroom, they run into Kuba, whom Ayase claims is his relative's brother. The group realizes that should also make him Ayase's relative so he switches it to 'works at my relative's brother's office'. Since the class is over, Ayase has to leave with Kuba. At home, he goes to review his lessons, only to find a note that says "Will not give you to anyone".

〉Ayase begins to show Kanou his lessons and describes his friends. After Kanou clarifies his idea of relationships (Allie, enemy, or servant), he once again has sex with Ayase, causing him to sleep late and miss the second day of school. Though Ayase tries to tell Kanou of the memo, he doesn't get the chance.

〉The next day, Gion shows up and does a sweep of the apartment for bugs as it turns out a recording of their sex was sent to Ayase's apartment that morning. Kanou asks him not to go to school but changes his mind upon seeing Ayase's face. He's allowed to continue with the condition that he may have to quit if things get too dangerous. Thinking back, he remembers only Iida has been to his apartment after bringing notes from class.

〉The next day at lunch, we get another friendly dynamic. They do seem decently close, as they're all worried about Ayase, but it's important to note that only one of them has been to his apartment and only one of them called very often during their break. While they likely care much more than Ayase realizes, it's not as deep as school friends occasionally seem.

〉After their lunch, Ayase realizes he's missing a water bottle and runs back to class to grab it. Iida follows, admits he's the one who recorded Ayase the day before and attempts to rape Ayase though he's stopped by Kuba. While the rape attempt shouldn't be underplayed, Iida's words probably cause the most damage. While Kuba restrains him, Iida calls Ayase abnormal, claiming his effeminate face and body were the cause, that Ayase is at fault, and their other friends have all become 'weird' (attracted to another man) because of him. He references the tape and claims that since Ayase seemed to enjoy it, doesn't that mean what Iida was about to do wasn't so bad? To shut him up, Kuba breaks his finger and threatens his arm next.

〉Unable to watch Iida be punished because it's against his nature, because he remembers their 'friendship', and because Iida was his first 'friend' upon starting university he jumps to grab Kuba. Iida uses the chance to escape. Knowing Kanou will literally kill him, likely after torturing him, Ayase begs Kuba to keep it a secret. He assures Kuba that Iida wouldn't do it again, something he believes not just because he doesn't want to think the friendship wasn't real ((keep in mind that his first friend at university was among his first friends ever)) but because he sincerely thinks he's at fault. Iida didn't attack him because he was a bad person but because something was wrong with Ayase. Right? At least he believes so even if the next day, we see him admit it really was an unforgivable crime.

〉The next morning, Kanou confronts Ayase and tricks him into lying about Iida. However, Kuba did report it, resulting in an assault during their ride to school with Kanou accusing him of sleeping with Kuba after Iida after Kuba ensures Kanou that Iida really didn't get past removing Ayase's clothing. He also threatens to send a recording of the tape to the entire school before Ayase's tears finally get him to stop. Internally, he's not as angry about the lie as it seems but about the fact that when Ayase helped him before, the incident Ayase still doesn't remember, it wasn't special to him. Ayase wants to help everyone.

〉Kanou let the two out of the car. While Kuba expects Ayase to scold him for telling Kanou, Ayase instead apologizes for the selfish request. He understands that Kuba left out the part where Ayase interfered to let Iida escape. He apologizes again, but Kuba lashes out and says Ayase shouldn't have to apologize to him or Kanou as he was the victim (THANK YOU).

〉In class, Ayase checks the message Kanou mentioned having sent, a message he didn't read yesterday as he'd slept throughout the entire night, which shows the side of him that he should've shown Ayase. He asks if Ayase is okay, apologizes for not coming to him, and promises to settle matters the way he wants them to be settled, prompting Ayase not to worry and get some sleep, ending with a promise to protect him. Ayase is touched by the text and feels guilty for having lied (one small right really can fix a very large wrong if you're Kanou).

〉Tokikawa approaches Ayase and claims to have received a text from Iida. As they go into a private room to talk, another text comes in. Tokikawa reads it off, stating Iida says he's at Tokikawa's apartment, that he's done something horrible to Ayase, and though he knows he doesn't deserve the chance to apologize, he really wishes he could. Tokikawa, who's actually been very kind and has come to Ayase's rescue many times, asks him to consider. Ayase agrees. However, realizing it would 'betray' Kanou and make more trouble for Kuba, he tells Tokikawa he has to inform Kuba of his plan. Tokikawa pretends to agree and says he'll wait out in the parking lot. However, as Ayase turns his back, Tokikawa drugs him.

〉Ayase wakes up and is momentarily confused. As Tokikawa brings him tea, Ayase remembers what happens, jumps from the couch, and runs for the door. However, the door leads to a room that's become a shrine of Ayase, including photos, trash, and even some of his missing items.

〉Tokikawa begins his speech: Ayase should live with him, where he's only be surrounded by all the things he likes. They can ignore anything he doesn't enjoy and focus only on him. For a moment, it seems like Ayase agrees, stating that he was always afraid to say something that would make others dislike him so he didn't say anything at all. He always dreamed of finding a place where he'd be accepted as is. However, as Tokikawa comes forward to embrace him, Ayase pushes him away and said that he'd just been running away. That he had a lot of opportunities to make friends. He points out the irony that he'd been so afraid of the loneliness that he'd isolated himself.

〉Unhappy with Ayase's 'disobedience', Tokikawa ties him up and begs him to return back to his more obedient self. As he cuts off Ayase's clothing, he tells him of everything that happened behind the scenes: Tokikawa recorded the tape and sent it to Iida anonymously. Knowing Iida would attempt to rape Ayase, angry that someone had gotten to him first, Tokikawa planned to save him, but Kuba got to him first. Since then, he sent the emails, pretending to be Iida.

〉Before Tokikawa can go further, Kanou shows up. Tokikawa decides to kill Ayase to set him free, promising to kill himself afterward. However, Kanou manages to stop him and frees Ayase, reminding him he'd promised to always protect him. They'd captured Iida the day before and found out he hadn't been the one to record the tape so they'd been waiting for the real culprit. They were able to track Ayase thanks to a special earring that Gion created.

〉As they leave, Tokikawa tells Ayase he'll never be able to change. Ayase admits it'll probably be hard, but that it's important enough to try. He also mentions someone else has promised to try and change with him (Kanou).

〉In thanks, Ayase brings them all plum wine, which his grandma made.

◦ The Value of a Dollar

〉Ayase comes to Kanou with hopes for a part-time job so that he can cover his own living expenses as well as save for tuition for the upcoming semester. Knowing that it would decrease Ayase's debt, Kanou doesn't immediately approve of the idea and after the incident with Tokikawa, he doesn't want Ayase going back to school. However, Someya comes up with an idea: by allowing Ayase to work in her kitchen, he'll be exposed to more types of people and Someya can guide him to accept the 'love' between men, which Ayase still finds weird. For his own selfish reasons, Kanou agrees.

〉So Ayase begins to work at Rose and Geometry. On his first day, he's surrounded by the girls (transvestites, which is the term they themselves use in the manga) who ask about his relationship with Kanou, whom many of them have a crush on due to his manliness and harsh attitude. Someya ushers them away, warning them not to scare Ayase and give him the wrong impression.

〉Two workers of special note are Todo, who has an especially large crush on Kanou and initially dislikes Ayase, and Buruko, who often teases her about it.

〉Initially, Ayase is worried because of the bizarre introduction, but he calms quite a bit after meeting Hida, the man who manages the kitchen. Before he can fully settle in, there's a commotion outside. A man walked in without knowing the workers were transvestites and is demanding financial compensation for his 'trauma'. Before it can escalate very far, Someya exits the kitchen and, in a show of strength, manages to force the man out.

〉One day, at work, Hida manages to shock Ayase and cause him to drop some dishes. Worried Ayase will hurt himself when he goes to clean it up, Hida is kind enough to check his hand, but Kanou walks in and misunderstands the situation. While threatening Hida, the cook assures him he would never lay a hand on Ayase... because he prefers wild men like Kanou. This causes Kanou to react in revulsion and insult Hida, which Ayase says is too mean. Kanou is confused and reminds Ayase that he's also found it odd for two men to be together. At this moment, Ayase begins to realize his mistake. He's now actually met people who lived these kinds of lives. While he found it odd at first, he's since stopped even thinking of their choices or preferences as odd and realizes how cruel his former thoughts were. However, as Kanou continues, he's also trying to kiss Ayase, which he points out is odd considering Kanou's distaste for the workers there. Kanou claims they're different, to which Ayase replies that the only difference is that they like men and Ayase doesn't.

〉Soon after, Todoko purposely steps on Ayase's foot and plays it off as an accident but is called out by Hida. Todoko claims Ayase has everything they want — Kanou as well as open acknowledgment of their 'relationship' — and it makes him jealous. However, Hida points out that hurting Ayase doesn't help anyone, and what one person wants isn't always what another wants. The same night, Buruko gets into a car accident and Someya has to go help out with the cops. Since the two of them are out and they're having a themed night, the store becomes so busy that customers are being ignored and begin to leave. Though they try to call for help, there's no one free to come in. Seeing their troubles and wanting to pay them back for their kindness, as well as feeling embarrassed for the earlier negativity, Ayase agrees to dress up and help out. Ayaya-chan is to the rescue.

〉Ayase receives a lot of attention, but he worries it's because he stands out as odd. Nervous, he trips and falls. At first, a lot of men rush forward, claiming to help, but they're actually wanting to get closer to Ayase as he's accidentally exposed himself. In 'apology', they give him more attention. Just like that, the atmosphere changes and is more relaxed, a lot of the tension eased. Ayase drinks enough to begin to feel a bit dizzy, but the night seems to be fixed.

〉But of course it isn't. The man that had previously caused problems comes back for revenge and this time brought friends. After finding out Someya isn't around, he blocks the exists, takes everyone hostage, and plans to wait for her return. While they begin to insult the workers inside, they see Ayase and decide he could pass as a girl before beginning to sexually harass him, harassment that soon turns into an attempted rape. He claims that any of them would probably be happy to have sex with any guy who's willing since they're so 'abnormal'. He continues to insult them, claiming they must bring shame onto their families. Ayase argues, saying that anyone who says such things is the one making a mistake. In anger, the man moves to smash a glass into Ayase's face, but Todoko blocks him, causing his back to be injured. The other workers begin to stand up, telling Ayase to get Todoko to the hospital while they handle the men. Sadly, they're defeated by the man and the guy challenges Ayase to make his big claims again and then mocks him for being too scared to move. Before he can finish speaking, Ayase is pushing him off one of the workers and repeats his earlier stance. The man once more threatens him and is about to hurt Ayase when Kanou shows up with the Kuba twins.

〉Everyone thinks they're saved, but Kanou plans to take Ayase and leave, abandoning the others behind. However, though they tell him to go and be safe, he refuses to leave them. The men decide to try and attack Kanou again, who decides to stay and defeat them after all. As a side note, this is why tall people shouldn't use Ayase a hostage. The trio manages to easily defeat the men.

〉Finally, Ayase realizes there's nothing wrong with homosexuality, men wearing dresses, or anything of the kind. However, he tells Kanou it still doesn't apply to him. Kanou asks if it's possible he will someday, and he replies that he doesn't know.

〉Ayase's punishment is to wear a maid's outfit the next day. Someya comes to apologize and the other workers stand outside to share their thanks.

◦ A Date, New Feelings, and a New Friend

〉Kanou decides to take Ayase to Tokyo Wanderland, a theme park that focuses on fairy tales. Ayase vows to use their time together to figure out what kind of person Kanou really is since so many of his actions seem to contradict one another. Here, Kanou does a horrible job: he doesn't have an interest in fairy tales (aside from the 40 Thieves story that had the thieves burning alive in hot oil), beats up the men in the haunted house, and shoots even the villagers in the shooting game. Ayase can't figure out why Kanou would bring him to a place he's so obviously not enjoying.

〉The two go on a ferry, where Kanou's forced to put out his cigarette. Annoyed, he's all too happy to punch out some punks who are being too rowdy, drawing the attention of some girls nearby. Kanou sees the attention, gets annoyed, and kisses Ayase in front of them. Kanou also agrees to quit smoking if Ayase kisses him every time he wants a cigarette.

〉Thinking perhaps Kanou came to the park as a child, which might explain the trip, he finally asks. Kanou describes his own father, who was violent, cruel, and took no mercy on his own son. Ayase notes that although his father was being very unreasonable in the story, Kanou used a tone that suggested he didn't hate his father. He also reveals his father died three years ago.

〉Saddened by the death, and finding it recent, Ayase expresses his condolences a little too strongly and accidentally knocks Kanou's bag into the water. Panicking, he jumps after it, receiving the contempt of the others on the ferry. Kanou jumps after him and places him back into the ferry, where he points out the item in the bag is actually for Ayase: a stuffed rabbit with a timepiece and eyepatch, an item he'd been looking at at the store earlier. Finally, Ayase realizes the trip has been for him.

〉Back at the office, Kanou points out that Ayase seems to be getting a stronger interest in him. Panicking, Ayase runs out and begins to avoid him.

〉Not soon after, Kanou and Ayase are walking together when he notices Yamaguchi outside. However, he seems to disappear quickly.

〉Back at the firm, Takanohashi, one of Kanou's dad's business partners, is waiting for him. However, it turns out to be Takanohashi Yamato, his son. When asked, Yamato says he ran away from home, only he's joking, only he's not, which he reveals to Ayase after Kanou goes to call his father. He says he's not appreciated there. Feeling bad for him, Ayase begs for Kanou to allow him to spend the night and when Kanou calls Takanohashi, he hefts Yamato off to Kanou. He'll be spending the night with them after all.

〉At the apartment, we learn that Ayase really has been avoiding Kanou, terrified that he really is beginning to fall for him after all. The next day, Takanohashi (father) arrives for his son and while he goes to get his things, we learn that there have been some kids giving out illegal and dangerous loans in school. We all know where this is going. As Ayase goes to retrieve Yamato, he overhears a heated phone call and sees him throw the watch given to him by Kanou onto the ground and small it with his foot. Minutes later, he's acting as if things are normal between them all which only serves as a point of confusion for Ayase.

〉Summer school starts. Yamato's actions have triggered Ayase's memories of Tokikawa since both men put on a sweet face in front of others were secretly had a negative, hidden side. It causes him to be jumpy at school and mistake someone for Tokikawa. Before long, his friends arrive but as they had to class, he spots Yamato speaking to another boy who his friends recognize has been in trouble for a pyramid scheme. Ayase wants to follow the two when they leave but Yamaguchi points out they're in a car and promises to follow them on his bike instead. Though he's grateful for the offer, he decides he'll follow by train. At the same time, Ayase is unable to reach Kanou, Yamaguchi is seen talking on the phone and apologizing for the situation. While he debates calling Kuba instead, Yamaguchi arrives with his bike and invites him to ride.

〉The two arrive at the club Silver, where Yamato is meeting with a group who've begun a loan business. He's rejected due to his age, but he turns violent and is about to kill a guy before it's revealed a lot of other men in the club are also part of the business. The entire time, Ayase is trying to reach him, but he's being held back by Yamaguchi, who finally steps forward and reveals himself a servant of the Takanohashi family.

〉The three run into a room and barricade the door before Yamaguchi climbs through the ceiling to try and get service, leaving Yamato and Ayase alone. This gives him a chance to explain to Ayase why he's acting so recklessly: it's recently been rumored that his father wants to adopt Kanou* and make him heir to his business instead of Yamato. Ayase realizes that they're both running away from their feelings. *In Japan, it isn't considered odd for adults to be legally adopted into a family, usually for the purposes of being the heir to a business. This seems to happen often enough between a son-in-law and his inlaws. As the barricade breaks, Ayase hugs Yamato and begs him to climb through the ceiling so he can reunite and speak to his dad, whom Ayase is sure loves him. Before the talk can get further, they're surrounded.

〉They're captured. Of course, the leader plans to sell Ayase out to get money since it's been far too long since we've had that threat, but before it gets further, help arrives in the form of his father, a lot of his men, and Kanou. Though his father tries to send Yamato away, Ayase recalls how useful Yamato was feeling ((tbf, he did say it like 10 minutes ago)) so he asks his father to please allow the two men involved to handle it between themselves. Takanohashi loves the idea and agrees to let the two fight it out, sure his son will run and admits his pride for his son. Kanou and Ayase leave as Ayase sputters about possible peaceful ways to settle it instead.

〉On the way home, Ayase finally gets the guts to admit he's becoming more conscious about Kanou, especially when they're close. Excited, Kanou stops the car and asks Ayase if he's serious. He is. That night, their sex is as close to consensual as Stockholm will allow.

〉The next day, we learn three things: Yamato originally planned to use Ayase against Kanou, he's fallen in love with Ayase, and he wasn't in high school after all; he's in elementary school. 3rd grade. That guy in the picture is 8. Ayase is shocked as well. Yamato asks Ayase to become his, prompting Ayase to give him a talk about the birds and the bees.

◦ Extra, Extra, adding some Extra

〉After these volumes, we're given some scenes without too much context as to when they happen. We see the Homare arriving at work to see Misao eating a shrimp and avocado sandwich which Ayase dropped off to them for a snack. He remembers taking Ayase grocery shopping and receiving the promise of such a snake.

〉Kuba goes to deliver papers to Kanou, who's having sex with Ayase in the office. Ayase wants to stop when Kanou tells Kuba to come in, but Kanou won't allow it. He makes it clear that he wants Kuba to understand 'who Ayase belongs to' since he'll be gone for several days. In the following scenes, we see how much Kuba has come to hate Kanou as he's come to care for Ayase.

〉The next day, Kanou has him drive Ayase home. In the car, he thanks Ayase but says he hadn't been able to make it back to the office yesterday, allowing Ayase to think it was his brother who walked in on them. Before Ayase can respond, a car hits them from behind, but it's a minor accident. When the driver, Matsuda, walks up to the window and Kuba gets out, it turns out the two know one another. They ask Kuba to allow them to get in on the action, but Kuba refuses and threatens him. Ayase rolls down the window to check on them, and Kuba panics when they notice him, causing him to jump in and speed off.

〉Kuba takes him to a garage where he used to be involved. Here, Ayase meets Honda and his men, who maintain Kanou's vehicle. Ayase expresses how impressed he is with engineering. After having his offer to help rejected, Ayase talks to the men while Kuba and Honda speak. They tell him how good of a driver he is. In a nearby room, Honda talks to Kuba about how the men who hit him work: bump the car, get the owner out to talk about the damage, allow a partner to slip in, and watch as the car is driven away. Kuba thinks about how much he hated running away, but he also hates to think of how much the day's incident has bothered Ayase.

〉He goes back to find Ayase, but he isn't in the room. For a moment he panics but runs outside when he hears an engine running. There, he finds Ayase behind the wheel as the men try to teach him how to drive. Kicking them out all, he's sure the men forced Ayase to try driving, but Ayase says that after seeing Kuba's driving today, he was very impressed and wanted to learn to drive, too. Realizing he's serious, Kuba promises to teach him how to drive.

〉On the way home, Ayase tells him that the men told him the people who hit them were likely car thieves and expresses how scary that is. Little does he know that Kuba used to be one of them. In the back seat, he falls asleep. When they arrive, Kuba goes to wake him, nearly kisses him, stops, and then Ayase is awakened by Kanou calling. Kuba overhears Ayase saying he does miss Kanou and beings to lament that he doesn't stand a chance.

〉We learn a bit more about their past: they used to be car thieves, tried to steal off Kanou, was beaten up and recruited.

〉That night, in thanks, Ayase brings more sandwiches, still featuring shrimp since that's Homare's favorite. He also offers to help. Wanting to keep him distracted while he set up a trap for the thieves, he sends Ayase into Kanou's office to fold two large boxes of paper into cranes. Wanting to help, he approaches it with sincerity.

〉Outside, Kuba's plan is working. While he takes down most of the gang and has retrieved the stolen cars. While he's defeated most of the men, one of them is about to hit him with a car when Ayase rams a car into it from the side. It turns out he was able to fold the cranes very fast and came to find Kuba when finished. Seeing the danger, he jumped into the car to help. After checking on Ayase, he confesses he used to be one of them and then confesses his love, asking Ayase not to say anything.

〉Kanou returns and gives Ayase the souvenirs. As he goes to meet Someya, Ayase takes the time to tell Kuba that even if he used to do bad things, he thinks he's become a very good person now. Embarrassed, he then slams the door. Kanou witnesses and asks Kuba if he's ready to die. His reply is "Yeah. Bring it on."

〉In the next extra, we see Ayase trying to take Kanou to a place he enjoys. When he asks the people at the firm, they all say Kanou would just prefer to take Ayase to a hotel, but he doesn't take the answer seriously. Instead, first, he tries Mahjong since Kanou mentioned having played it with his father. Though he's been studying, he has to bring a book inside to try and help him play. However, it seems that Kanou isn't having fun and they leave.

〉Next, they try Pachinko since Ayase heard Kanou sometimes visits the parlor. He's still not having fun. The horse track returns the same results. Kanou attacks Ayase and accuses him of trying to use gambling to pay off his debts. When Ayase corrects him, Kanou chooses to go to Ayase's apartment, which is a place he really likes. We also learn Ayase did a very good job when gambling.

〉At his apartment, the neighbors hear them, Kanou doesn't bother lying. We met one of his neighbors, Debayama, and it seems like most of them are older women who like to take care of him. Nothing too important here.

〉In the next short, Kanou gets Ayase a phone with video capabilities so he can send him videos and photos. He expects something sexy. He receives this. We do finally get a date, August 20th. We also get Ayase accidentally sending the dirty video Kanou forced him to record to Homare by accident.

◦ Jealousy and Monsters From the Past

〉The extra wasn't just an extra. Kanou knows Kuba is in love with Ayase. He punishes Ayase and warns him that he still belongs to him before raping him on his desk. Ayase comes back early the clean it up before the cleaning crew finds the mess, but Kuba's already cleaned it. Ayase hears Kanou coming and hides under the desk, worried about what might happen if he catches them alone. Though he does, the two only exchanged slightly-veiled barbs.

〉Someya comes in to share some treats and Kanou and Kuba leave. Someya's able to guess the situation and tells Ayase to follow his feelings ((which is usually good advice and all but he's still being kidnapped by Kanou...)). Honda arrives to retrieve Someya, leaving Ayase alone with the advice.

〉As Ayase leaves, he tries to figure out what his feelings are and how to handle the situation without hurting anyone. Here, he runs into a mysterious man who speaks Chinese. Since Ayase is studying Chinese, the man asks Ayase to show him around, appealing to his weak side by saying he surely isn't the kind to leave someone who needs help. Though Ayase seems to agree, he asks this very important question. It seems his Chinese isn't perfect as he'd meant to ask if the man had ever eaten sushi.

〉Thankfully, Ayase says he can't show the man around but can give him directions. The man confesses he's actually mostly here to see Kanou, who is an old friend, but asks Ayase to keep it a secret as he wants to surprise him. Finally, he introduces himself as Konomi Kiyotaka. The man bids Ayase farewell, and he realizes Konomi used his name even though he never gave it to him. Since by now we know Ayase can't see red flags, he pushes it off when Kanou comes by and tells him not to wander around because it's dangerous.

〉The two go to visit Takonohashi for business. His house is under some serious surveillance with a lot of security. Ayase mentions it isn't his first time visiting, but we weren't shown previous visits. Here, we meet Someya-sensei, Someya's father. He hits Kanou for not arriving early but Kanou surprisingly doesn't hit back. Someya seems to have stood in place of Kanou's mother and is angry he's with Ayase, another man. However, the two agree to look after Ayase should anything happen to Kanou. It's also revealed that Kanou's father was murdered and ordered Kanou to save himself. Very rudely and crudely, but he did.

〉They reveal that the name of the man who killed his father is Konomi, which Ayase obviously recognizes. However, Kanou has killed the man himself, but his son fled the country and bears the same grudge that Kanou had. Thankfully, he admits his run-in to Kanou. This causes Kanou to insult and berate him in the car. Kuba interrupts him and says that this is actually Kanou's fault since it's Kanou's problem that Ayase got pulled into. Kanou begins to insult him and says he's only defending Ayase because he wants to have sex with him. He then rapes Ayase in the backseat so Kuba can watch. He taunts him, saying he wants to do the same thing, but Kuba says he'd never hurt Ayase. Kanou says that's why he'll never have him, that he would have to crush anything in his path and do it no matter what.

〉At the apartment, Kanou puts Ayase in bed and leaves. Ayase feels guilty for being so easily fooled and getting Kuba involved. Suddenly, his cellphone rings; it's Konomi who offers to free Ayase from Kanou. He claims their allies in their hatred of Kanou, but Ayase says he remembers the times Kanou saved him and treated him gently and doesn't hate him. So, Konomi switches tactics and threatens to kill Kanou if Ayase doesn't obey him. He proves he has sights on him by describing Kanou's actions and clothing. Soon, he causes a distraction by crashing a truck and lighting the gasoline to start a fire. In the craziness, Ayase slips out, wanting to protect Kanou.

〉Ayase lies and says he's leaving because he can't stay with Kanou anymore. Knowing this is a lie and wanting to protect Ayase, Kuba claims to also hate Kanou enough to kill him and offers to help Konomi; he accepts, and they all leave. In the car, they're blindfolded and led to an apartment. Kuba realizes there are cameras and microphones and demands they're removed if they want his help. Though Konomi doesn't fully trust his betrayal of Kanou, he agrees and they're left alone. Kuba searches Ayase for bugs but finds none. He finally asks Ayase if he really left with Konomi to get away from Kanou. However, Ayase is still worried for Kanou and lies, claiming that's really why he left. This leads to Kuba's continuing frustration as he knows Kanou doesn't deserve Ayase's devotion.

〉He snaps. Pushing Ayase to the bed, he begins tearing at his clothing. He stops before getting too much further when he realizes Ayase is apologizing; again, he takes the blame, thinking his decisions are at fault for Kuba's actions. Realizing his mistake, he pulls back and goes to talk to Konomi with a plan: lure Kanou out into the open using Ayase. However, this is just to help Kanou find Ayase.

〉Ayase is dressed in a Chinese dress for the upcoming slave auction and told of the plan. We're also introduced to Hayashida who works with Konomi but doesn't like his current plan. While waiting for the bidding to start, Ayase thinks about how much happiness he's found while living with Kanou. When the curtain opens, he sees that Kanou did show after all.

〉Konomi offers him a game not unlike the one he played near the beginning: he puts one bullet into a chamber that holds 6. Kanou shoots 5 times in a row. If he lives, he walks out with Ayase. If he fails, he dies, and Ayase is sold. Wanting to stop the game, Ayase tells him to go ahead with the sale so he can get away from Kanou, but Kanou takes the gun. As he shoots, he apologizes to Ayase for his selfishness and for always doing what he wants. Before he shoots the 5th shot, Kuba stops him and claims he wants Kanou to die more painfully before grabbing Ayase and placing the gun at his head. However, he pushes Ayase to Kanou stating he only wants to grant Ayase's wish, even if it means giving him back to Kanou. Konomi moves to kill Kuba, but he's saved by Kanou