Blue
Morning, Vol 1
Author: Shoko Hidaka
Publisher: SuBLime Publishing
American
release date: May 14, 2013
Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Yaoi/192 pages
Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★
Akihito Kuze inherits the title of
viscount at the tender age of ten, on the death of his father. Because of his
mother’s frail health, he has always lived with her, apart from his father, who
allowed Akihito to stay with her so she wouldn’t be lonely. Having never lived
in his father’s home, he’s in for something of a shock on his arrival at the
large mansion which is now his and meets the man who is in charge of raising
him—butler Tomoyuki Katsuragi. Before he died, Kuze’s father told him to listen
to Katsuragi on all things. Akihito is surprised to discover how young the
butler is—only eleven years separates their ages. A reception is held in honor
of the new viscount, who feels very much out of place. He notices, to his
surprise, that most of the people there are drawn to Katsuragi, and actually
seek him out. What sort of a man is this butler? Confiding to Katsuragi that he
has never learned Western manners, the butler covers for him by telling
everyone he is ill and sending him to his room.
Katsuragi takes control of Kuze’s
education, and Kuze finds him a stern taskmaster. One day he notices a carriage
belonging to a wealthy family seems to come to the estate often, bearing Master
Shigeyuki. Curious about his reason for being there, Kuze investigates, and
witnesses a kiss between Shigeyuki and Katsuragi! He also overhears the other
man trying to entice Katsuragi to send Kuze away and come to live in his house!
Kuze is overheard and the meeting comes to an end, Shigeyuki taking his leave. Kuze
tries to get Katsuragi to explain things to him, but a clear explanation is not
forthcoming. He merely asserts his desire for Kuze to be as perfect as
possible.
A few years pass. Now seventeen,
Kuze is taking classes at a prestigious academy, but he has permission not to
sleep in the dorm. Arriving home early one night he learns Katsuragi is with a
visitor and not to be disturbed. Kuze disturbs him anyway, only to find him
with a woman of the noble class. Katsuragi insists that everything he does is
for the Kuze family, even this. He purposely opens the door to reveal the
woman’s presence, thus ensuring her cooperation in future matters concerning
the Kuze.
Kuze has always sought Katsuragi’s
approbation, but there’s more to that now. He finds himself attracted to the
man. And when Katsuragi implies that all he has to do is command him to go to
Kuze’s room, he will obey. Does he mean what Katsuragi hopes he means?
This is my first time reading this
author. I especially enjoy the artwork, it’s very well drawn, and Katsuragi is
certainly easy on the eyes. There is so much more here than the average yaoi
manga, wheels within wheels, and I find myself as confused as Akitio at times.
I’m sure things will become clearer as we go along. Katsuragi is indeed an enigma.
He entered the service of Kuze’s father when he was nine, and was told in no
uncertain terms not to go to the Katsuragi house ever again, which he hasn’t.
Akihito particularly doesn’t understand this, especially now that Katsuragi’s
father is in failing health. He begins to ask questions, and even arranges a
meeting with Katsuragi’s older brother, who is in banking.
Kiku has been the housekeeper for
the Kuze household since before Akihito’s arrival, but she is older now and in
ill health, so has left their service. She is the only servant left from the
time of Katsurago’s arrival, the only one that knows about him. But what does
she know?
Katsuragi drives Akihito crazy
with his cold, inflexible exterior, and yet Akihito wants nothing more than to
please him. What will it take to get through to the man? Ordering someone isn’t
the same as having them want to do it. Will he be able to make Katsuragi want
him the way he wants the butler?
