5 stars // I'm a sucker for gang family stories like this! Especially the ones that stick to their traditional gang cultures more rather than the more modernized/western ones, they just hit different, the culture you know?
As expected with Natsume Isaku sensei's works, we're introduced with two interesting (that keep on being interesting) characters; one is the fifth heir to a very powerful yakuza family, and the other one is a childhood friend who's family has been friends and taking care of the yakuza family, even one of the family members is also a part of the gang and holds an important position. And let me just confess my love for Naoki for a moment here-- i love his character! He's the cool-headed type and genuinely cares for Ryuu, but his feelings towards Ryuu are cloudy because he doesn't know if he cares so much because Ryuu is a childhood friend or because he has grown to love being beside him. My heart was hurt when i read his inner monologue thinking that when Ryuu eventually takes over as the fifth leader, he might get into more and more dangerous situations, getting himself hurt, and one day, he might die for real. Oh that hurt ( ╥ω╥ ), and that was i guess, the trigger for Naoki realizing his true feelings, and i love how he decided to make sure he's always by his side by doing the traditional gang initiation ritual, he's so cool, /swoon/ (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)
For the story, quite frankly it's very simple-- didn't really dive into actual gang business and more into the outer aspects of it (?) familial aspects if you will, I like that there was at least a bit of build-up, but the peak act where Naoki got kidnapped feels very lax for such an important moment, it was saved by that bitchass motherfucker Nishi though, it's so weird for me to say this because i don't wish this upon anyone but if Ryuu didn't see Nishi trying to assault Nao the result of the build-up wouldn't probably be that good.
I like it when both of them are strong fighters, so they protect each other and not only a one-sided protecting (which shoujo mangas are usually guilty of, i swear to god the heroine is always so meak and getting kidnapped all the time it's annoying), even though i have to say that again, the peak conflict of this manga where Naoki suddenly couldn't beat up one (1) person that literally has the same body weight as him, it was kind of a cop out, but eh, i could overlook it since i'm already grateful that Naoki isn't some shoujo manga heroine in a dude's body.
There was never really a resolution to this since they were already pretty clear and straightforward from the very beginning, they just need a little push to get to the end of the story. This thought just hit me but i guess the reason why i love Natsume Isaku sensei's works is because i love the uke characters way, waaay more than i love the semes, they always have such interesting personalities that just makes me want to read them again and again, Naoki is probably in my top three favorite Natsume Isaku characters in general he's so, so cool σ(≧ε≦σ) ♡
Tight Rope