by Matsuri Hino
Synopsis(from the back of the book)Carefree Megumi Kuroishi was living a life of luxury until the day a girl named Suzuka Kogami walked into his life. All of a sudden, Megumi finds himself kneeling at Suzuka's feet and prostrating himself like a servant! What Megumi doesn't know (until that very moment anyway) is that his family is cursed to follow the orders of the Kogami family.
Being carried around everywhere and having handsome Megumi act like a slave may seem ideal, but Suzuka just wishes he would stop. Can anything be done about Megumi's captive state? Or is Megumi doomed to see Suzuka as his master forever?
Review
This is an early work by Matsuri Hino, and it feels like it. It's not nearly as polished as her later works, which I wouldn't mind, if it was written well.
Basically, the idea is that Megumi and his family are servants of the Kogami family because a long time ago, a distant ancestor, who was a thief, stole the Kogami's dragon scroll. When he opened it, a dragon god appeared and cursed him and his descendants to forever serve the Kogamis.
So, now, whenever Megumi makes eye contact with Suzuka, the urge to "serve" her overwhelms him. I say "serve" because he acts more like a devoted fan or stalker rather than a servant, but whatever. Hilarity ensues. His father is very violent, and is constantly smacking him for not being respectful and intelligent. Hilarity ensues. Megumi acts like a stalker, but Suzuka forgives him. And hilarity ensues. In fact, the author implores us to forgive her for making it that way, blah, blah. Gee, why write it goofy if we just have to forgive you? Or wait, this is that false Japanese modesty isn't it? "This is a terrible gift, but please accept it anyway." To which we say, "No! It's the best ever!" Well, I don't forgive you.
The series actually does have good parts, when it's serious. Moments like when the characters are talking about their feelings, and so forth. But it's always interrupted, so the character don't get to talk much. Speaking of that, why do they like each other anyway? Part of the story is wondering if Megumi really likes Suzuka or is it because of the curse? Well, since his emotions are always different than his behavior when he is under the curse, it makes me think that his feelings are untouched by it, therefore, they must be real. So, the fact that he likes her must be real. That took me, what, a minute to realize? Are these characters too stupid to live?
Finally at the last chapter, they get to the heart of the story, that I would have thought of in the beginning: how to break the curse. I guess they're going to find a way, but it's very slow going, and Megumi doesn't help. Weird. I'd think he'd be the first in line. Of course, my thought was: have Suzuka order Megumi not to serve her (or her family) anymore. Tada! Curse broken!
I would have liked to see this done seriously. I'd probably like to see most things done seriously, to be honest. I think there would be a lot more to discover about the characters, and human nature if it was. What a shame.
Final thought: Meh, I'm not impressed.
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