A past connection with a straight-laced yakuza… “Taken Along That Night” Vol. 2 by Taka（鷹）

I’d like to introduce “Ano Yoru ni Michizure (Vol. 2)” (Kir COMICS), published by Sanko-sha! (※Please be advised that this work contains depictions of violence and abuse.)

The following is quoted from the back cover. This review does touch on the story’s content! If you just want a quick summary!! I’d be happy if you read only the red text and highlighted sections.

“I’ll take responsibility for anything—no matter the consequences—if it’s to protect you.” …———

“If you don’t reveal the whereabouts of the missing regular client, you’ll be killed within a week―――!?”

Suddenly abducted and confined by the yakuza, Kotaro, a host, is forced into a shared living arrangement with Kaoru, the man assigned to watch over him.

He plans to escape before the client’s father—the gang boss—returns from his business trip, yet for some reason, he finds himself unable to bring himself to “run away and leave Kaoru behind.”

As the time limit draws closer, a simple outing triggered by a plumbing repair in the apartment leads to an incident that completely changes the relationship between the two…?

From “Ano Yoru ni Michizure (Vol. 2)” (KiR COMICS), published by Sanko-sha

I’ll be continuing my thoughts while reflecting on the story following the first volume (^^). In the second volume, the connection between Kaoru-kun and Kotaro-kun is gradually unraveled more deeply than in the first. The fact that Kaoru-kun—who later became involved with the yakuza—ended up meeting Kotaro-kun, a host, feels like something that can only be called fate, making you want to clutch your head in disbelief. (※The second volume contains especially painful depictions, so those who are sensitive to abuse or violence inflicted by adults toward children may want to refrain from reading it.)

To be honest, I’m not good with painful depictions, so reading this became quite difficult for me. Even while carrying those childhood experiences as trauma, there was also an important memory tied to them—one that was precious to Kotaro as well.

The two of them as children are just too adorable…!!

Because the water pipes in the room where he was being confined started leaking, they were forced to go outside. From an ordinary person’s perspective, seeing someone in handcuffs would surely lead to a police report, and for the repair workers, arriving at the job site only to find that situation would make them think, “Is this an incident? Should we call the authorities?”—which honestly makes total sense.

Kotaro-kun, who had more or less given up on escaping, boldly starts listing all the things he wants to do—but as expected, Kaoru-kun won’t allow it (laugh). Still, Kotaro-kun is a super-positive host, so he doesn’t get discouraged. The lightning-fast back-and-forth between them feels almost like watching a comedy duo, and it genuinely made me laugh (^^)

Kaoru-kun’s moment of realization after encountering a lost child, a passerby’s quiet humming—these moments show that it wasn’t just a simple, happy walk. They become the trigger that sends the two of them back into the past. When they were in elementary school, both of them suffered abuse at the hands of their respective fathers. This part is truly painful and difficult to read, but young Kaoru-kun and Kotaro-kun before he dyed his hair are just too adorable… which only makes the pain feel even deeper… Unforgivable.

They believed in each other—that neither of them was alone—only to be torn apart by a sudden separation. It was unbearably heartbreaking, and it brought me to tears.

Kotaro-kun doesn’t want to leave Kaoru-kun alone, and Kaoru-kun doesn’t want Kotaro-kun to die—out of their deep concern for each other, the two set off on the run together.

What happened to the young lady whose disappearance became the trigger for the confinement…?

Why did Kotaro-kun refuse to reveal anything in the first place, and where did the gang boss’s daughter disappear to? Please be sure to witness the conclusion of the two’s flight for yourself (^^) If you’re sensitive to violent depictions, please don’t push yourself…!!