What’s the true nature of the yakuza who subjects him to a week of confinement and pleasure-filled torment?! “Taken Along That Night” Vol. 1 by Taka（鷹）

I’d like to introduce “Ano Yoru ni Michizure (Vol. 1)” (CLAP Comics / KiR COMICS), published by Sanko-sha!

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

“There’s no way I’d ever fall for a pervert like this!!” …———

A host known for his friendliness and upbeat personality—“Kotaro”. He gets caught up in the disappearance of one of his regular clients (a yakuza boss’s daughter) and ends up being confined by some very frightening people.

By the man assigned to watch and interrogate him, “Kaoru”, his virginity is taken, and he’s even threatened with, “If you don’t talk, I’ll make you come three times as much tomorrow.” But that alone isn’t enough to break him!!

Facing Kaoru, who keeps a poker face as if he’s never laughed once in his life, he makes the outrageous demand, “If I can make you laugh, let me escape.”…!?

From “Ano Yoru ni Michizure (Vol. 1)” (KiR COMICS), published by Sanko-sha

This work truly lets you enjoy Taka-sensei’s signature strengths. The contrast between Kaoru-kun, a black-haired, hardcore S, poker-faced character, and Kotaro-kun, a super-positive host—especially the gap between the suddenly embraced receiver and the attacker’s cool, detached expression as he looks on—is irresistible, making this a truly wonderful piece (^^). Personally, I think the bold, thick linework is one of Taka-sensei’s defining traits (and I absolutely love it), and Kaoru-kun, with no light in his eyes, remains cool for much of the beginning. Cool characters × thick line art = it hit me straight in the preferences (the absolute best)!!!!!

Kotaro-kun being chased by some truly frightening people

It’s scary, yet way too entertaining. The facial expression of the yakuza guy chasing him is honestly the most terrifying part, but the reason they’re after him is because the yakuza boss’s daughter has gone missing, and they want to know whether Kotaro-kun—who worked at the host club she frequented—knows anything about the situation. Even so, the intensity is incredible. Being chased by that scary-looking guy *and* Kaoru-kun, getting caught… the whole sequence makes Kotaro-kun’s sense of “this is the end of my world” feel both hilarious and adorable at the same time. I love it.

　The confinement life begins…!!

He is confined and restrained in order to force a confession, and while he desperately schemes for a way to escape, nothing goes according to plan. With terrifying faces closing in on him, you’re left anxiously wondering, “Is something dangerous or painful about to happen?”—but then, it turns into an unexpected hell of pleasure… He’s a man, and straight (heterosexual), right?? There’s no time to even dwell on that question before he’s dragged under—yet he still refuses to talk. Yes, Kotaro-kun is a tight-lipped, positive-thinking host. He comes up with one escape plan after another, but Kaoru-kun refuses to respond to any of them. It’s like pushing against a closed door—so ineffective you can’t help but think of a proverb. And then, deciding to try one last thing, he puts forward a certain proposal.

“If I can make you laugh, let me go!”

Wanting to somehow break the deeply furrowed expression on Kaoru-kun’s face and see him smile, Kotaro-kun tries to connect with him using the conversational skills he honed as a host, but this, too, doesn’t go well. The formidable Kaoru-kun, however, turns out to have a connection to Kotaro-kun from the past. That’s a point I especially want you to pay attention to—but since this is only the first volume, I’ll be sure to talk about it in more detail when I introduce the second volume!!

With properly steamy developments, lingering ties to the past, and a story driven by the desire to finally settle old scores, it’s impossible to look away. You can fully enjoy the story across both volumes, so it’s a title I highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t read it yet—or even to those who aren’t familiar with Taka-sensei (^^). And for those who already love it, a reread is highly recommended as well!