Kira0802 wrote:Synopsis from MU:
If Yokodera (the main character) were an equation, he would be 'he loves peeping at girls' plus 'he does not care what others might say,' with the result 'he peeps vigorously, intensely, diligently.'
Yokodera mops so that he can see the reflection of panties in the floor. He weeds so that he can see up skirts. He rides fast so that each girl he passes has her skirt flipped. He does these sorts of things everyday without fail.
But to everyone else, he is just a diligent guy whose actions are appreciated. Lucky? No. Yokodera doesn't like being misunderstood, but he is also a coward. He moans, wishing that people would stop seeing his actions as good ones, but he can't correct them.
He whined about his cowardice all the time until one day, his friend told him about a cat statue that could get rid of his unwanted trait for him...
Original title: 変態王子と笑わない猫
English title: The Pervert Prince and the Cat Who Won't Smile
Author: Sou Sagara (さがら総)
Illustrator: Kantoku (カントク)
Publisher: MF文庫J
Volumes Out: 4
This story is about different people, with traits that they themselves might find problematic at times.
The protagonist is a guy with a rather strong interest in girls. He would do silly things, such as testing the logic of "if your travelling at a XX speed, if you stretch your hand out, it feels like you are touching a girl's breasts", or does weeding in hopes of looking up to see a girl's panties etc. However, ALL his efforts were seen very positively, with the earlier having him run into a bandit, and getting a reward for beautifying the neighborhood for the latter etc. He is a member of the track and field club, which is led by "The Steel King", a girl that is very strict and harsh on the club. Despite his goal being to peek at the swimming club(through a hole he found in the wall), he is believed to be the most diligent in the club, and that he would be the next club leader, nominated by "The Steel King". Despite his unwillingness, he is a wimpy that is incapable of standing up against "The Steel King", and thus begins to feel that his "excuses" are a burden to his life, and wishes to do without "excuses".
On his way home, he met his extremely perverse friend, who, strangely enough, became a saint that is no longer troubled by perverse thoughts any longer. His friend then mentioned that he had prayed to a strange Cat statue, and he has thus given up on his "perverse desires/thoughts" that he felt is a burden. Despite how the protagonist does not believe in it, he decided to give it a try anyway.
That night, he went to the cat statue with an adult doll(to be used as tribute) in order to try praying to remove his "excuses". While at the statue, he came across a very emotional(panicky) and cute girl that mistook him as a criminal/pervert. After clearing the misunderstanding, they realized that they share the same common goal, to pray to the cat statue(The girl thinks it is childish to have her emotions and actions all revealed so easily, and thus believes that her "emotional expression" is a burden). After praying, they do not notice any visible change, and decides to leave.
Yet... From that day on, the protagonist can no longer hold his perverse thoughts within him, babbling everything that comes to mind almost immediately. The girl on the other hand, is emotionless. Despite her words hinting her emotions at times, her facial expression does not show anything. It did not take too long for the two to realize that they have gotten a little too much upon their wishes, and decides that they have to get their "excuses" and "emotional expression" back, and to do so, they have to find the people/person who now has their "excuses" and "emotional expression", or someone who thinks they don't need that, and let them pray to the cat statue, so they can get back what they need.
On the crusade to get back what they lost, they eventually came across situations, where they realized, that be it "excuses" or "emotional expression", whether they have it or not, it does not really affect who they really are... A wimp, with or without excuses, is a wimp nonetheless...
Quote from within the novel:
I can only stand there like an idiot. Even at such an important time, I am unable to say anything that really mattered. Even without my superficial capabilities(his excuses), I still am no different.
......In the end, all three of us are handicapped, incomplete creatures.
Unable to see our true selves, overly reliant on our superficial capabilities, or to not even have superficial capabilities.
No one can be happy.
Okay, as to a review or comment to this series.
So far, as a single volume novel(I have only read volume 1), it is a rather interesting and comical story that has its truly sullen moments, as from the quote earlier. But just judging from this volume, I would say that this is a rather good read. While some of the comical relief is just bringing nonsensical laughter, one can see that it can be really serious when it is required to. Even if one's emotions does not show in the face, they are not emotionless, and it is still possible to sense their feelings at times. Even when we try to hide some things from others, it might still show to people who truly knows you. It is no longer about what we see on the outside, but it kinda covers what is inside as well, which makes this a rather emotional logic in the story. From what I read, I believe that this was planned to be a single volume story at first. While it is possible for the story to continue, I am unsure whether future volumes would be as good. But I would definitely continue reading to find out. This is a rather good novel imo.
taxi driver 