Gymnasium no kikoushi by Shuhdoh Rena and illustrated by Kasai Ayumi
Gymnasium no kikoushi by Shuhdoh Rena and illustrated by Kasai Ayumi is a really silly but entertaining novel of over-the-top cliches. I laughed a lot reading this.
Riku lived a not very prosperous life with his mother until she remarries a really rich dude. His new step-dad has a son several years older than Riku, Yuuka, who won't accept Riku's mother. In order to try to convince Yuuka that his mom is not some gold-digger slut, he decides to transfer to Yuuka's school. The problem is that Yuuka's school (a gymnasium, hard "g", a type of German school, not the sports building) had been founded by Yuuka's dad for the express purpose of giving Yuuka the proper setting for his education. Not only was there an academic requirement to get in, but a family one as well. Yes, only the best can attend school with daddy's precious son. And with every elite educational institution with mandatory boarding comes the typical problems (I seriously think these types of schools are designed to warp their students, the way they are portrayed in these kinds of stories). Riku is the focus of intense attention (and jealousy) for being the step-brother of their idol, the "Prince," Yuuka...Even though Riku has never even met his brother yet.
The funniest thing about this book has to be Yuuka. Notice his frilly blouse? His frighteningly frilly blouse is not part of the school uniform, but as he is the "Prince" he wears something special. He also has special quarters AND a valet (a fellow student who's from a family that has always served Yuuka's). He also talks like a noble from ancient times. Really, he does. Scary to think a modern 17-year-old, no matter how cosseted, could actually be like that. Especially one that's supposed to be oh so smart (yeah, he's rich, good-looking, and really smart). Rika is a spunky kid, if not the brightest bulb in the room. He doesn't get all angsty and depressed like too many main characters in his position.
What made me want to bother posting about this book, however, is the pretty art. So pretty!
The cast of characters. Aren't they so pretty? Even Rika's mom and Yuuka's dad (in the upper right corner)! The long haired dude is Yuuka's valet. I was highly amused by the long hair--don't schools like this have dress codes that restrict hair length?
I don't remember what the hell this is about, but Rika gets a lot of emotional support from the very nice student council president throughout the book.
Grand entrance of the Prince! I think Rika was getting harassed by students for being unworthy or something when Yuuka comes sweeping in (with valet in tow) to stop the nonsense. Then he tells Rika he doesn't belong there. Rika is shocked and hurt! How could Yuuka dismiss him without even getting to know him??
Rika has held up well under the pressure and bullying, but has a weak moment in front of the nice teacher (who's a distant relative of Yuuka's) that has been very friendly and as helpful as he can be to Rika...
I just really like this pic...Such a lovely bed scene. *sighs* In any case, one of the bad moments includes the obligatory near-gang-rape of main character. Yuuka comes to the rescue just in time, then takes Rika back to his room and "cleanses" him of the dirty touch of those almost-rapists. Rika totally swallows the whole idea that Yuuka is only "cleansing" him. Like I said before, not the brightest bulb in the room.
Yuuka condescends to graciously accept Rika's mother in the end. This was after a great detective story moment where Yuuka has everyone assembled so that he can reveal that most of the bad stuff happening to Rika was orchestrated by the "nice teacher" who'd been embezzling money and had become worried by Rika's mother's attempts to clean up the school's finances. "Nice teacher" tried to get Rika to leave the school, either voluntarily or by getting kicked out (one student who's had major run-ins with Rika gets bashed in the head with a bat--Rika was naturally the prime suspect but Yuuka had contained that threat by declaring that Rika couldn't have possibly been the one...Yes, his word is enough). Doesn't Yuuka look particularly noble?
At the end Rika is filled with joy that he now has a whole family. He's gained a wonderful older brother! He totally misses Yuuka muttering stuff like "I guess I can start from being the older brother." Do I need to say it again? Not the brightest bulb in the room...