Shitsuji no tokken

[insaneneko]

I’ve been rereading Shitsuji no tokken (The butler’s privilege) by Eda Yuuri, a BL novel I’ve come to really like. It features the master-servant situation, a favorite of romantics everywhere. Harada Shinobu applies for a normal position in a big pharmaceutical company only to be recruited for a position as a personal secretary for the grandson of the company founder, a reclusive man who works primarily out of his house. Nogisaka Otoya has obsessive compulsive disorder. He always wears gloves, and requires those around him to wear them as well. He can’t stand being touched, and constantly washes his hands. He’s touchy, willful and insanely fastidious. His butler Tomimasu has tried finding him a secretary, but every single candidate did not work out, driven away from his unpleasant demeanor. Shinobu is affronted by the sharp-tongued Otoya, but he realizes Otoya figures that he won’t last long like all the others. He decides to prove Otoya wrong and manage to make it through the trial period. Then he can spurn Otoya and “win.” Of course things don’t go like that. The novel shows the gradual (oh so gradual) building of trust and caring between the two. It is careful about showing that progress is slow, and is often one step forward, two steps back. For the most part, the events in the novel aren’t too far out (in as much the entire premise is already far out enough that everything that happens seems rather logical and reasonable) and are integrated into the narrative well.

The core of the novel is Otoya and Shinobu’s relationship. It’s wonderful how the reader and Shinobu slowly come to realize just how messed up Otoya is. We learn pretty early on that Otoya isn’t afraid of getting other people’s germs but of spreading his own. He is trapped in a world of his own psychosis, and while intellectually knowing the truth can’t break free. I was like Shinobu, feeling terribly sad for Otoya after a while. The story is extremely romantic, but in a sneaky way. The focus is so much on the master-servant bonding that it was only after I reread the novel did I realize how much of Shinobu’s declarations and acts of utter loyalty and devotion are just so supremely romantic (Okay, maybe I’m just dense or something ^^;).

The writing is smooth and easy to read. There weren’t much in the way of really annoying word choices (that this genre tends to be full of) or really silly phrases (that I guess are supposed to be flowerly, but end up sounding juvenile). The characters were fleshed out and well-developed. The author established a baseline of rationale and back story that made the actions of the characters believable and natural. I did have some problems with the novel, but they aren’t major.


One of my favorite things about this novel is the theme of Otoya as a fairytale princess that runs throughout the novel. The source of Otoya’s neurosis is his mother, who treated him like a dirty thing throughout his life, so he ended up believing that he was unimaginably filthy. He refers to her as the witch, who cast a spell on him. When his childhood nurse died at a not very old age, his mother told him that she probably died because she had to take care of such a dirty child. She told him that a dirty child like him would never be loved by anyone. Even after she died, her spell remained.

At one point, Tomimasa tells Shinobu that Otoya has not had a happy life, but that with Shinobu's help he might someday (with much difficulty) achieve it. He admits that he can't change Otoya because they are like family, and it requires someone from the outside. Like the prince for Snow White or Cinderella. Shinobu objects that he's not a prince, and thinks that if anybody is a prince it'd be Otoya. A white-gloved prince of such beauty even princesses would be ashamed.

At the end, when Otoya tried to get rid of Shinobu because he thought that someday Shinobu would leave him, Shinobu argues with him. Shinobu tells him he is not dirty, but Otoya admits that he can't tell. He feels as though there is filth that can't be seen on him. Shinobu tells him that the witch's spell can be broken. When Otoya asks how, Shinobu tells him that a prince's kiss will break a spell. Otoya asks where's the prince? He only sees a big athletic butler here (this line makes me laugh every time). And then they kiss. *grins like a maniac*

They end up having sex (though it's mostly through Otoya's stubbornness--Shinobu is more than willing to hold off even though his body's ready to go in consideration of Otoya), and even the sex is so them. I love how Otoya can get naked with Shinobu, but can't take his gloves off. For him, his hands are more private than anything. Shinobu is considerate, gently guiding Otoya in much the same way he does in daily life. But when he needs to be he can be a bit more forceful. They are so lovely together. ^__^


Another thing I really like about this novel is that the illustrations, by Sasaki Kumiko, show men with some bulk. They are in their mid to upper twenties, and wouldn't have reedy gaunt teenaged bodies.





Otoya and Shinobu's first meeting. Otoya, looking for all the world like a genteel princeling...what are his first words to Shinobu? Basically touch me and you die. XDXD



Otoya and Shinobu play chess as a way to allow them to get closer in a relaxed setting. Otoya makes Shinobu play using chopsticks so that they don't have to get too close. One night Otoya falls asleep, and Shinobu is overcome with the urge to pinch Otoya's nose with the chopsticks...obviously his urge won.



Otoya is held against his will, during which his captors not only manhandle him but also remove his gloves. Shinobu rescues him, but Otoya is in full-blown panic, yelling that he's dirty and breaking down and apologizing to his mother for being so dirty. Shinobu, at a complete loss and ready to go nuts at Otoya's state, grabs Otoya's bare hands.

"I will cleanse them."
He kissed Otoya's hands.
His left...and his right.
His rough palms, between his chapped fingers
As heart-felt and gentle as he could...He repeated the kisses as he prayed that these kisses, this wordless spell, would somehow reach Otoya's heart.
Otoya was staring at his own hands in a daze. His lips trembled as he tried to say something, but he couldn't make a sound.
"See? They're no longer dirty."
He murmured as calmly as he could.
"Not...dirty?"
"Yes. Not at all."
Otoya timidly raised his face and looked at Shinobu. Shinobu smiled as he gazed into wet eyes, and let go and stood up.
"...Please stand up. Let's go home."
He had every intention of standing there until Otoya took his outstretched hand.



The color insert, obviously showing them having sex. Shinobu had pleasured Otoya first and hadn't really planned on Otoya doing anything for him at first. But Otoya, unhappy in the knowledge that Shinobu had had other lovers before, stubbornly insists that they'd go all the way right now. So Shinobu asks if he's ordering him to do so, because then he'd submit. So Otoya tells him it's an order, to fuck him. Except that instead of finishing his order he reaches up and kisses Shinobu.



The morning after Otoya and Shinobu are surprised and embarrassed to be found by Tomimasa, who is completely calm.

Comments

[mirichan.livejournal.com]

Sounds lovely... of course it would be even more so if at the end, Otoya was able to get rid of his gloves (even if only 5 minutes ^_~).

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I'm fine with Otoya not able to get rid of his gloves in the novel because of the fact that they will be together for life. Shinobu's already committed to being Otoya's butler (I forgot to mention that along the way Shinobu went from personal secretary candidate to butler candidate).

[hidden-hero.livejournal.com]

Oooooh my.

I do love that translated bit where Shinobu rescues Otoya and then cleanses his hands in a way that might break through latter's deep seated fears.

*^__^* thanks for the delightful synopsis and images. It would be so nice if this could find it's way into translation some day...

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed my little presentation! I loved that scene where Shinobu kisses Otoya's hands, thus the mini-translation. ^^;

I hope the novel translation takes off enough that they can branch out beyond titles that have anime/manga tie-ins.

[chzbrgr-of-doom.livejournal.com]

I really wish I could read this because I have OCD myself and the story really struck a nerve.

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I really appreciated the sensitivity and care the author took in showing Otoya's condition. It must be tough dealing with OCD day by day for you.

[moccy.livejournal.com]

Hi! Thank you so much for the summary and providing the scans! I didn't read the novels but listened the drama CD and love it very much. I agree with you. The way Shinobu and Otoya building their trust in each other is very touching, since at first Shinobu was almost out of patience dealing with Otoya's OCD.

I also love the scene where Shinobu kissed Otoya's bare hand.. it somehow ached me seeing how his hand are cracked.

[madamada-chan.livejournal.com]

i just listened to the drama cd and was brought to tears by NojiKen's voice ;__; reading your summary made me cry all over again~

thanks so much for the summary!! especially for your mini translation. that's the scene i love most ♥

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I think a lot of people love that scene with the hand the most.