I feel like I’m being really smart with spacing out these Case File Compendium novels. Once I got my hands around the translated writing style, I really couldn’t put the first volume down. The same goes for the second!
What I did learn in starting the second volume was that this is actually just one really long story that’s been broken down into chunks. Rather than the chapters starting over in this second novel, I realized it picks up on chapter 32. That threw me for a second! And as a bit of a spoiler, if I thought the first novel was a bit risqué, this novel tops that by a landslide! It was in reading this second novel that manga has certain ratings, and this one is really, really mature. It also happens to handle similar subject matter that is quite taboo, especially in America. I get the feeling that these taboo topics will get an explanation further along, so for now, I’m not too bothered by it. It is also fiction, set in a somewhat supernatural setting, so there is much separating it from reality.
After the events in the last novel, He Yu and Xie Qingcheng have gone back to despising each other both from afar and up close. They make their displeasure for each other known in both what they say and what they do. Though now that He Yu knows he doesn’t stand a chance with Xie Xue, he seems to be spending more and more time trying to bother Xie Qingcheng. Most of the novel is a story of retaliation at every turn. They are both hell bent on embarrassing each other in some of the most outlandish ways. Things only start to turn more serious when a string of murders take place that seem to relate to both the psychiatric hospital that burned down in the first novel, and the mysterious death of Xie Qingcheng’s parents.
Once Xie Qingcheng learns of the similarities of these new murders compared to that of his parents’, he starts digging in even when the police tell him to butt out. It’s something about this desperation and determination that seems to melt He Yu’s ice cold heart a little bit. Both men seem to be letting their guards down a little bit, and we even get more peeks back to their time together as doctor and patient. While Xie Qingcheng has always had a clinical and curt air to him, in these flashbacks, it appears that he has a bit of softness towards He Yu. That’s what makes his abrupt exit from He Yu’s life so confusing. He still can’t understand why Xie Qingcheng stopped treating him. He also feels like him leaving added to his loneliness.
But all of the steps forward that they’ve taken go hurtling back once an old video is released in which Xie Qingcheng talks extremely negatively about mentally ill patients. At this, all He Yu has believed has felt like an all out lie. His heart is shattered. Something he didn’t know was possible. While he’s beyond angry at Xie Qingcheng, the older man claims he wouldn’t change anything because what he did is what He Yu needed at the time. I personally understand where Xie Qingcheng is coming from, but it’s just unfortunate that the video existed at all. In order to get his vengeance, He Yu’s psychological ebola rages to unchecked levels and he ends up really crossing the line with Xie Qingcheng.
Just like the first novel, this second one ends on a cliffhanger of sorts, so I’m itching to start reading the next one. But I will still be giving myself a break in between. Mainly to make them last as long as I can. Thankfully it appears multiple volumes get released in a really short amount of time. So hopefully I’m not left hanging for long!