In all my many years reading and reviewing manga, my favorite thing is when someone I have been following for ages breaks out into mainstream publishing. It has been my sincere pleasure here on Okazu to watch artists take their doujinshi career to new heights with major publishers. Today is one of those days.

I have been following Kitao Taki since the early 2000s, when she was part of Sakuraike, a doujinshi team whose work I really enjoyed. We were fortunate enough to be able to include some of their work in ALC’s Yuri Monogatari anthology. In 2010, Sakuraike’s work was collected into a 2-volume series Kimochi no Katachi. Of course I reviewed Volume 1 and Volume 2 here on Okazu. When Kitao-sensei struck out on her own as circle BQ, I continued to follow her work, because I liked her formula of self-conscious butch and outgoing femme. ^_^ Well today, it is my very sincere pleasure to say that her work has continued to mature and grow and in 2024, her series published on the U-NEXT site, has been collected into a print volume by Kadokawa.

Heimin No Watashi Desu Ga Koushaku Reijou-sama o Taburakashite Ikiteimasu, Volume 1 (平民の私ですが公爵令嬢様をたぶらかして生きています) is an absolutely delightful fantasy series about Laila, a commoner, whose life is upended when her useless parents sell her off probably for drinking money. Laila is not the kind of girl to wait around and see what becomes of her, so while in the forest, she escapes. Lost and alone, Laila is found by the unlikeliest person imaginable – her old childhood friend Eva, the duke’s daughter.

Eva immediately scoops Laila up and brings her home, where the Duchess summarily tells her to get out, despite Eva and the tutor’s testimony. But when Laila protects Eva from an assassination attempt, she is given the position of Eva’s bodyguard and allowed to stay by her side.

It turn out that Laila is not only smart, and resilient, but she has a knack for mimicking what she sees. When Eva’s clingiest friend tries to drive Leila away with magic and cunning, Laila mimics her magic and ends up saving the friend, Lisette. She’s fast and strong, so her role as bodyguard suits her. Of course the leader of the school, a powerful duelist, Touka Remberk, challenges her, Laila is able to make a decent show before she loses. Touka immediately offers her friendship, as well. But all is not perfect in their school of magic. Eva’s cousin Catharine is an old-school Evil Psychotic Lesbian with girls draped all over her as she holds court and she wants Eva…gone. She’s not above deceit and abuse, even going so far as to have her thugs jump Laila. On the positive side, no one likes Catherine, except her henchicks. ^_^

One of my favorite things about Kitao-sensei’s art has always been the expressions on her hapless and helpless butch characters’ faces as they are swept up by the objects of their desire. Here we definitely get some  of those faces, but Laila is neither helpless nor hapless. She is concerned for Eva’s (and Lisette’s and a classmate who is blackmailed by Catherine, Martha’s,) well-being. She’s a tough commoner, and has confidence in herself, even if a magic school for nobles is out of her depth. Eva is very on Laila’s side and not at all stupid. Lisette, who initially seemed like she’d be an annoying tsundere, is not the enemy she initially seems. In fact, I bookmarked an amusing panel when Lisette is asked if she’s met up with Catherine and her response is to say “bleah” and stick out her tongue. It was very endearing and keeps the character likable.

In a conversation from earlier today, I commented that the thing I was enjoying most about Sorairo Utility was how Minami was being taught how to do things, rather than being shamed for not knowing how to do things.  Here too, bullying is not the plot driver. When the Duchess is ready to boot the commoner for surely she will not have the proper table manners, Laila simply mimics what she sees Eva doing and thus passes well enough. At school, Laila has never fought with a sword when she is challenged to a duel – how would she have ever had a chance to hold a sword, much less wield it in a duel? But she watches and learns and does her damnedest to use the skills she does have, earning her Touka’s respect. Catherine is the only real problem, but she will at least give Laila a chance to shine.

There is quite a bit of Yuri sprinkled about, as one might expect from an artist who has been working on Yuri doujinshi for 2 decades. Eva and Laila are almost immediately a ‘ship and undoubtedly set to be a couple. Lisette’s feelings for Eva are very deep admiration/desire. Touka might have a bit of a crush on Laila, and the two are given a really nice balcony scene. Catherine and her henchicks are definitely a throuple – and we know the henchicks are an item on their own. Nothing is explicit, but I expect we’ll see more as the story develops.

Kitao-sensei’s art is the best it has ever been. Action scenes are clear and fun to read. Characters expressions have always been a strength and she really gets to use a range, from Cath’s evil sneer to Laila’s seductive face.  Despite the potential for a lot of gut-wrenching, this series is a whole lot of fun. Congratulations to Kitao-sensei!

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Service – Laila kneeling over Eva in bed was pretty servicey, yeah.
Yuri – 6, I expect that to go up.

Overall – 9

This is a super fun fantasy story by a long-time Yuri artist. Sample chapters in Japanese are available on Comic Walker, go take a look!  I’m very much hoping we’ll see a collected Volume 2 soon.