Something is wrong. Girls are falling victim to the Sleeping Beauty Syndrome, where they go asleep and can’t wake up. At the same time, boys are mysteriously disappearing.
This is one of the multiple issues going on in the second volume of The Betrayal Knows My Name. Yuki, the main character, is a psychic and healer who was once at an orphanage and is now with his older half brother and learning about the magic involved in his life. He has the power called “Light of God” and Shuusei, who has the power “Eyes of God,” is one of the boys who vanishes.
It turns out a fortune-teller and demon named Ashley is behind the Sleeping Beauty Syndrome and disappearing men, and she says she’ll return Shuusei in exchange for Yuki. Of course that’s not going to go over well, so Yuki and his companions have to figure out a way to save Shuusei and still keep Yuki safe.
That’s not the only thing going on in his volume. Someone Yuki once trusted also betrays him. The betrayal causes the title to make more sense and does a good job of adding interest to the story.
Another thing going on in this volume is the relationship between Luka and Yuki. Even though Luka isn’t in the volume as much as he could be, his presence is still felt, and it feels as if it’s only a matter of time before he and Yuki become a couple. They were lovers before this reincarnation, something that Yuki doesn’t remember but Luka does. There’s still sexual tension between them (as Odagiri no doubt plays the homoerotic vibes for her readers)…without actually having anything happen.
Even though The Betrayal Knows My Name has a lot going on, it still seems like a manga where the story is secondary to the art. The story can be a little much at times, but the art always looks great. Odagiri, who’s been published multiple times by Digital Manga (Only the Ring Finger Knows, Time Lag, Invisible Boy), is a very talented artist with a great skill at delicate but ornate art and beautiful boys. Like the first volume, this is published in omnibus form by Yen Press.