No Money (novel)

Eighteen year old, Yukiya Ayase is a college student. His cousin Tetsuo Ishii betrays and sells him in an auction to the highest bidder to settle his heavy debts. Ayase is bought by loan shark Somuku Kanou for 120 million yen.

The reason Kanou does this is because he remembers Ayase from 4 years ago, when Ayase, a stranger (who was fourteen years old at the time), had helped him. Now Kanou wants to keep Ayase in order to get close to him, but when Ayase tries to back out, Kanou then uses the debt of 120 million yen to force Ayase to stay with him, reminding him that Ayase now belongs to him. As Ayase is still a student and does not have a job, he is forced to sell his body to Kanou for 500,000 yen every time that they have sex. However the debt will be nullify if Ayase remember their first encounter.[1]

Kanou planned to sell Ayase flat and his furnitures but Ayase run away to sort out his things. Kanou join him to sift through all the things he had kept (Ayase keep anything with sentimental value), then he remembers the time he first met Ayase in this apartment and finally decide not to sell it.

Hayashida, casino Akushi's owner, who sold Ayase received a more valuable offer and use Ishii to lure Ayase back. Ishii calls Ayase and beg him to come help his cousin, Kanou eventually accept as he understand that blood ties are important to Ayase. Kanou go with Ayase followed by Homare and Misao, Hayashida propose to refund Kanou and take Ayase back. Kanou refuse, so after an unsuccessful attempt to convince Ayase with Ishii's help, Hayashida propose to gamble with a fake Russian roulette game. If Kanou win he'll could keep Ayase for free and he'll become the debtor of Ishii's, if he loose Hayashida will take Ayase back without refund, and he'll close his company. Hayashida is suspiciously certain of his victory and when Kanou starts to shoot Ayase step in and beg him to stop, Kanou reassure him and kiss him publicly for the first time. Kanou shoot five time and win, then he reveal that he actually loaded the gun with a real bullet and he take Hayashida hostage forcing his men to let them leave unharmed.

Even though he has his money back, Kanou don't clear Ayase's debt. Being forced to sell his body upset Ayase so he want to repay his debt with a real job. Kanou bring Ayase to a hotel and introduce him to Gion so he could work as a porn actor. As they talk in the lobby, Yoshiizumi try to threaten Kanou because he suspect he had stolen a porn VHS to blackmail one of his client. While he argue with Kanou he jostle a waiter and Ayase got splashed with a drink. As payback Kanou spill and break a glass over Yoshiizumi's head then he take a room with Ayase. There Ayase cry and beg Kanou to not make him play in the video, Kanou accept and left Ayase in the room. During the night Yoshiizumi's men kidnap Ayase et Gion. He bring them to Kudou, the politician who wanted to buy Ayase. As revenge he wants Gion to film him while he rape Ayase. Ayase struggle so the politician slap him and give him a drug. Gion try to protect Ayase as much as he could but he's convince that Kanou will not come to save him. However Kanou shows up with a big suitcase, he even kneel before Yoshiizumi to protect Ayase. Soon, he open the suitcase that contain Kudou's daughter. Kanou threaten to mutilate and beat her but Ayase stop him suggesting that she isn't responsible for her father actions. Finally, Kanou listen to Ayase and he only blackmail the politician with the video they now have of him molesting Ayase. Ayase become aware of his feelings for Kanou when he realize he's disgusted by the politician's touch unlike to Kanou's touch. He also defend Kanou when Kudou claim that they are the same kind of men.

Ayase go to summer school under Homare Kuba's surveillance, he meet some of his friends : Yamaguchi, Kiuchi, Iida and Tokigawa. Kanou realize with Gion's help that Ayase apartment is wiretapped. Ayase think it might be Iida because he was there the day before. The day after Ayase is sexually assaulted by Iida but Homare save him. However Ayase beg Kuba to let Iida go and to not tell to Kanou what happened. Kuba rapport the aggression to Kanou but doesn't reveal that he letted go Iida on Ayase's demand. Ayase go back to college and we soon understand that it wasn't Iida who wiretapped Ayase's flat but Tokigawa. He drugs Ayase and take him back to his home. He is obsessed with Ayase since highschool and has more than 200 pictures and items related to Ayase. He try to rape Ayase but Kanou and the Kuba's twins neutralize him. They localized Ayase with the tracker in his earring but Kanou decide to trust him and to not make Ayase wear it after that. Kanou say he will sell back the pictures to Ayase for 500 000 ¥ each but it is probably a joke since they never talk about that again.

Ayase still want a job and Someya convince Kanou to let him work at her club. She claims that Ayase might become accustomed to homosexual relationships and accept more easily his relation with Kanou. Ayase work in the kitchen as Hida's assistant, everything go well except for Todoko's harassment toward Ayase caused by her jealousy. One day a client acts aggressively after entering the club by mistake, Someya and Buruko escorted him back outside, however later Buruko had a car accident and Someya leave to help her. The club is short staffed and Ayase offer to be a maid for the night even though Kanou forbid it. This is a success until the aggressive client come back with some thugs to beat the staff. Ayase talk back to them saying that they are wrong to do that just because it is a trans club and Todoko protect him when the thugs try to hurt Ayase. Kanou arrive with the twins to pick Ayase up, at first he refuse to fight for Someya's girls but Ayase refuse to leave them alone. When they are home, Ayase tells to Kanou that even if he changed his mind on homosexuals relationships he still don't see himself with a man. Kanou says to him that he'll wait for his feelings but not for his body.

After that, Takanohashi's son, one of Kanou's father business partner, crash at his home. Yamato is both admirative and jealous of Kanou and he wish to be like him when he grows up. He built a money lending business even though he's still in middle school. Ayase keep an eye on him since Yamato told him he run away from his father's house and with the help of Yamaguchi, which is actually Takanohashi's henchman, he follow him to his business. Ayase and Yamato get in danger when Yamato is evicted by a rival, Yamaguchi manage to put them in safety while he call Kanou and Yamato's father for help. Takanohashi order to his men to bring Yamato home but Ayase encourage Takanohashi to trust his son. Takanohashi and his men are impress by the fact that Ayase dared to speak up in front of him.  Finally, after all of this is settle up Yamato claims that he'll become stronger than Kanou and will marry Ayase one day.

Then Kanou travel for a few days and leave Ayase with Homare Kuba. As he drive Ayase, old Kuba's friends try to steal the car damaging it in the process. Kuba bring the car to Honda, another Kuba's friend who is an illegal mechanic, so he could repair it. We learn in this volume that the Kuba's twins were hooligans, they have been employed by Kanou after they've tried to heist his company. Kuba doesn't want Ayase to be aware of his past but as he set an ambush to the thieves with Honda's help, Ayase crash a car in the thieves one in an attempt to save Kuba, so Kuba reveal him his past and his feelings. After Kanou returns, Ayase say to Kuba that his past doesn't define him and that he his an awesome person.

After Kanou returns, Homare Kuba now openly confront him about his behavior toward Ayase. Ayase make the encounter of a man named Konomi who claims to be Kanou's friend. Soon after this meeting, Kanou wants Ayase to encounter Takanohashi and Someya's father (Kaoru), they reveal to him that Kanou's father was murdered by a man named Konomi. Kanou killed this man but his son wants to avenge his father, so he calls Ayase and offer to pay his debt in order to take him away from Kanou. Ayase refuse so Konomi threaten to kill Kanou if Ayase don't leave him. Ayase, in order to protect Kanou, join Konomi and claim that he can't stand Kanou presence anymore, but Kuba is suspicious about this unusual behavior so he follow him and pretend to betray Kanou. Kuba doesn't understand why Ayase love Kanou so much but he admit it and incite Konomi to push his vengeance further in order to create an opportunity to Kanou to rescue Ayase. Konami set up a new auction at the casino with a new Russian roulette game (with real bullets this time). Kanou shoot 4 times and as he is ready to shoot a last time Kuba stop him and pretend to take Ayase hostage but he throw him in Kanou's arms. Konomi try to kill Homare but Kanou prevent him to do so. This scene has left enough time to Takanohashi and Kaoru Someya's men to intervene. At everyone surprise Kanou decide to no kill Konomi. After this event, Ayase admit his true feelings to Kanou asking him to stay with him even after he repaid his debt.

Ayase now "work" at Kanou's office. Actually he doesn't work much and Homare spend his time fixing his mistakes. His real job is more to satisfy Kanou than anything else.

Ishii calls Ayase by mistake and Ayase want to see him again. He is worried for him despite what his cousin had done. Kanou accompany him and in consideration of Ayase he decide to employ Ishii under Homare's surveillance. Kuba make his life tough as he didn't forgive him for what he has done to Ayase. The thugs Ishii works for decide to attempt an heist on Kanou company, as they break in they find Ayase on their way, they sexually assault him and talk about selling him to repay Ishii's debts but this time Ishii try to stop them. Finally, Kanou and Kuba beat the thugs.

Kiuchi, one of Ayase's friend, is a radio-amateur. He is actually talking to Gion and Buruko, they encourage him to reveal his feelings to the girl he love. He tell them that this "girl" is a boy and that he think he is exploited by a yakuza. Then they realize he his talking about Ayase and that he is determined to save him. Finally Gion warn Kanou of Kiuchi plan and everything end quite well after Ayase explain him his situation.

Kaoru Someya is worried due to the fact that Kanou spared Konami's life. He's afraid that Ayase influence might make Kanou too soft and put him in danger. Pretexting to be short staffed, he ask Ayase to temporary work at his cabinet. Ayase try hard to impress him as he kind of is his mother-in-law. While he works there, a dissatisfied client attacks the secretary, Someya's father talk to divert his attention and gain time but Ayase suddenly break a vase on the client head. Kanou step in and Kaoru Someya is reassured by Ayase's move and by the way Kanou reacted.

Someya's father shows some Kanou's childhood pictures to Ayase including one where we can see Kanou's father. He becomes nostalgic and remembers his last wish (for is son to not become like him). By this time, Honda ask Someya to marry him, she refuse at first then as he insist she ask advice to her father about pre-nuptial clauses to discourage him. Surprisingly her father tell her to accept and she does. At the same time Ayase believes that Kanou will propose too, actually he did a will to make sure he'll inherite all of his money if something happens. Ayase is very angry at first because it is a bad omen but he calm down as Kanou explain to him that his father did the same. In reality, Kanou think about marrying Ayase but he said peviously that "marriage is shit" and he's embarrassed to go back on his words

Yukiya Ayase (綾瀬 雪弥, Ayase Yukiya)

Voiced by: Ishida Akira (Drama CD) Jun Fukuyama (OVA)

An eighteen-year-old young half-Japanese boy who was betrayed by his own cousin, Tetsuo, and was auctioned off to settle Tetsuo's debt. He was bought by Kanou for 120 million yen, and has to pay off the debt by having sex with Kanou for 500,000 yen each time. He lost his parents at a young age and had a lonely childhood. Gentle and very naive, he has a hard time expressing himself to others and is not very good at socializing. However, he is able to stand up for what he believes in. He tends to keep to himself and to act aloof towards people but Kanou has forced him into a life of sexual servitude. He also has a knack for getting in trouble mostly because he does not realize that men tend to feel a very strong sexual attraction to him when he's around. Currently, Kanou, Kuba Homare, and Takanohashi Yamato, a young family friend of Kanou, have confessed their feelings to him.

He is confused about his true feelings for Kanou and often feels guilty that he is involved with another man. In the manga, he is currently trying to change his personality to be a bit more outgoing and more sociable. Having obtained Kanou's permission, he is currently working part-time as a kitchen helper in Someya's bar. In the released art-book, an interview with him shows that his motto is "You can go far little by little".

Somuku Kanō (狩納 北, Kanō Somuku)

Voiced by: Jūrōta Kosugi

Known in Shinjuku as 'a man no one in Shinjuku can disobey', he is a 26-year-old businessman who runs a financial firm. He was saved by Ayase's kindness around four years ago, and therefore he bought Ayase from an auction by buying him for 120 million yen. In order to keep Ayase to himself, he forced the debt of 120 million yen (plus a hefty interest of 10% interest every 10 days) on Ayase as a means to keep Ayase with him, and pays Ayase 500,000 yen each time they have sex. He has a hard time conveying his feelings towards Ayase due to his gruff, no-nonsense exterior, and particularly Ayase's naïveté and reluctance to accept a relationship between two men. Domineering, possessive and jealous, Kanou forbids anyone to come close to Ayase without his permission and lets him go outside only begrudgingly. He is not above bullying or even manhandling Ayase to get his point across. Nevertheless, Kanou is usually kind, considerate, and even loving towards Ayase and expresses his passionate affection without restraint.

Realizing that he has started off on the wrong foot by raping Ayase after the auction, he tries to make it up to him by doing various things with mixed results. For example, he solves Tetsuo's debt, and, in the manga, he buys Ayase new clothes, allows him to attend summer classes, and allows Ayase to work. In the released art-book, an interview with him shows that his motto is "perseverance brings success".

Tetsuo Ishii (石井 鉄男, Ishii Tetsuo)

Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara

Son of Rikako Ishii and Ayase cousin, who auctioned him off to try to repay his debts. Since he only thinks of himself, he can't calmly analyze his surroundings. He however redeem himself after being employed by Kanou.

Homare Kuba (久芳 誉, Kuba Homare) and Misao Kuba (久芳 操, Kuba Misao)

Homare Voiced by: Kōji Tsujitani

Misao Voiced by: Wataru Hatano

The 25-year-old twins who work for Kanou. Homare is the elder and displays more feeling and emotions compared to his younger brother. Homare has shown to be wildly attracted to Ayase. He realized this after he rescued Ayase from a sexual attack initiated by Ayase's friend and fellow university student, Iida. However, the elder Kuba twin keeps from voicing his true feelings out of loyalty to his boss and fear of his retaliation should he take action. Nevertheless, Homare may openly take Ayase's defense and encourages him to be more assertive in front of Kanou. In the extra "I Can't Quit" Homare has finally confessed his feelings towards Ayase, but Ayase's response is ambiguous. Misao doesn't pay any attention whatsoever to the protagonists' relationship, or to anybody else for that matter, even his own brother. A possible explanation for this lack of feeling and emotion can be found in one side story, where it is revealed that Misao can only see the same dull expression on everyone face. There is currently no way to differentiate Homare from Misao physically. However, in the manga, it appears that Homare's suit is darker than Misao's. According to the released art-book, Homare tends to like anything to do with cars and Misao loves food. The book also mentions Homare owning a 32 Skyline GT-R which costs approximately 5.9 million Yen.

Shinobu Someya/Kaoruko Someya (染矢 忍/染矢 薫子, Someya Shinobu/Someya Kaoruko)

Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita

The 24-year-old okama (Transgender Female) who is Kanou's childhood friend. She owns an Okama bar and is currently employing Ayase as a part-time kitchen helper in the manga. She apparently loves her father very much even though her father objects to her being an okama and opening a bar. She loves beautiful things and tries to improve the relationship between Kanou and Ayase by giving the former 'tips'. For example, she gave Kanou a book titled "How to take care of small animals" - because Ayase tends to resemble a small animal according to Kanou when he was trying to get Ayase to open up to him. Whether it was meant to be a joke or not is unknown. Eventually, she becomes the couple's counselor of sorts. She always speaks abrasively to Kanou and often intercedes with him in favor of Ayase. She refers to Kanou as 'Danna' (Japanese for 'Master') which is an informal way to refer to one's husband. In the art-book, it is said that the most expensive item she owns is a long-sleeved kimono which cost 3.3 million Yen. She is in relationship with Honda the mechanic.

Kaoru Someya (染矢 薫, Someya Kaoru)

Someya Kaoruko's father is a childhood friend of Kanou's father. He thinks of Kanou as his own son. He has forgiven his third son for being an okama, and tends to lecture him a bit when they meet. He's one of the few people who can speak to Kanou unsparingly. His career is successful, but his private life seems to be the opposite.

Toranosuke Gion (祇園 寅之介, Gion Toranosuke)

Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu

The 22-year-old student who apparently works as a part-time cameraman. Although he addresses Kanou as 'nī-san' (Japanese for 'older brother'), he is not related to Kanou. He loves to record AV (Adult Videos) and thought Ayase was a girl the first time they meet when Kanou calls him. Despite often getting beaten up by Kanou, he displays an incessantly friendly behavior towards him and is not afraid to taunt and tease him from time to time. He also has developed a liking for Ayase and is especially grateful to him for having mellowed Kanou's merciless and aggressive personality. In the art-book, the most expensive thing he owns is his camera which costs approximately 400,000 yen. He also dreams of recording an AV of Kanou and Ayase.

Naotoshi Hayashida

A competitor of Kanou, and the owner of Akushi. He often tries to make Kanou suffer, but ends up being pressed down instead. However, it also proves that he is tough and hates giving up. He's also Konami's uncle.

Eishou Mizoguchi (溝口 栄祥, Mizoguchi Eishō)

A man who dreams towards Ayase's thin chest. He is forty-one years old, but appears very young. He decorated Kanou's apartment and selects his and Ayase's clothing.

Konomi Kiyotaka

He has connection with Kanou since their parents generation. He became aware of Kanou existence during Junior High and started going against him. But Kanou doesn't care at all. He wish to avenge his father who was killed by Somoku Kanô to avenge his own father's death.

Yamato Takanohashi

The son's of Takanohashi, Kanou's father business partner, he's in middle school and want to be like Kanô.

Takaaki Tokigawa

Ayase's formal University friend. He has been secretly taking photos of Ayase since high school, and at one point kidnaps and tries to imprison him in his home, but is foiled by Kanou and the twins.

Iida Jun

Ayase's formal university friend. he got chased out of school after violated Ayase. He definitely not dislike Ayase but he's too self-centered so he is unable to think about others feelings.

Kiuchi Takanori

Ayase's university friend. Compared to other classmates, he's just like Ayase, who mentally keeps a distance from thers, and always know he should not interfere with others. He is a radio-amateur and friend of Gion and Buruko.

Yamaguchi Kazunobu

Ayase's university friend. Though he looks like a bear on the outside, he's really gentle and mature. Since he quit in the middle of a program before he switch to this university, he is a bit older than the others. He's good at dealing with the people. Actually, he's Takanohashi's henchman and charge to look upon Yamato.

Soichiro Honda

A yankee who loves cars and fights. He and the Kuba twins have been friends since their school days, and now he's running a garage for car repair and maintenance. There's no one as dense as he is. He jumps to conclusions and believe that Someya is, without a doubt a girl. His motto is "people who have car sex should die".

Someya's girls

Todoko who had a sumo career. Buruko who is a radio-amateur and is sometimes called "the general". Maririn, Marena and Odori are also referenced. There is also Hida the cook, he's not trans but he is homosexual it seems that his boyfriend isn't very affectionate in public.

Opening Theme: "Romance Way" by Issei

Ending Song: "Itoshii Hito yo Eien ni Nukumori o Tsutaete..." (愛しい人よ永遠に 温もりを伝えて…) by Tetsuya Kakihara & Wataru Hatano

• Official site for the OVA (in Japanese)
• Okane ga Nai (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Mania review of volume 1 of the manga Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
• Mania review of volume 2 of the manga Archived 2009-11-12 at the Wayback Machine