At first, Soubi’s presence lifted Ritsuka’s moods and helped him out of his sturdy isolation. Once this happens, it is then Ritsuka’s turn to provide strength for Soubi to pull through. For example, at one point after a battle, Soubi asks who Ritsuka is likely to believe concerning the matter of Seimei’s controversial death. Ritsuka then replies that he trusts Soubi, but if Soubi perhaps is afraid? Soubi says he’s not because Ritsuka is with him. Then, according to Ritsuka, Soubi should stop asking these kind of cowardly questions. In this moment the roles are as if they’re turned around; Ritsuka is behaving more like the older ’adult’ who is securing Soubi. Ritsuka even advises Soubi to stop figuring it out over and over again, and that Soubi should believe in him as well in return.
Though there are moments where Ritsuka appears in strength and purity much stronger than Soubi mentally is, Soubi still has that ’adult’s insight’. Ritsuka is regularly beaten by his mother. Without Ritsuka ever mentioning this to Soubi, he already knows that his mother beats him from observing Ritsuka’s appearance and behavior when Soubi meets him the day after the beating occurred.
Out of concern, Soubi mentions that it might be better for Ritsuka to get rid of her. Ritsuka gets very angry at hearing this and answers that he needs his mom to be there at home. Without Ritsuka, his mom would be all alone. Soubi then seriously wonders if Ritsuka is perhaps some sort of angel. Again Soubi here shows a good amount of human insight — he knows that Ritsuka is looking for someone to love so badly that he clings on to whoever he has in life. What I really like about such moments in the story is the visible progress of two individuals coming together and gradually learning about and from each other. This mutual understanding that results, leads to a wonderful mutual support for each other.
After Soubi learns that Seimei is still alive, he goes to see Ritsuka who is at that moment locked inside the house by his mother. Soubi is not himself and behaves nicer, or rather, more unguarded than usual. What Soubi only wants then for Ritsuka is to run away and take him along. It’s pretty clear that Soubi is very shaken and not his composed self. Though Soubi does not exactly mention what is going on, it is enough for Ritsuka to sense something is really wrong. He comforts Soubi and says that they both won’t leave. Rather, they will stay and do the best they can to make something out of the things that still need to be done.
This moment is rather memorable because it debutes Soubi as the first time admitting to Ritsuka, that something really scary happened. In this moment, Soubi admits Ritsuka to see he is bothered by something close to his heart.
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