One of the biggest differences between Riko and Kevin (in my opinion) is their approach to Exy.
I genuinely don’t believe Riko cared the least bit about Exy beyond what it could do for him (i.e. get the attention of his father/brother and provide external validation to subdue his inferiority complex). I don’t think it was anything he appreciated or derived pleasure from the way Kevin clearly does. If Riko hadn’t been raised in an environment where his entire life and his only avenue for success really was based around Exy, he would not have thought twice about his uncle’s passion project sport.
On the other hand, Kevin genuinely loves Exy. His passion for it is more an inherent thing which goes beyond receiving a pat on the back (though he does love attention and being told he did a good job, I don’t think it’s a necessity for him or else he would quit). Yes, he is obsessed with playing a perfect game, but I think that’s more for his own sake than anyone else. Kevin would still be on court in the middle of the night practicing even if no one was there to track his progress and applaud. Even if there was no one offering to sign him for a professional team.
Riko was talented from years and years of training, but at the end of the day, talent can only get you so far without the passion to back it up. Kevin has both, which is why ultimately he always performed better on court and was the best out of the two of them.















