I see many people talking about the affect that Kouki has on Aira, and the undoubtedly shocking displays of vulnerability around her. Especially with the physical contact and talking about her mother’s death, Aira doesn’t usually do either of these things most of the time.
but now I want to note a few little details of Kouki’s side of things when it comes to yukitori.
We don’t have many chapters of her so far, but she’s still one of the most mysterious and interesting characters yet. And one of her very interesting points is her relationship with Aira, as well as her Synesthesia! (And cool fucking mysterious powers… but that’s for another time)
From what we know so far, Kouki is pretty isolated and lonely. When she’s around friends, she’s soft spoken, a little shy, but friendly.
Even while she’s talking about something she really enjoy’s, she’s clearly much quieter than Rin. Rin’s just my spirit animal
When we first meet Kouki, it’s kinda tough to tell what her personality would be like. She isn’t shouting or being cocky, but hiding. She doesn’t want to harm Momo, she’s being blackmailed into it. But Kouki’s much more fearful than angry, even when she yells at the pygmies, she’s afraid of them. Not angry.
Her genuine agitation comes solely from Aira.
Her very passionate reactions, not related to fear, are only ever in response to Aira. There’s still some sort of rival flame between them, even if it was 10 years ago. Kouki’s also quite resistant to her, refusing to let her OWN vulnerability show to aira. (At first.) It’s like they both want something and nothing to do with each other. Because if they simply didn’t care, they wouldn’t even talk to each other.
Like we can literally see this massive jump in mood as soon as Kouki realises it’s Aira right in front of her.
Also Jiji and Okarun’s faces are fucking killing me how did I just notice them. They’re sensing the gay tension between the two and are genuinely bewildered.
And now comes the vulnerability.
After they’re all safe again, Kouki instantly collapses and it’s Aira who holds her.
Like right now isn’t just Aira engaging in physical contact, but it’s Kouki accepting to be held. She’s fully leaning into her, feeling completely safe with both Rin and Aira.
And this safety is only further proved by Aira’s actions.
Kouki’s scared, but much less than before. For the first time in her life, she has someone to step up for her. She has someone who will stand up and protect her. (Very viciously as well.) Like even if this isn’t queer (but it totally is) it’s so important to me, because it’s very much the neurodivergent girlhood as well. No one else has looked out for her, except the two clearly neurodivergent coded girls.
that’s kind of it for Kouki specifically, but there was something else I’d just like to note.
In a previous post of mine, I mentioned how it’s very possible that the tune Kouki was playing was “love theme”, the song that’s played when acrobat silky does her dance.
And I feel after rereading this panel, I might be closer than I think. While everyone’s clearly affected by Kouki playing piano, Aira seems to be the only one having an emotional response. Rin looks shocked, Mai’s scared, But Aira is clutching at her heart and describing it as “heart wrenching.”
Mangaka’s like to plan shit ahead, especially in the very early scenes of the anime, (example, the first jjk opening referencing the culling games. With the fish in the train.) So it’d make sense that tatsu asked for this theme to be very heavily piano for future plans involving a certain pianist down the line.
ok that’s all. I really thought I had more talking points but as it turns out, nope.
I want yuri. please give me yuri. I’m asking really nicely tatsu yukinobu.
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