I've mentioned how Hira constantly lowers himself around Kiyoi because he has never seen himself as an equal.
But you know what Kiyoi has consistently done the past two episodes after telling Hira to never leave him?
He has treated Hira as his equal. He has looked Hira in his eyes, made Hira look at him by putting his hands on Hira's shoulders, and told Hira how amazing he is, how is is not a pebble, and how he is worthy of being by his side.
Kiyoi immediately comes home and becomes Hira's equal, lowering himself to the floor. He doesn't take the time to walk around and take off his jacket or bag. He stops right there, and discards everything about himself, to sit down, and talk to Hira as his equal.
Then he lowers himself even more when Hira states he is a failure.
The only time Kiyoi has been higher than Hira the past two episodes, is when Hira puts him there. Kiyoi was acting very much like Hira, admiring Anna on the TV, when Hira began taking photos of him. Kiyoi seemed uncomfortable being gazed at through the lens of the camera, but he understands this is what Hira likes, so he turns off the TV and walks over to the chair.
Yet he continues to try talking to Hira. Hira gives him brief responses. Hira is in his idol-worship zone, and Kiyoi is cut off on this pedestal talking to himself.
Every other time, Kiyoi is shown lower than Hira. If Kiyoi isn't making the effort to be equal with Hira, Hira is shown holding the real power in the relationship, and there is always something between them. Just like the sunglasses Hira wears when watching Kiyoi on set or the camera he takes pictures with, Hira is never really seeing Kiyoi in front of him. He is always seeing Kiyoi through a filter.
When they fight, Hira clearly holds the power as Kiyoi must look up to him.
But then again, Hira doesn't hold eye contact with Kiyoi until he crawls around the table to lower himself.
And that's when Kiyoi loses it.
Strangely enough, Kiyoi won't let Hira lay on the floor. He keeps picking up Hira.
Then he makes this comment:
Kiyoi has lowered himself and picked Hira up, but he is realizing that Hira never intends for them to be equal. Hira wants to maintain the dynamic they have of a god to a pebble, and no amount of reminding Hira that they are both humans is going to convince Hira to rise up to meet Kiyoi. No matter how much love and worth Kiyoi gives to Hira, no matter how many times he picks Hira up, and no matter how many times he lowers himself for Hira, Hira refuses to pick himself up. Hira states he doesn't want to bring Kiyoi down, but never once thinks he can raise himself up.
Because he is only a fan.
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