I just noticed another Mikio/Taigen parallel.
The end of this relationship is Mizu throwing a knife at Mikio (what he thought he was teaching them), which kills him.
Awaiting the tea party with Heidi Shindo, Mizu and Taigen sort of start to bond. Mizu throws a chopstick back at him, reminiscent of Mikio’s death.
But Taigen catches it.
I feel like this symbolises the two men’s very different reactions to Mizu’s true nature and fighting ability. Mikio is caught off guard by it, Taigen is able to match it. It’s why Mikio leaves Mizu, and it’s why Taigen follows Mizu. It leads Mikio to cast Mizu aside, it leads Taigen to respect Mizu. Mikio calls Mizu a monster for it, Taigen admits Mizu is better than him.
It’s such a small thing, but it feels like Mizu goes “this is me”, and it’s Mikio’s downfall, but Taigen *catches* it.
Could also be nothing, but my brain went brr.
