Since we’re all in this mode (omfg feels), let’s take a moment to read what Zoisite requests in his final moments.
This is the most popular translation of his dying words (綺麗 (きれい) に死にたい). It’s also the translation that is usually used to show Zoisite’s vanity, or his obsession with beauty, or dying dramatically/romantically/young. Which is a logical takeaway; the translation is most likely the most correct one.
But let’s break it down and consider the other ways it can be interpreted, because some of them open up some even deeper, and more tragic undertones to this scene.
The phrase “kirei ni” (きれい に) is the section I want to focus on the most, as it leaves the most room for interpretation. Kirei (きれい) , by itself, means pretty, beautiful. When tacked onto an adjective, the word ni (に) transforms adjective into an ad verb. It is used to imply a way, a manner, a method. In this way, the translation that makes most sense is that Zoisite wanted to die “prettily”.
However, the word ni (に) is also a marker, usually used to imply existence “in” a space, a location. If we consider this translation, Zoisite is actually requesting that he wishes to die “in a pretty space”, which is most likely the interpretation Viz was using.
If we consider for a moment that the second interpretation is what Zoisite was requesting, this opens up a whole realm of new questions and possibilities, the most significant being that the garden of roses and petals is what Zoisite considers most beautiful.
Contrast this to his partner’s idea of beautiful:
What Zoisite considers beautiful and what Kunzite considers beautiful are literally polar opposites. Which means that this entire time, Zoisite had been sacrificing his idealism and his preference of a world he loved, felt more comfortable in, enjoyed and appreciated, for a world that literally was exact opposite. He sacrificed and compromised his idea of a perfect world for Kunzite’s idea of a perfect place.
(Oh my god. (This makes those goddamn corpse flowers and the jungle so much more heartbreaking in this context!))
The second revelation though, now that we know this, is this: Kunzite knew it.
Without hesitance or clarification, he granted Zoisite his wish. He structured this environment perfectly. He knew exactly what Zoisite’s vision of a perfect place was and he gave it to him.
All this time, Kunzite knew Zoisite was compromising his own ideals for his.
(It’s a bit hard to see in this picture, but look at Kunzite’s face. If that’s not the look of distant remorse, I don’t know what is.)
Now knowing that this is the only time Zoisite ever got to experience his idea of a beautiful place, it only makes the dynamics between these two all the more heartbreaking. Can you imagine the original discussion they must’ve had in the Golden Kingdom, about what they believed utopia was? Because unlike Zoisite, Kunzite truly believed in his vision that Metallia and her subsequent darkness was the best environment for the world. For Kunzite, he would give up his own life and honour before sacrificing such a dark, black utopia. Instead, Zoisite gave up his perfect world, one of brightness and flowers and love, for Kunzite.
When Kunzite asked for forgiveness, I don’t believe for a second that it was just his inability to protect Zoisite from death. It was for so much more.
yousharknotpass
jacobvanloon
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