And for the girl who wanted to see the world… an infinity of the same views
Some character thoughts below!
Of all the Hex, Aoi took me the longest to sort of parse out conceptually, but I’ve always found her fascinating. Odd how one can be so open and closed at the same time, but I really do think it boils down to her being open about opinions, but keeping her emotions close to her chest. As someone who’s been all smiles and silly, I know how it feels to have the whole thing feel simultaneously like an act while also being utterly honest to yourself. The way she loves her family and is proud of them, while simultaneously having that deep desire to just get away and find something new. They might not have been physically abusive, or even in general bad parents, but their absence would have undoubtedly, and clearly have, left marks. A child who must deal with things themselves to not inconvenience people when they are around, having learned how to deal with things because they *weren’t* around, is gonna grow up and keep those tendencies. Moreso she’s mentioned that she’s used to people thinking she’s incompetent or childish, which doesn’t bode well for having her very adult needs and emotions handled like they are those of an adults. Sorta seems like another nail in the coffin to her emotional expression.
Her showings of anger or grief are so very brief, while happiness seems to have replaced neutral. Wouldn’t be surprised if she is that way because thats how she *wants* to be. She wants to be happy, like everyone. She wants connection, like everyone.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Arthur’s ambivalence/dismissal for her 1k cranes hurt so much because it was, in essence, her wishing to be truly connected with him, in all ways. Wishing for them to be happy together meaning that she was willing to share all of herself. After all, her culture seems to be very close to her heart. And he didn’t see it for what it was, hell, he probably didn’t really get much of her at all. Both of them just didn’t share their genuine feelings in a way the other could understand, so they fell apart, despite there being genuine love. And she was still willing to be friends because, one, shes a professional, two, it’s not so hard to tuck that hurt away, since she has been doing that for years, and three, she didn’t want to lose what little connection she had left. They even go on runs together, which is nice, and I love the touch of Arthur understanding emoticons meaning that his immediate reaction is to think of, and then go apologize to, Aoi. That’s just wonderful.
Her response to a breakup with the player being to gently push you away so she can deal with her emotions in private I think was the real thing that put all the pieces together for me. I could be wrong on my read, wouldn’t be the first time, so if y’all have further thoughts I’d love to hear them!
