I’ve tooootally not been freaking out about the new Wataru card all morning (lying), but I think I’ve finally decided how I hope it’s all going to play out.
For context, the pieces we have so far are:
- Wataru’s new profile mentions training with technology provided by Eichi
- Wataru’s new unbloomed features the Ep:Link mask which is supposed to be in Eichi’s possession given it’s the symbol of Wataru’s devotion to Eichi
- Wataru’s 4Piece interview got cut off and he didn’t enter the screen until halfway through the time
- The line up for the event features half the Diner Live cast (Wataru, Izumi, Keito, Nazuna)
Here’s what I’ve come up with from this:
It would make no sense to have a Wataei divorce. Especially given they’re not actually together in the understood sense of the word (they are in love with each other and have expressed sentiments of devotion, but in universe they cannot date. They’re idols, they’re both ‘boys’ (dubious with Wataru) and Eichi is expected to marry advantageously aka Tori’s sister)
What would make sense and would also be in line with how enstars stories generally go, and with how Eichi and Wataru both love to act, is that the two of them are rigging this whole thing and are purposefully doing something ridiculous, or actually quite deep and meaningful, just because it’s funny to them/neither of them can do something genuine in a normal way.
First evidence: the mask
I really desperately hope that the writers wouldn’t just undo all of Wataru’s character development the first story we receive around him in the new era. He hasn’t worn his mask for an ENTIRE YEAR, and we’ve seen through events like Puffy Bunny that he’s even opening up to juniors he wasn’t that familiar with. He’s learning to overcome his fear of rejection which is so intrinsically linked to his mask. Why would they plunge him back into hiding behind masks both literally and metaphorically after making it such a visibly identifying part of his development? The mask is probably there for a plot relevant reason, and if it isn’t just a copy and is in fact the one Eichi has, we will hopefully get some line as to WHY Wataru has it (and hopefully it’s as hilarious as “babe can I take your wedding ring back? Yeah I know I offered it to you as a metaphor for offering myself but I need it for the bit. Oh it’ll be so funny, I promise. Amazing, I knew you’d understand!✨”). If it is a copy,,,, hm. Idk. We will hopefully still get SOMETHING about the fact it is the exact same mask that we haven’t seen SINCE BASIC!!!!! They could’ve given him any design but they chose to use the same one. There’s got to be a reason.
Second evidence: Wataru’s audition. It’s just STRANGE. It’s really silly and very funny but,,, Wataru prides himself on his performing. He’s an actor. He wouldn’t show up late and allow himself to run out of time unless there was a reason or it was on purpose. This is where I’m starting to suspect that strings are being deliberately pulled and Wataru (and probs Eichi by extension) are up to something here. It just doesn’t make sense otherwise
Third evidence: the diner live throwback. Could the character selection be a coincidence? Absolutely. I assumed as much UNTIL I realised that there’s a giant gift box in Wataru’s audition and it’s the central focus piece given Wataru doesn’t show up until half way through. You can’t not notice it, and it leaves you expecting Wataru to emerge from it. Where else is Wataru involved with a giant gift box?? Unbloomed diner live when he puts Keito and Izumi in one. Oh, look who’s also involved in this!! The call back to traumerei and diner live feels deliberate now, and I want to know WHY!!! Especially given that story is so integral to establishing that Wataru has grown to like Eichi and to want to share a stage with him not as part of any roles but as HIMSELF. It’s also intrinsically linked to his masks, because he didn’t want to be on the stage under any mask. He wanted to perform with Eichi just as Wataru Hibiki.
Where am I going with all of this? That’s a really good question. I’m essentially just easing my own mind because it truly would not make sense, given the pieces laid out for us, if wataei are entering a divorce arc. This and Wataru’s profile are the only new era content we have for him. The profile highlights Eichi, showing us that they are STILL a pair- they are still interlinked in a way inseparable to the narrative and to their development. I’m trusting that just like Atlantis was thought to be Bad News and turned out to be interesting (Wataru’s perspective hmmmm I wanna analyse this now) and also still wataei, this will also turn out to be good and not undo Wataru’s characterisation and development. And if it does just undo all the progress that’s been made without giving us reason and plot consistent explanations for why wataei might be over? Well it would just have to be bad writing :/ (trying to point out that i can accept writing is good even if I don’t like the direction personally. If im given good writing and it still turns out to be a direction I didn’t want it to take, I’ll reluctantly accept it. If it just undoes established development and characteristics…. Ignored)
My entry for the ESO event on twitter! Inspired by the “discovery” prompt because I’m willing to bet these boys don’t know how a jukebox works. Eichi certainly doesn’t.
Diner Live thoughts from my Twitter thread. (with a few edits)
I was feeling warm fuzzy feelings about Diner Live's extremely fluffy epilogue (and how Eichi was all 😍 at Wataru throughout the story) but I also thought something else: besides the "let's go to our future together" part, I love how the live was to heal the old fine vs Wataru memory with a happier one.
Wataru doesn't talk about negative feelings (see what hoops he jumped through in Sanctuary to process things), so you have to dig them from under things he does say and do (I wish some story will dive more into this at some point.). So, in Diner Live, he does his characteristic flashy and surprising tricks to be on the same stage as Eichi, not as one of Five Eccentrics or as one of fine (remember, he originally joined just to be with Eichi, not to be in *fine*), but as himself.
I think Wataru grew to feel sad about what happened at the end of Element even though he went willingly with Eichi's plan back then. Sad that the first time they were on the same stage was as "enemies", in battle. It's not a happy memory even though it lead to happy things. It might've been ok then because he was just intrigued by Eichi, not in love with him. But by Diner Live, he needs to get over the regret somehow, so he decides to create an alternative version of it, the dream he has (because he can't/won't talk about it). He acknowledges they can't throw away the past, after all, they wouldn't be where they are now otherwise, and they can't dwell on what-ifs but the dream (the live) was so sweet... But then Eichi says that yes, they can't stay in a dream but the radiance they felt during it is not only a dream, it's in their hearts, and asks Wataru to go towards the future together.
It's not a new start but a reforming. The diner live wasn't a battle, everyone was on the same side, having fun, and most importantly, Wataru & Eichi were there together, without baggage of any kind (and Eichi was feeling great during Diner Live while in Element he was in terrible condition on stage and collapsed too, so that was made better too). And so Wataru's dream became reality when Eichi accepted it as such.
I think this story has wonderful points: first, the past makes us what we are even though it's not always pleasant, but second, it doesn't bind us if we don't let it. And thirdly, wanting to be seen/treated as an individual/one's true self.
And it's just super fluffy!! ❤️ It ends with them snuggling!
Ashe. ashe. ashe. I'm having an izuleo moment because. izumis diner live card
why is he holding a fucking love letter. this is also the same story as "there's no way I wouldn't take your hand when you hold it out to me" I'm sick and also definitely reading too much into this but like. aughhhhhhhhj
THE SAME STORY. THE SAME ONE!??!!?!??!?!??! GHHGRHHGRFGREGWHREGRGEHJ TWHAT IF I WSA A LITTLE INSANE
Speaking of Eichi's Diner Live bloomed card, oh what I would give to have MV outfit of that in Music! (And Träumerei one for Wataru too, I love his boots in that. Oh and please make Träumerei do a comeback and release an actual song.)
