Good time of the day to everyone who reads this post. Today we will conduct a character analysis of Kayo Miyake, Ultimate Waiter (Danganronpa: Foundation of Despair).
Warning stuff. I'm not the owner of the project so all my thoughts may be invalid within the canon. All stuff I say should be taken with a grain of salt. English is not my native language. Very long post. Spoilers for Danganronpa: Foundation of Despair (Prologue and Chapter 1, Daily Life). You have been warned.
Kayo is the first student our protagonist, Chiyoko, meets. He apologizes for scaring her and reassures her when she begins to panic over having no exit from the building. He's positioned as a gentle and polite guy, but there are still some details in his behavior.
Kayo: Ah…! Ms. Yoshimoto! You're the girl who wrote the phenomenal poem 'Just Flap Harder!'
<…>
Chiyoko: Y-yeah… but it wan't really all that great…
Kayo: Oh, I believe it was a lot more than 'great'.
Chiyoko: …
Kayo starts the conversation with a compliment and involvement in the life of his interlocutor (he always does). Chiyoko rejects the praise 'cause she doesn't think her poem is that great, but Kayo's answer is a bit strange: he somehow agrees with her AND reinforces the praise in the same time (yes, you're right, your poem is not 'great', it's something more). Chiyoko doesn't answer this and Kayo immediately changes the topic to continue the conversation.
Then comes the intros. Since Kayo is our support character, we have him during all intros, but I'm gonna mention just a few moments here.
Satoru's intro. The only intro where Kayo has only a few lines. Chiyoko and Satoru talk calmly until he interrupts them. All other intros it's Chiyoko who interrupts him and forces him focus on quest. What's difference? Kayo isn't involved in conversation with Satoru, he doesn't even have a chance to introduce himself. Chiyoko's the one who speaks the most during this intro. Kayo's ignored and he doesn't like it. So he ends the conversation by reminding about the quest. All other intros Chiyoko's mostly silent and Kayo's the one who speaks the most. What he likes more. Attention seeker
Akira's intro. Akira assumes that they missed a whole year after a ceremony. Kayo remains polite, but choose to ignore this information as there's no evidence for this idea. He even emphasizes this moment during Katsu's intro.
Chiyoko: …K-Kayo, may we move on…? I doubt he (Katsu) has any information for us…
Kayo: I agree. Maybe the next individual will have some information for the both of us… with proof.
Michio's intro. Michio assumes that they were kidnapped and Chiyoko admits such a possibility. But Kayo starts arguing.
Kayo: W-well… call me a coward, but I don't believe we should be thinking too hard about the worst case scenarios. After all, if everything does turn out to be okay, we all would be worked out for no reason.
Although Michio scolds him for positive attitude, Kayo actually thinks quite rationally. Situation is strange, right, but it could still be a misunderstanding. Michio has no evidence of kidnapping. As Akira has no evidence of time they missed. Nothing is decided until there is evidence.
And then the killing game is announced. And we have this sprite.
Akira asks the logical questions. Monobug gives her answers. But all these are just words. Monobug can say whatever they want, there's no evidence that this is true. But it's enough to make people panic. And Kayo doesn't like it. Because panic doesn't help, it only adds fuel to the fire of suspicion and distrust. Situation is dangerous. So Kayo just does the first thing he can: shuts Akira up. To stop her questions. To stop the answers without evidence. To stop this unnecessary panic.
But he really doesn't have the persistence to do it. It's Yukio who takes control of the situation, after all. Who knows what to say and when to be persistent to get people to listen. But that's off topic.
Chapter 1. Kayo's on the cover. I can't really analyze it 'cause the chapter is still ongoing. But it's definitely something more than just some pun.
Kayo has only a few lines in Eps. 1 & 2 and they don't really important.
In Ep. 3, Kayo attends a group activity hosted by Kimiko and gets some spotlight. Kimiko makes the worst possible pairs (it's a talent, really). I mean, you cannot predict everything, but putting Akira and Kayo in the same group is an obvious catastrophe.
(What did I say?)
Kayo: Ms. Koyanagi, you're supposed to be folding it at this point.
Akira: No, that'll make it inside out. It's this way.
Kayo: You seem to be confused, which is alright. Folding it the way you're suggesting will make it look disheveled.
Akira: No it won't…
Kayo: Please hand it to me, Ms. Koyanagi.
Akira: Stop. I know what I'm doing.
Kayo persistenly convinces Akira that she's doing wrong. We don't actually know if it's true ('cause this is just static CG). We just know that he doesn't like her and considering that Akira persistenly denies her 'wrongs', it can be assumed that he's lying.
To be said, if Kayo just insists and Akira does everything right, it could be manipulation on his part to make her doubt the correctness of her actions (gaslighting, if you want). Kayo dislikes her because of her words so it's logical to assume that he's trying to make her life difficult without seeming un-polite (gaslighting is characterized by false caring and helping to the victim). Possible. More than this, Kayo seems to enjoy the attention so this also could help him kill two birds with one stone: rise above Akira by proving her disability AND remain the good guy who helps his classmate. Perfect image.
But there's still a posibility that he's telling the truth (or half of it). Akira may not doing it so badly as Kayo speaks, but he may still be dissatisfied. His choice of words about flower is 'look disheveled'. Not 'wrong', not 'crumpled'. Disheveled. (Bro, you didn't see my origami, this is my last problem.) To be said, Kayo's really concerned about his image in the eyes of others. He tries to look perfect. And disheveled flower is not perfect. So… just saying. It's still possible (or it's a combination of both options).
After the activity is over, Chiyoko has a small talk with Akira, and Kayo notices it. So soon after that we have a talk with him too.
Kayo starts the conversation in a strange way.
Kayo: I apologize for coming to see you without any warning. I promise I will not try to do anything, as I'm sure that's what you are most likely thinking.
(Don't worry, I promise I'm not here to kill you, lol)
Chiyoko: I-I… I wasn't thinking you were…
Kayo: Ah… really? You're quite trusting, Ms. Yoshimoto.
Chiyoko: (…Why did that feel judgemental or something?)
To be said, Kayo always says to think positively, not about 'trusting'. 'Cause he's not. He doesn't know all these people. He wanna think that everything will be resolved, but he can't trust that everyone on the same page. Chiyoko, on the other hand, is strange. She looks like a little fragile girl who would be scared by all this situation, but she doesn't react to his words about involvement.
Kayo used to tell people what they want to hear BUT he doesn't really understand what Chiyoko wants to hear. He never gets a reaction from her. So he always just changes the topic to continue their conversation. And this time he has a proper topic.
Kayo: By the way, I noticed you started to talk with Ms. Koyanagi. What did you two have a conversation about? <…> And what did she say? She didn't worry you at all, did she?
He's so persistent about it that Chiyoko asks if he dislikes Akira or something. And his answer?
Kayo: W-well… that's a strong way to put it… I do think Ms. Koyanagi is an incredibly intelligent woman, and will provide us extremely useful information on how to escape. From the bottom of my heart, I believe that, and I admire her attention to details. However… I feel as though she doesn't exactly know how to handle said information… and often tends to frighten you all with it. Now, I don't believe she's trying to scare you all on purpose, but… It would do all of us some good if she would learn when that sort of input is appropriate or not. Does that make sense to you?
(He really talks a lot, huh?)
But, in short, some things shouldn't be said. In fact, this is the motto of polite people. If you can't say anything nice and polite, better keep quiet. But Akira's words aren't nice. She keeps saying disturbing things. And Kayo doesn't like it. The situation will become even more unsettling if all this stuff is made public. So he continues to belittle her words, 'don't listen to Akira, she herself doesn't know what she's saying' (he's literally trying to ostracize her).
Ep. 4. We finally get the motive. And Kayo's gentle and polite mask begins to crumble slowly but surely. What do we have?
Kayo: Oh dear… oh dear. My vision.
Kayo: M-Ms. Yoshimoto? Is that your voice?
Kayo: I've lost my sense of vision, which is already making it difficult for me to comprehend what is going on.
He continues to emphasize that he has lost his sight. It wouldn't be so strange… if he didn't adress to everyone in process. But it will get even stranger.
Kayo: <…> Thus, I'd like to propose the idea of assigning helpers to those in need. <…> I'll choose people as helpers at random… let me think… <…> And Ms. Yoshimoto, may you help me?
He's the one who suggests the idea of helpers. He's the one who chooses people for that. And, despite the fact that he emphasizes that all pairs are random, he chooses a pair for himself. Because he can. He's in control of this situation. And no one argues (mostly) 'cause he has a point. And can easily reject those who disagree with him. He manipulates this situation to his advantage perfectly. Should I tell this is mostly umpromptu? (He's a manipulator to the core.)
To say more…
Kayo: Now, Ms. Yoshimoto, I'm quite famished. Would you mind escorting me to the cafeteria? I'm… truly… awfully sorry for troubling you with my helplessness, but… I can't help but feel like I can trust you the most.
(Chose at random, ya say? Sure…)
He's just playing on her emotions.
What's interesting is that when Chiyoko says she doesn't mind helping him, Kayo looks surprised for a moment and then recovers from it (as if almost doesn't understand caring about him).
Then Kayo crashes into the first came wall. And it's difficult to say that this was an accident, since this is the first and last time of such demonstrative helplessness (the rest of the time he moves quite independently). 'Cause he needs Chiyoko to believe it. To believe that she looks after a completely helpless victim of motive. So he puts on an act to make her believe it. The only thing he didn't take into account was the fact that Chiyoko didn't actually care. (She just forgot about him after… I dunno… half an hour? Really, girl?)
Okay, at our next meeting, Kayo pretends that nothing like that has ever happened. Chiyoko even tries to help him bake cookies. But…
(This is the first time he calls her by name, btw.)
The sound of breaking glass could have scared him, sure, but his sprite looks more like he's annoyed. Chiyoko can't do anything right. Even give him a glass. His alibi is a completely useless girl. But he immediately apologizes for yelling 'cause he acts OOC and shouldn't really do this. He's gentle and polite, he can just ignore it and pretend nothing happened… right? (No)
Not knowing how to break the silence between them, Chiyoko brings up a new topic. And we finally get the stuff to work with.
Chiyoko: …So, Kayo… I-I never got to ask you, what's it like being a waiter?
Kayo: It's quite enjoyable, I must say. It's flattering whenever customers inform me that they enjoy my service. Although, I will admit, it tends to make me more passive, as I'm always answering to what the customers want instead of expressing the things I want. For example, it was embarrasingly difficult to adress everyone back in the infirmary, haha… But I really don't mind that. I prefer making people happy than satisfying my own selfish desires.
I'm… pretty sure at least half of this is not true. I mean, his statements don't actually contradict each other, whether they are true or not. He can make people happy AND satisfy his own desires at the same time. He just needs to be satisfied with the reaction he gets. And speaking of it…
Chiyoko: Do you get compliments often…?
Kayo: Very. I'm almost always told that I'm more polite and put together than any other waitress or waiter that had served them before. Not that I don't get where they're coming from. It pains me to see how little my co-workers try… After all, the restaurant I work at is quite an upscale establishment, so they could at least act a little more… well-mannered.
Chiyoko: …I'm sure they're not rude to their customers, are they?
Kayo: Perhaps you don't understand what I mean, Ms. Yoshimoto, as you have never been a waitress before, but there are many things my co-workers do that I tend to pick up on.
Chiyoko: Like not talking as overly fancy as you?
Kayo expresses obvious dissatisfaction with his co-workers and their manners. And then we have this sprite.
Every patience has its limit. And Chiyoko steps on a sore spot.
Kayo: You really don't understand a thing about my profession, Ms. Yoshimoto. I have to 'speak overly fancy' to my customers. That's called being polite. Saying the blunt things you do would be absolutely disrespectful to the people I'm serving. You don't know the amount of times I've been disciplined for not being on my best behavior. It didn't matter if I had a bad day, or if my body still hurt from the last blunder, or if I was too young to enter the workforce entirely. I still had to appease to customers, because I'm an Ultimate. I'm the Ultimate Waiter, and people want to be served by *me*. Not by any of my other lousy co-workers.
As waiter, Kayo must be polite. Nobody wants to be served by rude staff. But honestly, Kayo's really too fancy polite. I mean, he has a reason to be like this. He's Ultimate Waiter, the best of the best in his field. But there are many nuances.
Unlike most other Ultimates, his talent's connected with working on someone. He's a waiter, and waiter can't be freelancer. He's a student, and students can't work full time. He's a hired worker and must prove himself to get a better job ('cause no prestigious restaurant will hire a guy off the street, and what do you get from a cheap eatery? Nothing!) It's so freaking stressful even for an adult and he's just a student.
Chiyoko: Kayo, I-
Kayo: I didn't tell you to start talking!
(He's so mad that even cuts her off. Impolite, bro.)
Kayo: Listen. It wouldn't kill you to be more polite to other people. The way you act is very reminiscent of my co-workers. Would you like to end up like them, too-
Kayo doesn't finish his sentence because he's interrupted, but like. What did he mean? 'To end up like them'. You may think he's talking about firing, but… How the hell can Chiyoko be fired? She's poet. She doesn't have a place of work or management to being with. Kayo, what did happen to your co-workers? (Social death, maybe?)
Then Ryuu goes into the kitchen, sees a scene and immediately leaves. Kayo immediately chases after him, 'like Ryuu was about to tell everyone what he saw', as says Chiyoko. This is quite a telling moment: Kayo immediately forgets about Chiyoko (with whom he argued) and chases after Ryuu to make sure he won't tell anyone what he saw. Maybe to make an excuse too. The only thing Kayo cares about in this situation is his reputation, nothing else. He must be perfect in the eyes of others. And quarelling with classmate is something imperfect.
Still, the next episode starts with Kayo coming and apologizing for his behavior. Or… so it seems. Because after the words 'I'll be frank' he mentions his sight. Again. He always reminds about it. Too insistently. Even Satoru doesn't whine that much. And Kayo seems much calmer in this situation.
Yukio and Minako interrupt him in mid-sentence and bring up a new topic. And then…
Minako: Oh, by the way… do you guys have favorite animals?
<…>
Kayo: U-um… well… I don't particularly have a favorite… I think all animals have wonderful qualities-
Chiyoko: It's okay, Kayo. Just pick one.
Kayo: …
Ten of ten, Chiyoko, nice work (sarcasm).
Now, as the person with the same problem, I have to say: when I'm not sure about something and someone forces me to decide right here and now, it's annoying. Like really. Kayo told about his passivity like… a few hours ago? Why did you even ask something in the first place?
Okay, apologies. The most interesting part there is their gradation.
Kayo: M-Ms. Yoshimoto… I've come to apologize for my awful behavior towards you earlier. (surname)
Kayo: …So… you forgive me… right? (refers to the previous line, but without adress)
Kayo: …C-Chiyoko, you forgive me. Right? (name)
He apologizes properly only once. And then his lines become strange. 'You forgive me, right?'
Kayo doesn't understand Chiyoko's silence and facial expressions, but he needs her to forgive him. Otherwise…
Kayo: Chiyoko, don't cry. Just forgive me. Please. Y-you… you're the only one I can really trust here… if I lose you… t-then…
His expression becomes more and more frightened. He's almost panicking. He showed his ugly side and can't make an excuse.
Kayo: …
Kayo: …P-please… at least don't tell anyone about-
So he just condescends to beg. Even if Chiyoko doesn't forgive him, he needs to at least save his reputation. He's gentle and polite, and no one should know about his ugly side. Chiyoko's a threat. He needs to shut her up. But…
Chiyoko: I-I'm sorry…! I just…! P-please… *hic* …please don't yell at me like that again… I…
Kayo: Ch-… Ms. Yoshimoto…
Chiyoko fights apologies with apologies and ceases to be a threat. Mostly… But now she's just crying in the middle of the hallway and Kayo's uncomfortable that someone might see them. He even turns around to see if anyone's coming. Because he doesn't know how he should make an excuse about this situation. And again, the girl's crying in front of him, and he's only caring about his image in the eyes of others. One word: reputation.
Nothing particularly interesting happens during the party. There's just one more moment when Kayo expresses dissatisfaction with Akira (instead of Kiyomi who literally knocked him off his feet).
After the party Kayo tries to talk to Kimiko in the dorm. Chiyoko's dissatisfied about his talkativeness and this is a reaction he gives her (who's more dissatisfied, I wonder). And this is basically his last appearance.
Well, what do we have in the summary?
His politeness and courtesy are most likely a mask and work habit.
He hates impolite people (probably professional deformation).
He can talk you to death (don't check). He'll burn down the kitchen and you won't even insert word in his speech.
He has a diamond medal for gaslighting and isn't shy about showing off his skills. Other types of manipulation at discretion.
He probably has the ability to end your social life (don't check). He will not hesitate.
He'll probably be the first to react to the situation. He thinks quite quickly and adaptively.
He has absolutely no idea how to communicate with people outside of his work. He'll have an aneurysm if you don't respond to any of his lines.
He'd rather agree with the de facto leader than step in himself. It's more comfortable behind the scenes. (who are we to argue?)
He'll always find a topic to change. Just give him something to work with.
He enjoys the attention (but only the good one). It's more strange if he's nowhere around. But be careful: it seems he's allergic to sincerity.
Superiority complex? He seems to think he's better than his co-workers. He may have a reason (but who knows?)
That's all for now. Thanks for reading this to the end.
