I’M LATE TO WRITING ABOUT THIS, but !! i think this is one of those topics where it depends on who’s talking to him , but then again --- not really ? like , tooru is very prideful ... despite his low confidence , he tends to be rather cocky and borderline egotistical when the conditions are right , or even just out of nowhere . but given his bpd , it can fluctuate in an instant , so you can never really be too sure ? anyway , i think that his reaction depends on how wounded his pride will be . either way , any form of criticism , he doesn’t take well in the initial stages of receiving it . but , if it’s well - founded and not from a basis of malice , he’ll acknowledge that it’s his own shortcomings that cause him to be offended by something that someone may have pointed out in concern for his wellbeing . he’ll be outwardly grateful , and while he may be bitter at first , he will easily come to a point of understanding and realize that they say it because they are concerned for him , and not because they want to make him sad , or anything .
if you barely know him , however , whether or not it’s founded from goodness , he gets haughty when you try to critique him --- constructive or not --- and often resorts to passive - aggressiveness , or petty comebacks in response . it’s just ... it irritates him , you know ? he hates it when people assume things about him from the get - go . it doesn’t matter if they’re correct , heck --- it doesn’t even matter if you’re some omniscient being who knows everything about everyone , it makes him miffed that people just look at him and think they’ve got him figured out . it stems from his history of having been bullied ( and admittedly even now , he’s ostracized ) for being “ different ” ... people kind of assume that he’s annoying or a bad person just because he can be a bit weird or unconventional . so it’s a huge pet peeve of his , thinking he’s one way or another .
tldr; do you know him ? is this criticism constructive , and from a place of goodwill ? then yes , while irritated at first , tooru will accept it and actually be happy that you care about him to find the courage to point out why he has done something wrong , or why he may be perpetuating negativity . but if you don’t know him , or you’re criticizing him for the sake of being mean ? then he won’t receive it well , and might even resort to pettiness as a response .
with love and compliments , it’s the complete opposite ... there’s no real case - by - case basis , he just accepts any and all compliments . and i don’t mean this in the sense that he’s vain ? it’s just that compliments fuel his ego . again , it’s a weird case in that his self - esteem is practically non - existent , but he still presents himself in a prideful / boastful manner . nonetheless , he’s still humble . part of this just derives from his upbringing , since japanese media / teachings often tell you to practice manners and complacency at all time , and that includes not upholding an image of pompousness . even if you believe in a compliment or want to accept it , it’s customary that you humbly deny it , or take it in a way that downplays what the other person is telling you ( but still in a way that doesn’t hurt their feelings ) . either way , despite his humility when accepting compliments , tooru practices it in such a way so as to bolster the person giving him niceties . for example , if you tell him that he’s good at something , he’ll say thank you , but then tell you that he’s not as good as you are , or go on and on about a positive trait of yours .
of course , this acceptance of all positivity becomes a weakness when people seek to exploit it . tooru’s had a bad history of people befriending him simply due to his status / monetary worth ( it’s one small factor as to why he regards himself in such a negative manner , and often belittles himself ) , and he still ... falls for it , despite knowing better at this point . but he just can’t help it . compliments come so scarcely to him , especially given his parents’ neglect and lack of friends / a social life in general , that he really does begin to love people too easily , all because they said something nice to him . it’s why he doesn’t seem to mind if people just pretend to love him ... he’s so attention - starved that he’d do whatever it takes to get it , even if it’s fake .
no matter what , though , tooru returns love tenfold . he really does have an infinite reservoir of love , and whether or not you genuinely love him , he’ll be sure to reciprocate in a borderline overwhelming manner .
