#rie because

[skinzchoerim]

Is that because of you?

[andrhomeda]

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[arasokanbina]

[redeim]

Examining the part right before the fight, it looks like Rie might be saying “공개하자 (gonggae haja),” or just “공개 (gonggae),” which means, “let’s go public,” so I think shadowetienne is on to something about it being a fight about going public/showing PDA.

[prodbymill]

rie popup store vlog

[thelastharbinger]

Incoming...

[skinzchoerim]

My theory for the lyrics of be mine and because in light of be mine's description change:

Just like how be free was a continuation of begin - Yoojung wanting Kyubin to free himself and Kyubin accepting the influence, be free's lyrics having none of the hesitation he's shown in begin - because can only exist because of be mine.

In be mine, Junji is very invested, almost possessive; he wants them to become one, but feels that Rie is holding back. The description now reads: "Even though I keep trying to suppress my emotions, they keep coming back up." He's tried to calm himself, but feels he can't any longer and expresses the many intense things he feels. He's done "pretending to be ordinary". He encourages Rie to "let go of the fear, focus on me, come towards me faster". "Little by little, what shows is your silhouette" - I interpret that line as about being both physically and emotionally naked, the more Rie gives in, the truer to himself he comes. Through the metaphor of sculpting, Junji is helping him become someone he thinks Rie should become, but it's ambiguous whether this attitude is helping or destroying Rie. "I've been slowly becoming part of you, the strange feeling is gone" - foreshadows because's "In the end, we become one." Junji sings "You and I are unstoppable", and perhaps all of that catches Rie off guard. The depth of Junji's emotions overwhelms him and causes him to want to put some distance between them which results in a fight.

The lyrics to because follow the aftermath of the fight - Rie realises the emotions he's been feeling run a lot deeper than he thought, and now he's getting ready to fully commit. "Sometimes, the world feels just so empty when I get too far from you." "Perhaps everything is already decided like destiny, like the universe, it can't be explained" - he's tried to reason with himself, maybe because of internalised homophobia, maybe fear of commitment, maybe because he feels they haven't known each other long enough. Whatever the reason may be, he knows now that he feels just as strongly as Junji. The description talks about not believing there is only one form of love, and that might be because Rie tried put the love between them into some sort of category, only to realise no two loves are the same and he can't continue to rely on logic. "These unforgettable scenes continue endlessly, they get me so excited that I can't fall asleep, give me everything you've experienced" - these lines play over their fight, showing that even the bad times are worth it. "My heart is your heart, there's nothing to worry about, I'm not afraid even if I lose it all" - he's willing to commit despite the fear of it ending someday.

I'm not sure how that fits with the chronology of the MV, but I've seen people say that the final scene of be mine is actually the end, as it happens after they meet again at the pool. It would make sense with my interpretation - they both seem hesitant in that scene as they've just fought for the first time, but ultimately decide to express their affection publicly, solidifying it. The lyrics in that scene are: "Boundlessly intertwined and what'll shed light on you from there is this close and risky moment" - this moment is very significant to them, it's an expression of how they became one. The song ends on "Doesn't have to be perfect", acknowledging their desire to be together through the ups and downs.

[skinzchoerim]