While everyone (re: one other person @jkgnggj :3) is talking about it, kubosaitori is so intriguing to me. Back to that stupid dog metaphor that drives me crazy, Aren and Reita fit it so well in almost completely opposite ways. One is strong, brave, and steadfast — the perfect guard dog. The other is spoiled, clingy, almost overly relaxed with Kusuo before really getting to know the guy — the ideal lapdog.

They’re almost completely opposite in other ways too: one was raised by a group of monks (and I’d argue ghosts as well), while the other forced into independence from primary school. Aren was a gang leader, Reita was raised in a temple, yet the one of them who is more sinful is not who it should be. One is overly reliant on Kusuo’s powers, and the other is never made aware of them in the series.

And yet, they’re both unerringly loyal. In a relationship, Kusuo would be one of, if the only, person these two would willing listen to. They’re both overly physically affection, relying on the fact that they can trust Kusuo. Either to be a pillar of stability, or to always be a tangible, real constant.

They both snap at each other, each greedy for more of Kusuo’s attention than the other. But there could be a camaraderie there. We’ve seen it before. And I think Aren would be protective of Reita in a roundabout way. It comes back to the fact that I think while Aren would eventually function fine without Kusuo in his life, I truly don’t believe Reita could. Coupled with Aren’s natural tendency to take people under his wing, I think he’d end up trying to do that to Reita, especially since Kusuo generally doesn’t need protection like that. And deep down, I think Reita would enjoy the combination of Kusuo’s mothering and Aren’s less sympathetic parenting.