My analysis on this story

MoelloKobato April 22, 2024 10:26 am

Introduction:
The manga opens with Kobayashi, the light-haired character, and Takagi, the black-haired one, playing video games together, establishing a lighthearted and friendly atmosphere.

Physical Appearance:
Both characters have visible bandages: Kobayashi on his face and Takagi on his hand. These injuries are later revealed to be significant to the story.

Location Setting:
The setting appears to be Takagi's apartment, evidenced by a taped door and plastic-covered floors, possibly to conceal a crime scene. Kobayashi's living area lacks these coverings. The bathroom seems to be where a crime took place, with scattered sharp objects and garbage bags in the bathtub, suggesting a cleanup of evidence and a crime has been committed.

Time, TV News, and Smell:
The calendar is prominently shown twice, and Kobayashi mentions practicing the game "a thousand couple of hours," hinting that the crime occurred some time ago—possibly a month, based on the calendar. A TV news report shows a missing 23-year-old woman, with friends identifying Takagi as the suspect. This might suggests Kobayashi may have turned Takagi in to the police. Kobayashi's comment that his hand stinks may indicate he helped with the cleanup of the crime scene.

Takagi's Message:
Takagi's facial expressions and urgent pleas for Kobayashi's help suggest he has committed a crime. Also Kobayashi's reply that Takagi's gf were staying over at the time reference to the TV scene where a girl was missing.

Takagi's Outburst:
Takagi's violent outburst towards Kobayashi reveals his potential history of domestic violence, possibly stemming from his upbringing, trust issues, and psychological problems. Kobayashi's tolerance of Takagi's outbursts indicates that he would be accepting of this behaviour also another psychological issues between them.

Ending:
The story concludes with police surrounding the apartment. Kobayashi's statement to Takagi, "I managed to win against you in the end," implies that Kobayashi may have turned against Takagi. The ending panel suggests the police arriving at the apartment and the sound of doorbell, symbolizing the end of their "game."

Overall Analysis:
The manga is an open-ended narrative that allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Kobayashi's tolerance of Takagi's violent tendencies may stem from his background in a neglectful family, where he seeks love and acceptance, even if it leads to a toxic relationship and participation in crimes. Takagi's initial dream of a happy household contrasts with the final scenes. It might be where he and Kobayashi play video games as if nothing has happened, reflecting his desire for a happy household despite the crime committed.

Responses
    MoelloKobato April 22, 2024 10:27 am

    Okay so the bandages, they got it from the panel where Takagi punched Kobayashi and they were bleeding. That's the references for the physical appearance analysis one (I forgot to include this lmao).

    MoelloKobato April 22, 2024 10:54 am

    Also the last line where Takagi says, "Kobayashi, I lo—" in the japanese letters it says, "Ore... Omae no koto"

    Ore translates to "I"

    Omae translates to "you" (but only male use this word towards someone they are really closed with, it's an informal word and considered rude to use for people you do not know.)

    no koto translates to "about/towards"

    So the direct translation is, "I... towards you..." On which I'm leading on a failed confession, because it is an indication of his feelings towards Kobayashi.

    Indian Fujo May 2, 2024 4:33 am

    one thing doesnt make sense - if both the dead body and kobayashi are still in the apartment a month later, why did he wait1 month to report the crime? i dont think he stayed there for a month. takagi called him, abused him but showed mercy, kobayashi took his shot and called the police, and then stayed with takagi so that he wouldn't escape till the police arrived

    Moello May 2, 2024 4:40 am
    one thing doesnt make sense - if both the dead body and kobayashi are still in the apartment a month later, why did he wait1 month to report the crime? i dont think he stayed there for a month. takagi called hi... Indian Fujo

    It's just a possibility but not clear just like what I wrote, because the calendar is damaged in the manga. It is some sort of symbolism of time. As for calling the police it might be because he was abused and might be cautious and careful when planning to report a crime.

    YAOI__GIRL May 9, 2024 4:13 am
    one thing doesnt make sense - if both the dead body and kobayashi are still in the apartment a month later, why did he wait1 month to report the crime? i dont think he stayed there for a month. takagi called hi... Indian Fujo

    I think that he Kobayashi wanted to spend more time with Takagi. After all, he was in love with him since high school, and has a strong attachment to him. So I think that he wanted to know what it would be like if they were a "couple" before his guilt got the better of him and reported him.

    Or it could be like the og poster said, where he was taking his time as to not seem suspicious.

    BurningBloom July 29, 2024 3:12 pm
    It's just a possibility but not clear just like what I wrote, because the calendar is damaged in the manga. It is some sort of symbolism of time. As for calling the police it might be because he was abused and ... Moello

    I think the calendar shows the pregression of change of Takagi's emotions as he marked aech day, you can see the markings are neat and to the end the are more messy and the ripped part maybe happened as he lost his mind and commited the thing...