#Seiji also understand Shuuichi's struggles/confusion because he has been there himself

[overgrown-ruins]

The way I've interpreted it is Matoba's saying that Natori is making things more complicated and difficult for himself than necessary, chiefly by following/relying upon tradition and upholding traditional expectations.

Natori being the first to see yokai after a break of the ability in the family could have led to a new way of doing things. For Shuuichi himself, the Natoris, and perhaps even the exorcist world more generally. And throughout the episode Matoba was subtly suggesting that, both through their conversation (what was literally said) and the insistence on being on first-name terms. That Natori should try what works best for himself as Shuuichi rather than as Natori. To decouple himself from the Natoris and not rely on the methods imposed by them and the other clans. I don't think Matoba was saying to ignore them outright, but to not let the old/current way of doing things limit Natori.

And it might have worked if Seiji were not a Matoba or were less of a prodigy. That this occurs when they are teenagers rather than (young) adults suggests that some degree of rebellion and 'paving our own path' could've occurred had the two teamed up, like they did to capture the yokai. But that energy was turned against Seiji specifically - due to jealousy and insecurity - rather than exorcist tradition. Shuuichi chose what Seiji viewed as the more difficult, and perhaps even unnecessary, path: to take up the mantle of being the head of the Natoris.

So that leads us to question how Matoba Seiji views things. Perhaps he sees the situation with the exorcists at large as stagnant, or worse, actively deteriorating. He's probably been hearing talk of the state of affairs since before he truly understood what was happening. He's witnessed first hand how things have changed for well over a decade, and has been raised to bear the brunt of this situation almost exclusively by himself. Seiji either was told or came to the conclusion that he needs either power or allies to stabilise, to 'unbend', the exorcist world.

Matoba is currently trying to do what he can within a pre-existing structure. But how would his approach differ had he and Natori teamed up? Is his desire to recruit Natsume coming from a similar place as recruiting Natori? To bring an external perspective and perhaps novel solutions to the situation?

Would the world feel lighter for Shuuichi had he refused the weight of the Natoris? If he had Seiji as his friend to help him navigate the exorcist world until he was able to make it his own?

Just realized something that could be an important bit of Natori lore.

I've always been wondering about Matoba's phrase at the very end of A World Unbent, what exactly he meant by "the world seems warped and bent because you're looking at it through these". Does he mean that the world seems unstable (unpredictable, dangerous, with nothing to hold onto) because Shuuichi himself doesn't have a stable sense of self, which makes him construct an identity based on others, like Takuma, which the glasses symbolise?

This metaphor is apparently important enough for Natori's characterization to even have the episode named after it. And, curiously enough, it's not called A World Bent, but specifically A World Unbent. Why? Is it Shuuichi's innermost desire, an unbent, unwavering, safe world? To feel that way in the world?

What just struck me, though, is the very fact that Matoba said these words. He voiced, almost word by word, Natori's own thoughts - "the world seems to waver so". How on earth does he know. They definitely didn't discuss this. Without even talking much, without an established friendship, without even liking from Natori, has Matoba been the person who understands Natori best?

Actually the only other example of someone understanding Natori in that way and on that level is Nyanko, who said that Natori hated himself. And even then it can just be Nyanko's opinion, as we get no direct confirmation from Natori.

And Seiji just spoke Natori's own thoughts aloud. And it's apparently significant enough for Midorikawa to end the episode on. She was making a point.

A ruined friendship that never was. The could-have-beens. Shuuichi, who doesn't understand Seiji at all, and Seiji, who sees through him.