#also even then Kaito at least helps shuichi out to lighten his load

[quazikam]

the sacred saimota texts

Debunking lies spread by Kaito, Shuichi and/or Saimota Haters (#2)

Hey everyone! Time to debunk another lie by haters or people who just love to twist canon, as this time I’m going to tackle the topic of Shuichi “idolising” Kaito, “depending” on Kaito…. and I’m also going to tackle it the other way around, because I actually saw someone saying Kaito depends on Shuichi as well, in a negative way of course, that’s why I’m doing this.. So, let’s start! When I finished V3, I still wasn’t immediately inside the fandom, I didn’t know people’s opinions on things, so I was just going around twitter and found someone saying that Saimota and Saimatsu are not really the best ships as Shuichi idolises them, and Kaito and Kaede deserve someone who can see them for them, and not just the front they put. I’m not saying this word for word, I don’t remember it exactly, but this was definitely what this person was claiming. And I remember just cringing so hard. Now, I won’t speak for Saimatsu, I’m sorry, I would have to analyse them more to talk about them. I think they are a sweet couple and have a lot of potential, but I also think they aren’t as perfect as people make them out to be. But, so, I’ll jump to the Saimota claims ‘cause it’s what I’m going to argue against. So, my first argument is against: “Shuichi idolises Kaito, depends on him” Let’s see, what haters mean when they claim this, is to say two main things: “Shuichi depends on Kaito, he can’t do anything without Kaito, he’s a cry baby emo boy; and/or that he only sees what Kaito puts on as a front, he will never be able to see Kaito deep down and understand him and help him, etc.” This is absolutely WRONG. 🌸 First: Shuichi does NOT depend on Kaito. As you can see here, when Maki questions if Shuichi “looks up” to Kaito, he says he doesn’t really “look up” to him, what he does is admire what Kaito has that he has been missing all this time.

And by “admiring”, I mean the definition google gives of “respect and warm approval”. Shuichi respects Kaito and appreciates what he does to him, but he’s NOT blind to Kaito’s flaws at all.

How do I know he’s not blind to Kaito’s flaws at all? Well, all you have to do is literally pay attention to any interaction between Kaito and Shuichi, that you’ll see the manyyyy times Shuichi calls out Kaito’s behavior in his head and even out loud, since the very beginning! He sees Kaito for who he is:

If Shuichi really thought Kaito was perfect, Shuichi would never have felt that he was right in chapter 5 for saving everyone (by proving Gonta is the blackened). He didn’t know why Kaito was mad at him, but, given his deduction - “Kaito is mad I didn’t listen to him” (which was not the truth at all) - yet, since this was what Shuichi thought, he still held on to his opinion, and he knew that he was right, and that he didn’t have to apologise for that, because he really didn’t, Kaito would agree, that’s not why he was distant.

If Shuichi really depended on Kaito sooooo much like people make it out to be, and is blind to his faults, then how did Shuichi move on after his death? How did he not end up just like when Kaede died? Because of his friends? Well, allow me to remind you, who helped Shuichi remember he has friends he can rely on. That’s right. You all think that it’s wrong to rely on others, when one very big message that Kaito passes on, with Maki, Shuichi and the others, is that they are not alone, that they can rely on each other.

Now, for those who still think that, “Okay, but still, Shuichi can’t see Kaito for who he is”. Well, let me show you this interaction with Shuichi and Mondo in UTDP. Mondo claims that Kaito is like a younger brother to him.

Shuichi is confused and points out they are the same age. He doesn’t understand Mondo’s perspective of Kaito as a younger brother, and I think that shows, how Shuichi perceives Kaito. He perceives Kaito as an equal, as a classmate (since it’s UTDP, so non-despair), a friend. AND even in this very same game mode he claims how much Kaito helps him, BUT he also wants to remind Kaito how much he cares for him deep down as well, and that Kaito doesn’t have to hide.

This is something that the harmonious heart verifies, as picking the best option for Kaito, Shuichi does not hesitate to say Kaito can open up to him. (And Kaito also appreciates it).

Even in the report card, after the last FTE with Kaito, Shuichi says this:

I think it’s VERY clear how much Shuichi cares and sees Kaito for who he is, and not as this perfect guy who can solve all of his problems. I think, having this said, it’s even more evident that the times Shuichi praises Kaito, compliments him in his head, and admits respect towards him, are very honest feelings, and feelings of actually appreciating Kaito for who he is.

This is not “admiration as idolisation” this is “admiration as respect”. Shuichi has a crush on Kaito undeniably, which is why he’s constantly saying good things about him and why he trusts him. Why would anyone deny Shuichi’s feelings? I can only think they’re just homophobic, because I know that Maki didn’t have to confess for people to know she liked Kaito, and she also denies/avoids her feelings like Shuichi does here. It’s only because Shuichi is a boy that people want to deny it. Look, I’m not saying people have to ship them, just like nobody should be forced to ship Kaimaki just because Maki likes Kaito. All I’m saying is: everybody should acknowledge that it’s true Shuichi has a crush on Kaito.

“Aren’t they supposed to be friends?” So what? Friends can develop feelings for one another? Are only strangers allowed to fall in love now? That’s not an argument.

Let’s move on.

🌸Second! Now, to something that I realised people actually think it happens. And I mean, I will be honest, it does happen a bit, but I think people love to focus this on Kaito just to try and hate, as usual, on Saimota. And the argument people give is “Kaito relies on Shuichi, he pressures him. Kaito is dumb, can’t do anything, so he uses Shuichi”

Ok ok, let’s see, first, Kaito was the one character that helped Shuichi relax and learn that he has friends and he doesn’t have to do everything alone? Who made Shuichi his sidekick to take a big responsibility off of of him?!

Okay so, I’ll be honest, it is indeed true that Kaito does end up pressuring Shuichi a couple of times. Kaito isn’t perfect, and even if he’s trying to help, he may go too far sometimes. For example during the 2nd trial, it’s clear Kaito is desperate to find the culprit, and there’s this reference to the DR1 game where Byakuya would say “Tell em Naegi” and Makoto had to answer, but this time, on the other hand, Shuichi didn’t know the answer when Kaito said “Tell them Shuichi” (or something like that). Yeah,  Kaito definitely made Shuichi a bit uncomfortable there. However, I think Kaito realised it, because not too soon after, it’s when we get the CG of Kaito patting Shuichi on the back and telling him everything will be ok and they will solve everything together. He’s not trying to steal the credit? Shuichi literally says “Together..?”. Kaito knew Shuichi was afraid of doing things alone, he was afraid of the responsibility with revealing the truth. And regardless of whether or not you see what Kaito said/did as helpful, IT DID HELP SHUICHI. And soon after, as Shuichi hesitates to say Kirumi is the culprit, Kaito reminds him that he doesn’t have to fear because he (Kaito) will take the responsibility.

Now, okay, let’s move on a bit ahead in time, to chapter 4. And, the reason for that, is solely due to something Kokichi says:

Of course this will be hard for people who think Kokichi is a super genius all mighty God that knows everything, so if you think Kokichi is always right, then block me, don’t even bother. I love Kokichi, but to think he’s always right is ridiculous, BECAUSE, he’s very wrong here. Shuichi feels pressured to save everyone, as part of being a detective and feeling like his talent is only useful during trials. That’s already part of him, and it gets even stronger as more characters die and the others start relying on him more and more. But, to blame all of that on Kaito? In chapter 4, the one pressuring Shuichi the most is Kokichi, he constantly separates Kaito and Shuichi, for his plans, and of course Kaito being affected by this (his behavior) also affects Shuichi, but Kaito is constantly reminding Shuichi that he doesn’t have to shoulder everything on his own.

But, of course, people’s arguments are “Kaito is dumb, he can’t do anything without Shuichi, he relies on him” and so what? Shuichi is the detective, Shuichi is the one that can help everybody in the trials. Do you think it would be better for everyone to ignore Shuichi and try to solve the case on their own? The fact the haters want both… there’s no way, they are never pleased.They claim the characters pressure Shuichi by saying they make him do everything, and then proceed to claim they pressure him by not letting him do everything alone, by being annoying, wtf? Pick one. It’s a life or death situation and Shuichi cares about his friends, he wants to help them, but Kaito lets him know that he’s not alone, and that he doesn’t have to take all the responsibility. He also tries to help multiple times, and presents a lot of valid evidence. Of course there’s a bit of negative, but haters put so much focus on it, as if that’s all there is.. but it’s NOT, the positive outweighs the negative SO MUCH here.

Kaito and Shuichi support each other. There’s such a mutual respect from each other to each other. They are both stubborn in their own ways, and they have a lot to grow (Shuichi not understand Kaito sometimes, and Kaito hiding his feelings), but, they care about each other, they want to understand each other and help each other. Kaito was jealous of Shuichi? He was, since chapter 2!! Yet, he was still always there for Shuichi, he still helped him and cared for him and you have to remember, all of this killing game occurs in the span of 2-3 weeks, more or less? When Kaito and Shuichi fight in chapter 4/5, it’s all within 1 day. ONE SINGLE DAY. And people act like that makes them toxic. NO, relationships/friendships aren’t easy. It’s not all perfect, if people want to understand each other, there has to be communication. And the best part about this is that, Shuichi constantly seeks to communicate with Kaito when Kaito is the one distancing himself- It’s hard to show this through screenshots, as people take them out of context constantly, but Shuichi wondering why Kaito may be sick, he may have been wrong, but he was still understanding towards Kaito, respecting him. He was one of the only ones that did not call Kaito an “idiot” for his fear of ghosts, and even when Kaito was feeling bad because of it, he was willing to give him space and letting him rest. THAT’S being a good friend.

And here Kaito also seeking Shuichi when he’s distancing himself, I mean, how he got Shuichi to cry in front of him, revealing his insecurities. And the fact Kaito is the only other character besides Kaede to whom Shuichi tells about the case that got him the title of detective.

Kaito accepts him, as Shuichi says here, despite everything.

“What about the fact Shuichi literally admits in the FTEs that he will depend on Kaito?” When Shuichi says “depend” he means “rely”, he means “I trust you enough to be vulnerable with you”, do you really think that, right after everything I pointed out, how Shuichi feels and sees Kaito, that he’s saying he’ll be codependent with Kaito?? RIGHT AFTER Shuichi says that, he LITERALLY says he’ll catch up to Kaito and be by his side.

 And everything else I brought up in this post about how Shuichi sees Kaito as an equal. Shuichi finds comfort in relying on Kaito, that’s not bad, that’s not “I’m not able to do anything alone, I depend on you oh noo” because as you know, even in such a serious life or death situation, after Kaito’s death, Shuichi keeps going. Relying on people, trusting them, it’s NOT wrong, it’s NOT “co-dependence” it’s NOT toxic. They are actually great friends, the fact they can trust each other so much.

Shuichi and Kaito care about each other, they RESPECT each other. They are NOT co-dependent on each other.

I rest my case for today. Thank you. List of debunking posts: 1st Debunking Lies Post