#kaiaka if you squint

[kaiakasukidesu]

Kaisei's favorite Rakugoka is Akane. I have proof yes, will I show it to the world? Nope. Time will show y'all... Because, I'm always right. Here, I rest my case your honor.

[kaiakasukidesu]

Ladies and gentlemen, let's look back together at this moment all the way back in VOL 6.

"Don't get the wrong idea. It's not you I'm interested in. It's the story you're going to tell".

This dialogue sounded familiar, but I didn't realize why, till looking back... Just a few chapters back to "Goldfish".

And his lines are a straight parallel to, YES! ISSHO'S LINES?!?

"Don't get the wrong idea. That's not for you. It's for the goldfish you serve at the bar. I need you around so I can have my favorite drink".

The writing is so subtle in this part, it's a blink and you'll miss it. Beautiful writing and beautiful piece of characterization.

Ah, I love this manga.

[kaiakasukidesu]

looking back at the beginning of the manga, i truly enjoyed kaisei's annoying male lead demeanor lmao

he's so annoying.

I believe it's because he keeps using that happy go lucky mask. making him look dumb and harmless, and we as the audience end up perceiving him as an airhead (nowadays, we all know it's quite the opposite).

deep down I've realized his feelings towards Akane are probably true (not romantic in itself... anyways—). The thing is, he likes her to the point of hiding Akane's existence from his master although his first thought ever was "I want to recruit her into master Issho school..." and he did keep trying. (He failed).

And it's so funny, Issho straight up calls him up! Because hey, I've known you since you're 8yo! I know when you're lying 🤥!

At the end of this arc Akane did tear down both of his facades, she did that in completely opposite ways:

+ Kaisei did lost his "happy go lucky demeanor" we never see him act like that anymore not towards Akane or anyone else, he stopped playing dumb.

+ Meanwhile Issho's devil of the arts facade, going from devilish, to even proud or relived. Like remember back then, when Kaisei also did call him out in his mind because he was being way too polite, and he never does that when he's training someone or teaching someone a story.

Issho's a dude who yes, he's a jerk but he also cares and wants the best for the world of rakugou... (We could elaborate more on this but I'm waiting for MANGA FLASH BACK DEVELOPMENT™!!!!!)

Anyways!

This is the first time he looks relieved - happy? Hopeful even?

The conclusion? There's no conclusion yet! We need to see how the manga keeps developing!

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk ☺️