#minakaf

[bayleavesfromthevine]

thinking about hoshina being in love with kafka, but kafka is in love with mina

OR

hoshina being in love with mina, but she's in love with kafka

idk y'all, i'm feeling a lot of "unrequited love" angst for our bowl cut man tonight

brb sobbing and writing a fic at the same time don't mind me

[terra-sketches]

Mina Ashiro, what's it like being able to pull anyone you want in the entire defense force?

[terra-sketches]

Hi, Hello, Good evening (maybe). Want to think about devastating relationships between fictional characters? Well, I sure do!

Mina and Kafka's dynamic pre-canon to early canon is so cold and distant. Like, extremely distant. Then even as things unfold they take so long to resolve the tension between them. It hurts to watch/read (and I love it).

It's heavily implied that the two of them weren't on speaking terms while Kafka was part of the Monster Sweeper crew. When they did come across each other after Mina came to his and Reno's rescue, Mina didn't even acknowledge that she knew Kafka. Ouch.

It's obvious at the start that they were childhood friends that drifted apart. And boy, it sure took a toll on them both. Niether of them are content with that reality. Kafka's apartment is full of ramen and alcohol as he fails to ignore how disappointed he is in himself for not living up to the promise he made to Mina. Later, after rescuing Kafka and Reno, Mina soaks in her tub, clearly upset, she talks to herself, calling Kafka a liar. The two of them were supposed to be officers and wipe out kaiju together but from Mina's perspective Kafka gave up on the dream, and thus, himself. And Mina can't help someone that's given up on themselves, she can only keep trying to achieve their dream as a solo act.

Once Kafka shows up to the exams again (for what might be the first time in years) Mina's interest is captured but it's subdued. She's shielding her heart so she won't be disappointed just in case things don't pan out (again). Kafka on the other hand is burning more brightly than ever. He found his north star again and he's going to follow her this time.

When Kafka makes it onto the force, Mina still does her best to keep it professional and restrained around Kafka. It's implied that even Vice Captain Hoshina didn't know that she and Kafka were childhood friends until Kafka brought it up. Kafka is treated almost like a dirty secret. Despite this, Kafka never expresses any anger or irritation at Mina being slow to accept him. He's self aware enough to recognize how his actions hurt her and he's willing to take the difficult route of earning her trust again. He wants to provide that he can be a man of his word.

During this time they miss each other so much. Like, SO much. But they can't bridge the gap between them until Kafka catches up. Those are the conditions, partially set because of Mina's captain status and partially set becuase Kafka has a lot to prove to Mina AND himself. He is doing all he can to reach Mina but progress doesn't happen overnight. All Mina can do is wait paitently while trying to live up to the dream they built together.

I adore how Kaiju no. 8 is realistically (not including the kaiju, of course) depticting how childhood friendships can fizzle out and how awkward rekindling them can look/feel.