Ameliorate - [Tokyo Revengers Various] X Reader

•30• done with the run

Chapter art by Ayaya! Check her on Quotev, she's made other art of skits too!

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I've been wanting to put up some insight into Inui's and Kokonoi's characters for some time now. I've also been wondering if any of you noticed Inui's slightly odd characterization considering the sort of guy he is shown as in the series. (this is worded a lot along something I'd read some time ago)

INUI is torn up in grief over the loss of his sister and the series of events that followed. He is internally throbbing in pain of it all– he becomes unable to show any emotions and is extremely frustrated and pent up. This results to sessions or outbursts of violence.

Other than this, he suffers from survivor's guilt and this coupled with the fact that he knows the only reason he survived is because Kokonoi was trying to save his sister. He knows it was a mistake that Kokonoi saved him and that gives him enough of an existential crisis wondering whether he truly does deserve to live or not.

This constantly bothering his mind makes him believe he'd never be able to be important or a priority in someone's life. This is why he fully devotes himself to anyone who shows him warmth– Kokonoi because he's the one who saved him mistakenly, then Shinichiro, Taiju and even Draken towards the end until him and Kokonoi separate to give themselves time to heal.

Max just happens to be one of these people who show him warmth, therefore Inui is loyal and devoted to him, and since Max cares about the boy and is close to him, Inui tries to make effort for him now and then.

(other details to be revealed later on)

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KOKONOI felt a sort of puppy love for Akane but he was too young to understand it and perceived it to be his first and truest love. He clearly doesn't regret saving Inui but the regret of not being able to save Akane has drowned him. He feels incompetent amidst the heartbreak and becomes obsessed to gather enough money considering it his own responsibility to pay for her surgeries since he couldn't get her out of the fire in time.

Other than the loss of Akane, the knowledge that he put in every drop of sweat and blood to scrounge for this money breaks him. He becomes obsessed with money now convinced that it can buy all life and love and basically solve everything. The puppy crush he once had turns into an obsession to the point where he starts to see Akane in Inui and transferring this obsessive romantic feelings over to the boy. Inui not only looks like his sister but also survived instead of her and so Kokonoi finds him to be a perfect substitution.

Also Kokonoi admits in the series that he everyone only wants him for the money he generates and there's nothing else about him anyone wants or likes.

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THEIR friendship during the childhood is pure and genuine but now it continues to build on an unstable foundation– Inui needs Kokonoi's validation to convince himself that his survival wasn't a mistake. Kokonoi needs Inui's validation to have someone take the place of Akane in his life.