Sep 04, 2021
The fact that Kohei references anything, much less a guide for 'sigma males'—as if it were an encyclopaedia or CRC—is the best ironic memeing I've seen in a novel yet. This, from the guy who spent half the book couch-potatoing as far as his studies were concerned!
I will admit, seeing Kohei stoop to new lows during the Special Project and ensuing politiking did make me like him less, but now I see that as a necessary trade. Kohei doesn't have to be conniving—we saw him perfectly content to pursue Yukimura to the exclusion of other concerns for half the book. But when circumstance forces his hand, he's not just good at Kitazawa's game, he likes it, and he buys in:
"What a beautiful sight to behold."
"But it's logical."
This also means the Special Project being introduced late as it was has a purpose in the story—to give us two clear, and opposing views of Kohei. He is a protagonist who can play the corrupt system, but risks being corrupted by it.
That's a great central tension. Holy s—
(I don't care if you planned that or if emerged organically, that's just good storytelling)
