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When Ryuunosuke is first instructed to mentor Kyouka by Ozaki-san, he initially believes this to be a crude joke. Of course, he never voices this opinion, as she’s an Executive and questioning a direct order would be detrimental to his own life.
As such, he takes such an order in stride and endeavors to carry this mission out to the best of his abilities.
Kyouka has been under Ozaki-san’s protection and care for roughly three years. But the Port Mafia is a cruel place, and even she cannot shield her from its capricious nature forever.
Kyouka is first given to Verlaine for training, and it’s revealed that she’s quite the prodigy, only Gin matching her skill with a blade (something that Ryuunosuke takes great pride in).
Coupled with being under Ozaki-san’s wing for so long, he expects Kyouka to behave in a similar manner to either one of them. However, their first meeting went much more differently than he could ever imagine.
A small girl dressed in traditional wear approached him, shrouded in shadows. “Tell me. Are you the Gifted who can cut anything?”
Ryuunosuke looked to her with disinterest. Many people questioned the strength of his Ability after all, until they witnessed his tremendous power firsthand. “And what if I am?”
“Cut down Demon Snow. Avenge my parents.” She emerged from the shadows, and Ryuunosuke could see her eyes. “And then, after you take down Demon Snow, its master. Kill me.”
Her eyes were filled with vengeance and self-hatred. As he told her that day, they reminded him of someone he knew.
Himself, when Dazai-san first took him into the Port Mafia.
And just like Dazai-san was with him, he must strive to be a perfect mentor to Kyouka. The Port Mafia is a cruel and unforgiving world to the weak-minded and faint of heart, and her survival relies on his proper guidance.
So, just as Dazai-san gave his life purpose, he too must give this girl her purpose. Must give her a reason to keep living on, to calm her desire for death.
He will not fail Dazai-san, Ozaki-san, nor Kyouka in this task.