@ifalangaria Indifference would be fine, but Riku is actively
using Kiyosumi for his own gain. Last chapter on p. 6 he points out that cutting out Ushio, the only one who seems to truly care about Kiyosumi
and the one who got the whole band set up, should
always have been the plan. The rest of the chapter has Kiyosumi being shown as
visibly unhealthy, dark circles under his eyes etc., yet no-one comments on that. Just how good the music is.
This chapter on p. 6 the framing makes it pretty obivous Riku is
aware about Kiyosumi's suffering, Riku glancing over then the next panel has Kiyosumi black and 'buzzy' as usual when he's hurting. No comment. P. 8 has Kiyosumi actually verbalizing his discomfort with the crowds, yet Riku's response is "Wimp." And then he immediatly shifts focus to the studio, to
work.
Frankly, now that I'm reflecting on it,
fuck Riku. Fucking asshole. From the start he was
telling, not asking, Kiyosumi what he should do and how he feels, etc.. He was the trigger for his old band breaking up. He acts all buddy-buddy, but when it comes to Kiyosumi's needs he's fucking cold-hearted. Chapter 23 p. 7 even has him
admitting he
knows Kiyosumi will burn out from performing, yet he
still pushes him. Later on, he just
decides that Kiyosumi
won't work with Misaki
without consulting him, and only brings it up when they are completely out of other options. Chapter 32 has him claiming he'll "give [himself] up" so Kiyosumi can "purely pursue music". A few chapters later he's pushing Kiyosumi into huge discomfort for the sake of 'work', like mentioned. So much for that self-sacrifice, I guess.
Contrast that with Ushio, who removes herself when she feels she's become a burden to Kiyosumi. I mean, she's wrong, but
at least she fucking
cares. The agent is cold, though not as cold as Riku, and at least he doesn't fucking
pretend to be friendly.
Of course, these are just
my interpretations and opinions. Yours are just as valid.
