Daveigh

Comin up beyond belief On this coronary thief You come on just like  Special K

——The song 'Special K' by Placebo

K refers to: Ketamine（drug）/Kami（God) /Kusabi

Perhaps after finishing filming, the two are still just friends at this point, though there might be a little ambiguous affection between them.)

Just a sudden random idea — a short, brainless little piece. Hope you enjoy it :)

——Riki and Iason just finishing watching the whole scene of AnK.

Riki: …Now that the final scene has finished, it's still a bit poignant that, apart from their first encounter, Riki and Iason never made love without the Pet Ring on until the very end.

Iason: I'm curious to think about this angle: if Iason's character had given up his strong-arm tactics along the middle way and offered Mimea a relatively lenient situation, would Riki have chosen her instead?

(The two sit together on a sofa, under typical interview lighting. Iason is on the left side of the camera, Riki on the right.)

R: Well, if you put it that way, I actually thought about that question superficially while playing the character. Hmm… it's hard to say. Assuming the other characters' personalities don't change, Riki might indeed have chosen that kind of warmth. But that would actually make things more complicated. First there's Guy, then Iason — though that's debatable, because at that stage Riki he isn't consciously aware of liking or loving him — and finally Mimea. The order of appearance is pretty tricky. The original work generally wouldn't go in that direction; it would stray from the theme and feel messy. But if we imagine that scenario in real life, it's more possible. Then we'd have to scrutinize Iason's specific actions. If he let go out of genuine wishes for Riki and Mimea's happiness, maybe he'd send them away from Tanagura to Midas — perhaps, if he really became that kind-hearted, almost a god (laughs). But would Riki just accept someone else's charity? I doubt it. Besides, he couldn't just throw away his bond with Guy — though it's unclear if he still had actual romantic feelings for Guy at that point.

I: Indeed. After all, he's never someone who makes a romantic relationship as his life's pursuit. At that moment, he's grateful for Mimea's tenderness and kindness — both physical and emotional. It's hard for the novelty and warmth not to attract his attention. (He looks down, subtly leaning his body to one side.)

R: If Riki really chose Mimea, what do you think — I mean, what would Iason's character think? (He turns his head toward Iason with a slight smile.)

I: Without a doubt, he'd be devastated (soft laugh). But if the outcome of Riki's choice holds — and without contradicting the original story — then Mimea would have to at least temporarily gain her freedom, which would eliminate Riki's first concern: "We can never be free together." Usually, a pairing like Riki and Mimea follows a stereotypical male-female dynamic — one wants to go out and explore, the other is nurturing and only cares about their lover. Riki might still appreciate Mimea's devotion, but if you think carefully about the kind of partner his character is inclined toward — someone who gives him freedom, broader horizons, new experiences — that's someone similar to him. Someone capable of adventuring alongside him, where he isn't just a passive receiver of caring energy.

R: (listening intently, looking absorbed) Right. Even if Riki and Mimea lived together for a while, they'd eventually repeat the old pattern in Riki's relationships — like with Guy. Back in the Guardian center, Guy was the caretaker, and even more so in love — very accommodating, gentle and doting. On the surface, based on Riki's personality, he does respond to that kind of character. But deep down he's very independent — always running toward the horizon, never settling. At the same time, he still has a need for attatchment and companionship. So rather than a lover waiting for him at home, he'd prefer someone who fights alongside him.

I: Yes, exactly. Would Mimea be a better match for Guy? (laughs) But Guy prefers someone dazzling — he'd probably choose Riki still. After all, our protagonist's halo is no joke. (They both chuckle lightly.)

Text & image by @dveigh