heated rivalry #1 hater

So for Zen to agree to compete with Futami (no matter the terms) is alarming. And also to have Zen tell Ryo that competing with him is no longer challenging is also very alarming.

I think Ryo might be feeling like Zen is bored with him because essentially their dynamic has changed a bit. Sure they still argue with each other but the fire behind it is gone. Not to say there's no fire between them but the competition no longer serves it purpose since they are together now.

As for Zen, the ongoing competition between them was just that. Once their relationship evolved the competitive tension between them lessened. Ryo got what he wanted from it which was Zen so now there's no reason for him to compete as hard as he did before, he won his prize. And Zen has conquered Ryo in return.

Zen is competitive by nature so now that he feels like Ryo isn't trying as hard he needs to compete elsewhere. He's not using it as a crutch and there's no sexual component so competing with Futami is just another challenge to conquer.

Ryo doesn't realize yet but now he's sitting on an untouchable tier for Zen. He's his boyfriend now and Zen takes it very seriously (they both do) and he's not going to rely on their rivalry to keep their relationship afloat.

What I am finding most interesting about their dynamic right now is that they are both somewhat insecure about their relationship.

I would argue this is natural with their relationship being new and a secret from anyone they mutually know (and probably anyone else in their lives?)

But their insecurities are also kind of different.

First Zen. He tells Ryo he knows that he has no interest in anyone, but him. I believe this fully about Zen. Ryo has been clear about his feelings and Zen trusts what Ryo says. What Zen is insecure about, and why Futami ended up truly pushing his buttons, is whether he truly deserves Ryo. He clearly respects and admires Ryo and wants to be his equal and someone claiming they are not is clearly getting under his skin. Zen's insecurities have always been about him feeling "good enough" and this plays right into it.

He did feel a little jealous of others besides Futami, but I think that it's Zen's tendency to want to be the center of Ryo's attention. I don't think again that these behaviors are from Zen's concerns about Ryo's feelings, just more about wanting to have Ryo focused on him, which he has had pretty much the entire time they have known each other. Maybe that laser focus has been why Zen hasn't ever truly felt insecure about Ryo's interest in him - whether romantic or otherwise - so I guess we'll see whether that changes, but I do believe Zen believes he is not worried about Futami as a love rival.

But Ryo. Ryo *is* worried about Zen's interest in him. He does feel less secure in how Zen feels about him. He wants Zen to verbalize the reasons he likes him. Even during their confession scene, Zen says he wants Ryo, but he doesn't tell Ryo he likes him (loves him). He holds his emotions closer to the vest and that makes Ryo anxious. Now that Zen made some off-hand quip about competing with Ryo not being fun anymore, I can see why that would make him spin.

If he sees that as their exclusive way to be close as he said to Futami, he likely is already starting to think Zen is getting bored and slipping away. Ryo is going to need Zen to be clearer about why he wants to be with him and more directly state his feelings.

“Since we’re celebrating anyway, let’s make it a trip to celebrate both our birthdays. Let’s find somewhere nice to stay.” “Well, I like that idea.”

The random explosion is what solds it,

Because it makes it feel like we are fish seeing them through water like in the ending credits.

And I think that's cool because episode one and two didn't feature a fish tank in Ryo's apartment between the couch and the table.

So maybe they will get one, but for now, we are the fish peacefully observing these two admit they are in love.

"I felt a little scared last night when I was sleeping. Scared that being lovers with you is nothing but a dream." "Don't be silly, you idiot."

Just look at them! They woke up together and they went to just being the sweetest, fluffiest, goofiest men in all of Japan who are so in love they can't even help it. And they even know when to tease and when to reassure.

When I was falling asleep last night, I was a little scared. Of what? That us becoming a couple was all just a dream. That I'd wake up in the morning… and you wouldn't be in my arms.

They are so entertaining to watch

The change in their dynamic as they adapt to their new relationship and maintain their rivalry at work can be a lot to work on

Also the fact that Ryo already knew about his feelings gives him an "advantage" compared to Zen, who later realizes he has to get to know his boyfriend while also adapting to the idea that his longtime rival is the person he likes.

Furthermore, we also see Zen's realization that there are parts of Ryo's personality that he doesn't share, and although the idea bothers him a lot, it's something he needs to deal with.