#kunzite-sama

Hi Anon! 

Apologies for my late response, it’s taken me some time to collect my thoughts on this 2-part question! It’s quite loaded as well, so hopefully my answer makes some sense despite all the different topics it navigates.

The short answer is: Zoisite always calls Kunzite “-sama” because it indicates a certain level of respect based on age gap, rank, and power, with a dash of personal admiration and idolatry. Zoisite uses this term because he must. He cannot be informal. They are not boyfriends.

The long answer (explanation) is: Loosely speaking, the suffix “-sama” is used whenever someone greatly respects (or should greatly respect) the person they are addressing. This can manifest in various situations: from an apprentice to a master, a student to a great teacher / mentor, a servant to a lord, etc. It can also be used in situations of great reverence, such as in the case of fans to their idols, or to a crush who is distinctly older (both Naru and Usagi refer to their respective adult crushes - Sanjouin Masato and Tuxedo Kamen- as such). 

In the case of KunZoi, the interpretation of the “-sama” suffix originally rose out of a literal assumption that Kunzite was literally Zoisite’s “master” or teacher. The subs imply this, and in conjecture with the English dub at the time (wherein Malachite explicitly states that he is meant to teach Zoycite), it was wildly assumed that Zoisite uses this term because it is part of Kunzite’s “title”, or because he respects him for said title. I would argue that Zoisite doesn’t use it strictly because of protocol - instead he uses it because he gladly chooses to, because his affection and admiration for Kunzite encompasses all the different ranges in which that suffix is used. Kunzite isn’t just his teacher - he’s also distinctly older, his superior, and the object of his (near fanatic) adoration. That’s the first reason why Zoisite cannot (or will not) drop the suffix.

The second reason is directly due to their current relationship status. Assuming that they were on a conventional trajectory with their romance, eventually there should come a point when they feel enough intimacy that the suffix is no longer a professional courtesy or a necessity (see Usagi progressing from Tuxedo-Kamen-sama, to Tuxedo Kamen, to Mamo-chan). The problem is that KunZoi are not on a conventional trajectory. Although they are clearly intimate, it is obvious that love and their romance status is not a thing they speak about. There has not been a “talk” or a recognition that they are even in a relationship of that nature…otherwise Zoisite would not have the need to “prove his love” in the later stages of his arc and in the sound dramas. At this stage, they are lovers, not boyfriends, and they certainly do not rest in equality to one another. Kunzite will most likely outright deny that Zoisite is his boyfriend (opting for his literal position to avoid the emotional baggage that comes with the word), while Zoisite just wishes Kunzite is his. 

Finally, the third reason is due to culture. Emotions are not an easy topic to talk about in Kunzite’s and Zoisite’s world. To avoid embarrassment, it is also likely that Zoisite chooses to use the suffix in order to put up a “professional” buffer zone between the two of them. So long as he uses this suffix, the ambiguity of its meaning allows him a chance to claim professionalism as an exit strategy, should Kunzite ever indicate that he is uncomfortable with their intimacy. The barrier is complicated and vaguely superficial - only there for the sake of comfort - but it is what gives KunZoi that fissure of interest, that texture of intrigue. They are not entirely a happy, easy couple, although they have the full potential to be.