Furuya Rei's Anger & Will for Live : An Essay About Rei's Mentality
Warning: I'm in opinion that Movie & Zero's Tea Time aren't a Canon event, but IF the incident happened, than the character's action will be in line with the movie. In short: Event? Not canon. The personality? Canon. So this opinion itself can be based on Rei's mentality on movie & ZTT.
I have some kind of opinion that Furuya Rei still continue living because of two reason, and two reason only.
2. Akai as his anger's outlet.
Rei knew that Hiro's death was suicide, but he still blamed Akai for why he's unable to save Hiro.
Some of it is really because of he acknowledge Akai's abilities. That's also why he unable to believe that Akai Shuichi was really dead, even deliberately asking Vermouth to disguise himself as Akai to test the FBI.
The other reason is because... I think Rei would be unable to continue living if he didn't blame Akai.
We all knew Rei's first reason of becoming police officer was to search Dr. Elena's whereabouts. He didn't have any extreme patriotism that he showed after his real identity as PSB agent was revealed.
He only have that kind of patriotism after the death of his friends.
Two died in bomb, one died to prevent more information to be exposed, and one died on car accident after a stakeout for a whole day.
The circumstances were different. The culprits were different. But one thing for sure: Had it not because of their identity as police officer, they wouldn't die.
Had Matsuda and Hagiwara not join the Explosive Disposal Unit, they wouldn't die because of the bomb. Had Hiro not join PSB, he wouldn't die because his identity was exposed. Had Date not join the Criminal Investigation Division 1, he wouldn't be so tired that he dropped his notebook, then failed to notice and avoid the incoming sleepy driver.
Sure, maybe they could have died for different reasons. But at least in reality, they died because of the job as police.
And Rei couldn't blame them at all.
He couldn't blame the citizen nor the country, as the citizen and the country itselves are one of the thing they swore to protect after Police Academy's graduation.
He couldn't blame them police officer of Japan, because of he blamed them, what then? All of his friend also a police.
He couldn't blame his friends. Since they did their action because they have best interest aligned with their responsibility.
He could blame the culprit, but they already ended up in jail (or in Hagiwara & Matsuda case, years later in main timeline). Not to mention as a police officer, Rei couldn't just fight them, like how Miwako couldn't just shoot the bomber.
If Miwako injured (or worse, killed) the bomber, Miwako herself would be punished, probably up to dismissal. Even though the bomber was clearly a vicious person and even a coward who never feel guilt and refused to admit his wrong. Why?
Because police officer have a responsibility and law to uphold, they swore to protect every citizen's human rights, even for a criminal, if they're clearly helpless and can't/won't fight back. Just like Takagi said.
"Have pride and demonstrate responsibility to serve the country and the people. Do not follow fear and hatred. Under any circumstances, we must respect human right, and fulfill our duties as police for the sake of justice."
That's why, Rei couldn't blame all of that. Even when his friends died one by one, Rei couldn't mourn openly, because he have his responsibility as undercover in huge, transnational criminal organization. It's all for the sake of Japan, who all his friends died for.
But it's different with Hiro's death.
This death, it's different. Sure, Hiro's choosing suicide was because he have his responsibility in mind. But this time, Rei have someone to blame.
Rei finally, finally, could blame someone.
He's not an Inhabitant of Japan. He isn't even a normal citizen, but a foreign agent conducting illegal Investigation without permission from Japan's police!
A perfect outlet for Furuya Rei.
So, Rei poured all his anger towards Akai.
His anger for Akai's failure in preventing Hiro's death. His anger for the injustice for the world where all his friends, who were clearly talented and bright people, died in line of duty without even reaching 30. His anger for foreign agent doing illegal things in Japan, stepping on his beloved country, protected by all his friends with their lives.
And Akai... Accepted it all.
I don't know why. Did Akai have some kind of premonition on why he couldn't let Rei knew the truth of Hiro's death? Why he clearly fond of Rei, saying "The two best inspector in Japan" with a soft smile? Liking Bourbon, while at the same time, avoiding Scotch? Responding Rei's aggresive attitude with a smile as long as it's not hindering their responsibility or blinding their true objective?
Sure, the first time Rei appeared after Hiro's death, Akai need to act because he didn't know Rei's a NOC too. But after that, why?
If Rei knew the truth, what then?
Hell, Rei couldn't even act properly after he saw Hiro's death in front of his eyes. The moment Rei tried to check Hiro's pulse and stared in anger at Akai, Rei already failed his duty as an undercover.
He's lucky Akai's also a NOC. Had it been Gin... Rei would also get heavily suspected for his immense emotional reaction towards the traitor. Maybe, his ending wouldn't be good.
At this point of time, knowing the truth wouldn't make Rei feeling guilty. It will break him.
Maybe it'll be different if Akai told him sooner. But the best time had already passed, long, long ago.
At first, maybe it's not that bad. Because Rei thought Rye, or Moroboshi Dai, was just a bad guys from criminal organization who understandably eliminated a traitor.
But the moment Rei knew Rye's real identity as FBI Agent, was the moment where nothing good would come if he knew the truth.
Akai Shuichi, a very capable agent, with immense skills, especially as sniper, and feared so much by the Organization as 'Silver Bullet'... Failed to prevent Hiro's suicide.
Rei acknowledge Akai's ability, and that's why he can't accept Akai's failure, more than anyone else.
I can't imagine how Rei will feel. His friends died one by one, leaving him alone. He finally have someone to blame for, but then he knew that the trigger of Hiro's suicide was actually his steps on the stairs.
Or perhaps he knew, but refuse to acknowledge it because he couldn't go on if he accepted it?
Rei has nothing else to motivate him for continue living other than his mission. He already grieved too much for losing too many. Just like what I analyze in here.
I will stop my essay for now. I don't think my brain can explain more. This is already so long.... Thank you for reading and I really appreciate any feedback or opinion you have too!
Hagiwara Kenji, Matsuda Jinpei, Morofushi Hiromitsu, and Date Wataru. You're all great people, who also influence Furuya Rei in so many ways. May you all rest in peace.
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You did your best... Zero.
