#yayyy!

Komaeda is, perhaps subconsioucly, quite insecure about not fitting in with the other students due to his own perceived lack of (aka, hating his own) talent. It's not something he is actively uh... moody about though, and instead parades himself as someone only capable of acting as an expedient for the people with 'real' talent. This is demonstrated heavily in his interactions with the ever-so popular Reverse Course Hinata, who is legitimately talentless (AND pretty moody about it), but still manages to fit in and make friends with the Ultimates. Once again, they parallel each other over and over and over to drive home their individual themes.

Komaeda may appear as if he is perfectly content with being a stepping stone, yet relentlessly attacks Hinata's position in the beginning. Not out of contempt, or even really jealousy, but in a 'we're the same, so don't step out of line' line of way. Eventually, he grows admirable towards Hinata, while still believing himself to be unworthy of attention or even being spoken to.

This is a deep clash with his ideals. He values talent (that in turn births hope) above all else, and yet... well, he put it best himself;

Based on his own belief system, he isn't worth caring about, and talentless Hinata isn't worth caring about either. Yet something about their differences makes him "emotional". I'm of the belief that him actively observing and and speaking with Hinata, in every iteration of their relationship, crumbles these toxic values he possesses. In UTDP, Komaeda grows from hostility towards Hinata's lack of talent, to teasing him (on equal grounds), to outright admiring him.

It's a complete mirror of how their relationship progresses during the Killing School Trip.

And it culminates into this:

They establish an actual, real friendship and a promise for the future. and most importantly, desire and acceptance of these things on Komaeda's part.

Tangently related, but this happens again, though to a more subtle extent, in the OVA. He acknowledges that Hinata is from the Reserve Course, while reaching out for him hand and thanking him.

By this point, it's implied he also understands Hinata's true identity and the (artificial) talent within him. We already have a pretty good idea of how Komaeda feels about Kamukura during their canonical meeting, so, to me, this is Komaeda's confirmation to Hinata that they are friends despite everything.

It is proof of his ability to grow through and past his own complex. He is slowly allowing himself to exist as a human being with conncections to others (something he is deeply afraid of thanks to his talent). Hinata may be a nobody, but he is still loved by the talented people around him. He teaches Komaeda in every single universe that he is allowed to be loved by people too.

We see it with these two time and time again, whether it's Canon DR2, the Free Times, the island mode ending, 2.5, DR3, the OVA, UTDP... They were made to conflict one anothers' values, and therefore triumph over them. Over and over again.