Why Does Sasaki Dislike Kagi (A Serious Character Analysis)
I tried searching for an answer in-universe. Why would Sasaki dislike Kagi in particular; a reason which can't be justified with his aloof attitude towards everyone but Miyano? Recalling some particular scenes in the SSMY manga, Sasaki displays three traits that come up on rare occasions before they get together: 1) Possessiveness, 2) clinginess, and 3) neediness. Most memorably, he displays the first trait when Miyano is about to touch Makimura's hand; when he asks Miyano if he could drop off the beauty contest, and when Ogasawara was about to hug (or touch) Miyano. The second in his desire to hug Miyano all the time, and the third as a joke after they became a couple when he said that he wanted Miyano to pat his head, blushing profusely after receiving it. These traits are usually portrayed as harmless, a joking manner, or swiftly resolved and the moral righteousness of these traits is irrelevant here.
Moving onto Kagiura, based on his pre-physical attraction stage, he is much more openly possessive, clingy, and needy: 1) He tells Hirano he's jealous of Sasaki because they hang out, and he's jealous of a dog in that SSMY extra because it has Hirano's attention. 2) Kagiura literally clings onto Hirano's arm multiple times, both outside and at the dorms (until he doesn't). Lastly, 3) in the second arc of the KGHR manga, he admits to Niibashi he acts needy towards Hirano because it gets his attention, despite being capable of waking up by himself for morning practice because he used to do it before. Kagiura Akira likes (liked, but maybe he still does) to be taken care of and spoiled, and Hirano gives him that.
Perhaps, in the bits Sasaki has seen Kagiura and from what he has heard from Hirano, he identified these three desires he was unable to be open about before meeting Miyano and becoming his partner. After all, we know Sasaki's parents let him and his sister do whatever they wanted to be to the point it seemed like neglect. Sasaki's distant and aloof attitude seen in KGHR could be a mask he used to ignore these desires which resurfaced after meeting Miyano, becoming friends with him, and eventually dating.
TLDR; Sasaki dislikes Kagiura because he's like a much more open version of him and it grinds his gears. He wants a boyfriend who pampers him too!
If you enjoy this analysis, please consider supporting Harusono sensei through Yen Press's official SSMY English release or subscribe to her Fanbox (Japanese Patreon-like site; accepts PayPal).
Last updated: 3 hours, 19 minutes ago
Comment and share this post via: email, Dreamwidth, Pillowfort, Mastodon, Tumblr.