Does Kagi Has Middle Child Syndrome (A KGHR Novel Scene Analysis)
KGHR Novel's first chapter shows a Kagiura who isn't head over heels for Hirano, leaning more towards his dedication towards basketball. As previously mentioned, Kagiura is a unique case in the basketball team—he was scouted—and his seniors have high expectations. Kagiura also takes pride in his abilities, although he isn't a show-off.
However, he does feel protective over his place in the team. Kagi loves basketball, and he wants to be someone important to the team. He wants to be valued. He wants to be seen. It may or may not be a coincidence he's the middle child in such a big family of seven. From this chapter alone and my personal interpretation of Kagiura's character, he craves attention, and Hirano has constantly given him that.
I don't know how emotionally close Kagiura is with his siblings to theorize if he's comfortable being emotionally vulnerable. Nevertheless, I find the scene relevant for Kagiura's personal development and his roommateship with Hirano because it's the first time Kagi opens up to his new roommate about a personal concern. The scene has an emotionally intimate quality.
I'll end this note summarizing the idea that Kagiura, coming from a big family, may have a strong need for attention that coexists next to his love for basketball. The peace, quiet, and intimacy from living in a dormitory gave him the chance to take his time to talk about his concerns about his place in the basketball team and perhaps ultimately, his self-worth.
PS. The novel translation I read wasn't the best, so if there's a more accurate version available, this theory might be invalidated, changed, or improved on.
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