Hmm. Seishin tends to hide things -- his true self included -- and I think this extends to even from Toshio. Most of himself anyway. That's why Toshio expresses some surprise when Seishin (unintentionally) unleashes his 'true' self. I've said in the past that Toshio perhaps knew about Seishin a lot more than we gave him a credit for, but now with how book one turned out... Even I've doubted my own statement. It seems that Toshio actually knows so little about Seishin, other people even more so. I doubt his parents know a lot about him, even. Because he guards himself a lot, and that 'Seishin-seme' chapter is a rare occasion of him snapping, as if possessed. I noticed the way he apologizes afterwards to Toshio for 'verbally attacking' him, like he's ashamed of himself for snapping at Toshio, even if that's kinda needed at that time. Even Toshio doesn't mind. Seishin doesn't need to apologize to that extent, but he still does. That's why Toshio didn't say anything regarding his suicide issue, because I think he didn't even know about him that much to make some approach. But perhaps it's also because he felt like he couldn't recognize him anymore, that time. Perhaps the Seishin he knows isn't even the actual him all along? Perhaps even Toshio has thought of this.
Seishin feels like he needs to be that 'perfect person', that 'perfect priest', for the villagers, for his parents, for Toshio. (whether he fully realizes or not) And it's saddening that all of this actually opposes his real desire. (though he perhaps hasn't fully found what his real desire is) With Toshio though... Sinnesspiel's analyses is that Seishin can be seen as harboring certain feelings for Toshio. Could be said as love, perhaps even. Whatever it is, it makes Toshio on the another level of being special to him. In a way, Toshio seems very exclusive to him. It wouldn't be weird if Seishin desires even more to be 'perfect' for him.
About the marriage thing, I just realized that Toshio felt even more pressured perhaps because his own parents were naturally even more pressuring. Seishin's own parents perhaps are as mild mannered as him, not to mention his father also had a late marriage. That's good for him, actually.
I definitely agree; of all characters in Shiki, I find I can relate the most with Seishin, I think. Obviously there are differences, but it's enough to make him my most favorite character. It makes me genuinely care about him -- not only as a character, but also as a person. And I also cherish his relationship with Toshio a lot. I really like that when Seishin seeks him out, Toshio accepts. (mostly anyway (?)) I like that even if Toshio disagrees a lot with him, he still respects him as a person, not only as a junior monk. I think it's quite a great deal that even if Toshio doesn't actually know Seishin, and that it actually makes him somewhat uncomfortable, he still accepts him as a pretty exclusive being 'best friend'.
Their relationship is a curious one too. At first glance it looks more to me that Seishin is the one nurturing their bond; by being more active and all, the one who gives -- while Toshio is the one who accepts, who's passive, who ultimately gets spoiled. But now I have to wonder if one of reasons of Toshio being the passive one is because he doesn't even know Seishin. One might say that 'Toshio doesn't try hard enough to learn about him', which is perhaps also part of the problem, but it's kinda hard to understand someone when that person doesn't even open up to them. I don't blame Seishin certainly because he's not ready. It quite seems to me that they both attempt to 'reach out' to the other, but those are kinda aborted/arrested.
8D
Seishin feels like he needs to be that 'perfect person', that 'perfect priest', for the villagers, for his parents, for Toshio. (whether he fully realizes or not) And it's saddening that all of this actually opposes his real desire. (though he perhaps hasn't fully found what his real desire is) With Toshio though... Sinnesspiel's analyses is that Seishin can be seen as harboring certain feelings for Toshio. Could be said as love, perhaps even. Whatever it is, it makes Toshio on the another level of being special to him. In a way, Toshio seems very exclusive to him. It wouldn't be weird if Seishin desires even more to be 'perfect' for him.
About the marriage thing, I just realized that Toshio felt even more pressured perhaps because his own parents were naturally even more pressuring. Seishin's own parents perhaps are as mild mannered as him, not to mention his father also had a late marriage. That's good for him, actually.
I definitely agree; of all characters in Shiki, I find I can relate the most with Seishin, I think. Obviously there are differences, but it's enough to make him my most favorite character. It makes me genuinely care about him -- not only as a character, but also as a person. And I also cherish his relationship with Toshio a lot. I really like that when Seishin seeks him out, Toshio accepts. (mostly anyway (?)) I like that even if Toshio disagrees a lot with him, he still respects him as a person, not only as a junior monk. I think it's quite a great deal that even if Toshio doesn't actually know Seishin, and that it actually makes him somewhat uncomfortable, he still accepts him as a pretty exclusive being 'best friend'.
Their relationship is a curious one too. At first glance it looks more to me that Seishin is the one nurturing their bond; by being more active and all, the one who gives -- while Toshio is the one who accepts, who's passive, who ultimately gets spoiled. But now I have to wonder if one of reasons of Toshio being the passive one is because he doesn't even know Seishin. One might say that 'Toshio doesn't try hard enough to learn about him', which is perhaps also part of the problem, but it's kinda hard to understand someone when that person doesn't even open up to them. I don't blame Seishin certainly because he's not ready. It quite seems to me that they both attempt to 'reach out' to the other, but those are kinda aborted/arrested.