#Reikaz

[pinktoonie]

Buddy Daddies (2023)

[levbolton]

You know a ship is good when one of them is emo

[nightwalker6200]

Kazuki: This time, we're going to be a real family.

Kyuu, pulling out some papers: Well, it's a good thing I forged this birth certificate.

Kazuki, tearing up: Aw, Kyuu, thank you!!!

Kyuu, under his breath: And forged this marriage license... if you want it.

[dirtd0g]

Buddy daddies sketch dump + Rei and Kaz icons!

If you use either pfp pls make sure to give credit!

[rrovinsky]

buddy daddies / winter - chen chen

bonus:

[totallyexhausted]

Kyutaro, cleaning the bar: So, Kazuki finally asked if you wanted to go on a date, huh? What did you say?

Rei, shooting back his drink then sighing: So, I said no, you know, like a liar!

[pinktoonie]

I'm going feral.

[pinktoonie]

Official art really gonna put a whole ass rainbow in the back, huh?

[nightwalker6200]

Kazuki, sighing: Miri, Papa-Rei and I... we're assassins.

Teenage Miri, having known since she was 4 because Kazuki is a terrible actor, and Rei never lied to her: Well no shit sherlock.

[levbolton]

Kazuki and Rei fr

[dirtd0g]

It's time for another poll...

[nightwalker6200]

I really think this foreshadows the rest of the season- i think we might see some hurt/ comfort from Rei/ Kazuki with the possibility of them dying in the field or getting hurt/ incapacitated. Perhaps in E8, Rei will come back hurt thus leaving Kazuki to face the idea of fatherhood on his own as we saw Rei face that possibility in E7. I also think Miri will be taken away at some point (either by SS in which Kazuki and Rei would have to figure out if they could even get her back, legally, possibly with Kyutaro’s help in forging, or check in on her from time-to-time as she goes to a “better” family; or, kidnapped as leverage thus leaving Kazuki/ Rei to find her). It would be interesting, as this could happen, with Rei being demanded to take over the family business- Rei would take this deal in order to protect both Kazuki and Miri- the Boss could demand he cut ties and his presence immediately (a breakup/ divorce, if you will). Thus, leaving Kazuki as a single parent for a while as Rei was ordered no contact and no family (I would assume if this were to happen, we’d see some montage or episode with Kazuki and Miri struggling, and Rei even more reclused or depressed- possibly deep in work; then, Miri gets kidnapped (either Kazuki will show up to the Boss’s house, pleading, or Rei will show up at his last apt), leaving Rei to make a choice- become a traitor with his father and go against him in order to find Miri, or remain in the business and leave Kazuki to deal with this on his own. Assuming Rei decides on patricide, I think we will have a huge BADASS fight scene with Rei and Kazuki showcasing their skill sets pushed to the limit. 

Also, unpopular opinion: As much as I want this to be YAOI because come on- two badass assassins protecting a sweet little daughter, I highly doubt we will ever see a Rei X Kazuki scene. 

Something else I wanted to mention- in light of the words uttered in E8 about things being taken: Happiness exists to be taken: Before Miri, the idea that either one of them had to betray or kill the other, would have meant nothing. For example, they seem to be friends who live together, or at least, “friendly” roommates (yes, there’s a difference); so, assuming Rei would have had to kill Kazuki or the other way around, then this task would have been quite easy. They saw each other every now and then, and did some stuff together, but their connections were minimal. They didn’t really mean that much to each other- so killing each other would have been like a small papercut/ annoyance. 

However, after Miri, the idea of having to kill/ betray each other would be far worse and difficult. Even if Miri were to leave the rest of the series, the connections established between Rei and Kazuki would still be there. So, if Rei were to try and come after Kazuki now, I’d assume he’d struggle with the task, perhaps even ignore the order, because he’s developed further emotional ties/ connections with Kazuki through Miri; opening himself up more and establishing himself from the Boss- becoming his own person- the same would be said for Kazuki. Killing each other now would HURT far worse, resembling a breakup or family member death- they’d break the connections between themselves that they have now- at the very least, their connections blossomed into a friendship deeper than the original (deepening every day as they are more than friends at this point; they are family); and they would hurt for Miri as she would also feel the fall out of this transaction. Killing each other or going after one another (ie. Rei targeting Kazuki and vice versa) would essentially kill Miri as well. She regards them, as they themselves, as her Papas. 

The connection between Rei and Kazuki, although might not be, nor ever be romantic, is extremely emotional and nurturing (ie. Rei saying in E8 to Kazuki: Before, you never meant that much to me) from where it originally started. If we ever see a target put on one of them for the other to carry out, i highly doubt they’d be able to finish the job (this doesn’t mean they won’t actually be able to start the job), which in turn could mean that someone else would be tasked with carrying out the hit thus causing a lot more protectiveness from either partner or confessions of guilt. Like mentioned, even if Miri were to somehow “disappear,” those connections would still remain because their memories would still be there as Rei and Kazuki are no longer friends (if they ever were) because they are now family (Miri just helps them see that a little better). 

Episode 8 spoilers discussion below:

With Rei fighting his mentor, and his mentor saying that Rei was a puppet--- that he used to be like that too until he found something to fight for (his now dead girlfriend), foreshadows, in my opinion, Rei’s possible future. We don’t see Rei react until the blade is pulled on him, leaving the real possibility that he could die or fail to kill his mentor thus leading to the Boss coming after his “family” as Rei would be marked a traitor. When he reacts, he shoves his mentor away with some newfound strength, saying he, too, found something worth protecting (Kazuki/ Miri)... This shows that although Rei might have started out a puppet, living any life the organization wanted, he no longer does now (which would mean, unless he cuts ties very quickly, he’ll be labelled a traitor too)- Rei fell in with a family of his own against/ soiling if you will, the Suwa bloodline- ironically the Boss mentions something along the lines of “we are the darkness in sunshine,” which I find extremely befitting as Rei and Kazuki are opposites (dark and light). 

Anyway, back to the main point, Rei’s mentor was basically Rei fighting his future self as he soon will be viewed a traitor, and someone will come after him to kill him. Rei is aware of this; he’s aware that if he doesn’t go back to his father, someone will come after what he loves- Kazuki and Miri. His mentor’s last words, “I’m on my way,” before he dies, is to his dead wife/ girlfriend/ partner- he was happy to die as he knew this was the only way he could be reunited with his family, the cause for his fight (Kazuki, I’m sure, feels this way for Yuko- I forgot how to spell her name- and is learning to live past it. I’m curious as Kazuki has now allowed himself to move on, and the Boss mentioning that Kazuki’s skills were adequate, just how badass he might be- he might be just as equal to Rei when it comes to assassinating, weapons, and stuff but was held back by his desire to see his dead wife/ child again). ANYWAY, the mentor’s last words, “I’m on my way,” were a slap in the face for Rei- he becomes highly aware, in this moment, that if he stays how he is, living with Kazuki and Miri, then he will inevitably get them tortured and killed, and the only way he’d ever be able to see them again (if he stays) is through his own death. 

Rei has found something worth protecting, worth fighting for, but to do so so openly in front of the organization, would mean Kazuki and Miri die (if Rei stays, he stays for his own selfish reasons, and they die; if he leaves, he does so through selfless reasons, and they live). I think Rei mentioning to Kazuki in the car that, “Before, you never meant that much to me,” was a goodbye, in a way. Rei knows in order to protect his family, in order to keep them safe, he needs to leave. Even if this decision isn’t what he wants, it’s one he’d gladly make in order to ensure Kazuki and Miri get to live. This will be, from Rei’s standpoint, his final and most open act of love for Kazuki and Miri. 

[dirtd0g]

Thank you everyone for entertaining my combination soul eater and buddy daddies brain rot <33

[nightwalker6200]

While shopping...

Kazuki, at home, on the phone with Rei: Hey, what are you doing?

Rei, at the store: I'm shopping for clothes, but I can't find them.

Kazuki: What do you mean you can't find them?

Rei: I can't find them. There's only soup.

Kazuki: What do you mean there's only soup?

Rei: I mean there's only soup.

Kazuki: Well, get out of the soup aisle!

Rei, going to the next aisle: Alright, you don't have to shout. I'm in the next aisle- There's more soup.

Kazuki, getting frustrated: What do you mean there's more soup?

Rei, panicking: There's just more soup!

Kazuki: Go to the next aisle!

Rei, still panicking in next aisle: There's still soup!!

Kazuki, yelling: Where are you right now!?

Rei, also yelling: I'm at soup!

Kazuki: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE AT SOUP!

Rei, panicked yelling: I MEAN I'M AT SOUP!

Kazuki: WHAT STORE ARE YOU AT???

Rei: I'M AT THE SOUP STORE!!

Kazuki: WHY ARE YOU BUYING CLOTHES AT THE SOUP STORE!

Rei: FUCK YOU!

[nightwalker6200]

Miri growing up and realizing she was raised for a solid year by two men who weren't her fathers: Um...

Realizing they were hitmen who killed her biological dad: UM...

[nightwalker6200]

Rei not knowing he wanted to be a dad until he met Miri...