Only Friends: What Led to Ray's Explosive Tirade (Playing 'The Bad Guy')
I have to admit that this was not how I expected this scene to play out. I was just as flabbergasted as everyone else at first. However I think there's one clear thing that Ray's outburst reminded me off: no matter whether you reveal the truth or keep it to yourself - either way, you are the bad guy.
I'm NOT the Villain
As Boston very derisively claims, if Ray reveals the truth of the affair, he'll be the one unleashing the damage. A similar parallel to what Boston did last episode (with very different intentions may I add, but damage is damage nonetheless).
Mew is incredibly important to Ray. If we talk simply outside of Ray's love for him, Ray wants to treat him well, repay him for his kindness and support over the years. Therefore, once Ray was in possession of this information, he felt very strongly that Mew needed to know. He knew telling Mew was the right thing to do. He does genuinely care about Mew as a person.
Does he warn Mew and ruin his present happiness (which is based on a lie)? Or does he hold his tongue and potentially watch his friend get hurt from other mistreatments by Top further down the line?
Ray doesn't want to hurt Mew in any way. He doesn't want to be the bringer of bad news. Why should it have to fall to him to reveal this awful act of betrayal to someone he cares for so much? And when Mew supposedly doesn't react in the way he expects to this information, Ray goes ballistic with frustration, concern and anger. Why is he the bad guy for trying to help his friend, when Top can seemingly get away with it, and be in everyone's good graces even when he's completely undeserving? Why can no one else see Top's true colours?
I'm NOT the Worst
Something else that occurred to me throughout this episode, is how often Ray's friends belittle and overlook him. And it's so routine they hardly even notice.
Boston has never tried to hide his snide little back-handed comments at Ray. Since their fight at Sand's, he's become even more callous when throwing quips in plain sight. Namcheum makes an observation about all of them being partnered up, and it's only after a few beats that April points out Ray is still single. It's as if they forgot he was even there. Namcheum doesn't tend to pick up on any of the animosity or tension within this group. She's generally not the most tactful or best at reading people.
Then when Ray speaks to Mew in the bathroom, Mew immediately assumes Ray's been taking drugs. Ray looks clearly stunned by this. Yes, he's always coined as the 'drunk' but that's not his one and only personality trait. That's not all he does and is as a person.
It dawns on Ray that even his closest friends seem to always assume the very worst of him. He had a bad feeling about Top from the offset but no one cared or listened. Rather, Ray never gets given the benefit of the doubt, when he's not committed anything as problematic as the heinous crimes amongst their group. Particularly when compared to Top, someone who gets all the praise and adoration when Ray knows he's a certified piece of shit, is desperately unfair. And most of all Top gets the respect of the best friend he loves.
I think what really sent the situation hurtling south was Ray watching everyone play happy families, when he knows there is a web of dishonesty and resentment lurking beneath. It's all a farce. And Ray couldn't stomach it for another moment longer. He had enough.
Become the Very Thing You Loathe
In Episode 4, Ray displays a classic example of self-loathing and self punishment when he goads Sand to scold him. In doing so, it's as if he's deriving some warped form of satisfaction in owning these criticisms. Because he's told these things so often, he starts to believe it, so why not own it too? I actually mentioned this in my Episode 1 meta (regarding Ray's self-actualisation of becoming a burden). Sometimes embracing the very thing you hate being know for, at least validates the presence of that criticism. 'If people keep calling me an asshole, then fine, I'll become an asshole. At least then being called an asshole makes sense.'
So Ray brought it on himself to air out everyone's dirty laundry. 'Fuck it, if you really all think I'm the worst, then fine, I'll do what needs to be done, I'll be the worst. You all happy now?'
Even though Ray adopts the persona forced onto him, he's not happy about it at all. He wants to be identified with more substance, with more credit, as more than just what everyone claims him to be.
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a/n: just a wee bit suggestive; about me really
"hajime! hey!" you don't even give him a chance to acknowledge you, "could you do me a favor?"
"sure, yeah." the answer is almost instinctual and also deceptively smooth from his mouth. his heart hammers at your sudden appearance. he had no idea you were in the library because had he, he would have spent less of his time studying the biomechanics of endurance performance and more time studying... you.
not that he needs to because of course he can ace an exam pertaining to you.
(he hopes this doesn't sound creepy. it's simply his natural predisposition, carrying a mental clipboard over the usual physical one, one made of whiteboard and notated in sharpie)
"will you tell me to get my shit together?"
he takes a moment. maybe two just to process. then he translates your question to his home tongue and then back to english once more. having been in the states for four years now, the statement is beginner's level at best but he feels like this is a test right now. three times two does equal six, but maybe he should put it in his calculator just to double check.
"be mean to me!" you double down with a firm nod, "i’ve been procrastinating on this essay all week and i need someone to tell me to get it together. i asked lena but she's my best friend so i'm like, i don't know, desensitized to her, you know? but if it's from you, then maybe i'll have the motivation to do it. you know what i mean?"
he only half-nods because he doesn't know, nor is he quite following.
"you're like the nicest guy in class. there's no way i can deny you!"
the composure he has is only because he's had to grow up with the most unpredictable idiots but holy shit. he's internally choking right now. dying really.
patiently, you wait. to steel his courage, he appraises you, runs his eyes down to your cupid’s bow where he’s memorized the angle, notates the smell of you that he’s found comfort in these past couple of years when you guys are trapped in those cubicles called study rooms, and now he memorizes the expression in your gaze.
you look at him like you need him, like he’s the one who holds the words you need to complete this essay.
“get your fucking shit together,” he says while pulling at the strap of your backpack. it’s boyish, it’s stupid, but despite his tone, he wants you to know he’s teasing. even if you did ask for it.
for some reason it’s you who stares back at him. and just for the sake of testing your theory, he pries even further, “are you going to be good and finally work on that essay?”
you nod, eyes wide with obedience and it makes him stir. to prevent himself from getting carried away, he spins you with your backpack and pushes you away from him, “okay then do it.”
you don’t look back. good thing because iwaizumi would have never been able to handle it. he exhales loudly into his palms once you’re out of sight, bending over to place his elbows on his knees.
the mental clipboard is back in his hands with future experiments being planned. you really can’t say no?
what would happen if he asked you out on a date? what about when he asks to kiss you? the thoughts fill his head, innocent and not.
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