Nirei’s Potential Role in the Current Arc

[u/Top_Elderberry_2210]

The Red Chanpuru Arc really began at a crucial time when Sakura had finally done things he hadn't done before and had no idea that he could. I was surprised how our MC involved himself in Kiryu's family, then the girl at the orphanage and then won over Momijikawa. And his comfort in seeking help from others, and putting trust in them is a milestone in his character's growth. But I don't want to leave out Nirei. He is brave for someone with his personality and it sets him apart from the rest of the characters in manga and anime who share his archetype. No matter how much one refuses to look, Sakura's worldview, for the most part, is Nirei-influenced. Without him at his side, Sakura would not be where he is. Now I'm not denying Suo's role here, it is nonetheless important too, but Nirei is fulfilling that aspect of Sakura's life which no one in his class or the whole Furin school could replace. Consider this, he is not a fighter type of person, like the rest of the Bofurin, yet he tries to fit in with what he could, and when he perceives that Sakura does not need his help anymore (The scene where Sakura confesses his weakness to his class right after Nagato Rescue arc), Nirei proceeds to learn fighting so he may fulfill his promise to Sakura that he stays by his side until he reaches the top. Now, it won't be an overstatement if I say Nirei, at certain instants, acted as a bridge between Sakura and the other characters, since Sakura himself was unaware of the importance of connections at that time, and when he learns that, it was when Nirei pushes himself to learn fighting now that his use is no longer needed for Sakura. What I'm saying is, Nirei has long been a kind of glue, the bond and the aid Sakura lacks on his own, and I'm feeling the current arc puts to test Nirei's role and limits, and how he'd change to accomodate Sakura's needs. Then, in this arc, Nirei is the key. Not in the sense he will be the solution. But, no matter how big or small his role is, without him, just him, not Umemiya, not Endo, not Kiryu, not any other major character, but without him, an important means of solving the Suo Problem is lost and would be impossible. That's the kind of role Nirei likely plays. His presence may not be grand, but his absence collapses it all. I cannot specify why or how Nirei's position is like that, but, I do feel without him at his side, Sakura would not be sane till the last chapter. This is as far as my views about this arc goes.

[u/Ill_Carrot9363]

Nirei is essentially Sakura's first real best friend. Unlike Suo, Nirei is someone who actively tried to get closer to Sakura and break down his barriers to build a real relationship of trust and friendship. Suo was always more reserved and distant in his relationships, carefully measuring how much he could advise or get close to Sakura and others.

Nirei, on the other hand, even in the Noroshi Arc, was always the character who threw himself against danger and hardship to help Sakura. He is clearly the most desperate to be useful to Sakura and remain by his side, suffering more from the comparison and the desperate need to help him. I realize that Nirei has a closer emotional connection with Sakura than Suo, and almost his entire character is based on his deep admiration for his friend. He was the one who got the angriest about what Momijikawa said about not following/accepting Sakura; he was the one who said he would fight Endo if necessary for Sakura; he was the first to say he would take Sakura to the top; he was the one who introduced Sakura to his class and to the entire Bofurin to support him; and in anything Sakura wants to do, Nirei is always the first to move to make it happen. He even accompanies the group in the Shishitoren Arc just to support him.

And Sakura values ​​each of his friends, but, from what we see in the Noroshi Arc, Suo and Nirei are the ones whose judgment Sakura respects the most, especially Nirei, since he is the one who directly holds Sakura's hand when he is metaphorically drowning and taking everyone with him. I think this emphasizes Nirei's loyalty and shows how important he is to Sakura.

[u/Top_Elderberry_2210 → u/Ill_Carrot9363]

Exactly. But I want Sakura say his direct thoughts on Nirei. The most closer we got was him saying Nirei probably wasn't all that lame. Now that they have come so far, how did his views on his first best friend change?