[r4bbitdragon]

Hiromi's a pretty sad character to me, since his backstory was his childhood bullying, but he seems to be still stuck in a lot of the same patterns from back then. Things like not realizing anything had changed with the Commander, despite him having gone from apparently a pretty supportive mentor to calling him worthless and talentless. Same with his training friend last episode suddenly being so confrontational. Or how guarded he is with his vulnerabilities even with people who'd want to help- hiding his poor physical condition until brought up, or shoving his very suspicious talking driver in a locker as soon as the brothers return. (lol)

It's kinda the feeling of... someone who never really learned to trust or rely on other people? And even as he often tries to assume the best about people, doesn't think about part of 'the best' being treating him well.

Which, like... I'd feel better about Ikki encouraging him here if it seemed to move any of the above in a positive direction? But after Ikki saying he'll try to protect him he... calls out Olteca to meet and battle alone, and is apparently surprised by Ikki showing up. If George hadn't sent a drone after him or something, whoops, kinda a pointlessly tragic end.

So I'd say I'm not really satisfied with where he's at now... with the caveat that this was apparently part 2 of 3 for whatever story he's getting currently. So this might not be where his arc ends... or he might just die next episode. Well, who knows,