predator inclinations could also fit into the true sexuality thing.
It could in general, but not in this case. The man in the story engaged in predatory behavior (trampling flowers) just to spite others because he wasn't able to indulge his true sexuality. Somehow I doubt it's saying that Akira was forced to hide his wizard fetish, which caused him to spitefully prey on girls who were only slightly older.
Just some thoughts:
Definitely looking forward to your Nozomu post.
- I think the "one other" fits with Nozomu, because under that theory Sara and Rin are Sana's only living immediate family, the other Arakawas would be uncles/aunts/cousins who often aren't included in obituary "survived by" lists.
- We're in agreement on the name thing, it's something I'll be bringing up in the Nozomu post.
- Abusive might be an overstatement, but he wasn't supportive and probably had a temper. Some examples:
- Fair point on the ages, though I was thinking that if high school(?) Yuu looks a lot like adult Akira, the similarity would be even stronger with adult Yuu.
- The trampling flowers metaphor is used elsewhere to describe what Sensei is doing to the girls, so I think it's more about stealing innocence than physical abuse, though I guess it could have multiple meanings. For example:
Also adding to it, which I consider will be addressed to some degree, that all these people might come from different realities.
I'm not really putting forward any of this, but since there will be an in-depth post, I thought it might be a good idea to raise all possibilities (even the marginal ones).
Edit: Mind you, that Miu can see the resemblance from Akira to Yuu, but teenager Sara can't see the resemblance from Akira to Nozomu, when current Akira should be his brother's age at the time, could be a big clue either way. Or Selebus was just
making her not realise.
- On the one hand, the world Nao sent him to does feel like the outcome of the Miu route, but on the other hand, would it really be Sensei's home if Akira is never born in that timeline? So I guess I lean toward the existence of a single timeline where all of Yuu's children were born, but I'm keeping an open mind.
- Not all brothers look alike, so I don't think we should assume that Akira resembles Nozomu until someone comments on it; I don't think anyone has yet, but I could be wrong.