- Oct 14, 2018
- 885
- 1,018
Ironically, Kirito's and Inoda's relationship is actually quite natural (putting NTR logic aside). In real life, it's normal for a couple to have friends that the other partner doesn't necessarily care about. So, you might spend time together if needed, or just let them meet separately. That's how I see their relationship. Asuna seems to like Inoda as a friend, so Kirito just goes along with it, and he also doesn't see Inoda as a potential threat for various reasons, but mostly because of not being able to build up suspicion. From a developer's perspective, it opens up space for more interactions between Asuna and Inoda.I must be in the minority here but I think a lot of whats lacking in part 2 is unironically more Kirito x Inoda interactions. In part 1, he knew Asuna went over Inoda often after school and had the ability to peek and read his blog/see video recordings which gave him the anxiety and suspicious of “is she cheating on me” feel deserved or real. But here in part 2 I feel like if you were to “genuinely” play from strictly Kiritos perspective (not including the random tidbits of being able to see what he’s doing to her out of nowhere) I feel like he’d have literally no clue what’s going on. From his perspective he should only know Inoda does have a girlfriend, and whatever Asuna tells him.
I think it’d be a nice idea if he just receives anonymous messages (obviously from Inoda) but through an unknown number just messing with him. Maybe he starts by sending pics (similar to part1 or the ones in the vlog either no face/blurred face/just body.) then ends up sending him messages too like “came in her mouth”, “handjob today” basically detailing whatever he did to Asuna on that day. It escalates until he starts sending short videos and eventually he asks Kirito if he wants to see more, so it makes Kirito actively participate in what’s going on, maybe Inoda even becomes extra scummy and starts charging him for it (since he’s going to work anyway). Maybe even eventually he get told a location, so he can “hear” what’s going on clearer. This all coupled with Kirito slowly recognizing either the outfit, the location, or voice I think gives Kirito actual involvement other than just conveniently always being away or only finding out about things like in the recollection room. Also plays into Inoda feeling like he’s gaining leverage or power over Kirito as well since he’s got a big inferiority complex towards him. Imagine he charges Kirito for a longer video of him doing things with his own girlfriend without him knowing. Then using the same money to treat them both out after work and having them both feel greatful. Would be a big ego boost and power play from him. Eventually maybe he asks Kirito to do things like “take longer during your work” or “go home straight if you want good content” and that way the situations aren’t just convenient or administrator related but literally just Inoda controlling both of them.
As for boosting Inoda's power over Kirito, I mean, yeah, from Inoda's POV maybe, but as a player, we know that since the introduction of the Admin, it's all thanks to her because of how game-breaking deleting Kirito's suspicion every day actually is. I still think that's the most immersion-destroying tool, period. That was the final straw for me to let it go completely, because it turned the main plot into a predetermined slideshow without any tension and character development.