Little Busters! - 25

"The Last Member"

It's all a conspiracy, I say!

It's now nearly impossible for me to watch this series without feeling like something is hideously wrong even in the most innocent of moments; even scenes that would have been of no consequence pre-Kud now make me incredibly suspicious, and it's a far more intense experience because of it. Take, for instance, Masato counting Rin and Riki twice.

Riki: "I'm sure that has some deep meaning in Masato's mind. Don't try to scrutinize it."

Is that a subtle clue we're supposed to pick up on? Does Riki's nonchalance mean we should scrutinize it? Does this mean Masato is in on whatever Kud and Kyousuke are doing? Are Riki and Rin truly the only ones not aware of what's going on (whatever that is)? How then does everyone manage to be as emotional as they are during their arcs if this has seemingly happened before?

Then there's our late new addition to the cast, the troubled Koshiki Miyuki (Honda Youko), an archer who lost the sight in her right eye and had to give up on her dream. What's difficult about Koshiki is just how important she'll turn out to be; is she a one-time character, a means to help Kengo flesh out from the side character he's been all season, or is her appearance a prelude to something more? Her role seems to be minor at first, but the scene on the roof implies otherwise; why would she climb up there if she's afraid to die? Are the teachers warped in her mind because she's scared, or is it something more sinister? It's rather scary to realize that the teachers are only worried about the scandal her suicide might cause, and that they don't bother in the least to understand her, but it's even more worrying to note that these adults are openly aggressive toward their students. Riki is punched aside, and Kengo is put on probation for pushing his advisor aside in the rush to save Koshiki's life. This isn't the first time adults have been untrustworthy here either, though I have to wonder if that's simply a theme or a hint to something else.

As to the greater secret at the heart of Little Busters!, Riki seems to have finally pieced two and two together and noticed Kyousuke's strange behavior. His assurance that the ninth member would show up is strange considering that it happens by accident once Kengo breaks his arm, but it's not the first time Riki's encountered warnings of events to come. If anything, Kyousuke now seems a very viable candidate for the one behind the cat tail letters, and his decision to make Riki captain of the team only raises suspicion as to his motives. Could every mission Kyousuke's ever given out have had a greater purpose? Was Riki chosen to seek out all the members because it was something his old friend knew had to happen? Have all the silly games and group activities outside of the character arcs been deeper in meaning that we first thought? The fact that I have a hundred questions and no answers goes to show how good a job Key did to make its premise intriguing, and I have to say I really appreciate how the series has taken its time to build up its mystery. If only we didn't have to wait so long for the second season, I'd be perfectly happy with the way Little Busters! has turned out; at the very least, it's certainly my favorite Key adaptation so far.