A tumblr post by rhythmic-idealist. Text:
I've always figured Toge pictures himself with a particularly short expiration date. for all of the normal sorcery reasons, but with the additional reasons that: think it's always been clear clear to him. this is 100% headcanon) that the higher ups will only tolerate him until they get too scared of him. and as he becomes stronger and improves with his technique, that puts him basically on a timer, no matter what other lines he toes.
it's not as explicit as Yuuji's impending execution, but it's a similar philosophy. okay this thing is on a leash for us for now. it's a similar willingness to make use of him, because we feel secure in the idea that if things start getting out of hand we can cut this short.
and yeah he's one of Satoru's strays but that really only means so much. Yuuji died while being one of the kids under Satoru's vague protection. it's really, really easy to arrange any accident like that. "oops cursed spirit is a higher grade than we were told" is literally a fanfic convention bc it keeps happening.
Gojo is spread thin trying to do something for Everyone, and Toge might land anywhere inside that agenda and he knows that
like. congratulations Gojo, Toge is also one of your biggest success stories re letting a kid be a kid when they otherwise would not be. but you have provided no HOPE in this scenario.
I tend to interpret the mall scene as a succinct way to give us an overview of like, where Toge is at and what Yuuta is about to be in his life: yes mostly we've got Toge being like well I'm the one here who knows how to fucking fight so l'm gonna protect the rookie, but the scene where Yuuta runs after him and Toge accepts it is one I take as: Toge is very much settled into I'm Not Going To Look For Anyone To Fight For Me.
Yuuta rolls into his life and shakes that
be Yuuta is that, to both Maki and Toge. it's like, the number one piece of Yuuta characterization we get in JJKO aside from the backstory baggage. Maki doesn't wind up taking him up on it, but the mall scene is functionally Toge's
equivalent to when Yuuta goes whoa Maki can I support you when you kill your whole clan or whatever?
so yeah Gojo is out here trying to do some big nebulous thing but that doesn't really mean dick for Toge aside from the fact that he gets to exist right now and do some good right now.
Yuuta rolls up and decides he's in this for Maki and Toge and Panda, and.
….……okay, that. that might be something.
and I mean. I probably don't need to state that I think Toge isn't out here thinking about people in terms of how powerful they are; that shit puts a bad taste in his mouth like it does for most decent people, but he exists in sorcery society and he's got to be Aware of the very simple fact that. the thing is the way the deck has always been stacked is a way where he can't win. and unfortunately he's starting to become aware that Yuuta very much seems committed enough to change that. the thing is the minute anything gets too big for Toge to manage on his own all he has to do is turn to his
side and ask.
so! then they sent Yuuta overseas!
and I'm thinking about Toge trying to have the feeling he's supposed to be having I miss my friend) while also trying to PRIVATELY (privately!!!!!!!) deal with the other feeling he is having ("ok nevermind nevermind nevermind nevermind!*) (hey, its my old friend Crashing Hopelessness About My Circumstances. didn't think I would see this one again!!
sitting there like. okay so. things being what they are I can never assume he's coming back again, Toge Inumaki this is why you don't do long-term hope you big stupid idiot. i thought that door was sufficiently closed. can we get over this and be a normal empathetic friend for three seconds.
when youve spent so, so long going im not looking to anyone else to fight for me, im not, im not, i know how this ends
and then. guy of I Will Fight For My Friends rolls
Toge fandom I know you’re out there does anyone hear me. 1/2
