Discussing Balance in Relationships
So, I was rereading the manga, and rewatching the anime, and I noticed that Hitomi-sensei scolded Soubi, while crying, saying that with his attitude he'd lose all of his friends. To which he replied, "I only need one to control me."
Which had me thinking about relationships and all in general. I think this show (maybe I'm being really really obvious here) is about the importance of balance. Past!Ritsuka seems to have been sociable for the most part and balanced, but his brother was imbalanced and seemed to have loved only him.
Seimei in this regard is perhaps more like Ritsu-sensei? In the sense that Ritsu and Seimei could not deal with the fact that those they loved unconditionally would have someone more important than them in their lives.
In reference to Soubi, though, consider this: He was raised by an obsessive/jealous/vengeful man and was connected to an obsessive/possessive/screwed up Sacrifice - so when Soubi tells Hitomi-sensei that he is only able to live for one, I think that's due to the way he was raised.
As such, when I think about his relationships... It's amazing how the manga/anime carefully unfolds his acceptance of a larger circle. Kio has always been there, but then there is Ritsuka - who brings his own group of friends - and Zero, etc.
Then I realized that it's not an uncommon theme in anime: Naruto/Gaara angsting in Naruto, importance of friendship as motivation in Bleach, Ryuuki's comments in Episode 36 of Saiunkoku Monogatari about the importance of having different loves...
Okay, now I'm rambling. But I guess I'm just a sucker for the idea of Soubi becoming socially/relationally mature and aware. It softens my heart to see Ritsuka as an important role as guide to his hurting older partner. I can't wait for the next installment - whenever THAT'S gonna be. *sigh*