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i_wish_to_remain_namelessOkay so I just reread Inside again and I've got a theory. Technically I already had this theory since shortly after my October reread but I wanted to reread it again to make sure evidence bore it out and it did. I think that Akechi is the Dark Menace. Firstly, he is small enough to pull off that hiding inside the chair strat which is a vital prerequisite for any suspect to have. Secondly the Dark Menace seems interested in engineering situations that cause Saiki's powers to reactivate and Akechi both has a believable motivation for that and is morally grey enough to repeatedly threaten Kaidou's wellbeing to do it. Akechi's also probably the only person outside of Saiki's immediate family to know that Kusuo used to be psychic come to think of it. Thirdly Akechi is definitely up to something given the way he seems to be working with Toritsuka and Aiura.
I also noticed on this readthrough is Aren mentioning how Akechi looks disgusted when he talks about Kuriko and I think despite how Aren interpreted the situation that was probably more disgust with what was done to her rather than disgust with what she became as a result of that.
So, what I think happened is that when Akechi met Kusuo again he was very confused that his bestie had detransitioned, lost their psychic powers, and developed a chronic illness that makes them super brainfogged all the time, as well as being upset that Saiki doesn't remember him and replaced him with Kaidou. Then the murder bedragon snake incident or whatever happened at the sports festival occurs, Saiki instinctually activates what's left of her powers to save Kaidou, and Akechi realizes his beloved friend isn't as gone as he thought they were and starts making moves to get them back. Kusuke showing up to chew out the teachers probably help Akechi push the last few pieces about what's up with Saiki into place too.
However, even if I'm right I don't doubt that Akechi is genuinely trying to improve Kusuo's situation though he's probably going to find himself offered a position on the receiving end of Aren's fists when Aren figures out he's the one behind the Dark Reunion stuff.
I also noticed on this readthrough is Aren mentioning how Akechi looks disgusted when he talks about Kuriko and I think despite how Aren interpreted the situation that was probably more disgust with what was done to her rather than disgust with what she became as a result of that.
So, what I think happened is that when Akechi met Kusuo again he was very confused that his bestie had detransitioned, lost their psychic powers, and developed a chronic illness that makes them super brainfogged all the time, as well as being upset that Saiki doesn't remember him and replaced him with Kaidou. Then the murder bedragon snake incident or whatever happened at the sports festival occurs, Saiki instinctually activates what's left of her powers to save Kaidou, and Akechi realizes his beloved friend isn't as gone as he thought they were and starts making moves to get them back. Kusuke showing up to chew out the teachers probably help Akechi push the last few pieces about what's up with Saiki into place too.
However, even if I'm right I don't doubt that Akechi is genuinely trying to improve Kusuo's situation though he's probably going to find himself offered a position on the receiving end of Aren's fists when Aren figures out he's the one behind the Dark Reunion stuff.
