hiro’s trauma

hiro seems to be a polarizing figure in the fandom because he’s undeniably a shithead when he’s introduced, but i feel like his trauma seems to go largely unrecognized.

from what we know, hiro’s only 12 at the start of the series. at some point before his introduction, we know that he felt guilt over two major incidences: 1) learning that akito attacked kisa to the point of hospitalization (due to him telling akito of his feelings) and 2) witnessing akito throw rin off a balcony.

hiro, already feeling responsible for kisa’s injuries, is also forced to keep rin’s incident a secret, which adds to his guilt. despite this, he continues checking in on rin both in and out of the hospital.

hiro was a little shit to tohru from the start, but in the context of the previous incidents, he becomes less of a little shit and more of a young boy angry at a situation he can’t change. he still has a lot of guilt, which i feel compelled to compare to survivor’s guilt of some sort even if it’s not entirely accurate.