After Taku's route, this time I'll cover the second "surface routes", which is Rei's. By finishing them first, I think we could get a better grasp at Slow Damage's basic world view and probably explore the darker side and plot in Madarame's and Fujieda's route... maybe. I haven't played those yet LMAO.
Chapter 3 : Rei Izumi - Contradiction
Rei is Towa's same-age closest friend, who works in a bar "Roost" as well as part-timer nurse at Taku's clinic. He's a very cheerful guy who cares about his surrounding, and if Taku is the dad figure, Rei is the mom figure. He acts and speaks in feminine speech pattern, but he's actually very strong and skilled in fighting. He regularly participated in "Deathmatch", a freestyle martial arts competition at abandoned area of Shinkoumi, where people from various ages and occupations can participate in battling strangers as stress-reliever.
In fact, Rei's team, which consists of Roost's staff, is one of the strongest Deathmatch team.
(Gosh I wish they would kick my ass too)
The conflict in Rei's route starts after he found out his father, whom he personally hates and been cutting-off contacts for years, gave him a burden of 300 million yen debt to Takasato group. The reason is just because they're "related by blood", "it's only natural for father and son to help each other". From here on we can see why the route title is "contradiction" because it's what Rei is. He hates his father, but he doesn't want to let him got killed by Takasato group either, so he will pay for the debt. He cares for others but not so much for himself, so sometimes he shows suicidal tendencies.
Rei also told Towa that his feminine act and speech pattern didn't actually came from his own wish, but the expectations of his family and people around him, just because he has pretty face and keep being told as cute. Rei thinks it's easier for people to accept him if he just keep the feminine act. However, deep down Rei actually wants to be "manly", especially when it comes to fighting and violence. But he's afraid that people won't accept his "contradiction", moreover when Rei once said he actually loves men and his father called him weird, he feels like his existence is being rejected.
His route revolves around how Rei will pay the debt which involves Deathmatch, settling problems with his father for once, and realizing his feelings toward Towa who always accept him for who he is.
Rei's route personal impression
Previously I said that Taku's route is the "lightest" and quite vanilla, I take that back, Rei's route is even lighter LMAO. Playing his Psychological parts are even easier than the ones in Taku's route... The plot to his ending is also less dark.
As for the bad ending, I feel that it's almost as twisted, the pain level is just as high though in different shape. The most yabai and scariest part is how Rei is still as innocent and soft-spoken in there...
(I love how just from looking at the bedroom and Rei's attire, you could already guess it's from a bad ending. Sasuga N+C)
Probably my most favorite part from Rei's route is the amount of foodporn CGs which is probably twice compared to other routes, because he loves eating. Moreover when it's clearly seen that Towa eats a little bit healthier diet thanks of him... It somehow makes me happy, you know?
(Same, Rei, same..........)
Trigger warnings for chapter 3 (Rei's route) (as far as I remember):
Self-harm, wound, blood, scars, tattoo, piercing, bullying, heavy violence, physical and mental abuse, trauma from coming out, non-con (bad end only), suicidal tendencies mention.
And that ends my review of Rei's route, thank you for reading!
Next week I'll write about Madarame route! Finally we're getting closer to the core plot of Slow Damage!
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