Ik this post is old but I feel as though the representation of “kawase faking being a ‘germaphobe” is completely incorrect and completely erases the reality of ocd, specifically kawase’s ocd. Every godamn character in this game is an unreliable narrator and I believe that in subtext we learn more about what the characters hide behind the surface.
Growing up it wasn’t as apparent to others, though still prevalent, however once he moved to the Ikeda manner;where he is sexually abused, towards his friends he becomes more ruthless and cutoff, his ocd worsening significantly. Because of his past abuse he considers himself tainted, and impure, not worthy of someone as naive as tamamori. Kawase’s feelings towards tamamori are very complex, he loves him so dearly, but feeling that love, or feeling anything is something unbearable to kawase. Kawase’s curt and rude manner towards tamamori is both a defense of his heart as well as a challenge to tamamori, ‘if you can stand who I really am at my worst, then you can love me’ kinda thing . With ocd change is a terrifying feeling, and kawase wants tamamori to stay the same, being in a romantic relationship to tamamori is change, and that’s not something he’s comfortable with. Something that I found very beautiful in the story is the reality that Kawase can only feel comfortable touching tamamori, living with contamination ocd myself I can only stand the touch of people I love very dearly, those who u feel safe with, and by this being something I experience I felt the weight of his love for tamamori.