?? Cigarette kisses irl are a common thing done by straight men...Samatoki does the cigarette kiss thing to the old guy in Rhyme Anima.

Actually, it's a fascinating thing as to why cigarette kisses are a common flag for subtle gay flagging. It's a product of the Hays code. It was used to allude to a romantic relationship in some instances, but it got past the censors due to how innocuous it was since it was a common thing. It's not that unbelievable to also put that logic into how Samatoki could feel about it. "I just needed a light, there's nothing more to it". You see what I mean?

A lot of things embedded into toxic masculinity also tie into internalized homophobia. When i said "he realized too late", I meant that in my reading of the manga, Samatoki interpreted his own romantic feelings for Sasara as just a deep friendship. This is done partially because he only expects tolerance from others (since again this was his first real connection that wasn't just family), but also because the thought of being into men is just out of the question.

He wouldn't respond in disgust if he were to think about the possibility while being friends with Sasara, but he would definitely jump back. It's a corny visual of him basically "no homo"ing his way out of the thought of possibly having feelings for Sasara, but the stigma is very much a real thing even among people who aren't homophobic about other people. This is why, for example, comphet exists.

"You don't know what you had until it's gone" is a common phrase for a reason. You don't realize how deeply you feel for someone until they suddenly leave your life. That is where Samatoki's realization after the fact comes in. Samatoki puts on a brave face but ends up in a deep slump because he realizes how much Sasara truly meant to him. He thought he was losing his best friend, but he ended up losing someone who he possibly could've had more with. That's my interpretation of it.

With that being said, my interpretation isn't the end all be all. Idk why your tone makes it think I'm shouting this out on the rooftops as 100% canon or something because all I said was that I think he's bi. Samatoki being only into men is just as valid of a hc, I just like him being bi personally. It's also weird to say "argue with the wall" when you're the one who is arguing. have a nice day! yay!!! i actually really liked writing about this!