I actually have a project lined up for my “triumphant return to shonen” where it’s the three layers like Tears of the Kingdom and the topic circles around an allegory for replacing oneself with an AI simulacrum. I like to give my antagonists POVs I’m sympathetic to, so it’ll deal with ideas like “who cares if it’s fake if it gives people hope and comfort?” and “well I never wanted to be here and my part in all of this was fucked up.” All the while they’re struggling with a magic system that strips them of their executive function+memories.

So by time his senpai dies whole, deliriously calm from the blood loss, being buried a beloved hero with honors is an enviable fate.