Kiyotaka and Karuizawa Kei’s relationship can’t be described in a single sentence. It has been entirely twisted since the start of Classroom of the Elite. She was introduced as just another student in the first season. However, things changed in the second season when these two start to acknowledge each other. He becomes involved in Kei’s life, and their interactions lead to a closer connection.
As the second season progresses, several instances made their relationship tighter. We can see Kiyotaka becoming rather protective and caring towards Kei. The second season concluded with them confessing their love for each other. As beautiful as it might sound, audiences are still dubious whether he actually likes Kei or still perceives her as a pawn.
How does Kiyotaka and Kei’s relationship progress?
The first time when Kei acknowledged his presence in Classroom of the Elite was during the survival test. She agreed with Suzune in her decision. However, she still believed he was unremarkable and didn’t pay much attention to him.
Things start to spark when he slowly enters her life in the second season. He and Yukimura accidentally overhear Manabe and her group harassing her. He learns about her traumatic past from Hirata later on. Kiyotaka understands that her condescending attitude is a facade that she maintains to hide her true self.
With the entire ordeal about Kei and Hirata’s fake relationship revealed, Kiyotaka gets a step closer to her. She has been bullied for nine years since she was little, and Kiyotaka uses this opportunity to provoke Manabe and her group to harass her more. However, it was a part of his plan to blackmail the assailants with proof.
From this point, Kei forms a bond with him. It was Volume 6 of the Classroom of the Elite light novel where it was hinted that she is catching feelings for the protagonist. Her dynamics were slowly changing as she got jealous of Maya flirting with him. Kei is one of the few people who call Kiyotaka by his first name. He even protects her when Ryuen’s group tries to force information about “X” out of her. Despite her PTSD kicking in, she doesn’t utter a single word about Kiyotaka to them.
Following the intense showdown, Kei hugs him, and he promises to protect her. In Volume 7.5, Kei realizes that she is in love with Kiyotaka, and their interactions continue till Volume 11.5, where they both confess to each other and become a couple.
Does Kiyotaka really love Kei?
Kiyotaka has always had a loner exterior. He actively doesn’t express himself in the series, so it is quite difficult to know what is going on inside his head. His monologue at the end of the first season reveals that he sees everyone as something he can use. With that subtext, it makes sense why audiences feel conflicted about his relationship with Kei.
In short, he does, but the long explanation is different. There are several instances in the series that show that he genuinely cares for her. However, we know Kiyotaka is an unreliable narrator from the light novels, so it takes more than mere words from him to convince the viewers.
With that being said, the author of Classroom of the Elite never revealed whether Kiyotaka perceives as a “textbook of love” or he actually loves her. However, from their interactions in the anime and the light novel, it’ll be safe to assume that Kiyotaka genuinely loves her and deeply cares for her.
