the op of jjk season 2 is rife with symbolism. there's one particular motif, however, that foreshadows the trajectory (and tragedy) of gojo and geto's love story.
almost immediately, we see geto running through the rain. the stylistic choice to portray him holding his bag over his head is deliberate, because it emphasizes what he conspicuously doesnβt have but so clearly needs: an umbrella.
gojo, on the other hand, is not operating with the same sense of urgency, seen through him taking his time looking at a cat. gojo has what geto needs, but he's not rushing. their behaviour is incongruous; geto is hurrying to get out of the rain, and gojo remains still, because heβs absolutely not hurrying at all.
the sense of urgency is compounding, seen through geto bouncing his leg. heβs waiting impatiently in the rain, and he's not using his bag to cover up his head anymore. geto knows gojo is coming; that's why he's impatientβ because he's waiting for someone who has what he needs that hasnβt shown up yet.
geto needs him, yet gojo doesnβt pick up the pace. this is despite the fact that he needs to because itβs raining and geto doesnβt have an umbrella. we, as the audience, feel geto's impatience and we're urging gojo on, yet he still doesn't go any faster.
sharing an umbrella is an established trope in japan. itβs widely recognized and practiced enough to have its own designated terminology.
gojo is bringing an umbrella for them to share. that's why itβs repeatedly reinforced to the audience that geto doesn't have one. thatβs also why the shots cut between them; it highlights what gojo has that geto doesnβt, and in doing so, ties the narrative together through the umbrella.
by the time gojo finally shows up, the sun has come out. gojo lowers the umbrella and smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. contrarily, geto almost seems resigned, like heβs accepted the fact that gojo took too long. they canβt share the umbrella anymore because they missed their chance to use it.
we can see that geto is saying something to gojo when he finally shows up with the umbrella. you know what i would bet actual money it probably was?
βyouβre late, satoru.β
