hontou ni sou omou?

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Tsuchimi Rin and Shigure Asa’s courtship proceeds along. Slowly in game time as there is a lot of dialogue and clicking - just brief notes on the non-Asa dialogue. But actually it’s just over three weeks. All the important game choices are made in this period but nothing tangible is materialises. Yet but the relationship is becoming somewhat less tentative as both sides put out feelers towards the other. We also get to see a very different side of Asa - awkward and embarrassed that her desire for Rin is becoming so strong but being unable to really hide it - to the point that Rin finds her behaviour, on occasions, unusual.

Kareha, in my opinion, is a very important catalyst as she communicates a lot of Asa’s thoughts to Rin which Asa would otherwise be too shy to tell Rin directly. Asa is also unable to shut Kareha up and Kareha, being her best friend, has credibility so this helps to significantly erode the Blurness Barrier of Rin.

Usual caveat about my crappy translation. I tried my best to do a faithful translation but Rin and Asa’s speech is quite colloquial while I had the opposite problem with Kareha’s polite keigo. And above is my current wallpaper, based on work from the SHUFFLE! artbook.

21/6 (Mon)

In school, Mayumi gets word about Primula. She speculates if she is a new addition to the Tsuchimi Lovers.

Later Mayumi asks Rin to go to the staffroom with her, two game choices are presented:

“Sure, I’m free.” or
“Actually I’ve got an appointment.”
Choose the latter. Itsuki ends up accompanying Nerine to the staff room instead. I think.

Later at the Fuyou household, Primula wants to learn how to cook. Three game choices:

“If it’s Kaede, there’s no problem.”
“Why don’t we ask for Asa-sempai’s help as well?”
“Don’t injure yourself, ok?”
Choose the second choice. Whatever is the case, Primula indicates she prefers Kaede.

23/6 (Wed)

Something about umbrellas. Kaede has forgotten to bring her own while reminding Rin.
Another game choice:

“Leave school with someone else.”
“Leave with Kaede.”
Former choice.

Kaede shares Mayumi’s umbrella to go home. She didn’t offer earlier as she wanted to test Rin’s gallantry towards Kaede. Mayumi then mocks Itsuki to look for a partner to share an umbrella home with.

Latter, in the corridor and looking out at the rain, Rin wonders what to do and says to himself that this weather will last for another three weeks. Asa appears and remarking that the three weeks will pass quickly. Rin complains that her constant surprises are bad for his heart. Asa apologises but she’s can’t help it as she loves attacking Rin’s defenceless side. Sticks out her tongue at him.

She remarks that the rain isn’t weak today. Some small talk about the rainy season. Rin asks if Asa has forgotten her umbrella. She cryptically replies that girl’s friendship is a fragile thing. Rin notes that he’s seeing another side to Asa, one that is a little sad and wistful. He speculates to her that all her friends with umbrellas have left without her? Asa grumbles about the lack of friendship. Rin asks about Kareha. Asa replies that Kareha is working at her part-time job today. Rin asks why Kareha is working. Asa replies Kareha just started and because wants some extra cash. Actually Asa would also like to work part-time for pocket money but can’t find a nice job. Some more blah blah.

Actually Rin has an umbrella, prepared by good ole Kaede, and offers to share it with Asa. Rin brightens considerably. He tells her that Kaede prepared it for her. Asa praises Kaede’s typical meticulous seriousness. Asa comes onboard the Rin umbrella express.

Rin escorts Asa home even though it is in a different direction from his home. Asa appreciates this and says this kind of consideration is why she likes Rin (Dakara Rin-chan te su-ki –musical note- ) She then covers herself by asking Rin not to misunderstand, considering that there are others, Rin doesn’t see Asa as that sort of target. And that their thoughts on this are similar, unfortunately? Rin assures her not to worry as he can’t see her as a target. Asa replies that these words are hurtful to a girl. Rin asks if she wants to be targeted? Asa says he should refrain as Kaede already has strong rivals in Shia or Nerine. She winks and laughs heartily.

Upon reaching the Shigure residence, Asa invites Rin in for tea and cake. She’ll give him cookies tomorrow. Rin readily agrees as he knows how good Asa is at baking. In Asa’s room, Rin reflects that he has been to her home many times during middle school when Kaede was learning to cook from Asa. He hasn’t been to her room for a long time, it’s like seeing a familiar scene again.

Asa says that she’ll go and change. Peeking is ok but to let her know. Rin replies that he is a healthy male and will do it if so invited. Asa says that she’ll let him hear her cute screams then. She laughs and leaves. Rin reflects that Asa gives a powerful impression but actually she is the cute type. If she showed that side more, she’d easily have a boyfriend or two. The image of her smiling face stuck in his mind, Rin sits on her bed. He waits. And waits. He reasons that girls take longer to change (15 minutes already) and decides to head to the toilet. He feels like he knows her house really well.

He walks on Asa taking off her panties to use the toilet. He asks her if she forgot to lock the door. Apparently it’s whacked and someone is coming to fix it this weekend. They exchange awkward pleasantries and Rin retreats. Asa screams.

So far everything is the same as ep 7 in the anime. Rin finds that her screams really are cute.

24/6 (Thu)

Primula arrives in school with Foebeshii. The Demon King is delivering bento to Nerine who forgot to bring her lunch. He really fawns over her in his own way but Nerine tries to be nice while Primula makes all kinds of curt, devastating criticisms.

It’s raining again. Game choices:
“Hang around a bit to look at the scenery.”
“Hurry home.”
Choose the second.

Outside the school, Rin recalls the scene of walking in on Asa in the toilet. While Rin is deep in introspection, he literally bumps into Asa. It seems like fate. Both laugh nervously. Rin starts to talk about something good yesterday and a flustered Asa interrupts him, telling him to stop and to forget it. Rin agrees.

Asa softens and smiling, she thanks Rin for sheltering her home yesterday. Seems that Rin ran off home after the toilet incident and missed out on Asa’s snacks. Asa suggests that he come over today to have the snacks he missed yesterday and says she is free. Rin has to decline and Asa finds his flattering cute as usual. Asa says she is not susceptible to such a simple attack as she is not a defenceless girl. Rin thinks she looked pretty defenceless yesterday though his brain prevents him from saying it out loud.

27/6 (Sun)

Kaede and Primula show off new outfits. Rin goes out shopping with Primula. They are caught in a sudden downpour. Primula scene braless in wet t-shirt.

29/6 (Tue)

Foebeshii comes over. Some stuff about Primula going for more tests and checks for about 4-5 days. Plenty of powerful magic in her apparently that needs to be monitored especially the effect of arriving in the human world. Foebeshii and Primula leave together. Kaede is all motherly.

At school, it’s raining again. Lots of blah blah between Shia, Nerine, Kaede, Mayumi and Itsuki. It’s revealed that Foebeshii makes Nerine’s bento and Itsuki receives his from many different girls.

2/7 (Fri)

Kaede is ill. Rin goes to school late as a result. Shia, Nerine, Kaede, Mayumi and Itsuki blah blah. Rin leaves the classroom to find Asa pacing outside. She is surprised when he calls out to her. Rin assumes that she is waiting for Kaede and starts to tell her that she is absent today. Not listening, a really nervous Asa starts blabbering, denying that she was waiting for Rin and that she just got the wrong classroom. She says she belatedly realized that this was a second senior year classroom. Plenty of nervous, awkward laughter before makes a hasty retreat, like a catapult. Rin wonders wazzup with her as getting the classroom wrong is something really unusual for a senior third year.

After school, Asa approaches Rin near the track. She asks if Rin is going home already. There’s some awkwardness again as Asa talks around circles. [Probably trying to work up the courage to ask him out again or waiting for him to ask her.] Rin explains that he has to go home. Asa beats an embarrassed retreat. Rin thinks that Asa sure is behaving strangely today.

Back home, Kaede talks in her sleep. Rin wants to make dinner but can’t. Doorbell rings. It’s Asa and Kareha. [Different from the anime which was Shia, Nerine and Asa.] Rin asks why they are here. Asa retorts what do you mean why? She got a call from Kaede on her mobile asking for her help – Kaede was worried that no one would be preparing dinner for Rin so she was turning to Asa. Asa does a hilarious Kaede voice imitation and teases Rin about being so loved.

Asa and Kareha prepare dinner. The dining table is laden with dishes and Rin thinks that Asa is indeed Kaede’s teacher. Rin praises them as the Twin Pillars of Barbena Academy’s Cooking Club. [So Kareha is Asa’s fellow cooking club member.]

Asa is surprised. Rin tells him that they are really famous in a lot of flowery language, saying that they even have titles. This is the first time Asa has heard of her and Kareha’s reputation. Neither has Kareha but says that with Asa’s skill, it is only natural. Asa then asks what their titles are. Rin is reluctant and tries to say he doesn’t know. Asa cheerfully says she doesn’t mind. Rin has to spill the beans. The titles are “The Healing Kareha” and “The Shocking Shigure” . [It’s quite funny how Rin reluctantly mutters “The Shocking Shigure” under his breath.] Rin explains that it is because Asa the master chef looks like a girl who doesn’t even know how to cook. Asa is downcast that the impression that others have of her. Shiku shiku. [Ah so cute!] Rin thinks to himself that Asa does have an image problem.

Kareha rushes to Asa’s defence saying that Asa is a really cute and feminine girl. She continues by saying how Asa concerned herself with preparing for Rin’s dinner after Kaede’s call. Asa’s face turns red and yells at her not to talk about useless things. It’s too late. Kareha has gone into ~ma ma maa~ mode and blabbers on and on about how preoccupied Asa was, pacing around in the corridor and how cute it was. Rin realizes that Asa was spending her break time waiting outside his classroom. Asa panics and tries to get Kareha to stop. Kareha continues by saying that she was waiting for Rin to finish class as well. Rin apologises for inconveniencing Asa so much. She laughs nervously in response and tries to brush off the two meetings as coincidences. Kareha then says how much lovey feelings Asa has put into her cooking. Asa denies that it’s love, saying that it’s nourishment. Kareha says how red Asa’s face is. Rin also thinks so and that she looks really happy as she faces Kareha. Rin wonders that of the two, whether actually it is Kareha who is the stronger personality.

After dinner, Rin thanks them. Asa replies that it is no problem as girls are happy to do their best to cook for guys they like. Asa says that she understands how much Kaede thinks of Rin. Rin reflects on his relationship with Kaede. Asa calls today’s favour a special service and asks Rin to enjoy the rest of the food later. Kareha says that it’s a wonderful thing for a loved one to enjoy one’s cooking.

The girls leave. Thanks all round. Asa offers her help whenever. Rin says he doesn’t want to be pampered. Kareha reprimands him, that there is a difference between helping and pampering. Something about Asa-chan has been waiting for a chance to pamper Rin and for Rin not to hesitate to call upon Asa. Asa is exasperated with Kareha. They leave. Rin thinks that Asa has an easygoing and sweet character.

Rin checks on Kaede. He reaffirms their promise they will always be together.

4/7 (Sun)

The lingerie buying expedition with Kaede and Primula. Asa and Kareha appear, surprising Rin. They’re joining in. Rin speculates that their idea of “what suits Primula” equals to “what we can have fun with” . Asa is unfazed and assures Rin that he will be glad that they are helping. Kaede looks worried.

Asa bombards Primula with questions on her preferences. Betsuni. It’s omakase Asa-chan time! Rin has a bad feeling about this.

Later, Asa tries stuff on Primula. Kareha praises Asa’s taste. Later Asa asks Rin for his opinion for her own underwear choices. Kareha says it’s so wonderful that Asa goes straight to Rin for his opinion while Kaede tries to get the shopping back on topic i.e. Primula. Back to Primula with Asa choosing increasingly sexy and risqué outfits for Primula with Kareha in support. She teases Rin more and more. Kaede asks if Rin is ok as his face has a tired expression. Rin escapes.

Two game choices:
“Go shopping.”
“What would Primula especially like?”
First choice. He buys the cat doll anyway.

Rin meets up with the girls later. He passes Primula the cat doll. It’s time for a meal and Kareha suggests a cake shop, Asa eagerly agrees. But Kaede and Rin point out that cake isn’t a proper meal though that reaction is completely Asa.

They adjourn back home. The three girls haven’t cooked together for a while. Asa teases Kaede about her dedication to “someone” . More blah blah. Primula has named her cats black egg and white egg. Asa says it’s time for a final revision for tomorrow’s test. Rin forgot about that. Apparently Asa and Kareha both have good grades.

After they leave, Rin reflects that it’s a bit lonely in the house. Kaede and even Primula acknowledge that they had fun today. Kaede makes supper for Rin so he can stay up revising.

5/7 (Mon)

In class, everyone fusses about the coming tests. Itsuki, Kaede and Nerine are the aces. Shia sucks at history and English. She is generally lousy at studying. Rin and Itsuki challenge each other on the test results.

Back home, Eustoma charges in and threatens to annihilate the whole human world because Shia has to attend summer school if she fails too many subjects. The human world is saved by Shia’s chair attack.

Later, Kaede offers Rin a drink. He exclaims what nice timing and how he loves her. Kaede is all blushes and awkwardness. Rin changes the subject to whether Kaede has finished preparing for her test. Rin realizes that Kaede has been revising for English and biology instead of world history and math because she’s got the timetable mixed up. [She’s such a cute blur toad, ahahaha!! nb: "blur toad" is a Singlish term can be used affectionately, said Zyl who does not want to be lynched by the Kitto Kitto Kaede-chan.]

7/7 (Wed)

In the corridor, after the tests, Asa and Kareha appear. They are buying drinks. Kareha tells Rin that Asa has been skipping Magical Studies class. Rin remarks that maybe it’s because Asa isn’t good at this subject which is why she doesn’t want to study it. Asa’s mood changes completely, she retorts sharply that it’s fine, that as a human she doesn’t need magic and asks Kareha to leave quickly with her but she stays on.

Rin reflects that he might have offended her. He realizes that she really hates magic to her core but doesn’t know why. Kareha confirms that Asa’s strong aversion to magic. She always takes a nap during Magical Studies class. She hates it so much that she gets red marks for the subject. [So far, up to ep 10 of the anime, Rin has not realized it yet although it’s been hinted at in ep 7.]

Rin says that because Kareha is from the Shinzoku, she knows a lot about Magical Studies. Kareha remarks that it must be tough for humans. Rin counters that other races have to deal with human language and history so everyone is in the same boat.

Kareha has been living in the human world for almost 10 years and so she has no weaknesses and difficulties in coping with the human world. She is an invincible, complete person. Like Kaede.

Kareha asks if Rin is good at magical studies. He confesses that he finds it hard. He then realizes that he still has something left to do?

8/7 (Thu)

Rin looks sad over his red marks. Nerine is concerned but she’s done well herself. She’s no good at PE though. And softly mutters that she sucks at home economics as well, like she’s very ashamed of that. Rin has managed to avoid summer school though. Nerine says that everyone should go and enjoy summer together.

Right on cue, Shia and Mayumi start howling about their academic ineptitude. Rin says that they always enjoy summer together next year. Nerine sighs despondently.

[Quite different from the anime, especially ep 5 when all the harem girls turn up to help out at the Fuyou household. In the game, Kaede's sickness actually is a chance, in the Asa thread (different girl for other threads), for Rin and Asa to get closer. I also belatedly realised that Asa is the girl that Rin ends up with in this thread simply because he actively decides against having a relationship with the other four girls (and indicates this to Asa). As time passes, by default, his friendship with Asa evolves into romantic love. So Rin doesn't actively chase after Asa in this thread - this point eluded me as I was using 攻略 SHUFFLE! resources to help myself along. Oh, better note this down also - initially couldn't get the game to display the Japanese dialogue until I checked the MegaToyko Forums Dating Sim FAQ and learnt that all I had to do was to go to Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Advanced > Language for Non-Unicode Programs > set to Japanese. At this point, Rin is starting to appreciate Asa's femininity as well as an inkling of her attraction to him but still feels a strong sense of obligation to Kaede. This obligation is a strong plot point that will be developed later. Another important plot point which is strongly introduced at this part of the game is Asa's aversion to magic. Actually, more like raw hatred, from the sound of her voice.

As usual, I would greatly appreciate input on errors and omissions. Please look forward to the next part!]

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