hontou ni sou omou?

Rin goes to the Makai research facility with the three declared members of his harem. The Shin and Ma Kings are no match for the pleading of pretty young girls and allow Rin to descend into the Geofront to see Primula even though it could mean blowing up the whole place, Second Impact style. However if a man furrows his brows deeply enough, shouts loudly enough and often enough, then he can save the day as this ritual will call upon a buried element to come to the rescue (i.e. Licorice channelling herself through Nerine). Lots of nekkid Primula scenes and because there are no other clothes in the research centre, Primula wears just Rin’s school shirt later, and thus is only just half nekkid. Lolicons everywhere rejoice.

Nerine confesses to Rin that she is the Borg and had incorporated Licorice’s own distinct characteristics into her whole including Licorice’s love for Rin. Eight years ago, Rin had met Licorice and not Nerine, Rin-chan finally fesses up to Rin-sama, having been too afraid of losing the childhood promise premise of her relationship with Rin. But now that Licorice has finally given up the ghost, she knows that her feelings for Rin are her own and not merely the consequence of having a split personality. Speaking of which, next episode is about Lisianthus and her inseparable friend, Kikyou.

Well, sarcasm aside, I did enjoy the drama of this episode. Considerable differences with the SHUFFLE! game as there isn’t a Primula crisis and Rin never goes to the Makai (that’s in the follow up game, Tick! Tack! where he also travels back in time). It’s just that the shouty cliché annoys me to no end. But on to happier things, that is, Asa-chan discussion and screencaps! More preaching from Zyl about why Asa is t3h win!

Asa-chan is caught off guard when Rin wishes that she will get well soon as he can’t manage without her at his side.

As I’ve mentioned before, Asa-chan has been clocking up a lot of points in Rin’s book especially by giving good and mostly selfless advice, which Rin recalls above. As far as I can see, none of the other girls have grown as much. Kaede does her heavier than usual emotional blackmail thing in Ep 5 when she’s sick (Asa Advice to Rin to the rescue). Nerine has overcome the Licorice issue (Would not have if not for Asa Advice to Rin also). Sia decided to win the acquiescence of the other girls but ended up acquiescing to Asa-sempai in Ep 13-14 and her own major issue will be revealed in the next episode and probably resolved thereafter.

With respect to the Kaede vs Asa issue, plot-wise that path can deal with Kaede’s backstory via Rin’s growing closing and sharing of painful memories with Asa. Given how Primula is "family", I think Kaede also falls under that category with respect to Rin and not in the "wife" sort of way.

I think the indications point to Asa confessing in Ep 17 which is entitled "Honest Feelings" and Rin either makes a decision or is on the brink of one in Ep 18, entitled "The One That Rin Loves". All that being said, there’s no guarantee either as anime conventions then to weigh against Asa as she is older than Rin (she repeatedly emphasizes the Oneechan thing this ep) and she is a long-time friend (apparently there is a notion that friendships tend to stay that way and can be an impediment to developing into love).

Two other interesting points here. Asa’s dislike of magic is clearly shown when she very firmly declines Nerine’s little ball of healing magic. A hint of it was in Ep 7 when both Kareha fell into an awkward silence at Kaede’s suggestion that she magically heal Asa’s sprained ankle and Asa quickly changed the topic. Also Nerine confronts Asa about the latter’s feelings for Rin which she had done much more gently previously in Ep 4. I think Nerine would have been just a bit envious at how strong the rapport was between Rin and Asa and how comfortably they were kidding around with each other. Asa sensed this too and tried to apologise for saying lots of weird things to Rin.

Looking forward to the next episode.