Current mood:	accomplished
Entry tags:	shuffle!

Shuffle # 7 – Love Scramble: Asa’s Story-arc


Finally, it’s Asa’s turn. It’s a pity that she had to be the last one to be featured in this anime. However, it seems that the other Shuffle! girls hadn’t appeared at all in this episode. No Lisianthus, no Nerine, no Kaede, no Primula, no Sakura, no nothing! Although Kaede and Primula did made a brief appearance, but that’s just about it. Asa were able to successfully gather everyone’s attention without the interferences of the other girls who were obviously ahead of her in gaining Rin’s attention.

This episode tells the story of Asa and her life of romance. Without even Rin, she already has her own admirer, and worse, the admirer appears to be someone famous in school. This makes others unhappy. In here, Asa tried to make up her mind between Rin and the other guy while still trying to keep her usual cheekiness and cheerfulness.

It took me two days to finish writing this long episode summary. Actually, it’s not even a summary at all! Appreciate it, you people!

Oh and note that, there might be some R-15 rated screenshots under the cut, so you have been warned. Mainly it’s because of all those pantsu and changing scenes. Shuffle! is rated R-15 by Japan’s movie regulator Eirin according to AnimeU. But in Malaysia here, it’ll be rated as a U anyway. Those under the age feel free to take a peek, but if you are caught by your parents, I’ll not be held responsible. =\



"Would you taste the soup?"

The episode started with Asa waking up from her sleep. She pulled away the curtain and the sun shone into her room through the window. Doing some stretching, she noticed a small box of present on the table. Asa’s cheerful looking face started to fade away. Then, she went out of her room. Asa’s mother, Ama was cooking soup for breakfast, and had asked Asa to taste it for her. Asa did what her mother told her to do, and added some more flavor to the soup. It was perfect, and Ama had said that with Asa’s talent, she could marry anyone at anytime she wanted. Asa embarrassingly disagreed. Ama then brought up that Asa had received a present from yesterday and asked whether it was Rin. Asa stated that Rin wasn’t someone who would easily give presents. Ama thought of it and agreed with what her daughter said, while Asa went melancholy.


"Why you'd bring up Rin-san?"

Meanwhile on the way to school, Kareha had told Asa that she was thinking to get a part-time job in a café as a waitress during the summer holidays and asked whether she would like to join her. While Asa thought about the skimpy waitress clothing she had to wear working in the café, she kindly turned down Kareha’s invitation. She added that those so-called cute uniforms won’t look cute on her, and that if Rin were to see her in those uniforms, he would go, “are you nuts?”. Kareha then wondered why Asa had brought up Rin. Asa said that it was nothing. Kareha went into her ‘fantasy-mode’ as Asa flinched. Asa told Kareha not to get any funny ideas as she sighed.


"Asa-chan!"

As soon as they reached school, a guy came running from behind calling Asa’s name. Asa froze. The guy said something about the weather, and then started to apologize about what he had done the previous day that he might had scared her. Asa insisted that it’s okay. The guy replied saying that he’s relieved. He then went ahead of them into the school building. Kareha then realized that he was the guy Asa was talking about. Asa sighed.


The guy giving Asa a present.

Walking into her class in the third year section, she noticed that her female classmates were being cold to her. She started to recall the event where the guy earlier had given her the present which she had put on her table at home. Everyone must have known about it. She sighed.


"There's only one rule in love: take it or leave it."

During lunch, Kareha had told Asa that she had became the center of attention, because the person who confessed his love to her was none other than the captain of the soccer team, Takizawa-san who is really popular among the girls. She also said that Takizawa was respected for resisting the advances of many female students. Asa’s response was that she wasn’t thrilled about the whole thing, and she didn’t think of him like that. Kareha said Asa had received his present, but Asa had cut in saying that she couldn’t think of a reason to refuse. Kareha then said: “There is only one rule in love: Take it or leave it.” Asa said that she didn’t hate him nor did she like him. Suddenly, Takizawa’s voice calling out to Asa was heard and Asa froze. He came over to the table and said that after lunch, his class and her class would be having P.E. together, and said that he would score a goal just for Asa. His smile was so charming. He then left the table and said, “See you later.” Kareha said that no wonder Asa wasn’t able to say anything, seeing Takizawa was such a direct person. “Boys are supposed to be a little pushy.” After saying that, she went into her fantasy world again. Asa sighed.


Mayumi interviewing Asa.

After lunch, as Asa and Kareha were walking across the second year section, they saw Rin together with Kaede (NOOOOOOOO!!!! NOT KAEDE IN ASA’S EPISODE! NO!11!!111!ONE!11!ONE!!!) and Mayumi. Mayumi instantly went over to Asa and acted like a interviewer holding a microphone and started to ask questions about Takizawa. Asa became speechless when she looked at Rin, but nevertheless, she still said, “So, you’ve heard it, Rin-chan.” Rin replied saying he did, since the rumor had been spread throughout school. Mayumi then with an aggressiveness a news channel would so sorely need, asked, “How it’s going?!” Asa’s respond was that relationships aren’t her thing and started to blush. She then looked at Rin. Rin said that he had never thought that Asa was more than another tomboy, and now that she might be more famous than he thought. Asa went over to Rin and started slapping Rin’s back. The bell rang and Asa started to run to change into her P.E. clothing with Kareha.


Kareha taking off her clothes to change into her P.E uniform.


"What are you trying to say?"

In the changing room, Kareha talked with Asa about Rin’s respond to her about Asa being more popular than he’d thought. Kareha’s conclusion was that Rin had finally take Asa as a girl. Asa denied saying that her relationship with Rin can never be more than friends. Kareha said that Asa and Rin make a good couple, while Asa shot down what she said by telling her to stop getting funny ideas and change already.


Takizawa scoring a goal.

During P.E, the males were playing football while the females were having their high jump test. Takizawa, as promised, got a goal. While Asa was still thinking about him, it was her turn to high jump. Thinking about Takizawa, but suddenly, Rin came into her mind. So, she couldn’t concentrate, and in the end, failed to jump across. She sprained her ankle while landing.


Kareha helping Asa to bandage her foot.

She was taken to the health office, in where Kareha had bandaged her wound. Rin and Kaede went over to see how Asa’s doing. Rin also said that Kaede almost cried, but Kaede said that it was because she heard that her Asa-senpai was seriously injured. Asa said that it was just a minor sprain. She tried to stand up but her ankle was still painful. Kaede then asked, since Kareha-senpai was good in healing magic, shouldn’t she try to heal her. But Asa said that it’ll recover before long even without magic. Kaede said that she wouldn’t be able to walk home by herself in this state, but Asa said that Rin would be taking her home. This is when Takizawa came into the health office, and said that homeroom ended late and he wasn’t able to come and see her immediately. He then offered to take Asa home, but Asa said that she had already asked Rin.


"I could ask you without much problem." ^^

Rin knew that Asa was doing it on purpose, by pushing Takizawa’s offer to bring her home. Asa told Rin not to be bothered by it. The rumor had left Asa feeling a little embarrassed, but she had also felt guilty for not giving Takizawa a straight answer, and maybe it’s also the main reason Asa didn’t want him to take her home. Rin, on the other hand, can be asked without too much trouble, that he is a childhood friend and everything she could ask for. Rin said that Asa was’t sexy at all. Asa laughed, and Rin also joined in.


"Looks like Asa-senpai has a cute inside..."

Back at the Shigure’s, Rin was told that Ama won’t be back before sundown. Asa then went to have a change of clothes, and naughtily, she said that Rin is free to peep at her changing as long as he gives her the heads-up before he does. Rin responded by saying that if she were to continue to tempt a healthy, young stud like him, he might. Ama cheerfully said that in that case, she’ll make sure he hears her adorable squealing and finally went away. Rin had a look around her room and saw that there were many plush dolls and soft toys around. He told himself that she is indeed quite cute in the inside, and might as well get more boyfriends if she were to be more feminine. He then noticed the small gift box which Asa had received from Takizawa. He thought to himself that Takizawa’s a real sincere guy, and wondered why Asa had refused to return his affections.


"A young man and woman, all alone in a house..."

On the other hand in Kaede’s house, Primula came out from her room and asked Kaede why Rin hadn’t come home. Kaede told her that Rin had brought Asa back to her house since she sprained a foot. Primula started saying weird stuffs like “A young man and woman... just the two of them...” and Kaede flinched. Kaede then told Primula not to say nonsense, and that Asa and Rin know how to behave themselves.


"Ehhh...?!"

Back at Asa’s house, Rin decided to go to the bathroom since Asa had took so long to change. He has been coming here since junior high and that he is no stranger to the house. He reached the bathroom and turned the lock. Guess who’s inside? That’s right, it’s Asa in it. You should have seen Rin’s face at that time. Embarrassment. But well, Asa *you know which part* wasn’t seen in the anime, unlike in the games. Rin asked did Asa forgotten to lock the door, while Asa said that the lock was broken, so... Rin apologized and closed the door. Asa screamed.


The two of them looked at each other.


"I gotta get the medicine!"

Later on back in Asa’s room, the two of them had put themselves in a distance. They did not dare to look at each other, since they were still embarrassed. But they did eventually and laughed at each other. Still embarrassed, Asa suggested that they forget about it since it was just an accident. Rin agreed. They started to talk about themselves when they were in junior high school, in where Rin and Kaede oftenly visited Asa and Ama. Kaede had gone there to learn how to cook, and that is how Rin and Asa knew each other. Kaede had joined the cooking club, and Asa thought that Rin would also join her. But instead, Rin preferred to wait patiently for Kaede outside the class until cooking lessons were over. Asa also said that she was jealous of Kaede, because she hasn’t someone like Rin to look over her. She also wished to have someone as caring as Rin for herself. Rin said Takizawa was also worried about her, that he might be the one for Asa. Asa said that Takizawa was a little different. She would rather enjoy her high school life than get swept off her feet by some whirlwind romance. She can’t possibly live in a cage. But still, she hinted Rin that she wouldn’t mind falling for Rin. Rin became confused. Asa again said that she wouldn’t want to compete with Asa, Nerine and Kaede. Rin couldn’t get what she had wanted to say. Asa laughingly apologized and said that she would go make some tea and stood up. But since her ankle still hurt, she fell down on Rin, on the bed. They both became red. This is when Ama announced her arrival and the two of them were shocked. When Ama came into the room, they were already sitting separately. Ama noticed Asa’s leg and immediately went to get some medicine. The two of them let out a breath in relief. Rin looked at Asa and Asa sticked her tongue out, as if everything that happened were a joke.

The next day in school, Kareha noticed a sad Takizawa walking into the school building holding the gift which he had given to Asa. She walked out and saw Asa being relieved with what she had done. She said that she might have a boy in mind which she can’t possibly leave alone and started to smile. Meanwhile, Rin was still being chased by the defense forces of KKK, SSS and NNN.