SHUFFLE! 05

Kaede becomes sick due to exhaustion, aggravated by having to go home in the rain without her fence-stuck umbrella. Rin makes a complete mess of the kitchen and then has to cope with the arrival of reinforcements from the Shigure Asa Division, Shia Brigade and Nerine half-strength Battalion. For most of the episode, Kaede's fragile and utilitarian sense of self-worth is constantly threatened but she and Rin reconcile by the end though I'm not sure if she's really gotten the point that Rin was trying to get across.

Asa-chan discovers, to her horror, that her reputation for being the best cook in the school is "shocking" because she is regarded as someone who looks like she doesn't even know how to cook - a big knock on her girliness index.

At this point, Asa-chan seemed so much a supporting character, helping Shia (Rin helps Shia with homework after Asa-chan's words), Nerine (cooking lessons) and now Kaede (telling Rin that Kaede will feel neglected and need some cuddlin' ) - an advisor and councillor to Rin and his harem. If I had watched this series from episodes 1-7 instead of 7, 1-present, I would wondering why Asa-chan featured prominently in the OP. Even Primula has expressed her interest to be with Rin more strongly!

Anyhowz Asa-chan looked especially lovely under the streetlight.

?????????!????????!?
Asa-chan no tameni! Ai-ai-Asa-chan! (For the sake of Asa-chan! Love-love-Asa-chan!)
AAA

In other news, Kaede is definitely a left-hander. Promising backstory also with the Sullen Soryu Asuka Langley stare. How did things come from "Unforgivable!" to "I plan to give my heart and body totally to Rin-kun!"

Related posts:

1. SHUFFLE! OP and ED
2. SHUFFLE! 02
3. SHUFFLE! 03