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Shuffle! Episode 21 – Quick Summary
In Shuffle! Episode 21, “Where Feelings Go,” Kaede struggled, hard, with Rin’s news that he was leaving. So much so that she had started skipping school. Sia and Nerine were worried, but not nearly as worried as Primula. Does Kaede just need time? Or is this emotional state something more dangerous? Just what does Asa think about all this, since she was there at ground zero when Kaede melted down?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Shuffle! Episode 21
Did he do the right thing? The cruel thing? Something in between? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I wonder if this is a guy thing?
Though it’s been eons since I dated (I’ve been married 38 years), I recall wanting to be up front and honest about my feelings. I saw some of the guys around me string a girl along if they thought they could get something out of her, or try to play emotional games in other ways. I didn’t think much of that.
There might be another problem with my approach. It might be a bit cruel, though unintentionally so. I reflect on that as Rin confronted Kaede after she had spoken with Asa under the bridge. He wanted to tell Kaede how he felt about Asa.
She didn’t want to hear it. She told him as much. Should he have held back? Trusted in her intuition to know what he meant? Spare her feelings?
Or did he do the right thing, the thing I would have tried to do, when he said (16:00), “Because it’s you, I have to say it clearly. I love Asa-senpai.”
As a guy, that sounded like exactly what he should have said. I think.
It’s weird that a twenty year old anime can make me question the assumptions I made almost forty years ago! But, that’s one of the reasons I like this show.
Favorite Moment from Shuffle! Episode 21
Nice lighting – very warm! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Here’s a secret about me: I have a helluva time writing romantic scenes. I mean, just read my reasoning for my favorite quote. Writing romance or scenes where romantic stuff happens is just tough for me.
I know. Shocking, isn’t it? Just look at how emotive my writing is! It’s positively swoon-ful!
That’s sarcasm, by the way.
So, when I say what I’m about to say about my favorite scene, I’m not sure if normal humans would see it as praise, criticism, or deep sadness. So let’s just dive into it.
As you say in my favorite moment, Rin told Kaede that he loved Asa – even before he told Asa. I think the dude wanted to get all lingering obligations out of the way so that when he talked to Asa, he could focus on just her.
As someone whose brain only maintains a single train of thought if I sit my ass down in front of a computer to write – all other times, I’m entertaining an average of six mental scenarios, most of which are completely unrelated to each other – I appreciated Rin’s dedication to Asa in that moment.
She suspected what he wanted to talk about it. It still embarrassed her, though. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
She seemed to respond to it, too. I’ve always annoyed how they treat each other. The affection really came through. It was cool how in previous episodes Sia, Nerine, and finally Kaede realized it, too.
But in this episode, she had to gently encourage him to tell her why he came all the way to her house to talk to her. So he stepped up, looked her straight in the eye, and said (20:53), “Asa-senpai… I love you. As a man, more than anyone. Please go out with me as my girlfriend.”
Dude was crystal clear. No ambiguity. Asa had me nervous for a minute, because she didn’t react as if she appreciated what he said. But I think she has some stuff going on that made her a little hesitant. It ended well, though. They finally kissed (22:24)!
It’s a romantic comedy, after all. This was an important moment! I thought it was great they were able to enjoy it in peace.
What did you think of Asa’s talk with Kaede? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Shuffle! Episode 21: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- My Anime List (need to be logged in): Shuffle! Episode 21 Discussion
- Random Curiosity: SHUFFLE! – 21
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Shuffle! Episode 01: The Man Who Could Become a God or a Demon!
- Shuffle! Episode 02: I Wanted to See You!
- Shuffle! Episode 03: Do You Remember?
- Shuffle! Episode 04: Egg Omelet of Happiness
- Shuffle! Episode 05: Where I Belong
- Shuffle! Episode 06: Smile!
- Shuffle! Episode 07: Romantic Scramble
- Shuffle! Episode 08: Panty Date
- Shuffle! Episode 09: Survival Swimming at the Beach
- Shuffle! Episode 10: Moonlit Confession
- Shuffle! Episode 11: Girls of Summer
- Shuffle! Episode 12: Frozen Summer
- Shuffle! Episode 13: House of Twilight
- Shuffle! Episode 14: Lycoris
- Shuffle! Episode 15: What Was Regained
- Shuffle! Episode 16: Kikyou
- Shuffle! Episode 17: Honest Feelings
- Shuffle! Episode 18: The One Rin Loves
- Shuffle! Episode 19: Unforgettable Sentiments
- Shuffle! Episode 20: Indelible Sin
- Shuffle! Episode 21: Where Feelings Go
- Shuffle! Episode 22: Towards a New Tomorrow
- Shuffle! Episode 23: The True Revealed
- Shuffle! Episode 24: And… What Is Important
Poor Kaede, hehe…
I really did feel bad for her. It had to be tough hearing what Rin had to say about Asa!