A Complicated Time I (もつれる今 I Motsureru Ima I) is the 21st chapter of the Shakugan no Shana manga series.
Shana began training Yūji on early mornings. Meanwhile, a weakened Rinne was in search of its master.
Summary[]
Yūji closing his eyes during the training.
Shana was training Yūji outside his house in the morning before school. The training consisted of Shana attacking Yūji with a stick, with him keeping his eyes open and dodging. Yūji dodged Shana's swing, but she immediately followed it up with a kick, surprising Yūji, who dodged but fell over. Wide open for an attack, he closed his eyes and covered up, thus getting hit. Yūji wanted to go again but they were interrupted by Chigusa, who had brought food. While they ate, Chigusa asked Yūji why he called Yukari "Shana". He replied that it was a nickname, and Chigusa began to use it as well, thanking Shana for training Yūji. Chigusa suggested that Shana take a bath to wash off her sweat. As it sounded nice, Shana asked Chigusa how to have one, as she had never taken one before. Chigusa said that they would have one together.
In an alleyway, a wounded cat plush toy was searching for its master. It collapsed, only to be found by a little girl named Mika. Mika picked it up before walking off with her mother.
After school, Yūji reminded Shana where they would meet up in the city after splitting up. Yūji left, aware that Tanaka, Satō and Ogata were watching them.
On a suburban street, Yūji walked past Mika and her mother. As he passed by, the plush cat reacted to him, sensing its master. It transformed, and Yūji turned when he heard screaming to find the plush cat, far bigger and towering over him. He realized that it was a Rinne, and guessed that it was Friagne's and was reacting to Azure, which he was wearing around his neck. Yūji noticed Mika's mother shielding the crying girl from behind the cat. Since they weren't inside a Fūzetsu, Yūji tried to buy time for Shana by talking to the cat, but it attacked him, ripping his uniform and revealing Azure. The Rinne, which had become more wolf-like, planned to give the Mystes, Yūji, to its master.
Shana was traveling on rooftops when she sensed the faint Presence of the Rinne. Alastor explained that though Friagne was gone, the Rinne could survive for a few days without him. Shana wondered why it would suddenly become active, and suddenly thinking that Yūji might be involved, she hurried towards it.
Yūji smashed into the ground.
Lying on the floor, Yūji remembered what Shana had said that morning; that it was most important to keep your eyes open when you're in a vulnerable position. As the cat attacked, Yūji watched its claw, but was smashed into the ground and blacked out.
Characters[]
* denotes if the character debuts in this chapter
- Shana
- Yūji Sakai
- Chigusa Sakai
- Nina*
- Mika*
- Mika's mother*
- Eita Tanaka
- Keisaku Satō
- Matake Ogata
- Friagne (mentioned)
- Alastor
Locations[]
Quotes[]
- Shana: "The time when you're most vulnerable to an attack, when you lose your balance, is when you must keep your eyes open and see."
Trivia[]
- The omake manga Shana-san's First Bath chronologically takes place within this chapter.
Cultural References[]
- Mika's uniform suggests that she is in kindergarten.