This chapter really blew my expectations out of the water. Kato perfectly encapsulated Rin and Shiemi's relationship and their personal struggles. She didn't expect them to be perfect. Rin acknowledged his frustration at feeling like Shiemi hated him when her reactions gave the wrong idea. Shiemi was able to come to terms with her emotions in that awkward, teenager way that human's do. Kato isn't writing an essay for therapists to understand the perfect way for a relationship to play out, she's writing the messy, loving, complicated ways that human's find and understand each other. It doesn't surprise me at all that the Demon King that exults his love for humanity and the labyrinths of life they find themselves going through see's Rin and Shiemi's budding romance entertaining.
"Human" really was the perfect title for this chapter.
Rin and Shiemi are both so incredibly, frustratingly human. They both have their own histories (Shiemi with the clear abuse and repressed memories in her early childhood and Rin his isolation and "othering" due to feeling different in a way he couldn't articulate before his awakening), but Kato gives them the space to come to terms with themselves a bit more before launching into any romance. It certainly will give them the strength they'll both need from this point on. Honestly, it makes me think of the romances you hear from the World Wars. It feels inappropriate considering the context around you but... God damn, when's a better time than now?
And, gosh, Kato's art and paneling choices are so incredible. In this chapter and the many before that... but she's very good at showing the subtle glimpses of comfort and love in the way Rin and Shiemi hold each other. The imagery of Shiemi looking up at an intimidating Rin, where she can't see his face (or his emotions)? And he jumps down to her to be face to face? CHEF'S KISS!!!! Okay maybe I'm fangirling too much now... 😭
The way we see how much Yukio has grown too. I think we all know how obvious it was he has feelings for Shiemi and that one thorn in what tore him down so much... But, like he said, he knew this would happen but he didn't expect to feel like this. He's at peace. He loves his brother and Shiemi so much, and he can see how good they are for each other, he's able to think beyond his own pain right now.
And Izumo and Mephisto nerding out about shoujo manga together... heheeee.... And how Mephisto treats Shiemi as an equal in sealing Satan (because she IS. THAT'S A LOT OF STRESS AND HER MOTHER JUST DIED AND AMAIMON BUGGERED OFF AAAHHHHH--)
Anyway I'll stop there before I freak anyone else out lol... Kato, I'm watching for the probably angst you're gonna drop on us next ; - ;
