A heartbeat that lasts for eternity...
Lives consumed in soundless balls of fire.
No one can tell when the world is displaced...
...and the flames of the Crimson World sweep over all.
Soshite kono sora akaku somete mata kuru tokini kono mi de susumu dake
Shakugan no Shana
surechigatteiku hito mo magirenakushita mono mo
itsukawa kieuyuku toki
atsuku yurugasu tsuyorisa hakanaku yureru yowasa
shosen onaji mirai
sonna nichijyou kouka wo tokashi arawareru hi
kureru sekai
kazeni nabikase sen wo hiite nagareru youna kamisaki teki wo sasu
furikitta omoi minagiru yume
subete wa ima kono te de shimei hatashite yuku dake
That's right! You are not human.
You are a thing.
Not only you.
Everyone you see with a flame visible within their body.
They are replacements of people who vanished after their existence...
...was eaten by the Denizens of the Crimson World.
They're torches.
Are you saying?
The real you has had its existence eaten, and therefore no longer lives.
Right now, you are nothing but leftover scum.
I'm already dead.
She continued looking at me, as I could do nothing but be shocked.
She looked at me, as she would on many occasions in the future...
...with those flame eyes.
The day the world came undone, I met that girl of flames.
And...
The Lit Flame
I'm... I'm dead? Why?
I told you.
You were eaten by Denizens of the Crimson World.
From the Crimson World? Those monsters?
Those were Rinne, servants of the Denizens of Crimson World.
The Rinne collect, and the Denizens eat.
But you came and saved me at that very moment.
I didn't save you.
You happened to be there when I arrived.
That wasn't the first time Denizens and Rinne from the Crimson World...
...have shown up in this world.
I n fact, it's quite common worldwide.
The real you had already been eaten before you even saw that.
You're kidding.
But your flame is still bright, so it likely didn't happen too long ago.
Don't worry, your flame will burn out eventually.
Huh? Burn out eventually?
You're a torch, and you'll eventually vanish!
I'm finished explaining!
Vanish?
Wait a minute!
What do you mean, vanish?
That's not possible.
I'm in fact here.
Besides, your whole story about the Crimson World and whatnot...
Of course you haven't heard of it.
It's because of the seal.
The seal?
You mean that thing that looked like a wall of fire?
More accurately, it's the space within the walls.
The space inside is temporarily separated...
...from the flow of cause and effect of the world.
No one ever knows what happens there.
Also, the Denizens don't eat the humans themselves...
...but the existence of the humans.
Therefore, in the end, it's as if they had never existed.
There are no remains.
What do you mean?
So, the person was never there.
Oh, perfect timing.
You can see that, right? The small torch there.
Huh?
The flame is... small.
Why? Why don't they notice?
He disappeared right before their eyes.
That's why we place torches.
If someone's existence disappeared abruptly...
...it would warp the balance of the world...
...resulting in chaos.
Understand?
For example...
...if the embankment beneath you suddenly vanished...
...you would fall and be hurt by the impact.
But if the ground first becomes ice, then gradually melts...
...your chance of injury is almost none.
M m-hm.
Think of torches as that ice.
The existence of the torch gradually gets smaller.
By the time it completely vanishes...
...its influence is reduced to a minimum.
If you're still having trouble understanding...
I understand!
I understand what you're saying. But...
How am I supposed to react to that?
I...
Yuji Sakai...
...am already dead?
Then who is the "me" standing right here?
Melon Bread
- I'll have five of those. - Here you go. Thanks for your patronage.
What are you doing?
Don't you know? These are melon bread. Food.
I know that.
Then don't ask.
How much longer are you gonna follow me?
M y home is this way.
Oh.
Am I really going to vanish?
This isn't a dream, is it?
Don't make me repeat myself!
This is reality.
Why must this be reality? It's terrible.
It's just the way it is.
The way it is?
This is reality?
No, my mind can't take it in.
And for her to tell me this while munching on melon bread?
What is this girl, anyway?
- Um... - Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
You still have something to say?
What are you? Human?
I'm a Flame Haze!
Fla? What?
Flame Haze.
I hunt Denizens who eat others' existences...
...and slay them with the Destruction Attack.
We can leave all the torches we want...
...but that only covers up the damage done.
It doesn't solve the danger to this world from the unrestrained theft of existences.
Flame Haze...
The Denizen who used those Rinne...
It seems it's still in this city.
Given the words of the Rinne...
...its master is likely quite powerful.
It's not likely to think of us as a threat.
And there's another reason.
That M ystes from earlier?
Hmm.
Look, Marianne.
How beautiful it all is.
Yes, Master.
We shall get our hands on eternity in this city.
We're almost there.
Yes.
But that Flame Haze...
Shh...
Don't mention such distasteful names.
Enjoy only this beautiful moment.
I'm very sorry.
Ah, those words are also unneeded.
They distract us from the here and now...
Master.
Sakai
Was that a dream?
Didn't think so.
Oh, Yuu-chan.
You're taking it easy today.
What?! It's already this late?!
It's unusual for you to sleep in.
And last night, you went straight to bed after you got home.
Are you feeling sick?
No, I'm fine.
M m-hm. She's okay.
Mom's not a torch.
Your dad called last night.
He won't be able to come home...
...during the Golden Week holidays after all.
Oh really?
How would Dad and Mom react if they found out I'm already dead?
I guess they wouldn't even know they'd ever had a son.
But he said he promises to be home during your summer vacation.
I guess it's better to have not existed at all...
...rather than cause them grief.
Oh, wait... I'm already no longer here.
The real Yuji Sakai, I mean.
Then what is this that I'm worrying about right now?
The real Yuji Sakai would naturally feel depressed or anxious.
But I...
Is something on your mind?
No, it's nothing.
I'd better be going.
M y homeroom teacher is pretty strict about getting to class on time.
I'm off!
Have a nice day. Be careful.
Why are you here?
I figured it'd be easier to watch over you...
...than to go and search for Crimson Denizens.
You're a very unusual torch, after all.
By the way, yesterday, that so-called Rinne referred to me as a M ystes.
I'm impressed that you remembered.
M ysteses are special torches...
...that contain treasures or unique powers made by Crimson Denizens.
Treasures?
When the flame of the torch burns out...
...what remains inside is transferred to the next torch.
You could say it's a travelling vault for treasures.
Why is there one in me?
I have no idea.
The treasures move about on their own.
The enemy will likely target you before your flame goes out.
Hey. What in the world am I?
I told you. You're a torch and a M ystes.
But the things I think about are things that Yuji Sakai would think about.
Of course! You're his remaining scum!
I see.
Hirai-san.
That's right.
The same happened to Hirai-san that time.
Her flame is small.
She won't be around much longer.
But she was only attacked yesterday.
Then they must have eaten more of her.
The Rinnes yesterday were eating quite aggressively, after all.
Hirai-san! Hirai-san! Good morning!
Um... good morning.
Good morning.
This is Hirai-san?
She's like a completely different person.
She may last to the end of the day, at best.
No!
Can't you return her to how she was?!
I mpossible. That's only her remaining scum.
The real person is already dead.
No way...
That's horrible!
Why? That's not a person.
That's only a torch.
Hirai-san, we'll be late for school.
Let's run! Here, try and cheer up a little!
What's that all about?
He never asked to be changed back when the focus was on him.
Likely a case of reality setting in when placed in someone else's shoes.
Hirai-san's about to vanish?
I can't accept that!
Does Ike - kun have a girlfriend?
Hey!
You're incredibly late for class, Sakai!
I'm sorry.
Sakai, one demerit.
Um, what about Hirai-san?
Hm? Oh, right. She was with you.
Never mind. Be seated.
What happened? This isn't like you.
Yeah.
No one's looking at Hirai-san.
Like this, her existence will continue to fade...
...and people will forget about her.
First Year, Class 2
Hirai-san. What are you doing for lunch?
Huh?
Nothing.
Sakai. Did you already buy lunch?
I'm gonna head to the cafeteria now.
Oh, I'll join you.
Hirai-san, let's go together.
Okay? Together with Ike.
You don't mind, do you, Ike?
No, I don't mind.
Come on.
Has that girl always been in our class?
She's here, so I guess so.
And you won't believe this about the instructor at my new prep school.
The guy's Murata's older brother.
Hey, Ike. Do you have prep school today?
No, I have the day off.
Then whaddaya say we hang out near the train station after school?
Together with Hirai-san.
You don't have any plans, do you?
Huh? Well, no.
Okay, then it's decided!
Hirai-san, Ike says he'll go too.
She does seem to react a little more when it comes to Ike.
Maybe this'll help her be more like she was yesterday.
Come on, Ike, get closer.
Here we go!
Looks pretty good!
Oh, looks like I'm kind of in the way.
Sorry, Hirai-san.
Hey, you know...
What should we do next? A prize-catcher game?
Hirai-san, how about a game against Ike?
Hey, Ike! Play a game together with Hirai-san.
I'll be right back.
H-Hey!
You're bait for the Denizens, so stay still!
You running around makes it a pain for me.
Why should I?!
No matter how you feel sorry for it, it's only a torch.
You can't stop it from vanishing.
But if everyone doesn't forget about Hirai-san...
It's useless.
Even so!
I've never seen such a foolish torch.
Hmm...
Huh? Ike, where's Hirai-san?
Huh?! What do you mean, Hirai-san?
Hirai-san! The girl you were with!
Was I?
What do you mean, were you?
Has Hirai-san already?
Come to think of it, I kinda remember her walking out a moment ago.
You sure?! She went out, did she?!
Probably.
Hey, does this mean I cleared this stage?!
Ike! Why aren't you showing any interest?
Try and remember clearly!
It was the three of us until just a moment ago!
You know, Hirai-san... Hirai-san!
Does Ike - kun have a girlfriend?
Hey, Sakai. What's wrong with you? Are you feeling all right?
It's not Ike's fault.
This is what it means to be a torch.
Sorry. I'll go and look for Hirai-san myself.
What's gotten into him?
Hirai-san.
You haven't vanished yet, have you?
Please, don't vanish yet.
Darn it. I told him not to wander.
He's one strange torch.
It's common to find those who struggle with their fate.
I'm glad to find you here.
Ah, Ike said he had to be somewhere.
That...
Just cut me out, and you have a nice shot with just you and Ike.
Huh? What was that?
I like this scenery.
I see. That's why you came here.
Hirai-san...
Let's bring Ike here tomorrow.
Here... with Ike... so please!
This is what it means to be a torch?
Yes.
And I will vanish in the same way.
Yes.
The remaining scum will eventually burn out.
Nobody remembers it existed, and nothing remains.
That's why all continues smoothly.
No way!
I know! I know that Hirai-san existed!
I know that she liked Ike!
I know that she was Yukari Hirai!
There's no question she existed! Right here!
She existed.
And?
And I exist here too.
And I know that I'm Yuji Sakai.
You're only a torch.
Even so, I'm Yuji Sakai.
And you're...
I'm only a Flame Haze.
That's all.
I n a way, I'm the same as a torch.
Stop saying "only"!
But it's the truth.
You're only a torch.
I'm only a Flame Haze.
- You're wrong! - I'm not wrong.
Why is it you?
- What?! - Your name.
Tell me your name.
I don't have a name.
I'm only a Flame Haze.
You said it again.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
I have no need for a name!
To distinguish me from the other Flame Hazes...
...they just call me the Flame Haze with Nietono no Shana!
Nietono no Shana?
It's the name of the sword she bears.
Nietono no Shana...
Then your name is Shana!
That's what I'll call you from now on!
You're Shana.
You're no longer only a Flame Haze.
And I'm not only a torch.
I'm Yuji Sakai!
That's right. I gave her a name.
From that day...
...the flame-haired burning-eyed Flame Haze became Shana.
Yoake umarekurumonoyo
keshite miushinawanaide
You are you shoujoyo imakoso
furihodoki tachiagare!!
Muneno kizu wo kakushitamama kaze wo kiri susumu kimi wo
tada mimamoru sube nado nanimo nai
sono hitomi wa zutto saki no jibun wo sagashite iru no?
Demo kikoeruyo fukai kanashimi no kodou ga sakenderu!!
I' m just yoake mae no kurayami ga
isshou wo unmei zukeru
daijyoubu shoujoyo imakoso
kuyami hajiru koto wa nai Far away...
jyuuji wo seoi shinuki de honou wo kakero!
Rinnes now even show up at school.
Friagne, a Lord from the Crimson World finally appears before us.
And in the city, another Flame Haze casts a long shadow.
Next episode, "The Torch and the Flame Haze".