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.
And so, as I dye this sky red
I proceed through time yet to arrive with this body of mine
Shakugan no Shana
The "people" who we walk past, and undistinguished "things"...
...are all memories that will disappear
"Strengths" swaying with devotion and "weaknesses" swaying in vain...
...are all part of the same future
Such a world, melting away the red haze of daily life as the sun sets
Let the wind determine where to draw the line
Spear the enemy with the flowing hair tip
As I shake off my thoughts, while dreams overflow
All that's required is for me to complete my mission with my own hands
Listen, Yuji.
Send out your strength, little by little.
Okay.
- I'm gonna begin. - Mm-hm.
Yuji, Shana, and Kisses
Hmm...
You're now able to form your wings without much effort.
Yeah, somehow.
Shana. It's time.
Is it? Then that's it for today.
Twelve o'clock.
Midnight Lost Child...
I'm glad my power of existence returns, but I just can't get used to this sensation.
You must get used to it.
Mm-hm.
I'm a little hungry.
Wanna join me for a bite downstairs?
What's that?
A rerun of a drama.
Drama?
You mean, like a made up story?
Y-Yeah, something like that. Shall I turn it off?
I don't care either way.
Riel
To be continued.
That's gotta hurt.
Hey. Why did she hit the guy?
Well, she didn't like how he suddenly tried to kiss her. It's only natural.
Just because of a kiss?
J-Just because?
Don't you think so?
Everyone's looking at us.
I'm scared, Tiriel.
Don't be afraid, dear brother.
It's your actions and flashy outfits that are attracting attention.
My. What reason is there to hold back the proud blooming of flowers, Sydonay?
I don't appreciate someone protected by MY Cradle Garden...
...talking against me in such a tone.
H-Hey, Tiriel. Can I eat them?
Yes, dear brother.
But please wait a moment before you do.
What Unrestricted System is that?
We're close to finding what my dear brother's looking for...
...so I'm making preparations.
It would be a shame...
...if we found it only to have someone else walk away with it.
Y-You're gonna trap it so it won't be taken away, right?
Inside our cradle.
Now, dear brother.
Please help yourself to anything but that.
Mm-hm! I'm helping myself!
Hey, do you know what an orgel is?
Orgel? That's another name for a music box, isn't it?
Yes. Music box is the more common term, but "orgel" has a more elegant ring do it.
So that's the treasure you're using together with...
... the Unrestricted Method to create an enclosure.
It sings with such a beautiful tone.
D-Dodge ball at our age?
Are you all right?
Y-Yeah. I'm fine.
All right!
- Are you all right?! - Tanaka?!
That was quite the downpour.
But I'm glad the game got cancelled.
If we had continued, it would've been nothing but trouble.
Ah...Big Sister...
Big Sister? Who's that?
He got it bad.
Mm-hm.
Hey, Sakai.
It's about Hirai-san.
What about her?
You know, you guys come to school together often.
Um, how should I put it?
Is there's anything between you two?
Oh no, there's nothing going on between us.
Honestly?
They say "just a kiss", but it's not something you can allow so easily.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
If you allow the kiss, before you know it you've allowed everything.
Huh? No, that's not what I mean.
It's like, well, a kiss is precious.
Huh?! Oh, THAT's what you mean.
A kiss?
Yuji was acting strangely when it was brought up yesterday.
There's no mistake in what I was taught.
But...
Oh, here you are.
Doing some research?
Yeah. Sorta...
What?
It's not really important.
There's nothing to worry about.
Ike-kun...
Like I told you a moment ago, Hirai-san and Sakai are just good friends.
They have no romantic feelings for each other.
So hang in there.
Big Sister! We're home!
How are you feeling today?
Would you guys be quiet?
It feels like my head's being pounded.
Hi, Eita. What's that wound on your face?
Oh, this? I was hit by a ball.
Keisaku. Eita.
I'm growing tired of booze.
Huh?
Whaddaya mean, "What do you mean"? What do YOU mean, "Whaddaya mean"?
Whaddaya mean, "Whaddaya mean?" What do YOU mean...
I was wondering what meaning a kiss has.
My, why are you curious about such a thing?
Because...
It's a question that seems simple, but is quite difficult to answer, Shana-chan.
You said you did some research on it.
Mm-hm.
I looked through library books...
...but could only find stuff I already knew about it.
I know what it involves, and I've seen it before, but...
But?
I feel that the meaning everyone envisions...
...and the meaning I understand are completely different.
I thought maybe you might know that meaning, Chigusa.
Have you read novels and literature?
Alastor told me that written materials that include personal views are useless...
...since they lack accurate analysis or logic.
Mr. Alas Toru is that person living far away who's like a father to you, right?
I can tell he's a person with great insight.
Yes!
However...
However, Shana-chan...
In this case, it's natural you'd have difficulty understanding.
What you'll find in research material...
...are accurate facts and theories, but little else.
What you are trying to find out is something different.
In other words, this is something vague with no complete answer.
It's something to do with the heart and emotions.
Heart and emotions?
You do understand...
...that the act of two bodies touching is a sign of affection, right?
Mm-hm.
And kissing is also that type of act, right?
Shaking hands, and hugging... everyone's doing it.
Hmm...Well, that's true, but...
...for example, you wouldn't mind doing it with Mr. Alas Toru, right?
No.
Then could you do it with Yu-chan?
Huh?
W-Well...
When you think about it along those terms, it's kind of embarrassing, right?
Y-Yeah.
That's the core of this story.
Also, a kiss to the cheek has a completely different meaning to it...
...than a mouth-to-mouth kiss.
M-Mouth-to-mouth with Yuji?!
N-No way. Never. I would never want that.
And that's quite all right.
Chigusa.
You mustn't let him.
In fact, it's not something you should do with Mr. Alas Toru either.
Shana-chan. This is how I feel.
A mouth-to-mouth kiss is like a pledge.
A pledge?
Yes.
The act is a pledge that you will allow all of yourself to become closer...
...and allow yourself to be taken care of.
That's what a kiss is...
That's it for tonight.
I'm a little exhausted.
Um, Shana.
What?
My energy makes a full recovery thanks to the Midnight Lost Child in me, right?
So what?
Um...
Does that mean I'm not gonna get any older?
Why don't you find out yourself?
But it'll take you a long time to find out.
Is that so.
What is it?
I was just wondering if that would mean I'd always be with you.
Shana...
Wh-What?
I have a favor to ask you two.
Will this do?
Yes.
Chigusa, can I use the phone?
Go ahead.
But Shana-chan, it's time to go to school.
Yeah.
Hello?
Okay. Let's begin.
Chigusa.
For me?
Hello? Did you wish to talk to me?
H-Hello...
Yes?
Missus, it is an honor to finally speak with you.
My name is Alastor.
Oh, yes, Mr. Alas Toru.
I've heard so much about you from Miss Yukari Hirai.
I'm Yuji Sakai's mother, Chigusa.
Thank you for always looking out for her.
No, I haven't done anything.
May I ask why you have gone through the trouble of contacting me?
I'm assuming this has something to do with Miss Yukari Hirai?
Indeed.
Um, and please feel free to call her Shana.
That's the name by which I address her.
Oh, so it's a nickname that you personally approved for her...
is it, Mr. Alas Toru?
Hmm, well , something like that.
And the reason I wanted to talk to you...
Yes?
It has to do with what happened yesterday.
Yesterday?
Please wait one moment.
Yu-chan, Shana-chan, you'll be late for school!
See you later.
Yes, see you later.
Now, hurry on.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
I have no intention of disputing your understanding of affections.
However, I prefer that you refrain from discussing matters...
...like you had yesterday.
Shana talked to you about that.
No, I pressured her to tell me.
Either way, for Shana-chan to talk to you about anything of that nature...
...she must have great trust in you.
Hmm...
You have brought Shana-chan up with great care.
She is a pure-minded, good person.
Naturally.
That's precisely why I wish you would refrain from discussions...
...that could cause her to become closer to Yuji Sakai in an improper way.
I hear your concerns.
You are a wise person, Missus.
I'm sure you can understand the full picture of my worries...
...from what I have said.
However... - Hm?
For Shana-chan's sake...
...may I have permission to talk to her about this subject some more?
S-Sure.
As you point out, Shana-chan is a very proud, strong, good person.
However, on the other hand, I feel she has a juvenile, fragile side to her.
Please continue.
Yes. Please excuse me for being frank.
I feel that Shana-chan hasn't been exposed to matters...
...of the heart and feelings, and is unprotected in that area.
Should a young, aggressive man approach her, including our own Yuji...
...I don't know how much a naive girl like her can defend herself.
Yesterday, I saw warning signs, and that is why I had that discussion with her.
Don't you think it's still too early for such talk ?
My thoughts were to gradually teach her over a number of years...
...as she experiences many things about life.
Problems don't arise when we'd like them to, do they?
Well , that's true.
Therefore, no time is too soon...
...to teach a child about what she ought to be taught.
For Shana-chan's sake.
Besides, girls are much more precocious than they appear.
Missus.
Yes?
Please allow me to take back my imprudent remarks.
Please excuse me for being so direct.
But I wouldn't worry about Shana-chan.
If she is taught properly...
...she is capable of finding the right answer in her own way.
You do trust her in that regard, don't you?
Of course.
Dear brother.
It's close. Really close.
What is it?
You seem to be searching for something.
Could it be...?
I'm always amazed by Sorath's Olfactory Senses of Desire.
This unpleasant presence could be that of none other than a Flame Haze.
What?! Where, where?!
Where is the Flame Haze?!
I want it real bad!
And one more thing.
It's about time they noticed us.
That's fine.
We knew that it was only a matter of time before we'd meet a Flame Haze.
What do you wanna do?
I wanted more time to set up traps just to be sure...
...but why don't we get started now, dear brother?
Mm-hm!
First, we shall go and visit them.
It'll be easy enough to find them, after all.
I wonder what happened yesterday.
Alastor was saying something about yesterday over the phone, remember?
I dunno.
What is it, Shana?
I will never, ever do it with you.
Let's have lunch together.
I made lunch for you today, Sakai-kun, if you'll accept.
For me?
Because you always have rice balls for lunch. So...
Ah, yeah.
Thanks!
Thanks for lunch!
What shall I start with?
There's so much to choose from.
Melon Bread
Huh?
Wow. You sure did buy a lot.
That's an understatement.
What are you talking about?
We're just getting started.
What an awkward time to meet such heavy visitors.
Who are those guys?
Big Sister?
Long time no see, beautiful slaughterer.
What are you doing in a place like this, flabby lover-boy?
Oh, do you know her?
Yeah. Let me introduce her to you, Tiriel.
This is one of the top killers among Flame Hazes...
...Chanter of Elegies, Margery Daw,
My, then she's the one with Claws and Fangs of Violation?
But these people don't have the thing I want.
Is that so. I thought perhaps we were lucky to find them so easily...
...but it seems these people aren't our prey.
No. So let's go.
If you insist, dear brother.
They're Denizens, right?!
Should we be letting them go?!
We didn't let them go.
THEY let US go.
Huh?
Shut up, stupid Marco.
So what did you talk to my mother about?
Nothing that should concern you.
But still...
More importantly, you need to focus on your training more.
You mustn't embarrass your mother.
R-Right.
Yu-chan. Shana-chan. Dinner's ready.
- Mm-hm. - We'll be right there.
Wow...
I will never do it with you.
Huh?
Hmm...
I wonder where it could be.
The Nietono no Shana.
The one who will be born at dawn
Do not lose sight, no matter what happens
You are you, girl, now is the time
Untie all, and stand strong!
As you tear through the winds while you hide the scars of your heart
There is no way to just watch over you
Are those eyes of yours looking for the you in the far future?
But I can hear it
The heartbeat of deep sadness is calling out!
I'm just...the darkness before dawn decides one's fate for one's life
It's all right, girl, now is the time
There's no reason to regret or be ashamed
Far away...
While carrying a cross
Risk your life as you run through the flames!
The girl with feelings for Yuji courageously declares war.
A battle that Shana accepts.
But just then, "Engulfed in Love for Others" Tiriel's trap is activated.
Next episode, "Flowers Bloom in the Cradle".