Slow Start – Episode 10 – Shion’s Rounin Experience

At last, Hiroe is making progress with her recovery. However, Eiko eventually reveals something, which causes Hana to become worried.

In the beginning of the episode, Hana was playing with the teddy bears. One of them is Tama and the other, Hana. As expected, they eventually hug each other. At this point, the Hana and Tama pairing should just become canon at this point. It’s not surprising since there are a lot of shipping moments between the two.

Aside from that, Hiroe eventually comes into Hana’s apartment looking conflicted. It seems that she doesn’t know if she should tuck the blouse in the skirt or leave it hanging out. I find it funny how she calls Eiko asking her how she should wear her blouse and felt guilty afterwards for harassing her. Thankfully, Eiko came to fix Hiroe’s outfit so Hiroe can pick up the documents from her prep school. Yes, it appears that she is taking her first steps to take that college entrance exam.

The same day, Eiko gifts Hana a brooch she made. Hana decides to put it on her school bag, which gives her some confidence. However, she starts feeling guilty shortly after for hiding her secret of being a rounin to her friends.

After talking to Kiyose about it, she says that nothing will change whether or not Hana reveals it. It’s understandable why Hana don’t want to share it. There is the potential her friends and/or classmates will bully her. Then again, if they made fun of her because of that, it would show that they are not friends to begin with. To me, I highly doubt they will do that.

When Hana is in the classroom with her friends, Eiko reveals something from Shion being a rounin. Hana became worried at first, but it happens to be Shion all along. She has been unemployed for a whole year now. It’s not surprising since it happens to everyone at one point.

You might be wondering, what rounin (浪人、ろうにん) has to do with unemployment? Most people will be familiar with the first two definitions. The historical definition means an unemployed or master-less samurai. The modern definition most will be familiar with refers to a person who failed their entrance exam and studying for a second chance. However, the third definition refers to an employed or jobless person.

Of course, Hana becomes puzzled on why Shion is still unemployed. It’s not surprising since Shion works as a landlady. Apparently, she has a job, but it’s not a full-time one since she doesn’t do much. Hana also finds out that Shion couldn’t find a job after a year.

Eventually, Shion started enjoying her duties as a land lady. I can see why given that she enjoys looking after Hana. It’s apparent when she heard that Hana will be living at her apartment complex. With that, she bought pajamas and a futon.

In the flashback, we see her try out a bunch of tofu and eventually getting a haircut among other things. Either way, Hana seems happy to have Shion as a land lady. I guess Shion won’t be looking for a full-time job any time soon, probably not until Hana graduates.

Aside from that, it’s nice to learn more about Shion’s past and why she works as a land lady. Hopefully, this will give Hana the courage someday to tell her friends about her experiences of being a rounin. After all, life never goes smoothly as planned and there will be setbacks. ¶