Yeah, Shiori is totally lying about having a soul desire just to eat Hinako. I think the mermaid just wants to protect her.
This Monster Wants to Eat Me Episode 2 Review
Maybe Shiori met Hinako as a child and was impressed that she wasn’t afraid of yokai, and took a liking to her. I know that is basically the plot to Hotarubi no Mori e, but a lot of these supernatural yokai stories tend to have a similar theme – especially if the yokai decides to guard the human being.
I mean, why else would Shiori look worried when Hinako walked away after refusing to eat, or hold her hand tighter and say she would “protect her” from the yokai that find her scent irresistible?
I’m sure Shiori actually might have a desire to eat Hinako, but that doesn’t supersede her feelings of love because if she eats Hinako then she’d be dead – and I’m sure Shiori would miss Hinako’s company.
But speaking of company…I think it’s hilarious that Miko is slightly jealous of Shiori’s interest in Hinako. I’m glad the first episode established Miko as a good girl with a delinquent behavioral streak because otherwise: Shiori showing up as a transfer student, taking Miko’s seat, and then the seating arrangements moving Miko directly in front of the teacher and far away from Hinako, would seem like an absolute plot device.
It still is to set up tension and to establish Shiori and Hinako’s relationship which allows a natural character development to build, but it doesn’t feel forced or out of the blue because of the slight character backstory we got from Miko.
Everybody – other students and the teacher included (which is rare for Japanese teachers to care or take personal interest in their students’ well-being unless they are causing trouble) noticed that Miko continually dotes on Hinako, so now Miko has to focus on her own studies and allow Hinako to grow on her own.
Shiori mentioned that human society is always troublesome while looking over the student transfer paperwork and that Hinako was “spirited away” when Miko whisked Hinako off to the conbini – I wonder how many times through the centuries she’s walked amongst humans without the latter’s explicit knowledge?
Unless it’s like a Legend of the Blue Sea kind of thing where centuries ago, humanity and mermaids coexisted. Only for the mermaids to disappear from society and our collective memories somewhere along the way – becoming the legends and fables they are resigned to, today.
Who knows.
Anywho, tell me your thoughts: is Miko jealous of Shiori? Will Hinako actually enjoy herself at the summer festival with Shiori?
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☆ In Asian Spaces ☆ Jeremiah 29:11 ☆
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