User blog comment:AquilaeAltair/OnS Theories. Nineteenth Theory - Shinoa's feelings. Something Shikama Doji, the devil himself cannot manipulate./@comment-36009152-20190520004248

In Shinoa's case, those kind of feelings were unknown feelings but why?

That is sweet, that Shinoa developed her own feelings even though measures were taken so as to ensure she could not have any heavy emotions. Just to add, these threats Mahiru wanted to defend her from was the demon who she was aware of. Well, that and their own family who have a rather malevolent penchant for violence XD

Shinoa is an interesting case because it’s kind of a mix between her wearing a mask to cover what must have been a serious perceived betrayal. Made all the worse by that she was young and likely couldn’t have understood why those words were chosen, only hearing and absorbing them. Yet the mix is that Shinoa has also become her own mask. Incidents like teasing Mitsuba over her impressions of Yu to playfully accosting her in the shower, these are the actions of, well yes just a lively girl who likes to joke around. Good thing as well, the whole world has crumbled, Shinoa cannot be faulted for making the best of everything and at least having fun.

Hopefully it is not mask for her at that point, just who she likes to be to make the best of her situations. Then of course that kind of flips as you say when the stakes are raised and there is a cruel reality check that Shikama Doji takes advantage of. That might be Shinoa returning to what was a dark place. It brings to mind her acceptance of Rika’s anger after she lost members of her squad. Shinoa made no attempt to defend herself and stopped her squad intervening even when Rika drew her sword. Now that is definitely the dead inside, just resigned to her fate aspect that has come from her childhood and it’s terrible to see.

Though that is her reaction, and anyone else could have it given the circumstances it was a good observation to pick up on that Guren noted Shinoa was worried for her new crew!

That’s interesting that love was the colour filler, or/and crack in the ice for Shinoa in terms of deep emotions. Whether she was wearing a mask or not, would agree that even back then Guren noted a breakthrough where Shinoa had a more vibrant outlook on events.