Of Swords and Parasols

After Miharu’s mother died a year ago, her father sunk deep into debt with the yakuza, and eventually ran away, leaving Miharu stuck with his debts. When a cowardly young man named Rintaro tries to buy a ring her mother left her for his organization, Miharu offers to sell it to the yakuza to pay off her debts, but reconsiders at the last minute and runs away. While she’s hiding, Rintaro reappears and explains that the reason the ring is so sought after is because the stone in it is a “wise man’s stone,” which is another term for a philosopher’s stone.

Still not willing to part with the ring, Miharu swallows it rather than let either party get it, causing Rintaro to reveal that he has his own ring that transforms him into Akechi, a tall, handsome, suave, ladies’ man (translation: smarmy and overly flirty) who just happens to also be a great fighter. When Miharu finally…aah “ejects” the ring, the stone is gone, and they realize she digested it. To solve both problems (Miharu digesting the stone he wanted was ordered to take possession of and Miharu’s financial troubles), Rintaro hires Miharu to work in his jewelry store, which is also stuffed full of creepy mystical artifacts. Including a talking vampire doll. As a result of her new life, Miharu starts encountering all sorts of stones connected to spirits and mystical properties.

I enjoyed this, but I’m not sure how long it can carry itself. I mean, the Rintaro/Akechi thing is a bit of a limited gag, especially without a lot of other things going on, and I don’t know how long Takeuchi can keep the whole “supernatural things surrounding jewels” thing going. There are hints of bigger things, such as the alchemists’ organization that Rintaro works for and Miharu’s emerging powers, but I don’t know if Takeuchi will go that route. I like Miharu, who’s more “Ateko if everything showed up and revolved around her” than Amane (this is by the same mangaka as Her Majesty’s Dog) but am fairly neutral about Akechi and Rintaro. Both amused me, though in different ways, but I don’t much care about them one way or the other. I think my main opinion on them right now is hoping this doesn’t turn into a bizarre love triangle.