So, since
before I got Nanao, I've been thinking "You know, this will require a big, fat essay", here we go. An essay on Nanao and Shunsui's uhh. Relationship thing. Because before I actually read the series, I thought "There's no way she actually
likes him, is there?", and the second time she shows up, I thought "O hay, I think I was wrong." Very wrong, ahahaha.
The first time you see them, Nanao seems
indifferent at very best... and irritated at worst. But just a couple chapters later, she's
throwing flower petals on him for his grand debut onto the field of battle (or... something).
What does this tell us? I think it's safe to say that if Nanao didn't at least respect her captain, she wouldn't go along with his crazy ideas so far as she does. Another point to keep in mind is that, as
Aizen tells us (lol massive spoilers thar), Lieutenants have the right to refuse to be promoted (they can also quit, as the last Vice Captain of the Sixth Division did, to run his goggle shop). So basically, if Nanao didn't want to work for Shunsui, she wouldn't.
But I think it goes a little further than 'doesn't mind working for him'. Along with the third seats from Thirteenth Division, Nanao also helps her captain
commit treason! (GJ guys) Unlike the third seats, however (who get their asses stomped by Soi Fong), she actually goes so far as to follow him into a fight with Captain Yamamoto, pretty much the strongest, oldest, baddest captain there is. We're talking picking a fight with Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star, here. (It ended
kind of badly for Nanao. Uhh, wtg, kid)
There's also the
flashback chapter with Nanao, in which we find she's been in Eighth Division since she was a teeny, tiny shinigami. Her attitude towards Shunsui there seems to be one of admiration and awe - zomg my captain is talking to meeeeeeeee~! - although she definitely seems to have been closer to Lisa at the time. Now we get into purely speculative territory, but here are a few things I think we can take away from that:
- A chapter or two earlier, Shunsui had been
telling Urahara that it was a captain's job to sit back and wait (and also that his Lisa was stronger than Urahara's Hiyori). Notice the drastic change between there and the first link up top, where he wouldn't even let Nanao fight
Chad. I think it's safe to say Nanao's been sheltered for a while. Moreover, I think it's notable that she doesn't argue about this.
- My guess is that after Lisa became a Vaizard, Nanao would have tried her best to fill her shoes around Eighth Division (like we see Yuzu doing in Ichigo's household), and that this is one reason she seems to take her job so seriously.
- I think part of the reason she nags Shunsui so much is because Nanao holds him to a higher standard than everyone else. Judging from her reaction to him in the flashback chapter, I think it's safe to say that she looks up to him as one of the oldest, strongest captains, and would like very much to be proud of him - and probably has since she was tiny. (hence she'll bitch him out for not accomplishing anything in camp, but not Soi Fong. It's tough love)
- COMPLETE SPECULATION ON MY PART, but I kind of think Nanao might have had a teenage crush on Shunsui at some point, seeing as how he was the biggest, closest male presence throughout her life thus far (and that sort of thing isn't uncommon). I can't really see him being much of a father figure to her, so this... doesn't really bother me? Actually, I kind of think the AWKWARD that would result would be hilarious and cute. Which brings me to...
WHY I THINK NANAO ACTS THE WAY SHE DOES TOWARDS SHUNSUI'S FLIRTING- Age Difference: Nanao's only 115-120. In other words, she's
younger than Matsumoto or Soi Fong. Shunsui's somewhere between... shit, I don't even know the lower limit, but the upper guess is 2000 years old? THAT'S A REALLY LONG FREAKING TIME, possibly even by shinigami standards.
- Professional Relationship: While I'm sure Yamamoto might allow it (because as Shunsui-mun pointed out, he probably knows Shunsui would ignore him if he didn't anyway olol Captain), there would definitely be grumbling from some people underneath them about that kind of relationship between a Captain and his Vice Captain. That sort of thing causes "She only got promoted because..." wank to happen, undermines authority, etc, etc (which is why it's illegal in the United States military).
- Social Status: It's stated that Shunsui's family is nobility who only sent him to the Academy to give him a sense of responsibility, but nothing is known about Nanao's family. I'd say it's safe to assume that she's from Rukongai (along with most of the others), and that an actual relationship between them would be frowned upon at least by his family. (As a counterpoint, though, I doubt with all the other stuff he does that they'd be too surprised. But it'd probably still register with Nanao, at the very least)
- He's a womanizer: As such, Nanao probably doesn't think his flirting is very serious at all. Hilariously, I think it's agreed upon that the main reason he still runs around like he does is because Nanao won't give him the time of day. IT IS A VICIOUS CIRCLE. I also don't think she'd let herself appear jealous over this, instead opting for indifference, which would make him think she doesn't actually care, AND THUS THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. :'( It's beautiful, in a way, like NATURE.
- General Social Awkwardness: I think
this explains things far better than I ever could.
accomplished
irritated