Warning! This article may contain spoilers regarding The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 and Season 2 to further justify the answer to the question. Read at your own risks.
The way Rishia Ivyred talks about Itsuki obviously indicates that she likes him. Itsuki is her literal knight in shining armor in the series, The Rising of the Shield Hero. The damsel in distress noble was saved by none other than the Bow Hero. Hence, there is no doubt that Rishia then developed a deep kind of affection toward Itsuki.
Rishia Ivyred is a character from The Rising of the Shield who was introduced as one of the main characters at the end of season one. Before joining the Shield Hero’s team of Naofumi Iwatani, she was once part of the Bow Hero’s, Itsuki Kawasumi. With the intention to protect his hero, Rishia vowed to always be there for him regardless if they were not on the same team.
How did Rishia and Itsuki Met?
Rishia Ivyred is the only child of a fallen noble family. Even though she is only seventeen years old, Rishia has experienced struggles in her life. She was born into a noble family that went bankrupt. Although she didn’t get to truly live the life of a noble’s daughter. Rishia expressed in season two episode four that she and her family led a very happy life.
However, even in any dimension or world, there will always be the absence of good. She and her family’s life changed when they caught a corrupt noble’s attention. Due to an unlawfully created debt, she was taken from her parents. She was robbed of the happy life she always cherished. The corrupt noble forcefully took the only child of the Ivyred’s as payment.
It was hard for Rishia, especially because she was locked up all alone in a dark cold room. But, just when she started losing hope of getting out, Itsuki Kawasumi, enters and saves her from her misery. With tears of hope in her eyes, she accepted the hand of the Bow Hero who saved her.
Itsuki Kawasumi, the Bow Hero, uncovered the crimes of the corrupted noble who took her. With this, they were able to meet each other, whether by destiny or a mere coincidence. She was grateful because the Bow Hero came to save not only her but also her family’s life. This started her strong devotion to protecting Itsuki.
This encounter between Rishia and Itsuki was the start of everything, especially her love for Itsuki and being accepted as one of the Bow Hero’s former allies.
Did Rishia and Itsuki Develop a Relationship?
No… and yes. However, it isn’t what you think. The relationship between Rishia Ivyred and Itsuki Kawasumi was nothing more than just a hero and member kind of relationship. Romantically speaking, nothing was going on between the two as Itsuki is too focused on his missions, and has no time in finding love at the moment.
Before Rishia and Itsuki’s relationship would have developed more. His team unjustly outcasted her. The Bow Hero’s party falsely accused her of breaking one of Itsuki’s precious accessories. This led to her being kicked out and losing all hope for her future.
However, what they did to Rishia stemmed from the party’s envy. During the final wave in season one, she played a significant role in fighting those who were from a different world, namely L’arc, Glass, and Therese. Thus, using her magic she was able to save Naofumi during the wave. Although she just wanted to do good by helping, her teammates didn’t see it that way.
Rishia is the kind of girl who easily gets shy around people. Before meeting Naofumi and his team, she was always the introverted type. Due to her shyness, she even wears animal costumes to cover it. However, despite of no longer being with Itsuki, Rishia still seeks to be someday recognized by him.
Rishia’s Unrequited Love For the Bow Hero
Rishia became part of Naofumi’s team in order to repay the Bow Hero someday. Before completely drowning because of jumping off the rocks, Filo saves the hopeless Rishia from dying and told the Shield Hero her story.
Naofumi asked Rishia to join their team as she was one of the people who helped her during the wave. Raphtalia even promised Rishia that they will all work together to get stronger. However, even after being part of Naofumi’s party, Rishia still holds high regard for Itsuki.
At the beginning of the Spirit Turtle Arc in The Rising of the Shield Hero season two, Naofumi, Raphtalia, Filo, Rishia, Eclair, the old lady, and Ost Horai had a conversation as they wait to fight the Spirit Tortoise.
Ost brought up during the conversation about Rishia being a former part of the Bow Hero’s team. When Ost said that Rishia really loves Itsuki, Rishia got flustered and turned red. Ost offered some love advice to Rishia which she agreed to hear. However, the advice was way out of the line for the young Rishia because it was something only adults do – if you know what I mean.
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This scene obviously showed that Rishia does love Itsuki because of not denying her feelings when asked. During the Spirit Turtle Arc, Rishia molded her abilities as a fighter and went out of her comfort zone. In season two, we are able to witness the massive influence of Rishia as one of Naofumi’s allies.
Rishia showed on every battlefield that she is bold and courageous, even though she may seem clumsy on the outside. Her talents and skills in magic may have been wasted by the Bow Hero’s team, but Naofumi’s party truly showed that she is no errand girl.
Moreover, Rishia is the kind of girl who falls in love hard. Without any inhibitions, she willingly possessed the slave mark of Naofumi just to be stronger, and be more helpful to others. She aspires nothing more but to gain Itsuki’s validation.
Rishia never once wished to seek revenge even if she was a victim of false accusations. Instead, she aims to grow more in order to repay the kindness of Itsuki. In season three episode twelve, after returning from the other world, Naofumi gained recognition from the Queen of Melromac. All of his party was there, including the three other heroes who defended their world from the wave.
Rishia and Itsuki may not have much interaction; however, episode twelve gave us a glimpse of how Itsuki feels. As the heroes make their way out, Rishia bowed to her former Master to show respect. Itsuki glances at her and genuinely smiled.
So far, the manga still hasn’t revealed if Itsuki will someday feel the same way about Rishia. But, never lose hope because our girl Rishia is someone who will go to extreme lengths to prove her worth to Itsuki.
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