| “ | If only Toki could lie here right now, I'd feel more at ease. | ” |
—Ryuuka Shimizudani | ||
| Ryuuka Shimizudani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal info | |
| Japanese name: | 清水谷 竜華 |
| Birthday: | June 8 |
| Family: | mother, grandmother |
| School: | Senriyama Girls' High School Sekirenji Elementary School Senriyama Girls' Middle School |
| Grade: | Third-year high school |
| Media | |
| Debut: | Saki Achiga-hen, Chapter 3 |
| Voiced by: | Kaori Ishihara |
| Live-action actor: | Yuuka Ogura |
| Mahjong | |
| Position: | Captain |
| Style: | Precise play/ Accurate predictions |
| Main skill/ability: | Limitless Heaven |
Ryuuka Shimizudani (清水谷 竜華, Shimizudani Ryūka) is the daughter of Reika Shimizudani, the granddaughter of Ryuuka's grandmother, a third year at Senriyama Girls' High School where she is captain of its mahjong team and the best friend/caretaker of Toki Onjouji.
Appearance[]
Ryuuka has long black hair and red eyes.
She wears the standard Senriyama school uniform with thigh-high socks.
Personality[]
Ryuuka is a cheerful type girl who shares a strong bond with Toki Onjouji and she always takes care of Toki like a mother and constantly watches over her so that she does not push herself too hard. Since meeting Achiga she seems to have grown fond of them as well to the minutes that she does not know to root for her team or Achiga.
Although she can be a bit of an airhead, Ryuuka shows a much more serious and calculated side while playing mahjong. It is said that she tops in Kansai with precise plays and highly accurate predictions, which is reflected when we see glimpses into Ryuuka's thought process at the table.
She took her defeat in the semifinals hard, and told Kyouko Suehara that she cried a lot and that sometimes tears would simply fall without any reason.
Plot[]
Introduction Arc (Toki Manga)[]
Toki Onjouji arrives at school and feels depressed about switching classes and the fact that she'll have to learn about every new person again. Suddenly a girl shouts good morning from behind. She then introduces herself as Ryuuka Shimizudani and wishes for them to get along this school year before leaving with other friends. As the day continues the teacher decides the students will pick groups and Ryuuka ends up picking Toki as the very first person. When Ryuuka then sits beside her, Toki tells her that she isn't good at anything and that it is no advantage picking her. Ryuuka then laughs at the girl and tells her that her face reveals what she's thinking.
On the way home, Ryuuka tries to get Toki to walk home with her but she runs away to a nearby park. She easily catches up with Toki and then begins to get her to play around a bit. Toki finally asks why she was chosen and Ryuuka tells her that she is taciturn and that nobody has noticed her charm yet. She then asks asks if she wants to be friends.However she also asks that Toki doesn't try to become someone "special" to her. Toki then agrees but says that Ryuuka doesn't try to be someone "special" to her as well.
The next day she walks home with Toki and asks her to play more outside of school. They begin to play badminton but Toki was horrible at it. She then takes Toki to visit her grandmother and they eventually play mahjong. The following day they take lunch outside and read about the rules to mahjong. When Toki asks her a question, Ryuuka decides to get a book from her locker. She returns to discover Ayumi Shinji and Youko Nogami confronting Toki so she yells at them. She then tells the girls that she hates it when people go behind her back like this. After Toki and Youko agree to a mahjong match to decide who is friends with Ryuuka, Ryuuka joins and states that if she wins nobody has to stop being friends with anyone. Ayumi also joins the match. After they leave, Ryuuka tries to get Toki to cancel the match but she is feeling too confident to do so. Ryuuka then begins training Toki in how to play mahjong.
Showdown Arc[]
Later they all meet up in the mahjong club room and the match begins. Throughout the match Youko was in control. It wasn't until Toki hit with a baiman did she take the lead. However, she encouraged Ryuuka to win and she ended up winning the match. Youko and Ayumi told her that playing mahjong was fun and the president even invited them to the club to play.
That afternoon Ryuuka and Toki decided to swing in the park and talk about the game. Toki noticed something with Ryuuka then asked her if they could stop being "friends". She then explains that she wants to be real friends with her but Ryuuka runs off saying she has errands to run. The next day Ryuuka doesn't come to school. At home, her grandmother says she is going out and asks if she needs anything but she doesn't reply. She spends her time thinking under the covers until the front door rings enough for her to get up and answer it. When she sees that it is Toki, she slams the door. Ryuuka won't let her in until Toki gives her to the count of three. Ryuuka then bursts open the door and yells. Toki laughs and heads inside. After a bit of awkwardness, she asks Ryuuka to do a shared diary with her and get to know each other better.
The next day they exchange the diary and think of joining the mahjong club.
Izumi Challenge Arc[]
Upon entering the mahjong club, they are greeted with streamers and a banner even though they informed Yayoi Yokeguchi that they are only temporary members. Yayoi tells Ryuuka that she will become the pillar of the club but Toki reminds her that she wanted all four to join. Ryuuka says this place would be a nice place and she'd like to avoid beating people. Toki teases her a bit. After a bit of club activites they play a game of three player mahjong. Ryuuka easily handles Chie Kurachi and Tae Kurachi. After a few games and having fun, she leaves with her friends.
Ryuuka talks with her mother on the phone while making curry. She throws a paper away and eats her dinner. Ryuuka notices Toki feeling down and invites everyone to her house. They go to the pool but need changing. Ryuuka then drops her necklace and when Toki tries to grab it, Ryuuka snatches it from her. Toki thinks her reaction is strange and wishes she would tell her about the pendant. Ryuuka says she will in time and they leave for the pool. At the pool Ryuuka notices Toki fall forward and catches her. Walking home after the visit, Ryuuka asks if she's okay and asks if she needs to go to the hospital. Toki says she's fine. As the girls talk with each other, a figure watches them in the distance.
Walking home with her friends Ryuuka is suddenly shot with a water gun. A young girl appears and appologizes then takes the girls to her "friends" place. The girl introduces herself as Izumi Nijou and the place is a mahjong parlor. Toki is excited but Ayumi informs everyone that Izumi did all this on purpose to get them there. Izumi locks the door and challenges them to a game. Youko and Izumi both declare riichi. Toki takes her time but Izumi hits her for 12,000. Izumi praises her and then calls her stupid twice. This makes Ryuuka angry and she begins targeting Izumi. She wins the next two hands but upsets Toki. She begins to act strange and Ryuuka is worried about her and tries to leave. Toki convinces her to stay and resume the match. Toki then wins a big hand then Ryuuka wins the next two. Ryuuka wins the final hand but only takes second. Toki scolds Ryuuka a bit and says her possible hand gets her excited. Izumi signs Ryuuka's shirt and tells her she can keep that and will give her her clothes back when they are clean. The girls then leave but Toki wants to play with Izumi again.
Practice Game Arc[]
While walking to school, she runs into the Kurachi twins and greets them. She tells them to go on ahead and runs into Toki. They walk to school together and Ryuuka asks about Toki's hospital visit. Toki reveals everything is okay. This relieves Ryuuka so much her stomach growls. Toki comes back from a break in class and stares at Ryuuka. She then asks a few questions of her before the class begins. Toki points out her mother in the back that came to see her. Ryuuka says that's nice but then wonders where her grandma could be. During the middle of class, there is a knock on the door and in comes Reika Shimizudani. Reika's presence frazzles Ryuuka a bit causing the capable girl to make many mistakes. She realizes that she just cannot concentrate before noticing her mother getting along with Toki's. The teacher announces there is only ten minutes left on the current assignment. This focuses the girls enough to get their work done.
Back at Ryuuka's grandma's place, the girls cook dinner. She hears her mother coming and rushes to greet her and offer the meal. However, she already ate with Toki's mother but says she'll eat it later.
The mahjong club take a hike up a mountain for special training. During this trip Yayoi informs the girls they will have a practice game. She states their opponents wanted this game specifically because of Ryuuka and eventually reveals they are called the Malefic Star. On the way home, the girls talk about their opponent and say they have one week to get stronger.
Ryuuka wakes Toki up in a park and helps her study mahjong techniques. They pinky promise each other that they will win the practice game but are interrupted by a dog. She immediately shows the dog affection but Toki is nowhere to be seen. The dogs owner appears and it runs toward the girl. She thanks Ryuuka then begins to check her out. Ryuuka thanks her for the flattery and asks about Toki. They spot Toki hiding and the girl takes off.
The day of the practice game, they are informed that only two people will show up and only one is from the club team. Izumi appears and throws Ryuuka's clothes from the previous time back to her and appologizes. The president then announces the arrival of the Malefic Star Sera Eguchi. She walks by Ryuuka and flirts a little. Ryuuka is seated at table A with Sera, Toki, and Yayoi. Toki wins the first two hands. Yayoi wins the next hand and Sera then hand afterwards. Toki thinks Sera is really cool and makes her blush. Sera wins the next hand with a tsumo. She then hits Toki with a big win busting her. They thank each other for the games and the girls leave. Before leaving however, Yayoi told the group about her ploy to attract Sera's group with Ryuuka. Ayumi is really mad but Ryuuka says she feels guilty for not living up to expectations. Youko comforts her.
Confrontation Arc[]
Toki tells the story about her splashing cold bath water on herself to her friends. She says the bath will be fixed soon but tonight she will go to a public bath. Youko then suggests that she stay with Ryuuka for the night and bath there. Toki agrees and asks her mother. That night, Toki is relaxing in the bath but Ryuuka finds it too hot. Ryuuka leaves but says it's cute and that she's just like her grandma. Once out of the bath, the girls begin to eat smashed watermelon. Toki then compares Ryuuka to her mother saying they like to fuss over her. Ryuuka says that is because her mother loves her. This causes Toki to proclaim that Ryuuka loves her and embarrasses the girl before Ryuuka's grandma interrupts. In Ryuuka's room, Ryuuka begins telling Toki about her past.
In the past, Reika is taking Ryuuka to school and notices a dad with his son. Ryuuka suddenly gives her mother a flower she made in class and makes her mother happy.
Reika was supposed to take Ryuuka to the zoo but is called into work. She promises to bring fancy chocolate macarons as a make up gift. Instead she brings home a guinea pig. She wants to name it boneless ham because of the way it looks but Ryuuka calls it Hamumu. She is seen taking care of Hamumu and trying to feed him nutritious things. Ryuuka's grandma remarks on how it has became someone special to her. Ryuuka shows him off to friends and they comment on how fat he is. Later, Ryuuka tries to get Hamumu to exercise but he runs into the closet. She entices him with his favorite snacks and he bolts out with a necklace around him. Ryuuka brings it to her mother and she says it was hers from college and places it around Ryuuka's neck. She opens it up and explains you can put important things inside. Ryuuka asks if she did that but Reika plays it off as if she forgot. She then says that Ryuuka is the most important thing to her. That night she wonders what she should put into the necklace. On one particular cold and snowy day, her grandma tells Ryuuka that she will be going to the neighborhood meeting and will be back late. Ryuuka leaves for school. After school, she plays and has a snowball fight with her friends. When it gets late, Ryuuka rushes home only to find her mom panicking about accidentally leaving the window in Ryuuka's room open while cleaning. This causes Hamumu to get sick and is rushed to the vet. He later dies. Reika takes Ryuuka out one day for lunch and says she has a present for her. She takes her to a condo she bought. She then tells Ryuuka to come here or the old place it doesn't matter and that they should turn over a new leaf together. However, she leaves soon after. One week later, Ryuuka overhears her grandma and mother get into an argument. She later goes to her room and decides to put some of Hamumu's snacks into the necklace. She says she feels like there is a whole in her chest and decides not to let anyone become special to her. After dinner one night, grandma tries to cheer Ryuuka up with a game of mahjong. Here she will play for herself and Reika while Ryuuka plays herself and Hamumu. The rule is everyone must play their own style. This works well and they continue for some time. In the spring time, Ryuuka has learned to smile again but says nothing can fill the loneliness she has but then happens upon a girl sleeping under a tree. She curiously watches the girl till she wakes up and leaves. When she returns to her friends, she has a happy look on her face. She then begins to keep an eye on the girl she learned was Onjouji until they were in the same class.
Upon hearing her story, Toki hugs her and says that things must've been hard for her. She then says Ryuuka showed her the real Ryuuka and should show it to others. Ryuuka disagreed and says Toki is all she needs. Toki says that she understands how she feels and that Ryuuka found the real Toki. Ryuuka then tells Toki about the times she let Toki win at mahjong so she could have fun. This upsets Toki and she goes to bed crying. Ryuuka tries to apologize but got no response. The next morning she awakens and rushes to find Toki but her grandma says the girl left early. The next day Ryuuka is walking to school and feeling down. She doesn't understand why Toki is mad and thinks maybe she thought she was being a replacement for Hamumu. She spots Toki and tries to apologize again but Toki hands her a letter and walks off.
Everyone gathers at the mahjong club after school and Toki says they can express their emotions with a game. Toki says the rules of the game are the same as the first time they all played. Ryuuka says she will play with all her strength because she thinks Toki is testing her. Toki wins the first hand off of Youko. She then says that if Ryuuka didn't get what she meant, she'd be forced to say "If you lose this match, we aren't friends!" Ryuuka is frustrated and doesn't understand but Toki says she'd have more fun if she played with all her strength. Youko has a flashback of Ryuuka helping her when she first arrived in Osaka and says she wants to be helpful to Ryuuka.Youko wins the next hand off of Ryuuka causing the girl to use her ability. Ryuuka begins gathering everyone's winning tiles and suddenly hits them with a yakuman tsumo win. Toki gets up excited and congratulates Ryuuka but the girl slaps her hand away and tells her get back to her seat. She then says she will finish this game in the next round. Ryuuka thinks to herself that she can't even enjoy her first yakuman and everything is boring. She is then confused as to why the other girls are not giving up. Toki wins the next hand with a tsumo victory. Toki tells her that she doesn't need to hold back and that she underestimated her if she thinks she'd hate Ryuuka if she had won. Ryuuka gets up crying and apologizes to everyone.
Outdoor Class Arc[]
After class Umeda Higashi gives Ryuuka some handouts to take to Toki. Since the game, Toki hasn't been at school. Ryuuka narrates that after Ayumi won a hand, she won most of the others and the game, but she had fun. She continues to worry about Toki as she is leaving. Ayumi says that she also has something for Toki and joins Ryuuka. Ayumi tells a curious Ryuuka that the things are a letter from Youko and stuff from the arts exhibit. Ryuuka and Ayumi have a nice conversation about Toki ranging from her health and how strong she is. Ayumi later leaves Ryuuka with her things to take to Toki and heads out. Ryuuka enters Toki's house and checks on her sleeping. Mrs. Onjouji then takes Ryuuka and gives her some snacks. They talk about the outdoors class coming up then Ryuuka asks about Toki's condition. She says while the medicine isn't doing too much, she's improving. Ryuuka then tells her that she overdid it playing mahjong and that it is her fault. Mrs. Onjouji decides to cheer her up by showing her pictures of when Toki was little. She then explains that Toki always gets sick since she was young and that it's happening less thanks to Ryuuka.
Ryuuka and the girls are seen making their way up a mountain during the class. The class then stops for lunch. Ryuuka then starts fussing over Toki a bit much to the girls chagrin. Toki then apologizes to everyone and Mr. Higashi appears from nowhere and takes her photo. Ryuuka thinks to herself that she will buy ten copies of that photo. They go to the temple after lunch and Ryuuka hangs back and sheds a tear. Toki then asks about it and Ryuuka says its because the thought of happiness and she started crying more when hanging out with Toki. They then go to the aquarium and then the hotel. That night they all sing at a bonfire but Ryuuka then starts to question her motives behind being friends with Toki. Ryuuka walks to the lake shore and stares at the night sky. Toki notices her and walks to her and sits beside her. Ryuuka then tries bringing up her insecurities but Toki comforts her on these things. The fireworks start and they both go back to the others.
We are then see a flash forward where the girls are looking through memories in a photo album and are nearing their middle school year. Ryuuka and Toki are in the same class but Ayumi and Youko are in another. Suddenly Ryuuka is grabbed by Sera and the girl asks her out.
Battling Fujishiro Arc[]
Ryuuka rejects Sera's request to go out with her saying she has plans with Toki. The girl runs off afterwards. In class, Ryuuka looks on as Sera and Toki are seated near each other. She says it must be nice.
After school, Toki, Ryuuka, and Sera go to the park where Toki and Ryuuka first played at. Ryuuka is a bit skeptical but Sera says that she's being too defensive and that she moved her and doesn't have any friends. Ryuuka apologizes and asks if Sera was still part of the club team. They switch to the elementary tournament and Ryuuka says they were eliminated in the first round. Ryuuka then defends Toki being the vanguard from Sera who thought Ryuuka should've been vanguard. They then talk about the national tournament. Ryuuka then notices that Toki didn't speak about mahjong since they were eliminated but that she really loves mahjong. Toki then asks about Hiroe Atago and Sera then talks about how they met Nanami Fujishiro and were soundly beaten. Nanami likes to takes things important from people she beats and Ryuuka asks if she had to be honest about it. Sera tells her that she just knew what was really important to them. Upon seeing Toki's reaction to the story, Ryuuka and Toki then vow to try and help Sera.
Finding Fujishiro Arc[]
Sera and Toki decide on special training to help beat Nanami. Ryuuka asks what the plan is but quickly notices there is no plan. Ryuuka suggests trying to analyze the score sheets but Sera doesn't remember much. She then says that Nanami sort of disappeared last autumn and hasn't been seen since. Ryuuka says if you can't meet her, you can't get revenge. Toki then says the time for meeting her hasn't arrived yet and when it comes they will meet again because that's what her mom told her. Toki departs with Ryuuka shortly after and Toki reconfirms that she does indeed love mahjong. Ryuuka then mentions that Yayoi Yokeguchi has been begging her to join the mahjong club. Toki tells her it's because she's strong and that nobody has really asked for her. Ryuuka then hugs her and says it doesn't matter and to keep doing her best.
The next day Toki tells of her experience the previous night and Shimeki Diner. Ryuuka insists on a visit there. Toki says you can also play mahjong there and Ryuuka says that she was so busy with Sera's training, she wants to play for fun with Toki. Toki apologizes for not being that good but Ryuuka again tells her it's fine.
Ryuuka and the others attend a barbecue. She notices Toki feeling down and asks if she's okay. They are later seen under a tree together. Toki mentions Izumi's hair and Ryuuka brings up Toki cut hers a little. Toki says Ryuuka and her lap pillows cheer her up. Ryuuka tells her that she can use her thighs anytime. They see an acquaintance of Sera's and asks to be introduced but she doesn't remember her name. When the girl insults her and takes off her glasses, Sera remembers the girl as Hiroko Funakubo. As they walk and talk, she says that she plays mahjong. Hiroko lists off data about Toki and Ryuuka. She then offers Nanami Fujishiro's data for the price of more data.
The next day the girls gather for a match at Izumi's family mahjong parlor. Hiroko arrives late. Before the game, Toki tells them she won't hold back and she'll show the fruits of her training. Ryuuka agrees to use full power as well. She goes into limitless heaven first thing and wins with a tsumo . Ryuuka wins the next hand off of Sera. Sera laughs and tells everyone she admires Toki's attitude in mahjong which causes Ryuuka to lose concentration. She tells Hiroko that anyone that plays Toki has fun so she should remove that scary face. Sera wins the next hand with a tsumo. Toki is happy that she finally became the dealer and tells Ryuuka that she's going to explode just like she did. However, Hiroko wins a quick and cheap tsumo. Hiroko then wins with a hit on Toki. The overall outcome for the match had Ryuuka take first place.
Hiroko puts the data on the table and Toki remarks if Sera will take it or not because she put a condition on a win and she didn't win. Ryuuka then lectures Sera on risks and why she puts herself in those situations. iroko says either way it's hers because Hiroe Atago gave it to her. They all gather and Hiroko explains how and why Hiroe collected the data for Sera. Hiroko offers to look over the data and the girls agree. After the match, Toki and Ryuuka head to Shimeki diner.
Joining the Mahjong Team Arc[]
Toki and Ryuuka are having the house special at the diner and Natsu serves them. She tells the girls that she won't be working there for a while and asks for their support. They both agree and Toki says that she wants to join the mahjong club. Ryuuka agrees. The next day she fills out her application for the club in class. Sera comes in and apologizes for the other day. She mentions that she tried calling Hiroe but was blocked by Kinue. At the end of class they join the club and Yayoi is overjoyed.
Before entering, Toki is really nervous. Ryuuka then takes Toki by the hand and says that she will protect her. Once inside they are greeted by Yayoi. They are then introduced to the club president Rine Sonezaki. Most members gather around Ryuuka but leave Toki by herself. They are then paired into different gropus with Ryuuka going with Rine, Juju Maeda, and Minori Noro. While playing, Ryuuka watches Toki a bit and says to herself that Toki is strong. Rine also watches and when Toki wins her game, she tells Ryuuka that the girl she brought is pretty good.
Toki and Ryuuka arrive late to the middle school tournament and are admonished by Yayoi. In the monitor room they are instructed to take notes. She then tells Ryuuka that she wished Sera was there but Ryuuka tells her that she's focusing on Nanami right now. In reality Sera told Ryuuka that she wouldn't attend because she doesn't like how they do things and Ryuuka not being a regular is the example given. Toki says that she wants to play against her too but Ryuuka outright says no. During the match Toki wonders what the role of the vanguard is and Yayoi explains as best she can. Ryuuka and Toki discuss this more in the bathroom and Toki mentions that she should start taking trying to be a vanguard seriously. Ryuuka tells her that it would fit her perfectly and that she'll then try to be captain. Starting the vanguard match she notices that Natsu is Nanami and the girl Sera is looking for. To comfort Toki though, she tries and explain that she could be different to no avail. She watches the match in amazement and makes commentary throughout.
Preparation Arc(Achiga Manga)[]
Ryuuka first appears when Toki collapses at the rest stop and rushes to her aid to find that she isn't alone in doing so. Afterward they all sit down and have a bite to eat. Just when she tells the other girls that they are there because they are traveling to the inter-high tournament, they get called away.
National Tournament Arc[]
Ryuuka is shown taking care of Toki when her teammates come in to check on her. When they are informed that they have their opponents video, Ryuuka opts to take a shower first and to save time even take a shower with Sera Eguchi but she declines. After an hour Senriyama meet to watch the tapes and she suggests not to spoil the winner because it would be more fun. Toki and her then recognize Kuro Matsumi as one of the kind girls from before and immediately cheers for Achiga to win. When Achiga does win she starts to celebrate, but Toki informs her that despite her cheering they will be their next opponent.
After Toki's second round match, Ryuuka was seen helping her into the waiting room. Before the sergeant match she poked fun at Toki. She spent the rest of the time commenting upon the matches and cheering on Achiga as well as her teammates.
Only the last round of her match was shown. However she was able to maintain a comfortable lead and was not threatened by anyone during the match. After the match, she silently congradulates Shizuno Takakamo and Achiga for making it to the next round, but also says that she can't root for them anymore.
Final Eight Arc[]
Ryuuka is shown entering the tournament hall with the rest of the Senriyama team. At halftime Toki is shown resting on her lap before the girl has to leave to finish her match. She appears later in a flashback of Toki's. Here she asks Toki questions about her new ability and they decide to try and see if Toki can see two turns ahead. She then watches Toki play. After Toki collapses, Ryuuka hovers over her crying and saying her name. We then see Ryuuka and Sera visit Toki in the hospital. When Toki tells her why she collapsed, she made her promise she wouldn't do that again. Later when Toki deals into a hand, Ryuuka and the others were shocked and she realizes that Toki cannot see into the future anymore. During the last of Teru Miyanaga's turns as dealer, Toki again is on the verge of collapsing and has another flashback. Here she and the others are gathered around Toki's bed and tell her of the "Toki shift", which is a schedule for Senriyama to help her. She tells her that she's been helping to cook for their training camp and that the coach wants her on the team.
After seeing flashes of the training camp, Ryuuka is seen looking out into the night from the balcony. Toki then walks up to her and they have a conversation about the lights. We are then treated to another flashback of Toki, Ryuuka, and Sera in middle school. Here they think of joining the mahjong club and is introduced to Masae Atago, the coach of the team. After doing practice matches, she is said to be highly ranked and Toki realizes that she was probably on the third team and wants to contribute in anyway she can. So she stays late to clean the club and is later helped by Ryuuka and Sera who want to help her. She is later seen rushing to Toki's side after she collapsed at the end of her match. She and the rest of the team go with Toki all the way up to the ambulance. It is later revealed that she is at the hospital waiting beside Toki. Before her match, Izumi had to tear her away from Toki. Instead of heading to the waiting hall, Ryuuka immediately goes to the playing hall.
At the start of her captain's battle, Ryuuka does nothing for the first few hands and falls into last place. She then starts to analyze Awai Oohoshi and Himeko Tsuruta saying that she might not be able to do make it to the finals. She then remembers Toki in a flashback. Here Toki is sleeping on Ryuuka's lap in the park. After Ryuuka questions her, she says she has a deeper reason for sleeping on her. She then tells her that by her resting on her lap, she is transfering some of her power to her.
When she remembers that she isn't alone, a fairy like Toki appears and shows her a discard order and a completed hand. Ryuuka then wins off of Awai and says that what Toki showed her came true. She then says that she would like to win the next hand but Toki appears and shakes her head before leaving. She then realizes that Himeko will use her combination play to win the round; Ryuuka also acknowledges that even though Mairu won the previous hand as well, in this hand something is fundamentally different (Mairu binding herself) and their combination is in effect. After Himeko's win, Toki appears again to show her another hand. Ryuuka then talks with her and discovers that she can only show her the highest scoring hand given the round's starting hand, draws, and discards. After the cheap win, Toki appears again and Ryuuka tells her to stay with her. However Toki says that she cannot and that she can only appear again two more times before showing her another hand. After Ryuuka wins, Awai unleashes her true power and wins the next hand. Shizuno Takakamo wins the hand afterward to end the first half of the game.
The next half starts off with some back and forth between Himeko and Awai until Awai is the dealer and repeats. In order to stop her, Ryuuka calls Toki, resulting in a 16,600 pt win off of Awai. When Shizuno gets on track and nulifies Awai, Ryuuka notices that she didn't declare riichi and that she isn't five away from tempai like she normally would be. She then wins off of Himeko and calls Toki for the final time. However Toki shakes her head and disappears. She realizes that she cannot win and considers that valuable information. After a win by Shizuno, she begins to analyze what was happening and says that she prefers speed and that a cheap win here would secure the finals for Senriyama. But Awai wins securing advancement for Achiga and Shiraitodai.
Ryuuka is then shown crying in the waiting room after the loss.
National Championship Arc[]
Ryuuka runs into Kyouko Suehara in the halls and speaks with her. She reveals that her school is using the place for a meeting because it's close to the hospital. They begin talking about losing and Ryuuka starts to cry again. They end their conversations wishing each other luck and saying they will not be defeated.
In the hotel room, she stops in front of a dejected Sera. She notices that Sera didn't eat anything and tells her that Hiroe Atago is worried about her. When she sees that this fires her up, she leaves to be with Toki and agrees to bring Sera something to eat back. After the meeting, Ryuuka is greeted by several of the substitutes. She then apologizes to Kotone Nakamuta but the girl dismisses it and says that Toki would have a bigger impact on the younger girls anyhow. She is then shown in a bathtub with Toki telling her what Kotone said.
During the vanguard match she is seen discussing the game with her teammates. During the vice captain match she is seen resting with Toki in the nap room. When Shindouji girls enter the room, she asks what happened to their captain.
Ryuuka and Toki watch the championship game in their hotel (naked). She praises Toki for preventing Teru from her nine dealer repeats. However, Toki says no way she could do it alone and had help from strong opponents.
Playing Style/Abilities[]
It is noted that on a per-game basis, Ryuuka has the highest point gain average in her region. This is due to her precise play and highly accurate predictions. She is thoughtful when playing, and makes succinct calculations to take into account the point difference.
In the semifinals, Ryuuka discovered that she has the ability to connect with Toki, in a fashion possibly similar to Shindouji's Shirouzu and Tsuruta. Connecting with Toki gives her the ability to see the final composition of the hand she is to win with, as well as the order of discards she requires to achieve this, it will also reveal any calls if necessary as well as who she will win off of or if she will tsumo.
It is unknown what will happen if she makes a mistake in her discard order; although it is implied if she deviates she will not complete the hand in the way she sees it (or at all). If Toki sees that she cannot to win the hand, then Ryuuka will simply see nothing; this can either be because someone else is set to win or an exhaustive draw will happen.
In the anime only, Ryuuka is revealed to have an ability. When activated, her eyes develop spirals and can detect body temperature, heart rate, breathing, as well as having all her five senses highted to maximum. Ryuuka is also able to read if anyone is in tenpai when this ability is active. In the manga, this ability is expanded called "Limitless Heaven", and according to Kyouko and Uta, while using it Ryuuka's concentration increases to its max and her intuition, observation and hand-reading skills become superhuman, so much so that it is very difficult to win against her.
Etymology[]
- The name Ryuuka means "dragon" (竜) (ryuu) and "flower" (華) (ka).
- Ryuuka's surname Shimizudani means "clear, pure, clean" (清) (shi), "water" (水) (mizu) and "valley" (谷) (tani/dani).