Chapter 44

## Chapter Guide

**"To Come of Age"** (成 (せい) 人 (じん) になるということ, *Seijin ni Naru to Iu Koto*?) is the forty-fourth chapter of the Shadows House manga series. It is adapted into Episode 10 of the anime.

## Summary

Emilico officially becomes Kate's "Face" and the two are warned by the leader of the Star Bearers, Barbara, to not mention Kate's soot powers. A kindly Star Bearer introduces herself as Susanna, and names the other two pairs, Benjamin and Oliver. They all come into a Debut Room where a large number of children are gathered and are served coffee by Susanna, which is noted to be very bitter. They meet Rosemary's Shadow, Maryrose, but Sarah downplaying Kate's achievements. Everyone is then brought outside where Lord Grandfather waves to them, bringing everyone to tears, even Emilico, surprising Kate.

## Plot

Having become Kate's "Face", Emilico gets to wear a special outfit reserved for when Dolls act as faces, called a "portrait" where she is to only show Kate's expressions. Kate is also told that while she is free to socialise with others, she is forbidden from speaking of her soot powers because that is only something Star Bearers and other awakened individuals should know of. A Star Bearer grumpily leads the way, with Emilico quietly asking Kate if they angered her. Another Star Bearer interjects, assuring them that the first Star Bearer, Barbara, tends to get angry easily. She introduces herself as Susanna and goes on to name the other Star Bearers: Tall and burly Benjamin, a glasses clad Shadow named Oliver, and finally, the leader, Barbara.

Entering the Debut room, the Star Bearers introduce Kate who notes that every member of the Children's Building has been brought to the room. Susanna comes up to Kate with a tray holding 2 small cups, a gift for every pair that gains a face, and leaves after the pair takes a sip. Kate identifies the substance as coffee, preferring black tea so Emilico finishes Kate's coffee, making a face at the taste to Kate's amusement. A pair congratulates Kate, dancing their way to her, striking a pose to reveal Rosemary and her Shadow who introduces herself as Maryrose. She assures Kate that she will always be available for guidance but Sarah interjects, telling Maryrose not to spoil the newcomer. Barbara calls up the new class, showing that only 4 pairs passed the Debut. John and Patrick hesitate over this revelation, turning to their Dolls who are smiling happily with blackened eyes, assuring them they should not dwell so deeply on these events. The children are then gathered in the gardens where Lord Grandfather waves from a window, with the Dolls being moved to tears and the Shadows cheering loudly. Kate notes that she has finally met the mastermind before noticing Emilico who is also crying from joy, realising that something was in the coffee from before...

## Characters

1. Kate
2. Emilico
3. Susanna
4. Susie (Non-speaking Role)
5. Barbara
6. Olly (Non-speaking Role)
7. Oliver (Non-speaking Role)
8. Benjamin (Non-speaking Role)
9. Ben (Non-speaking Role)
10. Barbie (Non-speaking Role)
11. Jim (Background)
12. James (Background)
13. Nicholas (Background)
14. Nicholas' Face (Background)
15. George's Face (Background)
16. George (Background)
17. Hank (Background)
18. Henry (Background)
19. John
20. Shaun (Non-speaking Role)
21. Louise
22. Lou (Non-speaking Role)
23. Robert (Background)
24. Ricky (Non-speaking Role)
25. Patrick
26. Loretta's Face (Background)
27. Loretta (Background)
28. Maryrose
29. Rosemary (Non-speaking Role)
30. Mia (Non-speaking Role)
31. Sarah
32. Gil (Background)
33. Gilbert (Background)
34. Eve (Background)
35. Evelyn (Background)
36. Lord Grandfather (Background)
37. Doug (Background)
38. Douglas (Background)
39. Maggie (Background)