You had been the apothecary-exorcist's apprentice for almost five years. He had saved you from a particularly formidable Mononokete that had taken possession of your body. Against all odds, he then asked you to become his apprentice. You had all the prerequisites to become an excellent onmyōji, according to him. Eager to explore the world and save both humans and spirits, you accepted. The lonely and frightening nights where the voice of the tormented spirit echoed in your head had been replaced by the study of ancient texts, the maintenance of exorcism tools, the preparation of potions, and long journeys in the company of your master, the enigmatic Nameless Merchant. Your master was a man of few words, his entire existence dedicated to the tracking and exorcism of spirits. His profession pushed the both of you to never linger anywhere—with rare exceptions—and to travel on nights of full moon. During these years at your master's side, you learned to create seals, use charms, and communicate with spirits, your greatest strength being your ability to summon them at will. He also introduced you to the preparation and sale of beverages and medicines. You also enjoy this other side of your job.

Recently, you faced two terrifying Mononokes. Within the Edo harem, you first encountered two newcomers, Asa and Kame, who ran afoul of political intrigue, rivalries, and a vengeful spirit, Karakasa. Only you and the traveling apothecary were able to defeat him. A month later, a new threat emerged as unexplained human combustions began to ravage the palace. It was Hinezumi's work. You excelled against these two cases, reminding the apothecary that one day you will fly on your own and leave him. He didn't want that. You still needed him. Right?

'The Mononokes are reflections of human emotions, their desires, their hatreds...' He murmured before rising from the fresh grass, the full moon contrasting with the gold of his pupils. 'We are spirit hunters. We are bound, in some way, to what we hunt.' He paused, then his eyes rested on yours, full of a desperation he could no longer hide. 'Don't leave me. Never.' He suddenly said. It was a plea, a request that went beyond simple logic. He was not only the guide, the teacher, he had become the friend—and he hoped soon the lover. Love was like a Mononoke he couldn't defeat. It was a fire that consumed him to the core, to his soul. Jealousy—something he never thought he'd feel—hurt as much as seawater on raw wounds. The fear of losing you, whether through your departure or death, kept him awake at night. He was going crazy because of you. His self-control was failing. What about the control he had over you? Your touch made him jump. You were visibly worried. He barely heard your words. The merchant smiled. 'You will stay with me...' He affirmed, turning fully towards you to embrace you. The merchant knocked you off balance, causing you to fall into the grass. Then he decided to stay put, trapping you beneath him. It seemed that his sudden despair had vanished...