Kunimi/Synopsis

History
Kunimi was originally the shinki of a nameless minor god 200 years prior, but his god was forgotten and disappeared, leaving Kunimi with a name but no master. He applied with many other gods after that, including Takemikazuchi, but because he already bore a name and his master no longer existed to revoke it, he would end up a stray under another master which was seen as undesirable. He eventually applied to Ebisu, who would take in strays if they were able to draw a borderline. Ebisu bestowed him with the name "Kunimi" and Kunimi possessed Ebisu's body rather than taking a form, improving Ebisu's dexterity and physical strength. However, Ebisu was uncomfortable with this, so he assigned Kunimi to menial labor of maintaining barriers.

About 100-150 years later (based on Ebisu's Showa-era clothing), another reincarnation of Ebisu came across Kunimi doing his barrier work and employed him to help him ride a bicycle. It scares Ebisu at first, but Kunimi notes that this is the first time he has seen his master smile. Ebisu suddenly steers the bicycle into the ocean, and Kunimi has to swim them back out. Kunimi was surprised by Ebisu's lack of value for his own life and the new fact that a previous incarnation had attempted suicide. Impressed with Kunimi's abilities, Ebisu asked him to help him try skiing, however that incarnation of Ebisu died and reincarnated before they were able to, and the next incarnation had no interest in it. Since then, Kunimi has been acting as Ebisu's attendant rather than continuing with his barrier work. Sometime after, he met Tsutsumi and was unaware of Ebisu's goal of taming ayakashi.

Volume 8 (30 - 31)
Chapter 30: Kunimi first appears when Ebisu introduces him alongside Utami and Tatsumi, as the four of them are journeying into Yomi in search of the Word. He recognizes the Stray as Tsutsumi, and explains that Ebisu had named her five incarnations ago.

Chapter 31: When Yato points out how clumsy Ebisu is, Ebisu explains that Kunimi/Houki is a body-possession type armor who is skilled in martial arts. Kunimi demonstrates this by possessing Ebisu and allowing him to fight off the ayakashi they encounter. Kunimi, along with Utami and Tatsumi, appears surprised that Ebisu knows the term "SNS". He is concerned for his master when he is afflicted by the deaths of his shinki entrapped in the Kagome game. He seems hesitant when Ebisu tells him to keep moving in search of the Koto no Ha, but he ultimately listens.

Volume 9 (32 - 35)
Chapter 32: Kunimi makes Ebisu leap away when Izanami approaches him and Yato. He apologizes for the sudden movement, though Ebisu seems to agree it was necessary. He assists his master against him to pretend to fight with Yato, stalling Izanami until he can get her brush. During this time, he sustains a cut diagonally across his left eyebrow, inflicted by the Stray.

Chapter 33: While fleeing from Izanami, Kunimi is shocked when the Stray sacrifices Tatsumi and Utami to the Yomotsu-shikome. This leaves Kunimi as Ebisu's only protection as they attempt to escape. Yato eventually tells Kunimi to escape with Ebisu while he holds off Izanami by himself.

Chapter 34: Yato stalls Izanami while Kunimi protects and takes Ebisu far away, but is injured in the process, at his limit. Meanwhile, Kunimi apologizes to Ebisu for allowing him to be injured. Ebisu responds that it's his own fault for being a burden, and tells Kunimi to remember for him that he is indebted to Yato. Together, they find that the exit had been sealed off by Izanami, and they allow the Yomotsu-shikome to bring him back to her.

They return just as Izanami is attempting to feed Yato food, which would force him to remain in Yomi forever. Ebisu offers to stay in his place, and tells Yato to leave wtih Kunimi and the Word, but Yato refuses to. Instead, he helps the two escape by suggesting to Ebisu he opens a vent using ayakashi; this solution works.

Chapter 35: Once Ebisu and Kunimi escape Yomi, they are discovered by Heaven's army of punishers. Takemikazuchi commands their attack; Ebisu who defends himself using ayakashi, until Bishamonten arrives to assist. The Heavens use a shinki who explodes, killing Ebisu. Just before the explosion, Ebisu reverts Kunimi and takes the blow by himself. Kunimi is shocked and despaired, and calls his master's name as he tries to approach to help him. However, Ebisu's bird-like ayakashi grab and carry Kunimi away before he can reach him.

Volume 10 (39)
Chapter 39: The newly reincarnated Ebisu explains to Ōkuninushi, Tenjin, and Bishamon that he will make Kunimi his new lead shinki. Kunimi is visibly stressed by Ebisu referring to Bishamon as a skank due to Yato's influence. Kunimi explains to the other three gods and Kazuma that Ebisu went into Yomi in search of the Word, which is now lost. He believes it may have been destroyed during their confrontation with Heaven's army of punishers, rather than confiscated by Heaven. He states that he would prefer it stay lost, so that Ebisu would no longer be burdened by his goal to control ayakashi. He also explains Ebisu's motives as selfless, in that he was trying to control ayakashi in order to bring peace to humanity.

Volume 12 (45)
Chapter 45: When Ebisu asks Kunimi if he was friends with Yato, Kunimi is silent. Bishamon tells him to give Ebisu a straight answer and he tells Bishamonten that while he is not certain they were friends he remembers that Yato said he saved Ebisu for himself and not because his father wanted to.

Volume 13 (48)
Chapter 48: Firstly, when Kazuma remarks that Ebisu left a swim ring in the pond at Bishamon's estate, Kunimi appears in a brief flashback. He appears shocked and terrified at a drowning Ebisu in the background. In another flashback of Chapter 39, he stands behind Ebisu who is explaining his predecessor's intentions.

Volume 14 (52)
Chapter 52: Ebisu strays from him and he worries for his Master's safety, looking for him with Yato commenting Kunimi is going to kill himself for not watching over Ebisu properly.

Volume 15 (58)
Chapter 58: Kunimi takes Ebisu away when Takemikazuchi comments about how much fun killing Ebisu was and how Ebisu was abandoned by his mother because he had no bones. Later, Kunimi cries for joy when he hears Ebisu has been named God of the year, acting like a proud joyful parent.

Volume 16 (61)
Chapter 61: When Ebisu challenges the Heavens and heir attempt to kill Bishamonten, Kunimi takes him back to calm him down and not start a fight.

Volume 18 (71)
Chapter 71: Kunimi is sick with worry when Ebisu volunteers him for the Trial by Pledge, since it came as a surprise and he had no time to mentally prepare. Ebisu offers him a lot of vacation time in exchange, and Kunimi questions whether Ebisu understands that he's not immortal. Ebisu promises to take care of himself if Kunimi dies, but he protests that his previous adult incarnations couldn't even brush his teeth, get fully dressed, etc. However, he concedes when Ebisu reminds him that he is indebted to Yato for his help escaping Yomi. Kunimi closes his eyes and tenses as Amaterasu prepares to pass judgement; he survives the Trial by Pledge (meaning Mitama is beheaded instead), earning the first win in Yato's favor. He kneels in front of Ebisu afterwards, who pats his shoulders with a smile on his face.

Volume 19 (72)
Chapter 72: Kunimi appears briefly, wiping a stain from Ebisu's sweater. He remains in the background near Ebisu.

Volume 19 (73)
Chapter 73: Kunimi appears exhausted when he receives a call from Yato as he eats breakfast. He's shocked when he finds out that Ebisu has been kidnapped and that he must've slept through his call. He reveals that he was given a coupon for one day of sleeping in as a reward for his participation in the Trial by Pledge, but he hasn't used it yet, explaining his sleep-deprived state.

When the kidnappers call back, Kunimi takes the phone and promises to save Ebisu; however, in exchange, he asks for everyone at the company to have three months of vacation time. Although Hiyori, Yukine, and Yato think that response was inappropriate and rude, Ebisu praises him for being audacious and putting his negotiation advice into practice. However, Ebisu says that such a request should be made in person; and that since his life is not truly in danger at this time (since he can't be killed by the kidnappers' weapons), he still holds an advantageous position over Kunimi in his bargain. The line is the cut.

Kunimi is upset that Ebisu had said "It's not because I don't want to die," reminding him of previous incarnations who did not value their lives. He also expresses worry that a lot of their shinki were killed by Heaven, and not even strays want to apply; this has resulted in intense overwork in the remaining shinki, which may end up stinging Ebisu. He reveals to Yato that he is also a stray, but strongly denies the accusation that he only stayed with Ebisu because he had no other choice. The chapter transitions into Kunimi's backstory before and during his time serving Ebisu. (See History section.) He admits to feeling burdened by his position as guidepost, and wishes he could trade places with Iwami who is in exile. Yato yells and hits him, convincing him to be even more audacious in rescuing Ebisu. Yato enters the kidnappers' hideout from the ground, and Kunimi crashes in through the skylight, determined to risk his well-being for his master.

After single-handedly defeating the kidnappers, Kunimi apologizes to a disgruntled Ebisu for taking so long to rescue him. But Ebisu smiles and agrees to give everyone one day off (instead of two, which was the original ask), which Kunimi is delighted by. When Ebisu offers his hand, Kunimi lifts him onto his shoulders instead while they walk home.

Volume 20 (77)
Chapter 77: Kunimi arrives with Ebisu at Tenjin's residence after being informed that the Crafter had infiltrated. Worried, they check on Iwami, who is currently living with them. After learning more about the situation, Kunimi thanks Mayu and two of Tenjin's other shinki for arranging to shelter Iwami.

Volume 21 (81)


Chapter 81: When they run into Hiyori in public, Ebisu and Tenjin choose not to approach her in an effort to keep her from becoming more entangled in the Far Shore. They guiltily turn around and join their shinki; here, Kunimi is in the background, smiling while talking with Mayu.

Volume 22 (84)
Chapter 84: Kunimi appears briefly in Ebisu's flashback. The two were net-fishing, and had caught a seahorse. Ebisu named it Takemika since it's small and cute, and Kunimi thought to himself that Ebisu must really hate Takemikazuchi. After Takemika dies, Ebisu goes to bury it under a tree. As he does so, he contemplates the issue of the Crafter, and thinks to himself that it's hard not being able to talk to Kunimi about it.