Masaomi Iki/Synopsis

History
As a teenager, Masaomi went to the same high school that Hiyori currently attends. It seems that he received pressure from their parents to become a doctor, on the basis that it's what Grandpa Iki would have wanted. However, Masaomi didn't want to do go into medicine, expecting that he wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of people relying on him. He told Hiyori that their parents would eventually place a lot of pressure on her as well, and said that it was okay to run away if things ever get too hard for her. He seemed to Masaomi left home immediately after graduating college, and it is implied that he traveled overseas.

Masaomi has recently returned home and has been working under the alias "Kai'i Sera" as an Art Director and Designer for a side job. His family does not seem to be aware of this. It seems that his appearance has changed significantly while he was away, as his family did not immediately recognize him upon his return. His hair had grown out, and he now wears glasses. After returning home, he began working as a personal doctor for his grandmother as well as taking hospital shifts.

Volume 13 (51)
Chapter 51: Masaomi appears in Hiyori's flashback. He watched Hiyori as she told their mother and father that she wants to be a doctor. Later, Hiyori asked Masaomi what he actually wanted to do with his life. (See first paragraph of History section.)

Volume 14 (52 - 54)
Chapter 52: Hiyori tells Yato over the phone that her brother has come home. A panel shows a flashback of Masaomi's arrival, although he is only shown from behind. Hiyori, Takamasa, and Sayuri all look at him in shock, seeming to barely recognize him.

Chapter 53: Masaomi is first shown standing in front of a wall where Yato had written his contact information. He talks on the phone with Yato, explaining that his friend is having supernatural problems, and he's worried she will die from a haunting. Masaomi is later shown from the neck-down helping Hiyori study.

He gives Yato and Yukine his business card, which identifies himself as an art director designer under the alias Kai'i Sera. (It's noted that he selected this name because he thinks an artist should be called something unique and cool-sounding.) He explains that this is only a side job, and that he is not tied down to just painting, like his friend was until the "end". He gazes at a poster of Ryouichi Uno's painting, implying that the famous artist was his friend. He explains his concern over how his friend has recently been saying that he is being possessed, and asks Yato to help solve this problem for him, insulting him in the process. After he cheerfully runs off, Yukine says that he is similar to Yato in that they are both carefree people who don't think before they speak.



It is later revealed that the friend Masaomi was speaking of was a ghost who was once an artist, and was now possessing people (including Ryouichi Uno) so that she could paint. He thanks Yato and Yukine for their help. He goes on to admit that he was quite envious of the ghost, since he was very passionate, meanwhile he is living passively without any real goals. He found accuracy in her statement that what he does is not art but rather a means to escape; but he also remembers her saying that escapism could be turned into something genuine if you put in the effort. At the end of the chapter, the backside of the business card reveals that his actual name is Masaomi Iki.



Chapter 54: Masaomi calls Yato and Yukine to ask them to get more toilet paper while he's on the toilet. He then invites them into his maternal grandmother's home for tea, where they run into Hiyori. He questions how they know each other, and Hiyori says that she had Yato are just friends. Masaomi then excuses himself to give their grandmother a check up, revealing that he is a doctor. He is shocked and grabs Hiyori protectively when their grandmother attempts to shoot Yato and Yukine with a bow and arrow. He admits that he and Hiyori can both see beings of the Far Shore, and appears very excited when he learns that their family carries this ability. After Yato tells them that the black shadow outside their grandmother's home is similar to a god of death, Masaomi and Hiyori insist that their parents live together with their grandmother until she passes.

Volume 20 (79)
Chapter 79: Sayuri tells Takamasa to leave some beer for Masaomi.

Volume 21 (82)
Chapter 82: After Hiyori passes out, Masaomi carries her to her bed, asking her if she has a headache or any nausea. When Sayuri asks if she should get their father or call the hospital, Masaomi reminds her that he's also a doctor. She mentions that people tend to talk about him, wondering if he's capable since he seems to focus more on his art than on medicine and saying that he's not a real doctor. Masaomi protests, saying she should be on his side. When Sayuri expresses her worry over Hiyori's condition not improving, Masaomi tells her to let Grandma Iki know that Hiyori is currently alright.

Hiyori apologizes to Masaomi, and he reassures her, saying it's a good thing that he came home instead of continuing to wander, and claiming that he has a sense for this sort of timing. He tells her that the shadowy figure outside has come onto the property, and he doesn't expect that their grandmother has much time left. Hiyori seems upset that even Yato wasn't able to do anything to help. However, Masaomi doesn't remember Yato. Hiyori tries to remind him, but he seems to blame it on her fever.

After Hiyori lets the matter go, Masaomi remembers Yato as the "occult odd jobs man" who he once hired. He says that Yato isn't bad-looking but is too pathetic, and begs Hiyori not to make him his in-law.

Volume 22 (86)
Chapter 86: Masaomi is present at his grandmother's wake. In the background, he helps an elderly attendee stand up and walk.