Guiding Light (
Short Summary[]
Kazuma dreams of the events leading up to the death of the Ma clan.
Extended Summary[]
After being cut down by Bishamonten, Kazuma mentally apologizes for his mistakes that hurt his master, Suzuha, Aiha, and Kugaha. While he is unconscious, he recalls memories from when he first became a Ma clan shinki, introducing an extended flashback.
Bishamon's previous guidepost explained the importance of guiding their master's raging and serene spirits to avoid damaging humans, as well as the need to protect their master. Touma then remarked that Kazuma is only a nail, implying he would struggle with this task; the guidepost retorted that Touma, who transforms into a pot lid, is in a similar position. Later, while helping Kazuma lear to make a borderline, Touma complained that the guidepost thought she was better than the rest of them, emphasizing the guide's comment that Kazuma is ominous because his vessel form pierces the master's flesh. She also warned that the guidepost could have Kazuma excommunicated if he got on her bad side, but Kazuma shrugged it off.
Just then, Bishamon and her battle shinki returned from an excursion. Bishamon asked Kazuma if he was able to draw a borderline yet. Since he couldn't, Touma interjected that she would train Kazuma to be of use to her, and Bishamon replied happily that she could always rely on her when it comes to training new recruits. After Bishamon left, Touma expressed that she could do much more than just teach, and would one day become their master's blessed vessel.
One day, Bishamon invited Kazuma to join her and her battle shinki to hunt ayakashi. The guide and Kazuma were both reluctant at first. However, Touma grabbed Kazuma and pointed out that his name isn't mere decoration, and he should jump at the opportunity to protect his master. Kazuma then agreed to go with them, despite his nerves. Soon after, while riding on the back of one of Bishamon's battle shinki (whose vessel form was a great bird), Kazuma said that he thought he noticed a shadow in the withered bamboo far below them. He quickly warned them not to get too close, but once the bird had swooped down they saw that the bamboo was actually full of small ayakashi. Kazuma received much praise for his newfound ability to pinpoint the location of ayakashi, and he was summoned by Bishamon more and more often. As his teacher, Touma encouraged him and was happy for his progress, but also seemed somewhat saddened.
Some time later, Bishamon became heavily affected by blight. Under the guidepost's orders, multiple Ablutions were conducted, but the affliction did not cease. The guidepost demanded that the person who stung Bishamon come forward, and suspicion and worry began to grow among members of the Ma clan. Kazuma tried to suggest asking from help from other gods, but this idea was harshly shut down by the guide. Touma pointed out that the guide should not be running an inquisition, but instead uniting the clan to avoid hurting the master further. The guidepost then asked Touma if she was the one who blighted Bishamon. Touma immediately denied it, but the guidepost insisted that she is never wrong. On the guidepost's orders, the other battle shinki restrained Touma and threw her into a vent. Kazuma tried to stop them, but the guide warned him to be careful; his rage would sting their master.
Despite this extreme effort, Bishamon's blight still had not gone away. The Ma clan shinki continued to argue with one another. In retrospect, Kazuma believes that the blight was caused by all of them collectively, as they divided and fought amongst themselves. Eventually, the discord within the Ma clan grew, until one battle shinki attacked the guidepost with a borderline. As the rest of the clan escalated to violence, Kazuma left the chaos and visited the bed-ridden Bishamon. He confessed that Touma has been murdered, and that the clan had betrayed her. In response to his desire to atone, Bishamon asked if he would be her shinki again if she died and reincarnated. He promised Touma that he would not let their master die.
Kazuma wakes up in a bed, with Bishamon standing nearby. Bishamon explains that Aiha has successfully endured an Ablution, and that the Ha clan members who survived are doing well. Instead of responding directly, Kazuma asks be released, believing he's failed her a second time and would only cause her more pain in the future. Bishamon responds by saying that humans are bound to hurt others, and that humans feel pain themselves in the process of hurting others. She explains that this is why she avoided being honest about the pain she receives from her shinki, thinking it would come off as accusatory. She's realized that they cannot continue this way, and asks Kazuma for guidance. He tries to say no, even though Bishamon tries to reassure him that humans are allowed to make mistakes.
However, they're interrupted by a few other shinki arriving. They greet him cheerily when they realize he's awake, with Kinuha running off to inform the others. Tsuguha hands him the clan's new exchange diary, which was Bishamon's idea to get to know everyone better. He opens it and laughs as he reads small conversations between Bishamon and members of the Ha clan. Bishamon then lifts his excommunication and tells him one more time to continue being her guide.
In Near Shore, Yukine encourages Yato to find them another job– they've been holding off on work because of the masked ayakashi, but they haven't seen any in a while. Yato is confident that they'll be back, because the Stray doesn't let up easily. Yukine suggests cutting ties and releasing her, but Yato ignores this. Trying to get his attention, Yukine tells Yato to quit looking at his phone, since Hiyori is the only person who calls anyway. To Yukine's surprise, Yato replies that Hiyori won't be calling anymore, and he should forget about her.