Until Now and From Now On (コレマデとコレカラ Koremade to Korekara?) is the 39th chapter of the ノラガミ Noragami manga series written by Adachitoka. It was released on February 6, 2014.
Short Summary[]
Yato tells Hiyori and Yukine more about his past, and asks Yukine to show him how to become a god of happiness. Meanwhile, Ebisu, Tenjin, and Bishamon debrief after the battle against Heaven, going over the previous Ebisu's motivations and sharing what they know of the real Crafter.
Extended Summary[]
The chapter opens with Yato excitedly stating that he has decided to turn over a new leaf. Daikoku and Kofuku comment on his new outfit– a suit– and say they're proud that he was able to buy another jumpsuit with his own money. Yato almost says he used Kazuma's money, but stops himself. He then shows off "his" new smartphone, but the wallpaper is a photo of Bishamonten eating toast. At the same time, Kazuma arrives looking flustered and hurried, and quickly confirms his suspicions that Yato had stolen his things.
After Kazuma leaves, Hiyori asks Yato if he has anything important to tell Yukine. Yato briefly flashes back to the previous night, where he released the Stray's name. Yato then turns to Yukine and asks him what he believes happiness to be, because Yato has realized that he doesn't know the answer himself. Yukine, angered, smashes Yato's bottle of 5 yen coins over his head, demanding to know whether that is all he says to say to him. He asks yato to show him a little more trust, because Yato never tells him anything even though he's his guidepost.
Meanwhile, Ebisu updates Bishamon, Tenjin, and Okuninushi on his situation. He will excommunicate Iwami, and in exchange, Heaven will exonerate the remaining Mi clan shinki. He has chosen Kunimi as his new guide, but asks Bishamon if Iwami could secretly stay at her estate since he would rather not release him. He uses Yato's nickname "Skank-san" while asking, and despite her anger, Bishamon agrees.
Kunimi then explains the previous Ebisu's motivations for going into Yomi. For many generations, he had attempted to control ayakashi using himself as a guinea pig, but was never able to achieve the desired results, which is why he sought after the Word. Kunimi is sure that they brought it back to the Near Shore, but they're unable to find where it is. He says it's possible that it was destroyed during the battle with the Heavenly Guard. Since it appears that Heaven isn't aware of its existence, it's unlikely that they confiscated the Word themselves. Kunimi goes on to explain that he hoeps the Word never re-appears again, so that Ebisu would never use it. Ebisu is a god of business, and each incarnation quickly realizes that money alone does not bring people happiness; he sought to control and restrain ayakashi so that he could contain the world's problems.
Bishamon solemnly states that they know there is another Crafter out there. Tenjin then pipes in to inform them that he has taken Kugaha, now known as Saku, under his care. He had recently had Kazuma use Rourou, a truth-telling spell. In a flashback, Saku reveals the following information against his will: his master is named Father, Father gave him the name "Edachi," Father is the Crafter, and their motivation is to sow discord. When Kazuma asks where they are, Saku dissolves into only repeating his name Edachi.
In the present, Tenjin explains that whenever they approached certain important answers, Saku would become "funny in the head," perhaps as the result of some curse. He is experiencing pain from it, but is willing to endure it since they cannot afford to lose their only source of information. After taking the information in, Okuninushi grows angry, realizing that the previous Ebisu had taken the fall for the real Crafter.
At Shiratori Academy, Hiyori notices Yato in her peripheral vision; he is outside in a tree, solemnly watching through the window. When she double takes, he is gone. She then drops her body and rushes after him.
Yato and Yukine are on the roof of Kofuku's house, after Yukine has laid out bed sheets to dry. Yato asks Yukine what to do to become a god who can make people happy. Yukine doesn't take him seriously at first, but Yato says that he's completely serious and asks Yukine again to show him the way. In response, Yukine points into the distance, and Yato immediately summons Sekki. After transforming, Yukine says that even if Yato is only good at slaying things, he doesn't necessarily have to change that. He can just continue to cut down ayakashi; and as he says this, Yato slays an ayakashi in the river. By continuing to do this, he can prevent people from giving in to their dark sides and doing bad things.
Hiyori arrives, and Yato suddenly admits that ever since he was a kid, he's used the Stray to kill humans, and asks how they feel about it. Yukine points out that it was in the past, and Kofuku already told them about it. Yato looks away, and hops onto a tree branch hanging over the river. He tells them that "Yaboku" is the name his dad gave him when he was a kid. He goes on to explain that his father has been possessing humans, dying over and over and moving from one human body to another, so he isn't sure what he looks like now. He explains that he's always done what his father told him, which is why he went to Yomi on his command. But he no longer wants to do the things he tells him to.
Hiyori asks if that's why he released the Stray, and he's visibly surprised that they know about it. They briefly tease him about how much his hand shook when he did it. Hiyori then says that she knows he can become what he wants to, because he chose Yukine.
Later that night, when Yukine and Yato are in their room at Kofuku's house, Yato admits that he hasn't stopped killing people– he done it numerous times while he was gone with the Stray. He also says that his father is the Crafter, and he went too far by having Heaven kill Ebisu in his place. He asks if Yukine still wants to be his blessed vessel, even knowing all this. Yukine reassures him that he does, and he won't let him kill anyone again.
At Shiratori Academy, Father looks out the window, spinning the Word in his hand. The Stray appears and hugs him from behind, and he tells her not to worry because Yato will come back.
Characters[]
Character Debuts[]
No new characters debuted in this chapter.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Yato
- Kofuku
- Daikoku
- Yukine
- Hiyori Iki
- Bishamonten (pictured)
- Kazuma
- Ebisu
- Tenjin
- Iwami
- Kunimi
- Ōkuninushi
- Ōshi (flashback)
- Amaterasu (mentioned)
- Kuraha
- Tsuguha
- Aiha
- Kugaha (flashback)
- Tsuyu (flashback)
- Akira Yamashita
- Aimi Tabata
- Father
- The Stray