- Mangaka : Shouoto, Aya
- Publisher : VIZ
- Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo, Harem, Supernatural
- Published : July 2017
Momochi-san Chi no Ayakashi Ouji (The Demon Prince of Momochi House) Manga Vol. 9 Introduction
Himari is still trying to figure out just what is the ayakashi living as the child Akane and what she wants while still trying to figure out how to return Aoi to his human form. After uncovering the final mystery surrounding Aoi’s past, thus releasing him, the residents of Momochi House throw Aoi a party. Humans and ayakashi working and living together give Himari a clearer vision of the future she wants and it seems she and Aoi may have very similar feelings!
Contains Spoilers
Discussion Time
Aoi’s dad is explaining to Himari that Aoi is dead. She can scarcely believe her dream of returning him to the human world is shattered when she and Ise are suddenly transferred to the spirit realm. They go looking for Akane who has a shadowy form but she surprises them and attacks Himari. Ise tries to destroy Akane but Himari gets between them which opens her up to be attacked again. THIS time, a second, human-looking Akane, stops the first.
This is all very confusing until Himari explains out loud what only she heard from Aoi’s father: Aoi was the twin sister of Akane that disappeared in the womb. It turns out, the Aoi they barely seem to remember is not the Aoi of Momochi House, but a name for the unborn child and twin of Akane who in actuality is a spirit ayakashi that hid in Aoi’s stepmother’s womb. For clarity’s sake, we’ll call Akane’s sister Ayakashi Aoi and Himari’s love interest will just be Aoi. This scene is confusing enough with Himari saying things that, with no context, just make us think we’re forgetting something. It only takes a couple of pages before the audience is caught up with Ayakashi Aoi and Akane being ‘twins’ and wanting to protect each other.
Himari and Akane vow to help keep Ayakashi Aoi in line and things seem like they’ll end peacefully when Kasha appears because our hope quota has been reached. He mercilessly destroys Ayakashi Aoi just to get a rise out of the Nue. As she’s disappearing, Ayakashi Aoi holds her twin’s trembling hands and tells her they will always be together. The Nue attacks Kasha with such ferocity that he manages to harm the demon, causing him to leave. This scene is made all the more painful with Akane’s sad eyes and her trembling in the next panels. Even with Kasha having killed her twin, she isn’t afraid to call out to the Nue to ask about her sister. Deceptively, The Nue manifests a simple light and implies that it is Ayakashi Aoi and that he’ll be taking her back to the ayakashi world. While devastated, Akane takes heart that her sister will be somewhere safe and in the words the Nue tells her, “Even if you’re apart… your hearts will be together”.
When reunited with her father, Akane repeats these words to reassure him. He’s shocked Akane knew of Aoi as they’ve never explained her ‘dead’ twin to her. Akane’s father tells Ise that he thinks of the name Aoi every time the sun sets. Hearing this, Aoi realizes that even if his family is fine without him and has forgotten his existence, there’s still a part of him with them which allows him to finally accept his past. He transforms back into a human hidden from his father’s view. Himari pleads with him to go see his father but Aoi reassures her he’s alright. He can’t change the past, but he can accept it and look forward to a brighter future.
Determined to become a proper family for Aoi, Himari has everyone help organize a ‘welcome home’ party for Aoi’s return to human form. All of the ayakashi seem excited except for Ise, but Yukari’s enthusiasm makes up for him. When alone with Himari, Yukari reveals a secret Aoi had kept from her: as a child, Aoi came across Himari’s mother’s diary, which revealed the burden of being a Momochi with weak power and how those who take over the house will live a short life because of it. She conveys her love for her daughter and hopes Himari will one day bring stability to the Momochi House. Aoi had been feeling hopeless but hearing these words, he feels that his burden has meaning. He can protect a daughter so loved by her mother and not allow the same fate to destroy Himari. It’s for this reason that Aoi seemed both so attached to and so overly protective of Himari. At the party, Himari and Aoi share a moment together before Aoi kisses her saying “The truth is I do love you” as fireworks adorn the sky.
1. Aoi and Himari Finally Confirm Their Feelings!
It’s about time!! While it’s not uncommon for shoujo manga to hold your heart hostage, it’s been quite the tumultuous lead-up to this moment. There were so many times a kiss or confession would have been perfect but we were robbed. This time, we get a kiss, a confession, and even fireworks!
1. It’s More About Human Relations than Ayakashi
It seriously took a minute to come up with a reason to skip. But if you really only want to see more ayakashi and the spirit realm and don’t care about the main characters’ teen romance, you might not like this volume as much as others that took you to mythical places with strange characters.
Final Thoughts
Volume 9 has everything we liked and wanted from the Momochi House series. There are new ayakashi, tender moments, and dangerous encounters to keep our hearts racing. Aoi’s past has been one whirlwind after the next, seemingly completely explained before they blindside you with something else. It really shows you the importance of moving forward and the value of new relationships if you don’t become stuck pining for once was. It’s quite a hopeful end to this arc, sealed with a kiss!
Author: May
