- Mangaka : Shouoto, Aya
- Publisher : VIZ
- Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo, Harem, Supernatural
- Published : January 2017
Momochi-san Chi no Ayakashi Ouji (The Demon Prince of Momochi House) Vol. 7 Introduction
Hidaka and Himari are yet again roped into another ghost hunting adventure and Senoo decides to prank them and the rest of the class by dressing up as the Kagome Park Ghost. Himari finds this behavior a little strange but nothing prepares her for Senoo attacking her just outside Momochi House. The Nue is forced to bring them both in so he can fight the possessed Senoo but the ayakashi controlling him disappears somewhere in the estate. When it eventually materializes before Aoi and Himari, the man before them leaves them speechless. He reveals things from Aoi’s past that Aoi has forgotten and has sinister plans for the Omamori-sama of Momochi House.
Contains Spoilers
Discussion Time
Himari and Hidaka use an old map with Aoi’s childhood home on it and hope to learn something forgotten. However, nothing remains of the house but they do spot what appears to be the rumored Kagome Park Ghost. Hearing this, their classmates spur them to return all together to try to find the spirit. Senoo attempts to dress up as the ghost and frighten the others but is quickly discovered and made to apologize. The others are left puzzled by his uncharacteristic actions but Himari soon discovers the root of the problem: a tsukumogami has possessed Senoo and followed Himari home in an attempt to enter Momochi House. It attacks Himari in front of Aoi to force Aoi to bring them both inside, being unable to enter on its own. Once Aoi transforms into the Nue and prepares to destroy the tsukumogami inside the gate, it disappears into a flurry of dark feathers.
Ise and Zushi search the house repeatedly while Yukari tries to find other tsukumogami to ask for their help. Himari and Aoi find it hard to sleep that night and end up bumping into each other. Aoi clings to Himari as he usually does and Himari doesn’t seem phased this time. The peace is broken when Aoi suddenly asks to kiss Himari which of course rattles her. After she’s finally come to terms with just supporting Aoi instead of pursuing him, he goes and asks to kiss her! She denies him and reminds Aoi that he’s the one who turned her down and Aoi starts to say something revealing before a loud scream sends them both into action. Though not the type of action we may have been hoping for.
Aoi finds one of the lesser yokai AND Zushi are under possession and realizes this spirit is far stronger than that of a tsukumogami. Himari returns to Aoi with Ise and Yukari in tow as the mysterious spirit manifests into the man Himari knows as Mr. Nachi which she finds confusing. More confusing still is his connection to Aoi who seems both shocked and angry to see him. He has incredible power from enslaving yokai and using their powers to influence or attack others. Mr. Nachi promises to set Aoi free of Momochi House which makes it seem like he could still be a good guy. However, in exchange, he wants Aoi’s servitude as his shikigami.
A flashback shows us Mr. Nachi’s sad and lonely life being brought up in a temple as punishments for his ‘evil delusions’ which were actually just ayakashi normal humans couldn’t see. This made him cruel and power-hungry. As an older man, he lured Aoi as a child to Momochi House with promises of safety and happiness. He knew that Aoi’s powers would grow exponentially trapped in his role as the Omamori-sama and decided he would collect Aoi once he was strong but stable.
Ise, Yukari, and Himari try to fight Mr. Nachi as Aoi is restrained but find themselves powerless. Mr. Nachi possesses Himari to bind Aoi since he knows Aoi won’t do anything to hurt Himari. Aoi kisses her when she approaches which causes her such incredible embarrassment that the spell over her is broken. Aoi has Yukari fetch a seal he only now understands was the reason he forgot his past and is what binds the man before him to Aoi. He severs the bond so that even though he may feel suffering, he can protect those he loves. As the Nue, he then banishes Mr. Nachi from Momochi House but finds out he can in fact no longer change back into Aoi.
1. We Finally Have More Answers than Questions!
It seems every time we had one mystery solved, there were many more in their wake. This time, we finally figure out who was behind Aoi becoming trapped in Momochi House, why he was trapped, and all he had forgotten. By no means is all the mystery gone, but in a way, we can focus more on the story now without all these questions constantly popping up.
1. If You Haven’t Enjoyed the Series Thus Far, This One Won’t Change Your Mind.
Especially if you find yourself frustrated with Himari and Aoi growing ever closer but still not both being admittedly in love with the other, volume 7 doesn’t do anything particularly new for the story. The only real ‘surprise’ is that humans too can develop some powers and be jerks and Aoi’s past is only so intriguing if you are invested in the character. Aside from that, it’s more monsters being selfish, people trying to use Aoi, and Himari and Aoi STILL not being a couple.
Final Thoughts
For those that find themselves anxious to start each new volume, this one is definitely rewarding. Aoi’s past is clearly explained and many of the questions that have plagued each volume have been answered. They also subtly slip in Hidaka having romantic feelings for Himari as he casually mentions he tried to walk her to school once but got lost. Could this be set up for new drama in volume 8?
Author: May
