Ep. 15: Aoi faces imprisonment and bullying while cooking for the Tengu elder at Orio-ya.

Ougan-douji departs for the North West, leaving Aoi to endure hostility from Orio-ya staff and imprisonment by Ranmaru. Taichi, a Night Sparrow boy, provides her with a meal while Chibi frees her from confinement by bribing Nobunaga. Ranmaru reveals his hatred of humans due to his past with Aoi’s grandfather, Shiro, and reminds Ginji of his duties regarding an upcoming firework event. Hideyoshi attempts to return Aoi to her cell, but Matsuba, Hatori’s father and a Tengu Elder, intervenes upon seeing her mistreatment. Aoi calms his rage by offering to cook breakfast. Forbidden from the main kitchen, she works in a disused outbuilding with equipment provided by Hatori. After preparing an excellent seafood meal for Matsuba, Ranmaru permits her to continue cooking there on the condition she cleans the space thoroughly. Nene, the Young Mistress, bullies Aoi and injures her ankle. Aoi refuses to leave without Ginji, and Ranmaru mandates daily cooking for Matsuba while confiscating her crystal hairpin, threatening to discard it if she attempts to escape.

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