Ep. 23: Aoi loses taste and voice to a Raiju curse, prompting a quest for a magical gem.
Aoi dreams of a childhood Ayakashi urging her to live for love, only to lose her voice and taste. Tokihiko identifies this as a curse from a sweet Raiju seed. Unable to cook for Umi-bouzo Ranmaru, she faces insults from Raiju until Giniji intervenes. Byakuya arrives, asserting Aoi’s legal ownership by Odanna, causing Raiju to flee. The royal couple Nuinoin and Ritsuko offer a genuine Hourai Gem Branch from Orio-ya in exchange for Aoi and Ginji’s freedom. The branch resides in a magical painting atop a mountain. Ranmaru and Ginji debate the high spirit energy cost of entry. Byakuya suggests taking Aoi to recharge their energy with her food. Shizuna’s medicine restores Aoi’s voice but not her taste. Byakuya warns against the painting’s fog, which manifests hidden desires as illusions, before unlocking the portal with a magic key.
Episodes
- Ep. 19 · Aoi aids injured Ginji and Ranmaru while uncovering the history of the Dragon Palace curse.
- Ep. 20 · Aoi visits the Dragon Palace and learns secrets from Princess Iso's memory.
- Ep. 21 · Aoi researches recipes while Nene deals with jealousy and Ayakashi troubles at Orio-ya.
- Ep. 22 · Raiju Inspects the Gem and Warns Aoi About His Past
- Ep. 23 · Aoi loses taste and voice to a Raiju curse, prompting a quest for a magical gem.
- Ep. 24 · The group seeks the Gem Branch while Ranmaru reverts to puppy form and Ginji reveals past regrets.
- Ep. 25 · Ranmaru manages airship guests and Aoi serves Umi-bouzo at the Jouno Island ceremony.
- Ep. 26 · Spirits Inn Serves Delicious Dishes to a Lonely Child Spirit