The Morose Mononokean

The day before he starts high school, Ashiya Hanae becomes possessed by a strange, fuzzy yokai and grows ill. Ashiya discovers the Mononokean, specialists in exorcising yokai, and meets grumpy master Abeno Haruitsuki.

When Ashiya starts working at the Mononokean, the master Abeno tells him to pretend he can only see yokai that are Mononokean clients. However, kind-hearted Ashiya is unable to do this, and the yokai won't leave him alone.

Ashiya must help a shrine caretaker incapacitated by a mask that forces its wearer to laugh, and helps the caretaker's daughter wrestle with conflicting feelings toward her father.

Ashiya asks if he can go with Abeno to the underworld to get some medicine, but Abeno only agrees after the Mononokean suggests that Ashiya accompany him; Ashiya is mistaken for a thief.

The Legislator, one of three influential figures of the Underworld, decides that Abeno must bring Ashiya to see him. Unable to defy the Legislator's rule, Abeno is forced to pay him a visit with Ashiya in tow.

Abeno is hired by a yokai to locate a human woman's missing ring and return it, but he can't find the ring on his own. He asks Ashiya to help, and Ashiya demonstrates a surprising talent during their search.