Aoi frets over being forced to cook every day since she has no way to get fresh ingredients, until she finds a box of fresh fish which she suspects was arranged by Odanna. At Tenjin-ya the entire staff worry about Aoi and work to keep Moonflower in good condition. Byakuya reveals that Odanna has been absent since Aoi was kidnapped, suggesting he is planning something. Aoi continues to suffer harassment from Orio-ya's staff but also keeps having ingredients delivered by somebody. She meets a masked Ayakashi who turns out to be Odanna disguised as a fish merchant. He offers to help her escape but she refuses to leave without Ginji. Odanna reveals Ginji has an important job, the firework event, a once in a century ceremony that Orio-ya must complete to fight the curse the land is under, but they are struggling with the preparations, so much so they had to use Aoi to keep Matsuba from leaving. Odanna casts a spell on Aoi's ogre fire necklace. Aoi is approached by Orio-ya's chefs, the Black and White Crane twins Kai and Mei. One of Orio-ya's guests, Yodoko, is a Rain Woman who makes it rain when she loses her temper, and since rain would ruin the fireworks they have to keep her happy. They want Aoi to cook for her since Yodoko has grown tired of Orio-ya's menu. Aoi meets Yodoko who turns out to be a spoiled rich girl, but who has heard of Aoi and Moonflower. Aoi decides to make Monjayaki. Aoi meets a very young boy employed at Orio-ya by Ranmaru after his parents died and Aoi realises Ranmaru actually cares a lot about helping the people of the South.