A few weeks later, when off to visit Itsuki, Hoshitani bumps into a blond and his companion. "Ah. Sorry," Hoshitani apologizes. The blond smiles, "It's alright."
They all end up going the same way in awkward silence.
When they finally arrived at the sakura tree, the blonde's companion swiftly jumps into the tree, catching a black nightingale. Hoshitani's eyes widened, the nightingale transforming into Itsuki. The blond takes out a paper charm, the companion moving out of the way.
Hoshitani runs in front of Itsuki, "Stop!" The blond hesitates, "Don't get in my way." Hoshitani glares, "You're an exorcist, right? You wouldn't dare hurt a human, so listen to me!" The blond sighs and lowers his hand, "Alright."
Hoshitani asks, "Why are you trying to exorcise him? He hasn't done anything wrong!" The blond replies, "This youkai needs to be exorcised, so it won't harm humans. Sawatari." His companion, Sawatari, nods and kicks the youkai, but Itsuki dodges, takes Hoshitani into his arms and flies into the tree's branches.
"Itsuki..." Itsuki sighs, "Don't be so reckless. I won't save you next time." Itsuki puts Hoshitani down, then flies off into the sky.
Sighing, the blond tells Sawatari that it's useless to follow the youkai. Rather, he's more interested in this boy. Sawatari nods, and helps Hoshitani down the tree. "Let's have a little chat, shall we?" the blond states, more like a demand than a question. Sighing, Hoshitani agrees, 'It's not like I have a choice.'
In a nearby park, they sit down on a bench, Hoshitani glaring and the blond smiling like nothing's wrong, Sawatari standing beside the bench.
"I haven't introduced myself, I'm Tatsumi Rui, an exorcist. This is," he gestures toward Sawatari, "Sawatari, my shiki." Hoshitani glares a little less, "Hoshitani Yuta." Tatsumi smiles, "Now then… what's your relationship with that youkai?"
"We're friends," Hoshitani says, "and I won't let you exorcise him." Tatsumi frowns, "Friends, huh… You should reconsider your definition of 'friends'." Hoshitani sighs, "I know some youkai can do horrible things, but they can also do kind things. Would you stand by and let Sawatari die?" Sawatari flinches as Tatsumi sighs, "No. I understand where you're coming from, but you still should be careful."
Tatsumi gets up, "I won't go after that youkai anymore, since I have other things to do, but…" He gets out a card, "Here. Call me if you need anything." Hoshitani takes the card, and sees Tatsumi and Sawatari off. "We'll be seeing you," Sawatari bows, following his master.
Sighing in relief that the ordeal is over, Hoshitani heads home. In his room though, he discovers Itsuki on his bed, the window open, his kimono half off. Blushing, Hoshitani yells, "What are you doing here?" Itsuki turns to look at him, "Ah. Welcome back. Is the exorcist gone?" Hoshitani sighs at him, "Yeah… He won't come after you since he's busy. More importantly, why are you here?"
Itsuki smiles, "Can I stay here with you? I'll be your bodyguard in return since you seem to attract trouble." Hoshitani stutters, "O-OK, but please put your kimono back on!" Itsuki laughs, and puts it back on, Hoshitani turning away, blushing.
Hoshitani goes downstairs, and asks his parents if he can keep a bird as a pet. The bird being Itsuki transformed into a nightingale. His parents agree, seeing that their son is starting to finally get over his fear of animals. Hearing this, Itsuki flies and lands on Hoshitani's head, Hoshitani freezing still, then flies off back upstairs.
When Hoshitani got back upstairs, he pouts, "Why'd you do that?" Itsuki smiles, back in his normal form, "Sorry. I thought it would be fun to tease you." This causes Hoshitani to pout even more, Itsuki trying not to laugh.