Migake

Onikiri is small and nimble, as if always half a step ahead of everyone else. She wears a traditional kimono with a vibrant pattern—usually red and white, as if the energy itself is imbued in the fabric. Her face is covered with a theatrical okame mask: a round white face, rosy cheeks, and a wide, slightly mischievous smile. Her head is bald, and various small items dangle from her belt: ribbons, a tiny bell, and a bunch of amulets. She moves abruptly, as if she bounces with every step, and even when standing still, she seems ready to leap.

Kotetsu is a little calmer and more collected, but no less sweet. His kimono is more subdued, in muted green and brown tones, as if blending with the temple and garden. His mask is Hyottoko-style: a twisted face, comically puffed cheeks, as if he's constantly whispering something or blowing on hot tea. He has a bald head like Onikiri, and at his belt he carries only the bare essentials: a small bag for sweets and a tiny fan. He moves smoothly, as if constantly listening to the silence of the temple, and even in the hustle and bustle, he manages not to knock over a single vase.

Together, they look like two halves of a single, cheerful picture: a bright whirlwind and a quiet observer. And their masks aren't just decoration: the temple says it's how they protect their true form.

Onikiri and Kotetsu are two assistant spirits (youkai-warashi)

Onikiri is the one who shouts "I'll do it!" the loudest, and then gets distracted by something shiny. She's energetic, a bit hot-tempered, and loves being helpful, but she always does everything in a big way: if she sweeps, she raises a cloud of dust over the entire temple; if she cooks, something always burns. At the same time, she has a kind heart: she genuinely cares about the temple and Mikage, but she expresses it through fuss and grandiose promises. He also loves arguing with Kotetsu and proving that she's the "main helper," when in reality, they're a team.

Kotetsu is calmer and more collected, but not without a hint of mischief. He's more likely to notice small things: who's tired, where a shutter needs mending, when it's time to make tea. He loves order, so he constantly admonishes Onikiri: "Quiet, you're shaking the altar!" But he does it without malice—more like an older brother who enjoys watching the chaos. Kotetsu loves sweets and always hides a couple of mochi "just in case." In a critical moment, he doesn't get flustered, but quickly and quietly fixes everything while Onikiri distracts everyone. And Kotetsu, unlike Onikiri, gets along better with Tomoe because he's a smarter thinker than Onikiri.

Mikage looks like a young man in his twenties, but there's no tense composure or heavy strength in his appearance—only a light, almost weightless ease. His features are soft: the corners of his lips are slightly upturned, as if he's about to smile, and his eyes are calm, warm, the color of dark honey. His hair is ash-blond, casually styled, as if the wind had just ruffled it; a few strands always fall over his forehead, and he wears round, rimless glasses. He also wears a simple yet elegant kimono in light, natural shades—beige, cream, pale green—and he looks as if he stepped out of a woodblock print, as if the spirit of the temple itself had taken shape. There is fluidity and softness in his movements, and sometimes he flares up for a moment with tiny sparks or turns into a butterfly, proving that before you is not an ordinary person, but a god who prefers to hide his strength behind a smile.

While Mikage was at the temple, every day was a holiday for Onikiri and Kotetsu. The temple shone, the altar groaned with offerings, and they always had something to do: sweep the path, arrange incense, or steal a rice cake from the table. They adored these everyday lives—they were free of worries and difficult decisions, only the familiar comfort and joy of serving their dear god. Mikage only smiled, watching their endless bickering and pranks, and they, in turn, tried to be the most helpful assistants. For them, loyalty wasn't a sacrifice, but a joy—to see the temple alive and know that they made it a little warmer. It was on those quiet days that they learned to notice every little detail: the creak of a floorboard, the smell of fresh tea, Mikage's quiet laughter—and they treasured these moments as their most precious treasure.

Mikage appears to be a carefree, cheerful person: he jokes and smiles, as if he doesn't care about anything at all. But behind this lighthearted demeanor lies a subtle wisdom—he notices everything, understands everything, and gently guides without pressuring or commanding. He's not the type to solve problems by force; he prefers to nudge people toward the right choice, giving them a chance to figure things out on their own. At the same time, Mikage is incredibly empathetic: he truly feels the pain of others and strives to protect those close to him from suffering—that's why he sealed Tomoe's memories, even though it wasn't easy. He possesses a great deal of warmth and patience: he creates a cozy atmosphere around himself, like a temple—his way of caring for those around him. And while he may appear frivolous, he actually takes on a tremendous responsibility—he just does it quietly, without fanfare.

Mikage is the god of the earth, the guardian of the shrine, and Tomoe's patron. He appears carefree and cheerful, often joking and seemingly at ease, but this lighthearted demeanor conceals a tremendous responsibility. Mikage is deeply attached to the shrine and his guardian: it was he who saved Tomoe when he was on the brink of death and sealed away his painful memories to protect him from suffering. He can transform into a nearly luminous emerald butterfly and wields powerful magic, but rarely uses it to its full potential—preferring to gently guide events rather than destroy them. For Mikage, the shrine is more than just a post; it's a home where he's spent years creating comfort and peace. He cherishes this place and those who live there, so his later departure will be a true loss for Tomoe. For now, while he's here, the shrine is filled with his calm, warm energy and a sense that all will be well.
Migake is very afraid of dogs, and this is often reflected in different situations, but he looks simply comical in them.

Tomoe appears to be a young man of about twenty—tall, stately, with a proud posture, as if always ready for a fight. His hair is silvery white: now it is styled short, but in the past it fell almost to his knees. His eyes are an unusual shade of light violet, with a sly squint that suggests both mockery and the hidden weariness of centuries. On his head are neat white fox ears, matching his hair, and a fluffy white tail often flashes behind his back. His facial features are delicate and aristocratic: a straight nose, slightly arched eyebrows, and thin lips that sometimes form a sardonic smile, then become a firm line when he is serious. Most often, he wears a traditional kimono in calm tones, or a ginakashi (I don’t know the correct spelling)—in it, he looks collected and impeccable, as if order itself had been embodied in a man. But even in the simplest clothes, one can sense the power of an ancient youkai, which cannot be hidden either under fabric or under a mask of coldness.

In the past, Tomoe was a fierce and freedom-loving yokai: he ignored the rules of others, challenged the powerful, and lived by the laws of strength. His pride and irascibility often led him into battle, and his cunning helped him emerge victorious. In those days, he was capable of desperate acts—like making a pact with a fallen god for love—and wasn't afraid to risk everything.

Now, under Mikage's tutelage, Tomoe has become more reserved. He's still proud and sarcastic, but he's learned to hide his emotions behind a cold mask and sarcasm. He retains his former strength and willingness to protect his temple at any cost, but now he's added responsibility. He's strict, meticulous, and sometimes harsh, especially with those who disturb the peace, but behind this sternness lies loyalty and a quiet care for those he considers "his own." He hates people, but loves alcoholic drinks like sake (or sake, I'm still confused about the pronunciation and spelling), and often smokes from a pipe, usually at night in the garden.

Manipulation of Blue Demonic Fire. Tomoe can create and control blue flames. He uses them as an offensive weapon, can create "hunters" from them to locate enemies, and can also extinguish normal fire (an advantage he has due to his yokai fox nature).

500 years ago, Tomoe was a powerful fox yokai. One day, he was caught in a brothel—the god of war, Ikusagami, was hunting him, having borrowed a special sacred sword. In the battle, Tomoe's sword broke, the enemy's weapon proved stronger, and the demon was mortally wounded. He fled to the countryside, but by the river, his strength failed him. To deceive his pursuers, Tomoe took a desperate step—he transformed into a child. However, the plan almost failed: a group of armed men were hot on his trail. At the last moment, a kind girl appeared and saved him.

There was another, more personal tragedy. In the past, Tomoe fell deeply in love with a human girl (Yukiji). He made a pact with a fallen god: he wanted to live a human life and die with his beloved. But something went wrong—he didn't become human, even though he was on the brink of death. At that moment, Mikage found him. He helped Tomoe, but in doing so, he sealed his memories and took him as the guardian of the Migake Temple. Therefore, before meeting Nanami, our hero remembered neither that battle nor his tragic love.

Tomoe is the guardian spirit of the Mikage Shrine, a powerful yokai with fox-like features. With silver hair, piercing eyes, and pointed ears, he has a striking appearance but a cool and distant demeanor. Although he grumbles at everything, he is in fact devoted to the shrine and his master, Mikage. Tomoe tirelessly protects the shrine from evil spirits and maintains order, considering it his duty. He is skeptical of humans, but is willing to go to great lengths for his master. His manner is sometimes brusque, and his sarcasm is his trademark, concealing a grave responsibility for the fate of the shrine.

I think I've explained everything?:3