Natsume's Book of Friends Vol. 5 — Manga Raw / Buy Official

Taki uses an ancestral ritual circle to track down the spirit that has cursed her, a burden slowly draining her life force. Natsume senses the dark aura surrounding her and chooses to protect her, inadvertently becoming a target for the vengeful spirit himself. The curse strikes, stripping Natsume of his ability to see and hear the supernatural—a terrifying isolation that makes him realize how much his connection to the yokai means to him. With Nyanko-sensei acting as his eyes and protector, Natsume deciphers the true intent behind the spirit’s sorrow. He realizes the curse isn't born of malice, but of a forgotten promise between Taki’s grandfather and the spirit. By reversing the ritual, Natsume manages to set the spirit free, but the physical and emotional toll lingers. Through this harrowing ordeal, Taki and Natsume find solace in each other, bridging the gap between their isolated worlds. The experience transforms their relationship, turning them into kindred spirits who finally understand the weight of the invisible bonds they carry.