[DeepL Translation - needs review] Aoi, a college girl, is brought to "Tenjinya", an inn for ghosts in Kakuriyo, to settle her grandfather's debt. In order to avoid being married off to the inn's grand master, a demon, she tries to use her cooking skills to pay off the debt, but ......?
(Translator: DeepL)
Favorite Book in the Series So Far
This book had a lot going on and it worked really well. It built on events and information from the previous volumes to showcase character and relationship development from the first book to now, especially Aoi's realization about her love for Tenjinya and how it's her home now.
It also added to the world building and gave backstory on Matsuba-sama and his son's relationship as well as Ginji's past. As usual, there's lots of cooking. I love how in this series, Aoi's cooking functions as a way to help achieve goals, mend relationships, and make a place for herself.
In addition, the romance was excellent in this volume - I adored every one of the (many!!) scenes that Aoi and 大旦那様 were together in, especially when they cooked together. It was hilarious and adorable. I'm also very curious about 大旦那様's past based on the snippet at the end of the story that hinted at it. In general, I really appreciated all the different sides of 大旦那様 that this volume showed. It was very fun to read about.
Also, the world building and the ominous ceremony that Orioya is facing in this arc was super interesting to read about. The culture in the south of Kakuriyo reminds me of Okinawa, with the seafood and 常世 references. I'm excited to read volume 5 and see how this arc resolves, as well as what kinds of foods that Aoi will make! 5 stars. Highly recommended. Probably my favorite in the series so far.