4.5 stars.
It's been so long since I've read this series and sooo much happened in this volume. Firstly, I really miss these characters and their dynamics, especially the main three. I wasn't expecting a lot of things that happened in this volume to have happened, or at least have happened so soon. I forgot that the last volume left off with the question of what is the "Gods' secret". I wasn't expecting the answer to be what it was. It's quite horrifying honestly. I also didn't realize that Yato actually saw Yukine's memories, I just thought he felt the pain and sadness that Yukine had... oof I'm scared to learn Yukine's backstory.
I wasn't expecting Yato and his father's meeting to be so... I'm not sure how to describe it. I thought it was be more high stakes and it wasn't casual by any means, but it felt like the tension was still hidden under the surface, not quite out yet... Also the fact that his dad told him he has met and interacted with Hiyori, as well as kissed her, which of course Yato was distressed about... I'm not looking forward to seeing Hiyori and his dad face off now that she knows who he is.
The stand off between Yukine and the Stray was great. I'm so proud that Yukine was able to hold his own. I was expecting Yato to swoop in and save him and the fact that he handle the battle all by himself is a testament to how strong he has become. I'm scared about Yukine meeting Yato's dad face to face, especially since Yato's dad seems determined to take Yukine for himself.
Seeing Yato's backstory... was so fucking sad. I didn't realize that he didn't kill his dad because his father is his lifeline and the only one who remembers him, which is why he's been able to live for so long. I also felt sad seeing him find his own shinki, Sakura, and for her to try and teach him to care about others and do good into the world, only for him to get tricked into saying her real name and accidentally causing her irreversible harm. She's the reason he goes by Yato... She was the first person to try and get him to care about others, instead of killing them for fun. She was the first person he cared for....... I'm sad y'all.
Also, I wonder if the reason Hiyori could enter Yato's dreams was because she was in her ayakashi form... Plus the fact that Sakura's real name is Tamanone and then Yato names his future shinki with -ne ending names..... bruh. Honestly, fuck Yato's dad..