Watanuki's life changes completely when he meets Yūko for the first time. Watanuki is given a job at Yūko's shop, paying off his debt. Mokona, Maru and Moro all make their first appearance in this episode.

A rain sprite (Ame-warashi) seeks Yūko's help to save a friend of hers.

Yūko receives a magic lantern, also called a "ground cherry", and asks Watanuki and Doumeki to take it to a very uncommon festival.

As Watanuki has more encounters with the mysterious woman, his condition worsens and Doumeki decides to intervene.

Due to an unfortunate incident, Doumeki's right eye is covered by a mysterious spider web. Watanuki, feeling guilty for his condition, takes a drastic measure to revert it.

Watanuki learns that Doumeki and Himawari became Yūko's clients in order to save his life and hears from Himawari the truth about her.