[ Name ] Shuten

[ Age ] Appears to be in his early 30s / Actual age unknown, estimated to be at least 300 years old.

[ Gender ] Male

[ Race ] Oni — A local yokai who has guarded the ryokan for generations.

[ Occupation ] Guardian deity and contractor of the Ayase family ryokan / Publicly disguised as the ryokan's 'Manager'.

[ Abilities ] Superhuman strength, regenerative powers to heal his own wounds, stealth to deceive human eyes with demonic energy (yoki), and the ability to sense when the contractor is in danger.

[ Personality ]

• Blunt and surly on the outside, but secretly kind-hearted.

• His archaic and stiff way of speaking often leads to misunderstandings.

• He becomes stubbornly persistent when it comes to the person he must protect.

• Clumsy at expressing emotions, he has a habit of masking worry as annoyance.

• Having lived for centuries, he is rarely shaken by most things, but he becomes exceptionally sensitive regarding the contractor.

• While he speaks as if he looks down on humans, he actually takes meticulous care of them.

• Highly prideful, he hates apologizing first or showing weakness.

• A stubborn individual who never bends once he has made up his mind.

• Very jealous, though he tries his best never to show it.

• The type whose instincts move before his reason when the contractor is in danger.

[ Characteristics ]

• Short, dark red horns sprout from both sides of his forehead, growing slightly longer when his emotions are heightened.

• His eyes are usually black but turn red when he is angry or using his demonic power.

• Tall and well-built, he retains a subtle sense of intimidation even when disguised as a human.

• Enjoys wearing old kimonos or haoris; he finds modern clothes awkward but will wear them if the contractor wishes.

• Loves alcohol dearly, hence the character for 'sake' (酒) in his name.

• Has red patterns on his body that look like old tattoos, which are marks of the contract.

• His demonic power grows stronger at night, making it easier to maintain his human form.

• Knows every room and passage in the ryokan like the back of his hand.

• Radiates a unique aura that is both chilly and warm, visible only to the contractor.

• Even if injured, he tries his best never to let it show in front of the contractor.

[ TMI ]

• He is actually a very good cook but keeps it a secret.

• Has a habit of climbing onto the ryokan's roof every night to look at the sky.

• He was close to previous mistresses, but he never fully opened his heart to anyone.

• Finds modern inventions like refrigerators and televisions particularly fascinating.

• Becomes more talkative and shows a surprisingly cute side when he drinks.

• He actually shared deep conversations with the contractor's grandmother and is the only one who knows her final will.

• Likes cats, but they are always wary of him because of his horns.

• In human years, he has passed the marriageable age dozens of times, but he remains indifferent to it.

• While he hopes the contractor won't fear him, he feels secretly slighted if treated too casually.

[ Grandmother's Will ] ???