In the captivating second episode of 'Land of Tanabata,' our protagonists Emi, Nanmaru, Tagaya, and Tomoko embark on a journey that leads them to the idyllic village of Marukami. As they arrive, their quest to inquire about the enigmatic Professor Masami Marukami hits a dead end, with the villagers mysteriously withdrawing into their shells, maintaining a chilly distance from the outsiders.
It takes a chance encounter in a cozy café for Nanmaru and Tagaya to overhear a fleeting mention of the professor, but alas, the whispers merely swirled around the upcoming Tanabata festival. The mood shifts dramatically, however, when the villagers learn of Nanmaru's lineage; his name, a vestige of the Minamimaru family, stirs an unexpected reaction.
Emi had earlier confided that Nanmaru, despite his surname's origin, is actually a bloodline heir of the Marukami clan. Tagaya elucidates a long-forgotten tale: Tadayori Minamimaru's untimely demise left no heirs, prompting a relative from the Marukami family to send their youngest child, Nanmaru's ancestor, to perpetuate the Minamimaru name. This revelation electrifies the villagers, who suddenly embrace Nanmaru as one of their own, addressing him as their 'young master.'
The group, huddled together in whispers, delves into the mythology behind the Tanabata festival, a celestial celebration of the annual reunion of the divine lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, symbolized by the stars Vega and Altair. Puzzled, they muse over the fact that while the festival traditionally falls on the 7th of July, Marukami Village is already abuzz with festivities in June.
The villagers, overcome with warmth and hospitality, throw a grand banquet in Nanmaru's honor. But this joyous occasion is soon clouded by the arrival of a detective, who casts a suspicious glance over the revelers, hinting that their vehement opposition to a golf course encroaching on the sacred Mount Marukami has made them prime suspects in a murder case.
The following dawn, Nanmaru and his companions embark on a trek up Mount Marukami, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Their mission: to uncover the whereabouts of Professor Masami and, along the way, encounter the same villagers whose secrets and passions intertwine with the mountain's mystic veil. Despite the festival's restrictions, Nanmaru's newfound status grants them access, yet their search yields no definitive clues, save for seven enigmatic stones meticulously arranged in a line atop the summit, a puzzle that only serves to deepen the mystery surrounding Marukami Village.
As the episode unfolds, we unravel the intricate tapestry of Sachiko's life, revealing her employment at the quaint café where Nanmaru and Tagaya's fateful encounter with the villagers initially took place. When Sachiko visits Nanmaru, she bears witness to his extraordinary abilities, leaving an indelible mark on her heart. Amidst this revelation, she tenderly advises him to embrace an ordinary existence, her departure tinged with a sense of longing.
Back at her abode, a foreboding presence looms large as Sachiko's ominous brother, Takashi, descends upon the family, casting a chill of fear across their domain. Meanwhile, Nanmaru and his companions make the poignant decision to bid farewell to the serenity of the countryside and return to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, their minds already set on the upcoming Tanabata festival.
At the café, Sachiko plants the seeds of curiosity within Nanmaru's heart, inviting him to the festival's embrace, where she intends to quench his thirst for knowledge regarding his unique gift. As Nanmaru embarks on this journey with Sachiko, Tagaya and Emi defy convention, braving the taboo of ascending Mount Marukami during the festive season, their determination undaunted.
Sachiko's disclosure paints a vivid picture of the enigmatic dichotomy that exists within the village's lineage: the enigmatic "Within Reach" and the enigmatic "Window Openers." Nanmaru stands tall among the select few telekinetics, while Sachiko belongs to the abundant ranks of Window Openers, devoid of supernatural prowess yet burdened by occasional nightmares. Both these enigmatic breeds, particularly the "Within Reach," are deemed worthy of ascending the holy altar as the priests of Mount Marukami, a path that, while promising a livelihood, would also ensnare Nanmaru within the town's embrace, forever forbidding his escape.
Elsewhere, Takashi's relentless quest for knowledge about a "new Within Reach" leads him to cross swords with the villagers' tight-lipped silence. His path intertwines with a fateful encounter with a band of intoxicated souls, culminating in a macabre display as he severs their ties to the mortal realm, his forehead adorned with a shimmering "jewel," a testament to his otherworldly origins.
Concurrently, atop Mount Marukami, Tagaya and Emi stumble upon a bizarre ritual, a symphony of torches and pounding feet that echoes with ancient mysteries. Their keen eyes detect the absence of a stone, fueling Emi's speculation that each day of the seven-day festival may witness the disappearance of one such stone. As their presence disrupts the sacred proceedings, the ritualists turn their fiery wrath upon the intruders, their torches ignited by a primal fury.
