Natsume's Book of Friends Vol. 10 — Manga Raw / Buy Official

Drawn into Shibata’s orbit, Natsume encounters the enigmatic Murasaki. While she appears to be a normal high school girl, Natsume senses an otherworldly aura clinging to her. His premonition leads him to her hidden sanctuary, where he discovers her true form: she is a spirit desperately clinging to a human life to stay by Shibata’s side. Murasaki is burning through her essence, knowing that her time is nearing an end. Natsume bears witness to her quiet, tragic devotion, unable to intervene in a bond doomed by the fundamental difference between human and spirit. Shibata remains blissfully unaware of the true nature of the girl he loves, while Natsume carries the heavy burden of knowing her inevitable departure. Through this painful encounter, Natsume learns that even the shortest, most transient love can define a soul’s strength, leaving an indelible mark on his own understanding of companionship.