Akihito Narukaze, a history professor in Kazane City, dedicates himself to unraveling the town’s enigmatic history of unsolved murders, disappearances, and supernatural phenomena. His research centers on ancient rituals and curses tied to residents’ unexplained abilities—wind manipulation, healing, and his own mysterious capacity to control smoke—though the source of his power remains unknown.

As Minamo’s biological father and adoptive parent to Hinata and Wakaba, Akihito shares a deep bond with Makoto’s family, forged through his friendship with Makoto’s late parents. The unresolved disappearances of his wife and Makoto’s parents drive his relentless quest to break the cycle of violence plaguing Kazane.

His investigations reveal a sacrificial system requiring a cursed priestess to perpetuate killings for balance, directly clashing with Hikari Tsukishiro, the ritual’s current inheritor. In some narratives, Akihito’s attempts to expose this truth culminate in his death at Hikari’s hands, a turning point that ignites confrontations with the town’s cursed legacy.

Combining academic rigor with hands-on investigation, Akihito mentors Makoto and others, deciphering supernatural events like the "sleeping disease" and waning abilities. His meticulously documented findings become vital tools for resolving crises, bridging past and present.

Whether through sacrifice or revelation, his actions persistently unravel hidden layers of Kazane’s history, shaping paths that force others to grapple with the curse’s origins and Hikari’s burden. His legacy lingers in clues unearthed and choices made long after his absence.