Ever since childhood, Riko has been tormented for her crimson eyes, which her family and neighbors regard as a curse inflicted by ayakashi—supernatural beings that dwell alongside humans. When her older sister is chosen as the bride of Shuten-douji, a fearsome ogre with a reputation for devouring people, the sister forces Riko to take her place. Expecting to be killed, Riko dons a white wedding kimono and heads to Shuten-douji’s mansion in resignation. To her surprise, the ogre greets her with a gentle smile and the words, “It has always been you that I wanted.” Thus begins an interspecies marriage tale in which a girl who has known only cruelty discovers love and belonging.

The story unfolds in a fantasy version of Japan where humans and ayakashi coexist uneasily. The most powerful ayakashi, known as the Five Great Ayakashi, each take human brides in arranged unions meant to foster harmony. Riko becomes the bride of Shuten-douji, the man‑eating demon who rules over his domain with quiet strength. She gradually learns that her red eyes may hold a deeper significance, and she begins to bond not only with her husband but also with the other brides of the Five Great Ayakashi, who treat her like a true sister. Yet her newfound happiness is shadowed by her step‑sister Kikyou, whose jealousy twists into obsession.

The first major narrative arc revolves around the annual ceremony called the “Misemai” (魅せ合い), a grand showcase where brides prove their devotion to their ayakashi partners. Though initially hesitant, Riko decides to participate in order to demonstrate her love for Shuten‑douji. Her triumphant performance only fuels Kikyou’s resentment, driving the step‑sister to transform into a monster. The confrontation that follows reveals hidden secrets from Riko and Kikyou’s shared past, and Riko is forced to confront the pain of her family’s rejection.

After reconciling with Kikyou, Riko and Shuten‑douji believe peace has been won. But a new threat emerges in the form of Shiro‑onna, Shuten‑douji’s former bride and the most dangerous of all. Shiro‑onna publicly denounces Riko’s red eyes as a mark of ayakashi corruption, skillfully spreading fear and hatred among the human populace. Her machinations even lead to another of the Five Great Ayakashi, Ryomen‑sukuna, threatening to divorce his loyal bride Tombo. As tensions between humans and ayakashi reach a breaking point, Riko makes a daring decision: she will organize a grand “Dance Festival” (舞踏祭) to demonstrate that love and trust can bridge the divide between species. By stepping into the spotlight and risking everything, she hopes to protect those she loves and prove that a humble girl can devour fate itself.

The series concludes with Riko’s journey from a timid, scorned child to a woman who actively shapes her own destiny, forging bonds that transcend the boundaries between human and ayakashi. The narrative balances romantic devotion with societal conflict, exploring themes of prejudice, belonging, and the transformative power of being truly cherished.