Meanwhile in modern-day Japan, a boy named Arata Hinohara is starting his new life in high school. He wants to put memories of his difficult past behind him, but things aren’t going to be simple when Kadowaki, the bully from his old school, emerges. Kadowaki's bullying continues, and Hinohara discovers that his friend, Suguru, allied with Kadowaki and covered his desk with glue. Feeling angry and betrayed, he walks into an alley, and soon finds that is no longer in Japan, but rather a new world, Amawakuni, the other Arata's home. He is helped by Arata's grandmother and Kotoha, Arata's childhood friend. When Kannagi searches their house, Hinohara comes across a rusted sword and activates its power and becomes a sho. The sword is a Hayagami, or god, named Tsukuyo.

Kotoha gives Hinohara a stone (michihi no tama). He is arrested, and in a jail cell, talks to Arata through the stone. He discovers the truth behind the princess' assassination, and both realize that they are in each other's worlds and being mistaken for each other. Hinohara is speedily tried, found guilty, and exiled to Gatoya Island, a place compared to a living hell. On the trip to the island Kotoha tags along and gives him his Hayagami. Also because of the stones power he is able to talk to the princess (who is just barely alive) and she asks him to govern the world as otherwise there will only be war and bloodshed.

On the Gatoya, he meets two friends, Kanate and Ginchi, who try to steal his belongings and Kotoha. Kotoha soon disappears, and Hinohara, desperate to find her, trades everyday items from Japan for information. He discovers that Tsutuga, the warden of Gatoya Island, is a sho, and confronts him. Hinohara learns that Tsutuga was betrayed and empathizes with him. Tsutsuga decides to give his Hayagami to Hinohara, and becomes one with his Hayagami. Hinohara uses his new power to then restore the island. He and Kotoha escape with their new friends, Kanate and Ginchi, to the mainland to restore order and save the princess.