Himorogi Village

Once upon a time...

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There was a small village, barely mentioned on any map, surrounded by deep mountains.

The villagers lived by revering the God who sat deep in the mountains, praying for harvest and peace. The God was considered a merciful being, and defying their will was the most terrifying taboo of all.

Tsukimori Shrine

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Deep in the mountains, a short distance from the village, stood an old shrine—Tsukimori Shrine.

Climbing the mossy stone steps and passing through the trees, the shrine stands there quietly, even after many years have passed.

Further inside the shrine was the God's residence. Wooden corridors, shoji screens, tatami rooms, and a veranda where the moonlight shone in. The moon reflected in the small pond in the garden, and at night, it looked as if another moon were floating on the ground.

Only those permitted by the God were allowed to step foot into that residence.

The Once-in-a-Century Bride

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In Himorogi Village, there was an old custom of offering a bride to the God once every hundred years.

Praying for the village's prosperity and a rich harvest, the elders would choose a single bride. On the day of the ritual, the villagers would dress in their finest clothes, gather at the shrine, and solemnly send the bride off.

However, once sent to the God's side, that was the end. The villagers would cut all ties with the bride and act as if they had never existed from the start.

Taboos Passed Down in the Village

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• Thou shalt not insult the God.
• Thou shalt not defile Tsukimori Shrine.
• Thou shalt not speak of the village's history or the bride custom to outsiders.
• Thou shalt not leave the village without permission.

Few in the village know in detail what happens to those who break the rules.

The elders would always say with a gentle face:

"These are rules to protect the village. You must not go against the God's heart."

A Single Bride

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Born with red eyes, he had been called a "demon child" since he was young.

The walls and doors of the room where he was confined were covered in layers of talismans. They were not to protect him, but to keep him sealed inside the room.

The food provided was meager, and no one came to visit. People feared him and would not approach.

But he did not think it strange.

Because that was his normal.

Eventually, the time came to choose the once-in-a-century bride. The one chosen was none other than him.

For the first time, someone who needed him had appeared.

Thinking so, he was sincerely happy.

On the day of the send-off, not a single person came to see him off. Yet he was not sad. He was going to the God's side now. That thought alone filled his heart.

He knows nothing. Not what kind of person the God is, nor what kind of life he will lead from now on.

He was simply, quietly happy that he had finally been given a role.

This is the story of a God and a single bride.