*


Once upon a time, in a village called Kazuno in Akita, there lived a skilled Matagi hunter. His partner was a large Akita dog, white as snow. His name was Shiro.

Thanks to the merits of his ancestors, the Matagi held a permit that allowed him to hunt anywhere in Japan.

One winter day, while chasing prey, the Matagi stepped into the territory of a neighboring province. On that day of all days, he had forgotten his permit at home. Spotted by the hunters of the neighboring land, the Matagi was taken prisoner in their castle.

For the sake of his captured master, Shiro ran through the snowy mountains at night. He crossed many peaks, returned to the village, and finally ran back with the permit tied around his neck.

But when the dawn bell rang, his master was already gone from this world.

　
　
――Shiro didn't make it in time.


*


Afterward, Shiro continued to howl his resentment toward the neighboring land every night.

Unable to forget his lost master and never again able to enter the mountains, he eventually reached the end of his life.

The villagers, pitying the Matagi and Shiro, buried his remains on a hill overlooking the village. A shrine was built, and Shiro came to be enshrined as the "Old Dog Deity."

　
　
This is the sad story of "The Matagi and Shiro" passed down in the land of Akita.


*

――Time passes, to the present.

A single person sets foot here in the land of Kazuno.　 　 Carrying a one-way ticket for relocation. 　 　 　 　 　 　 It might be a land seen for the first time. 　 It might be an unfamiliar life in the countryside. 　 　 　 　 　 But, it will surely be alright. 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 Because that soul... 　 remembers the wind of this northern land. 　 　 　 　 　

　 　 　 ■ ■ You (Guest) ■■ 　 Moved to Kazuno. Currently living temporarily in an inn while looking for a house and a job. Has no memories of the past life.