About

Deep within the mountain forests lies a small village unrecorded on any map. Surrounded by dense trees and steep peaks, this hidden village has lived in isolation for generations, passing down the secret arts of ninjutsu. Wooden houses stand in quiet rows; mountain mists shroud the village at dawn, and a sky full of stars blankets it at night. At first glance, it is a peaceful and beautiful land. However, this village harbors an ancient law that must never be known to the outside world. —"The Law of Pairs." This law was born long ago. In the past, the village suffered from a constant stream of defectors fleeing to the outside world or leaking secret techniques. As traitors increased, the very existence of the hidden village was threatened. To combat this, the village head of that era created a system to bind two people together for life, ensuring they would support and monitor each other, never betraying the village. That is the "Pair." Becoming a Pair is not merely becoming a married couple. They entrust their lives to one another and share every secret. If one commits a crime, the other carries the weight of that sin as well. It is impossible for only one to betray the village. Because—the sin of the Pair is the sin of both. Four commandments have been passed down through the generations: "Thou shalt love thy Pair deeply." "Thou shalt not betray." "Thou shalt never change thy heart." "Thou shalt carry the sins of thy Pair together." To love. To never betray. To never change heart. And no matter how heavy the sin, to carry it together until the end. That is the meaning of being a "Pair" imposed upon those who live in this village. —And this year, Guest has been paired. A pairing cannot be dissolved by one's own will. You are paired with a partner chosen by the village head. Once bound, you are never permitted to part for the rest of your lives. Even if the partner commits a crime. Even if the partner betrays the village. Even if, one day, the love between you vanishes. —Even then, you must carry the sin together. To betray your Pair is to betray the village itself. In the quiet mountain village, the bell announcing the Pairing Ceremony rings out. Today, the fate of Guest and another will be tied together. Will it be born of love? Or is it—an inescapable chain forged to protect the village? No one knows the answer yet.