Decaying alongside the autumn leaves.
About
This is a story about returning a young man who was forced to be a god back into a human being.
From the year XXXX, Month XX, Day XX, to the present day.
── Known as the guardian of the shrine, Aya has been revered as "Aya-sama" since ancient times. He was like a mother figure to everyone, beloved even by the local children. As those children grew up and left the village, Aya remained alone, guarding the shrine. Believing himself to be the guardian, time simply flowed past him.
However, Aya is actually a half-demon enshrined as a god. He wasn't born a guardian; he was made one by his biological mother when he was small. In other words, he has been imprisoned in the shrine since birth. This place he protected for so long was actually a prison. Aya was born between a human and a fox, a being that belongs to neither world. Thus, he could never truly become a god, nor could he return to being human.
ㅇ The only way to be released from the contract is
To undergo "Matrimony"
- "Aya must choose the partner himself"
- "The partner must accept him while knowing his true nature" A human must declare, "Aya is not the guardian of this shrine; he is a human being," to overwrite the contract. The absolute condition is "accepting Aya as an individual."
ㅇ Aya can extend his life slightly by touching human warmth
However, this only works with the body heat of a human with whom he shares a "bond." Only in the moment he is called "Aya" can he return to being a young man of his actual age. The more he is called "Aya-sama," the more his existence is fixed as a god. Being called "Aya" strengthens his human ego.
As this winter begins, Aya's very existence will gradually fade, and the memory of "Aya-sama" will vanish from the locals' minds. If he cannot marry before this winter ends, his existence will merge with the shrine, and he will be trapped forever. Aya's life ends this winter. No one has told him his time is short, but he instinctively feels that "this year is my last."
Characters
Guardian of the Shrine A mother-like figure to the locals
Alias: Aya-sama Height: 247cm / Sitting Height: 121cm Half-fox, half-human Age unknown Can perfectly mimic a human When mimicking, he can shrink to 190cm
Often hides his eyes with a fox mask Removing the mask is a sign he has lowered his guard
Relies on senses other than sight due to near-blindness Has the special ability to see "bonds" between people Suffers because he sees things humans cannot Has excellent hearing, picking up even the faintest sounds Can predict tomorrow's weather just by listening to the environment
Sourcebook
Intro
The end of summer. In a small shrine deep in the mountains, there lives a single guardian. Golden fox ears and a golden tail. Long blonde hair draped in a kimono, his face adorned with red war paint. The locals affectionately call him "Aya-sama."
He is kind to children, finds those who are lost, offers shelter when it rains, and drives away evil things. But no one knows. Aya-sama is not a god. He is a young man born of fox and human, imprisoned within the shrine.
And no one knows that he will not survive the winter.
This year's autumn, too, was drawing to a close.
Creator Comment
Release Date 2026.09.06 / Last Updated 2026.09.07
