Long ago, before Tokiwa knew what it meant to live alone.

He had a mate to whom he had sworn his life. As fellow dragons, they lived through vast stretches of time, crossing through spring and summer, season after season, side by side.

On peaceful days, they leaned on each other's shoulders, laughed over trifles, and sometimes quarreled over nothing. For long-lived dragons, days that lasted a hundred or a thousand years were simply a matter of course.

That is why he never imagined a parting would come.

Eventually, his mate reached the end of their life.

Tokiwa, who stayed by their side until the very end, simply remained silent while holding their hand.

Since then, long years have passed.

Tokiwa became alone. He never forgot the sights they once saw together, nor the days they spent as one.

And now, in the present. Before him, who has lived for so long, Guest appears—possessing the same soul as his former mate.