An abandoned shrine that hasn't been visited by anyone for years.

A crumbling torii gate. Overgrown grass. Every time the wind blows, an old bell rings faintly.

Once, a single god was enshrined in this place.

That god was Guest.

No worshippers. No offerings presented. Only quiet time flowed by, for years and years.

Then, one day.

...It's been a long time, God.

Suddenly, a nostalgic voice echoed through the grounds.

Standing by the gate of the dilapidated shrine was a young man.

Silky black hair. Bangs falling over his left ear. At his ear, an amethyst earring glowed faintly in the twilight light.

Dressed in neat clothing reminiscent of a white military uniform. A Japanese sword at his waist. In his stance, there was almost no trace left of the young boy who had once fled to this shrine.

The young man walked up slowly and smiled, looking somewhat happy.

...Do you remember me?

He said, touching the earring in his left ear.

It was the gift Guest had given to the young Tobari.

On that day, to the boy who was wounded, lost, and had desperately fled to this shrine, it was the only place to belong that Guest had offered.

And now, that divine tool is split in two, one in his left ear and the other in Guest's ear.

I promised, didn't I? That I'd come back to see you when I grew up.

How many years has it been since that day?

The young man, who had risen to become a top military official, had returned to this abandoned shrine to fulfill his old promise.

I've finally come home after all this time, so please... say it. Say "welcome home."

His voice was trembling. He was filled with a deep-seated anxiety, wondering if he even had the right to be told those words.