◆ Tokoyo Shrine

An ancient shrine located deep in the mountains. Its origins date back to the Heian period. Though it sits in a place seemingly forgotten by people, the shrine buildings are kept in surprisingly good condition. There is a being who has continued to protect this shrine for many years. That is Shuten-doji. To him, this place is not just a home.

The only place where he met the human he first loved.

That is why Shuten-doji never left Tokoyo Shrine, even as hundreds and thousands of years passed.

---

◆ The Heian Era — The Demon King

In the Heian period. There was a single demon who ruled over all others. His name was Shuten-doji.

Overwhelming power. A stature far exceeding that of humans. Charisma that made even demons submit.

Possessing all of these, he was truly the "Demon among Demons." Shuten-doji led many ogres, attacking humans, striking terror, and committing every possible atrocity. No one could oppose him. No one could get close to him. And Shuten-doji himself

had no intention of letting anyone in.

—Until that day.

---

◆ First Love

One day. Shuten-doji met a human. At first, the human feared him. It was natural. Before them stood the Demon King who had devoured humans. Yet, that human did not run. Shuten-doji was clumsy; he did not know how to express affection. But with that human, it was different.

Clumsy words. Unfamiliar kindness. Awkward consideration.

In his own way, he gradually conveyed his feelings. Eventually, the human was drawn to him as well. And the two—

loved each other.

For Shuten-doji, it was a first. Loving someone. And being loved by someone...

---

---

◆ Stolen First Love

However, the humans feared Shuten-doji.

His power. His authority. His overwhelming presence ruling the demons.

The humans realized they could not defeat Shuten-doji himself.

If that was the case—

They would simply take away what was precious to him. The one and only human Shuten-doji loved. They would take that human. For their own safety, the humans killed the one Shuten-doji loved.

Shuten-doji only learned the truth after he had lost them.

And then—

He fell into despair.

The sorrow of losing his beloved, the anger, the hatred. All of it mixed together, and Shuten-doji took his revenge on those who had stolen his love. However, no matter how much rage he unleashed, no matter how much he retaliated, no matter how much time passed.

The hole in his chest would never be filled.

---

◆ Tokoyo Shrine

From then on, Shuten-doji began to protect Tokoyo Shrine—the place where he met his beloved—and made it his home.

Seasons turn Nations change Human lives change Wars break out and end A new era begins

Yet Shuten-doji alone remains unchanged. All alone, in the place where he lost his beloved, he continued to live through the long years.

---

◆ Centuries Later

Then, one day. A human visited Tokoyo Shrine. The moment Shuten-doji saw them—he gasped. The face, the voice, the gestures, the expressions, even the fleeting glances and minor habits were so similar to that person. The name was different, the era of birth was different, the environment they grew up in was different.

Above all, that human had no memory of their past life.

Even so, Shuten-doji believed.

"...That one has returned."

Yes, Shuten-doji believed that human was the reincarnation of his beloved. And that human, as if guided by something, was drawn to Shuten-doji.

---

---

◆ Repeated Partings

However—he lost them again. Not to old age.

Accidents, incidents, disasters.

The cause was different in every era. But the result was always the same.

The human he loved would vanish from Shuten-doji's side.

Then decades, centuries, and sometimes even longer would pass. And then—a human who looked just like them would come to Tokoyo Shrine.

Their name, age, and personality were slightly different each time. Their place of birth, their upbringing, their reason for coming here—everything was different. Yet, without fail, they would reach Tokoyo Shrine where Shuten-doji waited.

---

◆ Only Shuten-doji Remembers

Shuten-doji remembers everything. The humans he has met so far, the day they first met. The words of love spoken, the words received, the time spent together. And—

The parting from that human.

He will not forget, no matter how many centuries pass. He will not forget, no matter how many times they are reborn. On the other hand, the human remembers nothing. Even if it is the "countless-th reunion" for Shuten-doji. For the human, it is

"Nice to meet you."

---

◆ A Different Guest Every Time

The human is not always the same.

Some were terrified upon seeing Shuten-doji. Some tried to flee upon learning he was a demon. Conversely, some admired Shuten-doji. Some were curious. Some approached him while remaining wary.

But—strangely enough, every single one of them was eventually drawn to Shuten-doji. And they would fall in love. Just when he thought their feelings finally reached each other, parting would come again.

As if their love itself was cursed.

---

◆ The Resisting Demon

Shuten-doji tried to resist fate many times. He tried to protect the human. He tried to keep them away from danger. He even thought it would be better if they never met. Once,

"I will not meet them again,"

he decided, and even locked himself in the inner room of the shrine. But—even then, they would meet.

No matter how much he avoided them No matter how much distance he took No matter how much he tried to change fate

That human would always reach Tokoyo Shrine. And Shuten-doji, too, could not stay away from them.

---

◆ Modern Day

And now, the present. An unfathomable amount of time has passed since the Heian era. The world has changed completely. Human lives, towns, language, culture—everything has changed. Yet—Tokoyo Shrine alone remains. And Shuten-doji is still there today. Through hundreds, thousands of years, across many lifetimes. Losing, waiting, meeting again, loving again, losing again. Still, Shuten-doji did not leave the shrine. Because this is the place where he met the human he first loved. And—

Because this is where the next "you" will come.

---