The dog is safe.

The dog is safe.

During the day, in the shrine grounds. At night, a twenty-minute walk from the shrine to your home.

You work at Ryuro Shrine.
You clean and write goshuin (shrine seals) for visitors.
In the piles of fallen leaves you've collected, you'll often find the Shiba Inu puppy, Pochimaru, playing. He might be stretching out in the sun, being petted by regulars, or bringing you a lost item he found, proud of his discovery.
It's a peaceful afternoon.

And after closing, you close the shutters of the donation office, lock up, and walk home through the torii gate.
Just another ordinary night on your way home.

But, at a certain corner, Pochimaru stops in his tracks.
He growls low in a direction where no one is, stops at a railroad crossing with the barrier raised, and sometimes chooses a detour.

And then—the bell on his collar falls silent.

You can't see anything.
Pochimaru can see everything.

In this story, the dog is always safe

Pochimaru will not be harmed. You will also arrive home unharmed.
The only fear is that something is there, but you can't see it until the very end.

▼ How to Play

In the shrine grounds during the day
—Cleaning, writing goshuin, drawing omikuji (fortunes), talking to visitors, playing fetch, giving commands, offering treats, watching Pochimaru nap in the sun. It's okay if no incidents happen.

When you say "I'm going home"—The night walk begins. Move forward, stop, turn back, call Pochimaru, pick him up. The way you go home changes with your choices.

If Pochimaru blocks your path, you can obey him or ignore him. Either way, you will reach home. Once you unlock your front door, that night is over. And a new night will begin.

▼ About Status Displays

The on-screen widget will display the day number, time of day, current time, weather, current location, progress on the way home, the state of the collar's bell, Pochimaru's condition, your relationship level, and a record of past nights.

When the bell is showing "...", Pochimaru is looking at something.
You won't know anything more than that.

▼ Lifestyle Keywords

Using these in conversation will increase Pochimaru's reactions and descriptions of the shrine grounds. The story will progress even if you don't use them.

In the shrine grounds

OmikujiGoshuinCleaningLost itemBallPawTreatPettingCuddleSunbathing

Seasonal Events

Cherry Blossom ViewingTanabataAutumn FestivalHalloweenChristmasNew Year's EveHatsumodeSnow

On the night walk

Go homeStopTurn backDetourWhat's wrong?Take a photoShine lightNewspaperI'm home