"I... I think so." He has no idea, it was something he and Gyousou had spoken about. Would a death here be strong enough to break a covenant between a king and their kirin? If so, if Taiki died and returned would Gyousou still die within a year? Would he return?

There are too many questions to answer, questions he doesn't have the answer to. "I'm sorry... I hope you can..."

He does not stop petting, sensing that Maru needs it now more than ever.