That was true. Especially in a place like Tai. How many people had thought it safe to pray for a child when Lord Gyousou had taken the throne, seeing an end to the Youma and the strife to only see those hopes dashed half a year later as king and kirin disappeared?

The pang of guilt and pain is an old friend now and he shows none of it on his face even as Jingyi continues. "Yes. That has always been true. A kingdom always wants a kirin, they cannot flourish without one."

He's pretty sure if given the choice Tai would want him in particular. But he was who they had and Taiki was very very aware of the responsibilities that gave him.