Ikigai (生き甲斐) [pronounced ee-kee-guy] is a Japanese concept that means “a reason to live” or “life purpose”; the thing that gets you up in the morning and having a sense of purpose in life. It's a way to find purpose and joy in life by discovering what's important to you.

Yuji Yaturugi is an aspiring mangaka from a troubled family where his parents only showed attention, love and favoritism towards his younger siblings, Tamae and Hideki.

After making a name for himself under the pen name Kyoma Hooin, Yuji became something of a rising star in the manga scene. But his life was one of isolation, loneliness, and a busy monotonous schedule.

But one day, while on his way to personally deliver the latest chapter of his series, he meets Shiro Aotsuki, a highly refined and gentlemanly wolf-beastman butler hired by the elites of Japan’s upper-class.

And a connection is instantly made.

Join Yuji on his journey of love, acceptance, family, dreams, identity, and reasons to live and keep moving forward.

NOTE: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, are entirely and purely coincidental.

Story and Cover Art © Myself