Mamoru had always loved the Mount Fuji so he was overjoyed about his family's trip to the Yamanashi Prefecture. He knew everything about that mountain from its history to its geology.

When the big day finally came he couldn't sleep.

He didn't listen to the tour guide's explanations because he already knew everything and got lost in the beauty of the nature surrounding him.

And suddenly he was lost. His parents and the guide were nowhere to be seen. When did he leave the trail? He had no idea. Not realizing he would only venture farther from the path, continuing to walk seemed the most logical tactic to him.

The dragon eyed the boy dubiously. It was rare for someone to get lost on a hike and end up in this distant part of the forest. But the boy didn't seem worried. He continued walking and stopping every now and then to admire the leaves, the flowers or the butterflies.

Intrigued by this behavior the dragon decided to follow the boy for a while.

The boy's knowledge of the mountain and his careful movements that left the nature almost untouched astonished the guardian. Most humans he had met were ignorant, careless fools crushing nature under their feet. He had to protect the mountain from those people.

After following the child for a while he decided to show himself.

The boy cried out in delight upon the amazing sight in front of him. He knew about the myths of a dragon protecting Mount Fuji but he couldn't believe those myths were true!

The dragon started moving, signaling Mamoru to follow him and slowly headed towards the path. He took a less direct route in order to show the boy more of Mount Fuji's hidden beauties.

Mamoru - saddened by the realisation that they must soon part ways - promised the dragon to help him protect nature.

Many years later, he returned to the guardian of Mount Fuji as an environmental lawyer telling stories of his accomplishments.

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Overlay by Hanyoutai | Art of Mount Fuji by Ogata Gekkô | Profile and story by Athene