About

Cause of Death: Falling off a cliff
Reincarnation Condition: Currently unknown

BEFORE DEATH

Although Norbu looked like a city boy and an average otaku, he was in fact part of a Tibetan family which roams the northern sides of the Himalayas. Growing up in the mountains, he lived with his big family on the Tibetan plains where they herd kettles and sheeps, which is why he was very familiar with the nature and all the well-hidden paths around the land. Unfortunately, the living standards were relatively poor for them because of climate change and various political consequences that nearly pushed the pastoral system to extinction. This situation quickly caught the eye of several local bigshots, who took advantage of it and lured villages into sending their kids away from home into the city for a better future. Some were told the kids would be married off to a wealthier family, some were promised with free education and job opportunities, and some were simply lured by the large sums of compensation they would receive after giving one of their children away. With fifteen sibilings in the family, this was extremely tempting for Norbu's parents, for they only knew how much cash they would receive if they were to accept this offer. In the end, they have decided to give up Norbu, one of their younger sons whom they had troubles raising the most due to his love for city culture and opend-mindedness to non-traditional ideas. Despite Norbu's protests, he was taken away with a few other children in the tribe and was brought to an unknown location at the outskirts of town, the place where the heart of the trafficking business lies.

The night when Norbu was going on display at the undergound auction, he met Isao, a traveller-photographer who accidentlly stumblled upon this operation and posed as a buyer out of curiosity. That night, Isao (who took a huge pity in Norbu) managed to sneak him out of the place and brought him away to a nearby province due to dumb luck. The next day, Isao paid a visit to the local law enforcemen with Norbu, yet Norbu refused to enter the precinct no matter how much Isao urged him forwards. In the end, Norbu expressed the wish to follow Isao around to repay his favor in saving his life, and Isao agreed. Some time later, the two had returned once again to Noboru's hometown, with Isao determined to get some evidence on the underground auction he has had once witnessed. Unfortunately, both of them were being spotted in action and were captured for interrogation, but Isao made the last of his effort to create an opportunity for Norbu to escape through a smashed window before he was being killed himself. Running away holding Isao's camera, Norbu boarded a train to the city alone. He then published the photos in the camera as a final tribute to his boyfriend's memory, then jumped off a cliff up the mountains to join Isao in the other life.

AFTER DEATH

After Norbu's death, his soul was not able to move on and was sent to the limbo. There he was given a vessel of a cat plush by Milo, which gives him the power to transform into a kemonomimi human. Unlike other souls in the Garden, Norbu and Isao were sent to the limbo because of their sacrifices and love for one another, not because of hatred and regrets. Therefore, they never loose their memories of their previous lives and they were happier than anyone else to stay here. Similarly, Norbu does not have horns on his head despite he died from suicide. Norbu and Isao are the only souls who truly do not wish to reincarnate even if they were presented with the chance.

Relationships

Isao [ Boyfriend ]

After Isao saved Norbu from an underground auction, Norbu had been following Isao around as a travel buddy. Norbu fell in love with Isao shortly after he was saved, and was determined to serve him for the rest of his life in return.