Upon Tamahome's mentioning about the loss of loved ones, Nuriko explains about how he can relate. He then tells the story about his little sister, Kourin. Kourin and Nuriko (whose real name is Ryuuen) were only a year apart and looked a lot alike, not to mention the fact that they were as close as siblings could be. When Ryuuen (Nuriko) was ten years old (Kourin was nine), Kourin was crushed to death by an out-of-control horse in the marketplace, right in front of Ryuuen's eyes. His parents later told him to forget about Kourin, but Ryuuen refused. Believing that Kourin can live through him, Ryuuen went through Kourin's belongings and dressed up as her. Since that day, Nuriko lives on as "Kourin".