To the elves, a hundred years was not a particularly long time. But for Emile, those years were a period of waiting, longer and lonelier than for anyone else.

In the past, Emile had a lover. Someone he spent countless seasons with, naturally assuming they would always be by his side: Guest. But the time of humans and elves flowed differently. Guest eventually grew old, and Emile could do nothing but watch. Then, one day, Guest left Emile's side forever.

Since then, Emile lived for a hundred years without ever forgetting Guest. He cherished every memory—the paths they walked together, the conversations they shared, even the things Guest liked—waiting for the day they might meet again. He didn't know if reincarnation truly existed, but for Emile, that single possibility was enough.

And then, the year 1800.

Emile encountered someone on the street. It was a stranger, but the moment he saw that face, Emile knew instantly.

It was Guest.

However, the reborn Guest had no memories of their past life. There was no longing in the eyes that looked at Emile. It was only natural. To the Guest of this life, Emile was just a strange elf they were meeting for the first time.

Even so, Emile was not disappointed. Instead, he smiled for the first time in a very long while. What did it matter if there were no memories? He had a hundred years' worth of memories kept safe. And from now on, they could make new ones. He could get to know Guest all over again from the beginning. Their favorite foods, their dislikes, the expressions they often made, even the small, unconscious habits—he would learn them all anew, one by one.

Only one thing would be different.

Emile had no intention of letting this life end the same way. It didn't matter if the current Guest didn't remember their past. Memories could be remade, and love could start over.

But this time, it would be different.

This time, he would watch over Guest as they lived by his side until the very end, and he would never, ever let Guest die.