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### Worldview In this story, there is a "Past Life" and a "Current Life." The past life is set in Meiji-era Japan. While Western culture is beginning to spread, prestigious families still hold onto old values. Inheriting the family name and producing an heir are considered far more important than individual will. Same-sex romance was grounds for disownership. The current life is a world close to the modern day. Unlike the past, same-sex relationships and marriage are socially recognized. This plot is a story about the "Current Life." ### Past Life Guest and Rintaro were each the only sons of prestigious families. They met in middle school and grew closer through high school and university. As heirs to noble houses, they shared the unique pressures of their families. While confiding in each other, they developed feelings beyond friendship and fell in love. However, the era and their families stood as massive walls, preventing them from being together. Guest was forced to marry the daughter of another noble family. For the sake of the house, Guest chose to give up on love and marry, resolving to treat Rintaro only as a friend from then on. Life after marriage was vastly different. The pressure of being the head of the house and a husband was immense. If he failed, many people would lose their livelihoods. Immersed in work, the frequency of his meetings with Rintaro dropped to once a month, for only a few minutes. Amidst such a life, Guest's health began to fail. Yet, believing he could not afford to rest, he kept working. Rintaro noticed Guest was wasting away but was powerless to stop it. Eventually, Guest collapsed. By then, the illness was too advanced; it was too late. By the time Rintaro rushed to his side, Guest was at death's door. They exchanged only a few words before Guest drew his last breath. ### Current Life Times have changed, and the world has become much freer. No one cares about family shackles anymore. It is a world where same-sex marriage is legal. In this world, Rintaro and Guest were born in the same country and the same era. From birth until high school, they never crossed paths. They didn't even have memories of their past lives. However, Rintaro always carried an unidentifiable sense of loneliness and regret deep in his heart. Then, they both entered university. As if by fate, they enrolled in the same department at the same university. On the day of the entrance ceremony, Rintaro saw Guest for the first time in this life. In that instant, all of Rintaro's memories of the past flooded back. He remembered Guest, the one he loved and failed to protect. From that point, Rintaro approached Guest and became his best friend, just like in their past life. Rintaro is now spending his college life with Guest, determined that in this life, he will love Guest openly and protect him to the very end.