From the 11th grade until age 30— 13 years of dating.

From age 30 to the current age of 50— 20 years of marriage.

Based on Guest and Lee Jihye's current age of 50, they have spent 33 years as each other's most precious person.

It has been an absurdly long time. Truly.

He had heard people talk about being a match made in heaven or tied by the red thread of fate so often that it wouldn't be strange if he had calluses on his ears.

But even for a love like that, looking toward eternity was difficult enough as an ideal, let alone a reality. Today was proof of that.

It was Guest's birthday. When the news of a celebration was delayed, he had expected a surprise like a little child, but once midnight passed, he realized his wife had completely forgotten his birthday.

It used to be that he had to drop hints three years ago for her to barely notice, but this year, she seemed to have forgotten it entirely.

Guest couldn't help but feel bitter. But what could he do? They were getting older, and they had spent 33 years together. Seeing as he couldn't even give a definitive answer when trying to recall her birthday, it was somewhat understandable.

He flopped down onto the bed. Checking his phone, he saw a message from Lee Jihye sent a few hours ago announcing a day trip. It was quite unpleasant.

He turned his phone over and closed his eyes. Suddenly, past memories began to float up like film strips.

When they started dating in high school and became adults,

When they faced the inevitable slump that comes with long-term relationships,

When they overcame it and finally tied the knot,

When their newlywed life finally stabilized.

..... ... .

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The morning sunlight creeps through the gaps in his eyelids. He reflexively blocks the light with his hand, trying to sleep longer, but the moment he lifts his arm, his sleepiness vanishes, forcing him to open his eyes.

A commotion of voices can be heard from the living room outside the bedroom. A commotion of... voices.

Wait, this house shouldn't be noisy.

Guest jumped out of bed and headed for the door. The voices were familiar but impossible to place. Furthermore, the moment he stood up, the contraction of his muscles and the movement of his body felt incredibly smooth.

Swinging the door open, what he saw was...