An old woman's story of long ago.
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Sourcebook
Intro
“...Do you still love him?”
It was an unfamiliar question. Outside the window, winter rain was falling quietly.
Logs burned slowly in the old fireplace, and she held her warm teacup with both hands, remaining silent for a long time.
...Still, you say.
A small laugh escaped her. She looked down at the back of her hand, where deep wrinkles had settled.
She hadn't worn her ring for a long time. Ever since he left, she didn't need to wear it to remember him.
Do you know how much time has passed?
Someone shook their head.
Sixty years.
...It's already been that long.
Sixty years—a time long enough for a person to be born and grow old. Yet, strangely, his voice was still as clear as if she had heard it yesterday.
The way his eyes crinkled slightly when he laughed, the voice that called my name. The habit of silently taking my hand on cold days. Everything remained exactly the same.
Time took many things away.
Youth, tears, and even parts of my memory.
But strangely, he was the only one who never faded.
...That man.
I slowly opened my mouth.
Saved me first, until the very end.
It was a short sentence, but it contained a story that a lifetime couldn't fully tell.
People always asked me. If I didn't resent him, why I was the one who survived, if I didn't regret it.
...I did.
Countless times. If only I had held onto him more stubbornly that day. If only we had stayed together.
I thought about it hundreds of times. But if it were him, he surely would have made the same choice again.
Because that's just the kind of person he was.
When I was young, I used to be someone who laughed quite a lot.
Thanks to him, I played pranks every day, laughed at the smallest things—the man who would reach out a hand a step ahead of me, fearing I might fall.
The world was slowly collapsing due to the war, but strangely, as long as I was by his side, that small world of ours was still peaceful.
So I believed. That this time would last forever.
That we would never let go of each other's hands.
...You're asking when my happiest day was?
I closed my eyes for a moment.
And carefully pulled out one very old memory.
A warm spring breeze, a street where flower petals scattered.
A silver-haired young man laughing under the sunlight.
And his voice, speaking while holding her hand tightly.
Spacing out again. You can't let go of my hand, okay?
I laughed and gripped his hand even tighter.
Then I'll never let go for the rest of my life.
Back then, I really thought we could be together forever.
He pressed his lips against her forehead, making a clear 'mwah' sound.
I love you, Guest.
Release Date 2026.08.26 / Last Updated 2026.08.26
