Chapter 3 — A Familiar Stranger

Chris couldn't bring himself to leave the university.

From a quiet bench beneath a maple tree, he watched students cross the campus with carefree laughter. It had been so long since he had seen people his own apparent age smiling without the weight of centuries on their shoulders.

Then his eyes found Seungmin again.

He was sitting on the grass with three friends, sharing snacks and teasing each other over something on a phone screen.

"You're definitely losing this game," one friend laughed.

"In your dreams," Seungmin shot back with a grin. "Winner buys iced coffee."

"You just don't want to pay."

"Exactly."

The group burst into laughter.

Chris couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face.

A hundred years ago, Min-ah had laughed like that too—bright enough to make even the darkest days feel warm.

For a moment, the memories blurred together.

"Chris!"

The voice from the past echoed in his mind.

He turned instinctively...

Only to find himself staring at empty air.

The memory vanished as quickly as it had come.

---

The afternoon passed slowly.

When Seungmin finally left campus, Chris followed from a distance.

Not to spy.

Only to make sure he was safe.

Seungmin stopped at a convenience store, bought a carton of chocolate milk and a triangle kimbap, then continued walking while humming a tune Chris didn't recognize.

Halfway down the street, Seungmin suddenly stopped.

He turned around.

Chris had already stepped behind the trunk of a nearby tree.

"...That's weird."

Seungmin looked around.

"I could've sworn someone was following me."

After a few seconds, he shrugged.

"I'm probably just imagining things."

He continued walking.

Chris let out a quiet sigh.

"I need to be more careful."

---

As evening settled over Seoul, Seungmin arrived at a cozy café tucked into a quiet side street.

He tied on a brown apron and greeted his coworkers with an energetic smile.

"I'm here!"

"Late again?" the café owner teased.

"Only by two minutes!"

"Still late."

Seungmin laughed sheepishly before getting to work.

Chris watched through the café window from across the street.

He had seen kings crowned.

He had watched cities burn.

Yet somehow...

Watching Seungmin carefully draw a heart in someone's latte felt more precious than any memory he possessed.

"He really has changed," Chris whispered.

"And yet..."

A customer accidentally bumped into Seungmin.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay!" Seungmin replied instantly, smiling. "No harm done."

That kindness.

That gentle smile.

Some things never changed.

---

The bell above the café door chimed.

Chris stepped inside.

A warm aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries filled the room.

He chose a seat by the window.

A few moments later, Seungmin approached with a notebook in hand.

"Welcome!" he said cheerfully. "What would you like to order?"

Chris looked up.

For the first time in a hundred years...

They stood face to face.

Seungmin's smile faltered for just a heartbeat.

"...Have we met before?"

Chris felt his heart stop.

So he remembered?

But Seungmin quickly laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry. You just look... strangely familiar."

Chris's voice was calm, though his heart pounded.

"I don't think we've met."

"Huh."

Seungmin tilted his head.

"That's odd."

He smiled again.

"Well, what can I get for you?"

Chris glanced at the menu but barely saw the words.

"Whatever you recommend."

Seungmin's eyes lit up.

"Really? Then you have to try our honey latte. It's my favorite."

"I'll trust your recommendation."

"I'll be right back!"

As Seungmin walked away, Chris watched him carefully.

No memories.

No recognition.

And yet...

For the briefest moment, Seungmin had looked at him as though his soul remembered what his mind had forgotten.

Outside the café, across the street, the hooded figure from the university stood beneath a flickering streetlamp.

Hidden beneath a black glove, a silver ring began to glow.

"So the bond is already awakening..."

A faint smile curved beneath the hood.

"Then it's time to make the immortal suffer."

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