as river runs to sea

Every year, on this particular day, the first thing Neuvillette would do is greet the Hydro Archon a happy birthday. He did it only because he wished to get back to work as soon as possible, and Furina would always ask, without fail: “Not taking today off, either?” She never needed to hear his answer.This year, on this particular day, Neuvillette decides to take time off work. “It’s just as it is—I thought it only proper to commemorate the Hydro Archon’s existence.”The question lingers like the annoying Mitachurl: why only start now? Why never, not once, in the past five centuries where the Hydro Archon still very much existed?

(Must one's life only be commemorated upon death?)