八十 Its amazing what time could bring a person... how many things could be solved from merely waiting. And the thing is... after so many years, one hardly even recalls that they are waiting. Its common to lose touch with friends as kids, no matter how close. Reborn... he'd been Takeshi's best friend growing up, but when the older boy had moved back to Italy, keeping in contact was difficult... It went from letters once a week, to a month, to a year... And it wasn't long after that the inevitable happened. Takeshi was in his early twenties now; twenty-four, to be exact... and he doesn't realize it, but that boy from his childhood... he's sitting in his restaurant, the one he'd taken over after his old man had passed away. Well.. there's more to it than that, but that's for another time. It would be a year next month. He's smiling now, plating a meal for one of his regulars and conversing lightly with him. It still stung to hear about local baseball, reminded him of the dream he'd let go... But Takeshi knew, this man was just attempting to be kind, recalled the conversations he'd had with him throughout the years. He'd seen him come home from practices and games many times. Back when... things were good. "Haha, oh yeah? I guess I need to catch some highlights later.    Sounds like a good game," he remarks, genuinely interested despite the ache, and places the food down for the older male. His eyes flicker up then, to the customer across the way with a fedora... one that caused another feeling. He just... can't place what it is exactly. The brunette smiles again regardless.