Meet You Again (Banana Fish)

Reunion 1/2 (7)

-Eiji Okumura-

"Max?!" I shouted in surprise, nearly dropping a paper bag of medicines. He looked at me with widened eyes but went back to normal when he said, "Eiji! Long time no see!" He yelled out happily as he ran to the entrance door of the cafe then lifted me off the ground, hugging me tightly. I let out a wheeze-like sound, making him bring me back to the ground. "What..- What are you doing here?" I said calmly while I was slowly trying to process what was happening. "Well, you see...It has been 2 years since me and Jessica remarried and we still haven't had our honeymoon." He scratched his head. "In Japan?" I said, questioning why they chose Japan out of all the many places there are. "Uh.., Why not?" He chuckled.

Ibe-san suddenly appeared out of nowhere and put his arm around Max's shoulder. "Yeah, aren't you happy about Max being here?" I bit my lip. I do like his company. "I mean, yeah I am. I was just surprised. By the way, where were you?" I asked while I handed him the bag of medicine. "I was in the restroom." He said as he took the bag.

***

"I know it's been 2 years already but I still want to apologize for not attending your marriage." Ibe-san said. I swear I saw him gulp. I looked at Max who was drinking a big glass of water. He put the glass down and said, "It's totally fine, I understand." He smiled brightly and that made me feel relieved. I knew that I was one of the reasons why Ibe-san couldn't attend. Maybe he thought it would be hard for me if he went back to America after Ash's death. He cares for me too much that he would prioritize me first before himself and I feel guilty.

"How is Michael?" I asked. His face turned bright at the mention of his son. "He's doing great." I hummed and nodded. "Why didn't you bring Jessica and Michael with you?" Ibe-san asked. "Oh, they went shopping. Y'know, Jessica loves souvenirs." He rolled his eyes then laughed at himself." I smiled and heard Ibe-san laughing along.

***

An hour went by and we finished our lunch.

Max burped silently. "Since the photographer and his assistant is here, why not take pictures around town." He said like an old man who was deep and hard drunk, but strangely, he was just a man who was drunk on water. I had to slap my thigh to keep myself from laughing. "Sounds great!" Ibe-san said as he stood up from his chair.

At first, I thought what Max meant by taking pictures around town was taking pictures in historical places like shrines, or beaches, or anything like the ones on the list of the best tourist spots. But now I understood that all he wanted was a bunch of photos of him walking around a narrow street that was filled with cheap street food stalls like the American guy he is, plus photos of him eating Yakiimo(Japanese Sweet Potato) like he's some part of Food advertisement like the ones in Yuri on Ice that suddenly appears out of nowhere.

Ibe-san and I took good shots tho. We had so much fun and for the first time in maybe forever, I wanted to have fun until I pass out.

"Jessica and Michael are back at the hotel we're staying in. Jessica said she wants to meet you two tomorrow." Ibe-san smiled and said, "Really? We're looking forward to it."

"She's sorry that she couldn't see you two today, she said she's exhausted by all the shopping she and Michael did today." We laughed. "I have to go now, I'm really happy to spend some time with you two today," Max said as he stretched his arms then standing up from his chair. "See you two tomorrow." He put his hands on his pockets and walked away. "See ya!" Ibe-san shouted. Max looked back at us and waved with a smile.

***

"Hey there old man."

This is Part 1 of 2