Meet You Again (Banana Fish)

Man To Man (10)

-Ash Lynx-

"I'm here now." I smiled as I whispered the words I wanted and waited for years to say to him. I left no space between us as I felt the tears building up in my eyes. God, I didn't know I missed you this much Eiji. I looked down at where we were standing and chuckled with tears in my eyes as I noticed that Eiji was on his tiptoes to match with my height. "I'm not dreaming, right?" He said and I imagined a big smile on his face. I felt emotional at the thought. Heck.

I laughed at what he just said. "Not at all, you're a hundred percent awake." He laughed back. I looked up at Max and noticed and understood what he was doing. He slapped his arm, imitating what I did to him the other day. I gave him my most humorless face. My expression said it all to him. Are you serious right now old man?

His eyes slowly widen, just realizing now that he pissed the beast off.

I suddenly heard Eiji sob. My eyes softened and I rubbed his back slowly. I looked up back again, searching for the man who always had Eiji's back. Ibe-san. All I can see was a pair of wide eyes and his jaw on the ground. He's still shocked, isn't he? I gave him the prettiest smile I could muster, which I thought was a good idea but in reality, was not. It just made him more shocked. Oh gosh, please don't faint in front of my guilt-filled face, old man number 2.

I knew I would be laughing my ass off if this wasn't serious, but it was and I honestly didn't know what to do after this. Oh Lord, help me.

***

-Max Lobo-

"Well, that went better than I expected." I said, trying not to pull any trigger just like how I pissed the man beside me earlier. "I'm glad he didn't ask much about how I suddenly appeared in front of him." He sighed in relief as he rested his arms on his knees. "Duh, you walked in through the cafe door and walked up to him with that strange awkward smile on your face like you just pissed your pants, that's how you appeared in front of him."

Ash gave me the are-you-serious look and I thought I just saw my life flash in front of my eyes. "You're way older than me and yet you're the only person I know who gives the most childish answers like it's so obvious." He shook his head followed by a laugh. "Unbelievable." He continued. I stared at him with the face I always make when I get insulted. "I can't let you insult me like this." I scoffed and folded my arms.

He gave me a smug look on his face. "Too bad, but I just did, dad."

I looked at him, shocked. He never forgets the most awkward and embarrassing memories, doesn't he? "I can't believe you're still into that. Don't ever call me dad again." I said firmly. He laughed and that's when I started to notice the little and big things that changed in Ash. I noticed he's smiling almost every second I look at him. His eyes had sparkles like stars. He has grown taller and I hated to admit that I can't call this man a kid anymore because if I did, I would be considered as a toddler next to him. His shoulders had become broader and he got more muscles. Man, where did this guy hide for 3 years that his body had developed way more than it did when he lived in New York. I would love to visit.

Most importantly, the big changes. He wasn't tense anymore like how he always lived with it 24/7, 3 years ago. He was relaxed, free, and careless but in a good and positive way. It's like looking at a child who was stuck in a 21-year-old's body. I suddenly felt bad for this man. He was not able to do what a kid should be doing at his age when he was younger.