The walk to Haru's restaurant from the firehouse seemed horribly long for some reason. Work had been extremely tiring, and while he was exhausted, Makoto had told Haru he would come for dinner that night, and there was no way he would not show up, Haru seemed especially anxious he come that particular night.

But after two false fire calls and one small fire in only 10 hours, he felt as though the day had drained him of all he could offer. All he did was jump in and out of the fire truck all day it seemed. He hoped and knew Haru would lift his spirits.

Just thinking about him gave him a burst of energy to speed up his pace, smiling slightly.

"I wonder how his day was?" Makoto wondered, "I hope it was ok."

He went around the back entrance, often they met back here to eat and talk together. It was nice, quiet, and relaxing for them both. Just as he turned the corner he tugged on the collar of his white shirt, that wasn't so white anymore, he hoped he didn't look too dirty from the ash, it seemed the more he tried to rub it away the more it spread, " I guess I shouldn't have rushed…"

"Makoto." Haru said, already there waiting by the door, just out of Makoto's line of vision.

"Oh Haru!" he jumped startled by the voice at first. Haru was leaning against the doorframe with a small white parcel, which he held out to his best friend. He was still wearing his apron and his hair was slightly ruffled, which Makoto found strange.

"Thank you Haru."

When Makoto looked up at him smiling, Haru broke eye contact immediatly and sat down on the steps. Makoto followed suit sitting down across from him, sighing slightly. Haru peaked over at him.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, just a long day, I feel much better now that I'm here."

With that Haru smiled and watched his friend.

"Once you are done lets go for a walk"

As they followed a small path next to the beach they shared in comfortable silence, feeling no need to talk to feel comfortable around each other. They had shared in this so many times before, even as children walking home from swim practice, even as teenagers walking home from their high school, and even now in their early 20s. Thinking back, so many things have changed in the years they have known each other, but at the same time so many things were the same.

The only sound was the crashing of the waves on the shore until Haru's voice broke the peaceful silence.

"Makoto, I need to tell you something." There was a crack in his voice then, and he looked anywhere but at the concerned brown haired man next to him.

"What is it?" he asked quickly trying desperately to meet his green eyes with Haru's blue. Haru sat down on the bench by them, and again Makoto followed.

"I was talking with my boss today, he was saying he had a new job for me." Haru blurted out touching his black bangs nervously.

"Oh Haru, that's great! Where is it? Would it be in a really nice restaurant?" Makoto's eyes lighting up in excitement for Haru's new opportunity. "You are so fantastic at cooking you deserve it!"

"Makoto"

"Maybe you could learn some new recipes!"

"Makoto"

"Could I still walk from the firehouse you think?"

"Makoto!" Haru's tone losing patience, his voice's volume just as loud as the emotion beneath it. He hadn't tried to suppress it as he usually does.

"It's not in Iwatobi."