Antonio wasn't sure what to do, he was in quite the predicament. He had phoned Kotetsu a few weeks ago, after the dreams, and found out the man was coming back to Sternbild to join the second league. He had promised Barnaby not to tell Kotetsu he was in town, but he hadn't promised Kotetsu the same thing. He wasn't sure if he should tell Barnaby he was coming back or not.

He decided it wasn't his business and left it up to the two of them to sort it out, but that didn't change the pit that was in his stomach every time he met Barnaby for drinks, the kid had no idea Kotetsu was coming back to town, how would he handle that when he said he wasn't even ready to see the other heroes yet?

Karina and Barnaby had been hitting it off lately, the two of them were currently talking about Karina's current success at capturing a criminal just earlier that day. He had tried to rob a bank, unsuccessfully, but had outrun the police when they showed up. Dragonkid had almost nabbed him but he used his NEXT powers, some kind of goo, to stop her electrical attack. Unfortunately for him, his goo, while electricity proof, was not cold-proof and he was frozen in his own slime.

Barnaby was all smiles as he discussed tactics with her, something Antonio didn't particularly care about. He took another long drink from his whiskey, he didn't want to think about Kotetsu coming back and how that would affect the dynamic that had been developing between Barnaby and the others. Was it healthy for him to become so attached? He let his mind wander on the subject as the whiskey started to cloud his mind.

"You are being awfully quiet for such a big bull," Karina said looking directly at him. He blinked and smiled.

"Oh sorry, lost in thought, so Barnaby you think our little lady has it in her to be Queen of Heroes?" he asked taking another sip from his whiskey.

"Well, I think it is definitely doable, but it's harder than you can imagine keeping those last few points. When I did it, it was only because Kotetsu made sure I was always the one to capture and not rescue. Rescue gives you points, but not enough to keep ahead if there are multiple arrests to be had. You kind of have to become callus and hope that someone else will go for the rescue. I thankfully didn't have to make that choice; Kotetsu was always there to do it for me." Antonio noticed the smile fade from Barnaby's face as it seemed to dawn on him that he was talking about Kotetsu, a subject he had noticed was somewhat off-limits.

"Ya, I know! It's so hard not to go for the rescue when you know you can help! Just the other day I…" Blue Rose went into a story about saving a group of students in a bus that was going to fall off a bridge, but let Fire Emblem get the capture of an entire armed car worth of villains because of it. Her measly 300 rescue points were overshadowed by Fire Emblem's 1000. She was about to ask Barnaby more questions, but Antonio could see the pensive look on his face like he was listening but not paying attention. Obviously he was still stuck thinking about his Ex-partner.

"Barnaby, when are you going to come see everyone else?" He cut in suddenly, snapping Barnaby out of his thoughts. "I can't keep you being in town a secret much longer, and poor Karina shouldn't have to either," He set his whiskey glass down a little harder than he meant to.

"Well… I figured it might be nice to see everyone around Christmas… you know, maybe make myself known to the public with the start of the new season in the New Year," Barnaby was tapping his fingers on the table as he spoke, looking thoughtful.

Antonio knew that Kotetsu would be back in town by then, in fact, he would be back any day. Would the two accidentally meet up somewhere? How mad would Kotetsu be with him for not telling him? He shook the thoughts out of his head, not his problem, Barnaby would be the one to get an earful for keeping it a secret.

"Well, you could always swing by the Gym, we are usually there like usual when we aren't out on call. You should swing by and see everyone sometime soon Barnaby," Karina put her hand on top of his and smiled sweetly. The two had grown close, but Antonio wondered if that was only because Barnaby wasn't a potential rival, for both top spot as well as for someone's heart, right now.

"Ya, that's what I think I'll do," He said with his charming smile in place, pulling his hand away from hers. "Anyway it is late, I think I'll head out and try and get some rest, you know since sleeping is…" he left it hanging, they got the drift.

"Ok, have a good night Barnaby!" Karina said and waved as he headed to the front to pay, walking out right after. "He seriously needs to tell people he is here soon, I mean… I already let it slip to Pao-lin and she told Nathan and I'm sure Ivan was lurking around, I think the only person who doesn't know he is in town is Keith," she said offhandedly, Antonio choked on his beer, his whiskey already gone.

"Wait what?" he said in astonishment.

"Yeah, Pao-lin was over at my place and I let slip I started singing again because Barnaby was in town. She was surprised and wanted to call him right away, but I told her he wasn't doing great with the dreams and stuff and needed space. She was chill about it," she said offhandedly. Antonio didn't know how to respond to that.

"So everyone knows he is in town? Why have I been keeping this a secret?" he said and sighed leaning back.

"I don't know why he wanted it kept a secret in the first place, the media don't even know any of us ever had those dreams, he's worrying for nothing," she took a sip of her mineral water and looked up at him.

"You have been really quiet these last few visits, what is going on?" she said her eyebrows scrunching together.

"W-well, I may or may not know of someone else coming back to town," he said scratching at his chin in a very Kotetsu-esque manner.

"What? Who?!" Karina said almost standing up, her hands bracing her on the table, he suspected she had an idea of who, with how excited she was.

"Kotetsu is coming back and joining the second league, he told me a few weeks ago. But it's super hush hush ok? Agnes even called me and swore me to secrecy. She has some great reveal planned. She also threatened me with my life if I told Kotetsu or Barnaby that either was in town. I feel bad not telling them, but Agnes is scary," he admitted hanging his head.

Karina burst out laughing. "Tiger is coming back? For real? The second league?" she held her stomach while she laughed, Antonio suspected it was to cover the fact she had tears filling her eyes, probably from excitement at the prospect of her number one hero was coming back.

"And now you have to keep it hush hush too because if Agnes finds out I told you I'm dead," he downed the rest of his beer. "Listen, kid, take some advice from this old bull, whatever is going on between Kotetsu and Barnaby is up to them, I'm not getting in the middle, and neither should you," he stood and slid out of the booth they were sitting in. "I'm heading out, you have a nice night."

"Wait! You can't just drop a bomb like that on me and then leave!" she said standing as well following him to the front where he went to pay.

"He will be in town in a few weeks, you may even see him, but until then you know nothing about him coming back," he said as he handed over some bills, paying for himself and Karina.

"Fine you old bull, but the second I see Kotetsu he is getting an earful for not telling ALL of us he was coming back," she said before hoisting her purse up onto her shoulder and walking out.

He let out a sigh and looked at the waitress. "Teens, am I right?" she smiled politely but was probably not much older than Karina. He left and hoped that everything would work out.