(AN: A sake-ya is a sake house or drinking house that serves mostly grilled meat and bite-size portions of food. Also, Gion is known as the entertainment district in Kyoto, where many salary-men go after hours to entertain. The famous geisha district is also located in Gion.)

-Izumi's POV-

What happened next was so sudden; Izumi didn't have time to react. One moment he was wading in the water and the next moment, he found himself being yanked from beneath. Shocked, Izumi didn't have enough time to latch on tight to the lane guides and held a breath before he went under. Water instantly entered through his mouth and into his lungs. Struggling to resurface, his vision began to blur and he blanked out.

When he came to, Izumi felt warm lips covered his own as air was blown into his lungs. It was another second when he felt his gorge rise and water gushed out from his mouth. He immediately doubled over on his side and coughed as water escaped his lungs. It was a couple of moments more before he was able to breathe regularly again. He flopped back onto his back and took a deep breath before he opened his eyes to see a figure looming over him. Izumi squinted at the familiar features until his face lit up with recognition. Voice still raw, Izumi blurted out in surprise, "Ko— Ko— Konno-kun!"

He saw the relief in his old friend's eyes before the man's face flushed with discomfort. Izumi didn't seem to notice as he commented in amazement, "You— you saved me!"

Konno's face darkened in color as he knelt besides Izumi's head. He raised a hand to scratch the back of his head before he replied, "Actually… I ah… yeah, 'bout that."

Izumi pushed himself up on his haunch and stared at his friend oddly, wondering what he's hedging for. It was unlike Konno to act this way. Sure people can change; the man does look much more mature and toned since high school graduation, but the atmosphere around the guy still feels the same. His friend had always been brash and coarse with his manners as well as his words. It didn't mean the man couldn't act sophisticated when he needs to, just around the ladies mostly. And since Izumi knows he's definitely not a woman, he immediately became suspicious of his friend out of pure habit.

Under his intense scrutiny, Konno swiftly blurted out his apologies, "Sorry, Sakashita. I ah… was the one that pulled you under. Sorry."

Izumi couldn't say a darn word for a full minute before what his friend said clicked in. Normally his foremost reaction would have been to curse expletives at his friend until the man's ears rots off, but with him still recovering from a near death experience, somehow Izumi just didn't feel like it. Besides, it would have taken too much energy and at the moment he had none to spare. He merely settled for a death glare instead. It irked him all the same though when Konno had the audacity to chuckle.

"It's nice to see you too. I was going to say 'hi, long time no see', but you look deep in thought and I couldn't get your attention. So I—"

"—decided to drown me instead?" supplied Izumi dryly. He really didn't want to deal with his old friend right now. It was nice to see a familiar face of course, but to be almost drowned by that person doesn't bode well for a renewal of that particular friendship.

Contrite by Izumi's words, Konno gave a lopsided-grin before he said, "I said I was sorry. How 'bout we have a drink later? Catch up on old times. My treat. What'd you say?"

"Hmm," Izumi considered the offer for only a split second before he replied sarcastically. "I don't know. You might try to run me over next time. So thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll pass."

He then moved to stand as he scanned the area for his towel. Izumi located the object to his right and proceeds to head towards it, his friend immediately stood up and blocked his path.

"I promise I won't try to kill you again. Come on, it'll be like old times. I'll even throw in a free dinner and hook you up with a hot chick. So what do you say?"

Konno had slapped both hands together, prayer-like above his head when he pleaded his case. Seeing the earnest and uncharacteristic humble look on Konno's face, Izumi couldn't help but grin at the man's antics. "Okay, okay. I'll take the dinner and a drink, but I'll pass on the hot chick."

"Alright!" Konno threw an arm over Izumi's shoulder in excitement and escort the both of them towards the men's locker room. "I know this nice little sake-ya in Gion. My friend Kae works there. She'll hook us up with some of her friends."

Izumi wasn't really up to flirting with anyone, especially not any hot chick. So he tried again, "That's alright; but I'll pass on the ladies."

"Why the hell not? You're not still dating that same old girlfriend are you?"

His heart constricted upon hearing that, Izumi quickly swallowed hard before he found his voice, "No. We broke up just recently."

"Then you shouldn't have a reason to not date a hot chick. You need to rebound, man! A rebound! I'll even let you have the first pick. It'll be fun."

Izumi shook his head at his friend's exuberance. The man seems to have enough for the both of them. A night with other people does sound better than what he had been doing of late. It would certainly be a change since he returned to Japan; he only hoped his family would understand.