June 22, 2023

The story is inspired by the Japanese and Korean Drama series 'The Midnight Diner.' Enjoy.

Warning: Occasional OOC and Corniness.

Omake (Bonus)

"It seems the food is okay. I was worried it might have been too simple."

Fortunately, it is doing wonders. The customer is less shaky, more color to his face. I brought over more tamagoyaki from the kitchen. He accepts appreciatively.

"Thank you, and not at all. The food is delicious." He eats another bite out of the tamagoyaki to make a point. A sense of amusement and pride swells in me.

Let's make sure he comes out of here full. "There's still more, so don't hold back and eat your fill."

"Thank you, um…." He makes a slight pause.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi. Nice to meet you."

"Thank you, Sawada-san. Nice to meet you too." He replies.

"No problem, um…." I playfully mimic. It earns me a laugh.

"Haha, Irie Shōichi."

"Then, no problem, Irie-san."

"Sawada-san, may I ask, how old are you? Are you the only worker?"

"I'm 20, and right now, it's just me. My mom and I did run the shop together, but she's traveling."

"How long have you been in charge?"

"Since about my last year of high school. But I've been helping for as long as I can remember since it's a family business. How about you, Irie-san? How old are you, and what do you do?"

"Same age and I attend Namimori University." We are the same age? I note it pleasantly.

"What semester are you in?" Shōichi pauses before he bashfully scratches the back of his head.

"I'm amid a master's in science and mechanical engineering."

A- a master?! Is he a genius?

"A- a master?! Are you a genius?"

"Well, that might be extravagating." He sheepishly denies it.

"No, no. That's amazing, Irie-san. We're the same age, but you're already far ahead," I say in genuine astonishment. No wonder he looks so tired. "What kind of work do you do?"

"It differs occasionally; I dabble a little in everything. Programming, inventing, building, improving appliances for the house, oh! And robot-"

"Robots?! Do you build robots?" As unrestrained as a wild colt, an unrein excitement bucks forth. Unintentionally, I invade his space. My body leans forward till our faces are just mere inches apart.

Shōichi blinks at me in surprise. "Do... you like robots, Sawada-san?"

Ah... my face flares. Mortification overtakes me. I jerk back, break eye contact, and shuffle my gaze anywhere but the person in front of me.

Stupid! Getting overly eager about robots! Entering his personal space too! Ahh!

"Y- yeah, I do." But besides my better judgment, I reply.

"I like robots too." And besides Shōichi's better judgment, he replies.

Shame and dismay slowly dissipate till I can eventually muster enough courage to look and catch his eyes with mine again. He smiles warmly and broadly.

"Haha, so when you said you like robots, it's because you want to become one? Like Voltron or Power Rangers?" Shōichi uncontrollably laughs.

"I was five. And robots are really cool. They fly and shoot lasers and always stop the bad guys."

"Hahaha."

"Don't laugh. I know it's silly." Tsuna blushes and pouts.

"Haha, no, no. Not at all." Irie grins. "I think it's a great dream. Robots are like heroes, you know."

Tsuna becomes sheepish and rubs the back of his head.

"When I was younger, I wanted to be a musician just like my favorite band, 'Hot Peppers.'"

"A musician? I did not expect that." Tsuna muses. His arms lean on the counter to allow him to be at eye level with Shōichi.

The other customers have left, which leaves the two the only occupants in the diner. Shōichi had finished his meal about an hour ago but stayed.

"Haha, hey, geeks have just as much rights to learn music as everyone else."

"Haha. You're right."

"I especially liked the guitarist, so I spent all my allowance and at 13 bought my first guitar."

"You took lessons?"

"Self-taught."

"Not bad. You still play?" Tsuna asks.

"A little bit. I'm rusty, though. I was pretty into it until part-way through middle school." His voice trails. "Just slowly lost interest."

"That's too bad. I would've loved to hear you play."

"Well, my musician dream was a phase. I quickly went back to my real love, scrap metal. I mean, can you imagine me wearing leather pants?"

"Haha! You don't know, it might just suit you."

"So you asked your parents to let you take over the restaurant?"

"Yeah, with the promise, I finish school." Both males were up at the register. "And as soon as I graduated, I've making chicken skewers and fried gyoza."

"Did you ever want to do something else?" Time: 7 AM.

"Like becoming a robot?" Tsuna quips.

"Haha, no, no. You know what I mean..." Irie chuckles as he takes out his wallet.

"I'm... not really sure." The cashier pauses for a moment and ponders. "I think so. Since I was a kid, part of me knew I wanted it. However, I never realized it until the 'sell the diner talk'." Tsuna doesn't meet the taller's eyes. Instead counts the coins in his hands. "Before that, I guess other things just got in the way of realizing."

Shōichi pauses. He notes the slight woe in the shorter's statement. The redhead quirks his head and scratches the back of his head.

"But you're doing what you love now right?"

Brown eyes gravitate back to green ones in surprise. Shōichi smiles, which makes both feel at peace.

"Yeah, I am. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Tsuna walks Shōichi to the door, daytime evident by the harsh rays over the buildings and their crevices.

Just before the redhead left. He contemplates as he twiddles with his thumbs before he speaks up again.

"Actually, at the same time, around the end of my music career," This earns him a belly laugh, to the pleasure of Shōichi. "My parents were watching the news, and it was a segment on this scientist, Verde. The guy is a genius. Creator of some of the world's most advanced machinery, devices, and robotics. He's my role model."

Irie once again wavers before speaking up again.

"I'm actually making a robot right now. It's still far from perfect, but one day I will make a robot so amazing that I'll get to work beside Verde."

Tsuna feels his lips form a tender smile.

It was just polite small talk at first. However, woven between the words, anecdotes, and give time, a gradual, pleasant admiration has built between the brunette and redhead.

The honest admission by Irie about his aspirations and ambitions, something so inherently precious, was entrusted to the likes of Tsuna, or so how Tsuna phrases it.

For a moment, the insecurities… the anxieties he is endlessly ridden with seem… trivial.

Irie Shōichi is someone Sawada Tsunayoshi wants to befriend.

Oh, so badly he wants to express this wish.

But how?

Being upfront and straight was not Tsuna. Tsuna stutters, laugh things off and psyches himself out. Rarely he says what he wants to say. As his mind reels and contemplates, doubts crawl up.

Telling him he shouldn't wish for something more.

Don't listen.

Something dotes on Tsuna.

It tells him.

To do what?

Say what you want. Say…

Say?

…

So he did.

"I'm rooting for you. I hope- no Shōichi-kun will definitely make it come true."

Shōichi eyes sparkle. Tsuna stares at him as if looking at the stars. He beams, being able to evoke such a reaction.

Sawada Tsunayoshi is someone Irie Shōichi wants to befriend.

Tsuna suddenly covers his mouth, pales, and stutters as if he made a mistake. Shōichi looks in confusion, unsure of the male's sudden change in demeanor.

"Ah- ah, I mean Irie-san. Irie-san will make it come true. I-" Shoichi blinks. He quickly alleviates the other with his own encouragement.

"Thank you Tsunayoshi-kun, I'll work hard!"

Tsuna's brain freezes, and his arms now hang to the side. Blissful joy tickles both their hearts.

"Nee, Shoichi-kun, will you show me your inventions sometime?"

Irie nods. "Sure. I'll show you next time I come back, Tsunayoshi-kun."

And they do… become friends.

Terminology:

Omake - bonus content.

A/N: Bonus content for The Inventor chapter. I wanted to add it to the chapter, but it didn't fit how I wanted. So here is a bonus!