Late at night, after Reborn had left, Yamamoto Tsuyoshi went to his son's room to check up on him. There his son slept, peaceful and smiling even in his sleep.

As he gazed at Takeshi, Tsuyoshi knew he was absolutely truthful when he said he would trust Yusuke with Takeshi's life as well as his own.

What Tsuyoshi didn't tell Reborn, however, was that he had already done that fourteen years ago and came out with the better part of the deal.

Xxx

Twenty-eight years old Tsuyoshi stepped through the door to the bar, Shigure Kintoki in hand. He had just finished another hit and all he wanted to do now was have a drink.

The few patrons in the bar gapped at Tsuyoshi for a moment at his entrance, staring at his trusty katana by his side, but Tsuyoshi ignored it for most part. When their gaze drifted to the owner of the katana, all they could see was a calm man in his late twenties, appearing rather tired and wanting to relax with a drink.

Nothing like an axe murderer, although Tsuyoshi thought that wouldn't be far from the truth.

He settled himself in one of the empty stools by the bar counter, noting that two other people were there. From his spot, he could clearly see the door and was far from the windows.

"Hello," a young man with raven-hair greeted behind the counter. His eyes flicked to him, calm despite the sight of the katana. Something within Tsuyoshi relaxed. He didn't want to face any more people who would fear him. "What would you like?"

Tsuyoshi told him, and the bartender went to make it. Rhythmic soft clicks could be heard as the bartender prepared his drink, and Tsuyoshi closed his eyes for a moment despite knowing better, submitting to the calmness of the patterned noise.

He opened his eyes again as the bartender approached, setting down the drink before him. "Enjoy," he said with a small, professional smile.

Tsuyoshi nodded his thanks, and the bartender went to serve his other customers.

Tsuyoshi didn't know how long he sat there nursing his drink, just contemplating about his past, present and future. He started minutely when a voice pierced through his thoughts, causing Tsuyoshi's hand to automatically drop to Shigure Kintoki.

"You look troubled," the bartender intoned, glancing at Tsuyoshi.

"It's nothing," Tsuyoshi said, blanking his features. In his line of work, there was no one he could trust, especially since he was a freelance assassin.

The bartender's lips quirked slightly, in a manner that indicated he knew Tsuyoshi was lying.

The bartender leaned forward to rest his crossed arms against the counter, not quite close enough to intrude on Tsuyoshi's personal space but close enough to appear to be a friend.

"Do you know there are two jobs in the world where you are never allowed to betray your customer?" he asked. Tsuyoshi gazed at the bartender, not speaking. The bartender's smile remained.

"Doctor," Tsuyoshi said at last.

The bartender's smile widened. "Bingo, although that one is a little obvious," he said with a chuckle. At the warmth in his laughter, Tsuyoshi could feel himself relaxing and removed his hand from Shigure Kintoki. "Can you guess the second?"

Tsuyoshi shook his head.

The bartender pointed at himself. "Bartender," he said, "because both of these jobs offer things that could either be poisonous or medical."

Tsuyoshi's eyes shot open as he recalled the drink that the bartender made him, and his hand instinctively went to his katana. He didn't unsheathe it though, not yet, because despite the bartender's words, Tsuyoshi didn't sense any malicious intention from him and the drink didn't taste tainted.

"Then what did you offer me?" Tsuyoshi asked calmly, body ready to react in either way.

The bartender remained relaxed. "I'll offer you medicine, if you'll accept."

"How would you do that?" Tsuyoshi asked.

"As a bartender, my most important job is to listen to the customers speak," the bartender said. "So talk to me. There's more to being a bartender than just making drinks, ya know?"

"And how would I know if I could trust you?" Tsuyoshi questioned, gazing at the young bartender intently.

The bartender turned pensive. "Hmm, that's true, you don't," he said, looking up at the ceiling like it held an answer. With that motion, the bartender left his throat exposed. Tsuyoshi looked at him, but he still remained completely carefree.

The bartender was smiling when he glanced back to Tsuyoshi. "I know," he said, "why don't I share something with you first?" Tsuyoshi let his silence speak for him. "I'm part of the mafia, or at least I'm aware of it."

Tsuyoshi's gaze cut to the bartender's, holding it. Tsuyoshi didn't get the feeling that he was lying. "Why are you telling me this?"

"So you don't have to be afraid of betraying the omerta," the bartender said. "I'm not with the police, nor am I a civilian."

"And telling me you're a part of the mafia is supposed to inspire me to talk to you," Tsuyoshi said with eyebrows raised.

"Well," the bartender drawled. "I'm only trying to be a helpful guy who would hear you out about the troubles of your life. Stop nitpicking at how I go about it."

Tsuyoshi couldn't help laughing. It felt good. "You're so straightforward," Tsuyoshi said with a chuckle. "Are you sure you are in the mafia?"

The bartender huffed. "I can't expect others to be straightforward with me if I can't do the same, can I?"

Tsuyoshi stopped laughing. "Can I trust that whatever I say now would never leave this room?"

"Yeah," the bartender said. "If it does, you're welcome to come back and to try chopping me into millions of pieces."

Tsuyoshi hmmed and sat there quietly for another moment. Finally, he spoke. "I'm planning to step out of the mafia world," Tsuyoshi settled with saying. It wasn't exactly news. He had been telling some of his clients that. Today's hit was going to be the last. "I have a wife to go back to. A wife and an unborn child."

"Congrats," the bartender said. Tsuyoshi's eyes drifted to him. Tsuyoshi found it surprisingly easy to speak to the bartender and to confide in him.

Tsuyoshi wondered why.

"You're not going to tell me it's foolish?" Tsuyoshi questioned, because that was what everyone was telling him. He was raised by his master, born in the mafia body, mind and soul. He became an assassin as soon as he had enough skills to kill, which was rather soon under his deceased master's tutelage. It was only through meeting his wife Saya Minatsuki, a fellow but reluctant assassin, that changed him.

She was finally able to retire and become a civilian three years ago. At the time, she prompted him to leave with her, but Tsuyoshi couldn't. Not only did he find the idea of abandoning the lifestyle that he had been living daunting, withdrawing from the mafia was also not an easy task. In addition, the withdrawal of two famous assassins would undoubtedly draw attention.

Tsuyoshi negotiated for her to leave first, stating that he would follow later on. Saya left, creating a home in Japan and Tsuyoshi would occasionally go visit her.

Three months ago, Saya informed him that she was pregnant with their child. It was then Tsuyoshi knew that it was time for him to part from the mafia world. The idea of being a father frankly frightened him, but the thought of raising his child with blood money didn't sit well with him either.

Tsuyoshi began to gradually take less hits with the intention of fading away from the mafia, but then some of the Families that he previously worked for somehow realized it. Many of them insisted on him doing one last hit for them and so three months later, he was finally wrapping up. Tonight was the last one.

"Nah," the bartender said. "Many other people tried to get outta the mafia, after all."

It was refreshing to not be judged.

"How did you end up in the mafia?" Tsuyoshi asked, curious despite himself.

The bartender turned pensive. "Erm," he said. "You can say it just happened, really." He grinned. "You see, I have this crazy ability to attract trouble. Stick with me long enough and you'll find out."

At the look of the bartender's mischievous grin, Tsuyoshi didn't doubt it.

"Okay," the bartender said, standing up straight. He stretched, his bones cracking rather soundly. It was not anything dangerous, however, because Tsuyoshi would know. He heard that often enough to be able to differentiate if the bone cracking was harmful or not. "You told me your background story." His lips quirked. "Well, kinda. You don't sound like you're suddenly unsure if you should leave the mafia or anything, though, so something else is nagging at you?"

Tsuyoshi wondered how a young man like him could be so perceptive. "You probably won't understand," Tsuyoshi said, half meaning it and half using that as an excuse. It was always automatic instincts of a hitman to not admit or show any weakness.

"Try me," the bartender challenged.

Tsuyoshi took another sip of his drink before speaking. "I've been a hitman for all my life," Tsuyoshi said. "Can I really change from someone who kills to someone who nurtures and take care of another life?"

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "That's what you're worrying about?" The bartender snorted. "Just let nature take its course."

Tsuyoshi looked at the bartender, not comprehending.

"Don't you know that having a kid would bring out all your parental instincts?" the bartender said.

Tsuyoshi wanted to slice the bartender up. He thought the bartender actually had something smart to say. "That only applies to mothers," Tsuyoshi grouched, uncharacteristically annoyed.

The bartender blinked. "Are you sure?" he said. "Because what's stopping you from being a good father?"

"I've just told you-!"

"You've been killing all your life, blah blah blah," the bartender said, and Tsuyoshi didn't know whether to be offended or not that the bartender dared to make light of the loss of life. After all, it was hypocritical when Tsuyoshi himself was a killer, wasn't he? "So what? You weren't born with the abilities to kill. You fucking learned it."

Tsuyoshi froze, all annoyance evaporating from him as he began to see where the bartender was heading towards.

"If you can put effort into learning to kill, you can damn well learn how to be a good nurturing papa," the bartender said. "Since you told me there ain't anything such as 'fatherly instincts,' you better get your ass into gear and start going to those how to be a dad classes and everything. Why are you spending so much time fucking worrying when there are much better things you can do with that time?"

A smile somehow found its way to Tsuyoshi's face by the end of the bartender's rant. "You-"

Tsuyoshi's phone rang at that moment, and his face instantly darkened. It was his work phone.

"Hey," the bartender said, quickly able to recognize Tsuyoshi's change of mood. "You don't have to answer it, you know?"

Tsuyoshi shook his head. "It'll only bring more trouble later on when I've finally settled into civilian life," he said, moving to a stand. His hand was calm as he picked up his katana, despite Tsuyoshi was inwardly brewing with rage. He did the hit, the last that he said he would do. So why must the mafia still haunt his every step? "I'd better settle it now."

Tsuyoshi dropped some bills at the counter, before heading towards the door, moving silently and efficiently. "Thank you for your advice," he said monotonously.

He didn't wait for the bartender's reply as he opened the door, taking advantage of the group entering the bar to quickly disappear from sight.

Xxx

The Giovanni Family.

"I quit being a hitman," Tsuyoshi said as soon as he flipped opened his phone.

"One more."

"No. You'll just continue with this routine if I give in."

"Today's your last day. The day is not over yet."

"No."

"Tsuyoshi, are you sure you want to go against me?"

"Many other Families said the same."

"I've always paid you well, don't I?"

"This conversation is over."

"You need money to start a new life."

"I've been working as a hitman all my life. What makes you think I need this one last hit?"

"You used all those money to ensure Saya left the mafia safely."

Tsuyoshi hesitated. The boss of the Giovanni went for the kill.

"Triple the usual price. I'll ensure you leave without any trouble as well."

"Why me, a retiring hitman? There are plenty more hitmen out there."

"You're the only one I would trust with this job."

Another pause, before Tsuyoshi finally sighed.

"Where?"

Xxx

Tsuyoshi sat in a café, Shigure Kintoki reverted to appear as a plain-looking bamboo sword. Only those who know of Tsuyoshi would realize the harmless looking bamboo sword could instantly turn to a real steel blade at the flick of Tsuyoshi's hand.

He sipped his cup of coffee as he gaze out onto the road, seeking for the slick black car that all mafioso were renowned for using.

Tsuyoshi didn't dwell on the name of his target, only that his target had blond hair. That was all Tsuyoshi needed to know to recognize the man he needed to strike.

Call him a coward, but Tsuyoshi didn't need any more guilt upon his conscious. His target was a hit, a job, and no more. Not a man with friends and families. Just a fellow killer who may deserve this kill.

A black car drove in, slowing down as it was near the curve. It stopped just outside of the Lion Hotel, like the boss of the Giovanni Family said the car of his target would.

Tsuyoshi casually stood to amble towards them, remaining in the shadows of the buildings all the while. His footsteps were inaudible, and his movement graceful. He blended in with the rest of the people on the street.

His target wouldn't know what hit him until he was already dead.

If possible, Tsuyoshi rather assassinate his target when he was in his hotel room, but the boss of Giovanni insisted on having witnesses. It was a show of power, he said, and a warning to all those who decided to be rats in his Family.

Tsuyoshi's hand drifted to Shigure Kintoki, hand fitting nicely around the handle of the sword. This would be the last time he did this. The very last.

Tsuyoshi drew his sword.

And the bartender from before suddenly appeared before him, blocking Tsuyoshi's view of his target – as well of their view on him. One of his hands was on the hilt of Shigure Kintoki, preventing Tsuyoshi from transforming it into a blade.

"Don't," the bartender said. "Are you crazy?!"

"Let go," Tsuyoshi hissed, trying to look around the bartender to spot his target. "I have to do this."

"You're going to get all of Vongola after your head if you assassinate their CEDEF Boss!"

Tsuyoshi froze and in the corner of his eyes, he noted that his target was entering the hotel. A few of his bodyguards were eyeing at Tsuyoshi and the bartender, who suddenly stopped walking in the middle of the street. One detached himself from the group to approach them.

Tsuyoshi forced himself to smile. "It's good to see you, John," he said loudly, letting go of the hilt of Shigure Kintoki to clasp the bartender's shoulder like an old friend. "Man, how many years have it been?"

The bartender's eyebrow twitched at the name Tsuyoshi chose for him. "I don't know, Bob," the bartender gritted out and suddenly Tsuyoshi had the oddest impulse to laugh. "Let's catch up on each other's life, should we?"

He began to steer Tsuyoshi away and Tsuyoshi let him, using the bartender's body to hide the form of Shigure Kintoki from Vongola's mafioso. Turning his back on a known danger was one of the hardest thing Tsuyoshi had to do, but the knowledge of what might happen if Vongola realized he almost tried to assassinate Vongola's CEDEF Boss was just as frightening.

The group of Vongola mafiaoso called the other one back last minute, and he went to regroup with them after a pause.

Tsuyoshi let out an imperceptible sigh of relief at that. "Thank you," Tsuyoshi murmured. "You saved my life."

"Don't thank me just yet," the bartender said. "Who the fuck is this last client of yours?"

"The Giovanni Family," Tsuyoshi answered. "How did you know they were Vongola?"

"A friend told me," the bartender said absentmindedly. "Back to you: are you stupid? The Giovanni Family and Vongola are on the verge of war after a smuggling operation gone wrong. The Giovanni Family is fucking using you hitmen to chip at Vongola's defenses and pretend they did nothing."

Tsuyoshi took a deep breath as he processed the information. "When did this happen?"

"A few weeks ago," the bartender said. He stopped walking to examine Tsuyoshi. "Holy shit. You really knew nothing about it. It's all over the Underground, you know?"

"I was trying to withdraw," Tsuyoshi said. "I didn't want to dip into any more of their business, so I stopped paying attention to them."

"If leaving the mafia is as easy as that, lots of people would have left safely without being cut down," the bartender said, starting to amble again. "Try to stay informed instead, so you'll know if trouble is going your way."

"Is that how you do it?" Tsuyoshi asked.

"Yup," the bartender said. "I'll introduce you to my informant. His price is mad steep, but all his info is accurate and detailed. He works fast too."

"Why are you doing all this to help me?" Tsuyoshi asked, not suspicious although he really should be, but merely curious. In a world that was so throat-cutting, why would a man suddenly go so out of his way to help another?

"Cuz," the bartender said. "I'm a bartender and helping a customer is part of the job description. Besides, I took the time to give you advice on your life. I expect you to live long enough to use it."

Tsuyoshi let out a short laugh. It sounded ridiculous, but perfectly reasonable when it came from the bartender.

"What's your name?" Tsuyoshi asked. "I want to know the name of the man who saved my life."

The bartender paused. "I'm supposed to give you the name I have on my current passport, but when you say it that way, I don't want some other random guy to take my credit." Tsuyoshi laughed again, somehow not surprised. "Yusuke," the bartender said with a grin. "Call me Yusuke."

Xxx

"Take this," Yusuke said later that day. In his hand was a piece of paper.

Tsuyoshi accepted it curiously, taking a glance at the small, rectangular paper. It was a blank check with a signature that Tsuyoshi didn't recognize at the bottom. "What's the meaning of this?"

"A check," Yusuke said. "That's one of my accounts, don't worry. I earned it through legal means."

"Why are you giving me this?"

Yusuke arched an eyebrow. "This question again?"

"Because you helped me before and you don't want your efforts to go to waste," Tsuyoshi recalled. "But what if you spend your whole fortune helping me? In the first place, why do you have so many accounts? You look twenty at most."

A look flashed across Yusuke's eyes. "Believe me," he said slowly, scratching the back of his head. He looked away. "I'm much older than I look."

Tsuyoshi decided not to press.

"You better only take the amount you need," Yusuke warningly joked after a moment of silence, swerving his head towards Tsuyoshi. "If you get greedy and try to take more than you need and my account doesn't have all that money in it, you won't be able to get a single cent."

Tsuyoshi's eyes flicked to him. "Sounds like a gamble."

Yusuke shrugged. "Will you take it?"

Tsuyoshi paused for a moment. "I'm starting to think you're not all that altruistic."

Yusuke grinned, mischief shining in his eyes. "Of course not," Yusuke scoffed. "Who do you think I am?"

"What are you trying to do?" Tsuyoshi asked, not judging but merely curious. After all, Tsuyoshi was benefitting from Yusuke, despite whatever intention Yusuke himself had. "Playing god since you have so much money?"

Yusuke paused. "Maybe," he said slowly. A faint smile with hidden shadows flicked across his face. "I guess I just want to see how I can influence others."

Tsuyoshi's gaze dropped down to the blank check in his hand. "For whatever reason, I guess I should thank you," he said as he slipped the check into his pocket. "I owe you one."

"Don't be so quick with owing me one," Yusuke said. "Build yourself a family and then we'll see."

A grin spread across Tsuyoshi's face. "Alright."

Xxx

Tsuyoshi filled out the check with enough money to open a restaurant and cashed it in. Using that money, he opened TakeSushi and became a sushi chief for living.

It was radically different, being a hitman and being a sushi chief. Some reflexes had to be toned down, but Tsuyoshi was thankful for his instincts as a hitman since those same instincts stopped Takeshi from falling off high places multiple of times. Takeshi was a curious child, and he loved exploring with a wide grin on his face.

Tsuyoshi loved the family he formed with Saya and when he earned enough money, Tsuyoshi took over a dojo named Asarigumi using the money he earned from TakeSushi. Tsuyoshi was a natural born hitman, and he knew he couldn't completely adapt to civilian life. He had to practice and stay sharp, especially since he had a feeling Takeshi might need to spend time in the dojo in the future.

Tsuyoshi decided to give himself a surname, choosing the surname Yamamoto since it was common in Japan. Come to think of it, Takeshi was also a common Japanese name, although Tsuyoshi had a feeling that Takeshi would grow up being anything but common.

Xxx

Fourteen years after Tsuyoshi had first met Yusuke, he appeared again. Yusuke looked different with his long mane of hair and with his even-more casual aura, but it was undeniably him. The surprise on his face when he stepped into TakeSushi told Tsuyoshi the reunion was not at all deliberate.

Yusuke was the first to recover from his surprise. "A table for one," he said.

Tsuyoshi came out of his shock, and a smile automatically slid across his countenance in face of an uncertain situation. "Of course," he said, gesturing Yusuke to follow him. He guided him to a seat secluded from the others. "Here."

"Thanks," Yusuke said as he settled.

Silence reigned between them for a few minutes. Finally, Yusuke sighed.

"Am I supposed to pretend I don't know you?" he asked, glancing at Tsuyoshi.

The smile on Tsuyoshi's face became a little more genuine and was tinted with amusement. "It's a little too late for that, don't you think?"

"True," Yusuke conceded.

"Yamamoto-san," a voice called.

Tsuyoshi turned around. "I'll be right there," Tsuyoshi shouted back. "Yusuke, I'll talk to you later."

Yusuke waved him off. "Sure," he said with a yawn. He leaned back against his seat and let out a content sigh. "Get to me later, since it seems like you're busy. I don't mind. Just remember to get me some sushi when you come back."

Tsuyoshi laughed. "You're one bossy customer," he said.

Yusuke stuck out his tongue at him, before proceeding to fall asleep.

Tsuyoshi went back to Yusuke an hour later when it was time for him to close TakeSushi. After he bid farewell to his customer, he went to make some sushi for Yusuke.

He placed them down in front of Yusuke after he was done making it and on a second thought, he went to get some sake. He had a feeling this would be a long talk, especially since Tsuyoshi did not understand how Yusuke looked the same after more than a decade.

Yusuke was awake and eating by the time Tsuyoshi returned with the sake. "This is pretty good, Tsuyoshi," Yusuke commented with his mouth full. "Didn't know you were good with this stuff."

"Of course it's good," Tsuyoshi said with pride. "This is a sushi restaurant."

Yusuke grinned. "True," he said, taking the small cup of sake that Tsuyoshi poured and drank everything in one go. He whistled. "More?"

"Get it yourself," Tsuyoshi said, pushing the bottle of sake towards Yusuke after pouring a cup for himself. "Don't chug it down. It's expensive stuff."

"Can tell, can tell," Yusuke said as he poured himself another cup. He picked up the last sushi on the plate. "I want more, Mr. Sushi Chief."

"How come I get the feeling you became more immature over the years?" Tsuyoshi said as he stood, taking the plate with him.

Yusuke stood as well, sake cup and bottle in hand. "Maybe," he said cryptically as he took a seat at the counter. "I want sashimi!"

Tsuyoshi shook his head at Yusuke but made it for Yusuke anyway, holding the knife in his preferred manner (like a sword) as he masterfully sliced the fish.

He smacked the hand that tried to filch one of the pieces. "I'm not done yet."

"Stingy," Yusuke grumbled. "How can you let a customer starve?"

"Are you even going to pay?" Tsuyoshi asked. He knew he owed Yusuke but if Yusuke think he could step into TakeSushi, take everything that was expensive and then leave without any repercussion, he had another thing coming. Just because Tsuyoshi owed him didn't mean he would let Yusuke step all over him like that.

"Nope," Yusuke answered casually, taking another sip of sake. Tsuyoshi's grip on his sushi knife tightened. "You owe me."

"Yusuke—" Tsuyoshi said gravely, a frown forming on his face.

"I'll pay you next time I come," Yusuke continued blasé-ly. He glanced up at Tsuyoshi, a teasing glint entering his eyes. "After you settle your debt with me."

"You're saying a meal would settle our debt," Tsuyoshi said slowly.

"Yup," Yusuke said. "You're half way there already, with this sake." He eyed at the sashimi that Tsuyoshi was preparing. "You done yet?"

"No," Tsuyoshi said as he continued to arrange the sliced pieces on the platter. His mind whirled. "I took a lot of money from your account," he said slowly.

Yusuke waved it off. "I told you I have money."

"I don't want to be a charity case," Tsuyoshi insisted.

"Which is why you better start feeding me those sashimi," Yusuke countered calmly, eyeing at the raw fish through the glass. "I'm starving."

Tsuyoshi made a move to speak, but Yusuke continued talking.

"Where's the rest of your family?" Yusuke asked curiously. "I wanted to meet them."

"Takeshi – my son – is over at a friend's home," Tsuyoshi answered. "Saya passed away."

Yusuke glanced at Tsuyoshi silently. Finally, he said, "Pity I never met Saya, though I do want to meet this son of yours some time."

"One day," Tsuyoshi said as he finally placed the platter of sashimi in front of Yusuke.

Yusuke attacked it like a starving man.

"Yum," Yusuke said as he finished the platter, licking the pad of his finger with a grin. "Thanks for the meal!"

Yusuke stood abruptly, glancing at Tsuyoshi for a moment, before he climbed onto the seat that he previously sat on.

"Yusuke," Tsuyoshi hissed, glaring daggers.

"Tsuyoshi," Yusuke said gravely, sounding very self-important. He even tilted his head up, pointing his nose towards the ceiling to look as regal as possible. A grin broke out of Yusuke's face. "I hereby absolve you from any debt you previously owed me. From now on, you are a free man. Feel free to make me more sushi. I'll pay for them from here on."

He climbed off the seat and sat back down. "I want a California roll, Mr. Sushi Chief."

"Yusuke," Tsuyoshi started, not knowing what to say.

"C'mon, I'm a paying customer," Yusuke stressed. "Don't make me wait."

Tsuyoshi rolled his eyes. "One California roll, right?"

"Yup, and fatty tuna," Yusuke added.

"You ate a lot already, dear customer," Tsuyoshi said. "Are you sure you want to order that much? I expect you to finish them."

Yusuke's eyebrow twitched. "Did you just call me fat?" Yusuke asked, his voice oh-so indignant.

Tsuyoshi's lips twitched. "Just drink your sake, Yusuke."

Yusuke grumbled. "You're so lucky your sushi is good."

Then he poured himself some more sake and drank.

"Eat with me," Yusuke demanded when Tsuyoshi finished making his order.

"I told you you wouldn't be able to finish it," Tsuyoshi began.

"It sucks eating by myself," Yusuke complain. He pushed the platter of sushi towards him and looked expectantly at Tsuyoshi.

Tsuyoshi sighed and ate. Yusuke grinned.

"I'm full," Yusuke declared after asking Tsuyoshi to make five more sushi rolls and then proceed to persuade Tsuyoshi to eat all of them with him. He let out a content sigh. "How much is that?"

Tsuyoshi gazed at Yusuke for a moment, before a faint smile full of self-deprecating amusement slowly crossed his face.

"Leave it," Tsuyoshi said. It had been a while since he interacted with anyone other than Takeshi and his customers. He almost forgot how pleasant it was. His smile widened. "It's on the house for today."

Yusuke raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah," Tsuyoshi said. "It has been a while since I've seen you, anyway."

Yusuke looked at Tsuyoshi for another moment, as though he was waiting for Tsuyoshi to change his mind. When he simply glance right back, Yusuke at last grinned. "Well, thanks then," he said, appearing strangely touched by Tsuyoshi's gesture. "I'll make sure to come back next time."

"I'm not always going to treat you," Tsuyoshi said sternly.

"Yes, yes," Yusuke said with a laugh, standing. "I'll see you around then."

Tsuyoshih walked Yusuke to the door and as he did, he was suddenly struck by the thought that he never did ask Yusuke how come his appearance didn't change from fourteen years ago. He considered asking, but when Tsuyoshi stopped by the door and looked at Yusuke and Yusuke just smiled back, his eyes bright with happiness, the question just died before it could even leave his mouth.

"You're welcome to come back, Yusuke," Tsuyoshi said, somehow getting the feeling Yusuke needed to hear that.

Yusuke started at those words, before a soft smile drifted on his face. "Yeah, sure," Yusuke said. He looked at TakeSushi's appearance as a whole, glanced at Tsuyoshi, before finally saying, "Yeah, I'll be back. Betcha I will be."

Then, he turned and disappeared into the night.

As promised, Yusuke returned a few more times after that. Imagine his surprise when Tsuyoshi found out Yusuke knew Tsuna, Takeshi's friend. Moreover, Yusuke met already Takeshi.

Fate, Saya would say.

Fortunate, Tsuyoshi would reply. He was fortunate to meet Yusuke and he had a feeling his opinion was shared.

Sorry for the wait! Life was busy and stuff happened. Same old, same old. Hey, at least this chapter is pretty long.

In this chapter, there are two lines that came from the manga Bartender by Araki Joh. Can you guess which two?

As always, thank for reading. Reviews are appreciated and a huge thanks to Aori for helping me edit even when busy! The next update will be in a month. Until then!

Sneak peek:

A tender hand slowly combed through his hair, gently parting the strands that stubbornly stuck together.

"You have nice hair, Yusuke-kun," a warm voice murmured.