Hakase sat in his usual spot at the bar. It had been many months since he had last visited. New faces, as well as some old mingled in their private booths. His old friend Andrews, the bartender, was still serving drinks to the patrons. However, now he's the manager, with young hopefuls working and learning under him.
His head was still spinning from conversation with the tourist, Tom. Just as Hakase placed some reports on the counter, Tom spilled his drink all over it. Tom quickly apologized for the mess and somehow, in a matter of minutes, Tom began talking about his new niece and his sister. Politely, Hakase nodded as he passively listened. Tom excused himself then left the bar, leaving a confused Hakase in his wake.
"I must be getting old," he thought to himself.
As he sat there, staring blankly at the news monitors, his mind slowly wandered through his past adventures. It wandered through the people he met in his travels, all the things he has learned. His mind continued to wander back to where he was happiest; as he stared off into the distance, visions of his family on Kyushu drifted into his subconscious. He remembered how it was before. His wife by his side, his daughter on the other. The sakura trees were in full bloom during the spring and the momiji trees in the fall were full of vibrant colors.
The arrival of the waitress brought him back from his daydream. She took his order and poured out his drink. He let out a heavy sigh and took a sip of his sake.
He fiddled with the ring on his finger, "Eclair... why did it come to this?"
He finished his food and paid his bill. He bid his old friend Andrews a good night. On his way out, he passed a young Kusaran tourist.
He stoppled her, "Ayaka?"
She turned on her heel and faced him, "Nani?"
"Sumimasen, watashi ha dareka hokano nin to kondou sare." (Sorry, I was confused with someone else)
"Daijoubu desu yo" (No problem)
Hakase watched her continue into the bar.
"Should be about her age now..." He thought to himself.
He proceeded to his room
[NOTE: I am only an amateur at the language of Japanese. If you see any problems with it, please tell me so I can correct it. I'd take classes, but they don't offer it at my school :dry:]