The sun was slowly sinking, and darkness crept in as if it wanted to devour everything. The city streets, once straight and clean, were now crowded with people hurrying along the sidewalks, heading home after a busy workday. Cars rushed down the roads or waited at traffic lights.
"Senpai, what do you think about going to a restaurant today? It's your birthday."
A young man, around 25 years old, spoke as he looked at the middle-aged man beside him.
"Alright, as you wish," the man replied indifferently. He was tall, with black hair and sharp features that reflected his serious nature.
As they walked along the sidewalk toward the restaurant, the younger man felt a strong urge to break the heavy silence surrounding the man beside him. The older man's gaze was straight and fixed, as if watching something distant that only he could see.
"Senpai, don't you feel like this year passed by quickly?"
The man didn't turn his head, but he replied in a calm voice:
"Time waits for no one."
The younger man smiled lightly, trying to lighten the somber atmosphere:
"That's why we need to celebrate today! You can't keep avoiding your birthday every year."
The man suddenly stopped in front of a small restaurant illuminated with warm lights from inside. He read the name of the restaurant on the sign aloud in a low voice:
"Memory Restaurant."
The younger man looked at the sign and then at the man, asking in surprise:
"Do you know this place?"
The man nodded slowly, his eyes holding a spark of nostalgia:
"I used to come here a long time ago... when I lived a different life."
The two entered the restaurant, greeted by the sound of soft music and the smell of homemade food. The man chose a table near a window overlooking the street and sat quietly, while the younger man eagerly browsed the menu.
"Senpai, what would you like to eat? I'll order for you."
The man slowly raised his gaze and said:
"Anything, as long as it's not the past."
The younger man paused, his hand stopping mid-flip through the menu, and looked at the man with confusion. He wanted to ask but felt it wasn't the right time. Instead, he smiled and said:
"Alright, I'll pick the best."
The atmosphere in the restaurant was warm and comforting, but in the man's eyes, there was a storm of thoughts and memories.
While waiting for the waiter to take their order, the younger man noticed the man beside him was lost in thought, staring out the window as if seeing something no one else could.
"Senpai, is something on your mind?"
The younger man asked gently, trying to pull the man out of his thoughts.
The man sighed deeply and said in a low voice:
"This place carries memories... some beautiful, and some I wish I could forget."
The younger man didn't respond immediately, but he felt the weight of the words. He decided to change the subject slightly to lighten the mood:
"Maybe we can create new memories tonight. Who knows? This place might become a favorite for both of us."
The man smiled faintly, though the smile barely showed.
The waiter arrived and took their orders, and for a brief moment, silence returned. The man broke it at last, saying:
"You know, I haven't celebrated my birthday in years. I never found a reason to."
The younger man was surprised and replied enthusiastically:
"But you're here now, and that means things might change. We're creating memories, aren't we?"
The man nodded slightly, as if saying yes but without full conviction.
When the waiter returned with their food, the restaurant felt even cozier. The man took a bite of his meal and suddenly said:
"This restaurant was the first place I met someone who changed my life."
The younger man looked up with curiosity and asked:
"Someone? Who was it?"
The man looked at him with eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and gratitude, saying:
"Someone who taught me that time waits for no one, but also taught me that memories are what keep us alive."
Silence returned once more, but this time it was different. It was a silence filled with understanding and respect.
The younger man smiled gently and said:
"Then let's make another good memory tonight. Happy birthday, Senpai."
The man responded with a genuine smile this time and said:
"Thank you... Maybe you're right."
At that moment, the man felt the darkness that had been creeping in retreat slightly, leaving room for a small ray of light.
After finishing their meal and sipping the wine the waiter brought with a friendly smile, the younger man pulled out a small box wrapped in elegant gift paper and placed it in front of the man, saying warmly:
"Senpai, this is a gift I prepared for you. Happy birthday."
The man looked at the box with a neutral expression at first, but he slowly extended his hand to take it. The shiny paper reflected the restaurant's warm lights, as if it held something more than just a gift.
He carefully opened the box to find an antique pocket watch, engraved on its cover with a small inscription:
"Time passes, but memories remain."
The man paused, his fingers hesitating over the watch. He raised his gaze to the younger man and said in a low voice, filled with a hint of surprise:
"How... how did you know I like these kinds of watches?"
The younger man smiled and said:
"I often saw you looking at old watches in shop windows when we walked around. I thought you'd like it."
The man stared at the watch for another moment, then slowly closed it and tucked it into his inner pocket. He looked up at the younger man with a rare smile and said:
"Thank you. It's... the best gift I've received in a long time."
The younger man felt a wave of joy seeing that smile, even if it was faint. He added:
"I'm glad you like it. I hope it's the start of new memories, Senpai."
The man nodded, his eyes carrying a blend of nostalgia and appreciation. That small moment was enough to ease some of the heaviness in his heart, as if the darkness that surrounded him had made way for a small point of light.
The two stood up from the table after finishing their meal and stepped out into the chilly evening air of the city.
The man looked up at the dark sky and said:
"Maybe... time doesn't wait for anyone, but it always gives us a new chance if we know how to seize it."
The younger man smiled and said:
"That's what I wanted to hear. Let's create more opportunities together, Senpai."
The man nodded silently, and they bid each other farewell, each heading toward his home—or perhaps, his future.