(FOURTEEN YEARS LATER: SHINJUKU DISTRICT, TOKYO, JAPAN, 11:30 PM)

In a cold and snowy evening of New Years Eve, the radiant streets had come along with the crowd along with the various sounds from the establishments. Vehicles had roamed on the streets. For locals and tourists, celebrating the New Year in Japan has been a very important event for them.

In the four years remaining in the Land of Rising Sun for his unversity studies and part-time work, Amnon has been visiting Meiji Park every New Year's Eve with his college friends. There was a year that his family visited him to experience and observe this holiday aside from his college graduation from few months ago.

Upon reaching his fifth year in this country, he was contemplating to stay and work as a mechanical engineer and planning to change his visa from student to working. Amnon has hoped to live here for good and decided to visit his home country for a vacation.

This time, he was dating with his best friend since his foreign exchange semester in highschool. Kamiyama Yuri was the only person who could communicate with him in English.

She had a long dark hair and purple scarf wrapped around her neck as she was wearing a thick winter coat and pair of pants. The Japanese lady was in her mid twenties as she had the same age as his. Yuri walked along with him after they ate supper in a restaurant. The two decided to remain in Shinjuku district for a change to observe the New Year's Eve and spend sightseeing at the view of the Tokyo Tower.

Upon reaching the pedestrian bridge, they paused walking, rested for a while, and enjoyed seeing the Japanese metropolis's view when the radiant and colorful street lights had greeted and communicated them for their aesthetic sights.

Yuri noticed of her American best friend's silence and leaned her arms when she stood beside him. On the other hand, Amnon was struggling to speak out of his feelings for her, since they have been friends for a long time. In the coming New Year, he deeply thought that this was the right time to tell her.

" Amnon-kun? " Yuri broke her silence and called his attention. " Earlier, you seemed so talkative before and after supper. How come you have been so quiet? "

Amnon raised his eyebrows and fixed his eyeglasses on his face. He felt his heart racing which he became too anxious. He wasn't prepared to express his feelings for her and composing his thoughts to change the topic.

" It's nothing, Yuri, " he slightly chuckled.

" Feeling homesick? "

" Yeah, " Amnon nodded and diverted the topic. " It's just I missed my family and spent almost five years in this country. Yet, they might feel sad in my decision for staying and working here for good. "

" Oh, I know what you mean, " she replied. " I feel the same way as you when I left Osaka for Tokyo to study highschool and university as a nurse. Fortunately, I have relatives living here, but I have time to visit my parents and my brother there. Maybe, you can return and visit them very soon. "

" You're right, " he nodded and curiously asked. " Do you have any plans for the next year? "

" I'm still thinking whether if I study the nursing board exam or join the astronaut corps. "

" Astronaut corps? You mean you're the first nurse in space? "

Yuri nodded and sincerely smiled, " Yes. It's my childhood dream to go to space.

" Wow! " he exclaimed in awe. " I can't wait to see you in orbit and in the International Space Station. "

" I know. "

Amnon made a deep sigh which he couldn't speak up for his feelings for her, even he was so amazed about her news in going to space. He glanced at the bright Tokyo Tower and looked at the time on his watch. It was nearly fifteen minutes before the first of January of the next year. Still, he wanted to disclose when the New Year could come.

" How about you? " she asked. " Have you been waiting for someone to call you in your new job while doing your part time work? "

" Yeah, " he broke his silence and nodded. " Still working as an English teacher after my graduation, eventhough I applied to several electronic and construction companies. I'm still waiting for their call for my interview. Soon enough, I'll get hired. "

" Sugoi ne! Ganbatte, Amnon-kun! (Great, keep it up, Amnon-kun!) " Yuri cheerfully spoke and raised her arm with a clenched right fist.

" Hai, ganbarimasu! (Yeah, I will keep up!) " Amnon nodded and smiled back. Then, he continued and sincerely looked at her while blushing, " Eventually, I will be staying here not just for my career, but I've found someone to spend my lifetime. I know that person is very dedicated to support me. I will also support and respect her. "

Yuri remained silent and blushed harder which she heard her male best friend's statement. She had known Amnon when she was in highschool. They had been friends ever since. When he returned to America, she continued communicating with him through emails and chats. When she learned that he was returning to Japan for university studies, she was so happy to meet him again. This time, she was also contemplating to express his feelings for him.

" You know, what? " she chuckled and replied. " I wish that guy could be funny, sincere, and dedicated as you. I met so many male classmates and patients in my nursing assignments who tend to flirt me, but they're really not my type. When I return from space, I'm willing to grow old with that same guy for good! "

" Really?! " Amnon curiously raised his voice and widened his his eyes.

" That's true. "

Yuri held her male best friend's hands as the blond American blushed harder and smiled. He was relieved which his female Japanese friend was also feeling the same way. Then, he looked at the time which it was turning less than twenty seconds to the New Year. Amnon and Yuri witnessed the crowd coming and going into the pedestrian bridge. They were also pausing and beginning their own countdown.

" JŪ! (TEN!) "

" KYŪ! (NINE!) "

" HACHI! (EIGHT!) "

" SHICHI! (SEVEN!) "

" ROKU! (SIX!) "

" GO! (FIVE!) "

" SHI! (FOUR!) "

" SAN! (THREE!) "

" NI! (TWO!) "

" ICHI! (ONE!) "

" Akemashite omedetō! (Happy New Year!) "

The crowd cheerfully clapped as some had whistled. The couples had hugged each other. Amnon looked at them which he did the same gesture to Yuri. He gently placed his arms around her as she blushed harder. She was smiling and hugging him back. The two enjoyed their time together in the beginning of the new year. Just then, there was a bald old man wearing a brown yukata and walking around the bridge. He was wearing a pair of wooden slippers. He held a cane and looked at the young couple, staring at the blonde man. Yuri looked at the old man with a concern.

" Anata wa kappuru no yō ni totemo amai yōdesu. Sonoyōni o ai dekite totemo ureshīdesu. (You seem to be so sweet as a couple. I'm so glad to see you in that way.) " he said with a smile in his craggy voice.

" Dare? (Who are you?) " Amnon asked and felt suspicious at him.

" Watashi wa tada no rōjin de, tōrisugite shin'nen o iwatte imasu. (I'm just an old man passing by and celebrating the New Year.) "

" Hai, wakarimasu. (Yeah, I got it.) "

" Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu, oji-san. (We hope you have a fine New Year's day to celebrate, sir.) " Yuri smiled, respectfully bowed at him and asked. " Anata wa anata no mokutekichi ni tōtatsu suru tame ni watashitachi no tasuke ga hitsuyōdesu ka? (Do you need our help to get to your destination?) "

" Iie, daijobu desu. Arigato. (No, I'm fine. Thank you.) "

" Hai. (Yes.) "

" Onajiku. (Likewise.) " the elderly man said and looked intently at Amnon. " Shōnen, anata wa anata no tokubetsuna yūjin o nozoite, sakini subarashī mirai ga arimasu. Kongo no kadai wa arimasuga, ozzu o uchi makasu ni wa, anata no naka ni kakusa rete iru nanika o tokihanatsu hitsuyō ga arimasu. (Boy, you have a great future ahead aside from your special friend. There are challenges ahead, but something hidden in you must be unleashed in order for you to beat the odds.) "

Amnon was astonished from what the old man had said. He couldn't comprehend what he was trying to say. Then, Yuri curiously looked at her male friend which she couldn't fathom and raised her eyebrows. Amnon gave her a clueless gesture, shrugged, and turned to the old man, " Oji-san, Wakarimasen. Anata wa nani ni tsuite hanashite imasu ka? (Sir, I don't understand. What are you talking about?) "

" Anata ga anata no kotae o mitsukeru tame ni hitsuyōna koto ga arimasu. Jikan dake ga wakarimasu. (There are things that you need to find your answers. Only time can tell.) " the old man seriously replied in a calm tone and sincerely smiled. " Ja mata ne, Shōnen! (See you next time, Boy!) "

Amnon and Yuri watched the mysterious elder walking away from the bridge with a cane. Then, they exchanged glances which they remained clueless for that encounter.

" Who is he? Where does he come from? " she asked.

" I don't know, Yuri, " he apprehensively answered. " I haven't met him before. It's weird. "

" Why is he telling you something about your future? "

" I really don't know what he has talked about. He's giving me the creeps. "