The hotel lobby was decorated with Christmas ornaments, a snowman replica stood beside a massive Christmas tree. Kenjiro remembered a similar scene when he went to the Philippines with his mother and sister. 

Kenjiro took a cab and directed the driver to the location that Akiko sent him. As he arrived, he saw the man himself wearing a bemused expression. Akiko sat outside of the busy restaurant, a large umbrella shielding him from the sun's hot rays. He had a calm demeanor as if it didn't bother him that Kenjiro was late, the tapping of his fingers on the table told otherwise.

Ah, maybe not such a good afternoon...

Kenjiro felt pressure from the blank stare directed toward him. All he could do was put on an apologetic smile and laugh awkwardly.

"Sorry about that."

Akiko sighed as he directed his sight towards the glass of water in front of him.

"I already ordered some food for us."

"Oh? What did you get?"

"Adobo, kare-kare, and an extra bowl of rice. Coffee wouldn't really be a match for these dishes so I just ordered iced tea."

Akiko slid the menu on the table towards Kenjiro.

"But if you want, you can order for yourself."

Kenjiro couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"No, it's perfect. You really know what my favorites are."

Kenjiro wasn't surprised by that though, he's been friends with Akiko since he was a child.

Akiko quickly added with a hint of a smirk, "You'll be one paying though for being late."

Kenjiro laughed out loud, "Of course."

He took a good look at his best friend. Akiko was dressed in semi-formal attire. A black button-up shirt with dark pants and black loafers. A silver watch wrapped around his wrist. He looked handsome with his clothes wrapping his figure fittingly. Compared to Kenjiro who wore casual clothes, a tank top, khaki shorts, and flip-flops. Kenjiro couldn't stop his grin.

"Other than looking more mature, you haven't changed much huh?"

Akiko wore a minuscule smile.

"It's been two years since we last met, you're still a twig albeit a bit taller. Should I call you a branch now?"

"Hey! I've buffed up quite a bit." Kenjiro flexed his exposed biceps.

Akiko rolled his eyes as if he was saying 'Yeah, sure whatever.'

Kenjiro took no offense, he was even happy. He and Akiko spent a portion of their life bickering with each other. He felt a sudden pang of nostalgia. The smile planted on his face bore a bittersweet note.

"Time sure does fly."

Akiko's eyes met with Kenjiro, a thin line drawn on his lips.

"It does."

Akiko withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the scenery surrounding them, Kenjiro took a look as well. From the view of a busy Manila during the afternoon, people of all sorts moved about.

Groups of families dined at the different restaurants available nearby the plaza. People moved out from one jeep to another as they commute during the busiest hours. A disheveled man pushed a wooden cart carrying used plastic bottles, old newspapers, and soda cans. The sun glared bright, the heat radiating from it was a bit unbearable.

Some people had their umbrellas out to shield them from the stinging rays, some had hand fans fanning the warm air towards them, and some opted to buy cold and refreshing drinks from the street vendors in order to fight off the dry hot season of March.

Ah, it's been a long time since I've had gulaman.

Kenjiro thought of a variety of cold and refreshing drinks to order in this fiery weather. Akiko followed Kenjiro's gaze on the street vendor handing out a cup of iced gulaman to a young teenager.

"You have ample time to guzzle on gulaman."

Kenjiro laughed at this.

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Mhm, despite wearing the most revealing attire out of the two of us... You're the one who's drenched in sweat."

Ah.

Kenjiro hadn't noticed, patches of his shirt had darkened from the sweat while Akiko on the other hand barely had any droplet of sweat anywhere. Kenjiro pulled on the hem of his shirt to let air in.

Not really that effective when the air is just as hot.

"Let's have some halo-halo for dessert, my treat."

Kenjiro nodded his head with a smile. His eyes lit up with enthusiasm. He forgot about that cold and refreshing dessert.

"Then after, let's go somewhere. It's been years since you've been to Manila for vacation. It'd be a missed opportunity if we didn't make the most out of it."

"At this point, why don't you just admit that you've missed me?"

Kenjiro's smile turned into a mischievous grin as he expect Akiko to do his signature eye roll.

Akiko matched a mischievous grin of his own to Kenjiro's surprise.

"Not really, our household Shiba inu back in Japan did a rather good job in substituting for you."

Kenjiro had a surprised expression. He hadn't expected a response like that from Akiko. A few moments elapsed, and Kenjiro's mouth hung open as he tried to give a retort. Before the first few words formed from his lips, the server had approached them with a tray carrying their food.

"For table number 13."

The waitress told the pair the name of the menu items as she gently placed them on the table. Kenjiro could only stare at Akiko who had a satisfied smirk.

"Are your orders complete, sirs?"

"Yes, thank you very much" Akiko matched the respectful tone of the waitress.

As the waitress left, Kenjiro opened his mouth to respond to Akiko's earlier statement.

"Hey, you-"

Before Kenjiro could even speak, Akiko interrupted.

"You shouldn't keep your food waiting, weren't these your favorite?"

Akiko brought the plate a little bit closer to Kenjiro and waved his hands towards him, directing the steam towards Kenjiro.

"Hmm." Akiko teasingly hummed. The aroma from both the Adobo and Kare-Kare gave off an irresistible invitation. One serving platter had chicken adobo, each piece turned to a light caramel color as it had been simmering in the savory vinegar-based sauce. The kare-kare featured an oxtail and several vegetables; bok choy, eggplant, banana heart, and string beans, swimming in the glistening sauce. Kenjiro's stomach started to growl.

"You-" Kenjiro bit his lips, his eyebrows scrunched together. It didn't take long for Kenjiro

to take a deep breath and sigh, "You win."

Akiko laughed. The rare laughter sounded like music to Kenjiro's ears. Kenjiro's bitterness faded away and his enthusiasm returned as he looked at the dishes once more.

"Well, let's dig in. Itadakimasu."

Kenjiro dug into the food, taking big bites. The extra rice that Akiko ordered thankfully meet the demand of Kenjiro's appetite. Akiko ate with restraint, with admirable table manners that contrasted with Kenjiro's display.

It didn't take too long before the dishes were gone. Akiko called the waitress for dessert.

Maybe, it was a stroke of luck as the waitress returned almost immediately.

Two glassware sat on top of the table, shaved iced topped with leche flan, kidney beans, ube halaya, macapuno, jack fruit, nata de coco, gelatin, pinipig, and, of course; ice cream.

Kenjiro scooped some of the halo-halo into his mouth.

Kenjiro sighed, satisfied.

"That hits the spot."

A cold dessert to top off some good food.

Across the table, Akiko helped himself with his own serving halo-halo. It didn't take long as well for the glass tumblers from being emptied out.