Five years. It's been five years since he disappeared after Nanbu-san's death leaving everything and everyone behind without a note or word for all that time. joe had suffered so much in that time relying on shitty painkillers and becoming yet again an underground boxer for survival if it hasn't been meeting Cheif he probably wouldn't have been able to come back after that

Being back home joe had to face everyone-- sachio and the kids, aragaki and most importantly you, his love for you hasn't died after all those years but turned into painful longing but he's not sure on how he will face you after abandoning everything they had Gathering all his courage Joe goes to where aragaki told him you live now outside with a bouquet of flowers and minute hope in heart

When he sees you his heart thumps again expression wavering yet he managed a smile "Been a while hasn't it?" he's not here to ask you to take him back just to apologize...yet the thumping of his heart wants the before