[TaroTre] My Blind Date is My Childhood Friend - Chapter 17

Tregear: I’m very sorry, Auntie Marie. I only just saw your message. Would next Saturday at noon in the plaza work for you?

Marie relayed the news to Taro and immediately went to find her husband.

“Next Saturday? I already made plans to go to Fyliss’s house to play next Saturday,” Taiga said, having overheard the conversation nearby.

“Then go have fun with your friend. Children shouldn’t worry so much about adult business,” Taro said, ruffling Taiga’s hair.

When Saturday arrived, Taro glanced at the time and spoke to Zoffy. “Brother Zoffy, I’m heading out for the day.”

“Go ahead. Just don’t forget to write your report next time.” Zoffy checked the clock, confirming his younger brother wasn’t ditching early but had reached the end of his shift. He waved the report Taro had just handed in. “The difference between your reporting style and Ace’s is… substantial.”

“Cough, well, that… Brother Zoffy, hehe…” Taro tried to change the subject. He was just an instructor; it felt completely unreasonable to have to produce this much paperwork.

“Stop grumbling about me in your head. Don’t you have a date today? Get going.” Zoffy saw right through his little brother’s thoughts.

“Oh, right! I’m off then.” Taro grabbed his jacket, ready to bolt.

Before stepping out the door, he couldn’t resist one final remark: “Brother Zoffy, even though everyone already knows, those marks on your neck are a bit too obvious. You might want to cover them up.” With that, Taro slipped away before his brother could react.

That kid is going to be the death of me. Zoffy didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh; he couldn’t believe his brother had the nerve to tease him.

But marks on his neck? Zoffy pulled up his camera feed to check. He was right. Zoffy’s expression darkened instantly.

He had repeatedly emphasized to him last night no marks on the neck. Yet he went and did it anyway.

Unbelievable. It just so happened that the Science Technology Bureau had submitted a funding request today. Zoffy looked at the long-winded document that essentially boiled down to two words: “Give money.” He took his pen and slashed the budget in half, then handed the approved (and reduced) request off to be processed.

As for Hikari’s reaction to seeing his budget halved, and whether he would regret last night’s actions—we’ll leave that aside for now and focus back on Taro and Tregear.

Taro arrived first, so he went to buy milk tea while waiting. By the time he had the drinks in hand, Tregear was leisurely strolling toward him from a distance.

“Here.” Taro handed a cup to Tregear. “What should we do today? There are a few new releases at the cinema. Want to pick one?”

“Sure.” Tregear had no objections; as long as he was with Taro, the activity didn’t matter.

However, despite any mental preparation Tregear might have had, he never expected Taro to drag him to see a children’s movie. Tregear felt incredibly out of place sitting among a sea of parents and children especially since he was there with Taro. He could have understood a horror flick, a comedy, a romance, or even sci-fi… but a cartoon?

Tregear felt a headache coming on.

When the movie ended and they walked out, Taro let out a satisfied “Ah.” “I thought it would be boring, but that was actually pretty interesting. I should bring Taiga to see it.”

“Mm.” Tregear didn’t know what else to say besides nodding.

“Hey, we’re really close to Tsujiki-ya. Let’s go see what snacks they have!” Taro looked around and made the suggestion.

“Alright,” Tregear agreed. He was a fan of Tsujiki-ya’s pastries as well.

“Welcome~!”

When they entered, the familiar shopkeeper was behind the counter, while her husband sat nearby, lazily playing with a tablet.

“What can I get for you? We have a new seasonal item: cherry blossom pudding,” the shopkeeper said with a smile. “Though the rose cakes are also excellent they just came out of the oven.”

“I’ll take both, and I’d like a hot dog bun heated up,” Taro said. “Thanks, ma’am.”

“Of course. And for you?” She turned to Tregear.

“I’ll have a bag of rusks and a red bean bun. And some salted egg yolk pastries,” Tregear added.

“Coming right up. Please have a seat. Will you be eating in or taking these to go?”

Taro looked at Tregear, who replied, “We’ll eat here.”

“Understood.” She handed them their selected treats, heated the hot dog bun, and brought over some tea to their table.

“Everything is served. Please enjoy!” She smiled and returned to the counter.

The shopkeeper’s husband looked up from his tablet and realized why his wife was so happy. “Looks like those two are making good progress.”

“Indeed they are.” She leaned against the counter, watching the duo with a beaming smile. “I’m truly looking forward to the day they get married.”

“I don’t think you were even this excited for our own wedding,” her husband teased.

“That’s because I already knew for a fact I was going to be with you,” she laughed. “The shop is closed tomorrow; want to go out somewhere?”

“I’d love to.” He agreed wholeheartedly; even a shop owner needs a break.

“So good! The owner’s cooking is truly top-tier,” Taro said, taking a bite of his hot dog bun. “The bread is so fluffy and soft.”

“It really is.” Tregear took a bite of his pastry, the tension in his brow softening. Sweets truly were the ultimate comfort food.

He had expected Taiga to come along today, but to his surprise, it was just Taro. Tregear continued eating, feeling a strange sensation. Usually, he had no trouble talking to Taro, but being alone with him today made him feel uncharacteristically shy. His heart was racing. Did Taro ask to keep seeing me because he actually likes me?

Tregear stole a glance at Taro, who was completely absorbed in the delicious food. He wasn’t sure.

Or rather, most of the time, he couldn’t guess what was going on in Taro’s head. After all, how could a complex mind ever truly understand such a simple-hearted person?

Tregear didn’t want a repeat of the “love letter incident.”

He had written his feelings so clearly back then. When Taro found the letter, Tregear thought it was the end of the world. Instead, Taro’s first reaction was: “Wow, Tregear, you’re so poetic! Is this for someone you like? Whoever receives a letter like this from you is going to be so lucky!”

When he shouldn’t realize something, Taro would say things like, “Wait, is this for me? Does Tregear really like me that much?” But when he actually should realize it, he’d say, “Wow, I wonder who the lucky person is. I’m almost jealous!”

Tregear honestly didn’t know if Taro was doing it on purpose, but by all accounts, Taro didn’t seem to have that kind of calculating mind. After all, he was the type of person whose brain would literally overheat if he thought too hard.

“Tregear, can I stay at your place tonight?”

Tregear snapped out of his thoughts only to find Taro’s face inches away, having just dropped that bombshell.

WHAT???

Tregear’s face flushed red instantly. Had they been talking about overnight stays? Why so sudden? Was Taro… implying something?