[TaroTre] My Blind Date is My Childhood Friend - Chapter 18

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

Sometimes Tregear truly couldn’t fathom what went on in Taro’s mind, yet he remained maddeningly susceptible to Taro’s every word.

“You can,” Tregear replied. He decided he couldn’t simply follow Taro’s lead and ask “why” that would put him in a passive position. If things continued this way, he wouldn’t understand Taro’s logic even in ten thousand years.

Tregear resolved to act as though this were perfectly normal. Since Taro wasn’t seeing anyone else right now, there was no need to be impatient. Or so he told himself.

Tregear didn’t notice that after he gave such a crisp, immediate consent, a flicker of surprise crossed Taro’s face.

I thought for sure he’d ask me for a reason, Taro thought.

“It’s a rare chance since Taiga is at a friend’s house and doesn’t need looking after. Let’s spend an ‘adult’ weekend together,” Taro said, offering his thoughts even though Tregear hadn’t asked.

“Don’t you have to work tomorrow?” Tregear asked.

“No. I’ve finished all my work for the week and handed the reports to Brother Zoffy. Even I need a break; I can’t just skip rest because I’m a police officer,” Taro said happily. “Besides, it’s not like there are constant incidents in the universe requiring the Intergalactic Defense Force’s attention every second. Other nebulas have their own security forces too.”

Furthermore, as Chief Instructor, Taro mainly oversaw training. Unless a major situation arose that the students couldn’t handle, he rarely went on field missions. In his early years as Chief Instructor, he traveled frequently because the newer generation hadn’t been fully trained yet. Now that there were plenty of excellent warriors, Taro had more time off though it came with the paperwork he so despised.

After finishing their snacks, Taro naturally grabbed Tregear’s wrist as they walked out. Behind them, the shopkeeper was practically radiating hearts. Seeing the “couple” she shipped providing “sugar” (fan service) right in front of her was pure bliss. Look at how natural Taro is, she thought. He must hold his hand like that all the time in private.

The shopkeeper’s husband looked on helplessly. Once they were out of earshot, he patted her shoulder. “They’re gone.”

She turned to him. “Watch where you’re patting!” She then clasped her hands as if in prayer. “They’re so interesting. I could keep this shop open until the heat death of the universe just to watch them interact.”

“You’re exaggerating,” her husband muttered.

“What are you doing?” Tregear shook his arm slightly. Taro wasn’t usually one to make such deliberate gestures.

Taro glanced back, making sure they were out of the shopkeeper’s sight before speaking. “I found out by chance that the owner really likes seeing us being close. One time I just put an arm around your shoulder, and the next time I went for pastries, she gave me a bunch of extras for free.”

“So you enjoyed those pastries all by yourself?” Tregear asked tonelessly.

“Yes, wait, no! Tregear, I didn’t mean it like that. Weren’t you busy? I figured you wouldn’t need to eat while at work, so I just… well, I ate them,” Taro explained hurriedly as he felt the air around Tregear grow cold. “How about next time we buy some, I give all the extras to you?”

“That’s more like it,” Tregear nodded with satisfaction. “And to prevent you from eating them behind my back, we’re going together next time. I don’t trust you.”

“Tregear?” Taro was shocked that a few pastries had caused his friend to doubt his character.

“After all, didn’t you hide all the candy Taiga got for Halloween so you could eat it yourself? The poor brat was crying so hard he came to find me, his ‘evil uncle,'” Tregear remarked coolly, crossing his arms.

“I was just worried about his teeth! That’s why I put it away,” Taro said, his voice lacking conviction. Then, remembering something, he fished a handful of assorted candies out of his pocket and stuffed them into Tregear’s pocket. “Here. These are the ones Taiga got a few days ago. I still have some left, so we can share.”

“True. Children shouldn’t eat too much sugar,” Tregear said, taking out a lollipop and popping it into his mouth, suddenly in full agreement with Taro’s parenting.

“Right? Too much sugar is bad for kids.” Taro felt a surge of confidence. He slung an arm around Tregear’s waist, walking with a newfound spring in his step.