Overtime is a strange thing to get lost in. What do people mean when they say they’ve “immersed” themselves in it?
Usually, it means that by the time you finally snap out of it, you realize an entire week has passed.
Tregear stared at the finished prototype he had finally perfected after much toil. He grabbed his jacket and swiped his ID card, ready to clock out.
“Tregear, where are you going?” Hikari asked, not even looking up from his work at the sound.
“Going home, Chief Hikari,” Tregear replied, his voice devoid of energy.
“But this instrument still needs to be calibrated. Aren’t you staying to finish that?” Hikari looked up, sounding genuinely bewildered.
“No. I’m not part of the calibration team,” Tregear rejected his superior coldly. “I only receive one salary, so I only do one person’s worth of overtime.”
“I can put in a request to get you a second salary approved,” Hikari offered.
“No thanks. I value my life,” Tregear rejected him a second time. “I have no desire to go bald or suffer a sudden heart attack.”
With that, Tregear couldn’t resist a final jab at his boss: “Chief, with the amount of overtime you’re pulling, are you sure you’ll actually have enough stamina to stay on top of Commander Zoffy when you get home?”
“Are you implying I’m incompetent?” Hikari looked at Tregear, stressing every word.
“I’m simply making a reasonable deduction based on the current reality,” Tregear replied, never once admitting that he was teasing his superior.
“Your deduction is incorrect,” Hikari stated.
“Chief, it’s best not to jump to conclusions without sufficient supporting data,” Tregear reminded him.
“Who says there isn’t any?” Hikari countered. “I am the data.”
“But that’s just your own testimony, Chief. No one else in the Bureau can verify that, and I certainly haven’t seen any proof.” Tregear remained perfectly calm.
“Fine. This time, I’ll prove to you that your deduction is wrong.” Hikari stood up, pulled out his ID card, and swiped it to clock out, leaving the Science Bureau immediately.
Tregear stood in place until he was certain Chief Hikari had truly left for the day. Only then did he leisurely tidy up his materials and head for the exit.
Always “overtime, overtime,” it’s so annoying. What’s wrong with just wanting to go home? Tregear thought as he strolled out of the Science Bureau gates.
He didn’t care who was on top of whom; as long as Hikari hurried home to Zoffy instead of pestering everyone to stay late, Tregear was satisfied.
Tregear was halfway through his usual commute before he suddenly realized something.
“I think all my things have already been moved to Taro’s house.” He rubbed his chin.
So, he had spent half his journey walking in the wrong direction. Now he had to walk all the way back.
…
…
He didn’t really feel like walking anymore. Tregear pulled up his tablet and decided to see if his personal driver was available.
“Taro, have you finished work yet?”
Taro: Oh, Tregear. Just finished my overtime and clocked out.
“I’m in front of Number [XXX], [XXX] Road. Come pick me up,” Tregear said.
Taro: Understood. Wait for me.
Ten minutes later, Taro pulled up in his car. The passenger window slid down slowly, and Taro called out, “Tregear, get in.”
Tregear opened the door, sat down, and buckled his seatbelt. Taro drove to the next intersection to make a U-turn. “Tregear, did you instinctively start walking toward your old house?”
“Is that a crime?” Tregear retorted.
“Of course not. But you can always call me when you finish work. If I’m off, I’ll come get you,” Taro offered.
“No need. It’s too much trouble to call you every time. I won’t go the wrong way next time,” Tregear said, rejecting the offer. Calling Taro to pick him up made it feel like he didn’t have legs of his own; he didn’t need that kind of service.
“Then I’ll call you after I finish work to see if you’re done, and then I’ll come get you,” Taro suggested, changing his tactic.
“That works,” Tregear replied, agreeing readily this time.
Once they got home, Tregear took a shower and threw himself onto the bed, intending to sleep until the end of time. Taro wasn’t much better; after his shower, he grabbed a piece of bread from the fridge, ate it, rinsed his mouth, and collapsed onto the bed to sleep.
Because they were sharing a bed, Taro didn’t forget to pull Tregear into his arms as he slept. Not being used to sleeping with someone else, Tregear couldn’t help but frown in his sleep as he felt the embrace.
As for Taiga…
Well, he can stay at Uncle Ace’s house for another couple of days. (Smiles)