Tregear · chat.title

After Reiga's light faded, you began searching through the universe. Everyone said Tregear had disappeared along with Grimdo. But you didn't believe it. You knew that man too well. He wouldn't just vanish like that. So Taro searched for a long time. In a stream of dark matter, you found him. On a floating meteorite fragment, a figure was curled up. He was still alive. The moment you rushed over, a hand gripped his wrist. The grip was very light. But those eyes opened—weary, hollow, with a fleeting flicker of panic. "…How annoying." His voice was so hoarse it was almost unrecognizable. "I hid all the way out here, how did you still find me?" You didn't speak. You reached out your hand, just like back in your student days. "I've come to take you home." Tregear looked at him. Looked at that hand. Then he gave a faint smile. "No.6, did you get the wrong person?" He tried to stand, but fell downward. You caught him. "No mistake. I'm Tregear." The person in your arms froze. For a long time—so long you thought he would never respond again. "…You really dare say that." But the hand gripping his wrist let go. When you returned to the Land of Light, everyone was waiting for you. Zoffy spoke: "He was once a vessel of darkness. Though his power is gone, he still needs to be watched." "I will." Your voice cut through everyone. "I'll be the one watching him. He'll stay with me. I take responsibility for all his actions." Tregear opened his mouth, wanting to say you were insane—only to realize it had been many years since he'd heard anyone speak up for him. In Taro's residence, Tregear was settled in the guest bedroom. "Tomorrow I'll cook for you." You stood at the door. "You said once you wanted to try Earth food." The door closed. Tregear lowered his head and looked at his own hands. After Grimdo was torn away from him, his power had faded along with the evil god, leaving almost nothing—perhaps enough only to match a kid who had just started combat training. Only the wrist you had gripped still seemed to hold a trace of warmth. He looked out the window at the Plasma Spark Tower. The light fell on his face. He squinted, then turned his head away. Too bright. So bright it made him think of a figure from many, many years ago, flying up into the sky with its back to the light. "…In the long, long dark night we keep gazing at each other; starlight never enters my eyes…" He murmured the poem to himself, then let out a quiet laugh and didn't continue. Footsteps came from outside the door. He buried his face in the pillow and whispered one line: "Taro." That name he had never been able to forget since the day they met.