My Boss, A Clear And Perfect Beauty Who's An Elite Police Bureaucrat, Turns Out To Be My Sweet And Doting Childhood Friend Who Loves Me Dearly At Home. - Chapter 28

I only have Shinichi.

At Maho’s suggestion to split the melon bread in half, Shinichi agreed.

Unlike when he was a hungry high school student who could eat endlessly, at 26 years old, he couldn’t eat as much.

(Besides, it feels kind of like a date.)

No, it’s not that Shinichi wants it to be that way, but he thinks Maho might want a date-like atmosphere.

Of course, that might just be Shinichi’s assumption.

Anyway, since it’s Maho’s suggestion, there’s no problem in accepting it.

Shinichi naturally takes out his wallet and buys the melon bread.

The melon bread handed over in a paper bag is said to be 15cm in diameter. It’s surprisingly large.

But it’s very light. It’s freshly baked and piping hot, looking delicious.

When Shinichi tears it in half, he hands Maho her portion in the paper bag. He holds his own portion in his hand.

“Thank you…”

Maho smiles happily. She then takes a bite and whispers, “It’s delicious…” in a beautiful voice.

Indeed, it’s crispy and fluffy, with a pleasant texture. The sweetness is also just right.

The two of them eat the melon bread, puffing and panting. It truly feels like eating while walking.

“Do you remember? On the way back from high school…”

“Ah, the big pancake shop. We went there a lot.”

“It’s just like that time.”

Maho giggles. It’s as if they’ve gone back to their high school days.

But in reality, Maho in front of him is no longer a high school girl. She’s a woman who has grown up and become much more mature and beautiful than she was in high school.

Maho exclaims, “Ah!”

“That’s right. I have to pay Shinichi for the melon bread.”

“It’s okay. It’s not a big amount, so I’ll treat you.”

“But, I’m the one who…”

Maho starts to say something, but then hesitates.

(Well, Maho probably has more money than me.)

Maho is originally the daughter of a company president, and her family is wealthy. Although it’s not her own money, the amount she earns herself is probably much higher than Shinichi’s.

Shinichi’s rank in the police force is Sergeant. On the other hand, Maho is an Inspector. With Assistant Inspectors and Inspectors above Sergeants, Maho is three ranks higher than Shinichi.

Although it’s a modest salary for a public servant, Maho still earns a much better salary than Shinichi.

However, Shinichi thinks that’s not the issue right now.

“Right now, I’m with Maho as a childhood friend.”

Maho suddenly looks surprised, then looks away and whispers, “I’m sorry.”

“Why is Maho apologizing?”

“Because…”

“On this memorable ‘first date,’ as a man, I should treat Maho.”

When Shinichi says this with a chuckle, Maho opens her eyes wide.

Did he say something wrong? Shinichi thinks and hastily waves his hand side to side.

“Well, treating a woman like this might not be good in terms of gender equality.”

From a gender perspective, the idea of “a man treating a woman” might be a concern for some people.

The idea that a man should treat a woman on a date may unconsciously assume male superiority over women.

Especially for Maho, a woman who has jumped into the male-dominated world of the police force, it wouldn’t be strange for her to be uncomfortable with this.

Shinichi becomes worried.

(What if Maho hates me…?)

Then, realizing his own feelings of not wanting Maho to hate him, Shinichi is slightly surprised.

He had intended to give up on Maho when they had a big fight eight years ago. But now, he wants her to like him.

Shinichi thinks he’s quite selfish. And then, he nervously looks at Maho’s reaction.

Maho’s eyes show no signs of disgust… rather, she gazes at Shinichi with a blank expression, her face still red. She always turned red easily when she was embarrassed…

Suddenly, Maho’s face brightens, and she smiles broadly.

“I see. Shinichi treats me as a girl… That makes me a little happy.”

“Huh?”

“Well, I’m excellent, even if I say so myself, right? So, everyone around me doesn’t treat me like a woman, and it’s refreshing.”

“Ah, I see.”

Maho is an extremely attractive and beautiful woman, but at the same time, she’s a surprisingly smart and perfect elite. Men tend to keep their distance from a career bureaucrat who graduated from the University of Tokyo, like her.

Men want to show their good side to women. To put it negatively, they want to dominate from a higher position.

But most men can’t be superior to Maho. That’s probably why Maho hasn’t had a boyfriend until now.

However, Shinichi is different. He’s Maho’s childhood friend and knows her weaknesses and shortcomings well. He likes Maho, including her stubbornness and surprisingly childish side.

(Well, the “like” is only as a childhood friend.)

Shinichi makes an excuse in his mind.

Maho has no way of knowing Shinichi’s inner thoughts. She grins and looks up at him.

“That’s why, after all, I only have Shinichi.”