Rei Waseda's house was a bit far from Kuzumachi, located instead in Beika Town. When Mina mentioned the name, Alistair subconsciously wanted to ask Mina if there was a Mouri Detective Agency there. If there was, he'd vow never to visit this place again.
He didn't want the rolling washing machine (Conan) to show up at his house and utter the famous line, "Shinjitsu wa itsumo hitotsu!" (There is only one truth!). That wouldn't be fun.
Thankfully, it was just a coincidence of the name. There was no Mouri Detective Agency here; there were no detective agencies at all. Most had been eliminated by the times. The few remaining ones were often found in remote cities. In these big cities, if they existed, they weren't called agencies—"Odd Jobs Store" (Yorozuya) was closer to the mark.
Rei Waseda's house was similar to Mina Morita's: a two-story detached house with a small yard. A wooden plaque bearing the name "Waseda" hung beside the gate.
"Is this Rei Waseda's house?"
Alistair surveyed the building. The house looked quite new, and some flowers and plants were growing in the yard—it was rather pleasant.
"Excuse me, who are you? Are you friends of Rei?"
Just as Mina was about to ring the doorbell, a timid-looking boy in the Sakura Public Academy uniform and glasses came over and asked.
"And who are you? Are you close with Rei Waseda?"
Alistair asked impatiently. Although holding the girl wasn't tiring, Alistair found it troublesome. After all, they had done what needed to be done; why keep her around? Alistair had no emotional basis with her.
Mina, the little fool, was interesting, but Rei Waseda was an enigma. Still, Alistair had no intention of getting to know her; she was just a tool to quench his fire.
"Sumimasen, sumimasen (I am sorry), well, Rei and I grew up together, so we know each other very well..."
Alistair's annoyed expression instantly scared the four-eyed guy. Only after a string of apologies did he reveal their relationship.
"Oho, a childhood friend? That's quite a relationship, isn't it? Are you dating? Or do you not like her? Rei Senpai is so pretty; she must be quite popular, right?"
Alistair suddenly asked with keen interest.
"Ah, well, I do have feelings for Rei, but Rei is still hesitant, so we haven't started dating yet..."
The four-eyed guy lowered his head shyly, his words stumbling nervously. His hands were clasped tightly, seeming unsure of where to put them.
"Hmph~ You're not very efficient, are you? I'm already dating Mina-chan. You and Rei Senpai are childhood friends but still haven't started dating. That's lame!"
Alistair moved one hand to Rei Waseda's waist, released the hand supporting her legs, shifting from a bridal carry to just holding her. With his other hand, he slipped his arm around Mina Morita's waist, pulled her close, and held her tightly against him.
Mina was startled by Alistair's sudden move but quickly immersed herself in the happiness of being introduced as his girlfriend to the four-eyed guy.
"Ah, well, that depends on Rei's decision. I don't want to force Rei to choose. It wouldn't be good if it affected Rei's grades..."
Alistair's predictions were correct! This was a classic of classics—a very Yasahii (gentle) boy! Clearly main-character material. Alistair admired people like this the most.
This was the first time Alistair had met such a person. Therefore, Alistair decided he needed to give Rei Waseda Senpai more "attention" (injections) in the future. He couldn't betray this four-eyed guy's deep affection. He would represent the four-eyed guy, transforming that deep feeling into thick liquid, and thoroughly fill Rei Waseda Senpai with it. Only then could he truly demonstrate the four-eyed guy's profound love for her~
Ah, is this the beautiful sentiment of childhood friends? Alistair felt it deeply.
"Well done! Gentle guys are very popular too."
Alistair released Mina's hand and gave the four-eyed guy a thumbs-up. Alistair's look of sincere admiration instantly made the four-eyed guy, who rarely received such validation, feel a sense of camaraderie with Alistair. He was so excited he could barely form words.
"So, should I leave Rei Waseda Senpai for you to handle?"
Alistair slightly pushed Rei Waseda forward, suggesting the four-eyed guy take her back inside.
"Ah, no, no! My strength isn't great. I'm afraid I'll drop her. Please let Senpai do it!"
The four-eyed guy quickly refused, indicating his poor physical condition made him unable to carry Rei Waseda.
Alistair looked at the four-eyed guy. He was indeed quite skinny. Rei Waseda, possessing two big melon assets, naturally had a fleshier figure. Consequently, her weight wouldn't be trivial. After all, she wasn't carrying balloons; it was solid flesh.
The saying goes, "If you don't weigh over a hundred pounds (50kg), you're either flat-chested or short." Rei Waseda was Alistair's height, 5'5" (165cm), so she wasn't short. Carrying two melons, her weight naturally wasn't light, but she wasn't fat either—she had an appropriate weight.
Fortunately, Alistair had the strength provided by the Ox Talisman; otherwise, even playing with her would be exhausting. What good is mere endurance?
Alistair shrugged, unsurprised by the refusal. The fact that the four-eyed guy called him Senpai (upperclassman) was quite amusing, though.
"This Senpai and Rei Waseda Senpai are both second-years."
Mina leaned close to Alistair's ear and whispered a reminder, though she also couldn't recall the four-eyed guy's name, so she referred to him as Senpai.
"Hmm, then I won't hold back... Cough, cough. Labor is the most glorious thing, after all."
Although he didn't understand the meaning Alistair was implying, the four-eyed guy, who unilaterally believed Alistair was an upperclassman, didn't contradict him. He meekly listened to his "Senpai's" instruction. That Senpai who was so aggressive initially must have been putting on an act. He looks like an honorable person.
This was the evil of hierarchy, and Alistair could only say, it feels absolutely amazing.
"Right, Senpai, I live right next door. If you need any help, just say the word. I'll do my best to assist."
The four-eyed guy pointed to the two-story house next to Rei Waseda's, which was built in the same style.
Alistair nodded. No wonder they were childhood friends. Mina mentioned that she had moved. Did he follow her? A manufactured childhood friend?
Meh, doesn't matter. The childhood friend has already been tasted thoroughly, inside and out—except for the back door, which remains unexplored. If he wants to taste more delicious cheese, that depends on how hard the four-eyed guy works. The deeper his feelings for Rei Waseda, the more excited Alistair gets. Perhaps the competition could happen more frequently, but Alistair wouldn't concede so easily next time.
"Ah, excuse me, who are you?"
Just then, a beautiful woman who looked about seventy percent like Rei Waseda opened the door. She looked at Alistair, who was holding her daughter, frowned, and interrupted the conversation...