A Scientific Urban Detective

For Lin Wu Ming, the afternoon's explosives training wasn't too difficult. Even Toramitsu Hachi, who had only recently received formal education, was able to quickly absorb and master the material thanks to her battlefield experience with makeshift methods.

Naito-senpai was a student herself, so she didn't have the habit of dragging out classes. Seeing that the three students grasped things quickly, she even announced the end of class and dismissed them early.

Unlike yesterday, when they were held until dark, Lin Wu Ming and the others "got off work" early today and went home.

Surprisingly, when Lin Wu Ming and Toramitsu Hachi returned home, they found that Kamijou Aiho was already there.

Kamijou Aiho had changed into her favorite mini-T-shirt for relaxing at home and was sprawled on the sofa, drinking a can of "weird-tasting juice" with no regard for appearances.

Seemingly not expecting Lin Wu Ming and the others to return so early, she looked up towards the entrance hall, Kamijou Aiho was momentarily embarrassed and flustered, but then she let out a resigned "meh".

"Whatever, we live together anyway..."

"Sorry to intrude, Wu Ming-kun, Hachi-kun." Another person in the living room raised her can in greeting.

It was Kamijou Aiho's friend, neighbor, and colleague, Tetsu-zuri Meiri.

The low table in front of the sofa was covered with various snacks, and the TV was on, broadcasting a concert from who knows where.

It was clear that the Disciplinary Committee wasn't the only one getting off work early today.

The security guards, who also had free time, were taking a break from their busy schedules and having a party at home.

"No need to apologize, Tetsu-zuri, we're the elders here!" Kamijou Aiho said, "Besides, I'm the owner of this house."

"That's true, but I know who's really in charge," Tetsu-zuri retorted.

Seeing the pile of empty cans under the table, Lin Wu Ming knew that these two women had drunk quite a bit and were probably in a slightly tipsy state, so their words were likely mostly banter and jokes, not to be taken seriously.

Lin Wu Ming didn't take them seriously.

"You've both had enough to drink, stop for a while and eat something." Lin Wu Ming went straight into the kitchen. "What kind of dinner would you like to eat?"

"Oden!" Tetsu-zuri shouted, raising her hand.

"That's just a snack to go with drinks, don't drink with dinner," Kamijou Aiho retorted, "Eat something proper."

"Kamijou-sensei, you've changed..." Tetsu-zuri looked over in shock, "The old you would never say such a thing!"

"I didn't used to have a chef at home who could take orders at any time..." Kamijou Aiho said, "I can order whatever I want, of course I can't miss this opportunity!"

Normally, Kamijou Aiho would have some adult restraint and wouldn't want to trouble Lin Wu Ming too much, eating whatever he made without picking and choosing.

But today, the joy of getting off work on time, combined with being slightly drunk, made her much more relaxed.

"Spicy rabbit head, I want to eat rabbit head!"

Not long ago, Lin Wu Ming had challenged himself to make rabbit dishes because he happened to see rabbit meat for sale.

He didn't expect it to leave such a deep impression on Kamijou Aiho, who still couldn't forget the spicy rabbit head.

"Rabbit head?" Tetsu-zuri shuddered, feeling much more sober, "What kind of dark cuisine is that..."

"No, no, no, it's not dark cuisine at all." Kamijou Aiho shook her head repeatedly, "It's a very popular snack, perfect for drinking!"

"In the end, it's still a snack to go with drinks..." Tetsu-zuri rolled her eyes.

"Besides being good with drinks, it's also good with rice." Kamijou Aiho began to describe the deliciousness of rabbit meat at length, "And besides the rabbit head, other parts of the rabbit can also be made into delicious dishes..."

"Uh... I'm sorry, I misspoke earlier." Lin Wu Ming came out of the kitchen, "Although I said you could order whatever you want, please consider the ingredients we have at home."

"Eh~" Kamijou Aiho thought about the supplies in the refrigerator, "The range of choices has suddenly become much smaller."

"Huh, really?" Tetsu-zuri was a little suspicious. Logically, this house shouldn't lack fresh ingredients, after all, there's a full-time chef managing the kitchen.

So, she got up and ran into the kitchen, then quickly ran out: "What, the refrigerator is full of fresh ingredients! What are you being picky about, Kamijou-sensei!"

"Oh my, aren't those just ordinary ingredients? I want to try something new once in a while," Kamijou Aiho said with emotion.

Tetsu-zuri was completely sure that this woman was showing off!

Kamijou Aiho didn't really care what she ate, because there wasn't a dish that Lin Wu Ming brought to the table that she didn't like.

Just as Tetsu-zuri thought, Kamijou Aiho was showing off.

She thought she was adopting a child who needed to be taken care of, but in the end, she became the one being taken care of, and the guardian's cooking skills were so exquisite... such an experience was truly like winning the lottery.

Just thinking about how Kamijou Aiho could enjoy delicious food every day without having to worry about housework, Tetsu-zuri felt increasingly envious and jealous.

Seeing that the two adults couldn't decide on the menu for tonight, Lin Wu Ming looked at Toramitsu Hachi again.

The latter had already returned to her room to change into her casual clothes.

"Me? I'll eat whatever Wu Ming makes." Toramitsu Hachi also gave an answer comparable to "whatever."

"Tch..." It was Lin Wu Ming's turn to have a headache.

In the end, he spent half a minute making a decision – when in doubt, choose hot pot. Coincidentally, he had spent the last two days carefully simmering a pot of bone broth, which could be used as the hot pot soup base.

Among the kitchen's matching cookware, there was also an induction cooker that could be used as a hot pot.

Wasn't Tetsu-zuri wanting to eat oden? Rounding it off, cooking hot pot was about the same.

Compared to simply enjoying the food, Kamijou Aiho and Tetsu-zuri were more focused on the "social" aspect tonight.

"Next time we have the chance, we should invite Koyomi-sensei as well." After enjoying the good wine and food, Tetsu-zuri thought of their other colleague and friend.

"That makes sense," Kamijou Aiho nodded in deep agreement, "Anyway, it's a holiday now, there's no need to teach, she should have plenty of time."

"Not necessarily," Tetsu-zuri said, "With Koyomi-sensei's personality, she should be seizing the time to prepare lessons. After all, she's basically in charge of the holiday cram school."

"Yeah," Kamijou Aiho nodded, "She's really a dedicated and good teacher."

"Wu Ming-kun," Kamijou Aiho said to Lin Wu Ming, "We're planning to invite Tsukuyomi Koyomi-sensei to our house next time."

"No problem, I'll be prepared." Lin Wu Ming nodded calmly.