And here comes chapter three~~~

Those that had actually read my summary would notice the small change in words. Instead of one-week adventure, it's now two-week adventure. Because I did some recalculating and found out one week isn't enough for what I had in plan for them. XD

I figure I'd start replying the review here. It's easier to make sure that I didn't miss anyone.

KeRose- I am a little sensitive to incorrect grammar. I hate reading a story that has uncountable mistakes and error in just grammar, to say nothing about spelling. As for why I need to push everyone out of the way, *insert the evilest laughter you had ever heard here*, you'll find out as the story continues. I'm eeeeeviiiiiiiiiiil.

Yolapeoples- Yes, Yuusaku needs to hide. XD Thank you!

Merialle- Yup, none of the men in the Kudou family can cook. It's a good thing that Yuusaku has Yukiko and Shinichi has Ran. XD And you're the second person to comment on my lack of grammar errors. What, are they expected? XP

Katiesparks- …and pounce on Wataru he will! LOL.

Ziraulo- Well, you can see it now! And Merry Christmas to you, too! =D

Midori: Don't own Detective Conan, aka Meitantei Konan, aka Cas-

Me: NO! Don't say it!

Chapter 3

Life wasn't fair.

Wataru came to this conclusion as his backed up into wall behind him. Really, of all the boys in his class- in his grade- why him?!

"Nowhere to run now, Takagi." Kurosawa cooed as he shortened the distance between himself and the other boy. Wataru gulped before trying to duck left, but a hand grabbed his collar and slammed him back against the wall. Kurosawa smirked when Wataru's face showed obvious traces of pain. "I still haven't gotten back at you for the humiliation yesterday."

The bully cracked his knuckles and lifted Wataru a little by his collar. "Still, I'll make you an offer." This wasn't what Wataru expected. More curious than afraid, he listened. "That kozo yesterday…he introduced himself to you, right?" Kozo…does he mean Shinichi-kun? Wataru nodded weakly. He already has a bad feeling about this.

"Well, here's the offer. You tell me which class that kozo is in, and I'll let you go today. Accept that?"

Wataru's eyes widened. If…if I tell him…he'll let me go…? He immediately hated himself for thinking that, and even more for feeling so hopeful. No! If I do tell him, who knows what he'd do to Shinichi-kun…

"No." He croaked.

"What?" Kurosawa looked genuinely surprised. Clearing his voice a little, Wataru tried again, "Forget it. Not telling. You're not going to hurt Shinichi-kun, not if I can help it." He sounded a lot braver than he felt, and Wataru waited in dread of what's to come as Kurosawa just stared at him, slightly amused.

Then he smirked.

"Brave words from someone who can't even help himself!"

He pulled back his fist and sent it flying.

DCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDC

Shinichi walked into the bathroom to wash his hands, dirty from the clay and markers they were using for art class.

There was already someone there, hunched over one of the sinks as if washing his face. Shinichi went to the one beside the person and began washing his hands. After a few seconds, the person raised his head and Shinichi beamed as he realized who it was.

"Wataru-senpai!"

"Ah, Shinichi-kun." The older boy smiled when he saw Shinichi.

"What happened to your arms?" Shinichi asked before Wataru could say anything else. Wataru blinked at this seemingly out-of-the-blue question, "Huh?"

"Well, most people roll up their sleeves when they use the sink. You didn't, and your sleeves are still wet, so that mean you're hiding something, ne?"

Wataru paled a little. When did 1st graders become so observant? "Chi-chigau, there's nothing wrong with them." Shinichi looked at him in the face and Wataru found himself looking into those huge, blue orbs again. Like they could see through anything…

"You're lying." Shinichi deadpanned after a while. Wataru gulped and tried to turn away. Then he hissed in pain when Shinichi, without warning, grabbed his arm. Shinichi looked at him with surprise, "…you're hurt?"

Wataru was in too much pain to reply.

Shinichi then rolled up the sleeve of the arm he's holding and gasped. "Your arm's all swollen!"

Wataru could only nod.

Shinichi stared at the black-and-purple blots on his friend's arm. "Wataru-senpai…you need to go to the infirmary!" But to his surprise, Wataru paled even more, "N-no! I can't go there! They'll find out about…" Wataru stopped abruptly and looked away. Shinichi frowned. Wataru-senpai is hiding something, but what? Shinichi was determined to find out.

Wataru yelped when the future meitantei grabbed his arm again and dragged him out into the hallway. "You're going to the infirmary whether you like it or not!" Shinichi declared as he half-pulled, half-led his senpai down the hall.

Five minutes later, Wataru was sitting nervously in one of the chairs in the infirmary as the nurse looked at his swollen arms with wide eyes.

"Young man, and just where did you get these bruises?" The nurse inquired.

"At school." Wataru answered quietly.

"When?"

Wataru bit his lips. In truth, whenever Kurosawa decided to land a few blows on him, he always made sure that the punches landed on his arms by shielding his head with them. Bruises on arms are easier to hide than a black-eye.

"Well…"

"It was that Kurosawa person, wasn't it?"

Wataru almost jumped when Shinichi spoke up next to him. He silently wished that the nurse would just ignore what the kid said. The nurse, however, thought that what Shinichi said was interesting.

"What about this Kurosawa-kun, Kudou-kun?"

"Yesterday, I saw him blackmailing Wataru-senpai."

"Oh, really?" The nurse shot Wataru a look. Wataru gulped. "And exactly how long had this kind of thing been happening?"

Shinichi looked at Wataru, "I don't know. How long has it, Wataru-senpai?"

As the two sets of eyes both placed themselves on him, Wataru couldn't help but shiver slightly. The nurse's eyes were intimidating enough, but to add Shinichi's…

Like they can see through everything…

Wataru caved.

"It started about two months ago…"

DCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDC

It was amazing, Wataru marveled, how things could all change in such a short time.

Just one hour ago, he had been a weak sixth grader that was bullied by his classmate. Now, although still weak, he's free from the bullying because the said classmate is now suspended (1).

All because of his chance encounter with a certain sharp-minded first grader in the bathroom.

Wataru is now sitting in the principle's office, waiting to be dismissed. Kurosawa was being escorted out of the office by his mother. As he went pass Wataru, he hissed at him. That earned him a slap from his mother. "Shinto! Had you learned nothing from this suspension? Shame on you for trying to hurt Takagi-kun again!" His mother then grabbed him by the ear and led him out of the room.

Kurosawa's yelps could be heard in the entire hallway.

Wataru, still a bit stunned by the scene that had just played out before him, turned his head and met his eyes with Shinichi's, who was sitting beside him. They burst out laughing.

Shinichi was there to act as a VIW (very important witness), and he did an excellent job of it, too (by screaming really loudly that Kurosawa was the one he saw blackmailing Wataru yesterday as soon as the bully set his foot inside the office).

The sound of someone clearing his voice stopped their laughter and they did their best not to laugh again as the principle rambled on about needing to look out more so that no one is bullied anymore. Then he dismissed them.

As Shinichi and Wataru walked down the hall together, the older boy smiled. "I'm really glad I met you, Shinichi-kun." He said, "If it weren't for you, well, Kurosawa-kun would probably still be at large." Shinichi smiled up at him and nodded, "Don't worry about it. It was what I should do."

Wataru blinked. It's weird, hearing such responsible and mature words coming from a person five to six years younger than him. But then again, it's Shinichi. He's full of surprises.

"Ah, souka." Shinichi suddenly said. Then he stopped and turned to face Wataru. "Tou-san and I are going to the bookstore after school. Do you want to come along?"

"Eh?" Wataru asked, a little thrown off by this random question. "…oh…sure, as long as I get home by six."

"Alright then!" Shinichi beamed before running down the hallway. "See you at the shoe boxes after school!"

"Sure…" Wataru answered while watching Shinichi's small figure disappear around the corner. He smiled.

Yeah…see you after school.

To be continued…

(1)- I have no idea what the punishment for bullying in Japanese schools are. O.O So DO NOT take my word for it, alright?

This is no where near the end, folks. The climax is still a long way to come!

Reviews are gold. Favorites and alerts are silver. Reading is copper. So please, give as much gold as you can!

Next up- Yuusaku meets Wataru! What will our anti-kitchen father think about our (will be) favorite keiji? And what's gonna happen during their trip to the bookstore?