The Last Guest

"A new friend?"

Alfred did remember Lynn telling him that, one day, he would introduce him to a friend he was certain to get along with.

But...

"Lynn, are you sure you want to take me today?"

In Batman's dressing room at Wayne Manor, Alfred watched Lynn and Kitty rummaging around and holding all sorts of clothes up against themselves. Puzzled, he asked, "As you said, this is a return invitation for your housewarming dinner. As an invited guest yourself, wouldn't it be inappropriate to bring along a stranger like me? I think that would be somewhat discourteous, and..."

"Alfred, you're a butler, not a doorman. What are you standing in the doorway for? Hurry up and find me something that isn't so expensive, and find something for yourself while you're at it. We're leaving soon."

"Meow~ This kitty wants an outfit too."

After a moment's silence, Lynn saw that Alfred still hadn't moved and was looking thoughtful. He pinched his chin and considered it. "Al, you're not worried about that young master of yours, are you?"

Seeing Alfred's expression, Lynn's face went blank. "Seriously, Al? You're worried he can't look after himself? Or that someone will bully him?! Don't tell me you're worried he'll spend too much money?"

"Ah..."

Alfred realized he was overthinking things a little. He had been the Wayne Family's butler for decades and had raised Bruce Wayne after he lost both parents as a child. Some things had become habits.

Worrying, for instance.

His thoughtful expression shifted. Alfred tilted his head and spread his hands. "I'm just worried that, without me here to keep an eye on him, he'll go out and book an entire troupe of models somewhere again."

"Hehehe~ Isn't that even better? Maybe that's how the next generation of Wayne Enterprises will come into being~"

"Heh. Let's hope so."

Alfred stepped forward and walked over to Lynn. He looked at the clothes in his hands, glanced around, then turned to him and said, "If you want clothes that aren't so expensive, we should leave now and go shopping."

"...Damn filthy rich people..."

Lynn picked up Kitty and followed Alfred out, ready to buy some clothes befitting his identity as a farm owner.

For a farm owner worth only ten million or so, spending nearly a million on a suit, shoes, cufflinks, and the like would clearly shatter his cover.

The two men and the cat had just left the dressing room and entered the living room when they found Bruce Wayne already sitting there. He looked as though he had been waiting there all along.

He sat on the sofa with a newspaper, apparently reading it very intently.

"Lynn, Alfred, are you heading out now?"

"Your clothes are too expensive. We're going to buy some."

"Oh, I see."

Bruce Wayne looked as though he wanted to say something else, but Lynn and the others were already heading out, seemingly in a bit of a hurry.

"Hey, Lynn."

"Huh? Anything else?"

"...No."

"We're off."

"Hey, Lynn..."

"Hmm?"

"...Nothing."

"What's wrong with you? Let's go."

Bang. After the door closed, the house fell quiet.

Wayne lowered his newspaper and pursed his lips slightly toward the door. He raised the paper again, then lowered it.

"It's not even evening yet. What should I do to kill some time...

Would it kill Lynn to take me along?!"

No one answered his question.

Left with no choice, Batman could only sigh and head for the basement.

I'll write another couple of pages of notes. Get the Anti-Lynn Armor built sooner.

With the Wayne Family's resources, traveling to neighboring Metropolis required no thought of traffic jams, queues, tickets, or boats. A helicopter was arranged directly, and a car was already waiting when they arrived.

It fit Lynn's cover perfectly—not the sort of car that was outrageously flashy or expensive.

Alfred naturally handled the driving. It wasn't that Lynn was unwilling to drive; Alfred wouldn't let him.

Along the way, Lynn explained his persona and cover identity to Alfred. The old butler was as worldly-wise as ever and accepted the arrangement calmly, without so much as a change in expression.

Then again, Bruce Wayne had maintained a second identity for years. What was new about this?

"...So I'm simply your friend? That's all?"

"That's all. Make up the rest yourself."

"Very well."

Alfred was a good driver. Kitty even rediscovered a hint of the smoothness of riding in a balloon.

With Lynn giving directions, they soon caught sight of Jonathan Kent's old house.

Jonathan and his wife were standing at the door.

"Hahaha, Lynn! Your injury has completely healed."

As soon as Lynn stepped out of the car, Jonathan Kent came over happily and gave him a gentle hug.

"Hello. I'm Alfred, a friend of Lynn's. My apologies for dropping in unannounced."

Alfred looked sharp. Although his hair was already graying, he stood with his back straight, giving an impression of integrity and reliability.

"Hello, hello. I'm Jonathan, Jonathan Kent. Kent Farm welcomes old friends and new ones alike."

The two smiled and shook hands. After exchanging a few words, Alfred turned to fetch the wine they had brought as a gift. Lynn walked over to Jonathan Kent and smiled. "Jonathan, I'm certain you and Al will become good friends."

"Really? May I ask why?"

"Hahaha, you'll find out soon enough. Jonathan, you don't mind me bringing a new friend without telling you beforehand, do you?"

"Of course not."

Jonathan Kent shook his head, his smile turning a little mischievous. "Because I have a new friend to introduce to you too."

"Oh... really..."

Lynn drew the words out at length. He glanced back at Alfred as he approached, then turned around again and asked, "May I ask who this person is~?"

Kent laughed heartily too. "You'll find out in a little while as well. Hahaha!"

At the Kent Family's dinner table.

Glasses clinked amid laughter and cheerful chatter.

Lynn sat on the left, sipping the wine Alfred had bought and watching him chat animatedly with Jonathan Kent.

Lynn had known the two would probably become good friends, but he hadn't expected them to hit it off quite this well!

They hadn't even known each other a little over an hour ago, and now they were as close as old friends of many years.

At first, Alfred had been very polite. He listened and spoke, but always maintained a certain instinctive formality and reserve.

Then Mrs. Kent asked Lynn whether he had considered starting a family. Lynn answered that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to raise a child properly and didn't quite dare.

That opened the floodgates for both men.

One said he had raised a troublesome child who was prone to getting into trouble. The other said his own child had once nearly gone down the wrong path...

When one spoke, the other listened with utmost attention, then nodded furiously!

The more they talked, the better they got along, and the more they drank, the happier they became. Lynn had turned into an outsider.

Watching them drink wine like juice, Lynn decided this couldn't go on. He decisively snatched away the last bottle just as they were about to open it.

"Time out, time out. Jonathan, I'm not trying to spoil your fun, but you said yourself there's another guest coming. We can't let him arrive to find nothing but empty wine bottles."

Jonathan wasn't particularly drunk, though his face was a little flushed. Smiling, he took out his phone to make a call. Just then, the sound of a car braking and parking came from outside.

"Lynn, that must be the last guest I mentioned.

Ha, Clark, you're a little late getting home."

Jonathan Kent pointed at the broad-built young man in black-rimmed glasses who pushed open the door and entered. "This is my son, Clark Kent.

Clark, these two are good friends of mine. Alfred and Lynn."