229 – Catastrophe (12)
“It’s a story… ….”
Moriarty muttered as he stayed in his place instead of following his disciple who was taking the lead. When the voice came as if hitting him in the back, Holmes quickly turned around without realizing it and looked at the teacher.
It was a simple murmur. However, because of his unique tone and facial expression, Holmes and Watson could tell that this was not a simple meaning.
It was like someone at a ball who laughs and rejects the touch of someone who asks to dance. In that short muttering, it seemed as if he was mocking whether you and I needed to talk and whether we should.
Holmes always had to be cool. However, for that brief moment, he was unable to control his expression and could only bite his dry lip.
Of course, the corners of James Moriarty’s mouth rose as if he was happy with the reaction and as if he wanted it.
“I wonder if we can talk calmly. Of course, from the outside world, from the perspective of people who don’t know anything, it may be so… “We’re not the ones who care about that, are we, Holmes?”
“Ha….”
“Hike!”
Still trying to tease his student, Moriarty opened his mouth in a low voice without moving a muscle. Then Holmes clicked his tongue.
It sounded like it was a terrible joke that wasn’t even funny, as if I knew you didn’t think that way, but it also sounded a little angry.
In response to such a provocation, Moriarty only smiled, as if he was still the person with the upper hand in the relationship.
Naturally, it was Jane Watson who suffered alone in this uncomfortable atmosphere and let out a small scream without realizing it.
As expected, Professor James Moriarty was a bad villain! Watson knew once again. She couldn’t understand why she was provoking and teasing Holmes even at this moment.
But Watson, unable to do anything, was unable to move even in the middle of a small battlefield where invisible bullets were raining down from all directions.
A few terrifying seconds passed, and Moriarty laughed out loud and shook his head as if it was a joke.
“Of course it’s a joke. Both Holmes and Watson are worth your time. Well, if you chose to do it that way, since you are a teacher, you should respond. However, depending on the results, I might be a little disappointed.”
James Moriarty was sincere. Of course, because he was always a villain, he would tell lies or hide the truth, but as of now, he only spoke the truth.
What will his student attempt to fail in a few hours? Will he be able to make an effort that meets his expectations?
If he had just kept his cool and pretended not to see him and concentrated on investigating the Redhead Club, or if he had not attended the meeting that was meant to be a provocation, he might have been able to give him a slightly better grade.
However, considering the actions so far, it was difficult to receive a high score.
Grader Moriarty evaluated it that way. However, since it seemed that the student and Miss Watson had already chosen a difficult path, the teacher thought that he should help a little.
Of course, he didn’t know what was going to happen yet. In fact, he had no choice but to not know. He was a man with a plan, and most of the time, he always controlled that plan according to his own will.
And as if responding to his teacher, or rather, as if to provoke him and catch him off guard, Holmes glared at him and answered.
“You don’t have to worry about that, sir. If you’re surprised, I’m going to disappoint you… Yes, there will be no more from now on.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I… excuse me… ….”
“Behave as usual, Miss Watson. Rather, I would like to personally thank you for always being with Holmes as his teacher.”
“Ah… no.”
“… ‘Let’s go in now, teacher.’
Watson thought that when Professor Moriarty turned his gaze to him, Holmes interrupted him, like a child complaining about being deprived of his attention.
Of course it was her own illusion. Because Holmes wouldn’t do that. Watson trusted his friend.
Moriarty stopped the conversation at Holmes’s remark and went inside, pretending that she was in charge of everything. Holmes and Watson began to walk behind them.
The club was full of people. It seemed to Watson that most of the club’s prominent figures were in attendance.
Of course, it was still before the club’s president, Javert Wilson, held the general meeting, so each person took a seat with his or her companions and chatted and sipped.
Some people seemed to recognize Professor James Moriarty, who is also a prominent social figure, and greeted him with a glance. Of course, most people just said hello silently.
Watson seemed to have some idea of the reason. He was pretending not to know each other because the high-ranking people were worried about his social standing. Just as Watson was once a bit blind to copying money, the people here now were also enthusiastic about the Red Head Club’s mysterious investments.
Of course, the madness of the investment was related to the tricks of the vampire they had already caught, but it did not mean that they had completely brainwashed their minds and did not know anything.
But it turned out to be a good thing. At least there was no one interrupting the conversation between the three men and women.
“… “Isn’t it a bit too far away, Professor?”
“I didn’t know Miss Watson enjoyed people’s attention so much.”
“Ah… no…. “That’s not what I meant.”
Professor Moriarty’s joking remarks left Watson with no choice but to gloss over his words. Thanks to that, he couldn’t even resolve his doubts.
However, in Watson’s opinion, the seating arrangement seemed a bit odd.
The club manager did not guide him, but James Moriarty headed to a slightly odd corner as if it were a reserved seat that had been set from the beginning. Is it for a secret conversation?
However, even taking that into account, it was not a position that was generally taken readily. Even though the club was full of people, there were many empty seats.
“It’s not a big deal, Watson. “Anyway, I’m glad today.”
“What does it mean?”
“There is no smelly wolf cub that always follows you around. “Every time I look at it, I feel like a thorn in my wound has been removed because I can no longer see the irritating presence.”
“…… Because Peony is a faithful maid. She doesn’t necessarily bring her to places like this. Well, by now, I’m probably guarding my mansion alone like always.”
Moriarty’s reply was a little late. In fact, it was because of Holmes’ remarks, the meaning of which even he could not understand.
What is the purpose? Moriarty thought. But no matter how much I thought about it, it wasn’t something a detective would necessarily say. Literally meaningless chatter.
But why did I bring up the story of peonies? He couldn’t understand.
It was natural. Because Holmes expressed his extremely personal impressions. Because we had different perspectives, we had no choice but to run parallel paths.
“I still don’t understand why someone like you would keep a guy like that around.”
“… Is this story necessary? In the first place… I remember we were similar ages……. “Wasn’t Watson quite friendly with Moran?”
“Yes? “Me?”
“Not at all.”
Both Holmes and Watson looked straight at Moriarty’s remark, which he made randomly while still pondering his intention, and Moriarty had to struggle for a moment not to be embarrassed.
From noble mtl dot com
If you think about it, it was difficult for all three ladies, including Peony, to get along well. She admitted that she made some stupid comments herself.
“So… “Is this all you want to talk about, Holmes?”
“No way. In fact, if time permits, it would be nice to continue talking. “If it were me, you and I might have been able to become good understanders.”
“That’s a funny joke.”
“I’m serious, sir. Well, in the case of Watson…… A bit hard to understand…… “It’s not enough, but Watson is still a good listener.”
“… “It’s not enough, what can I do?”
“Watson ignores it. Do you know what your weaknesses are?”
“My shortcomings?”
Moriarty asked back as if laughing at the sudden and foolish question. But Holmes nodded as if he had expected it.
“That’s the teacher’s shortcoming. Arrogance. Sometimes that blinds the teacher, and sometimes it gives me a chance.”
“Well… …. I think our views on that matter are a little different. Holmes, if you really want to prove that I am the villain in this game, you will not only try… “You will also need a lot of luck.”
“It’s unfortunate, but I agree. You need bad luck. Well, some people will say that the misfortune is a predetermined fate and a judgment on sinners.”
A small conversation continued as we exchanged drinks with each other. James Moriarty couldn’t help but be a little disappointed.
It wasn’t a completely meaningless conversation, but that was it. So he secretly checked his watch.
“You seem bored?”
“Oh, no, not really. The conversation itself is, yes, as you said, enjoyable in its own way. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some time to talk like this. However, I don’t think time will allow any more than today.”
“No, we have plenty of time today, sir. “Because the bomb won’t explode.”
For the first time, James Moriarty looked at Holmes, who was looking at him expressionlessly, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
