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"And the situation of our cohabitation lead to us pursuing cases together, you see."
Mikotoba set down his teacup, startled. “Pardon me?”
“I asked how things are progressing with that Holmes fellow. Didn’t you only just wrap up an investigation with him the other day?”
He regarded his friend with surprise.
“Why, you’re rather up to date! From whence did you hear the news? I didn’t realise that Scotland Yard’s ears reached all the way to Cornwall.”
“Perhaps not,” Asogi Genshin hummed. “However, Lord van Zieks happened to be making a visit in the area when he was caught up in your little adventure. Did you not work with him for an afternoon?”
“Now, Asogi!” Jigoku Seishiro let out a guffaw. “You should be aware by now that our dear doctor-in-training has eyes for one man, and one man only. Or am I mistaken?”
“I agree.” Asogi chose his words carefully. “Lord van Zieks did happen to mention that you appeared rather distracted when you conversed.”
“Asogi would know. After all, he spends the entirety of his free time with the van Zieks — Asogi, get your elbow out of there!”
“I’m in attendance today, aren’t I?” He turned back to Mikotoba. “Here I could’ve sworn you were more diligent in your note-taking, Mikotoba. It’s not like you to forget about meeting someone.”
Mikotoba’s ears flushed pink.
“What are you implying, Asogi, my friend?”
Asogi waved him off.
“Nothing untoward. So, won’t you tell us about the case? I’m told you solved it through another fancy deduction this time as well. You’ll have to teach me the waltz one of these days — Lord van Zieks insists I attend the ball he intends on hosting to celebrate his brother’s coming of age in a few months time.”
Mikotoba spluttered wordlessly.
“I would never have pegged you for the dancing type.” Jigoku squinted. “More like the swaying drunkard. You scarcely ever hold down your drink for long, eh? I’ve lost count of the times Asogi and I have switched cups with you after only a couple rounds, else you’d pass out then and there.”
“Indeed,” Asogi concurred, as Mikotoba held out his hands in a plea for the teasing to stop.
“Enough, the two of you,” he groaned. “Have you invited me out to tea only to make a mockery of me?”
“I hear it was a lively deduction, at that.” Asogi continued as though he hadn’t heard a word. “What was it again? Ah — “Surely the vicar would not have hid a bottle within his drawers-”’
“You mean a chest of drawers or his undergarme-”
“Enough!” Mikotoba cried, loud enough that several patrons of the establishment turned their heads to look at him. Sheepishly, he tucked his chin low, waiting for the attention to fade. From across the table, his friends merely regarded him with fond smiles.
“Will you cease with your ragging now?” Mikotoba’s request was met with silence, as Asogi turned to his teacup and Jigoku, his stack of finger sandwiches. He watched them enjoy their repast with an exasperated sigh. Perhaps he’d let them learn of the handsome reward Holmes had received — and as the man’s partner, half the amount had landed in his own pockets — from the papers.
Unless Lord van Zieks delighted to inform them first, perchance.