Chapter Text
Ryunosuke had the worst headache of his life.
He wished he could drift back into that deep sleep he was having, a rarity in his wardrobe. But something was telling him that he must wake, almost as if someone was calling to him.
It took his foggy brain a good minute to realize that someone was calling to him.
The voice was soft and strained, but repeated: Ryunosuke.
Realizing it could only be Kazuma, he forced his eyes open. With some amount of wriggling, he shifted around to the door and pushed it open.
Lying on the floor by the bed, as if a corpse, was Kazuma.
“K-Kazuma!” Scrambling out of the wardrobe, Ryunosuke rushed to him and sighed with relief when he saw his eyes blink open.
“Finally,” he groaned with a faint smirk. “You really slept.”
“What’s wrong?”
Kazuma tried to push himself off the floor, but ended up needing support until he could sit against the bed. He put a hand to his forehead as he squeezed his eyes shut. “I must have hit my head.”
Ryunosuke’s eyes widened. “You don’t remember?”
“Not much. There was a sailor shouting threats. He wanted me to be quiet, I believe.” With some effort, Kazuma reached up and untied his headband. He caught sight of the bed frame and sucked in a breath. “I only just missed the bedpost. That could have been bad.”
My name is Ryunosuke Naruhodo. I never imagined that right now I would be on my way to Great Britain. But when Kazuma asked me to come with him as a favor, how could I say no? Not only is it a great opportunity to see a different culture, but Kazuma has done so much for me. Between his friendship and belief in me throughout my trial, I owe him, and I would follow him anywhere.
Fifty days at sea was not an inconsiderable amount of time. They knew it would be long, but underestimated it in the thrill of planning.
“We still have weeks left and I’ve already read all the books in the cabin!” Ryunosuke flopped on the floor in dramatic boredom, his mysterious headache forgotten, while Kazuma looked on smirking from the desk.
“I haven’t even finished one yet,” he said.
“That’s because you get to go up on deck and talk to people,” Ryunosuke complained.
“You’re not missing much. Just a strange man from Britain calling himself a detective. When he saw my bandage he was concerned, saying a doctor friend of his warned him about head injuries getting tricky, and that I should consider disembarking to get examined.” Kazuma scoffed. “As if. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure, Kazuma? Maybe you should see a doctor, just in case there are long term effects.”
Kazuma huffed. “I’ve already got that man and our faithful judicial assistant fussing, I don’t need you too.”
“At least Susato-san can bring you tea,” Ryunosuke said.
“Good point. She is superior to you in that aspect.” Kazuma grinned.
Pushing himself up on his elbows, Ryunosuke worried his lip. “I hope she doesn’t hate me when she finds out about...me being here. She seemed so kind during my trial. I wouldn’t like to upset her.”
“Why would she hate you? She’ll understand.”
“I hope you’re right...”
Kazuma turned back to his work on the desk, rearranging things. “You know, I brought some books with me you could read...”
Ryunosuke perked up.
“Of course, they’re all law books...”
He deflated again. “Of course.”
“Well, how about it, Ryunosuke? You could always be a legal interpreter with your English degree. And while we’re in Britain, you could even be my co-council in court. Your sharp observation skills would be a great help. A few law lessons can’t hurt, even if you ultimately decide not to use it. But you have a talent for law, certainly.”
It would pass the time, at least. And Ryunosuke was sure Kazuma would be an enthusiastic teacher, explaining what he was so passionate about. Even though he thought he had no head for law, Kazuma’s confidence often convinced him that his friend’s plans were sound. And even managed to give him some confidence of his own. So Ryunosuke agreed.
After weeks sleeping in a wardrobe, the packing case didn’t feel as tight of a fit. Although being tossed about by strong sailors was not any more pleasant the second time, nor was being dragged away from the dock by one’s best friend.
Ryunosuke could hear what he assumed was the delighted voice of Susato. “I cannot believe we are finally here!”
“Yes. Our journey is almost done,” Kazuma said, giving the trunk a little kick. The plan was to get far enough from the steamship and out of sight of the crew before letting Ryunosuke out. Kazuma was so sure of his plan that Ryunosuke didn’t feel the need to ask when he planned to tell Susato, or indeed any fellow passengers who might also be going on to London, why all of a sudden there was another Japanese man with him.
The sounds of the port were muffled, but Ryunosuke still heard countless voices in the many languages, accents, and tones of those traveling to and from Great Britain. Even before dawn in February, the Dover harbor was already a bustle of activity. In a few moments, he would get to see this new world with his own eyes.
At last the trunk stopped.
“I believe the line for customs starts over there, Kazuma-sama,” Susato said.
“We’re a bit early, so we can take our time. I just need a moment,” Kazuma said. “My trunk is quite heavy.”
“You oughtn’t have packed so much! Ah, I see my friends from the cabin next to mine! I will greet them while you rest.”
“Perfect,” Kazuma said to both of them. Ryunosuke, who had been almost upright, was now dumped on his face as Kazuma laid the trunk down and fiddled with the lock. “Almost there...”
“Hello my dear fellow!”
The lock shut again. “Mr. Sholmes!” Kazuma said, his voice betraying no trace of worry.
“Your party is also bound for London, I believe? Taking the 5:30?”
“We are.”
“Then we shall be traveling companions for a little longer!”
“Yes we will, sir.”
“I must say, it has been a long journey indeed. Do you mind if I...”
The trunk creaked and sagged as if someone sat upon it.
Wonderful.
“It has been a delight to make your acquaintance, Mr. Asogi,” the man went on. “There is much in common between criminal law and detective work. I believe my ‘art of deduction’ would greatly benefit you as a defense lawyer, as well as your assistants in this endeavour, should it be of interest to further discuss...”
Ryunosuke was sweating despite the cold morning seeping in. Get rid of him, Kazuma!
“Oh, Mr. Sholmes!” Susato’s voice again.
“There you are, my dear madam.” The trunk groaned, likely Sholmes standing at her approach. “I was just telling Mr. Asogi that we shall be on the same train to London.”
“Oh, how splendid!”
“Mr. Sholmes,” Kazuma said. “Would you be so kind as to escort my assistant through customs? I’m afraid I will fall behind while they examine my trunk.”
“Are you certain you do not need a hand with it?” he said. “I’m sure you would not want the contents damaged in any way.”
“I will be fine, thank you. But it leaves me unable to assist my companion.”
Susato’s voice: “Oh! I can manage on my own. It’s not all that heavy.”
“I won’t be far behind you. Thank you, Mr. Sholmes.”
“Of course, my dear fellow,” Sholmes said. “Allow me to take your case, Miss.”
In a few moments, Ryunosuke heard the click of the lock again and sighed in relief. “They’re gone,” Kazuma said. “Are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Cold sea air hit him at once when the trunk cracked open, and then Kazuma appeared as the lid fell away. He smirked. “Careful—you probably have sea legs. And wardrobe legs.”
Ryunosuke took a gulp of air. “I didn’t think we were actually going to make it.” Groaning, he tried to stretch his legs to stand, and reached toward Kazuma for balance. He thought he faintly heard a shout, and was about to look up when much closer, someone yelled.
“Haiiiiii-YA!”
And then he was on the ground.
“Ughhh...wha...” He wheezed, trying to figure out why he was lying on the ground, and why everything hurt. It took a moment for the conversation happening over him to come into focus.
“You remember my friend, Ryunosuke Naruhodo?”
“You mean you knew he was in your trunk?”
“Of course.”
“He wasn’t attacking you?”
Kazuma laughed. “Why would someone be attacking me?”
“Was not Inspector Hosonaga on our ship to protect you?”
“You saw Inspector Hosonaga?”
“What...happened?” Ryunosuke managed, blinking at the two of them upside down.
“My friend, you just witnessed the famous Susato Takedown!” Kazuma helped him up. “This is Susato Mikotoba, my judicial assistant.”
“Mikotoba...right, Professor Mikotoba’s daughter?”
“Yes,” she said, bowing politely even while eyeing him with doubt. “I apologize for misjudging your actions, Mr. Naruhodo.”
But not for throwing me, he noted.
“I will defend Kazuma-sama at any cost!” she said as if she read his mind. She turned to Kazuma. “I returned because Mr. Sholmes is...delayed going through.”
“Oh?”
“He may have said something the officials thought suspicious, and was taken for further questioning...”
“I see. Well, you may as well put your bag in my trunk. It will raise fewer questions than empty packing case.”
“How on earth did you manage to...” Susato trailed off in bewilderment.
“I’ll explain on the train. Ryunosuke, you can help carry your hiding place this time.”
Susato shot Ryunosuke another glance. Slowly remembering how to walk on solid ground again, he picked up the other end of the trunk and followed Kazuma.
To his relief, they were able to get three train tickets, in a higher class even, so he could stay out of the trunk for the rest of the journey. They found some secluded seats and the boys sat across from Susato.
“So...” she ventured, her gaze averted but hard. “Will Naruhodo-san be staying with us?” she asked.
“Yes, of course,” Kazuma said.
Susato wilted. “I calculated our budget for two people.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you’d done that,” Kazuma said, having the decency to look slightly abashed. “I would have told you not to bother. We’ll be fine though. If we skimp on accommodations, we can stretch it for three.”
Susato said nothing, so Kazuma turned from her frown to Ryunosuke.
“How does it feel to be free again?” He smirked.
Ryunosuke rubbed the back of his neck. “It’ll be better once I have my own bed and meals.”
“I imagine sleeping on the floor wasn’t very comfortable, Naruhodo-san,” Susato said, shooting an accusatory glance at Kazuma.
He chuckled. “Actually, we thought he could be discovered if he was in plain sight, so he slept in my wardrobe.”
“He what?”
“And that was why I often disappeared at meals, to bring some to Ryunosuke.”
“You...you’ve both been living off of Kazuma-sama’s meals, haven’t you?” Susato put her hand to her mouth, slightly horrified. “That’s why you bought food whenever we made port.”
“We’re both thinner after this trip, I think,” Kazuma laughed.
“I thought you were ill!” Susato stood, her hands on her hips. “I am going to find both of you some sandwiches right now.” She stalked off.
Ryunosuke bit his lip. “She looks angry.”
“She’s never annoyed at me for long,” Kazuma assured him. “And she’ll warm up to you.”
“Do you think she’ll tell her father?”
Kazuma considered. “Not if I ask her to keep it secret.”
“...What have you gotten us into.”
He grinned. “A great adventure.”
“There you are, my traveling companions!”
Ryunosuke finally saw the man sitting on his trunk before.
“Herlock Sholmes,” the man introduced himself, bowing in an exaggerated fashion. “A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance now that you are free of your confinement, Mr. Naruhodo.”
“Um—you—the pleasure’s—what?” Ryunosuke stammered. “How did you know!?” He looked to Kazuma, who just shrugged.
“Elementary, my dear fellow! Knowing what is locked inside a packing case or behind a cabin door can be a rather useful skill. As for your name, I deduced that it could only be the friend Mr. Asogi spoke of when I made his acquaintance during the first weeks of our voyage. At your mention, the glance toward his cabin rather than his homeland gave you away from the beginning.”
Kazuma looked unusually flustered. “I—I see.”
“But I cannot help but wonder,” Sholmes said. “What business could bring you Russian students to Britain?”
“...What?” they said in unison.
“Your reaction only confirms my conclusions,” Sholmes said. “Do not tell me you are surprised at my insights. No doubt you’ve read of the Great Detective’s exploits in Randst Magazine?”
Ryunosuke’s mind swam. “Hold it, Mr. Sholmes. We’re Japanese. Not Russian. And what exploits?”
“You can tell me which of my adventures you’ve read once Miss Susato returns. If you are missing any editions, I have a copy with me.”
“I believe she has a complete collection,” Kazuma said, folding his arms.
“I shall likely have to take on a great many new cases when I return home. On the last leg of our journey, my mind was occupied with the Final Problem.”
“The Final Problem...” Ryunosuke said. “What’s that? D-death?”
“Rent, my dear fellow! While my royal client in Asia paid handsomely for my efforts, this trip has considerably depleted my funds. And I have a young charge who needs to eat. Tell you what, if you happen upon anyone looking for a cheap room, won’t you send them my way?”
“As it happens, we are in need of reasonably priced lodgings,” Ryunosuke said, catching Kazuma’s warning look a moment too late.
“Ah, of course you must be! Well, then you must come see for yourself. The address is 221B Baker Street.”
“That is a kind offer, Mr. Sholmes,” Kazuma said. “But we would not wish to impose on you. I’m sure we will find suitable lodgings.”
“On your student stipend? I can assure you for three people, including a lady, you will not find anywhere more comfortable on that budget. Not without making certain sacrifices, such as windows.”
“Windows?” Ryunosuke repeated.
“This flat comes cheap because it an attic sharing an entry and kitchen with my flat. And such an arrangement happens to give me a discount on rent as well. I would caution you that I play the violin—well, I assure you—and at times do not speak for days on end, but I trust that will not be a problem?”
Ryunosuke shrugged at Kazuma. “Well, that’s convenient.”
Kazuma’s eyes narrowed. “It certainly is...”
“Are we...” Susato appeared, eyes shining. “Are we going to stay with Mr. Sholmes at Baker Street?”
“It seems we may,” Kazuma said.
“Hooray!”
Upon arriving in London, Sholmes was whisked away by the police to help with a case, while the three students took a cab to Whitehall. Meeting the Lord Chief Justice was an ordeal that thoroughly unsettled Ryunosuke, even though Kazuma was the one under scrutiny of the imposing man.
“However, the notice I was given was for ‘one lawyer and judicial assistant,’” Lord Stronghart said, winding his watch. “Yet there are three of you.”
Kazuma didn’t hesitate. “My fellow student Ryunosuke Naruhodo accompanied me. He is new to the field of law, and when I first saw him appear in court I believed he could be a great asset to our nation. I humbly request he be given permission to practice as my co-council in order to gain skills to bring back to Japan.”
“Hmm.” Stronghart looked at his watch as he thought, then snapped his fingers. “Why not. I’m all for entertainment. I give you full faculties.” He almost seemed to smirk at Ryunosuke. “Though I recommend you only speak when your more qualified friend suggests.”
Kazuma bowed. “Thank you, my lord.”
Ryunosuke gulped. So he was really doing this, then. At least he wouldn’t have to do anything without Kazuma. Stilling his quivering hands, he realized that Stronghart was still talking to Kazuma.
“And while you are in this country,” he was saying, “Do you intend to go through with your mission?”
Kazuma’s eyes widened slightly. “I intend to fulfill my purpose to the best of my ability, my lord. I will study my hardest, and bring back knowledge and experience of the British legal system to reform the courts in my home country.”
“Grand words. See that you do as you promised.”
Kazuma nodded. Ryunosuke glanced at him nervously.
To their surprise, Stronghart offered Kazuma a case right away. An assessment of his abilities, he said. As unsure as they were about taking on a client with no preparation, the defendant would be left with no defense if they did not. That was enough to appeal to Kazuma’s strong sense of justice, and he was not one to shrink from a challenge, however unfair. As soon as they were dismissed by Stronghart, they made a dash for the Old Bailey.
Kazuma entered the courtroom with his head held high. If he felt the weight of the Old Bailey’s vast size and history as Ryunosuke and Susato did following behind, he did not show it. Here he was, a qualified defense lawyer prepared to take on his first British trial, just as he had dreamed for so long. The gallery was full of people, and there were six jurors sitting below the judge’s bench, whispering:
There’s the defense attorney!
A foreigner!
He’s so young!
.......
Too young if you ask me!
Don’t mind me, I’ll just be getting on with my knitting!
As he took his place beside him, Ryunosuke stood as straight as he could. Nerves out of control, he glanced around the chamber at all the foreign faces staring and surely evaluating him. And then across the courtroom, a tall man in a dark cloak approached the prosecutor’s bench. Lord van Zieks, the Reaper of the Bailey, one of the most feared prosecutors in Great Britain. When he looked up, his face was devoid of life. His eyes found the defense immediately. He stared at Kazuma for a long moment. Then, to Ryunosuke’s dismay, the cold gaze fell to him.
“Those eyes please me...Nipponese.”
His voice was quiet, yet the menacing words carried across the courtroom with ease. “They shroud your fear, your doubt, your trepidation. They run wild, clinging to some phantom notion of courage. The quintessential look...of a sacrificial lamb.”
Kazuma’s fist slammed the desk. “The only sacrifice here...is your case. You will find Mr. Naruhodo’s courage is no phantom by the time we are finished with you.”
Any reply was interrupted as the judge entered and declared the court in session.
Despite only fifteen minutes to prepare with their client Mr. McGilded, Kazuma delivered a compelling opening statement receiving nods of approval from the jury, and proceeded through the cross-examinations with practiced ease. Susato both assisted him and guided Ryunosuke through examining the evidence, including the omnibus that was rolled into the courtroom. Her terseness made him uneasy, though he realized this was her first time in court and she may be nervous.
“Ryunosuke,” Kazuma whispered. “Who is the victim in this case?”
Ryunosuke started. “Huh? The victim? Do you not know? —Oh! Is this a test?” He flipped through the court record, finding the autopsy report. “Uh... ‘Thrice-Fired’ Mason?”
Kazuma nodded. “Good. You’re paying attention. At the end of this testimony, tell me what contradictions you notice.”
Susato leaned over to them. “Is it just me, or does the prosecutor keep staring at us?”
Ryunosuke glanced nervously across the courtroom where the Reaper of the Bailey’s piercing eyes were fixed on Kazuma. “He gives me the creeps.”
“Ignore him. Stay focused.” Kazuma turned to acknowledge the swearing in of the next witness.
The trial was interrupted when a smoke grenade cleared the courtroom. The surprise witness out of the event started to change what they thought happened, and Kazuma began to get uneasy.
“Ryunosuke,” he whispered as van Zieks conferred with the judge. “What do you make of Miss Lestrade?”
“Huh?”
“You’re a good judge of character. Is she lying?”
Ryunosuke shrugged. “At this point, I’m so confused about what is truth or lies. I’ve been trying to follow everything, but...”
“Right.” Kazuma sighed. “It’s fine.”
After another examination of the omnibus, Kazuma’s frustration built. “How did I miss the blood on the floor? I thought I had looked everywhere. You two did the seat compartment, right?”
“Well...yes...” Susato said, hesitancy clear in her face.
Just then, van Zieks claimed that the omnibus had been tampered with and the equipment under the seat removed. Both he and McGilded, who claimed it was empty as they now saw, stared down the defense, waiting for corroboration on their assertions. The judge asked if the defense had an opinion.
Kazuma gestured to Ryunosuke. “Yes, of course. My co-council examined the inside of the compartment.”
Ryunosuke’s eyes widened as all eyes turned to him.
“Yes, Counsel?” the judge prompted.
“Oh! Um. I—that is, the-the defense, did indeed examine it.” Ryunosuke could feel the sweat on his palms as he fidgeted with his fingers.
Kazuma nudged him with his shoe. “And was the compartment empty, Mr. Naruhodo?”
Ryunosuke’s tongue felt like lead but he pushed ahead anyway. “Well...no, I’m fairly confident there were a number of articles inside.”
Everyone reacted at once, with Kazuma narrowing his eyes and asking “are you certain,” while the judge jumped, and somehow both McGilded and van Zieks seemed aggrieved.
“Do you stand with your co-council, my learned friend?” van Zieks asked Kazuma. “It seems he is trying to hurt your case more than help.”
“I trust Mr. Naruhodo’s powers of observation,” Kazuma said, though he looked annoyed about it. “If he says there were articles under the seat before, then that is what the defense asserts.”
“Even if it compromises the defendant’s position?” van Zieks shot back.
“I’m simply telling the truth,” Ryunosuke managed, not wanting Kazuma to take the heat for his assertion.
“Well, I didn’t hire him,” McGilded said. “I hired the qualified one to represent my best interests.”
Although McGilded tried to discredit the memory of Ryunosuke and van Zieks, the jury was suspicious and leaned toward guilty. This did not last. Before Ryunosuke realized it, Kazuma, along with a few well-placed comments by McGilded, began to turn things around for them.
As the trial continued in their favor, with further inconsistences with the omnibus, Ryunosuke became more and more agitated. Something felt wrong. Was McGilded truly innocent?
The judge, now ready to adjudicate in favor of the defendant, asked for the formality of the defense’s closing statement. Ryunosuke expected Kazuma to begin a speech as eloquent as earlier, but first he stared at him.
“What do you think?”
“Me? Is this a test?”
“No. I want to know your thoughts.”
“I...I’m not sure he’s innocent.”
“...Do you want me to say that?”
“No! I mean, whatever you think but...that’s my honest answer.”
“Okay.” Kazuma rarely seemed uncertain, but he slowly turned back to the judge and picked his words carefully. “The defense desires to see justice done, and to that end has represented one of the parties of this case to the best of its ability. The prosecution has fought equally hard for the opposing party. We argue our cases, but when it comes to judgment, it is not my role, but for those to whom such power has been given. In my personal opinion, this trial has asked more questions than it has answered, and a judgment now, an acquittal for my client, while in accordance with the law, would not satisfy my desire for justice.”
“Are you saying you do not believe your client to be innocent?” the judge said, his wig going askew in surprise.
“Certainly a novel way of ending the defense’s case,” van Zieks said.
Susato worried her lip. “It seems the trial is over.”
“But we still don’t know what happened!” Ryunosuke exclaimed.
“We don’t need to,” Kazuma said. “That’s not how it works.”
The judge began to end proceedings. Ryunosuke slammed the desk in frustration. Say something, Kazuma!
“I hereby declare the verdict of this court...”
“OBJECTION!” Ryunosuke cried. “But! But we still haven’t determined if the bloodstain in the omnibus is genuine or not!”
“Ryunosuke!” Kazuma shushed. “There is nothing more to be done! It’s over.”
“We haven’t found the truth yet!”
“We have no more evidence, and the prosecution has no more evidence. If there is nothing conclusive against the defendant, the trial ends. The culprit does not need to be found for a verdict to be reached. It...happens. ” Kazuma leaned on the desk, the ends of his headband hanging limp over his shoulder.
Between the verdict and the blame placed on Lord van Zieks for allowing the evidence tampering, Ryunosuke felt a pit in his stomach. Whenever Kazuma spoke of the British legal system, his eyes shining as he described its sophistication, he imagined something a lot more fair than the reality playing out in front of him.
The verdict was officially declared. The fireworks made him jump, the bright colors seeming out of place in the tense air hanging over the Old Bailey. Without another word, Kazuma gathered his notes together, and led the way out of the courtroom.
While Kazuma and Susato parted ways with Mr. McGilded, Ryunosuke hung back by the door. He was almost knocked over when a young girl burst into the lobby with a smoke gun rivaling Gina Lestrade’s. It turned out she was the inventor, and insisted Gina follow her home to apologize for stealing it. Ryunosuke was taken aback by this sudden appearance of youthful exuberance, even more so when she turned to him.
“Oh! Hello!” she said brightly. “You must be Runo!”
“Uhh, no, I’m Ryunosuke Naruhodo—”
“And they must be Susie and Kazzy!”
Ryunosuke glanced at his companions, bewildered.
“The students from Japan,” she clarified.
“Oh! Yes! That’s us. How did you know?”
“A simple deduction,” she said, putting a finger to her forehead. “Hurley couldn’t be here to meet you, so he sent me! And conveniently, I followed Ginny here anyway!”
“Hurley...” Susato said, stepping over with Kazuma. “As in...Herlock Sholmes?”
“That’s right!” She clasped her hands together. “I’m Iris Wilson!”
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Iris.” Kazuma bowed with a flourish, making her giggle.
“Come along then, I’ll show you to Baker Street!”
“B-Baker Street?” Susato trembled with eagerness. “We’re going there now?”
“Yes! No running off now, Ginny!”
With varying levels of excitement or dread, the four followed Iris out of the courthouse onto the London streets. As they hailed a carriage, Susato questioned Iris about her last name, and the stories she apparently wrote. The girls happily chatted as they squeezed in one side of the carriage with Gina.
Kazuma got in last with a sigh, leaning over to Ryunosuke beside him. “I think I’m going to regret this.”
“Why don’t you like Mr. Sholmes?” Ryunosuke whispered back. “Won’t this deduction stuff be useful?”
“Ryunosuke, when I fell asleep on the train he thought I was dead, locked me in a compartment, and accused you of my murder. How exactly do you think he’s going to help?”
While he had never heard of the great detective at all before this trip, Ryunosuke caught a bit of Susato’s excitement as they stood outside the door bearing the number 221B, or perhaps it was just the reality sinking in that he would be living in London for an extended period of time.
Inside was a bustle of activity, as Sholmes kept chemicals from boiling over while Iris urged Gina on, Gina shouted at Sholmes, and Susato gushed over ornaments in the sitting room. Kazuma stood off to the side. Ryunosuke figured his mind was still in the trial, as his was too despite the distractions. His two court appearances left him uneasy about both justice systems, and he wondered if this was really what Kazuma wanted to work in, or if Ryunosuke just had horrible luck.
Soon Susato pulled Kazuma away to tell him about the slipper on the mantle, which apparently had some significance. Gina stormed out, and Sholmes got up to greet them.
“Ah, hello! Have we met before?”
“W-what?” Ryunosuke said. “We’re from the train! And the ship!”
“Hmm. I seem to vaguely remember the young lady.” He put a pipe to his mouth. “But I don’t believe I have ever seen you before.”
“I—I—I—”
“Don’t mind Hurley,” Iris said, coming over to rescue him. “Of course he remembers. He told me all your names.”
“Oh, is this Mr. Naruhodo? I believe Iris mentioned you would be stopping by.”
“You told me that, Hurley.”
“Well, no matter!” Sholmes flared his arms dramatically. “If you find yourselves in need of cheap lodgings while you visit this country, I have an empty attic that may suit your purposes.”
“We already discussed...” Ryunosuke sighed. He couldn’t make out this detective.
“I’ll show you all upstairs!” Iris said. “Have you really been dragging that trunk around all day, Kazzy?”
“You have no idea,” he muttered.
The attic was spacious, or it would be once they cleared away all the junk. Iris had already spoken to Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, who said they were free to do whatever they wished with the room. Susato immediately had ideas for how to set up the space. Conveniently, there were already beds prepared, so further arranging could wait for the morning. Or at least until after dinner.
“Have you really never had fish and chips, Susie?”
“Never! I’m delighted to try it at last!”
“I deduce you will find it to your liking,” Sholmes said. “I’m taking you to a stand highly recommended by a friend of mine. He is quite the connoisseur. Ah, there he is now!” He waved, calling out Inspector!
A gruff man in a green coat turned to him with a growl. “Sholmes.”
“Hello Gregsy!”
The man startled at this. “Your—your ladyship! I didn’t see you there! I hope you are well?”
“Brilliant, Gregsy! We’re getting fish and chips with our new friends.”
“Indeed,” Sholmes said. “Allow me to introduce Inspector Tobias Gregson of Scotland Yard.”
Susato’s eyes widened and she quickly bowed. “Pleased to meet you. I am Susato Mikotoba. Inspector...are you perhaps...might you be the Inspector Gregson? From The Adventures of Herlock Sholmes?”
Gregson sighed while Iris beamed. “The same. You lot from the Empire of Japan, I take it?”
“Yes sir,” Susato said. “We are visiting students in the field of law.”
Ryunosuke was distracted when he caught Kazuma’s face in the corner of his eye. His friend had paled. “Kazuma, are you all—”
Kazuma tightened his lips, slightly shaking his head. “Excuse me,” he murmured and turned away from the stand, walking quickly down the street.
“That’s Kazzy, and this is Runo!” Iris completed the introductions.
“Oh yes?” Gregson raised an eyebrow at Ryunosuke.
“Ryunosuke Naruhodo, sir,” he said, eyes darting away as he watched Kazuma turn a corner. Gregson seemed a little off put by his apparent rudeness.
“Kazuma is our other friend, as Iris said,” Sholmes supplied. “You and he have a lot in common! Now Iris, weren’t you going to tell Gregson about your latest blend?”
“Oh yes, I think you’d love it, Gregsy!”
While Iris chattered away, Susato glanced between Inspector Gregson and the direction Kazuma went, caught between courtesy and concern. Ryunosuke decided to take on any impoliteness for her, and ran to catch up with him.
Around the side of a building, Ryunosuke found him leaning against a wall, his hair falling into his downturned face.
“Kazuma, are you all right?”
His head shot up, but he relaxed when he saw it was Ryunosuke alone. “Yes. I just felt unwell suddenly. The smell of the fish, I think.” He grinned, pushing his fringe out of his face.
Ryunosuke frowned. “It didn’t smell that fishy to me.”
“Wordplay again, Ryunosuke?” Kazuma clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. It quivered a little. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. I’ll just go back to the flat—you rejoin the others.”
“If you’re sure.” Ryunosuke studied his face, which had returned to his normal color, though his eyes flitted to the street behind him.
“I’ll see you later.” He strolled away in the direction of Baker Street.
Susato rushed up the stairs ahead of Ryunosuke, and they found Kazuma sitting on the floor by the stove. Heat radiated through the attic, warming them from the chill February evening.
“You’re back,” Kazuma said, turning to them. “How were the fish and chips?”
Susato’s hand clenched over her heart. “You ran off quickly, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m better now,” he said.
“What is the matter?” She searched his face. “Are you ill?”
Kazuma shrugged. “I just got a little nauseous. The grease smell, maybe.” He glanced up at Susato sheepishly.
She gave him a gentle smile. “That is because you haven’t eaten. The sandwiches on the train were a long time ago.” Susato put a finger to her chin in thought. “Iris said there’s bread and a little broth in the kitchen. I’ll warm it up for you. That should be easy on your stomach.”
Kazuma ducked his head with a small smile. “You’re too kind. Thank you.”
The three soon sat around the stove together, sipping the tea Susato also prepared.
Draining his cup, Kazuma leaned back on his elbows. “What would we do without our faithful judicial assistant? Thank you for looking out for me. And excellent work in court today. You too, Ryunosuke,” he said, turning to his best friend. “I’m glad you came with me.”
“Oh Kazuma-sama,” Susato gushed. “It is an honor to accompany you as your judicial assistant.”
“And as your friend,” Ryunosuke said.
“Don’t forget co-counsel.” Kazuma elbowed him. “We’ll make a lawyer out of you yet.”
Ryunosuke groaned. “Not if every prosecutor is as scary as Lord van Zieks.”