𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 009 | gathering of the sherlockians

episodes 57—58 — holmes freak murder case

"Hey, Suzume!" Ran called out to her friend, who was on the third level of the library at the Kudo house. The Kudo looked down and saw her friend grinning up at her and raised an eyebrow. "You're never going to believe what I found!"

"Oh?" Suzume hummed as she made her way down the stairs to saunter up to Ran. "What is it?"

Ran held a flyer in front of Suzume's face, making her lean back a little to actually read the paper. "It's a contest! About Sherlock Holmes!" Ran said, looking excited for Suzume. "The winner gets a rare first-edition book!"

Suzume snatched the paper from Ran's hand and read it over, a smile growing on her face as she looked back up at Ran. "And you showed me it?" she asked, tilting her head. "Even though you hate it when I go on rants about Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle?"

Ran blushed, looking off to the side. "I thought it might be something you'd enjoy," she said softly.

Suzume grinned and pulled her in for a hug. "It is. It will be," she said before giving her a wink. "So...think we can convince your dad to chaperone us?"

Ran burst out laughing before agreeing to the idea.

~ — — — ~

It took a little arguing, but the two girls were able to convince Kogoro to come along on their Holmes Contest excursion. Unfortunately for him, though, he was currently stuck in a van full of other Holmes enthusiasts. Well, at least Suzume learned to tone down on the topic, he thought to himself as he sulked in his seat.

"A Study in Scarlet?"

"Yes." Shimizu Nanako nodded

"It is noteworthy as the very first story Sherlock Holmes appears in!" the man, Fujisawa Toshiaki, continued enthusiastically.

"The Red-Headed League is my favorite!" the other man, Kawatsu Ikuo, added.

"Mine's The Sign of Four!" Suzume added to the conversation, waving a hand in greeting as she smiled.

"Oh! That one was internationally acclaimed!" Ikuo said, leaning forward.

"Impressive, kid," Toshiaki said with a smile.

Gimme a break... Kogoro groaned in his head. He leaned forward towards Ran, who was sitting in the passenger's seat because Suzume wouldn't accept otherwise. "Why do I have to go on this stupid tour?"

"Because Suzume and I are technically not adults yet, so we need to have a chaperone in order for her to participate," she whispered back.

Kogoro sighed but didn't refute since he knew it was true, and he was the only adult in Suzume's life that was available when she asked the question. Her parents are still out of the country and Professor Agasa went on a trip with some friends.

"Which story do you favor?" Ikuo asked Kogoro as he sat back in his seat.

"Who, me?" Kogoro asked, pointing at himself.

"Yes." The other two men chimed in unison.

"Good question," he chuckled nervously. "Actually, I'm just here so she—" he pointed at Suzume, "could participate in this thing."

Toshiaki smiled and nodded. "A noble thing to do," he said.

We're supposed to live with these guys for three whole days? Kogoro mentally sighed, crossing his arms.