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[He listens to him talk without interruption, rubbing the detective's hand with his thumb. He could feel their genuine partnership in his words alone. His chest tightens at the very thought of forgetting his own best friend. Two years without Asougi, believing Asougi had been dead and to suddenly have him show up and forget him, that was pretty rough as it is. He can only imagine how much worse it feels for Holmes who hasn't seen Mikotoba for even longer.

The silence holds for a moment before Naruhodou speaks up, but then stops. He could offer him his memories of Mikotoba, but then he remembers where they were and thought of something else.] I. . .have an idea. Are you well enough to walk with me?

[An idea... In a place like this, where strong emotions are better off restrained, lest they destroy something or hurt someone? Is it wise to tickle sleeping lions? Surely not. Then again, the lion is not exactly sleeping. Sherlock is proving as much without any say in the matter, for the fog is still swirling along the floor and the music from the other room continues to sound unnatural. It's so very cold that he can't help but tremble, his breath rising before him in a white cloud.]

... Walk where?

The. . .[He bites his bottom lip.] the tree of memories. [Would he want those memories though? He's worried it would only make things worse, but forgetting his own partner would also be just as bad.]

I don't know... [He draws in a deep breath, shaking his head.] I've considered those methods. The tree petals, those mirrors which were present during the celebration of lost loved ones... They would become a very easy solution, though I fear that they may double as an entirely different problem. Dwelling on what once was distracts from what will be, you see. The times I spent with my friend are in the past and so, I suppose... that's where they ought to remain.

[Not remembering is for the best, isn't it? Even if he feels hollow and guilty because he can't visualize his best friend anymore, at least it means he'll miss Mikotoba a whole lot less.]

I just wish... I could've seen him before I returned here, the way he is now. Even if it'd been nothing more than a glimpse, it might've been enough.

. . .I don't think it has to be that way. Wouldn't having the memory of his appearance at least give you something to look forward to in the future? [He looks at him reassuringly.]

If you want. . .I did see Professor Mikotoba before I left Japan.

[Looking forward to something when one doesn't know how far away that future is... The way Holmes sees it, that's a bit of torture in its own right. Besides, he can't be certain that he'll ever see Mikotoba again. Perhaps, when he returns home, he'll find that Gregson isn't the only one who was murdered. Even if it was only as an assistant to Watson, Mikotoba was involved in the Professor case as well.]

... In Japan? [Right... Of course he would've, because Naruhodou is close to both of Mikotoba's Japan-based kids. When those two kids traveled to England, Naruhodou traveled with them as well. There was a trial before that as well, wasn't there?] That was... How many years ago was that?

Um. . .well that's a little tricky. [He scratches his cheek thoughtfully.] Almost three years, if you count our time here in Empatheias. Not including that, probably close to a year ago.

A year... That's quite recent, isn't it? If it was only a year, then the Mikotoba you left behind in Japan and the Mikotoba awaiting me in England... Why, they would be almost the same person!

[Somehow, despite all odds, the notion stirs excitement. The fog begins to disperse, moving to the sides of the room and then clambering up the wall as it vanishes.]

[The fog lessening was a good sign. Though he knows it's only a small consolation of the real thing, he's glad that something could at least help his friend. He nods.] That is likely the case. Would you like me to share that memory then?

[Would he? It's a daunting notion, for even if it's more of a 'now' memory, it could still have Sherlock hung up on the past. Still, it's his best friend. Shouldn't he at least try?]

I believe that... Yes. Yes, let's do it! Let's have a glimpse at it!

...Right. [With a nod, he directs him to the couch where they could sit down properly. He also needed a moment to think of a memory. He didn't have many with him, but one of them had to stand out strongly to him. And so he ends up sharing the memory of their first meeting, up until the point he was summoned into the courtroom.]

[Sherlock wanders over to the couch as directed and sits. Then, he waits, his eyes closed. The apprehension is strong enough to have the coffee table before him quiver as if it were being subjected to an earthquake, despite the rest of the room being quite still.

And then the memory hits. Telepathy never does stop being an impressive tool, for it's almost as if he's standing right there in an unfamiliar room of an unfamiliar country, face to face with his old friend. By the time the memory draws to a close, there's a distinct tightness in Sherlock's chest and his eyes are prickling.]

It's him... It's really... He looks so...

[OOP, here comes the frustration! A crack shoots up one of the walls.]

--Happy! He looks so happy! Without me!!! [He lunges forward, grabbing Naruhodou's shoulders with both hands.] Has he got a new partner, Mr. Naruhodou?! Have I been replaced?! Is he out solving mysteries with someone else now?!

Eh? [Everything was so calm and then suddenly that burst frustration from Holmes. It gave Naruhodou quite a start.]

I-I don't think so? He's been working as a professor at my university! [He thinks about that memory again, confused. Did he really look that happy? Considering what the trial was about?]

[Sherlock draws in a deep sniff.]

He could be a professor and an investigative partner at the same time. He did just fine when he was juggling our cases with his exchange student duties, after all. Certainly, he would go some nights without sleep, yet he'd managed all the same. Did he appear exhausted to you, Mr. Naruhodou? Was he carrying bags beneath his eyes?

He has a family to take care of too, you know. [He frowns, shaking his head.] I honestly can't remember his features that well, I was too busy worrying about my trial. [He thinks about it a little more, harder.] He. . .did seem wary after the trial, but I doubt it has anything to do with what you suspect.

[Mikotoba's family... Sherlock's attitude instantly simmers down at that notion.]

... Right... Yes, of course. That would explain it. Trial or no trial, you were with Miss Susato and Mr. Asougi, weren't you? I suppose that's why, no matter what was going on around you, there would be a reason for happiness. Is that how it was?

. . .Yea, although, I didn't really know Susato-san or Professor Mikotoba that well at the time. [He leans back in his seat.] For the longest time, I only had my best friend, but when he was gone. . . I still had you, Susato-san, Iris-chan. I imagine that was what he felt.

Hum... He would feel such sentiments... [He sits back again, crossing his arms over his chest.] I'm glad... I wouldn't be able to bear it if he weren't doing well.

[He quietly considers him, and then reaches over to put a hand on his shoulder.] Since he's your partner, I'm sure he would feel the same about your well being as well. I'm certainly worried about you, however much or little that means anything.

[He shakes his head.] Maybe that's just selfish of me to say that. If you need some time, I'll understand. . .but sooner or later, we have to pick ourselves up and keep going.

[It does mean something, actually. It means more than Sherlock knows how to put into words. At last, there's a shred of Zephyras in his vicinity, as there's a sudden, distinct smell of flowers. Roses, daisies, irises... He ends up slinging his own arm around Naruhodou's shoulder, pulling him closer in a way that's far too forceful and enthusiastic to be a pleasant experience. His raised voice probably isn't helping any, either.]

Mr. Naruhodou! You are absolutely right! What a good friend you are! I'm so proud of you!

Ah- [He reaches to hold onto Holmes' arm so he doesn't end up strangling him.] Ahah, t-thank you? [What is happening? After a moment, he ends up laughing softly, cheeks going red with embarrassment.]

I do have people like you to remind me of what I still have. So...I can't take all the credit.

[His friendship with Holmes leveled up, that's what happened! (thou art I, and I am thou...) And Naruhodou's still not being released from that hug, because Holmes is on a roll now.]

Ha ha haaa, don't be so modest! You are definitely worthy of all the credit that I, the Great Sherlock Holmes, am willing to bestow upon you! Please accept my feelings with all due gratitude!

Can I at least breath while you are bestowing your feelings!? [His voice sounds strain as Holmes continues to squeeze him in his loving embrace.]

[Holmes just laughs for a while longer, then finally lets go of Naruhodou to sit back.]

Right you are, right you are! Huff in all that precious oxygen, then!

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