Miss Holmes, the Professor Is Not a Villain

13 – My encounter with young Holmes was the worst (13)

The sweltering summer passed, and it was the beginning of autumn. Moriarty, who returned to Oxford briefly after a few months, was having a conversation with Professor Dodgson.

Most of it was about the paper on the binomial theorem that he was writing, but of course, there was also a bit of small talk necessary for social interaction.

“Im…Impressive, Moriarty. This will…will certainly g…garner…significant interest once it’s complete.”

Professor Dodgson often stuttered when talking with adults to the point where he was quietly called a stammerer by mischievous students.

But Moriarty patiently listened to his words for social interaction.

“I think it will be finished sooner than expected. I originally planned to finish it before next summer, but it seems that I might be able to bring it to Oxford before this winter ends, Professor Dodgson.”

“S…so…? You…you’ll probably be…be joining us soon. B…But are y…you ok? It’s…unexpected.”

“What do you mean?”

At Moriarty’s question, Professor Dodgson involuntarily hiccuped. He was a professor who always got nervous when interacting with adults, but he was even more nervous than usual facing Moriarty after a long time.

It was unexpected, but Professor Dodgson continued.

“Ah… well, even when you…leave…school temporarily, it…it seemed like you’d fulfill… a whole year’s worth at least, but then you said you’re planning to return… so… You said she was clever… That clever young lady, Sherlock, was it? Apparently, she’s very fond of you… Will you be okay?”

By the way, you’ve changed a lot. You’ve become somewhat frightening.

Swallowing his following words, Professor Dodgson carefully looked at Moriarty. Even with just their exchanges through letters, he could somewhat empathize with the news that his once cold, promising future mathematician was close to a girl.

Professor Dodgson, who was afraid of adults and who had a child-like trait, often played with kids and even told them stories about Wonderland on the recent summer, along with the marvelous daughters of Headmaster Liddell.

Moriarty was silent for a moment. It was fortunate that he was not staring at Dodgson, rather he seemed lost in thoughts.

As Professor Dodgson had suspected, Moriarty was thinking of the Holmes family and Sherlock for a moment.

Of course, Moriarty couldn’t have no regrets about having to say goodbye a few months earlier. Moriarty realized in that instant that Sherlock had occupied much more place in his heart than he had thought.

But that’s why he had to say goodbye. All the preparations were done. Sherlock could become a fantastic detective.

Because he’ll offer her a little help.

Of course, there was a possibility that she might not take flight and eventually fall. If that were the case, it would be disappointing, but it would also prove that Sherlock was just an ordinary, insignificant girl.

In that case, he would need to look for a new opponent. It might be rather sad then. However, Moriarty decided not to think about the uncertain future.

He was only sure of things he could control.

“Yes, well… Most importantly…the atmosphere hasn’t been great lately. I’ve already told you I’m teaching the children at Reverend Holmes’ house, right, Professor? Lately, it seems like the couple has been fighting quite often and the environment is not as pleasant anymore. That’s another reason.”

“Ah, how…sad…! Under…Understandable, Moriarty. But the…the lady…may miss you…so stay…stay in touch, even after returning…to Oxford.”

“She’s a sharp and strong girl. She’ll be okay. Most importantly… it’s not like we are parting forever. She will seek me out. Also, her brothers care for Sherlock a lot, so she’ll be okay.”

Mentioning the brothers, Professor Dodgson involuntarily frowned but Moriarty pretended not to notice. It was well known at school that Professor Dodgson had a weak constitution and he was famous for showing childish antipathy towards mischievous boys.

As Professor Dodgson complained about the behavior of the notorious boys, Moriarty fleetingly listened and thought about Sherlock and her brothers for a while.

Mycroft, who could be called his first disciple, was undoubtedly a special and smart boy like Sherlock. In fact, it was clear that if judged only in terms of intelligence, Mycroft was smarter than Sherlock. Even Sherlock, who had strong self-esteem and a competitive spirit, admitted this point without resistance.

However, unlike Sherlock, Mycroft didn’t have great aspirations, and he was not passionate and was rather lazy for becoming a detective.

Because of this, Moriarty’s interest in Mycroft was relatively faint compared to his interest in Sherlock. It is true though that he had appropriate interest in the existence of Mycroft, compared to Sherlock.

As for Sherrinford Holmes, the eldest son of the Holmes family he had only heard about, he was able to formally greet and talk when he came to the mansion for the summer vacation. Since he was about to graduate from the seminary with excellent marks, he was not a matter of concern.

However, Moriarty was quite satisfied with the meeting with Sherrinford. Unlike the second and the youngest sons, the eldest son of the Holmes family was relatively ordinary and a boring person.

But he was lucky. Sherrinford, as Moriarty saw it, was not ordinary in some ways, and was an eccentric thinker who was open and didn’t fit his times, though generally dull.

At the very least, Moriarty was confident that he, at least, would permit and aid his brothers, no matter what path they take, so Moriarty was satisfied with everything.

Everything had proceeded smoothly. He now understood why farmers wait for the harvest season.

James Moriarty was truly happy.

“Did something happen with Sherlock?”

Back at the Holmes house, during the first lecture with Mycroft, the boy unusually asked Moriarty a personal question.

Moriarty put down his pen and observed the boy for a moment. The special gaze not any less extraordinary than Sherlock’s was rather observing him.

“No, it was as usual. Why, is there something?”

“……No, it’s nothing.”

After Moriarty’s response, Mycroft could not pry any further. After all, as a boy, he couldn’t be certain either.

Their parents often argued even before Moriarty arrived. Comparing it to other families, it wasn’t particularly strange or unusual.

However, Mycroft ever so keenly sensed something wasn’t right. As though something was deliberately stirring up chaos and leading things in a malicious direction.

Examining such thoughts of Mycroft, Moriarty was somewhat taken aback yet pleased. He had intended to maneuver subtly, going unnoticed, but the boy before him was getting close to the truth based on simple instincts.

Yet both Sherlock and Mycroft were still just kids. It was their unfortunate reality. Moriarty continued with his lessons.

Soon, the end of the year was approaching and winter had visited the Holmes’ Manor. Despite knowing that the relationship between his parents was frosty like a midwinter blizzard lately, Sherlock tried hard to ignore it.

Was it a childish way of escape? Or was it due to guilt, feeling vague responsibility for the discord?

Or perhaps, was it sadness knowing spring would come and he would have to part with Moriarty?

The girl was too young yet to process complicated emotions and lacked worldly experience. The information and experiences in the tiny girl’s world were too sparse.

That’s why, she unknowingly relied even more on Moriarty who she admired. They enjoyed a snowball fight in the snow covered yard like old acquaintances.

Everything was pure bliss to Sherlock.

“It’s… not much time left. Do you really have to go, sir? Everyone would be happy if you stayed just like this.”

“I have my own duties, Sherlock. Nonetheless, you can visit anytime, it’s not far from London to Oxford, so it won’t be very different from here.”

“But… my parents won’t permit it. Perhaps when we take a city trip as a family, but it’s difficult for my dad to get out of the diocese that easily.”

“Yeah, that might indeed be difficult.”

To Sherlock Holmes, who was James Moriarty?

Even as a child, it was hard to distinguish the forms of love, and she definitely felt a mixed love typical of children for him.

It was admiration, a jealousy towards someone superior to her, a slight rivalry, an ambition and a competitive urge to one day be like him, and a sense of kinship and affection towards someone unique like her.

Just like the feelings Moriarty once experienced, the young girl was now feeling increasingly fearful with each passing day.

If she were to follow her whims, her parents would never allow her to visit the city. Just the thought made her feel as if her parents were obstacles blocking her path.

Actually, being too clever, the girl already had a general idea about her future. Although she aspires to become a detective-like figure in front of Moriarty, would her parents readily accept this?

Perhaps it might’ve been different if her family was a wealthy, noble family with a long history, residing in the city.

However, the Holmes family were gentry of the countryside, neither poor nor wealthy enough to be comfortably affluent.

As with most girls of the countryside families, the best path for her as deemed by her parents would certainly be to marry a man from a decent family or perhaps becoming a governess.

“I… I don’t want to part ways with you, sir.”

The girl spoke as if whining. Moriarty paused from stroking her head.

“Sherlock, I know it’s hard.”

“Mm… What if you propose to me now? Then I can visit your house under the pretext of being engaged!”

This time, even Moriarty had no choice but to be taken aback. But as her teacher, he gave a fake cough and received her ‘joke’.

“That’s not a good idea. You are only 8 years old, and if I did that… Yes, Reverend Holmes would certainly shoot me with a gun. Also, our age difference is wide.”