Chapter 162
Yes, I’m missing.
When Sherlock woke up as usual and went downstairs for breakfast in his pajamas.
He saw two familiar yet strange figures by the dining table.
“Eivass?”
Sherlock’s steps downstairs halted, and he murmured.
Eivass, who was supposed to be in his wheelchair, pushed by Lily, was now sitting calmly on a stool. He looked completely recovered.
Lily was not standing behind Eivass but was sitting beside him.
In just one week, Sherlock keenly sensed that the tacit understanding between the master and servant had deepened further.
“You look much better, Sherlock.”
Hearing the voice, Eivass turned around, smiled, and greeted him. “It seems you’ve adapted well to staying with Bishop Mathers.”
It was still early, but Sherlock didn’t look sleepy, likely because his biological clock had adjusted somewhat.
It was also possible that his hypoglycemia had been treated—his previously sunken cheeks had visibly filled out a bit, and his somewhat dry hair had regained its luster. From this perspective, perhaps his earlier hypoglycemia was purely a result of his unhealthy lifestyle.
“Indeed.”
Sherlock nodded in response.
He leaned on the banister, a smile on his lips. “I was a bit uncomfortable at first because Mr. Kent usually dragged me to handle troublesome cases. Suddenly becoming free felt unsettling.
However, once I got used to it, I could slowly calm down and focus on reading and research. Thanks to Madam Mina, I often forgot to eat when I lived alone, but she always reminded me in time. Coupled with the recent easing of my schedule and fewer urgent tasks… being able to eat three meals a day and maintain a regular sleep schedule, I feel my health has improved considerably.”
Mr. Hermes was very optimistic about his own health assessment.
Eivass leaned back in his chair. “I think the same would be true if you lived in your own home.”
“No, no, that won’t do.”
Sherlock immediately frowned deeply. “It’s not that I dislike them—how should I put it, my family actually prefers quiet.”
As Sherlock spoke, he quickly walked down the stairs.
He sat beside Eivass and then continued, “Do you know about Mycroft’s ‘The Barrel Club’?”
“Your brother?” Eivass asked.
“Yes,” Sherlock nodded. “Unless there’s an urgent matter, he’s always there at a fixed time every afternoon. I think it’s the strangest club on Glass Island, filled with all sorts of peculiar people.
As you know, people in Avalon socialize in various clubs. Joining different clubs is often their way of making new friends and entering new circles. But not everyone enjoys socializing, and there are always those who are reclusive, unsociable, or simply don’t like interacting with others. But just because they are reclusive doesn’t mean they have to live in the shadows.
The Barrel Club was opened by Mycroft, you’ve met him, right?”
Sherlock paused here and then asked.
Eivass nodded, recalling the man at Sherlock’s funeral, who was at least three times heavier than Sherlock but possessed a gentle demeanor and an intelligent mind. “Yes, he is indeed a very intelligent person.”
“The rule of The Barrel Club is that no one is allowed to speak to each other, nor is conversation permitted. The club is large, with comfortable facilities and good lighting.
Members can sit in any room they wish to read, study, play games, or paint. The club offers free tea and the latest journals, both for entertainment and academic purposes. You can also find someone to play chess with, but the rules remain the same—no talking, no strange behavior, no loud noises, and no drawing attention from others.”
…Isn’t that just a study hall?
Eivass suddenly became somewhat interested. “I think it sounds quite good.”
“In terms of atmosphere, I agree it’s quite good. It’s just that it gathers all the eccentric individuals on Glass Island, for example…”
Sherlock paused slightly here. “After my investigation, the sculptor Lars Graham is also a frequent visitor.”
This was a coded message only the two of them could understand.
—This was the name of “Bone Sculpture.”
“However, I never joined The Barrel Club because I find it difficult to maintain silence for long periods… When my thoughts are interrupted, or when I’m bored, my mind tends to become restless. At such times, I would do some boxing, practice my marksmanship and swordsmanship, or play the violin to invigorate my almost dormant brain.
The result is that whenever I’m home, my family complains that I behave like a child. And there are so many rules at home, only Mycroft can always please them. It’s best if I visit occasionally; I can feel the warmth of my family without being too much of a nuisance. After a day or two, I have to return to my own residence—not to mention, no new cases come to me when I’m at home.”
Sherlock explained.
“Ah, I understand.”
Eivass nodded, comprehending.
It was like children working or studying away from home returning home; the first few days were filled with warm inquiries. Within a week, they become pests and get scolded repeatedly.
Especially for an eccentric like Sherlock, with his irregular sleep schedule, poor eating habits, occasional two-day reclusions, and the tendency to cause a commotion at odd hours… his treatment at home was certainly inferior to Mr. Mycroft’s, who was mature, stable, and socially adept. It’s no wonder he moved out; at least he wouldn’t get scolded.
But Sherlock wasn’t as close to the Bishop. He was half a stranger and half a benefactor. Here, he couldn’t quite relax and had to mind his manners. So, when Madam Mina called him for meals, he obediently came down to eat. As a result, after a week passed, Sherlock’s biological clock was actually reset.
Eivass clicked his tongue in wonder; perhaps this was a case of opposites attracting.
“Why don’t you just live here permanently?”
Madam Mina arrived with breakfast for four and began serving it at the table.
She smiled at Sherlock. “You’re looking for a new place anyway, right?”
Sherlock hesitated slightly, looking a bit reserved. “But… wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”
“Then you can pay rent,” Madam Mina said with a smile. “I can’t rest easy with you living alone.”
She and Mathers had no children. Over these past days, she had gradually realized that Sherlock was indeed a good child. However, his living habits were truly a cause for concern… Madam Mina was almost certain that if Sherlock were left to rent an apartment, he would revert to his previous state within a month.
She didn’t want all her efforts to be in vain after she had finally helped Sherlock recover his health.
“Anyway, Mathers and I don’t have children, and it’s a shame to have more than half the rooms in this large house empty. The second floor wasn’t occupied, and cooking for one more person isn’t much trouble. It’s just an extra set of cutlery.”
“…I’ll ask Bishop Mathers about it later then.”
Sherlock was clearly tempted. “However, would it be inconvenient for you if I had visitors?”
“It’s fine, I can handle that. Your staying here can also help bring customers to my shop.”
Madam Mina smiled. “You can access the second-floor living room from the stairs of my divination shop. Why don’t you convert the second-floor living room into your office?”
Since Madam Mina had gone this far, Sherlock felt it would be ungracious to insist on moving out.
“Thank you very much for taking me in, Madam Mina,” Sherlock said earnestly. “I don’t have any money on me right now, but I’ll bring the rent later.”
“It seems I’m witnessing a good deed,” Eivass said with a smile.
This way, he’d have an excuse to visit often.
“By the way, where’s today’s newspaper?” Sherlock asked softly. “I’d like to read a newspaper during breakfast.”
During his time of isolation, his understanding of Avalon relied entirely on various newspapers.
“It’s here, be careful not to get it dirty,” Eivass handed over the “Glass Steps Herald” he had been reading. “Or do you want a different paper?”
“This one will do,” Sherlock glanced at it and casually remarked, “You’re on the headlines again… Hmm?”
He looked closer and then saw the content of the headline.
“Young hero Eivass Moriarty, who obtained the Holy Sword badge, was kidnapped by a devil worshipper at school and is now missing!”
Sherlock looked at the newspaper, then looked up at Eivass, who had handed him the paper.
“…Now missing?” Sherlock repeated uncertainly.
“Uh-huh.”
Eivass shrugged. “Yes, I’m missing.”
Chapter Two will be a little later~
