Shinichi is recuperating in his own bedroom as he rubbed his eyes with his arms, wiping away the few tears that sprung upon his eyes at the memory as he sat on his bed on a Monday. He understands his parents, of course, he did. Even so...

This is so.....unfair.

Shinichi clenched his fists. Just why are things so unfair?

He's trying his best, always exerting the most effort he can give to prove to everyone that he's worth something. That he was putting effort to achieve his dream with his own hands. Yet, there was Kudo Ranran here using shortcuts he refused to take and doing so much better than him.

Where did things all go wrong from here?

Was it when he decided to turn down the offer on handling cases through their family connection? Or the part when his two friends-no, his soon-to-be former friends, were very much against him using connections?

It wasn't as if Shinichi was against using connections. When the opportunity arose from his father, he was more than eager to hop on such opportunities. After all, if one is born with such privilege, one should bother to use it to full capacity.

Unfortunately, that didn't sit well with Ran and Sonoko back then.

Constantly pointing out that his privilege has constantly been the reason why he can't connect well with his peers who weren't born into such a blessed life as he was while, and that he was constantly accused of being insensitive towards others, he turned it down out of guilt as a result. But he never could've guessed that upon rejecting his father, his nemesis would end up seizing the opportunity.

And had he known Ranran had lived a flourishing career as The Fox for over a year plus, let alone, learned that it wasn't worth listening to Ran and Sonoko's opinion back then, he would've taken this chance.

......................

Yesterday on a Sunday, a day after the shooting, his parents including his mother were furious with what their son had done to Ranran.

"Come on, you can't still be mad about what Shinichi had done, deshou? He is your son."

"Yuusaku, there are many things I am willing to let things slide as he is still a child, and at times obnoxious which is what I love about our son, but breaking into Ranran's house shouldn't be one of them!"

It had been a day since the incident happen, and his mother had not spoken to Shinichi. Sunday is although not a school day, was a day for club activities at school. Fortunately, Shinichi's suspension at his soccer club gave him an off day.

That being said, he didn't fair well being at home, with an angry mother while his father tries to put the flames of her anger down. It was morning, and she serve breakfast to everyone in the kitchen. Waffles for breakfast wouldn't have been a problem for Shinichi, since it is on the sweet side if she didn't keep giving him the cold silent treatment towards him. Now bite after bite, it tasted bitter for some reason in his mouth.

His helpless father could do nothing but sigh again, watching as the situation between son and mother are rather tense. The son however didn't seem bothered, eating it quietly. But in the eyes of a father, he can tell he was.

For as long as he can remember when he came into this world, his mother doted on him 24/7 as any mother would do to their firstborn. That was evident, given the ridiculous number of photos per year as he grows older (one album about 200 photos if Yuusaku recalled correctly, though he stopped counting after 200), not to mention, the clothes she would buy for him. Spoil and coddled him at times. It was a bloody miracle that unlike other kids his age who turned out spoilt, Shinichi was...Shinichi. And that was nothing more he could ask for as a father.

Sure, he may have been obnoxious, nosy, insensitive towards other people's feelings (not excluding adults as well), but overall, he didn't mean any harm to others. He isn't the most approachable due to intelligence and stuff, but he just wants what is the best for others in his own way. Though right now, Yuusaku ain't sure how is he going to help his son out of this situation involving breaking into Ranran's house of all things. He knew his instincts landed him in trouble many times, but this has gone too far.

"How long are you going to give him the silent treatment? He is still a child, for Pete's sakes."Yuusaku finally asks.

The woman responded in an angry tone, "Maybe when he heads over to her house and apologize in person! But this boy, however...I don't know what I did in my previous life to end up with this kind of son!"

This again.....

There was a huge argument yesterday over sending Shinichi to apologize to Ranran in person. In the past, Shinichi was willing to out of guilt.

But not this time.

Shinichi would admit, he is in the wrong for this round. But what about the unfairness Shinichi feels within the family? That he wasn't the favourite?

Ever since Ranran entered the picture, life had been different for him. Even though the presents they receive, the love they get from their family, as well as the praises and attention they get are equal, he can tell based on his observations that Ranran was more in favour than him in certain ways.

When Ranran framed him for pushing her down, the blame was directed onto him without questioning that she was behind it.

When both of them choose to become detectives, it was her who is more successful than him through connections, and she didn't get scolded. This was a big deal for him, cause whenever he gets into serious trouble, he gets punished. But for Ranran, she just gets told off.

It's like a slap on a wrist, too lenient in his opinion. Also when it comes to shopping trips, it seems like Yukiko often takes Ranran more often than him when her parents aren't around, a lot more than his mother would ever admit.

"Why," Shinichi finally managed, "Why is it that whatever she does, even if you all know deep down was in the wrong.....her actions are considered justifiable, unlike mine!?"

They both froze when they hear Shinichi sniffle as he trembled.

Both of them could see tears hitting the ground but the boy didn't make a sound. All of yesterday's madness and his feelings suddenly pour out like a dam, "Oi, Shinchan."

But Shinichi kept his head bowed and tightened his grip on his arms."When I told you guys Ranran framed me, you guys knew but did nothing to punish her at all! When she use connections on becoming one, neither of you said a thing at all! Despite all of the things she did.....you guys never once tell her off and sided her over me, am I even your real son in the first place!?"

"Shin-chan-"

"For crying out loud, she had a gun pointed at me! I could've died!"

This made him feel vulnerable.

"Shinchan, you're a smart and brilliant child. You can become the best tantei in the whole of Japan even without connections unlike Ranran does. At the same time, who are you to tell her not to do it in the first place?"

"Okasan!"

"Have you forgotten who was the one who wanted to prove himself using his own efforts? And then out of the blue, you just broke into her house to tell her off because she took it while you didn't, that is being unreasonable, Shin-Chan."

"I-"

"You were the one who turned it down. If you were not offered such a thing but Ranran was, then you have the right to argue. But you don't. Also, you don't have the right to tell her off about whether she should and shouldn't, since in the first place, why would she want to do as you say 'bully' you for over a year by taking up this family connection? It ain't as if you are never going to become a Tantei when you get older, Shinichi."

Shinichi remained silent, still clutching his arms tightly as his mother's words continued to echo in his mind. The tension in the room was thick, heavy with the weight of everything that had built up over the past year since Ranran's family moved here.

Honestly, it wasn't surprising that Shinichi didn't like Ranran when he first got word of her existence, because there had been rumours to suggest that she was his half-illegitimate sister through an affair between his father and her mother growing up. His parents originally had a 'sibling-in-waiting', but it didn't work out, so the thought of Ranran replacing the sibling's existence irked him greatly. 

And perhaps the most shocking part for Shinichi was....she was unusually well-mannered, despite being savage.

A lot of stories he had watched growing up was that the illegitimates siblings are wild to the core, not properly raised, and come from poor families which makes them inferior.

Then here comes Ranran's family, moving into an expensive mansion behind his house, was said to have attended a privilege school thanks to her mother's family, hell, she even looks down on him! Him! No one in the neighbourhood has ever done that!

As if on cue, his mother spoke again, her voice softer now but still filled with frustration. "Also, when she was pushed down at that time when you said those words, did it not occur to you that would've been enough to make her family's life a living hell by our enemies!?"

"In what way would that be possible!?"

"She could've been bullied by those so-called friends of yours! For many years! Just because you are our son! And yet, for you to say that to her in front of them...it's a good thing those buffoons are thrown into a low-rank class, otherwise, it would've turned out worst for Ranran and her family! You are right....even though you may not be in the wrong in pushing her, your words are the reason why this happened to her in the first place!"His mother responded by lecturing him.

And that itself is a harsh fact.

Yukiko and Yuusaku are both celebrities, one being a former silver-screen actress while the other a mystery writer. As a son of such well-to-do background, it ain't strange for children in the neighbourhood to simply approach him in awe. Anything he says would carry weight, whether intentional or not.

Of course, to the 6-year-old Shinichi, that itself is something he still can't fully come to terms with it, even though he is unusually smart for his age.

"Yukiko, that's enough."Yuusaku sighs.

"Anata-"

"I think you finally got through him."Shinichi remained silent, as his dad turned to him, "Shinichi, you will flourish someday with your own efforts, believe me. But not like that."

"....but she-"

"Shinichi, you don't have that right to tell her that she doesn't deserve to have her dream flourishing on her own, especially after you turn it down."

"Tousan-"

"Shinichi, how would you feel if she blasted at you for overdoing something she turn away from? Doesn't this make her jealousy towards you reasonable in the first place? Like you towards her."

For once, Shinichi wanted to be in the right, but he could come up with nothing. 

"Alright, she may have taken things too far with the gun whipping situation, but you imagine if you were the one who took up the connection and she broke into your house...demanded you to quit because 'it isn't fair for her', would you have like that?"

That was enough to shut the 6-year-old boy.

His dad's words made his heart feel heavier than his mother's lectures about his actions.

That day, upon shutting the door to his bedroom after that heavy conversation, for the first time in his life....he broke down into tears. Not because his parents was angry towards him, but in a sense....he realized he was no different than Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko.

.......

When Kudo Shinichi stormed away from Mouri Ran, especially after that nasty feud with Mouri Ran over siding the boy who framed him as the guilty party, he swore never to be a meddler.

Yet....what he did to Ranran was no different than his two former friends.

When he returned to his bedroom, he had a lot to reflect. Asking around his family members, he had learned that over a year plus since Ranran 'framed' him, she had not only thrived well in the offer he had cast aside to merely please his friends within a year's time for her abilities as a child Tantei, it had appeared that she even went as far as to make a name for herself through anonymous means.

In addition to that, the part that Ranran mentioned about 'corrupt cops' were also true.

He had followed her quietly during the aftermath, in her fox mask while watching her interactions with the officers, it was clear cut that the officers had no respect for her, which is why as soon as she had given out much to Shinichi's shock, unusual means of blackmailing and threats, they were seen complying to her like a dog who is force to obey.

And to his horror, because of him poking his nose about into her business, and in a bid to flee from the press closing in onto her identity and from him thanks to those rumours spread regarding Ranran as 'The Fox', she had no choice but to fade away, at least in the presence of the cops.

In other words: Shinichi messed up big time.

No Fox means no orderly conduct among officers, which means the corruption will continue to fester until as Ranran mentioned that night, till it corrupts their neighbourhood morally.

The overwhelming shame that swallowed him whole upon realizing what he had done, leaves 6-year-old Shinichi sulking in a load of self-loathing and pity, so much so, he applied for school leave for several days.

Not only had he not once been upfront with his feelings on what he did to Ranran was wrong, in a fit of pettiness, but he also broke into her place in an attempt to seek out the clues of the case she was personally handed to work on.

It was impulsive and manipulative, but at the time he had been boiling with feelings of vendetta towards her, ever since she 'framed' him at that parkour park last year and humiliated him, along with her many accumulated schemes he was caught in between.

During that time he has not left the mansion even once.

Probably because just a while ago while walking around the neighbourhood, he couldn't help finding his life driving him to a corner. The fact that the attitudes of the people towards him have changed might be playing a part in it too, especially, when he saw his mom having to apologize to Ranran's family at Ranran's house as his mom repeatedly bow (handing them a very expensive gift basket) while reassuring it be alright.

The woman in Ranran's household was forgiving and understanding, the man (Ranran's dad)however...though he couldn't be seen...the atmosphere of being angry towards Shinichi can be felt emitting from the inside, which was enough to send chills to Shinichi, and warn him to leave now.

In the past, even if he was a little arrogant, the only reactions he'd get would be his parents must have messed with his head with a sigh jokingly, but right now he only get criticizing looks as if they're disappointed in him, or how he was raised.

It can't be helped. He did something that he shouldn't have done.

He had a flashback of that day when he ask Reina what Ranran was like as a person, as he submitted his leave to her.

"Ranran-san....although has harsh words and would often make questionable actions added to her never-ending list of troubles, deep down, has a sense of intelligence that at times, she has that out of the box aura, one that would really surprise you if you had gotten to know her. Even Takuma was surprised."

"Is that so?"

"She may look like she hated everyone around her, also at times a troublemaker, but there were times I noted she can be dignified in her own way, at times she makes you question the morals and life decisions we are all brought up into thinking they are 'right' but are they right. That is the sort of impression I was left from her."

"...then...is Takuma ashamed?"

"Eh?"

"Having her as a friend?"

Shinichi is aware of Takuma's hostility towards Ranran back then in their early days before he became her friend."No, barely."Reina shook her head at him.

"Eh!?"

"If anything, he was proud to be her friend, so am I."

For the entire year, he had continued looking down on Ranran over the things she had done, but he never once bothered to look into the reason and motives over why she did what she did. Now that he looks back.....

...If he had only paid more attention to the fact that what he thought he knew of her was nothing more than her own façade, a charade, things probably wouldn't come to this.

Even now, it's still vividly etched in his mind.

"I should have judged her by her acts and not by her words", was a quote from The Little Prince his mom once read to him as a child. Back then, he thinks this wasn't possible. He used to think as long as he has his observant talent, he can tell who is evil and who is good. This is why he had no problem figuring out the kids around him easily.

But Ranran....he couldn't figure out what sort of girl is she. All he ever knew in her was that she is cunning, witty and intelligent. If anything, a lot smarter than Ran, or Suzuki Sonoko, or even himself for that matter.

And above all, she had a sharp mouth.

He has been thinking about this ever since he broke into her house. Would he have continued to remain an ignorant little detective without questioning a thing about good and evil, had he not met and judged her? If anyone is talking about who is the most suited to be their detective, one that even surpasses Sherlock Holmes, there probably wouldn't be anyone better qualified than her.

She knew his dislike for her, hence, she picked the most brutal route out for the two.

"For someone like you to become a tantei.....you have no right!"

Those words that he once thought sounded justifiable to him, now sounded so toxic, Shinichi realizes this as he began to wonder when he'd developed into a character he swore never to become.

Horrible. Awful. I'm the worst, his self-pity caught up with him as Shinichi groans miserably into his pillow. He turns onto his side, movements almost fitful.

The past few days have been just like this, moving from disgust towards himself, then anger, then sadness over what he had become. No matter how many times he asks himself why he did such an inexcusable thing like that, nothing will change.

"What was I thinking..., I didn't think she knew.....I made a mistake." Shinichi mumbles aloud, hugging a pillow to his chest.

Shinichi groans once more.

He can't be fully blamed though. If anything, the rumours about her began at that parkour event last year. Most of the kids he had interacted there at that time, mainly the reliable ones, mentioned that Ranran like 'dresses', 'balls', 'boys', which left a sour taste on his tongue. And to be fair, he only had two female friends who love such things, which is Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko. He didn't need a third Mouri or the third Suzuki for that matter. The last thing he needed was someone of the same family to simply drag him into such activities.

But at some point, looking back, he should've verify the rumours before judging her.

The reason he didn't bother was because they were children who barely gossip around the way Sonoko does. Who knew even those rumours were a bust!

Finally, after days of angst, his father had to do something.

Shinichi finally came out of the bedroom, reading a book in their large bookroom as his father observed his son. So far, he has been burying himself in books to distract himself from his problems. Yuusaku's wife did a fair job of becoming a diplomat for both of their families, otherwise, their son would've never seen the light of the day.

"Is it right for one to use connections to become a tantei?" Yusaku slowly stood up moving his chair beside Shinichi's and turned to face him with a serious look on his face."To those who come from an impoverished background, of course, that be in the wrong. You ain't giving them a chance to live their dream, or even prove themselves to save others."

He paused waiting for Shinichi to acknowledge this fact and when Shinichi tilted his head slightly to the right he began again.

"At the same time...if the person who is doing this has good intentions behind it, such as saving more lives, protecting more of the innocent through using this advantage, then that person ain't in the wrong."

Shinichi reacted in surprise as his blue eyes widened. What is his dad talking about? Ranran....is saving others?

"It also takes time to train people to have perceptive thinking for those who dream to become a tantei, by the time that happens...more people would've fallen victim and it is too late. I am certain...Ranran may have thought of this ahead, and decided to go ahead with her plans a little earlier than expected."

Shinichi was at loss for words.

"There is no right or wrong way when it comes to becoming a tantei, Shinichi. Sometimes you need to weigh the good and the bad. Like....say if this person who used connections to become a tantei has better talent than the ones who have poor qualifications, what if the one using connections, his or her chances of saving lives are higher than those people? What if a lot more unsolved cases can be solved if they are put in charge?At this point...."

Shinichi froze a little as he process his dad's words, was she right all along?

He places his hand on Shinichi's shoulder.

"As I said, it's wrong to use connections to achieve your dreams of becoming a tantei, but at the same time, you also need to weigh the good and the bad," Yusaku says as he holds Shinichi's hand up for him to see. His hand was warm and still before he frown,"....are you still bothered by this?"

"Honestly.....after learning everything about her, I don't know what to think about what it takes to be a good detective anymore."

And he truly meant it.

Before, he was deadset on proving Ranran to be the villain like the ones he watched in anime: Petty, shrewd, with idiotic views of the world, constantly dead set on destroying for the sole purpose of being the tyrannical leader. Now....he is at lost over what to do with this.

"Now that I think back, I didn't even bother to ask why she lied to everyone about me and the other boys pushing her down that day.....the only I can think of at that time was 'I am gonna destroy her life' for not being remorseful."

Yusaku said nothing, as he waited for his son to ramble.

"At that time.....I thought she was what she was. But now I think looking back, I was the villain and she was the victim in all of t-this family."He shrugged.

The man has his arms crossed. "What are you trying to say, Shinichi?"

He thought for a moment."I wanna say sorry, but I don't know how."He frowned, eyebrows coming together."I don't even have the qualifications of a good detective to go against her questionable antics, I...I want to tell her there are other reasonable ways besides that. But I don't know how...."

The man gave a small smile. "I see where this is going. The truth is, Shinichi, being a good detective is never about the qualifications."

He cocked his head to one side. "Like what?"

"I can't properly explain, Shinchan. It's something you have to learn from her."

He thought again for a few moments. "Learn from her?"

He looked at him for a long time, before smiling. "Heroes sometimes comes in all shapes and forms, just because there are such values to hold as heroes, doesn't mean constantly following them will make you a good guy for life."

He was genuinely confused. "Why not?"

The man shook his head, "You'll find out someday, Shinichi."

He smiles at his son before leaving him on his own. Shinichi thought hard about his father's words, "Learn from her.....what did he mean by that?"He frowned as he started to ponder hard about it in his mind before his eyes suddenly grew big as he realize what his father meant while his eyebrows shot up, "No way! Is he serious!?"

Shinichi is certain his father must have lost his mind. Seriously!? What was he thinking when he said that!? Working with some ticking time bomb like her....she is chaotic!

He shook his head as he was totally against it. At the same time, however,"....."

That Watanabe case is a huge case that is something he would wanna solve (also, it is better than locating missing Bentos and wallet). Ranran knows a lot about it but is keeping a tight lip. Considering Ranran told the cops and detectives to leave when he mentioned 'Watanabe', that would mean Ranran is solving the case solo without anyone knowing.

Now Shinichi could've just easily looked for the car solo without relying on her. However, things happened so fast by the time he arrived, he didn't have much to go on with the case.

In addition, his second option was to use the family connection. Which wasn't an issue, even so....after seeing Ranran's interactions with the incompetent officers who could barely care, let alone, listen to her theories on cases, he decided to forgo the idea.

So he was only left with one option.... which is to beg Ranran to be part of it.

And to do so....he has no choice but to work with her. Honestly, he genuinely didn't feel like he dared to ask, after how he treated her. He was too ashamed of his actions, plus, he has pride.

At the same time....is he willing to miss the boat all because of his wrong accusations? Because of his pride? Let alone, remain stuck in that damn Lost and found department searching for missing bentos and wallets?

...........

By Wednesday, Shinichi finally was able to return to school with a decision in mind. The first place he decided to drop by before heading to class, is a place he knew where the person of interest is currently doing her mundane task as the head student council. As long he interacts with her, he should be able to set the plan in motion.

"The answer is no, Kudo."

"But Matsuyuki-san-"

"I am sorry, I don't help boys who break into people's houses, especially when the person is smart enough to know that the girl is all alone, and does it anyway."

Of course, why isn't he surprised? Ranran had to let Reina know what he did. Though he is thankful that at least Ranran didn't tell the entire school."What did she tell you about me this time?"

"Well...."

Last Monday, Ranran blasted her rants about Shinichi's break-in onto her two friends in Reina's private office."He was berating me over how someone like me doesn't deserve to be a tantei because of what I did to him last year."

Ranran earned a long silence from the couple while they were in class after hearing how she caught Shinichi breaking into her house, not to mention, using a gun and having him tied up to a chair. A real freaking gun to be exact, which sent chills to Reina.

"And how did you respond?"Takuma asks, eager to know more.

"I told him he wasn't qualified to say all of this."

"Good," Reina said.

"I truly feel sorry for you having to deal with someone like Shinichi within your own family."Takuma shook his head in distaste, "what the hell was he thinking when he decided to break into your place?! I mean....how is it someone as level-headed as Ranran would end up having someone like Shinichi as her family. The universe ain't being fair towards you, "Takuma frowned in disapproval.

"I agree, "Reina nodded in agreement, "if only you can choose who you be born with, life for you would be so much better."

"Choose...."The 6-year-old blue eye girl finally repeated, she then chuckled, as if she has seen the worst of the worst throughout her entire 6 years of her life, "He did make his choice, so did I. The decision is mutual. But I guess some can't live with their choices and regretted it so much, breaking into my house was actually an option."

"And yet towards the end....what did he achieve? Several days of depression."Takuma huffed at it.

"Actually a week of depression to be exact," Reina corrected her boyfriend's words," He applied for a week of leave."

"Nice."Takuma grins in satisfaction, before turning to Ranran, "But honestly, who the hell he thinks he is to tell you how to be a detective? All he ever does is look for missing Bentos and wallets. Plus....how can he look onto girls so lowly like that."

"How would I know?" she then sighs while stirring her tea, "Let's not talk about him, this is making me moody."

"Ranran." Both of them responded in sympathy.

The silence in the room they were all in was deafening, no one spoke a word."I may not know what is your personal vendetta against Ranran, but how dare you say such comments towards her when she barely came in contact with you after what you did!?"

Reina huffed, "If you wanna see her, don't get me involve cause I won't stand having her be belittled by the words of yours."

He looked at Reina as she was about to walk away, "I screwed up."

This later made Reina whip her head back at Shinichi by that unexpected sentence," Eh?"

"I...made a mistake, I wanna say I am sorry. But.....I don't even know what to say to her."

Reina was about to refute, but Shinichi pushed on.

"One apology is never gonna be enough to fix whatever been said and done. Towards the end...I was nothing but petty. She has faults, but not as great as mine."

"Kudo-"

"Let me finish," Shinichi halted her words as he went on, "I told her terrible things I shouldn't have, and it was all my fault." He bit his lip, as he felt such anger and regret inside of him, "What went wrong with me? Why did I....it wasn't like me to just act so hostile to her that day, and justify whatever I did was right even though it was in the wrong....."

"Kudo, everyone makes mistakes. Even detectives as well."

Shinichi's head bowed in shame as he went on, "But I took it too far."

"What is with you, Kudo? You were never like that." Reina frowned at the wanabe Tantei boy while crossing her arms, "You are never the type to let the one who is far more talented than you become your Achilles heel. This isn't you."

As the two grab their respective seats, with Reina on the President's student council seat, and him on the opposite,  Shinichi took a deep breath before continuing, "I...was going through a lot."

"Like what?!"

"I....."

Reina raised an eyebrow, looking at Shinichi with scepticism as she observed him wrestling his fingers, "If you don't say a word, you are failing to convince me why should I even bother to set you up with Ranran."

Shinichi hesitated for a moment, grappling with the internal conflict of whether to reveal his vulnerability. After a deep sigh, he decided to open up to Reina. "Matsuyuki-san, have you...ever been belittled by your own friends....regarding your dream?"

Reina leaned back in her chair, her expression softening as she listened to Shinichi's words. "Well, not exactly. My friends and I have different dreams, but we've always supported each other. Why do you ask?"

"I ain't talking about that, it's more like...." Shinichi hesitated, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. "As in....they do support you, but then they'll be like 'Don't get into your head, Tantei Geek. Focus on us a bit more, alright? It ain't always good to be in too deep as a Tantei'.... does that sort of word get thrown around? Repeatedly for over a long period?"

Reina's brows shot up in shock for a moment,  but not before confronting, "Kudo, are they-"

"D-don't get me wrong, they do support my dreams as a Tantei," Shinichi defended that thought, but then he gradually slumps as he rambles, "At the beginning, it was like that. But then gradually, it shifted to 'Don't waste your time on nonsensical thing, pay attention onto Ran your wife more, alright!?'....that sort of tone."

The President of the student council listened quietly, her eyes reflecting understanding as Shinichi shared his struggles. After a moment of contemplation, she narrowed her eyes to press on, "How long....has this been going on, Kudo?"

"Reina-"

"You want me to set you up with Ranran, right? Answer me."

Shinichi sighed heavily as if releasing a burden he had been carrying for a long time. "I think...since kindergarten last year...."

"And now, we are now 6 years old, that would mean...what, a year!?"

 Shinichi nodded solemnly. 

For a while, Reina was speechless. She pondered about this deeply, before tossing another unexpected question, "Is that why....when you argued with Rokuro the other day at school....you and them are-"

"Yes," Shinichi answered calmly with no hesitation.

Strumming her fingers on the table, Reina asks, "And that Mouri girl...did she not tell Sonoko off?"

"Oh yes, she does actually while blushing," Shinichi confirmed, but then his face grew wearied, "But then when I tell her to be more stern on her, she always go 'she didn't mean it that way, it is a joke among friends, Shinichi'." 

"My Kami-sama....." Reina's jaw dropped as she stared at him sympathetically, "I would go mad if I were you. I mean for you to put this up for over a year.....and we are only 6 years old."

"When...Rokuro framed me for that feud...." Shinichi decided he had to pitch to the head student council why he must meet up with Ranran, "We had a huge fallout between me, Ran and Sonoko. And uh....although I had evidence to prove it, they made it sound as if I was the problem, and that the evidence are circumstantial, even though I made it very straightforward that Rokuro is the guilty party. To cut a long story short....when Ran shouted at me that 'I was too smart for my own good'.....and then to top it off, after I declared we were done with this 'friendship' thing, and heard rumours of Ranran being 'The Fox'...I felt...reminded of the fact that it was because I stupidly sacrificed my family connection to become a Tantei to please them, I felt like the world I am living at made fun of my choices, and that since Ranran, my nemesis got the chance I turned down, I couldn't accept it. It felt like....."

"....Ranran was intentionally mocking you for your failures?" Reina finished his sentence before he could.

"I mean she framed me during the parkour event last year, and since she had no sense of remorse in doing so, it only made logical sense that she could've done that to me back then, you know?" 

Reina's eyes narrowed as she contemplated the information. "But you do recall when that incident happened...she did that because you insulted her mother as the mistress of your parent's marriage, deshou?"

"I know that, I don't need to be reminded...." Shinichi spoke with guilt in his eyes, "Even so, she had every right to want to seek revenge towards me by taking up that connection to become Tantei, which is why I confronted her that night."

Reina leaned back, studying Shinichi's face as he spoke. The complexity of emotions in his eyes didn't escape her. "Ranran may hold grudges on many things, but if there is one thing you made a mistake about her, is that, unlike Ran and Sonoko, Ranran has no time for petty disputes like you. Especially when she became The Fox, that was no room to go after you."

Shinichi sighed, running a hand through his hair as he absorbed Reina's words. "I get that, Reina. I do."

"No, you don't." Reina argued in anger, "You projected your anger towards Mouri and Suzuki onto Ranran, just thanks to those damn rumours spread about that Ranran happens to be 'The Fox'. Although it is good that no one besides us knows the truth, supposedly this gets out, did it not occur to you that Ranran might die as a result of this!?"

Shinichi looked at Reina in shock, "Matsuyuki-san-"

"Kudo, you are constantly updated with news, right? Throughout one year since Ranran became The Fox last year, how many high-profile cases has it been reported to be solved?!"

"I...I don't know the exact number," Shinichi admitted, feeling a pang of guilt for not keeping track of the cases. "But I do know she's been successful in solving several-"

"50, she solved 50!" Reina shook her head in frustration. "If her identity as The Fox is exposed, it's not just her career at stake. Her life could be in danger. Do you realize what kind of enemies she might have made since? We are talking rich people of high society who have a lot to lose! Including those corrupted cops she threw behind bars! And if her identity ever sought the light of the day, do you think she would've been standing here with us!?"

The intensity of the conversation hung in the air as Reina's words settled over Shinichi. He hadn't fully grasped the potential consequences of his assumptions and the rumours surrounding Ranran. The gravity of the situation dawned on him, and guilt weighed heavily on his conscience.

"Matsuyuki-san, I... I didn't consider that aspect," Shinichi admitted, remorse colouring his voice.

"Of course, you didn't, in your head....she gave you the impression of being a girl with no moral compass!" Reina sighed, her anger giving way to a mix of frustration and concern. "Kudo, don't tell me you were so lovesick with Mouri, that your head grew this muddled!"

"OF COURSE NOT!" He jumped out of his seat in anger, with both his hands planted on the table while opposing the shocked head student council, "Back then, I thought I was after Sonoko kept on teasing over and over, but then after everything happened, I just... I let my emotions get the better of me. I never meant for things to escalate like this."

Then Shinichi slumped back into his seat, running his fingers through his hair again. "I am sorry for the outburst, but....I get....riled up when kids tease me about being together with Ran and all, so...."

"I....can see that it is getting the better of you," Reina noted, a bit stumped by his reaction.

Reina studied Shinichi for a moment, wondering what sort of hellish life he had to live with that Suzuki Heiress and hot-tempered Mouri.

He sighed calming himself down as he looked down at his legs. For a moment, Reina couldn't help but sympathize with the unfortunate boy."I'll see what I can do."