As the days dragged on, things didn't change for the better either way.

While Shinichi and Ranran head-on doing their investigation, that episode between Sonoko and Shinichi did little to improvise the reputation between Sonoko and Ran as rumours spread that Ran shedding tears was nothing but a mere ploy to anger Sonoko in going after Shinichi. Even though they were lucky not to have fallen below the ranking of an outcast, many would think otherwise however as all eyes are on the two girls.

Not wanting to put up with all of this nonsense, the girls hung out at the last place they know no kid would consider them to be hiding - the school library.

"Remember when I said someone could've been the one to use this feud to break us away from Shinichi? I am starting to suspect it has to be no one but Ranran as the mastermind behind the plotting."

Ran looked at Sonoko, "What?!"

"Do you recall those romantic drama fairytales we both watch?"Ran nodded as Sonoko continued, "There is always that evil girl who is the male lead's arranged fiance, one that often hurt the pure sunny heroine cause she is getting closer to the male lead romantically by doing all of the shady crap. I think....that is what is truly going on with us right now."

The long brown hair girl frowned, "But Sonoko, that doesn't make any sense. She is too young to marry him! Also, who says I like him like that!?"

"Those tv dramas showed their childhood to be the same, and look what happened?!"The short brown haired girl shook her head."No, it can't be a coincidence. It could be possible those rumours are true."

"But then that doesn't make any sense! Shinichi didn't even like her in the first place! Did you forget how he hated her when she lied about him breaking her leg back then!?"Ran folded her arms and sighed irritably.

"He could've been pretending to love her so she will no longer hurt you anymore, you know how male leads in dramas work...."Sonoko spoke with caution as she went on, "If this is truly the case.....we truly failed Shinichi miserably. The only way out I can think of is......we look into her background. One that will convince Shinichi to leave her and come back to you."

Ran's tears at end of her eyes can be seen. She force herself to suck it up and agreed with Sonoko's plan.

But researching someone like Kudo Ranran ain't easy as they assume.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing!"

Another failure. This makes no sense!

Suzuki Sonoko and Mouri Ran had spent hours trying to find anything on Kudo Ranran from Friday to Saturday, and both girls came out empty-handed! Starting from the school database, leading to using Suzuki's personal family P.I, they didn't find much about her. "Are you sure Sonoko?"

"I tried everything! I even got my family's research investigation team to look into her, and found nothing!"

"How can that be?!"Ran shook her head in disbelief.

"It's true Ran! I don't know what that Ranran has, but even her background regarding her life couldn't even be researched!"

Mouri Ran was honestly shocked by her best friend's revelation for good reasons.

Suzuki Sonoko is the second daughter of Suzuki Shiro and Suzuki Tomoko, who run a huge firm and are Japan's second-richest family. Within her family, she has a crew of people in suits who performed an excellent job of investigating people's backgrounds. It was beyond astounding to Ran that Sonoko's team was unable to uncover even a single shred of Ranran's life, because Sonoko's family of personal private investigators had never once failed to produce any type of information. It tells Ran a lot that Ranran isn't the simple little girl she appears to be.

"How did they respond after investigating her?" Ran inquired.

"Actually, Tousan was the one who put a stop to this..."

"Eh? Sonoko's tousan put an end to it? Why?" Ran pressed Sonoko.

"I have no clue. All he said was we may face repercussions should we dig in further into Ranran's life, and I was scolded because of it."

"....Repercussions?"Ran didn't get what that word meant.

"It means our family will go broke if I do so. That is what Tousan said." Ran was at a loss for words as Sonoko said it.

"What? 'Repercussion'? Over investigating Ranran? How is that possible? She is only 6 years old just like the rest of us! What does she have that he had to say such words?"Ran shook her head in disbelief.

"Anyway, don't talk about those 'repercussions' no more. What we can both learn from her is that...Ranran is someone not to be underestimated."

"...."

What does this mean to them now? Does this mean that person behind the name 'Kudo Ranran' is a dangerous individual? She is cunning and scheming at times, Ran cannot deny that. For Sonoko's dad to say that...Ran couldn't help but feel uneasy.

And then, more questions began to arise in her head. Questions like how did Ranran got involved within Shinichi's family in the first place, to questioning themselves over what is her true relations with Shinichi. The more Ran thinks, the more she feels frustrated as they were heading nowhere.

Sonoko, who observed her best friend's expression, then stood up and said, "Cheer up Ran, just because we ain't any close to figuring out who Kudo Ranran is, that doesn't mean we are going to give up not figuring out who she is."

Sonoko then picks out her smartphone to contact someone she has in mind to see through the problem.

..........

"This is unusual for the two of you to meet up with me. What seems to be the problem?"

Miyama Emiko asked in confusion as the girls arranged to meet up at Emiko's class, it was break period, so most of the kids in school had left to do their club activities of that sort.

"Emiko... I'd like to ask you a favour, it is regarding....."

Emiko observed the two junior little girls hesitant to speak as the two looked at one another, before Emiko questioned, "Did something happen? Regarding.....boy problems like Kudo Shinichi?"

The little girls jumped in surprise while Sonoko asked with a hint of suspicion in her tone, "Why do you assume it has to do with Shinichi? Also, I don't recall telling you any of this?!"

She heard Emiko chuckle, "Rumours been swirling in school that what you two been going through happens to be a boy related issue."Emiko points at the long brown-haired girl, "especially her, the root behind the feud."

Ran blushed, stunned that they were so easy to read. Well, Emiko is a clever girl.

"Mah, Emiko, we could've chosen to seek your service just to investigate-"

"No, you didn't get me here to investigate the strange on-goings taking place in this school. And I tell you why - you had a clever classmate named Kudo Shinichi to help you. If you needed help, you could've gone to him."

Two of the little girls' eyes widened in shock at her accuracy.

"And the reason you choose not to go to him is either don't trust him, or you do, but you have some circumstances going on between the two of you and him, you couldn't seek help from him. However, I had intel that the fallout was pretty evident when Shinichi requested to be seated right next to Kudo Ranran, also the fact that one of you happen to be punished for causing more drama in flipping Shinichi's bento. So this tells me the real reason you are both here is to look into Ranran, deshou?"

Ran and Sonoko paused, unsure how to respond to her remark.

"I doubt you were the one who needed help," Emiko comments to Sonoko, "since everyone in school knows about your taste in boys." However, as for you," Emiko then switches to Ran "You're far too blatant. You were immediately apprehensive when I mentioned the name 'Shinichi.' Am I mistaken?"

Ran shrugged and sighed "As one would expect from Teitan Elementary's greatest intel queen. You're just as astute as Shinichi."

"I appreciate the compliment, but I doubt my abilities could compare with that Kudo boy's. I can't think of a person that could compete with his intelligence! But enough about that. Why do you need me to investigate Ranran? Because you think she's his girlfriend? If you think she's not right for him, simply ask him if he's single. If not, then ask him out!" Emiko notices Ran hesitating before heaving an exhausted sigh. "Unless...too it's late?"

"Ran-san, just explain what's going on to Emiko." Sonoko persuades Ran to reveal the truth.

"So, as you may already know...I had this feud with Shinichi," Ran explained with Sonoko's encouragement.

"A feud?"Emiko recounted, "It has something to do with his soccer club suspension, right? I heard this from my classmates."

"That's it, that's the one." Ran affirmed as she proceeded, "We're still not on speaking terms. And recently.....I've had a sneaking suspicion that.....Ranran exploiting his anguish of this incident against me."

A pregnant silence was followed by Emiko's baffled reply, "And you thought she may want to do this because......?"

"Well..."

"She wants to eliminate her rivals before marrying him in peace."Sonoko took over, much to Ran's amazement, "And I tell you why."Sonoko begins to explain everything, from Shinichi's odd behaviour to his vanishing act with her, leading to Sonoko's family preventing the two girls from researching further about Ranran's background as Emiko listened with intent."Although Shinichi never officially announced she is his fiance or anything like that, I can't help but wonder if the rumours are true."

"And the reason you're asking is that you're afraid he is held against his will by her?"

"Yes," Sonoko clarified, confounding Emiko.

"I don't understand why you should be concerned about it, given all of your icy hostility towards him." Emiko shook her head, disgruntled.

"Tell her why, Ran." Sonoko urges her to speak up.

"Miyama-san, you....probably fought with your family before, nah?" Ran clarified.

Emiko is perplexed as to where Ran is heading with this. Emiko affirmed, "We all do."

"When one person disputes with another, just because they don't communicate anymore doesn't mean we want them out of our lives for good. I may have treated him coldly over 'that,' but that doesn't mean I want him to be hurt by someone who is exploiting this conflict between us for their own selfish gain," Sonoko nodded in accord to Ran's remarks.

"I see...."

"Also...."Ran paused.

"......there is more?"

"It's....also the other things she did at school that made me uneasy."

".....which is?"

"It's this. There were....many incidents in mind that were very disturbing. Like, if anyone dared to cross paths with her, make her mad, or do whatever nonsense, you are bound to know that person either lives in humiliation or....have their lives screwed. And I noticed this happen quite often, it ain't just solely rumours."

"Seriously?" Emiko couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Now that you hear of our worries, are you aware of Ranran's weaknesses so that we can get her to talk? Since Shinichi refuse to say a word on why he moved to sit right next to her table."Sonoko couldn't help but plead for her best friend.

The three of them were silent as Ran sobbed and Sonoko handed her tissues from her skirt pocket.

"Don't get me wrong, but have you considered the possibility that he just doesn't want to see either of you because he is sick and tired of what you both have put him through? Though, for all I know, Ranran is the shadiest kid in the entire school. But are you both ignoring the notion that she isn't who you've made her up to be? Throwing aside all of those bizarre concepts about villainess marriage and other nonsense you people spewed earlier? You girls are too young to be discussing topics like marriage and such. Likewise, based on my understanding, she is far too dignified to even broach the subject of love."

Ran's tissue which Sonoko gave fell to the ground.

"I have another question, nothing personal. Mouri, tell me honestly, is he your boyfriend to even ask such a question? Because, based on what I've gathered, he was irritated that none of you bothered to listened to him."

While Sonoko argued in her best friend's stance, Ran couldn't help but have her head down "You don't get it, Miyama-san! Rokuro is someone we've known for a long time before we met Shinichi-"

"Isn't Shinichi someone you know even before all of this happened?"Emiko argues, silencing the two girls' explanation, "He is also human you know? Even though he may have been the one who threw the punch first onto that boy, is he the type who cause problems unprovoked? Furthermore, I don't think Rokuro is as innocent as you girls tend to think. If he were, he would've pleaded for him. He didn't, did he? "

Emiko's question made them feel uncertain about the situation. It was like being trapped in some dark, dark place with no way out. "Well, there you go. Once a ship sails away, it ain't likely to sail back."

Sonoko wanted to continue arguing, but she knew Emiko is right.

"Furthermore, if I were Kudo Ranran, I would've been irritated and angry at both of you for approaching Shinichi in that manner. I can give you some advice, and it's up to the two of you to decide whether to listen or not; just leave things be, or things will get very unpleasant from Ranran. I'm certain...Shinichi isn't that oblivious when it comes to Ranran's character."

"No way.....do we have to let this be..." Ran couldn't help but ponder deeply while Sonoko grumbled about Emiko's advice.

Who is Kudo Ranran to Shinichi? Is she.....really his arrange fiancé or it was all in my head? Even the best school intel kid doesn't think Ranran is that evil.....She can't be....can't she? But...Shinichi is hanging out with Ranran more and more, never bothering to resolve our feud. He was never like that till she.....And also why I feel Shinichi is closer with Ranran-san than me. Am I jealous? Shinichi is not mine as Emiko said. But I want Shinichi back. So...

"Ran? Ran? Are you hear?" Sonoko cut her thinking.

"Eh?" Ran's thoughts cease wandering as she focuses on Sonoko.

"Look over there!"Sonoko pointed at the corridor where Ranran was walking past their class, with her smartphone in her left ear, "Speaking of the devil!"

Yes, that was the 'dignified' Ranran, as Emiko described her to be. She appeared to be on the phone. "Neh Sonoko, is Shinichi with her?" Ran queries.

Sonoko then notices Ranran walking briskly as she rushes downstairs "She is in a hurry. I'm curious why."

"I'm not sure. But while she's around, I may as well ask her!" Ran rose up from her seat, determination in her eyes.

Ran dashed out of the classroom before Emiko or Sonoko could respond, chasing after the elusive detective girl. Sonoko abandons Emiko as she closes in on Ran."Neh Ran! I don't think it's a good idea-"

Sonoko attempts to talk Ran out of doing anything foolish, but Ran isn't having it. "Perhaps if we treat her a little nicer like those saint heroines, she would lower her guard," Ran suggests.

"Ran, did you not see how things turned out for those heroines in those dramas!" "The villainess usually wins in that round! Also, she has no fear for kids judging her!" Sonoko said with dread.

"First impressions, my mother once told me, are crucial. As long as I manage to do this, they will definitely believe Ranran is a mean girl to the other, who has been nothing but lovely to her. She won because many of the kids recognised what her character is like. But what about those who don't? If other kids witness our encounter, she will not be able to escape unscathed. After all, not everyone is acquainted with Ranran's image. With all eyes on us, she'd have to say something or succumb to their accusations."

Sonoko realizes Ran is right. Meanwhile...

"Kudo, take your time. You can do your investigation after school." As she spoke on the phone, Ranran reassured him, "You didn't need to get up so early in the morning to check one venue at a time for the nephew, given that you'd already spent most of your time looking high and low for him since Thursday. If our family find out and think you're skipping school to play detective, we'll be dismissed before you know it. Just go back here before the head principal convince them to return from overseas."

"I can't help it if I don't do something about it, every single day that slips by give them the advantage of escaping the eyes of the law."He responded, before adding, "Also, you sounded as if you were in a rush. Are you alright over there?" the receiver's voice was laced with worry.

"I headed over to the grade 4's class to talk to the other kids on searching for the person of interest I have in mind regarding the case, but I was getting nowhere. I think I saw Mouri and Suzuki with that Miyama girl."

"Eh?! The two were meeting up with her?! What for!?"

"Neh Kudo! Kudo wait a minute! We need to talk!"The voice of certain annoyance called out to Ranran in the back.

"It's clear they're on to me now, so I'm fleeing away as far as I can." She took a sideways glance before resuming their conversation, "Avoiding them would be the easy way out of having to come after us for answers. Anyway, just get back here as soon as possible. Continue once class is over."

"Alright, you too. Bye."

"Bye."

She hangs up and just in a nick of time," Oi, I asked you to wait—" Ran placed a hand on Ranran's shoulder. For a split second the girl stopped and tensed. Sonoko's eyes flickered in recognition.

"Ran, be careful, she's going to—!" But Sonoko could complete, Ranran had swung around, grasping anything near by using her free right hand to aim squarely at Ran's neck, before Ran managed to narrowly duck to the back, her karate talents coming into play.

Other kids watching this were astonished, they thought the mysterious object Ranran held was a sword, and things were tense. Nonetheless, when all they see was a bamboo sword Ranran grabbed from some passing kid, they all breathe a sigh of relief. Still, the spectators agreed for some reason, Ranran holding the sword made her look dignified and cool. Even though she is a girl to the boys who are observing this.

Mortified, Ran reacted by expressing, "I'm so sorry, Ranran. I didn't mean to— I mean, I didn't want to intrude—" Ran fumbled, her cheeks turning red. This was not going according to plan.

Kudo Ranran just simply stood, her gaze almost glaring but not quite. When she spoke, her voice was retained and icy."You just jumped onto me like that while I was speaking over the phone. What do you want?"

Kids their age whispered as Ran reddened at all the attention, but she tells herself to keep her cool while sticking to the plan. "I was just wondering....are you...?"

Ranran, on the other hand, was ahead of her, her piercing blue eyes focused. "You want to know about my connection with Shinichi, but you don't bother asking Shinichi? You and that girl over there," Ranran gestured to an apprehensive Suzuki, "would've concluded I'm lying if I said no." If I had said yes, you girls would have accepted it without question since that is what you wanted to hear rather than the truth." Ranran then cast an unpleasant look at Ran. "So, with that in mind, why not ask the source directly? Remember, he's after your friend?"

Ran stepped back, her mouth forming an O with eyes filled with stupefaction, not expecting her to expose them so openly like that, "O-oh, I'm sorry—"

"Don't apologise for your intentions toward me; I'd prefer you both be completely honest than lie to me like that." The red-lipped girl's voice was piercing.

"R-right," Ran stuttered. "Don't apologize. Got it."

Why is she apologising to the girl who is bringing her nothing but pain!? Where did all of her confidence go?

Yet, for some reason, gazing into Ranran's eyes gave Ran goosebumps. Even though Sonoko wanted to yell at Ranran, her chilly glances and the uncomfortable atmosphere among the onlookers were enough to keep a loudmouth like her silent. "Is that it? If not, I'll be gone." Ranran turned to depart, knowing Shinichi was waiting for her.

"A-ah, I just wanted to say that we'll be here for you if you need us! You can always tell us if things are going wrong, we'll try and help you!" Ran said with nervous enthusiasm.

Sonoko thought it was a nice gesture after hearing Ran said. Ranran will undoubtedly fall into the trap. Ranran, as predicted, didn't appreciate it at all. She didn't growl, instead responding quietly, "I don't need it."

"Eh?"

Mouri Ran is oblivious, Ranran can read her expression over what she wants from her; confirmation that she is or is not, hiding something." I don't seek help from girls who aren't sincere with their words." she was inches from Ran's face, her eyes blue fire, " Like you two trying to ask about him earlier from me, only to switch to this...it reeks hypocrisy."

The other kids began to murmur amongst themselves, but Ranran remained unconcerned.

"If you truly want answers, go straight to the source with an open mind. Otherwise, I'm simply talking to a wall." She strode away and tossed the sword back to the astonished owner, leaving Sonoko stunned and more than a little outraged at Ranran's behaviour.

Meanwhile, the kids who had observed this dished amongst themselves.

"You know, even though Ranran is called a psychopath, she is good with her way with words."

"There it is! My dream girl!"

"I swear if I were a boy, I will date her."

"Aaah...I wish was as cool as her, unlike some hypocrites."

Ran's pretty violet eyes welled up with tears as Sonoko became upset, while the youngsters continued to converse amongst themselves. "What!? This Ranran—!"

"I must've done something wrong," Ran's voice was plaintive and hurt. A small tear trickled down her face. "I must've made Kudo-san angry. Or w-why would she...?"

"Hey," Sonoko whispered, hugging Ran, "You didn't do anything wrong. You just wanted to know if Shinichi is alright, that's all."

Ran rubbed her eyes, inhaling back her sobs. She looked straight into her best friend's eyes, with a look of such pure sadness that it nearly broke her heart.

"Then why does she make other kids hate us so?" Ran whispered, another quiet tear slipping down her cheek. Her voice sliced straight to Sonoko's heart. She reached out and brush her hair.

"I don't think she likes anyone at all, Ran, it's not just you. Let alone, Kudo Shinichi. If anything, she is selfish to the core, and her karma will arrive one day. You're nice, I told you this before. Don't worry, I'll take care of it, alright?"Sonoko soothed her.

"Thanks, Sonoko..." she said quietly. She gave her a small smile as they walked out of the hallways.

........

"Ranran, with the situation as it is, I can't picture things getting better for you," Takuma worries as he awaits his friend's return to class, where she related everything that had transpired with them.

"I encourage them to do it, the more they do, the more they ruin themselves."

This was an unusual response for anyone meeting her for the first time, but Takuma was used to it. "But, in the dramas I watch, girls who cry seem to win more than girls who have intellect, forcing the main characters to side with them. Judging from Mouri, I know she's skilled at weeping, and Sonoko isn't going to sit back and let you get away with it."

"Realistically speaking, in tv dramas and real life? Yes," She nodded to him, before adding, "But don't forget people can easily get sick and tired of crying. It may work, but not during the long term."She shook her head at him, "They were idiots to think I wasn't able to tackle them. Well,"Ranran's red lips form a mysterious sly smile," I guess I would have to let a certain apprentice be aware of this."

Takuma was startled by her smile.

"What!? Sonoko and Ran did what!?"

Ranran looked at Shinichi, who was blinking a few times upon arrival, with some files in his hands, "They thought I was plain stupid or something, using the good shy girl act was gonna get me to spill."Ranran sneers, "What idiots."

"They tend to be," Shinichi chuckled, "but I didn't expect you'd see straight through it."

"I knew they were annoying, but I didn't think they go after me like that."

"I'm sorry for what occurred," Shinichi says as he gently bows to her in an apologetic stance, then laments. "I'll deal with them later."

And he dealt with it, but that's another tale. Finally, by Wednesday, some progress had been made in the Watanabe case.

To say the least, Shinichi's efforts were rewarded. It was the last lesson of the day, and the students were scattered, doing their own thing or socialising with others. "What exactly is this?" Shinichi had placed a folder on Ranran's desk in class, and she stared sleepily at it.

The little boy unceremoniously plopped down onto the chair in front of her desk, studying the dark circles under her eyes, "You been playing video games?"

"Something like that, I didn't find much with the case. Anyway," She yawns before pointing at the folder he placed, "What is this?"

"It's a little gift." Shinichi smiled as she peeked cautiously into the folder.

Ranran opened the folder wider, then she froze."This is..."She stared at the laminated old newspaper clippings compiled up with paperclips, looking at the worn dates. "Old newspapers?"

"I went through it looking at the public library. Look at the headline," He hinted as he showed his smartphone. Ranran did, eyebrows rising to stare at the screen." According to one of the cases Watanabe was charged with, he once brought an accomplice during one of his robberies. One of which was his own elder sister, which happens to be a single mother of a boy our age....."

Ranran cast a brief glance towards Shinichi. "Regarding that, I have already looked into it. His alleged Oneesan (older sister) was previously imprisoned while suffering from a fatal illness. Three days after he fled, and a day before she died, the detectives question her if she had any role in her brother's escape, but she swears that she had no knowledge he would escape."

"Then did you read how her son was involved?"

"Her son? As in...Watanabe's nephew?"

"That's right. The arrest had occurred almost two years before. She had taught her own child to steal anything from the department store and flee with it, after which she would chase after him and never return. Making her look to be a hapless mother. This was discovered later, during their first theft with her elder brother. As a result, she lost custody of him, and he is now living with other relatives on his father's side. Though I don't think you need to think about it too hard; you've probably worked it out by then."

"Obviously, "Ranran confirmed, not impressed with Shinichi's discoveries as she already discovered this long ago, not that she was going to point it out as she was waiting to see what other things he may have discovered that she couldn't find.

"The apple, however, doesn't really always fall far from the tree. I heard from the places he used to work as a carrier delivery boy that he was also making extra side-income by performing shady deals, as his adoptive family isn't earning enough to support the family. Since he's a child, I'm ain't surprise that his income are hard to come by."

That, too, she is aware of; it is not surprising that offspring of criminals wind up doing shady things as they get older, because society is biassed on such topics. To top it all off, children are frequently exploited for free labour. Regardless of the nation one is in.

"True, children cant legitimate work as it violates child labour laws."Ranran nodded to Shinichi in agreement, "He been doing additional little 'errands' on making money since his relatives taken him in. Based on reports....he was seen wearing clothes, bags and stuff that are beyond what an average family can afford. It may not be flashy, but you can tell they are branded goods."

"Ah, is that so?"

"Anyway, I was thinking....you said he mentioned someone else truly arranged this for him..." His remarks drifted off a little.

"Go on."Ranran urges him to continue.

"Is it possible that Watanabe could've contacted the nephew's adopted family to break him out? Also to ensure their nephew doesn't cross paths with the mastermind?"He then added, "Considering he was involved in his mother's misdeeds growing up, I am certain that boy isn't stupid enough not to pick up the signs that what is truly going on behind his uncle's prison breakout. Not to mention, I doubt he is that dumb to not be aware of his uncle being in prison."

"Even if you say so....there is a flaw in this idea, the one about him contacting the adoptive legal guardian." "Those said 'relatives' who took them in.....the two had been extremely unwell for a long time even before this took happened," Ranran stared at the folder.

"Eh? Is that so?"

"Yeah." She confirmed Shinichi's assertion with a nod "Unfortunately, both of them are suffering from stage 3 cancer. Their medical bills have exacerbated their financial situation." Ranran addressed it.

"What I don't understand is why his nephew didn't end up with his father and instead ended up with sick relatives. I looked everywhere for his father, but he was nowhere to be found."

"Well, he went douchebag mode after learning Botan's mom was expecting, thus the uncle was basically the sole breadwinner for his sister and nephew, as they relied on his thieving days to raise him."

"Damn.....What a scoundrel," shuddered Shinichi as he heard this information. "By the way," he raised his brows, "how did you acquire this information?"

"I acquired this information from one of the elderly people at the hospital where the ailing relatives were; they seemed to be their friends and spoke about it a lot."

"You know, even for a thief, he wasn't a scumbag parent, to say the least."Shinichi put this midly.

"True." She is aware of this. "Anyway, with all of this going on, I'm sure that nephew would have picked up a thing or two to keep that house afloat by then, especially having grown up in a household of two convicts. "That's why I wanted to seek him out," Ranran groaned, "but I couldn't find him. He is evasive and doesn't talk much, according to the several contacts I was able to acquire."

"Because he is a school-age child, I phoned one school after another in the area where they are currently residing in an attempt to locate him, but I was unable to locate him. I mean, the name 'Watanabe Botan' shouldn't be too difficult to locate at first. I was on the verge of giving up when I remembered that 'homeschooling' was a possibility." He chuckles "That was his only alternative if he wanted to keep earning money while unable to drop out of school. As a result, I came to a halt." "But then luck came along unexpectedly," Shinichi grinned.

"Really?"

"Yeah. After investigating every single café and school in my spare time, I took a breather at this fancy restaurant, which I frequent for lunch and supper."

"What was the name of the restaurant?"

"I think it was called 'the line,' or something like that; anyhow, I had my files of Botan left on the table, then the top manager who happened to come past me noticed his photo, and he was like: what are you searching for my brother?"

"Wait a minute, brother!? But when I researched the paperwork, the old relatives who took Botan in have no children of their own throughout their marriage," Ranran said, looking back at the documents in astonishment.

""I'll get to that," Shinichi began, "this restaurant manager, get this, is the biological son of Botan's adoptive dad, no relation to Botan's adopted mom." His father had what the manager characterised as a "ill-fated three-way affair" with his biological mother while he was in his teens, and he had no awareness of the adult son's existence until last week, when he resolved to contact his father."

"That is unexpected."

"Deshou deshou? That is why certain things are not discoverable even through paperwork." He grins before continuing, "I then informed him that I am investigating the jailbird case and that there is a potential that the jailbird attempted to contact his brother. Because the restaurant manager is a workaholic and has to keep up with their medical visits most of the time, he mention not having his contact number as they haven't met yet, and he isn't close to him."

"Did he, at the very least, have a rough idea of where Botan is?"

"No, because he, too, is uncertain where to look. He did remark to him that the previous day, when conversing with his father, he brought up that Botan has quote 'part-time job' from this wonderful 'elderly gentlemen', who is a friend of Watanabe. But all he knows is that he runs errands around the Haido mall as a 'flyer guy,' passing out fliers to strangers on weekdays between 3 and 4 p.m."

"Haido mall is quite far away. According to Takuma, it takes around 30 minutes to reach there by train." Ranran cocked her head to the side, knowing that Suzuki Sonoko was observing the two from a distance.

"Let's head 'there' after school," Ranran said before turning to Shinichi, slipping a folded up piece of paper towards the boy. "After that, we interogate him."

Sonoko looked between the two, eyes narrowing."What are you two scheming?" The little girl questioned, crossing her arms.

"A lady who runs her mouth without straightening out the facts isn't permitted to be in the know." As Shinichi took a glimpse at the address on the note, Ranran waved dismissively, and Sonoko's mouth fell at her boldness. Shinichi, on the other hand, struggled not to giggle at her choice of words.

He then thanked Ranran and stuff the paper into his pocket from the prying eyes of Suzuki Sonoko. "That will do."

"Don't thank me yet, as long as they are around, it won't end."

And as Ranran was right, it soon spiral out of control.