Squirrels tend to have a lot of luck when it comes to jumping from one tree after another. The longer they do it, the more experience they become. The problem with that is, they can never be getting too used to jumping, because all it takes is one wrong move, and the squirrel will eventually break its neck from falling.

In the case of Kudo Ranran, that seems to be the case. But Sonoko is certain Ranran's evasive luck towards her and Ran are about to change.

Considering Ranran's scheming antics is top-notch, Suzuki has to up her game by studying Ranran's pattern in school. It is recessed where the kids are usually doing their own thing as 6-year-old short brown haired girl awaits the blue-eyed girl's arrival at the student head council office, as she got word that she and Reina are friends and that Ranran often hangs out there alone to secretly play with her video games.

She waited at a corner of one lane in particular, where she knew she can catch her by surprise. Any moment, she is likely to fail to avoid her. The plan is to catch her during her 'gaming business', then corner her to spill the beans. Sonoko knew Ranran has a little OCD issue with the recent video game, one that requires the use of energy drinks.

Energy drink-related games are one of the things Kudo Ranran often cant tolerate, as it is a requirement for Ranran to unlock one story progression after another. And Ranran is said to be a very efficient player, as soon as a newly replenished batch of energy has charged to its max after 3 hours, she blows all of them up just to speed up story progression and leave the game idle for another 3 hours. Since Ranran is a school going child, she can't keep playing games all day.

However, Ranran is also a cunning little fox.

Since she and Reina are good friends, Sonoko is certain she uses that room as her secret gaming room to finish her game before leaving. This is why she decided as soon as Ranran arrives, she is gonna confront her. And just in case Ranran caused any problems for Suzuki, she had Ran hidden in a corner to observe and run to the teacher if anything goes wrong.

Tapping her feet out of boredom, she wonders what is taking Ranran so long.

"You need to stop harassing Ranran 24/7, Suzuki."

Sonoko blinked in surprise,"Eh?!"

Frozen, she turned to see the unexpected owner of the voice. It was Kudo Shinichi, he didn't look please seeing his former friend, "I ain't harassing her! We just wanted answers."

"Answers....you mean you wanted confirmation on the answers you already made up in your head? Without hearing the truth as you did with me? By coming here? What a coincidence."

"Ooi Tantei geek! Since when you speak so unpleasantly to me like that!"Sonoko reacted in shock before pointing her head, "Did that girl screw your head up so badly, you are no longer able to tell the difference between good and evil?!"Sonoko couldn't help but have a nerve grow behind her head upon even uttering her name.

"Her mind may have been messed up, but her mind is always millions of steps ahead, let alone, at times uses her brain unlike what you and Ran did towards me!"

"You-!Did you forget who was the one who framed you when she broke her leg!?"

Of course, she had to manipulate Shinichi of all people. Why isn't Sonoko surprised? Justifying her lies and evil deeds....only a villainess would do that.

Yes, villainesses in dramas she watches always do that. That sums Kudo Ranran as a person.

Suzuki Sonoko's impression of Ranran was never good, to begin with. Maybe because for starters, after learning what she did, she was surprised to realize Ranran was a lot more sly than she had assumed. Far devious than she had anticipated.

As devious....as Irene Adler.

And if Sonoko recalled correctly, Irene Adler is a woman Sherlock Holmes truly loves.

Kudo Shinichi had certain traits of the fictional character Sherlock Holmes, observant, sharp, think outside the box. But in his life, he lacks his version of 'Irene Adler', a scary, beautiful devious love rival that can even put Mouri Ran to shame, and make her not feel worthy of Shinichi's heart. Back then, Sonoko thought things will remain the same.

Then Kudo Ranran came into the picture, and things were no longer the same.

Those questions that were left unanswered made Sonoko couldn't help but feel restless day after day.

Kudo Ranran fit certain traits of Irene Adler, something Sonoko feared and dreaded. Never in a million years could she had foreseen this day coming, a girl of beauty filled with schemes can make Shinichi turn a blind eye to Ran, whom he had not spoken to in over 2 weeks!

Sonoko gotta admit, she could see that the Ranran was a beautiful looking girl. She may not have the standard long hair most girls in their class do have, but the short black hair suited her perfectly, bright blue eyes, and blessed with bright red devil lips that she may not even need to apply lipstick for her entire life, even Sonoko herself envied her on that. She looks like a cute little doll, a doll with dignity.

With that thought, it was enough to convince Sonoko that this girl can get anything and any boy she desire with such appearance, especially Shinichi. Not to mention, she too heard rumours that Ranran is often spotted within the Kudo family inner circle, so it was obvious Shinichi must have met up with her many many times.

Kudo Ranran may have surpassed Ran on that part. Even so, Sonoko too knows that Mouri Ran knew Shinichi longer than Ranran. Mouri Ran's advantage is she is Shinichi's best friend and she understood Shinichi better than Ranran.

But with how things turned out recently, Sonoko couldn't help but feel sorry for Ran, who is waiting for Shinichi like a moron, knowing that Shinichi already found someone else to make him happy.

"There is more to it besides being her fault, Suzuki. I too was responsible."His eyes averted away from Sonoko, his guilt about what he did to her plays at the back of her mind.

Just what did he mean by that?! Is he- is he too in love to even notice her lies?!"Kudo Shinichi! How far gone is your head since meeting Ranran!? Just to defend her lunatic actions!?"

"What would you know!? You know nothing about it!"He barked back at her.

That's right, Sonoko knows nothing, just like that feud with Rokuro. The emotional wounds from that 'feud', was still too fresh to him, like a bleeding wound that endlessly bleeds, and besides, Shinichi wasn't even sure if he wanted to fix things up again after they choose not to believe him."Anyway, as an ex-friend, I am going to ask you nicely: leave Ranran out of it."

"Ranran-Ranran-Ranran! What is so nice of that girl that you rather be with her instead of us!?"Sonoko finally lost it, "Does Ran mean nothing to you anymore!? Or is it that those rumours about you and her being together made you decide to leave out of her sight."

"I-"

"What is wrong with those rumours anyway!? It ain't like dating Ran is a bad thing over your detective dream that can never take foot!"Sonoko cuts his thoughts, not acknowledging his feelings.

Suddenly, unpleasant memories flash before his eyes. The time others spoke jokingly that he'll be better off as 'Ran's husband' rather than 'the detective', the time news of 'The Fox' was always at the tip of their tongues as her accomplishments overshadow him, the time one of them even said he should forget that dream as he just needs his good looks to look good as Ran's boyfriend, as if he was some sort of handbag accessory for Ran to show of to her friends, be paraded upon.

Kudo Shinichi wasn't the kind who let insults get to him, he was used to it having kids thrown onto him whenever they fail to befriend him as they wanted to share the same kind of fame his mom has, given she is a popular actress before retiring. But he has exceptions of his own: Speak ill of his detective dreams, he won't go easy on you.

Not even if that person is a friend. Shinichi never once lashes out at Sonoko since she is Ran's friend. But now that he is no longer friends with them anymore, he has every right to lash out at her.

Shinichi responds sharply against a stunned Sonoko, "Why would I want that in the first place, Suzuki Sonoko?!"

"Eh!?"That caught her off guard.

"I don't wanna keep living on as some rumoured boyfriend of that sort! I am still 6! I know nothing about love, and yet here you guys are telling me to patch things up as if we were already a couple or something! Who do you think I am to Ran?! Some clothes or branded goods you would often show off among your friends!?"

"Kudo-"

"I am someone who has dreams!"Shinichi yells loudly at her for the first time, before he adds, "I ain't some Ken-doll to be played upon!"

"Shinichi-"

"No! It's always been like this!"He shut her up with his rants, "I am always sided at a corner, I am always the one who has to say sorry this, sorry that. When was the last time I had either of you said sorry to me!?"

"That....."Sonoko's voice soon died out.

Now that he mention it, when was the last time did either of them apologize to her? Sonoko was speechless, she didn't know how to answer."Even you couldn't even answer that simple question."

"i-"

"As I said earlier, leave Ranran and us alone. Otherwise, I won't go easy on you or Mouri!"He growled, making Sonoko react in surprise over his angry demeanour, for it's rare that Shinichi gets mad.

This time he made his thoughts clear before storming off, he ain't gonna keep giving others false hope that one would win in every feud they ever had, childish or not. He knew he wouldn't be able to resist those tear-filled eyes again, and he needed to. For his sake, it is about time he keeps himself truly happy, not living in a feud where he keeps losing when she is in the wrong.

In the end, Shinichi knew he did the right thing.

He needs to prevent the trouble they are causing, also, that way Ran won't get hurt from this detective dream. Otherwise.....the consequences will be deadly.

Arguing about this point was one of the right things he had done in his entire life. He can't be having her around in his life letting her think she is right on this, till he figures out how to handle his life on balancing his Tantei dreams without hurting her. Shinichi decided he will no longer be confined by rumours, Ran and Sonoko, he will make his own. He has to stand up for himself and use himself as a tool to motivate himself to move forward.

And Ranran will be the one to guide him out of this before he can return to Ran.

A life on who he wants to be...begins now.

Meanwhile, Ran who had been hiding in the corner tries to recapitulate Shinichi's words, that they had never once apologized for the things that made him displease. Were they any arguments in the first place that made him think so?

Ran thought hard but struggles to recall any argument that made him this upset. Also.....why did when he said those words about not wanting to date her.... hurt? Is she jealous? Shinichi is not hers. She has no right to think of it this way after what has happened, but...

While Ran is in melancholy mode, Shinichi not noticing Ran was hiding in a corner as he mutters, "Where is Ranran anyway?"

He fished out his smartphone only to realize he had a text from her, it reads, "See you a little later, something unexpected happens."

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

"Are you Ranran?As in Kudo Ranran?!" The girl in the front who looked like the leader in a ponytail asked Ranran only to get a silent reply.

They got furious at her silent treatment as she rolled her eyes at the gang, they were on the second floor, "So what if I am?"

When Ranran texted Shinichi, that 'unexpected' happens to be this.

The girls pulled Ranran forcefully around the wall of the hallways. She couldn't get away since she was outnumbered. Ranran's eyes soon fell on one of the girls holding what appears to be...is that a make-up bag?

"Can you please get this over quickly?" Ranran asked with no emotion as she dusted her uniform. "I need to run an errand soon."

What was this about? For these groups of one brain cells to surround her like that?

"So is this how you woo Shinichi over like that!?" The leader asked, irritated.

Ranran felt irritated. While on her way to the student head council office, she had to bump a couple of buffoons that waste their time fangirling. She was quite amazed though, even though Shinichi did mention this, she didn't think his fanbase was surprisingly large.

Then again, this is Kudo Shinichi after all.

From the intel Ranran had gathered years ago about him, even during kindergarten, he had no shortage of girls lining up for him due to his abilities as a aspiring detective. Not to mention, he is good looking, from a rich family consisting of celebrities, and smart. The kind that boys envy while girls swoon over.

Probably thanks to such attention onto him, he was describe as 'arrogant' by some.

Well, Ranran can't blame him to be exact. He did have the ability to boast about for his age.

Even so.....he can never be as good as 'him'.

Those were her true inner thoughts when she first learn of Shinichi back in the U.K. Looking at these group of fan girls, they were no different than 'his fans' back in her old neighbourhood. 

I know 'he' told me that the people's taste in good looking people are quite bland here in Japan due to limited options, but damn....really?

In hindsight before her family moved her to Japan, she did see a photo of Shinichi years back. Honestly, the first time she saw his face, she was surprise to learn that he strongly physically resembles her.

Then again, it is probably 'within the family'.

Don't get her wrong, when 'he' told Ranran about this the first time, she didn't buy a word. After all, she was used to watching anime growing up with good looking characters, so she was kind off expecting at least a average amount of such appearances to say the least. Sure, Teitan Elementary school isn't Edgewood Academy, but they has to be some at some point.

And shockingly, much to her disappointment, 'he' was right.

Literally there were not many good looking children in Beikai District, Shinichi and Takuma however are one of those few children that Ranran would identify as 'good looking'. And according to Takuma, the boys within their grade (except himself) voted Mouri Ran as the prettiest, even though in Ranran's opinion, she has 'average looks' comparing to the children of Edgewood.

Though, that was last year's poll results in the school's anonymous polling site, until Ranran arrived.

No wonder these morons worship Shinichi like a God.

Ranran merely cast a blank look onto those fangirls with no lives. Honestly, she did try to use another route to avoid them earlier, but it seems like the rest of the paths are blocked before hand.

"How could someone like you, so full of poison be able to woo Shinichi like that-"

The word was too disgusting for the leader or the other girls to say about their idol.

They didn't call me ugly, but called me as someone full of poison, so they do see me as a threat......

Ranran sighed. This would never end if she bother to reason with them. Eying onto each of Shinichi's fanclub members, their looks were pretty much average. As average as Mouri Ran.

They must all have been raised by delusional parents, to simply admire a good looking guy and acting all so hostile towards me as if they have the right to owned him, assuming that they stood a chance with such....looks.

Honestly, the more Ranran looked at them, the more she can't help but wonder how much sprouts are growing in their little potato heads to be that delusional.

Then again, a love struck maiden will never accept logical reasonings after all.

"If you all don't have anything important to say, then let me leave this place right now." She announces coldly as she turned her way.

She suddenly felt a hand on one of her shoulders then her back was slammed into the wall. It seemed the fangirls were starting to get rough physically. Thankfully their power was nothing compared to those people, although she got a long scratch on the back of her right arm due to the impact with the hard rocky concrete.

"You–!" The leader raised her hand, ready to slap Ranran.

"What? Hey! What is going on...I don't feel so good!?" One of the girls suddenly began to feel herself swaying in place as their vision blurred. It's a bit like being sick at that time when she was on meds, but not quite.

"Neh, Natsumi, what gives-ah!!! I too am losing my vision!"Another one soon feels dizzy.

One girl after another began to lose their sight, as the leader began to panic, "Hey, what is with all of you!? Ah!!!"Soon, said leader began to feel like the world around her is spinning around her."What the hell.....what is going on with us!?"

"What is going on?"Much to Ranran's chagrin as the girls struggled to stand still, "The soup you guys had back in class, I wonder do they taste good?"

"Soup!? What soup-"Realization suddenly dawned onto the leader, "No way! Did you....poison us all with the soup we had!? A-are you crazy!?"

Of all the people in the world, even though Ranran was rumoured to be labelled 'psychotic', neither of the 6-year-old girls would ever expect her to resort to such an underhanded tactic like this! Sure, there were many rumours about Kudo Ranran and her questionable adventures here, but poisoning was the last thing they assumed she would do! She is, after all, a child! No different than her!

"Poison? That's a harsh word, don't you think?"Ranran ridicules.

The thing about poison was that if you did it right, use the right amount, no one would know. That was what The Boy once taught her, and she took it to heart.

"What did you do to us?!"One of them asked, frightened by what this girl Ranran is capable of.

Ranran chuckled darkly. "A little something that teaches fangirls like you a lesson."

"You monster! Wait till everyone knows-"

"No, I doubt everyone will believe a word either of you said."

The rest could feel the shiver run through them at that, eyes wide at the 6-year-old's cold eyes before Ranran broke out into even more laughter. It was difficult to move for the fangirl's body as she wanted to continue the slap onto Ranran, but there was nothing she could do but collapse on the floor. Soon one by one, the girls dropped like dead flies in front of Ranran. The ones holding the box hit the ground hard, resulting in the clasp of the box to unlatch on its own, bursting its contents as it spills out lipstick, mascara, foundation powder of all colours on the floor.

"If I wished you girls dead, I go for an alternative option. No, poisoning you would be an easy way out."They are struggling to breathe, but they have no clue why as they were unable to fully draw in air. Very quickly, they notice how they were unable to move."What ... what is this?" All of them were trembling, but couldn't move.

"Relax, it'll lose its effects in 2 hours. Till then, you are now my little 'playthings'."Ranran snickered.

Their last view was staring into the still emotionless eyes of Kudo Ranran. All of them passed out as they groans in pain and distress. Ranran silently stared at the box that was popped open, not before a sinister-like smile formed on her face.

"Sah.... let's give this a go."She chuckles viciously.

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

The tension in class 1-A had never been as great as it was now.

The students all noticed the rather odd attention their classmate, Suzuki Sonoko, was glaring not just at Shinichi alone, but mostly, at Kudo Watson Ranran. It has been that way since Shinichi decided to sit right next to Ranran, a huge shock to everyone.

It was not that of humour or flattery either but utter sternness and, almost, close to murder, this change in intensity she had only for Kudo Ranran was, indeed, very drastic.

"What happened? Something must have happened between those two," though they.

The class' naked curiosity, however, could not compare to that of both Shinichi and Ranran alone, both kids who were the centre of it all.

In all truthfulness though, a lot of questions were swimming wildly in both their head. Neither of them talks, but they both communicate through writing notes while sliding them into each other's desks regarding the Watanabe case, away from the teacher's watch.

Of course, aside from the Watanabe case, there is also the problem both Kudos have to face: locating Botan and approaching him.

"Why can't we just go up to him and ask directly about what we are working on?"Shinichi asks.

"Because we need to consider the possibility that he may be working for his uncle, "Ranran pointed out, before circling the uncle's name," he may not have been the mastermind in breaking him out of prison, but overall, he may have known some intel about his uncle that he had to keep his mouth shut no matter what."

"His uncle is a criminal, not to mention....the one who ended up dragging his mother in prison. Would someone like him wanna side the person responsible for his mother not being in his life?"Shinichi narrowed his eye, arguing his case.

"You have to remember that at that time, Watanabe Botan was only 4 years old and only had one mother and an uncle to financially raise him with no father figure. He has more to gain, even though things turned out that way."Ranran then added, "Also throughout my investigation searching for him, it seems like he knew I was onto him."

"Eh?!"

"Every cafe I tried locating where he used to work, he resign the following day mysteriously. Doesn't that says it all?"

".....even if you say this way, "He huffed, staring at the notes they jotted down, "how are we gonna approach him then if he is so evasive?"

"I guess stalking may be the only way out."

"Stalking?"Shinichi arched an eyebrow.

"You recalled when I said he was seen in branded goods that his household could not afford?"He nodded, she turned around her surroundings, sensing others are observing them before she wrote something and passed the note quietly to Shinichi."I suspect....this is how he got his side income."

"?"Curious, he took the slip to read, only then, his jaw dropped, "N-no way....."

"I have a suspicion that he has additional side jobs, which require him to do it in cafes. Except, it ain't legal. In the U.K, to encourage customers to come.....you need good food. But ingredients tend to be costly, so there are other ways."

"Which is?"

"Make something addictive, using something illegal. Sprinkle a little-"

"Cocaine!?"Shinichi's eyes widened, "You've gotta be kidding me! Wait, so in other words," he then recalls all of the cafes they've paid a visit to while searching for Botan," they rely on the supply of freaking-"

"Keep your voice down."

That shut him up, as he struggles to process this, "No way.......how dangerous is it to eat nowadays. Wait a minute," he snapped his head back to Ranran, "How do you know all of this?"

"I confronted those cafes he used to work for by tipping the cops, they admitted they did use it."

Shinichi turned pale, after hearing all of this, he swears to himself that he is going to check the cafes he enters does not use cocaine. Is he being paranoid? Definitely, but better safe than sorry thanks to these...disturbing findings. Who knew the food business to be this shady!?

"But....he just a kid! A kid our age! Why would he, ugh!"He lowers his whisper harshly.

"No adult would suspect a kid doing this sort of thing, that is why syndicates like them used kids. Just like us detectives. Which is why considering he is a drug mule...."Ranran said, "we need to treat it with caution."

If that were the case, Shinichi realize they are probably biting more than they could chew with this investigation.

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

Outside Teitan Elementary school courtyard, where the children are released back to their home, Shinichi was heading out before a little girl with a face full of makeup denies in fear as her ponytail sways to a woman, "It wasn't me!" She sobbed, legs shaking. "I swear, it wasn't me!!"

"I-is this some sort of joke?" A woman could be heard yelling from afar demanded, turning heads from side to side. The source of the booming voice unveils a drama not to be missed, "You and your fellow friends were caught wearing makeup on your face now! Let alone were seen with the makeup kit I gave you for your birthday! How dare even up till now you are still lying to me so brazenly like that!? Are you even my daughter!?"

She pointed at her daughter's face, with purple eyeshadow, red lipstick, as well as glitter all over her forehead made Shinichi's jaw drop out of shock.

"No way...."Is Shinichi seeing things? Are those girls....literally wearing cosmetics like the type Sonoko often read in those fashion magazines!?

"Kudo-kun? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to join Ranran on the case I gave her?" Takuma looked confused, as his signature red cap popped from the back.

"Ah...Takuma!"He suddenly turned to him, stunned, "Sorry, just that...."

"Just what?"

"It's...."For a moment Shinichi wondered he should ask Takuma about the ongoing situation that is taking place. Takuma is after all the boyfriend of the student head council, Reina. Surely he must know something about this.

He then decided why not, anything just to satisfy his curiosity, "Do you have any idea what is going on over there?"

"Ah, that?"Takuma peered at the commotion before turning back to Shinichi, "Well, they been running a book club at our school for a long while, but secretly.....it was a hideout for them to hang out and do makeup. Let alone, a gossip club where they speak ill on others behind our backs."

"Seriously?"

"Today they didn't show up in class for some reason, the school initially wanted to call the police, but then they decided they didn't wanna trouble them in case they are still around the school premises. So my girlfriend was assigned to look for them being head student council, then....this happened."Takuma simply respond.

"Wait, so I wasn't seeing things on what they were wearing on their faces, makeup!?"Shinichi looked at him in shock, he wasn't expecting this, "You are saying those dumb girls actually skipped classes just to apply makeup!? How old....ain't they like 10, or 8 years old!?"Shinichi was in disbelief.

"I know, right? Worst, there been there for 2 hours, shocking right? What idiot would waste 2 hours on make-up? I don't understand girls sometimes."Takuma huffed at him as their eyes went back to the scene.

"To think...to think you would even skip classes just to do makeup, let alone, with your so-called friends who are nothing but bad influences to your studies! I told you not to bring it to school, and you didn't even listen to me!"The woman screeched.

She pleads, already on the edge of tears as the mother continue to slap her repeatedly on the face, "I'm sorry! I won't do it again! Don't hit me!"

The little girls who were being punished for wearing make-up in their school have their faces burned hot with embarrassment, as everyone, kids and adults alike were watching the drama unfold before them. Shinichi could see other parents who arrived to pick up their children home from school murmuring at the sight of the other girls being spanked by their parents.

"Applying makeup in school.....really?"Shinichi was beyond wordless.

Why do those girls think they could get away doing makeup in school of all places, let alone....worth skipping classes? Shinichi couldn't help but think in disapproval, well, serve them right for being idiots. They have no brains. Even Suzuki Sonoko didn't go as far as they did.

Don't get him wrong, as the son of a famous actress, he gets why girls love it. There are a lot of cool things one can do with the wonders of make-up besides making one look pretty. Even so....for them to stupidly do it in a school when they skip classes?

"Shinichi let's go!"A familiar little girl's voice awoken him from his distraction.

"Coming Ranran!" Fortunately, the one calling him now has actual brains and didn't care about such things. At least he wouldn't have to deal with that.

Had he stayed a little longer, he would've heard one of the girls telling their mother, "But mother! Ranran was the one who did makeup for us while we were poisoned!"

"Rubbish! What 6-year-old girl like her is capable of doing such a thing as poisoning others!? Also, even if she did your make up, how would it be possible for her to do the exact style as yours, considering you have your own style I have always seen all of you do at home!?"

"Let me guess...Ranran did it again, didn't she?"Takuma sighs as Reina appeared next to him.

"Yeah. I have been wanted to get rid of them for a long time. They were being a bad influence in school."Reina explained to her boyfriend while the two spectate the cries emitting from the girls.

"Hah......I knew Ranran is capable of many things, but I didn't think applying makeup is one of them."Takuma couldn't help but huff, "Since when she is good with the brush and all?"

"I didn't know either. Just found out today."

The couple observed as they wonder how much more talent their friend has up their sleeve that she hasn't shown.

"Is she not worried that those girls may convince their mothers' to take them to the hospital to prove what Ranran did to them was true?" Takuma crossed his arms worryingly, "I heard from Ranran that some drugs can stay in a system long enough to confirm drugging."

"Her friends from Edgewood supplied her drugs that dissolved so fast that by the time their mothers do bring their daughters to confirm the story, you won't find any traces of it." Reina rolled her eyes, watching Ranran and Shinichi leaving the school grounds.

"Eh!? Her old school has such capabilities!?" Takuma's eyes widened in disbelief at Reina's casual revelation.

"Surprisingly yes." Reina nodded.

"Ooi, isn't that dangerous!?" Takuma's disbelief lingered as he glanced back at the chaotic scene in the courtyard, "Then again....given what Ranran had to deal with.....it is practical if you ask me. Damn, if those people in Edgewood are that good....aaaah, I kinda wish we met Ranran a lot sooner as friends." Takuma pouted.

Reina glanced at Takuma while growing puzzled at his choice of words, "Eh? Why would you say that?"

"Cause if you think about it, do you not recall both of us almost dying in the hospital years ago?"

"Ah yeah, I almost forgotten about it though...." 

She vaguely remembered being bedridden for weeks while Takuma's patient bed was right next to her. The sterile smell of the hospital, the constant beeping of monitors, and the worried faces of their parents flashed briefly in her mind. She shuddered slightly, shaking off the lingering unease.

Back then, both of them were close to being on death's door at that time. Fortunately, perhaps thanks to their strong will to live, they narrowly survived.

"But Ranran's family was in the U.K before moving here, so there is no possibility or chance for any of us if we were to wish to cross paths with her back then, nah?" Reina thought about it.

"True," Takuma tilted his head, pondering Reina's point, "The Ranran back then....was probably too happy living life in her privilege school, until her parents decided to move here."

As much as Takuma and Reina never once heard Ranran personally say things like she missed her old school back in the U.K, the signs were subtle to them.

One time, Ranran had absentmindedly mentioned a few details about her old life in the U.K. during a conversation, her tone almost nostalgic. 

"There, they have janitors to clean up the school so that we have more time to do whatever we want, here however, they merely exploit child labour to do their thing for free!" She had paused, then added with a hint of bitterness, "My parents must have been possessed to move here."

"I didn't even know what is a janitor till she explained it. Now that I think about it," Takuma frowned, "I too wouldn't want to leave such a school if there are people doing the chores instead of us!"

"I agree," Reina chuckled, her lips curling into a wry smile. "I mean she was so used to a certain standard of living, everything back in Edgewood was taken care of for her, and then she comes here to a place where... well, things aren't as polished. It must have taken a huge toll onto her."

"True true," Takuma said thoughtfully. "Which is probably the reason why as soon as she started her life here, there used to be rumours saying 'she is a pampered domineering princess who never like to lift a finger'."

That's right, it was thanks to those rumours, as well as last year's incident at the parkour, that the kids of Teitan are afraid of her, including Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko. Which is why not a single child dared to befriend her.

And there were more terrible rumours than this one, the part that state she is Shinichi's spoiled illegitimate half-sister.

When it came out, everyone was assuming Ranran would be an easy target. Oh, what a big mistake they make.

"In a way, I will embarrassingly admit that I was one of those kids," Takuma said, a little more frustrated than he realized. "Had you not told me a bit of her past here and there, I would've continue to avoid her."

"Of course," Reina shot Takuma a knowing look, "Then again, you were too high up on your high horse back then to see through the surface of things."

"Well, you are not wrong about that either," Takuma flushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. 

"Technically, if anyone's is truly the most at fault out of this situation, it is that damn Mamiko who spread rumours about her maliciously." Reina spat bitterly as she rambles on, "She just wants everyone to love her at the expense of Ranran."

"Ah, that damn girl," Takuma too spoke in disgust, "Nothing good ever comes out of her. The one lucky thing out of all of this is she underestimate what Ranran is capable off."

"I wouldn't even be surprise if she was behind the rumours that Ranran is The Fox," Reina thought about it, "If you think of this logically, she has the most to benefit out of it....but that is only....if those rumours about Mamiko and Shinichi are true."

"It's true."

"Eh!?"

"That 'rumour'....it's true." Takuma gave a firm nod, his expression turning serious.

Reina's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind struggling to process Takuma's words. "Wait, hold on—what do you mean it's true?"

"The way Mamiko looked at Shinichi when he is not looking," Takuma's expression darkened as he glanced around, making sure no one was listening before continuing, "I know it when I see it. It ain't strong evidence, but judging from my experience, she definitely does."

Reina felt a jolt of shock run through her, and her stomach turned. "Did....is Ranran-"

"Of course."

"Then Kudo-"

"No, Ranran told me not to let him know just yet."

"Then, if Shinichi finds out..."

"Oh no, she plans for him to find out."

"Eh!?"

"Ranran's sole purpose isn't to win him over to her side," Takuma gave a solemn nod. "She always said 'Sometimes in life, in order to catch a liar, you have to let them lie until they're caught in their own web.'"

"Damn," Reina let out a slow breath, absorbing the weight of the situation, "She really enjoys fighting fire with fire, huh?"

"Knowing what she is," Takuma merely chuckled as he scoffs a bit, "Ranran isn't Ranran without a reason."

"That is true," Reina smirked, shaking her head. "Though....why I do I have a gut feeling that something's going to blow up in all their faces?"

"Because it will," Takuma nodded grimly. "Anything that Ranran has ever come across, be it as The Fox or as Ranran herself, will never end quietly."