"You know...I am beginning to think the name 'Echis' is barely even his real name, to begin with."

Shinichi spoke to Ranran as the two were busy discussing the progress of their investigation during class, while their substitute teacher is busy teaching maths. No longer requiring the need for a wheelchair, Ranran asks leaning the chair backwards as it tilts, "What made you think so?"

"While you were busy trying to find the link between Watanabe and Echis, I was curious over what was the meaning behind the name."Shinichi produces a couple of papers and hands them to her, her eyes scanning what was printed on them," 'Echis' is the Latin transliteration of the Greek word for "viper"...like a Snake?"Realization dawned on her.

"Bingo, "Shinichi confirmed her suspicions," Criminals need to prove they are macho to prove their place in the criminal underworld. Especially where no laws reside."

Ranran then switches to another, temporarily blanking out the teaching of their teachers, as well as the other kids who are seemingly too bored to listen."Echis carinatus...a saw-scaled viper, maybe the deadliest of all snakes believe to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined...damn. I guess he didn't simply pick the wrong name without a reason."

"I mean, he did prove his criminal status by corrupting so many police and detectives alike with the profits he made."Shinichi pointed out, worried whether this is more than they could handle, "No wonder he wasn't even reported on the media. This is bound to turn Beika District into Gotham city overnight!"

"Whether they report or not, it wouldn't have made much difference. Just a matter of sooner or later."Ranran spoke calmly as if she was already used to the impending mayhem before them, while she reads, "Can be fierce and will at times strike against their aggressor (an unusual behaviour for snakes)...at least we roughly know what kind of guy we are dealing with."

"Eh?"

"I doubt he picked this name because he thinks it suits him, after all, the name 'Echis' itself is unusual on its own already."Ranran's eyes drifted lazily, soon noticing the writings on his notes, "Anyway, what are you doing now? I thought you finished your art homework already earlier?"

"Ah, that's-"

"I told you to rest, now that I am fit enough to continue my work, "Ranran manage to peek before she reads, "Tantei Kudos...Tantei Holmes agency...wait, all of these names are written all over the notebook here, "Ranran observes, "is this for our club?"

"No longer club, agency."He corrected.

"Eh!? What gives?"

"I just realize if one day someone made fun of our private corner, he or she may go 'Ah Kudo-kun, opening your little wannabe detective Fanclub I see?'"Shinichi gritted his teeth while Ranran blinked her eyes at his response. Sensing her confusion, he explained, "I ran into one of the idiots I used to hang out at that Parkour when we were 5. Somehow his idiot imoutou (younger sister) found out we headed with Michio to look for a room."

"Ah....those idiots huh..."Ranran hummed.

"As soon as we apply for one here, made sure never to write it down as club. I don't want others to think we are some sort of Fanclub, where idiots would assume the adventures are suited for children's stories such as the famous five or secret seven so to speak. We solve cases of dark nature. This ain't stranger things so to speak."

"That is true, so what were you able to come up with? Show me."Ranran demanded that he show her the notes he has written down.

"N-nothing much, I just think it is still in an average stage so......."He averted his gaze uneasily, as he was feeling embarrassed.

"Come on, Shinichi, how bad could it be?"She snatched the notebook in excitement much to his protest as she reads under the desk, before Ranran's eyes widened, "Uh.....The Tantei's Pink door!?"

"Ranran-"

"What pink door are you-"Realization then dawned on her, "Shinichi," she set the paper down on the table, "I haven't agreed with the idea of accepting Majima's offer yet, even if we did, you didn't need to mention the door is pink, Shinichi."Ranran still cringed over the colour choice of the said damn door, for she hates pink.

"Look, I am afraid that they may not know where our agency is. Hence, the pink door."

"Well if you do so, we'll be famous for being the only agency to have a pink door! What's next?"Ranran scanned down the following names, "The Kudo Tantei squad!? That sounds like a hip-hop band."

Again, he goes, "Ranran-"

"What other names could you have come up with besides this, "Ranran scoffs at him before reading one after another in astonishment written on her face, "Codename: The Prodigies Tanteis? Are you serious?"Ranran's jaw dropped at his Ludacris ideas for naming names, as it was a total contrast to his work as her apprentice, "The K files? What is this? A ripped off from The X Files? And let me guess, K stands for our surname?!"

"Put it this way, it's original, alright? Cause no one ever come up with such name for their agencies when I googled it."Shinichi justifies.

"No it ain't, it's a complete ripped-off from a TV series featuring investigations featuring Aliens."

See, this is why Shinichi did not want Ranran to see any of the names he had made up in his mind, as he was embarrassed, "What do you expect me to come up with, Ranran? We are only six years old! I can't come up with better cooler names that don't sound childish besides this!"He hissed lowly.

"I tell you what, there is one thing you did come up with that is good," She grabs a pencil before drawing lines to cross out certain things, leaving one word that stood out, "There, perfect."

"You just cross out everything except leaving the word 'Tantei'!"His eyes twitch upon seeing the work Ranran had left while her proud smile is rubbing against his nerves.

"You are welcome."

"That ain't a compliment!"He responded bashfully in low volume.

"Kudo Shinichi and Kudo Ranran! Are you two dating or something!?"Both Ranran and Shinichi were shocked to disbelief, all the while just staring at their maths substitute teacher before them. Meanwhile, the other kids stopped at what they were doing, as all their attention were theirs.

"No sensei, we are busy with matters outside the school-"

She was going to cooked up some story about a missing cat, till the teacher goes, "If this is about dating, I suggest you take this conversation with Shinichi out of this instance!"

Now Ranran and some teachers barely mix, if one crosses her, you be sure she will take it all out. And this substitute teacher and Ranran had been in an all-out war for a long while with Ranran's witty comments since the substitute teacher had a dislike towards her. Unbeknownst to many, the substitute teacher had a thing for Ranran's dad, even though he is already married to Ranran's mom. And Ranran is aware of the gaze she often gave towards her dad, but the look of disgust towards her mother.

Having put aside her pencil, Ranran turned to the frowning teacher with a serious expression, "Sensei, I know you are still feeling down with your ex-husband seeing your colleague who is 20 years younger than you after you both separated."This made the entire class gasp, even Shinichi who is sitting next to her. Meanwhile, the teacher's face twisted into a look of surprise, followed by horror as the little girl went on, "I mean she is more fun to hang out with, not to mention prettier than you."

Even Takuma and Reina's blood drained, thinking Ranran might have bitten far more than she could chew. Not that Ranran ever failed to bite far more than she had intended. The teacher was trembling in anger, her first rolled up but Ranran continued.

"But you can't just keep assuming just because I ain't listening to your class, didn't mean I was clinging over a boy my age like the way you look at my Tousan. I was asking Shinichi certain questions about your class."Ranran lied naturally as she breathes, it was more than enough to shake the teacher out of her shock, let alone, the entire class so to speak.

Ranran and her comments.

"I wonder what other senseis(teachers) are going to do if they deal with someone like Ranran."One of the students commented.

"I doubt it. I think they'll be more curious on why sensei would love someone else's Tousan, let alone, Ranran's dad of all people."

"A woman who likes a guy who is married...does this make her a mistress?"

"Not really, the man must like her back as well to be called a mistress. Otherwise, it's just one-sided love. My Okasan says so."

"But doesn't that means she is still a wannabe mistress?"

Wait, teachers? Potential mistress?! How old are these kids to understand such situations!? Are they even 6 years old to begin with?!

The rest of the class soon consisted of snide remarks, more shouting, and banters towards the teacher, directing the attention temporarily before cheering for Ranran, being smart with her comments. It was a miracle that the teacher didn't even bother to kick her out of the classroom and punish her. For a moment, the teacher was eager to slap that little brute and whack the living crap out of her for talking crap of her failed marriage, as she was brewing with anger.

Hell, she was even planning to throw the little girl out of the window from one floor above if she has to!

She then recalled the series of incidents Ranran was involved in, starting with the part where she snatched the hammer and slam the hand of the discipline teacher, to the part where she humiliated a woman and her son outside the school courtyard.

By this point, reluctantly out of anger, the sub-teacher decided against it. If any of her colleagues happens to walk by their class witness her hitting the little girl, Ranran will openly speak without filtering her red lips about the teacher's personal life with those fake tears as she did with Miss Airi. Ranran had done this to many others before herself, no way she is going to be a fool by risking her personal life being exposed any further. The worst? Being accused as a mistress!

Containing all of her anger, she goes, "Alright then, I will spare you both. But if you guys talk about anything outside class, I won't go easy on either of you. Got it!?"

While the distraction is now focused on the teacher being booed and jeered while she stormed away from them, telling the class firmly to keep quiet before continuing their lessons, Ranran whispered to Shinichi, "You said someone wanted to apply as a member, right?"

"Hah?"

"You said you wanted to talk about it the other day? That you know of someone wanting to enter our cl-I mean, agency?"

"Ah, right. I almost forgot. Here?" He took out the paper from his desk, before he slid the form application right next to Ranran's desk, as she gaze at it."You should know who it is." he pointed at the paperwork to her as she takes it to read.

"Wait, why is it this handwriting looked familiar?"Ranran notices before her expression darkened after having recognized the writing style. Placing the paper firmly on her desk, she goes, "No."

"Ranran-"

"Not happening."She answered firmly.

"Listen, Ranran. We are under manpower, having Majima and Hikari-san over will do wonders for our Watanabe case progress. Plus, I already spoke to both of them personally, they know what they are signing up for and what they are willing to be at risk if it means having to catch Echis."

Though Ranran wanted to argue, she knew Shinichi had a point. It's been a long time and there were no sightings of Watanabe nor Echis despite the leads they were given. There is a ton of workload needed to be done. Even so, not every kid is like Shinichi, willing to go the extra mile into doing this sort of dangerous job despite knowing the risks that one might either end up becoming traumatized or end up dead, though Ranran think being traumatized is far of worst than death. It's easy to say 'I want to be a detective' cause all of the detective stories they read in stories and TV are glamorised with fun-packed adventure and the glory that came with it, especially for a school-going child that is sick and tired of mundane life revolving around homework, after school club, tuition classes.

Having Majima over might spell problems for Ranran. For instance, when she used to work as The Fox, she came across his late father's files that he died in a motorcycle accident and was a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Japan department. Considering Michio is the only son, Ranran is certain his mother will be 500 percent against this idea of him, as she can't bear the thought that her only son has died under evil means. Plus, she did her digging about Majima, though his classmates and friends said he is a very thoughtful boy that they care for...being considerate does not shield you from harsh realities, realities that Michio may eventually have a hard time coping with as soon as he joins their agency. Also, Ranran had done proper research into the kid Michio is trying to avoid, and so far, the intel she gathered on this person was not looking good at all for him. 

And then, there is also Takuma she had to think about. 

Hikari Takuma, one of her trusted close friends...one who had just recently restored his and is still adjusting to the new football training schedule the school had tailored for him after the scandal. Though it is no longer as demanding as it was back then...Ranran personally thinks he shouldn't be involved. One of the reasons is because of his dreams.

As a pro footballer, every limb counts. If he breaks his knees, his arm, or anything, he can kiss his pro-footballer career dream goodbye, and he'll be forced to do that iconic boring salaryman job in Japan, something Ranran knows he will detest for the rest of his life. 

She recalled the time she solved a case involving a man who murdered his parents. Back then, when he was around 10 years old, he was a promising soccer star, one who is already scouted to become a pro-soccer player. 

However, the world is a heartless bastard.

An ankle injury during rehearsal ended it all.

Because his parents tend to be hard workers, they convince their son to be successful through studies, something he wasn't good at. For the next 7 years, he had to endure under the stern regime of his strict parents, where he wasn't allowed to meet up with friends outside school, nor allowed to have a girlfriend, or even allow to skip a day of tuition whenever he falls sick. Despite having close to becoming an honour student, he never once got over his broken dreams as a soccer player. Eventually, the pressure from his demanding parents got the better of him, and he soon began fabricating a string of lies, starting with the fact he claimed to have graduated from high school (when he reality, he flunked it bad). He even went as far as to lie that he had made it to university when secretly, he was making money by working as a cashier at some convenience store just so he would eventually move out of the house.

When the lies were exposed by his parents, however, they threatened him to either go back and finish high school, or he'll be financially cut off. Long story short, the predictable happened, he murdered his parents and fabricated it as a burglary gone wrong.

Even though Takuma's parents are unlike the ones in the case, being strict towards him, Ranran couldn't bear the thought of Takuma becoming a kid who eventually loses his mind to reality because of this. She also considers his future profession as an American Football player. She knew that the game itself was reported on the news as a dangerous sport if she enlist Takuma over, he'll be forced to juggle two dangerous worlds. Also, this detective world happens to be one where danger is 900 percent far worst than football, as it would eventually destroy far more than his knee caps, broken bones, and all of that combined.

Plus Reina, she'll be pissed if she finds out he decided to endanger himself by joining this profession, she is certain of that.

Ranran lets all of this run through her mind, at the same time, she is desperate to catch Echis with her own hands before the police do. Usually, Ranran wouldn't have any issues arresting a person through her dad's connections. However, after learning Echis is involved, she is certain as soon as her family got word that she is working on Watanabe's case, they will put an end to their detective activities for good. After all, this is the same person who corrupted the entire police force of Japan down to its knees. Ranran needs more manpower, fast.

Realizing Shinichi was still waiting for her answer, Ranran goes, "For Majima, tell him if his mother said yes, I will."

Shinichi's body posture suddenly stiffened, "Ranran, are you-"

"Also, as for Takuma, I will put him in a position where we'll see if he can solve this. If he can...we'll talk about letting him in."

Deciding she will convince Takuma in backing down, she decided to distract herself for a moment as she manages to shuffle another paper, reading what Shinichi had jotted down. Her eyes grew big a little, "Is this...the furniture arrangement for the agency?"

"Ah yes," Shinichi nodded to her, "What do you think? Not bad, right?"He grins proudly.

Ranran wasn't going to deny, the planning on where he wanted the things to place is well-organized."Nicely done."

"Thanks!"He grinned wider at the comment, before his expression faded a little, "Unfortunately, I have no idea where are we gonna get tables, cabinets, and all those things for the main agency back at Majima's. After all, he did mention we may have to get it ourselves."He then sighs in disappointment, "And we can't ask our family, or else they'll be tipped off."

Ranran falls into concentration mode as she pencilled something into her planner while near his desk, "How about if I do this?"

She drew things on the planner, and Shinichi's eyes grew wide at that as he pointed onto the paper."Where are you gonna get all of the furniture of that size?"

"This is where Takuma comes in."

"Eh?"

"If he can resolve this, convince his girlfriend and parents, he is allowed. Lets's see if he is smart enough to do all of this in one go. I doubt he'll be able to."

Still, why does Shinichi have a bad feeling about this?

......

"Alright, everything has fallen nicely according to plan!"Shinichi folded his arms, feeling impressed with how far they have accomplished as he and Ranran stood at the entrance of the hidden 2nd shop next to Ruth and Co, as she nodded alongside him. Not before he later sighed in despair, "Though...I didn't think blackmailing some kid's parents for making donations to the school to secure A grades is considered a nice way of doing things." Shinichi couldn't help but think.

"I mean anything to get free things, someone has gotta do it."Ranran justifies, gazing around the surroundings.

"Yeah, but I didn't think Hikari was capable of doing this sort of thing either beside you!"

He pointed at Takuma, who is happily staring at their newly furnished association in awe, while Ranran sighs, "I didn't expect him to have a post-contingency plan in case his football career doesn't work out. Also, I was certain his mother hated me enough to not let her son join this agency. Let alone, his girlfriend...who knew Rei-chan to be that carefree?"

"Of course I do! In case you have forgotten, I have a step-grandmother who does fishing for a living back in Korea! As long I catch a good Bluefin Tuna around Japan, I fetch enough money for retirement if I do auction!"Takuma beamed before he continued walking around the room, feeling amazed by the amount of space it has.

"Didn't know someone like him would be into fishing."Shinichi couldn't help but whisper to Ranran, giving him an odd look.

"Believe me, I was shocked when I heard his girlfriend said 'fishing' was one of his hobbies," Ranran whispered back, shaking her head at Takuma."What is so nice of fishing, seriously?"

"Especially the mosquitoes, how awful they are."Shinichi and Ranran nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, do you guys have a name for this club yet?"Takuma turned back to them in excitement.

"That is the thing, they haven't come up with it yet. Also, Ranran, Shinichi, stand aside will you? You are blocking me."Ranran and Shinichi stood aside as Majima arrived with a tray of cookies and drinks in his hand, before setting them gently on the table."Enjoy."

A batch of freshly baked cookies smelled enticing to Takuma, "Wah! These cookies look tasty!"Takuma began to drool.

"Thanks, "Michio isn't used to the praise as he scratches his head, "I made them myself."

"Eh? Majima knows how to bake?"Shinichi was surprised that a boy like him could bake cookies.

"Ah," He nodded to Shinichi, inviting them to take a seat as each grabbed a cookie to take a bite, "My mom is the only breadwinner of the family, sometimes she would open the store till late at night on occasion, so I self-taught myself how to make them so she didn't need to do much kitchen work."

"These cookies taste delicious!"Takuma spoke with his mouthful, as he grabbed onto another.

"Tak-san, table manners."Shinichi reminded him.

"Shinichi, let him be, "Ranran told him, as they each bite their own cookie.

"Take as many as you want, I have many more cookies in the next batch from the oven. Okasan doesn't eat a lot after all."

Takuma wasn't wrong, the cookies were delicious in Shinichi's opinion. Even the taste of the cookie was still on Ranran's tongue when she reached for the second one. But then she later retracted back, and ended up much to Shinichi's surprise, watching Ranran head over to her rondesu bag she placed on the couch to fish out something."Ranran? What are you doing?"

"It's too good, I'll keep it for later during dessert."

She then fish out a container and place it on the table, popped open the lid, and began putting cookies into it."Ooi Ranran!"Shinichi was beginning to feel embarrassed by the way Ranran acted, as this was uncalled for.

"It's ok, Kudokun. Like I said, I have plenty more around the house. I bake far too many, even our house had no place to store."Michio reassures Shinichi as Ranran hurriedly stores the cookies like a squirrel would with their harvest for the upcoming winter."Keep some for me, alright?"Takuma commented as he munches.

While Takuma and Ranran were busy with their cookies, Shinichi turned to Majima, "And so, is your mom ok with this? Onboard with...what we are about to do?"

"I didn't tell all of what you both had done to her."

"Eh?"

"My Okasan...from the moment I was born, never once had a restless day looking after me since my Tousan died. She had to...play both father and mother throughout my entire life."Michio said worriedly, as he share his woes with Shinichi, "My Okasan is still pretty, a lot of men had asked her out, but she always turned them down because of me. Although they say they don't mind having me around...I know deep down, she never moved on from Tousan's death yet."

"Ah, is that so?"Shinichi took another bite.

"I just think...she needs a life of her own besides constantly worrying over my welfare."Michio was feeling a little down talking about it, "The other day...my mother's shop was burglarized, I fought against the robber and got hit because of this."

"Say what now!?"Shinichi reacted in shock at that news, while Ranran and Takuma were too busy discussing whatever they had in their minds.

"The burglar was caught, it appears he had been staring at our shop for a while according to Okasan. Even so...I felt like I could've done more if I had some experience in perceiving how criminals work. After all, I am the only man in the house since my Tousan is no longer around to protect her. My mother...scolded me, actually cried because she thought I could've died having been beaten up by the burglar."He then laughed, "That is the reason I wanted to be in it."

"To protect your mother huh..." the way Shinichi hears of this, his perception of Michio's character is that he is such a thoughtful son. It probably explains why Michio turned Ranran's bribery in not taking this babysitting job, cause he didn't want to worry his mother and protect her at all costs.

"Even if it challenges your perception of the world?"

"Eh?"

"This detective job...is a dangerous place. Once you enter....you may not return as the same person ever again."

"Eh? What do you mean by that?"Michio tilted his head at him in confusion.

For a moment, Shinichi wanted to share the challenges he had faced since becoming Ranran's apprentice. If he were, to be honest, his views of the world around him had changed little by little. However, he has only been her apprentice for about a couple of weeks, he ain't in a position to say it yet.

"Let me ask you again, are you sure you want this? You can still turn away while you can. The world of crime...is a chaotic place even for someone like me as well. Also, think of your mom. How would she feel if she finds out....anything happen to you? You are after all...her only son."

Michio falls silent for a moment, he drummed his fingers on the table, "You know...when the robber hit me...I was no longer the same anymore."

"Hah?"

"After...the burglary incident, I recently found out through a family friend that my father...is a popular police detective."Shinichi gawked at Majima, "my Okasan...when I was growing up kept telling me not to become a detective, and at that time I didn't think much of it back then. My life back then...I live a life where I try to avoid confrontations. However...after what happened...I feel like my lack of perception is the reason why I am not living up to my late tousan's name, let alone, not being able to protect my Okasan."

"Majima-"

"I ain't asking you to take me in out of sympathy, I want to keep my senses alert just so I can protect her."

"But your Okasan will be against it."

"Anything to protect Okasan, I won't hesitate to go against her if I have to."

For a while, Shinichi didn't know how to respond to this, "If things do get too dangerous-"

"I won't quit, even if she were to drag me out."He replied firmly.

"You can come in and out if you feel threatened by it, after all, this place belonged to your mother."Ranran suddenly cut in.

"Ranran?"Shinichi suddenly was taken aback by Ranran's interruption, before he notices all of the cookies on the tray are gone, "Where is it?" he asks.

"The cookies?"Ranran smirks,"In my bag."

"Ain't that too greedy!?"Shinichi blasted at Ranran bashfully with a nerve growing on his head.

"Not really, he technically did say to take all you want."Takuma pointed out.

Shinichi facepalmed, he is gonna lecture the two of them about manners later."So am I a member already?"Michio said it in an excited tone.

"Does this mean we can get Michio to make us delicious desserts for life?"Takuma dreamily thinks of the food he could taste.

"I would've loved us some milkshake."Ranran can't help but think, "all the sweet cotton candy on the top."

"Mah, guys. I think that is tall order even for me."Michio raised both his hands trying to stop their wild ideas.

"No. He is not going to do that. He ain't both of your private chef, nor this is a restaurant where you both could go ordering whatever you guys want. This is a tantei agency."Shinichi gave the other two a look.

Michio closed his mouth abruptly, dropping his eyes back down to the paper on the table.

"But just in case— he will do it for guests, or clients to calm them down before they seek our help."Shinichi finished this as he picked up a pencil, pulling his notebook closer while twirling the pencil in his hands."Anyway, enough of this. It's time to come up with a name for the club."

"Finally! A name!" Takuma whistled as he leaned forward to the desk."That reminds me, what is the official name of this Tantei business here? What did you both decide in the end?"Takuma asked.

"Right, the name!"Michio suddenly realized this, before turning to the other kids, "Have you come up with it yet?"

"We did, "Shinichi picked up his pencil again, pulling his notebook closer. "But it must include this."He wrote down the word: Teitan.

"I think...we can add this word next to it."Ranran quickly snatches his pencil before writing down the English word 'association'.

"Tantei association...?"Michio and Takuma read in confusion.

"Tantei association, that will be the name we go by for now on, for Shinichi and I. And for those who choose to remain here as members, or not, the name shall remain as it is."Ranran explains this as she leans on the chair.

"Tantei association?"Michio thought about this before grinning, "That is a cool name."

"But why the end of the name is called 'association' in English after the word Tantei?"Takuma poses a question.

"Everyone is in one way, associated with the other. It doesn't matter if one is a stranger, a jail-bird, a nun, or even a cop, lives are connected indirectly and directly. That goes in every investigation we are about to face." Ranran then drummed her fingers on the surface of the table," the case you boys are about to be involved in is by far...going to be the most dangerous encounter we are about to face. Therefore...secrecy is a must. Anyone caught leaking, I won't go easy on either of you. Even if you are my friend or apprentice, or even a newbie in this room. Clear?"

The 3 boys nodded in silence, feeling the dangerous tension in the room.

"Alright, "Ranran adjusted her sitting posture, before turning to Shinichi, "Hand them the files I told you to print the other day, cause we are going to brief everyone on what we are up against."

......

Finally, another week has gone by, and it was finally time for Suzuki to return to school.

Now, normally rumours will die down eventually after a while as there is always something new to talk about. But Ranran's wheelchair appearance that day in school kept the rumour mill wheeling for over a week, by then Suzuki's leave had run its course, she can no longer lie to her parents that she is too sick to head to school.

Ultimately, she had a hopeful wish that the rumours will die down. However, the image of a then wheelchair-bound Ranran did not waver out of everyone's mind in school, so the gossipers continued as usual.

As soon as Mouri Ran learn of this after having returned from a family relative's funeral, her first response was this was getting ridiculous. Suzuki isn't that kind of girl. She didn't believe a word they say that Suzuki is the lolicon's accomplice. However, after having heard from witnesses in the school, she knew something must have gone wrong to end up twisting the truth behind those rumours. 

So it was no wonder Ran confronted Sonoko to spill the beans to get to the bottom of this after she was finally able to locate that Suzuki was hiding behind the janitor's storeroom."Who did this to you?!"

Sonoko winces at the anger in Ran's words. The little short brown hair girl sits back on the chair, literally aching in pain."I.....underestimated that girl.....I.... who knew she had such brutal strength to do such things....she is really a devil!"

"Tell me who did this. I will hit whoever this person is and teach her a lesson about hitting my friend that way! I won't let her get away with this."

"Ran-san, it's nothing-"

"Take your jacket off."

"What?"

"You said it was nothing; show me then." Ran's eyes are clear and watchful, daring her to refuse.

With a sigh, Suzuki lowly pulls her jacket shirt. The expanse of her head and arms are revealed, mottled with bruises, new and fading, the blues and purples melding together.

Sonoko stood there, holding her jacket in her hands, waiting for Ran to speak.

Ran was at this point....horrified. Her jaw dropped.

Without speaking, she studies the marks on her friend's body, her eyes raking over the abused skin with frank assessment."Oh My God Sonoko! Do you realize how bad this is!?" Her tone came out harsher than she intended and she took a breath to steady herself."Who in the world did this to you?"

"Ran...."At that Sonoko's eyes fly open and she stares at Ran. "Do you want to know?"

"Tell me who!"Ran tries to keep her voice from shaking.

Ran's seriousness in her eyes was enough to leave Sonoko to blurt out, "Ranran and Shinichi."She stammers at last. "It was them."

"Eh!?"Ran was shell-shocked in response. What did she just say?!

"I followed them cause I was curious about what that demon said to him that made him no longer want to be friends anymore. However...I suspect that demon must have figured me out, cause she later called me a lolicon accomplice and had Shinichi put out a hit on me!"

At this revelation upon her face, Ran didn't know what to say, she couldn't believe what Sonoko said was true.

While the relationship between Sonoko and Shinichi has never been strictly stable, they've never hurt each other - not intentionally, at least, and never physically.

If he wanted, he could destroy Sonoko with savage words and there wouldn't be much Ran could do to stop him. The power imbalance has always been there regarding their relationship with Ran, just waiting to strike one of them down - but Shinichi has never used it to his advantage.

Not until she found out today, at least.

It hurts more than Ran could ever truly express, where did it all go wrong?

It wasn't a positive feeling that Shinichi isn't aware of this fact either. Shinichi wasn't a simple-minded boy, after all, he probably let her out for reasons. Maybe....he knew this whole time Ranran was going to do that, and he did nothing to stop her.

Thinking about it now, with the air in her lungs burning for release, Ran is going to have a hard time with Shinichi regarding this situation.

Mouri Ran was angry; for far too long Shinichi had been growing distant from her since entering elementary school, she could feel her crush being swayed, inching closer to that pit of darkness - inching closer to....her.

That damned Kudo Ranran girl. Who knew she was such a psychopath!?

Ran doesn't know how, but this is her scheming evil-doing, this is her fault.

Shinichi, who had once been so lost whenever he had his argument with Ran, used to be apologetic towards her - has no longer even bothered to apologize to her, let alone, look for her and apologize no more. All he ever does was follow that girl, that selfish, beautiful, cunning, devious scheming Kudo Watson Ranran.

Ran of course understands it in a way; he is hurting, she often took his feelings for granted. He probably went to her to listen to whatever sweet words she could give that Ran can never give her.

But hasn't Shinichi grown used to it? Hasn't he known Ran ain't the type to hold a grudge on purpose towards him? No, Ran thinks, as her eyes sting. Ran feels shaky now and suddenly, she regrets not settling this feud as a mature kid should. 

By this point, Mouri Ran decided enough was enough! It seems like playing a saint heroine didn't work in trying to get Ranran to talk, so she is gonna confront her right this instant!

She storms down the hallway with her fists rolled up while gritting her teeth, "Those two are going to pay!"

At Teitan Elementary, other nosy kids followed her to the ground floor after Mouri asked everyone around her where the two Kudo children currently are, only to learn they recently open a joint club together. Meanwhile, excited kids were busy texting and whispering to their friends that there is going to be a showdown of a love triangle between Ranran, Shinichi, and Ran.

The anger radiated off of her, Ranran and Shinichi better watch out!  If they think Ran is going to sit there helplessly, they are going to be greatly mistaken!