It was a cold winter afternoon, and the snowflakes were falling gently from the sky. Everyone was running out of the school bundled up in their warm clothes, amazed by the view of the falling snowflakes.

Unfortunately, neither of the children in the association are fascinated by the snowflakes right now. Regarding one issue.

"Shinichi! Please open the door!" As more kids go by, they can hear the banging and observe the escalating spectacle. "You promised, didn't you, deshou? Please open the door!"

Out of all the boys, Shinichi was panicking, or even frazzled by the situation while Michio and Takuma observed how tense Shinichi is feeling. Meanwhile, his mentor Ranran was feeling otherwise.

Drumming her fingers on the surface of the table, she could care less about how they are feeling, her expression remains unchanged. The boys quietly observe her, awaiting her response. Finally, she answers, "I want all of your opinions on this, what do you think of her joining this association?"Eh?! She ain't gonna decide for them!? The boys were stunned, "Well?"

Takuma was the first to speak out when the door was repeatedly pounded, "I don't think you should let her in, she is too emotional."

"Even if it's for a friend?" Ranran confronted him.

"Friends do that...however, not in the way Mouri has done towards Shinichi or you alone."

"Don't get me wrong, but you lost a total of 8 friends, deshou?"Shinichi asks Takuma, "How would you know that?"

Takuma knows Shinichi is demanding credibility in his words, so he goes, "After befriending Ranran...I realize I didn't have to feel the constant need to fear that she will leave me, even when I didn't call her for several days whenever I feel tired from football practice, nor if I was out spending dates with Reina unlike my ex-friends do. Even if we do quarrel, which is very rare nowadays, and she pointed out I am in the wrong or that she is in the wrong...I know she'll still be there for me. Because that is what friends do."

"Takuma..."Shinichi's voice almost died out.

"That's why, to me personally, the fact Ran isn't acknowledging what Suzuki did was wrong...that may not necessarily make her a bad friend to Suzuki, but it is to Shinichi."

"...fair point," She then turned to Michio, "what about you?"

"Hmm...alright, I'll start."Michio clears his throat before he goes, "We all make mistakes in life. I think it is to soon judge her character because of this situation."All eyes are on him as he went on, "We all tend to do things we don't mean, I think that is what Mouri-kun is trying to prove that Suzuki meant no harm."

"Yeah right! Because of what Suzuki did to Ranran, she had to be confined to a wheelchair for three days! There's even an X-ray to prove how brutal Sonoko was! If that ain't murder, I don't know what is."Takuma argued.

"It doesn't necessarily mean she did it out of malice-"

"Enough!" Ranran smashes the table like a judge, silencing everyone as she returns her focus to Shinichi, "Your turn."

"Eh?"

"You are one of the members, you have the right to say all of this."

One of the members huh...After a heavy sigh, he goes, "She shouldn't be allowed to be a member here."

I knew it.

The two boys thought of this as Ranran goes, "Why?"

"She is too emotional to join here, also, she is still defending her friend who hit Ranran till she was wheelchair-bound!"

"Do you notice they're no longer banging on the door?" Ranran's remarks sparked a realisation among the boys, who suddenly realised how quiet it had been. "Did she finally leave?" Michio is perplexed.

"I doubt it, probably exhausted after banging non-stop." The children glanced at the door as Ranran sprang out of her chair and lifted the curtain slightly, observing some movement of shadows on the hallway wall near the door, suggesting the two children were still present. Ranran shook her head at Shinichi as she closed the curtain, "Still there."

"Ranran, how about you? Do you intend to allow her in?" The boys' eyes were drawn to her, and they were all waiting for her response.

"No, I do not want to allow someone who defends her friend's insane behaviour, which confined me to a wheelchair for three days."

"As expected..."The 3 boys said in unison.

Ran, who happened to be on the opposite side of the door after hearing this, was reluctant to knock any longer. "No way...that means her being wheelchair-bound wasn't an act after all..."

"I think you should apologise," Emiko, who had been silent the entire time said.

"What?!" Ran looked at Emiko with horror in her eyes, as if she had been stabbed.

"Hear me out: I'm not rooting for the Kudo girl. "Emiko considers seriously," yet she doesn't feel safe near you."

"It's because she is-"

"See? That is the issue with you in this situation." She jabs Ran on the chest, much to Ran's astonishment, while being brutally honest "You quickly lose your cool when you see someone more talented and beautiful than you standing next to Shinichi. It's no surprise Shinichi didn't want you in the first place, no wonder three of the four members voted you out."

Despite her urge to dispute, Ran knew deep down that Emiko was right. She had felt insecure ever since her parents split up when she was younger. She felt too weak among her friends at times. She lacked the riches and confidence that her closest friend Suzuki enjoyed, as well as the brilliance that Shinichi possessed; at the age of four, he was already able to read Sherlock Holmes with ease. She couldn't seem to fit in, no matter how hard she tried. Even after she attended martial arts classes and became the top student in grade one.

Sighing, Emiko knocks on the door to get everyone's attention in the room, "Hello guys? It's me, Emiko. Miyama Emiko."

"Hmph? Who is Emiko?"Michio wonders as everyone stopped at what they are doing.

"Wait, Miyama? As in Miyama Emiko? The same Queen of Intel?"Ranran couldn't help but scrunch at that thought, not before she nodded with an impressed expression, "So she brought her here...that is clever, I got to admit."

"Miyama Emiko...the girl who knows everyone's deepest secrets." Takuma's expression clouded as he shared her story. "She is the only girl in the entire school who manages to escape being tormented at this school by selling out information to others," he quipped.

"EEEH!?" Michio was shaking to his core, and he was mystified, "But why would she be bullied?"

"Well...her parents are divorced."

"Ah...that sucks."Michio feels sorry for Emiko.

"Miyama-san, deshou?"Shinichi asks out of curiosity, "What are you doing here?"

Outside, Emiko hums."Ran invited me over, that is what."

"No, not that! I mean-"

"Why are you so eager to follow Ran? That's what Shinichi wants to know." Ranran interjects, attempting to elicit a reaction from Emiko.

"I offered my services to join in. Is there a problem?"

"I don't believe you should allow her in," Takuma drew Ranran aside and murmured, "That girl knew everything about everyone in school! Everyone! Including my own! God alone knows what she'll do with yours when all of this is over!"

"It's because I have intel of everyone, it gives you more of a reason to accept me, don't you think?"

"Eek!? She can hear us!"Takuma backed away from his seat in paranoia.

"You ain't doing a good job whispering, Hikari-san. We both can hear you from there."

"She ain't wrong, you know? Even I can hear."Shinichi admitted.

"Learn to lower your volume next time, Hikari-san."Michio sighs as he chuckled.

"Why would you want to become a member of our agency? I heard your business has been doing well so far." Ranran questions suspiciously, before adding, "You don't need to jeopardise your life and live well, to put it mildly."

For a moment, they hear no response. "No answer."Michio thinks.

"Well then, let's end this meeting before-"

Before Shinichi could even finish his sentence, "I am sorry."

The unexpected voice came from Ran, which was a shock to Shinichi, so was Takuma and Michio. Even Ranran was shaken."I am sorry?"Ranran repeated.

"I am sorry."Ran reprised.

She knew she'd been forced to apologise, but she didn't have much choice. Her thoughts were filled with feelings of embarrassment, surrealism, and vulnerability at this time. At the same time, she realised Emiko was right. She was ashamed because she knew she was wrong, and she was embarrassed since the vote issue revealed her worst flaw: she wasn't loved at all because of her fiery temper.

The voices in the club remained silent as Ran went on.

"Sonoko...what she did was wrong. I..." It was the most startling thing she had ever experienced. It felt like a cold shower on a hot day when she apologised to the person who had just caused her misery. She was humiliated and ashamed, and she knew she'd never forget that day. "To be honest, the only genuine regret I can express is that my friend Sonoko should not have broken into both of your homes, much alone stalked or even assaulted one of you to the point of needing a wheelchair."

More silence.

"And I apologise for losing my cool. I mean, when I found out Suzuki was being ridiculed because of what you guys have done, what friend wouldn't freak out?" Ran feels she's talking to a freaking wall right now, with the silence drowning out her emotions. "At the same time, she had been there for me through thick and thin, even...even after my parents separated, she never abandoned me. Neither did you, Shinichi. And for that, I shall be eternally thankful." Ran bites her lower lip as she continues, "I just...want things to go back to the way they were for me and Sonoko."

Ran's tears trickled down her face as she remembered her best friend, while Emiko was startled that Ran was crying and wailing. Meanwhile, the guys are at a loss on what to do; Shinichi says nothing with his wide eyes, and Ranran remains indifferent. Michio turns to Shinichi and says, "I think you should forgive her-"

"This isn't about forgiving, Majima. There is also a threat to Shinichi's life. If she comes in, you can bet she'll do all she can to make sure she never wants to leave again because she wants Shinichi out of this. Still, you gotta give credit that for once she finally came clean about it that she couldn't say sorry to someone like me," Ranran says before setting her sights on the door.

"I doubt she'd let go of whatever hatred she harboured against Ranran; she's no different than Sonoko." Takuma shakes his head as he recalls Sonoko's habit of interfering with everything. Even thinking about it made him mad, not to mention concerned. "If she continues to torment Ranran, what then?" he wondered.

It was a decision that needed to be made. Should they forgive her for what she did?

"Shinichi, it's all up to you. I'll allow her in if you say yes. But I'll be honest with you, "Ranran stares at him solemnly," she'll be riveted to you till you leave this room. And if something bad happens to her, I'm not going to be held accountable. Is that clear?"

Shinichi nodded to Ranran before thoughtfully crossing his hands.

After a few minutes of discussion and deliberation, the Tantei association members reached a unanimous decision.

"What is taking them so long?"Emiko wondered as the two girls waited anxiously.

Suddenly, the sliding door opens, revealing the doll-like little girl having her hands in her skirt pocket. Seeing that the two girls are stunned, Ranran began by saying, "Miyama Emiko, deshou? Let's see if you pass the association test."

"Eh?"

...........

Having Shinichi place a stack of paper so tall that it exceeds Shinichi's head as he took a seat behind it, Emiko and Ran took a seat opposite Ranran plus the boys, while she observed Shinichi grabbing a paper from the stack and read, "Miyama Emiko, age 9, from 3-D class...there are a few things I'd like to confirm before I let you join this organisation. Ran is counting on your responses to get in here, so here we go."

"Ooh, an interrogation already even before starting? I would've expected a normal job interview rather than this."Emiko couldn't help but notice.

"Well, things work differently in the association. Let's begin, shall we?"Ranran, Michio and Takuma observe from their sitting while Shinichi was about to start asking, "You guys ain't gonna ask about why my parents' divorce, deshou?"

"Hah?"Shinichi became confused by that statement."Why would we ask that?"

"Wait, you ain't?"

Emiko watches Ranran's countenance as she responds, "Why would you believe so?"

"I mean..."Emiko pointed at the stack of paper, "Aren't those a stack of complaints forms written against me? I can even read the title of the form from afar. Also, the only reason I can think I receive so many complaints is because of my fights with those disgruntled clients of mine I punched for calling me trash since my parents are divorced."

"Huh, keen eye I see."Shinichi can't help but be impressed.

"You are right. These are complaints forms against you, however, these are the forms filed by every single club you were kicked out of throughout the entire school. Mind you, one form per club according to Reina."Ranran admitted.

"Say what now!?"Majima's jaw dropped, so does Takuma as they were awestruck by the number of papers it takes to build such a tall stack. Facing Emiko, Takuma pointed at the stack, "What the hell did you do to end up receiving so many complaints!?"

"I don't know, let's see."Shinichi studied the contents, before he read it out loud, "At basketball club, you hurled the ball right at the team captain's face till his teeth shattered, he had to fork out tons of money to have dental work done."

"To be fair, their coach favours boys over girls, he purposefully pick that idiot as captain since he is one of the best amongst the boys, so I prove he couldn't do a 3 pointer shot better than I do by doing it on his face."

"Good. I never like their basketball coach, I support this."Takuma throws a fist up in the air.

"Hikari!"Shinichi snapped at him before proceeding to the next form, "From the photography club, you had the entire club took a photo that was deemed too inappropriate."

"What type of photograph did you take?" Ranran inquired, her gaze hooked to the document.

"A decomposing corpse of a dead bird."

"Hah?"The other boys were stunned and horrified, while Ranran watched Ran confront Emiko, "why would you do that?!"

"The club wanted us to open a photo exhibition showcasing birds, but they always fly away by the time we tried taking it. I like to point out that all of us were rookies back then, but the club president was having none of it. We had a deadline to meet, so I had everyone take a picture of a dead bird since she didn't specify it must be alive. I didn't think the club president later fainted seeing it."

"I could see the exhibition being renamed 'Dead Birds Exhibition.'" Ranran laughs, then add, "speaking of the exhibition, we could do that and display our future crime scene files that we have solved."

"Nope! Not going to happen!" Shinichi dismissed Ranran's suggestions, shuddering at the prospect of their agency turning into a serial killer display as he picked another paper to review, wondering whether they'd be dealing with a potential delinquent. "Says here that you were expelled out of a literature group for seizing one of the members by the hair and repeatedly slamming her head against the blackboard?"

"Yup."

She didn't even hesitate!"Why? Did she mock about your parents' divorce?"Michio asked out of curiosity.

"Oh no, if anything, she kept insisting Twilight should be literature when I suggested introducing Sherlock Holmes to the members. Mind you, the literature content has never been updated in that club in years even before I joined in, said Holmes is trash. So I slammed her head repeatedly."Everyone's jaw dropped, "Yeah," She scratched her head from the back nervously, "I probably shouldn't have done that-"

"What? No! You should've smashed her skull harder!"Shinichi insists on anger.

"What!?"Ran was hearing this in disbelief.

"I agree with him on that!"Ranran nodded alongside him in anger, "No wonder the literature club has been lacking members this year. If I ever got my hands on that book, I'd burn it with fire!"

"Ugggh, Twilight!? With those vampires sparkling under the sun..."Takuma stuck his tongue out before he went on telling everyone, "I tell you, as soon as that scene came out, that was the only romance movie I forced my girlfriend Reina to leave with me without ever continuing the movie! Hell, I even demanded a refund!"

"What is that show about anyway? I never watch it because I ain't into romance movies."Michio asked as he was puzzled.

"I'll explain it for you: a spoiled brat who does whatever to be with the male protagonist, a vampire. Even if it means venting her anger on her divorced parents, who do their best to love her, and especially on her only childhood friend, who treasures her the most."

Ranran explained before she notice Shinichi shaking his head with annoyance as he spats, "Holmes worst than Twilight? I wanna know who is that idiot running the club!"

"That's beside the point now, Shinichi." Ranran inhaled deeply as she selected a piece of paper from the stack, scrutinising the contents with her eyes. "You were just booted out of art club for constructing a decapitated 3D paper mache head with realistic features of blood gushing out of it..."

Alright, Ranran decided it's better to cut to the chase.

Ranran shoved the stack of paper away, deciding she wasn't going to waste any more time dealing with Emiko's complaints. Emiko couldn't help but be unsettled by Ranran's bright blue (or half blue and green, in Emiko's perspective) eyes examining her with a serious expression. "Look, Miyama-san. Tantei association...it takes you to the depths of hell-"

"I know, I am aware."Emiko nodded.

"When Shinichi and I mistaken Suzuki for the crossdresser's accomplice...you girls should by now roughly figure what you'll both be sighing up for," Ranran said, looking at the two girls intently.

The tense atmosphere in the room was evident. Everyone's attention was drawn to the two girls, and no one dared to say anything. The only sound was the rustle of Ranran's paper in her palm.

"Every case we take in, what we had to go through that day, is gonna be your everyday life. Even if you are that lucky...the people you care for back home may not."Ranran's words sound heavy and oppressive as if the weight of the world was pressing down on them, right before their very eyes, the little girl gave them a straight face," Shinichi, Tak-san, even Majima as well know what they are signing up for."

By the looks of things, the two girls are sweating with chills.

"A little reminder, it doesn't matter boy or girl, we are not immune to the crimes they have in store for us. Even if we are kids...you may even die today and not see the blue sky outside anymore."Ranran spoke bitterly pointing at the bright blue sky outside the window with her voice low.

"Take into consideration of Ranran's words, cause what she says is true. All of us boys including Ranran herself have experienced it ourselves."Shinichi commented in a serious tone.

The two females, who were nervous and anxious, peered out the window where she was pointing. The sky stays light blue, with the normal dazzling sunshine, and if one looks at it, one would not assume it's going to be a bad day, in contrast to the harshness of the atmosphere in this classroom. It was going to be a significant shift. They'd never been in a deadly detective's world before. Sure, they see how daring their shows are, how much they adore them, the fame and glory...but they never show what happens if one of them dies.

In the world of gaming, tv dramas, and movies, you can miraculously survive despite the odds.

But, in the actual world, when a life is taken, this is the end.

Ran felt the tight knot in her chest as she thought about dying at such young age. She knew the stress she already had to deal with whenever her dad heads out for work, fearing he may return home in a body bag, but she never knew what her dad felt having to go out and deal with suspicious figures daily. Observing Emiko, Ran wonders what was going through her mind.

With a deep breath, Emiko answers in determination, "I'll do it."

"You'll do what?"Ranran asked.

"This detective thing."

Ran could suddenly hear gasps emanating from everyone around them. "Are you certain?" Ranran confronted her. "In the long run, you may come to regret it and die."

"Long or short? Is there a distinction? We will all die at some point, sooner or later." Emiko objected.

Emiko's response to her question was the ideal way to convey her seriousness. The shock was unexpected and intense. They were expecting Emiko to not deny, which she did, but they were taken aback by her unexpected choice of words. Even Ranran was taken aback; she was blinking before turning to Ran and asked, "How about you?"

"I.." Ran's voice was shaking because she was afraid, but seeing Shinichi behind Ranran shaking his head at her, imploring her not to enter this deadly detective world, much alone thinking about Sonoko's suffering, made her more resolute than ever. "Yes, I'll join for Sonoko's sake," she said, gathering her resolve.

Shinichi's stifled protest was heard by everyone at that point. "No, I don't think she should participate. This is very dangerous-"

Oh no, Ran will not put up with Shinichi telling her what she is and isn't permitted to do. "You don't get to decide what I'm allowed to do or not!" she screams angrily at him. He gives out another choked protest, but Ran ignores it. "Anything for Sonoko, I'll do it," she says to Ranran.

Perhaps Ran may have said it to spite Shinichi, but she doesn't care. She had to do something about Sonoko's situation.

"All right, then, let's have the discussion back in the main HQ." Ranran huffs as everyone stood up from their chairs to fetch their rondesu bags, then Ranran turns to Ran and asks, "Neh Mouri, are you free after school today to join us back at the main HQ?"

"Eh?"

"We have a meeting discussion involving the case. Ain't Martial arts practice usually around-"

"Ah no! Don't worry about that! There is no meeting today! It got cancelled today because of some problematic kid. So I won't mind following you guys back."Ran reassures the founder.

"Problem kid?" Shinichi slung his bags over his shoulders before turning to face Ran and asking, "What did the kid do?"

"I'm not sure about the specifics, but... she bit a kid's arm, and this isn't the first time," Ran thought as she stroked her chin.

"Wait, she did what!?"Shinichi was appalled.

"Woah, biting someone in the what!?"Takuma, meanwhile, was flabbergasted," who the hell is this girl to bite someone? Is this a zoo!? Or are we expecting a zombie apocalypse!?"

"Tak-san, for the last time, zombies aren't real!"Ranran explains this with a frustrated sigh.

"The teacher said that?"Emiko was amused by the scenario, remarking, "I've seen many kids do silly things when they're upset via my intel work, but this is the first time I'm hearing some girl bite someone, let alone twice."

Meanwhile, Michio looked as pale as a ghost as he was sweating bullets."Neh, Majima!"Takuma called out to him, but earn no response."Majima? Majima!"

"Huh!?" That jolted him out of his trance, and he answered Takuma, "Yeah?"

"Are you ok? You don't look good."Takuma asked in concern, observing him.

"A-a-ah, I'm OK.  Alright, shall we go now?" Michio hastily took up his bag.

"Let's go then."Ran was the first to head to the door, as she walks, she overheard Ranran say to Shinichi, "She'll be alright, she is a tough cookie."

Shinichi mutters something back in response, but Ran didn't listen.

Ran will ask about it later, right now, she needs to speed up this investigation to save Sonoko from this mess.

......

Emiko had something to say about Watabe's character after the girls had been briefed on everything about him, including his ties to Echis, the situation with Watanabe's nephew Botan, and Watanabe's career as a criminal.

"He robbed a couple of shops as a kid to feed his poverty-stricken friends, he continued all of this as the breadwinner for his late parents, then he had to come out of retirement when his Oneesan fell unexpectedly pregnant with his nephew...you gotta admit his life is crappy from start to finish," she said, deep in thought.

"Not Robbin Hood, but an unlucky individual with shortcomings." Takuma sluggishly corrected her.

"Also, one who is born with golden fingers because of the locks he specializes in pick-locking."Shinichi reminded them.

"So the possibility of him having taken out of prison is to pick-lock something."Takuma stretched his arms sleepily.

Mouri Ran, who sat beside him, rolled her eyes "This does not always have to be the case. It could've been as what Ranran mentioned earlier, that he may have unknowingly robbed this Echis guy, thus this Echis broke Watanabe out of prison to settle the score with whatever 'payment' he sees fit."

"But for someone like Echis who already manage to establish his criminal empire within a year...why couldn't he just use one of his men to do the job? Like, I wouldn't wanna waste my resources by risking myself for breaking a jailbird out of prison just to do so. It's just doesn't make any sense."Michio frowned, "I am certain with the money he has, he could've hired a more reliable younger man at his disposal rather than calling a 60 plus-year-old man."

"Huh?" Michio's viewpoint perplexed them all.

"Think about it," Michio says, "usually, the younger you are, the more fit you are in performing things faster than elderly people, correct?" I am confident that pick-locking is no different. Precision must be exercised with caution."

"Majima has a point," Takuma agreed, "it's difficult enough to pick-lock, but to do it while dreading going to jail, and with time not on their side...that pressure can be overwhelming."

"Aside from this, there are many safes throughout this city. Probably thousands," Ran countered, "and we still don't know where he's going to strike."

"Even the elderly man isn't sure what the task would entail." Shinichi reminded."If only we know the model of the car they were seen driving at least. But I didn't get to see the car, it's just Ranran and Takuma."

Meanwhile, Ranran was too preoccupied with taking notes. "Kudo-kun," Emiko called Ranran.

"Huh? Are you speaking to me?" Shinichi replied.

"Oh no, I'm sorry." Emiko apologises, realizing that Ranran and Shinichi have the same surname. "I'd want to speak with Ranran."

"Huh? You talking to me?" Ranran abruptly ceased writing.

"Yeah, can you at least recall what the model car looks like? Aside from the fact it had tinted windows? If you can recall certain details, I can at least make it out what that car might be."Emiko questioned the girl, as she takes out her sketchbook and pencil.

"Does Miyama-san know anything about cars? I didn't expect girls would know that much," Takuma marvelled.

"My uncle from my Tousan's side is a car enthusiast, you learn things about them along the way," Emiko commented before turning to Ranran.

"The vehicle's model..." Ranran closes her eyes as she tries to recollect anything.

"Don't force yourself, just roughly the details shall do," Emiko reassures her.

The detective girl tried to remember, she tried to remember. But it was all a blur. She couldn't focus on anything.

"Ah! I remembered!"Takuma immediately sprung from his seat.

"Really?"Shinichi and everyone turned to him in excitement, "What was the model?"

"It matches the car outside the window!"

Takuma points out the window at the black car stopped in the no-parking zone, while several of the kids gather around the window to see what it is. "Toyota 2000GT, 1969. T hat's a collector's item in Japan," Ranran remarked, narrowing her eyes.

"Wah! Ranran didn't think you knew a lot about cars!" Takuma was taken aback and surprised.

"I searched it by snapping a photo, Takuma." Ranran said as she waved her smartphone in front of him, displaying her search results to everyone."But that car looks exactly like the one who tried to shoot us."

"Eh?! How could you possibly know that!?" Shinichi was baffled.

"Because aren't the tinting rules in Japan quite strict, especially on front windows? It is, as I recall, banned. Furthermore, how many cars would openly park on the side of the streets near our association, even with such windows!? Let alone in the midst of a no-parking zone where everyone is aware the fine is pretty high if one is caught with tinted windows? Only idiots would do such a thing."

"You are joking, right!?"Takuma looked at it again. His face drained of colour."If it was, how do they know where we are!?"

"They must have followed the both of you since that day bridge."Emiko cried, now wide awake as her long fingers brush her hair from her forehead.

"If the source is here, let's go find out who they are," Takuma said as he watched the mystery black automobile remain as it is.

"Keep in mind, Hikari, because they could have guns! You wouldn't want to get shot!" shrieks a frightened Mouri Ran.

"They won't do it brazenly with so many people around," Shinichi retorted, "there are too many people about and the traffic here appears to be jammed because it is peak hour.  So they won't be able to flee this time; we've got them cornered!"

"So should I head out to inspect it?"Takuma asked.

" Yes!"Shinichi said.

"But, where is the door?!?" Takuma looks around, feeling the strain of the suspect likely fleeing as time passes. "All I see in front of me is a bookshelf!"

"Just push it!"Michio yelled to him, "Either this or the big one is a door!"

Takuma pushes the bookshelf to the right as instructed before he grew astounded, "Man! The bookshelf is a secret door!"Takuma finally managed to slip outside, followed by Emiko, Michio, and Ran. While Shinichi is about to head out, Ranran went back to her seat, flipping one paper after another that was left on the table, "Ranran! What are you doing!? We gotta go before they flee!"He spoke as he was frantic to catch the person.

"You go first! I'll catch up!" Ranran shouted back, gnashing her teeth as she shuffle one paper after the other.

He left Ranran alone before shutting the door, deciding not to dispute since he believes she has her own reasons. Ranran sifted through the papers as soon as he departed, eventually finding what she was seeking for "That's all! That's the right one!" She grins.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of suspicious figures were lurking outside the window, peering into Tantei association.

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

Meanwhile, the other kids shadowed Shinichi upon arrival. "Be careful, "he whispered before charging across to the long black car.

While everyone's heels follow to where Shinichi was, the Takuma and Emiko circled to the other side. Ran and Michio crept up behind it, keeping to the cover of a delivery van park close by.

Shinichi screamed in alarm. "It's completely vacant!"

Everyone raced in, peering through the veiled glass. Takuma attempted to open the driver's door, "Locked!"

"Is there no driver? That suggests they couldn't have gone very far! I  advise we split out and seek for suspicious individuals," Shinichi proposed to others.

Emiko arched her brow as she remembered, "By the way, where is Ranran?"

"She was back shuffling some papers-"

"Apologies for my tardiness!"Ranran interrupts Shinichi's explanation before rushing up to them, "So, anyone in the car?"

"No one, "Michio tries to peek into the car despite how gloomy it looks due to the tinted windows but was unsuccessful.

"I don't believe it's worth peeking; you can't see anything." Emiko tried to see as well, but squinting her eyes didn't help.

"Sorry, earlier when you said to keep a lookout...what does a suspicious person look like?"Takuma couldn't help but ask Shinichi.

"They look suspicious of course," Mouri Ran blurted out, blushing as she received an unusual glance from everyone.

"Shinichi, please tell me she's not as idiotic such as her alcoholic Tousan." Ranran expresses her dissatisfaction by pointing her thumb towards Ran.

"Hey! I'm not as smart as the two of you, alright?" Ran exclaimed furiously.

"We could argue about this all day tomorrow. For the time being, why don't a couple of us hide here and wait for the driver to return to the vehicle!?" Michio suggested

"We can, but if we do so, they may spot and kidnap us before warning other members to not proceed with the investigation!"Ranran pointed out before adding, "We don't even know how many did he bring with them."

"Ah.....you have a point."Michio was hit with the realization of Ranran's perspective.

"Just look out for them, ok?" Emiko alerts them with caution.

As the other kids left Ranran and Shinichi, Shinichi was about to leave when he saw Ranran do the unthinkable: she slashed the tyres with a pocket knife in her hand. "Ranran! Are you kidding me?" Shinichi's jaw dropped open in astonishment.

"In case the car belonged to the criminal after us, should try to leave, there has no way out."Ranran grins menacingly, which later made Shinichi back away from her a little, fearing the terror she is capable of.

"Wait, what if they kill us because of this!?"

"Oh, please! This car was most likely stolen in the first place, and they can always obtain another one! I also phoned the Tow truck service over, within 2 minutes as soon as the car is gone...we will see how far they can flee!" she reminded Shinichi, pointing to the sign near the car.

"But what if the car didn't belong to some criminal!? It could be some bystander who just wanted to tint his windows!?"

"Think of it as retribution for parking illegally! I'm  done, let's go!" exclaims Ranran, enthusiastically.

As she fled, Ranran removed her pocket knife, leaving a frustrated Shinichi to pursue her. They search for every single vehicle after splitting up and inspecting the parking lot. People appear to be going about their daily lives.

"Let's go back to the office and keep an eye on the car from there," Shinichi proposes before realising, "Wait, did we lock the door and window before leaving?"

"Of course I did, I ain't that reckless," Ranran snarled. "You have the keys to the door, right?" she turns to Majima.

But as soon as Micho unlocked the door, he froze. Shinichi, following behind stared in horror. While they have been out in the car park, someone must have paid a visit to their office.

Cause as soon as they entered, "The office has been ransacked!"Shrieked Michio."Look at our boxes!"

The files in the box had been pulled apart. Papers, files, and paperwork were strewn around the room. The photographs on the wall were ripped to bits.

"All are in shambles!" Michio exclaimed as he picked through the tangled pile of paper on their knees, while Ran and Emiko sifted the mess on the table.

That was when Takuma made a startling discovery, "Neh, guys! The files related to Watanabe are currently missing..., especially the notes we all did earlier!?"

Shinichi threw his fist against the wall. "It suggests they know we're up to something, so they sabotage us!"

"Or a threat to drop the investigation," Michio said grimly.

"HEY! SOMEBODY HELP! HE IS HIJACKING MY TOW TRUCK!"

Suddenly the roar of a powerful engine sends them running to the door- too late to stop the pick-up truck dragging the car out from the car park."Huh, whom would have known?"Ranran shakes her head in disbelief, "Didn't think they would hijack the tow truck even after I punctured his tires!"

"YOU DID WHAT!?" The 4 other kids froze at Ranran's revelation.

"Ranran, have you gone insane?!?" Ran chastised her, "They'd murder you if they knew you did this!"

"Hey, Echis has already built a large empire; he can always steal or purchase another." Ranran shrugs.

"You did try your best, Ranran."Shinichi pets her shoulder in reassurance as Ranran sighs.

"Still, the notes and angles we worked on had gone missing! Now, what are we gonna do!? With those notes...they'll be more careful with every move they make now!"Emiko is in despair.

"Hey, just to be clear, did anyone obtain the registration number?" Ran wondered. They exchanged horrified looks, while Ranran seemed intrigued.

"I think there was an eight in it "Takuma recalled.

Ranran could hear the frantic breathing of all the kids surrounding her by this point. Nobody knew what to do since they were all attempting to make sense of what had just transpired. They were in a condition of despair, knowing that every one of them had failed themselves.

"Some detectives we are, "Shinichi said glumly " we didn't even get the chance to write down the car number!"Ranran gave him a careless shrug as she chuckled, "What is so funny, Ranran!? We just got ransacked!"Shinichi scolded her.

"Don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds!" Ranran couldn't help but chuckle as she thought about it.

"Eh!?"The kids around Ranran, each froze at what she just said. Is she serious!?