It is often said that crime never sleeps.

It doesn't matter whether it is during the holidays, or midnight, or when you are at work, or even schooling, crimes still happen. Hell, it doesn't even matter if you have lived your whole life as a saint, crime will still find a way to target you, directly or indirectly. Crime itself isn't a merciful thing. And when that happens, your life ultimately changes your perspective drastically, in more ways than one.

The same could be said towards the citizens of Beikai, as they will soon learn.

On the upcoming bright day Monday, the sky is punctured by the rising sun in the streaks of red, though New Year has ended, some of the citizens there are still in a mood for celebration.

A summary of Beikai city (Or beika chou) is that it is situated in Tokyo, Japan. Its name was rumoured to have been after Baker Street, the fictional location of Sherlock Holmes's flat. Unfortunately, unlike the fictional address, the city itself is made up of two large towns alone: Beika and Haido (named after the actual Hyde park situated in London). The fortunate part is that, unlike the fictional Sherlock Holmes, the crime rate there isn't as bad as one would assume.

Well, at least it was.....till what happened last year.

Anyhow, the specific area where New Year will never come is the existence of Tokyo Prefecture Prison, hidden within the forest on the outskirts of the two towns. There, the grim concrete blocks of the jail were still cloaked in shadow (or darkness as one would say). So far, their security system has not failed to protect the innocent inhabitants living in Beikai City. On occasion, a searchlight would probe through the darkness from one of the watchtowers.

Suddenly, a shape begins to shift on one of the walls.

It was a man, he lay low before darting across to where a rope has been tied to the metal railing. He glanced at his surroundings over the edge, the rope dangled down the outer prison wall to the ground- and freedom! He tugged on the rope to make sure it was secretly fastened. He checked the searchlight. It was still trained on the other side of the building. Then he hoisted himself over the rail and began climbing down.

His face was old and weathered. His hands may be rough but his body was lean and strong. As he had been promised, a bundle of spare clothes was spotted waiting for him on the ground along with a handful of cash. Having hastily peeled off his prison clothes, he quickly dresses in his spare clothes. Now he looks more like a factory worker than a prison inmate. He wasted no time sprinting towards the dark forest.

They told him that a car would be at the end of the track.

But when he reached the spot, it was pretty deserted.

What had gone wrong? Had he broken out too early?

He shrugged himself as he rubs the ugly scar on his face, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.

Too bad, he muttered under his breath.

He couldn't wait around any longer.

He knew one of the prison guards will eventually discover his empty cell at any moment. As his pulse started to race, he begins to hurry down the track.

When the alarm was raised, the only wish he could ask for is to vanish into thin air.

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

On a Sunday morning, 6-year-old Hikari Takuma enjoyed waking up in the early morning for many reasons unlike any other six-year-olds would. Firstly, the air was cooler. Secondly, everything was peaceful.

And where there is peace, the opportunity to fish is high. So since he enjoyed fishing, there's no better way to start the day. Plus, he owed someone a fish. A specific one in general.

Over breakfast, his young Korean mother warned him about the dangerous criminal escape from jail the day before. The man's face has made it to the front page of the morning newspaper across the Beikai District. One of the first things that made Hikari Takuma notice something that made him shudder first thing in the morning, was that scar.

The sight of the crook's hideous scar splashed across the front page of the morning newspaper.

Based on the paper, it seems as so the said elderly man with a scar comes by the name of Watanabe Ikeda. According to the paper, he had been in prison several times for cracking out cages and crack safes. He had only 3 months left to serve his sentence before he escaped.

"Takuma, please be careful ok? I don't like the fact that you are going out on your own so early in the morning. Let alone, some wanted criminal that is out and looses on about."

"Okasan(mom), common sense will tell you that any crook who breaks out of prison would not be stupid enough to remain here and would normally flee as far as they can. By now he is probably taking a flight to New York for all he knows! Only a moron would stay back."Takuma pouts, as he digs a spoonful of cereal from his cereal bowl. They were in the kitchen, just the two of them alone. His dad however is working overseas.

"I don't understand why you had to fish for this...Ranran? Your new friend?"

"Okasan, if it wasn't for her, I will be causing more problems for both you and tousan by relocating another school for me based on my talent, alright?"Takuma sighs as he thinks back to his friend Ranran.

"Alright, but if she causes any problems...."

"Okasan, she is fine. There is nothing wrong between her and me. Our friendship has so far been easy going."

But his words did little to convince his mother's heart.

That face again, he knew Ranran was right."You don't have to hide your hate, Okasan."

"You ranted how much you hated her at some point. What changed?"

He did at some point in his life, "Well....lots, Okasan. I just....been too oblivious-no, I.....blindly listen to the rumours without verifying the facts before getting to know her in person... That is the truth."

How her son Takuma being friends with that Ranran girl, was all through his current girlfriend/neighbour, Matsuyuki Reina from the Matsuyuki residence in the school they attend, Teitan Elementary school. The three got along very well.

But at one point in their life, Ranran wasn't on her son nor anyone's radar.

Ranran is....what Takuma would refer to his mom, as her husband would often use the word, 'eccentric'. The same kind of word her husband would use on that girl's mother.

It wasn't like Ranran was born strange looking or anything like that. If it were anything, Ranran is rated among the boys within their class to be the most beautiful girl they ever met (at least that is what her son has to say about that). With bright red lips without lipstick, big blue eyes, black hair, she could be a cute doll and boys will fawn all over her.

Then again, Ranran was also....questionable.

Unlike kids their age, she is talented. But her talent is not what one would call....normal, even by adults' standards. At some point, she is often compared to his other classmate, Kudo Shinichi, a wannabe Tantei fan, where she is a lot smarter than him. Presumably, due to their appearances looking similar, along with the surname 'Kudo', it was clear cut they be compared with each other.

The sightings of her rumoured to be in every crime scene beyond imaginable has always been the talk of the school, not that she cared how they perceived her.

Ranran's reputation there is neither likeable nor dis-likeable. She ain't an outcast. After all, outcasts in the Teitan Elementary school ranking made by kids alone aren't known to be popular. Even if they are, it isn't for good reasons.

For Kudo Ranran, it was for mixed reasons.

Once, the school at that time had wanted to set drastic measures on banning the use of smartphones in Teitan elementary, after the discipline teacher got inspired after watching some video in China on how teachers were forcing students to use a hammer to destroy their precious phone during the school assembly. He didn't do it for no reason, however, as kids have been too attached to their smartphone devices.

And so, Ranran being the first to be caught, she was to be set an example.

But if Teitan Elementary knows one thing about Ranran, is that they made a mistake, assuming that she will behave just like the other students.

On the day of the assembly, students and teachers watched as she was given the hammer to destroy her phone, she U-turn to make a quick grab of the discipline teacher's hand (who was standing close to her to ensure it happen) and slam it hard with a hammer, causing shockwaves among teachers and students alike, while the teacher yelp in pain as she runs scoot free with her phone.

It was a shock to everyone in school, by this point, Ranran could've been kicked out of school.

Much to the shock of everyone, however, was that the discipline teacher who suggested the banning in the first place (also the same one who she took a hammer and smash his hand), was the one to resign. Meanwhile, Ranran as always remained.

Since then, her reputation changed. Takuma's mom knew this cause she learn of this from one of their PTA (Parent-teacher association) meetings.

There is something about her that set fears and alarm bells onto some of the children's parents, as unexpected traps tend to set off out of the blue onto her enemies in the least expected circumstances. Probably due to the reason that no one truly knows what Ranran wants, thinks, or feels. At some point, she was rumoured to have been linked to several incidents, and it ain't just one or two, but 20 students, who were alleged to have been expelled, bullied by their tainted reputation, or had a permanent black record that prevented them from transferring another school close to their homes.

No matter how you look at it, crossing someone like her is like a death sentence to them. It was as though God is by her side. The thought of becoming her friend is very terrifying. What if anyone said one wrong thing, and they ended up suffering because of her?

Either way, it was the reason why Takuma often ranted to his parents that he truly didn't like her one bit back then. It wasn't because of the rumours surrounding her, but rather, considering she was born into a wealthy family, Takuma thinks she is a spoilt child. Takuma wasn't raised by her husband to judge someone based on words alone, but rather, their actions.

And this was proven to be the case when most of his athlete friends were affected by her actions. Since most of his friends tend to act as what they normally hear 'boys being boys', Ranran didn't like it one way or another, so 'incidents' started to fall onto those boys, one after another.

And as a result, most of his friends who join the Talent athlete program within their school has moved out one by one, leaving Takuma with new classmates he barely knows one bit. Truth to be told, he did resent her on occasion, not that it wasn't mutual between the two.

Still, her son Takuma was smart when it comes to certain things: Ranran wasn't the type to cause 'problems' to others unless she was provoked. So it was a silent agreement between the two, he stood away from her the way she did, things were normal and peaceful as it was.

Then one day, things change.

Takuma being the top athlete student in Teitan Elementary was framed over a scandalous incident, one which threaten to snatch his athlete dreams permanently. No one, literally not one student was going to stand up for his sake at that time. With his reputation for being cocky and overly haughty at the height of his fame back then, it was clear everyone in school wanted to see him fail, let alone, fade away.

To salvage his dream, the unexpected individual attended to his aid. That unexpected was Kudo Watson Ranran, his classmate and nemesis.

Long story short, Takuma's name was cleared and he was able to remain in school since, while he retain his status. Throughout that period, Takuma also learn that Ranran wasn't as hateful as he had thought, and gradually, the three became friends since.

Right now, all Takuma has in his head is that because of that, he has a problem, regarding getting this specific fish for her. It's hard to catch given the circumstances, but if he does it right, it shouldn't be a big deal. "Open your eyes, Okasan, she isn't as bad as 'others' made it out to be."

As soon as he shuts the door, his mother couldn't help but mutter, "I don't hate her....."

Truthfully, Hikari Takuma's mother has no reason to hate Ranran despite her questionable actions. If it were anything, she was entirely grateful for the fact she help prove her son's innocence despite their bad blood history.

Even so...

"Why did she have to be that woman's daughter...."

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

If one were to ask Takuma's first impression of Ranran, it was back then last year.

At a parkour event around the age of 3, the children of Beikai District gathered around to try out the new obstacle course. A time when the parents gathered around the principal of Teitan Elementary School to sweet talk their way into having their children placed in the best class, in hopes for their children to achieve higher education head start, as the rest of the children roamed joyfully to try out the new course.

Yes. That would have been an annual fun event if it wasn't for one major incident.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"Ranran!"

It happened so fast without warning, that a couple of children somehow allegedly and maliciously shoved a 5-year-old little girl from a high obstacle course, leading her to a broken leg so serious, that a medical emergency had to be contacted. And things got so bad, that the parents actually contacted the police with hopes of throwing the children responsible in prison.

Being among the crowd, Takuma grew curious and decided to take a look.

And it was then he laid eyes on the blue-eyed lip child, wincing in pain as she clutched onto her fractured leg. He then switched his gaze up onto the accused children who did this to him, four little boys who looked horrified and deathly pale over what had transpired. Adding in guilty looks, which left Takuma with a deep impression that they did intentionally attempt to harm the little girl.

Of course, whispers were exchanged among the children who were with Takuma, then more doubts surfaced as the children above them argued that they didn't do this to her, rumours spreading that she allegedly orchestrated all of this to frame them.

Though he was all of the doubt at first. Staring at the pained expression little girl, he can't even foresee himself breaking any of his own limbs to achieve that. And even if one were to orchestrate it, what could've been her motive? They only just met for the first time.

That is right, Takuma had an idea. If he studied the little girl's expression, surely like those dramas his parents watched on TV, an evil child or person would evilly smirk to themselves that their plan is going according to plan.

And yet, nothing like that happened.

Not even when the ambulance arrived, nor when her parents and the rest of the adults rushed over to carry her to the stretcher and send her to the hospital to be treated, that he notice such a thing took place.

Of course, days later, he would soon get word from the other children of Beikai District that one of the boys, especially the one named Kudo Shinichi, allegedly called Ranran a bastard, which would've been a great motive for framing him, as they were rumours of his father and her mother having an affair, resulting in Ranran's existence.

But it was merely something that could not be proven nor refuted. And as the period cooled off, Takuma had that incident long forgotten to the back of his mind.

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

Months later, they met again, though it was under unusual circumstances.

Seeing her sullen face sitting on the chair sorrowfully at a death anniversary memorial in a luxurious hall, all of this took place at the age of five was something Takuma hadn't thought he would notice at this point. Let alone, in a luxurious hotel.

His father's birthday was booked in that same hotel at that time, same floor, he didn't expect to see someone's death memorial within walking distance from the venue his family had booked.

Through his ex-friend, he learns that the 5-year-old girl had to deal with a very rude child.

And like a story out of a drama, this ex-friend of his excitedly explained to him that after talking to the attendees who attended the death memorial, which the venue was ironically based next to Takuma's father's birthday party, he learns that this spoilt heiress stormed into the memorial and simply accused the unfortunate Ranran for hijacking the venue that was meant for her birthday party initially.

The worst part? Since all of the attendees are individuals of high society, mainly the children who were present when all of this had taken place, it only made sense for them to reprimand the quote 'self-entitled heiress' and 'punish' her in unimaginable ways.

After hearing all of this, he truly didn't know what to make of it.

Ranran's family had only moved here for a couple of months, as she barely getting used to the way of life in Japan, and yet, two incidents had taken place, and everything had to do with the little girl.

If Ranran was the instigator of both of such incidents, it would've only made sense for such a thing to befall her. But the funny thing was not one person was able to prove that she directly or indirectly provoked them on purpose to trigger such incidents. And that all of this seems to show that Ranran was a victim of the series of incidents.

To put it mildly, either 5-year-old Ranran herself had to be one talented schemer that Takuma had ever come across, or she must have been the most unfortunate child with a bad fate in the history of the world.

Not long after that incident, as soon as he heard that Ranran would be starting out her school life in Teitan Elementary, the same school he would be in, he had a feeling there would be more incidents like this in the future.

And he has no idea how right he was.

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

"You brought someone to settle my case?"

Takuma was in shock as he remained seated on the couch of the student council president's office, owned by his ex-friend, Reina as the little girl nodded to him from another couch, "Yes."

"Just one question," Takuma had to raise his hand before pressing about this person, doubt is written all over his face, "Please don't tell me this person is a private investigator from Mouri Tantei Agency, right? Cause Mouri's Tousan isn't capable."

"Oh no," Reina dismissed Takuma's thoughts as she chuckled, "He is just like his daughter, they are both incapable of solving anything to be exact. He is the last person I would think of hiring to clear your name. Also, where do you think kids like us would be able to afford to hire a professional?"

"W-well....you have a point." Takuma pouted.

"Anyway, you need not worry about how much we would need to hire her-"

"Wait, her!? It's a woman!?" Takuma exclaimed.

"No no, it's a little girl." Reina corrected him.

"Hah!? Oh, Kami-sama no!" Takuma flat-out denies this suggestion while shaking his head in horror, "If this is someone who is eager to play Tantei, this is a big mistake!"

"Oh, you need not worry about that. Cause she is a pro, in fact, she has been doing this for over a year."

"Eh!? A year!?" Takuma's jaw dropped, he was in disbelief over what he was hearing from his ex-friend before deciding to press for more answers, "Where did you find her?!"

"By accident, I bumped into her after learning of your predicament."

"But wait a minute, bump into her?" Takuma was scrunching his nose by the minute before thinking hard about this, "If there is one child who can do so, that would be-"

"The Fox."

Honestly, hearing this almost made Takuma fall out of his seat, The Fox is an infamous child detective reported on the press,  one whose identity is never known to the public, "There is no way!"

"Yes, it's true. In fact, I even knew who she was in real life, which is why it was difficult to get her to accept this case on your behalf." 

Reina's revelation left Takuma speechless. The Fox was a legend among young detectives, known for her unmatched deductive abilities and uncanny knack for solving cases that even adults struggled with. The fact that Reina had somehow managed to track her down was nothing short of astonishing.

"But... why would she agree to help me?" Takuma finally managed to stammer out.

"She didn't want to, but I convinced her that she can set whatever terms she wants with you, should you choose to hire her." Reina leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Takuma's mind raced as he processed Reina's words. The idea of having The Fox, a legend in the world of child detectives, on his side was both exhilarating and intimidating. At the same time, however, Takuma's mind was racing. "Set whatever terms she wants?" Takuma repeated, still trying to grasp the reality of the situation. "W-why does it sound like you simply sold me to the devil?"

"Well, it was either her terms or not."

As if on cue, there was a soft knock on the door, and it creaked open to reveal a petite girl with strikingly sharp blue eyes with lips as red as blood. She couldn't have been more than 6 years old, but there was an air of confidence about her that was almost intimidating.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asked, her voice surprisingly mature for her age.

"Wait a minute, Ranran!? What is she doing here!? I thought you said you brought over The Fox?" Takuma grew a little rattled, with mixed emotions of anger and surprise forming on his expression.

"She is The Fox, Takuma." Reina sighed.

"Wait, say what now?!" Takuma's jaw dropped in disbelief. The little girl standing before him, with her sharp eyes and air of confidence, was The Fox? It was almost too hard to believe. "No way! I find it hard to believe it!"

"Whether I am or not, that is completely up to you," Ranran, or rather, The Fox, simply rolled her eyes up at Takuma, "But this is reality."

Takuma was still struggling to process the situation. The Fox was Ranran, the very girl he had seen at the parkour event and later encountered at the memorial. It was almost surreal.

The athlete was still trying to wrap his head around the revelation. He couldn't believe that the infamous child detective he had heard so much about was none other than the girl he had crossed paths with in the past. It was like something out of a detective novel.

After a moment, he decided to pull Reina aside to exchange a couple of words.

"You can't be serious about dragging my nemesis of all the kids in the world to clear my name, right Reina!?"

"Takuma, hear me out." Reina reassured him in all seriousness, "Right now, you are public enemy no.1 in the entire Teitan Elementary school, and given your...questionable reputation when you were at the peak of your fame back then, not a single kid is willing to prove you innocent. And yes, I know about your bad history with Ranran, but overall: She had several high-profile cases to prove her point, and if you turn Ranran away from this, you won't even have a single 1 per cent chance to secure your dream as an American Football Athlete. Worst, you would be forced to walk away from it all thanks to this scandal."

"Reina...."

"Tak-san, can you foresee yourself cooping yourself in a boxed-up cubicle office as a salaryman in Japan decades later?"

Takuma's heart sank at the thought. The idea of giving up his dream of becoming a professional American Football player was almost unbearable. It was the one thing he had always been passionate about, the one thing he had worked so hard for. The thought of settling for a life he hadn't envisioned was a tough pill to swallow.

"Honestly, no. But Ranran? Really? You know how much history we have. She's the last person I'd want to be indebted to."

"I mean to be fair, she was the first to see through your friends as 'pathetic losers' who are exploiting you like a doormat," Reina recalled.

Takuma couldn't deny that Ranran's assessment of his so-called friends was painfully accurate. They had taken advantage of his popularity and athletic prowess for their own gain, leaving him feeling used and unappreciated.

"Look, I know she may sound like a mean-spirited little girl, but trust me when I say she isn't what you assumed her to be," Reina placed a reassuring hand on Takuma's shoulder. "I know a lot of things about her that the other kids here don't, and I'll freely admit...the process is going to be like a roller coaster, but if you let her solve this, whatever debt she imposes onto you won't be as bad, comparing to the current situation you are dealing with at the moment."

Takuma took a deep breath, weighing his options. He looked back at Ranran, who was now deep in thought, her sharp eyes scanning the room as if she could see through walls. There was no denying her reputation as The Fox and Reina's words were beginning to make sense.

"Why do I get the nagging feeling that I am about to reach the most bottomless pits of hell?" Takuma moaned at his fate.

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

But considering all of this looking back, it was a pinch and barely hell awaited him.

Now, salmon fishing itself is a hard thing to catch in Takuma's mind.

It wasn't because of the location, but it was more of the law itself. In Japan, catching salmon has become illegal not long ago due to the endangerment of its extinction. Yet, despite knowing this, Ranran still wants a freaking salmon without caring about the law.

Initially, when Ranran said she wanted payment from him in return for proving his innocence, he panicked cause he didn't know what she wants in a payment. His family may be rich, but not as much as Ranran's is. He was assuming she wanted money, till she ask what was he good at besides American Football.

Fishing, he was good at that.

However, he has some concerns. Before the scandal cleared out, he has officially secured a permanent spot as a pro footballer, only to have it suspended thanks to the scandal. After proving his innocence, even though he managed to have his suspension removed, he has some obvious doubts about settling Ranran's payment that requires him to break the law.

By no fewer means, she wanted him to capture a fish that is close to extinction in Japan, a salmon. If one gets caught, that is considered breaking the law.

For Takuma, it also means putting his pro-footballer dreams at risk.

No worries, you are a kid. That incident when you were framed, is worst than breaking a law in capturing a fish I love to eat. You'll be fine. She told him once.

Anyway, it's better than paying using money, he acknowledges this fact. All he needed to do is to pick a specific location where the salmons hang out, away from where the law protects them. That way, he is dead certain even the government won't even arrest him. He is after all the king of fishing.

Takuma sauntered along through the empty streets, whistling softly to himself. Back before he moved into an urban house, used to live in a big block of apartments, and not far from it was a city riverbank where there was some space underneath the bridge.

That is his favourite fishing spot.

A lot of his ex-friends used to laugh at him when he had this theory that fish were hungrier in the morning. Let them laugh. Takuma knew better. He had caught some massive size fish while they were asleep in their bed. Fishing itself to him has been rather therapeutic during his darkest day, and he has no intention of abandoning his fishing trip, unlike any other morning. Plus, if he doesn't catch one, he is forced to pay up to Ranran with his actual money and he couldn't afford that, especially after what she has done for him.

This morning for the little boy, however, was to be life-changing.

He almost dropped his rod in shock when he noticed an old man sleeping under the bridge.

"Seriously?Mou! Of all things.....really?"

It was annoying to a 6-year-old Takuma, knowing that some homeless man just decided to hijack his favourite fishing spot by choosing to sleep here. To him, fishing required a tremendous amount of silence he could get. And a sleeping man who snores loudly is the last thing Takuma would want on his fishing plans, as the noise will be enough to scare all the fishes he plans to catch for today. He already made plans to catch a salmon for Ranran,  and of all the days the homeless man could pick, he choose today. Really?

If it were the old Takuma, he would kick him away without hesitation. Homeless people in their neighbourhood is common within their neighbourhood. Yes, in Japan of all countries, no different either way.

But things have changed. After that scandal, which could've caused more complications for his parents, Hikari Hajime and Hikari Riku, Takuma has changed for the better in terms of his personality, and the way he treated the people around him.

Takuma squinted at the snoring man and assume he was a factory worker based on the clothing he wore. Although it was morning, the early morning sunlight has not reached under the wall by the bridge yet. So Takuma propped his rod against a wall by the bridge and crept forward for a closer look. From observation, the old man hadn't shaved and his face was covered with stubble. It was thick but not enough to conceal that long ugly scar that ran down to one side of his face. He seems familiar to Takuma.

That was when Takuma's jaw dropped as he stared at the old man in disbelief, immediately recognizing him.

Oh crap! Could he be the escaped prison bird? If he is.....what on earth would he be doing under the bridge!?

He has to make a quick decision at this point. Though calling the cops is an obvious option for Takuma, having grown up in this neighbourhood for 6 years, he knows the inside out of the Beikai District (thanks to his event planner of a mother). Right now, it is the New Year month, so events are going on where most of the cops are present guarding the venue as they assume the escaped fugitive may arrive here to terrorize the events in exchange for his freedom (since the newspaper also reported than he was raised there and very familiar with the city surroundings).

Not to mention, there are currently under man-power, after most of the cops who previously worked there were arrested for a large undercover operation takedown that has taken place. If he recalled accurately, it only happened last year around December. A lot of them were receiving corruption charges, the whole thing was led by an anonymous young lieutenant. By the time Takuma get them over, the combination of heavy traffic, a lack of police members, is enough to ensure the fugitive will flee by this point.

Still, he'd have to give someone a call before this criminal got away! There was no way a boy like himself was going to be able to handle him alone! Who should he call in this type of situation? His new football buddies?

"No, not them, they will probably flee or tell him to call the police."

Narrow down his options...he is going to need a very brave soul. One who is familiar and experienced with such situations. Let's see....are there any other early birds he could call? Should he....call Reina?

"No, not Rei-chan."He tells himself," she will be the first to call the cops before anything can take place. No different than any of them. Especially her overbearing mom. She'll be the last person I wanna deal with."

Alright, what about the others? Most of them would be dead asleep.

Hang on....he has Shinichi! That Sherlock enthusiast Kudo Shinichi, "Wait, no. He ain't around. His have many soccer practices to catch up since that feud incident with that Mouri...."Takuma remembered before he then frown," but what a fool, he just decided to wait despite not knowing whether he be allowed back into the soccer club. If it were me, I would just quit before they even make the decision. Not like he had any interest to become a pro-soccer player unlike I do with football."

Still, it wasn't his right to say anything about it. After all, it was Shinichi's decision to do so.

Takuma recalled that through associates, Shinichi should be having soccer practice with his friends today to catch up on his supposed 'missed practices'. For the past several weeks, there was a series of events where Shinichi was oddly not present during the scheduled soccer practice. Which was rather unusual, because it wasn't like Shinichi to do so. He loves soccer. And anyway, he is more experience in looking for missing items such as wallets and lunch boxes.

"Also, there is no way Shinichi will be able to solve this. He lacks such experience."Takuma muttered in a low volume to not wake the homeless man up.

Not to mention, he has no idea where is Shinichi's soccer practice venue. If the venue itself is close by where he is fishing, at least he could still help. But their practice venue tends to end up all over the place. Also, he doesn't have his contact number.

Well......he is left with one last option. Ranran.

Takuma knows she isn't a morning person. She is by far the only one that would sleep till noon and would ignore anyone that tried to wake her up, even if you are her parents cause she loves staying up late at night playing video games. But right now, times are desperate, and Takuma needed her quick.

Takuma edged away from the man as he pulled out his phone from his pants and prayed she answer the phone. He punched her number on his smartphone and waited.

It didn't take longer than 2 minutes before he hears a voice picking up at the other end of the line, "Hello? Taku~?" Ranran answered the phone, sounding slurred.

"I found him!" he whispered when Ranran answered.

"Found who?"Asked Ranran in annoyance.

"Did you read the news yet?"

"No. I just solved a case involving a Bengal cat, a fake heir, and a scumbag dad."

"Ok," Takuma tells himself to be patient towards an impatient Ranran, who had just woken up as he assumed, from her usual video gaming night. He is gonna ask more about what she had been investigating yesterday when they are free."Did you know why I am calling you?"

"Obviously."Ranran wondered groggily where was Takuma heading with this."Some prison bird escaped from prison, I think that was what I saw last when I woke up a while to read, only to sleep again."Ranran recalled.

"Yeah-about that, well...I found the guy!"Takuma reported.

There was a startled gasp and slurred on the line, "Wait? Are you sure?"

"He has a scar on his face and his features look exactly like the one I saw in this morning's paper," Takuma told her.

"What!? How stupid is he to not flee the country after escaping? And second of all, where the hell are you right now?"Ranran demanded urgently.

"Do you remember where I always fish? Under the bridge? Because I owed 'someone who wanted a salmon' for dinner?" he reminded her.

"Takuma, be careful he is dangerous. Although good work by the way. And yes, you still owe me a salmon."She warned him as she praises him, quickly changing into her clothes while she set her phone to speakerphone, "Give me 2 minutes, I will be there. In the meantime, hide yourself, Ok?"

But there was no reply.

"Takuma?Takuma!" shouted Ranran "Talk to me!Taku-san!?Shit!"

Having realized the situation has likely taken a turn for the worst, Ranran changed her clothes a lot faster than she normally does, before running down the stairs to push open the door, switching the button of her roller skate shoes before skating to her destination.

Meanwhile, poor Takuma couldn't answer for a huge rough hand clamped his mouth as his smartphone slipped from his fingers and bounced on the stones by the edge of the river.