It was early evening when Ran decided to head home.

After several days of info collecting intel and discussing, Ranran granted everyone a break before instructing everyone to play their part, while the rest of the kids remain back at HQ to rush with their homework.

For Ran, however, her Tousan (dad), Mouri Kogoro, is out on a case as a private Tantei and is very likely to be back home within an hour, so she decided to head home ahead to prepare dinner. Since her mother move out of the house, Ran had always been the one in charge of the cooking, finances, even as far as cleaning up the beer cans and cigarettes cluttered on her father's desk.

Outsiders might assume Mouri Kogoro and Eri Kisaki (her mother) are inept parents to their 6-year-old daughter. After all, they did marry in their twenties and have a kid the same year before establishing their careers. Ran was the one who had to bear the things her mother used to be in charge of before she became a successful lawyer when her mother moved out of the family house, leaving her daughter behind. It's no surprise that people look down on her because her father drinks a lot whenever he doesn't have any clients for his detective firm.

Others may believe this is terrible parenting from afar, yet in Japan, children are expected to be self-sufficient from an early age. Though it is uncommon nowadays, there are children Ran's age that would handle housework and cooking when their parents are not around. You might be startled to see some youngsters their age out on their own at night, hanging out with others. It's no surprise that Ran was in charge of everything. Anyone in Ran's position would immediately believe her parents were awful for leaving their little child to do all of these things.

And there were right in some ways. However, Ran knew better.

She had personally heard accounts from Shinichi about crimes against children their age, where they were continually beaten up black and blue, tormented, and even tortured to such degrees that it gave the parents who did this to the joy. Although her parents were a little reckless, they did consider her wellbeing by not divorcing. Although the kids at their school are tough on kids from broken homes, they are more tolerant of children with separated parents since there is a potential that the parents will reconcile (which Ran is certain her parents still have feelings for one another despite the split).

Moreover, despite being wrong about several things in life, her parents never once struck her. Her mother would make an effort to take time away from work to take her shopping or to dine at a café, as her father had frequently raised her to avoid substances like drugs and alcohol while questioning how her day at school was.

Even though Mouri Kogoro drinks a lot and can be seen hanging out with pretty hostesses in bars, if he ever comes home with sake, cigarette packs, or booze bottles as a gift from his clients (or if he purchases it himself), he would make sure it is 500 percent locked up in a cabinet where he knew his daughter can never reach. If he consumes one of them, he will make sure the can and bottle will not be left with a single drop, and even ensure the cigarettes he uses are so fully extinguished, his 6-year-old daughter can never try any of them out of curiosity. Those were the signs of their love towards their daughter despite how messed up it may look for others, and Ran can see the signs.

Of course, this wasn't fully safe proof because the kids at school still look down on her parents' marriage by gossiping and criticizing her. Ran is thankful that she still has Suzuki Sonoko to accompany her during times like this.

Ran had brought a somewhat fatigued Sonoko home for an early dinner after another day of hiding from an angry riot of children, as Sonoko had been forced to miss lunch to flee from those hostile kids. They walked through the sun-drenched streets to Ran's house, whose apartment is above Tousan's detective business.

"Tousan won't be home for another hour," she said as she unlocked the front door and the two girls dropped their bags from a corner after taking off their shoes and leaving them at the doorway. "It's quite lonely here by oneself."

"It can't be avoided since he has to work." Ran shrugs as she shuts the door.

"What are you preparing for your drunkard Tousan?" Sonoko asks as they headed their way to the kitchen, Ran opened the fridge to flip through what all looked good in the fridge, then checked the freezer. "Salmon. It's been a while since we have it."

"Oooh, I think some salmon would be nice."Sonoko drools at the meat.

"But I would need to let it sit for a while before cooking it."Ran frowned at the packaged meat.

"Eh?"

"The salmon won't cook evenly if I directly put it on the pan. So while I leave it for hours, let's eat ramen? It won't be that heavy for us before we have early dinner?"Ran suggests, putting the packaged salmon in a plastic bowl.

"I agree." Sonoko settles on her plan, "I haven't eaten since I had to escape from those jerks. Also, my entire family has taken the maids to go on a team-building expedition, so there is no one at home to cook for me.  Why must they do this to me?" laments Sonoko.

"Then beef ramen it is, then!" Ran decided.

They rummage through the kitchen cabinet where Sonoko found packets of instant noodles, Sonoko helped Ran fill a saucepan with water before Ran tipped the noodles into the saucepan and started stirring. The smell of ramen noodles, especially the beef flavoured soup filled the air, entering Sonoko's nostrils, "Your ramen is always the best, Ran."Sonoko praises.

"Stop it, "Ran felt a bit bashful by the praise, and a little irritated that the water wasn't boiling as quickly as she wanted it to. "Sonoko also produces delicious ramen."

"No, that's not true." Sonoko is adamant "You always have that skill that makes ramen taste better. Even your Okasan's (mom's) ramen is a tremendous loss, given how bad her ramen tastes."

Ran wasn't going to deny what Sonoko said was true, her mom sucks in the kitchen. Even her dad thinks of it as well. "How is...your situation with that girl by the way?"Sonoko questions her friend as she sat waiting for Ran to finish their ramen.

"Hah...?" Ran looked surprised when the water started to sizzle.

"It's just...I mean, in dramas this is the opportunity where one tortures the sunny bright heroine, especially since you are under the same club as her. But ever since you join the association, it's like...I didn't hear her bullying you or so."

"Ah...that. Yeah," She admittedly bobbed her head, her gaze fixed on the pot. "At first, I thought she was going to torment me by making me count more newspapers, but she merely asked us to complete our duties in the association."

"Really? What exactly did she want you to do?" Sonoko cocked her head in a perplexed manner.

"Well...it all started when..."

So Ran gave her the entire narrative of Junko storming into their office, her connection to Michio, the Watanabe investigation, and Junko's kidnapping. "Junko!? Is that 4-D's Fumiyo Junko? That girl who bitten another girl's arm in your club!? Was kidnapped?" Sonoko was startled.

"Yeah, that one." Ran nodded, before realizing, "How do you know of her anyway?"

"She is famous I told you!"Sonoko covered her mouth as she gasps, "The clingest girl over a boy she knew since kindergarten...even I wouldn't go this far the way she did. To think....oh the audacity! Also that Tantei geek...I didn't think he was going to hit her! That girl had a black belt for God's sake!"

"Really?"

"Wait a minute, shouldn't she be able to fend the dogs off? Considering her ranking?" Sonoko remembered.

"Sonoko, she was hounded by the two dogs for two hours! After what Ranran had done, who wouldn't feel exhausted?" Ran saw that more bubbles in the saucer pan are popping.

"Anyway, what was Tantei geek thinking-no, what were you all thinking to go onboard with Ranran's plan!? Even for you Ran, it's...." Sonoko's eyes flashed as she looked at the long brown hair girl.

"Well.....truth to be told, not everyone is on board about using two innocent dogs to chase after her. Then again," she shrugs, "There was also you to think about besides Fuyuko."

"How did Shinichi respond when it was all over?" Sonoko inquires out of curiosity.

"Well, he was impressed and said he hasn't had much fun in a long time."Ran rolled her eyes thinking about it.

Sonoko's jaw dropped, "Seriously!? Tantei-geek has been brain-wash by that red lip demon beyond return!"

"I suppose they were all, since after that fiasco...the rest were already talking about when they were going to do this dog skating thing the following round.  I suppose Shinichi is on board with this just so he can do his job," she says after a long audible breath.

"Mou....that Tantei geek. If he keeps this up, Ranran is going to be morally corrupted beyond return! So does he!" Sonoko expresses in discomfort.

"It ain't like he had a choice, since he is her apprentice. Also, Ranran did tell of us to either come up with an idea or this be the only route out." Ran glanced to the faraway corner of the room as her expression of frustration had remained as it is, "between an unlikable girl and many innocent lives, who should we pick? Even I couldn't give her a straightforward answer."

"I wonder how many times she'll use the phrase 'for the greater good' merely to get away with her schemes?" Sonoko sighs at the possibility.

"Well, that is what makes her Ranran, nah?"

After a couple of minutes, Ran placed before Suzuki a pot of fresh hot brown broth with noodles.

"Itadakimasu!" As Sonoko lifted the noodles, Sonoko liked the way the noodles are warm, especially as she ate it directly from the pot in cold spring, the beef flavour is really good."This is the best Ramen, you should open a ramen shop."

"Ah haha, thanks."Ran smiled cheerfully before grabbing a seat opposite her friend.

"Shinichi is one lucky bastard, having a wife who can cook for him-Ah!"Sonoko gasped, feeling horrible about saying something she shouldn't in front of her best friend, "I'm sorry! I didn't-"

"It's alright. "Ran turned towards Sonoko, her smile has not wavered, "He and we are no longer...anymore."

Sonoko couldn't help but curse herself for bringing Shinichi up out of habit, and Ran's violet eyes faded for a minute. Sonoko shove her mouth with the ramen strands she was holding with her chopsticks. Although the beef tastes the nicest, she finds the noodles to be a little rubbery for some reason.

"Neh Ran, will see not see him anymore after all of this is over?"Sonoko couldn't help but ask Ran about it, as she didn't like Ran having to keep her feelings to herself all the time. Ran always tend to do that, even after her parents separated.

"Sonoko, of course, we will still do. We are in the same class after all-"Ran tries to convince her.

"That's not what I mean; I mean him hanging out with us." Sonoko decided it was time to take her friend's problem with Shinichi seriously.

"Eh?"

"Ran-san, you join Tantei association because of me, deshou? After this case is over...it ends between the two of you for good, nah? That he will forever be with Ranran over the future cases that are coming in...."

The room falls silent, there is no tension except heartache from Ran, "I mean...it ain't like their association is going to do good later on. Just because...they are currently dealing with an infamous criminal, it would do good for their agency."Ran remarked.

"I'm not sure Ran...I mean, we've known Shinichi for over a year, and we both know his observational talent is beyond average when it comes to judging a person's talents," Sonoko said, slurping the noodles. "If he opted to gladly become one's apprentice rather than be independent, especially towards the red lip demon, that implies Ranran must be exceptionally talented in her job...to even discard his pride for her," she said after finishing the ramen.

Sonoko is right; Shinichi was not the sort to relinquish his arrogant pride for anybody. Ran couldn't help but be troubled by this, wondering how a 6-year-old child like Ranran managed to gain the support of the recently disgraced Hikari Takuma, the student head council Reina, and even Shinichi? It just doesn't make sense!

"Maybe Ranran has charisma."

"Hah?!" Sonoko jerked her head in Ran's direction.

"I mean...aside from having looks of a doll, maybe...she has the charm to win people over easily you know? Like those...Otome games where the player always have men by their feet by saying the right things to win them over?"

"You may be correct, but...Ranran isn't as saintly as those bright main heroines. What is Ranran's genuine nature truly like?" Sonoko wondered, her hands beneath her chin as Ran put away the saucepan and chopsticks to be washed in the basin.

"Who knows? I guess we'll never know," Ran says as she washes the cutlery and cookware.

Though Ran had only been in the association for a couple of days, Ranran didn't do any harm to her by giving her unreasonable tasks. If anything, she was busy searching for a dangerous criminal with Shinichi and the rest of the members. It made her question a lot about Ranran's character: is she really as bad as she sounds? Or was it nothing but a lie? Ran has no idea what to think anymore.

"If only we knew what she's really like, we wouldn't have to be concerned about Shinichi's well-being. Also, as much as I despise admitting it, I will miss Tantei Geek greatly."

And Sonoko meant every word she said; just because she doesn't like Shinichi's obnoxious attitude doesn't mean having him exiting their lives after all of this would make her feel better. There's a part of Suzuki that wishes Shinichi would wake up, that Ranran isn't his ticket to a career as a detective, that her character is too twisted to be around.

She desperately wanted to confront Ranran. However, a memory Sonoko recalled reminded her that doing so would prove Ranran was right about Sonoko, that she was an impulsive heiress that is ignorant about the realities of the world.

........

She rushed to Ranran's house the other day after finishing off Watanabe's newspaper clippings with Ran, intending to confront her as she planned to seek answers from that icy little girl, wondering what Ran had done to deserve this. Did Ran do something bad to Ranran without realising it in the past? Or did Sonoko inadvertently hurt someone Ranran cared about, prompting her to strike out at Ran? If that's the case, Ran did not deserve it.

Sonoko knew the way to her house since she has mutual friends with Takuma who knew where she lived. Being the school gossip queen has its perks; you discover things when you least expect them. Sonoko didn't care what happened to her afterwards; if Ranran framed her as a lolicon apprentice again, she'd gladly accept. She no longer has anything to lose now that her school reputation has been ruined. But she wasn't going down without a fight.

However, before she could do so, she unexpectedly spots the said devil through the window.

Where? Ranran, Reina, and Takuma were spotted dining together at a restaurant near Ran's house, eating ramen with some files on the table.

She enters the restaurant quietly and asks for a table near the trio. Sonoko understood she had to play her cards correctly, but with greater caution, knowing what the red lip demon was capable of.

Sonoko eavesdrops on their conversation while she sits quietly and orders a drink. "Suzuki's still having a hard time at school, nah?" Ranran inquires from her best friend, Reina.

"Yes. Those kids are still pursuing her after discovering she broke into your house and was responsible for  your wheelchair situation."Reina affirms as she waits for their ramen to cool off.

"That loudmouth ask for it! Who asks her to constantly go after Ranran like that? She is inviting nothing but trouble! She deserves it! Hmph!"Takuma rants about her, as he sips his cold sprite.

Sonoko waited for Ranran to respond, wondering what is her answer? Is she gonna continue bashing her character as she did with Shinichi the other day? "She is doing it for a friend, Tak-san. Let her be."

Eh? This wasn't the response Sonoko was expecting from the red lip demon.

"I don't see why you're justifying her actions! She doesn't even care about Shinichi's tantei aspirations." He pouts and pushes his drink aside before ranting, "Imagine having to deal with every single kid whispering about how he would be better off as someone's spouse due to his background and appearance rather than being recognised for his abilities. She even dismisses his abilities so that he marries her best friend. That is an all-time low; even in my glory days, I would never degrade other children to convince them to give up on their dreams just to feed my ego. What a bully."

"Well...when you put it that way, "Ranran scratched her chin, "that makes her a bully."

All of these revelations made Sonoko freeze as she gasp, what did she just say!?

"Takuma."Reina gave her boyfriend a look.

"Just let him be, "Ranran dismisses her not to lecture him.

"But-"Reina was cut off.

"He is right."Ranran acknowledges as her eyes fall onto the steamy hot ramen," She is so blinded for Ran's happiness, she just wipe out anything in sight heartlessly without care cause she is what she is: a spoilt little rich girl who never once question her one brain cell why what she did is wrong. In her head, all the things she did is justifiable for her friend. As long as it is at the expense of others' misery, it means nothing to her. Even if it means sacrificing Shinichi's dreams against his wishes."

Suzuki was at a loss for words as the detective girl's harsh remarks sliced through her like a dagger, slashing into her fragile soul; she just sat there."How come I can't seem to find girls like you nowadays? Rich, beautiful, and intelligent." Reina leans back in her chair. "They brag about their designer gowns, make-up, attractive boys, and the money their parents earn, but that's about it. I'm sick and weary of hearing them. Suzuki is among them. Why girls like them never once used their brains?"

"Maybe they haven't found anyone who cares for them the most to tell them that."Ranran chuckled at that thought, though she personally thinks Sonoko is someone that can never change even if one points out her flaw.

"Nah, Sonoko has a brain of a sloth. Telling her won't make a difference. The thing that only keeps her awake must be boys who are born good-looking."Takuma dismisses Ranran's thought.

"That's true, no wonder Ran turned out the way she is with Shinichi. She is a bad influence."Reina ponders, sipping her drink before giving Ranran a good look, "If I was born as privileged as her, I won't abandon my studies and work hard like you are to ensure endless wealth."

"Well...I once asked that question to someone I know of. And 'he' gave me a very interesting answer." Ranran gave a twisted grin, while Sonoko wondered who was 'he' she was referring to. Was it Shinichi? Also, why does that smile on her red lips make Sonoko feel uneasy?

"Really?" The two friends asked in unison, "What was 'his' answer?"

"To answer that question, he showed me a movie where a little boy was raised with a 'supposed loving environment," Ranran intentionally air quoted it before adding on, "This movie is very messed up."

"How messed up can it be?"Takuma found himself wondering why Ranran's expression looked sour and a hint of despair flickered in her blue eyes.

Her expression then hardened a little, "Get this, his childhood arranged fiance who grew up into a beautiful 18-year-old young lady fell for another man."

"Woah! I mean it's kinda expected since they were arranged to be married."Takuma scoffed.

"Let me guess how the plot turned out, she ditch him at the alter to be with that man?"Reina mocked.

"I wished that happened," Sonoko noted Ranran's eyes seemed to darken, not before elaborating from memory, "Because of his lacking education thanks to his abusive mother, he grew frustrated that no one is able to understand him. It didn't help that since he was born as the son of a noble family, expectations of him to be intelligent are high. So when his fiance and his new lover of hers exploited his inferiority, he ends up making a mistake that is beyond unforgivable, his mother later seize his wealth and family honour by letting that skank, the fiance, take over, and she lived happily ever with that cheating scum."

"Woah, what kind of trashy movie is that!?" Takuma couldn't help but blink in response, even Reina was appalled.

"I know right? Also, the unfortunate character is the second male lead, "Ranran chuckled darkly before her eyes seem to sink into another world," After watching that movie, I learn one important lesson from 'him': I can choose to end up living an aimless life like that one brain cell heiress, or smarten up with what I was born with. That way, even kids like her can never lay a finger on me."

"Sometimes I wonder if that Suzuki girl is genuinely the daughter of the Suzuki corporation. She isn't even close to being half as smart as you." Reina wonders.

"Shameless girls like her are the stain of any wealthy family, that is what her mother always said to me whenever our families have those fancy gatherings. And admittingly, she is right." Ranran sneered at no one, not realizing the heiress was hearing all to this, "I don't even need to scheme the worst for her to suffer, and look what happened to her? Being chased by the entire school because of her own wrongdoing."

"I don't know about you, but what she is going through right now made me restore my faith in karma, you know?" Takuma chuckled at that thought, "I mean she still hasn't apologised for attempting to murder you at your own home, let alone, breaking into your grandparents' house in front of Shinichi."

"What thief and attempted murderess would, Tak-chan? " Ranran gave an amusing smile as she remembered something, "You know after I told Shinichi to make that announcement on going after her, this was before I learn it was Sonoko, we attended another function for our family. Her mother came up to me in person and ask if everything was alright in school with Sonoko, cause she begged her mom not to send her there anymore.  It was clear she didn't tell her mother of all the horrible deeds she did, which is a shame though. I wish I knew in advance it was her."

Sonoko gasps at her response. So Ranran genuinely has no idea that it was her!?

"Why? Would that make a difference?" Reina questioned her friend.

"Of course, after all of the unnecessary harassment she put me through, she needs to suffer the worst kind of hell. Cause girls like her never suffered as I did. "Ranran's lips formed a twisted smirk, her eyes full of glee, "I will let Shinichi know who it is and convince him to put a hit on her since she will continue to endanger our safety.  But I will also make sure to let him know not to announce her name, and leave a couple of clues that will lead them to Sonoko. I am certain they will hunt her down while I make Ran watch. I want them to leave every single bruise on her body as she did with me, let them know this is what happens to criminals that I manage to catch!"

Those words were enough to send chills to Sonoko.

"Damn, I knew you always think out-of-the-box, but that is a little extreme." Reina howled in laughter.

"Not really, Reina." Takuma justifies their friend's thoughts with a sly smile, "Someone like Ranran need to exist to teach girls like Sonoko a taste of their own medicine. I won't mind that if she has to increase the dosage for that matter, cause I don't support kids who talk crap of others implusively, let alone, compare others. They always stand in the way of her job of saving other people. What the two girls been doing was no different than the culprits Ranran-san put in prison if I may be honest." 

"Eh? What do you mean Sonoko been comparing others?" Ranran stopped slurping her ramen midway.

"You didn't know? I got intel through Emiko that Suzuki was the one who spread those rumours about The Fox's existence from what I had gathered in our school." Takuma pointed out, finishing his drink, "It was supposed to stir Shinichi away from his dream so her best friend Ran could end up with him. If only she knew who The Fox truly was. Hah! I can't wait to see her face when she finds out is you."

That is when the color on Sonoko's face drained out of her. No way...don't tell her...The Fox is-

"If they are a pair of foxes, then I will play the hare. If they are the hare, I will play the fox. After all, there can only be one Fox among us."

Ranran's words were seemingly cryptic to anyone who may not know her, but Takuma and Reina knows what the meaning behind her words meant: If one tries to play a damsel in distress, she will join their game, but turn the table against them.

With those words, Sonoko felt so uncomfortable and ashamed, she got up to leave instead of confronting the joyful trio.

........

That day, Suzuki headed to her bedroom to sob in her misery.

How cruel Kudo Ranran is, she is only the same age as her, and yet...yet...she has a such vicious tongue!

Everything that came out of the red lips she was adorned with, God, Sonoko considers destroying every single fibre being of that she-demon! The beauty she is blessed with, the parents who never compared her with others unlike her mother does with her own elder sister, having Shinichi wrap around her dainty finger while her best friend cries...she can't wait to rip her to shreds.

And yet...for some reason,  Sonoko can't help but think Ranran was right about her.

Ranran is intelligent while she isn't, and Suzuki has her mother's harsh words on comparing her own daughter to every single achievement Ranran has scored in her homework, let alone her manners, to prove it. Adding further salt to the world is that Ranran is doing detective work, getting justice for the world, while all the heiress has ever done is talk about boys, movies and who to marry in the future. Ranran is also born extraordinarily beautiful, like a doll while she is a plain jane. Sonoko herself as far as she admits...isn't even half as cute as her own friend, Mouri Ran.

The worst part out of all of this wasn't just the fact Ranran is cruel, it's the fact that she didn't go out of her way to bully her and Ran, cause if she did, at least Sonoko be able to point out the wrong in what her mother sees in Ranran, that she is morally better than Ranran. At least she won't feel bad when she broke into Ranran and Shinichi's house, let alone harass her.

But no, it was clear and evident to Sonoko that Ranran was morally better than her, despite her questionable reputation. And she messed up big time, but Sonoko has gone too far to stop what she has done.

Sonoko wishes she could apologise to Shinichi for comparing his dreams to those of her best friend, which was never her goal if she had realised this would be the last time he would leave them for good to be with Ranran. Sonoko trusts him since he is the greatest buddy anyone could ask for, especially Ran. When Suzuki wasn't there, it was Shinichi who stood in for Ran whenever the bullies ridiculed her parents' separation.

Shinichi, on the other hand, was frequently spotted with bruises around his face, arm, and leg whenever one of the kids made fun of Ran's family situation. And when that happened, her closest friend would cry in solitude, over and again, blaming herself for everything.

Sonoko became more aware of how dangerous the world of detectives is as she grew older. It all started one day when word broke that a detective had been shot dead on live television as the family was having supper. Suddenly, the happy days of playing police and robbers since kindergarten are no longer as joyful as they once were, as she considers the potential that Shinichi could wind up in a body bag one day, and that Ran would finally break down as a result of this.

Shinichi takes things way too seriously when it comes to becoming a detective, especially with his detective endeavours. She realised she couldn't argue with him since that Tantei geek's arrogance had never faltered. Even if she had mentioned Ran, she knew Shinichi would never abandon his detective dreams for her.

So, when word got out that another child his age, known as 'The Fox,' had been solving crimes, she decided to use 'The Fox' to discourage him. Suzuki would not dispute Shinichi's talents were above average, but he did waste his talent on Bentos and wallets, which was uncalled for. He should have spent his free time with Ran rather than searching for all of the lost items. She even went so far as to inform the entire school about The Fox, hoping that he would abandon it.

But Suzuki never would've guessed this plan would end up pushing Shinichi to end with Ranran, an unscrupulous girl. So, once again, she tried to persuade him that dating Ran wasn't as horrible as it seemed, in contrast to his hopeless dream.

That's when Suzuki realised she'd struck a nerve with him, and the damage was irreversible. It was all Suzuki's fault that Shinichi no longer tries to mend their friendship.

If Sonoko could go back in time, she would have apologised, but it wouldn't have meant anything. Her apologies would be meaningless to Ranran as long as she was around. She now wonders how long this conflict between him and Ran will last. It's fine if he no longer wants to talk to her, but he can't do the same to Ran.

"I am sorry."Sonoko apologize with remorse filled in her eyes, "It was my fault."

Ran shook her head. "Sonoko, please..."

"That's why Shinichi didn't even try to talk to us anymore since we no longer listen to him, the only person he listens to is that demon," Sonoko dropped her gaze to the table, remorse settling in." I mean, he's obnoxious, but he's not emotionless like his idol, Sherlock Holmes." Sonoko expresses herself in a melancholy tone.

"This isn't your fault, it was also mine as well."

"No, it isn't," Sonoko stated emphatically. "I never once asked him how he truly feels about all of this, never respected his feelings about becoming a detective...then again, when I was discouraging him...it wasn't because I don't think he's capable, I just...I didn't want that idiot to die, because if he dies...you will cry again for that idiot who has no limit to his stubbornness."

Ran opened her mouth to say something, but closed it, before coming closer and hugging her friend tightly. At first, Sonoko simply stood there, astonished. Then, she relaxed in her embrace. "I know exactly what you're thinking and you're wrong," Ran paused, "But even if you didn't do all of that, I am certain that feud with Rokuro would've done us good. Also, you did all of this for a cry-baby like me."

"Ran..."Sonoko whispered as her heart sank out of guilt.

Ran replied to Sonoko's departure by stating, "You just didn't want him to die and leave me heartbroken. I understand. You have  always been the friend I knew since kindergarten." Sonoko swore she would've broken down and sobbed in front of Ran if it hadn't been for Ran's courageous grin. Ran put a hand on Sonoko's shoulder "Now, Sonoko, come and help me with preparing the salmon. I believe the time is almost up."

Sonoko blushed awkwardly, realizing she was in trance for so long.

As Ran open the cabinet to prepare the kitchen utensils, Sonoko decided to switch topics so she will no longer be sad anymore."About what you said of Watanabe....do you think Watanabe was telling Takuma the truth? Or do you think he just escaped from jail by himself?"

"Hmm...I think he was being honest. Otherwise, why would those people try to shoot him?"

"Perhaps they didn't like the fact that he didn't depart the country after breaking him out. You know what kind of people criminals are." Sonoko grabbed two bowls. "I mean, I've seen movies where someone breaks out of jail and returns to exact revenge on someone or to recover the money they've hidden away. Maybe you're wasting all of your time with him."

"That part...I don't think we would know. That'll be up to Ranran and Shinichi's thoughts."Ran switch on the stove.

"That reminds me, Ranran has more experience than Shinichikun in this, right?" Sonoko raised her brow. "Shinichi is now her partner in crime, but I know that despite being exposed to several crime scenes, he has no idea how the criminal world works. Isn't it a major leap? Overnight, from stolen pencils and lunchboxes to murder? Can he handle it? With a girl like Ranran?"

"He been with her for a while, I think he should be fine. Alright, enough of them. Let's prepare dinner, shall we?"Ran urge, "After this, I have to look up some articles involving travelling circus and zoo. I may need your help on this later on if you want to get out of this mess she had caused."

"Alright Ran," Sonoko smiled back, amused yet comforted.

....

Long shadows cloaked the streets as Shinichi headed back to his house in a hurry to search for any travelling circus or private zoos of Japan. He had made sure to check whether anyone was following him, but saw no one suspicious.

Unlike Ranran's French style house, he lives in a Tudor style mansion surrounded by a walled garden. Upon arrival, he unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The dying afternoon light spill through the windows and across the marble floor. As he had expected, the house was empty. A note was propped against an elegant vase on a hall table.

Shin-chan, your Tousan and I have to run an unexpected errand. We ordered some takeaway for your dinner, it's in the fridge. We may return around 9 pm.

Shinichi shrugs and walks up to his room. He'd grown accustomed to going home to an empty house, to the solitude of eating his meals. He halted on his way up the stairs to pick up a stack of newspapers from the coffee table that his mother had bought for him this morning. He brought it up to his room and had it spread on the computer table, not before turning on his PC to engage in a group online chat.

"Everyone on?"He calls out to them as he switches on his microphone on his table.

"Noted!" On his PC monitor, the five members of the Tantei association answered enthusiastically, each of their faces appearing to be in their bedroom doing the task Ranran had instructed them to research. They were all wearing headphones while they talked.

Many children his age would like to have his and Ranran's freedom whenever both of their parents travel abroad. But, in the back of his mind, he envied them and their lives of having their family around them. Of course, he has Ranran nearby, but they weren't even close to inviting her over. He always felt like there was a wall surrounding her for some reason, and his pettiness was one of the reasons he never tried to approach her in the first place.

Ranran's solution of organising this gathering was brilliant. The two can keep track of one other's progress while researching the circus and zoo separately. After examining each of the members' rooms, he saw that only Ranran's bedroom is luxuriously adorned, while the others appear to be normal. This realisation made him wary that even his bedroom was as ordinary as everyone else's. When his parents originally acquired the property, he requested that his bedroom not be too extravagant, which was precisely what he wanted. As he likes it, everything is well-organized and normal.

During the zoom meeting, Ranran began re-briefing everyone on their assignment for the day. "- I also need you to...wait, Miyama-san, is there a cat-tail in front of you?" Ranran halted in mid-sentence, pointing to the monitor screen, as everyone watched the tail of a cat bobbing about in front of Emiko's face.

"Ah, eh!" Emiko's voice was heard through the computer, but the screen was obscured by the little feline. "Please pardon me for a moment. Not now, Sota!" Emiko abruptly grabbed up Sota, a Balinese cat, as it furiously meowed beside her owner, before releasing it on the floor, shooing it away, and returning to her seat.

"Miyama-san, is that your cat?"Takuma reacts in amusement.

"It is, "Emiko nodded as her eyes lits up," Before my dad move out, he bought it for me on our-no," she corrected herself, "On my 7th birthday."

"How adorable!" While Ran and the others were talking, the cat climbed back onto Emiko's lap, purring blissfully as Emiko petted her more affectionately. "Do you want additional pets, Sota?"

"Ooi, now isn't the time for you to entertain your cat, we still have to work on someone who is kidnapped, remember?"Michio reminded them.

"Majima, let them be, "Ranran told him off.

"But Fuyuko is-"

"We are human beings, it ain't like the whole group should work 24/7 just for someone who got herself into this mess in the first place, Majima. She can wait."

That response made him freeze.

Michio's lips quivered in response to Ranran's statements, although her 6-year-old face was visible on the computer screen. Michio had been warned by the Kudos that Ranran tended to be cruel as a result of her brain injury, but the way she stated it was so savage that he is starting to doubt whether that is the case. He'd dealt with unpleasant little children, often childish tantrums, during his part-time job, but Ranran's words didn't sound infantile.

The others heard Ranran's words, but they didn't think much of it as they were used to her behaviour, all their attention over the cat in Emiko's bedroom. Emiko didn't seem to hear Ranran's comments as she was busy cooing the cat, who left her lap as it hops to sit on the edge of the bed before lying tummy face up. It seemed to be happy while other kids were too amused with the cats' antics. As if all of Ranran's words are normal.

As Michio observes this, he wonders did he bite more than he could chew when he accepted the Kudo family's task of looking after the Kudo children, mainly Ranran.