Kudo Ranran is the type who will not accept a bad fate.

She's the type to change it, even if it means destroying herself in the process. A point proven too many times in the projector when the members of Fox and Deer had gathered to listen to the gory, tragic, and at times disgusted details narrated by The Deer's arranged fiance, Ernestine, from the future, in a criminal biography Ernestine wrote about her as she happily earns her millions through her tragic story.

In all accounts, the members in the meeting room were nervous to the core on how she may take the news from The Deer, that they were all sweating.

Fox and Deer had turned around 1-2 years old since it first opened. In the bad, came with good memories.

To the children/members who had villainous fates, with some being unloved by the adults in their family, to have faced physical and mental abused, having ending up in Fox and Deer is a decision they have no regret. For in here, it is the family they never knew they needed.

Then again, it was in it's own way, a twisted family filled with their own fair share of angsts.

Today, they will know whether Ranran will continue showing up here, as soon as the door opens.

The foundation of Fox and Deer had been built on lies from the start, manipulating the then 3-year-old Ranran into doing their bidding, but in the process, to build a better future for everyone, which also includes Ranran herself.

After all, a life filled with sweet lies for one's own benefit under Ernestine....is way worst than anything Ranran could ever imagine facing.

"Are they coming yet?" Tiffany, unable to tear her gaze away from the door while the members waited, muttered under her breath.

The room was thick with tension as Tiffany's whispered question hung in the air, the collective anxiety palpable. No one dared to speak above a whisper, each person frozen in place, their eyes fixed on the door. The sound of muffled footsteps from the hallway seemed to stretch on forever, each step drawing them closer to the inevitable.

"Deer texted earlier, said he is on their way," Georgette checked her phone before eying on the door.

"I swear, this is worse than waiting for the upcoming Mr Beast video. everything's about to change, and no one knows what the hell will happen next." Ellis, sitting at the edge of his chair, drummed his fingers nervously on the table.

Teddy, usually the first to crack a joke, sat unusually quiet, his fingers tightening around his pen. His expression was serious, his mind clearly running through every possible outcome. "If I were Ranran, I might react poorly—"

"Don't jinxed it, Ted," Walter finished, his voice heavy with understanding. "Don't jinxed it."

"Truly, I can't blame Ranran if she feels betrayed," Gerald slumped, "Or even used-"

As though on cue, the door creaked open, and all eyes snapped to it. 

Now, being in Fox and Deer, they are all taught to expect the unexpected.

Seeing Ranran in a Fox mask, isn't surprising to them.

However, with some blood, it is eerie.

The room fell into an eerie silence as Ranran stepped into the room, the Fox mask covering most of her face, the only thing visible being the sharp, unsettling gleam in her eyes. But something about her was off—there was a subtle yet undeniable aura of tension surrounding her, one that sent an involuntary chill down everyone's spine.

The blood on her hands wasn't much—just a few splatters across her gloves and wrist—but it was enough to send a wave of disbelief through the group. They had all been conditioned to expect the unexpected in Fox and Deer, but this? This felt like something beyond even their darkest expectations.

Ellis, normally quick with words, couldn't find anything to say. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he settled on muttering, "What... happened?"

"Ranran... are you okay?" Teddy leaned forward, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by genuine concern.

Ranran didn't answer immediately. She stood still in the doorway, as if letting the weight of the moment settle on them before stepping fully inside. The others watched her, unsure of what to do or say, but her eyes darted to each of them, calculating, as if measuring how far she could push them before the dam would break.

Then, a scary thought occur amongst them: Did she...attack The Deer?

The silence stretched on, the tension building thicker by the second as the members of Fox and Deer tried to process what they were seeing. Ranran's presence was commanding, even without speaking a word. The blood on her hands—while small in quantity—spoke volumes. It was clear she had been through something intense, something they weren't prepared for.

Teddy's eyes never left her, his concern deepening as he waited for any sign of an explanation. "Ranran... what happened? Please talk to us."

Still, she remained silent for a moment, just standing there in the doorway, her mask covering her face and concealing whatever emotions might be stirring beneath. Her hands, though, were a dead giveaway. This wasn't a harmless spill. This wasn't some accident. The blood... it wasn't a mistake.

"Ranran, why are you just standing there? I told you to clean up yourself."

The room remained frozen in stunned silence as The Deer entered, the tension still thick as the others processed what had just unfolded. 

He glanced at Ranran for a moment, as though silently assessing her before turning his attention to the others. "Tiffany, take Ranran to clean up. Also, Ranran," He lowered to her affectionately, "I am sorry how things played out, but I will take you to eat hotcake for breakfast after today's meeting, ok?"

The contrast between Ranran's eerie, quiet presence and The Deer's calm, almost affectionate demeanor was jarring. Everyone in the room could feel the tension, but it was as if The Deer's words had sliced through the heaviness, softening the air just enough to allow a breath of relief.

Tiffany, recovering from her shock, blinked a few times before standing up, though she couldn't quite shake the unease in her stomach. "Right. Come on, Ranran," she said gently, trying to keep her tone steady. "Let's get you cleaned up."

Ranran, still quiet and distant, glanced at Tiffany for a moment, her Fox mask hiding most of her expression. But there was something in her eyes—something that suggested a deep well of frustration or perhaps something darker. Despite the calmness of her demeanor, she was a powder keg, just waiting to go off.

 "What happened? What's going on? Why is Ranran like this?" Teddy, unable to hold back, gave The Deer a searching look.

"Well, the following morning after I told her everything...." The Deer gave a long, steady glance toward the group, his eyes betraying nothing, though there was a flicker of something unreadable. "She put on her Fox mask, and....marred Ernestine's face."

The room went deathly quiet at The Deer's words. Every pair of eyes locked onto him, trying to decipher the cryptic tone of his statement. For a moment, no one moved, no one spoke. It was as if the very air had been sucked out of the room.

"Wait... what?" Ellis was the first to break the silence, his voice a mix of disbelief and confusion. "Ranran-"

"You heard what I just said," The Deer slumped a bit, "That is what literally happened."

"I know she can be impulsive since she is around 4, but still...." Walter added, his mind racing to piece together the events. "How did that happened actually?"

"If you are talking about the face part, I wasn't sure. But if you are asking how she handled the news, she was alright with it. Cause she understood how much this must have kept on heavily weighing on the rest of us. But as for the Ernestine's part though....that itself was understandable."

"Really!? I could've though she would've snapped at us for manipulating her." Ellis looked at The Deer incredulously.

"Between being taken in to sweet lie Ranran to a destructive future, she rather stay with us than her. Those are her own words, also, she thanked me for telling her, cause she knew if she was taken in by Ernestine, she would've died. Though, it wasn't without her bursting into tears, now that she knows a life of suffering is waiting for her in Japan next year." The Deer spoke in agony and sadness.

"God..." Gerald whispered, rubbing his temples. "That's... too much for a kid. A little kid to handle."

"Just out of....curiosity, how bad is it? Her face?" Veronica and the rest of the female members were dying to know.

"How should I put this?" He rubbed his chin before stating, "Enough to make Ernestine loose million in pounds."

The room went even quieter at The Deer's words, the weight of the implication settling in like a heavy fog. The mention of Ernestine losing millions in pounds caused the group to collectively blink, trying to process the gravity of the situation.

"She... what?" Ellis asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his mind racing before he was able to put together what The Deer was referring to, " Oh yeah, Ernestine has became a child actor last year to achieve that stupid happy ending in the projector, right? I heard she got signed up with a major agency." Ellis's voice faltered slightly as the implications became clearer. "So... since her face is....messed up, that means....?"

"Lots of money gone," Georgette cringed in thought, "I mean....have you ever seen any little girl actress with scars made it big in Hollywood?"

"Wait... are you saying Ranran... ruined one of Ernestine's career? Just like that?" Gerald's voice broke through the heavy silence.

"But hold on a minute," Walter's brows knitted, "Royals can't an actor!"

"Technically, she can, since her family is around third or sixth in line to the throne." Devina reasoned to the boy.

"Well, not to a point that she is a goner, but yeah...." The Deer admits with a nod, "Lots of money....gone."

"Serve her right! After all of the evil scheming in plotting to reap profits through our miserable lives, Ernestine asked for it!" Veronica slams the table in excitement.

And the other children nodded in agreement, given their common hatred towards Ernestine. Even The Deer wasn't going to argue, since he knew of her evil deeds towards every single person in this room, including himself.

 "I can't say I blame Ranran. As much as we are at fault, Ernestine had it coming from day one, honestly. She's been pulling strings behind the scenes, using everyone—especially Ranran—for God sakes, she wouldn't even spare a child!" Teddy, who had been quiet up until this point, let out a small laugh that had a bitter edge.

"Good, at least Ranran knows between us and her, she is the bigger evil compared to us. Good to know she still have us all in our hearts." Walter sighed of relief.

"Then....what is with the blood on your sleeve, Deer?" Devina can't help but point.

"Well, when she had her face disfigured, Ernestine had some of her people go after her, but fortunately, Ranran managed to escape. I had to clean up the mess and make sure no evidence was left behind." The Deer, wiping his hands on a cloth and glancing at the others, nodded.

"So in other words....that is Ernestine's blood!?" 

"Yup," The Deer replied matter-of-factly, his tone steady.

"After this incident, Ernestine should know that by now Ranran has always been a firecracker. You push her too far, and she'll explode. Ernestine was practically begging for it." Devina smirked.

"Anyway, she attacked her. So even with the mask, surely....Ernestine is aware, right?" Heads turned to Walter with concern in his eyes. "So... is she aware that The Fox is-"

"Even if she had her long suspicions that Ranran is The Fox, she has nothing to tie her to it." The Deer calmly replies, "Though, I would say....this is a sign that things are heating up faster than I expected."

"Then," Gerald crossed his arms, looking at The Deer with concern. "Are you worried she will murder Ranran?"

The Deer's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. He didn't answer immediately, his gaze lingering on the bloodstained sleeve for a moment, as if recalling the gravity of the situation.

"Given the circumstances....out of the bad came in the good," He smirked before informing the members, "She is losing a lot of allies according to my report."

The tension in the room thickened, as everyone absorbed The Deer's words. 

"Plus," He adds, "She is also losing popularity in school thanks to Ranran."

The children gasped, before one of them asks, "Huh? Why?!" 

"If you recalled, Ranran had been working with us for almost a year plus now in a fox mask around Edgewood. Not to mention, everytime she ends up scheming to prove a kid or anyone who wronged our client as guilty, their reputation, as well as their family finances takes a nosedive." The Deer leaned back slightly, his smirk widening just a bit as he surveyed the group. "Ranran's reputation as The Fox is to only attack if the person is a very shrewd kind. Since this morning, after the word got out about the attack, now, everyone is beginning to wonder if Ernestine did something wrong."

"Wait, so... people are starting to turn against her because of Ranran?" Walter asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Exactly," The Deer confirmed, his tone almost clinical. "Ranran's reputation as The Fox is spreading faster than we anticipated. People who were once in Ernestine's corner are starting to question her, and her influence is slipping. This is a crucial moment. If we play this right, we can accelerate her downfall. The better we scheme, the better we break away from our fates."

"That's insane," Teddy muttered, clearly astonished. "I never thought I'd see the day when Ernestine's popularity would go downhill. But this... this changes everything."

"Oh yes, finally!" Veronica threw her fist up in the air, "Things are heading towards our favour!"

"But I have some major concerns about this issue," Gerald, always the one to question the long-term effects, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, "What if Ernestine plan to use this to gain sympathy?"

"It's a valid concern," The Deer admits, "But I wouldn't be too worried about that anymore."

"Why not?" Georgette pressed, her brow furrowing. "Ernestine is cunning. She's used situations like this to her advantage before. If she spins this as a sob story—"

"Do you know why I announced to everyone in this very room that if Ranran is ready within a year's time, I will tell her about the future-telling projector?" Seeing everyone's confusion, he reveals, "In the real world, resentment itself often takes root after a long period of of silent suffering and injustice," The Deer continued, his tone growing serious. "It festers, builds up like a slow-burning fire until it erupts. Ernestine has created too much resentment in the people around her—kids, staff, even her so-called allies. She's been using and discarding people like pawns for years, and now that everything's falling apart, there's no one left who will truly stand by her."

The group fell into a contemplative silence.

"I could've told Ranran the truth directly a year ago before all of this came into place, but again, as you are aware....this projector itself isn't accurate. But, consider this: Grooming her as The Fox, while she watches all of this happening without me doing a thing....for over a year, it tells Ranran a lot, doesn't it? What kind of person Ernestine is? Having wronged so many victims, me, all of you, including Ranran? Without me manipulating her?"

The group exchanged glances, the weight of what he was saying sinking in.

"Telling her....would just make her want to leave Edgewood, and then the events of her projected future will never change. Experiencing it....that itself is the only way to put an end to this madness."

"But isn't that cruel, in its own way?" Walter asked hesitantly. "To let Ranran go through all of that without telling her the full truth? Without preparing her for what she's up against?"

"It is cruel, I hate doing that to her," The Deer's gaze softened, and he sighed deeply.  "And it's something I've wrestled with every day. But Ranran is... Ranran. She can never understand the bigger picture unless she experiences everything in between. And....I think it is thanks to those experiences....she has unknowingly gather so many supporters in Edgewood unbeknowst to her, that Ernestine's sob story...will mean nothing."

"Then it's settled," Devina decided, "We stay the course. Support Ranran from the shadows, but let her take the lead. When the time is right, she'll know what to do."

With everyone nodding to each other, their unspoken understanding binds them together. They had endured too much under Ernestine's reign to falter now, and if Ranran was the one to lead the charge, they would stand by her—silently, invisibly, but unwaveringly.

Eventually, the ending was achieved. However.....

There is the saying 'A flutter of a butterfly can ultimately cause a typhoon, halfway around the world'.

Said Erny who was humiliated after having her engagement broken off...was going to be that butterfly. The repercussions that will come from it...brought life-changing destruction to Ranran's life. In a bad way.

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

"Let the girl go!"

Anguished screams could be heard throughout the Edgewood Academy courtyard. It came from a small child, but The Principal felt compelled to shout angrily at the child's kidnapper."Drop her down!" The principal confronts the kidnapper.

He quickly gathered the teachers and staff, while other kids stop at what they were doing, while they helplessly watch the ongoing commotion.

"No! She is the one who snatches my son to be with that cheating scumbag with that s**t! She should pay with her life!"In her handheld, a swiss knife pointed close to the child's neck as Ranran struggled to get out of the woman's firm grip between her arm.

The grip is hard, firm- painful.

Ranran yelps, but the arm around her doesn't loosen."Call my son over, or else this girl's life ends, understood!?"

"Don't ever tell 'him'! He doesn't want to come back!"Ranran started screaming in the heat of the moment.

The woman threatened as the principal remained firm on his decision, not giving in on the woman's threat."I won't involve children in this! Release Ranran now!"The principal barked.

"It's OK, with her at my side...my son will return!" The mom was laughing maniacally at the small girl, delighted that her son would soon be at her mercy.

"I swear to you, even if you kill me, he'll never go back to a raging narcissist like you!" The child yelled.

The woman giggles. "I'm not going to suffocate you." Ranran's blood ran cold, as did the other children who witnessed this. "My bait must be alive for me to reclaim my son!"

"No wonder your spouse abandoned you! He deserves a better marriage than he is getting from you!" Ranran roared.

"Silence!"Ranran struck a chord with the mentally ill woman. "Aaah!" winced the girl as her palm flew to Ranran's cheek.

"You coward! You have no right to beat a child!" Before yelling at one of the teachers, one of Ranran's classmates, a small boy called Ryan, screamed, "Call the police! Save Ranran! Hurry!"

"Don't even think about it! Or else this girl's life will come to an end!" The lady hissed, instilling dread in the children of Edgewood Academy of all ages, as well as teachers, staff, and the principal.

She hauled the reluctant girl into a familiar place before they knew it. Her principal and teachers were shocked to witness her being taken away and were powerless to intervene.

....

By the time all of the turmoil had passed, police, ambulances, and SWAT teams were on their way to find out where the woman had taken Ranran, as they were all behaving like headless chickens, unsure where the madwoman had taken her. If they had looked closely, they would have noticed that the lady had carried her back to the basement of the house where The Boy used to dwell. The basement was loaded with lab equipment and a chair that reminded her of a dentist's chair.

One after another, the things that she couldn't foresee went wrong, in the worst way imaginable. Ranran didn't know how things later turned out.

Like how The Boy was informed of her captivity.

It's unclear how he ended up breaking into the house later, only to discover Ranran chained to the chair, her right eyeball removed. Even how The Boy ended up dying on the floor next to his mother after a battle over a weapon was a haze for a Ranran. What she did know was that the struggle for the weapon was far too hazardous for her tastes. This was not a positive sign.

"C..."

Her voice tried to call out The Boy's name, but it did nothing but cracked as she hesitantly crawled blindly towards the loud thud.

Her face shattered completely as she used her petite hands to touch her mentor blindly, wondering why his neck feels wet while it emits a pungent smell.

Before she knows it, their hopes and dreams had been destroyed to pieces, leaving her with nothing but misery. It lasted around 30 minutes before she became numb, much like she did in her previous slum home. Everything around her seemed to mock her all of a sudden.

That's right, even the woman who kidnapped her was moaning in agony over the fact that she was shot while a pool of blood formed beneath her thanks to her son seemed like a joke to Ranran.

The woman decided something needed to be done after discreetly looking at the gun next to The Boy's hand.

When police and SWAT troops gathered outside the residence, they were expecting a standoff. By the time they arrived, the suspect had been inside for many hours, and they were out of options. They were aware that the abductor was armed and dangerous, and they were prepared for the worst.

A loud bang set alarm bells ringing as the gallant troupe stormed inside the house, sending men to scour every nook and cranny in the hope of finding the abducted victim. Finally, one of them made it down to the basement.

What they saw next led their jaws to drop.

Two people laying on the floor with blood everywhere.

Except the woman was still writhing and hopelessly yelling "Come help! That girl is insane! She shot me in the eye!" before pointing to her right eye, which seemed to be severely damaged and unsightly. The men were taken aback when they saw a pistol placed close to the woman.

But it was nothing compared to the screaming of a four-year-old child, who said the woman had ripped out her eyeball with a blood-soaked eyepatch on her right side. The guys were appalled by what the woman had done as Ranran removed her eyepatch.

It was so horrific that one of the men ran out of the basement and out of the house before puking.

Later on, the two children were taken to the hospital, but one of them did not survive.

When her parents and grandparents arrived at the hospital, they went weak on their knees upon discovering what had transpired. But that was nothing compared to delivering Ranran the devastating news.

"You're lying!" The four-year-old shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her parents. "He can't be dead! You're lying! "She let out a cry. As heated tears marred her cheeks, she began to tug on her hair. "He's not dead, he's not dead!"

Her mother immediately grabbed her wrists and yanked her hands away from her hair." Ranran! Please calm down!" she shouted, afraid she was going to hurt herself.

"He is not dead! He can't be dead!" Ranran repeatedly shouted.

Her sombre crying echoed throughout the patient room. Her parents exchanged worried glances before turning to face the bereaved child, as she screamed and thrashed around, attempting to free herself from her mother.

"Ranran, calm down!" her mother pleaded. She wrapped her arm around her, trying to soothe her like a mother would a child after a nightmare. She buried her face in the woman's chest, the endless tears now drenching her clothes. "This can't be true! He promised he was going to return with me to Japan!" she sobbed loudly.

The woman patted her back and looked at her husband and grandmother sorrowfully.

"He assured me that he will return! He promised, "Ranran sobbed. The pain in her chest was so severe that the room began to spin before she felt her body go limp.

"Ranran!" all shouted in alarm as Ranran felt herself slipping and then everything went dark.

Watching their only child sedated with a new eye implanted into her not long ago, her father finally lost it."Ranran..."His voice cracked as his stoic face broke into tears. His brave little 4-year-old daughter has been in this situation was too much for him."You didn't deserve this..."

Even her mother who rarely cries broke down in sobs. She never would've guessed something as evil as this would occur to their little girl.

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

It was a typical day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the flowers were in bloom. However, something was different. Something was missing. Others could feel it in the air. It was as if a storm was brewing, but one couldn't see it.

A four-year-old red lip girl was striding down the street in a dignified manner, with the portrait held to her bosom, walking into the dark corridors of Edgewood Academy. She was dressed in Edgewood Academy uniform and appeared lonely with an eyepatch covering her hollow right eye. As much as she tried with her poker face, it was evident to the public the child was too distraught, but her determination to keep on leading the coffin behind her, adding the fact that she forced herself to be discharged from the hospital only a week after the murder, broke many hearts during the 2-hour wake. At the same time, impressed with her bravery to carrying this on in front of thousands of people

Adults, elders and kids of all ages gather to watch as she walks on her own with the media vans parked not far, filming the entire charade while all of this was broadcast live.

State funeral, he was granted a state funeral.

Although he wasn't royalty, it appears that his dad's capability as a noble contributed to the economy of the entire U.K, unlike anyone had ever known. In the modern era, nobles are never granted such privileges, only royalties. Let alone, kids who died young.

But 'The Boy', her mentor, touched many lives. His influence towards the school before he was kicked out, even though he was homeschooled, the kids and adults he had saved through Fox and Deer demanded 'he' should be granted so. Though it was unclear to Ranran how they later know he was behind it as neither she nor 'he' disclosed it, she guessed noble kids here are one of a kind. Nothing escapes them.

Without disclosing the existence of Fox and Deer as 'he' would've wanted, they pleaded to the royal family for one under claims that 'he' changed their lives for the better despite the abuse he endured.

And as if 'he' knew this was expected to happen, 'his' Will also states that 'he' wants Ranran to stand vigil, and be put in charge of 'his' affairs, much to everyone's surprise. Including a pissed-off ex-fiance of his, who wanted to be the star.

As she was 4 at that time, his father and stepmother ran the show. However, Ranran took her role seriously, leading the coffin with the entourage, ordering them to lift the coffin before walking for 2 hours non-stop, without shedding a tear bravely, with one eyepatch to the side.

The beloved little boy in the coffin was appropriately dressed for his burial in the same uniform. He appeared so little in the half-glass casket as a group of men pulled the wagon that was carrying the coffin, the grownups surrounding him were in tears. Even though he was only eight years old, he had already affected so many people's lives. Everyone who knew him was saddened by his death.

The well-loved little boy was always so happy. Even at his funeral, he had a smile on his face. It was as if he was happy to be going to Heaven.

A solitary red rose sat on top of the little casket, which was covered in a white sheet. The boy's parents, their hearts devastated, stood behind the casket, heads bent in anguish. Friends and family members passed by while they all walked, expressing their sympathies. They filed out of the church one by one, their hearts laden with grief.

The most painful part of all of this, was when she had to read out the eulogy, written personally by herself, in front of so many prestigious noble families and politicians alike. Oh, it was difficult for her to not burst into tears. But she had to keep her facade up, one tear shed would mean she isn't a qualified noble who can't keep her emotions in check.

It was until one of the high-rank noble children whose name she could not remember yelled at her to just cry it out along with the others, only then, she broke down after the eulogy reading, breaking more hearts who are witnessing this scene.

Ranran sat on the toilet seat, feeling aimless in her bathroom cubicle on the day of his burial. Everything around her felt like nothing but pain as if one uses many needles to torment the poor child, but they ain't visible.

That day, she considered death as an option.

A life without him isn't worth living since she knows her future would be murkier without him. Did they believe that prosecuting his mother would bring her closure? Can't they realise that life without him is meaningless? Ranran was back to sobbing before she recognised it, the liquid warming her icy cheeks. "I'm sorry I let you down." Her crimson lip quivered as she murmured into the church's restroom.

Is this her punishment after all? To live a doomed life? Now with him no longer around, who is going to protect her?

All of a sudden, "Did he not tell you where the projector was?"

"Eh?"Ranran perked her ears. Who is that?

"No, even when I offered to his mother how to get her son back, and he realised what I had done, he died along with the location of it." Sighs a familiar voice.

Recognizing that sound sent goosebumps to Ranran, it was Erny with one of her cronies."Who knew he has such guts...to not even hand over the projector."

Projector?! Ranran ponder deeply before figuring out, Was it the one he showed me?!

"That moron thought he could get away with it. After witnessing that movie of our future, I assumed he would have understood his role in facilitating me to a bright future. But then he and that cash cow of mine dared to go against my blessed fate." The blonde girl huffed, unconcerned about how she should interact with females coming in and out of the toilet bathroom.

"You know what I mean? You were astute. Suggesting to his mother that he abduct that cash cow as leverage for the projector, then get the secretary to steal the projector that was hidden in the plushie deer he got for that baby's birthday. I mean....what? Was he dumb? To gift her something this big!? A 4-year-old!?" Her pal chuckled maliciously.

Ranran covered her mouth. 

"I knew he was dumb enough to give up his life for that infant, but I never would've believed he died adored by many, a complete opposite of the image displayed on the projector. Nonetheless, he earned it. Things would have gone out differently if he had obeyed me. At the very least, he would have survived as my slave, let alone, for my upcoming tell-all story which I could've make millions in pound." Erny chuckles mockingly, making Ranran want to burst out of the toilet cubicle and beat the living crap out of her.

"Still, it's a pity that in his will, he didn't want you to be the bearer of his photo during the funeral, let alone, the assets he and the other kids had earned. All willed to that baby's family,"The friend frowned, "You would've played the perfect widow, unlike that baby. Her charade is nothing but a sham."

Here are these two, casually discussing a murder as if they were discussing the weather. Ranran couldn't believe what she was hearing through her ears.

"But I didn't think he would try to change his fate and it actually work! Had he not died...God, us kids are going to lose the beautiful future that was all planned for us."The friend smiled at the blonde girl, unaware of the simmering anger building up in one of the toilet cubicles as the youngest girl's fist curled up tightly till she felt numb.

"I demanded he hand over the projector, even got his mom's secretary to pressure him, and he refused. So I had no choice but to have all of you tip his mom about that idiot brat's existence. "The blonde girl's smile widened a little more, forming a smug face as she went on to brag," Do you know why the sky is blue, the grass is green and there are animal predators attacking herbivores? Because that is how the laws of this world work as intended by God."

"Is it?"

"Of course, "She gave her friend a sickly yet sweet smile," Trying to change the fate that God has given you makes you a cheater, it is no matter what - the law of God. And God doesn't play fair with cheaters, let alone kids with bad fates. If they're born a sore loser, they should've willingly accepted it rather than fight it! So I needed to prove my point by ending that brat's life, I can't have one of my-profits form a rebel and end up dream before it could begin. If only that idiot boy didn't protect her..."

"That's right, stepping stones like them shouldn't dream to become diamonds like us, or pay the price!"Her friend snickered.

"Ugh, enough of that."The blonde decided to roll her eyes," Let's talk about that other party we are planning to celebrate our winnings. I am glad that now he is gone, he will no longer pose a threat to us."

Then they started talking about the funeral and how it was going to be a big celebration after all of the upheavals. Ranran was so appalled by what she heard that she didn't approach them. She was horrified at the same moment.

How is it that these kids......!? 

The 4-year-old thought was running wild at that thought, she was seeing red everywhere she goes while struggling to contain herself. At this point, Ranran had come up with thoughts about how she was going to torture them. After all, when she was The Fox, that was part of her job: To punish them to a point they don't want to live anymore.

Ranran wanted to confront her, she truly does. However, she knew now isn't the time to bare her fangs. Going after them now without evidence would be all for nought. She can easily discredit her words.

Her face darkened the more she thinks of this.

Later, the outside chapel was packed with mourners, all came to pay their final goodbyes to the much-loved little boy. The funeral was lovely, but saying farewell to such a young life was difficult. Ranran slumped in tears as the casket was lowered to the ground. It was a heartbreaking day, but the tiny boy will be remembered and cherished forever in the community. As she watched the coffin lowered six feet under, she realizes what was the pungent smell coming from his neck that night.

He was shot in the neck, that smell was blood and he also look cold.

No longer a living warm person, but a cold corpse.

Her mind wandered elsewhere over the girls' conversation earlier.

If they were not born to be stepping stones for others, would things turn out differently for them? Would they have lived normal lives? Away from this neighbourhood filled with kids with a heart so rotten, it doesn't befit the lavish clothes they wear?

Were they being too ambitious? Wanting better lives for themselves? They want to live a normal life as well as the others, is that being too much to ask!?

After a long thought, Ranran decided:

The answer is no, there is nothing wrong with wanting a better life for oneself.

And Ranran is honestly sick and tired of kids like them winning, while they were being treated like a rock on the street where barely one give a glimpse. She could willingly sacrifice herself for others, but at this point, Ranran can't help but wonder why should she renounce herself since, in the future, they are always going to be indifferent towards her? Don't they think they are being too much? Even kids like him and her who ended up with bad futures deserve to live their life to the fullest rather than becoming some cannon fodder. Sure, the decisions they made as shown on the projector were awful and the punishments that await them are justifiable, but do they deserve to be treated inhumanly even before all of this had taken place?

What about those kids who were born with better lives towards the end? What they are doing now to them ain't any different than Ranran and 'him' too. Why aren't they being punished? Where is the fairness in that!? Is this what they call punishment from God?

They went through so much in life, and yet, the world isn't forgiving. They sided them over Ranran and 'The Boy'.

After a while, if getting a better future requires her to face God's punishment, so be it!

Her mentor once said rabbits eat grass to survive, lions and tigers eat them to survive, and humans go after them to make a living. That is the cycle of life, let alone, the laws of the world God created. Changing the future would eventually make her life a lot worst than what was projected, as it means challenging God.

But Ranran couldn't care less anymore if innocent people she comes across die because of her decision. Her mentor The Deer, the light of her life is dead, and in her right mind, sacrificing one's life for a saint-like heroine or hero loved by many is rubbish. They didn't have to make an effort while she and The Deer did to survive.

If anything, they barely deserve God's blessings.

And The Fox isn't going to stand there and wait for her impending doom.

No, she isn't going to let his efforts go to waste, starting with polishing herself further from a stepping stone to a diamond. And when that happens, those kids better prepare for the things that Ranran planned ahead, for The Fox will show no mercy. Neither would the kids she would eventually meet in the future would be spared from her wrath. She is going to live as a powerful figure, one so powerful...everyone is going to regret messing with her and beg to end their lives rather than suffer her torments!

The little girl no longer felt the warmth of the sun on her cheeks or the gentle breeze in her hair after he was finally laid to rest. All she could feel was the frigid emptiness inside her heart, the cold, hard earth beneath her feet, and the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"I am going to end their lives, but they will do it with their own hands."

Those were words of a dark determined vow she made to herself.

As the rain puddle illuminates the rainy day as the sky began to pour, although her figure is reflected in the puddle, her parents can't help but wonder why is her expression so different from the usual.