Let's talk about Kudo Shinichi.

Most children at Teitan Elementary, especially those who studied in the same class as Kudo Shinichi 1-A, would say his life had always been nothing but a dream they wish they could live wholeheartedly. If you were born a normal kid into a rather average family unlike his, at his age, you would definitely assume that he must be very contented with his life. And what 6-year-old boy wouldn't?

Famous parents, wealthy life, popular, lives in a large western mansion, good with sports, handsome, and intelligent, he was blessed with it all.

Above all, he also possesses one thing other children don't: his observant talent.

That's right, this 6-year-old had a huge talent for being a detective.

With his situation, you are sure to tell that Shinichi has cases after cases falling onto his lap at ease, especially within their school. However, as much as he has received many cases, not one of them actually gave him the excitement he craves, unlike the detective stories his father crafted for him.

And truth to the matter is, he wasn't truly happy with his blessed life.

Unbeknownst to the kids around him, he resented every single second of it.

For starters, he had little girls swooning over him every time he show up in school from afar, while the little boys didn't fair off any better, constantly giving him glares from afar out of envy while his teachers in this school often praised him for his intelligence in the subjects they given him. If that wasn't bad enough, due to his observant nature, he can even see how the other kids try to play coy about wanting to befriend him, but in reality, he knew they are doing so just to get close to his celebrity mother and his mystery novelist of a father.

God, if anyone was in Shinichi's shoes, they would've lashed out at them right now. That be a normal response to what any child his age would do.

Of course, if any kid knew of what he believed, they would hurl insults over why he was such an ungrateful arrogant spoiled brat? What stupid 6 year old kid would wanna possibly turn away from all of this?

Hypocrites kids like them, that is what made Shinichi close to wanting to throw it all away.

It was the usual day in school, where classmates and schoolmates are hustling bustling, hoping for school to end quickly to head home and sleep all day, gossip, you name it, the typical stereotype school students doing their usual activities that don't involve doing homework. He completed his homework a long time ago, so he didn't have to do it upon rushing home the way other kids do.

So the only thing he is stuck with is reading Holmes's stories, which he surprisingly no longer does.

Now, most of the schoolmates in 1-A knew each other through kindergarten, so it was no surprise he was seen reading such material growing up. So with his Tousan as a famous mystery novelist as an added bonus, it was no surprise why he had his nose in such books all the time. On occasion, he would even read it in secret while their sensei is teaching lessons during class.

But at times, his obsession with such novels had also become a mockery among other students.

Questions like 'did it make him a wannabe-tantei' to 'tantei-copycat' tend to come in and out in his life, it is becoming a nuisance.

Normally he doesn't feel easily offended by others mocking him. Still, whenever they mock Sherlock Holmes, he felt like they were insulting his Tantei idol. Is like everyone around him believed he is a mythical being. Not possible to exist in the real world they are in. A world where kids rather glamorize heroes with sci-fi powers. Worst, they believed that his Tantei dream is either temporary or just playing 'tantei' is a joke, just like Suzuki Sonoko's dream of marrying a pop idol, which is in his opinion, no idiot is going to going to wanna marry a girl with no brains. Except for her wallet of course. That girl has more money but a low count of IQ in his opinion.

At a time like this, he usually be reading openly on a desk. But with the occasional bickering against that stupid Sonoko girl for calling him a 'Sherlock freak', as well as 'that feud', lately, his friendship with his friend Mouri Ran has been adrift because of it. Who knew Ran could end up becoming friends with that rich heiress. Ran is too blind to see what sort of a person she is. Not him, Shinichi tells himself.

And to think he was naive at one point, that his friendship with her will last through school.

Shinichi huffs deeply, "I didn't do anything wrong." he mutters to himself.

It wasn't completely his fault, given that the boy didn't like him anyway. It was mutual hate towards each other, Shinichi didn't feel bad about this hatred. To their soccer mates, it was the typical 'boys being boys' situation over a girl when 'that feud' happened. At least, that was how it looks on the surface, but the situation was a lot more complicated than it seems. If the others were as smart as him, they would've gotten it.

Unfortunately, other kids his age can't seem to get it. Not even Mouri Ran, his close friend for almost a year. This is why, as he dreads the long day in school, he truly wants to go home right now, back to that cold, lonely manor, cause he is feeling as empty as he is feeling right now.

"Shinichi, there you are. I have been looking for you after I have heard what have happened. I didn't think after heading out on a school's trip, all of this would collapse at once." A elder boy entered the classroom as he huffed out of breath approaching his desk, while others are too engrossed in what they are doing. 

8-year-old Koga Yoshinori was formerly Teitan Elementary school's soccer club president, someone that Shinichi fully trust on, not to mention, look up upon. He was a very patient boy, devoted to teaching the rest of the club members soccer skills, which is why Shinichi eventually honed well thanks to him. 

Though it was a shame he had to quit, because of an unexpected injury. "Look, I know it's not possible for you to see things the way I see it, but please.... try to talk things out with him."

Him? The one who made his life a living hell!?"No."

"Kudo-"

"First of all, I know that you got along with him, but no, there is a limit to how far I will tolerate someone as unreasonable as him, alright?!"He hissed lowly, not attracting the attention of others.

"I know that Kudo, but there is more to it-"

"Does his family background give him the reason to act the way he did towards me!?" he stated plainly, "No matter what, it shouldn't be an excuse. True, I may not have understood what it is like to live the way his family lived through, but overall, I know of others who didn't behaved the way he did despite his background."

"I ain't defending him-"

"I know, but he had the the whole club against me. Not a single member sided me! That is all needed to be said and done."He scowled at the boy.

"Are you sure?"

"Eh?"

"I am still by your side."

"Yeah, well.....you were not there."

"True, but you know what sort of person I am, right?"

"True, but I know an unrepentant boy like him will never admit to their faults."

"He-"

"Making mistakes is one thing, but doing it intentionally despite knowing it is wrong is another."

That was enough to silence the other boy.

What does he know? That said boy who wronged Shinichi will get away with his 'crimes' towards him, as his family be moving to some slum city Shinichi has no intention of knowing. He was the main source of the problem that led them to this breaking point. Not like that boy was Shinichi's friend, let alone, an acquaintance. He was more of Shinichi's enemy though, after having to endure the mistreatment that kid has given him. The tension didn't subside, no, he tells himself, probably won't even after he moved away, and soon enough, long story short, some things had to be left aside.

Including the unresolved feud of his between him and Ran.

The alleged feud that took place had something to do with him, though Shinichi admits he has some fault in this, it was all-cause by that boy. Yet, Ran sided with him. If it were the old Shinichi, he would've apologized to her a long time ago.

But after it blew up before him....he doesn't have the energy to do so anymore.

"Alright, I won't force you see him if you don't feel like it."He sighed in defeat before he went on to ask, "How is Mourikun?"

".....don't ask. We aren't on speaking terms."

Koga Yoshinori blinked in shocked before probing, "Did you even try talking to her?" Shinichi didn't utter a word, but the former soccer leader could tell studying his body language that he felt uncomfortable talking about her.  "What did she....do this time?"

"I rather let go of an ignorant friend than a bad friend."

Mouri Ran is Kudo Shinichi's kindergarten friend (also the first friend he made), everyone in school call them 'a a couple' cause they look cute together, also they hung out with each other the most compared to everyone. For a moment, they were thinking it will remain forever as it is until the feud happened. Now, it seems like his friendship with Ran had reached a point where it may not last all the way till adulthood. He could've gone after her and explained this. But that day, he know deep down within his heart, he wasn't going to be happy if he had done so.

His father always used to tell him: "Sometimes in life, ignorant people aren't worth justifying your actions. Don't bother to go after them, if they don't value you in the first place, then They don't deserve you."

So long story short, he chose not to be on speaking terms with Ran right now, cause he knew he was in the right no matter how one put it."That girl who is always with Mouri-san, she ain't..... bothering you over what had happened, right?"

"....so far, no. But it'll be a matter of time."

Suzuki Sonoko is Mouri Ran's best friend, someone Ran counts on whenever she argues with him. It didn't really matter if she is in right or wrong when it comes to whatever feud they had. The bottom line is, she had Sonoko to back her up, make her feel better as a person. And at this point, he ain't going to apologize to her best friend Sonoko either, for making Ran cry.

"Look, I appreciate your help in trying to get me back in the good graces of the soccer club, but I doubt you'll be able to do a thing to help me lift my suspension after what had happened."He spoke in a defeated tone.

"Don't feel defeated, Kudo."

".....hah...if I had known this suspension was gonna last, I wouldn't have gone to soccer practice yesterday and slept well."

"Kudo?"

"Should I quit?"

"Eh?!"

"My tantei dreams?"

The former leader of the soccer club was speechless to hear this from the 6-year-old boy. After all, this was an extraordinary prodigy who had no doubts about his Tantei abilities growing up. Although his parents supported his dream, there had been some teasing back and forth in the form of playful banter from the kids their age. Ran and Sonoko too were no different.

So to hear him say something like this from the first time made it as if the floor was collapsing beneath them. Then again, it wasn't surprising, given the situation that had taken place not long ago between Shinichi and Rokuro.

"Don't talk such nonsense! Just because Ran doesn't believe you, doesn't mean you aren't a credible tantei."

Shinichi wanted to argue, but he merely look gloomy at the mention of her name. 

"Alright, I won't bring her name up anymore," Koga Yoshinori stared at the boy with sympathy before pouting, "Honestly, what the hell was she and that Suzuki thinking!? I mean you all knew each other for a year's plus since kindergarten!"

Hearing his former soccer leader spat in anger over Shinichi's two former friends, his face was in shock before questioning, "Do you....think the two were in the wrong as well?"

"Yes, morally. Even if they had chosen to side the wrong person, I could've assumed they would at least ask a teacher or someone to look into this incident."

Shinichi felt a familiar swirl of frustration as Koga's words settled in. The anger he felt towards Ran and Sonoko hadn't subsided; it was still fresh, like an open wound. "By the way, aside of that incident, I came over to ask what is with you and that girl?" Koga can't help but ask.

"Hmph?"That made the boy tilt his head in confusion, "Who?"

"You know...the one who bore striking resemblance like you? That supposed new crush of yours?"

"No way in hell she is my-"

"Hai hai, I get it." He throw his hands before the prodigy before pressing, "I know there had been some 'issues' brewing between you, Mouri and Suzuki, but I didn't think you ended up moving on so quickly to her so soon."

"Who says I am moving on-"

"Then why is it I am hearing rumours of you eyeing on her?"

"....that's...."

"Kudo, be honest with me, is she the rumoured girl that your grandmother brought her to be married of with you once you both become adults, or your half-imoutou (younger sister) that your father had with another woman?"

"Hey, that is none of your business!" Shinichi told him off with anger flashing in his eyes before confronting, "Why are you so interested in our business anyway?!"

"Here, this is what you are about to do to her."

"Eh?" Shinichi grew perplexed at his former soccer leader's frown upon him.

"It's one thing if you sensed that one is up to no good and prevent a upcoming crime, but it's another if you are attempting to pry into one's business out of curiosity, Kudo. ," The elder boy pointed out, still sensing the confusion in the younger boy, "You had not spoken to her in over a year since that parkour incident, do you think if you were in her shoes, would she be pleased to learn about this?"

"I.....didn't do it without a reason," Realizing that the elder boy's taunting had caught him off guard, e felt a mix of embarrassment and annoyance wash over him before revealing, "I heard....that there are rumours...."

"...over what?"

"That....Ranran is The Fox."

Shinichi is someone who tends to keep things to himself even for a smart 6-year-old, unless one often forces him to confront his own feelings. As much as he didn't want to share this bit of info to his former soccer mate, he knew Koga Yoshinro is someone who often gave him good advice, even if this advice is something Shinichi may not want to hear due to ego issues.

Which is probably the reason why Teitan elementary scored multiple wins against other international schools regarding soccer in Shinichi's opinion.

Of course, it ain't as if this thought never come across his mind. Then again, Shinichi hates anyone who could easily outwit him, wash their hands clean and get away with whatever wrong that is done towards him. And he sensed it.

"And....how is that a problem to you?"

"....do you recall me telling you about my parents' offer?"

"....the part that they could've use their connections with the police to let you do your Tantei dream? Only, you turned them down because you wanted to make it out on your own?" He guessed.

Kudo nodded, his brow furrowing deeper as he recalled the conversation with his parents. "Considering that our inner circle within our family is small....I am afraid that-"

"She could've taken the offer to belittle you?"

Shinichi clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface while voicing out in a low voice to him. "Exactly!"

"But last year-"

"Yes, I was very much at fault, that I will admit. But to take up my Tantei dream and go about parading all over the news for over a year!? Especially not long after she framed me for pushing her and breaking her leg!? When I am having a horrible time in school now?!"

Koga winced, realizing just how deep Shinichi's anger ran. "Ok, let's say all of this is true...even so, The Fox...the press only found out about his or her existence a year plus or so. If that is truly the case...don't you think she could've strike while the iron is hot around a year ago, Kudo?" 

Shinichi paused, the gears in his mind turning as Koga's words sunk in. But part of him insists, "You don't understand, after what happened to me last year thanks to her, it wouldn't be any surprising since she is the most calculative little girl I have ever come across."

"Oh dear....." Here it goes again.

"I paid a visit to her, force to, by my parents to apologize to her at her place after what had happened," Shinichi rambled on and on as if he had told this story for a gazillion time, "The day I confronted her, do you know what she said to me!? She mocked me, Koga! Me! Can you believe that? The audacity of that girl!" Shinichi threw his hands up in frustration. "Calling me a coward and stuff, belittled me when she saw through that I was hanging out with those idiot boys last year to protect Mouri and Suzuki from being bullied back in our old kindergarten because they threaten me! She knew! And yet....she...."

"To be fair, I heard that you all insulted her before all of this had taken place," Koga raised an eyebrow, trying to process Shinichi's story. Seeing his bewildered expression, the elder male attempted to retrify it, "I mean...." he paused for a moment before he went on to say, "....all these things you are saying to me right now, have you ever once....talked it out."

".....what are you talking about?"

"To Mouri, to Suzuki, or anyone you truly consider as a....real friend."

".....a real friend you say."

For Shinichi, the subject of 'friend' is a subject where it carried mixed feelings toward him.

Shinichi sighs. To be frankly honest, he ain't the type to be particularly over the fact he had no best friend or friend. His 'true friends' even before meeting Ran and Sonoko were mostly mystery novels his dad wrote, or the mystery novels his dad or mom would bring back overseas. Shinichi can sink into the world of books, he can even not realize it has been hours since he read several books.

You may be surprised to hear, despite being popular, he has yet to have one whom he could call 'best friend'. Back then during the time when they were in kindergarten, there was a topic called 'Best friend'. When the teacher asked who was his best friend, as if he always knew the answer to heart, he genuinely answered "Ran" without hesitation, cause he thought Ran will remain with him as it is. After all, adults always say 'friends won't leave you no matter what, and at that time, he knew what friendship finally meant.

At least, that was what he thought till this happened.

Now after Ran had left him, he doesn't really know the true feeling of 'friends' anymore.

Thinking back, it felt like no, he couldn't really deduce the answer to this question.

After all, from the start, he knows that he himself.....was, after all, a different child who thinks differently as the real 'reason' for not being able to have his own 'best friend'. His family background sometimes is a curse to him, preventing him from forming normal friendships with other children his age.

To him, the definition of 'friend' comes with emotional attachments, and Sherlock Holmes, his idol, has no such attachment in his life. John Watson is his only exception, as Sherlock fired a gun at the person who hurt John. Did Shinichi feel the same way he did with Ran after she left? Feeling emotional empty now that Ran ain't around? Yes, he did. So that meant he did consider Ran as a friend, nah?

At the same time, now that Ran is no longer around, for some reason, he didn't feel like patching things up with her. What does this mean for him? Does this mean right from the start, he never think of Ran as a friend in the first place? He ain't sure what to think of this anymore.

When he thinks of it now, he always had uncertainties about his friendship with the two girls. They always talk of trivial things such as homework, boys, romantic movies, cute clothes and stuff, but rarely talk to him about his Holmes stories. Every time he does Sonoko will go shut up Tantei geek, what is so great of Holmes etc while Ran would laugh and said it's alright, everyone has their own hobbies. Though they do listen, they weren't the kids that he expects to be truly into this subject of Holmes the way they did with their girly things.

Kudo Shinichi never once shows anyone of his true emotion very clearly, besides annoyance when they think this Holmes thing isn't interesting, unlike their conversation.

"You may not want to hear this, but I think for your own sake, it is better if you...go ask straight to the source that has kept on making you feel about her."

"Her!? You mean Ranran? No way, "He was adamant on that, "She can't be reasoned."

"And how do you know of that? Do you think she is merely a stupid little cunning vicious girl with a shallow mind? Or is it whatever she last said to you that made you unable to accept the truth?"

Once more, Shinichi said nothing.

For some odd reason, everytime one brings 'that incident up', it always makes him feel uneasy in his heart. At first, he justifies the fact that since he saw through her schemes, her lies, or even how much of a pathological liar she was, her being 'distrustful' was the reason why he felt that way towards her. After all, she 'framed' him. Yet, he can't help but feel why that isn't the answer? "In your opinion, is there something about her that you see her differently, Koga?"

At first, he merely blink blankly at the other to process everything. Then, Shinichi frowned at the lackluster response, "Did she made you say it?"

"If I were like your soon-to-be former friends, do you think I would head personally straight to the teacher's staff office and argue your case?" He scoffed back at him in a questioning tone.

Shinichi's frustration faltered. As far as he had known Koga, his perspective has always been neutral, never to the extreme right or left.  Koga shrugged, his expression turning serious before suggesting, "It's one thing if one can influence others to think or say, but it's another to try 'too hard', cause she barely had that in her."

"But-"

"Just think about what I said."

Glaring slightly at him as he leaves, the facade soon wore off of 6-year-old Kudo Shinichi's face."Talk to that lunatic girl? Huh.....what does he know of her that I don't?" he huffed, before looking out at the sky outside the window."Talk to her....can she even understand anything?"

Ranran's presence......through, is so unpredictable beyond his scope, he ain't sure what to think.

As far as first impression goes, there is an enigma around her, similarly to Ran's emotions. 

When it came to Mouri Ran, all it takes is for her to act emotionally impulsive, and Shinichi would be able to read her like an open book. 

But for Ranran however, she just remained her calm self. A mere face of a doll with no emotions of anger, sadness, nothing. Especially the words she spewed at him, all of that itself was eerie to him.

Honestly, if Shinichi were to admit it, her ability to masked her emotions will even put all of the characters in Sherlock Holmes mystery-solving collection to shame.

For example, any little girl her age who had just arrived in Japan after being doted by their grandparents for the first time would've love to have parties thrown in her name to make herself well-known in society, generally being happy like a little girl in a princess gown hanging out with other children. A Cinderella. She had entered into his life a year ago and had been introduced within the family circle.

But Ranran however acted beyond his wildest expectation.

Ranran rarely spoke, and the only time she speaks is when she was asked if other kids in one of those parties asks, and she always seemed disinterested with them, also with her surroundings. If they have home parties at their grandparents' house, she would coop up in her bedroom all day. At times when her parents would try to talk her out about it, she just became even moodier refusing to even acknowledge anyone unless absolutely necessary and spending more time at home, doing whatever she does.

To say worry was an understatement for him.

Another thing that bothers him is that she was also disinterested towards him, which was something new, given that he usually get ogling eyes from girls and boys in general, or at least, a look of envy from the kids. An example was when one of them once asked at a party she was forced to go on how she feels being Shinichi's sibling, she would go 'wait, since when I have one?', in front of him too as if he didn't exist.

Now Shinichi had always been the only child and the apple of his parents' eye. Because Shinichi's reputation in the family was that he was so well-behaved and reserved, a lot of other kids wished they were his sibling.

But as soon as they both meet for the first time, even though he himself didn't do a leprechaun dance upon seeing her, he was shocked that Ranran couldn't care less about his rude behaviour towards her and went on to speak so lowly of him, that she would rather watch a pig dressed in a hula skirt jumping on the mud for several hours than watch his parkour moves.

This made him very mad at her. A lot.

Like, who the hell is she to speak insults on him?!

Also, is he being compared to a pig dressed in a hula skirt!? What sort of imagination goes through her brain, he can't help but wonder.

"Neh Kudo," one of his classmates called out to him, breaking him from his thoughts," Sensei need your help on something."

"Eh!? Sensei need my help?"Shinichi turned to the classmate," on what?"

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

"Look for Kudo-kun, Hikari-san and our head girl since the class is about to start huh?"

After that drama that had taken place this morning, Ranran hasn't been seen since their school student head council Reina and his classmate Takuma has whisked her away. The class can't start without them, huh? Figures. Also why the teacher choose him out of everyone to look for her was clear cut obvious, his tantei abilities have often proven to be useful on many occasion, mainly him being able to locate lunchboxes going missing and stuff that happens in school.

As much as he ain't close with Ranran, he can't just say that to the teacher that he wanna refuse because of their bad blood between them.

"The only location they could hang out is none other than the student council office, it's a clear cut answer after all."Shinichi huffs as he headed toward the hallway leading to the office.

"Neh, have you read any stories of the Fox on the news yet?"

Again with the Fox, Shinichi muttered to himself as other kids were hanging out talking outside the classroom. For the past 2 years, The Fox has been a constant topic among the kids his age. Shinichi first got to know it through reading the news as he got bored with reading his dad's mystery stories one day.

As much as he had gathered, 'The Fox' is described to be a mysterious anonymous child who is well known for solving crimes in the Beikai district. No one is clear except that the gender is a girl, but besides that, the name is unknown. According to the news circulating online, was rumoured to be an elementary school-going-child prodigy.

Now Shinichi had always played with this mystery for the past 2 years since 'The Fox' made an appearance. When a mystery come across, he can't help but wanna decipher it. He can't help it, it's based on his instinct.  He can't help but be plagued over who is this girl, why did she make an appearance, and how is it she was able to have access to those crime scenes solo with no adult around. Based on the stories, it seems like the cops knew her. He had very little to go on over who this person is, besides the only exception he could think of is her family definitely had connections to hers.

"So far they think it is the end of The Fox, now that the police announced the stories about 'child detectives' should be removed as they say they are gibberish."Girl A spoke to Girl E.

"Police always do that, they don't like it if their own kind can't solve it. I won't be surprised if the Fox continues to do her thing without relying on them. Especially after that corruption scandal last year, it was to be expected."

Corruption?

"Damn police and their self-interest."Boy F expresses his disgust, "Even though they got rid of them, I am certain not all of the bad apples are removed."

"Eh.....? You think so too?"The two girls turn to him.

"I once had my dad hire an exterminator to remove the white ants in my house. There are still a few of them in it. I thought the exterminator did a scam job, but then my dad said it ain't completely possible to wipe out all of them despite removing the next. I guess it works the same for the cops there."

"No way....."

Oh yeah, Shinichi almost forgot about it. It was huge news when it was broadcast on TV, and he and his father spoke a lot about it when he ask how can this happen. Like, they are the police, they represent the law, how can they turn their backs like that? He still can't understand it. No matter what, they shouldn't have done that.

"Neh, speaking of the Fox....how old is she?"Boy F wonders.

"Eh?"The girls turned to him on the sudden switch of topic.

"The girl, how old is she based on the pics?"

"......I think...they describe her as a grade 1 or 2 school-going child."Girl E recalled.

"Grade 1 or 2.....she could be 6-8 years old."Girl A thought hard about it, before she said, "You know.....to solve crimes, my Okasan said you need to be very smart to do so."

"Ah, what if...The Fox is that Ranran girl from this morning!?"The boy suddenly was hit with a realization.

Shinichi frowned, are they serious? How confident are they to think that this psychopath is that capable when there could think of other girls besides her? But apparently, everyone wouldn't stop talking about the reasons why she is the likeliest candidate, "You know the things she did this morning, I can't help but think it has to be her."Girl A argued to prove her point.

Shinichi carefully listens from the corner of the wall after walking past them, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"If I recall correctly, Kudokun is around our age, right? 6 years old?"

"Yes, she is close to our age."One boy was telling his friends, "The news stated something like how the Fox would use sharp savage words in order to get the attention of adults, in order to stop them from seeing him or her as an irritating child who wants to play Tantei. And we all know how savage she can be."

"But even so...Is she any good enough to be that said Fox? Or is she just playing about at being detective level?"

"I met her before, she is....don't tell Kudo Shinichi this, but ten times better than him. The way she carries herself, she acts like us, but sometimes that is nothing more but a facade."

"But let's put it this way, what if the Fox was a boy, masquerading as a girl!?"Boy F spoke in excitement.

"Oh yeah, that too would make sense."Girl E rubbed her chin.

"Right?"Boy F grins, before he added, "He could be Kudo Shinichi for all we know."

"What? That Shinichi? If that were the case....he is dumb to risk wearing a skirt while doing deduction."Girl A frowned, "I can't see him dare to embarrass himself like that."

"I agree, "Girl E nodded,"also he is only good at looking for missing wallets and bento boxes. I can't see him being as good as The Fox. The way I see it, he is a wannabe detective, unlike the Fox."

Shinichi grit his teeth at that! One did not play about being a detective! These idiot numbskulls did not really know how much effort and pain Shinichi had put into gathering all the necessary knowledge and instincts to be a good detective. Even so, solving cases of missing Bentos and wallets in school ain't helping his reputation.

"Anyway, back to the theory that it could be Ranran.....I said it cause she is good in ruining lives of adults as well."

"You're exaggerating!"The girls are in disbelief.

"Not really, do you remember the Misaki family in our neighbourhood?"

"You mean the one of which their stupid daughter who was in our school at that time called her horrible names? Also, is it the same one whose family fell into financial ruins with their sushi business? Ugh, give me a break."Girl E rolled her eyes thinking about the pompous Misaki.

"Yeah, that one. I heard rumours that she actually has a late friend of hers who helped her before his death in her old hometown. Before he died, he was rumoured to have sent a group of shady people to look after her. Whoever talks bad things about her, say goodbye to their family. Guess the rumours were true after all, of all of the families to end up becoming poor, the Misaki's is the last family I would expect to fall. Really. They were at the top of their game too at that time."Girl A recalled.

"What sort of rumour is that? Did she get someone as her backing to do so? That is far fetched."

"I guess you are right."The girl sighs, "I wish I had such backing if that were real."

Shinichi decided not to eavesdrop anymore and went on his way to the office."Ranran as the Fox?"Shinichi thought about it, "No way.....she couldn't be it, right?"

That's when he hears this behind the door, "You surpass that Kudo Shinichi with your own efforts. How many kids living in your shoes can say that?"

Shinichi couldn't help but recognize the voice.....Hikari-san is in there alright, right on the mark.

"Anyway, I think it's time we leave now? Classes are about to start. Oh shit! I almost forgot we have classes!"

"Ah yes, the usual killjoy of school. I hope that 'bastard' is sick or something so I don't have to see him in class."

The second voice is definitely the head girl, but then the third voice....is that Ranran!? The second voice made it more recognizable to Shinichi - it was Takuma, his classmate.

What were they discussing they had to be so secretive, Shinichi couldn't help but wonder?

"Now Ranran, I know you two have your differences over the family situation, but overall, what is there to worry about? It ain't like he is gonna come after you."

"Exactly!"Takuma nodded in agreement with his girlfriend, "Not like he knew about that case-"

Wait, case!? What case!? Shinichi was eager to hear more, but then he hears a 'mmph' sound, followed by her saying,"Lower your volume, the wall may not have ears, but flies do."

Ah damn it, she quiets down everyone.

"S-sorry."He heard a gulping sound behind the door.

"It's ok, let's talk about it later at night. Class is about to begin."

By this point, Shinichi knew he had to leave, and fast.

He quickly vanished into thin air, by the time Ranran opened the door to see who was secretly listening to them, only to find no one in sight.

As soon as he made sure no one was behind him, he slowed down and gave himself time to process everything he had just heard. His nagging suspicion about Ranran's identity hadn't left him ever since the rumours surfaced across the campus.

If that really were the case.....that meant she is so ahead of him. Far too ahead.

Lately, boys his age have been coming up inviting him over to play soccer ball or play around, probably because, in his deduction, they think he has finally given up on his dream of becoming a smarty pants detective, and that he is becoming one of them now. Let alone, since he is no longer hanging out with Mouri Ran, the 6-year-old could be one of their official 'gang' as he put it to term, a normal friend that isn't a nerd. Even he himself is aware of how their idiot low IQ brain work.

But is that what he really wants in his life? Live such a life of pretence? Put aside his Tantei dreams just like that while that girl is living his dream?

That feeling of uneasiness grew within him as he decided.

No, he was going to look into this, starting with whether Ranran is truly The Fox.