There are all sorts of movies 10-year-old Majima Michio enjoys watching.

As long as he had known growing up, he always watch American movies at home while his mother heads out to work. The action-packed shooting, jumping from one building to the other, as well as the cool action lines from the heroes, are always the best. It constantly entertains him, heroes trying to save the world. If he isn't watching action movies, he focuses on sci-fi or even crime-related movies. No matter which movie one picks, he always goes with the flow.

However, the movie he is watching today is something he refuses to watch. But he had no other choice, after what he has done.

The projector whirrs and the film starts to roll, transporting the audience to another world.

It was a typical Friday in the cinema, the class was unexpectedly released early and after everything had happened since the events of 'Extinction Heist', Junko decided to clear her head away from the dangers by dragging a reluctant Majima Michio to watch a movie that is not up to his taste. Everyone is absorbed in the silver screen as Michio noticed adult couples were cuddled up in the dark, eagerly watching the latest movie, lost in each other's company. Hell, even children couples are enraptured by the images before them.

"It's so sad," Junko whispered. She leaned closer. "I'd hate to leave someone I loved."

Michio flashed a nervous smile and slid further down in his seat. Why were girls like Junko had to be silly when it comes to romance?

Majima Michio was so not enjoying the movie.

He thought it was boring. Beside him, Fuyuko Junko clutched a tissue in one hand and the popcorn in the other. A tear rolled down her cheek as the woman on the screen told her boyfriend that she had to leave him forever due to family disapproval over their social background.

The title of the movie is called 'Origin Of My Childhood', where the male lead and female lead knew each other since they were in diapers, only for the girl's family to move away after some incident with the boy's family. The girl belongs to a poor family while the boy is from a wealth-to-do family. When the girl grows into a woman and went back to her hometown, she reunites with the boy, now a young man and the two fall in love.

However, it was forbidden love due to social background and dark family secrets.

And of course, Fuyuko Junko is a sucker for these kinds of storylines, Junko is after all a hopeless romantic despite being a 10-year-old girl. For her, this movie was the perfect escape from reality after the dangerous crap they had to deal with thanks to that Kudo Ranran girl having stolen money from the damn Crows, endangering her life along the way.

How is a little psychopath like that 6-year-old girl still able to find work as a detective? Junko wonders as she shakes her head, no matter, now is normal time with her crush. Nothing can go possibly wrong with Ranran not around. Ranran is that unfortunate apprentice's problem to take care of, that boy whose face resembles Ranran's, Kudo Shinichi.

For Junko, she loved to lose herself in the stories on the big screen. Especially romantic movies. They always seemed to make her feel so alive. Not to mention, the reality of her unfortunate life of having to live with her maternal grandmother and mother.

Majima Michio on the other hand hated soppy movies. If anything, crying females, be it girls or grown-up women, were considered to be awful and useless in his opinion.

He didn't mean to insult women who cry, after all, it is human to cry, even for boys or men alike. Even so, crying over such matters as love.... is dumb. Why cry when one hurts the other? You brush it off and move on. That is how he dealt with life growing up in kindergarten with a father who had been deceased throughout the whole 10 years of his life.

Seriously, the more Michio think about it, the more he wonders why is it that they weren't more intelligent shows where a man falls into the path of crime with a sleuth detective slowly uncovering the trick the criminal has set up here? If the Japanese can come up with cool action movies just the Americans does such as samurai of that sort, why not produce more of that instead of producing stupid no brainer cliche love movies like this one?!

He had seen these kinds of formats far too many times thanks to Junko dragging him to one romantic movie after another, even shutting his eyes he could tell blindly where this story is heading. It can only end in three ways: Ambiguous, happy, or never end up together at all.

Based on the clingy female lead's personality, he is going to bet an obvious fail.

The picture on the screen had changed. The tearful woman was now out in the street. People went hurrying past as she stood in a corner crying. Michio got it right, they didn't end up together.

Honestly, what did the male lead see in her? Michio couldn't help but frown. The male lead too was foolish to fall for someone like her.

And that was when it happened.

The screen went blank."Bruh, what happens to the movie?!"Junko couldn't help but blinked as she turned to the back to look up. Michio did as well. So did the other, destroying the earlier atmosphere.

Suddenly, a man leapt to his feet shouting angrily."That was him! I saw him! He's supposed to be dead!"

The theatre lights were turned on. The angry man ran up the aisle and disappeared through the exit. Loud voices broke out around the theatre. Everyone was complaining. People got up and started to leave. "I am demanding a refund for ruining our romantic mood," grumbled a woman to her boyfriend.

Michio having turned curious got up and dashed up the aisle as well, with Junko reacting barely quick enough to catch up with him. Majima rushed out of the theatre and looked around the foyer as the Fuyuko girl came following behind. The angry man was standing in a corner, mopping sweat from his face with a handkerchief. His cheeks were red."He isn't here! Damn it! If only I rushed further!"

"You know, I'll bet Ranran and Shinichi be interested in this," Michio grins as Junko rolled her eyes.

"Michio, I know why you want them to solve cases so that it be more convenient for your babysitting job you were paid to look after those two, but I wouldn't think this is a good idea. Have you forgotten what happened in our previous case?" she protested. "I almost died thanks to someone."

But Michio wasn't listening. He rushed up to the man, leaving a sighing Junko helplessly following.

"Excuse me, Oji-san," he began. "I couldn't help hearing what you said in the theatre... about you having mentioned seeing a dead man in the movie..."

The stranger glared at him, his voice trembling with shock. "A man was walking down the street in that film. He was in the background, but I'd know him anywhere! He's supposed to be dead!"

Junko scratched her head. "But if he was dead, how could he be in a movie?"

The man looked confused. "That's what I'd like to know!"

"Isn't it possible you made a mistake?"Michio pointed out. "Maybe you just thought you saw someone you knew. Or maybe it was someone who looked like the dead man."

"You don't understand! I recognize him the moment I spot his face!" snapped the stranger.

"May I ask....what is your relation to this man that you can tell it was him? Is he your family member or something?"Michio asked further.

"You will never forget the face of that man, especially if he happens to steal all my money!"

Both children's jaws dropped at his revelation. That was a first."A robber!?"Michio blurted out.

"Sorry for me to be rude, but in such a situation, shouldn't you contact the police?"Junko asked him politely.

"They wouldn't believe me, since he is dead legally," the man groaned. "Nobody would!"

Michio held out his card. "Maybe we can help," he suggested. "We do solve cases, not idiotic cases, you know?"

The man stared at the card. "What would you know about detective work? Aren't you a kid, you-" he paused before realizing he has no clue what is the boy's name, "What is your name by the way?"

"Majima, Majima Michio," he answered calmly, "a member of the Tantei association."

"I wouldn't know your name, but...Tantei association..." The stranger mumbled to himself the familiar name."Were they a pair of twins reported on the news? One who solved that jailbird case who escaped prison to steal some white tiger not long ago?"

"Yes, that is the one."Michio nodded to him in confirmation.

"And wasn't it one of the twins recently rode a white tiger when it broke out from the zoo not long ago?"

"Err.....yeah is the one."Michio was hesitant to explain why Ranran did what she did.

"Forgive me for asking, but why did they do that? Ride a tiger to school."

"Well..."

Right, that was one thing that everyone misses totally. Nobody had seen it coming.

Ranran had experience with wild animals growing up since she was 2, thanks to her great grandmother back in the U.K. She was an animal fanatic, having formerly been raised in a circus family, so it was no surprise she had no trouble handling them.

The other day when Ranran and the gang dropped by the zoo to visit Mr Whiskers, formerly known as Fifi, it got too excited and broke out of the cage to meet her. Though yes, many visitors did flee from its sight, Ranran was, fortunately, able to get the tiger back to its cage by riding on it. It was an unusual sight, and many adults did film it on their phones and cause a sensation.

Some call it animal abuse, some said it can't be helped, given the tiger has been raised in a circus for its entire life. It was just merely doing what it set out to do based on commands, and Ranran just so happen to know the command. Yet, some idiot journalist out there must have figured out they were the members of Tantei association, cause the following day it made it on the news.

It was fortunate their names aren't published, otherwise, they be screwed.

Shinichi did lecture Ranran about doing this in public now that their agency is doing well in business since the 'Extinction Heist' go public, in their school at least. Aside from locating missing wallets and Bentos which Ranran assigned to the other members, the dangerous cases they receive were handled by Ranran and Shinichi, since they both had more experience in handling them.

"No one was able to contact the zoo staff in handling them on time, so Ranran ended up having to escort it back to the cage on her own, as she couldn't bear the thought of Mr Whiskers getting tranquillized," Michio explained to the man.

"Man, when I read the news, I thought the news ran out of stories to publish or something. The fact that it was real was....impressive." He sounded impressed and put Michio's card in his pocket. "Well, if you can find out how this man ended up in this film, and if you can track him down, I'll personally pay the whole lot of you. Here's my card. Give me a call tomorrow and get them to come to my office."

Junko desperately pulled Michio aside. "Michio! We can't!"

But Junko took the man's card. "It's a deal," he promised.

When the man had gone, Junko tugged Michio's sleeve. "Michio, have you forgotten who almost died because of-"

But she never finished.

A terrified scream broke out from above.

One of the theatre attendants called from the top of a narrow staircase. "Get the police! There's been a robbery!"

Without waiting, Michio raced up the staircase, Junko at his heels.

The staircase led to the projection rooms. A door hung open. The projectionist was stretched out on the floor, groaning. And the movie had been ripped from the projector.

Junko stared at the mess in the projection room. The movie dangled lifelessly from the projector. Strips of the film lay tangled on the floor. Someone had scattered cans of films everywhere.

Junko watched as Michio checked for clues. Even in the gloomy room, one could see the uncombed structure of his hair. It was always cut rather short, especially at the sides, which seemed to make his ears stick out. And because one part of his hair sprouted up from the top of his head, it looked like a peg-like shape is sticking out from his scalp.

Michio slipped some twisted pieces of film into his pocket. Junko was so shocked that she stopped breathing for a while. She quickly rushed towards him in both panic and frustration.

"Michio, no stealing!" she hissed.

The projectionist staggered to his feet. He was a young man, his face covered with pimples. He rubbed the side of his head and looked around in horror.

"What happened?"Michio asked him.

His eyes had a dazed look. "I don't know..." he began. "One minute I was in here along, screening the movie, the next I heard someone come in."

Michio had his notebook and pen ready. "Did you see who was it?" he demanded.

"I couldn't," the young man moaned. "He had a stocking over his face... as bank robbers do..."

Michio scribbled quickly and looked up. "Are you sure it was a man?"

The projectionist shrugged and rubbed his head again. "It all happened so fast." He stared at the ruined film hanging limply from the projector. "How can I run that movie again?" he cried in despair. "Someone's chopped it up!"

"Majima Michio!" demanded a voice. "What are you doing here?"

Genzo was framed in the doorway. He approached slowly, careful not to step on any strips of film. Another uniformed officer followed.

"We were watching the movie when it happened, "Michio explained. "It looks like someone wanted to make sure that nobody could ever see it again."

Genzo shot him a suspicious look. "And have you found out why?"

Junko was about to answer, but Michio elbowed her quickly. "Not yet, Mr Genzo, but I'm working on it." Which, he told himself, was the truth.

The sergeant rolled his eyes. "I don't want you getting involved in any more danger." He herded the children outside and gave them a farewell wave. "I know you did a good job with many cases before, but after that case from now onwards, I'll handle this, okay?"

As they hurried down the stairs to the foyer, Junko's temper was simmering. "Why didn't you tell him about the man who hired us," she argued. "And the man who's supposed to be dead."

"I'll tell him later," Michio winked, "when Tantei association have all the facts."

They were too busy talking to notice a young woman watching them from beside the popcorn counter. She wore a denim jacket and jeans. She turned away and quickly punched a number into her smartphone.

"A boy and a girl..." she whispered. "The police seems to know them..."

Michio sent messages to the rest of the detective association. He called them for an urgent meeting the following afternoon at the headquarters at Michio's place.

....

"Ok, everyone, things have gotten pretty serious now that all of us had gathered in this meeting. And I think this needs to be brought up, otherwise, all of this nonsense is going to keep persisting on and on. And I won't tolerate this sort of nonsense, let alone in the association."

Back in Tantei association located next to Michio's mom's jewellery shop, things were not looking up as Shinichi is obviously angry. No, angry was an understatement. Pinching his nose bridge, it was clear something serious had happened.

6-year-old Ran, Takuma and 9 year old Emiko remained in their seats, the situation is tense and no one dare to voice their opinion. Ranran meanwhile couldn't give a crap about how fearful they are, playing Project Sekai on her smartphone, where she tries to secure herself a perfect score.

Ignorant towards Shinchi, his voice boomed out, "Ranran, what have I told you about the rules we established here?"

"One should follow no matter what, even the founder."She wasn't staring at him, her attention still solely focus on her game as she try to hit one beat after another.

Shinichi glared, "You knew?"He mocked as he repeated her words, "You knew...and then what? Instead of following, what did you do?"

"I followed it, "Ranran replied.

"You did...but you didn't."Shinichi contended.

You would've thought that being the founder of an organization, the founder would follow the rules to ensure every member would follow them, as one is to set a good example.

But in the shoes of a furious 6-year-old Kudo Shinichi, this was a different story.

"Do you not remember which of the rules you violated states?"He growled.

"Obviously, "Ranran huffed in annoyance, as the music emitting from the phone is going at a fast-paced, "The rule states no guns, no knives, nor even a freaking poison allowed in this office is allowed."

"What else did I also tell you?"

"That if I ever truly need to defend myself, now that Tantei association is getting the attention of The Snake, use a bat in our storage room to take care of the problem."

"And what did you do instead?"

"I use a bat and practice learning how to protect myself. Why?"

"A bat," He laughs mockingly in sarcasm as he repeats, "A bat, "He emphasizes, "Yet you ended up deciding, why not use a batman Batarang to target practice on Junko the other day? By tying her to the bookshelf in our association!?"

See, Ranran is a rule-breaker who truly enjoys breaking the rules as it is to satisfy her boredom. To prevent any such shenanigans, she did what she does best: manipulating, torturing, being scheming is the last thing he wants to deal with, let alone, hurting the reputation of Tantei association. What started as simple rules to ground her so she'd stop floundering around ended up as a way for her to justify her actions.

"Put it this day, she demanded to join because Michio wanted to remain here. Also, why would I want to allow someone who makes use of his father's death to get to Michio? That dampens anyone's morale. Letting her join would also end up endangering our lives. And I didn't break any rules, it didn't say I can't use a bat Batarang."

"And how many times have I told you, Ranran, "Shinichi went on, "Not to take action against the culprit on your own?!"

Emiko shakes her head at the situation, before sketching her art in her notebook, meanwhile, Ran and Takuma were watching Ranran and Shinichi's bantering like some tennis match.

"The other day, when we found out our school's food supplier delivery driver was responsible for stealing the food he was delivering, just to earn some extra income, I told you to wait while I call the cops, and yet, you went out an confront him. What happened later after that?"

"He left his keys in the truck, it was the perfect timing to snatch them to prevent him from driving away. I don't see why you think of this as such a big deal."Ranran shrugs, as the screen on the phone finally reads: a perfect score.

"Your idea of 'taking care of the problem' involves hijacking our vice principal's SUV to ram repeatedly against the truck, the same one filled with our food supply where the culprit was in it! Thanks to you, all of us in school are not going to have food for a freaking month!"He blasted at her.

Takuma was going to laugh, as he honestly finds this situation hilarious, but then seeing Shinichi glaring at him was enough to make him gulp. Meanwhile, Ran shook her head at Ranran disapprovingly.

"You look at it this way, had I not done it, we would be forced to carry food duties as the school's slaves for a freaking month! Also, the vice principal kept complaining that her SUV was beyond useless anyway, so it didn't harm our family financially, nah?"Ranran kept her smartphone as she justifies her action, proud of what she had done, before adding, "Plus, the kids in this school can either buy food elsewhere or get their moms to make bento before leaving for a month. And the driver lived anyway since he was in a truck. No harm done!"

"Uh no, technically he ended up hospitalized and had to be coma induced because of you!"Shinichi reminded her.

"Hah?! How did that happen?!"Ranran tilted her in confusion.

"You ram at his driver's side of the door with such high speed, who wouldn't end up getting head injuries with such high impact, Ranran!?"He seethes.

"Who cares, most important is that the principal give us better facilities for our association, now that he knows why the food they ordered isn't enough to feed the entire school. I mean just think of the discrepancy that idiot been causing."Ranran grins.

Shinichi facepalmed at Ranran's lack of remorse over the situation.

"Speak of school, anyone excited about what to wear now that the school no longer requires us to wear school uniform anymore?"Takuma expresses excitement in his voice.

Not long ago on a Monday, the principal announced during Monday's school assembly, that he proposed a motion to abolish the school uniform policy. This has come as a shock to the students, parents, and faculty of the school alike. Though the school has not given a clear reason for the proposal, many people are speculating that it is a reaction to the cross-dressing situation involving a boy being accused as a pervert in their school.

When they made the announcement, there was a loud cheer from the students of all grades, relief could be seen on the kids' faces, but not all. While some kids were in favour of abolishing the school uniform, others wanted to keep things the same.

Still, everyone was all talking about the same thing: what are they going to wear? It seemed like every student had an opinion, and everyone wanted to know what the trend would be for the year. The kids were excited about what to wear. Some kids were wearing new clothes, others were wearing their favourite clothes. There were all sorts of kids at school, from jocks to nerds, and everyone was excited to start the new school year.

"Hikari-kun sound excited about what he wants to wear, nah?"Ran couldn't help but notice.

"I can't stand the sight of school uniforms we wear. I feel like they are bland. Whenever I put it on, I always feel like a walking potato."

Ranran choked, almost laughing at Takuma's comment about being a potato, but manages to get hold of herself.

"I mean do you know how uncomfortable they are?! Although I know it is winter, it's still uncomfortable because of the red ribbon I am wearing around my neck."Takuma complained before turning to Ranran, "What about you, Ranran? Are you excited?"

"I am."Ranran admitted to him, "I can't stand the idea of wearing this school uniform especially. I had a better-looking one back in the U.K till I was forced to move here wearing some blue blazer with red ribbon. I feel like a prisoner when I am forced to wear this," she pointed at the uniform she is wearing, "Even the choice of colour is tacky."

"Though I am happy we no longer need to wear school uniforms, I can't help but think I am going to miss it. We have been in this school for 3 years, after all, it has been a tradition at our school to wear uniforms and now it was gone."Emiko sighed, before she smiled, "Still, the school uniforms are too outdated. It's time we wear what we want to."

"What are you planning to wear next Friday?"Ran asked.

"Maybe a T-shirt with an unusual message? Or an unusual dress. I like something that makes one stand out away from normal clothes."Emiko thinks to herself as she had plans in store, before turning to Ran, "What about you, Mouri, what are you going to wear?"

"Hmm...whatever I can find suitable. I ain't into fashion unlike Sonoko is."Ran thinks of it, "Maybe I can get Okasan(mother) to shop for clothes during the weekends."

"Then Shinichi, what are you going to wear?"Emiko asked, curious over Shinichi's choice of clothes in his everyday life, given that he is born from a privileged family.

"Honestly, I find it a bit of a hassle."Shinichi ruffles his own hair in frustration, "As soon as my mother got word of this, she was already making plans to shop clothes for us with Ranran this coming Sunday before she and Tousan go on a working trip."

"Eh!?"Takuma react in surprise, "Why Ranran is joining you?"

"Her parents won't be back for two weeks due to their work. Whenever these kinds of things happen, her Okaasan trusts my mother's fashion sense into purchasing clothes for her. Also, OKaasan always wanted to buy little girl clothes as she always wanted a daughter."

"Ah...is that so?"Ran couldn't help but be surprised, considering Shinichi's mom spoiled him a lot and never once mention wanting a daughter.

"A daughter?" Emiko raised her eyebrows at Shinichi," She could've just had a sibling for you, after all, didn't she marry at the age of 20 with your dad?"

"She did, "Shinichi admitted, while Ranran proceeded to pick another song and continue with her game, while Takuma lazily leans his head to sleep on the table, "But they mentioned something about Heavens making it not possible to have a child of their own."

"That is sad," Emiko couldn't help but sympathize with him.

"Can't she just do those things I watched on TV the other day? IVF or adopt of that sort?"Takuma suggested.

"As I said, Heaven made it beyond impossible. Plus, our grandparents ban the idea of adopting a kid into the family. My mother did suggest it, but then gradually she gave up after they say they will force a divorce between my parents if this ever comes up again."Shinichi commented.

"Eh!? No way!"Ran expresses shock, as Emiko and Takuma were stunned listening to Shinichi's revelation."What is wrong with adopting?"Ran asked, not understanding why would Shinichi's family be so drastically against this. 

"I ain't sure, but they mentioned the last time they did, the scar left within the family was so overwhelming, they banned it for good. They also mention this is for Ranran's safety."Shinichi still feels a little bothered by their response, turning to Ranran, "You didn't tell them not to adopt, did you?"

"If I have such influence on them, I would've forced them not to meet you in person when we were 5, Shinichi."Ranran pouted at him.

True, Ranran has a point.

"Still, I don't think club leaders will be allowed to wear whatever they want," Takuma recalled what Reina, his girlfriend mentioned. Lifting his head as he readjusts his sitting position, "She mentioned leaders and vice president are required to wear their costume representing the club under the school."

"Is it mandatory?"Shinichi asked.

"No," Takuma shakes his head at him," Although it isn't mandatory, it is highly encouraged as they want to ensure teachers spot them doing their activities in their school club rather than dumping their workload onto the other members."He rolled his eyes," Of course, they get to pick out their costume. They won't interfere."

"Screw it, no one is going to make me wear it."Ranran refuses at that thought."We are running a tantei cl-I mean agency in this school, what do they expect us to wear in representation? Wear some inverted cape coat, deerstalker hat, and even the entire suit!? We'll be the laughing stock of the entire school."

Now, this part irked Shinichi, as she speaks ill of his idol's sense of dressing, "What's wrong with wearing that sort of clothes!? That is what makes him Sherlock Holmes!"

Sensing he was mad, Ranran sighs in a bored tone, "Shinichi, you memorized every single book of Sherlock Holmes, correct?"

"Yeah?"Shinichi answers, wondering where she was heading with this.

"Then let me ask you something, just based on Conan Doyle's work alone, had there ever been a text that specifies Holmes wearing a deerstalker hat and an inverted cape coat!?"

That made Shinichi speechless, as he struggle to recall his memory coming across the text. Meanwhile, the other three members look as if their faces were splashed with cold water. "Wait, the original Sherlock never wear a Deerstalker hat nor an inverted cape at all!?"Ran felt like her life on what she know of Holmes had been nothing but a lie.

"There you go, I made myself clear."Ranran sighs."Costumes are useless."

"Though I think it would've been cool to see you two in such costume," Emiko mused, "I can design it to make it convenient for the both of two if you guys want."

"Eh!?"Shinichi whipped his head to Emiko, "Really!?"

"I can only draw, you just need someone you know of to make it according to the design," Emiko admits.

"Don't encourage him, Emiko. No costume."Ranran put her foot down, as she thinks it is a mere waste of time."I don't think costume would make changes in our investigating skills."

"Ranran isn't into dressing up, huh?"Ran pointed out, "That is unusual."

"Not all girls like dressing one, especially that one dressed in a Christmas tree the other day singing Ivan Polka."Takuma snickered, as Ran barked at Takuma, "Don't laugh!"

It just made things worst as Takuma ended up bursting his laughter, only for Shinichi to do the same. Banging the table, Shinichi went on to say in between laughs, "I never thought I see the day where she dance to that Miku song in a Christmas tree!"

"If it wasn't for Ranran to do that, she wouldn't have been made fun of for an additional 4 days!"Ran glared at Ranran, who she returned with a smug face.

Then, all attention was directed to the door as it slides open to reveal Majima Michio and Fuyuko Junko, carrying plastic bags."What is that?"Shinichi points.

"A new case, "Michio and Junko then carefully placed the strips of film, sealed in plastic bags, alongside copies of the morning newspaper."We have just been given a very important case," he announced. "And we are going to be paid to solve it."