Meanwhile, a mother taking a first-class trip with her husband home to Japan was not pleased to learn about the recent news development back in Japan.

"My daughter and Shinichi did what!?"

Irene Watson bangs the armchair in anger while talking over the phone with someone, "Irene, this is bad. I mean the news of her being chased with Shinichi by a gunman is all over the place!"

"Get Genzo over the phone right now!"

"But ma'am, the lines to contacting them are dead now because of the earthquake situation. Also, I don't have his private number, and he is off to work in an undercover sting."

Irene was gobsmacked by the situation."Then figure a way to get his number! My daughter and Shinichi's life is on the line!" Irene then realizes it may not be the case, "You know what!? I mean it ain't just them, but the additional five other kids!"

After ordering the unfortunate man over the phone to send Genzo on their way, she abruptly slams the phone on the chair while her husband silently watches."Ranran got into trouble again?"

"Worst, she didn't mention she is working on another dangerous case."

Their entire flight is silent as Irene Watson was pinching her nose bridge, having heard what her daughter has done recently.

Her husband glances at her. The anger, the disbelief she felt when she was called on what Ranran has done was evident this was going to be a persisting problem. Of course, they could hire a maid or butler, or even a nanny for that matter, but it won't change Ranran's attitude on getting involved in dangerous cases.

"Don't be mad at Ranran," Her husband reassures his wife," She is still a child."

"I ain't mad at her, more towards myself," Irene commented as she frustratingly said, "I failed as a mother. Otherwise, she wouldn't be doing all these things behind our back."

Irene wasn't wrong, as she feels too disappointed towards herself rather than her daughter.

.....

The day Ranran was born, she was 99 percent close to opening death's door.

Irene who was only 16 at that time watch helplessly, including her horrified husband who was outside the hallway as she watched nurses and doctors coming in and out to try and resuscitate her with whatever machine they could find at their disposal. You would've assumed that since a baby is born from a healthy teenager like Irene, baby Ranran would've been spared from any health problems.

But here is the kicker— unlike what Tv drama and movies would romanticised that teenage pregnancy would transition smoothly in todays modern medical world, there are hidden dangers for mother and child. Low weight, premature birth at only 3 weeks, as well as high blood pressure for giving birth in a not fully develop teenage body, adding salt that the nurse dropped Ranran and having hurt her head upon delivering was enough to sent red flags.

With all of this combination of hell, Irene assumed she and her husband was going to find herself leaving the hospital with a body bag.

However, the cries from the premature baby finally out her motherly worries to rest. Though she wasn't completely out of the woods yet.

Hooked up to oxygen and had a feeding tube in her nose, Irene wondered did she made a mistake keeping her around. Ranran had more monitoring equipment hooked up to her than even her computer literate husband could count. It made him look smaller, a fragile bundle of wires and tubes, and she wished she had the strength to take all of the damn wires of her child.

Despite this however, she cooed and wriggled, her face scrunching up as she struggle to move away from of all the wires, as it was limiting her movement.

"Is she trying to remove the wires?"Irene noted in concern.

"Believe me, despite how small this little brute is, she been scratching the nurses and doctors trying to hook it up to her despite not being able to breathe."The nurse commented with a deep sigh,"In my many years on being in this line of work, this is the only one who refused to be hooked."

"Sounds like she is a little fighter," the husband praised, "Sounds like something you would do..."

"Hey! I ain't that troublesome, alright?!"She glared at her husband before turning to the small infant with a worried look. Had she not been irresponsible 9 months ago, Ranran wouldn't be in this position now.

Then again, Irene had 10 doctors confirming that she can never get pregnant at an early age of 13, after having done all sorts of tests. She even had her husband's reliable family doctor to confirm this, which is why she didn't think twice on using protection when she did her first time at some lock up library back then. Before becoming a mother, she resided to the fact that becoming a woman of the man she loved would be enough for her. Even if the relationship didn't last, at least she knows what it's like to be sincerely loved wholeheartedly.

Then Ranran's existence changed everything about her life and the man she loved.

Things had to change, moving away from the city she was raised in her whole life, the safety of her unborn child, getting a job back at her home country with her husband to get a roof above her child's head while worrying which part of Ranran's quality of life is going to be affected in a negative way thanks to that damn nurse.

Seriously, thinking about this made Irene groaned at that thought.

Even though Irene knew what to anticipate from the time the irresponsible nurse who delivered Ranran dropped her as a newborn, when her head hit the floor, she didn't expect things to spin out of control the way they are today. Ranran has her way of doing things during the first two years of her life. If Irene hadn't given birth to her so young, all of the family members wouldn't have been out working their tails off trying to keep their roof afloat while leaving the 2-year-old at home on her own.

Of course, Irene is thankful that she completed her masters through skipping grades in advanced to earn some money to keep the roof afloat while her husband continues to complete his studies at some university, otherwise, she has no clue how she was going to get a job to feed this little troublemaker.

Ranran used to spend her days watching television till the adults went home. Hiring a babysitter or a neighbour to assist was not an option in the slums back then because everyone had difficulties to cope with. Their primary concern is money. To be sure, not everything was horrible for Irene. Irene had made friends with several nice folks in the neighbourhood.

However, their life of hardship was brought to an end when Irene's estrangled grandmother from her father's side met up with the family.

The said estrangled grandmother had ties to aristocrats over many years, making her a noblewoman. That said, however, due to unfortunate circumstances, they don't have any heir tied to them by blood. The only existing one to date after months of tracking is none other than Irene and her daughter, Ranran.

At first, Irene refuses to move to the affluent neighbourhood due to personal reasons. Sure, they were living poorly, but they didn't mind any of it. However, when an offer to send her daughter who was then 2 years old about to turn 3 to a rather prestigious school filled with intelligent children beyond their age, Irene and her husband could not refuse. Education is important, even if Ranran detested it.

Oh yeah, Ranran detested it a lot like hell. The thought of no longer being able to sit in front of the tv the whole day make Ranran see nothing but red. So it was no surprise by the time Ranran turned 3 as the family moved into a wealthy and affluent neighbourhood, she refuses to head to a school filled with exceptionally graceful noble children naturally.

Ranran used to be the polar opposite of who she is now. She lacks morality, is mischievous, and exhibits all of the characteristics of a child who grew up without her parents around. Not to mention, a rude little girl. She would speak her mind and not care who she offended. Joining that school, Edgewood Academy, strained the mother-daughter bond as Ranran's sense of inferiority developed. She tried her hardest as a mother to persuade Ranran to better herself to deal with the situation.

Irene believed that being overshadowed by the Edgewood Academy students would awaken Ranran's drive to be as excellent as – if not better than – them. Even Ranran's estranged grandmother hired a lady to discreetly train her how to behave like a girl of prestigious blood, as well as a dancing master to teach them how to dance and develop perfect posture.

But eventually, it was clear Ranran can't be told what to do.

Ranran's inferiority never made her want to alter herself; instead, she grew increasingly unhappy with school. Ranran despised being a noble. In her view, everything about nobility is intolerable. The phoney politeness, manners, and, most crucially, she was forced to be wearing dresses. Ranran felt pressured to be as phoney and despicable as those kids, who were all so haughty if she became one of them. Irene was certain that Ranran would be a wild young girl for the rest of her life.

Then, something happened that change everything: Ranran wanted to learn to act as one.

Before Irene knew it, Ranran unexpectedly took interest in learning how to act like a noble girl. After having nothing to show for the first 3 months, the changes on Ranran were noticeable.

Irene knew this cause one of the mothers in the school added thoughtfully, "I don't know if that is the same wild daughter you used to have, but she is...very different from the rumours and behaves very...how should I put it? Well-mannered, witty and dignified."

"Eh!? Is that so!?"

"It is, I didn't think your daughter would hide all of this nobleness beneath her this whole time."The woman mused.

Irene was rendered speechless that day.

But this wasn't as surprising as for the next 2 years, phone calls would arrive at their residence through her daughter's smartphone. Whenever her parents aren't working, she or her husband would pick up as they didn't want Ranran to be addicted to gaming for she was showing signs, so her phone is always in their possession. Callers from various families would ask for their daughter. And those families are something Irene would not have assumed would contact her.

"Hi, is your daughter at home? Tell them that the son of the Viscount, the Covington family, is seeking her service."

"Hi, if your daughter is around, tell her than the Baroness of the Whitehall family, Veronica, to call back at 4pm sharp."

"Hi, this is the daughter from the House of Blackburn speaking, could you please contact your daughter and see if she is available now? It's urgent."

Suddenly, the children of high-profiled figures are contacting for her daughter. Never could she had imagine them contacting Irene's then 3-year-old daughter, but this continued on for years. She would have never dared to even think about them even bother to give a glance onto them. Although their family is of high prestige, circumstances also led noble families to stare at them as if they were zoo animals.

Yet the calls kept on coming. And when asked about it, Ranran would brush it off and claim it is 'homework' in their academy. Though Irene had a hard time buying it, since she knew Ranran hated school till now.  The alarming signs were there when the last call made to her daughter, was from a member of royal family, the one with the highest rank.

Was this all a mere coincidence? Or perhaps... did Ranran influence them to make those calls? If so, why and what is the reason?

For once, Irene had mixed feelings about this. Sure, it's good to know that Ranran is finally blended into the high society community, especially among kids her age, but she felt something was...off. 

Unbeknownst to her, Ranran is still the same little girl she knows. Except she learned different ways to be polite and hold back just so to do her bidding.

Ranran's questionable transformation both in personality and life went on for 2 years. By the time Irene look back, the 4 year old was barely recognizable.

Eventually, Irene's suspicions turned into certainty and she realized that although her daughter had changed for the better, it was also: for the deadlier.
....

On the day of 'The Boy's death, everything changed.

Funeral arrangements were made, and 'The Boy' wanted Ranran to be in charge of leading the possession. Since she is a child, a lot of arrangements were done by the adults, though she was only put in charge of leading the ceremony and all. Initially, she was worried her 4-year-old daughter wasn't capable, she is after all too young to follow instructions.

But to her surprise and shock, it went smoothly without a hitch.

Aside from one minor stumble: This other little girl, one with chestnut colour hair, whose name Irene couldn't remember, was among the crowd having flown overseas to attend the funeral. She thinks her name is 'Suzuki', she was overheard talking rudely to her mother that she could do better in Ranran's shoes when it comes to leading the possession, which ruin the atmosphere of the kids and adults from prestigious families since she spoke loudly.

So as soon as they all made it to church, before her mother could defend her, the unexpected happened: Ranran, the same child that was initially struggling to contain her tears, showed a determined expression.

Having stood on the podium with the coffin next to her, in front of several nobles, and politicians, as this was a private funeral for this aspect, her voice boomed as she ordered punishment under the rules of the church, to the little girl for disrespecting his funeral, much to the shock of everyone alike.

At first, her parents were going to stop her, but not before Ranran brought up about the Church's history of punishing people who disrespected the dead, and that not doing so would set a bad example, similarly to the behaviour of noble kids in Edgewood Academy, which riled up the kids into agreeing with her about punishing the rude child, much to that chestnut-haired girl and her parents' horror. The rest of the adults listening to this, mainly the priest and noble parents who were present, were speechless at how knowledgeable Ranran is about the church.

Before Irene knew it, that unfortunate girl was dragged forcefully out of her seat by the other grieving kids of Edgewood, making her kneel in front of the coffin of 'The Boy' at the aisle, demanding she bow her forehead touching the carpet till she repented. Even if her forehead bleed, Ranran ordered her to continue in a oppressively tone till she repented, with cold eyes Irene witness for the first time.

For a moment, Irene thought she was in a nightmare she can't wake up from. That can't be her weakling daughter who almost died prematurely, punishing a misbehaved child at the funeral to plead forgiveness before her dead friend lying in the coffin while the daughter stood before the humiliated girl with contempt in her eyes.

But that is exactly what she did, and the terrified child name Suzuki had no choice but to comply, with tears and presumably: A trauma she will never recover from thanks to her daughter.

And Irene was right, for that girl later suffered high fever for over a week thanks to Ranran. It was fortunate that Irene's family is higher rank, otherwise, that rude girl's family would've tried to punish Ranran. Looking back, Irene did not pay much attention at first because the changes were subtle, but now after thinking through the situation thoroughly, there was something going on with Ranran through the 2 years since they moved here.

But what? What led to their daughter's personality to change?

By this point, Irene begins to wonder if this is the beginning of hell.

....

"You really are a mere idiot, you know that?"The five-year-old red lip girl gave a cruel laugh as a dual hazel ponytail 8-year-old girl named Gracie was lured to the flag pulling assembly venue.

"Excuse me!?" Gracie confronted angrily before wincing in pain, as she was leveraged like a flag.

"Then again, it's no surprise. You kids tend to be stupider than I imagined you to be."The red lip child rolled her eyes and sighed before lifting an eyebrow. "Did you ever wonder what happened to that precious yellow canary of yours?" Ranran taunts the horrified girl.

Her face went pale when she finally realized what just happened as warning signals went off in her head."So it was you who killed my missing pet and place it on my freaking desk?! You psycho! What is wrong with you?!"

"No way, I'm not that callous. Let alone being reckless." Ranran shrugged, but she couldn't help but grin, making it all seem eerie as she looked up like the boy in charge of the pulley was pulling her higher and higher up to the pole. "You were so careless with the bird after the show and tell concluded, that it died of hunger during recess. So I did you a favour by putting it in a familiar location where everyone can see your reckless behaviour towards the bird."

"How is putting my precious pet on my desk while writing 'I killed my bird by not feeding it because it is nothing but bragging rights' in its blood doing me any favours!? Did you not realize everyone called me a bird killer in addition to accusing me for 'that boy's murder!?"

"Pyschopaths need to be upfront with their true feelings, I am just making others around you realize that is your true-self."The 4-year-old mocking smile brought shivers to Gracie.

Ranran had known for a long time that this little garbage was a horrible creature. She also knew how horrible the girl was to the scholarship students who were studying here, making their lives miserable. Worst of all, she was complicit in The Boy's death. She also knew the school had ended, and at approximately 3 p.m., no one was in the vicinity of Edgewood Academy. The majority of the kids had gone home.

Not them at least, Ranran and the enemies Gracie has made a living hell out of them.

Oh, how Ranran hated when that girl chirped with a fake smile. When The Boy was still alive, she and he used to comment on how fake her smile was. It's such a shame that everyone around then was too enamoured to notice.

So of course it was natural that Ranran is going to make her pay. After learning that Gracie was eligible in securing a professional job as a female soccer player, Ranran was going to make sure to end her dream before it could even begin.

Just like how Gracie and the others ended Ranran's dream with 'him', she will make sure Gracie learns what the word meant, 'consequences'.

"Everyone, "Ranran ordered the older kids before urging them, "Do what you need to do."

Ranran's red lips pulled into a cruel smirk before other kids began to approach the target. Gracie tried to fight but it was clear the kids that Ranran ordered were way stronger. Before long, the dual hazel ponytail girl was hosted up.

Before anyone know it, everyone cheered as the target was lifted off the ground as a flag would to a pole. "Please...let me-" she croaked out her face reddening.

"Sure, I will do it if you do a couple of things for me."Ranran chuckles in amusement.

"Anything, I will do anything! Name your price! Money? Jewels? My limited edition Barbie pencil box?!"

"Hmm...I ain't interested in all of that."Ranran hummed as she paced around the flag pole in amusement, "I know!" she snap her finger banging the pole, while Gracie who fear heights begged her not to knock, "How about an apology for all the things you do."

"Hah?! Like what?!"

"Don't remember? Let me refresh your memory, "Ranran giggled before listing one after another, "How about the time you threw a child's lunch on the floor?"

That made the girl hanging above turn pale, looking down at the sadistic looking blue eye little girl.

"No? Ok, how about...the fact you murdered someone by ratting it out to a woman who has been abusing her own son? Aside from having murdered your own bird."Ranran manages to sound calm but on the inside, the anger is all-consuming as she mocked Gracie.

"Why would I want to admit any of this?! It wasn't my fault, it was Erny's!"

"Really?"Ranran then recounted while she hummed, "Who was it the other day telling Erny she would've played a better 'widow' during 'his' funeral."

Gracie was sweating bullets at this rate, her head was becoming dizzy with all of the revelations this little sh*t knows about, "Please...please let me down, Ranran. Please..."

"Please...please let Ranran go..."Ranran parodied a shocked Gracie as Ranran gazed up at her, rage was evident while her icy blue eyes grew cold," He begged your murderer friend. He begged me not to get involved with his mother. In fact, he begged all of you. But did you listen to him when he pleaded for my life?"

It was at this point, that Gracie knew she was screwed.

"Guys," Ranran turned to the others," Gracie said to let go, right everyone?"All the kids in school nodded to Ranran as she laughed."All right ladies and gentlemen let's roll!"

And so let go they did.

Obviously, unlike what Gracie imagined, it wasn't high to a point as soon as Gracie meets the ground, she ends up dead. But it was high enough to do the unthinkable.

Fracturing both of her ankles gave Gracie the most intense pain she has ever endured in her entire life."AAAAAH!!!! MY LEG!"

Gracie cried with tears pouring out of her face, while she yelped clinching to both of her dislocated feet, after having met with such high impact to the ground.

"Good, I think you should sacrifice your soccer career. After all, murderers like you don't get to live their dream."

Ranran and the others checked, seeing that girl's leg in a horrible position as she cried out in pain made Ranran's red lips pull up into a cruel smirk. "That was what you deserved...you murderer."

....

"Ranran, I heard other kids are saying you had something to do with putting a dead bird on some girl's desk. Is this true!?"

Ranran didn't respond. She didn't let herself meet her mom's eyes as mother and daughter ended up in the principal office of Edgewood Academy, as Mr Alex frowned."Gracie allegedly says you did it. Are you sure you have nothing to do with it?"

"She kinda asks for it. Though I only gave the kids some suggestions for girls like her. I had nothing to do with it."Ranran formed a mischievous smile.

Irene paused for a second. "So you did that!?"

"Worst, her ankles are so severely damaged...she may need to sit on a wheelchair for life."Mr Alex commented, before reassuring, "But don't worry, with her situation...it ain't possible to press charges onto your daughter or your family."

Irene faltered, "Are you serious?!"

"Mrs Kudo, try to look on the plus side, Ranran did prove Gracie was irresponsible by placing a dead bird on her desk."The principal of Edgewood academy nodded.

"Is this something to be impressed about?!"Her mother blasted at the principal before confronting her daughter. "Ranran, why are you like this!?"Her mother asked out of the blue sadness lacing her voice, wondering where did all go wrong with her parenting.

"There is no justice."

"What is!?"Her mother pushed.

"Does it matter?"The five-year-old girl's beautiful doll-like features grow hard and cold.

"Those kids may have bullied him when he was alive, but you didn't have to take things too far!"The five-year-old girl red lip girl averted her mom's gaze as the woman demanded desperately."What is going through your mind right now!? What did 'he' say to you!?"

"Murderers, they are all murderers!"Ranran laughed cruelly. She felt anger burning through her veins."They told his mom about me to end my life."

"What?"Her mother breathed surprised.

Ranran's red lip lips pulled into a mocking smile as she looked her mother in the eyes."I overheard what they said at his funeral, they found it funny and spoke as if it was the weather."The five-year-old replied tears welling up in her blue eyes. "That was the last straw. Something had to be done."

"No way...then why didn't you say anything to the cops? You know if you did...something would be done, even if they are kids."Irene furrowed her eyebrows.

"What is the point? I watch a piece of news where two little boys murdered a child, and they will still be released when they become an adult. If they are going to get away with justice, I must teach them a lesson! That's right! I will continue to torture them as long as I lived!"

"Then...when that girl set the stage on fire-"

"That's right, she had to pay for her transgressions. However, it is insufficient." Her daughter's scarlet lips tightened into a devilish smirk. "I want them to live a long life filled with agony and suffering, just as they did to him and me! I want them to suffer in such agony that they would rather be dead than alive!"

"You can't keep doing this, Ranran. Do you realise that devastation spawns destruction? All of this vengeance...will finally ruin your life!" Irene clutched her daughter's little wrist, tears running down her cheeks, attempting to shake her daughter's senses.

But to her horror, Ranran's eyes are nothing but dead and cold. So cold...reminding Irene of her younger self when she was Ranran's age. "What life, mother? I have no life anymore nor even a future before me now that he is gone!"The little girl spat before hopping out of her chair to grab her bag, saying, "We are leaving."

"Ranran! Ranran!"

But the little girl ignored her mother's calls as she stormed off.

Ranran was the most beautiful thing Mom had ever given birth to when she was born. Ranran's brain injury had frequently caused Irene to fear that her lovely little child would be snatched away from her.

But, as it turns out when your daughter appears to be deceptive and conceals all of her actions, it makes Irene wish Ranran was born unsophisticated, wild and naive rather than what she is today. Irene is more concerned that whoever crosses her daughter will not survive.

Is she dealing with a future serial killer in the making? Irene dreaded finding out.

....

From that day onwards, more and more incidents kept occurring at her daughter's school. Though no one has any hard evidence against the scheming child, it was very clear her daughter was a little bit too dangerous for anyone's liking.

Usually, normal kids would bite by the limp or kick or punch for that matter.

But in Ranran's case, for some reason, her victims had suffered unusual injuries that were all self-inflicted or rather...unusual.

Incident A involved a boy having brain damage from inhaling carbon monoxide after someone locked him in the school laboratory. Or there was that other incident where this other kid was run over by a bus upon rushing out of the school with fear in his eyes. Then there was a third incident where a pot of plant fell harshly onto a little girl in their school, and many more to go.

What do they all have in common? Irreversible and life-changing injuries.

The culprit? Her own daughter.

But regardless of the attempts of the parents of those unfortunate kids as they all tried suing Ranran's family, it was done so meticulously...that no one is able to point the finger at Ranran, except witness account that she seems to be never far from those incidents. And she always seemed to produce some alibi without fail.

The worst part of it was...Irene knew Ranran was involved, but her daughter is too crafty, sly and cunning. Which sometimes makes her wonder who did she get that from?

Irene wouldn't admit it, but she feared the worst.

What if...she got 'it'? That 'cursed disease'?"

She then recalled Ranran is a Kudo after all, the family have a history of such extraordinary intelligence at some point, above prodigy level, but it isn't without a price. One of the signs includes no hesitation in resorting to violence to solve a problem, without feeling bad about it. Ranran has been exhibiting signs of it early on since the age of 2, at that time she assumed was a child tantrum, but now that she thinks back...is that how normal 2-year-old kids behaved?

There was that incident where she left her alone in the play centre while she and her husband went shopping during the days living at the slum with the other kids, and an older boy who is known for terrorizing the younger kids was hospitalised in an ambulance, where his mother accused her daughter for suffocating him by shoving a toy soldier right up his nose.

At that time they didn't think much of it as she and her husband labelled her a 'psychotic con-woman, since they have evidence that the woman was faking her son's behaviour as 'autistic' to ensure everyone overlook his bullying incidents at the play centre, let alone, scam for benefits. But looking back...when they asked her about it, she answered 'He likes to lie a lot', and they didn't press it further.

She then recalled the earlier days prior to the incident, the other kids never tried to approach and play with her, just playing among themselves while Ranran didn't seem bothered by it at all. Only after that boy was removed for good, did they begin to play with her.

When Irene was Ranran's age, she too was like Ranran who had no one to play with her as everyone knew she is born from a single mother. But the kids there knew Ranran have a father and mother, let alone, had a beautiful and pleasant appearance. What is their reason for distancing themselves from their daughter before this took place? Is Ranran an introvert?

Or is it...this 'extraordinary' behaviour of hers from the Kudo family is alienating her from her peers?

The more Irene thought about it, the more she grew uneasy. Finally, she decided a test had to be done on her daughter, if she didn't have it, then Irene can breathe a sigh of relief and correct her daughter's behaviour. She is still 5, so she has all the time in the world to fix it.

....

"Irene-"

"Ranran got the family curse."

"Irene-"

"Why did it happen to her!? What must it happen to her!? WHY!?"

"Irene! Calm down!" Her husband raises his voice.

Irene finally looks over to her husband, they were in the kitchen after returning from that life-changing diagnosis on Ranran. "I thought at least since she would be the first daughter of the Kudo family, it would spare her from it. But even God has no mercy on her..."

The day Irene received the diagnosis, she felt like the word 'normal' was never going to be an option for her daughter.

She also felt a sense of regret that she ended up at that very hospital where that damn nurse dropped her! Oh the anger building in her...that incident only aggravated Ranran's behaviour further, let alone, having her at the age of 16 did little to comfort Irene that it was one of the contributing factors as to why Ranran's behaviour is what she is now.

"On the plus side, at least Ranran will be able to thrive on her own, independently and financially-"

But his wife cuts her eyes over to him. "That is nothing, compared to the many lives she is going to endanger!"

"Anyway, what is the worry? She won't turn out as bad as we think. Just think of me for instance. Did I become a murderer or some serial killer?"

The woman frowns. The words are on the tip of her tongue, but they're not coming out how she wants them to, and all that she manages to say is, "You murdered a dog when you were six, because the teachers were all anti-vaxxers, refusing to jab the damn dog as it ran rampant to bite every single child it seeks." Irene takes a deep breath and composes herself before continuing. "She on the other hand is out for blood since 'that boy' died!"

"Well if you are that worried, why not we move away to Japan a lot earlier? That way, she won't be able to keep harming other kids." He suggested.

His wife became hesitant at that thought, "I don't know..."

"They bought a house as compensation after what had happened, you know?"

Irene rolls her eyes. "So what? Does this clear up their sins for what they try to do to me and Ranran who wasn't even born yet at that time?"

"Of course not. But she can't do much if she is in another country."

Irene raises an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

"Of course, what could possibly go wrong?"Her husband answers nonchalantly.

"I don't know, the thought of 'that woman' mistreating her granddaughter scares me."She speaks with a tone of worry.

"I informed her about this, and she said she would be spared from the rod given her medical condition." Her husband left to wash the cup in the basin.

Hearing that response, Irene doesn't know whether to feel glad knowing that woman is not going to mistreat Ranran, or a little irritated by the fact that Ranran will never be punished for her actions because of her medical condition.

....

Upon moving to Japan, Irene thought her daughter's troubles has finally been put to rest back in the U.K. All she needed to do was a fresh start. Introduce Ranran to Shinichi, new friendship, then new life. Away from revenge.

But again, Irene was proven wrong once more as Ranran turned the tables.

"Ranran," Irene speaks, as the 5-year-old girl cast an empty glance at her. They just left the hospital after fracturing her leg, where Shinichi allegedly push her down from a high obstacle course. At least from the sound of it. In the car of Irene's husband, Irene confronted the little girl sitting at the back, "You ain't innocent in all of this, you know that?"

Ranran snorts. "Neither do those boys and the bastard," she rolls her eyes as she rubbed her cast leg. "I told you he was an inferior bastard not worth knowing. Neither your nor dad listened to me."

"Ranran-"

"Oh yeah, their parents are useless. If they were going to produce all of these useless sons walking around to call me a bastard, their parents should have been neutered like dad would with the cats he would secretly capture, just reduce the population from pooping on our beautifully manicured yard."

It was then Irene glared at her husband who was driving the car, "What!? We agreed not to pay gardeners to keep our yawn tidy!"

"Well, after all of this, I am glad I don't have to see that bastard anymore. What a waste of time."Ranran spat.

"Ranran! Enough with your language! I did not raise you to swear!" Irene told her of.

The steely gleam in Ranran's eyes is frightening. "But it ain't like you ain't aware he is poorly raised."

"Although kids make mistakes, that doesn't make it right with the way you ruined their lives" Irene, advancing upon Ranran with a frown. "Shinichi may not be a likeable boy, but he ain't all that bad had you gotten to know him a little more. If you had seen it, he is as similar as you."

"Like me?" Ranran scoffed.

"No, but there is some you in him."

"I doubt it. Cause I won't call one a bastard unless the person deserved it."

"Ranran-"

"Do you know what was the real reason I set this trap up in the first place, mother? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Or were you too ignorant with your incompetence as a mother, you chose to not listen to me?" The five year old replies coldly. "We were happy with our own respective lives as an only child. We would've been happier if adults that we trusted in our lives actually bothered to listen to us." She then shrugs, "Then again, everyone ignores us since we are kids."

"You're right, we do. Because we are adults and you are all nothing but 5-year-old kids, you all have a long way to know about what real life is like and we know better what is best for both your sake!"

Thats when the red lip girl starts laughing.

"Know better? Or for all of your convenience as adults?" Ranran demands. "I kept hearing stories in my old school, how so many kids were unhappy because they did not want a sibling, and beg their parents not to have one because it's life changing in a bad way for them. An additional person to look after, be compared to in terms of achievements and abilities! No more 'it's all about me' anymore, it's share this and that! But did they care when we voice our opinions? No! Of course not! Because they make them accept it whether they like it or not, just like Shinichi and me!"

"Ranran, that ain't true!" Her mother lamented, but her daughter wasn't buying it.

"It's such a shame, if you had loved me enough to hear all of my ramblings about having a kid my age in the family, you would've avoided having sent me a trip to the hospital."Ranran cut her mother off.

For a second, Irene is rendered mute. There's a pain in her chest, so big and aching. Her child doesn't think she loves her. Where has she gone wrong? "Do I not love you!?"Irene finds herself saying.

"If you did, we wouldn't have moved to Japan a lot earlier, let alone, make me be stuck with this useless little wimp who is losing his brain cells for 3 idiots!"

Is it true? A part of her wonders. The Ranran that Irene sees in the mirror is one she does not recognize. It is a sobering feeling, to look at your daughter and not know who she is.

"No," Irene argues furiously, "We moved because you were taking things too far onto the kids who killed your friend! That is wrong, no matter what! They are kids your age, they are too young to know what is right or wrong."

"You're wrong," Ranran says sharply. "They knew what they were doing is wrong, but they ain't repenting and I am punishing them on his behalf."

"No, Ranran," Irene closed her eyes tightly, "You can't take justice on your hands like that, let alone, on everyone around you! 'He' wouldn't have-"

"He wouldn't," Ranran answered sharp. "But 'he' knows me a lot better than you would as a mother."

"Ranran...what happened wasn't your fault," Irene says faintly. "It's ok to make mistakes."

But her 5-year-old daughter rolls her eyes, " It never is. Not when they murdered 'him'."

Her parents didn't know how to reply to such a dark topic.

And so, months went by. And finally, Ranran can walk normally. And her mood has turned a little better, for she made her first friend in Japan. Irene recalled her saying the friend's name is Kaito. With all of that, Irene decided to bring Ranran over to Shinichi's house to apologize for what her daughter has done.

"Ranran, please," she looks pleadingly at her daughter. "I only want to help."

"No," Ranran disagrees sharply, having just walked home from kindergarten to overhear her mother's conversation with her father about bringing Ranran over to apologize to Shinichi's family."I am never going to apologize to Shinichi. Why should I accept his clear insults because you got pregnant with me when you were 16? Am I a doormat? No one likes a domineering mother, you know?"

"That's not true," Irene denied."I want what is best for you."

"My best? You mean your best?" Ranran huffed at her, "When you all announced we were moving to that rich neighbourhood, but one of the conditions require me to enrol in a school full of nobles, did you even listen to me when I staged protest after protest because I lack the things they did? All in the name of luxury!? Because we were poor at that time!?"

"It's because one lacks this much that one must strive to work hard and be better than those kids!"

"Why should I work hard to be better than them? Back in the slums, we accepted for who we are! We didn't need to work hard to be approved by others! In our school, approval is only validated through the branded bags, earrings, necklace and clothes they were blessed with since birth!"Ranran listed her points."You sold your daughter's fulfilled childnood in a name of wealth! That's what happened!"

"Ranran..."

"Also, by right, I was entitled to not go to kindergarten till I turn four, cause we had no money at that time. Going to school is a death sentence for any kid, once I go, it's permanently for life. I wanted to play all day rather than having to wake up early in the morning, homework, morning homework, and no time for gaming. And I lack too much to fit in there at that time! This isn't a kid's life, mother!"

"All children go to school, Ranran! Anyway, what difference does it make? Sooner or later you still have to go to school regardless! Do you know how badly I wanted to go at that age so that I study more-"

"That is what you want, not me! Don't force your broken dreams on me!"

Ranran's screeching stopped her in her tracks.

"When I was 2 years old, you force the entire neighbourhood to make me go walk outside to do errands for you on my own to buy eggs! Two!"Ranran reminded the shocked mother, "My classmates in Edgewood Academy didn't even have to suffer such brutal treatment the way you put me through! They can afford their driver to do it for them! Even after we receive the money, you still made me do those errands all on my own!"

"It's normal in Japan to-"

"That ain't Japan! It was in the U.K! Also, you never mentioned having the family move back to Japan, the very place where everyone pointed fingers at you for being an unwed mother! If you has chosen not to move back, I wouldn't even resort to doing all of this to protect myself for being called a bastard! "Ranran then ranted on, "But you know what is the worst part? When we finally had money, we can afford to hire maids and butlers for our residence. What was your answer? No. And what was the reason? You are too paranoid I would grow up spoilt."

The five-year-old spoke bitterly as Irene's words died out, "Ranran..."

"While all of my friends are being spoiled rotten by their parents granting them their every wish...I have a mother who forces me to do things I barely want! I had to suffer in order to get the things I want, while they didn't even need to lift a bloody finger only to get pampered! What did I do in my past life to deserve this sort of mother?! Do I have to die only if I can be free from your control?! Why can't you just let me do as I want?!"

"Ranran!"

"Face it, mom, you will never listen to me."

"I do," she whispered. "I argued for you when you fell-"

"You did, mother. But today, are you asking me to apologize to Shinichi? Even after he called me a bastard!? No, not on my dead body!" Ranran says with a glare. "If you make me do that one more time, I will practically find a way to buy some air ticket and fly away from this damn country!"

Before she stormed back to her bedroom, her mother yelled,"Ranran! Why can't you just let him rest in peace!? Forget about it and move one? Is this how you are going to continue living life like this?!"

Ranran stood for a moment without moving, without looking back at her mother, she ended it with a sentence.

"If you are asking me to forget the only person who genuinely cared for me with his every fibre and being far more than you do, I am sorry, that isn't an option for me anymore."

Those chilling words sent shiver to her mother's spine before storming off.

And thus, Irene decided never to interfere with her daughter's life after that.

Another year went by and in a blink of an eye, Ranran turned 6 years old and is out there running a detective agency, endangering the lives of 6 additional kids who for some reason refused to leave Tantei Association.

Irene can understand why Shinichi refuses given his situation, or her daughter's other friend Takuma and the family's recently hired babysitter Majima Michio. What she can't understand is why is it the rest of the members refused to leave? They have nothing to gain out of this. All they have is potential death awaiting them.

Whichever it is, Irene decided not to think. Drowning her frustration with a glass of champagne given by the air stewardess earlier, she struggles to think about how she should deal with Ranran, for she has failed her child. Big time.

Her husband was silent for that matter, cutting a medium-rare steak that was also served alongside his wife's champagne earlier as he took a bite. It tasted juicy. He does wonder how the aviation catering company were able to perfect this? Normally when you are on a plane flying eating certain food, it tends to taste bland for some reason. Maybe it is the privilege of being in first class that makes one question less about it.

After observing his wife, he questioned, "Are you done trying to convince her?"

"I don't know what to do," she confesses to her husband, covering her youthful face with her hands as she sighed, "She listens to you but never to me."

Her husband holds her hand. "Listen to her," he answered as if it can be that simple. "Just listen to her."

Irene has decided her husband is right. As soon as the plane touches the ground, Ranran better be prepared to deal with what she has to say about her supposed adventures with Shinichi. Otherwise, Irene is going to put an end to her detective activities for good!