Namba Katsumi had always thought he had seen and been through it all.

Growing up as an illegitimate child was not a smooth sailing life. Despite him having grown up with a stepfather, kids used to tease him 24/7 for being a child of a bastard when they all realize even though he was handsome, that nose was a clear indication that he wasn't his step-dad's son. Adults were harsh on him as well, as they often whisper behind his back. Adding to his burdens further was a lunatic woman constantly arriving at their doorstep and harassing the family, claiming he was her son.

However, unlike most illegitimate kids, he had a family he could rely on. A gentle but tough step-elder sister who always protected him from them to his loving doting adopted father and biological mother, he felt like he could conquer the world.

So when he announced he wanted to become an actor by starting from the ground bottom as a stuntman as a child, he had his family's backing including his biological father. His family is everything to him back then, without them, he was nothing.

Back then, he wasn't Namba Katsumi the runaway fugitive, he was Seto Benjiro, a son who loves his family more than anything in the world.

But life was about to give him a harsh blow when out of the blue: at the age of 12, his adopted father died in a hit and run accident.

It was shocking, as the wealthy employer his dad used to work for was surprised something like this would happen outside the employer's house. It was a gated community where things like that barely happened. His employer tried to get a good look at the car as his staff rushed to call an ambulance, but it was proven futile. His father was dead and that was it.

That leaves his mother having to feed two of their children, who were grieving over who could've done this to their beloved father. Even with the influence of Benjiro's biological father offering reward for those who had witnessed the accident, as well as the late adopted father's influence, no witnesses ever came forward.

Things grew from bad to worst, then only around 2 days after his death, loansharks arrived to pester the once harmonious family, claiming his adopted father had signed a loan and used their house as the mortgage.

Now Benjiro knew that had to be a lie. He knew what his church-going step-dad is like, he barely touch sake even during work, as well detested gambling. He always preached to his two children that all of this isn't worth any of this. So a police report was filed, but nothing was done as the harassment persisted on and on.

Long story short, the family had to downgrade their house, let alone, their lifestyle.

It was a difficult transition, as they were used to living in a large bungalow. But the patriarch is gone, and his mother wasn't working at that time for she was a homemaker. With all of the chaos combined, they made a difficult decision to leave their happy home filled with happy memories and move into a broken down townhouse. Meanwhile, his mother had to juggle 3-4 jobs after the death of her husband. But she never once complained. Even his elder sister had to jump in, given that Benjiro was at that time too young to help.

Of course, his biological father did offer them money to settle it once and for all as he is a wealthy man, but with his father's wife still spying on them, and his mother's pride, it wasn't a solution. Benjiro knew his biological father meant well, but his wife is another. He knew what is that woman capable of.

Fast forward many years later, and before he knew it, he turn 18 years old.

However, moving out did little to change a thing. His adopted father remains dead, bills still pile up, the damn loansharks still kept on coming after them, as well as the lunatic woman. Things grew from bad to worst in a matter of months, overworking multiple jobs had taken a toll on his mother's health.

Before Benjiro knows it, his elder stepsister finally made it to the top 3 universities.

Even better? She was engaged to a decent man. Some man name Saji.

The Seto family isn't into the entertainment business, as the late patriarch raised them to not be intrigued by such a lifestyle. However, it's been years since his father passed away, so the ban was lifted with ease. Benjiro grew up with TV whenever the women of the family went away to work, so he knew what his step elder sister's fiance was. Tadashi Saji is a well-known influence/playboy with almost 4.5 million followers on his Instagram account, heir to the Tadashi Pictures company. He was known to often flash off his wealth in photos.

Be it branded goods such as branded suits, flashy fast cars, luxurious breakfast and fancy houses, not to mention: beautiful exotic girls around his arm, he left a bad taste on Benjiro's tongue. Benjiro and his step-sister are close, so for her to be getting married to this sort of man left him a sour impression.

However, Benjiro also knew through his sister that they were childhood friends, so he tried to keep an open mind on this. Before long, Tadashi Saji was someone he could refer to as the brother he never had growing up, or in other words, realize he needed him badly.

With Saji around, he had taught him how to drive a car, pick up girls, bought him branded bags and clothes....by all accounts, Saji seem decent.

Then after having to deal with his mother and father's untimely death with the inheritance dispute, the unthinkable happened: while talking on the phone with his sister, she heard someone push her down the bridge.

At that time, Benjiro wasn't expecting much. She called him over the phone, to ask how he was feeling as she was taking photos for her university assignment, only for the conversation to turn a 180-degree hell when she was heard yelling and tackling some man attempting to push her.

Before he knew it, his 21-year-old stepsister, the last remaining family member in his life to love him, died of an alleged suicide.

It pushed him to his breaking point, but he owed it to his then-middle school friend, 18-year-old Ohta Bunko and her family were there for him after having lost 3 family members in a year as a high schooler.  Worst, when he tried contacting Saji to ask what had happened, he was nowhere to be found. Things then took a strange turn when he learns on the TV that Tadashi's family publicist had resorted to retiring from the spotlight and had no interest in taking over Tadashi Pictures. No mention of his engagement with his sister, no mention of their family: nothing.

It was then suspicion grew on Benjiro: Did Saji murder his sister?

Seto Benjiro pondered on this thought. No matter how one looks at it, it would make sense. But during the phone call, Benjiro heard his sister yelling about who was that man. If she knew her attacker, she would've yelled out his identity to her brother. The more he thinks about his sister's interaction with Saji, the more it didn't make sense for Benjiro. They loved each other, is there something going on?

Then, his luck turned around.

Finally, years after having been taken into his crush's family, all of it paid off. He was dating Ohta, got his apartment, and manage to get a job as a stuntman through his efforts. But he knew working in this entertainment industry, the Muniko family had connections and may come to sabotage his efforts, so he decided to change his name to Namba Katsumi as his stage name after using a computer name generator as he ran out of ideas for inspiration for a stage name.

Things got even better when his benefactor came from someone unexpected, one who is connected to his late sister's fiance.

It was Tadashi Saji's mom.

At first, his fiance was reluctant to take up her offer, given that it reminded Benjiro of his family tragedy. But overall, he confided to her to take up the job and spy on the woman, wondering if she had anything to do with Tadashi Saji's disappearance. However, his doubt soon vanishes as the benefactor is nothing but kind towards his fiance and him. As years goes by, Namba Katsumi found himself to have ended up owning a film company, named Namba pictures.

The benefactor was a kind elderly lady, she even gave him a script, a movie that will later earn him several Oscars titled 'The Boy in the Window'.

But as expected, the news later made it to the Muniko matriarch, as according to his benefactor's words, tipped off the little boy's family, and a lawsuit was set in motion.

The little boy's family whom the movie tribute is based must've been a powerful influential family, for they were able to bring his company down to his knees away from the prying eyes of the press, as Namba soon realizes this. This would've been a huge scandal, but the family wanted to keep things low profile.

Long story short, his company was soon on the brink of bankruptcy. The rest of the story was history, he resorted to a Ponzi scheme to settle tons of debts for his family and company, turn into a fugitive when he scammed his half brother, and all of this led him to a mine where his half brother is tied up with ropes thanks to Namba, and a little red lip girl announcing he is making a huge mistake.

"Me killing my elder brother will end up succeeding the plan of my mother and Muniko's!? What is that supposed to mean!?" Exclaimed Namba, after digesting what the red lip girl said to him earlier.

"The both of you, you and your elder half-brother are pawns of both of your mother! When you both kill each other, they stand to benefit everything!"Ranran corrected firmly in her stance, not intimidated by the gun she is blocking from ending his half-brother's life.

"What is that supposed to mean, Miss Kudo?"Muniko Tomio grumbled as he is certain was going to do some research into it when all of this is over.

"This entire case, which was initially centred on money scamming and bad blood between brothers, was originally a feud that both families had been working on for many years!" Ranran's voice roared out loud, and both the men and members of the Tantei Association were in the mine as her voice echoed in the darkness, before she boldly pointed at Namba "You! You mentioned your brother being involved, correct? When he forged the will?"

"Yes, I did say that-"

"But have you ever seen your brother physically in any of the court trial proceedings after your biological's father's passing!"Ranran probed.

"No! I did not!"Namba admitted but then he proceeded to argue with the girl blocking him from his target as he pointed at the old man behind her, "Still, he was responsible for forging the will!"

"Are you crazy!? I didn't forge a will! That will be a suicide kill for my job! I only sent in the old will Tousan to my family lawyer!"Muniko yelled back.

"You are bluffing, right!? Don't lie! I have contacts that told me you were involved!" stated Namba in distrust toward his half-brother.

"Maybe he could be, maybe he could be not."Ranran cuts into their conversation, before turning to Namba, "But Mr Namba, aside from your half-brother alone, did you not once think that someone else could've intercepted the Muniko family lawyer besides Mr Tomio!?"

"Who would want to do such a thing anyway!? Also, what is there to gain!?"Namba blasted at the child detective.

"Think properly, assume that what your half-brother said is true. Who else hated you more than Muniko Tomio within the Muniko family?"

"I am sorry?" He blinked in confusion, and so did Tomio.

"Mr Muniko," Her head turned to her client in all seriousness, "How many people did you inform that you would be heading to the screening of 'The Origin of My childhood'?"

"How many?" He repeated the words before struggling to recall, "I told my private secretary, my work staff, and then my mother because she..."

Then a realization appeared in Namba's eyes while multiple eyebrows shot up like rockets, as he turned to face his half-brother, who is trying to absorb this information, followed by his elder half-brother gasping, "Are you saying my mother is involved in this?!"

"Your mother used to work in your father's company for decades, I am certain when you started to learn how to run the company, you definitely seek consultation from her for a period, for so long, you may have let slip about your plans. And because she knew it, she could've arranged for you to witness Namba in the movie after learning all of this, since she is aware of your plans." Shinichi reminded their client as he recalled the details they gathered.

"But hang on a minute, I thought she had dementia! I wouldn't remember if one tells me about it." Takuma reminded them.

"Dementia is unpredictable, Tak-san. Also, it wouldn't be a surprise for him to share those details with someone who has years of experience, out of old habits." She shut her eyes while listing all of this before giving the client a confronting look, "You also mentioned she hated kids of tainted blood, no less, Namba. You even mentioned her presence many times when you were talking about the inheritance thing!"

"Did he!?"Michio, Junko and Takuma's mouths fell in synchronization at Ranran's dedication to her detective work. Except for Shinichi, for he was amazed.

"Are you suggesting Muniko's scoundrel of a mother lied to me about getting my half-brother's aid with my inheritance claim?!?" As he recalled the words with precaution, Namba found himself stating, "She indicated that has she not enlisted the help of the family, I could've scammed them off half of the family fortune."

"But she didn't specifically say her son was present to interfere with the case when all of this is going on, did she?!"Ranran pointed out."She could've been saying all of this at the heated moment since she hated you so much."

"Now that she mentioned it...."Namba's words dried out.

"No way...my mother wouldn't do such a thing!"Muniko defended his mother in denial, "As much as she is capable of wanting him dead, she won't dishonour our family by doing such despicable means! My mother is very devoted to the Muniko's her entire life!"

"How certain are you?"Shinichi cuts in as he challenged their client," If a woman is capable of resorting to murder or wiping out one's existence like killing her own spouse, don't think she isn't capable of doing whatever she can to do so!"

"What did you just say!?"The older man turned to Shinichi with his pupils dilated, "My mother did WHAT!?"

Even Namba's world stopped as soon as the apprentice broke the news of their father's passing as murder, "Our dad is WHAT?!"

Deciding he should come clean with everything, Shinichi clears his throat before he begins to spill the beans.

"Mr Muniko, "He gave their client a serious gaze, "The chauffeur who drove us to see the Tadashi family earlier, he is your dad's high school friend, correct?"

"Ah?!"Only then he remembered and nodded in confirmation, "Yes! That's correct! But what does this have to do with-"

"Back in high school, he informed us that your mother's love for your father is unrequited since kindergarten and that the marriage was arranged to split him up from a woman he loves all those years, the woman named Sora, who is also Namba's real mom."

"Say what now?! What is with you kids calling my benefactor my mom?! She ain't!"Namba was in denial, not fully understanding why the kids were insistent about it.

"Listen to me! Mr Muniko, "Shinichi insists as he ignored Namba's response," He mentioned that this entire marriage was indeed a shambles for her, and everyone around them has been wanting to divorce her all those years!"Shinichi shouted.

"That ain' true!"The attention turned back to the old man, reddening his face in anger over the little boy, "My mother been devoted to him during his sick episodes and he never turned her away! Even their friends said so!"

"Sir, if you were friends with a couple who had hated each other for so long, and that you asked about it upfront as their son, could you have bear to learn your entire existence was never based on love but rather, convenience?"Ranran contested the stunned tycoon.

"Uh, well..."He tried to answer, but he couldn't come up with anything the little girl had said.

"11 times your mother is mentioned in that trial, I don't know about you, but that is a red flag for me!"Shinichi backed up Ranran's claim as he was staring Nambe in the eye, before suspecting, "I won't even be surprised if Namba's biological mother made use of the whole thing as well!"

"Excuse me!?"Namba confronted the little boy, "My late mother is a law-abiding citizen!"

"Is it?" Ranran scoffed before throwing one fact after another, "How did you locate us here, Mr Namba?"

"I am sorry?!" He was taken aback, not expecting her to ask her this question.

"We didn't manage to contact anyone around the quarry because our phones were stolen. How did you know we were here? Did Tadashi Sora lied to you and said Mr Muniko is attempting to get us killed at the quarry after using us to dig into your false death? Because he wanted you out of the way so that he could inherit the inheritance to himself, without fearing about the fake will."

"Wait, how did you know that was what my benefactor said!?" Namba was alarmed by her deductions.

"Your benefactor...did she also allegedly promise you revenge by initially telling you about her first son, before telling you when to kidnap Muniko and end his life in this mine?"

Judging Namba's frozen response, it was pretty evident Ranran hit on the mark.

"So you really didn't know, did you?" Junko realize as her eyes softened in pity behind her glasses.

"Didn't know what!?"Namba demanded, turning to the attention of the children as all eyes silently exchange each other in a knowing look."Is there something I should know!?"

"Tadashi Sora, your so-called benefactor, the very one who lost that said firstborn son, was referring to you."Takuma dropped the bombshell casually.

"And you sir, are manipulated by your own mother!" Michio pointed out.

For years, Namba who was Seto Benjiro at that time was always told that he was their little pride and that they were so happy to have him as their son. He never questioned it, until this bombshell shock revelation is rocking his world. "No way! I still don't believe you!" said Namba in denial, seething his teeth in anger.

"Your legal name was Seto Benjiro, correct?"Ranran reminded him.

"Yes, but how did you know my name? I don't recall telling you any of this-"

"Takuma, phone!"Ranran ordered as Takuma hurried over to her side to pass her his smartphone, she selected the Tantei Association group chat before showing Namba a then 18-year-old Seto Benjiro sketched drawn by Emiko, following an older version of Seto Benjiro that resembles the current Namba, "This was you when you were 18, right?"

"Yes, that's me."Namba admitted, fluttering his eyes lash further, "How did that-"

"I summoned Emiko to do an age progression on your 18-year-old self at the time, to see how he would've appeared years later. Although your nose wasn't as crooked as it is now, the warning signs were already there. It appears to be a good fit for you. In addition to this, Look attentively, do you recognise this?" Ranran said as she scrolled to a recent photo on the screen. Namba took the phone before carefully scrutinising it; it was a snapshot of the Tadashi house staff that Ranran had taken earlier at the Tadashi office. "Does anyone in the photo look familiar?"

The scammer discreetly zoomed closer before nearly dropping his phone, recognising a man he'd known his whole life. "Does that resemble...my stepfather?" He then looks down at Ranran and queries, "Where did you obtain this photo?"

"Previously, after your half-brother directed us to visit your brother from the Tadashi family, we found ourselves at his office. In his office, there was also a photo of the home staff. He emailed it to us shortly after we left the office since I was intrigued about the gardener's appearance. Did you know he used to work there with his entire family for the Tadashi clan for many years?"

"No...I didn't-I only knew that he work as a landscaper for others growing up."Namba admitted.

"In addition, you also didn't know that before you were born, your so-called step-dad had been telling everyone that your late step-elder sister is an only child, correct?" Namba became silent at Ranran's remarks, and she continued, "Your supposed parents you knew your whole life — lied to you."Ranran proceeded to explain in caution, "I believe they adopted you, come up with an elaborate hoax that your mother Kasumi, is a mistress to your biological dad so that you can pay him a visit whenever you want. After all, they were not that evil to deprive you of your real father's love."

"But then if that was the case, why did they not let him meet his real mom then?!"Michio wondered out loud.

"Considering that his step-father work for the Tadashi family and did nothing to protect his real mom from her abuse, I am certain one of the terms requires them not to let them meet, given that she had a history of abusing kids. That's why when Sora began stalking Namba for his entire life, they lied and claim she was someone who lost a child similar to Namba to avoid him digging into his true heritage."Ranran elaborate in a grim thought.

"It's difficult for me to believe!" said Namba, denial was all in his head. "First and foremost, even if all of this was nothing but the truth, why hasn't my benefactor revealed this?"

"Didn't you refuse to meet her? As you were under the impression through your supposed family that she was someone who lost a child?"Shinichi brought this up.

"I-"For once, Namba wanted to object, but he knew the little boy had a point.

"Hang on, what is truly going on!? I am confused!"Michio was in a perplexed trance.

"I think Namba's mother, Seto Kasumi, lied to him that they are related, then they protected him from avoiding his real mother further by claiming she is a delusional woman who wants to kidnap Namba because of the abuse."Junko finally figured out before turning to Ranran, "Am I right, Ranran?"

"You are right, "Ranran confirmed.

"No way..."Takuma was amazed by the developments of the case, "This can be made into a movie!"

"Wait, so that means Namba's stepfather had the money given by the late Tadashi Matriach, right?"Michio suddenly figures, "I recalled that he was rewarded handsomely...was it actually to provide for the grandson? That money? But if that were the case...why did the money go missing?"

"Wait, Namba mentioned that the family was severely in debt at that time due to loansharks..." Shinichi's eye pupils dilatated, as he snapped his finger in realization, "Don't tell me..."

"Shinichi, you got it right. The madwoman faked her signature over Namba's step-father's name on the loan sharks. After all, his step-father used to work as a gardener for many years, and I'm sure it ain't that difficult to obtain his signature from the Tadashi household, considering that she is a Tadashi herself," Ranran sighed. "I don't think you need to put on your detective hat to find out what happened to it later on."

"No way..."Namba's felt his heart drop.

"Then given the Tadashi family connection to the movie industry...is she aware that Muniko was going to watch 'The Origin of My Childhood' movie where her fugitive son was filmed by accident?"Michio asked Ranran.

"It's possible."Ranran nodded to him.

"But why would she do that? Exposing her son who is on the run from the law to her own enemy, let alone, snatching the money given by the late matriarch meant for Namba? I mean regardless of her hatred towards the staff who lied about her and covered up her abuse as a child, the money would have benefited Namba."Junko wonders.

"Also, what motives does she have to want her firstborn son to die under her enemy, the Munikos? And why would the Munikos want our client dead under Namba?"Takuma is baffled by the chain of events.

"The first question, I believe I have an answer for, was to win her son over." Shinichi added, his face solemn, "Namba had avoided meeting her for many years because of the falsehoods his supposed relatives had told him about her, that she was a deranged mother who had lost her son. There are times in life when one may unintentionally overhear that he is a bastard, therefore rather than conceal the truth from him, they informed him half the truth. I believe that if she had fabricated a fictitious scenario in which he was in a difficult circumstance and then loaned him the money, she would have earned a place in his heart as his mother."

"As for the following question, what both women have to gain is one thing: The reins to both of the corporations to the movie industry. "Ranran gestured at the obese guy as she turned to him, "Your mother and Namba's...want to become CEO of the company."

"Excuse me?" The man's jaw dropped, and so does Namba's.

"There was an interesting rumour I came across through my mother, who was an actress at the time," Shinichi snatched Michio's smartphone to type out the search before showing it to the two men, "Both movie companies were dominated by males, never females. Even the talented ones within both families brought in millions of yen, they were never credited for their achievements thanks to a fortune teller."

On the screen on the phone, Namba reads out the title 'Ban Sexy Women in Movie Workforce', with the photo of a then young Tadashi Sora, who is youthful looking in a skimpy outfit she wore in attendance to a Halloween party.

"When the affair broke out, this one between Namba's parents, an interesting scandal Title that came up was Namba's mother being the reason why both companies refused to hire females because they are quote 'seductive little demons' that will ultimately bring ruins to both families through infidelity." Ranran paced back and forth, "The Munikos even went as far as to discredit both of your father's ability to judge the company thanks to depression, which is what later led to Mr Tomio's mother running the company. Coincidentally around the same time, the Tadashi family was too run by Tadashi Sora's legal husband, but then tragically, he mysteriously died under odd circumstances despite being fit, can you both guess why?"

The colour drained from both men, realizing where Ranran was heading with this.

"Both companies were run by the male-dominated workforce because they strongly believed that quote from some idiot fortune teller that women would bring ruin to their companies. Tadashi Sora was an up-and-coming make-up artist till the scandal broke out. She lost her career, her reputation, and everything, as her son is a wanted fugitive thanks to the Munikos. She had to make a living elsewhere. As for Mr Muniko Tomio, your father passed away while you were young, right? So you couldn't run the company, so your mother took over. But both sides took a beating from the Board of Directors."

Muniko took Micho's phone and read in silence, not to mention, was appalled.

"Shinichi's mother, former actress Kudo Yukiko, once mentioned that she found it odd that the Tadashi family did not demand compensation from the Muniko's after Miss Tadashi Sora was pregnant, and she found it strange that both families held the same press conference to denounce both of their children's relationship. Even if Miss Tadashi Sora is illegitimate, it would've given her family an edge to wipe out their competitor, the Muniko were doing profitably well. After all, she recalled them hating each other for their rivalry. The only reason I could think as to why they join forces to do so is simple: The women in the Muniko family want to seize power over their company, and so does Tadashi Sora's stepmother. Therefore, denouncing them would grant them everything they desire."

"Would it?" Takuma doubted Ranran's words, "What if it doesn't work?"

"It would, affairs are badly frowned upon no matter where one is. My bet is both of their mothers decided to do the same trick as the previous ones did." Shinichi insists, before elaborating further, "Since Namba is completely brainwashed in Miss Tadashi Sora's eyes, she and Muniko Tomio's mother would not hesitate to do the same in order to sit on the damn throne of movie industries. I mean think of the money and power, the respect!"

The more Shinichi emphasize this, the more it began to dawn on everyone that this truth is very twisted. "But what if one of them survived?" Junko asked, "There is no guarantee that both of them would die."

"Don't forget both families have their own protection backup plan. Why do you think Namba is able to get this far to kidnap Mr Tomio? Why do you think...Mr Tomio was able to recognize that his brother was alive while watching this movie. Who do you think...is truly responsible for pulling all of the strings for this mess?"Ranran painted a grim picture of the outcome as the two men became pale at how scary their mothers were.

"And worst, your mom would end up in prison for what she did to make both of your dads cut ties with Sora," Shinichi added.

"What made you suspect the two mothers are in cahoots?" Michio began to wonder.

"When I learn that Namba and his fiance were watching in the same cinema hall together where Mr Muniko was in."Ranran voiced out her suspicion, pacing around the dark mine thoughtfully, "It could be a coincidence that this happened, but even if Mr Muniko Tomio is convinced that the man in the movie behind the characters happens to be Namba, the chances to convince him to contact the police or private investigator are rather low unless something happened. After all, who is going to buy a word that a man who is dead could be alive, let alone, appeared in a romance movie?"

No one answered her question and Ranran continued on.

"But if one puts the very subject in the exact same cinema hall as Mr Muniko Tomio, destroying the projector would affirm his beliefs about Namba's death being a hoax, enough to warrant him detectives going after the person who scammed his money. Namba would then rely on his benefactor more because he is led to believe they are on the same side, while Muniko however tries to settle it without his mother knowing. But of course, I am certain Muniko's mom is aware he won't because she has dementia, so despite her messed up condition, she would still try to scheme and go accordingly with the plan. I call it 'kill two sons with one stone'."

"No way...my mother would not-"

"Neh, Mr Muniko..."Before he could deny any further, Namba suddenly said, "I was given the tickets by Mrs Tadashi for working for her, 2 days before the projector incident."

"EH?!" The older male was flabbergasted by Namba, who is feeling the chills coming up his body.

"And as for how I was able to kidnap you...I knew because Mrs Tadashi claims she had one of your staff at home spying on your work schedule. Now, I may not believe that she is in cahoots with your mother, but then...after hearing what the girl has to say, it is beginning to make tons of sense to me over why things took us to this point."

After hearing what Namba had to say, Muniko Tomio froze at how calculative Tadashi Sora was. Ranran then noticed Namba was trembling with the gun in his hand as he process all of the lies he had been told, "But I think there is also more to it."

"Like what!?"Junko demanded.

"Namba's elder sister, Seto Manami. The one who allegedly committed suicide...she was dating Namba's other brother, right? The missing Tadashi Saji?"

"Saji...you mean Saji-niichan?"Namba suddenly recalled, "What does this have anything to do with-"

"So you knew they were dating?"Micho asked.

"I do. She introduced me to him as his boyfriend."Namba affirmed.

"Considering she is the daughter of one of the staff who did nothing to protect Sora from the abuse is dating her son...would you think she is happy that he kept rebelling to be with her?"Ranran raised the issue.

Blood drained out of everyone's face."Miss Ranran, what are you trying to imply?"Muniko found himself asking.

"In that woman's mind, it can only work one way: Which is her way or no way."

"No...she couldn't have..."

Before they know it, Namba dropped his gun as it landed on the floor.

"But wait a minute, if she had sent someone to kill his sister, what about Saji then? Why did he go missing?"Michio pressed for answers.

"I think...this one is speculation, but Saji could've either been murdered or locked up elsewhere by his mother, "Ranran said.

"What!?"All of them acted flabbergasted.

"Let's face it, her entire life since being taken in by the Tadashi family has been a catastrophe from beginning to end. It explains why she targeted and mistreated her boys, as well as why she ruined all she set out to accomplish. To be honest, I'm not shocked Saji isn't on her list of people she despises." Ranran folded her arms together. "Her son was taken away, her lover was forced to marry another woman, her reputation was in shambles, and even her son whom she adores refused to meet her. That is what I mean by Cinderella gone wrong." Ranran's sarcasm is conveyed.

"No way..."Muniko couldn't break eye contact with Namba, not knowing what to think about all of this.

As soon as Ranran put together the facts, Namba felt like he has been living a lie.

Namba gather all his courage to ask, "Tomio, be honest with me, what those kids said...is it true? That Tadashi Sora is my mother?"

Muniko Tomio abruptly raises his head and meets Namba's gaze as he was holding his breath waiting for his half-brother's answer. Namba was panicking inside as he isn't quite prepared for the answer. They stare at each other for quite a while. Namba wanted Tomio to say the kids were lying. That the late mother even though...barely looks like him, remains his mother. So many thoughts bombarded his mind but he knows he has to face the truth once and for all."Yes."

"No way...that crazy woman is actually my mother?!"Namba croaked.

"In addition to that, I think Muniko's mom should also be sent to prison for murder," Shinichi thinks.

"Excuse me!?"Muniko cried.

"You mentioned your mother worked as a nurse throughout her life, right? And that after the affair, your father always seems absent-minded and constantly falling asleep...I think he was poisoned to death."Shinichi said before taking the phone from Namba and playing a video he downloaded not long ago before passing it to Muniko."And this will be proof, though circumstantial."

Muniko silently watch the video as others gathered around.

The press clustered around Namba and Muniko's father as he was seen hanging out with a starlet actress outside the cafe."This video..."Muniko recognizes, "My mother made a huge fuss the other day when he was working with the actress, as it was hot summer the other day. She didn't want him to go out for work, but he insisted."

"What affair?"Namba asked.

"The affair between your benefactor and your dad. It did happen, but not with the woman whom you thought was your mother."Ranran corrected him, as the video played out.

"This video was filmed days before his death. Look properly."Shinichi had the men pay attention.

Suddenly, a young long dark hair that flows down her back woman approached Muniko and Namba's dad in front of the camera, looking directly into the lens as she charmingly answers," Good morning everyone, still working as usual."

The press could be heard greeting back as the cameras continue to flash between her husband and the woman."Ah yes..."Namba frowned in distaste, "That horrid woman."

"That's my mother you are talking about!"Muniko blasted at his younger half brother.

"Silence!"Ranran glared at the two, "Watch the video."

In the video, the woman seems to greet the press well before she tells her husband she came to fetch him back home before reassuring the press with an infectious smile as she reassures that everything is fine with their marriage. She seemed happy.

The woman is then filmed passing a bottle of water to her husband, who then reminded him affectionately to drink it as it was a hot day to avoid heatstroke, and he agreed.

But before he could drink, he asked on the video his wife as they ignored the press whether she added the gout medicine into the bottle. The woman's expression showed she forgot and then told him to wait, as she took out a packet and poured the powder into the bottle. She then shakes the bottle before passing it to her husband to drink.

"So? What does this have to show?"The two men turned to Shinichi.

However, there's something dark lurking behind the video, something that tells a different story.

Rolling his eyes, Shinichi rewind the video to the part where the footage showed the woman pouring powder into the drink, "What colour is the powder?"He asked them both.

The two men squinted, "Orange?"Both of them answered.

"Now look at the brand," Shinichi zoomed in the video to the gout packet powder medicine, "See this brand here? Gouta? The medicine to treat gout? I know of my neighbour's friend who used this brand. Way back during their years, the colour of the powder should have been white, not orange."

"What are you trying to imply?"Muniko gave him a sceptical look."That it's poison because of this video?"

"Paparazzo is as equally hardworking as detectives, they stalk their subjects 24/7 to make a profit and seek a living."Ranran said this coldly before adding, "I like to remind you that through much intense digging on the internet, the number of videos that filmed this indicated after the affair announcement, this has been going on leading up to his death."

"The camera recording this could've been colour faulty, "Muniko suggest.

"I doubt it, "Ranran disagrees, as she answers, "I googled about the camera model the reporter was mentioned to have used on his blog, in their standard back then it was the best of the best."

Then, the two brother's hearts skipped a beat when they both saw their late father looking disoriented in the footage, and many were calling for him to answer. "Why does he look so dazed on camera? He looks drunk."Takuma commented.

"Sometimes it's difficult to tell if one is drunk or poisoned, Takuma. That's why poisoning people is dangerous. It's hard to tell. Also, for someone who takes gout medicine, I may not be a doctor, but this isn't the reaction he should be having in every medicine he takes."Ranran explained to her friend.

"We suspected poisoning due to your mother's behaviour around him leading up to his death."Namba was growing sicker by the minute as Shinichi went on, "If his sleep pattern was kinda severe, why didn't she bother to hire a chauffeur all those years to drive him to work and let him drive there on his own? I mean I might not be a nurse but given her knowledge...I wouldn't risk his life if I were her."

As the video played on, it was evident that the man refused to answer their questions from the press. It was only a quick video clip, but it was enough to cause concern. In the video, he looked disoriented and signs of poison were evident.

"Jesus Christ!" Even Muniko turned paled. "This explains everything! My father being constantly exhausted, the lawsuit, everything!"

It then dawned on Namba on another suspicion,"Wait a minute, then when my fiancé was hired by her...it was just so to spy on me without her knowing, right?!"

"How clever are you, my dear son!"

One of the men advanced across the chamber, a gun in his hand and a dangerous look on his face as Shinichi gasp in horror upon recognizing who it was, "The fraud driver!"He pointed.

"Oh no, it ain't just them alone."A woman's voice cracked from the back.

The men made their way as the sounds of clacking from heels could be heard entering the mine. To everyone's horror, Muniko and Namba turned pale.

It was none other than Tadashi Sora.