Everyone spun around with cries of horror as Ranran and Shinichi leapt up at the mine they were all in while Muniko struggled to his feet."It's you this whole time!"

"That's right, they were going to risk my precious son to jail, so someone has to take care of the problem," Sora explained. "But your dumb mother's men bungled everything I set out for my son to achieve. This was all your fault!"

Muniko and Namba's jaws dropped, their expression kinda match each other's like literal brothers in Takuma's point of view. Meanwhile, the five remaining children were appalled by the woman's appearance.

"All 7 of you were supposed to drown in the lake, not just the two children. When I saw the Shibuya situation on tv, I knew I had to step in and do something. If I hadn't, I'd have had the рeople swarming all over the place onto the plans I had for Namba, and who knows what they might have found!" The elderly woman's bitter screech made other kids wince at their ears.

"So the girl was right?! You really...are my real mother!?"Namba was shaking to the core, he has never experienced such shocking betrayal of it all."Did you really...arranged the movie of me in it to be played and exposed by Muniko!?"

The cold elderly woman stared at her captives, a calculating look on her face"What a shame you all saw through my plans. If hadn't, I would've won my son's trust over me and made him forget about the so-called family he grew up with being misled as to his own. Even better would be that the legal son who has always been a thorn in my eye be deceased, as he brought nothing but pain to me and Namba."Sora took a step forward, her lips set in a grim line."But I'm afraid that's no longer possible. You all know too much."

"How did you know where to find us!?"Micho grew pale as he see the men with the guns in their hands.

"I had someone follow Namba after that fugitive incident in which he jumped off the car and swam in the quarry years ago. What mother wouldn't check whether their son isn't alright?"

"You have gone too far trying to prove your love for your son, let alone, become CEO of the bloody movie company!" cried Muniko Tomio. The old man was shaking with rage."It's fine that you choose to go after me, but what about the kids here?! They did nothing wrong!"

"Though I don't agree with that idiot buffoon, I agree!"Namba agreed, "How are they in your way?!"

"They were going to expose me as your real mother, let alone, in the way of me running the company, my beloved son. Something has to be done."

"Don't call me that!"Namba spat in disgust at that thought, after having learned of everything his mother was responsible for in his miserable life."You are not my mother!"

"Why? You are my son through blood regardless, unlike that woman who is buried six feet beneath us. Especially that fraud father of yours that died pathetically outside his workplace." Sora laughed darkly.

"Wait, I don't recall telling you anything about my—"Suddenly, he felt chills crawling through his neck as he sweats, "No way...don't tell me it was you-"

"That's right, it was me who put an end to your fraud father."The illegitimate Tadashi dusted her shoulder as she went on to detail her crime, "If I were not friends with the employer's wife, I wouldn't have found out your phoney dad of yours working here. I recalled she was one of that b**ch's favourite staff. As soon as I heard he was living a nice life with his little family in some bungalow, I knew I had to confiscate the things he was overpaid for. After all, witnesses who did nothing don't deserve to be rewarded."She clicked with her teeth.

"What about Tadashi Saji your son?! When he got engaged to his daughter, you decided to end their lives because they refuse to listen to you?!"Takuma growled, putting up a brave stance despite the gun pointed at them.

"They deserve it."The woman couldn't care less about the torrid emotions swinging back and forth, as she continued to wander around in her heels, "That idiot is just overly emotional, talking about wanting to marry her when that idiot couldn't keep in check his relationships with so many women before meeting her...I decided to confine him to a room upstairs where he is never to be released from the day he set foot on leaving the house. As for her, I knew she made plans to meet him that day." she then file her nails, "I knew if I lied about his whereabouts, she won't stop till something is done. So I sent someone to push her down the bridge."

"You monster! How could you?!"Namba wanted to lash out at his mother with a gun, only to realize he dropped it earlier out of shock and the gun is nowhere to be found on the ground, as his eyes scanned hastily.

"Your sister is also a fraud, so what does it matter to you? I am your biological mother, and yet, you never acknowledge me! "She chuckled with a twinkle in her eyes before noting, "But your sister was pretty smart, you know? Careful to not mention about you around me, for she feared that as soon as I know of your real identity, you'll be gone out of their lives."

"Neesan...knew this whole time?"Namba's mouth turned dry as tears filled his eyes.

"No need to cry over that fraud—"

"She isn't a fraud! She is my sister!"The man grew furious at the calculating woman, his tears streaming down his face, "My entire family was harmed because of you!"

"Oh for crying out loud, grow up! God, why do you have to be so sentimental over those frauds."The woman rolled her eyes before continuing, "Then I heard about you in that cinema that fuss you made, all that noise!"

"That movie?"Shinichi arched an eyebrow, "Why didn't you stop Mr Muniko to see that movie?"Shinichi challenged. "I mean, after all the trouble your son went to fake his death, why did you want him to know he was alive?"

"Exactly!"Michio confronts the woman before them.

"Simple, because it's past time for Muniko to quit living luxuriously while my kid enjoys a life of luxury," The old lady sneered and cocked her brow. "When I found out through my spies that my son's second apartment was used in the film, I was scared that someone might identify him. And then I realised, why should he have remained in hiding in the heart of the quarry for all those years?"The woman paced as she went on to brag."Namba had worked hard in his film company ever since I handed him the 'Boy in the Mirror's script, and it earned him many awards. He is as hardworking and as honest as his father."

"Huh, honest? Not when he is two-timing two women while married."Junko huffed.

"Shut up you insolent brat!"The elderly matriarch screeched as one of Sora's henchmen cocked and aimed the gun directly at the little glasses girl, making her shriek in response," But then that Muniko b**ch tipped to the boy's family and ruined his company he worked blood and sweat to achieve! Hearing this made my blood boil."

Everyone's jaw fell.

"Then I realize what if I used the movie to scare her bloody son? What if I let that b**ch know that my son was still alive, still out there somewhere waiting to bring her precious family to a downfall!"

"Then the shooting that night, it was you, didn't you?" Takuma confronted the woman, gritting his teeth as his eyes scanned around the mine, wondering if there is a way out to escape to call for help.

"Just to scare you all a bit, had you guys wondered not far from where he was hiding out, I knew you would've exposed him eventually?" The woman replied."I didn't know the police were with you."

"And the swimming pool where one of your men tried to drown me?!" Junko roared.

"You all didn't listen even with death threats, so don't blame me." A noise from the entrance sent Sora wheeling around with her gun.

"What about you joining forces with your enemy! Have you had no shame!? For both of you to go after us, both of us are each other's respective son!" Muniko Tomio snarled at the cold-hearted woman.

"Himari and I go way back since high school, the common ground we both reached is that we sacrificed so much for our sons, only for them to turn their backs on us." The clack sounds of her heels walked around the kids and gobsmacked brothers as she spoke in a chilling tone, "Sons should no matter what, obey their mothers! Even though they are in the wrong!"

A woman in a denim jacket and jeans then stepped forward with Emiko and Ran when all three of them froze at the unexpected presence of Sora and her men, "What is going on!?"Ohta reacted in shock stared at Muniko and Namba, and then swung her gaze to the elderly woman, who then ordered the men to aim the gun directly at Ohta."Mrs Tadashi!? What are you doing here!?"

"Just to settle some personal business with a long-awaited family reunion."The benefactor of her spoke in such a chilling yet unfamilliar tone, that it send shivers to Ohta and the two little girls. Ohta was shocked, given that she never noticed this side of her despite the fact that she is temperamental, "You know, you would've made a pretty little bride for my son. Such a shame, we would have to end this on a tragic note."

"Wait, hold on." Namba's fiance shifted to the elderly woman, "What do you mean your son?!"

"The one that is dead is his adopted mother!"Michio could be heard yelling.

"His step-father used to work for his biological mother as a landscaper and was paid handsomely. They lied to him to protect him to let Namba see his real dad."Junko soon followed suit.

"The benefactor was his mother! She used to abuse Namba for 14 days he was born, so Namba was taken in and they made up this lie about his late mother being a mistress just so to protect him from being abused!"Shinichi roared.

"To cut a long story short, Namba is your benefactor's biological son, also the same psycho who has been pestering your fiance's family! And she is colluding with your fiance's half-brother's mother, into tricking both their kids into killing each other so that they could take over the company for both sides in the name of greed!"Ranran hollered.

"I don't understand..."The hazel hair young woman looked at his mother's gun and ran a hand over her face."Are you saying his mother is responsible for everything!?"

"Yes!"All the kids inside of the mine answered.

"The death of his adopted dad?"Emiko questioned.

"Her doing, "Junko confirmed.

"His sister's suicide?"Ran inquired.

"Also her doing," Takuma answered.

"Cut to the chase, every bloody shit is her doing!"Ranran rolled her eyes.

"Ranran, language!"Shinichi told her off.

"Shinichi, we gonna die anyway. Grow up, will you?"Ranran remained unfazed by the gunmen having their guns trained on them, which made Junko and Ran feel Ranran is...abnormal.

"Okay, hold on."Emiko having listened to all of this then cut them off, "Then what about the fake will? Wasn't his half-brother responsible!?"

"It was all done by Muniko's mom without him realizing!"It was Michio's turn to shout, "She too been poisoning their biological dad for years till he died!"

"What!?"Ran covered her mouth with horror written all over her face.

"Oh yeah, Muniko's mom poisoned their dad to death!"Shinichi ended it with the ultimate bombshell.

Suddenly everything began to make sense.

Then it struck Ohta right in the face. Namba's biological mother is not only alive but also a serial killer, one who is willing to murder anyone around her son, a mother who is willing to bend the laws to do so. And she hired Ohta to spy on her fiance, even after wiping out his entire adopted family.

The epiphany makes Ohta shiver in fear as she steps back as the benefactor steps forward, while everyone in The Mine went silent."I am afraid the three of you are to meet such-"

" You are a horrible mother! You know that!?"A loud voice echoed, when everyone turned to see who it was, it was a furious Kudo Ranran glaring at the stunned murderess.

"I am sorry? Did I just hear you call me a horrible-"

"Yes! You're a dreadful little wench of a mother! If Namba was innocent in one aspect, it was that he should never be your kid in the future life! You should be sterilised! Permanently!" Ranran screamed angrily at the lady, pointing directly at the Tadashi matriarch, "My father would neuter stray cats who kept having kittens all over the place since all they do is crap around our perfectly manicured yard while their owners do nothing. You are just like those cats, it's your speciality to give sh*t to everyone, even your sons!"

As soon as Ranran mentioned the s-word in her British English accent, the look of horror on their faces was unmistakable. Namba, his fiance and his half-brother, the members of Tantei association, and even the gunmen gasp at the little detective girl's harsh words. "Oh snap!"Takuma blurted out."Ranran lost it!"

"I don't think she lost it, Takuma! I think she is planning to drag us into hell!"Junko suddenly fear the worst, as she imagined her life flashing before her spectacle eye. Even the other kids were trembling in fear.

"Ranran!"

But Ranran doesn't care ignoring Shinichi's attempt to silence her. She's always been this way, even before everything had happened. She has grown so sick and tired of adults never listening to her, that she doesn't know how to be a kid anymore. Everyone had gone uncharacteristically quiet as Ranran went on gaslighting, "You know I have dealt with my fair share of mothers that meddle in their children's lives, but you are the sh*stiest in the world! You should've died as a child of the abuse so you wouldn't make people suffer anymore, let alone kids!"

Ranran could sense that the killer was gasping and she loved it. She loved that she could make her feel this uncomfortable. Everyone around them could only watch as Sora's face soon contorted in anger and her body shook with rage."WHAT-DID-YOU-SAY-TO-ME, BRAT!?"

"You know what!? Ranran is right!" Shinichi nodded as he neared Ranran and stood courageously in front of the enraged woman, addressing her. "As awful as all you had to go through was, why did Namba's sister have to die!? She, too, was a child at the time of all of this! And you simply took her life because she is their daughter!? Huh!" Shinichi snorted sarcastically, "If you were nominated for the worst mother in Japan, you would undoubtedly take first place! That is beyond a doubt!" Shinichi scowled as the children all nodded in disgust at the mother.

"Shinichi is right!"Ran soon joined, fury was too evident on her face as she shouted towards the killer, "What right to you had to get your son back, when you been abusing him without acknowledging your faults! Instead, you let the greed of wanting a wealthy life for your son to justify every crime you make!"

"Yeah! Ran has a point!"Takuma raised his fist."You are an incompetent mother!"

"Shut up, son! Especially all of you children!" The deranged woman snapped, the gun jerking in the other kids surrounding her fearlessly, despite the gunmen pointing their guns at the angry crowd.

Even the three adults were no different. "How dare you do that to your flesh and blood!? Let alone, destroy your own son's life in the name of winning him over!? Namba never is into luxury! That was all on you!"Namba's fiance confronted the woman, "That is an all-time low even for a mother!"

"I agree!"Emiko suddenly shouted in anger and disgust, "You are a horrible mother!"

"Horrible ain't enough, more like mentally screwed up retard!"Ranran commented.

"Ranran! Language!"Junko told her off before she too joined Ranran, "But Ranran is right on one thing! You are an irresponsible selfish mother and you don't deserve to be one!"

"Agree!"Michio folded his arms in disapproval.

"Shut up! All of you shut up!"

"Why should they? They had a point!"Muniko Tomio argued defensively, "You misled your son all in the name of petty revenge! That ain't sincerely loving your son! That is betrayal at its finest!"

"Exactly! Even my mother won't resort to the things you did to your son!"Michio blasted at the killer.

"Neither would mine!"Emiko yelled.

"My mother often left me on my own while she travel overseas with my father. Even when I throw tantrums for about 3 months at times for not being there for me, she never resorted to doing the things you did to get me to love her! Cause that ain't how mother's love works!"Shinichi growled.

The members of Tantei association weren't going to let anyone silence them, let alone, a rich wealthy matriarch who had been blaming everyone around her for her sufferings in this world. So when the woman started telling them to shut up with threats of getting shot by the gunmen, they didn't listen. They raised their voices and let it all out.

Even Namba has had it with his mother.

"They are right! You lied to me!" Namba shouted at his mother, "You tricked me into thinking my half-brother wanted to kill me! I almost killed him! Why didn't you tell me the truth at least? Trying to kill him through me! What kind of mother are you!"The man's pained voice echoed around the cavern. Everyone was staring at him.

"You don't know what you're talking about, "Sora barked, and Ranran saw that woman's finger tighten on the trigger.

But Namba's fury increased. "For all those years, you destroyed my happy adopted family, you made them live in poverty, you killed my family, you even make Saji-niisan live under your roof like a slave! How could you do that to me?! I was happy!"Namba is confronted with his biological mother.

"Yes, I did all of that. But only because you refuse to—"

"I refused to because my parents were right about you!"Tears rolled down Namba's cheeks. "I never wanted money, nor fame, or anything the way you wanted for me! I knew what happiness was like till you robbed it all from me!"

"Namba just cut ties with the bloody woman!"His fiance shouted to him.

"Agree!" All of the 7 children chimed in anger, throwing their fist up in the air as if they were in a protest movement.

"Silence! If I can't have my son back, then I deserved to be rewarded by becoming CEO!" The elderly lady levelled her gun at him: A twisted smile haunted her lips." Well, my dear son, it looks like we'll have to part company..." she announced

"I am afraid that ain't likely to be possible, "The little red lip girl suddenly smirks, pulling a small metal object from her pocket.

She held it up in the air as Shinichi's jaw dropped, wondering what the hell is she doing?

"Do you know what this is?" Ranran confronted the psycho elderly lady as her grin grew even wider."Everything you said, is all broadcasted live. The police will be here any moment to arrest you."

"You are bluffing!"

"Up to you to think, but for your info, you know what I am capable of."Ranran stepped forward and held out her other hand much to everyone's shock."So if you were smart enough to manipulate your flesh and blood to love you, turn him against his half brother, making people commit suicide, you should be smart enough to hand over that gun to me, Mrs Tadashi," she said."Unless you wanna make things worst than it already is."

Tadashi Sora hesitated. Raw hatred blazed in her eyes towards this little girl. "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do!? Let alone, make threats towards someone like me!? Do you know who I freaking am!?"

"No, but I know I am detective Kudo Ranran! And my job is to put away a child beater like you!"Ranran's voice overpowered the enranged woman.

Sora was outraged, how dare this child daringly mock her. She vowed to make the child pay for her insolence.

As expected from Kudo Ranran, she had always been different. Shinichi couldn't help but notice.

Different from the other children her age. A normal one would cower in fear of a gun, but 6-year-old Ranran is a different story. She will confront the person, even if the wrongful adult had a gun in her hand. No, Ranran would stand tall and defiant. No matter what anyone said or did, she would always remain true to herself.

"And if I don't!? Do you not fear I will kill your friends?"Sora smiled sinisterly, trying to show she had the triumph card.

"Go ahead, "Ranran taunted before she shrugged, "Not all of them are. They kinda follow me even when I told them not to."

"Hey!"Everyone except Takuma clamoured.

"But let me be clear, if you shoot any of us, I am certain....you can bet your ass I am going to drag your son and make him live a miserable life."Ranran threatened with a knowing and grinning look.

"Excuse me!?"

"Do you know that movie 'Boy in the Window' where you had your son had made it into a movie 2 years ago? The girl mentioned in the movie was me."Ranran pointed to herself, much to the shock of everyone, including the matriarch."Except unlike the movie, all of that drama where it stated we both fallen in love with one another? That's nothing but rubbish!"

"You are bluffing!"Sora screeched, while everyone gasp staring at Ranran. They did not see this plot twist coming!

"You think? Suit yourself, "Ranran answers mockingly as she shrugged, "But just to let you know, I know who his parents are, as we still have contact after what had happened. They considered me as their daughter."

"You are bluffing!"The woman scoffed.

"61 Queen Streer at WORCESTER WR16 5OE." Ranran nonchalantly brings up the house address, resulting in the murderess's eyes growing wide in astonishment."H-How did you-"

"I told you, I am friends with that boy and his family, the same movie which you had your son make without permission."Ranran strode brazenly back and forth in front of the aghast woman, "One bullet is all it takes for you to destroy your supposed plans with that ex-rival of yours in school. As soon as the news breaks out, his parents are going to personally fly all the way here and sue the living crap out of your son, let alone, your conspirator. Of course..."Ranran gives the woman a mocking smile, "Considering you still have some fair share of love for your son despite the atrocities you had caused, if you managed to get someone to aid his escape, I can assure you if you know what his family is capable of given their status, he'll end up like John Wick in real life, there is nowhere in the world your son be able to hide from them."

The little girl was making threats about how she was going to get her revenge through her son. The rich lady was horrified."You wouldn't dare! Are you not afraid I will end your life in front of everyone!?"By this point, Shinichi could tell Ranran's threats made the matriarch scared and pale, as she threatened his mentor.

Even Shinichi is fearing for Ranran's life, "Ranran, no!"

"Try me!"Ranran challenged the shock matriarch and adults alike to the core as Shinichi struggled to pull her aside, "If my death is going to get sweet revenge onto your son, so be it!"

"What did you just say!?"

"Ranran! Ending Namba's life won't make her obey to you! Have you forgotten what you said earlier on wanting Namba and Muniko Tomio dead in the name of power, after failing to convince her son that she is his mother?!" Junko shouted to the risk taking blue eye girl, but she didn't care.

"You are right," Ranran self admitted this, but she tilted her head before issuing a mocking tone, intentionally directed to the murderess, "But even one who looks after a dog without emotions...there would be some form of emotional attachment. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone this far to plan her son's death all the way here. There are easier ways to end Namba's life without the public knowing, since he is legally dead after all. The fact that she didn't speaks volume before reaching to this stage."

Now that Shinichi think of it, Ranran had a point.

The entire thing Sora had schemed was mostly her directed hate at the Tadashis that led her to ultimately team up with her high school rival.

"If you kill me, the whole world will find out your son not only exploited the movie of my dead friend and made a profit out of this, but as soon as the media finds out you even killed the girl in the movie...I can assure you your son would be reliving the same sort of life as you are!"

"You!"

"Now, put the gun down on the ground everyone. Or else all of you are going to hell with me!"Ranran snarled.

By this point, everyone elses' hearts pounded loudly, ringing through their ears as tensions soared. "She is right!"Namba agreed willingly, as he announced, "I am willing to put my life on the line if what she says is true!"

"Namba, no!"His fiance grew panicked at that thought.

"Are you crazy!? All this for a little girl!?"His mother became dismayed at her son's actions.

"If you all don't put the gun down, I will willingly suffer under that girl's threats."Namba remains defiant towards his mother.

"Who are you to-"

"I am Seto Benjiro! That's what I am, not a Tadashi!"Namba declared.

"So what it will be, Sora? Remember, Even Evil Has Standards, you should know this, so choose wisely!"Ranran said in a menacing voice.

This threat made Tadashi Sora feel very uncomfortable, not to mention, shivering like a dead leaf on an autumn day. Then, she slowly lowered the and handed it to Ranran.

"Now, let's get out of here, "Ranran ordered holding the gun as she directed it at Tadashi Sora."You first, and I'll be right behind you."They had no sooner stepped out of the old mine into the bright moon than a harsh voice yelled at them.

"Okay, kid, drop the gun. You interfered far too many times."The big man in sunglasses emerged from the trees followed by his two companions. Each of them carried a gun.

"Who the hell are you?!"Shinichi shouted.

As Muniko laid eyes on them, it confirmed his worst fears, "Don't tell me...mother sent you!?"He finally cried in horror, recognizing one of the men in sunglasses.

"Your mother is the one who called us, Mr Muniko. After she got a word that the plan has failed, she ordered everyone to die, including you." said the man in sunglasses "Looks like we got here just in time"

"Wait a minute...she knew what was going on with me!?"Muniko Tomio found himself realizing, "That meant her dementia was a lie-"

Suddenly the words were cut as the other girls began to scream, much to Shinichi's shock and horror, Ranran did the unthinkable.

Ranran pulled the trigger ruthlessly.

Before anyone knew what was happening, shots blasted from the gun Ranran held. One bullet churned up dust at the big man's feet. Another slashed through the bushes beside her. The four gangsters dropped to the ground.

The elderly woman then turned and ran, so Ranran shot her right in the ankle, resulting her to tumble hard on the ground as she groaned in pain. The other kids observing this was stunned at Ranran's ruthless behavior.

"Nice shot," Shinichi praised the little girl.

"Thanks, though I wish I shot her in the head."Ranran sounded disappointed at that thought.

"Don't you dare!"Ran told her off.

"Stay there" commanded another voice."No one move!"Sergeant Genzo and a team of uniformed police in bulletproof vests rushed from cover and swooped on the gangsters. One of the officers then took the gun from Ranran, "Don't do that again!" before he marched them away.

"Ranran, you are unimaginable. But also at the same time, brilliant!"Junko gasped in shock, "Who knew you would bring a radio transmitter'?! Not to mention, use a gun!"

"Yeah! You never mention that you knew how to use a gun."Takuma remarked.

"Ah no, that ain't a radio transmitter in the first place, "Ranran showed everyone the strange metal object. "No, it was just a pin I found in the mine earlier. Also, the gun part was something I was taught."

"Eh? You were taught?!"Michio gasped and so did the other kids except for Shinichi, who knew she could handle a gun as he once broke into her house and was confronted with her aiming a gun at his head.

"Who taught you anyway?"Emiko couldn't help but ask.

"That...will be a secret."Ranran chuckled mysteriously.

"Well then, if Ranran didn't call the cops, who did? Weren't the lines connected to the police department down?"Junko wondered aloud, looking around at the others.

"I did, "Ran admitted. "I called tousan while you were all in the lake after that confrontation with Namba's fiance when we set out to go to the mine, but Tousan was out on the work at that time. I didn't know what else to do," she told them helplessly.

"Even Evil Has Standards, you should know this, so choose wisely."

"Ranran...what in the world did she go through to even know such a thing....."Shinichi couldn't help but said worryingly as Emiko sudden said, "By the way, you didn't mention you know someone that powerful."

"Eh?"Ranran shifted her attention to the rebellious artist.

"I mean you shouted earlier you were the girl in the 'Boy in the Window' Movie, the boy character named Alexander came from a very wealthy family. What was with you knowing his parents' house address? I don't recall that published on the news when I researched about the movie." Emiko recalled as she watched the movie with Ran the other day, she recalled Ran sobbing with tears when they reached the sad ending.

"Ah no, I was just lying since I knew the movie was based on a real-life tribute. Also, it was just a mere guess."Ranran chortled.

"Eh...is that so?"Emiko mused, "But it did sound very convincing earlier with all of that emotion?"

"Right?"Ranran winked mysteriously, "Even the part when I said I am willing to sacrifice the other kids too."

"No, that sounded true!"Junko argued as the hot-tempered girl scolded the founder, "I know you are capable of sacrificing all of our lives if you get the chance! But don't bother to! If you ever try something like this, I won't go easy on you the next time, you hear me?!"

Shinichi said nothing, as he quietly ponder Ranran's emotions earlier when she yelled out the boy's address.

By all accounts, he is certain Ranran was lying when she said she guessed the house address.

It sounded too specific, not as random as one could come up with under great duress. Observing his mentor as she smiled and reassured the other kids she lied, he wonders how many of the words she shared about her old life were true.

Meanwhile, Ran turned to the back to see the gunmen and Tadashi Sora arrested as they were escorted into the police vans and cars. "Neh guys, "Everyone turned to Ran as she asked, "Does Namba have to go?"

"He has to, "Shinichi sighs, his hands in his pocket, "No matter how sad the situation is...he still committed a crime. Stealing millions of yen as well as kidnapping and attempted murder is going to be difficult to contest."

Even Namba was arrested, looking weary of everything as his fiance tried to console him."I am sorry I ruin our wedding plans."He apologized.

"Hey, you were tricked by a deranged woman, alright? None of this is your fault."Ohta reassures him caressing his face.

"It is still mine regardless," Namba said with a pained voice, "Had they not adopted me, they all wouldn't have died. I mean...you lost your job too because of me, even Saji-nii..."He then stared sorrowly at the moon that was in the sky, "Pretty soon the press is going to get word on it, and I don't know how you are going to get another job in the entertainment industry when people realize you have been working with a serial killer. I think...it's better we call off the engagement."

"Don't think like that! I can always get a job elsewhere than the entertainment world. Also, who cares if you were the son of a serial killer? I don't! To me...you are still the same Seto Benjiro I fell for!"Ohta tries to make him not feel guilty about this, but it couldn't be helped.

"Excuse me, "Muniko suddenly approached the two, "I tell you what, I will hire Ohta, then when all of this is over, you two can figure out what to do from there."

"You? You who hated me so is willing to hire my fiance?"The former con-man voiced out his disbelief.

"I ain't doing this for you!"Muniko pouted before he ranted, "My mother is going to get arrested for her crime, the media is going to get word of this thanks to our mothers, and both of our families ain't going to fare well with the scandal either way."The elder man then rubs his face down in frustration, "As messed up as this sounds, I refused to set a bad example when my daughter gets word of this later in the press!"

Eyebrows shot up between the fiance and the disgraced director of Namba pictures, "You-"

"I don't want my family, let alone my daughter to grow up thinking what both our mothers did was right. This chain of vicious hate has to come to an end, so I am offering you an olive branch, Namba. You don't have to take it, but my family owed you an apology. And for that, I am truly sorry for you and your late parents."

Namba was speechless.

"If you really want to repent your sins....after you serve your sentence, come work for my company after you finish your sentence, and I will deduct tons of your salary to settle the debt on everyone you owed. Also, don't leave a good woman out of 'noble intentions'. Nowadays in documentaries, you will not find a good woman like her willing to marry someone like you. Also, you ain't your mother. Mark my word."

Namba couldn't utter a word as he was shell shock by his half-brother's change of attitude. Muniko then taps the top roof of the police car as he tells Genzo, "We are done now."

Before the car left, Muniko swear he could've heard his younger half-brother muttering 'thank you' as the sergeant drove the suspect to the police station.

As the car headed out of the quarry, Genzo who have heard of their interaction earlier and the accounts of everyone from Tantei association, felt empathetic towards the con-man, one who lost everything because of an unsympathetic twisted mother. "I am sorry you have such a destructive mother." He said it before he could stop himself.

That made Namba sob, remorse was the only feeling he was left with as he repents for his crimes. For the next 15 minutes, Genzo let him quietly grieve for his own losses. After a while,  he asked from the back, "Do you think...the people around me who cared for me... would regret having me around? Had they seen this coming?"

For a moment, Genzo didn't know how to reply to that question.

After a long pause, Genzo finally responded, "No."

"N-no?"Namba stuttered.

"There is no regret when it comes to family, regardless of the pain that brings them."Genzo smiled while turning the steering wheel, "If they did, they would've returned you to their biological mother despite losing the money your late grandmother gave to them to raise you. That's why..."Genzo knows he has to say this, not just for himself but also for the remorseful's culprit's closure, "Don't ever blame yourself because of all of this. If anything, it was that woman at fault for not cherishing you as a person."

For a moment, Namba couldn't speak. Right now, he felt tired and hoped for all of this to be a nightmare he could wake up from. But Genzo knows someday, that Namba will eventually accept this and move on, becoming a better person away from what his mother turn out to be.

Back outside the mine, Muniko had his hand placed on Shinichi's shoulder, "Ok boy, you did your job well, now do you have what you ask for so that I can complete the payment for you?"

"Ah yes, I do."Shinichi beamed as he took out the paper he folded from his pocket, which turned soggy as they were drowned in the quarry earlier, "Ah damn..."Shinichi cringed.

Emiko who didn't stand far from Shinichi, realize what he was trying to hand to Muniko before she tore out two sketches from her book, "Here you go. The backup copy."

Muniko was amazed as he took the two before giving them a good look, "Are you sure you draw this? This look...unexpected."

"Don't doubt me just because I am nine years old."Emiko pouted.

"Ah right, sorry about that."Muniko rubbed his head nervously with his free hand while his eyes are glued to the artwork, "Right, I will see what I can do. Overall, I can't thank you enough for all of your work in Tantei Association. Really. I will put a good word out there for those who need it."

The kids headed to the police van now that all of this is over now that the police are going to send all of them home, Michio couldn't help but wonder, "Guys, do you think Tadashi Saji is still alive?"

No one can answer Michio, "I mean after all of the crap that woman pulled on her own son Namba, I think he is definitely dead."Takuma said, having sat to the back."I mean she is a serial killer, leave no victim or witnesses behind."

"I agree," Emiko nodded with him, sitting right next to him, "That woman had no love for anyone but herself. Did you guys hear how self-entitled she was? Luxury this and that? Luxury doesn't mean anything if there is no love in it."

"I agree with you on that!"Junko grabbed a seat next to Michio from the back, as she voice out her anger, "What she did was cruel despite her circumstances!"

"She hated the Tadashi, her own family who treated her cruelly. I won't be surprised if she killed him."Ran judged disapprovingly.

"No, I doubt she has it in her to kill Saji."Ranran shakes her head.

"What makes you think so?"Shinichi asked curiously.

"Tadashi Sora herself is also a Tadashi, but she never once dared to take her own life despite knowing the blood of this family that runs in her veins was the root of her problems. The same goes for Saji and Namba," Ranran cast her views on the moving scene from her seat as the van moves, resting her arm on the armrest," I think deep down...the old Sora never left her. The one that still unconsciously cared for her son didn't have it in her to end her kids' lives."

"You think so?"Shinichi asked sceptically.

"When I convince her about the impending doom that this to befall on Namba, rather than not believe me and put a bullet to my brain, she put away the gun. Do you know why? Because she knew the family who bankrupted her son's company had an influence not to be messed with."Ranran said solemnly as she went on, "A cold calculative mother would willingly risk her son's life and not blindly believe a 6-year-old girl like me, but she didn't."

"Is that so?"Takuma suddenly said as he was doubtful," Or it could be that you are one not to be messed with."

"What is going to happen to Sora, Ranran?"Junko asked in concern, "Don't get me wrong, I don't side her, but I think she did indeed have a sad life. If life played out differently, she wouldn't have done all of this."

"Judging the crimes she did...I think she may face the death penalty for all the things she did. Or be put in a mental hospital."Ranran concluded.

"But even for a crazy woman like her, is she capable of loving her son?"Michio and the others cast doubtful looks with one another.

"She is, because, in her twisted views, both of them are no matter what, her sons. Even after all the atrocities, she had done."Ranran pointed out, gazing at the moon above them.

"Speaking of which...is Ranran's mother like that? When it came to you?"Ran suddenly brought up.

"My mother..."Ranran's words trailed off into a long pause, as she realizes that the Shibuya city incident is later going to draw in a furious mother."Who knows...."

Judging Ranran's statement, the kids couldn't help but think the answer is rather obvious.

"Although this case involved two horrible mothers, I can't help but think the real villains' behind this ain't those two, but the idiots who believed that women can't take over their companies. Otherwise, none of this would've happened, don't you all think?" Ran was asking no one in particular.

The rest of the children nodded in silence as Shinichi commented, "The oppression is the reason why all of this took place."

"You know...I am confused about another thing, "Heads turned to Emiko from the back of the van, "I don't see how killing Namba would do Tadashi Sora good, since her adopted son is the current CEO. If she had Namba around since he is her biological son, she could brainwash Namba into contesting the position since the adopted one ain't related to her by blood."

"You are right, I haven't thought of it that way." Michio and the others agreed.

"Miss Tadashi Sora ain't a stupid fool. She could frame the adopted son as if he secretly plotted the hit on Namba by tricking Namba to kill Muniko Tomio in the mine, after all, murderers aren't allowed to be CEO."Ranran pointed out, "All she needs to do is pay some disgruntled employee her adopted son fired to say 'The CEO of Tadashi ordered me to lie to her son, Namba, that Muniko Tomio is after his life for stealing the inheritance' and plant a couple of evidence here and there, it would be his downfall."

"Damn...when you put it that way, that sounds evil and very plausible." Ran felt shivers at that thought.

"But honestly, I am surprised that you are working as a detective, otherwise, I would've misunderstood you as a cunning murderess, Ranran. To think you can come up with this sort of thing, it's scary, even for a 6-year-old child." Fuyuko Junko pointed out.

"Wait till you one day enter my old school back in the U.K, you haven't seen true evil from kids my age in the eye yet." Ranran chuckled casually as if it was normal, but it wasn't from the others, as they felt cold sweat forming from their bodies upon her response.

By this point, the rest of the kids began to wonder whether the school Ranran belonged to derived from a school of serial killers. "Actually, none of this nonsense would've taken place, if that bloody man, Sora's father, had not had an affair in the first place!" Junko voiced out her anger, "I mean yeah, the abuse and rules of the company are at fault, but had he not started all of this nonsense, it wouldn't had worsen the situation! That Sora wouldn't have become devious and cruel because of the abuse thanks to the affair, let alone, towards her son and everyone!"

Before the other children could agree on the spectacle girl's words, Ranran's eyes slowly drift into the passing trees, as she quietly states, "I think...as long as society continues to remain this way, cases like this are going to continue on."

"Society?" Shinichi blinked in confusion, and so does the others.

"In this entire case, patriarchy, children abuse, powerful corrupt rich people, infidelity etc...all of these are common everyday problems hidden in plain sight. In school and all, one is taught not to harm others, to not cheat, they must be fair regardless if one is a boy or girl, and to not do affairs and stuff. Yet, why is it that all of these problems continue to persist regardless?"

"Hmm...because those things can't be applied in the real world?" Emiko figures.

"Bingo, there you have it." Ranran snapped her finger at her correct answer, "We can blame the root of the problem, and yes, I agree with Junko that her dad was the sole root of the problem. One can say in Anime: If there is a bad guy plaguing the city, eradicate it so the problem is solved. But did no one wonder about the origin of this villain? What led the person to do bad things? Take note for example." 

Everyone watched as Ranran draw the fog forming on the van window, since it was raining outside, a couple of stick figures, male and female, one in a skirt and the other wearing pants and a hat.

"Think of the two as Sora's real parents."She tapped to attract everyone's attention, "You all said this affair, especially her father, is the trigger to Namba's misfortune, yes? Because he is married" They nod in unison, "But if..." Ranran then draws an arrow to the female figure, "She knew he is married, but carry on with the affair anyway? If she knew she was pregnant with Sora but decided to keep it, he didn't want it since he knew Sora would've suffered. Tell me, in all of your opinion, who is the real villain? Her mother or her father?"  

That made the other kids gape, "No, come on, Ranran..." Junko and the other girls groaned at that disturbing information, struggling to come up with an answer over who is at fault while the boys were speechless. Even Shinichi had a hard time distinguishing who is truly in the wrong.

"While we will never know the whole truth behind this part," Ranran tapped at the drawing of the couple before she erased it with her fist, "I hope you all realize...in some cases like this one, it's easier to blame, but its difficult to determine the true monsters behind this tragic case. We can blame Sora's stepmother for child abuse, but she is a victim of her husband's infidelity. We can blame Sora's dad, but love is a messed up matter. We can too blame Sora for the decisions she made, but then again, she was severely abused and humiliated daily. Hell, we can also blame both families for having stupid patriarchal practices, but the bottom line is this: This case is a good example of society messing up big time. As long one doesn't fix all of these issues, it would be all for nought."

For some reason, the entire ride back home later felt heavy in every child's heart after Ranran's serious speech, as they wonder whether the society they are living in after this case is beyond saving.