Several days later, as the kids gather in Tantei Association around Michio's mom's place that afternoon, Shinichi decided everyone needed to know something.

"Ok, I made some arrangements."He made this announcement while the others were doing their business.

The children were currently in their casual clothes as there has no case to work on. Emiko was redesigning the Tantei Association website on the laptop as Ranran also wanted the site to be in English despite being in Japan. Meanwhile, Ran and Takuma were trying to finish their math homework.

"What arrangements?"Ranran gave him an odd look, while the others were wondering what is going on.

"After that Muniko incident, having Agasa build another skateboard and scooter, it appears that we keep experiencing skateboard and scooter breaking into half repeatedly....."Shinichi glared at Ranran as she was on her seat, once again gaming with her smartphone, playing project Sekai.

Sensing she was being observed, she paused her game before looking up to Shinichi."We were in a tough spot, you know?"

"Anyway, gather around. All of you."

And so, the kids did like all of them assembled outside the window display shop. Aside from the bike and skateboard, Ran noticed there was no scooter."Where is the scooter, Shinichi?"She pointed."How do you expect Ranran to go without one?"

"After all those breaking episodes, something needs to change," Shinichi said while folding his arms sternly at Ranran, "Wait here, I will be right back."

So Shinichi left the four others, while the others were exchanging looks, as they were not sure what to expect. That's when a light showed up not far from where they were.

It was another vehicle in its spot. But what Shinichi had brought....was unexpected.

So unexpected, that when Shinichi had first arrived in it, the first thing Ranran ever said was, "I didn't expect you to get this out of all the vehicles we had got for Tantei association."

"What in the world is that!?"Emiko asked while pointing at it with her eyebrow raised.

"Mina-san, here is a mini motorbike with a sidecar, for kids like us only."

Shinichi introduces the vehicle to everyone while Ranran glance at the vehicle, not with a look of disapproval, but a look of....how Shinichi put it?"Is this road legal?"Ranran and Shinichi's classmate Takuma suddenly questioned pointing to the motorbike.

"Also, if one gets hits, does it come with insurance?"Ranran observed the vehicle with scepticism.

"It doesn't matter. In Beikai district, it is legally a town and not a city, so the laws here are loose with kids like us riding such vehicles on the main road. As for Insurance, why bother? Anyway, what matters is...starting from today onwards, this will be one of Tantei association vehicles," Shinichi quipped, as Michio and Junko soon arrived at the association from school as class released them late.

"Hey, what on earth is that?"Junko pointed at the vehicle.

"It's a mini motorcycle for kids, with a sidecar."Michio figures.

"Does it need petrol to run? If so, you gonna need tons of money to run, Shinichi."Ran pointed out.

"It runs on electric and sun solar, Agasa had it all figured out."Shinichi pats the bike with a grin.

"And....just let me get this straight," Emiko folded her arms, "I am going to assume you be the passenger and Ranran be the one riding it?"She then pointed with her finger.

"No, after that last incident she caused with the scooter, I decided she be the one in the passenger seat while I will be the one riding it."

Ranran's jaw dropped in horror as Emiko's eyebrows lifted, "Really?"The artist said in disbelief.

"Yes! It's decided," Shinichi affirmed sternly at a horrified Ranran, "What I have learned so far is Ranran is too much of a daredevil, and that handing her another scooter would just result in her destroying more of it. Therefore, I am revoking all her rights in the association from navigating any vehicle."

"Good!"Junko gave a thumbs up, before she snickered, "That's will teach Ranran to stop running over pedestrians intentionally!"

"I did not run over them on purpose!"Ranran argued before confronting Shinichi, "I am not travelling in that compartment without a freaking roof, Shinichi!" said Ranran with disapproval, "you know my skin can't stand the sun, deshou? Furthermore, what if it rains?"

"No worries, it has a foldable compact roof. Anyway, with Michio's strong sense of smell, he is like our weather forecast. You don't have to worry about whether you get drenched in the rain or have sunburnt."

"Hey! Don't be rude about Michio! He ain't a dog!"Junko groused.

"Anyway, you are taking it too far, you know? Ran and everyone doesn't even have a roof, and yet here you are demanding this and that."Shinichi insisted.

Ranran tilted sideways, arms still folded, to peer in through the rear windows. After a moment, she turned to him, "Why didn't you get a bike with a sidecar instead?"

"The sidecar is too heavy for me to pedal with a bike alone, I figure times are desperate, Agasa, fortunately, happens to know how to build a child-size motorbike with a sidecar."

"But that meant I can never ride the bike!"

"Precisely the point!"

There was a thick, solid silence.

Takuma sighed, turning to the detective girl, "Ranran, just agree to this. At least you don't have to waste your energy pedalling."

"But that means I will never have the freedom to ride anything!"Ranran whined.

"Maybe you should've thought of this before deciding to use that GOGO scooter to ram against anyone who walks slowly while chasing after the bad guy, especially that elderly lady recently! It's a miracle she didn't die!"Emiko reminded the founder.

"Shame, the woman often pees openly with no sense of decency, let alone, always lashing at kids like us without reason, so her angry outburst had got to go."Ranran shrugs, before adding, "Her family barely likes the unpredictable illness she has. That's why they let her wander around the street, hoping she gets run over. So I am just doing them the favor."

"For the last time, Ranran, she has DEMENTIA!" Junko blasted at Ranran's lack of empathy over the situation.

"My great-grandmother had dementia too, she didn't openly do all of those things like a moron!"Ranran had her hands on her hips, "All she ever does is sit idly on the wheelchair till the day she died."

Ran can't stand it with Ranran. Every time something goes wrong, she says it's their fault and never Ranran's. Ran facepalmed every time she opens her mouth, and as far as Takuma counted, it was the 20th time Ran did that to herself.

As always, as soon as she muster all of her energy and began yelling the signature three words, all of them covered their ears, "Listen here, Ranran!"

And then she would rant at Ranran while Ranran rolled her blue eyes, then leave Ran on her own while she follows her around."Ran, enough!"Shinichi held Ranran from leaving while stopping Mouri with his free hand, "Ranran has her faults, so do you."

Then bickering would ensure, followed by Michio and Junko trying to stop their squabbling while Takuma and Emiko stood from afar to watch in silence."They are a rowdy bunch."Takuma commented.

"I mean we are the association that comes with 7 different personalities. So I kinda expected that."Emiko perceives in silence, as the two nod mutually."But you know...I think it's alright to have such squabbles."Emiko smiled for once.

"You think so? I think it's awful if I may be honest."Takuma rests his head behind his hands as they watch the chaos unfolding, where Ranran flees snatching Ran's wallet while blasting at her for wasting the association's funding due to her mistakes, before the rest of the kids ran after her around the boutique shop."The more one argues, the more one drifts apart and it leads to murder. That's what Ranran says."

"That's true for the worst kinds. But not all of it."Emiko argues, "Think of Tom and Jerry. Though they hated each other, they always came back to each other. No matter how rough things got, they always had each other's back."

"But people can get tired. Tom and Jerry have unlimited patience. That ain't possible like my ex-friends."Takuma pointed out.

"True, but its those who are willing to stay despite such squabbles are the ones who are worth it."Emiko had her hands placed on her hips, amused when Ranran hijacked the biked with the side-car and drove all, leaving the other kids to furiously get the other vehicles Shinichi parked in their association to chase after her, "Car chase huh."

"Ranran is one amusing kid. Also, Ran shouldn't try to reason with her, it's pointless."Takuma snickered, before wondering, "I wonder why she bothers just to go after Ranran? Doesn't she see how pointless it is just to argue with her?"

"Inferiority."

"Excuse me?"Takuma became puzzled, "What is that?"

"She feels insecure, feeling that she lacks everything Ranran has that she doesn't. Ranran had wealth, married parents, and Shinichi. That is enough to add salt to her wound."Emiko listed Ranran's points, before almost forgetting, "To top it all: she has brains."

"I don't see why she thinks all of this makes Ranran superior. If she only bothers to put efforts into improvising herself, she has nothing to fear about."Takuma scoffed, "The way I see it, Ran just can't accept in her idiot brain and kept thinking Ranran is all of the things she isn't."

"Well...the only way she can stop feeling like this is if she finds out all of this means nothing."Emiko sighs before deciding, "Come on, Takuma. Let's resolve the issue before this goes on and on."

"Noted."The boy in the cap silently agrees, "With Ran around, it's going to be an ongoing issue."

The athlete and the artist headed over to stop the commotion.

Meanwhile, not far from when Emiko and Takuma left, a mysterious figure lurks in the shadows, or rather, around the cafe. 

The figure had been dining in the cafe not far from the association, as she quietly observe the members of the association's interactions outside. The elegant cafe was just the place for a stylish woman like me to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a lovely red velvet cheesecake on her plate. The atmosphere was both stylish and kid-friendly, and the staff were polite and helpful. The child in this cafe couldn't have been happier with her choice.

A girl of the age of 10, she looks rather prim and proper, with beautiful well-kept short blonde hair and hazel hair, she is dressed in an elegant black t-shirt with a grey skirt. At first glance, anyone could've assumed she is a daughter of a rich family.

Though they were not wrong though, the blonde girl's family however by no means didn't earn it through honest means. If anything, they were all earned in a despicable sense. Steal, lie, cheat, murder, her family is capable of anything. 

Even she is no different, despite being 10 years old.

Through the years of growing up, she has grown used to the supposed 'violence' in the family. Or rather, normalize it. The little blonde girl watched and re-watched an interview multiple times ever since it premiered a few days ago on her Ipad. It was a movie premiere and the kids who were being interviewed, the ones who belonged to Tantei Association, had their faces blurred and voice's morphed, making them unrecognizable.

However, the members were no strangers to her father.

When he lost the white tiger, her father was furious about it even.

It was just a minor interference and they haven't crossed paths since. Yet, her father couldn't help but feel uneasy lately when he got word Tantei Association has emerged to tackle cases of dark nature. Lately, more and more of his enemies and allies have been thrown into prison without warning, resulting in him working a lot later than he used to just to keep up with the demand and cash flow.

The moment she heard from her father about a group of kids destroying her father's business, that's when she became curious as to why are these little rascals going after him? Do they not fear death looming above them? Where are their parents by the way?

So she did what she does best by investigating their background. At first, no such luck.

Then, the interview appeared.

It was a movie premiere of 'The Origin of my Childhood', the one where the news broke the other day that the film was stolen. When the case came to light revealing heartbreaking truths about the bad blood between the Munikos and Tadashi, illegitimate brothers and so for, she was hooked.

Premiering the red carpet, that's when the criminal mastermind's daughter took notice of the founder's voice. Her face was covered, and even her voice was distorted. However, the way she answered carried elegance and at the same time, intrigue.

"What is your favourite book?"The interviewer poses a question.

The girl in the cafe awaits her answer. Is she going to come up with some gibberish answers by claiming she read some complicated title book to make herself sound intellectual? The blonde knew many kids her age doing so. She grab a fork before having a spoonful of cake, and as she was about to take a bite...

"My favourite...Fox and Deer!"

That's when the blonde dropped her fork in response, as the clang indicated it hit the floor, her hand began to tremble as the video continued to play.

"Fox and Deer...was it the famous fairy tale back in Britain?! Written by the author A.T.C?"

"That one! It's the best book I ever read."The child answered with a smile on her face, even though it was blurred, the sound was evident that she enjoyed reading it."I read it multiple times."

"I see...to those who haven't read the story, what is that book about?"

"That book...showed the misgivings of a fox till a princely Deer gave her the chance to shine her talent. Although...the ending was sad to the core, the fox bravely moves forward with her life. That's why I admire their relationship."

The anonymous little girl was not like the other children her age. She knew the intended message behind the book."The next question is about the Muniko family case, in your opinion, what do you think of all of this?"

Hmmm, that is a tough question. The blonde couldn't help but wonder how is this child going to answer.

"No comment, "The blur face girl answers in a dismissive tone.

"Eh!?"The reporter was stunned, and so was the blonde.

"You are gonna need to talk to Muniko's lawyers. We ain't allowed to breach invasion of privacy when it comes to our client," she replies with a cheeky grin.

Hearing all of this made the blonde fascinated with who that child is in Tantei Association. As soon as she silently watch the show, she was amused. 

The blonde then began to chuckle darkly. 

The 10-year-girl listened to the children's interaction countless times. Although fascinated that a group of kids was capable of overthrowing her father, her eyes are drawn to the founder the most. Using the art of gaslighting against the other was something she had done to tear apart so many bad guys around her father, so for her to hear other kids doing so made her think they were brilliant.

Especially the founder, the one whom the media gave her the label '21st Century Irene Adler'.

She is eager to get that girl, the most cunning one. But how?

"Our business is called Tantei Association, nice to meet you all."

A little boy's voice could be heard as he emerged next to the founder. His face is also blurred and his voice is masked with distortion, but the blonde could roughly guess that could be someone special to the founder.

Good, if she could figure out which boy is the one closest to her, she is going to charm him and then kidnap the founder to work for her father, the one who the public knows as The Snake.

For the first time, she wishes she could meet the one who duped her father. Very rarely did she want to meet someone with such intensity. This is why after she got word from her dad's associates on where their HQ was situated, she headed to a nearby cafe and observed the children who are gathering outside.

From what she managed to gather, there are a total of 7 of them. However, it was difficult to prove who is who as the blonde couldn't tell which is which. Still, at least she knows that there is a total of 4 girls and 3 boys. It'll be a matter of time that as long as she can figure out which one is the founder's dearest boy, only then, she will eventually make her move to lure the girl founder out.

As soon as she does, she is going to end the life of that pathetic girl for interfering in her father's endeavours. That will teach her a lesson over messing with her father's empire ever again.

Right now, The Snake's daughter is going to let them be as it is. Confronting them now would be stupid, as God knows whichever girl is capable of outsmarting her. If she was going to complete her dad's work, she is going to start when the founder thinks she is in the safety net of peace. 

Only then, the strawberry blonde will strike when she least expects it.

For she isn't The Snake's daughter for nothing.

.........

"DAMN THAT GIRL! WHAT DOES SHE KNOW THAT I DON'T!?"

One day, on a Monday after school, a furious figure of the age of 6 trashed the place of her journalism club, situated in Teitan Elementary school as she got word of the bad news through the council that any resources or facilities given to the club would be reduce to a bare minimum and would be aided to Tantei Association, due to the lack of activities in the report. It was fortunate that no other kids was around, for she didn't want anyone to see her 'true face'.

Everything she schemed has seemed to go horribly wrong, even since her half-brother wronged 'that girl', the founder of Tantei Association a year ago, one misfortune after the other kept befalling onto her, let alone, their family.

First thing was the day when 'that girl' framed her half-brother along with his friends and that Shinichi, she was damn livid that no one believed a word her half-brother said, but his reputation was already established to be the worst among kids of all ages, so its no surprise even his victims later sided 'her', not realizing they were all manipulated. The worst out of all of this was that her mother, the same one who talks lowly about 'her' being a illegitimate bastard, had no choice but to kneel and beg for forgiveness in front of the founder's family, since even her own placement in the smartest class was affected thanks to her no brainer half-brother!

Fortunately she wasn't a fool, the founder of the journalism club had always maintained a reputation of 'The Nice girl' of Teitan Elementary, even before the scandal, so she had followers pleading for her to not have her class placement switched, but it didn't work, the scandal, let alone, 'her' family with that Shinichi boy was too influential and powerful. And it was obvious her mother did spoke ill of 'her' openly, so she had no choice but to forfeit her daughter's chance in getting into class 1-A.

Although she ended up in 1-D, it felt like a huge insult, for she bragged to her victims that she is too smart enough to end up in such class of such status.

That's right, she couldn't contain her anger on being wronged so much so...she started to target anyone who is better of than her in secret. Let alone, the one who are too weak to fight back. Intelligence, beauty and all, she will go for those whose thinks they could drag someone like her down. No one but her is the superior one of Teitan Elementary, and she will show it.

When she targeted this girl who is prettier than her around grade 1, she could've not guessed of the repercussions that lay ahead.

Her election initially started out well and she had supporters to her backing. Not to mentioned, her rival, that Reina girl, belonged to parents who are divorced, and everyone is aware of it. Though her parents are married, no one needs to know that they are remarried. As long she keep this a secret, adding the fact that no one knows in school that her brother is actually her half-brother, everything will go according to plan.

Cause as soon as she becomes head of student council in this school, the first person she is going to wipe out is that Kudo Ranran girl who ruined her life!

How dare she remained in class 1-A after what she did to her half-brother and her family, Ranran has no right! That is her spot! Not that girl who enjoyed parties in social events and mingle with cute boys according to the rumours! A girl who never once suffered in her life shouldn't be enjoying life in 1-A!

But she judged too soon, she didn't foresee Ranran was a million steps ahead of her, pulling strings and having secretly exposed her true nature to her supporters, contacting the media and like-wise, ruining her chances to be elected head of the council.

Never could she have guessed she would eventually lose the election to the daughter of divorced parents, by a landslide thanks to that red-lip demon's schemes!

When she later learns Ranran was behind it, it was decided from then on she was going to end her reputation.

But the problem with Kudo Ranran is that she is good at turning the tables. Every time an accusation jumps onto her, she always figures a way to flip the table with bowls of disgusting goo falling onto her enemies. It was as if Ranran knew this was going to happen, and for a moment, her nemesis is stunned.

She never comes across anyone of such devious means. Who the hell is this Kudo Ranran!?

Finally, she has had it with the founder of Tantei Association. So she did the only thing logical, which was to send that Kudo Shinichi after her, by spreading some speculation that Ranran could be none other than 'The Fox', that child detective in the newspaper.

Though she had no evidence to support the claims, she had studied Kudo Ranran from afar long enough to know that the blue eye demon girl is capable of becoming The Fox, and what better way to end her career than sending someone who dreams of becoming a detective but would do it through legal means.

After all, she had heard rumours that Ranran secretly had a crush on Shinichi. If he finds out what Ranran has been doing, won't it just break that icy girl's heart?

However, she didn't foresee what happened later on...he would later team up with the demon and open Tantei Association.

Livid, she later decided to spread further rumours, this one that is bound to tick the very ones who were formerly closest to Shinichi: Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko. Those two girls are too dumb to notice who was behind the rumours, as long as anyone is prettier, more talented and more diligent than Mouri Ran is right next to her one-sided crush, Sonoko would bark at that target like the loyal dog she is. Sending those two to Kudo Ranran would later endanger her, probably with Shinichi and the others, but she didn't care.

After all, anyone who is around Ranran should pay with their lives.

Who asked them to wrong her? She is Ishibashi Mamiko! No one...no one will ever cross her, not even if it was the wealthy, talented, intelligent Kudo Ranran!

But if even this doesn't work, that's alright, she has another plan up her sleeve.

Word in school stated that Shinichi has become Kudo Ranran's apprentice because his appearance is praised further than his own talent thanks to the two girls. If she spreads it further that Kudo Ranran is far more qualified than him, it will soon reach Shinichi's ears. When that happens, judging that Kudo Ranran relies on him, Mamiko is certain he would eventually turn his back on Ranran, leaving her with a broken heart.

And when that happens, she is going to pretentiously go up to her and console her.

Become her friend, then crush it to bits.

As she laughs to herself maniacally, unbeknownst to her, a tiny red light is flashing in the pot of plant in her journalism office, revealing everything she had said to herself.

Kudo Ranran was watching all of this unfold in the head student council office on her personal smartphone, rolling her blue eyes at her laughter. While her best friend, Reina, and Reina's boyfriend, Takuma, were livid. When Ranran managed to sneak in and bugged her office, Takuma thought that Mamiko wouldn't be that stupid to air out her plans to herself. Sure, Ranran was right when she said Mamiko is a narcissistic girl, but she ain't that stupid.

Looks like Ranran is very observant when it comes to bad kids.

"Man, Mamiko is...how should I put this?" Reina shook her head as she turned to her best friend, having mixed emotions of shock and anger, "Na-kar-cist?"

"Nacarsist, "Ranran corrected him, as she quietly retrieve her smartphone and kept it in her skirt pocket, "She values herself above everyone."

"This bloody girl!" Takuma's finger trembled in anger, after jumping out of his seat after hearing all of her blatant nonsense, before whipping his head to Ranran, "We need to expose her, Ranran!"

"Settle down guys, this is going to be one of the pieces of evidence to the 'masterplan'."Ranran grins before having her finger wrapped around the cup of bubble tea she has treated to her two friends.

"I don't see the purpose of not calling Shinichi over, Ranran. I mean if he is in the know, at least he would've helped you further." Reina suggested, given that she had basic lessons with Ranran about politics before becoming head of the student council.

"He would, "Ranran agreed knowingly, before sipping the tea through the straw with elegance, showing her noble manners, "But Mamiko could always pretend and said she is prepping for the upcoming character for the play that Suzuki Sonoko had put together. You know how she often gets away with her hurting other children. Like she did with your cousin, Reina."

She glances at Reina, who in response rolled her fist in anger at the mention of her cousin, who was a victim of Mamiko's schemes. After becoming head girl, she has gotten rid of the bad apples of the council and had her cousin go for therapy under Ranran's advice. To ensure that Reina's cousin would experience at least in Ranran's words, a 'reasonable school life', Ranran handed her a list of names that have been causing the school problems.

What Ranran didn't tell Reina was, she even included the names of the detective girl's own enemies as well. Which was enough to get them into serious trouble, and attract angry parents to punish them.

Of course, Ranran is aware it ain't possible to wipe out all the bad seeds of this school, including the bullies, due to unexpected discoveries she later learns why they were able to easily able to get away with their sins on school grounds. But that didn't stop Ranran from manipulating behind-the-scenes as her personal puppets, inching her way closer to driving Mamiko's psyche to a point of mental torture.

Right now, watching Mamiko's laments on screen, Ranran's plans are falling into place.

"But Shinichi would misunderstand you if you just let her be! I mean you went through a lot when he called you a bastard! And you two seem to be doing well now!" Reina voiced her concern.

"Ranran, you know I rarely say this, but she is right. If she put Shinichi on your tail again, what is going to happen to you? I mean you already had to deal with that idiot Ran and Junko while handling these dangerous cases! There is no way of telling what will happen to you if you let this be!" Even Takuma is genuinely worried for his friend.

 After finishing her bubble tea, she puts it on the table to end their conversation, "Then that is his loss."

"Eh!?" The couple wondered what is with Ranran's calm attitude.

"I got to head back to Tantei Association HQ to finish some paperwork, have a nice date." Ranran winked at the two mischievously, before striding off elegantly with the new white collar shirt and blue skirt she is dressed in, representing the image of a noble detective.

"That girl, sometimes I wonder if she knows whether she bit more than she could chew with the plans she comes up with." Reina folded her arms while airing out her concerns.

"I agree," The boy in the cap nodded to her.

As Ranran had both her hands in her skirt pocket, she walks while heading her way to the HQ in their school. The real reason she didn't involve Shinichi in this was simple: She is planning to use him against Mamiko.

These whole shenanigans began because Mamiko intentionally fan the flames to Shinichi using the other kids that Ranran is The Fox. If it began through this, it should start the early stages of Mamiko's reputation slowly being dragged through the mud. She still has dumb followers, and it would be better if her followers open their eyes a little.

As soon as she stopped, she spots Mamiko pulling Shinichi aside across the hallway, whispering something while looking rather intimate with that smiling face. 

Oh, even her eyes were on Ranran, with that smirk on her face.

Seriously...did she think pulling the 'I am his girlfriend by doing all these things in front of you' fake scene was going to make Ranran jealous? She watched far too many K-dramas or J-dramas that her mother forced her to watch to see all of these stereotypical scenes. If Ranran didn't get involved in Fox and Deer, she wouldn't have matured. She ain't Mouri Ran after all.

And that later gave Ranran an idea.

In this scene Mamiko is doing, it's going to do Ranran tons of favours to ruin Mamiko, especially the master plan.

Ranran fished out her smartphone and took some interesting photos upon switching off the flash feature, even a video recording, grinning that the photos and videos are perfect at the angle she is standing, she is going to keep it for another time.

What the hell is this girl doing!? Mamiko couldn't help but wonder as she sees Ranran from afar.

After she was done with Shinichi upon whispering whatever she set out to say, Mamiko left Shinichi with his conflicting expression.

She finally said it. Mamiko is one dangerous sociopath.

If Ranran ain't mistaken, Mamiko finally executed her plans of sowing discord between Shinichi and Ranran, exactly as she planned to do in the footage. Shinichi isn't one who is easily influenced by words, so Ranran is certain Mamiko is going to spread rumours about Ranran being a far superior alpha female of that sort above Shinichi in the entire school, enough to trigger inferiority for anyone in Shinichi's shoes later on.

And Ranran is going to let this happen, cause when it does, Mamiko would eventually regret handing her a loaded gun (Shinichi) only to fire back at her, in the head.

For Mamiko has yet to realize...Ranran is the ultimate puppet master.