Banner by plutointhestars

Most people assume the life of Kudo Ranran had always been smooth sailing. Especially when your exceptionally rich great-grandmother whom she has no idea about, suddenly enters her life.

Having her entire family whisked into a neighbourhood filled with luxury, let alone, by an estranged great grandmother could've been some made-up fairy tale. The dream of every child, having lavish dresses, toys, gadgets, you name it, everything you want is at your disposal. Quite frankly, Ranran could've lived a modern Cinderella life.

However, back then 4-year-old Ranran would soon think otherwise.

The fixated 4-year-old seems to be clinging onto her own knees, as she rocked back and forth on a seat she is sitting in some home private theatre. Watching the movie flashing before her, it was as if she was watching a horror movie. It was a small, dark room and the only light came from the projector towards the screen. The only sound was coming out from the movie being played. Ranran was sitting in silence, looking at the screen.

A quiet night, and she was all alone.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear The Boy coming up to her.

"Ah Ranran, there you are. I was wondering where you are...."The Boy's words soon died down as he realizes the 4-year-old girl's eyes seem off. Staring the direction of the footage where it reveals her future self doing 'dumb things' in the little girl's words, he quickly heads to the laptop where the wire is connected to the projector before switching it off in a hurry. "Don't watch this anymore, it doesn't make you feel any better. I learn that the hard way too."He hurriedly turns the projector off as she looks as shaken as a ghost.

...this is messed up.

The 4-year-old on her seat had a stiff posture, her blue eyes once filled with light has become icy blue, soulless. Fortunate, The Boy has known her for close to 2 years. He knew her behaviour, her likes, and dislikes, as well as when is her limits. The silent room was suffocating. The walls were too thin, the air was too thin, and the only thing that was keeping her from being consumed by the darkness was the presence of her friend.

The little boy let out a deep breath, staying composed.

"Ranran," he said evenly, looking at him. "Tell me how you are feeling now."

The little girl grimaced, "I look pathetic," she mumbled, looking down."Like a one dimension buffoon with no goals or dreams."

The little boy stared at the little girl grimly as she looked miserable."You ain't like that."

She stayed quiet for a while,"...you ain't like that either," she lowered her eyes, "yet she trampled all over you like that and you ended up wanting her to love you, but in reality, she manipulated you! Do you feel alright with this?"

"No, of course not."The little boy's jaw clenched, feeling a swell of anger grow in his chest, but he quickly tried to smother it. He knows why she is feeling that way, and so does he.

"You always said when you want to start running that internet thing, we are the ones to save them, but...if we become the kids who need saving, who saves us?"

"No one, Ranran. We save ourselves."He answers in a bitter tone, obviously crestfallen as he spoke.

"Adults are irresponsible idiots."

"Ranran."

Things grew quiet, "I don't know if...the life is worth living anymore after watching all of this."

"Don't say that," he could see the hurt in her eyes."We may...not be given the same deck of cards to deal with in life. Just because it may have been useless, that the odds are high, doesn't mean life is no longer worth living anymore. The same goes for us too."

Ranran didn't respond for a while, just staring at the floor."I have a hard time believing that."

"Ranran-"

"Even that idiot Eliot get a better life than us. It's all on the screen."

The Boy groaned, wondering how to convince her that there is a way out. No matter how bleak her future is.

Eliot Barnaby Roll is an obnoxious eight-year-old youngster who delights in inflicting pain on the two, a popular bully at Edgewood Academy. To younger children, he would do things they couldn't even imagine. If anything, The Boy would describe him as a jerk, and the two all despised him for it. But even more than the memory of the suffering he would attempt to cause, and the way he was always abusing other little kids. He was like the God of Misfortune, continually doing things to people that they had no idea were possible.

It was very fortunate that despite the odds, The Boy is still able to stay calm and rational, or else he wouldn't be able to teach his little apprentice properly how to deal with rotten bastards like Eliot. Now in most cases, most elder kids would coax a child-like Ranran that it is going to be alright, that she should be the bigger person and be mature, with no violence involved.

However, 'The Boy' himself is no saint.

No, if anything, he too doesn't believe this crap that if one kills a bad guy, you'll be a branded villain for life. In reality, this silly idea is all made up notion to trick kids into taking justice into their own hands, so that all the adults here could live happily in peace and harmony, and that they won't have to deal with the trouble the kids dragged them into while they go to work.

Seriously, adults are too incompetent for nothing.

This is why he decided is going to properly educate his little apprentice so that this filthy vermin wouldn't dare mess with them again.

"If his future suffers more as I punch him...I would believe it's possible to change my fate," she commented, drowning herself a little in defeat.

"Ranran, do you think punching him in the face would make a difference?"

"Of course!" she replied instantly with sparks in her eyes.

"Alright then, then what happens if he made use of this incident, that he accuse you as the bully? Do you think the adults and other kids might believe you? Also, do you know that he is very likely to use this incident to get me into trouble with Erny?"

She looked terrified. "No, that'll just make things worse!"

"Exactly, Ranran," He nodded, glad his little apprentice had enough sense in her still. "That bastard could've easily exploited us just so he gets a better life than we do. You don't want that, do you?"

"No..." She shook her head, hunching her shoulders up again as she stared at him desperately, "But truthfully, I don't think I believe he will ever be punished for the things he did to us."

Something like a knife twisted in 'The Boy's chest, but he tried to brush it off. "If we are gonna deal with them, we will do it properly."

"But we have no weapons—"

The little boy raised a hand to signal for her to be quiet. "Weapons ain't the answer for most situations, it will make things worst with it," he explains, "We have something better than weapons."

The apprentice frowned, drawing closer to him. "...which is?"

The little boy smiled faintly, placing a hand on her head, "I want you to listen very closely, and do exactly as I say. But it would take days to pull this off, you hear me?"

......

4 days had gone by, and it is Friday before any of the kids know it.

This is where the kids of Edgewood Academy would head over to Maidenhair Park, a favourite spot for all ages. Unlike normal parks consisting of slides, swings, sandpits of all sorts, it comes with some additional bonuses no other park has: exotic trees, a nice lake, and an awesome view. The grass was always soft and the trees were always in bloom. One would often find the swans and other birds there. It was a great place to spend a day.

Before going about their business, they concealed their schoolbags under this massive tree. Some of the older kids would enjoy playing around the pond's edges, while others would sit on the benches and watch the kids. When they weren't playing, they congregated in the little centre square to hear a storyteller. Passers-by spotted the youngsters gathering around the centre square, probably to listen to an entertaining story.

However...today ain't one of those days.

Right before the kids' eyes, 8-year-old Rosie Carter Harrison stood before everyone to show off her item of interest.

Having always lived a life of luxury, from the moment she was born, her mother would buy her a new bracelet every time she changed her clothes. She loved the way it made her feel like she was adding something new to her wardrobe.

This bracelet was no different as it was a silver bracelet with some stars and a diamond stone in the centre, which makes it beautiful and classy, as her friends always complimented her on it. She loved wearing it, so much so, she couldn't help but show it off to everyone she met. The elder girl flashed her bracelet at all the kids who passed by her, feeling like a celebrity. Better yet, it made her feel special and pretty while other kids were looking at her with envy.

"My mother had it customised to my taste by a famous jeweller in Paris!"

The kids watched in awe as Ranran jumped in excitement, "Does it glitter?!" she asked.

"Yes it does, watch this!" She demonstrated it as she held to the sun, the bracelet glittering beautifully.

"It's so cool! I always think it's so cool when people do that."Ranran clapped her hand in awe.

"Haha, thanks Ranran."The elder girl felt haughty, having known Ranran had always been disinterested in the things she tried to brag about in front of her. The fact that she is finally able to make herself feel proud.

"Can I see it? You don't need to take it out from your wrist."Ranran asked with a smile.

"Sure! Here!"She offered her hand to let the 4-year old inspect it. So far, Ranran was in awe as she inspect the bracelet, and Rosie is going to savour that moment that she won.

Eliot who couldn't be bothered about the value of the jewellery was also there when she was showing off her bracelet. "Lame."He rolled his eyes, as his eyes were more interested in targeting smaller kids to earn himself some nice toys they bring to the park to play. Like a kite, or remote control helicopter or boat.

The others kids frowned at him, though they were too civilised to lash out at him. In Edgewood Academy, they were taught how to behave appropriately so they do not humiliate, let alone, bring dishonour to their wealthy families. The community they are living in are, after all, consist of rich families. One bad behaviour can, after all, bring bad rumours to their business.

It's the modern world, although things like that are no longer a big deal anymore unlike, in the Victorian era, certain things remain the same here.

Suddenly, the kids heard the sounds of an ice-cream truck passing by."Ice cream!"

One of them yelled before everyone rushed over to the truck. That's when Ranran made sure as soon as the rest of the kids left to chase after the truck, she open her hand to see the bracelet she manages to steal from her."With this, it's going to make a huge difference."She chuckles darkly.

.....

"Are you sure to drop it here, Rosie?"Ranran asked, bending to search for something.

"It's gotta be!"Rosie was frantic as the other kids joined the search, searching for the bracelet that went missing. The bracelet was a favourite of hers. The fact that it was gone...her mom is gonna kill her if she finds out.

The hunt was still going on across the park. Nobody could discover it, and the bracelet remained lost. Rosie was frantic in her quest for it, but she came up empty-handed. They also searched in the dumpster and dug through the sandpit, but there is still no sign of it. Rosie was feeling angry right now since she knew the bracelet was crucial. It was a lovely day, with the sun shining and the birds chirping. But it didn't matter since the bracelet was gone, and her mother's impending danger loomed over her.

Everyone, except Eliot, did nothing. He just sat at the bench as he laugh cruelly at how stupid Rosie was to show off something expensive like a fool. Again, this increase the kids' anger, but Rosie couldn't be bothered to yell back at his idiocy, as finding the bracelet is her priority now.

"We look everywhere! Where is it?"An 8-year-old boy named Joseph whines in frustration.

"We are getting nowhere, "A 4-year-old kid named George scoffs."Let's face it, that bracelet is gone for good."

"No! It can't be!"Rosie began to weep, "If it goes missing, I won't be able to face my mother."

2 hours have gone by, after much frustration, Ranran suddenly said, "Did anyone check the bags under the tree yet?"

"Hah!?"Rosie narrowed her eyes in annoyance at the 4-year-old, "Why would we want to check there!?"

"Rosie, we inspected every nook and corner, but find no signs. It could be in the bag! If you didn't drop it, one could've taken it!"

Rosie wanted to argue that she wasn't making any sense, till Rosie's classmate/ class monitor Peter reasoned with her, "Let's give it a check, alright? There is no harm checking."

Reluctantly, the kids agreed to let Peter pour out their bags that were placed under the large tree. One by one, contents poured out from one bag after another. Even Ranran's bag was not left unturned. That is when it came to Eliot's bag, the missing bracelet fell out of its pockets.

At that moment, everyone's jaw drop. Some of their kids even had their hands covered in their mouths. Meanwhile, Eliot who remained on the bench disinterested wondered why everyone's reaction is like that.

"Eliot Barnaby Roll!"Peter's voice was stern, earning passerby's attention when they looked over and saw the bracelet on the grass where it fell from."Do you have anything to explain!?"

Eliot turned pale as Peter lifts the sparking bracelet for all to see, "N-no! I can explain-"

"Liar!"Rosie yelled with angry tears, as the outrage started to spread around the park. "You were sitting there doing nothing, looking all so smugly while I was pleading to find the damn bracelet!"Rosie was losing it at this point.

"So when Jamie yelled the other day that you tore off her music notes in school, she was telling the truth!" Another boy named Mason yelled while Ranran remained quiet and watched.

"I didn't take nor tore anything!" The 'bully' shouted, sweating. "I don't even know how the bracelet ended up in my bag! That's right!"He whipped his head at Ranran, "Maybe she planted it in my bag!"

"Have you lost your mind!?" Ranran's friend Ryan replies evenly. "The other day, our whole class saw you push her down over a pudding in our school cafeteria!"

"What?!"The 'bully's gaze darkened in horror, "No, that was-"

"The other day, I received a complaint that you placed little Johan's pencil box on another desk and lied someone else did it!" Peter frowned disapprovingly at Eliot's lack of remorse, "Why are you such a liar!?"

"Yeah, everyone knows you're the one who didn't think much of it!"Rosie sneered. "Stop lying."

"I DIDN'T STEAL ANYTHING!" Eliot screamed, looking like he'd cry.

The other children made taunting noises."Why in denial, Eliot!" One of them sneered when Ranran stayed silent. "You were caught red-handed!"

"Yeah! He shouldn't get away with this. Dirty thief," The others looked disgusted.

"I ain't!"The more he denied it, the more the kids gave disapproving looks. His reputation in school had never been good, constantly hurting other kids and lying brazenly.

"You know what? Since you won't admit it, I will drag you to school! Let's see what Mr Alex had to say!"Rosie furiously grab Eliot's wrist, which he yelped in pain."No way, why should I!?"

"You stole her bracelet! Do you not have any conscious!?"Peter confronts Eliot.

"Why should I have any, if I didn't steal in the first place-hey! Let me go!"Eliot pushes Rosie down as she later slipped and fell to the ground, much to the kids' shock."You thief! One has no right to do that!"

Outrage turned to anger, as the kids gather around Eliot, "What is with all of you looking at me like that?!"He backed off as more kids went up to him with fear in his eyes, wearing anger on their faces. Now, normally Eliot can push kids over but having 10 overcoming after you ain't possible. He ain't IP man for nothing.

Before he knew it, he fled, "He is getting away! Get him!"

While the 10 other kids chased after Eliot, the others kids that remained young and old talked among themselves.

"Why would he steal though?"Ranran spoke up quietly, looking confused. "I mean ain't he rich? His mom opened a bakery not long ago, I heard she had 5 stars. He should be able to afford it."

"No, you got it wrong. There have been complaints of rats sighting in the kitchen."The other said, rolling his eyes at that little girl, "You should be more aware of the gossip, Ranran."

"Even if his mom's income isn't as good as it was, he has a rich dad too, know?" Another boy questioned. "So it ain't like he couldn't afford one."

Ranran took a deep breath, recalling the little boy's words, "I think...I may be wrong, but....aside from a cafe, my family also own a bar. And... Eliot's dad was a regular there, "The little girl said, regaining all their attention as she played the naive 'girl', "I don't want to speak slander, I could be wrong. But...."

"....but what?"

"I heard.....Eliot's parents are getting a divorce..."

"....so?"

"The bartender who works there said when his dad was drunk, he mentioned he had lost his job," She pretended to look worried. "Learning to play the piano and becoming a pro pianist needs tons of money, right? Divorce I heard...make you lose tons of money because adults sometimes fight that it ain't enough money after it, or they don't wanna let kids see their mommy and daddy anymore. What if....he want to play the piano, but he can no longer do so and got jealous because of it? Which would....explain him trampling the piano notes?"

There was a brief pause as the spark ignited.

"That makes sense now that you mention it! His family is divorcing, and my aunt, who works as a lawyer, told me it was 'ugly.' That implies a lot of money will be lost. Since Eliot is no longer able to perform, he must continue to seek out children with musical ambitions at the park." A girl named Georgina was scowling. "for him to fall this low....man, Eliot is the lowest scum of filth I have ever met in a guy."

"Probably. I mean...don't get me wrong, parents teach us not to make fun of or look down on poor kids, but....really? What Eliot did was....it made him an idiot peasant." Another girl Ranran's age, name Mandy, giggled.

"Yeah, now that makes sense, he seems desperate enough now that his family are gonna become poor!" Ryan sneered, laughing rudely. "No wonder I wondered why the quality of his clothes has gone down a little, so I bet he is dirt poor pretending to be rich."

"That must be why he bullied your friend the other day," Peter scowled. "It's because he is jealous that despite what he had gone through, he can still go after his dream of being a pianist."

"You think so?"Ranran asked innocently.

"It would make tons of sense," Ranran's other friend named Emily said," he seeing someone else living their dream as a pianist while he can't, he is a useless wimp."

Ranran watched in amazement as the whispers spread like fire, growing larger and more out of control.

Her gaze drifted when she witness Eliot from afar beaten up by the angry kids, including an outraged Rosie.

.....

"Thanks for doing this for my sake," The Boy felt touched when she smiles.

"He deserves it while causing problems for you and me, "She smiled before sighing, "Aside from taking that arrogant girl's bracelet, it wasn't easy to get kids to notice what he had been doing."

The Boy nodded, picking two cones of ice cream from a shop they passed by earlier to celebrate their victory, "Yes, as expected. I see you finally mastered the art of gaslighting"

The little girl looked happy. "We won't be seeing him for two weeks."

"Even so....we all know boys like him won't end with this."

Ranran's smile wavered. "Eh?"

"Judging his behaviour, it won't end easily," Her mentor informed her calmly. "He is nothing but a jealous useless wimp, if one must get rid of him, one must leak more gas to full force. Only then when one sets the flame, he will be completely burned to crips."

"But...what if we fail?"Ranran frowned worriedly.

"We won't," he insists, "As long one orchestrates carefully, even if he wanted to defend himself, everyone will be against him because of his horrible reputation. Also..."His words trailed out.

Her eyebrows raised, "Also?"Ranran prompted him to continue.

"He knows we are better than him, so make sure you constantly remind him that he is always going to be beneath you, for the rest of his life if he tries to do anything funny."

The little girl frowned, seeming to have trouble understanding. "...what if he had reform?"

"Boys like him will never reform, "The Boy scoffs, "If he does, pretend to accept his apology, but keep a close eye. Confronting him in person will make you the villain and him the hero. When you gather enough evidence, make sure he exposes himself without realizing."

"Is that simple?"Ranran chuckles before something dawns on her, "Does this make him a smart enemy we should be wary of like Erny?"

"No," He shook his head at her, "Erny is different. Eliot himself is an idiot."

"Heh heh heh, Eliot the idiot. It rhymes!"Ranran laughs with her cute little face, The Boy had to resist the urge to pinch her chubby face.

"Pffft, you are right about that."The Boy couldn't contain his smile, "But in honesty, Ranran, do you know the real reason why he targeted kids smaller than him?"

She stayed silent for a while. "...Because they are cowards?"

"That's part of the reason." The Boy sighed. "Remember the one thing I said we both had that he doesn't"

"Intelligence?"

"Yeah, that's right. Intelligence." he nodded to her, "we can do great things with it, in fact, probably a lot more than him. He is a sore loser, but he can't accept it. So all he had is physical punches and stealing to make up for it, it feeds his ego."

The 4-year-old nodded silently.

"That is why kids like them....need to know their place."His eyes turned cold as he talks, "Or else a coward can become your worst enemy."

Ranran frowned, seeming to have trouble understanding. "...So is he scared? Of us?"

"Exactly," he replied, taking a left turn. "He is inferior and knows it. Kids like them...will not stop doing all of this, unless his parents tell him off. But judging his home life, I doubt so. So to tackle one that rides on their little donkey to trample onto us, we just need to throw little fireworks to shock the donkey, making him fall from it."

Suddenly she felt a change come over her. She began to believe that he was right, and she was able to see the solution to their problem.

That is why after The Boy's funeral, Ranran was going to add more gas to Eliot, sufficient enough that when one sparks a flame, he is burned to the corner beyond return. When he died, Eliot, Erny, and the rest of the kids robbed their dreams. All of it.

The dreams of a better life in Japan, heading to the same school together, growing up together, him having his own family while she had a self-made career as an entertainer while maintaining that friendship till they grow hair as white as snow...all of that was cruelly snatched in one night.

"...you scheming little brute!"

Eliot confronted the girl one day when she decided to walk to the back of the school, this was only 3 days after the funeral and Erny episode. Thanks to her schemes, Eliot's life so far has been taken apart one after other for the worst. More and more kids have started to bully Eliot to the point it was unbearable.

"Brute? I beg to differ."Ranran scoffs.

That made Eliot pause and look at the soon to be 5 year old, "You will eventually end up like him as well."

Ranran's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"Just because you are a girl, don't think I wouldn't dare to end your life as I did with your precious little boyfriend," the boy's voice grow cold as he glared at her in contempt."Six feet below, while I will eventually have my future family and kids dance on both of your graves!

The little girl tensed, but unlike her past self where she used to curl her fist, she no longer does so. If anything, she looked unusually calmed which bothers Eliot, a lot."You wouldn't dare."

"You think I wouldn't? You two should've stayed in your roles where you both belong, stay as a weakling role so that we easily achieve our happiness. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in his coffin right now. It was both of your ambition that was what earn his death!"

"What a self-entitled bastard."

"Ain't you both as well?"Eliot scowled at Ranran, "The both of you running your little online show just so to live better lives while we all suffer...you two are no different than us either way."

This bastard just justified his murder brazenly in front of me. How dare he!?

Ranran's anger would've erupted like a volcano if it wasn't for her late mentor's teachings on how to calm down. Having managed to keep it together, Ranran ended up wearing a sinister expression on her face and said, "But since now he is dead, you'll be alive to suffer pain every single day."

"Eh?"

"As long as I am alive...I'll make sure your life is no longer worth living anymore."Ranran giggles darkly.

"Did you-did you just try to make a threat out of me?"He chuckles viciously as he looks down on the little girl with a vindictive smile, "I have dealt with so many puny kids like you, you are bound to fail! Also," a smirk grew on his face, "I even got away killing him. No matter who you said to, no adult is ever going to believe you."

For a moment, he waited for Ranran to give an expression of hurt, defeat, anything just like the rest of his victims.

Much to his surprise, however, the little one that stood in front of him had her head downcast, which was all he could see. Yet for some eerie reason, he could feel her eyes on him, "I heard your mom's last remaining bakery shut down...the very one which your mom took 4 years of hard work to earn enough money to open here. Didn't it have a Michelin star removed recently? Then all of a sudden, the shop had to be shut down later on?"

What?! Eliot was taken aback as the 4-year-old mocked him, "What does this have to do with-"

"Do you not wonder? Where did those rats come from?"Suddenly, Ranran's cold blue eyes gave him the creeps, it didn't make her child-like. If anything, it made her look like a cruel little girl.

"Rats-no way!"By this point, Eliot could feel the anger that was boiling inside of him as he realizes why there was a surge of rat population constantly appearing whenever there happens to be customers in the bakery." That was you!?" he screeched at the grinning girl, "How dare you!? My mother worked hard to have that bakery open-"

"Does it matter!?"Ranran shrug.

"What!?"

"Since you are a murderer, a barbaric mother who can't tell the difference between an angel and a devil of a son...does not deserve to have her bakery open here."The 4-year-old girl smiled victoriously as his hand trembled gripping hard onto the hockey stick, eager to smash her skull open. The realization that she was the one who destroyed his mother's bakery was like a cold hard slap in the face.

And just as soon as she turned her back, he did just that.

However, even before he did, she was able to evade the hit from the back by moving a little further, as if she anticipated it. Ranran honestly felt powerful when she fell on the floor, in a pitiful stance Ranran cries rubbing her back where he hit her back earlier with a hockey stick.

Meanwhile, 8-year-old Nishimura Misao was busy discussing their plans with the gardening committee in overseeing the welfare of Edgewood Academy's plants till she heard a large cry. As soon as Misao heard a noise out of curiosity, she quickly ran to the corner along with the members of the Gardening club to see what just happened.

Misao and the other kids were staring back at Eliot with blatant horror, having to see Eliot raise a hockey stick as Ranran was laying flat on the ground, they were soon able to put together what just happened."You monster!"One of the kids accused Eliot in horror.

Eliot feels the blood drain from his face as all of the kids stare at Eliot in contempt, he trembles with clammy sweaty hands, "No...this isn't what it looks like-"

"What the hell is wrong with you, Eliot!? Whacking her in the back with a hockey stick! Have you lost your damn mind!?"Misao yelled at him angrily, as the elder girl rushed over to the sobbing 4-year-old, rubbing Ranran's back affectionately while trying to comfort her, "Are you ok?"

Ranran nodded as she continued sobbing.

"I have been hearing rumours that you ratted out his name to his mom and didn't feel sorry about it. At first, I didn't want to believe it. But then...you were capable of whacking a 4-year-old girl with a hockey stick!"Misao yelled at the shocked boy.

"She is bluffing!"Eliot accused the 4-year-old as she sobs harder, his finger was already trembling as the stick fell to the ground. He argues,"I didn't hit her! Open her shirt and show her back! You know I'll be telling the truth! I just pretended to cause she talk crap of my mother, that's all!"

Misao and the other kids were astonished by Eliot's lack of remorse.

Misao then lifted Ranran's blouse from the back caution, only for Eliot's face to grow ghostly white, as it revealed a rather aggressive red mark could be seen on Rannran's little back. Furious, Misao turned back to Eliot, "How is this not a mark!?" she pointed at the mark while confronting Eliot.

"I-It could've been done with make-up!"Eliot justifies.

Misao and the other kids were appalled, is this what Eliot had always been like!? Sweeping his crimes towards the smaller kids under the rug?! By this point, Eliot's behaviour was starting to get on their nerves, even the smaller kids who he used to bully began to surround them.

"Are you serious!?"One of them is a small freckled girl with red hair tied in two braids style, as she angrily confronts Eliot, "I had it with you having stolen my pencil casings one after another! What more are you going to lie? That you didn't try to hit a girl!? Even though the marks are clear-cut proof of your lies!?"

"Exactly!"A little boy soon jumped in, often wearing spectacles with braces as he too confronted the accused boy, "You often enjoyed trampling my glasses a lot! I didn't think someone like you would be cowardly to hit a 4-year-old girl!" 

"You want me to prove it to you!? Alright then! I'll show you!"Eliot then rubbed the red aggressive mark a little bit, making Ranran winced in pain even more as she curled up into a ball herself."It hurts!"

Worst, it was clear that some of the skin was coming out exposing the flesh on her back, indicating it was real.

"You psycho! What is wrong with you!?"Misao swiped his hand away from hurting Ranran as Eliot's face grew whiter than ever, there was no red powder on his hand, seeing Ranran's tear streak face was the last straw for Misao as she confronted the boy, "That does it! I am telling Mr Alex to kick a dangerous kid like you out of school! You are coming with me!"

"No way in hell! I am innocent!"Eliot resisted, but the other boys were stronger than him.

Now obviously Ranran didn't get this injury from Eliot, she knew his nature when it comes to bullying kids smaller than her, he dislikes getting his hands dirty. So happened one-day Ranran had an accident when trying to push the metal door of their cafeteria, only to hit her hard in the back when she ran out of energy did wonder for her.

As Ranran faked her cries convincingly, she wonders if her mentor was still alive, how would he feel seeing her like this. She knew he would be proud.

The boys from the gardening club soon dragged an uncooperative Eliot into the principal's office. as Misao had Ranran followed closely to her leg while walking behind the accused, shutting her ears with all the kids staring at them. Word travelled fast about what Eliot had done to Ranran. "Look! It's one of monsters who killed 'him' through his mother!"One of the girls pointed at him.

"I heard he recently whack the poor girl with a hockey stick!"

"What a scum! I knew he always gets kids into trouble, but I never thought he is that brazen to take a stick and whack a poor child in the back!"

"A monster! Eliot is a monster!"

"Monster monster! Eliot the monster!"

By this point, Eliot had his hands covering his ear. If anything, it seemed to make the chanting louder. He had to squeeze his eyes shut, trying to tune them out. It honestly took all of his willpower not to cause them harm, let alone, those idiot smaller kids whom he had bullied. However, he knew doing so will make things worst.

He knew how his victims suffered under him as he taunted them, knew their behaviour whenever they try to fight back against him, and would often make things a living hell in retaliation. Now that the tables had turned thanks to that cunning little fox, he never felt so small in his entire life.

He knew he couldn't tell anyone as no one will ever believe him, let alone, help him. And that vicious little fox knew it! Ah damn her, he wishes he could literally crack her skull if he had known he was gonna be framed by that girl, just so she could join that bastard who is laying 6 feet beneath them.

Upon arrival, the principal wasn't around so they headed to the vice principal instead. At first, the vice principal thought it was a joke. He knew Eliot often hang out with the bad crowd, but he isn't capable of hurting a child in person. But as soon as Ranran was forced to show that aggressive red mark behind her back, she knew the principal had to be notified, that it wasn't a joke, something had to be done.

And oh boy, Ranran is also Mr. Alex (the principal)'s favorite student. When he found out what happened, he didn't take it easy on Eliot.

It didn't help when his divorced parents had to end up rushing over to their school, trying to justify that what their son did was out of stupidity as he was a young 5-year-old boy who knows nothing. He made a mistake, and he should be pardoned. His mother even went as far as to blame Ranran that she was a scheming little fox, that she framed her beloved son and had a reputation for calling all sorts of profanity behind her back. That she was capable of orchestrating all of this.

But as soon as Ranran showed that red aggressive mark, that was finally the nail in the coffin for their son, even for both parents.

Eliot having been expelled out of school shocked everyone, considering he never once got caught for doing the things he did to torment his smaller victims. It was his first time having been caught red-handed after all, so they did deem it as harsh.

Edgewood Academy, on the other hand, has a reputation to uphold: bullying is not permitted under any circumstances. This causes issues for Eliot's family because there aren't many institutions with such a well-established reputation that will guarantee a brighter future for their kid than this one. With this record, his parents knew they would have a difficult time getting other schools to accept their kid, and Ranran knew this since The Boy forced her to memorise every single regulation in the school handbook.

"Rest well, ok Ranran?"

After the incident, Ranran was sent home to recuperate in her bedroom as her worried parents left her upon shutting the door, Ranran was left alone with her thoughts. They got word of it, so they are obviously going to 'take care of Eliot and his family' her mother put it.

The Boy was right about one thing: The Art of gaslighting is worth it on kids like Eliot. Especially in the name of justice.