Tantei Association is currently busy at work. But one of a different kind.

The main base of Tantei Association is situated behind Majima's Jewellery shop, run by Majima Michio's widowed mother, Majima Mio, who is also a jewellery designer.

Unfortunately, today term of the word 'busy', has literally, nothing to do with working on criminal-related cases.

Nope, there is no murder case, no kidnapping, no extortion, none of that for that matter.

Today is the day Miyama Emiko, finally has one of her wish-list fulfilled: Red Illumination, one of her favourite boybands is coming back to Japan to perform, one of the most highly anticipated tours she had been waiting for the past 2 years of her life.

And it ain't just alone, the remaining members of Tantei Association too were overly ecstatic over this.

The members had gathered here, not due to crime solving, but for dress-up purposes. And everyone is too busy making attempts in dressing up at their best before heading over to the concert. Junko is busy applying hair gel onto Michio's hair while gazing at the table mirror as Michio watches the transformation taking place before his eyes.

Meanwhile, Mouri Ran's best friend, Suzuki Sonoko, is displaying several hoodies in her bag and spread through the floor, deciding which hoodie will suit her friend before heading to the concert while Takuma patiently waits for her to pick his style as well. Takuma will shortly be joined by Takuma's girlfriend, Matsuyuki Reina plus her cousin Moriko, at the concert.

"Ran!' Sonoko screamed almost in tears."You are going to wear that for Red Illumination's concert!?"

Everyone in Teitan Elementary knows that Suzuki Sonoko is a reputable fashion queen despite the fact she wasn't born the prettiest compared to her best friend Mouri Ran. Mouri Ran however had the looks, and though she ain't as fashion savvy as Sonoko, she knows her likes and dislikes.

This is why at this point, Ran was almost in tears as well. Right now, she is wearing a yellow shirt with red overalls skirt. "I've got nothing" she wailed in disgust."What are we going to do? Now there is no way we are going to get it!"

"Calm down, Mouri Ran! Anything is possible in fashion, as long you have Suzuki Sonoko, it is going to work out, alright?!"Junko yells in reassurance at Ran from across the room, as she struggles to style Michio's hair properly, "Damn it Michio, you really have stubborn hair. But just wait, Fuyuko Junko never gives up when it comes to stubborn hair!"

At the same time, Suzuki Sonoko is also busy trying to pick the perfect accessory for her friend Ran and clothes in the midst, while Ran is still struggling not to cry.

Meanwhile, Emiko herself was too busy being restless, as Michio instructs out his orders directly to her onto doing several tasks to do within Tantei Association before they leave the office.

"You are done with the Earl Grey Tea, Emiko?" He ask without moving his head, for he didn't want to undo Junko's hard work in her hair styling.

"Just hold on a minute! Mou!"

It wasn't really Miyama Emiko's job to do the list of tasks Majima Michio had asked her to do. Preparing tea, food, and snacks in case any client arrives at Tantei Association was mostly Michio's or Mouri Ran's job, because these two members were the best when it came to cooking. These tasks fall all under their responsibility, why should she be the one doing both their job?

Right, because Fuyuko Junko herself insists so.

In their normal usual circumstances, Miyama Emiko wouldn't have done a single thing if Junko was the one ordering her to do so. Then again, for this day, she had to make that exception for one good reason Junko had explained earlier: Backstage passes.

Upon news that Red Illumination was arriving, they were also adverts advertising that lucky fans that are dressed impressive enough that screams to the band 'they are the no.1 fan' will score several backstage passes to meet up with their favourite idols. This was something not many fans are aware of, besides Junko, whose recently reemployed father recently mentioned in the letters that he has some connections with some adults, one that works in the marketing department for entertainers.

They were given a week in advance before the news was announced worldwide, so with given advantage from her mother, Junko, Ran, and the remaining members were busy at work looking for the right clothes, accessories, you name it, shop for any of those that will scream out the vibes 'we are the number one fan of Red Illumination, so give us those backstage passes'.

Suzuki's plan was kinda brilliant, the plan for obtaining those passes was that since several of them are heading over to the concert, why not dress everyone in a similar style a little excessively so that at least they all have a slightly higher chance of scoring those backstage passes. Fast forward to the current situation, everyone was running in and out of the Tantei Association while they change one outfit after another as if the detective agency was currently backstage for some upcoming fashion runway photoshoot.

It was pure madness.

Emiko had her hair and clothes done in advance back at home to avoid being late, and so far, Sonoko has given her the green light with her fashion choices, so she was spared from the madness.

"Why am I doing all of this again?"Emiko groaned as she pour the tea into the hot water bottle.

"Because apparently, within this association, not everyone, cough cough, I mean, literally, not everyone, is eager to go. And decided, doing their own thing is much more interesting than going to some quote 'lame' concert. Namely, them!" Junko then turns her glare to Ranran and Shinichi, who seem to have no care in the world, as the two pairs of eyes are too busy paying attention and doing their own thing. Ranran was using her smartphone and so was Shinichi.

"You should be thankful that we are allowing Ran and Sonoko to use this space to do all of your costume fittings, especially you," Ranran gave Junko and the two girls a teasing yet scary stare, "Despite all of your colourful histories with us, don't expect us to be your maids. This is a detective agency, not a boyband club."

That made the three girls gulp their throats, gasping for air at the founder's dangerous' tone.

"You heard her, behave yourself!" Even Shinichi's warning glare was enough to zip their mouth shut.

During the events of the King of Ruby, or Rajah's Ruby (since no one in the association could agree with the title of the case), a lot has happened, and the reputations of Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko have taken a drastic hit when everyone learns of the supposed 'emotional abuse' they put the founder and apprentice through. The root of the problem could be traced back to Ishibashi Mamiko, the girl behind the deception.

To manipulate Kudo Shinichi into falling for Mamiko, Mamiko made use of Sonoko, his friend at that time, to discourage him from his dream of becoming a detective when Sonoko shared her worries with the deceptive girl that he might end up dead pursuing it. The suggestion Mamiko gave is that Sonoko discourages Shinichi that an enemy of his is more qualified detective material than him.

That Kudo Ranran is none other than 'The Fox', an infamous real-life child detective who was working for the cops at that time before vanishing from the spotlight.

The problem Mamiko did not foresee was...that the lie she made up is the truth.

And that Mamiko could not have predicted that Shinichi broke into Ranran's house to confront her, tortured and beaten up, then later bonded their hatred over the manipulation and open Tantei Association together, a glaring mistake that Mamiko would eventually come to regret it.

It was a miracle that Mamiko had no idea about Ranran's alter-ego as The Fox, despite her mother having connections leading to law enforcement. Thanks to such events, it lead to a video that surfaced the interaction between Sonoko and Mamiko, which ruined their reputation completely alongside Ran, who remains bitter that Shinichi no longer had any interest in reconciling their broken friendship.

But then...today, using the Tantei Association as their changing room would be the only exception for Ran and Sonoko to sweep their pride under the bed.

In a way, it was a very shameless act thing to do, especially after all of the suffering Ranran and Shinichi had to deal with. Their grandparents still hadn't forgiven them, mainly the Suzuki family for what they had put Shinichi through.

Originally Sonoko planned on using her home to do all of the changing, but she was recently punished for the emotional manipulation thing she did to the Kudo children thanks to the damning video between her and the prostitute's daughter, so the parents banned her from her rights to using the maids or butlers of the manor for a month as punishment. Let alone, banned her from inviting any of her friends over to her place. It was fortunate that Sonoko bought the tickets in advance through her paternal uncle before the Tantei Association events took place, or else her parents could've forfeited that right.

Even so, there is a chance they might confiscate the tickets she had purchased since they were still furious about the prostitution allegation directed at their family corporation. So Sonoko mentioned nothing about her plans to head to the Red Illumination concert, and lied to them that she is out to study with Ran.

Despite having received the Rajah Ruby in their possession thanks to the she-demon, who offered it to them as compensation for ruining their image, they were not happy that Sonoko's association with the prostitute's daughter almost made them bankrupt, let alone, close to becoming homeless once more.

Since then, Sonoko completely severs all ties with Mamiko, who as soon as the heiress discovered had feelings for Shinichi, blocks all the routes that they will ever rekindle the friendship it once. Shinichi was meant exclusively for Ran, and Suzuki was livid when she learn Mamiko was using their friendship to win Shinichi's trust. Making her further enraged when Suzuki found out that the etiquette lessons she used to receive from Mamiko were designated to ruin her after hearing all of this from her elder sister, so she decided Mamiko had to be discarded. Who knew there would be someone far worst than Kudo Ranran!

Initially, she did consider using Teitan Elementary school to do all of the makeovers, but it was a holiday now, so the school is closed. She thought about changing in the washroom at some random cafe, but she didn't want other kids who were also fans of Red Illumination to catch wind of their plans to win the backstage passes. That's when Ran brought up their main HQ since they are free from any cases upon the Ruby case events.

The problem standing in their way is that they would need to get permission from their former friend and enemy who runs the HQ, Shinichi and Ranran.

Ranran was somewhat of a painful reminder to Sonoko, with the severe hate directed by the entire school and everything in between, she still held resentment towards the founder. Even so, Ranran owns the HQ with Shinichi, and she is desperate to attend this concert, in particular, to forget about the cruelty she had to deal with in school because of Mamiko setting her up, just being herself with Ran in a concert is a good well-needed distraction.

Also, Sonoko is now starting to feel doubtful, whether Ranran was truly guilty in all of this.

Afterword travelled to her that Mamiko attempted to kill Ranran with a knife, Mamiko was sent to a rumoured mental hospital to be treated, where bad children like Mamiko will suffer in the worst way possible, especially from the adults there. It is a place where rumours spread that kids grow more twisted than ever the moment they arrived there.

Suddenly, fear crept up on Sonoko when she thought about this.

As much as she hated Ranran, she didn't want her to die. Not in a way Mamiko wanted her to.

And so, she did just that. Knowing Ranran wouldn't tolerate anything that beats around the bush, Sonoko revealed the plans to win the Red Illumination band competition to score some back-passes, by making use of their HQ as a dressing hall. Shinichi immediately said no, but to his surprise, Ranran said yes.

Said things like, "At least you should be this honest, unlike the things you did previously without saying a word. It makes you sound as malicious as that Mamiko girl."

Once more, the words uttered by the red lip girl stung the prideful heiress, but at least this was worth it.

"What are you doing anyway, Ranran?" Junko asked mindlessly.

Though she felt like she knew that Ranran is probably playing video games on her phone as she usually does, the founder's expression looked different. It ain't the usual excitement, rather, it was something...different. "Talking to someone online." Ranran hummed.

Seriously, what is wrong with those two? Junko couldn't help but think.

Like really, if anything is more surprising out of this, it was Ranran herself! What happened to the girl who is into the trendiest songs? Not a fan of Red Illumination because their songs ain't up to her taste? Give Junko a break!

Then there is Kudo Shinichi, so into his Sherlock Holmes fandom, he was more into classical music. He is like what, 6 years old! Same as Ranran! How can someone like him even exist? Junko believes Shinichi is born into the wrong era.

And anyway, why the hell are these two not doing the things and letting Emiko do it instead?!

As if Shinichi could sense the direct hostility without looking, he explained, "After you all leave, we are heading over to the police station and back here to settle paperwork for the 'King of Rubies' case."

"Wait, the one involving the Snake's daughter?" Michio found himself asking, but not before he winced in pain a little thanks to Junko trying to smooth his hair locks with gel.

"I thought the case was settled already?" Emiko frowned.

"It is, we had all the evidence submitted to them. Problem is, Ranran's stunt involving hijacking The Snake's had caused some problems to her old school." Shinichi heaves at that thought.

"Like what?"

"Breaking laws, starting with her not using a passport to enter Japan when she flew the plane, let alone, was too young to fly a plane. Even her old school landed in hot water when foreign countries learn about it and demanded they put a stop to the flying lessons for minors once and for all. This is why Ranran is currently talking to anyone she knows of there in that school online, to ensure they won't lose the right to learn how to fly a plane. She doesn't think it's fair people are misusing her escape attempt from The Snake to set it as an example." Shinichi explained.

"Therefore, to summarize this short, they had to lawyer up. From what I am gathering, they are winning. Though...our parents on the other hand are being told off about me learning to fly a plane, someone tried to stir trouble and pin a fine on the family, mainly under charges of negligence. Obviously, the family is furious, and we had to do something about it." Ranran sums it up.

"As expected for someone like Mamiko, to have such a vile mother, "Shinichi mumbled in anger, feeling annoyed at her mother. Like mother like daughter.

"Eh?! Wait, what do you mean this is considered negligence?!" Ran was taken aback, "And what did that girl's mother do to the both of you!?"

"The definition of negligence under legal terms meant that the parents did nothing to care for their child, and left them unattended without the care of an adult. Under any country, this counts as illegal, giving authorities the right to remove us from our parents' care and put us in orphanages," Ranran rolled her eyes when she thought about it.

"Mamiko's mother is making it as if our parents abandoned us to fend for ourselves by using Ranran's talent against them, that she falsely accused Ranran's parents of teaching their daughter to drive and fly a plane so that the adults can abandon her to fend for herself someday since she is aware our parents always fly overseas to go to work and leave us alone at home. The same is for me. She wants to degrade us into orphans so that Mamiko can make use of this to control us."

And this pissed off the Kudo family, as it was clearly directed that they plan to rip the children away from them, by using Ranran's talent against them.

Thanks to Kudo Ranran hijacking an aeroplane the other day, many laws were broken both internationally and locally. Since she was kidnapped with the other girls, though she was spared from going to jail, the neglect charges are something they can't avoid.

"What a repulsive girl!" Junko expresses her disgust. "Like mother like daughter!"

To the kids of Teiten Elementary school, one would be an idiot to not be aware that the life of an orphan is filled with nothing but hardships and difficulties ahead.

If anything, it brings you instantly to the rank of an outcast, thanks to a common misconception among children that one who is born without a parent meant the kid is a destined wild child with no moral compass, since no one is present to teach them that. And there is some grain of truth for them since in orphanages, there is news that reported of children fighting each other to gain resources despite having an adult present to bring supposed 'fairness' when in reality, they are secretly pocketing the money that was meant for the children to splurge onto themselves.

In the school's social hierarchy, it makes a child who had separated or divorced parents have it way better since at least they have a parent to protect them should they get into serious trouble, but an orphan has no one by their side, which makes things very cruel for them. Getting adopted does wonders, it rarely changes their perception that they could be secretly cunning in nature since they come from an 'orphanage', a place where children are forced to be scheming to survive in most of the children's opinion.

And Mamiko must have suggested this to her mother since she knows how the school politics worked among kids like them, which is why the neglect charges appeared in the first place towards Ranran and Shinichi, to ruin their reputation.

"Wait till she learns of the arrangements our family make," Ranran shrugs. "She is going to have a shock of her life."

"Wait, what about the time when Ranran hijacked the vice principal's SUV to run over the truck when the thief tried to flee with it the other day? She wasn't charged when it took place." Takuma recalled.

"That one is different, Ranran wasn't on the main road when all of this took place. It was within the school compound." Shinichi argued.

"How is that even reasonable?!" Junko clicked her lips in disproval while her attention remained on Michio's hair as she styled it, "I may not have sided with Ranran in this, but they seem to forget that some of us were kidnapped across some bloody foreign country, and then here are some morons deciding to charge a child, all because she and the others were escaping from getting killed back then!"

"Same as well!" Ran agreed to Junko as she nod, "Had she not flown us here, we could've died!"

Although Ranran and Ran never see things eye to eye, ever since Mamiko's crimes had been brought to light, the members of the association were furious over how callous this girl was capable of being just to make him fall for her. It's one thing to hate her in Mouri's head, but it's another that Ran does in fact, owed her, that they got out of there alive.

"Another thing I don't understand is how is it that Mamiko is allowed to come back to school after her treatment?" Michio frowned at that thought. "Didn't she try to use a knife and stab Ranran the other day?"

"Yeah! I mean she tried to murder Ranran! How can a murderer be set back into our school?" Even Takuma is appalled at how things are turning out for them.

"As Ranran said, the law for children who are criminals doesn't work well. I do find this disturbing that we lived in a country where such nonsense can occur," Shinichi spat in disgust while digesting all of this.

Even after Mamiko was thrown into a mental institution, it wasn't permanent for life.

Making matters worst was, thanks to her mother's connections to her clients who somehow worked in law enforcement, they managed to pin unnecessary nonsense on the family under charges of child neglect, that the adults were too busy doing their own thing, their children, mainly Ranran and Shinichi, are doing dangerous things such as Tantei Association for example.

In other words, the mother is trying to turn Ranran and Shinichi into orphans legally, by attempting to forcefully make both of their parents lose custody of them under the guise of negligence. If it goes in Mamiko's mother's favour, Ranran and Shinichi will not only lose their privileges but also deal with several years of hell. After all, the world isn't kind to rich children who lost it all.

Therefore, they can't let that happen. It's a good thing that Shinichi is very familiar with the laws of Japan, adding that he has Ranran by his side who has experience with dealing with nonsensical problems, let alone, preparing some worthy blackmailing materials at her disposal. Otherwise, he and Ranran would be under that girl's mercy, which is never going to happen.

Even so, other things bothered him.

He dug into Mamiko's family background to get a better understanding of how influential this woman is beside her R18 job, and to his horror, aside from having connections within high society, it even led him to law enforcement and higher authorities.

Well...high society is no longer an option, now that all of the ties were severed since the scandal broke out.

When Shinichi intentionally leaked out to the press anonymously about her mother's activities, the witch hunt literally went after every single client she had wooed, not excluding high society, as well as members of law enforcement. It did well for Tantei Association, in a way, the cops that were spared from being arrested during the corruption scandal last year were finally thrown off for good, mostly because Mamiko's mother had tea to spill about them, in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Thinking about this irked Shinichi, no wonder Amaya, Mamiko's half-brother, was that confident that their mother would eventually be freed. Ranran did mention considering Mamiko's mother was brazenly doing those activities in the public eye, she is certain that the woman prepared backup plans, especially exchanging intel to the cops on specific individuals, the ones whom they were unable to make any arrest thanks to their powerful influence as her get-out-of-jail-free card since it is legal. Who knew justice would be that shady?!

Even the teachers and staff in Teitan Elementary school were not spared, many ended up either disgraced or sent to prison. In worst cases, families severed ties with them for being involved in the shady woman, rendering Mamiko and Amaya powerless in school, and susceptible to bullying by the others. In a way, this was justice for all the hell they put their victims through, but Ranran said this is merely short-term justice. As long as her mother remains, they will regain their influence once more.

And he doesn't want that, no, Shinichi wants to strip all of their power.

The one thing that could lead him to obtain a trump card to put an end to their tyranny, is the 'Teitan High School Scandal' that took place a decade ago.

Shinichi became intrigued by this when Mamiko made certain degrading comments about Ranran's mother being no different than Ranran, that her face was 'bewitching', and that Mamiko is the victim all over again. What is Mamiko trying to imply? Is there something about Ranran's mother that Shinichi has no idea about?

The more he thought about it, the more he can't help but wonder.

Ranran's mother was a classy elegant lady, at times witty whenever he drops by to see Ranran at her place. For some reason, her name was never brought up by the family, not even the grandparents till the announcement that Ranran is moving here was made. The things he knows about her mother were limited, in a way, she barely shared anything much about herself. If he and Ranran's mother talked, it's mostly about "Ranran did this or that".

Oh no, her mother ain't the type to blend in the background. Then again, she wasn't that much of a showoff like Sonoko for that matter.

What is it...do Mamiko's mom and Ranran's mother know each other?

No one is able to answer his inner thoughts, as the rest of the children left the association, leaving him with Ranran, who is busy ending her texts with the kids of Edgewood Academy before finally sighing, "Finally, they won."

"Oh? Did they?" Shinichi, who almost forgot about the Edgewood lawsuit, involving letting children as young as 3 fly an aeroplane by other supposedly 'concerned' members of society, felt relieved, "Congrats to them."

"Now it's our turn," Ranran put her smartphone back into her skirt pocket with a vindictive smile, "Get ready Kudo, time to show Mamiko's idiot mom we won't back down for attempting to make us orphans. Let alone, end up becoming her little 'playthings'."

Returning the smile, "Let's make them the puppets instead of the other way round, partner." The founder nodded to the apprentice before they left the association, determined to deal with the association's 'war' with a bang.

.................

The Raijingu San Domu, or "Rising Sun Dome' in English, is one of Japan's most famous stadiums and is known for hosting some of the country's biggest concerts. With a capacity of over 55,000 people, it is an iconic venue that has played host to many legendary performers over the years.

With a capacity of over 50,000 people, the Rising Sun Dome is the perfect venue for music lovers to come together and experience their favourite artists live. The stadium boasts state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, ensuring that every note and beat is heard and felt by the audience.

It has hosted countless concerts by some of the biggest names in music. From J-Pop superstars to international acts, the stadium has seen it all. Fans from all over the world come to see their favourite artists perform in this iconic venue, and the energy and excitement are always electric.

The stadium was already filled with screaming fans when Suzuki Sonoko and the rest of them headed toward their seats that day. Whether it was a coincidence of history or not, it was surprising to Suzuki Sonoko that the association member's seats were right next to Sonoko and Ran's.

Even more surprising was that the association members' seats were front row, which makes things rather perplexing.

What are the odds that their ticket seatings are right next to each other?! Front-row seats in Sonoko's experience are costly, and though she bought her own ticket with Ran's a month in advance, how is it possible that Takuma, Michio, Junko, Reina and Momiko are able to afford it?

Alright, perhaps this was a coincidence. But still..."Wait, how were the five of you able to afford the tickets?" Sonoko couldn't help but ask.

"We didn't, we earned it through your dad." Reina, Takuma's girlfriend, brought it up.

"M-my dad!?" Sonoko exclaimed, and so did Ran, "Why would my dad pay for the tickets for the five of you?!"

"The King Ruby exhibition was a huge success thanks to Ranran selling the ruby to your father, and with all the money earned through admission, he contacted Ranran to gift her the tickets of Red Illumination he was given since his company was one of the sponsors for the event for over a month," Michio recalled.

"He felt like he owed Ranran a lot since he profited tons of money out of it, and felt a little ashamed that a child was giving him such expensive ruby when she could've kept the profit to herself." Moriko couldn't help but grin proudly, "Now that is what I call a friend with a heart of gold."

"But hang on a minute," Sonoko suddenly realised something sounds off with the story, "I bought the tickets a month ago with Ran without my dad knowing...why didn't he give it to me then if he had it with him in the first place?! That could've saved me my pocket money! Also, it ain't like he ain't aware that I am into Red Illumination!"

"Could it be that he didn't give it to you as punishment for what you did to Ranran? I mean you didn't do Ranran good when the video was released. Which serves you right, by the way," Takuma snickered, which did little to calm Sonoko's temper down.

"Takuma, don't be rude, alright?" Junko chided at him, but he blatantly ignored her stern expression.

"Is it possible that he knew you and Ran had the tickets?" Emiko suggested, "You don't forget that your uncle is your father's brother."

"I doubt so, he help me keep many secrets from my dad. He ain't a tell taller." Sonoko grew a little agitated by this.

"I mean it could be possible that he was reserving a punishment for what you did to Ranran when you and Ran crashed into that death memorial service event Ranran was in last year, unless you miraculously forgot about the time your family almost went bankrupt," Moriko replied in sarcasm.

"Not to mention, with lack of remorse," Reina adds.

"You!"

"Sonoko, that's enough. No need to waste your temper on them, giving in would just be giving them a pointless win," Junko refrained from going any further before reminding the other 3, "Let's not just stand, alright? My legs are getting tired from standing this long. And we have to stand for several hours later when the concert begins."

Sensing she was going to brush it of, Takuma rolled his eyes and reply, "Fine. Suit yourself. No wonder Shinichi turned down the tickets alongside Ranran."

And that unexpected revelations stung Ran to the heart, in many ways.

"Eh?! What do you mean that Tantei geek turned down the tickets?! My dad offered him too?!" Sonoko confronted.

"He was offered with Ranran, but she turned it down and said she doesn't feel comfortable sharing the same row of seats with her bully who refused to apologise. Even Shinichi agreed. Which is why how Reina and I were granted the tickets." Moriko's explanation just makes things worst for Ran.

Not many kids were aware, but Ran and Shinichi knew each other since they were 4-years-old in kindergarten. So in some ways, it has been 2 years since they became friends. At the back of Ran's mind, she always imagines this friendship would remain for life. Even if they had argued leading up to Ranran, they would remain attached to the hip after Rokuro happened.

But it didn't, and it sounds like their friendship is severed for good.

For him to turn it down when Ranran refused to accept it thanks to Sonoko...he is telling her through his actions that he is siding with Ranran. Regardless of their old friendship.

To others, it may have seemed as if she was overreacting, but she knew him better. If there is a show that he lacks interest in, for example, Ran dragging Shinichi to watch a romance movie, he will follow regardless not out of choice, but because he wants his friend to be happy. And he does the same for Sonoko as well through the 2 years of their lives. For him to do that the first time... speaks volumes.

It's basically him talking everyone that he wants nothing to do with Sonoko and Ran anymore, and that forgiveness is no longer an option.

And so, the rest followed along with Ran and Sonoko in tow, Ran and Sonoko to their left, while the rest of them to their right. Suzuki Sonoko's eyes widened in awe around her surroundings, having flashed onto her sprinkled gold sparkles face. Although the show won't start still an hour later, the atmosphere of fans screaming and chattering in excitement for Red Illumination's arrival was something not to be missed.

"I can't believe Red Illumination is finally here! I have been dying for them to perform in Japan for a while," Takuma is staring at how detailed the stage is set alongside his girlfriend and Moriko.

"Right, I was shocked when they made the announcement that they would be performing here. Luckily you told me about the tickets Ranran and Shinichi didn't want, otherwise, it would be a missed opportunity!" Moriko folded her arms with a frown.

Reina who isn't familiar with the band just merely tagged along to keep her boyfriend and cousin happy, "I am curious to know what is so great about Red Illumination?"

"Ah right, since you are not familiar with them, allow me to explain," Clearing her throat, Moriko soon began her speech while showing the photos of the 3 members of Red Illumination performing on stage on her smartphone to her cousin, "The one holding the mic here, we call him Ryo, his real name is Nagano Rokurou, 11-year-old lead singer/composer of the band. With a voice so piercing and loud, it can reach up to the Heavens. Then you have his younger fraternal twin brother playing the keyboardist composer here, Nagano Katsu, known by his stage name Kyo. A bit on the shy side, but he was genuinely nice in the way he carried himself during interviews. A rare gem. Then last but not least, 10-year-old Nagano Shinobu, drummer/lyricist of Red Illumination. Shot fused, at times he will blow up, but that is what earned him the bad boy reputation."

"Eh...." Reina took a good look at the three boys, "So they are famous since they are kids with talent, right? Same with Tantei Association?"

"Well, you can't really put it that way." Takuma thought about this, "There are other bands with children our age as members, but the reason Red Illumination is able to make it big was also thanks to their late uncle, Nagano Jiro. A celebrity rockstar during our parent's era."

"Eh? So they are born with the advantage since they have their uncle to rely on and build their careers?"

"No, not exactly. Though I ain't sure whether if that is the case," Moriko frowns deeply, "Thanks to a chance of luck with the Internet, when the video of the three playing their final tribute song to their uncle who was dying of illness outside his patient room years ago went viral, they were offered a contract to go pro on US soil, then the rest was history."

"In a way, it could've been staged to set their debut." Reina pondered about this before inquiring, "What is their band famous for?"

"Rock songs, especially a bit on the dark edge," While Takuma was excitedly explaining to Reina about the band and Sonoko still in her little own world observing the show, Ran remain in her own world as well.

Rather, she was feeling drained despite the happy occasion. The news about Shinichi refusing the tickets bothered her deeply, especially since Suzuki's dad was the one who offered it to him and Ranran. For him to reject it, was when Ran knew their feud is beyond return.

He is going to remain with Ranran, he really kept his word. Finally, The heiress noticed Ran drowning in her own misery, "Ran-san, are you alright?"

Her eyes turned to meet her, "I wish Shinichi is here with us." Ran's lips quivered.

"Ran..."

Sonoko blinked as the realization settled.

"As much as he hates me for what was said and done...I wish he was here with us now, watching this concert. I know...I had no rights after everything had happened, even so..." Ran didn't cry, but it was evident she sounded defeated, "This is something you are happy with, even though he hated joining such concerts, he usually join us to celebrate the occasion because we are his friends, that he is happy for us."Ran's voice shook with emotion. "The fact he said no for the first time...especially the gaze he was giving us both when we were not being nice to Ranran..."

Her lip trembled as she shook her head, deciding there are things Sonoko needed to know, "The other day, after I interrupted Ranran's conversation with her friends overseas, Shinichi snitched on me to my parents over what I did to Ranran. And I was sent to anger management classes the following day under his suggestion."

"Eh!?" Sonoko was shaking, "Shinichi did what?!"

On a normal occasion, Sonoko's reaction would've been enough to catch the attention of Takuma, Moriko and Reina. But since they were in a stadium where everyone sounded noisy, her reaction was masked by the cheerful fans of Red Illumination.

Sonoko was furious! How dare that Shinichi-

"And I met up with those kids there...Sonoko, those kids are...delusional. Throwing punches at each other, calling each other names under the sun," Finding courage, Ran straightened up from her seat to share further details, "An adult told us to seat in a circle, then tell us to share how did we end up there. The moment those children talk...it was as if they were justifying that their anger is reasonable. But I guess they had good reasons to."

"Ran-san...."

"When it was my turn to talk about...what had happened, you know what those children said? They said I deserved it, and that Shinichi and Ranran were very reasonable children that were too generous to a girl like me. Who in their right mind do I have to keep harassing them to not go after their dream as detectives? I abandoned Shinichi, so I had no right to get him back, let alone, from that she-no, from Ranran," Ran refrained from calling Ranran 'she-demon', ever since her mother slapped her in the principal's office, "Even said that if they were either of the two, they would've gladly throw punches at me."

Sonoko was shaking to the core, other kids actually threatened her best friend?! Because of her decision to go after Shinichi and pry him away from Ranran?

"I don't need anger management, Sonoko," she said suddenly. "I just want things to go back to the way things were. Before this Rokuro thing began," Sonoko's eyes went wide. "I said things I can never take back about Ranran, wanting her dead," she swallowed. "But I don't mean it. I never wanted her to die, I was merely saying it because..." Her breath was caught in the knot that had formed in her throat. "No one wants to listen to me. And I am sick and tired."

Without realizing it, it has been almost an hour plus since the show should've begun. The screams of the fans growing louder and wilder, Michio then checked his watch."They're so late!" he grumbled.

"What do you expect, Michio? Rockstars are always late!" Junko grinned"The more famous they are, the later they are!"

"Is this normal for fans like you? If so, they are poor when it comes to punctuality. I would lecture them if I ever work for them." Reina had her arms crossed and worry across her face as she gazes around looking for the celebrities, beside her, Takuma looks calmer. "How are you not agitated? Regarding them arriving late."

"You are talking to a boy who always wakes up around 6-7 am whenever he is free to go fishing, let alone, fish for several hours without snapping. Sometimes I wonder what you see in him, ugh!" Spat Junko, as Michio couldn't help but roll his eyes at that comment she made.

Then again, Junko wasn't completely wrong about Takuma's fishing hobbies. It would honestly take a saint to deal with that long to get a bite from a fish.

Minutes later with the audience chanting "Ryo" repeatedly, the lights deemed and a man ran out on stage. He was sweating profusely as he scooped up a microphone

"Can I have your attention, please?" he asked, repeating the questions until the screams had died away. "We are very sorry to tell you that the concert has been cancelled. Ryo, our lead singer for Red Illumination, has... vanished."

A stunned silence filled the huge hall.

"Due to...unusual circumstances on how he had vanished, the police have been contacted, so please remain in your seats until they have searched the stadium..."

Then, like a tidal wave of noise, thousands of fans began crying, howling, screaming and shouting. Demanding what the hell has happened to their lead singer!? Did a kidnapping took place!?"

This is when the rest of the children's mouths hung open.