The children of the association were collected by a car sent by Sergeant Genzo. Upon arriving at the hotel, he led them to a small office in the basement where Kyo and Ogawa were already waiting.

Kyo stood up when he saw Junko, but the manager simply watched and rolled his eyes. "We already have enough problems," he groaned. "This is not the time to think about girls, Kyo!"

Ignoring the manager, Kyo grabbed Junko's hand. "I'm so sorry about your friend," he whispered. "I promise I'll find a way to help him."

Michio glared at him.

On the desk in the centre of the room, Takuma's cap and a piece of paper with words cut out from a newspaper were placed, in Japanese:

HAVE MONEY READY TONIGHT OR WE KILL THE BOY

"This was delivered to Mr Ogawa's room half an hour ago," Sergeant Genzo explained. "We're in a difficult situation," he muttered. "It's unusual for a kidnapper to strike twice. Luckily, the media is not aware of Takuma's kidnapping yet."

"I thought the police don't allow ransom money to be paid," Ogawa said, wiping sweat from his cheeks. "In America, they never let you pay once the kidnappers have the money. The victim is never found alive."

"Every kidnapping is different," Sergeant Genzo reminded him. "In this case, it seems like the kidnappers know everything we're doing."

Ogawa slumped in his chair "I need more time," he moaned. "Do know how hard it is to get you a million dollars in cash? Especially now that I am in a foreign country?! I've called my bank in Los Angeles. They have to transfer it to a bank here, then that bank has to get the cash ready..."

His voice trailed away. "It might take another day, two more days maybe."

Kyo looked angry," And by the time you all do, Shiro could've left with all of the money and disappeared into thin air," he added.

"What do you mean?" demanded Sergeant Genzo.

Kyo shrugged. "He vanished. About an hour ago."

Shinichi caught his breath. "But how? Where? Somebody must have seen him."

Ogawa swung round on him, "Nobody saw him go. We don't know where he is. Then again, Shiro's always like that. He had this habit of wandering off to places whenever we tell him not to."

"Hold on a minute, the investigation is not even completed yet, so who are you to imply that Shiro could've been the one behind Takuma's kidnapping?" Emiko screamed at Kyo.

"Emiko, calm down!" Michio tried to put off the fire, but it was clear Emiko is glaring at the keyboardist.

Kyo's face twisted with anger. "It's not an assumption," he said quietly. "The reason I am saying this is because Shiro's stepdad hired his own family last time under the security team, and he never said anything about it! I ain't saying that Shiro might have been behind it, but who knows?" his voice remains firm.

"Well, I don't believe you! Shiro would NEVER do something like that!"

She turned on her heel and slammed the door behind her.

"Emiko!"Junko tried run after her.

Meanwhile, Kyo squeezed Junko's hand. "She'll learn," he whispered. "Shiro can do weird things if he wants to."

Ranran deciding not to tolerate this love drama nonsense, by turning to Sergeant Genzo. "Sergeant, doesn't it seem odd to you that Takuma's cap and the new ransom note came in so quickly?"

Sergeant Genzo shot him a quick glance. "What do you mean, Ranran?

Ranran plunged her hands into her skirt pockets, "Take a look at the time it took for the kidnapper to issue out the ransom note, it is so neatly done. The glue stains didn't look like it was done just recently. The same as the previous ransom note done for Ryo, it was as if someone planned this a long time ago."

The Sergeant said nothing, before answering, "Are you claiming that this kidnapping was premeditated in advance!?"

"Precisely, "Shinichi soon joined in, "It's like somebody had it all planned. They knew they had to put more pressure on Ogawa to get the million dollars. That's why Desmond went after Takuma. He was just waiting for a chance to kidnap Takuma to speed up the ransom process."

Sergeant Genzo nodded. He liked the way their mind worked, despite being only 6 years old.

"That's a good theory, but we need more evidence to confirm it," he said. "We'll need to analyze the ransom notes and Takuma's cap for any clues that might lead us to the kidnappers. And we need to find Shiro and question him about his stepfather's security team."

The group split up to carry out their tasks, determined to find a way to save Takuma and bring the kidnappers to justice.

........

Meanwhile, Kyo had drawn Junko into a corner in his own hotel room in the living room, "Something really funny is going on," he whispered, "I can feel it."

Junko looked into his eyes, "What do you mean?" she wanted to know.

"Why would Shiro go and disappear now?" he began, "And where are we going to find a million dollars?"

"Don't get me wrong, but how is it that you all can't have access to the money? I mean the three of you earned it," she asked him.

"Ogawa-san puts all of our savings in the bank, so even if we want to have it transferred here, there are rules to follow before having the money over," he told her, before he sighs, "Either way, I guess our management is gonna need to work out how to get his done and over, somehow....."

Silence.

"Neh Kyo, can I ask you something?"

"Hmph?" He hummed.

"Do you hate Shiro?"

"Eh?"

"I mean, don't get me wrong. I don't simply buy what anyone says about you, but you seemed very certain Shiro might be behind it. And he is only 10 years old. So is there any reason for you to think of it this way besides his stepdad's...past actions here?"

Kyo looked at Junko for a moment before answering, "I don't hate Shiro. He's just a kid, and Ryo and I are a year older than him. We...don't hold any grudges against him for what his stepdad did to us."

"....but?"

He sighed once more, "I don't have any concrete evidence, but...when that incident involving his stepdad came up, there's just something off about the situation."

"....in what way?"

"Well..."Kyo didn't know how to put it into words, "When Ryo and I found out about the incident, the arrest made of his step-dad happened a year ago."

Junko's eyebrows shot up, "Really!?"

"Yeah," He nods, "We had no idea till Ogawa decided we had the right to know until Shiro finally recovers from this emotionally. In a way...our security team back in the US was a bit bigger, so we don't really know the face of every single member, let alone, his step-dad was working under our management. When we confronted whether Shiro knew or not, he seemed really nervous and didn't want to look us in the eye."

"And what was his answer?"

"He said he has no idea."

"And did it look like he is lying?"

"No, not to us back then," Kyo admitted.

"....however?"

"Truthfully, I can't help but wonder if he truly knows. Or that he knew from the get-go, then told Ogawa about it, then he could've possibly told him to keep this quiet for over a year till he finally comes to terms with it."

Junko listened intently, trying to process all the information. "So you think Shiro might be involved in all of this because he knew about his stepdad's actions and kept it a secret?"

"I don't know," Kyo admitted, "It's just a feeling I have. And with him disappearing now, it's making me even more suspicious."

Junko nodded in agreement. "I understand."

"It's times like this, him shutting down on us that irritates me. Also, I felt like there are times that he was ungrateful."

"In what way is he?"

"Jiro Ojichan always seem to favour him the most."

"Eh?!" The spectacle girl blinked, "Why?"

"Because he always does," Kyo laments, "Everytime out of the three of us, whenever he gets into trouble, Jiro always look out for him."

"Ah yes, I think Emiko mentioned this before during his date with him."

"So Shiro even mentioned this, huh? As expected of him," He laughed inwardly, before revealing, "Whenever we drop by Jiro Oji-chan's place, Shiro is always the first name that came out of his mouth. Which honestly at times puts me and Ryo at odds with him whenever Jiro mentions this."

"Is that so?" Junko frowned, "It could be a coincidence."

Kyo shook his head, "I don't think so. Then again," His shoulder slumped, "Shiro was the first to be interested in his guitar when he was around 5, so I ain't surprised. And there are other instances where Shiro has been given preferential treatment, even by our management."

"Really? How?"

"For example, during our last tour, Shiro had an ear infection, so our management arranged for a private jet to fly him to a specialist in the US for treatment, while Ryo and I had to perform without him," Kyo explained.

"But ain't his listening talent the reason what led your band to be successful?" Junko brought up.

"Yeah, that's true," Kyo nodded, "But still, it feels like he's always getting special treatment. There was also the time his ears were insured. For 20 million dollars."

"I am sorry, say what now!?" Junko sputtered, "20 million dollars-wait, how much is it in yen here?"

"As of today's exchange rate, 20 million dollars is equivalent to about 2.2 billion yen. Quite a hefty amount, isn't it?"

"With that amount of money," Junko calculated, "I can buy a luxury apartment in the heart of Tokyo and still have a lot of money left over!"

"Exactly," Kyo agreed, "It's insane. But that's just how much they value his ears, I guess. And it's not just the management, even our fans adore him more than us."

"Why?"

"They love his brutal honesty, but it somehow keeps getting mistaken for the bad boy. Which girls like," Kyo spat bitterly.

"That ain't true," Junko argued, "You have fans who love you."

"I know," Kyo smiled wryly, "But it's just...different with Shiro. He has this thing about him that just draws people in. And I can't help but feel overshadowed by him sometimes."

"I see," Junko said, understanding his feelings. "But you know, Kyo, you and Ryo are just as talented as Shiro. You have your own unique qualities that make you shine."

Kyo looked at her, surprised at her words. "Thank you, Junko. That means a lot to me." Feeling a little relaxed, he continued to share more, "You know when I learn Ogawa he hid this from me, I kinda realise that someday, we might get disbanded. Maybe because he like Shiro more than me or Ryo. That's why I'm saving my money for the future. I want to buy a ranch to retire early."

"Eh? Kyo wants to be a farmer?!"

"I am still the same country boy at heart."

"What about Shiro? And Ryo?"Junko quizzed him.

Kyo shook his head. "I don't think he's got a dollar or even a yen to his name. He spends everything he earns on having a good time. As for Ryo...I think he will drop by once in a while, he can't bear to leave the spotlight," He lit up his eyes. "When this is over, why don't come over and see my family?"

Junko's jaw dropped. "You mean, me?" she swallowed. "You want me to go over to your hometown?"

Kyo grinned. "You could bring your folks. I'd really like that. Like a family holiday, "His eyes became serious"You're very different from the girls I've met, Junko. All the girls that I meet have always got their hands out for money --but not you," he added, squeezing her hand.

Junko felt dizzy "But I-," she whispered.

"Like that boy in the blue jacket?"

"Wait, how did you know?"

"You had the same look that reminded me of someone," Kyo's eyes seem distant, staring into the view of the city through the window.

Junko felt a little embarrassed that Kyo had caught her staring at the boy, but she couldn't help but feel a little flattered that Kyo had noticed something about her. "Yeah, it's Michio."

"So is he your boyfriend?" Kyo became a bit startled, before becoming apologetic, "Then I am sorry for approaching you when you are not single-"

"Ah no, you didn't do anything wrong," Junko reassured him, "He and I are friends."

Kyo raised an eyebrow. "Just friends?"

Junko blushed. "Yes, just a friend. I mean, I like him more than that, but I don't think he feels the same way about me."

"And how did you know that? He could've liked you secretly."

"Maybe back then he had, but ever since joining the association...." Junko's words trailed out.

"I don't mean to pry, but may I know how is it you came to know and fall for someone like him?"

"What?"

"I mean you wouldn't have a crush on him unless you have gotten to know him, right?"

"Ah, that," Junko thought about it before she decided. "I suppose I could do that."Junko sighs before putting together her words, "I'm not sure where to start since I've kinda known Michio for as long as I can remember. Since kindergarten."

"Eh...so you two are that close?"

"Not really, we learn to rely on each other after being placed in a class where the kids there not only scored poorly in exams, they all had bad tempers in general. You can say...that is how our friendship thrived from there onwards," Junko nodded to him, before she continued," But before all of that happened, we were in a decent class. I don't know what is it about me in kindergarten back then, but kids were always mean to me for some reason. They were....talking something about my mom of such, which is why they taunted me and I did remember not being happy about it."

"Talking about your mom, like what?"

"It's funny because even to this day I can't remember what it was. My mom said it is normal to forget things we do not want to remember, especially when one is too young. Anyway, that was when Michio comes in. Michio at that time....was a very quiet child. Also shy. We were paired up together whether it is homework, toys or stuff, probably because no kid in our class wanna hang out with someone shy and quiet, so it was only natural for us to later end up becoming closer. He protected me a lot from those nasty kids, this was before I took martial arts."

"So needless to say, you were like a princess who fell for your dashing prince on a white horse?"

Junko couldn't help but laugh at that. "You're not wrong, and to be honest with you, he was my first crush. I just didn't realize it until much later in life." She smiled wistfully, lost in her memories for a moment before continuing. "Around grade 1, things changed when he became popular."

"Did he....abandon you?"

"I wouldn't say abandon is the right word, even before that when he learned we were placed under the same class, he tried to distance himself from me."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't let girls befriend him."

"Eh?"

"When we were in kindergarten, it was the best feeling in the world that someone is going to be there for me thick and thin as if that person is solely meant for me and no one else. Initially, it started as an innocent one-sided crush that I assumed I would eventually get over it quickly. But I realize it didn't when a girl tried to put that confession letter in his shoe locker. I confronted her, given her reputation as an idiot fangirl who falls for any handsome little boy in sight..."

She then slumped, "And then, before I knew it, 4 years had gone by and then things got to where they are now. The moment he joined Tantei Association to hide away from me, that is when I realize this is far more than an innocent crush," Junko said nothing at all but whispered, her hands tightening into a fist, to the point that her knuckles turned white. "Joining the association I felt like...brainwashed him. He never listens to me anymore. At some point, things got so bad, that I wondered if I misunderstood my feelings for him over that kind gesture he did for me when no one else would?"

"So the reason you end up in Tantei association is...."

"Yes, to get him out. Unfortunately, being surrounded by...questionable members gave him ideas."

He nodded slowly. "That makes sense. Which is why I was surprised that someone like you would be doing it there. I overheard yelling in the association while I was outside the hallway."

"Of course...I ain't the only member who is doing this for his own sake. Even so...I don't want him to leave me. Everytime in the association, when we do talk, it's mostly about the cases we handle. If I were to talk about him leaving, he will flat-out refuse. And before this, he had never once denied me anything..." finally voicing one of the thoughts that had been bouncing around in her head.

"In your opinion, do you think he is worth pursuing after all of that happened?"

"Of course he is, I wouldn't have if I wasn't certain he likes me in the 1st place."

Kyo laughed. "Really? He doesn't act like he is interested in you."

"Well, he is very different," Junko fumbled for words, "He struggles to express himself with the people he loves. But when he finally expresses it, there are no words to describe how much love and thought is put in by him."

A smile suddenly danced on Kyo's lips. Just as quickly as it formed, it was gone. "Truthfully, I understand your feelings." He lowered his head. "Before, I too had a first love back in my hometown."

"Eh?! Really!?" Junko was stunned, yet at the same time isn't surprised. Kyo is after all a good-looking musician, surely girls would accept the feelings of the other if he confesses. Suddenly, she then pressed, "Is she your ex or-"

"No, she rejected me, then later passed away of illness."

"Oh, dear! I am sorry for your loss!" Junko remains startled at that.

"Don't be," He chuckled, "It happened years ago."

"Even so, it is your first love!" Junko insists, before wondering, "You said you were rejected?! Who in the world do such a thing?!"

"Well, she did."

Junko couldn't understand one bit, what sort of psychotic girl would turn down the confession of a celebrity?! Maybe she could see Ranran doing that, but to turn down Kyo of all the kids? Especially a shy yet kind boy like him?! What the heck?!

"How did the both of you meet?" Junko probed.

Kyo's expression softened as he reminisced. "We met when we were in elementary school. She was in the grade below me, and we both loved music. We used to play together, and through her, I learn how to play the piano. Before then...I wasn't the star I am now. She saw me for who I am."

"That sounds lovely," Junko said, but then feels a pang of sympathy for Kyo's loss, "Why did she reject someone like you?"

"She had eyes on someone else. Someone who barely didn't deserve a single ounce of her love, a bad boy," He viewed downcast, "I only found out about it after I worked up the courage to tell her how I felt."

"No way, well...that will be her lost then," Suddenly she grew curious, "What did she die of?"

"Broken heart."

"Eh!?" She became baffled, "How can one die of a broken heart?"

"You can apparently, medically speaking she wasn't born with a good heart since birth. She didn't take it well when he rejected her, even more, when she kept pursuing after him and pleaded to see him one last time on her dying breath, but he never showed up. Even during the funeral, he never attended it."

"I see..." Junko trailed off, feeling a mixture of sadness and disbelief. She couldn't imagine how painful it must have been for Kyo to lose his first love like that. "Why is he so cold to her?" Junko can't help but think badly of whoever this boy is, "I might get it since he had no feelings for her, but damn, she was dying! And for him to turn her down is...."

"I question this a lot," Kyo's eyes saddened at that thought.

After a moment of silence, she spoke up again, "Kyo, thank you for sharing that with me. I'm sorry if it brought up painful memories."

"It's alright," Kyo smiled, "Talking about it helps. There are times I felt like I can never move on from it. The way you do with Michio."

Junko nodded, relieved that Kyo seemed to be doing okay. She couldn't help but wonder if Kyo had found love again since then, but she decided not to pry further.

Instead, she changed the subject to something lighter, and the two continued their conversation.  Junko couldn't help but think about how much more there was to Kyo than just his fame and talent. He was a kind-hearted and sensitive person, and she was grateful for the chance to get to know him better.

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

Emiko had stormed out of the room not long ago. How dare that bastard Kyo accuse Shiro of kidnapping Takuma of all people!

As Emiko marched down the hallway, she couldn't help but feel her anger simmering. She knew that Kyo was just trying to find Takuma, but the way he spoke about Shiro was unforgivable. Shiro was someone based on her intel experience isn't capable of doing the things Kyo accusingly said.

A uniformed policeman was staring at her curiously. She shot him a furious look and stalked toward the stairs, then hurried up to the hotel foyer and froze. Shiro was racing in through the front door, the police and hotel security men holding back fans and reporters.

She flung herself at him, "Shiro!" she screamed, "Where have you been? Everyone's looking for you!" she gripped his arms. "Kyo said terrible things about you!" she blurted out.

And that was when she noticed he was clutching a small black bag Shiro steered her behind a huge marble pillar where no one else could see them. He slanted her a mysterious smile.

"Have you ever seen one million dollars?" he whispered and flicked the lock on the bag.

The lid popped open and Emiko caught a glimpse of the tightly packed bundles of money wedged inside. She had never seen so much cash in her life. Shiro grinned. "No, I didn't rob the bank," he told her closing the lid firmly "I knew our manager couldn't do anything, and even if I were to get in touch with a bank in America it is not likely possible, I am 10 after all. So Ranran called me the other day, and instruct me to get our production team who had been in charge of all of our music video projects, to make a fake one for the past 4 days. Then put a tracker in the bag, looks convincing, right?"

Emiko shared his laugh, "As expected from her," before leading led him downstairs.

Emiko rounded the corner, nearly colliding with Shiro himself. "Emiko-san, are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"Earlier, you didn't seem surprised that Kyo spoke ill of you and that you were behind the kidnapping," Emiko huffed, crossing her arms. "I know you are not behind it, but is this normal to you?"

"It is, but I can't blame him." He paused.

"....why? Did you...do him wrong?"

Shiro shook his head. "No, not directly. But I can understand why he would think I am capable of something like this."

Emiko raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

Shiro let out a sigh. "I rejected someone he loved, that is why."

Emiko's eyes widened in surprise. "You rejected someone he loved? Who?"

Shiro hesitated for a moment before answering, "It was someone we both knew from our hometown. She was a childhood friend of Kyo's, but I also knew her quite well. We were close, but I couldn't return her feelings."

Emiko could sense there was more to the story, so she prodded, "Why couldn't you return her feelings?"

Shiro's expression darkened slightly. "She was too possessive, too controlling. I knew it wouldn't work out between us, but she couldn't accept that. She made my life miserable for a while after I rejected her."

"Is he aware? About what she had done towards you?"

"Of course he is, I ain't the type who take in all the beatings. But he never believed in me, he was....too blind to see it. Fortunately...no," He tells himself while shaking his head, "I know I shouldn't wish ill of others, but..."

"Just say it," Emiko encourage him to continue.

"Finally, the torment was over when she finally died."

Emiko's eyes widened in shock. "She died?"

Shiro nodded grimly. "I think God must have heard my cries because she died from a heart attack."

"What!?" Emiko's jaw dropped before asking, "How old was she when she died?"

"7 or 8, I can't remember much since I block that memory." Shiro thought hard about it, "She wanted to see me one last time at the hospital, but I refused. It was her dying wish, but I did not feel comfortable doing so after what she put me through. So after her death, I felt very relieved. Though...Kyo thinks otherwise..."

Seeing Emiko saying nothing, he assumed she must have been stunned, "I know, it sounds heartless, but-"

"It ain't."

"Eh?"

Emiko shook her head. "I mean, it's understandable. She made your life miserable, and it's not your responsibility to fulfil her dying wish after what she put you through. And her death "

Shiro looked at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Emiko-san." His smile then dropped for a moment, "Everyone back in my hometown assumed me to be so cruel to a child."

Emiko frowned. "That's not fair. You were just being honest about your feelings. It's not your fault she couldn't handle it."

Shiro sighed. "I know, but people don't always see it that way."

"And so...did Kyo hold a grudge over you since?"

"Kyo himself...doesn't talk much, he isn't the type who wears his heart out his sleeve," Shiro became a little glum, "At the same time, I can sense that feeling that...he never forgave me for rejecting her, even though it was years ago. It was a tragedy, but it was also a relief for me. I know it sounds terrible, but I couldn't bear the thought of her coming back into my life again."

Emiko shook her head in disbelief. "That's ridiculous. He shouldn't hold a grudge against you for that, especially for all the things she did to you."

Right then, the artist almost forgot to ask something she has been dying to know, but has forgotten about it thanks to Ryo's kidnapping, "Neh Shiro, I been wanting to ask you this question for a while."

"Yeah?"

"I always wanted to ask...those two birds on the Red Illumination logo...according to the interview I read, it was referring to your late granduncle Jiro's tattoo of a bird that refers to himself and his late partner, right?"

"Ah yes," He nods back.

"I was wondering...what sort of birds were there?"

"Hah?"

"As an artist, I usually try to look for every single meaning behind anything. So what sort of birds are they?"

"Birds...I think you are the first one to ask me this," He thought about it before revealing, "They are Drongo birds."

"Drongo birds?" the artist repeats, curious.

"Yes, they are known for their intelligence and resourcefulness," Shiro explains. "My granduncle's late partner had those qualities in her, and he felt that the Drongo bird was a perfect symbol for her after she passed away. And since the two of them were a pair, he got a second bird to represent himself."

"I see," the artist says, nodding thoughtfully. "But are those birds not known for being cunning?"

"Yes, they are," Shiro replies with a smile. "But in a good way. Drongo birds are clever and quick-witted, and they use their intelligence to survive in challenging environments. They're also very adaptable and can mimic other birds' calls, which helps them communicate with other species and find food. So, while they may be considered cunning, they're also very resourceful and skilled survivors. In a way," Shiro reminisces the earlier memories, "Whenever he shared stories about her, he always emphasized her intelligence and resourcefulness throughout his career, which is why the Drongo bird was the perfect symbol for her. And he felt that he was the perfect complement to her, just like the two birds on the logo."

"That's fascinating," the artist says, impressed. "I never knew much about Drongo birds before. Thank you for sharing that with me, Shiro."

"You're welcome," Shiro replies with a smile. "I always love to share the story behind our logo, and I'm glad you were curious about it."

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

The water sounded closer now. It was slapping against some kind of dock. And Takuma could smell it, too. A cold, salty tang filled his nostrils. And it was mixed with something else, the pungent odour of oil

Suddenly, he shivered

"Getting scared, kid?" Desmond taunted. "You've only got yourself to blame, you and your little detective friends."The man then slipped his hand away from Takuma's eyes. He laughed as he looked around in horror.

They were in a cavernous shed of some kind. Rusted hooks, ancient ropes and cobwebbed pulleys hung from the timber beams high above their heads. An old boat shed, Takuma guessed. No, it was an old boat repair workshop more likely, he thought, judging by all the tools and broken pieces of equipment littering the shadowy chamber.

The inky black water lapped the slimy dockside. It swept in through a huge drain on one side and swirled out through an arch on the other Takuma figured the lead out into the river. The current seemed to be moving quickly

Maybe it was high tide, decided Takuma. He knew the river well from all the fishing he'd done on its banks "Why did you bring me here?" he asked the sneering thug.

His first thought was to keep Desmond talking while he fumbled in his pocket for his smartphone. It was still there, switched on, in silent mode. His fingers felt for the keypad. If only he could call for help while Elijah was distracted

"Can't you guess" The scarred face laughed harshly.

Takuma could feel the sweat rolling down his cheek.

He would only have 1 chance to make a call. If he rang Ranran, chances she would be on the phone-- cause Ranran always had her phone ready for anyone, especially him since they are friends.

He then recalled hearing Reina's screams when the truck drove away. It was the scream of terror, he hoped his girlfriend ain't panicking about his disappearance. 

"Why don't you let me go?" he asked Desmond, stalling for time while his fingers worked busily, "You know you are already busted with the cops knowing you are behind it!"

Desmond's eyes narrowed, "So what if they do? They don't know everything." he snarled before swearing, "Which is why you are going to be part of our masterplan!"

Before Takuma knew what was happening, the former bodyguard had seized his shoulders and spun him around. The man then dragged him across to where several ropes were suspended from a beam in the ceiling. A heavy iron hook swung at the end of one of them.

"Let me go!" screamed Takuma, desperately punching in the last digit of Ranran's smartphone number. The man then reached across, pulled the iron hook toward him, and slipped it through the back of Takuma's belt.

Takuma screamed in pain as the cold metal dug into the small of his back. Then the man began to haul on the ropes and Takuma's feet left the floor. "See, it's all going to look like an accident," explained Desmond, as Takuma rose higher and higher into the air, "Everyone's going to say what a tragedy it was. The silly little child was playing in the old boatshed."

"You are an idiot! You kidnapped me in front of my friends, and the moment they call the cops, no idiot will ever buy it!"

Desmond just laughed cruelly, "Oh, I think they will. We made sure to leave enough evidence pointing to your own carelessness. And even if they do suspect foul play, they won't have any proof. You'll just be another missing person, swallowed up by the river."

Takuma's heart raced as he struggled to free himself from the hook. He kicked and twisted, but the rope was too tight. He could feel it cutting into his skin. He glanced down and saw the water rushing by far below him. He was terrified.

At this point, the little boy's body swung at the end of the rope high above the dock. He looked down from a dizzying height. Desmond grinned, waved up to him, and reached for an axe. Raw terror clenched Takuma's stomach. There was nothing between him and the swirling water... except thin air.

While Desmond looked away as he picked up the axe, it was the moment Takuma had been waiting for. 

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

Ranran and Shinichi were at the hotel, discussing with each other in the lobby when Ranran's phone rang. Ranran quickly fished out her phone from her pocket, hoping it was Takuma calling her. 

The moment she did, she did not expect two things.

One, Takuma set the settings to video call, so she was able to see that Takuma seems to be in some sort of boatshed. And he wasn't alone.

The second was hearing his desperate voice. Ranran gasped as she saw the scene on her phone. "Takuma! Are you okay?" she exclaimed, alerting Shinichi to see the shocking footage.

Takuma looked scared and in pain, and Ranran could see someone else in the background. "Ranran, listen to me," Takuma said urgently while in a low tone. "I don't have much time. I'm in...some sort of old boat repair shed, and I don't know where it is. Desmond kidnapped me, and he's planning something. You need to find me, fast!"

"Boat repair shed!?" Shinichi found himself yelling before searching on his phone, to see how many are there built not far from where Takuma was kidnapped earlier. He was hoping there wouldn't be that many to narrow down the search.

But to his horror, there were about 20 of them.

"Did you see anything while he took you there?" Ranran demanded Takuma to remember, "Anything? Like a tree? A building? Or some advertising board?"

"I...I couldn't see anything, he stepped on my neck," he said, his voice shaking.

"Then share the location to the association group, hurry!" Ranran ordered.

"O-o-ok!"

Upon receiving it, Shinichi quickly typed the details into his phone, trying to look for the route to take them there while tapping away at his phone.

"Is it far?" Ranran asked.

"Quite, you might need a car to get there, with the current traffic now...it might take us 10 minutes to get there," Shinichi bit his lip nervously before revealing, "Kuroiwa Marine, that is where he is now."

"Hey! Do I see you using a phone!? That does it! YOU ASKED FOR IT KID!'  Desmond shouted as he started to chop through the ropes.

"Takuma! What's happening?" Shinichi demanded.

When he saw the ropes snap, Takuma screamed."No!"

The ropes unreeled through the pulley with the same high-pitched spinning noise that his fishing rod sometimes made. Only this wasn't fishing-this was a dive into certain death!

Takuma dropped through space like a stone, the heavy iron hook digging into his back, the tangled ropes wildly wrapping themselves round and round his body. His screams echoed through the derelict shed until he struck the water. Then the black oily water closed above his head and Takuma travelled deeper and deeper beneath the surging current.

Before the two Kudos know it, the man shut off the phone.

"Ooi Takuma, answer me! Ooi! Takuma! Takuma!" But the more Ranran yelled, the more she knew she is not likely to get any response back.