11-year-old Nagano Kyo was someone who didn't like to share much.

In a way, if he ever did during interviews, it's memories involving his late grand-uncle, as well as Ryo and Shiro. Or happier memories with his parents. If they were dark days, he hides all of this behind his smile and reassures everyone that he is alright, which made people think he is mature for his age.

So it was a huge shock to the cops, his manager, and even his cousin Shiro that he was capable of staging a kidnapping.

And damn, he really didn't foresee seeing how observant the children of the Tantei Association are, they really do live up to the stories told by others.

With him having been exposed as the mastermind, it's time to defend that girl's honour.

Kyo took a deep breath, trying to calm down before speaking, "I met her when I was in 1st grade...this was before Shiro left kindergarten."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "I remember seeing her sitting alone during lunch breaks. Because she is the only Caucasian there at that time among us, and she had a very fierce and overly demanding aura, no one dared to approach her. Truthfully, I wanted nothing to do with her at that time. But then one day, I accidentally spilt my lunch all over myself."

With a painful smile, he shared, "I was very painfully shy back then, so even though I been in school for the past 3-4 months...I don't like to call anyone for help, fearing burdening them. It was then she came over to help me. She didn't say much, but she helped me clean up and even shared her lunch with me. From that day on, we became friends."

His expression was softening as he recalled the memory, "We talked, and then I learn how she ended up here. Apparently, in her previous school, she was bullied after being framed for hurting someone, and then later ostracized. Suddenly, kids spread rumours and treated her like she was nothing. She had no friends, and her family didn't even support her."

Emiko looked at Kyo sceptically, "And you believe that? You believe she's just a victim of circumstance, and not a manipulative liar using you?"

"She was always there for me when I needed her. When I was sick, she would bring me chicken soup. When I was struggling with my schoolwork, she would help me with my homework. And when I was going through a rough time at home, she was there to listen and comfort me. In a way...I felt like I was the luckiest boy in the world." Suddenly, his eyes turned to hate directly at Shiro, "But then a year later, after you joined grade 1, while we were around grade 2...things changed.

Shinichi interrupted, "What changed? Did she start being mean to you too?"

Kyo's voice became firmer as he continued, "No, she didn't. But Shiro did." Before anyone knows it, Kyo listed down everything that had happened, "And it all had to do with after her professing her feelings towards him, which he turned down. He started bullying her, calling her names and pushing her around because he felt disgusted by her. He even went as far as stealing her belongings and destroying them. And when she tried to stand up for herself, he spread rumours about her and turned everyone against her."

Shiro's face twisted in anger, "It was the other way round! And the only reason I was truly disgusted, is because of how manipulative she is! Luckily the kids in our school found out about her true nature, so it was only natural they bullied her for being an unreasonable girl!"

Kyo's expression turned cold, "That's not true, and you know it. You were the one who framed her, and you just couldn't handle the fact that she rejected you. You made her life miserable for years, and she had to leave the school because of you later on."

Shiro clenched his fists, "You don't know what you're talking about. You weren't even there most of the time."

"Shiro," Emiko had her hand on his shoulder, "Don't bother, kids like Kyo are too delusional to accept the truth."

"No, I ain't," Kyo retorted, "When she ended up getting hospitalized later on...due to heart failure, and the stress of all of this, she wanted me to invite Shiro over one last time, said it was to seek forgiveness from him. But that guy..."Seething anger appeared on his features, "He never even showed up during her funeral."

"Why would I even bother to show up at my bully's funeral?" Shiro found himself saying.

"Shiro," Another hand was on his other shoulder, this one from Ogawa, "Don't listen to Kyo."

"As always, Ogawa," Kyo sighed, "That is the reason why I staged this in the first place. You over-coddled Shiro with everything. Especially those drums from late Jiro-Ojichan."

"Wait, how did you know about the drums?" Ogawa's brows shot up, "I didn't tell anyone, only Shiro and I knew about it."

"I overheard the two of you talking the other day back at the Los Angeles studio apartment one night time, I couldn't sleep for some reason, then overheard the both of you revealing that it was a drum from a friend of Jiro-Ojichan. Honestly, the fact I heard you didn't want to reveal this to any of us made me resent Shiro more."

There was a moment of silence as Kyo finished what needs to be said.

The keyboardist's voice then grew colder, "Madeline....may not have been the most perfect girl to anyone, she makes mistakes, but it didn't mean she deserves to be bullied. If anything, no one deserves it, Shiro. And you know that what you did to her was wrong. But instead of admitting your mistake and apologizing, you continued to torment her until she was forced to leave the school."

Pacing quietly, with his hands behind his back, the Kyo they are seeing isn't the shy image they once saw on TV, "Sometimes, whenever I am alone, whenever I was thinking about sitting next to her to talk about my musician dreams, I miss the times we used to talk about silly things and laugh together. Originally....this kidnapping wasn't something I had in mind at all."

"Then what changed? Was it that fact Shiro had more followers than you and your brother?" Shinichi challenged.

Kyo shook his head, "No, it wasn't about that. It was until the pool incident with Shiro having intentionally led that girl to fall in it, that I knew Shiro still had no remorse for what he did to Madeline."

"For the last time," Shiro is fuming by the minute, "You were there at that time, and you saw her trying to throw herself on me, and I had to avoid her, ok? So she slipped and fell herself."

Kyo's eyes narrowed at Shiro's words, his fists clenching at his sides. "Even if that is the case, why didn't you just go down and save her?!" he spat. "Even after she was saved, you didn't even bother to go up to her and see if she was ok!"

"And why should I bother? I don't like her romantically, and doing so would just be misleading her idiot's heart. Jiro Ojichan taught us never to do a thing unless you want to mislead them, and that is wrong."

Kyo's anger flared at Shiro's callous words. "Wrong? So you rather see her drown!?"

"Hey, are you not being too much?!" Shinichi blasted at Kyo angrily after hearing all of this, "Then you would rather have Shiro be harassed by her for all sorts of unreasonable reasons just because a girl died?!"

"And why shouldn't he? He was blessed with everything unlike me! The looks, charm, and despite every wrongdoing he has ever committed, fans and everyone around him love him for what he is! Does it not hurt just to entertain her for a while?"

"Excuse me!?" This made Shinichi madder by the minute, "Who do you think Shiro is!? A puppet-"

"Kudo," Ranran stood before a riled-up Shinichi, then pulled him aside to whisper while Ran and the others were watching, "I know you had every right to be pissed, but you can't project your personal hatred onto Kyo. Not today."

Taking a deep breath, Shinichi nodded at Ranran's words, calming down his anger. He knew she was right, and he couldn't let his personal feelings cloud his judgment.

Then again, the words Kyo said reminded him of his horrible ordeal with Ran and Sonoko, so it was difficult to not think about Shiro without noticing how similar they are.

"Then what do you expect me to do?! Keep pleading with people and say sorry for things that I didn't do!?" Shiro's face twisted into disapproval towards Kyo. "You are always like this, you always had to please others before you, Kyo. Always!"

Kyo's eyes narrowed even further as he took a step closer to Shiro. "You don't get it, do you? This is not about pleasing others, this is about basic human decency! You hurt someone, and you don't even care! You didn't even bother to apologize, to check on her, to show any sort of remorse!"

"....is this why you staged this kidnapping with your brother? Just to make him regret it" Shinichi asked, breaking the tension that had settled over the room.

"Well, besides that, there was also me not being happy with how Ogawa won't simply let us withdraw our money whenever we want, and that insurance of 20 plus million in dollars on Shiro's ears."Kyo then scowled.

"Wait, his ears are worth 20 million!?" Takuma and the rest of their jaws dropped, and even Genzo froze.

"But the main purpose out of all of this....was to get back at Shiro for being unremorseful."

Shiro's heart sank at Kyo's words. He had always known that he held grudge against him over Madeline's death. But he had never realized how far Kyo was willing to go to do this to him.

"You're sick," Shiro spat. "You're nothing but a bully just like Madeline, who preys on no one but the weak."

"And I am sorry to ruin this moment, but Shiro is right. You barely know a thing about her," Ranran raised her hand abruptly before approaching Kyo calmly, "Kyo, how much do you know of Madeline's life in her previous school before coming here?"

Kyo looked taken aback by the sudden change in topic but he answered nonetheless, "I don't know much, just that she was bullied a lot, and that's why she transferred schools."

Ranran nodded slowly, "Yes, that's true. But do you know what was the real reason she was bullied?"

Kyo frowned, "No, I don't. I didn't know much about her home life, but I could tell she was going through a tough time."

Deciding it was enough, Ranran knew he had the right to know, "Had she ever told you before transferring to the school you are at, that she was formerly arranged to be engaged to someone? A boy her age by the name of Walter Kensington"

Kyo's eyes widened in surprise. "Engaged? No, she never mentioned anything like that."

"Wait, Walter Kensington?" Takuma found himself saying as he sneezed, "That name sounded familiar."

"It is!" Emiko suddenly recalled, "He became a well-known fashion designer at around the age of 7. He's been featured in several magazines and fashion shows, and even 3 years later, he is still rocking it!"

Ranran nodded, "Yes, that's the one." She then commanded everyone's attention onto her, "Before she was Madeline, she was Colleen, Colleen Pierpont."

"Pierpont?!" Shinichi's eyebrows shot up at this, "As in the Pierpont family, the one with the biggest real estate business in the country?"

Ranran nodded solemnly, "Yes. Mad-no, it's Colleen. She was the daughter of the Pierpont family, and she was engaged to Walter Kensington, the Pierpont's adopted son from a young age."

"Ah yes, I remembered that!" Emiko snapped her finger, rubbing her chin, "But I recalled that engagement broke out later on when rumours of bullying Walter surfaced. Wait," She halted her trail of thoughts, "How did you know Madeline was Colleen?"

"As soon as her picture arrived on the phone while we were investigating, I recognized that damn ugly face anywhere," Ranran grew hostile at that, "At that time, the Pierpont was ranked of a count. They couldn't have any children after having Colleen, so Walter was adopted into the family. Walter..." Ranran paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "Was the most thoughtful boy in the world. His parents...abandoned him due to selfish reasons, so when Colleen's mom took him in, he thought he was expecting a warm family."

With her having stood still, she didn't look back at anyone, "He did get one, but not from Colleen."

Everyone in the room was silent, waiting for Ranran to continue her story.

"While Colleen's mom treated him like her own son, the same cannot be said for his dad."

She took a deep breath before continuing, "In front, he was the doting dad. But behind the scenes, he made him do all the household chores and rarely let him go outside. He was like a servant in their house. Colleen knew about it, but she never did anything to help him. She didn't even talk to him much, just like how she was at our school," Ranran explained, her voice filled with sadness.

Wondering where was the story heading, the detective girl chuckled bitterly, "The funniest part, was when Colleen treated him more like a dog than a decent human being. Everytime when the parents aren't watching, Colleen would taunt him with glee in her eyes."

Kyo's expression darkened as he listened to Ranran's words. He couldn't believe that Madeline, or Colleen, had been capable of such cruelty. "No way! That ain't Madeline!"

"It is, let me tell you some of the things she did since I used to study at the same school as that so called-precious love of yours!" Ranran spoke with so much hate over this girl, Shinichi can't help but wonder did Colleen did to earn this expression. "She would always make fun of Walter's clothes, saying that they were outdated and unfashionable. She would also purposely trip him in the hallways, causing him to drop his books and papers. And once, she even spread rumours about him being gay, all because he had the talent for making beautiful gowns and suits alike!"

Kyo felt sick to his stomach as he listened to Ranran's words. "Do you know? When her precious labrador black dog died, this one name Charcoal, she intentionally called him 'Charky' while going 'woof woof' all over him for years whenever they are at home, calling him a freeloader who is living under her parent's roof!"

"No! I don't believe you!" That ain't how she is!" Kyo didn't believe her, couldn't believe that Madeline-or Colleen, the girl he had loved and admired for so long, could be so cruel and heartless.

"It is, and this is barely even considered childish pranks," Ranran's voice was very cold, "Because she knew he had no one, she would spread lies, on how Walter thought she was his ticket to rise up in society, and he would do anything to keep that engagement intact. Play a tragic little princess! Hah!"

"S...Stop bluffing," Kyo stuttered, feeling overwhelmed by the revelations.

"You even want to know what she even did to end up getting bullied? I will tell you," Ranran continued, her eyes fixed on Kyo. "The last straw, was when Walter got the chance to design this particular dress for a particular star."

Ran's eyes widened in surprise, "Eh? Did he design a dress for a star? That means he must be exceptionally talented!"

"I think I know about that incident, it was all over the news at that time, and my girlfriend Reina can't stop talking about it," Takuma suddenly remembered as he sneezed, "Before the dress was revealed, someone texted the press that Walter only got the job because he had the backing of the Pierpoint family at that time. That he heavily relied on connections and didn't really have any talent. The dress was about to be unveiled the moment the curtain dropped. But I think God must have heard his cries because the people in charge of the curtain didn't hook it right, it ended up falling and revealed Colleen ruining the dress with paint and shredding it with scissors. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention her parents witness this in horror?"

Kyo felt like he had been punched in the gut as he heard Takuma's words. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What happened to Colleen later on?" Shinichi's curiosity got the better of him.

"Well, naturally the kids went after Colleen and bullied her." Ranran rolled her eyes, "Did the exact same thing as she did to Walter, and then she had no choice but to leave the school. As for Colleen's dad, he was manipulated by his daughter and lied to her that Walter was pestering her and using her. As soon as he realized this, he sent her away and took Walter in as his official legal son."

Kyo's eyes narrowed as he processed Ranran's words. He couldn't deny what she was saying, but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to believe that Madeline was capable of such cruelty.

"N-no-no-no, this can't be!"

"As I thought, you are just like Colleen." Ranran spat in disgust, "That girl...never changed even right up to the day she dies."

"But that is a thing of the past," Kyo shook his head, "I believe that she has their own story, her own pain. And I believe that she changed."

Shiro shook his head in disbelief. He couldn't believe he had ever considered Kyo one of his buddies. The person in front of him now was a monster, devoid of any compassion or empathy for others. In denial and delusional.

"Changed? If she did, she wouldn't had go after Shiro the same way she did towards Walter!" Ranran said before lashing out, "Some people are irredeemable. And that wench, especially you, was no different!"

Suddenly, everyone looked up at the sound of fоotsteps on the stairs. A team of uniformed policemen was bringing down Desmond, who was handcuffed to another man wearing a red wig.

"Look who we found hiding up on the roof," one of the officers grinned at Sergeant Genzo.

The sergeant glanced at Desmond and then broke into a broad grin when he recognized his partner, the driver."Well, well, and what have you been up to, Mr Matsumoto?" He turned to Ranran, speaking in basic English so they couldn't understand what they were saying, "Harada Matsumoto is Mr Ogawa's assistant's relative, he used to live at the harbour, which made sense how Desmond was able to take them there. Usually, he specializes in petty crime, but this is the first time he's tried kidnapping."

"I didn't kidnap anyone," whined the driver, who surprisingly understand English.

"You kidnapped me alongside Desmond, and I almost drowned!" Takuma shouted through a sneeze. He turned to Sergeant Genzo eagerly, "Can I charge them under kidnapping and attempted murder? I heard Ranran say it is possible."

"It wasn't our idea!'" growled Desmond. "We were taking orders!"

"And again, may we ask, who issued out the orders?"Shinichi challenged him to say out, even though everyone already knew the answers.

Sweat rolled down Ryo's face, then at Kyo, "They're the ones!" he cried. "That brother of his did as well!"

"No, it was Kyo!" Matsumoto shook his head in fury suddenly, before pointing at Kyo, "It was all his idea. Even told me that Ryo will be in on this because he wanted more money!"

"Bingo!" "High five!" Shinichi and Ranran gave each other a high five.

Ryo stamped his foot. "Don't believe them, Sergeant Genzo. They're criminals. They'll say anything to protect themselves." Suddenly he whirled around and darted for the stairs. "I'm not listening to any more lies!"

"Takuma,get him!"Ranran yelled.

In the nick of time, Takuma moved quickly. With a huge sneeze, he threw his blanket over Ryo's head. Ryo tripped on the bottom step and went crashing to the floor.

"You can't do this to me!" Ryo snarled, "We are underage!"

Even Kyo wasn't having it, "Yeah! We are 11! We can't be charged with a crime here in Japan for staging a kidnapping!"

"I know you will say that," Ryo and Kyo then shift their attention to Shiro, who had had enough of their bullshit for framing him as the mastermind of the kidnapper, "Which is why I employed someone to settle something for me. Ranran, can you represent me now, please?"

That's when Shinichi and Emiko's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about?" The apprentice asked cautiously.

"My old job, before the association," Rolling her eyes, she stood next to Shiro much to the association's members, plus Genzo's surprise, before giving the two newly-criminalised brothers a smirk, "It's true, you can't be charged for kidnapping. You are all underaged after all, and the only thing you both will get is sent to some mental facility of that sort."

"You see-"

"But you know..." Ranran's smirk grew devilishly as it gets, shuddering Ryo and Kyo, "There is something not even your age can protect you. Which is suing you till you both go broke!"

The two brothers paled at the mention of being sued. "What do you mean?" Kyo asked nervously.

"You didn't know, did you? As long as the crime is committed by a minor, even if the victim is also a minor, Shiro is entitled to sue you both legally," She then began to list down their crimes, "You both committed crimes that were enough to traumatise Shiro that he had to use sedatives, you both almost murdered Takuma by getting a man to drown him, which he would need to recuperate in the hospital for several days. Hell, you wasted everyone's precious time, money, effort and resources staging this kidnapping. Did you not read the terms and conditions of the contract, Kyo? When you signed under the association HQ? What happens if we find a client lying to us? Where here is your answer." Ranran explained with a gleeful tone.

Kyo suddenly remembered as he grew pale, while Ryo demands his brother wanting to know, "Kyo! What was in the contract!?"

"Since there is too many evidence of deception towards the association, both you and Ryo are to pay up for the medical bills, compensation, and damages through your combined salaries as musicians. This also includes the taxi fees everyone had used to investigate your case, our phone bills and emotional welfare, since Takuma is very likely going to need to see a therapy after almost facing death."

"You are bluffing!" Ryo challenged back, "It will not be possible, since we are all children who aren't familiar with the law!"

"Yeah! Also, how the hell are we going to pay you back anyway?! We have no money since Ogawa had our money in the bank overseas!" Kyo argued.

"If you are not familiar, one can hire people who are good in that field, called lawyers." The deranged smile on her red lips was enough to strike fear in their eyes, "And don't worry, since you mention this, we can easily collect the money from both of your parents on both of your behalf then."

"You can't do that!" Rio blasted at her furiously, "Why do they need to pay anyway?! Also, they are about to head to jail!" Even Kyo nod alongside him.

"In the first place, none of the kidnapping could've taken place had your parents not conspire to be in cahoots with Demond in the first place. Bad children usually come from bad parents, so legally, whether you both like it or not, they will need to find a way to make up the 2 million yen they had incurred." Ranran shrugs, "And if your parents can't afford it, don't worry, I have legal representatives to get them to mortgage their house, cars, furniture, anything just to compensate for the damages. And if that isn't enough, we will just sell off the guitars, keyboard, and the clothes you both wore while earning as musicians. They are all luxury brands, so it will fetch us good profit."

Ryo and Kyo looked horrified at the prospect of their parents losing their house, but above all, their luxury goods, "Please don't do that! We're sorry!" Ryo pleaded.

"It's too late for apologies now. You should have thought about the consequences before you committed a crime," Shinichi said sternly.

"Let alone, framing me!" Shiro shook his fist menacingly at his horrified cousins of his.

"Yeah! Ranran is making us some moneeeey!!!!" Takuma throws his fists up in the air, before coughing profusely.

"We'll never pay you anything!" Ryo spat, glaring at Ranran.

Kyo declared, "I will hire a lawyer to go against this illegal practice!"

"Go ahead," Shinichi challenged them, amused with how things are playing out, "But as someone who is very familiar with the laws here in Japan, I am dead certain you'll find anyone willing to take your case since you both not only committed kidnapping, you both also attempted to frame your own cousin of all the people in the world! And should you all don't, I will use certain 'ways' to ensure the both of you pay out of your own pocket for all the damages you caused, and let's just say it's going to be a lot of money, and we can drag on for years and years if you want till both of you go broke."

"Also, you were the one who signed under oath," Ranran replied calmly. "And trust me, any contracts with signatures will not go well in anyone's favour, let alone, you."

Ryo and Kyo looked at each other, fear in their eyes. They had never faced consequences like this before. It was clear that they were screwed, big time.

"So, what do you say? Are you willing to settle this matter out of court, or should we let the legal system take its course?"

Ryo and Kyo glanced at each other nervously, realizing that they might actually have to face the consequences of their actions. "Uh, we'll settle," Ryo said, his voice barely audible.

"Good choice," Ranran said with a nod. "I don't like it when idiots try to exploit us out of free labour."

Sergeant Genzo nodded in agreement. "You will have to face the consequences of your actions. Take them away," he ordered the officers.

"Neh Kudo, can I legally sue them to the point they go bankrupt?" Shiho turned to Ranran, demanding answers.

"Yes, no problem, "Ranran confirmed, "It's your livelihood after all. Their actions are literally going to ruin your future as a musician to a point you are at risk of becoming unemployed."

"Good, I plan to sue them till they go back to village life!" Shiho declared.

"Calm down Shiro, these people ain't worth blowing your anger about, "His manager tries to calm him down.

"I am sorry over what my band did to all of you. This is very disrespectful to everyone involved. I will pay back the damages they have caused."Shiro stood and bowed in apology to Tantei association members.

"Don't need to apologise, Shiro, you had no idea about this too, "Emiko reassures him.

"Emiko is right, if you knew all of this and did nothing, that is a different story."Ranran reassures Shiro, "If it was anyone's fault, it was that member in our association who didn't pay attention to the signs, along with those scheming members of yours."

"Ranran is right, you and Mr Ogawa after all, were the true victim in all of this."Shinichi too nodded in agreement.

"You all seemed very professional in handling such matters," Ogawa can't help but praised, "I have a couple of people in mind who might be interested in your detective service."

Suddenly the small room echoed with a loud pak sound.

By the time all of them spun around, Junko had just slapped Kyo's face as she choked back her tears. "So when you said I wasn't like any of the other girls...was it merely a lie to pull your kidnapping schemes!?"

Kyo then rubbed his own cheek as Michio trembled in fear, after having watched all of this.

"Damn, you definitely avoided the bullet." Takuma couldn't help but whisper to Michio, who is currently looking at Junko, and shuddered nervously while Takuma, Ran and Emiko too will shock beyond words as they glance at his reaction. Even Ranran and Shinichi were taken aback by this incident.

At this point, first time in Michio's life, he realizes how thankful he was that Junko ain't his girlfriend. He literally dodges a bullet big time. As soon as he leaves after witnessing all of this, he is going to buy himself a cup of expensive espresso for living to see another day away from Junko's grip.

Meanwhile, Shinichi and Ranran were equally horrified.

Suddenly, Junko's slap on Kyo ruined their professional image as a member of Tantei Association.

There is a saying that one should not display an emotional attachment in front of others, especially between client and member. The reason Ranran and Shinichi let Emiko and Junko hung out with Shiro and Kyo in the first place was to reel in clues leading up to the kidnapping. At that time, the two were still waiting for Agasa to clone Kyo's phone.

After 4 days, and roughly an hour after Takuma's kidnapping when they got hold of the video, they were thinking Junko wouldn't get mad about being tricked by Kyo since her no.1 obsession was Michio regardless of whether she ended up with Kyo or not. They figured notifying her might end up giving Kyo the impression that they were onto them once more, so they said nothing to her.

Clearly, they were wrong, for it seems like the secretary had a pride of her own when it comes to being humiliated.

And above all the times she slapped Kyo, it had to be the time Ogawa was about to introduce Shinichi's mentor and himself to more clients!

"Damn that Junko, she is gonna drag Tantei Association's reputation into the mud if anyone finds out! Damage control, I need damage control...."Shinichi muttered as he cringed, while his partner's eyes widened, even someone as calculative as her didn't see this coming.

"....I mean what is there to hide!? She did it in front of many police officers of all things...the press will definitely have a field day covering this if any one of them tips them off."Ranran couldn't help but add.

"You don't need to remind me of that, Ranran!"He hissed back.

Now you might be thinking, it is very abnormal and insensitive for them to be worried about the reputation of their Tantei agency instead of their member's mental welfare for being tricked in the name of love.

Then again, there is no love for the girl in glasses considering she never hid her obsession towards Michio a secret, and would literally do anything to wipe anyone that stands in their way.

Kyo, who is still reeling from all of the lies he had just learned about his first love's life, and feeling the painful sting on her face, did not say a thing. The atmosphere in the room became tense as everyone tried to process what just happened. It was clear that Junko's outburst had thrown a wrench in their plans and potentially damaged the reputation of the Tantei Association.

The last thing Shinichi needs is for the actual press outside their school to publish either of these two headlines once their case-solving reaches the public.

Worst, they might end up with a damning headline that reads:

Member of the Tantei association falls for the kidnapper mastermind like a fool

Scored Lover from Tantei association physically assaults Red Illumination member.

This can't do for Shinichi. Nope, not happening!

Pulling his partner aside while being apologetic in front of Ogawa and Shiro due to Junko's behaviour, much to her surprise, he whispered, "We need to cover up this."

"Not a good idea, "Ranran clicked with her red lips.

"Why not?"Shinichi frowned at Ranran.

"One, it will seem as if we are defending her lunatic actions, and two, our morale in Tantei association be looked down upon even more if people know we attempted to hide this."Ranran pointed.

"Ah....damn....."Takuma cringed, "Then what are we gonna do to fix this situation at bay...."

"Man, was she always like this to other people?"Shiro asked in shock as his head turned to Shinichi and Ranran, "If she was, I totally feel bad for the both of you."

"Oh no, she normally ain't."Michio gave him that long-suffering sort of smile as Shiro reads the boy's expression, looking as if he was used to her demeanour.

"Don't worry about it, she would eventually recover. She is a tough cookie after all, "Emiko gave Shiro a smile, but it was to Shiro a suffocating smile as if this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

"Something tells me this isn't the first time you worked with unbearable kids."Shiro shakes his head in dismay, before adding, "Then again, I have been there."

"Don't we all?"Ranran too gave him a one-sided smile, but that was all.

"It is unbearable, not gonna lie. "Shinichi adds.

The same applies to the other children as Shiro's eyes grew big, noting that neither kid seem to care for that Junko, telling him that she is a lot worst than he had assumed. Ranran meanwhile just kept staring at Junko, as she clicked her red lips, "Now that is what I call a sore loser in the game of love."

"Ranran, don't be cruel, alright?"Shinichi told her off, but deep down, he couldn't help but agree with her harsh truth. Junko really is the sore loser this time, and she only has herself to blame.

"Seriously, do you have to be this insensitive?!" Mouri Ran hissed lowly at the founder.

"I ain't, in the first place: That line 'Unlike the rest of the girls' is so overly used back in my old school, I knew Junko is bound to be burned." Ranran rolled her eyes.

"You see, Mouri? Even she can tell that is the cheesiest line! I almost coughed when I overheard him telling Junko that over the phone once at the HQ. You don't even see me using that line on my ex." Takuma told her off.

"Anyway, there is nothing to see here, Ranran. Guys, "Shinichi got the rest of the member's attention by waving his hand up except Junko's, as he wrap his arm and linked Ranran's to escort her out of the way, "Don't just keep standing there and watch. Better leave before she charges after us, alright? And Michio."

"Ah, yeah?"Michio suddenly woke up from his trance.

"Do something. I don't want Ogawa and the others to think we are that unprofessional because of that girl!"

"Right, "Michio immediately caught onto Shinichi's words, "Shiro, would you like to come with us on our personal Tantei association tour?"He turned to the former drummer of Red Illumination, which made Shiro wonder what did he mean by that, "It is time we give you a proper treatment of what Tokyo has to offer here after what you been through. I think....you haven't gone about touring our city since arriving here, deshou?"

"Well....now you mention it," Shiro thinks back, "We haven't gone about getting to know the city here yet. Yeah," He nodded in excitement, as he turn to Michio, "I won't mind coming along if you guys are ok with me tagging alongside Emiko"

"No need to be so modest! We won't mind having you tag along with Emiko! In fact, you can also call your manager to come along if he wants. Beikai District here had tonnes of stories you would be dying to hear. Right, Takuma?"Michio spoke quickly as he eagerly make attempts to distract Shiro from the problem by calling out to Takuma.

"Ah yes! Ah choo!"Takuma nodded as he shivered a bit, while he spoke in excitement, "I can give you and Mr Ogawa a great affordable tour around here! It is fun! You will love it here."

"But Takuma, you sure you can give him a tour? You look ill!"Emiko pointed out, looking at him worriedly.

"Don't worry about it, I can handle this a little longer with the medication Ranran has with her all the time. Anything for your boyfriend, I will do it."He reassures her.

"Oh yeah, now that you mention it, "Heads turned to Ran, "You won't mind us having Reina, Moriko and Sonoko over? They kinda miss out on your performance because of the kidnapping."

"Ah, don't worry about that! I am ok with it. The more the merrier. As long as they don't spread rumours of sorts," Shiro nodded in approval.

"Don't worry about that, I will reassure you regarding that,"Ranran promised the former drummer.

"Come on guys, let's go," Ran urged, worried that Junko is about to snap any minute now.

"Mr Ogawa, you joining us?"Ranran spoke to the manager.

"Ah sure, no problem."

"Alright, let's go mina."Shinichi spoke hurriedly.

"Alright, right this way...."Takuma guided them out of the venue.

"I guess for this case, not all the songbirds of a feather flock together," Ranran concluded.

And with that said after a sea of approving nods over the touring suggestion, the members left followed by the cops, leaving the weeping girl as a loud wail echoes within the building.