Tonight was an excitement for the members of Tantei Association members.

A rollercoaster of emotions and events had taken them to where things are now, a trip around Shibuya with former Red Illumination drummer/member Shiro was something everyone is looking forward to.

With Reina, Moriko and Sonoko notified, everyone is told to gather at the main HQ at around 8 to 9 pm. There are a lot of things the police plan to do, now that everyone is aware that Ryo, Kyo, his family, and anyone who is involved in the kidnapping are very likely going to pay severely, jail time for the adults, but as for Ryo and Kyo, they will soon know their severity for their actions by tomorrow.

Heading towards the main HQ, 6-year-old Kudo Shinichi is walking from home to there on a night time alone, taking in the views and sounds of the city. As he walks, he can't help but think about the events of the past few days. The kidnapping of Kyo, the betrayal of Ryo, and the bravery of his fellow Tantei Association members.

Despite his young age, Shinichi has seen and experienced more than most children his age. He's been involved in countless investigations, solved numerous cases, and even helped to take down some of the most notorious criminals in Japan. But even with all of his experience, he still can't believe what has happened recently.

Especially with his mentor, Ranran.

Kudo Ranran, his 6-year-old partner-in-crime, had been an enigma in a huge way. First, he learns she used to be The Fox, then, she was formerly a successful child actress before walking away from her contract that would have led her to go professional, and not long ago got a tiny glimpse of her cut-throat ways of dealing with unreasonable children who often get away with the power of money.

Who is she, really? His mentor?

Even about Kyo's first love...when they were digging about her, Shinichi found nothing about her. Fortunately, Ranran recognized her as the former schoolmate of Edgewood Academy and that the name 'Madeline' was a sham.

As Shinichi continued to walk, lost in thought, he suddenly heard a faint noise behind him. Turning around, he saw nothing but darkness. He shrugged it off and continued on his way, but the feeling of unease lingered.

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

Shortly after entering Majima's shop, and opening the vending machine door, the apprentice navigates straight down the dark hallway, about to push slide open the main door when a voice came out from Tantei Association's office.

"Not expecting you to make a call at this hour, Ranran."

From the sounds of things, as they were conversing in English, it seems like the voice is coming from an electronic device, presumably, an Ipad. Shinichi hesitates for a moment, wondering if he should interrupt whoever is speaking to Ranran. He decides to stay quiet and listen in, curious about what's going on.

"It's 12 pm there anyway, not like any of you are busy with anything yet besides preparing for Walter's fashion show at Millan, which is in 5 days' time there," Ranran replied. Ranran's voice comes through the speaker on the device, sounding calm and collected. "I apologize if I seem to be calling at an unexpected time, Vera."

Vera?

Shinichi processed his head before realizing who Ranran was calling. The other day in the classroom during recess, Ranran was busy talking to two Caucasian children from Edgewood Academy, who introduced him over the tablet face time to Veronica and Ellis.

"No worries! You can always call us anytime, though as you can see," The voice on the other end replies while showing Ranran the view, "Everything here right now, is a mess."

Seeing the chaotic scene of a typical fashion designer like Walter, the room Veronica was showing through the tablet was a mess.

As Shinichi peers through the crack, the first thing that caught his eye was the mess in the video.

Clothes were scattered all over the place, some hanging on hangers, some crumpled up on the floor, and others on the back of chairs. The room was brightly lit, with multiple spotlights shining on a central area that seemed to be the focus of all the chaos.

In that central area behind Veronica, Shinichi could see the short yet neatly tucked to the back chocolate hair spilling on this boy, frantically running around with a measuring tape in hand, barking orders at the other children who were rushing back and forth to fulfil his requests. It was clear that they were all under a lot of pressure, with the deadline for the fashion show quickly approaching.

It's clear to Shinichi the team is in the middle of a hectic pre-show rush.

Based on this scene, Shinichi deduces that the one who is directing the video must be none other than Walter Kensington.

And once more Ranran did not bother to tell him: She seems to know Walter.

Before, he assumed Ranran knew him through investigating Kyo's first love, but after hearing how bitter and furious she sounded about how Walter had to put up with her, it made sense now why she detested that girl.

Shinichi also noticed that there were several sketches of clothing designs pinned to the walls around the room, along with fabric samples and notes scribbled on pieces of paper. Despite the chaos, it was apparent that this was a professional and dedicated team, working hard to ensure that their fashion designs were perfect for the upcoming show.

"Damn, Vera, Walter and Isabelle really has their work cut out for them. It seems far more chaotic than 2 years ago, when I was 3 it wasn't as hectic as I remembered." Ranran says sympathetically. "Judging their looks behind them, I am assuming they are in huge demand?"

Veronica nods in agreement, her black hair bouncing as she does so. "Yes, it's been quite a challenge this year. But I know Walter and Isabelle will pull through. They always do."

Ranran smiles, "I'm not surprised. Walter and Isabelle are both incredibly talented, and they have a fantastic team behind them. "

Shinichi watches and listens intently, impressed by Ranran's ability to hold a conversation with these foreign acquaintances, and also by the sheer amount of chaos in the room behind them.

Veronica looks directly at the camera and says, "So, Ranran, what can we do for you? Is everything alright on your end?"

Ranran hesitates for a moment, "Actually...I have to...deliver some unpleasant news."

"News? Like what sort of news?"

Seeing his mentor's biting her red lips, she dropped the bomb, "It's about Colleen..."

That made Shinichi's eyes grow wide at the mention of her name, while Veronica's expression turns serious and disgusted as she listens to Ranran's news about Colleen. "What about that low-life?"

Ranran takes a deep breath before continuing, "The kidnapping case I told you about that I was working on...it appears before her death-"

"Stop," Veronica made sure Walter was way busy, before moving the tablet further away from Walter a bit and lowering her voice. "What do you mean before her death? What did...that girl do this time?!"

"Well...somehow, duping this boy who is 11...he staged a kidnapping in her honour."

Veronica's eyes widen in shock and anger. "What?! That's despicable! How could she involve another boy in her twisted games!? Especially after what she did to Walter? And what happened to him?"

"Long story short, he conspired with his lead singer brother to stage a kidnapping and justified that since the cousin rejected her confession, it only seems fair to frame the cousin." Ranran clarified, "The cousin who is the drummer, actually rejected her, so she hounded him by being annoying. Fortunately, her heart couldn't take it anymore, and then she died. Which didn't sit well with the mastermind, so...yeah. Right now, I am representing the drummer to sue them penniless."

There's a brief pause before the voice on the other end speaks again while Shinichi's heart races as he listens to the conversation. Then, Veronica's eyes narrow in anger, "To think...ah, that wench! Even in death, she is still causing havoc!"

"And that is not all..." With reluctance, Ranran finally said, "The news about the kidnapping...it will be out tomorrow. And from the tips, I had received...it seems like Walter's association with Colleen back then... is going to be brought up."

Veronica's expression turns grim as she processes the information, grim turned to further anger, "The press must be stopped no matter what!" Veronica could be heard saying in determined anger, "We do not need Walter to relive another painful episode, Ranran!"

Seeing Ranran's helpless face, Veronica reminded her, "Do you not remember when Walter was adopted into the family, what was the first thing Colleen said to him?!"

"I do..."

"He is 'Voldemort', Ranran! Every single day without fail, the light in his eyes diminished thanks to her damn mouth! Even sometimes when Ellis and I look back, I cried thinking about his former life!"

Hearing this for the very first time, Shinichi froze.

Voldemort is a popular evil character in Harry Potter, whose origins were dark where his mom manipulated his dad using drugs and slept with her, resulting in his existence. His name was constantly used by kids Shinichi's age, a term commonly used to refer to a child who is specifically born when a biological parent forces the other parent against their will, resulting in their birth.

Children had associated that if a kid is born 'Voldemort', he or she will grow up to be the evil villain everyone fears and hates. This is why those kids who are labelled 'Voldemort' had it way worst compared to other kids who had parents as criminals.

Shinichi remembers vividly back in kindergarten, how kids at school would treat those labelled as 'Voldemort.' They would taunt and bully them relentlessly, calling them disgusting names and making cruel jokes about their parentage. He remembers one incident in particular where this group of older kids were taunting and pushing this kid around, he was from another class, down the slopes and into the river. That poor kid had been left bruised and battered, with two fractured legs.

The kid would often try to defend himself, but he was outnumbered, and the other kids were relentless. It was a sad and disturbing sight to see a child treated with so much hatred and cruelty.

For Shinichi to hear this for the very first time, sent chills and disgust towards Walter's real dad.

Even more disgusting was that Colleen not only knew but gleefully decided to make his life a living hell.

Shinichi couldn't help but feel sorry for Walter. He knew getting bullied and excluded was bad enough, but he couldn't even imagine what it was like to carry a label like "Voldemort." The stigma attached to the label seemed to follow the kid everywhere he went, and there was no escape from it.

"Did he even ask to be born that way, Ranran!?" Veronica could be heard lamenting, "He ain't Voldemort, Ranran, he is just not!"

"Vera, that's enough," Suddenly, Veronica suddenly feels a hand on his shoulder. Startled, she turns around to see Walter, standing there with a painful smile on his face. "Don't stop the press from reporting this."

"Eh? Why not!?" Veronica asks, clearly taken aback by Walter's statement.

"Because even if I use a knife and cut off my veins, it's nothing but the cruel truth," Walter responds calmly.

"Walter..." Veronica's voice could be heard coming out from the Ipad.

Ranran looks at Walter with a mixture of shock, "Walter, are you sure about this? Can you really...deal with the attention from the media?"

"It's not a secret in the first place."

"But are you willing to put yourself reliving the news about reporting how you were born?" Veronica speaks with grief.

"You know...." The painful smile didn't wipe off his face as he speaks, "Do you remember the last time how we met 3 years ago, Ranran?"

Hearing this, Ranran replied over the tablet while Shinichi, who is still leading outside the door overhear her say, "I do. You sent in a request on employing our revenge services, that if we failed, you are going to jump off the clock tower of Edgewood Academy."

Walter nods his head slowly, "Yes, and do you also remember how I looked back then?"

Ranran silently nod, "You were 7 at that time, with sunken eyes, pale skin, and bruises on your arms. There was...no light in your eyes back then."

"That's right," Walter says, his voice trembling slightly. "I wanted an independent life without parents. And it was pretty unreasonable at that time, and although Colleen's adopted mom treasure me, I couldn't bear to tell her the things her daughter had been doing towards me, even the lies she had told about me towards her real dad. If life with her was going to be all about torment, I want nothing to do with Colleen or her dad.  Do you even recall...when you first saw me make a dress, I hid it from you and lied that I didn't make it? Because Colleen made fun of me for not being a boy's man. That I am nothing but a wuss. During that period...I felt like a freeloader that no one wanted. Even...my own parents didn't want me."

Veronica could be seen rubbing her face, in frustration and pure grief, recalling the darker days.

"Do you remember...when I told you that Colleen found out my adopted dad was also secretly having an affair with my biological mom...she even taunted me that my days of being thrown out of the house are numbered!"

Shinichi's heart ached for Walter as he listened to his story.

"The very words you said to me, Ranran, I will never forget it." Walter recalled, "You said 'Such a shame, this dress is very beautiful, no matter it was made by a boy.'" Walter nods in agreement, "That was the moment I realized that it's okay to be myself, even if others don't understand or accept me. Then Veronica came back, then Ellis...then do you recall the day this starlet ask me to make a dress for her? It was the happiest day of my life."

"Yes Walter, I do remember." Ranran's words made Shinichi's ears perk up.

"That day...when the press came, if it wasn't for you to sabotage the curtains...I don't think I would be able to live another day had you not done it for me. At that time, she was maliciously sending text messages to the press that I was some ambitious social climber! From the day she was kicked out of school, to the day she died, I felt like this revenge was the best decision I ever made. Otherwise, I still would've ended up with no roof to stay with. For that, I owed you, thanks, Fox."

The more Shinichi hears of this, the more his jaw dropped.

At the same time, Walter's words confirmed another suspicion of his: Takuma was right, Ranran did in fact use the identity of The Fox back in the U.K. It was admirable to Shinichi, he was honestly impressed with Ranran's capabilities.

"Ranran, Vera...I hate her, and I still do, in fact, if I do hear her name from anyone, those memories I had with her will continue to haunt me." Walter admits, "But..."

"....yeah?"

Secretly eavesdropping, Shinichi can't imagine how painful Walter must have been dealing with. "It's....been a long time, Ranran, I dealt with way worst days when I was with Colleen. A press talking about my past? Go ahead! It won't affect me now. In fact, I am living the life that I always wanted, as a fashion designer, and being recognized for my talents. I have come to terms with my past and I am grateful for the people who helped me get through it."

"Walter..."Veronica's words died out, before giving a determined nod, "You are right, those days are over. Colleen is dead and gone...the world is your oyster now."

"She is right," Ranran agreed, "You can either live a life of misery with the tormentor or live a better life with the tormentor dead."

Walter smiled, feeling grateful for his friends' support. "Thank you, Ranran, Veronica. I don't know what I would do without you both."

Shinichi couldn't help but feel moved by the conversation. He admired their strength and resilience of Walter.

At the same time, however, he can't help but admit he is a bit disturbed by one detail in the conversation.

From what he had heard, they sounded happy that Colleen died. Throughout his detective career as an apprentice, there are people he has met who wanted the victim to die either out of jealousy, maliciousness, or just in the name of fun.

But from their conversation, it sounded as if it was out of desperation, that this person had to die in order to achieve a better life.

When people feel like they have no other option, that they are backed into a corner with no escape, one must bite back.

He wonders if he would have made the same choices as Walter and his friends if he had been in their shoes, driven to a point where celebrating the death of a kid isn't an insane idea. He knows Ranran would without a doubt, she ain't the type to simply accept beatings and be one's punching bag.

Then he thought about where he got to where he is now, back to his past ignorant self where he knew nothing about Ran and Sonoko's lies. If he were to compare himself with Walter, Shinichi faired it out pretty easily.

In a way, Shinichi did not live under the same roof as the tormentor. He had parents who love him unlike Walter, and the house, food, and clothes Shinichi wear all solely belonged to him, gifted by his doting parents. Overall, Walter had nothing to his name and worked his way up to the top.

If Shinichi were, to be honest with himself, they both had one thing in common: They are both puppets who had no control over their life.

And this is why, Shinichi is now starting to believe...The Fox Ranran used to be in the U.K. not only specialising in revenge for her clients but also...the clients she saved are powerless children of nobility.

The thought of Ranran helping children like Walter made Shinichi feel a sense of respect for her. He couldn't imagine what it must be like for those kids, born into wealth and privilege but with no control over their lives, trapped by their family's expectations and societal norms. It must be a suffocating and lonely existence, and Ranran's intervention must have brought them hope and freedom.

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

For the celebratory meal, Shiro and Ogawa threw a luxury party and some fine dining in a luxurious hotel.

Sunny Oasis was a luxurious Western hotel, a hot spot for the elite and famous, and only celebrities were allowed to enter. The hotel boasted of its exclusivity, privacy, and sophistication.

When Mouri Ran and the rest first arrived, she was in awe of the lobby of the hotel, as it was breathtaking, with its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and plush furnishings. One can't help but feel like they had entered into another world.

But that was later overwhelmed at the restaurant they entered upon.

The fine dining restaurant at Sunny Oasis was a true culinary masterpiece. It was located on the top floor of the hotel, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of Tokyo. The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows provided a stunning vista of the cityscape, and the warm and intimate atmosphere created the perfect setting for an unforgettable dining experience.

The restaurant was decorated with stylish and elegant furnishings, creating a modern and sophisticated ambience. The tables were dressed in crisp white linens, and the lighting was soft and romantic, providing the perfect backdrop for the restaurant's exquisite cuisine.

The restaurant's menu was crafted by a renowned chef, who used only the finest ingredients sourced from around the world. The dishes were meticulously prepared and beautifully presented, creating a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

There, the boy in the cap who was sneezing while wearing a mask named Takuma who is with his girlfriend Reina, and her cousin Moriko, explained to a shocked Shiro, with Emiko next to him, each holding glasses of fruit juice, while pointing at the panoramic window, "And that was how Ranran caused a 60 million yen blimp to crashed around where I was pointing earlier!"

Shiro's eyes widened in disbelief. "A blimp?! How is that even possible? She is only 6!" he exclaimed.

Reina chuckled, "It couldn't be helped, the pilot of the blimp ran away after committing a murder.  He was planning to crash it into the city and commit mass suicide. There was a struggle, and yet, the blimp later caught fire..."

Shiro was stunned. He had never heard of such a thing before. "Wait, that would've been huge news! Why didn't it make it to the press?!"

"Well, the grandparents made it as if it never happened," Moriko shook her head, "Ranran's family...you can say are very private people, and very influential."

Emiko chimed in, "Ranran's family is like that. We stop questioning after that blimp incident after Shinichi told us not to think too much of it, and let things be."

"60 million yen...damn," Shiro can't help but think, as he was stunned. He had never heard of such a thing before. What 6-year-old does that!?

Seeing that Shiro is becoming intrigued, Reina's smile widened before telling her boyfriend, "Tak-chan, tell him when the blimp owner grew pissed after Ranran refused to pay 60 million yen in damages over the blimp the pilot stole."

Shiro's eyes widened even further, "Wait, there's more?"

Moriko nodded eagerly, "Yes, there's more! So the blimp owner decided to come after Ranran's family, but she wasn't having it. Like why must her family pay for it?"

"To be fair, she destroyed 60 million yen of a flying vehicle," Shiro reminded her

"You can easily say that," Moriko shrugged, "But Ranran has always been a bit...different when it comes to money. She has...an unusual way of seeing the world that most of us can't comprehend."

Shiro pondered this for a moment before asking, "So what happened with the blimp owner? This story is beginning to take an unusual turn."

"Oh, it is about to get even," Takuma took a sip of his juice before continuing, "Well, he tried to threaten Ranran's family, but they weren't intimidated. In fact, Ranran ended up turning the tables on him."

"How?"

"Well, Ranran is somehow...for some reason, manage to get people to take down the blimp owner's entire destroyed blimp, dismantling it piece by piece, then selling it off and making money out of it."

Shiro's mouth fell open in shock. "She dismantled the blimp and sold it for parts? And making money out of it?"

Emiko nodded, "Yes, she did. It was quite a genius move, actually."

"But he has no blimp and lost 60 million yen!"

"Not really, the blimp owner himself kept doing shady activities to make a profit in the first place." Reina rolled her eyes and chuckled, "She technically turned a potential financial disaster into a profitable venture. And the blimp owner was left with nothing but a pile of useless scraps."

"Yeah, but that was at other people's expense!"

Takuma chuckled, "And that's not all. She also managed to get the pilot's family, yes, the murderer's family, to pay for the damages caused by the crash."

Shiro shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe a 6-year-old was able to do all that. Wait, how did she make the pilot's family pay?!"

Emiko shrugged, "This one, we are not entirely sure since Shinichi accompanied her on this one, but I suspect she threaten to leak out the new location they were going to move in, a property they bought in advance before the murder."

Shiro shook his head again, "That's insane. I can't even begin to imagine how she came up with all of this."

Moriko smiled, "That's Ranran for you. She's always been like this till now. She's just...different. But in a good way."

Shiro nodded slowly, still processing everything he had just heard. "I can see that. She's definitely not your average 6-year-old. Are they any more unusual stories about her?"

Takuma grinned mischievously, "Oh, you have no idea. I could tell you about the time she destroyed this purse worth 70 million yen."

Shiro's eyes widened again. "Another one? What happened this time?"

Takuma leaned in closer, "Well, you see...."

While all of the exciting discussions were taking place, the adults were busy having their own discussions, amazed by the talent of the children of the association.

It was something worth celebrating, well, not everyone is in a celebratory mood. Especially Mouri Ran of all people.

She should've felt grateful, in a way, she gets to remain in the association, and all of them were able to retrieve their collateral back, let alone, her membership in the association.

Even so...Ran still can't help but feel sad about it.

Shinichi remains as distant from her, as it was the day when he announced leaving her to sit with Kudo Ranran. His eyes remained on the red lip detective, seemingly hooked on the words on whatever she is sharing with him, not acknowledging Ran's existence.

Meanwhile, Sonoko accompanied Ran, whom the heiress noticed that Ran had a contemplative look on her face as if lost in thought. "Is everything okay, Ran-san?" Sonoko asked.

She snapped out of her reverie and turned to her, a small smile on her face. "Yes, everything is fine. I was just thinking...what does it take to become Ranran?"

"Eh?"

Sonoko looked confused at Ran's sudden question. "What do you mean by that, Ran-san?"

Ran chuckled softly. "I mean, what does it take to have the kind of confidence and resourcefulness that Ranran has? To be able to turn a potential disaster into a profitable venture, to stand up to powerful people without fear, to see the world in a way that most of us can't."

Sonoko nodded thoughtfully. "I see what you mean. Ranran is definitely unique in that way. But I don't think it's something that can be taught or learned. It's just...who she is, you know?"

Ran smiled. "Yes, I know. But I still can't help wondering. Maybe it's not something that can be taught, but perhaps it's something that can be cultivated. Maybe there's a part of me that's capable of being like her, and I just need to bring it out."

"I think you already have some of those qualities, Ran-san," Sonoko said encouragingly. "You're strong-willed and determined, and you have a sharp mind. Maybe you just need to believe in yourself more."

"Well...I am all of that, but sharp mind ain't one of them. I ain't like...Ranran."

Her sad eyes glance at Shinichi, her crush-no, her ex-friend, chatting happily with Ranran from afar.

Sonoko noticed the change in Ran's expression and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about Shinichi right now. You're your own person, and you have your own strengths. Maybe you're not as resourceful as Ranran, but you have other talents that make you who you are."

Ran sighed. "I know, Sonoko. It's just...hard sometimes, you know? To see him with someone like her, who seems to have everything figured out, while I...I mean just look at her," She directed Sonoko's gaze at the subject, "She knew she wanted to become a detective, and is living the dream, had Shinichi around her fingers. Meanwhile, I...I don't even know what I want to be in this world."

"Ran-san..."

"My mother wanted to be a lawyer growing up, my dad a police officer. As for me...Ranran and I...we are both the same age: 6 years old, and she is thriving far better than me."

Sonoko listened attentively, her heart going out to her friend. "Ran-san, you don't have to compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own path in life, and just because Ranran has found her calling at a young age doesn't mean you won't find yours eventually. It's okay to take your time to figure things out."

Ran smiled weakly. "Thanks, Sonoko. I know you're right. It's just hard sometimes, you know?"

"I think...it will change if we find out Ranran is none other than The Fox, the legendary child detective who vanished from the news."

Ran's eyes widened in surprise. "The Fox? Do you really think it's possible?"

Sonoko shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but it's not entirely impossible. The Fox vanished from the public eye around the same time Ranran appeared. And the way she's been able to solve all these cases...it's like she has experience for a long time."

Ran nodded slowly. "I see what you mean. But even if she is The Fox...if Shinichi knew we are looking into her, he might hate me for prying into her affairs."

"Why would he?!"

"Did you forget? He is now her official apprentice.  Especially since he still hates me over the video incident between you and Mamiko."

Sonoko frowned. "I remember that, but it's not like we're accusing her of anything. We're just curious about her, that's all. And if she is The Fox, it would explain a lot of things."

Ran sighed. "I know, but Shinichi...he might think I'm trying to use Ranran to get back in his good graces, and he'll never forgive me."

Sonoko nodded understandingly. "I see what you mean. But we can't just ignore this, can we? We need to find out the truth. It's for Shinichi's own good. And if Ranran is true 'The Fox', that meant Ranran not only upfront lied to me and everyone, including Shinichi! I am sure as soon as he hears of this, he will leave her for bringing so much pain and come back to us!"

Ran looked conflicted, but she knew Sonoko was right. They couldn't just ignore the possibility that Ranran was The Fox. "You're right, Sonoko. We can't just ignore this. But we need to be careful. We don't want to jump to conclusions or accuse her of anything without solid evidence."

Sonoko nodded in agreement. "Of course, we'll be careful. We just need to start investigating and see where it leads us."

Ran smiled, feeling grateful for her friend's support. "Thank you, Sonoko. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sonoko smiled back. "That's what friends are for, Ran-san. Let's do this together."

With a renewed determination, Ran and Sonoko began their investigation into the possibility that Ranran was The Fox. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they were willing to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth.

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

"I am surprised you didn't use this as a way to remove Ran from the association when she put her membership as collateral." Shinichi sipped his drink, and so did Ranran.

"You have no idea how I am eager to have her removed when she presents this opportunity before me," Ranran scoffed, with a drink in hand, "But then she got lucky that Kyo presented himself to be the worst scumbag than her. If I do so, that meant Shiro would lose everything as a musician."

Shinichi nodded in understanding. "I see. So you chose to prioritize Shiro's future over removing Ran."

"I don't feel comfortable with someone who prays for my death every single day without fail because she couldn't get your attention anymore, "Ranran took a deep breath. "But I can't let personal problems get in the way of innocent people's lives, right?"

As disheartening as it sounds, Shinichi knew his mentor was right. He too wants his ex-friend to leave the association, but it's difficult when she remains shameless, leaching her way into the HQ despite her vindictive words.

"It's not an easy decision to make, but you're doing the right thing," Shinichi said, giving his mentor a reassuring smile.

"I don't know, man," She frowns back, "I felt like I might be shrinking my lifespan for others, just by keeping her around for the client's sake."

Shinichi placed a comforting hand on Ranran's shoulder. "She no longer nags or go against you anymore after I told her off, remember?"

"There is a saying that if a rabbit is cornered to a wall, it will bite back with all its might," Ranran finished Shinichi's sentence. "That girl ain't remotely close to a rabbit, she is a snake. And I wouldn't put it past her to try something to harm me or the association, even if she appears to have backed down for now."

"You don't really think fondly of Ran, do you?"

"In my earlier days back in my old school, girls like her would make my clients' lives a living hell, it almost drove them to become a monster had me or my late mentor not interfered."

"Really?" His eyebrows shot up at that revelation, "How bad did it get?"

"It was bad," Ranran said, taking another sip of her drink. "Do you remember the ex-fiance of my mentor I told you about?"

"The princess who used to be engaged to him and bully him?"

"Yeah, that one," She paused, "She once dupe this boy, knowing he had feelings for her. Told him her engagement with him was forced, which wasn't a complete lie. Later convinced him to do so much illegal crap, that by the time I manage to catch him red-handed, she denied any involvement and left him to take the fall. And he willingly does so, like a fool. Got expelled from the school."

"No way...." Shinichi's voice died out hearing all of this before shaking his head, "How can there be idiots who exist in real life who will willingly take the fall for the other?"

"Like an Otome game, if you play your cards right with the exact words that strike the heart of the male target, you will win over his heart and be yours forever," Ranran replied with a sigh, "She knew how to manipulate people and play them like a fiddle. Which is why she was able to get away for so long."

"But Ranran, you have that manipulative talent. Why didn't you counter back against her at that time?"

"I did," Ranran said with a rueful smile, "But I was still young and inexperienced back then, only 3 years old. I couldn't outmanoeuvre her, especially when she had the upper hand. It wasn't until my mentor stepped in and honed my skill that we managed to put an end to her schemes."

Shinichi nodded in understanding. "I see. So, Ran is like a reminder of all of the horrible children that harassed your clients?"

"You could say that," Ranran said.

"Well, if she steps out of line again, just let me know," Shinichi said, "I won't hesitate to take action."

"Thanks, Shinichi," Ranran said, "But for now, let's just enjoy our drinks and forget about all this drama."

As they sipped their drinks and enjoyed the beautiful view from the panorama window of the restaurant, Shinichi couldn't help but wonder about his mentor's past as an actress. He had heard rumours from some of the members of the association, but he had never dared to ask her about it directly. However, as they sat there in comfortable silence, Shinichi found himself more curious than ever.

Ranran noticed her apprentice's gaze lingering on her, and she turned to him with a questioning look. "What's on your mind, Shinichi?"

He hesitated for a moment but then decided to take the plunge. "The other day...I kinda talked with Takuma, regarding your past as a child actor."

Ranran's expression softened, and she smiled gently. "Ah, yes. I did dabble in acting for a while before I joined the association."

Shinichi leaned in, eager to hear more. "Really? What kind of roles did you play?"

"Well, it was very disappointing from the start before it gradually progressed."

Hearing the tone, it sounds as if it brought her some joy.  Finally, he couldn't resist and asked, "Ranran, did you enjoy acting?"

Ranran smiled wistfully at the memory. "Yes, I did. It was my passion for a long time. I loved the thrill of becoming someone else and bringing a character to life. Acting...was something I liked. Or....so I thought."

Shinichi listened intently, sensing that there was more to the story. "What happened?"

"Reality caught up with me," Ranran said, a sad smile on her face.

As soon as Ranran said it, Shinichi knew he had to listen.

Swishing her drink, Ranran began, "You know how old was my mother when she had me, right?"

"16," Shinichi recalled, "She was 16. Mother told me about it. Which pissed off grandmother and grandfather greatly."

"That's right, they sure were," Ranran confirmed, "But that's not the end of it. Naturally, your grandparents-no," Ranran decided she had to correct this fact, "Our grandparents wanted me gone, even before my mother could bring me into this world. So in a haste, my mother left with my father, disappeared before that could happen, then gave birth to me and raised me in the slums in the U.K. Too young to get a middle-income job, both of them, so to raise me, my parents even had to rely heavily on my maternal grandparents for help."

Shinichi listened in silence, feeling a mix of surprise and sympathy for his mentor's past. "I didn't know that," he said softly.

"Three of them: Parents, grandmother, and even my step-grandfather are always busy with work, so I ended up spending most of my time alone locked up in a run-down townhouse. That is where I turned to the Tv for company."

"And that's where you found your love for acting," Shinichi said, putting the pieces together.

Ranran nodded, "I admired those actors on TV, they looked so confident and charming like they were living a life that was worth living. There were a few characters that really left the 2-year-old me at that time impressed. So, I began to emulate them, practice their lines and expressions, and eventually...dream to live like the main heroine."

Shinichi could see the passion in Ranran's eyes as she spoke, "The main heroine always gets whisked into a luxurious ball by the male lead. With those beautiful gowns, fancy desserts, and the power bestowed upon those characters, I felt like if I ever became an actress, I would get to wear it for free without paying a single pound."

"Eh!? That is... an unusual way of thinking?!" Shinichi blinked his eyes repeatedly, "I could've guessed you wanted to do it to be loved by fans or anyone to your liking."

Ranran chuckled, "Well, that too, but in addition to all of that, food and desserts exclusively for the wealthy such as steak, caviar or whatever booze were a huge bonus for me."

"You do know that there sometimes serve fake affordable food, right?" Shinichi brought this point up.

"What would a 2-year-old know any of that back then? Also, don't high-budget movies and Tv series bring in those kinds of food in real life nowadays? Actors and actresses of A-List rank can be demanding nowadays."

"Well that is true," Shinichi thought hard about it, "When my mother used to work as a high-rank actress, she used to bring back home those kinds of food from the set to my dad when they were still dating. I think Tousan's fame was beginning to do him good as a mystery author, but his income wasn't as high as mom's back then to afford those kinds of food." Wondering where this was heading, he probed, "....what changed then? For you to...walk away from a contract that could've secured you as an A-list child actor?"

"Edgewood was the beginning and the end of my dream," Ranran's smile was fading a little. "You know how I ended up there, right?"

As much as the truth to that question was uncomfortable, Shinichi knew he had to say it.

"Ah yes," Shinichi confirmed, rubbing his chin, "Grandmother said something about your mom's family, who are nobles, having no more heir or heiress to take over, so your mother and you were the remaining bloodlines to inherit it over. Which is why your family later moved into an affluent neighbourhood whose name I can't remember...."

Ranran nodded, "That's right. You can say...it was another form of 'compensation' for what they did to my maternal grandmother, I was later sent to Edgewood Academy...where everything began and ended." Drinking her cup of orange juice, the little girl elaborated further, "When I started there, I hated Edgewood Academy."

"What!?"Shinichi exclaimed in surprise, almost spilling his own drink in the process.