Kudo Ranran was a girl full of enigma.

When Takuma first met her, it was during the worst period of his life. Having once shone as bright as a star, he lost all of it to the night during the Football gate scandal, where his talent was brought into question when the football air was intentionally released to get better control over it.

In the office where his ex-friend at that time, Reina, introduces her to him, he felt like this was a total waste of time. This was a merciless cut-throat little girl who will trample on genuine kindness, which was his first impression of her when she called him a doormat who seeks out approval from anyone. For her to willingly solve his case? It isn't without a price.

And yes, although she didn't hide it, she was surprisingly good at her detective job. It completely made the athlete baffled, how was she able to get people who refuse to come forward to talk? Even his ex-friends never once said a word to defend him. When he tried to get others to prove he was innocent, they all turned away from him. This was his enemy, and although she will benefit a lot from taking upon this case, he can't help but wonder what sort of person is she beneath the hostility.

According to Reina, she isn't what she appears, and it was in a good way.

At first, he was sceptical. When Reina revealed her alter-identity as The Fox at first, he was surprised, but it did little to reduce his doubts. No, he had no doubts about her proving his innocence, but her character is another.

And so one day, after Ranran told him she is going to head to some athlete school where all his ex-friends, the same ones she kicked out because they attempted to stage a Tik Tok video where they were going to humiliate her in Teitan Elementary school to score some views in exchange of cash, only to backfire when she somehow had Takuma's ex take the bait. Curious, he followed her secretly after school without her knowledge.

When she arrived at the school, he was not expecting her to beat them up black and blue easily outside the school compound, despite being smaller than those 8 boys. They were talking smack of her, it was after all an all-boys school, and as he anticipated, they refused to corporate. She did have all of them expelled in the first place. Finally, one of the boys finally fessed up to reveal Takuma could not have done it, and that it was very likely one of the backup athletes who did it.

Confronting them over why didn't they say a thing, since Takuma mentioned they were added to a group chat before they departed to remain in contact, even mentioned that he shared this incident with them, one of them revealed they couldn't be bothered. In the first place, he was the only one out of everyone who didn't grow up in the said neighbourhood. Also, since he was grown in an environment filled with elderly people, he was influenced into talking about topics that are far too mundane for his age.

Constantly talking about their knitting crochet collection, to J-drama-related shows around their time, it was honestly so boring that their brains almost fell out of their head. The moment she digest all of this, she said those words Takuma had never forgotten.

"Damn, who knew you are such trashy friends to him?"

Takuma was taken aback, what did she just say?!

"Excuse me!?" One of them just grew wide-eyed.

"You couldn't be bothered? Even though he made the extra effort to attend every single of your birthday parties, hang out with some of you at the mall, even go watch a freaking movie in a theatre that is around 2 and a half-hour journey between his home and here...and yet, all of you were more concern about him being an inconvenience just because he lived in a community filled with elderly people?!"

The boys in the compound were speechless at Ranran's blunt words, even Takuma wasn't expecting to hear all of this.

"It's one thing he is an arrogant buffoon, but you got to give credit that he is a more qualified friend. My bet is even if I combined 8 of you dumb morons, you are all sore losers compared to him."

For a moment, Takuma who happens to be hearing all of this freezes. He was expecting her to trash-talk her, but defending him was the last thing on his mind. "Who are you to talk crap of us!? And anyway, don't you hate him!?"

"Hah?! Hate him? What makes you think I do?"

"You called him a doormat the other day!"

"I mean he is one because the whole lot of you are happily exploiting him, not because I wanted to insult him for fun! I barely even know him enough to hate him."

It was then Takuma knows why Reina said she could be trusted. She wasn't merely insulting out of malice, she is just pointing out things upfront. It took him a while to process all of this, and slowly get used to her words. By the time he became her friend, he has gotten used to her eccentric behaviour. And at times, he was truly in awe of how she executed things without getting into serious trouble. It was a talent unlike any other.

Even the time when she was able to get Sonoko to be publically caned, was a shocker to him. He wished he could have thought of that before 8 of his ex-friends were kicked out of school by her.

So when his girlfriend's cousin told him to act like Ranran, just to get the receptionist to let them have access to the same floor where Red Illumination members are, it was a tall order for the athlete. "This is ridiculous, Moriko! There is no way....." Takuma muttered to himself, pacing back and forth. "I can't play someone like Ranran. I ain't her."

Reuba sat down next to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Tak-san, I know this is too much to ask, but neither Moriko nor the rest of the members are able to wear the clothes beside you! We have no other choice!"

"Ranran is bold to the core! Do you even know half of the things she is able to do that not even the talented Kudo Shinichi can do yet!?" Takuma voice out his frustration before listing out the things she managed to achieve, "She was able to play an Adult Vocaloid song from one of the disciplinary teacher's smartphones she stole it from, called Ifdoudou on the school's intercom system during a national anthem without getting caught."

"Oh yes, that I admit was pretty funny," Moriko chuckled, "When the moaning sounds came up, it was funny as hell!"

"It wasn't," Ran frowned at her before revealing, "The reason she did that was that the teacher confiscated her smartphone after Ranran was caught listening to a playlist of Vocaloid songs, which are banned in our school because they contain songs meant for adults only. Ranran basically blackmailed the teacher to return the phone, or else she will reveal their name! Long story short, the said teacher had no choice but to beg her not to reveal anything before returning her phone! Otherwise, the teacher will no longer be able to get another job in teaching!"

"Oh yeah, that is the most wholesome thing I ever heard," Michio is impressed by this, and so was Emiko.

"Michio!" Junko hissed.

"Then there was that time when Ranran hacked into the school's computer system to change the grades of our own class. The teachers never found out, and everyone got an A+!" Takuma wasn't listening to their response while he continued to ramble.

"What!? Why would she do that!? That's cheating!" Emiko wasn't pleased with this, since she doesn't condone cheating when it comes to art, her favourite subject.

"This was reasonable, ok?" Reina justified, "Our substitute Art teacher was going to make all of us stay back in school if none of us scored such a grade. She intentionally gave us B and C's, so it was fair Ranran had to do it! By the time teacher found out about it, it was too late!"

"But the coolest part above all was when another substitute teacher decided to give us an additional one-hour class, by forcing us to wake up around 6 am! Just so she gets additional pay! And Ranran can't do without sleep, so for some reason, she was able to track down where he lived, and kept sending him all sorts of messages about what the male teacher was doing, who he was seeing, what are his next plans for the day, it was enough to trigger PTSD towards the teacher when he claims there is someone stalking him! And no one believed him! How can I ever beat that?!"

"Takuma! All those things you revealed about Ranran involved blackmailing, extortion and stealing!" Sonoko was appalled, how is any of this worth looking up to the she-demon!?

"Basically, he meant that he himself is more of a chihuahua, while Ranran is a tiger." Emiko summed it up.

"I don't think he was looking up on that aspect, but rather, how she is able to convince people to do her bidding, something Takuma lacks besides running his football club." Emiko huffed at that.

Moriko rolled her eyes. "Listen, Tak-san. You have been friends with her long enough to know how to be her. Unless we go home and waste our days waiting for Red Illumination's refund tickets for a whole month, then go ahead. But let's not forget the money we borrowed from her, how much struggle we went through just to watch them, only to be disappointed because no one bothers to know whether the main singer is kidnapped or not!"

Takuma sighed, knowing that Moriko was right. They went through a lot to borrow the money from Ranran to travel all the way to the stadium to watch a concert that was cancelled!

Takuma shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know if I can do it. I mean, I'm not exactly Ranran material."

"Neither the 8 of us, not even Shinichi can pull it off if he was given the chance," Moriko said, grabbing his shoulders. "If we don't get in there to check, we will have no concert!"

Takuma sighed heavily, "Fine, I'll try."

So within the first 20 minutes, it was rehearsal time between Sonoko and Moriko, while others observed in the lobby on standby. As Takuma got into character, he struggled a lot. It got to a point where he groaned, burying his face in his hands. This was going to be a disaster. He was going to embarrass himself in front of everyone.

And in the worst-case scenario, should Ranran get word of this, he is certain she would be mocking his failed attempts to be like her. She is a bit on the prideful side when it came to anyone attempting to impersonate her, but the arrogance ain't as bad in a way as her apprentice Shinichi would.

"Do I really have to put this on!?" Takuma was very hesitant when he sees the clothes before him, "I know it comes with pants and all, but still...it looks girly."

"Tak-san, you ain't wearing a skirt, alright?"

"Even so..." Takuma had never been the type of person to back down from a challenge, but he was certainly regretting his decision to take on this one. "Why do I have to wear this?" he groaned, tugging the clothes.

"Who cares?" Sonoko rolled her eyes at him, "You're just being narrow-minded. Anyone can wear whatever they want. No matter boy or girl!"

"But this is too much. I look ridiculous," Takuma complained.

Moriko chimed in. "Don't worry, Takuma. With a good makeover, no one will be able to tell the difference. You'll be the spitting image of a famous YouTuber, and we'll be able to sneak into their hotel room without anyone suspecting a thing."

Another 10 minutes go by, and with the makeover done by the girls and last-minute rehearsal, Takuma looked like a Youtuber with personality instead of his usual hoodie, "How do I look?"

"You look amazing! Like a child born into a wealthy family!" Junko said with a grin, and so did everyone agree.

Takuma gulped nervously, feeling like he was in way over his head. The clothes suit him, but he doesn't feel comfortable around them, he feels more comfortable around hoodies. Sometimes he wonders how his friend Ranran or even Shinichi are able to wear Tantei Associaton's clothes, although it was elegant, they felt stiff and restricted just by observation, with no sense of freedom.

Is that what the children born into wealthy families are like? Restricted to everything with no freedom just like those clothes? "Okay, let's do this." Takuma pushed that thought aside, deciding he will ask Ranran about it someday.

"Good luck!" Michio exclaims, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "Just think of this as if you're about to save a concert from evil forces. And the only way to do it is to lie. You got this."

"I don't think that is a good example, Majima." Junko interjected, "Cause that example is going to happen in real life."

Takuma nodded slowly, still unsure of himself. "I'll try my best, but I don't know if I can do this."

Reina gave Takuma a reassuring pat on the back. "You can do it, Takuma. Just ignore what Michio said earlier, then channel your inner Ranran and everything will be fine."

Takuma took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to imagine himself as the charismatic and ruthless child detective. He opened his eyes and stood up straight, a newfound confidence in his demeanour. "Alright, let's do this," Takuma said with determination. "I'm no longer Hikari Takuma, but Kudo Ranran the ruthless girl who won't take no for an answer."

Walking up to the lobby receptionist, Takuma put on his best Ranran impression as the other children observed from afar, "Guys, do you think Takuma will succeed?" Michio whispered to ask.

"Shinichi couldn't even pull the same moves as Ranran, aside from the scheming part," Ran looked at her sceptically. "He is going to need a lot of luck in his favour."

"A ruthless little girl who will resort to blackmail." He muttered before walking up to the lobby receptionist, Takuma put on his best Ranran impression, "Excuse me, ma'am," The woman suddenly looked up to him, while he recalled the lines Sonoko and Moriko engrained in his head, "I contacted someone here through Suzuki named *****, and they mentioned that we are allowed to film a social experiment as child YouTubers on the 40th floor?"

He could feel the doubt and hesitation emanating from the woman, anxiety was growing in him. But Takuma then began to imagine Ranran's behaviour, he found himself slipping into the character's mannerisms and dialogue more easily the more he thinks about it. So he ploughed on. "Unless you have forgotten about it?"

The woman quietly checked the email before verifying it, "Ah yes, ***** did email me an hour ago. Unfortunately," The woman grew hesitant, "I am afraid I ain't allowed to let you in, because of...certain people being up there."

"What do you mean by that?" Takuma grew puzzled by her statement.

"Well...."

As the woman was busy explaining to the boy, the others hide behind a pillar, observing and wondering what was taking Takuma so long. Fortunately, the pillar wasn't that far off, so the children were able to hear everything, including the conversation. "What is that woman talking about? Because the members of Red Illumination forbid anyone from entering their floor?!" Ran is appalled, not truly getting why isn't Takuma allowed.

"Is this an excuse from her indirectly stating that Takuma's acting is bad?" Junko narrowed her spectacle eyes at their interaction.

"No, his acting has so far been convincing." Sonoko disagreed.

Moriko then rubbed her chin, "Then again, it made sense for her to not let him in."

"Eh? What do you mean by that?" Ran and everyone turned to the actress for answers.

"I know of this celebrity in the USA, she gave birth to her first child in this hospital." Moriko shared this story, in all seriousness, "Because she was an infamous star who had a baby with a famous husband, the photo value of the child would fetch millions in yen if anyone got a photo of the kid. And as a mother, she did the only thing logical to prevent that from happening."

"Which is....?" Emiko prompts her to continue.

"She had men stationed around the hospital, blocked everyone from entering the same floor where the babies were, even the new parents. Hell, they block the security cameras with tapes and spray paint them. That way, no paparazzi can ever take a picture and sell it to the tabloids."

"Hey, that's cruel!" Michio hissed in a low tone, since he is a babysitter, he condones the abuse of authority when it comes to families. Not to mention, newborns need their parents around. "I get it one has to protect their child, but this is crazy! She is sacrificing the bonding moment between the other parents and their babies who recently entered into this world, just so as to protect her own!"

Even the rest of the children were disturbed by this revelation, "How can that star be so cruel!? There are other families besides her! So selfish!" Junko spat.

"Precisely," Reina shook her head, even Ran was no different.

"Did she at least earn the right to reserve the entire hospital floor? By at least paying the hospital people money?" Emiko inquired.

"She did, which pissed many people since generally," Moriko confirmed.

"Why? If a person pays for it, they don't have the right to complain." Sonoko frowned since she is born with a gold spoon. "When I was born, my parents reserved a V.I.P. room in the hospital before I was delivered."

"Yes, Suzuki, that is the case. But for us normal average people, a hospital is meant to be used by everyone regardless of status. Unlike your mother, she hogged the entire floor where she knew a lot of parents, uncles, aunts, newborns, and even first-time grandparents would be there. And there are some newborns that need medical attention, what that star did could've killed many babies along the way. A hospital shouldn't be allowed to do this sort of thing. Unless again, you are too ignorant to see realities here?" Moriko's irritation over Sonoko's obviousness to the realities of the world was pretty evident in her tone.

Deciding the tension is still there, Ran cleared her throat before inquiring, "Were any complaints made?"

"Complaints were made," Moriko turned to her, "But as expected, they vanished because they are quote 'celebrities'."

"Man sounds like being born talented and famous grants one God-like tier privileges," Emiko said before realizing, "Wait, is that what is truly going on right now? With the Red Illumination members?"

"From the conversation we are hearing," All eyes are now on Takuma and the receptionist, "It sounds plausible."

"Ah snap, I can't imagine the hassle they are causing for the other occupants living next to them." Sonoko couldn't help but think.

With the anxiety brewing among the group, the receptionist ended with, "Sorry, I can't let you in without proper clearance."

Takuma's heart sinks. He felt like a fish out of water, unable to breathe or move. But then, something on the reception table catches his eye. It was a picture of the receptionist and a man next to her on her smartphone, a text notification popping out reading:

Now Takuma was not much of a talented detective, but he used to date tons of girls in Teitan Elementary school. Sure, he is 6, and all Japanese schools worldwide had a strict policy against dating, even the staff members and teachers aren't allowed to seek love under the same pool. But for someone who nearly died and spent his whole life in the hospital, he lived through a 'life is short' motto. If he ever lived, he swore he will date around.

And with this dating experience plus his days learning from The Fox, he knows a thing or two about cheating when he sees one. That photo of the man with her...is someone she is cheating on.

The reason he knows this...was because of 'that ring' she was wearing on her fourth finger.

And he knows that ring anywhere, thanks to Ranran's special education.

.......

"This is a purity ring," Ranran uses a remote control, using the laser pointer to direct their attention to the photo of a ring, in front of the 7 other members who remained in their seats.

"A wha...?!" Everyone, including Michio, was uncertain what that meant. Although his mother is a jewellery designer, he has no idea what that meant.

At the time of the meeting, the victim in her 20s was discovered dead in a car that drowned in an icy pond. The person who hired the association's service was the grieving mother and elder brother of the victim, refusing to believe that she committed suicide thanks to exam pressure in college.

When the ring was discovered among the items she possessed in the car, her corpse was discovered not wearing it and the other members, including Shinichi couldn't figure out why. Initially, when the victim's mother mentioned she had a boyfriend, he told them they broke things off already, and they had evidence to suggest that. But the most surprising thing was when he said he didn't pop the question.

So it led to many debates, over where this ring came up from.

Then Ranran revealed its origins, "Purity ring!" Drawing confusion, Ranran explained, "When someone likes the other, they wear it-"

"Like a wedding ring?" Ran guessed in excitement. "My mother still wears it on her finger."

"Really?" Shinichi gave an odd look, "Ain't your parents separated?"

"They are, but she never took it off, which meant that she still loves him." Ran's eyes are filled with hope at that.

But the others rolled their eyes in response, except Junko, "So you are still optimistic that they will get back together?"

"Of course! Otherwise, why did she still wear it?" Ran beamed.

"She probably is wearing it to deter anyone from asking her out, in my school, it is common to do so." Ranran's casual comments utterly made Mouri Ran's eyes twitch in annoyance. Ignoring Ran, Ranran continues with the presentation, "This is a ring that-"

Upon Shinichi's eyes widening in horror thanks to googling on the smartphone, Shinichi then interrupted, "Ranran, let's keep it PG, remember? We don't want to offend anyone."

Ranran sighed but continued, "Right, right. Well, anyways, think of the rings as telling everyone you haven't kissed someone you like. You are only allowed to take it off after doing it with the one you love."

"Why?" Emiko and the rest became baffled.

"You are remaining 'pure' for the one you like." Ranran justifies. Still sensing confusion from them, she sighs, "Are you all the type to kiss someone who simply kisses others before you?"

"No, that be awful!" Junko slams the table in anger, especially at the thought of Michio ending up kissing someone else that ain't her.

"Precisely, hence, the ring," The founder beckoned them back at the picture of the purity ring.

Emiko's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Wait, so it's like a badge of honour for not kissing anyone yet?"

"That is child-friendly terms, For adults, it's actually..." Ranran was going to get to the brutal truth, but then she receives a warning glare from the apprentice, "Yes, it's something like that."

Michio raised his hand, "Um, what if someone accidentally kisses someone? Do they have to take the ring off?"

Junko snorted, "Accident, I am curious how that would happen. This ain't some romantic comedy world where thing like that happened."

Takuma added, "Could it be a fake ring? At least you can do it without anyone knowing. Even if they do know, I am still pure since it's fake!"

"Takuma, that's cruel!" Ran told him off, before she found herself wondering, "Wait, after one takes out that ring, you remain with that person till they propose to marry you?"

"Yeah," Ranran answered.

"Is it cheap and a must? I hope it is since it's costly enough to buy a bloody ring to pop the quests for God's sake!" Takuma groaned.

"Tak-san is eager to marry Reina on a budget, huh?" Ranran chuckled then adds, "Don't worry, this ain't some wedding ring. It ain't mandatory."

Emiko giggled, "My cat would definitely judge me for not wearing a purity ring."

Shinichi spoke up, "You mentioned one would not take it off until it happened...are you implying she did it with the boyfriend, only to regret it, so she committed suicide? Now that I think of it..." He crossed his finger in a thinking gesture, "When we paid a visit to the boyfriend, there was no ring on him when we last saw him."

Ranran rolled her eyes, "He mentioned she was the one who broke up with him, and they only dated for a month. They took the vows so seriously that they barely even reach that stage."

"By the way, if one breaks up with the other without kissing, does one continues to wear those ring?" Emiko inquired.

"Yes, purity rings are a bit different, unlike broken engagements when one is to return the ring. It is a ring that represents your firsts with the one you like. Though it is up to the person." Ranran said.

"Will then, why would she take it out?" Ran couldn't understand, why would make a girl take a ring out.

"If your mother takes out the ring your dad gave you, what would make your mother do so?" Ranran fired the question at Ran.

"Ain't that straightforward?" Takuma chuckled, and answered, "She has no feelings for him anymore. The marriage is dunzo."

"Ok," Ranran paced around the room, "Then those stupid purity rings, her ex said he recalled her still wearing it. According to them, they grew up in a neighbourhood where this vow thing is serious. One takes out if they love someone wholeheartedly, right?" 

Suddenly, Shinichi was hit with an epiphany, "No way!" He jumped out of his seat and turned to his partner, "Are you implying she was doing it with someone else?!"

An erupting gasp blew up the room while Ranran grins, "Good, I am glad you are all catching up. That is why she probably ended things with her ex and willingly toss aside the ring, just for whoever this man was in the car."

"I don't know man...but all of this just to kiss someone in a car? That is a lot of dedication to hide in some car and do it." Takuma who is experienced in dating said otherwise.

"When one does secretly with the one they like, just two people alone, it's more 'thrilling' for them." Ranran mocked. "Imagine if the guy is married or in a relationship with someone else but it ain't with the victim, would it make a difference?"

Ranran's suggestion was enough to turn the case upside down, especially angering many children, when they realized cheating was involved.

......

The moment Ranran's words reached the police department, it didn't take long for the police to reopen the investigation and discovered Ranran was right, the victim did in fact that an affair and the identity of the man was a huge shock.

Not only was he married, but he was also some prestigious dean in some university, a prominent figure one would add. He was also a regular at the same church where he pray with his wife, which was how he met the victim. With their illicit affair revealed thanks to Ranran being ruthless despite the threats against her, he broke down and revealed that he usually carried out this romantic rendezvous, or in Shinichi's child-friendly words, 'kissing', in the car, on the lake where the alleged affair took place. Things grew heated that the ice beneath the car cracked, soon sinking both the couple and the car.

But the turning point was that the door at the driver's seat managed to open, so he was able to swim to safety. The same couldn't be said for the victim, however. When pressed why didn't he call the cops, he was too much of a coward, fearing this dirty little secret would make it back to ruin his career. It's one thing that his wife knew about it for a long time, but it's another for a Dean. The reason why this case later came to the surface was thanks to the severe heat that summer, the lake dried up and ended up revealing the car plus decomposing corpse.

When the words soon reached the victim's family, they grew outraged by the revelations and wanted to sue Dean penniless. But it wasn't possible when the autopsy result indicated she did in fact die of drowning, but no resistance. It was possible that according to Ranran's deduction, the reason victim didn't resist, was that she was hoping her supposed 'prince charming' save her after swimming to safety, only to turn his back against her. 

By the law, she legally died of misadventure thanks to two adults screwing each other out of lust, making matters worst was that since she did have an affair with a married man, there is no way the victim's reputation will do the victim's family any compensation in a public court of opinion. In Ranran's brutal opinion to the members of Tantei Association, as long as one is discovered an adulterer, the victim's family would obviously be on the losing end even if they bring it to court, especially in a society where cheating is frowned upon.

Regardless, the family pursued Dean, and it has been a violent vicious cycle even up till now for both sides since Tantei Association submitted the findings to the victim's family. Right now, Takuma recalled it is their third round, and he ain't even sure if they will succeed.

Anyway, the more Takuma observed the photo, the more that case reminded him about this purity ring. No doubt that the receptionist is wearing is the same model as the victim of that case. Normally according to Ranran, they mingle in the same crowd with other people they are romantically interested in. Like an engaged couple who flash their rings. A bit on the extreme side when it comes to protecting one's first kiss, Takuma is seriously bothered that such idiots exist.

Yet the man in the photo has no ring in it. It can only mean one thing for Takuma: This woman is cheating on her boyfriend, and it was plainly obvious. Taken in the summer, the man in the photo was also wearing a singlet, no necklace around his neck with a ring, he is young to be considered her dad. And it was clear this isn't her brother. The reason he knows this is thanks to his father who was formerly a playboy during his high school days. The man once taught him that waists of females are off limits for anyone unless one is their sister, boyfriend or husband. This photo spoke volumes to Takuma when this man did just that.

Of course, Takuma could have been in the wrong, that maybe the man took the ring to resize, but Takuma's instinct is telling him that this was worth the shot, anything just to enter the 40th floor. Without a second thought, everyone's eyes grew wide the moment Takuma picked up the photo and showed it to the receptionist. "For you to be...doing things with a man who ain't your boyfriend, what is he going to say if I revealed all of this on Youtube?" he said with a sly grin.

The receptionist stiffens. "W-what are you talking about?"

Takuma smirks. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking that the ring you are wearing is a purity ring, "He pointed the finger, "The man in the photo however ain't wearing it. Usually if one wears it, the other wears it like a wedding ring. Since the man in the photo ain't wearing it but you were, that meant he is the one you are cheating on with."

The receptionist pales. "What d-did you just say-" Deciding he was just a kid, the receptionist gather her courage to argue, "You have no proof!"

"Suit yourself, I don't care," Takuma shrugs the way he knew Ranran would whenever a suspect tried to downplay the situation. "But your reaction is good enough to inspire me to file a complaint against your boss. After all," He gleams in menace  and excitement the way Ranran does, whenever she pins suspects to a corner, "Cheaters shouldn't even be having a job here in this very hotel."

That make the receptionist break a sweat while the other children stared at Takuma in awe, he was fully immersed in the way Ranran would carry herself, delivering similar lines with the perfect amount of dominance, it gave Ran and Sonoko the creep, having flashbacks of the time Ranran allegedly terrorized them.

"So, how about you let us through, and I won't say anything to your boss?"

The receptionist hesitates but then barked with anger. "Fine, you win. Just don't tell anyone about the photo."

Takuma grins. "Thanks, we won't."

Reina and the rest however were impressed with his performance. "Obviously, now hurry. Take the camera equipment, hurry!" Sonoko told them.

The girls grabbed the props Sonoko could take out, passing to each of them from the bag, while the other kids stared at her in awe, "Sonoko, don't get me wrong, but couldn't we just use our smartphone and do all of the filmings to make it more convincing?"Michio couldn't help but ask.

"Well, it would not have been convincing since celebrities are wary of anyone. Nowadays, anyone can up becoming a reporter and just post anything online."

"Put on your things everyone, we are heading over."

Takuma and the group quickly made their way to the elevator, feeling a sense of accomplishment as they entered and pressed the button for the 40th floor. As they ascended, Takuma couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement, knowing that they were getting closer to their goal of filming a celebrity.

Once they arrived at the 40th floor, they stepped out and were immediately greeted by a luxurious and spacious hallway. The walls were lined with expensive-looking artwork, and the floors were made of shiny marble. Chandeliers twinkled overhead while their feet sank into the deep carpet. It was clear that they were in a high-end hotel.

Takuma couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. They were about to meet a famous celebrity, and the rest of them have no idea what they should do next to get them to open the door. 

"Okay, everyone, let's go over the plan one more time," Sonoko said, breaking Takuma out of his thoughts.

"We're going to film a Youtube video outside the hallway, we impersonate as the camera crew while following Takuma around, then make it sound as exciting as it is," Reina recited.

"Then as a Youtuber, how are we going to get them to open the door for us?" Takuma added.

"Should we be upfront and honest about us being part of a detective club?" Michio suggests, "It's good to be honest, I am certain they would let us in if we admit it."

"Michio, don't be naive." Emiko dismisses that idea, "Celebrities lived in a different kind of world as we do, considering that there are hunted down by the press millions of times, there is no way they are going to let us in even if we were honest. Cause think about it," Emiko showed herself as well as everyone what they are wearing now, "We are dressed as fake Youtubers and lied to the receptionist just to get here. Are they going to simply believe we are saints?"

And they knew Emiko has a point. In addition to that, given that they are about to deal with someone as shot fused as Shiro, they were live footage where they had seen plenty of paparazzi photos of celebrities getting angry and lashing out for harassing them, and neither of them want to be on the receiving end of that.

"Also Youtubers are a little different than celebrities, in a way...they film and upload videos for a living," Junko brought this up, "Don't forget, they could simply accuse us of sneaking in here through blackmail just to film and violate their privacy."

"The worst part is that they had a good valid point," Moriko groaned.

"Then what should we do then?" Ran grew worried, and so did Sonoko.

Suddenly, an idea popped into the athlete's head. "What if we act like we're filming a video and use a topic that will rub them the wrong way for the title? That might be enough to trick them into opening the door to confront us." Takuma proposed.

The other children looked at him in shock. "Wait, as in a clickbait, right?" His girlfriend finally figures.

"What sort of video do you have in mind?!" Sonoko demanded.

"What is clickbait?" Ran grew confused.

"A clickbait is something that YouTubers do most of the time. A video where the thumbnail or picture in the video advertised something that attracts you to click it, you end up watching the video." Sonoko described.

"Why would one want to do that? This clickbait thing?" Ran couldn't understand this logic.

"To earn cash," Reina responded, "When a video goes viral, especially having earned a number of views, a Youtuber earn money as a result paid by the company Youtube. That is how they make a living, Ran."

"But Tak-san," Michio couldn't process the idea, "Why clickbait?"

"If we are busy filming a video outside their hotel room, especially with a topic that is so insensitive to provoke anger, especially on someone short-fused like Shiro, won't he open the door to confront us? Remember the video of the staff member recording Shiro destroying the furniture, remember?" Takuma's idea finally begins to make sense for everyone.

Junko's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea! Why didn't anyone of us think of that?!"

"Good job, Takuma!" Michio hit a huge pat on the younger boy's back, "Who knew you could come up with such an idea."

"I can't take all the credit," Takuma admitted. "Ranran actually used this technique before during a case we were working on."

"Really?" Everyone turned to the secretary Junko, "Which case?"

"It was a case where we had to catch a thief who was stealing jewellery from a famous actress's dressing room, remember? Ranran and Shinichi pretended to be shooting a video for Tantei Association, then used a clickbait title like 'World's Most Expensive Jewelry Found in Thief's house' to lure the thief into revealing themselves," Takuma explained.

"Wow, as expected from Kudo Ranran, such a genius," Moriko praised.

"Alright, let's get to work then," Takuma said, pulling out his phone, "We need to come up with a clickbait title that will make them angry enough to come out."

The children huddled together and brainstormed for a while before finally settling on a title.