Every successful career of a singer started out from humble beginnings.

And for the Nagano family, it was no different.

Before the fame, they used to reside in a little rural village somewhere in Japan. Though it may be rural, they at least had some of the basic necessities such as computers, internet wi-fi, telephone etc. Even so, the village's name was not memorable, let alone, lack interesting stuff the younger generation would enjoy.

There have no shopping malls, no cinemas, no amusement parks, and not even a community park suitable for kids their age.

This is why the children of the Nagano family felt like their lives are going to remain as it is: Boring, bland, and nothing exciting. Even the existence of crime barely occurs in the village they reside in, it was too peaceful.

And being too peaceful was never a good thing, not for 3 little boys who are growing up.

So throughout the years, they were growing up, they used to always get into trouble. Playing baseball in a yard where the ball ended up breaking the window of a house, to spraying artistic paint onto the walls of the houses and abandoning buildings alike, and playing all sorts of daredevil sports involving skateboards and bikes they buy online, which always lead to all sorts of injuries.

There were not many children around this area, to begin with, since many families moved into the larger cities to find work of that sort, not to mention, give the kids better opportunities to flourish in whatever they want to do in the city, something that a dwindling and lowly populated village can't offer. With all of the scolding from their parents and all, nothing could be done to correct their behaviour.

The only Nagano family member the boys only turned to listen to, was none other than the black sheep of the Nagano family, grand-uncle, Nagano Jiro.

A little back story about him, Nagano Jiro wasn't like the rest of the Nagano clan. While most of them obediently and dutifully listen to what career path their parents set out for them, he was the only one who rebelled, having run away from home at the age of 16, lived a fruitful career as a rockstar in Shibuya, as well as a voice actor for popular anime shows, then retired upon moving back here in a lavish looking house he paid to have it remodelled.

He was considered 'exiled' within the family because of the things they don't represent: Rebellion.

Unlike the rest of the family, he had a girlfriend/live-in partner they disliked and never married, doesn't have kids of his own, and shortly after his loyal partner of many decades passed away, he brought her ashes with him and kept it in the living room since. Never once considered looking for another woman besides his late partner. Plus, he had two Drongo tattoos around his wrist, one with a ribbon around the bird's neck representing his late love since she love ribbons, and the other, with a fiery aura around it.

Though his family hates him for being 'bad influence', the children and the youthful villagers, mainly teenagers, don't think of him that way. If anything, they think of him as 'the coolest guy' within the village, their idol. He was the living true definition that 'adults are not always right'.

After all, how many people are brave enough to venture out of the village with nothing, only to become successful, remain with the love of their life against all objections, and move back, living life as they want? Let alone, live in a cooler, expensive house, unlike the rest of them.

Nagano Jiro was someone initially the kids of the Nagano family told to avoid at all costs. But children can't always be told what one shouldn't do all their lives, and upon getting to know their grand-uncle Jiro, they learn he wasn't 'the bad guy' their parents painted him to be. He wasn't 'bad influence', just 'different thinking'.

So they hung out at his place all the time, whenever to get away from their angry parents.

At first, they did drag their kids away, but they had no full control over their children's actions during weekdays since most of them had to go to work. Gradually, they reluctantly let them hang out in his place. After all, he always lends them a comforting ear to their problems and always lets the parents know that they are at his place. He was by far, a responsible adult for their welfare.

It was there, that they often want to listen to stories of life in the city of Shibuya.

Every time when he share stories of his days as a rockstar, their eyes gleamed. He then tells them of places that never exist in this village: Shopping malls, cinemas, gaming arcades, clothes shops etc, it was one thing the three little boys wished to have, but it was impossible, as long as they remained in this village. A harsh reality.

The three would then listen to stories of his days as a rockstar.

How he would jump from the stage and the crowd would collectively gather to catch him, jump off speakers, singing in very high vocals while he brilliantly strummed the guitar with his fingers with that loud blasting music the three never heard before as the audience cheered for their uncle, but it felt as if the song was pumping through their veins, giving them some sort of energy boost that would last for hours.

Years went by, and their bond remain unchanged. But then one day, Nagano Jiro's health was declining rapidly. His age is finally catching up with him, and as he was hospitalized with the vase filled with his beloved's ashes placed next to the desk at the side of his bed, not to mention, surrounded with presents and balloons from his fans overseas and all, he only dreams was to hear a live rock performance on stage one last time as an audience.

Initially, he was going to go back to Shibuya to witness it. However, his body was giving up on him, so the three boys did the only thing logically.

Having gathered the teenagers and other kids of the village, they set up everything outside the hospital parking lot, speakers, guitar, bass guitar and all, you name it, they manage to get it. The uncle's room was around 3rd or 4th story building, right next to the window, so they maxed out the speaker in volume.

Now the three boys knew they lack experience, so after they were all given a rough estimate date and time on how long their grand-uncle might last, they have been secretly practising a rock song their uncle composed during his earlier days as a rockstar for 2 weeks leading up to this moment. They also knew they are very like to get into serious trouble with the other patients, but the three grieving boys couldn't give a damn.

If their idol is going to die, they will give him a sent-off, even if it means getting into trouble.

Since they were quite young at that time, it wasn't possible to familiarize themselves on how to use the speakers, guitars and all musical instruments combined. Fortunately the teenagers in the area, mainly the music band club from the high school within the village had patiently taught them after learning of this, and the rest of the kids in school were more than willing to help. They didn't care if the adults were going to scold them, a man who they considered a hero is about to die, so they will give him a well-deserved sent off.

It wasn't easy to pull this off, as they knew the adults might notice, so everyone managed to band together and keep this a secret. They even had to get someone who worked in the hospital, let alone, work in the security department to be involved, otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible.

Finally, when D-day arrived, it finally happened.

Of course, the performance wasn't the most polished and professional one to date for anyone hearing this. Two weeks doesn't make one an overnight pro rock star, but it was evident that anyone would be familiar with the song they were playing if one hears it. It was better than their progress on day 1, so upon hearing the loud music, the old elderly man opened the window and was met with tears as he smiled, seeing their grand-nephews and the other teenagers tuning the speaker, as the three played the very first song that got him to his career as a rockstar, with drums, guitars and keyboard and all, this was touching.

Obviously, the security guards later got furious and with his team, set out to catch all of the kids and teenagers involved. After they were all dragged out of the hospital, within a few hours later, Nagano Jiro passed away with a smile on his face peacefully.

...........

When news got out about Nagano Jiro's passing, worldwide trends such as his name remained running as the no.1 topic in all social media, even the Tv and radio couldn't get enough about it, and kept on running for 2 weeks straight.

Two funerals were held, one in Shibuya by his fans and the other, in the village where he used to grow up surrounded by family members, he eventually made peace with before his death. Thanks to his contribution to music, the village was later etched on the map, but it was sad for the teenagers and kids here who knew him best. Especially the Nagano children.

When the grieving period ended, that is when the trouble began.

Since Nagano Jiro was worth millions in yen thanks to the royalties he made as a rockstar throughout the years, it was evident that greed remain within the Nagano family, especially the ones he never made peace with who wanted to get a hold of his fortune. Nagano Jiro had no next-of-kin since his parents passed away, let alone, had any kids with his late partner, so it was evident the battle for ownership over his estate would be for anyone's eye so to speak.

So as soon as the will he made and tallied out said he would be giving it to charity, leaving it to no one nor even his grand-nephews, more problems arose, not for the children who wanted nothing to do with it, but their parents and relatives.

And the lawsuit did turn ugly, and the media themselves were having a field trip day with how the outcome is about to turn. But despite all of this, there was an unexpected silver lining within the clouds. The video of the Nagano children performing before the late grand-uncle suddenly surfaced on the internet while the lawsuit was ongoing, where it appeared someone had recorded it and uploaded it, generating millions of views.

Before long, everyone who saw the video commented the fact that they did it within two weeks shows that the blood of their idol runs in them. Many music companies overseas were eager to sign them over and all, a prodigy kid who has a talent for music is one thing, but to have three of them under the same family speaks volumes that talent runs in their veins.

Then came offer letters sent to their house from Japan, the one letter that stood out the most was the one coming from the USA.

Now it's one thing to be famous in Japan as a rock star, but it would be another thing if one becomes a worldwide sensation in the USA, where superstardom like Freddie Mercury or Elvis Presley hit 'legend' level. Although their grand-uncle did hit the same level as those two, he never once landed a contract with an American Music Company.

And anyone would be stupid to turn down someone who represents America. Let alone, their parents. When word travelled to the three boys, they were happy that they were noticed worldwide. Suddenly, their old dream of moving out to the village and into city life seems possible.

But there was obvious concern from other parents about sending the boys overseas. It's one thing to land a contract in Japan since one could take a train. It's another if it was many hours of flying to another country, where their culture and anything of their familiarity is no longer around. Let alone the fact that the three boys are considered minors.

However, with the ongoing lawsuit and all of that, after careful deliberation, the parents agreed under one condition: It had to be someone they trusted. They were not obviously going to pick someone they are not familiar with to exploit their sons' talent, let alone, cheat of their talent and money.

Fortunately, after having verified the authenticity of the company, especially looking through the content of the contract through their lawyers, and proper screening on the manager they were offered by the company to represent their sons, they were all set to go.

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

It has been a few years since moving to Los Angeles, and so far, things were doing rather well for the Nagano boys.

Before moving here, it was a huge transition from village life to city life. They were not used to seeing a large 80-inch TV, not used to seeing a VR Headset next to it, a clapper to switch on lights, nor used to the music equipment room. Back then, all three of them were just simply amazed, even more by the fact that their late grand-uncle's stories were true, except it was even better when they played out the equipment and all.

Now, years of city life, as well as their experiences of fame and the live performance on the stages they were on while the audience cheered for them changed them. In good ways and bad.

L.A. California is often recognized by many wannabe actors, music artists, or any performer as the city of dreams.

In the dimly lit control room, the engineer and producer sat patiently behind the vast music panel, staring through a long glass window into the recording studio. All the biggest names in the music industry had cut their chart-topping albums in the huge facility. Now the world's hottest group was at work on its new album.

The members in question? Involved children.

Starting out from the age of 7 till 3 years later, the three young little boys in the immense studio were barely out of their teens. And yet in their own ways, they managed to carve out their own fanbase through Tik Tok and Youtube, earning the attention of fans around the world, not to mention, winning the hearts of adults with their talent for music composure.

The three of them were so talented, they eventually moved to Los Angeles within a year of securing a manager and a music contract. The band themselves were later themed red with two drongo birds, due to the fact that their late grand uncle used to dye his hair bright red, naming the band 'Red Illumination' with two Drongo birds as their logo. They were all dressed in red in their own ways, not to a point of extreme, yet, not to a point of moderation.

Their hair was partially dyed red. Even their guitars, keyboard and drums were red.

They were known to millions of fans across the planet as Red Illumination.

The lead singer and guitarist with a chiselled face and cheeky smile were called 'Ryo', but that wasn't his real name. He'd been born Nagano Rokurou in a very tiny town somewhere in Okinawa, whose name ain't memorable. Ryo had a voice that sent shivers down the spines of millions of girls. He could even sing and cry at the same time.

Hunched over the keyboard was his equally handsome brother, Nagano Katsu, a.k.a, 'Kyo'. He has a shy personality and doesn't say much. However, his talent for being able to sing in perfect harmony with his eldest brother makes up for his shyness.

The drummer is none other than their paternal cousin, Nagano Shinobu, a.k.a, 'Shiro'.

Unfortunately very few people like Nagano Shinobu on reasonable grounds. His at times disruptive personality is just the tip of the iceberg.

His name has this character 忍 named after his divorcee mother, which defines a person filled with patience and endurance. His mother gave him that name after she was given a prediction made by some random medium, claiming that her son's success in life relies on his temper and that it would be best if he was named with something that symbolized patience.

Unfortunately, as he got older, his name contradicts his personality and he went on throwing tantrums.

As the son of two divorced parents, it was to be expected. Let alone, the fact that his parents were one of the few adults who happen to be on an ongoing lawsuit regarding his late grand-uncle's property, make others distance themselves from him as a result.

This is one of those days those tantrums come into full display, his lips were always turned down as though he were smelling something unpleasant. As he wasn't always smiling most of the time thanks to such issues, he was given the nickname 'Sulking Shiro' in American papers.

Maybe it was due to his family situation, that the band's management and his two other cousins were able to deal with his volatile temper. After all, when there are good days, he is warm and gracious in good amounts to everyone around him, that's at least some form of redemption, that perhaps his temper would eventually no longer return.

Unfortunately, his disruptive nature is always there to ruin everything again. Still, his drumming talent and the way he behaves were accepted by his fans, as his behaviour gave the fandom bad boy vibes, and bad boys are something his fans love him for.

Today was no different.

Shiro is again having another of his tantrums.

"What is it this time that you have to stop beating the drums, Shiro-san?" demanded Ryo, tugging off his headphones, "The drum set the studio ordered didn't meet up to your standards again?"

"Precisely the point! It ain't giving out the higher boom boom volume I was expecting for our upcoming song!" Complained Shiro in annoyance. "I mean, if you were in my position, where you can hear the sync between your singing voice with my drums, why would I be complaining over this?"

Then again, the two boys had no reason to doubt his talent for hearing.

Unlike two of his cousins, however, Nagano Shinobu was born with a little gift that was unfortunately at times, overlooked even by the adults of the music company. Shinobu can hear a certain level of sounds differently from the musical instrument, that not even Ryo and Kyo could not.

One time, when Ryo was once busy trying to compose their songs with one of the guitars in their living room, especially Ryo's favourite one, Shiro who just came out of his bedroom after completing his homework told Ryo better change the strings since he can hear that the sounds of the string are weakening. And at first, Ryo didn't believe him.

But then on the day of the concert, the string broke midway.

In the end, he had to end up using another backup guitar before continuing with the show, let alone, dealing with Shinobu's sour mood all the way home on the same ride because he choose not to listen to him. Another time was when Kyo was playing 'twinkle twinkle little star' with their baby cousin who was born back in their village through the webcam in his bedroom, using the laptop. Shino strode into the room with an annoyed expression, telling Kyo nicely to add batteries, or else he was going to break the keyboard, as Shino could tell the music was waning, not as upbeat as it was brand new.

Since then, they never doubt his ability in hearing certain levels of sounds that produce out of anything they played. At some point in time, this ability was also a huge annoyance and hindrance for Ryo and Kyo. Mainly because they couldn't hear the difference between the musical instruments they played, including the producers and staff members. To them, anything, no matter cheap or expensive, would produce good music.

But perhaps it was also thanks to this ability, let alone, listening to Shiro's words, their music album had made it off the charts as the no.1 selling album every single time because of that talent for years.

The producer's voice cut in from a speaker on the wall. "We can hear them, Shirokun," he said with a calmness he didn't feel inside. "We'll increase them on the mix later on."

"No, I want to hear them on cue, no auto-tuning! If we do that, our fans could tell, and by then, we would be taunted for prioritizing cheap over music quality! What part of you guys don't get it?!"Shirou snarled and hurled his drumsticks at the glass window.

..........

Within several hours later, their manager who only just left from a meeting had to talk some senses into the drummer, as all of them were in the backseat of the limousine while lecturing the sulking boy, who are heading their way to the restaurant for a meal after a long day's work, "Shiro, I know you are far more passionate with music more than Ryo and Kyo, but if you could try to control your temper a bit, it would do favours for you. Certain things in life are beyond anyone's control."

"I wouldn't even be in this situation had they done their damn job well, Mr Ogawa!" Shiro rolled his eyes before casting his sight on the news on his smartphone.

"Shiro, the drum we ordered couldn't arrive today because they lost the shipment, alright? In the end, the only solution was to cancel the order and get our refund."

"Yeah, but that still leaves me with a worn-off drum set! How am I going to perform in the following tour if I have no drums?!" The drummer argued.

"Now now, Shiro, I will look into my contacts and see if we can get the replacement before the show begins, alright?"

Sighing in frustration, Shiro couldn't help but comment, "Sometimes I wonder why did our parents pick you as manager."

Ogawa Touma sometimes wonders about that as well.

Years ago, the parents of Red Illumination choose him to represent the boys when they were bombarded with offers to join a music company, after the video of them playing the song to their late grand-uncle went viral on social media. Though there were other managers available in the music company, they specifically requested him because of his reputation with money.

That's right, he was good at turning musicians into legendary status.

In addition to that, he was also responsible with money, never once cheating on any singer he worked for, as the entertainers often praised him highly whenever he was invited to their events, let alone, never once letting them overwork to the bone beyond human capacity unlike most managers nowadays. And to top it off, he is also the only Japanese working in the company. And their parents told him that they would be further reassured of their sons' welfare if he took them under his wings.

When he decided to do it, he did it because he knew of their Grand-uncle, for he was also his good friend before he passed away, and spoke a lot about the boys. Though he had experience dealing with children within the entertainment circle, he never had one quite like Shinobu.

Their late uncle was right about Shinobu, although the drummer has his own fair share of talent similar to his two cousins, out of all the three, he was also the most passionately driven when it came to music. It is this part of the drummer that drives others up to the wall to play the drums at times even up till 4 am since he is a light sleeper thanks to this talent, it tormented the people around him. And the manager couldn't honestly blame him, he too would go mad if he had a such talented hearing in him.

That's why sometimes, Shinobu could be seen wearing noise-cancelling headphones around his ears to block out the sounds outside, and it seem to solve the problem temporarily. Right now, the only issue is to decide how he was going to get that damn drum set on arrival before the concert.

"What are you watching now anyway, Shiro-san?" Kyo couldn't help but peer at his cousin's phone.

"Get a look at this boys, some group of children with their little detective club get to appear on the premiere of some romantic movie, called 'The Origin of my Childhood'." He beckoned his two cousins as they shifted their seats closer to get a good view.

"I love Fox and Deer." The leader, a little girl whose face is blurred is draped in a black coat cape around her white blouse, handling the interview at ease when asked about what is her favorite storybook.

"Who is this Tantei Association I wonder? Is it one of those movie stunts they are planning to stage to tease audiences?" Ryo wondered for he had seen these kinds of stunts pulled before.

"Oh them? They are children in charge of solving cases involving murder, kidnapping and stuff, and no, they are not actors. They are real life detectives that solve cases of dark nature." The drummer explained to the two boys.

"What!? Are they crazy or what!?" Ryo was appalled upon hearing this, "It takes one to be sane to do that sort of job! Imagine seeing dead corpses every day, ugh!"

"Why did those news cast use an old video of their previous interview anyway while reporting a recent case?" Kyo huffed, as it was the boy who is dressed similarly to the founder's turn to be on TV.

"They didn't have much footage to go on with the recent case they solved among them while reporting the one involving a large red ruby." As soon as the drummer said it, the footage of a bright ruby as red as blood is seen in a exhibition under the Suzuki corporation.

"What do you mean they don't have much?" Ryo was sceptical, "Just interview them."

"They are trying to keep things low profile, not having their identities exposed." The manager thought about it, "That was what is truly going on when I last spoke to Muniko."

"What!?" Kyo's eyes grew wide, and so did his brother Ryo and their cousin, "Since when do you know someone like him?!"

"I had contacts who used to work for Tadashi and the Munikos leading up to the scandal, you know that at times, musician artists and movie actors do collaborations. So when the news broke out, I was taken aback by the plotting between those two women, because from my contacts, they hated each other to the bone for many decades. Anyway, I also knew Namba, he was a decent man. I didn't think both of them had horrible mothers."

"No way! Seriously!?" Even Shinobu was appalled by the revelation, "Wait, no cops actually complain about their intervention!?"

"Well, that is another story." The manager sighed, recalling the time when he himself too froze when he learned of the scandal, "Anyway, that is how it is now."

"Man...for children like them to exist...." Ryo felt like his eyes were all over the place.

"Hang on a minute, will you? My brain almost melts into a puddle." Even Shinobu himself was almost going to pass out with the mind-blowing information he was given.

"What on earth possessed them to enter a world full of deception, lies and horror? I think I will never know." Then Kyo perked his head at their manager, "Who is the leader? There seems to have no mention of who is in charge?"

"'Someone name R2' in the media, a little bold and vicious. Muniko told me this child went after two murderers despite their age. Especially a fraud cop recently." The manager's eyes shone in excitement.

The lead singer Ryo frowned at the manager's response, "If it were me, I would be scared as hell with guns pointed at me, let alone, her friends!"

"I don't think they are friends though in the interview," Shinobu pointed to the smartphone's screen as he noted, "Aside from the boy in the cap, the rest of them said although they all have different views of justice, they united to put an end to it."

"So?" Ryo doesn't see where the drummer was heading with this.

"In our interviews as a unit, we always shared what we know of the other, right? Especially do you remember our first interview? But for Tantei Association..."His eyes drift back to the screen as the interview switches to a military blue jacket boy with brown hair, who Shinobu guessed could be their age, "They have yet to share any of that."

"I mean you can't really compare us to them, since we are born under the same family, Shino-san." Ryo pointed out.

"Also, what were those 6 other children thinking, to join such a club with danger written all over? I can never understand what in God's name would possess them to do this." Kyo thinks about this.

As far as Shinobu knows, out of all the three, Kyo hated anything involving violence. He was often referring among the group as a 'hamster' for being a bit on the timid side, even reserved for his age, when most kids his age, especially boys, would rebel and do rough and tumble activities.

"I mean after all of the things that took place in Japan with the bad cops my mother told me over the phone, no wonder those children got involved. If the cops were actually doing a good job, they wouldn't be around in the first place." Ryo thinks back.

"Still, doesn't this make them meddling kids? I mean it's the cop's job to do those things, not them." Kyo cast a disapproving glance.

"I mean meddling or not, they become instant celebrities like us, no?" The drummer commented. "They have more to gain with the fame now."

Before long, the video progresses to the other members. Then a blurred face girl in a long twin ponytail answers the questions from the interviewer with poise when asked about her role in the association.

"A sketch artist?! They have that too!?" Ryo was surprised, and so was Kyo.

"I mean if one is going to work in this line, there definitely needs an artist for suspects." The drummer quietly observed the girl as she was asked what she dreams to be when she grows up.

"An artist."

"An artist? Like a singer?"

"No, more like artwork. You see the clothes the two are wearing over there?" She directed the tv crew to point the camera at the founder and apprentice before back to her, "I designed it for them."

"Really!? I am surprised! Who knew you are so talented for your age!"

Even Shinobu is a little taken aback, he did get a good look at the clothes that R2 and that boy who was wearing the same clothes as her earlier, so far, he found it unusual but it gave out a vibe of noble-like children from a rich family, or it did remind him of the inverted cape coat Sherlock Holmes was seen wearing in the drama they watched on tv back in L.A. Who knew this girl had such talent?

Seeing Shinobu's interested face, Ryo teased, "You like her?"

"Huh?! Who?" His face turned back to the lead singer in confusion.

"That girl? 'E'? The artist?"

"You must be joking," The drummer narrowed his eyes in annoyance at his cousin, "I don't even know what she looks like."

"Then what is with that interested face you are making?" Even Kyo pointed out with a smile, "It's ok to have a crush on someone your age, you know? To keep your temper down?"

"Ok, you two listen here," The drummer gave them a look, "I am the one who designed our logos and costumes for all of us, alright? And there are not many children our age who do that to talk to within our inner circle. Although they are about dreams and all, most of them are lovey-dovey eyes."

"I mean now that you mention it, you did have a point." Kyo frowned.

As soon as it was the last little girl's turn in shorter twin ponytails, Ryo finally found himself laughing at the sight on the phone, "Who is that girl in the tacky Frozen dress during the premiere!? That is funny as hell!"

"I think it mentions the girl's name as 'F.J'." Kyo squinted his eyes a bit at the telecast banner scrolling from left to right. "What is her position in the Association?"

"I think secretary." Shinobu points at the banner.

"What is with her wearing that?! That is making a fool out of herself." Ryo laughed a little louder than intended.

"Ryo, don't be rude, alright?!" Kyo hit his shoulder a little, before reminding him,"Please be considerate of others. I don't have to keep reminding you, right?"

And yes, the manager sighed with relief. Without Kyo playing peacemaker of this unit, he swore he was going to keep his hands full with Ryo's immaturity for an 11-year-old boy.

It was going to be a long day after heading for lunch, as they would return later with an alternate drum set the manager managed to arrange. And in the morning, when the album was finished, Red Illumination was setting out on their first month-long world tour in while. Starting out in Japan.

Unbeknownst to the manager, in the back of one of the boys' minds, he decided:

Hmm...kids younger than us playing detectives. For them to end up on TV, meant they are really good at their job. I hope not to meet them, for they will ruin our plans..