Back at the penthouse, however, when Ranran woke up from her bedroom, Shinichi who had finally recovered from his illness rushed over to her bedroom to announce, "Ranran, the email from Teitan Elementary School has arrived!"

Ranran quickly sat up in her bed, her eyes widening with anticipation as she heard Shinichi's words. The email form Teitan Elementary School had arrived, which meant there was important information waiting to be revealed.

Ranran hurriedly got out of bed, her heart pounding with excitement. She followed Shinichi to the living room, where he had his laptop open, displaying the email on the screen.

Shinichi gestured for Ranran to take a seat beside him as he began to read the contents of the email out loud. The email detailed the response from Teitan Elementary School regarding the situation on the island and the request for emergency funds.

"As per our discussion with the school council, we have reviewed the circumstances and acknowledge the need for immediate action," Shinichi read aloud, his voice filled with a mix of relief and determination. "That said, however, due to the lack of evidence, we regret to inform you that the emergency funds cannot be released at this time."

Ranran's excitement waned, replaced by a sense of disappointment. She had hoped that the school would understand the urgency of the situation and provide the necessary support. But it seemed that they were still waiting for concrete evidence before taking any action.

Shinichi closed the laptop and turned to Ranran, his expression serious. "To be honest, it's understandable. I too would be sceptical to release any money if I were the member of the council."

Ranran nodded, "We dealt with this too back in my old school Edgewood Academy. At the same time, however," She then frowned deeply, "The idiot council forgot to invite the families of our classmates to discuss this situation."

Shinichi sighed, understanding the frustration in Ranran's voice. "Whatever it is, we can only hope for Reina and Takuma to say yes to Ran's request."

The two children looked out the skies through the window, the days of the typhoon has seemingly ended, and the cloudy sky made Ranran remember something, "Speaking of which, today's weather is fine. Did you deliver the meds to Sonoko?"

Shinichi nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "Yes, I managed to deliver the medicine to Sonoko last night. I left it outside their tent, and Ran found it this morning. It's a relief knowing that she has the necessary medication for her dengue fever."

"Were they any plans at the campsite for the class of 1-A today? Judging the weather outside now," Ranran directed at the skies, "The camp activities had been delayed for several days due to the deaths, bugs and typhoon."

Shinichi thought for a moment, recalling the planned activities for class 1-A at the campsite. "Well, today they are going out on a walking trip, up the mountain."

Ranran nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. "A walk...I hope no deaths occur during that period."

Shinichi nodded in agreement with Ranran's concerns. The recent tragedies on the island had put everyone on edge, and the thought of another unfortunate incident occurring during the walk weighed heavily on their minds.

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

Back at the mountain walk trip, however, things were falling apart when Jun told Miki and Rika to shut up, with Jun hysterical.

"Can't you see what is truly happening?" Jun sobbed. She took a deep breath to steady herself and then said more calmly, "I can't stand any more of this waiting. I'll go back now. Perhaps I'll do something about lunch."

The children exchanged silent gazes, and so did their teacher.

"But we should stick together," protested Miki.

Jun's eyes were filled with a mix of anger and frustration as she confronted Miki. "Sticking together won't change anything! After Kichiro's death, more deaths occurred, and yet, it seems like nobody cares about what happened here!"

Miki's face paled at Jun's accusations and her questioning of the circumstances surrounding the deaths. He exchanged a troubled glance with Rika, unsure of how to respond.

"Jun, that is enough!" Rika blasted at the deranged woman. "How dare you say no one cares!"

"What? Ain't it the truth!?" Jun said bitterly. "You two seem to have everything under control. And you said yourself that they were accidents."

"Jun, there are accidents," Miki began, his voice trembling slightly.

"Are they!?" Jun's eyes filled with tears as she shook her head in disbelief. "How can you still believe that? Iwao-san would never have made such a mistake with the fridge door, you know of his phobia! And Eiji is an experienced climber, you spoke over the phone with Kiryu when Kiryu was alive, remember? And for him to suddenly fall off a cliff? It's too coincidental, Miki."

The tension in the air was palpable as Jun's words hung in the air. The children and their teacher exchanged concerned glances, unsure of how to respond to Jun's outburst. Rika, in particular, felt the weight of Jun's accusations and the frustration she expressed.

"Miki," Jun confronts her husband, "When we bought this mansion and decided to turn it into an activity centre, the person who sold us claimed that there is no one but us on the island. So why is it...why is it that there are these strings of deaths happening!?"

Rika stepped forward, her voice firm with years of pent-up frustration for mistreating Miki. "Jun, that is enough. You are scaring the children!"

And Rika wasn't completely in the wrong, but Jun didn't seem to hear it. "Jun's eyes widened, and her voice quivered as she turned her attention to Rika. "Scaring the children? Do you think I'm scaring them? They deserve to know the truth! They deserve to know that their lives are in danger!"

The children watched the heated exchange between Jun and Rika, their faces filled with a mixture of fear and confusion. They were caught in the middle of a situation they didn't fully understand, and the tension around them was becoming increasingly overwhelming.

"Enough, both of you!" Arima Nao, the substitute teacher, finally stepped in, her voice filled with authority. "This is not the time or place for such arguments. We are here to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. Let's calm down and address our concerns in a more rational manner."

Nao's intervention momentarily defused the situation, and the group fell into an uneasy silence. The weight of the recent tragedies and the accusations hanging in the air created an atmosphere of unease and suspicion.

But as if Jun was in a world of her own, she turned away from the group, tears streaming down her face, and began to walk back down the mountain, her steps heavy with a mix of anger and despair. "Where are you going!?" Rika yelled.

"Back to the camp! You both said ghosts don't exist, right!? So if I head back, I'll be perfectly safe!"

And so, Jun walked away without another word. Once more, Reina was reminded of that film that she, Takuma and Ranran watch: Marie Attonete, walking with dignity towards her executioner.

The group watched in silence as Jun's figure grew smaller in the distance, her steps carrying her away from the mountain and back towards the camp. The weight of her words and the raw emotion she had displayed lingered in the air, leaving a sense of unease among the children and their teacher.

Rika, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and concern, called out to Jun one last time. "Jun, please wait! Let's talk about this!"

But Jun didn't turn back or acknowledge Rika's plea. Her determination to find answers and ensure her own safety seemed to override any rational discussion. With heavy hearts, the remaining members of the group were left to process what had just transpired.

Arima Nao, the substitute teacher, took a deep breath and addressed the children, her voice calm but tinged with worry. "Let's continue with our walk for now. We'll need to make sure everyone stays together and stays safe. We'll have to address these concerns once we return to the campsite."

The children nodded, though their expressions still held traces of confusion and fear. They resumed their walk, their steps now heavy with the weight of the recent events and the uncertainty that loomed over them.

As they descended the mountain, the atmosphere remained sombre, with occasional glances exchanged among the children. The impact of Jun's outburst had left its mark, raising questions and doubts in their young minds.

Reina, Takuma, and the other children couldn't help but wonder if there was indeed something more sinister at play on the island. The string of deaths and the tension within the group had shattered their sense of security and trust. They now found themselves caught between the conflicting stories and emotions of the adults around them.

The walk that was meant to be a moment of respite and fresh air had turned into a journey filled with uncertainty and unease. Each step brought them closer to the campsite, where they hoped to find some answers and a resolution to the growing mysteries surrounding the island.

But as they continued their descent, the clouds above began to darken, casting a shadow over their path. The weather mirrored the turmoil within their hearts, adding another layer of tension to their already precarious situation.

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

"Neh Ranran, could I have your opinion on the way I am typing this e-mail before sending it to Teitan Elementary School?" Shinichi asked.

In the penthouse of The Mayfair at Brampton Hotel, Ranran, sitting next to Shinichi in front of the laptop, looked over the email draft he had prepared. She carefully read through the contents, paying attention to the wording and tone. After a moment of consideration, she turned to Shinichi with an odd expression.

"Shinichi, why did you attach the same video of Mr Iwao's decomposing corpse in the walk-in fridge 8 times?!"

Ranran's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the email draft. She quickly scrolled through the attached files, confirming that there were indeed multiple copies of the gruesome video.

"You were right, Ranran, whoever is that idiot online in charge of the student council now," Shinichi pointed directly in anger towards the laptop, "Isn't taking our emails seriously! And the only way to get their attention is if I post the same video repeatedly!"

Ranran's shock turned into a mixture of concern and disbelief as she listened to Shinichi's explanation, she pointed out, "You do know that posting the same video multiple times is going to traumatize them, right?!"

"Well, it's better than the bear mauling hikers around this island report you sent to them." He folded his arm at her.

Ranran sighed, realizing that she couldn't argue with Shinichi's logic. "Yes, I suppose traumatizing them with repetitive videos is a step up from terrifying them with bear attack reports. But maybe we should reconsider our approach?"

Shinichi scratched his head, contemplating Ranran's words. "Such as....?"

"A video or photo of another dead corpse instead." Ranran let out a menacing grin.

Ranran's suggestion caught Shinichi off guard, and he stared at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Another dead corpse?" Shinichi repeated, his eyebrows raised. "Are you that certain that the serial killer on this island is going to kill another person by the time I head to the campsite!?"

Ranran's grin widened as she leaned closer to the laptop, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "If you think about it, they will take us more seriously if they killed a third person, considering the killer had killed a lot of victims."

Shinichi couldn't help but chuckle at Ranran's dark humour, even though he knew she was joking. "Ranran, as much as I appreciate your creativity, I think it's best if we stick to a more conventional approach for now. We don't want to give anyone nightmares or unnecessarily alarm the school."

Ranran pouted playfully, crossing her arms. "Fine, ruin all my fun, Shinichi. But I still think a well-placed jump scare would liven up their inbox."

Suddenly, the walkie-talkie on the table crackled to life, startling both Ranran and Shinichi. They exchanged surprised glances before reaching for the device, curious about who could be contacting them.

Shinichi grabbed the walkie-talkie and pressed the button. "Hello? This is Kudo Shinichi. Who is this?"

A voice filled with static responded from the other end. "Shinichi, it's Takuma! You wouldn't believe what has happened!"

Ranran's eyes widened, and she leaned closer to listen. "Tak-san, what's going on? Is everyone okay?"

Takuma's voice sounded tense and urgent. "Oh Ranran, you have no idea!"

As Takuma rambled over the walkie-talkie, it became apparent that something serious had gone horribly wrong.

What happened was a feud broke out when Jun suddenly snapped at Miki and Rika, before she later stormed her way back to the campsite. "It happened so unexpectedly, Ranran. To ensure Miss Jun doesn't end up getting killed, we followed her home alongside Mr Miki and Rika. All the way back, we could see her marching along a few hundred metres ahead of us. Then, we watched her going in through the front door."

"Then? What happened later?" Shinichi prompted him to continue.

"Well...." Takuma took a deep breath before continuing his account. "I ain't sure myself either."

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what was the point for him to be panicking earlier, if he sounded uncertain as to whatever had taken place after all. They waited for Takuma to continue, their curiosity piqued.

Takuma cleared his throat before speaking again. "Mr Miki actually prevented us from entering the Kodama Forest activity centre, said that we needed to give her some space, so we all did our own thing while the other kids went to the tent or explored the forest nearby. Anyway, Miss Rika went to prepare lunch in the kitchen, so Mr Miki announced all of us plus sensei to the dining room while he went up to call his wife to have lunch.....then the next thing we knew....she is dead."

Shinichi and Ranran froze in shock, their eyes widening as they processed Takuma's words. The gravity of the situation hit them like a ton of bricks.

"Dead?!" Ranran exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. "What do you mean, Tak-san? How could she be...?"

"How did that happen!?" Shinichi exclaimed.

Takuma's voice was filled with a mix of fear and confusion. "I don't know, it was odd that Miss Jun didn't respond, so Mr Miki broke it open, and then a loud scream came out of him when he found her lying lifeless on the bed, everyone rushed to see what had happened."

Ranran's eyes widened with a mix of horror and confusion. "Did you get pictures or video of Jun's corpse, Takuma? At least if you do have clearer ones, I can send Shinichi over to the campsite to collect the photos, then email them to Sergeant Genzo to verify the cause of death."

"Actually Reina tried to, when Mr Miki screamed alerted everyone downstairs, me, Ran and Sonoko, even Reina rushed upstairs to see what had happened. So did the other children, and sensei too ran up. But before that could happen, when Reina whipped out her smartphone, Mr Miki bolted the door behind us. He claimed it was to stop it from blowing open in the wind through the window."

"And do you believe him? That sounded like the crappiest story, even a kindergartener would laugh and know that it is a lie!" Shinichi spat.

Takuma's voice wavered with uncertainty. "Of course not! Who would believe this sort of nonsense!? I mean if you were there, you should've seen the look on his face! Oh yeah, he even insisted that we leave him alone with Jun's body. He said he needed time to process and mourn."

Shinichi's frustration grew, and he clenched his fists. "Normally, I was about to ask whether did you inform him that we belonged to Tantei Association, that we specialize in solving cases of dark nature, then tell Mr Miki to get lost. But because the damn serial killer still has no clue about what we know, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut. Cause I know if I ever said it, the first thing the killer would do is kill everyone there!"

Ranran nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Shinichi is right, it's crucial that we maintain our cover for now. Right now, I suggest this, Takuma," Ranran spoke over the walkie-talkie, "I think you and Ran need to gather evidence discreetly from Miss Jun's bedroom."

Takuma's voice quivered slightly, "I don't even know if that is even possible, with so many people around the activity centre now."

"It shouldn't be a problem," Ranran insists, "And I will tell you why. Right now, there are only 2 instructors plus one teacher left, with 22 of you kids in general. Generally, the number of kids outnumbered the adults. Surely with three deaths in total, they are not going to let the children go into paranoia mode now that Miss Jun is dead, correct?"

Takuma's voice sounded hesitant. "What are you trying to imply!?"

"Picture this, what happens if a group of people that fills up the room goes panic mode, but there is only one door to escape?" Ranran throws the question to Takuma.

Takuma pondered Ranran's question for a moment before realizing the implication. "People will panic. A stampede or even an uproar might happen."

Ranran nodded, her voice filled with determination. "Exactly, Takuma. We are all currently stuck on an island for over 2 weeks plus and have barely seen our parents. Considering a third person has died, it will create panic and severe anxiety. Miki and Rika would probably need to try and calm the scared children down, right? Or else things will go south overnight."

Takuma's voice held a hint of realization. "You're suggesting that while Miki and Rika are occupied with comforting the children, we can take the opportunity to gather evidence from Miss Jun's bedroom without drawing much attention?"

"Exactly," Ranran confirmed. "It's the perfect diversion. While everyone's attention is focused on calming the children and ensuring their safety, you and Ran can slip away and search for any clues that might shed light on what's really happening here."

Shinichi interjected, his voice filled with determination. "But be careful, Tak-san. Stay vigilant and keep an eye out for anyone who might be suspicious. We don't know who we can trust at this point."

Takuma took a deep breath, his resolve firm. "I understand, Shinichi. Ranran, I'll do my best to gather evidence discreetly and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. We can't let this continue any longer."

With their plan set, the trio understood the risks involved but were determined to uncover the truth. They knew that the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous, and they couldn't afford to waste any more time.

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

"I never thought in a million years, that Sonoko's dengue would also work well in our favours, aside from our schoolmates who are now crying outside the activity centre, wondering if they are about to die."

Mouri Ran nods silently to Hikari Takuma, as the two snuck their way upstairs.

As they stealthily made their way upstairs, Ranran and Takuma couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The events that had unfolded on the island had taken a toll on everyone's nerves, and the constant fear and uncertainty lingered in the air.

Although Ranran predicted it to be the case, as the kids from 1-A have begun to wail out of fear upon learning that a third person has died, Miki was way busy trying to fix the damage. Rika almost stopped the two children from entering the Kodoma Forest activity centre, had Sonoko not pretend to faint while Reina yelled for help regarding her flu.

Ranran and Takuma took advantage of the chaos and fear that gripped the activity centre. With the attention focused on comforting the terrified children, their movements went unnoticed as they reached the upper floor.

First, they searched the ground floor to ensure not a single person is present. After going door to door to find nothing, they quietly ascended the stairs, their steps barely making a sound, the tension in the air seemed to thicken. They knew they had to remain focused and alert, as any sudden noise or unexpected encounter could jeopardize their mission. "Check every single room upstairs as well, make sure no one is around before we entered Miss Jun's room." Takuma mouthed to Ran.

Nodding, Ran quietly moved down the corridor, her senses heightened. Each door they encountered was meticulously checked, ensuring that no one was present. They continued their search, their determination unwavering despite the growing unease.

As they approached Miss Jun's room, Ran could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The thought of seeing a corpse for the first time, especially since they are all 6 years old, filled her with a mix of fear and curiosity. She glanced at Takuma, who wore a determined expression on his face. They had come this far in their search for the truth, and they couldn't turn back now.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

Honestly, Ran almost fainted, seeing Miss Jun's corpse lying there, eyes shut, black hair spread across the pillow like something out of a Victorian oil painting.

Ran's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight before her. The reality of the situation hit her like a tidal wave, and she felt a rush of mixed emotions overwhelming her. Fear, sadness, and a morbid curiosity all swirled within her young mind.

Takuma, too, was taken aback by the scene. He stood frozen for a moment, his gaze fixed on Miss Jun's lifeless form. It was a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked on the island.

Ran's instinct was to turn away, to shield herself from the gruesome sight. But a part of her urged her to stay, to face the truth head-on. She knew that they couldn't afford to look away, as confronting the darkness was the only way to find answers.

Summoning her courage, Ran took a hesitant step forward, her eyes focused on Miss Jun's face. She noticed the pallor of her skin and the stillness that hung in the air. It was an eerie silence, interrupted only by the soft sound of their breathing.

"Are you guys now in Jun's bedroom now, over?" Shinichi's voice cracked from the walkie-talkie in Takuma's pants pocket.

Startled, Takuma quickly reached for the walkie-talkie and pressed the button to respond. "Shinichi, we're inside Miss Jun's room. Her dead corpse...it is still on the bed." His voice quivered with a mix of fear and shock.

Ran, still standing near the bed, glanced at Takuma with a worried expression.

Then Ranran's voice came through the walkie-talkie, "Damn, why haven't they moved her corpse yet?"

"As I mentioned earlier, Mr Miki said he wanted to grief for a moment," Takuma reminded them, "Her corpse is going to be placed in the walk-in fridge in the kitchen later."

"Ew!" Ranran and Shinichi stuck their tongues out back at the penthouse, then Shinichi adds, "In addition to Mr Iwao's corpse being there, Jun's is joining in!"

"At the rate things are going," Ranran was feeling sick even thinking about it, "I can foresee the menu on Kodama Forest camp saying: 'The Iwao-Jun Special' served on a bed of regrets and tears. Bon appétit, everyone! Who needs fresh produce when you have decomposing bodies to spice up your meals?"

Ranran's sarcasm was enough to elicit a chuckle from Shinichi and Takuma, lightening the heavy atmosphere, even if only momentarily.

Ran glanced at the walkie-talkie Takuma was holding, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Guys, I know it's a grim situation, but let's try to maintain our focus, shall we?"

Takuma nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Right, Mouri. We can't let ourselves get distracted by dark humour, no matter how tempting it may be."

Mouri Ran took a deep breath, regaining her composure. She turned her attention back to the room, her eyes fixed on Miss Jun's lifeless form. Despite the unsettling sight, she knew that they had a job to do.

"Let's search the room quickly but thoroughly," Ran spoke softly, her voice steady. "We are living on borrowed time here."

Takuma nodded in agreement, his determination renewed. They started scanning the room, careful not to disturb anything unnecessarily.

The first thing that stood out, was a bottle of champagne placed on the end table next to Jun's bed. Ran and Takuma exchanged puzzled glances as they noticed the opened bottle of champagne. It seemed out of place in the context of Miss Jun's room and the tragic circumstances surrounding her death. They approached it cautiously, examining it closely.

Ran's eyebrows furrowed as she noticed the bottle of opened champagne. It seemed out of place, considering the sombre atmosphere and the tragic circumstances surrounding Miss Jun's death. She reached for the bottle, examining it closely.

"Takuma, look at this," Ran said, holding up the bottle for him to see. "Why would there be an opened bottle of champagne here? It's quite unusual, don't you think?"

"Champagne!?" Ranran and Shinichi exchanged suspicious gazes over the findings.

Takuma's eyes widened as he took in the sight. "You're right, Mouri. This doesn't make sense. Also...ain't champagne usually associated with celebrations or special occasions?"

"But what is there to celebrate?!" Shinichi too is confused, "There were two people who died here, and she was all so paranoid over their deaths. The fact that this bottle is in here...."

"....is she celebrating their deaths then?" Ranran finished his sentence, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Had Miss Jun been planning something? Or was someone else involved in her death, someone who had reason to celebrate?

The second oddest thing Takuma and Ran had discovered, was a bottle of Citalopram (Celexa) next to the champagne bottle.

"What is this bottle doing next to the champagne?" Ran held the bottle with her handkerchief, "Ci-Ci-ta-lo-pram Ce-le-xa?"

"Wait, you found anti-depressant medication!?" Ranran grew startled.

"What is that Ran is saying? This Ci-Ci-ta-lo-pram Ce-le-xa?" Shinichi was so confused, and so was Takuma.

Ranran took a moment to collect her thoughts before explaining. "Citalopram, also known as Celexa, is an antidepressant medication. It's used to treat depression, which means this drug can make someone who is severely unhappy become happy."

"Wait, drugs like that actually exist!?" 6-year-old Mouri Ran, as well as Shinichi and Takuma's jaw, dropped.

"So cool!" Takuma eyed on the bottle, "I have some sad things in my mind, perhaps I should tell my mom to buy me one so I won't feel unhappy anymore."

"You wish it was that easy," Ranran huffed, "This drug itself is very difficult to obtain unless the doctor give you the permission in the form of prescription. Otherwise, even if you have all the money in the world, you can only dream."

"Aw man," The 6-year-old athlete groaned, "Why such a good drug would be that much of a hassle to obtain?"

"Yeah, I don't see why is this a problem if it makes people happy," Ran quietly inspects the bottle, "Do doctors just want to make our lives miserable all the time?"

Ranran sighed, understanding their confusion and frustration. "It comes with side effects."

Shinichi who is with her tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "What kind of side effects are we talking about?"

Ranran nodded, listing some of the common side effects. "Dizzy, drowsy, at times your mood will at times be sad, angry, happy....and you don't know why."

Shinichi's voice came through the walkie-talkie, filled with curiosity. "You know, the other day while we were chatting with Michio, Junko and Emiko over the laptop, Miss Jun had a history of attempting to commit suicide, because her late fiancé Kichiro fell off a cliff for over a week during their post-graduation programme. And the photo 12 years ago between Jun then and now, there was a huge shift in character. I wonder if Miss Jun's has been using these antidepressants during that period. And if so, could there be a link between her mental state and the events that have been happening?"

Takuma's eyebrows furrowed as he observed the bottle of Citalopram. "Even so, it happened 12 years ago. That would've meant she could've been using it for 12 years then?"

"That is ridiculous!" Mouri Ran argued, "I know that she can't move on from his death, but to take this drug for over 12 years....had she forgotten that she married Mr Miki? For her to do that...." Ran then recalled the previous meetings they all had, "Maybe Junko was right about Miss Jun being a snake."

Meanwhile, Ranran felt like something was off with this discovery, "An opened wine bottle and a drug that makes one happy...if one does it together, it's a combination of death."

Ranran's statement hung in the air, the weight of its implications sinking in. The combination of an opened champagne bottle and the presence of antidepressant medication raised unsettling possibilities. It hinted at a connection between Miss Jun's mental state, her past history, and the events unfolding on the island.

Shinichi's voice broke the silence, his tone serious. "Are you implying she took her own life?"

"I mean if you look back at Michio and the gang's investigation report, Miss Jun had a history of suicide." Takuma brought this up.

"But I doubt it," Mouri Ran disagreed, "As much as Miss Jun love Kichiro, even though she married Mr Miki and it has been 12 years since Kichiro died....if she wanted to die a long time ago, why did she choose to do it now?"

Ranran pondered Mouri Ran's question, considering the complexities of human emotions and the potential factors that might have influenced Miss Jun's actions. "Exactly, it doesn't seem to add up. If Miss Jun had the intention of taking her own life, why wait for all these years? There must be something more to this."

Shinichi's voice came through the walkie-talkie, his tone thoughtful. "Something triggered her, leading to this sudden turn of events. Mouri, Takuma, look for anything else in the room to see if there was anything suspicious."

Takuma and Mouri Ran began searching the room more meticulously, their eyes scanning every corner for any additional clues. As they combed through Miss Jun's belongings, they discovered letters tucked away in a drawer.

Mouri Ran held the letter in her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. "Guys, I found some letters."

Takuma gathered around Mouri Ran, his curiosity piqued. "Is it a suicide letter?"

Now it may sound odd that a group of 1st graders might know what the word 'suicide' is, but when you are a member of Tantei Association, adding in the fact that you get exposed to crimes with no filter or sugar coating from the adults, they picked up on pretty quickly even without Ranran telling them what that meant.

"Oddly it ain't." Ran frowned, "It is a financial statement for a shoe store by the name of Dozing Shoemaker."

"Wait, the shop Miss Jun's mother owns back in Lazy City?" Ranran connected the dots.

Ranran's words sparked a realization in their minds. The financial statement for Dozing Shoemaker, Miss Jun's mother's shoe store, seemed out of place in her bedroom. It raised questions about why Miss Jun would have such a document with her on the island.

Shinichi's voice came through the walkie-talkie, filled with curiosity. "Could it be related to her recent behaviour and the events happening on the island? Maybe there were financial troubles with the store, and it caused Miss Jun distress."

Ranran's eyes narrowed in concentration on the walkie-talkie on the table. "Mouri, you are in charge of paying the bills at your father's place, right? Could you check and see how much Miss Jun's shoe shop owes in debt? How many yen does she owe?"

Mouri Ran glanced at the financial statement, scanning the numbers. "It says here that Dozing Shoemaker owes a total debt of 5 million yen."

The revelation hung in the air, filling the room with a sense of unease.

The substantial debt carried by Miss Jun's mother's shoe store raised questions to Ranran and Shinichi, "No way! Ain't this shop a luxury shoe brand!?" Shinichi was in disbelief.

"Was it accumulated after several months, Mouri?" Ranran found herself asking over the walkie-talkie.

Mouri Ran quickly checked the date on the financial statement. "It says here that the debt itself was from last month alone."

"A month!?" Even Takuma was gobsmacked, "How is it possible to lose that much money within a month!?"

Ranran's mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. The mounting debt of 5 million yen within just one month for a luxury shoe brand was indeed baffling. It raised further questions about the financial stability of Dozing Shoemaker.

The red lip detective girl then thought about Michio and Junko stating they were no financial reports from the company for the past 12 years online.

Shinichi's voice resonated with a mix of concern and curiosity as she shared her thoughts over the walkie-talkie. "Guys, remember when Michio and Junko mentioned that there were no financial reports from Dozing Shoemaker for the past 12 years? This sudden debt accumulation within a month seems highly unusual, especially considering the reputation of the brand. I believed after seeing those statements...I think the brand is financially struggling, that is why there were no reports online to go by all those years."

Takuma's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, his tone serious. "If the shoe store was in debt, and Miss Jun can't fork out money to pay....it would make sense on wanting to end her life, no?"

"But that would be a huge conflict to what Kichiro wrote in the entries," Mouri Ran argued while recounting one of the entries, "Kichiro mentioned that Miss Jun's relationship with her mom was severed after she tried to marry Miss Jun away from Kichiro to some rich suitors, even though Miss Jun's mom knew that her daughter is engaged to Kichiro. Would a daughter simply take up her estranged mom's debt? After all of the horrible things she did to Miss Jun?"

"But if you think about it, Kichiro died a day after Miss Jun denounced her own mother," Shinichi suddenly brought up, "Suddenly dating Kichiro's best friend Miki a week after Kichiro died, then married Miki a month later...Miss Jun literally married money, Miki is after all the illegitimate son of a rich family." Shinichi countered back, "Supposedly Miss Jun's pushy mother force her to marry Miki, and force her to take up the shop in debt, it would make sense."

Ranran listened attentively to Ran and Shinichi's arguments, weighing the conflicting information and trying to find a logical explanation. "You both make valid points," Ranran interjected, her voice thoughtful. "Miss Jun's relationship with her mother was strained because her mom looks down on Kichiro, so there is no way I could see Miss Jun willing to pay up her mom's debt. Even so..."

Suddenly, Ranran made one tiny connection.

"You know...Miss Akane, Jun and Miki's university classmate mentioned that there were rumours Mr Miki and Miss Jun got married because of a one-night stand, correct? And this was a week after Kichiro died. Supposedly....considering Miss Jun's mom orchestrating all those rich suitors for her daughter all those years....what if she had something to do with that one night stand incident?"

"Eh!?"

"Think about it, guys. Jun was in a suicidal state when Kichiro passed away for over a week before she ended up with Miki. And for the past 12 years, the evidence suggests she had been nitpicking Miki even though they were married for that long. Replacing the flowers with Kichiro's favourite on their wedding day, resharing Kichiro's death anniversary, not a single upload of their wedding photos on social media...and the days Jun was acting around Miki leading up to her death...also she mentioned to Miki the other day, something about the both of them not wanting this marriage....it made sense now, doesn't it?"

Ranran's words hung in the air, causing a moment of silence as her friends processed the implications of her theory. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, painting a darker and more complex picture of the events surrounding Miss Jun's life.