"Ok, what else can we find on one of these news clippings?"

Ranran's eyes focused on the headline about the drowning incident involving the heir of the Yasuo family. She read the article silently, absorbing the details.

"The article states that the nine-year-old son, Yasuo Tatsuo, was found dead in a lake near his family estate," Ranran whispered, "It seems like a tragic accident, but given the pattern of these news clippings, we can't dismiss anything just yet."

Shinichi leaned in closer to read the article as well, his analytical mind piecing together the information. "The Yasuo family is a prominent and wealthy family, known for their extensive business holdings. Killing him could have significant implications. But...." Shinichi frowned back at Ranran, "Aside from Tatsuo and Miki, were there any other siblings?"

"Not that we know of," Ranran replied, her brow furrowing. "Mr Miki's mother hid Miki's existence away from his biological father because he lied to her about being married to his current wife: Yasuo Shizuku. If Mr Miki's mother was still around, it would've automatically meant that she had the motive of wanting Tatsuo dead, she will gain millions out of this."

"The problem is, Miki's mom died in an elevator accident," Shinichi mind raced, "Around that time, Miki was around Michio or Emiko's age. So that meant around that period, Miki's real dad has no idea of Miki's existence till 9 or 10 years later. So that is crossed out of the suspect list."

Ranran nodded, following Shinichi's train of thought. "That's true. If Miki's mother died around the same time as the drowning incident, it's unlikely that she could have been involved in Tatsuo's death. We need to consider other possibilities."

The next cutting had a bit more information, this one about the patriarch of the Yasuo family.

Ranran's eyes widened as she read the details of Yasuo Tsuyoshi's death. "According to this article, Yasuo Tsuyoshi suffered a heart attack while hiking. It's mentioned that he was an avid hiker and often went on solo expeditions."

Shinichi's mind began connecting the dots, his expression growing more focused. "If Tsuyoshi's death was an accident, it might be unrelated to the other incidents. But considering the circumstances surrounding the other deaths, we can't rule out foul play just yet."

As Shinichi captured images of the newspaper clippings with his smartphone, Ranran's eyes darted across the remaining articles, searching for any further connections or peculiarities. The next clipping she picked up was of a foreign language, and compared to the other news clipping, it was the most discoloured.

Shinichi squinted at the foreign-language article, trying to make sense of the faded text. "This article seems to be in a language I can't read," he murmured, frustration creeping into his voice.

Ranran leaned closer to examine the article as well, her brow furrowing. "I recognize this language," she said, her tone pensive. "It's Spanish."

Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise. "Spanish? That's unexpected. How did you learn to read Spanish?"

Ranran smiled mischievously. "Well, while I was attending Edgewood Academy, my mentor made me take it. It was one of the many languages offered there."

"Can you translate what it says?"

She carefully examined the faded text, deciphering the words and sentences as best she could. Gradually, the meaning of the article began to unfold before her.

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

At the office of Kodama Forest camp, Ran and Takuma too found a similar newspaper clipping Ranran and Shinichi had uncovered, but it was in a different language.

"This is in Japanese, our language, deshou?" Takuma pointed the clipping to Ran to take a good look.

Ran leaned closer to examine the newspaper clipping written in Japanese, her curiosity piqued. She scanned the text carefully, her eyes tracing the characters.

"It's an article about an expedition in Argentina, the date goes back to 12 years ago," Ran said, her voice filled with concern. "It's odd, didn't Michio and Junko tell Ranran and Shinichi that there were no existing news reports about this expedition? How is it that Mr Miki had a news clipping here?"

"Didn't they mention that Mr Miki's family is super wealthy, that they could easily make it all go away, because of how powerful and influential the family are?" Takuma suggested, "I believe that is why he had a copy of this clipping."

Ran nodded, considering Takuma's words. "But why would Mr Miki keep this newspaper clipping about it in the campsite office?"

Takuma was deep in thought. "Read out what does the clipping say?"

Ran cleared her throat and began reading the Japanese newspaper clipping aloud, translating it for Takuma as she went along.

"The article describes an ill-fated expedition to the Andes Mountains in Argentina. It mentions Kagetora Kiryu, a passionate climber and representative of Midori no Daigaku (University of Greenery), who is also an outdoor sports enthusiast and founder member of his university's expeditionary society."

"Eh? Is that so?" Then Takuma wondered, "How is it that Miss Akane, the classmate of Jun, Miki and Iwao isn't aware?"

"He is their senior, and she isn't that close with him after all," Ran continued, "After graduating, he took part in many field trips to remote regions of the world to research the impact of climate change. Then on that fated day, when he lead a team of friends on an expedition to Argentina to study the effects of global warming on the Perito Moreno Glacier. The expedition ended in tragedy when one of the team members, Nakamura Kichiro, died in a climbing accident."

"Wait, this is the same Kichiro that Jun used to be engaged to right?!" Takuma grew excited, "We finally found it! The expedition news!"

Ran's eyes widened as she made the connection. "You're right, Takuma! Nakamura Kichiro was Jun's fiancé who tragically passed away in a climbing accident. This newspaper clipping links Jun's past with the expedition mentioned here."

Takuma's excitement mirrored Ran's.

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

After Ranran translated for Shinichi, who had listened attentively, his eyes widen as he processed the information. "So, you summarized this clipping as all about an expedition led by Mr Miki to study the effects of climate change on the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina. It ended tragically with the death of Nakamura Kichiro, the same guy who Miss Jun was engaged to before she ended up with Mr Miki, Kichiro's best friend."

Ranran nodded.

Then Shinichi pondered for a moment. "Why is it the killer kept this foreign clipping here?"

Ranran furrowed her brow, deep in thought. "Good question, cause if we were to compare the other clippings he or she put up on the wall...." Ranran's voice trailed off as she examined the various newspaper clippings on the wall. She compared the foreign-language clipping with the others, searching for any connections or patterns.

"All of them are in Japanese, except the expedition article is from a foreign press, mainly from Argentina," Ranran began, her voice filled with intrigue.

Shinichi's eyes narrowed as he contemplated Ranran's observation.

Shinichi's mind raced, analyzing the information at hand. "If all the other newspaper clippings are in Japanese and the expedition article is the only one in a foreign language, it suggests that perhaps....this one," He poke with his finger at the foreign paper, "Is personal to the killer."

"And why are you certain of that?"

Shinichi thought for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "The incident took place 12 years ago. Although the article itself is the only one with a foreign language, it was very discoloured. And yet, the rest of the clips are in Japanese language." He paused for a moment, "If you recalled, Mr Miki's family could've erased any traces of this case in the whole of Japan, and yet, the killer kept the foreign paper. Why? Because I believe the killer did not want this case to be forgotten. Whatever ties this one has to the murders he or she committed, it holds importance to the killer."

Ranran nodded, understanding Shinichi's reasoning. "Is there anything else on the foreign paper, Ranran?"

Ranran scrutinized the foreign newspaper clipping once again, her eyes scanning the faded text and accompanying images. She focused on extracting any additional information that could shed light on the killer's motivations or intentions.

After a moment, she spoke up, "When the group guided by Mr Kiryu happened to be climbing above a glacier, a landslide had started."

Shinichi's eyes widened as Ranran mentioned the landslide. "A landslide?"

"Yeah, also," Ranran observed carefully before reading it out, "It mentioned Nakamura Kichiro having fatally struck on the head,'"

"Wait, what?!" Shinichi was shaken, "Didn't he die while falling off a cliff?!"

Ranran's eyes widened as she processed the discrepancy between the information they had previously known and the new details from the foreign newspaper clipping. Ranran then read the next line and took a sharp, shocked breath, "He did but in a way...the rope was tied and linked to Mr Miki."

"Say what now!?" Shinichi's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he absorbed the information. "So it means... Mr Miki was involved in Nakamura Kichiro's death during the expedition?"

Ranran nodded, her voice filled with concern. "That's what the article suggests. And ugh...."Her eyes scanned the paper, "What happened was...the climbing conditions had deteriorated so rapidly in that area, that the rest of the party were in danger of falling. Allegedly...because Kichiro mistimed his rock climbing abilities, his head slammed so hard against the rock, he was allegedly deceased. As a last resort, Miki had no choice but to cut him loose to save the others."

Shinichi's mind raced as he absorbed the shocking revelation. The new information painted a different picture of the expedition and Mr Miki's involvement in Nakamura Kichiro's death. The circumstances seemed more complex and potentially incriminating.

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

At the same time, Ran and Takuma were gobsmacked reading the Japanese edition of the expedition.

It was then Mouri Ran quivered with a mix of concern and disbelief. "If that is truly the case...it means that Mr Miki has been hiding a dark secret all these years. And the fact that he kept this newspaper clipping, even though his family could have erased any traces of the incident in Japan, suggests that he wanted to preserve a memory or a reminder. Oh my Goodness," Ran's stomach was giving a sickening squeeze. "He murdered someone, and kept an article of that incident!"

Takuma's eyes widened, the weight of the revelation sank in, and a heavy silence filled the room. The realization that Mr Miki may have committed murder was unsettling and difficult to process.

"I... I can't believe it," Ran stammered, his voice trembling. "How could someone like him....who is in charge of our camping trip be capable of something so heinous?!"

Takuma's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. "In the first place, it wasn't as if Mr Miki wanted to kill his own friend. It's like....that Trolley problem Ranran said earlier, either kill a person for the majority of the majority for one person."

"Even so! This is cruel!" Ran argued while she reminded him, "Don't forget, his parents erased all traces of this expedition incident! For the sake of their damn reputation!"

Takuma nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "You're not wrong, Ran. It's a terrible and cruel act, regardless of the circumstances. Wait," Takuma blinked, "Did it give out names over who joined this expedition!?"

Mouri Ran unfolded the next cutting, which had a photograph of the expedition team before they set off. It was then she recognized two individuals, "Look, isn't that Mr Iwao and Mr Kiryu!? The two murdered victims!?"

Ran and Takuma stared at the photograph in shock, their minds struggling to comprehend the significance of the revelation. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, connecting Mr Miki to both the expedition and the subsequent murders of Iwao and Kiryu.

"This can't be a coincidence," Takuma muttered, his voice filled with unease. "The fact that both Iwao and Kiryu were part of the same expedition as Mr Miki....anyone else we might know?!"

Ran's hands trembled as she examined the photograph more closely, her eyes scanning the faces of the individuals in it. In the caption, it mentions Kiryu was the man standing behind them. After a moment, her gaze locked onto another familiar face.

There was the smiling woman at the centre of the photo. Right beside the ill-fated Kichiro, her arm tightly around his waist, and smiling up at him with a look of purest devotion, was none other than.

"Takuma... look," she whispered, pointing to a figure standing at the edge of the group. "It's Miss Jun! Miki's wife, and formerly Kichiro's fiance!"

Takuma's eyes widened as he followed Ran's gaze and saw Jun standing among the expedition team in the photograph. The shock on his face mirrored the disbelief they both felt at the revelation.

"So, Jun was also part of the same expedition," Takuma muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Suddenly the words she said....about ghosts wanting them dead, be punished for being alive...Oh, My God!"

Things crashed inside their heads like a small avalanche. Pacing up and down, Ran whispered Takuma's thoughts aloud, trying them out on him as they took shape.

"Miss Jun was not only feeling guilty that she couldn't stop Mr Miki from killing her fiance to survive, the one-night stand her mom manipulated that forced her to marry Miki, the resharing of Kichiro's death anniversary on social media...and it has been going on for 12 years....I will go mad if I were her." Ran voiced her despair.

Takuma's expression turned grave as he listened to Ran's words, realizing the immense burden that Jun must have carried for all those years. The weight of guilt, grief, and the manipulation she had endured must have taken a toll on her.

"I can't even begin to imagine the pain and torment Jun must have experienced," Takuma said, his voice filled with empathy. "To be forced into a marriage with the man who took away her fiance, to live with the secret and the guilt... It's unimaginable. No wonder she's been struggling, haunted by the past."

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

"I am telling you, Ranran, judging from what you had translated to me, if I were in the shoes of Miss Jun, I rather commit suicide."

Those were the blunt harsh words coming from 6-year-old Shinichi's mouth, who is also pacing in the suspected killer's abandoned cabin, or hideout for that matter.

Ranran's eyes widened in shock at Shinichi's statement. "Seriously? The way she lost her fiance is bad enough, but with her mother doing this to her...for the past 12 years...it explains a lot of why she didn't even reshare the wedding photos she took with Miki and changed all the flowers in their wedding as Kichiro's favourite because she had survivor's guilt."

"I know that I always announced in our association that 'The Trolley Problem' happen in our daily lives as child detectives, but this expedition had to literally be the exact real-life scenario of trauma!" Even Ranran was in disbelief, "No wonder Mr Miki didn't even stop his wife from comparing him to Kichiro, because he felt guilty for killing him to save the other members of the expedition."

Shinichi's young mind grappled with the weight of the situation, his words reflecting the harsh reality they were facing. The complexity of the emotions involved, the guilt, the trauma, and the manipulation, were overwhelming to comprehend, especially for someone so young.

He then later figures out something, "The victims who died on this island, except Mr Eiji, the others such as Mr Kiryu, Mr Iwao, Miss Jun...all of them survived that expedition thanks to Mr Miki!"

Ranran's eyes widened as Shinichi made the connection, the pieces falling into place.  "That could also mean Mr Miki's biggest motive is that maybe because he believed that by saving their lives during the expedition, he was somehow entitled to take their lives later on. It's as if he wanted to punish them for surviving, for living with the guilt and the memories of that tragic event. Kichiro is his best friend after all."

"It is a good motive, but although Mr Eiji may be a suspected adulterer with his wife, Miss Jun, say if Mr Miki is truly the killer....why waited 12 years to commit the murder then?" Ranran is baffled by the turn of events, "If I were feeling that guilty, I would've waited that long, right?"

Shinichi paused, deep in thought, as he considered Ranran's question. "It's difficult to say for certain, Ranran. Guilt can manifest in different ways, and people cope with it differently. Maybe Mr Miki couldn't bring himself to confront his guilt for all those years, and it gradually ate away at him until he reached a breaking point. Or perhaps there were other factors at play that we're not aware of yet."

But even as Ranran hear this, she felt like there were missing a couple of things.

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

Mouri Ran had her eyes filled with tears. "Mr Miki is the murderer, I just know it!"

"Ran, it is too soon to tell whether he is truly the killer!" Takuma grew sceptical as they remain in the office of Kodama Forest camp, "There are a couple of questions that needed explaining. Even though Mr Miki is the killer, even if he is: Why cut up my tent and still my meds then!? And also his alibi doesn't check out. When I ran after the killer that night, all of our classmates saw his head peeking out of the tent!"

Takuma's scepticism was warranted, as there were still unanswered questions and inconsistencies that needed to be addressed. Ran took a deep breath, wiping away her tears, and said thoughtfully, "You know...when Miss Jun was alive at that time, she sounded as if she was expecting people to die: like she thought they deserved it. She wasn't surprised when Mr Iwao fell out of the freezer, nor when Eiji's cord was cut. Even earlier this morning....she went back to the house like she was going to her execution."

"So?"

"I mean what if....what if Miss Jun committed the murder, and then killed herself? Cause if you think about it," Ran rubbed her chin as she sniffles, "She had a good motive. She hated the people who are alive with her till now, including her own husband, for robbing her fiance Mr Kichiro's life to ensure they all lived."

"Even if she did, I doubt it," Takuma grunted in response and considered the matter. "I admit, she had a good reason to commit suicide, regarding her mother's manipulation, as well as the chain of events that followed," he agreed. "Also, there was no sign of an intruder. But if she was going to leave behind everything,  why would she let Miki alive and well then? After all, he is the reason why Kichiro is dead."

"Perhaps this was her way of punishing Miki, that she could've attempted to kill him multiple times and staged it as an accident, but when she failed she couldn't think up another way anymore, and she decided to end hers."

Takuma then looked at the photo, pointing to each of the faces in turn. "So the first victim, Kichiro, fell to his death just like Eiji... Kiryu was boiled then burnt...Iwao was frozen... Jun was poisoned..." His finger came to Miki. "You know, Rika, his childhood friend, isn't in the picture since she is a year younger than him. So it makes him the only one in this expedition photo left to remain alive now," he said. "Could he be the killer, do you think?"

The two kids would have carried on talking but at that moment the stairs creaked.

Ran and Takuma froze, their attention immediately drawn to the sound of the creaking stairs. Their hearts raced as they exchanged anxious glances, knowing that someone was approaching the room.

Judging the sound, the two could tell that it was an adult rather than a kid and for a second, Ran was gripped by a paralysing, brain-numbing fear. Then the adrenalin kicked in.

Hastily, the two stuffed the newspaper clippings in the scrapbook, put it back on the shelf and switched off the desk lamp.

"Hide!" Takuma whispered.

"Where?"

There was nowhere to go. The desk was nothing more than a table. There wasn't even an armchair in the room. The only place they could hide was behind the curtains but they were too thin to conceal the two properly.

Ran and Takuma quickly assessed their options, their minds racing to come up with a plan. They knew they had to find a hiding spot, even if it wasn't ideal.

The footfalls stopped outside the office door. The handle moved slightly as a hand touched it.

"We're screwed!" Ran gasped before Takuma covered her mouth with his hands.

But whoever was sneaking around in the middle of the night wasn't interested in the office. They had merely paused there for a second, resting their weight on the handle: drawing breath, perhaps, or steeling themselves for something.

After several agonising moments, the soft tread of feet on tiles started again, moving in the direction of the kitchen.

Ran and Takuma breathed a sigh of relief as they realized the person was not heading directly into the office.

"We need to sneak out of this place, fast!" Ran said.

Wordlessly, Takuma nodded.

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

In the abandoned cabin, Ranran and Shinichi spot a bed and an end table.

Ranran and Shinichi approached the bed's direction, their eyes scanning for any signs or clues that could shed light on the situation. The abandoned cabin was eerie and filled with an unsettling silence, adding to their apprehension.

As they reached the bed, Ranran noticed that it appeared touched.

Turning her attention to the end table, Ranran carefully examined its surface. There was a small lamp, a glass of water which looks clean, and expectedly to Ranran's surprise, some white tablets.

Ranran's eyes widened as she noticed the white tablets on the end table. She leaned in closer to get a better look, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Shinichi," she whispered, her voice filled with concern. "These tablets... they look like medicine. Do you think they could be the same ones that were stolen from Takuma's tent?"

Shinichi nodded, his young face serious. "It's possible, Ranran. Maybe the person who was here earlier took the medicine and left it behind. But why would someone take the medicine and leave it here? And who could it be?"

Observing Ranran searching for something in her pocket, Ranran's eyes gleamed with determination as she brandished the box of medicine. She quickly compared the stolen medication with the ones in her possession, noting the similarities in size and shape. It was a strong indication that the tablets on the end table were indeed the stolen medicine.

"I am going to teach this medicine thief a lesson he or she will never forget!"

What Ranran did next took Shinichi by surprise.

With a menacing glee, Shinichi watched as she poured numerous tablets from her medicine box into the glass of water, creating a concoction that was far beyond the recommended dosage. His eyes widened with concern.

"Ranran, what are you doing?" Shinichi asked, his voice filled with worry. "That's too many tablets!"

"The killer deserves it, as soon as he or she consumes it, the idiot will be as lunatic as a Cocaine bear!"

Shinichi's eyes widened in shock as he watched Ranran prepare the dangerous concoction. He knew Ranran was a cunning girl who prioritized the safety of others, but this seemed like a risky and potentially harmful plan.

"Ranran, we can't just give someone a dangerous overdose," Shinichi pleaded, his voice filled with concern.

"Yes we can," Ranran dismisses him, "We are all stuck on an island with no cops, and the killer is happily murdering anyone in their way. With this concoction, the person will not stand a chance and come out, like cockroaches would when one sprays pesticide!"

Shinichi stared at Ranran in disbelief, unsure of how to respond to her drastic plan.

"But Ranran," he protested, his voice shaking slightly, "What if the killer ended up hurting an innocent person?"

Ranran's eyes flashed with determination, her voice resolute. "We don't have time to wait around and find out, Shinichi. Lives are at stake, and we need to take matters into our own hands. This island is like a twisted game, and it's time we played it on our terms."

Shinichi sighed, feeling torn between his loyalty to Ranran and his concerns for the safety of others. He knew that they couldn't afford to make a mistake, especially when lives hung in the balance.

"Fine," he finally relented, his voice tinged with resignation. "But if the worst happen, you know what will happen."

Ranran nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Of course, I don't do reckless things irresponsibly."

As they carefully put the glass of deadly concoction back on the end table, the air in the abandoned cabin seemed heavier, charged with a mix of anticipation and fear. Ranran and Shinichi knew that they had entered a dangerous game, one where the stakes were impossibly high.

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

In the activity centre, Ran and Takuma tiptoed, groping their way across the dark office. Holding their breath, they eased the door open and crept towards the stairs.

Problem was, the two had to go right past the kitchen. Terrified, the two saw that Miki was in there, his back facing the two. The freezer door was wide open and the cold air wreathed about him in misty tendrils.

The ice-pop corpse of Jun was laid on the floor, still wrapped in the duvet. Miki's face was calm as he stroked her hair and said, "It's over now. That's what you wanted, isn't it? No more guilt, no more pain. You're at peace now, now. Rest quietly. Sleep for ever. If you are ever reborn...don't ever marry me, or look for your mother, alright?"

Ran and Takuma exchanged horrified glances as they witnessed the chilling scene unfolding before them. The sight of Miki standing there, his back turned to them, talking to the lifeless body of Jun sent shivers down their spines.

Takuma's voice quivered as he whispered to Ran, "What... what is he doing? This is beyond disturbing."

Ran's eyes filled with tears as she struggled to comprehend the situation. "It's like he's talking to her as if she's still alive... but she's gone."

They stood frozen, unable to tear their eyes away from the surreal and macabre sight. "This is psychotic." Takuma mouthed.

"No, this surpass even the maximum requirement of the word 'psychotic', Takuma." Ran shook ar him.

The atmosphere in the room felt heavy with sorrow and an eerie calmness that sent chills down their spines. Takuma and Ran looked at each other in horror. The icy air from the freezer seemed to drift out into the hall and wrap itself around them when then heard those words. Chilled with fear, they crept noiselessly through the back door safe and sound.

"Miki...did he....did he really murder Miss Jun?" Ran's voice quivered with a mix of fear and sadness.

"If he did, then everyone on this campsite is in serious danger."

As they cautiously retreated from the kitchen, their minds raced with a mix of fear and determination. They knew that confronting Miki directly would be dangerous, but they couldn't let him continue his twisted actions unchecked.

"We'll find the truth, Ran," Takuma whispered, his voice filled with resolve. "We won't let Jun's death go unanswered."

Ran nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "We won't rest until we've uncovered the whole truth and brought justice to those who deserve it. This island may be full of darkness, but we'll be the light that shines through."

With renewed determination, Ran and Takuma continued their silent journey, their minds filled with questions and a burning desire for justice. The path ahead was treacherous, but they knew that they had to persevere.

"I wonder how Reina, Ranran and Shinichi are doing back at the cabin?" Takuma frowned, staring up the moon.

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

Reina's eyes widened in alarm as she observed the dark figure approaching the cabin. She pressed herself closer to the tree, her heart pounding in her chest. Fear and curiosity battled within her as she struggled to make sense of the situation.

The killer is returning to the cabin,

A mix of adrenaline and concern for the Kudo children propelled Reina into action. She knew she had to find a way to warn Ranran and Shinichi about the imminent danger.

Silently yet in a bold move, Reina decided to mimic the birds' chirping. Taking a deep breath, she mustered her best bird-like sounds, trying to imitate their distinct calls.

With each carefully crafted chirp, Reina hoped that Ranran and Shinichi would understand the urgency of the situation.

Inside the cabin, Ranran and Shinichi exchanged puzzled glances as they heard the peculiar bird sounds coming from outside. "Huh. Since when are they birds during nighttime?" Shinichi can't help but say.

But Ranran however immediately recognized it, "That ain't a bird, it's Reina telling us that the killer is entering the cabin!"

"Eh?! How did you know?!"

"Let's face it, how many birds are active during nighttime, Shinichi!?" Ranran hissed lowly.

Shinichi nodded, realization dawning upon him. "You're right, Ranran! Reina's trying to warn us. We need to be on high alert. The killer is closing in."

With their hearts racing, Ranran and Shinichi swiftly devised a plan.

 As they quickly scanned the room, their eyes landed on a small storage closet in the corner. Without hesitation, they dashed towards it, hoping it would provide a temporary refuge from the approaching danger.

Inside the cramped closet, Ranran and Shinichi huddled close together, their hearts racing in sync. The darkness enveloped them, adding an eerie atmosphere to their already tense surroundings.

"Ranran, do you think Reina saw the killer? What if she's in danger too?"

Shinichi nodded, his eyes widening with understanding. "We need to stay alert and be ready for anything. Reina wouldn't sound the alarm without reason."

As the bird-like communication continued, the message became clear: Danger was approaching, and they needed to be prepared to defend themselves.

Ranran and Shinichi readied themselves, their hearts pounding in their chests. They knew that their actions in the moments to come could determine their fate and the fate of their friends.

Outside, Reina continued her bird-like calls, her determination unwavering. She hoped that her warning would reach her friends in time and that they would be able to evade the threat lurking in the shadows.

In the confined space of the storage closet, Ranran and Shinichi exchanged worried glances, their minds racing with fear and determination. The walls seemed to close in on them, amplifying the tension that hung in the air.

"Ranran, what do we do now?" Shinichi whispered, his voice barely audible in the darkness.

Ranran's eyes flickered with a mix of anxiety and determination. "We can't stay hidden here forever, Shinichi. We need a plan to escape and find the others."

Shinichi nodded, his young face filled with a determination that matched Ranran's. "Agreed. Let's wait for the right moment, and when we have the chance, we make a run for it."

They strained their ears, listening intently for any sounds outside the closet. The suspense weighed heavily on them as time seemed to stretch, each passing second feeling like an eternity.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching, growing louder with each passing moment. The killer was getting closer, and they knew their window of opportunity was rapidly closing.

Quietly, Ranran brought out something from her skirt, and to Shinichi's shock, she brought with her a cockroach pesticide spray, one she bought from the pharmacy back at the hotel while whispering to Shinichi, "If he ever opens the closet, when I spray the killer in the eye, you run and never look back."

Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise as he observed the pesticide spray in Ranran's hands. It was an unexpected but potentially effective tool for their escape. "Wait, then what about you!?"

Ranran's face hardened with determination as she met Shinichi's concerned gaze. "One only can make it out alive. Once you're out of harm's way, find Reina and gather everyone. We need to regroup and come up with a plan to expose the killer."

Shinichi hesitated, torn between his trust in Ranran's bravery and his instinct to protect his sister. "But I can't just leave you behind, Ranran. We're in this together."

Ranran placed a reassuring hand on Shinichi's shoulder, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve. "We have to make sacrifices for the greater good."

"No, we don't!"

"Yes, we do," Ranran insist.

"No," Shinichi shook his head, "I will do it instead, give me the pesticide. You flee while I stay behind."

"Then what!?" Ranran confronts him, "If you die, our grandparents will not be the only ones devastated, especially your mother."

"Eh!?"

"She had trouble conceiving a child till she had you, if you die, that is the end. She would have no son to head home to. Including your own father!"

Ranran's words struck Shinichi with a profound realization. The weight of his mother's love and the sacrifices she had made for him weighed heavily on his young shoulders. "But Ranran, your parents can't have another child after having you as well, right!? You are their only daughter as well!"

"Shinichi-"

"Imagine if I head back home with you in a body bag, do you think I can look up at your parents in the eye and say 'I am sorry, I fled while I let your 6-year-old daughter sacrifice herself for me'?! Especially our grandparents....especially Obaachan, you are literally giving her a first-class ticket straight to her funeral!"

"Shinichi, let's not forget that you still have your ex-friends, Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko with you. You sacrificing yourself for me would mean that I would have to endure further harassment, as well as survivor guilt blaming from them."

"So what!? Do you think I would have it easy if Reina and Takuma learnt that you died!?" Shinichi hissed back, "The Kudo family did not have a single daughter for over 100 years till you arrive. And Obaachan will never live with it if her only granddaughter dies. So until then, don't talk about self-sacrificing for the greater good! Cause I don't believe in that sort of nonsense!"

Shinichi's words resonated deeply within her. For a moment, Ranran didn't know what to make of it.

Despite the fear that coursed through Shinichi's veins, he said "We won't go down without a fight, Ranran. We'll do whatever it takes to survive and bring an end to this madness."

The footsteps outside grew nearer, echoing through the silence of the cabin. The time for hesitation was over. Ranran and Shinichi steeled themselves, ready to face whatever awaited them on the other side of the closet door.

As the doorknob turned slowly, their hearts raced, and a surge of adrenaline-fueled their resolve. They were prepared to confront the killer and protect each other, no matter the cost.

At that moment, Ranran and Shinichi embraced the unknown, ready to face the darkness head-on, their spirits unyielding in the face of danger. Their survival instincts kicked into high gear as they prepared to make their move.

Reina, hidden behind the tree, pondered her next move. She knew she had to create a distraction to lure the killer away from the cabin, giving Ranran and Shinichi an opportunity to escape. Her mind raced as she searched for a solution in the midst of the darkness.

An idea sparked within Reina's mind, a plan that was as audacious as it was risky. With a mischievous glimmer in her eyes, she grabbed a handful of pebbles from the ground and took a deep breath.

With a swift and accurate aim, Reina began to throw the pebbles in a rhythmic pattern against the side of the cabin, creating a repetitive and attention-grabbing sound. The pebbles clinked against the wooden panels, imitating footsteps in the darkness.

The killer, startled by the sudden noise, turned their attention towards the source of the disturbance. With cautious steps, they ventured outside his guard, seeking the origin of the sound.

As the killer moved away from the cabin, Ranran and Shinichi seized the opportunity. They silently slipped out of the storage closet, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation. Every step they took was calculated, their senses heightened, ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.

After a nerve-wracking journey through the dark forest, Ranran and Shinichi finally reached a clearing where they reunited with Reina and the others. Relief washed over them as they saw each other's faces, knowing that they had successfully escaped the clutches of the killer, at least for the time being.