"Who wants to share out what they have collected so far?"

Excitement and anticipation filled the air as the group gathered in the secluded corner of the campsite, their minds buzzing with the information they had gathered individually.

"Should we start?" Takuma and Ran raised their hands.

"Yes you may," Ranran announced, while she gazes at the two, "Who wants to begin among the two?"

Before anyone could respond, Ran spoke up. Her voice was calm but tinged with an air of uncertainty. "After we left the office, Takuma and I...unexpectedly saw Mr Miki in the kitchen earlier. He was with Jun's body and... he was talking to her. It was like he was confessing or saying goodbye, even told her....not to remarry him if they ever reincarnate, nor meet her mother," Ran shared, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and confusion.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the group. The thought of Mr Miki, their cliff-climbing instructor, being involved in such a heinous act was difficult to process.

Takuma, his voice filled with a mix of anger and disbelief, spoke up. "I may....not know Mr Miki well enough as a friend, but if you are thinking about our class camping trip....you start to wonder....how could he be....in charge of our welfare? Us, 6-year-old kids having our first ever camping trip!?!"

Takuma's words struck a chord with everyone present. The gravity of the situation became even more apparent than ever.

Reina, her voice trembling slightly, added her own piece of information. "While hiding behind a tree earlier, I saw a mysterious figure approaching the cabin. I tried to warn Ranran and Shinichi by mimicking bird sounds. They managed to escape through a small gap in the fence, and I continued to create a diversion using pebbles to keep the killer occupied."

Her words deepened the sense of danger that surrounded them. It was clear that their lives were at stake, and they needed to uncover the truth quickly to protect themselves and prevent further harm.

Shinichi, his voice filled with determination, spoke next. "Ranran and I managed to escape into the forest, and we are here now, safe for the moment."

"When you all...saw Mr Miki with his dead wife, what time was it?" Ranran asked Ran and Takuma.

Ran and Takuma exchanged glances, trying to recall the timing of their encounter with Mr Miki in the kitchen.

"I believe it was around midnight," Ran answered, her brows furrowing as she tried to piece together the events in her mind. "It was dark outside, and the only light in the kitchen was from the open freezer."

Ranran nodded, deep in thought. "Midnight... that would have been right before we heard the bird-like sounds outside the cabin. Reina, your warning came shortly after Ran and Takuma encountered Mr Miki in the kitchen."

The realization hung heavy in the air. "Did Mr Miki leave the kitchen after you both fled?" Shinichi asked.

Ran and Takuma exchanged glances, trying to recall the events from their encounter with Mr Miki in the kitchen. Takuma's brow furrowed as he concentrated on the details.

"I... I'm not entirely sure," Ran admitted. "We were so focused on getting away quietly that we didn't see if he followed us or stayed in the kitchen."

Takuma guessed why Shinichi asked that question, "But if he didn't leave the kitchen around that time....that means-"

"That's right," Shinichi nods, "The killer in the cabin....might not be Miki after all."

The group fell into stunned silence as the implications of Shinichi's words sank in. Their assumptions had been shattered, and they were faced with the unsettling realization that the killer might still be among them.

"You all said you both left the office, right?" Ranran probed, "Did you guys find anything?"

Ran and Takuma exchanged a brief glance before Takuma spoke up. "Well, we did find something unusual in the office. There was a...scrapbook from the bookshelf. When I pulled it open, it burst open with some news clippings sticking out."

Ranran's eyes widened with interest. "What are those news clippings? Did you get a chance to see what it was about?"

Takuma nodded. "It was a couple of things. First was about Mr Kiryu...."

".......who died when the water boiled and scalded him to death, before the shower unit exploded, correct?" Shinichi finished before Takuma could finish.

Takuma's eyes widened in surprise at Shinichi's accurate completion of his sentence. "Yes, exactly. How did you know?"

Shinichi's expression turned sombre as he explained, "Ranran and I went to the killer's cabin earlier, the wall was filled with news clippings, and we came across that as well."

The group gasped in unison, as Shinichi and Ranran shared what they have found in the cabin. The deaths of Mr Kiryu and the chilling realization that they were dealing with a serial killer began to sink in.

"I have a question," Reina raised her hand to ask her boyfriend Takuma, "Takuma, did you see who that scrapbook belonged to? Did it have a name written on it that states it is Mr Miki?"

"Ah no," Takuma shook his head, before wondering, "Does it matter if has a name?"

"It does," Reina nodded thoughtfully. "Cause I had a suspicion that whoever it was that lived in the abandoned cabin, as well as Mr Miki ain't the same person."

The group exchanged perplexed glances, intrigued by Reina's observation. "What makes you think so?" Ran can't help but ask.

"If we were to think of the murders that took place here and the expedition, all of them were intentionally staged as accidents. If Miki really did this, isn't he stupid to keep a scrapbook in the office of the campsite? Knowing that other instructors such as his childhood friend, Miss Rika, or university mates Mr Iwao, Mr Kiryu and even his wife Miss Jun had access to the office might come across it!?" Reina pointed out.

Reina's words sparked a realization among the group. "She had a point - if Mr Miki was truly responsible for the murders and the scrapbook contained evidence of his crimes, it would be incredibly risky for him to keep it in the office where others had access. Also, remember when Mr Eiji fell off the cliff when his rope was cut, he would've been tons of bravado to commit it in front of us children. Everyone had their smartphones on recording their safety demonstration."

Shinichi nodded, understanding the significance of Reina's observation. "It doesn't make sense for Mr Miki to keep incriminating evidence in such an accessible place. It suggests that either someone else might be involved or that Mr Miki is being framed."

"Plus, considering the alibi that one time everyone saw Miki's head peeking out of the tent while Takuma went after the killer, adding that there were more news clippings in the cabin...even if the scrapbook belong to Mr Miki, then why would he put the same amount at the cabin? Better yet, add clippings about his mother who died at the lift, as well as his dad's death article whom he isn't close with!?" Ranran argued.

Ranran's point further solidified the doubts in the group's minds. It seemed increasingly unlikely that Mr Miki was solely responsible for the murders and the eerie happenings at the campsite. There were too many inconsistencies and peculiarities that didn't align with his actions.

"Alright, I think today we have enough of the day," Ranran announced, rubbing her eyes, "It's getting late, I think Shinichi and I will head back to the hotel, while you all sleep in the tents."

The group nodded in agreement, acknowledging the late hour and the need for rest. They were exhausted physically and mentally, their minds consumed with the mystery that had unfolded throughout the day. The idea of retreating to the safety of the hotel seemed like a comforting prospect.

Ranran and Shinichi packed up their belongings, ready to make their way back to the hotel.

"You will come back right?" Ran asked, "Remember about the deal."

"Of course," Ranran promised, "6 am at that place, make sure Sonoko who is still recovering from dengue meet up, so Shinichi and I will take you, Sonoko, Reina and Takuma to the luxury hotel. Make sure neither kid is awake, in case they may go mad, and throw wild accusations that you all are abandoning them to live in a luxury hotel."

The group nodded, thankful for Ranran and Shinichi's support and the plan they had devised. It provided a glimmer of hope in the midst of the darkness that surrounded them while they followed Ranran and Shinichi in another part of the forest, where their horses were waiting for them, "Take care!"

"We will," Reina affirmed, her voice determined.

As the group bid farewell to Ranran and Shinichi, they watched them disappear into the night, their figures blending into the darkness.

The remaining members found their way back to the campsite, settling into their respective tents with a mix of weariness and anticipation.

Inside their tents, thoughts swirled in their minds, replaying the day's events and contemplating the possible identity of the killer. Each member had their own suspicions, yet uncertainty lingered, and trust was a fragile commodity in their current situation.

As they lay in their sleeping bags, the sounds of the forest enveloped them. The wind whispered through the trees, and the occasional hoot of an owl broke the silence. But there was an underlying tension that made it difficult for them to find solace in the tranquillity of nature.

Reina and Takuma, sharing a tent, exchanged quiet whispers before finally succumbing to exhaustion and drifting off to sleep. Their bodies yearned for rest, yet their minds remained vigilant, ready to awaken at any suspicious sound or movement.

In another tent, Ran closed her eyes, her mind still buzzing with thoughts and theories. For hours thoughts circled inside Ran's head. Thoughts chased each other round and round, but she couldn't pin down who the true killer is.

Eventually, she fell into an uneasy sleep and dreamt about jungles, glaciers and snow-capped mountains.

Meanwhile, Sonoko, still recovering from dengue, lay in her sleeping bag, her body weak but her mind active. She had been through so much already, and yet the mystery surrounding the campsite seemed to grow deeper and more treacherous with each passing moment. She yearned for answers, for resolution, but she knew it would come at a price.

Little did they know, their decision to leave the campsite might receive severe backlash from their classmates of 1-A.

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

Sleep came fitfully, dreams plagued by shadows and whispers. The night seemed to stretch on endlessly, but eventually, the first light of dawn began to peek through the trees.

"Agh! I am so not a morning person!" Ranran yawned to herself.

While Ranran and Shinichi prepared the horses outside the parking lot of the hotel, he said, "I'll bet Sonoko has been wanting to check in here since last week, since she has grown used to a luxurious life."

Ranran chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I wouldn't be surprised. But since she is still recovering from dengue, this is necessary," Then Ranran frown a little, "I hope the kids from our class are asleep, cause if they were awake, they will for sure beg either Ran, Sonoko, Takuma or even Reina to take them to the hotel where we are living, then demand we pay for their stay since both of our families are rich. Not to mention, there are not living in good conditions at the campsite after all, and to top it off, there is a serial killer on the loose."

Shinichi sighs at that thought, "Are you that certain that our classmates are that self-entitled? What if you are wrong?"

Ranran shrugged, a wry smile on her face. "Remember when I told you about that China story? When anyone is close to facing death, their true selves of wanting to survive will surface. And it gets really ugly when their real selves come out."

Shinichi nodded, understanding the point Ranran was making. "In times of crisis, people's true nature can emerge, and it's not always pleasant. We have to be prepared for any scenario."

Ranran finished preparing the horses and secured their gear. She took a moment to gaze at the rising sun, "Something tells me it may not."

With their preparations complete, Ranran and Shinichi mounted the horses and began their journey back to the campsite. The morning air was cool and refreshing, offering a stark contrast to the events that had unfolded during the night.

As they approached the meeting point where Reina, Ran, Sonoko and Takuma were supposed to meet up, the two spotted neither of them. "Huh, they haven't arrived?" Ranran can't help but muse.

"Maybe they haven't woken up yet? Let's wait." Shinichi thinks.

As the minutes ticked by, unease settled in. The four of them were nowhere to be seen, and worry started to gnaw at the duo's resolve.

"What could be taking them so long?" Shinichi asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Ranran glanced at her watch, her brows furrowed. "They should have been back by now. Something must have happened."

Then, the walkie-talkie Shinichi crackled to life, startling both Ranran and Shinichi. A voice came through, sounding frantic and distressed.

"Ranran? Shinichi? Can you hear me? It's Takuma," the voice trembled with urgency.

Ranran quickly grabbed the walkie-talkie from Shinichi's hand and responded, her voice filled with concern. "Takuma, what's going on? Where are you all?"

There was a brief pause before her friend's voice came through again, now more composed but still filled with worry. "We woke up 10 minutes in advance, and had all of our belongings packed, we were on our way to the meeting point. But then...it appears one of our classmates from 1-A, Mana Yoshida, got word of it and demanded to take him in. And we said no. He was angered, then had all of the kids wake up, and now, Reina and the other girls are arguing with the kids now, saying that we are abandoning them to the serial killer for luxury."

"Ah yes, Mana Yoshida...why am I not surprised," Shinichi spat his name out while Ranran rolled her eyes in distaste.

If one is to hear the name Mana Yoshida in Teitan Elementary, everyone knows that he had a knack for creating exaggerated stories and rumours.

Mana's tendency to exaggerate stories and spread rumours often leads to amusing chaos within the community. He once claimed to have discovered a hidden treasure buried in the local park of Beikai District, which later caused a frenzy of kids and adults searching for the non-existent treasure. Another time, he spread a rumour about a friendly ghost haunting the school, which had his classmates spooked for days.

Mana's storytelling abilities were often compared to the dramatic talents of Suzuki Sonoko, a fellow classmate known for her flair for the theatrical. While Sonoko thrived on the stage, Mana carved his own niche as the master of imaginative storytelling, using his tales to brighten his mother's day and bring smiles to the faces of those around him.

However, beneath his penchant for storytelling, there was a heartfelt reason driving Mana's exaggerations. He had a sickly mother who spent most of her time confined to their home. In his desire to entertain and bring joy to her, Mana resorted to weaving fantastical tales that transported her to different worlds. He believed that by sparking her imagination, he could momentarily alleviate her suffering and provide a respite from the monotony of illness.

Despite the chaos and occasional trouble caused by his exaggerated stories and rumours, Mana's intentions were always innocent and rooted in a deep love for his family. But then when his mother succumbed to illness,  Mana's world turned upside down. The loss of his mother left a void in his heart, and his penchant for storytelling although diminished, the stories were no longer harmless innocent fun anymore.

After the loss of his mother, Mana's vibrant imagination took a darker turn. Filled with grief and a sense of loneliness, he began to create stories that reflected his inner turmoil. No longer content with innocent tales, Mana's exaggerated stories were enough to ruin the life of anyone whom he come across. It got worst when he fell with the wrong crowd.

The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and it seemed their classmates' entitlement had indeed surfaced in the face of adversity.

"Are they any adults there?" Ranran asked with worry, fearing that they may be tipped off which may later alert the serial killer.

"Fortunately Mana was smart enough to get the kids over in another secluded area of the forest since he still took heed of Shinichi's announcement of the serial killer, but still, it ain't good, Ranran."

"We need to get back to them immediately," Ranran said, her voice filled with determination. "Takuma, stay put. We'll be there as soon as we can."

Ranran and Shinichi urged their horses into a brisk trot, their worry for their friends intensifying with each passing second. The campsite felt farther away than ever, and time seemed to stretch as they rode through the forest.

Finally, they arrived at the campsite, where they were greeted by a chaotic scene. Reina and the other girls were surrounded by their classmates, some of whom were crying, others throwing tantrums.

Ranran and Shinichi dismounted their horses and quickly made their way towards the commotion. Reina spotted them and relief washed over her face.

"Ranran, Shinichi, thank goodness you're here," Reina said, her voice strained. "These kids are convinced that we're abandoning them and leaving them to the mercy of the serial killer."

Ranran took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.

She scanned the crowd of upset children, searching for a way to diffuse the situation. Shinichi stood by her side, ready to support her.

"I can't believe you all would react that way," Ranran called out in a firm tone, staring at the other kids.

And Shinichi's eyes widened in horror, for her to use this sort of tone at them...their classmates are bound to be mad.

"React that way!? Why shouldn't we!?" One of the kids confronts, "You have been living in a luxury hotel since last week Tuesday!"

"We had a miserable life living at the campsite!" One of them weeps in tears while they rant, "The bugs infestation in our bunk bedroom, the food coming from the walk-in fridge with two decomposing corpses, and above all....no tv, no Wi-Fi...it's unbearable!"

"And all of that to top it off, there is a serial killer on the island, do you have no shame!?"

"Shame?! That what? I lived in a luxurious hotel!?" Ranran was giving them the look.

"Or else what!? I don't want to die!"  Mana Yoshida, the instigator of all of this, yelled, "I demand that on behalf of 1-A, you, Shinichi's and Sonoko's family pay for our stay there!"

Once more, all the kids crowded around Ranran and Shinichi, demanding that they do so.

Ranran's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. She took a step forward, her voice firm and commanding. "Oh, it's time all of your disgusting real selves showed up for the first time. Well played, everyone."

Ranran's words echoed through the chaotic campsite, silencing the clamour for a moment. The children looked at her, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. It was clear that her direct approach had caught them off guard. "H-H-how dare you say that!?" Mana grew more riled up than ever.

And then, before he could respond any further, Ranran coldly slap him in the face.

The sound of the slap reverberated through the campsite, followed by stunned silence. The kids gasped, their eyes widening in shock. Even Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko were taken aback by Ranran's boldness. Though Shinichi, Takuma and Reina were not surprised.

Mana staggered back, clutching his cheek in disbelief. "Did you....did you slap me!?"

"Yes I did," Ranran responded in all chillness, it shivered in his spine while Ranran confronted him head-on, "You know, when your mother died, I was expecting you to stir up trouble wherever you went, even when you fell for the wrong crowd, I knew you were a lost cause. But to try and keep guilt-tripping children of rich families because they are born with a diamond spoon? What a hypocrite."

The campsite fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of Mana's heavy breathing. The other kids looked on, unsure of how to react. Ranran's words hung in the air, her icy gaze piercing through the tension.

This was it, Shinichi saw Ranran for the first time, the aura of an authoritative noble.

"A hypocrite!?" Mana snapped at her, "I didn't say that I envy your lifestyle with Shinichi, or Sonoko for that matter!"

"Really? I beg to differ," Ranran then list out the several incidents of Mana attempting to influence other kids into attempting to guilt trip the other kids' privileged background, "When you spread rumours about Sonoko's family hosting a lavish party every weekend, or when you told everyone that Shinichi owns a private jet and travels the world which his parents clearly doesn't, or how you claimed that I was looking down on everyone in the entire class of 1-A whenever I bring in expensive bentos for lunch, it's clear that you're envious of our lifestyles and trying to make others feel guilty about it, you little plonker."

Mana's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape."Even so! Did you not chicken out, when Mr Eiji was telling that ghost story about betrayed lovers when all the girls in the class moved into your bunk bedroom expecting you to protect them, you stole a horse and check yourself into a luxury hotel!"

Once more, Ranran folded her arms, "So what if I did?"

"Excuse me!?" The other girls were mad, but Ranran did not waver.

Ranran continued to speak, her voice steady and unwavering.

"There were other free bunk bedrooms available, when Miss Jun was alive, she mentioned that you were all free to choose whichever room you all want to sleep in. You all knew that I don't like to share. And yet, you all intentionally moved into mine, assuming I would protect all of you from these nonsensical ghosts you all heard from Mr Eiji before he too died. Tell me, why should I protect the whole lot of you!? Is it fair that you all ditch your responsibilities on me, without even asking me!?"

"You-"

"Don't you dare to use the excuse that 'we are classmates', cause judging on our interactions, which only ended with one to two lines briefly, we were more of acquaintances than classmates. Plus, you all barely approach me to do class assignments besides Reina because you all blindly believed in Mana's words, about me being a prideful half-breed living bastard of a mistress, so zip your damn mouth shut, you blithering idiots. We may share the same class, but it's clear we don't share the same thoughts."

"We-"

"Who was the one who raised their hands in the majority when you all agreed with the camping idea with Sensei? Cause I am pretty sure Shinichi and I didn't? Which is why we ended up here in the first place!" Ranran taunted them.

Her voice was filled with righteous indignation. The other children looked down, ashamed of their actions. Even the girls knew that Ranran's point was clear - they had expected her to bear the burden of their fears without even considering her feelings or asking for her consent.

The other children shifted uncomfortably, guilt etched across their faces. Mana, still reeling from the slap and Ranran's scathing remarks, struggled to find a comeback.

In the midst of the silence, Shinichi stepped forward, his gaze stern. "Ranran is right. We never signed up to be your protectors or to cater to your whims. We're not responsible for your insecurities or jealousy. If you have issues, deal with them on your own instead of trying to bring others down with you."

"But Ranran," one of the girls spoke up timidly, "We were scared."

"So what? I ain't your parents all of you should cry to and beg 'there is a boogeyman under the bed, chase it away for me'." Ranran mocked, "Especially after you all just simply attempted to force Reina, Ran and Sonoko to check in the hotel Shinichi and I are in, under our family's money! And our parents worked hard to earn it! Shinichi here," Ranran pointed to the little blue-eyed boy who is sternly staring back at the crowd, "His dad had to work 3 part-time jobs before he grew up to become a successful mystery writer, while his mom worked hard since she was around our age to become a successful actress!"

"Ranran...."

But Ranran wasn't done, "My parents?! They don't even have a single yen or dime to their name when they eloped and got married, I lived in the slum neighbourhood for over two years before we got lucky! And as for Sonoko's parents, while I ain't sure whether they were born wealthy to get them to where they are, how dare you all think that her parents would be willing to fork out millions of yens for kids who ain't their daughters and sons!? Are you all not being too much!?"

"Why wouldn't they not!?" The other screamed, "We are too someone sons and daughters!"

"Then what do you expect is going to happen after we all survive and made it back home." Ranran challenged.

"Eh!?" All of them froze.

"You heard me, on this island here...." Ranran paced before the crowd, "There is only one luxurious hotel, one rural village, and a campsite. Considering there is nowhere else to go, it wouldn't be surprising that a luxurious hotel would be considered the safer option. Although our families can afford it, do you all think all of your parents are going to be scot-free after our families pay for all of your combined stays in the hotel when the serial killer is caught!?" Ranran scoffed, "No, cause the first thing they would do is to make sure all of our families would do is to make all of your parents pay up the expenses they owed!"

"No way!" Heads shift to Mana, "Why can't it be free!?"

"Why should it even be in the first place!? The moment our parents do, it will be opening a breeding ground where it will show three to 80 generations of parasites! What? Do you think just because you all can easily guilt trip us for being born into a privileged background, you can all simply guilt trip all of your way onto leaching our families!? Where did all of your spines go!? So far for making me feel bad about hating camping."

Suddenly, everyone fell silent at Ranran's snide remarks, their heads bowed in shame.

Ranran's voice was filled with a mix of anger and disappointment as she addressed them all. "You think you're all entitled to everything just because we're in a dire situation? You're willing to sacrifice your integrities, your dignity, all of this because you all asked for a camping trip that you all realized was too much to handle. Is that what your true selves are? Selfish, entitled brats?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, making eye contact with each and every one of them. "Well, congratulations, you've succeeded in showing your true colours. But let me tell you something. In this world, in this life, you can't always have what you want. And in case you think I relied on my family funds, no, I had a client while working as a child detective, so I was offered to live in the hotel, all expenses paid for me only. Meanwhile, Shinichi made a deal with the hotel to earn his stay here, while Sonoko's parents did it to help their sick daughter recuperate from dengue! And dengue is a fight to the death deceased! Do you all even have that?!"

Ranran's words stung them in the worst way possible, as the kids exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of how to respond. The weight of Ranran's words sank in. It was clear that her blunt honesty had struck a nerve.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, dripping with bitterness. "Oh yeah, let's just add 'professional freeloader' to the list of accomplishments on our resumes, shall we?" It was Shinichi, his voice laced with disdain.

Sonoko would've wanted to join in, but her dengue situation is disabling her from doing a thing.

"And as you all are wondering why Sonoko, Ran, Reina and Takuma are joining in on the ride, we are under manpower on solving the serial killer situation. And Ran still needs to look after Sonoko." Ranran justifies.

"You know, Ranran, why don't we all just hand them our wallets and be done with it?" Shinichi continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe we can even throw in a 'Thank you for funding our extravagant getaway' card while we're at it."

Before the others would know it, one child after another began to sob, with some of them saying, "I just want to live! I don't want to die getting killed by the killer!"

Even Mana was fed up with the situation, "My mother died...my dad will be worried if he finds me dead."

"Oh great, just what we needed," Reina grumbled, rolling her eyes. "A bunch of crying kids to add to the chaos. This is turning out to be the best vacation ever!"

Shinichi sighed and muttered under his breath, "I guess being surrounded by a bunch of amateurs is the cherry on top of this disaster."

Ranran, the occasional voice of reason, attempted to quell the commotion with a glimmer of hope. "Listen up, everyone. I've been trying to contact the student council back at our elementary school since last week. I even asked them to release the emergency funds meant for Teitan Elementary."

The children's eyes widened in surprise and scepticism. "Wait, you actually got through to them?" one of them exclaimed incredulously. "That's like spotting a unicorn riding a rainbow on Mars!"

"Did they agree to release the funds? So we can finally check into the hotel?" a hopeful child asked, yearning for a positive outcome.

Shinichi reluctantly shattered their hopes. "Unfortunately, no," he muttered. "They don't believe a word about a serial killer on the island."

Takuma, with a mischievous grin, interjected, "Well, if all else fails, we can resort to Plan B: we become the serial killers ourselves. We can film violent murderous scenes we committed onto the other kids pretending to be victims, scare them out of their wits. That'll teach 'em!"

Reina shot her boyfriend a disapproving look, shaking her head. "Tak-chan, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but turning into a murderer might not be the best solution here."

Ranran took charge once again, making an announcement to the group. "So, here's the plan. I'll take Reina back to the hotel and get her to have a serious talk with the student council. We'll convince them to release the Teitan Elementary emergency funds. The sooner they do it, the sooner you can all move into the hotel."

With a sigh of resignation, Sonoko glanced at the group, her face pale and tired. "I wish I could say something, but this dengue situation has me feeling like a sloth on sedatives."

Shinichi once more stepped in to clarify the situation. "You see, we're facing a severe shortage of manpower in dealing with this serial killer frenzy. And from the way things are progressing, this isn't good."

Again, the children's faces contorted, and tears streamed down their cheeks. "I just want to live! I don't want to end up as the killer's target!" some of them sobbed in despair.

Even another child had reached his limit. "I didn't ask for this crap!"

"You should've thought of this in advance before being so eager to go on this free trip, nothing comes free in life," Ranran's voice took on a tone of resolve as she spoke. "This entitlement right here, it ends right now! No more guilt-tripping, cause it will never go all of your way on my watch. We will go to the hotel, while you all remain at the campsite. When the email arrives, Shinichi and the rest of us will come to all of you, and you will all join us shortly at the hotel."

A murmur of dissent rose from the crowd, but Ranran silenced them with a stern glare. "And in case you all think that we abandoned you, I suggest another proposal. But this would be completely up to you. Though I think you all will suffer." The tension in the air was palpable as the children anxiously waited to hear what Ranran had to say next. "Bring your tents over, and pitch outside the hotel parking lot."

The atmosphere grew tense as the children grappled with the harsh reality of their situation. Ranran's suggestion to pitch their tents outside the hotel parking lot seemed both bizarre and unfair to them. They exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to respond. Finally, one of the kids mustered the courage to voice their scepticism.

"Wait a minute," the child said, his voice tinged with doubt, "You want us to set up our tents outside the hotel parking lot? Are you actually serious? While you guys enjoy the luxury of the hotel?"

Ranran met the child's gaze with a stern expression. "Well, let me ask you this: Do any of you have the money to check into the hotel right now? Let alone, could your parents afford it!?" she retorted. "No, you don't. So instead of wallowing in self-pity and expecting others to solve our problems, this is the best solution I can come up with. Pitch your tents outside the hotel parking lot. There are security guards around the area, which is way better than the campsite where we are relying on 2 adults, who we suspected to be the serial killer, and one sensei who is always sighing in disappointment over why are there no available good-looking guys in that area."

A chorus of objections erupted from the children. Mana's voice trembled with distress as he lamented, "But we won't have any food!"

Ranran's tone turned unsympathetic. "That's your problem. If you want food, go find it on your own. Don't expect us to cater to your needs."

Tears welled up in Mana's eyes as he protested, "But we're just kids! How are we supposed to find food by ourselves?"

Shinichi interjected, his frustration evident in his voice, "Exactly! Since you don't have any means to provide for yourselves, maybe it's best if you stay at the campsite."

Desperation filled the air as one of the children burst into tears, pleading, "Can't you just explain our situation to the person who offered you a free stay, Ranran? I mean, there's a serial killer on this island, for Pete's sake!"

Shinichi shot back defensively, "You think Ranran didn't try that? She did, but the client insisted we only had circumstantial evidence! It's not that simple!"

"Doing so will lead people to take further advantage, that is what I learn," Mouri Ran chimed.

Mana couldn't contain his anger and frustration any longer. He screamed at the cold blue-eyed detective girl, "You're just being selfish! How can you do this to us?"

Ranran's lips curled into a sly smile as she locked eyes with the distressed child. "And what's wrong with being selfish?" she taunted. "At least I'm not pretending to be selfless while secretly taking advantage of someone's generosity. That's what makes you all worse than me."

The accusation stung, and a wave of unease washed over them. At that moment, Ranran's unyielding resolve seemed both intimidating and eerily justified.

Mana's voice trembled with anger as he shouted, "You're ruining everything! This was supposed to be a fun camping trip, and you've turned it into a nightmare by flexing your fire-star hotel privilege."

Ranran's eyes narrowed, and a hint of frustration flashed across her face. She crossed her arms defiantly and retorted, "Oh? So now you are going to blame my privileged background for ruining camping? This trip was already a disaster before I even arrived. I keep telling all of you that camping sucks, but it appears that none of you bothered to listen. Also, do you even know the real reason why cavemen move out of their caves when they evolved, they began living in cities? Simple, because they hate living in the wilderness too! So theoretically: Our ancestors evolved just so we don't ever have to go back to living in the wilderness like wild animals ever again, Mana! You wanted an adventure, well, here it is. Don't blame me for your poor choices."

A silence fell over the group as they exchanged uneasy glances. The atmosphere had become tense and suffocating, the once-bright spirit of adventure now overshadowed by conflicting emotions. The children felt a mixture of fear, anger, and confusion swirling within them.

Ranran continued, her voice firm but filled with compassion, "But the good news is as much as I dislike all of you self-entitled beings, I am still trying to get the school council to release the funds. No matter what, you and I are children, stuck on an island while there are no cops to protect us, let alone, bad weather is against us from being rescued."

Her words hit the children like a wake-up call, shaking them out of their anger and frustration. They realized that despite their differences and clashes, they were all in the same boat, facing an uncertain and perilous situation.

Mana, his voice now tempered with a mix of resignation and determination, spoke up, "Fine, Ranran. We'll think about pitching our tents outside the hotel parking lot. But I won't forget this, and I won't let you forget either."

Ranran nodded, a trace of a smile playing on her lips. "Deal," she said.

With it, the feud among the kids ended and they all parted ways. "And by the way, one more thing." Everyone stopped walking before turning to Ranran, "I wouldn't trust Arima-sensei to look out for all of you, which is why I left in the first place." She said cryptically.

"Wait....what do you mean by that?" Mana can't help but ask.

With an amusing smile, Ranran chuckled to say, "Figure it out yourselves, Shinichi and the others, shall we go? "With a collective nod, the group continued their journey back to the hotel, while leaving the other children to be baffled by her cryptic words.

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

The Mayfair at Brampton Hotel seemed like a distant beacon of hope at first for Ran, Sonoko, Reina and Takuma, after living out in the wilderness outdoors for a week plus.

So it was no surprise that when Ranran and Shinichi arrived with the others at the hotel reception, the weary faces of Ran, Sonoko, Reina and Takuma caught the attention of the staff.

Concerned, the hotel manager approached Ranran to ask. "Is everything alright with those children? They seem troubled."

Ranran let out a tired sigh before responding to the hotel manager's inquiry. "It's been a rough week for them. They've been camping out in the wilderness, dealing with some...issues. The children are exhausted, both physically and emotionally."

The hotel manager's brow furrowed with genuine concern. "Oh, dear. Is there anything we can do to help? We want our guests to feel comfortable and at ease during their stay."

Ranran and Shinichi glanced back at the weary faces of Ran, Sonoko, Reina, and Takuma, and then turned their attention back to the manager. "Well, give time some warm meals and comfortable beds would certainly do wonders for them."

"They've been through a lot, and a little pampering wouldn't hurt," Shinichi adds.

The manager nodded empathetically. "Consider it done. I'll make sure they're taken care of. Please, have a seat in the lounge while we prepare everything."

As the group settled into the plush chairs of the hotel lounge, relief washed over them. The prospect of a cosy room, a hot shower, and a delicious meal seemed like a luxury they had longed for.

Reina let out a contented sigh. "Finally, some comfort. I can't wait to wash off all this dirt and sleep in a proper bed."

Sonoko, though weakened by dengue, managed a faint smile. "I don't think I've ever appreciated a hotel room this much before. It's like a sanctuary after all we've been through."

Takuma, always the joker, chimed in, "Yeah, I can't wait to jump into a soft bed and pretend like I'm a pancake. Flipping myself from side to side, you know?"

The group shared a tired but relieved chuckle, their spirits lifting in anticipation of the comfort that awaited them. Despite the challenges they had faced, there was a glimmer of hope and a renewed sense of resilience.

And as they sat in the hotel lounge, waiting for their rooms to be prepared, they couldn't help but feel grateful for the kindness and hospitality extended to them. It was a reminder that even in the darkest times, there are always people willing to lend a helping hand and provide a much-needed respite.

Little did they know, their adventure was far from over, but for now, they would savour the reprieve and recharge their weary souls, ready to face whatever awaited them next.