While Reina used one of the master bedrooms of the penthouse as she made phones to several anxious parents, letting them know that each of their children is currently in danger and that there is a serial killer on the loose on the island they are all camping on, Ranran, Shinichi, Takuma and Ran gathered at the living room to talk out about the case.

"So this is what Mr Eiji looked like, huh?" Ran took a good look at the photo of the artwork Emiko sent through their Tantei Association online group, "Without the scars, he seems like a disfigured guy." She turned to the other children, "Why didn't Emiko try to rectify how her face looked like?"

"The scar removal was easy, but I don't think it would have been possible for her to completely change his facial features," Shinichi explained, furrowing his brow as he analyzed the photo. "She doesn't have the skill to revert the face back to how it was like before Mr Eiji's face was disfigured."

"No way!" Ran frowned, "Then those detective movies that show they can retrace back to the original were lies!?"

Ranran nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "It's not like in the movies where they can just press a button and magically transform someone's face. It requires a lot of expertise, time, and resources. Something....we don't have. This is why I had Michio send the artwork, as well as the photos and videos of Mr Eiji through the kids of 1-A sent to Sergeant Genzo, with his men at disposal, I am certain it will go well."

"How long will it take?" Ran inquired.

"Days," Shinichi sighed.

"Days!?" Then Ran turned to Ranran, "What about the funds?"

"Maybe 2 days," Ranran replied.

Groaning as she massaged her temples, Mouri Ran rambles, "Kami-sama really wants us to die on this island.

The tension in the room was palpable as everyone exchanged concerned glances, contemplating the gravity of the situation. Then Takuma decided to lighten the mood with a sarcastic remark, saying, "Put it this way, should our parents discover our corpses on this island, as we lay buried, the news that reports all about this would at least read 'Brave children detectives bravely confronts serial killer on a scenic island getaway, only to die.'"

"That is not the most optimistic title I would want to see if I die," Ranran pouted.

"It made us sound like idiot amateurs who stupidly confront the killers without a plan," Shinichi gave a deadpan expression, "At least if we are going to die, I rather die with dignity like a proper child detective should."

"Oh, absolutely! We'll go down in history as the bravest and most foolish child detectives ever. Our tombstones will read, 'Here lies the fearless yet idiotic children who thought they could take down a serial killer without breaking a sweat.'" Takuma responds in sacarsm.

Ranran joined in the banter, a mischievous grin on her face. "And let's not forget the epitaph: 'They were clever, resourceful, and had a knack for attracting danger like magnets. RIP.'"

"Neither of us is dying, alright?" Ran's expression turned grave, "I am too young to die. There are so many things I have yet to do."

"You think you are the only one?" Ranran reminded her, "Let's not forget our classmates, our sensei, and the others are as well."

"Speaking of which?" Everyone turned to Takuma, "I wonder how the other classmates are doing at the campsite now?"

"Oh, I can just imagine the chaos." Ranran swung her legs, "As much as they try to put up a brave face to prevent the serial killer from noticing that they are aware the accidents are murder, it's a matter of time before they snap."

"Yeah, I can picture it now," Shinichi chimed in, his eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and dark humour. "The facade of happiness slowly crumbles as paranoia sets in. It's like a twisted game of hide and seek, where the seekers have a knife and the hiders are just waiting for their turn to be found."

Ran shook her head, a shiver running down her spine. "I can't even imagine the fear and anxiety they must be experiencing. It's like a nightmare come to life, with no escape."

Takuma smirked, his voice filled with mischief. "You know, in a twisted way, this whole situation feels like a messed-up reality TV show. Like 'Survivor: Serial Killer Edition.' I can almost hear the dramatic voiceover, 'Who will outsmart the killer and emerge as the ultimate survivor?'"

Ranran chuckled, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and nervousness. "Yeah, and the serial killer would be the villainous host, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike when least expected. It's like a sick game of cat and mouse, but with high stakes."

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

Several hours into lunchtime, after Takuma and Ran left, while Ranran and Shinichi having their lunch, Belgian Buttermilk Waffles With Glazed Bananas in the living room of the penthouse, Shinichi can't help but grow unexpectedly surprised to see the sky darkening outside.

"How odd," He said before using his fork to point, "The weather channel announced that there shouldn't be a typhoon today, and again, here it comes."

Ranran glanced out the window, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Seriously? We're stuck on this island with a potential serial killer on the loose, and now we have to deal with a typhoon again? Just when I thought our day couldn't get any better. I would've wanted the rescue team to get us out of this stupid island."

Shinichi smirked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Well, isn't this just fantastic? It's like the universe is playing a cruel joke on us. 'Hey, child detectives, you thought you had it tough? How about some howling winds and pouring rain to make things interesting?'"

They both chuckled nervously, the absurdity of the situation sinking in. Rain began to pelt against the windows, creating a symphony of chaos that matched the turmoil in their minds.

"Speaking of which, about the killer's identity....." Shinichi can't help but ask, "How were you able to figure out how whoever this person is....is the killer we have been searching for?"

"Truthfully, before that, I felt like it could've come out of a drama, that it wasn't possible." Ranran continued, her expression turning serious. "But then....when the box of medicine keeps getting stolen, not to mention, repeatedly, it was becoming obvious who that person is."

Shinichi raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Your missing painkillers? Plus....the cocaine pills?"

"Hmph," Ranran hummed while she nods, "And then...there were other things about this case. Like the...glacier hiking expedition, when Mr Miki was forced to kill his best friend, Kichiro, to save himself, Miss Jun, Mr Kiryu, and Mr Iwao, because his dead weight could've dragged them to their deaths since Mr Miki passed out."

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Do you recall 'The Trolley problem' I brought up while we were solving 'The Extinction Heist'?"

Shinichi scratched his head, a perplexed look on his face. "Uh, yeah. The ethical dilemma is where you have to choose between sacrificing one person to save many. What about it?"

"If you think about it, what Mr Miki did... it's like 'The Trolley problem' in real life," Ranran leaned in, "Excluding Mr Eiji, the other victims: Miss Jun, Mr Kiryu and Mr Iwao, and even Mr Miki all benefitted with Kichiro dying. Because Kichiro died, they lived for another 12 years till they died, except Mr Miki. Adding the fact that there is a possible cover-up by Mr Miki's estranged family...are you seeing what I am seeing?"

Shinichi's eyes widened in realization, his mind connecting the dots. "Wait a minute... are you suggesting that the killer is targeting all of these people....because...they ain't happy with Mr Miki's decision?"

"Precisely so," Ranran nodded, a mixture of determination and unease in her eyes. "Somebody out there...didn't like it that Mr Kichiro had to pay up his life, which is why the deaths are occurring as accidents in the first place."

Shinichi leaned back in his chair, a sombre expression on his face. "That's... disturbing. It means we're dealing with someone who believes they're serving their own warped sense of justice."

Crossing his hands while planting his elbow on the table, he thought hard, "There are a couple of suspects who I could guess had that motivation to do so. Miss Jun could've killed everyone, given her tragic circumstances, but like what the others had to say...if one would say she literally killed herself to torment Mr Miki for that fateful decision after murdering Kiryu and Iwao,....why killed Mr Miki's dad but leave his wife to survive? I mean the family is involved in the cover-up, right? Considering...she is so resentful....no way she would want Mr Miki nor his mother to survive."

He then dug for information within his mind, "Perhaps his family would've wanted to avenge Kichiro, but then Michio and Junko said tons of surveillance cameras were planted around their family property, even when the others said the possibility that Kichiro could've been murdered, they refuse to listen.....why would that be?"

Strumming his fingers, he then realised, "Eh. Wait, their family....didn't one of the members brought up that a string of misfortune led them to cash in on a variety of insurance they applied on? Does this mean-"

"You are right," Ranran grins darkly, "I could be wrong, but perhaps the real reason they were not going to listen or accept that Kichiro was suspected to be murdered, was that they are either still cashing in on his insurance after 12 long years of his death, or that someone bribes them continuously to lie."

"Come on, I know a bribe is possible, but is it even possible in Japan to keep getting paid out from insurance companies continuously for 12 years? Even though the person died 12 years ago?" Shinichi challenged that thought.

"It is possible," Ranran argued, "Some insurance companies offer policies that provide long-term benefits or annuities, which could potentially allow continuous payouts for an extended period. Additionally, fraudulent activities such as forged documents, false claims, or collusion with insiders could be factors in maintaining the insurance payouts."

Acknowledging the possibility, Shinichi frowns, "If there's foul play involved, it's likely that the individuals orchestrating this scheme have found ways to exploit the insurance system. They might be using deceptive tactics to continue receiving payouts, either by manipulating the circumstances or by having insider help within the insurance companies."

A mix of scepticism and curiosity etched on his face. "As for bribing the family to keep the truth hidden all these years...are they capable of that? Kichiro is their family."

"Money and family....rarely get along, "Ranran's voice filled with conviction. "If hiding the true cause of his death would get you cashing in on Kichiro's insurance policy year after year, why wouldn't they want to switch it to a murder charge?"

Shinichi's mind raced, connecting the dots with lightning speed.

"The one who disagrees with this decision the most, and can't accept it even after 12 years....that is the killer's real motive." Shinichi finally figures it out.

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

Reina, Sonoko, Ran and Takuma gathered in the dining room in their hotel room, instead of camp food taken out from a walk-in fridge with two decomposing corpses, they are now having a lavish feast prepared by the hotel's finest chef. The aroma of delectable dishes filled the air, tantalizing their taste buds and momentarily distracting them from the gravity of their situation.

 "With this fancy spread, I almost feel guilty enjoying this feast while our classmates are still at the campsite." Reina drooled.

"I mean it didn't matter if we are in the hotel, or at the campsite, the killer knows both sides anyway," Sonoko who is still pale from dengue chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If we're going down, might as well go down in style, right? Besides, a little indulgence never hurt anyone."

"I seriously can't believe we were that stupid to remain at the campsite for 2 weeks nonstop, look how much Ranran and Shinichi had been enjoying?" Takuma too drooled.

Ran raised an eyebrow, her mouth full of delicious food. "Hey, don't act like you didn't have fun at the campsite, Takuma. I saw you trying to roast marshmallows over the fire for hours."

Takuma blushed, his cheeks turning a shade of pink. "Well, I was just trying to perfect my marshmallow roasting technique. It's an art, you know?"

Sonoko burst into laughter, nearly spitting out her food. "Oh please, Takuma. Marshmallow roasting is the least of our worries right now. We've got a serial killer on the loose and a typhoon outside. Let's focus on surviving this nightmare before we worry about perfecting our culinary skills."

Reina nodded, her expression serious. "She's right. As much as I enjoy this feast, we can't forget the danger we're in. We need to find a way to stop the killer and get off this island before it's too late."

Ran wiped her mouth with a napkin, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Agreed. We've come too far to give up now."

Takuma's gaze shifted between the three girls, "So honestly, let's talk about motive. What do you all truly think is the real motive behind these murders?" 

Reina leaned back in her chair, contemplating the question. "I kept thinking about Mr Miki's decision to save the other members, by sacrificing his best friend, Kichiro," Reina ponders, "I felt like...the motive behind these murders....perhaps it was to protect Mr Miki."

"How so?" Takuma and Ran grew puzzled.

Reina took a deep breath, her eyes focused as she pieced together her thoughts. "Think about the expedition incident,  Mr Miki made a difficult choice, one that saved the lives of Miss Jun, Mr Kiryu, and Mr Iwao, but cost Kichiro his life. It's a decision that I am certain if you were to learn of this, you would all think badly of Mr Miki, right?"

Takuma nodded slowly, his expression contemplative. "Yeah, although you are saving others, this is someone's life regardless. I can understand why people might hold a grudge against Mr Miki for that."

Ran chimed in, her voice tinged with concern. "But how does that relate to the murders? Are you saying that the killer is trying to protect Mr Miki by eliminating those who criticize his decision?"

"Yes," Reina nodded, her eyes shining with conviction. "These kinds of decisions may not always be in the right, but I was also thinking....if Mr Miki had someone who cared for him, but he had to go through the hate of his own wife, Miss Jun, for sacrificing her fiance, as well as his parents for disgracing them with this decision....won't that someone do anything to protect him?"

Ran raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Reina's alternative perspective. "You mean, the killer is actually trying to protect Mr Miki? From the hate?"

"But who would do such a thing? Regardless of their decision, he saved more lives," Sonoko too was in doubt.

Reina nodded, her voice filled with uncertainty. "It's a long shot, but there is always that person among everyone who will not willingly agree and thinks that sacrificing Kichiro was the right thing to do in order to survive."

Struggling with how to explain this to her other 6-year-old classmates, she thought of a scenario, "How many of you watched the movie 'The Parent Trap'?"

Takuma and Ran exchanged puzzled glances, while Sonoko shrugged. "I've heard of it, but I haven't watched it."

"Ok, picture this: In 'The Parent Trap,' the twin girls, Hallie and Annie, switch places to reunite with their divorced parents. They go through all these crazy schemes and pranks to make it happen, because one of the twins who lived with the father, is engaged to this evil woman, named Meredith, who plans to ship his twin daughter to boarding school the moment they get married. Tell me, do you all think the father's fiance is evil?"

Takuma and Ran exchanged looks, "I mean I heard stories of boarding school, it's like a warzone, no parents to help you while you get beaten up." Takuma thought about it.

"Yup, she is evil. Meredith shouldn't marry the twin's father." Ran nods, and so does Sonoko.

"Ok, then picture this other scenario," Reina elaborates further, "In the same movie, the twins' parents had a divorce, so each of them took their daughter under custody, not bothering to tell their daughters that they have a twin sibling. In the three of your opinion, which is way more evil? The parents of the twins, or Meredith?"

Takuma scratched his head, pondering the question. "Well, I guess in that scenario, the parents are the ones who are more in the wrong. They should have told the twins about each other and let them grow up together."

Ran nodded in agreement. "Yes, the parent's actions caused the twins to be separated and miss out on having a relationship with each other. It's a pretty selfish and unfair thing to do."

Sonoko chimed in, her eyes widening with realization. "Wait a minute... are you saying that the person who wants to protect Mr Miki...doesn't think of him to be as evil as Meredith?"

Reina smiled, glad that her analogy had resonated with her classmates. "Exactly. Just like how we perceive the parent's actions in 'The Parent Trap' as more evil than Meredith's, there might be someone who sees Mr Miki's decision as the lesser evil. They could believe that sacrificing Kichiro was necessary for the greater good, even if it meant enduring the hatred and criticism from others."

Takuma leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "So you think this person is eliminating those who criticize Mr Miki to protect him from the consequences of his decision?"

"Now that Reina mentioned it, it would make sense!" Ran exclaimed, "I mean Mr Miki was probably hunted by this decision for over 12 years, and so was Miss Jun."

Takuma leaned back, his eyes searching for answers. "It would make sense to over why the deaths are made to look like accidents. The killer wants to maintain an air of plausibility and avoid raising suspicion, let alone, not tip off Mr Miki that someone who cares for him is capable of such a thing. They want to make it seem like fate is taking its course, punishing those who opposed Mr Miki's decision."

Ran's gaze intensified, his mind working through the possibilities. "But who could have such a strong belief in the moral righteousness of Mr Miki's choice? And why go to such lengths to exact revenge?"

Takuma's lips curled into horror. "Perhaps someone close to Kichiro, someone who saw the sacrifice firsthand and felt the weight of that decision. It could be a family member, a friend, or even a lover. Someone who has held onto that grudge all these years, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

Ran shivered, a chill running down her spine. "No way.....it can't be...Miss Rika, right?!"

The room fell into silence as the gravity of Ran's words sank in. "Miss Rika is also Mr Miki's childhood friend, and he is her first love. Does it not make sense for her to be behind all of the deaths on this island? Although they survived thanks to Mr Miki's decision, aside from Miss Jun, do you think Mr Kiryu and Mr Iwao might be pleased with the fact that Kichiro had to die in their stead?" Reina pointed out.

"Wait, it doesn't make sense." Sonoko coughed, "I get it she had the motive to kill the others, but what about Mr Eiji? She barely knows him well enough to kill him."

"Yeah!" Takuma said, "He is only the friend of Mr Kiryu, which is why he later took up Mr Kiryu's shift after the shower unit exploded."

"Not quite, do you remember what Ranran said? About suspecting Mr Miki's wife, Miss Jun, possibly having an affair with Mr Eiji behind Mr Miki's back?" Reina challenged, "Mr Miki may not have known, but Miss Rika might. Don't forget, she had a huge crush on Miki since they were kids."

Ran's eyes widened as the pieces started to come together. "You're right. If Miss Rika knew about the possible affair between Miss Jun and Mr Eiji, it would be a motive for her to target him as well. Perhaps she thinks Mr Eiji was despicable, to betray her beloved Miki like that."

Sonoko gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "So you're saying that Miss Rika could be targeting everyone who was connected to Kichiro and Mr Miki, either out of revenge for Kichiro's death or to eliminate any potential obstacles in her pursuit of Mr Miki?"

Reina nodded, her voice filled with conviction. "It's a possibility. Miss Rika's feelings for Mr Miki might have turned into an obsession, leading her down this path of darkness and revenge. She could see herself as the only one who truly understands Mr Miki's decision and is willing to go to extreme lengths to protect him."

Takuma frowned, his mind racing with thoughts. "But even though she is capable of orchestrating these deaths....then how was she able to kill Mr Miki's dad while he was hiking before coming to this island? And do you think she would kill his own mom? She would be....what? Around Emiko's age when Miki's biological mom's died."

The group fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their suspicions hanging in the air.

"Also, there are some holes to your theory," Sonoko argued, "She has no experience in cliff climbing, deshou?"

Ran scratched her head, pondering Sonoko's point. "That's true. Miss Rika may be determined, but if she had no experience in cliff climbing, it would be difficult for her to execute such a plan without leaving any traces."

"When Mr Eiji fell to his death, she was the first to appear on the cliffs that first day," Reina insists, "She could have done something with the ropes even if none of us saw it. Swapped them over, maybe, while no one was looking."

"Ok, you said Miss Rika is capable, then what about Mr Iwao's murder?" Takuma reminded his girlfriend as he objected, "Mr Iwao died while he was locked into a walk-in fridge from the outside, the same day Miss Rika took all of us riding. Where could she find the time to do this? She hasn't left our sight when sharing with us about her past with Mr Miki, and she was on a horse too. Everyone would notice if her horse went missing."

"Also, Miss Rika is on the petite side," Sonoko weakly argued, a bit dizzy after taking the medication Ran fed her to cure her dengue, "Mr Iwao is a big size man, to push someone like him into the walk-in fridge, then lock the door from the outside would be impossible. He will easily alert anyone!"

"But then she went back to fetch her gloves before she took us out on a horse ride, remember? She was the last person to see him alive..."Ran trailed off, then adds, "And all of us have seen Mr Iwao while we rode off, remember?"

Everyone could recall Mr Iwao's silhouette at the window. 

Realization hit Reina in a sudden, blinding flash. "But no one actually saw his face, right?!"

Reina's words hung in the air, a revelation that sent a collective shiver down their spines. The group exchanged bewildered glances, their minds racing to process the implications.

"You're right!" Sonoko exclaimed, her eyes widening. "When we saw Mr Iwao at the window, it was just his back. We couldn't see his face clearly. It could have been someone else posing as him."

"Who!?" Ran deeply frown at the developments, "It can't be Mr Miki, because his built body size is too small to impersonate Mr Iwao."

"But you can put the cut-out version of a person, right?" Sonoko suggests, "In concert shows, there are life-size cutouts everywhere. Just place that on the window, and no one would suspect a thing. And then when we got back, she went straight off to the washroom, during that time, she could have got rid of it then and none of us would be any the wiser."

"Then what about Miss Jun? How do you explain that?" Takuma pointed out. "Rika was outside tending to you, Sonoko when you had severe dengue in the tent."

"I may not know how she pulled this off, but can we all agree that was unusually cheerful on the mountain while trying to cheer up our mood while we walked up the mountain? It drove Miss Jun nuts – that's why she went on ahead of us." Reina suspects, "And if we look back on Miss Jun's sad depressing life, if one leaves around things like a champagne bottle and the anti-depressant drugs out on the bedside table, would she not have easily taken it and die?"

"There's no proof," said Takuma uncertainly.

With a newfound determination that they should get a better look into this case, they finished their feast, their minds focused on the next steps they needed to take.

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

As the storm raged outside on a Thursday afternoon, the two detectives found themselves delving deeper into the darkness that surrounded the island. The game of cat and mouse had reached a new level, and only time would tell if they could outsmart their elusive opponent and bring an end to the reign of terror.

But that wasn't as bad compared to what Ranran and Shinichi are observing which was beginning to appear around the car park.

"How many tents are they from class 1-A, Shinichi?" Ranran pointed below, her eyes narrowing as she watched one tent after another being erected.

"For now, I think 10," Shinichi replied, a frown creasing his forehead.

"I'm not surprised," Ranran rolled her eyes in frustration. "I think we shouldn't have given them a map to find their way from the campsite to this place. They've always had a sense of self-entitlement towards us."

Shinichi let out a weary sigh, his gaze fixated on the growing number of tents. "If we don't provide them with accommodations, their parents will likely file lawsuits against our families. We can't afford that kind of trouble. Besides, they are our classmates, regardless of their attitudes."

The storm continued to rage outside, intensifying the already tense atmosphere within the penthouse.

Ranran grumbled under her breath, but deep down, she knew Shinichi was right. They couldn't risk causing a scandal or jeopardizing their families' reputations. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but they had to find a way to coexist with their classmates, even in this dire situation. 

"The Teitan Elementary School emergency funds email hasn't arrived yet, Ranran?" Shinichi asked concern etched on his face.

"No, not yet," Ranran replied with a weary sigh. "It may take days since the council members are attempting to contact every single child's parents within our class for approval."

Shinichi sighed, his gaze shifting between the tents and Ranran. "On one hand, I feel sorry for them being stranded out there in the rain. But on the other hand, if our families have to pay for their accommodations, their parents will escape any financial responsibility."

Ranran nodded in agreement, a mix of frustration and resignation etched on her face. "I had considered gathering evidence of their parents' negligence and using it as leverage, but the problem is we can't prove that there's a serial killer on this island. It's a catch-22 situation."

She let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Well, those kids asked for it, didn't they? They were so eager for an adventure, and now they're getting more than they bargained for."

Shinichi shook his head, a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes. "It's not entirely their fault, Ranran. They're just kids, after all. They couldn't have predicted what would happen here."

Ranran crossed her arms and leaned against the penthouse window. "Maybe so, but their entitled attitudes haven't helped their cause. We're in this mess because of them, and now we have to find a way to navigate through it."

As the storm continued to rage outside, their conversation was interrupted by a sudden crackling sound. Ranran and Shinichi turned their attention to the static-filled walkie-talkie sitting on a nearby table. It was their only means of communication with the outside world.

Shinichi picked it up and listened intently. A voice, distorted by interference, reached their ears.

"Ranran... Shinichi...it's Takuma here, I think....you better get downstairs to the lobby."

The voice faded away, leaving Ranran and Shinichi stunned. They exchanged a glance, a mix of curiosity and trepidation in their eyes.

When they gathered in the lobby, one of their classmates, Mana, stood there, drenched from the rain, his expression a mix of urgency and fear while Takuma and Reina accompanied him.

"Why am I unsurprised? This idiot is probably gonna caused a commotion and demand to pay for his stay here again." Ranran whispered to Shinichi.

"He is a troublemaker, but from the looks of his expression...."Shinichi can't help but notice, "He looked like he had narrowly escaped death."

Ranran and Shinichi approached Mana cautiously, their eyes scanning his soaked figure and the concerned faces of Takuma and Reina. The storm continued to rage outside, echoing the intensity of the situation they found themselves in.

"What happened, Mana? Are you going to demand us to pay for your stay here, again?" Ranran asked, her voice laced with scepticism.

Mana took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but it seems as though whatever he had seen, the voice had died in him.

"No, Ranran," Mana replied, his voice trembling. "I... I saw something... something terrifying."

Shinichi stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "Take your time, Mana. We're here to listen. What did you see?"

"I woke up this morning, a few hours after you all left us," Mana began, his voice laced with weariness. "My head was pounding, and my eyes felt as though they were rubbed with hot sand. I stumbled out of my tent, disoriented and groggy."

Takuma, Reina, Ranran, and Shinichi listened intently, their scepticism giving way to concern as they noticed the genuine distress in Mana's voice.

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

Mana Yoshida woke up the next morning with his head throbbing in the tent, the relentless ache echoing through his skull after sleeping out in the tent for days. He groaned, rubbing his temples in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

"Ah... I seriously need some medication," Mana muttered to himself, his voice filled with frustration.

He reached for his backpack, rummaging through it in search of painkillers. As he fumbled with the contents, he suddenly remembered it would be a waste of time. 

Before, when his mother was alive, she always packed the medication for him. And now, with her deceased, and his father having to take extra jobs now that she passed away, Mana was left to manage on his own. He couldn't burden his grieving father with his own headaches and pains. It was a responsibility he had reluctantly taken upon himself.

Right now, he could use a shower. A warm shower.

Mana Yoshida pushed aside the thought of medication, knowing that he had to endure the pain for now. Instead, he focused on his immediate need for a shower to soothe his aching head.

He stepped out of his tent, feeling the chill of the storm-ridden air on his skin. Raindrops pelted him, soaking his clothes and adding to his discomfort. Determined to find some respite, he made his way towards the shower area in the Kodama Forest Activity Centre, so far, the infestation was settled around the shower area thanks to their teacher, Mr Miki and Miss Rika.

When he was done with the warm shower, Mana Yoshida felt a slight sense of relief as the warm water cascaded over his body, washing away the tension and fatigue. The pain in his head subsided slightly, allowing him a momentary reprieve.

After that, he was the first to arrive in the kitchen breathless, still flushed from the shower, with his hair dripping wet, Mana had the shock of his life when he witness Miss Rika sharpening a knife with immense and scary enthusiasm.

Startled, Mana froze in his tracks, his eyes widening in alarm as he watched Miss Rika sharpen the knife with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. The storm continued to rage outside, mirroring the unease that settled in the pit of his stomach.

His mind raced with a flurry of thoughts. Was this just an innocent act of preparation for the day's activities, or was there something more sinister at play? Mana couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that washed over him.

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

"So I am sorry," Shinichi was in disbelief, as the other kids remain on the luxurious lobby of The Mayfair at Brampton hotel, "You suspect Miss Rika is the killer?" Because of how she sharpened her knife in the kitchen?"

Takuma and Reina, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "You know, we spoke about the expedition thing earlier, and we suspected Miss Rika could've killed the survivors Mr Miki had saved, since we suspect that the survivors may have sounded ungrateful and simply blame Mr Miki on everything, the way his late wife Miss Jun does."

The storm outside continued its relentless assault, mirroring the turmoil within the group of classmates. The weight of suspicion and fear hung heavily in the air.

Ranran crossed her arms, a skeptical expression on her face. "And that was enough for some of you to simply pack all of your belongings, then move and pitch your tents at the parking lot of the hotel?"

Mana looked at Ranran, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and fear. "Oh no, Ranran, it's not just the knife sharpening. There were also other reasons that we decided to do so....."

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

The little boy skidded to a halt, hitting his hip on the table with a loud thump. "Neh, you need to be a bit more careful around the kitchen, otherwise you ended up hurting yourself, and we have no hospital around this area, alright?" Miss Rika lectured Mana.

Mana winced, both from the pain in his hip and the shock of seeing Miss Rika wielding the knife so fervently. He quickly straightened himself, trying to regain his composure.

"Y-yes, Miss Rika," Mana stammered, his voice shaky. "I'll be more careful. Sorry for interrupting."

"Anyway, why are you rushing about in such a hurry? You are eager to eat breakfast that desperately?"

Mana Yoshida's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized his earlier haste. He sheepishly scratched the back of his head, trying to find the right words.

"No, it's not that," he replied, his voice still tinged with unease. "I... I woke up with a terrible headache, and I thought a shower might help relieve it a bit."

Miss Rika's stern expression softened, and she nodded understandingly. "Ah, I see. Headaches can be quite bothersome. I hope the shower helped ease your discomfort."

Mana nodded, grateful for Miss Rika's understanding. "Yes, it did help a bit."

As the other classmates began to trickle into the kitchen, Mana took his place at the table, his wet hair still dripping slightly.

He exchanged glances with the other kids, who had noticed his earlier distress.

And they can't help feeling distress either, with Ranran, Shinichi and her other entourage having left the campsite, withe the deaths surrounding this island, they felt like their days were numbered.

Out of curiosity, Mana then noticed there was one adult missing, while he side eyed noticed their form teacher headcounting the number of children from class 1-A entering the kitchen. "Neh, Miss Rika, where is Mr Miki?"

"Eh? Why do you ask?" Miss Rika turned the boy, stop cutting up the meat at the chopping board.

As he was good in weaving stories, Mana maintained his poker face while he goes, "I can't help but notice that Mr Miki was always with you, since day one when we began camping on this island." Mana forced himself to sound calm. "So I am just asking out of curiosity, that is all."

Miss Rika paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Mana. She set the knife down and wiped her hands on a kitchen towel before responding. "Well, with the recent typhoons and all, he is attempting to fix the broken radio to contact the outside world to bring all of you back. Of course, he will be back in an hour or two."

Rika then continued, ""Of course, while he is doing so, we were supposed to be doing survival skills today, but with all of the untimely passing..." She sighed, then attempted a bright smile, it looked more like a lunatic's grimace. "I thought I'd offer to take you all for a ride with the horses, instead, if the weather gets better today. Are you all ready for breakfast?"

Mana nodded, trying to suppress the uneasy feeling that tugged at his gut. He glanced at his classmates, who exchanged wary glances amongst themselves. The offer of a horse ride was a welcome distraction, but they couldn't shake off the lingering sense of unease that pervaded the island.

"Yes, Miss Rika," Mana replied, forcing a smile. "We're ready for breakfast and the horse ride."