As the lobby of The Mayfair at Brampton grew a bit crowded thanks to the rain outside, Ranran and Shinichi observed the growing crowd in the lobby of The Mayfair at Brampton. The storm outside had forced people to seek shelter, and the atmosphere in the room was a mix of frustration, impatience, and relief at finding a temporary refuge.

With both their heads turned to 6-year-old Mana Yoshida, who is still trembling after having packed his belongings along with the other children of 1-A class, accompanied by Ranran's friends, Takuma and Reina, it was clear that the events of the past few days had taken a toll on the young boy.

"Judging the weather outside now...I am assuming this horse ride Miss Rika planned to take all of you, didn't take place," Ranran sighed, her scepticism lingering in the air.

The storm outside showed no signs of letting up, and it seemed unlikely that any outdoor activities, such as a horse ride, could take place in such conditions.

Ranran had grown wary of the events that unfolded on the island and the peculiar behaviour of their classmates, and Mana was one of them.

In a way, his reputation wasn't good since his mother passed away, constantly guilt tripping to get what he wanted to make him what he is.

Shinichi, ever the observant detective, glanced at Ranran. Ranran is after all way more seasoned than him by 3 years, so as her apprentice, he had no right to tell her not to doubt Mana. After all, there have been countless incidents that Mana's words had led them into serious trouble. But Ranran's cunning wit often saved them from harm's way.

"Continue your story," Shinichi encourage Mana, "Tell us what later led you and the group to end up here?"

Mana took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he recounted the events that had transpired after his encounter with Miss Rika in the kitchen.

"After breakfast, we were all gathered outside the activity centre, and as Ranran said....the weather wasn't being kind to us, so the rest of us remained in our tents outside the activity centre at first," Mana began, his voice quivering with a mix of fear and uncertainty. "But I was so bored, so I simply wandered around the forest for a while."

"Wait, despite knowing that there is a serial killer out there?" Reina pointed out.

"Exactly!" Mana exclaimed, his eyes widening with a mix of guilt and excitement. "I figured, what's the worst that could happen? It's just a little serial killer roaming around. No big deal."

Ranran rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Mana, you never fail to surprise us with your questionable decisions."

"Alone?" Shinichi pressed.

"Ah no," Mana shook his head at them, "I went with the other kids who are also bored. We wandered around, then saw this abandoned warehouse."

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

The warehouse stood there, ominous and foreboding, as if it held secrets that were itching to burst out. Its rusty doors creaked open, beckoning them to step inside and uncover the mysteries within.

"I don't think this is a good idea, Mana," One of the boys who was with him said. "Ranran and the others went there, this is confirmed the place of the killer!"

"I really have a bad feeling about this, Mana, we should leave!" A girl argued.

As they stared at the house, Mana replied, "No, we must get rid of the evil of this island. If we continue to leave it be, we will all continue to have sleepless nights in our tiny small tents!"

"I don't see why can't you just wait for Ranran and Shinichi to sort things out before taking any precautions! You know what the two kids are, they the opened Tantei Association and officially solved real-life 3 major cases!" One classmate scolded Mana.

Mana crossed his arms defiantly, a determined glint in his eyes. "Ranran and Shinichi may be talented detectives, but they can't be everywhere at once. We can't rely on them to handle everything. It's time we take matters into our own hands."

The others exchanged worried glances, uncertain of Mana's stubborn resolve. They knew the risks involved, and the fact that Ranran and Shinichi were experienced in dealing with dangerous situations weighed heavily on their minds.

"But... what if something happens to us?" a girl whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Mana shrugged dismissively. "Look, we're already in a dangerous situation being trapped on this creepy island. We can't just sit around and wait for someone else to come to our rescue. We need to confront this head-on and put an end to the terror."

The tension in the group grew as they debated their options. Some were inclined to heed Mana's call for action, while others still felt hesitant and apprehensive.

"Fine," one boy finally spoke up, his voice laced with resignation. "If we're going to do this, then we stick together and watch each other's backs. No heroics, got it?"

The others nodded in agreement, a sombre determination settling over the group. They knew the risks they were taking, but they couldn't bear the thought of living in constant fear any longer.

Ignoring the warnings, Mana's determination surged within him. He marched toward the warehouse, his eyes blazing with a newfound resolve.

"I won't let this devil ruin us all, ruining our camping trip since day 1, this person must pay!" Mana declared, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "We have to face this head-on and put an end to the terror that has plagued us."

His companions exchanged hesitant glances, their anxiety evident. But something about Mana's words resonated with them, a flicker of courage ignited within their hearts.

"Alright, let's do this," one of the girls finally spoke up, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. "If we stick together, we can overcome anything."

With a shared nod, they pushed open the creaking doors of the warehouse and stepped inside. The air inside was thick with an eerie stillness, a heavy silence that weighed upon their souls.

Their footsteps echoed in the empty space, reverberating through the darkness. They ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors, guided by a glimmer of hope and the desire for answers.

With cautious steps, they entered the warehouse, the eerie silence swallowing their whispers. Each creak of the floorboards echoed through the desolate space, amplifying their anxiety.

As they explored the warehouse's dimly lit corridors, their senses heightened. Every shadow seemed to hold a lurking danger, and the tension grew with each passing moment.

"Do you think the killer is still in the warehouse?" One of them asked Mana, with their torchlight on.

"Shouldn't be," Mana's gaze scanned the dimly lit surroundings, "Or we all of us are dead at this rate."

The words hung heavy in the air, sending a shiver down their spines. The realization of their vulnerability hit them like a ton of bricks, and for a moment, doubt seeped into their hearts.

As they delved deeper into the warehouse, mainly the bedroom, strange noises reached their ears. Whispers and creaks, as if the very walls were alive and conspiring against them.

Fear crept back into their hearts, threatening to paralyze them. But they refused to succumb. They had come this far, and they would see it through till the end.

Suddenly, one of them heard the sound of the door opening.

Startled, they turned towards the source of the sound, their hearts pounding in their chests. The door swung open, revealing a figure standing in the doorway—a shadowy figure, its presence radiating malevolence as the shadow was cast. Although the children were lucky not to stand in front of the doorway where the door was open which could've ended up revealing themselves, they knew they are running out of time.

If the killer knew that they are under his roof, they are definitely not coming out of this warehouse alive.

"Areh? Why are they wet footprints around this area? I was pretty sure it was dry when I left to go out fishing?" The mysterious figure could be heard mumbling.

As the children stared at their own feet, they realized their mistake.

"Oh no, we didn't realize we were leaving wet footprints," one of the kids whispered, panic evident in their voice. "We've given away our presence!"

"Don't tell me...."The figure's voice grew furious, as he or she could be heard grabbing something, "You bloody intruders, if I find you, you have no idea how many people I have killed on this island!"

The children exchanged frantic glances, their hearts pounding in their chests. They had stumbled upon something far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

"We need to hide," Mana whispered urgently. "Find a place where they won't find us."

They scattered, desperately searching for a spot to conceal themselves within the vast, labyrinthine warehouse. Each corner seemed as treacherous as the next, filled with the unknown and the lurking threat of the killer.

"Over here!" one of the girls called out, her voice barely a whisper. She had found a closet.

They huddled together, their breathing shallow and quick. The minutes felt like hours as they listened intently, praying that their hiding spot would go unnoticed.

The figure's footsteps grew louder, the sound echoing through the warehouse. The tension was suffocating, each passing moment heightening their fear.

Then, abruptly, the footsteps stopped. Silence enveloped the air, broken only by the children's rapid heartbeat.

"Come out, little rats," the figure's voice echoed, dripping with menace. "There's nowhere to hide. I can smell your fear."

The children held their breath, their bodies trembling. They knew that their lives hung in the balance, that a single misstep could seal their fate.

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

"You literally...went into the same abandoned warehouse that I specifically told all of you not to go, knowing that the same serial killer who had killed 2 people on this very island!? What is wrong with all of you!?"

Shinichi blasted angrily at the lobby towards Mana, who is still shivering in coldness after fleeing from Kodama Forest Campsite while Ranran shook her head in disapproval, so did Takuma and Reina.

Mana hung his head in shame, realizing the gravity of their reckless actions. His face flushed with guilt as Shinichi's words pierced through him like a knife.

"I-I'm sorry," Mana stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "We didn't think it through. We were foolish and impulsive."

"Oh no, foolish isn't really the right word to describe you," Ranran mocked, "More like, you're the poster child for 'How to Make Terrible Life Choices 101.'"

Takuma sighed, shaking his head. "Honestly, I can't believe the other kids let themselves get swayed by Mana's wild ideas. It's like they all took the same crash course in stupidity."

Reina chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, absolutely! Let's all follow Mana into the jaws of death because, you know, it's just another fun little adventure!"

Mana winced at the barrage of criticism, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

"But most important of all," Ranran seriously probed Mana, "Did you hear the person's voice to be a man or a woman?"

"Um, well, I couldn't really tell," Mana replied hesitantly, his mind still clouded with fear and confusion. "It was all so chaotic and terrifying, like a bad horror movie where the killer could be anyone."

Shinichi crossed his arms, a sceptical look on his face. "So, you're saying it was like a gender-fluid, shape-shifting serial killer? That's a new level of unpredictability."

Ranran rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, of course! Because in this twisted universe, we're dealing with a killer who can switch between being a man, a woman, or even a penguin. Makes total sense."

Takuma raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, you never know, Ranran. Penguins can be pretty sneaky. Don't underestimate their killer instincts."

Reina snorted with laughter, unable to contain herself.

"Anyway, aside from that penguin nonsense," Ranran tilted her head a bit at Mana, "Did you all find anything there in the warehouse? Anything suspicious?"

"Suspcious you say....." Mana thought hard, "Well, there was a wall of news clippings there somewhere in the warehouse."

"Ah yes," Shinichi remembered, "Ranran and I did come across that when we snuck into the warehouse yesterday."

"Anything else besides that?" Takuma prods.

"Hmm....." Mana again struggled to remember, "Oh yeah, there was this....round thing we found while hiding in the closet." Mana's voice trailed off as he tried to recall the peculiar object. He scratched his head, furrowing his brows in concentration. "It was like a...very thick blanket, but in the shape of a circle, but it looks very badly thorn." he finally blurted out, the words tumbling awkwardly from his mouth.

"Yeah, it was like someone took a giant pizza and decided to turn it into a fashion statement," Reina added with a chuckle. "I mean, who needs regular blankets when you can have a ripped, circular masterpiece, right?"

Ranran raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "A torn blanket? That sounds strange. Why would someone leave that behind?"

"Unless it's some sort of weird killer calling card or an avant-garde fashion statement." Takuma chuckled at his own joke.

Shinichi sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "We can't rule anything out at this point. Every clue, no matter how bizarre, could be crucial in solving this case. We'll have to examine it and see if it leads us anywhere."

"Why did you actually remember that object? Ranran pressed.

"Well, it was very unusual," Mana admitted to them, "To be honest, you don't normally see a round-shaped blanket with a large hole in the middle, right?"

Ranran raised an eyebrow, her scepticism evident. "No, Mana, we honestly don't."

"How did you escape by the way? While you were all hiding out in the closet?" Shinichi questioned them.

"Oh, that was quite the adventure," Mana chuckled nervously, recounting the harrowing escape. "You see, as we were crouched in the closet, trembling like a bunch of scared kittens....."

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

"Wait, I can see the trees and skies from here!"

One of the kids noted as the panel behind the closet fell open behind them, revealing the vast expanse of the outdoors. The unexpected sight brought a momentary pause to their conversation, their eyes widening in surprise.

"Is that...outside?" Mana asked, his voice filled with bewilderment.

Mana stepped closer to the fallen panel, peering out cautiously. "Well, would you look at that! It seems we've stumbled upon a secret escape route!"

"Hey! So there are intruders hiding out in my bedroom!?"

With the storming footsteps approaching at a rapid pace, the kids exchanged panicked glances. They knew they had to act fast if they wanted to avoid getting caught.

"Quick, everyone! Through the opening!" Mana whispered urgently, gesturing for them to crawl out.

One by one, they squeezed through the narrow gap, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. They found themselves in an overgrown backyard, hidden from view by tall, unkempt grass and towering trees.

Mana let out a relieved breath. "Phew! That was a close call. I can't believe we stumbled upon a secret escape route by accident."

"Just keep on running back to the campsite! Don't look back!"

They dashed through the forest, their footsteps muffled by the thick vegetation. The distant sound of sirens filled the air, indicating that their pursuers were closing in.

"Keep going, guys!" Mana urged, his voice filled with determination. "We can't let them catch us now."

They manoeuvred through the dense foliage, branches scraping against their arms and leaves rustling under their feet. It was a race against time, their survival instincts kicking into high gear.

As they sprinted, they couldn't help but feel a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. It was as if they had stumbled into a real-life video game, dodging obstacles and evading capture with each breathless step.

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

"Long story short....after our harrowing escape, we had a sudden realization that the killer might now be aware that we know he or she lives there, and might want to silence us. So the minute we arrived back to the campsite, we packed up our belongings and pitched out tents at the parking lot of the hotel you are on in...." Mana finally finished his story, and his mind is now back to reality, in the lobby of the hotel.

"Wait, so you're telling me that those kids who were with you, the ones who are camping out in the hotel parking lot with their tents...are the ones who followed you into the abandoned warehouse?" Shinichi exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

Mana nodded a sheepish smile on his face. "Yeah."

"Wait, there were 10 of them when we counted from the penthouse earlier!" Realization suddenly dawned on Ranran, "That means the killer probably knew that 10 of the kids are aware beside us!"

Shinichi's expression turned grave as he processed the implications. "So it is thanks to Mana stirring the bee nest, the chances of those other children at the campsite are going to die."

Meanwhile, Reina who had listened to all of this can't help but sigh, a mix of frustration and relief evident in his voice. "Even so, I can't believe you all managed to escape unscathed. It's a miracle you didn't stumble upon a booby trap or trigger some alarm."

"Yeah, well, luck was on our side that day," Mana shrugged.

"Luck!?" Ranran was in huge disbelief, "More like the universe decided to cut you all some slack for once! And it is now thanks to you, that the other kids are going to die!"

Mana's smile faded, replaced by a look of remorse. "I know, Ranran. I messed up big time-"

"No, you are not truly getting the full picture!" With her jumping out of her seat, the little red lip girl snarled, "Because you and the others entered the lion's den, that lion will not rest until every last one of us is silenced. Do you understand the magnitude of what you've done?"

The weight of Ranran's words hung heavy in the air as the group fell into a tense silence. Shinichi leaned against a nearby wall, his eyes darting back and forth as he processed the new information.

"Reina, pressure those parents of the other kids to attend the council meeting at Teiten Elementary School, urgently." Shinichi finally calls out the shots. "We need the emergency funds, A.S.A.P!" While Reina nodded and left to make phone calls, "Takuma, you and Ran interview the other 10 children who arrived at the parking lot with their tents pitch, see if the both of you can find a thing about the killer, anything at all."

While Shinichi was busy shouting orders, Ranran crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on Mana. "As for you, did you all at least leave a note before fleeing the campsite!?"

Mana's face paled as he realized the oversight. "No... We were in such a hurry to leave that we didn't think about leaving a note. We just packed up and left."

The detective girl let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You are really the true definition of a 'hero', ditching others aside to rot and die, while all of you fled for your own mistakes!"

Mana's shoulders slumped, his guilt weighing heavily on him.

"Shinichi, tell Genzo to call his men over as soon as the typhoon ends, I know that the typhoon won't likely end till Saturday, but bring as much as he can," Ranran ordered her apprentice.

Shinichi nodded in understanding. "I'll make sure to relay the message to Genzo. We need all the manpower we can get to handle this situation."

Takuma approached Ranran, a serious expression on his face. "Ranran, I'll help you interview the other kids. We need to gather as much information as possible to piece together the puzzle."

Ranran nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Takuma. We can't afford to miss any details."

As the group mobilized to take action leaving Ranran and Mana alone, the atmosphere in the lobby became charged with a sense of urgency. The gravity of the situation weighed on them all, but they knew they had to act swiftly to protect the lives of those who were still in danger.

Meanwhile, Mana stood there, feeling the weight of his mistakes bearing down on him.

With a contempt glare staring back at Mana, Ranran said nothing but march away till he said, "Why must you constantly twist my intentions as if I am a bad person!?"

Ranran stopped in her tracks, her back still facing Mana. She turned slowly to face him, her eyes coldly stare at him. Her voice was cold and sharp as she responded, "Twisting your intentions?"

"Is it not!?" Mana confronts her, it was fortunate that a lot of the hotel guests had reduced drastically, otherwise, they would be seeing two children confronting. "Everytime I say something, you always twist it and make it seem like I have some malicious intent. You constantly berate me for my mistakes and make me feel like I'm the worst person in the world. Can't you see that I'm genuinely sorry for what happened? Can't you see that I want to make things right?"

"Make things right...."Ranran chuckled before giving him the amusing stare, "Well, isn't that just peachy? The hero of the hour wants to make things right now. How noble of you, Mr Apology Man. I suppose we should all gather 'round and give you a standing ovation for your newfound sense of remorse. Bravo!"

Mana's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by Ranran's biting sarcasm. He opened his mouth to respond, but Ranran cut him off before he could utter a word.

"Oh, don't bother with your excuses. Save them for your diary entry titled 'Why I Ruined Everything.' I'm sure it'll be a riveting read."

Mana's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. He tried to find the right words to defend himself, but Ranran continued her tirade.

"You know, Mana, it's quite remarkable how you manage to turn every situation into your own personal circus. Step right up, folks, and witness the astounding Mana, The King of Liars! It's truly a sight to behold!"

She waved her hands dramatically in the air, mocking a circus ringmaster. Mana's cheeks burned with humiliation, and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Even so, he refused to back down, "You know, at least I have been less of a coward than you when I decided to go into the abandoned house to confront the killer."

Ranran let out a bitter laugh, her eyes filled with a mix of disbelief and contempt. "Oh, yes, you're absolutely right. Going into the lion's den without a plan, risking not only your life but the lives of others, is the epitome of bravery. Bravo, Mana! Bravo!"

She clapped her hands mockingly, the sound echoing in the tense silence. Mana's jaw tightened, his fists clenched at his sides. He could feel the anger simmering within him, "So what?" Ranran taunted, "If the 10 other children who happen to be with you earlier had died, would you be bragging about your idiocy to the world? Would you still consider yourself the hero of the story? I doubt it. First, those angry parents are going to pelt you with stones and rocks, including your unfortunate father who has a son like you."

Mana's voice quivered with a mix of frustration and determination, "I don't expect you to understand, Ranran. You never do. But I couldn't just sit back and do nothing while innocent lives were at stake. I took a risk because I was bored, and yes, it was a mistake, but at least I tried to do something. Can you say the same?"

"Same? Did Shinichi and I choose to do it out of 'boredom'?"Ranran's eyes narrowed, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "No because I won't simply endanger 10 lives. I'll just sit back and send you to deal with it. Do you know why? Because unlike you, it would be unreasonable to simply send children who are born with functioning brains to die. No, this world has too many idiotic troublemaking children like you to spread more stupidity onto their future generations."

Mana's face turned red with anger, his voice trembling with emotion, "You think you're so superior, don't you? You act like you're the only one who knows what's right and what's wrong. Well, newsflash, Ranran, you're not always right! You're not infallible!"

Ranran scoffed dismissively, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, how adorable. The little hero stands up for himself. It's almost cute how delusional you are."

Mana's fists clenched even tighter, his knuckles turning white.

"Let me ask you something," Ranran confronts, "When we were in Teitan Elementary School, while I was having a nice Wagyu bento during recess, did you not try to guilt trip me by saying to our other classmates 'Wah, such a fancy lunch, as expected from a daughter of a rich family, eating happily without sharing' while eyeing on my beef, expecting me to share it to you?"

Mana's anger was momentarily forgotten when Ranran brought that up.

Ranran smirked, clearly enjoying the 'deer-caught-in-the-headlights' look on Mana's face. "Oh, I'm sorry, didn't mean to bring up that time you drooled over my bento before making such careless statements. By the way, when Shinichi severely ties with Mouri Ran to start his Tantei Apprenticeship with me, did you not whistle and say 'Damn, Shinichi is such a low life, to ditch the daughter of divorced parents, and ended up with a daughter from the same wealthy family just to become a Tantei', painting him as if he was a scumbag? When in reality, Ran and Sonoko were the ones who exploited their entire friendship, which forced him to re-evaluate his choices of friends in life?"

Mana's face contorted with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. He stammered, trying to find an explanation, but Ranran interrupted him, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, wait, let me guess. It was just a harmless observation, right? You were just stating the obvious. How silly of me to think otherwise."

Mana's cheeks burned with shame as Ranran continued her verbal assault. "You know, Mana, you have this incredible talent for throwing stones while living in a glass house. It's truly awe-inspiring." She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she studied Mana's reaction. "But hey, don't worry, I won't let your talent go unnoticed. I'll make sure to nominate you for the Hypocrite of the Year Award. You'll be famous, don't you think? You will get the attention you always craved."

Mana's fists trembled at his sides, his voice barely above a whisper, "You don't understand anything. You never do."

"Of course, you never do, because you will never become the victims of your own cruelty," Ranran finished his sentence, her voice dripping with coldness. "You're so quick to make up stories of others for your own amusement, but you never stop to consider the consequences. To you...your made-up lies about us, are nothing but fun and games. We are all towards the end, your puppets."

"But let me tell you something, Mana, and this is what I learn when I was 4," Ranran's voice turned icy:

"Puppets have a way of cutting their strings."

She took a step forward while Mana trembled in fear, although he was slightly taller than her, for some reason, her eyes gave him goosebumps. "Continue to live like the cowardly puppeteer, shrug away from all of your responsibilities. I want to see how your late mother who is watching all of this from Heaven, realizes how this precious son of hers has become a pathological liar who had no regard for the lives on this island."

Her words cut through Mana's defences, piercing his heart with a painful truth.

Mana felt a lump forming in his throat as he struggled to find a response.

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant sound of rain against the windows. Mana's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to defend himself, but Ranran's blunt words weighed him down.

"I couldn't care less of the others, but I do have friends here on this very island. So if any of them dies, or gets hurt thanks to the serial killer due to your reckless acts, I am going to raise hell. You hear me, Mana? I will unleash a fury so fierce and vicious, it'll make the typhoon that all of us had endured for the past 2 weeks on this stupid island look like a gentle breeze!"

Mana swallowed hard as he trembles.

With those words, Ranran walked away, leaving Mana standing there, stunned and speechless. The weight of his actions hung heavy in the air.

As the storm raged outside, a different kind of storm brewed within Mana's heart. And as he stood there, lost in his thoughts, a single tear rolled down his cheek, carrying with it the weight of remorse.

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

With the members dispatched to do their bidding, it was time for an emergency meeting at Ranran's penthouse-or rather, it's Ranran and Shinichi's penthouse since they are living together now.

"So thanks to that idiot Mana, we are now stuck with two choices," Shinichi grimly announced to Ranran, Takuma, Ran and Reina, while everyone gathered in the living room, "Either one of us go to the campsite and announced the children to park their tents at the parking lot, which will be a huge problem for us should Teitan Elementary School doesn't release the emergency funds to check into our hotels. Or, we leave them to fend for themselves at the campsite, at least there still have food there."

"Can't we just tell them to move right now?" Ran suggests, "Mana messed up big time! I think even if our classmates, end up in the hotel or campsite, it is no difference since the killer is now very highly aware that we might be onto them!"

"Right now, thanks to Mana, the situation is very delicate," Ranran sighed, "Miss Rika and Mr Miki aren't still clear of suspicion whether they are the serial killer we are looking for, moving everyone right away could potentially put them in even more danger if the killer is watching our every move. Right now, we have to be more cautious than ever."

Takuma leaned forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "But if we leave them at the campsite, how long can they survive without proper shelter and resources? It's a risk we can't ignore."

"There still have enough food to last for months in that walk-in fridge." Ranran reminded him.

"And then what?! Continue to eat the food from the same walk-in fridge where Miss Jun and Mr Iwao's corpses are still decomposing?!" Takuma stuck his tongue out, "No thanks, I am out."

"Same here!" Ran agreed in anger, "It's not sanitary, alright?! It's just not!"

Shinichi let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "This is such a mess. Of all of the foresight and scenarios I was projecting likely to happen, I genuinely did not think that Mana's reckless actions would end up putting us in this position! What!? Boredom!? Seriously!? Is this the best excuse he could come up with!? He had no regard for human life!"

Ranran's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Ran. "What are your thoughts, Reina? You've been unusually quiet."

Reina leaned back, her arms crossed, and sighed deeply. "Honestly, as much as I don't ever once doubt your abilities as a tantei, I....feel like it would be better they remain at the campsite."

Then Mouri Ran's voice began to tremble slightly. "But what if time is running out? What if the killer strikes again?"

Takuma's eyes darted around the room, his mind racing. "Maybe we should split up into smaller groups and cover both the campsite and the hotel. That way, we can gather information and ensure everyone's safety."

"You can't anymore," Ranran rubs her face in frustration, "If you all moved back, the killer will know that everyone is aware that the accidents that took place on this island were staged. They will think that now, you all didn't flee out of this campsite with me because you all couldn't deal with the hardships of camping, but rather,  flee because you all know too much."

Shinichi nodded in approval. "She is right."

"Then what do you think are we supposed to do then!?" Ran suddenly was fed up attempting to solve this difficult dilemma, "Leave them at the campsite, and they might die. Move them to the hotel, they might also die."

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Ranran's frustration was pretty evident. "Well, isn't this just a delightful predicament we find ourselves in? It seems we're trapped between a rock and a hard place, with death looming on either side. Just fantastic."

Mouri Ran then leaned forward, her voice tinged with anxiety. "But we can't just stand here and do nothing. We have to come up with a plan, no matter how difficult it may be."

Ranran shot her a pointed look. "Oh, really? Do you think we should wave our magic wands and devise a foolproof plan? Well, newsflash, we don't have magic wands, and this situation is far from foolproof."

Ran's voice quivered slightly as she spoke up. "But we can't let them die!"

"Truthfully, I doubt doing nothing will do us favours anyway," All eyes turned to Shinichi, who is swinging his leg solemnly, "It's human nature to survive, just like that China story Ranran told me, when a plague took place in the village and the capital city sealed up, those villagers shamelessly migrated to the capital city and infected everyone because they want to live. The same will be for our classmates...they will come to pitch their tents at the parking lots, endangering the rest of us. Whether we like it or not."

Shinichi's words hung in the air, his tone filled with a mix of resignation and brutal honesty.

"I never...." Heads turned to the attention of Takuma, wrestling his thumbs, "Thought I say this, but I am very much ashamed...that I not only belonged to class 1-A, the supposedly smartest class within our grade but also....has the most self-entitled behaviour students as my classmates. They don't care....they refuse to care if we end up dying."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Takuma's words sank in. The weight of their predicament seemed to intensify, and the realization of their classmates' potential indifference added another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation.

"To be fair, if we were in their shoes, would we be any different?" Ranran leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for answers on the ceiling. "We get to talk to our parents on the computer here in this hotel, they didn't. We kept getting to eat luxurious meals here, sanitary ones compared to theirs. And we get to sleep in a warm bedroom away from the typhoon, while they sleep in small tents. Who wouldn't be resentful living in a 5* while they are all suffering for survival's sake?" 

Pausing, Ranran said, "Survival instincts can be a double-edged sword, while you desperately cling on to life, you forget about everything else—empathy, compassion, basic decency. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, and our classmates seem to be embracing their inner dogs."

Shinichi raised an eyebrow, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd agree with you, Ranran. But you are right," Shinichi repositions himself from his seat, "Truthfully, we haven't seen our parents in almost 2 weeks. Though it may be no different for us since you and I are used to having our parents fly to work overseas...it may not be for those kids."

"I miss my parents," Takuma can't help but be vulnerable at this point on, "If only they knew what was going on."

"So do I, Tak-san," Reina saddened a bit.

Even Ran says, softening her eyes while revealing, "I want to see my parents again too, not be stuck here to be killed by this murderer."

"Which is why I have made a decision," Ranran uncrossed her arms and stood up, a determined look in her eyes. "Rather than any of us play the role of a 'hero', let's play the role of a 'villain'."

The detective girl's suggestion hung in the air, leaving everyone perplexed. The room was filled with a mix of confusion, curiosity, and a tinge of anticipation. Ran raised an eyebrow, breaking the silence. "A villain? Are we talking about some kind of twisted strategy here?" Ran's voice carried a hint of scepticism.

Ranran nodded, her gaze fixed on the group. "Think about it. If we go there personally and the killer notice, there will be guaranteed deaths. And by the time the rescue team arrived, who is going to be the first thing their parents will blame?"

"They will point their fingers directly at us, for not looking out after their children," Reina answered.

"Exactly," Ranran continued, her voice filled with a mix of determination and a touch of irony. "Now I could've easily made them believe that the killer is closing in on them at the campsite. But with the typhoon outside, I refuse to get myself wet for their sake. Therefore," Ranran's red lips curled into a mischievous smile. "We are going to pull of the riskiest bet, by doing nothing."