The moment Shinichi's voice echoed with frustration and anger, his words were enough to pierce through the tension in the room.

His comparison between Mana's actions and those of the serial killer struck a chord with everyone present. They couldn't deny the gravity of the situation and the potential danger they were all in.

At first, no one said a word. After a while, Ran voiced out, "Ranran, Shinichi, I know that Mana had the tendency to exaggerate the stories he tells. But he is 6 like us, isn't too harsh of you to simply assume that Mana was no different than the killer we are seeking out!?"

"Harsh?" Ranran mocked in disbelief at her words, "Did you have any idea of the lives he had destroyed thanks to his careless words!?"

With her steely gaze, Ranran revealed the series of incidents Mana had caused back in Teitan Elementary School while her voice was tinged with anger. , "When he spread a rumour that one of the kids in our school had stolen money from the school's charity fund, do you not recall how that poor kid was intense;y bullying and everyone walked away from them!?"

"I-"

"Do you not remember that time, when Michio mentioned one of the 5th-grade teachers was secretly plotting to fail the kids he dislike on purpose for the upcoming exams, the whole school had to be shut down when the parents stormed into the building before proceeding to throw chairs and stationary on him! He was in a coma for over a month!" Shinichi backed Ranran up.

Ranran continued, her voice filled with frustration and urgency. "And just last month, he exaggerated a story about a rare insect infestation in the school garden that could transmit from plants to humans. This caused a panic, with students and teachers frantically trying to avoid the garden area, even the unqualified gardener in our school quit their job! It later turned out to be a harmless and completely normal occurrence, but the unnecessary fear and disruption it caused were so tremendous to the point, that every single day whenever I walk into the school campus, the plants around our school keep on reminding me of 'The Walking Dead' wasteland!"

"Seriously!?" Reina blinked out of shock, "No wonder! I thought it was odd that whenever Takuma and I strolled through the school, we couldn't help but imagine a zombie apocalypse amidst the innocent plants."

"But Ranran, as much as I admit he was in the wrong, he wasn't that way till his Okaasan died of illness!" Ran reminded her.

"So what?" Ranran spat.

"Eh!?"

"Does a love one dying justifies the lies he weaves, Mouri Ran!?"

The room fell into a heavy silence as Ran grew stumped, "Let me tell you something, Mouri Ran," Ranran continued with a mix of frustration and disbelief, "Loss and grief don't give you a free pass to wreak havoc and ruin people's lives with your twisted tales!" She threw her hands up in exasperation, her voice rising, "I mean if we follow that logic, I should start making up stories about harassing others, just because my goldfish died last week! It's ridiculous!"

Takuma chimed in, his voice laced with sarcasm, "Oh yeah, my hamster passed away last month. I guess that gives me the right to spread rumours about the government secretly breeding mutant hamsters, right? Give me a break!"

"Exactly as Takuma said!" Reina nodded vigorously, her frustration mounting, "It's one thing if life gave us a hard hand, but it's another to simply endanger the lives of others."

Shinichi interjected, his tone incredulous, "And let's not forget the time when Mana claimed that the school lunch was made from recycled garbage. We had to endure weeks of dry sandwiches and tasteless slop. It was like a dystopian cafeteria nightmare in our own classroom damn it!"

"Which is why I must bring an end to Mana's lies, "The detective's girl's expression had a mix of anger and determination, "It will be a regret he may need to pay for the rest of his life."

His partner-in-crime crossed his arms, and his gaze grew steely, "Ranran is right. We need to confront Mana and make him understand the impact of his words. Otherwise, he'll keep causing harm, just like the serial killer we're trying to catch."

Mouri Ran's eyes widened with each revelation. As the others voiced their agreement and determination to confront Mana, Ran felt a surge of conflicting emotions within her. She understood Ranran's anger and frustration, but a part of her couldn't help but empathize with Mana's loss and the pain he must have been going through.

Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke up, her words tinged with a mix of uncertainty and compassion, "I... I get it, Ranran. What Mana did was wrong, and it caused so much harm. But... losing a loved one can change a person, make them act in ways they never would have before." She paused, her gaze thoughtful, "I'm not saying it excuses his actions, but maybe... maybe we should try to understand him too. Help him find a better way to cope with his grief and express himself without resorting to lies."

"Even if that is the case, what right did he have to make up all of these stories!?" It was Takuma's turn to go a little wild at Ran's words, "So are you saying it is ok to keep lying if one they care for dies!? Do you see Ranran behaving the way Mana did!?"

Ran flinched at Takuma's outburst, his words cutting through her attempt at empathy. She understood his frustration and anger, and she couldn't deny that Mana's actions had caused immense harm. She paused, her gaze thoughtful, "I'm not saying it excuses his actions, but maybe... maybe we should try to understand him too."

"There is no room for 'understanding' when it comes to his kind of liars, Mouri Ran," Ranran ended this in a harsh tone, "Mana is like a walking tornado, wreaking havoc wherever he goes for the sake of his own amusement. If you said we should try to 'understand' it, are we not deluding ourselves that his lies are the truth?"

Everyone remains silent. "But Ranran, everyone lies!" Ran argued, "Don't tell me that you had never once lied in your entire life?"

With her expression hardening at Mouri, Ranran scoffed, "There's a huge difference between lies that is to protect oneself, versus lies that ruin lives for the worst. So unless you want to continue basking in the lies, just like how Mamiko did to you and Sonoko back in school, be my guess."

Ran felt a pang of guilt as Ranran's words hit her. The mention of Mamiko, the malicious little girl who had manipulated her, Shinichi and Sonoko with a web of lies, reopened old wounds. She couldn't deny the truth in Ranran's words, but a part of her still clung to the hope that there was a way to reach Mana, to help him see the error of his ways.

The room grew heavy with tension as conflicting emotions hung in the air.

"This conversation is over," All heads turn to Shinichi, "So Ran, just don't hang those ghosts and give us a day. Aside from dealing with Ran nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. The case they were working on was far from resolved, the issue of Mana's idiotic mouth, we also need some confirmation regarding the serial killer's identity."

Ran nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. The case they were working on was far from resolved, "Alright, I will do so. But how are you all going to settle with Mana's problem?"

"Don't worry about it," Ranran reassured, with a twisted smile, "The scheme is something he should look forward to. Becoming the main character of his own story...is something he wanted all along, right?"

Shinichi let out a dry chuckle, his eyes glinting with a mixture of determination and amusement. "Oh, he'll get his moment in the spotlight, alright. But it won't be the glorious hero's journey he imagines."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy with anticipation as if everyone could taste the impending chaos. Ranran's twisted smile widened, mirroring the darkness that had taken hold of her soul. She had devised a plan, a deliciously diabolical scheme to bring Mana to his knees.

"We'll give him what he wants," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Mana will become the protagonist, the star of his own tragic tale. But little does he know, his story will be one of pain, suffering, and ultimate downfall. He will dance to the tune I composed for him, unaware of the strings I hold. And when he realizes the depths of his own foolishness, it will be too late."

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

Secretly, there was another reason why Ranran saw no room for understanding or empathy when it came to Mana's lies.

2 years ago, after learning of the projector's existence, it was revealed in the video that Mana played a role in directing Ranran's path towards doom when he lied to the loveless Ranran that the only way to achieve happiness, a path paved with unicorns, rainbows, and endless happiness is to manipulate them into liking her as a person, by pretending to be a naive, innocent annoying pure-like heroine in those J-dramas. And being a kid whose parents are always constantly away working, it ain't surprising why she was that stupid to buy it.

But guess what? It was all a load of baloney.

In reality, that path led to a vortex of darkness and despair, where happiness went to die and unicorns turned into bloodthirsty beasts. The kids called her a hypocrite and a manipulative little girl, and Ranran who was hearing all of these details from the projector snapped as soon as she learn what he was about to do to her. The worst part was when Mana said he wasn't completely to be blamed, in the end, he told her it was her own fault for deciding to do so, while he had nothing to do with it.

She couldn't believe the audacity of Mana, the manipulative little twerp. Fair enough, Shinichi was no different than Ranran when their parents aren't around to guide them when they needed them, but did it give Mana the right to ruin one's life and simply get away with it?"

The anger burned inside a then 4-year-old Ranran like wildfire, even though she soon learn his mother is likely to die, she didn't care.

Right now, the 6-year-old Ranran didn't want to think of that damn projector, but she despised how 'she', that Ranran in the projector is such a fool, idiotically falling for his deceitful words and fake kindness.

It wasn't just about his lies that made Ranran ticked; it was the destruction of her innocence who is out there, seeking to desperately be cared for by someone else while her parents are absent, only to ruin it further. In the future, no one has taught her how to approach seeking love and acceptance appropriately, and Mana had to ruin her completely.

The darkness in her soul grew deeper, like an abyss swallowing everything in its path. She felt a cold, bitter hatred toward Mana for 2 years, a hatred that gnawed at her insides by the time they met in person. Even as she learns that Mana's mother was about to die, Ranran did nothing to seek help for his dying mother. After all, a parent who is about to die, never having once corrected his behaviour and simply saying 'he is just a child, he will grow out of it'...deserves to have their child punished by losing a parent.

At first, her mentor who was alive at that time after having heard of this tried to talk her out, but it was too late. During that period, too many things had happened so much so, Ranran told her mentor.

"No," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "He deserves to suffer, just as he made me suffer. I won't stop until he....as well as the other children who did this to me, has felt the full weight of their sins. I will tear their world apart, piece by piece, until there is nothing left but ashes like what they did to us!"

For the 4-year-old to say this, it was eerily scary. Let alone, demonically cruel. In a way, no child deserves to lose a parent. But she didn't care. A parent who had failed to guide him failed to correct his behaviour and allowed him to become the monster he was, does not deserve to live.

Even though Mana would eventually later be arrested for becoming a future con man, it ain't enough for Ranran. In her mind, Mana's mother was just another casualty of the selfishness he must pay.

Because the words he said to the Ranran in that future biography spitefully sealed his own fate:

'It's your own fault, not mind. Who are you to be born with your parents not constantly being around to guide you? You chose to listen to me after all, so it ain't my fault!'

Since he was that adamant, so shall he be to lose a parent!

For in her eyes, the world was a cruel place, filled with monsters disguised as humans. And it was her duty, her twisted purpose, to expose them all and watch them crumble.

As soon as her mentor died, Ranran's heart turned colder and way more callous than ever, fueled by a thirst for revenge that knew no bounds. The thought of Mana suffering, just as she had suffered, brought pleasure to her twisted mind. She wanted to see him stripped of everything he held dear, to watch him crumble under the weight of his own guilt.

Surprisingly, as much as Ranran delved deeper into the abyss, perhaps it was thanks to the care of her mentor, she didn't lose touch with reality while getting consumed by her own darkness. And thanks to Mana's idiocy that had occurred recently, she decided tomorrow would be the day to pull her plan.

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

The following day, with a heavy typhoon still plaguing the island, Ranran and Shinichi waited in the penthouse, hoping Reina will drop by to give them the good news, that the Teitan Elementary School emergency funds are approved.

The penthouse was eerily quiet, the only sound being the relentless rain pounding against the windows. Ranran and Shinichi sat in anticipation, their eyes darting to the entrance every time they heard a noise.

"Where is she?" Ranran muttered, her patience wearing thin. "Reina should have been here by now."

Shinichi glanced at his watch, his brows furrowing with concern. "I hope nothing has happened. The weather is really taking a toll on everything."

Just as the words left his lips, a knock echoed through the penthouse. Ranran's heart skipped a beat, and she rushed to open the door. There stood Reina, drenched from head to toe in her raincoat, holding her smartphone.

"So Reina, what is the verdict from them?" Shinichi pressed, anticipating the worst.

Reina's face broke into a wide smile, despite her drenched appearance. "Good news, you two! The emergency funds for Teitan Elementary School have been approved!" She held up her smartphone, displaying the confirmation message. "We did it!"

Ranran let out a relieved sigh, a glimmer of joy breaking through the darkness that had consumed her. "That's incredible! The kids will finally have the resources they need."

Shinichi's eyes sparkled with pride as he patted Reina on the back. "Well done, Reina. Your blackmailing has paid off."

Reina blushed, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Shinichi. But I couldn't have done it without Ranran's scheming as well."

As they basked in the moment of victory, a sense of hope permeated the penthouse. The darkness that had consumed them seemed to momentarily recede, replaced by a glimmer of light. The typhoon raged outside, but within the confines of the penthouse, they found solace and strength in each other's company.

Meanwhile, the tents at the parking lot which were pitched by their classmates in 1-A class, while jumping out of joy under the rain when Takuma, who was too in his raincoat announced, "They did it, guys! The funds got approved! No more living under the tents anymore! You all can finally check into the hotel we are on!"

The classmates erupted in cheers, their spirits undeterred by the downpour. They danced and splashed in the rain, celebrating the victory for Teitan Elementary School.

Ranran watched down from the penthouse window, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Despite the darkness that lingered within her, this moment of triumph brought a glimmer of hope.

Even Ran who was in another hotel room, was jumping happily while Sonoko weakly cheers from her bed. At that moment, the weight of their past struggles and the looming darkness felt a little lighter.

After that, the kids outside hurriedly pack up their belongings and bid farewell to the tents that had been their temporary shelter. Laughter filled the air as they helped each other carry their bags, excited about the prospect of checking into the hotel.

"Finally, no more soggy sleeping bags!" one of the kids exclaimed, his face beaming with anticipation.

"Yeah, we can finally sleep in real beds and take warm showers!" another chimed in, a wide grin stretching across her face.

They formed a lively procession, making their way towards the hotel, rain still pouring down on them. But the rain no longer seemed to dampen their spirits. Instead, it became a backdrop to their shared excitement and a newfound sense of unity.

As they entered the hotel lobby, dripping wet but filled with glee, the staff greeted them with warm smiles and towels to dry off. The atmosphere buzzed with contagious energy, a mix of relief and joy.

While Reina who is also their class monitor, aided the receptionists while verifying their reservation details. She handled the task efficiently, her determination evident in her focused expression.

But while all of this is taking place, Ranran took Shinichi elsewhere.

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

"So are you sure this is the room Mana would be checking in?" Shinichi raised an eyebrow towards Ranran as they left their penthouse suite and headed to the elevator.

"Positive. I had Reina do some digging and found out his room number. It's time to give him a taste of his own medicine."

As they stepped into the elevator, Shinichi couldn't help but wonder how this plan was about to be executed. He knew that Ranran's revenge would be anything but ordinary. She had a knack for turning the tables in the most unexpected ways.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a hallway bathed in dim lighting. The air felt charged with anticipation as they made their way to Mana's room. Each step echoed with a sense of purpose.

Ranran stopped in front of the door, her hand hovering over the doorknob. She turned to Shinichi, her voice filled with determination. "Are you ready for this?"

Shinichi nodded a determined glint in his eyes. "Let's do it. It's time for Mana to face the consequences of his actions."

Ranran twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open, revealing Mana's room. So far, Mana is still in the lobby with the other children while Reina and the receptionists at the lobby are busy dealing with them. The concierge may have completed their tasks of putting their belongings in each of the designated rooms, but Ranran had other plans for Mana's accommodations.

"Look through his bags, we only have around 5 minutes before Reina could stop him from coming here," Ranran ordered her apprentice.

Shinichi swiftly moved towards Mana's bags, searching through them with practised efficiency. He meticulously rummaged through each item, his eyes scanning for any clue that could potentially reveal Mana's secrets.

As he dug deeper, Shinichi's brows furrowed in confusion. The contents of Mana's bags seemed oddly mundane - clothes, toiletries, and some personal belongings. There was nothing that immediately stood out as incriminating or suspicious.

Ranran, growing impatient, stepped closer to Shinichi. "Find anything yet? We don't have much time."

Shinichi shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Nothing. It's just... ordinary stuff. I don't understand. Where is the evidence we need?"

Just as disappointment began to settle in, Shinichi's gaze fell upon a small notebook tucked inside one of Mana's pockets. He pulled it out, flipping through the pages. And there, amidst the seemingly innocent scribbles and doodles, he found something that made his heart race.

"Ranran, look at this," Shinichi whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's a journal."

"Oh, as in a diary?"

"I ain't sure, let me check," Shinichi's eyes was widening with intrigue as he skimmed through the pages. "No, it's not just a diary. It's more like a log, documenting his interactions with different people."

Ranran leaned closer, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of interactions?"

Shinichi's voice lowered to a hushed tone as he read aloud. "Here, listen to this. 'First day in school, need to make a good impression with a good story. I can't stick out like a sore thumb with no friends. I know, I need to find an interesting situation, then overly exaggerate it. Make it seem like I'm the centre of attention, the hero everyone looks up to. Maybe then they'll like me.'"

Ranran's eyes widened with realization. "So, all those lies he told were not just random fabrications. They were calculated attempts to gain attention and be accepted."

Shinichi nodded, his expression filled with a mix of understanding and concern. "It seems so. Mana's need for validation and approval drove him to create elaborate stories and manipulate those around him."

"What else is in that book?"

Shinichi continued to flip through the pages, scanning the entries in Mana's journal. His brows furrowed as he discovered more insights into Mana's manipulative behaviour.

"Here's another entry," Shinichi said, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and frustration. "He writes, 'Today, I saw Moriko crying. It was the perfect opportunity to play the sympathetic friend. I offered her a comforting shoulder and acted like I cared so that I look cool in front of her. She bought it."

"What an egoistic creep," Ranran can't help but spat in disgusts, "When was this? Before Moriko joined the drama club or after?"

Shinichi skimmed through the pages, trying to find the specific entry Ranran mentioned. After a moment, he found it and read aloud, "It was just a week after Moriko joined the drama club," Shinichi replied, his tone laced with frustration. "He felt glad that she noticed him after noticing how pretty she was."

"I ain't surprised," Ranran rolled her eyes, "Before joining the drama club, not a single boy even took notice of Moriko's existence. She was always overlooked and ignored."

"I mean after seeing that photo, I ain't surprise why." He flipped the book to read out one entry, "Huh? What is this?"

Shinichi's brows furrowed as he read the entry in confusion. "It says here, 'Met up with the leader of the soccer club the other day, he ranted how resentful he was that the girl he had a crush on only had eyes for a boy who is born into a rich family, I told him to confront him, hoping that it would be a love story that I would be credited as a cupid, didn't think it became a love triangle like a J-drama?'."

"Wait why does this story sounds familiar-" Ranran's eyes widened in surprise as she guessed, "Wait, ain't that you with Rokuro and Ran!?"

Shinichi's eyes widened in realization, and he read the entry again, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You're right... It does sound like the situation with Rokuro, Ran, and me. But why would he do this to me....?"

His eyes soon scanned another entry, this one was a day after the infamous 'feud'.

The more he read, the more things grew to a standstill. For a moment, Ranran tried to get Shinichi to utter something, wondering why isn't reading it out loud with the other entries.

Then, out of the blue, he threw the book harshly onto the floor before storming out of the hotel room.

Ranran stood there, stunned by Shinichi's sudden outburst. At first, she tried calling out to him. She then quickly picked up the book from the floor to read out what the next entry said. The next entry in the journal sent chills down Ranran's spine. It read:

"My crush spoke to me for the first time, she is the only one who understands, why I tell such stories to the other kids."

Wait....crush? Mana had a crush? On who?

It can't be Moriko, Ranran thinks, she was too hurt to love anyone at that time. So who could this crush Mana was referring to be?

"She liked the stories I weaved and told me that my fibs can do wonders and bring happiness to others. One day, I saw her looking rather down at the school courtyard and I asked her what is wrong. She told me that her crush likes someone else and that my talent will help her achieve her wish that will make her crush no longer like 'her' anymore."

Ranran's mind raced as she tried to piece together the puzzle. Who could be Mana's crush, someone who appreciated his stories and sought his help to win over her own crush?

Then it hit her. The pieces fell into place, and the truth sent a shiver down her spine while recalling that conversation between one girl and her half-brother, Amaya, when Shinichi was eavesdropping on them that day.

"What about you? As soon as you found out that Shinichi wasn't getting punished over what he did to his supposed 'bastard sister' while demoted to the worst class, the first thing you did was provoke that Rokuro boy into thinking that Ran has feelings for that boy, cause you knew he had feelings for the idiot! And when you got word of their arguing, you bribed all of the boys in soccer club front row seats to the coolest soccer game match to go against his words!"

"It's... it's Mamiko," Ranran whispered, her voice barely audible in the empty hotel room. "Mana had a crush on that psychopath!"

Everything suddenly made sense. Mana's need for attention, his desire to be the hero, his calculated lies, and his manipulative actions. It was all driven by his infatuation with Mamiko. While Mana was unknowingly manipulated by Mamiko, who had a crush on Shinichi.

Mamiko basically made use of Mana's feelings in an attempt to isolate Shinichi from his dream as a detective, just so as to have him all to herself.

And Shinichi who had just read this entry in Mana's journal had realized the extent of Mamiko's manipulation. He understood the depth of her deviousness and the lengths she was willing to go to control and isolate him.

Ranran's hands trembled as she read the words, this girl...how many more kids is she willing to go to just to satisfy her greed for Shinichi!?

"Wait a minute," Ranran was suddenly brought back to reality, "Shinichi!"

Leaving the room in haste, Ranran rushed through the hotel corridors, searching for any sign of Shinichi who she is certain about to confront Mana.

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

6-year-old Kudo Shinichi had life dealt with cruelly.

He may not have been friends with Mana, nor know Mamiko close enough, but as he walked towards Mana, a dark angst settled over him. The weight of his discoveries and the realization of how he had been manipulated by Mamiko gnawed at his young soul.

Eagerly pressing the button of the elevator, Shinichi's small frame was filled with a mix of determination and dark angst that surpassed his young age. The weight of the truth he had uncovered about Mamiko's manipulations and the realization that Mana had been a pawn in her game haunted his thoughts.

As the elevator doors closed, the dimly lit space seemed to amplify the turmoil within Shinichi. The walls felt like they were closing in on him, suffocating him with a heavy atmosphere. His heart pounded in his chest, its rhythm echoing the storm raging inside him.

The elevator descended, floor by floor, and with each passing moment, Shinichi's angst grew. The innocent curiosity and joy that once filled his eyes had been overshadowed by a newfound darkness. He had been deceived and used, and now he had to confront the one responsible for his torment.

As the doors opened, revealing the hotel lobby, Shinichi stepped out with a purposeful stride. Raindrops splattered against the glass entrance, mirroring the chaotic emotions churning within him. He caught sight of Mana among the children, a smile playing on the manipulative boy's face, unaware of the storm that awaited him.

Shinichi's gaze met Mana's, his eyes narrowed with a mix of anger and a child's vulnerability. The weight of his discoveries threatened to crush him, but he refused to let it break his resolve. He had to confront Mana, to confront the lies and manipulation that had tainted his world.

Walking towards Mana, each step felt heavy, as if the weight of the truth he carried was dragging him down. The laughter and excitement of the other children around him seemed distant, drowned out by the storm of emotions raging within.

But then, before anything like that could happen, he felt a hand from the back grab forcefully away from Mana before he was tugged to the corner of the wall.

Startled, Shinichi turned his head to see who had pulled him away. It was Ranran, her face stern as she told him off in a low voice, "Shinichi, as much as you have every right to confront him, he will realise that we snuck into his hotel room, and then you and I would ultimately end up getting into serious trouble."

"Ranran-"

"Mamiko is a scumbag, Mana is no different," The 6-year-old girl spoke with vindictiveness regarding the other two, "Regardless of this, don't be that idiotic heroine or hero in those dramas who simply confronts the other with evidence, only to have it ripped away and be destroyed by the villain."

Shinichi blinked, his eyes widening at Ranran's sudden intensity. He hadn't expected her to say such a thing, but he couldn't deny the truth in her words. They couldn't afford to be reckless and fall into Mamiko's trap. Not again, nor anymore for his side.

"You don't get it, Ranran." Shinichi's anguished expression became apparent as he hissed lowly, "That feeling of losing everything because of those two!" Ranran said nothing while Shinichi rambled on, "I assumed that Ran and Sonoko were my true friends, but they ended up trying to remove me from my detective dreams to marry Ran. And Mamiko, a girl I barely know is still onto me, attempting to make my life miserable so that I end up with her.....And now...even after escaping all of that, Mamiko won't let me go...how long more...."Shinichi's voice caught in his throat as he continued, the bitterness and despair seeping through his words. "How long more can I deal with this before I can finally be free from that manipulative girl.....?"

Ranran listened attentively as Shinichi poured out his frustrations and pain. In all accounts, this was seriously Shinichi's worst moment of his life. She could feel the weight of his words, the anguish that had settled deep within his young heart.

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

As soon as they headed back to the penthouse, Shinichi's spirits were as low as the heavy rain pouring outside. The weight of the situation and the memories of past betrayals seemed to drag him down, making each step feel heavier than before. The once vibrant and curious 6-year-old detective had been burdened by the complexities of the world around him, and it showed in his weary demeanour.

Entering the penthouse, Shinichi slumped onto the couch, his gaze fixed on the floor as raindrops pelted against the windowpane. Ranran, ever perceptive, sat down next to him, staring at him in silence.

Ranran could sense the heaviness that engulfed Shinichi, his body language mirroring the weight of his thoughts and emotions. She knew that words alone couldn't alleviate his pain, so she chose to sit silently by his side, offering her quiet support.

The sound of rain outside created a sombre atmosphere as if the weather itself reflected the turmoil within Shinichi's heart.

"You know...," Ranran found herself saying this. "I used to know of someone who was in your situation."

"Eh? Who is it?" Shinichi's voice carried a tinge of curiosity amidst his melancholy as he looked up at Ranran. Despite his own struggles, he remained attentive, eager to know who she was referring to.

"A client that my mentor and I accepted back in my old school in Edgewood Academy."

Ranran's voice trailed off as memories flooded her mind, her gaze distant as she recalled the events of the past. Shinichi's interest was piqued, sensing that there was more to the story than she was letting on.

"Unlike you where you are bound to encounter some kids who dislike you thanks to your trait of arrogance, she, the client...was one of the most hated girls with a bad reputation according to the rumors spread across the campus at that time. Every guy she has ever ended up getting engaged to through her parents always ended up with her more popular half sister. But if I were to uncover all of it beneath those lies, she and you had certain similarity which is making their friends happy....which was the dumbest move in my opinion."

As Ranran recounted the story, Shinichi listened intently, his curiosity growing with each detail she revealed.

"When the kids at school began distancing themselves from our client due to the bad rumors and stuff, it got too much for her that our services were employed. Needless to say, you didn't have to think twice that her sister was having a wonderful time drugging others with some customized drug to do all of the brainwashing crap. So to combat the problem, we suggested to her to have her parents arrange a potential high ranking fiance candidate for her, one that would not only noticeably detest little girls going all over him which was a perfect fit for her, but also doesn't get easily swayed."

"Wait, how would that work in your client's favor?!" Shinichi leaned in, his curiosity growing. "It will just get her sister to steal him from the client, no?"

"It's because of that, that I decided he would be a perfect bait to plan her sister's downfall, " She shrugs, then adds, "By carefully orchestrating the introduction of this 'high-ranking fiance,' someone who outwardly displayed disinterest in shallow attention-seekers like her sister, we were merely setting the stage for a strategic play whereby she will become the hated main heroine overnight."

"As expected, her sister's attempts to charm and manipulate the 'fiance' backfired. He remained steadfast, unyielding to her advances and unaffected by her usual tactics. In her desperation to maintain her facade of control, she made crucial mistakes—ones that my mentor and I were quick to exploit. Of course, it resulted in some collateral damages when more students were expelled, which was so delightful, really." Shinichi's eyes widened at Ranran's last statement, a mix of surprise and intrigue flashing across his face. "And yet....my client was not happy."

Shinichi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Not happy? Why?"

"Sad, that all of her years of efforts in becoming a reputable, kind and thoughtful individual, be it the daughter of a noble or as a student....all of that drained down to the sewers just because they had bad intentions in the first place." Ranran sighed softly, her expression turning solemn.

"But....were they not....brainwash or drug or stuff?"

"Shinichi, think of it as for instance: Mouri Ran's Tousan getting drunk, but he ended up kissing the poster of his favorite idol plastered at his Tantei office. There is a saying that sometimes your true selves surface when one is....under the influence. If her Tousan isn't a huge fan of the idol, then do you think he would've done that to the poster?"

Shinichi nodded slowly, starting to grasp the analogy Ranran was making.

"Even if her sister didn't smear her reputation, the intention is there. And that itself....says it all."

As Ranran's voice trailed off, a heaviness settled in the air, matching the weight that seemed to press upon Shinichi's chest. He understood the significance of her words, the unspoken truth that hung between them.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he confronted, "Why are you telling me this?"

Shinichi watched her closely as she states, "The similarity between you and her is evident: You both were not only blinded by the people whom you both assumed could trust, but you were also influenced by their actions and intentions. Mamiko and Mana have manipulated situations to control you, just as Ran's Tousan's circumstances have controlled him. Kids like them...are always bound to exist, regardless if you lived your entire life without breaking the rules, or wronging people or not, they just solely exist to torment. Even now....it's hard to accept even for me that why Kami-sama let them exist. But I know what thing I did learn from all of that is this."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ranran finished her words with her voice devoid of any emotion. "If anyone harbors ill intent, let their own malice be their undoing."

Shinichi listened intently, his heart heavy with the weight of Ranran's words. "But I don't know if I can wait any longer, Ranran....."

As much as she wants to refute him, she cannot deny that he is right.

The level of escalation regarding Mana's lies was as astonishingly as the one she saw in the future telling projector, though, that level was only reached around 11 years from now. The fact that it came a lot sooner without warning meant that something, or someone, had accelerated the timeline.

And that someone, is none other than Mamiko.

Ranran felt a chill run down her spine as she considered the implications. If Mana's manipulations had reached this point so early, then Mamiko must have been too impatient and desperate to cling to Shinichi regardless of his escape attempts.

"Ranran, in your honest opinion, having worked in this line for so long....what would you have done if you were in my shoes?" Shinichi found himself seeking her advice, as this question caught Ranran off guard as he continued, "Knowing you....you definitely have a plan in mind to put an end to Mana's schemes."

"If it were for me....to be honest, I don't think you have it in you to do it." Ranran's gaze flickered toward Shinichi, her normally calm demeanor betraying a hint of hesitation.

"I don't care if I have to lie, manipulate or even destroy his life for that matter, I must put an end to this madness, Ranran. So if you know anything, let me know!"

Ranran reacted in surprise at Shinichi's impatience, before he realize what he was doing and then he quickly apologized, "I am sorry, it's just....."

"I know, this isn't your fault," Ranran held up a hand to stop Shinichi mid-apology, her gaze sharp but not unkind, "I just don't think....this plan I have in mind is...morally good for you."

"Anything to ensure I don't ever go back to Mouri and Suzuki while I retain my Tantei dream...that is all that matters, because I don't want to go back to that hell hole....not anymore...."

Seeing his slumped state, she replies, "Lend me your ear. Cause this is the only way she can't control you through Mana." Ranran began, her voice low and deliberate, as if to ensure the weight of her words would strike deep.

As soon as he went over to her, she whispered to him with the rain serving as their witness.

Listening to the plan, his face grew shocked before he finally Listening to the plan, his face grew shocked before he finally spoke, his voice barely a whisper, "This... this is madness, Ranran. Especially 'that part' from his hotel room—it could all backfire."

"It won't, I done it before many times when I was in the U.k," Ranran reassured him, her voice calm but firm.

Shinichi hesitated, his mind racing with the risks. "But what if—"

"If we don't execute this plan, our association will guaranteed shut down. That is something I can confirm with you based on experience. 100 percent." She met his gaze with an intensity that left little room for doubt.

"Wait, it's that SERIOUS?!"

"Very."

Shinichi clenched his fists, the weight of the decision pressing down on him before he angrily declares, "Let's do it."

With that, the weight of their decision settled in. There was no turning back now.