As soon as Ranran's words hung heavily in the air, it remains as it is.

A heavy silence filled the room as Shinichi absorbed Ranran's confession. "Can we actually do so?"

Shinichi furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of Ranran's cryptic response. Her words hung in the air, leaving him with more questions than answers. He could sense that there was something deeper, something she wasn't ready to reveal just yet.

The weight of their shared pasts settled upon them like a dark cloud obscuring the path ahead. Shinichi's mind raced, searching for clues and understanding amidst the chaos. How had their lives become so entangled, tangled in a web of manipulation and betrayal?

The rain continued to pour outside, its rhythmic pattern against the windowpane echoing the turmoil within Shinichi's heart. Each droplet seemed to carry the weight of their secrets, their hidden truths waiting to be unveiled.

Ranran broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yet, it truly is possible."

"Possible... how?" he asked, his voice barely audible amidst the hushed atmosphere.

"Honestly, I don't know," Ranran's gaze met his, her eyes reflecting a determination that belied her young age. "But I know it must be to an extent that not even death itself will atone their sin."

"Eh!? That extreme?" Shinichi's confusion grew, his brows knitting together as he struggled to comprehend Ranran's cryptic words. It was as if she was speaking in riddles, leaving him more perplexed than ever.

"Yes," Ranran insists, "Because you will never get them to be remorseful. It is the way of life."

Shinichi hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. But as he closed his eyes, plunging into the depths of his memories, all the memories he has had with the kids who did this to him had been nothing but unpleasant. 

A moment passed, and images flickered in his mind's eye. He saw himself when he was in kindergarten when Sonoko snatched his Sherlock Holmes book and told him to focus on playing dolls with Mouri Ran instead. Then there was another time when Mana, with his subtle manipulations, turning Sonoko against him when he was about to sneak out of school early when the bell rang, because Shinichi didn't want to hang out with her and Ran anymore when the heiress was pestering him about putting his nose in every mystery novel he could find.

Shinichi's mind replayed the scenes with a painful clarity, each memory etched deeply into his consciousness. Sonoko's casual dismissal of his interests, steering him away from detective novels to keep Mouri Ran happy. Mana's cunning maneuver to sow discord between them, exploiting Ran's fleeting affections for Shinichi to isolate him further.

The rain outside began to subside, its intensity tapering off. As the storm faded away, a sense of calm washed over the room.

"Ranran, what is your plan to trap Mana?"

Before Ranran could respond, her smartphone began to ring.

"Oops, sorry, gotta take this," Ranran said, fumbling to answer her ringing phone. She glanced at the caller ID and her expression shifted to surprise. "It's Reina. Wonder if something went wrong with checking our classmates into the hotel at the lobby there."

Shinichi watched as Ranran hurriedly answered the call, her face a mix of curiosity and concern. He couldn't help but wonder what new twist awaited them in this ever-unfolding mystery.

"Hey, Reina," Ranran spoke into the phone, her voice tinged with a hint of worry. "What's up? Is everything alright?" Shinichi leaned in closer, trying to catch any snippets of the conversation. "Oh, really? She is here? In the flesh?"

Shinichi's curiosity was piqued as he listened intently to Ranran's conversation. He couldn't help but wonder who "she" referred to and why Ranran seemed so surprised.

Ranran's eyes widened, and she shot a quick glance at Shinichi before continuing her conversation. "Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes. Thanks for letting me know, Reina." She ended the call and turned to Shinichi, with amusement on her face.

"You won't believe this, Shinichi," Ranran said, her voice filled with disbelief. "Arima sensei is here."

Shinichi's eyes widened in astonishment.

Arima sensei, their substitute form teacher who organized this camping trip, the same teacher who had a history of 84 exes throughout her dating life, also the same teacher who did this to look for 'The One' while seeking to get paid while endangering the entire class of 1-A...left Kodama Forest campsite, the same site all the kids had vehemently left voluntarily while the teacher refused despite knowing that there is a serial killer on this island.

The apprentice's mind reeled with disbelief. Arima sensei, the teacher with a trail of broken hearts and a questionable sense of responsibility, had somehow made her way to the campsite. It was as if chaos and danger followed her wherever she went. "Why on earth would she be doing here?" Shinichi wondered.

"Probably to beg us to move back to the campsite so that she could get her paycheck," Ranran scoffed.

The little boy couldn't help but chuckle at Ranran's cynical remark. It seemed absurd that their substitute teacher would show up at a time like this, especially considering the circumstances they had just escaped from.

"But seriously, what is she thinking?" Shinichi pondered aloud, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Does she wants to add a touch of excitement to her already eventful love life? After all, surviving a camping trip with a serial killer on the loose would definitely make for an interesting story to tell her next ex."

"Or perhaps she's secretly plotting to write a best-selling novel based on our misadventures. 'Love and Murder in Kodama Forest: A Teacher's Tale of Romance and Survival.'" Ranran replied.

Shinichi burst into laughter, the absurdity of the situation finally sinking in. It was almost comical how their lives had turned into a convoluted plotline, with unpredictable twists and unexpected characters at every turn.

As the laughter subsided, Shinichi's expression turned serious once again. "But seriously, we need to tell her off if that is the case."

Ranran nodded in agreement, the amusement fading from her face. "I agree, whatever it is...it's time we tell her off."

Shinichi's determination burned brightly as he thought about the potential consequences of Arima sensei's actions. They had already experienced enough danger and fear, and they couldn't allow her to drag them back into it.

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

Unexpectedly, the one place the two last expected to meet the teacher was at The Crown and Caviar restaurant in the hotel they are in.

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged bewildered glances as they stood outside The Crown and Caviar restaurant in the hotel. It was the last place they had expected to find Arima sensei, their substitute teacher. They had been prepared to search for her throughout the campsite, but fate had taken an unexpected turn.

With cautious steps, they entered the elegant restaurant, the scent of fine cuisine mingling in the air. The ambience was a stark contrast to the dangers they had faced in the forest, creating a surreal atmosphere as they navigated through the well-dressed patrons.

Their eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of Arima sensei. And then they saw her, seated at a secluded table in a corner, waiting for the two to arrive.

Shinichi and Ranran approached the table with a mix of curiosity and scepticism. Arima sensei wore a composed expression as if she had anticipated their arrival. Her eyes met theirs, and there was a hint of remorse in her gaze.

"Please, have a seat," Arima sensei gestured to the chairs opposite her. "I wanted to talk to both of you in a more private setting."

Cautiously, Shinichi and Ranran took their seats, their minds still grappling with the unexpected turn of events. They exchanged a quick glance, silently communicating their readiness to listen but also their wariness.

Meanwhile, Ran, Takuma and Reina sat at another table not far from Arima sensei's table, trying to eavesdrop on what their teacher is about to say. "What do you all think she is here for?" Reina whispered to ask.

Ran leaned in closer, her voice hushed. "I have no idea, but after everything we've been through, I can't help but be suspicious. I don't trust her intentions, especially considering her track record of failed love affairs."

Takuma nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Arima sensei. "It's hard to say. Maybe she wants to apologize or explain herself, but given her past actions, I can't help but be sceptical."

"Anyway, what is the reason that she had to get paid while seeking out 'Mr Right' in the first place?" Reina glanced between her friends and Arima sensei, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution. "I mean I know why she was in love with that sort of idea, but....I still don't get what she needs to get paid desperately to do this sort of thing?"

"Maybe the pay of a substitute form teacher isn't enough to survive?" Takuma thinks.

"But I heard from my Tousan that it should've been enough to live comfortably, no?" Ran and the others continued to carry out their hushed conversation, speculating about the reasons behind Arima sensei's desperate need for payment while seeking out her ideal partner. The possibilities swirled in their minds, but the truth remained elusive.

Meanwhile, at Arima sensei's table, she took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts before speaking. She understood the scepticism in Shinichi and Ranran's eyes.

"Arima-sensei, let's cut to the chase. If you want us to move back to the campsite, I will gladly decline and remain at my penthouse, after how things had played out over the course of 2 weeks," The red lip detective girl voiced out her inner thoughts.

"Same, I had sleepless nights thanks to your campsite idea!" Shinichi nodded alongside Ranran's words.

Arima sensei raised her hands in a placating gesture, a hint of fear in her eyes. "No, that's not why I asked to meet you here. The reason I arrived here...was because the campsite is beyond livable at this point!"

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged surprised glances, their scepticism momentarily faltering.

"What do you mean the campsite is beyond livable?" Shinichi asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Did...something happen while all of us were away!?"

"I mean probably after days of eating food from the walk-in fridge with 2 corpses, no proper sleep after being in the tent for 2 weeks nonstop, plus almost endless hellish days of typhoon, it is bound to make anyone go crazy." Ranran thinks.

"No, you two got it wrong!" Arima sensei's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and remorse. "There's...there's been a terrible incident at the campsite. It's not safe anymore."

Shinichi and Ranran leaned forward, their curiosity piqued despite their initial wariness. "What kind of incident?" Shinichi asked, his voice filled with concern.

Arima sensei took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's about Rika...I think the killer tried to kill her today."

The mention of Rika, one of the suspects, being targeted by the killer sent a shockwave through Shinichi and Ranran. The bombshell she had dropped overshadowed their doubts about Arima sensei's intentions. "What do you mean the killer tried to kill Miss Rika?" Ranran asked, her voice laced with urgency. "Is ahe alright? What happened?"

"After you all left the campsite....ah seriously!" The woman trembled, "Even talking about that encounter was terrifying."

Arima sensei recounted the events that had unfolded. "It all started yesterday morning when she decided to bring in the woods Mr Miki had chopped previously to be used for the fireplace after your classmates bickered with me and joined all of you at the hotel."

As Arima sensei continued her narration, Shinichi and Ranran listened intently.

"Because of the typhoon, the weather was getting chillier, so she need those woods badly. Miki actually offered to go at first, but she told him to stay out since he was still grieving from the death of his wife," The woman quivered as she rambled on, "At that time, the weather was getting from bad to worst, so he got worried and went out to search for Rika. I tagged along, since I couldn't bear being alone in the cabin. But then who knew...he swore that he saw someone holding an axe behind her, who had no idea while busy chopping wood!"

Shinichi and Ranran's eyes widened in horror. "Wait, so did she die?"

Arima sensei shook her head, relief evident in her expression. "No, fortunately, Miki managed to intervene just in time. He yelled and distracted the person with the axe, and she was able to escape before any harm came to him. But it was a close call."

"Did either of you get a good look at them? Over who is it?" Ranran probed.

Arima sensei's brows furrowed as she recalled Rika's account. "Unfortunately, it was dark and stormy, neither of us could see the person's face clearly. They were wearing a hooded jackets and managed to escape into the woods before either of us could reach them."

Ranran's expression hardened as she absorbed the information. "So the killer is still out there, lurking in the forest."

Arima sensei nodded, her eyes clouded with guilt. "Originally I remained there since Miki was someone I knew through a mutual friend back in university, and I know he ain't capable of those deaths. I didn't want to believe the deaths that had taken place over these past 2 weeks were homicides, but rather, coincidental accidents. But then after what had happened...." Arima sensei's voice trailed off as she struggled to find the right words. "After what happened, I can't find myself to lie anymore."

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged glances silently, while Ranran later remembered something. "Arima-sensei," Ranran called out to her, "You mentioned sharing the same friend with Miki, does this mean you are aware of the ongoing that had happened to him when you were both in University back then?"

Arima sensei's eyes widened at Ranran's question, surprise evident on her face. "How did you...? Oh, I see. I almost forgot about both of your activities in Tantei Associaton." Having hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting away as if lost in thought. After a brief pause, she looked back at Ranran and Shinichi with a sombre expression. "Yes, I do know about the incidents that occurred when we were in university. Miki was involved in a series of unfortunate events, and I was there to witness some of it."

"Then do you know Miki's late wife Jun, their university mates Kiryu, Kichiro and Iwao?" Shinichi probed.

"Not personally, but their lives played out like an open soap drama to so many other students...." Arima sensei's eyes flickered, "Does that count?"

"Share with us everything you know back in university," Shinichi brought his book and pencil, before beginning the interview, "Let's start with....Kichiro, Jun's late fiance." Organizing his thoughts, he goes, "From our investigation, there seemed to be a global warming expedition during their post-graduation 12 years ago. And from what we had uncovered, Mr Miki who was with them at that time had to cut the safety ropes, since Kichiro allegedly struck his head against the rock while going down the cliff, his dead weight ended up endangering the other members, which is why Mr Miki had no choice but to cut the rope to let Kichiro die to let others lived. What was the response from the students towards Miki when this came up?"

"Oh, that incident? When the news broke out...I will admit that it caused quite a stir among the students. Or in a way....it causes disharmony on our campus," Arima sensei's gaze turned distant as she delved into her memories from university. "On one hand, some argued that Miki was in the right to protect the others and ensure their survival, while others criticized him for what they believed to be a callous and selfish act."

"Then the survivors who were with Miki at that time, Kiryu, Iwao and Jun....were they any blaming towards Miki?" Ranran asked.

"No way," Arima dismisses them, "Kiryu and Iwao understood that Miki had to make a difficult choice for the sake of everyone's safety. They didn't hold it against him, and their friendship with Miki remained intact. Rika too didn't blame him, but she did go as far as to defend him whenever one speaks ill over Miki. As for Jun, however...." She paused for a moment, her expression pensive. "Considering Kichiro was her fiance at that time before his passing....."

Arima sensei continued, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and guilt. "Jun was devastated by Kichiro's death, as anyone would be. She struggled to come to terms with the circumstances and blamed Miki to some extent. There was tension between them, and it strained their relationship a lot."

"That serious?" Shinichi stop jotting for a moment, "But Mr Miki and Miss Jun ended up getting married, no? Especially for 12 years."

"But it wasn't out of love," Arima sensei forfeit that thought, shaking her head at the two children, "I don't know how far the both of you had dug in this investigation, but she was kinda forced to marry him because-"

"Yes, we know. The one-night stand thing," Ranran rolled her eyes, much to the teacher's shock.

"You are both 6 years old!" The teacher exclaimed, "How is it you all know all these things!?"

"Well, we have ways of learning," Shinichi grinned mischievously.

Arima sensei sighed, a mix of exasperation and amusement on her face. "Kids these days. Well, since you already know about that, I'll spare you the details. But yes, their marriage was not built on love. It was a complicated situation, to say the least."The woman then pondered back to those days, "Miki and Jun's families are what you called...overly traditional people. If things like that happened...." Arima sensei chuckled nervously, "Let's just say they wouldn't have been too pleased. So, in order to save face and maintain their reputations, the families arranged for Miki and Jun to get married. It was more of a strategic move rather than a choice driven by love, well, for Miki it is love, but not for Jun."

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged glances, absorbing the information and the complexities of the situation. Ranran broke the silence with a sceptical tone, "So, their marriage was just a facade to satisfy their families?"

"I wouldn't really say it is, considering Miki always had a crush on Jun for a long while...." Arima sensei paused, her eyes darting around as if searching for the right words. "But yes, in a way, you can say their marriage was unusual."

"Very unusual," Ranran suddenly recalled about Miki's affluent family background, "Is everyone in the university aware that Mr Miki comes from a wealthy family?"

Arima sensei nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. "Oh, everyone was well aware of Miki's family background, even though he barely mentioned it. The surname 'Yasuo' at that time wasn't common, if you ever heard it once, you would connect it as one of the wealthiest and most influential in the city. We didn't even know that was his surname until what happened during his birthday."

"His birthday!?" With Shinichi's interest piqued, he fires another question, "So the entire campus was aware of the birthday incident when Miki's parents had someone dragged him into the car for staying out late after 12 am!?"

Arima sensei's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and amusement crossing her face. "Ah, so you've both heard about that too? Yes, that incident caused quite a commotion. Miki's parents were quite strict, you see, and they didn't take kindly to him staying out late. At that time a lot of our popular senpais on the campus attended there, some men in suits show up in their fancy car, dragged him in, and drove off, leaving the rest of us dumbfounded. Because the car model they were seen driving in at that time was only solely released to the Yasuo family on the news before it could go public, it didn't take long for most of us to figure out he was related to the Yasuo family."

Ranran chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Wow, talk about a birthday surprise. I bet that made him the talk of the campus for weeks."

Arima sensei nodded a hint of amusement in her voice. "Oh, it definitely did. Miki became the centre of attention, and everyone had their theories and speculations about his family's wealth and influence. Some thought he was secretly a prince or a millionaire in disguise, while others believed he had connections to the underworld. The rumours were wild and entertaining, to say the least."

Shinichi leaned forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What about the incident that Kichiro went over to Miki's parent's house while they were having a party function and seemingly....humiliated Miki's stepmother?"

Arima sensei's eyes widened at Shinichi's question, a mix of surprise and intrigue on her face. "Ah, the party incident. Yes, that was quite a scandalous event." She paused for a moment, seemingly lost in the memory. "You see, Miki's stepmother was known for her arrogance and haughty behaviour. She often looked down on others and flaunted her wealth and social status. Kichiro, being the rebellious and free-spirited individual he was, couldn't stand her attitude on the way she treated Miki."

"Is that why he used the B-word? Man, he had quite the balls to do it." Ranran asked eagerly, leaning closer to Arima sensei.

"Oh, he couldn't have done it without drinking," Arima sensei's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Kichiro had a bit too much to drink that day with Miki at a bar with the said mutual friend I told you about. When Miki was sharing out about how miserable he was with his parents, Kichiro decided to liven things up by going to that outdoor party of his own family after escorting him back to Miki's place, then outright shouted to her that she is a B when she slapped Miki!" Arima sensei chuckled, a mix of amusement and disbelief in her voice. "Oh, it was a sight to behold. Kichiro had no filter when he was drunk, and he didn't hold back. The entire party fell silent, and Miki's stepmother was absolutely livid. She tried to maintain her composure, but you could see the anger in her eyes."

"Did your mutual friend ever learn what sort of outdoor party was Miki's family having at that time?" Ranran questioned while Shinichi jotted down in haste.

"It was a very important function for the Yasuo family," Arima sensei replied, her voice filled with intrigue. "I remember hearing that particular party was to celebrate the launch of a new business venture by Miki's father. It was a grand affair, with guests from high society in attendance."

Shinichi looked up from his notes, his eyes wide with curiosity. "So, Kichiro's outburst must have caused quite a scandal. What happened afterwards?"

"Well, you know the rest," Arima sensei nodded, while her face fell. "The expedition incident a day after that caused a major uproar, within the family and the social circles they belonged to. In a way....Miki's family's inner circle assumed that they intentionally caused Kichiro to die through Miki, and a lot of influential figures who after seeing her and the husband being all so unfazed by it decided to distance themselves from the Yasuo family. It was a major blow to their reputation and social standing. Miki's parents had to work hard to salvage what was left of their image, and they were desperate to find someone to blame for the incident."

Ranran furrowed her brows, her expression filled with concern. "But Kichiro's death was an accident, right? They couldn't really blame Miki for it."

Arima sensei sighed, a mix of sadness and frustration evident in her voice. "Yes, it was indeed an accident. Kichiro's death was a tragic outcome of a risky expedition. But sometimes, when people are looking for someone to blame, they don't care about the truth. They just need a scapegoat. And unfortunately, Miki became that scapegoat in the eyes of his family and their social circle."

Shinichi's eyes narrowed, his detective instincts kicking in. "So, the marriage thing between Miki and Jun...I heard the university coursemates have been hating on Jun since she dated Miki only a week after Kichiro died."

Arima sensei nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, that's correct. The timing of their relationship didn't sit well with many people, especially those who were close to Kichiro. Let alone, me, although I was just a bystander. They saw it as a betrayal, a disregard for Kichiro's memory. Jun faced a lot of backlash and resentment from her coursemates, and rumours and gossip spread like wildfire. It was a difficult time for Miki. Or....if I were to look at it," Thoughtfully, she answers, "Rika had it worst since she felt like she could've prevented the one-night incident between Miki and Jun from occurring. After all, she had a huge crush on Miki."

"Wait, prevented?" Ranran's eyebrows shot up, "What do you mean?"

Arima sensei sighed and continued, "Our mutual friend, the one I told you all about, knew that Miki can handle his drink like a sailor. Even when he and Jun were alone while Kichiro is away, he never once made a move on her. Same for Jun as well. It was well known among their close friends. So it was very surprising when it happened, and the same for Rika as well. She suspected someone drugged their drink that night."

"So even she too is aware, huh?" Ranran was intrigued by the new information. "Was it Jun's mother?" She pressed.

"I ain't the type to point fingers, but...." Arima sensei hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice lowering slightly, "Jun's mother...she just ain't fit to be one. So it made sense, she love...money more than her own daughter." A sombre tone filled the air for the teacher, "I never personally met her, but the mutual friend did not think kindly of her. She was driven by her own ambitions and had a strong desire for wealth and social status. Even when her husband was alive, she gave him a hard time."

Shinichi leaned forward, his detective instincts kicking in, "Did anyone investigate this possibility? I mean, if there was a suspicion that their drinks were tampered with, it could be a serious matter."

"Truthfully, Miki wanted it to be look into. I know this because the said mutual friends accompanied him to the police station. The detectives who were in charge at that time suspected Miki to be the one who did this to Jun, so Miki willingly went to jail back then to serve his sentence, even though deep down we knew he ain't capable." Arima sensei sighed, "If he wanted it, he could have done this years ago, so we knew. This is the man who love Jun for 4 years."

Silence.

"But then....his parents as always had to meddle everything," Arima elaborated, "Because of his surname having been leaked to the press from the same police department, it didn't take long for the press wanting to know more about Kichiro's death, and the financial value for the Yasuo family company plummeted quickly over night. Similarly as to why the hype news of Kichiro's death which for some reason, died down as quickly as it had surfaced, plus the university condition records went missing 12 years ago after that....the suspicion that their drinks were tampered with was never officially investigated all thanks to his parents."

A sense of frustration and helplessness filled the air as Arima sensei spoke. "Naturally, it didn't take long for many students to easily point fingers at Miki, but only his inner circle knew the dark truth...that his parents held the real power over him like a puppet. Then the marriage took place, and....it was that. But I truly didn't think 12 years later....there would be so many deaths!"

Recalling something, the little girl asked, "Kichiro's family, do you think they are behind this?"

"I doubt they would, they are cowards," Arima sensei chuckled to the two kids, who are startled at her response. Arima sensei quickly corrected herself, realizing the severity of her words. "I'm sorry, that was an inappropriate response. But in a way....they really are."

"In what way?" Ranran encourages her to speak.

"Well....when Kichiro passed away.....in the beginning, they were truly grief-stricken. And when they found out Jun was seeing Miki, their emotions were all over the place. They were torn between anger, sadness, and confusion. They blamed Miki for what happened and resented Jun for turning her back on Kichiro. It was a chaotic time for everyone involved."

Arima sensei paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing, "But as time went on, this was a month later when Jun and Miki's wedding was about to take place, we were assuming that they were gonna storm into the wedding and ruin everything. To our surprise, however...they began to distance themselves from the situation. They didn't want to be associated with the scandal or the aftermath. And when the police drop by to check whether it was a homicide or an accident...they insist it was an accident and it was that."

A sense of confusion and suspicion filled the air as Shinichi and Ranran tried to process Arima sensei's words. Shinichi spoke up, his voice laced with scepticism, "So, you're saying that Kichiro's family just distanced themselves from the situation? That doesn't make sense. If they truly believed it was an accident, wouldn't they want to seek justice or find out the truth?"

Arima sensei nodded, understanding their doubts. "I know it's hard to believe, but that's how it happened. Kichiro's family had their own share of internal conflicts and struggles. They were torn between their grief and the desire to move on from the tragedy. Perhaps they felt it was easier to accept it as an accident and distance themselves from the situation rather than dwell on the painful memories and potential complications."

Ranran's eyes narrowed as she contemplated the situation, "But if they truly believed Miki was responsible, wouldn't they want him to face consequences? It seems strange that they would just let it go and allow Miki and Jun to get married with nothing happening."

"Anyway, it unfortunately did, and that was how it end." The teacher sighed, her expression filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. "It's a complicated situation, and I felt like...they could've fought hard for him. But perhaps they had long accepted the harsh fact that Kichiro truly died in an accident, and there is no going back."

Shinichi leaned back in his chair, deep in thought while Ranran's expression remained in doubt.

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

"No way I would buy that nonsense that Kichiro's family had long accepted this! I bet they were bribed by Miki's own family!"

Shinichi ranted to Ranran, as she nodded to him while heading back to their penthouse after leaving their teacher to handle the affairs of 1-A, class since the morale among them had taken a great hit to the point that the teacher may be at risk of losing her job.

When the apprentice asked Ranran earlier why she let the teacher do so, given her reckless action towards them, she responded by saying, "She is a vital pawn that I need to use to orchestrate the scheme I had plans on doing the following day."

And Shinichi later decided from that moment on, he wasn't going to ask anymore questions about what she had spoken to the teacher earlier, while Shinichi left them to head to the washroom, before returning to see the teacher looking pale while Ranran gave her a sly grin.

"Judging from the reports we had gathered, I am going to bet Kichiro's family who had been insurance scamming for the past 12 years refuse to change Kichiro's death status to murder, cause that would mean no money for them anymore."

His theory resonated with Ranran, and she nodded in agreement. "It's definitely a possibility. If Kichiro's death was officially ruled as murder, it could have serious consequences for his family's insurance scam. They would lose the financial benefits they've been receiving for the past 12 years. It's a strong motive for them to cover up the truth and maintain the narrative of it being an accident."

"The CCTV place all over their house, the series of misfortunes....hah! It's definitely self-interest."

As they reached their penthouse, Ranran turned on her laptop and started going through the gathered reports and evidence once again. "While I get Michio and Junko to look into this to confirm our suspicion, I am going to look into this party situation Kichio did a day before the expedition to ensure what I suspected was true all along."

Shinichi paced back and forth, his mind racing with possibilities. "Ranran, I also think we should look into the payment made for Kichiro's place he used to live as a university student, after his death throughout the next 12 years."

"Why?" Ranran blinked, "We know it is likely either Jun who hasn't moved on from her late fiance to have paid it, or perhaps her in-laws should Kichiro's death be discovered a staged accident."

"You mentioned yesterday about the possibility that the identity of the serial killer could be someone who is legally deceased...I don't think it would be simple to simply abandon your identity in the real world, take up a fake ID and go about with your life without any money." Shinichi reasoned to her, "If the person who paid for his apartment knew that Kichiro might be alive and could potentially expose them, they would have a strong motivation to keep paying for it to maintain the illusion of his death. We need to investigate the financial transactions related to Kichiro's former apartment and see if there are any irregularities or suspicious activities."

Ranran nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of examining the financial aspect of the case. "I will get Michio to call Genzo to look into that: Get them to cross-reference the payment records, bank statements, and any other financial documents they could come across. Including Jun's family shoe shop that became an overnight luxury brand shortly after marrying Miki."

As they delved deeper into their investigation, their penthouse turned into a makeshift detective's office, filled with scattered documents, photos, and a map of connections. They worked tirelessly, uncovering new leads, piecing together the puzzle, and exposing the web of deceit surrounding Kichiro's death.

This continued on till night-time when finally, Ranran's smartphone rang.

Ranran quickly picked up her phone, hoping for a breakthrough in their investigation. She listened intently to the voice on the other end, her expression shifting from anticipation to her hand covering her mouth.

As Ranran listened to the voice on the other end of the line, her eyes widened in shock. She exchanged a glance with Shinichi, who was anxiously waiting for her reaction. After a few moments, she regained her composure and ended the call.

"Shinichi, that was Michio," Ranran began, her voice trembling slightly. "He found something... something significant."

Shinichi leaned in closer, his eyes filled with anticipation. "What did he discover?"

"It's about Kichiro's former apartment," Ranran revealed, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "According to the records, the rent for the apartment was being paid in full every month for the past 12 years, even though Kichiro was supposed to be deceased."

Shinichi's eyes widened in realization. "So, someone has been maintaining the illusion of his death all this time by continuously paying for the apartment?"

Ranran nodded, her voice filled with determination. "Exactly. The payments were being made under the name of Jun. But there was a shocking discovery when they dug around."

"Which is!?" Shinichi demanded, wondering why was Ranran taking her time to explain this to him.

Ranran took a deep breath before continuing, her voice tinged with urgency. "6 month ago, Jun stopped paying, because later on, transactions were traced back to an offshore account registered under a name. Wait for it: Yasuo Tatsuo."

The apprentice's eyes narrowed, his mind racing to connect the dots. "Tatsuo... what? Didn't he drown at some lake 12 years ago!? Also, what could be the connection between him and the payments for Kichiro's apartment? Let alone, the several other murdered victims?"

Quietly reading through the messages of Tantei Association and Genzo's, Ranran later revealed, "Judging from their recent findings, Miki's biological mother did die from a lift accident, there seems to be no indication of sabotage. Miki's dad's situation...there are...discoveries, so cross him off the list, Kiryu as well....which leaves us with....them." His mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. "It's one thing to be lucky, but can this sort of thing truly occur?!"

Ranran pondered for a moment, suddenly recalling the ghost story that Mr Eiji had recounted to their class before she straightened up to say, "Of course...because he is a ghost of a past he can't let go of."

Shinichi's eyes widened as he processed Ranran's words. "You mean..."

"Exactly, Shinichi." Ranran nodded, her expression serious. "The answer as to who the killer was.....had been with us right from the beginning."

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

As the rain poured relentlessly outside, Mouri Ran found herself in a shared hotel suite with Reina and Takuma. The atmosphere was tense, charged with a strange energy that seemed to mirror the impending storm.

Ran's gaze shifted to the ghost hanging from the ceiling, swaying eerily in the wind. It was an old superstition she had heard about—a belief that hanging a ghost could prevent a typhoon. Whether it was true or not, she couldn't say, but at that moment, it felt oddly comforting to hold onto something tangible amidst the chaos.

Reina, always the sceptical one, raised an eyebrow at the sight. "You really think that's going to stop a typhoon, Ran?"

Ran shrugged, a mixture of determination and uncertainty in her eyes. "Who knows? In times like these, it's better to hold onto any shred of hope we can find."

Takuma chimed in, his voice laced with a hint of unease. "I'm not sure about this, Ran. It feels...superstitious."

"It has a 100 percent rate as long as it is for Shinichi," Ran gave him a reassuring smile, her fingers gripping the rope tightly.

"Neh guys," Heads turned to Reina, "Just in case the serial killer does come to the hotel when the typhoon ends....what are we to do?"

Ran's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. She glanced at Reina, her eyes reflecting the weight of their predicament. "We will ruin them."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, punctuated only by the sound of raindrops against the windowpane. The ghost continued to sway, casting eerie shadows on the walls. It was a peculiar sight, a blend of ancient belief and modern desperation.

As the hours ticked by, the storm outside raged on, its fury evident in the howling wind and pounding rain. But within the confines of the hotel suite, Ran, Reina, and Takuma found solace in their shared presence.

They huddled together, seeking comfort and strength in each other's company. The ghost, now a symbol of their resilience, seemed to watch over them, its presence a reminder that even in the face of darkness, there was a flicker of hope.

And so, as the typhoon loomed outside, threatening to unleash its full force, Mouri Ran held onto the ghost hanging from the ceiling, her grip unyielding. It was a small act, perhaps insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but at that moment, it was a testament to her unwavering spirit.

Together, they braced themselves for the storm that lay ahead, knowing that no matter what challenges they faced, they would weather them as a team. In the midst of uncertainty, they found strength, and in the face of adversity, they discovered the power of their unbreakable bond.

And so, the night wore on, the storm raged, and Mouri Ran, Reina, and Takuma stood firm, defying the chaos that surrounded them.

Then finally, the dreaded Saturday arrived in full swing.