Fast forward to later that night, Shinichi's mind is now brought back to the present, back in the lobby of The Mayfair at Brampton Hotel.

The police have arrived in response to the incident that unfolded earlier. Officers have scattered throughout the area thanks to Takuma and Reina having fled to call for help, taking statements from witnesses and assessing the scene. Ranran is seated beside him, her expression serious but composed.

Both Ranran and Shinichi had to be medically treated, receiving first aid for their injuries sustained during the encounter with Eiji. Shinichi had a bandage on his forehead where he had been struck, and Ranran had some minor cuts and bruises. They have given their statements to the cops, so at the moment, they are currently waiting for their friends to be done with their statements.

Shinichi glanced around the bustling hotel lobby, noticing the anxious faces of the guests and the concerned whispers floating through the air. The atmosphere was tense, and he could feel the weight of the incident hanging over them.

"How is your busted lip, Ranran?" The little boy pointed at her lips that is naturally born as red as blood, except for the fresh injury she had sustained.

Ranran gently touched her lip, wincing slightly at the tenderness. "It stings a bit, but it's nothing serious. Just a small battle scar." She tried to give Shinichi a reassuring smile, despite the pain.

"You took quite a blow there. Are you sure you're okay?"

She chuckled softly. "Don't worry about me, Shinichi. I've had worse. This is nothing compared to some of the dangers we've faced before. How is your neck by the way?" She pointed at the bruised neck around him.

He touched his bruised neck gingerly, feeling the soreness underneath his fingertips. "It's a bit tender, but it'll heal. Nothing too serious."

Shinichi then took a good look at Ranran's fair neck, which is also bruised thanks to the killer, "How is your neck? Is it to a point that you are no longer able to sing?"

"Don't worry about that," Ranran chuckled "My vocal cords are fine, thankfully. The bruising is mostly superficial, and it shouldn't affect my ability to sing. I've endured worse."

Recalling that one time when it was mentioned Ranran was strangled by a little boy back in Edgewood Academy when she was around 3 or 4 years old, Shinichi commented, "Did your mentor teach you how to handle your breath well while being strangled? Which is why you were able to snatch the cockroach spray out of my pants pocket while Eiji was strangling us at the neck?"

"Of course I did," Ranran muses, "After that incident, my mentor taught me techniques to manage my breath and stay calm in such situations. It's essential for self-defence, especially when you're being attacked or restrained."

Curious, Shinichi can't help but ask, "I remembered you told me he was around our age when you raised you as his apprentice, right? So how did he....teach you? Did he...strangle you?"

"Ah no, he doesn't have it in him to do that to me," Ranran chuckles a bit while dismissing Shinichi's stares, "Basically, what he would do as he had a pillow on my neck, then had a little robot press the pillow with a timer against my neck, while I lie down on the floor. It was uncomfortable, but don't worry, it had a countdown and emergency button that he monitors if I can't breathe, he will let the pillow out of my neck. If I fail a certain time limit, he would inform me 'I am dead', and then I had to start over."

Shinichi's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's... quite an unconventional training method. It must have been intense."

"It was, he felt bad when I was strangled at that time, so he came up with this training thing," Ranran reminisce back then, "And if that wasn't enough, he got 3 of our clients, one studying to become an engineer to built that robot, the other wanting to become a doctor, and one studying for child psychology, mind you, there are mostly around 7-years-old when I met them, to monitor me when all of this is going on."

Taken aback by the level of dedication and commitment, Shinichi can't help but say, "

Shinichi blinked, trying to process the information. "Wait, you had a whole team of kids monitoring your training? That's... unexpected."

There was a hint of pride in her eyes. "They are all the same as me, Edgewood kids after all. So in a way, we are qualified."

Shinichi couldn't help but chuckle. "That's one way to turn training into a collaborative effort. It's like having your own team of child prodigies."

"More like my second family," Ranran grinned. "It was an interesting dynamic, to say the least." Ranran then leaned back in her seat, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It was definitely a unique upbringing, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Those kids were like my siblings, and we supported each other through thick and thin."

As they sat there, waiting for their friends to finish their statements, the tension in the lobby began to ease. The police officers seemed to be wrapping up their investigation, and the guests started to resume their normal activities, albeit with a hint of lingering curiosity.

"So Ranran....about earlier when I was being interviewed by the police...." Shinichi was reluctant to share this, but she had the right to know, "I heard from one of them that Mouri...she-"

"She thinks I drugged Eiji, which made him go berzerk and cause this entire hotel situation?" Ranran finished, much to Shinichi's surprise, that she seem naturally composed instead of feeling panicky. "I ain't a surprise," Ranran didn't seem to have that much of a reaction at Ran's careless choice of words, " I do drug people after all."

"But Ranran, you didn't go overdose on him, Mana Yoshida did," Shinichi whispered to her, as cops walk past them. "Her words are enough to get you into serious trouble!"

Ranran leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, I know. But you see, Shinichi, I knew this might happen, which is why I purposefully told her to hang the ghost yesterday and have the typhoon end today."

Shinichi raised an eyebrow, a mixture of confusion and curiosity evident on his face. "Eh?"

"Yesterday night, I sent Takuma to do....things behind the scenes. It will get him into serious trouble." Ranran gleefully interrupted, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "By the time Mana Yoshida realized this, he knows that his own lies caught up to him."

Shinichi couldn't help but be intrigued by Ranran's cunning tactics. "So, what did Takuma do exactly?"

A sly smile was spreading across her face. "You would have to wait to see it yourself."

Before Shinichi to probe further, a voice said, "Ah Rika, you are alright?"

The two kids head turned to see Miki meeting up with his childhood friend, Rika, the man's face had been medically treated after that altercation with Eiji earlier. "How are the horses by the way?"

Rika let out a sigh of relief. "They're fine, Miki. A bit spooked by all the commotion, but otherwise unharmed. I made sure to check on them once we got back here."

Miki nodded, his expression grateful. "Thank goodness. I was worried about them during all the chaos."

Ranran and Shinichi quietly observed their interaction, while the woman said to Miki, "Anyway, are you alright, Miki?"

"Hmph?"

"I heard from the police that Eiji was Kichiro or Tatsuo...I mean...he killed Kiryu, Iwao, and Jun...." Rika was in a face of despair even bringing this up, "I may not have liked Jun, but she had no reason to die the way she did!"

"It's all my fault," Miki's voice trembling with emotion. "12 years ago....cutting Kichiro's rope to save the others is my biggest mistake. Otherwise...he wouldn't have been so resentful towards the other survivors, and ended up killing them one by one."

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged a glance, the weight of Miki's confession hanging heavy in the air. It was a revelation that shed light on the tragic events that had unfolded.

"Mou, Miki," Rika placed a hand on Miki's shoulder, her voice filled with empathy. "Miki, I told you this before: you can't blame yourself for the choices Kichiro made. You were trying to save lives, and you couldn't have predicted the consequences. Kiryu and Iwao knew you did everything you could. Even you hesitated on cutting the rope, not that the others were not aware."

"Rika..."

"Also, when all of this is over...." Rika sighs, "I think you better sell Kodama Forest camp."

"Eh?"

"Eiji killed 3 people, including your ungrateful wife, Jun. As soon as this news makes it to the press, it isn't going to do good for your business, Miki."

Miki's eyes widened in shock. "Sell the camp? But...Jun and I have been wanting it for years!"

"No, Jun did, you just simply keep on giving in to her out of guilt." Rika corrected him before reminding him, "When you both were about to get married, who was the one who purposefully change those flowers in both of your weddings into daisies, Kichiro's favourite flower? When he is supposedly dead as Jun's fiance before you?"

"I-"

"When you wanted to share those wedding photos with Jun on social media, who was the one who stopped you from doing so? And she intentionally kept on resharing her photos with Kichiro for the past 12 years of your marriage? And always compared you to Kichiro?"

Miki's face contorted with a mix of realization and sadness.

"Miki, she....as well as Kichiro or Eiji, or our friends....they were not the only victim in this tragedy, you were as well. So stop giving in excuses to let people like her to constantly guilt trip you. It's time to prioritize your own happiness and well-being right now. Not as the illegitimate son of the Yasuo family, nor as Jun's husband, but as you."

Miki nodded slowly, a heaviness in his heart.

"Also, this time....if you ever....get ready to date again," Rika bit her lip, again, hesitant to share out her feelings towards him, "I will be there to monitor, you clearly made a mistake marrying Jun, and I will make sure it can't happen again."

Ranran couldn't help but interject, her voice filled with amusement. "Wow, Rika, that's quite a way to offer your services as a relationship monitor. I've never heard someone put it so directly."

Rika blushed, embarrassment evident on her face as she and Miki were surprised to see the two children on the seats, eavesdropping on everything, "Eh!? How long you two have been there!?"

"Oh, just long enough to hear your confession of undying love and commitment to Miki. Don't worry, your secret's safe with us." Shinichi grins.

"Eh? So Rika had a crush on me?" Miki was dense.

Shinichi chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, Miki, I think it's safe to say that the cat's out of the bag now. Rika has been harbouring feelings for you for quite some time."

"Some time?" Ranran huffed, "12 years is longer than that. No," Ranran corrected, "Probably longer than 12 years."

Rika's face turned a shade of red that matched a ripe tomato. She stammered, trying to find the right words to respond. "I... uh... well-"

Shinichi nudged Ranran playfully, a mischievous grin on his face. "It's practically written on her face."

Thoroughly the two children are clearly enjoying Rika's flustered state, while Miki, finally catching up to the situation, scratched his head. "I thought you always said you wanted those boyfriends who are like...from those romance novels."

"What sort?" Rika was not getting what her childhood friend was attempting to imply.

"You know, the ones with smouldering gazes and dark pasts."

Rika's eyes widened, caught off guard by Miki's interpretation of her preferences, while Ranran and Shinichi whispered among themselves that Miss Rika had odd preferences in her choices of men.

"Miki! I was around 13 when I read those kinds of books, ok!?"

Miki scratched his head, still not fully understanding why his comment had elicited such a reaction. "But you still read them when you think I ain't watching, I know this cause Jun told me."

"Wait, what? Jun told you that?!" Rika's face turned even redder, a mix of embarrassment and surprise. "That bloody b-" She almost cursed, but then seeing the two children remaining in their seats, she forcefully tone it down, especially now that she is in front of Miki, "Ah, I mean...sure," She shrugs, "I still read them, but that didn't mean I would want that in real life! It ain't a healthy relationship!"

Miki blinked, trying to process Rika's outburst. "What about that time when during middle school, a day before Valentine's Day, you spent all day making homemade chocolate while I had to accompany you to the school kitchen? When you passed out and ended up hospitalized, you told me to put the chocolate in shoe locker number 74. From what I remembered," Miki thinks back, "It was for a guy name 'Yasin'."

"Wait, did that happen!?" Rika thought hard about it before remembering, "I was wired up with those drips! So I couldn't really remember everything clearly! And 'Yasin'? I meant to say 'Yasuo', your surname! But I was high!"

Shinichi and Ranran were practically snickering, while Rika buried her face in her hands, mortified by the whole situation.

"Then what about that time when we were in High School, Daichi who was my classmate at that time said he received a love confession from you? Cause you left your love letter on his desk!"

"What?! I did not!" Rika's eyes widened in disbelief. "I told him to deliver it to you! And then he told me you rejected me, but told him not to tell me."

"No, he asked me if I would mind him dating you, I said I wouldn't mind, then he asked me if he confess to you, would I reject you, I said yes, but not because I didn't like you." Miki sheepishly replied.

Ranran, clicked her red lips in disapproval then said, "Neh Miss Rika, had you not reconsidered the fact that this Daichi guy could've simply been jealous and then simply lied to Miki because he likes you?"

Rika's face turned from embarrassment to frustration. "Are you kidding me? That guy had a crush on me? Ugh, damn him!"

Miki scratched his head, thoroughly confused. "Wait, so you didn't actually have a crush on someone else all this time?"

Rika shook her head, exasperated. "No, Miki! I've only ever had feelings for you! It's just that...seriously, why do misunderstandings and miscommunications seem to follow me around like a bad smell!?"

Suddenly her mind is brought to a halt, and she confronts Miki, "If you do like me, then what was your reason for rejecting me?"

Miki's eyes widened as he realized the weight of Rika's question. The old him would've nervously fidgeted with his fingers, trying to find the right words. But then he felt like he had nothing to lose anymore, yet at the same time...he doesn't want to be the reason why Rika and her mother are not on good terms anymore.

At first, Ranran and Shinichi observed silently, wondering if he was going to say anything. But then Rika jumped to it, "Miki, did Okaasan tell you not to date me because you are the son of a mistress?" Seeing Miki's silence was pretty deafening for Rika. "Miki, you know that I don't see you as that, we both have known that since we were like nine or 10. And she is just merely saying that because she and my paternal grandmother barely got along."

"That is one thing," His gaze shifted to the ground, his voice barely audible. "Also the fact that I killed Kichiro in exchange for the lives of several other survivors. Plus the fact that my wife Jun is recently killed...."

Recounting the events these past 2 weeks, 6-year-old Ranran can't help but say, "That is tons of red flags."

"Ranran!" Shinichi hissed lowly at her.

"Miki, I was there too when you went through hell," Rika's heart ached as she reached out to hold Miki's hand. "But now that Jun got her karma for pinning after a murderous killer who faked his death 3 times, sorry, I don't mean to speak of Jun, and that you didn't kill Kichiro out of malicious intent....nothing can stop the feelings I have for you all these years."

"Rika, you deserve so much better...." Miki spoke with sadness.

"Well, I didn't wait 12 years just to settle for 'better', Miki." Rika's voice held determination. "Miki, I ain't your stepmother who keep belittling you for all the things that ain't your fault thanks to your scumbag father's infidelity, nor the fact you are a Yasuo, nor the fact that you were my crush since my childhood. I settle for you because it was you I wanted, and it's still you I want. We've been through so much together, and I know there will be challenges ahead, but I believe in us. I believe in you."

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

"Damn it, I can't believe you and Shinichi get to witness this!"

Sonoko cough heavily due to her dengue from the couch of the lobby, while Ran pat her back as Takuma and Reina were amused with Ranran and Shinichi recounting what they had witnessed an hour ago.

"You both literally got front seats to watching an actual real-life romantic drama, I kinda envy you." Takuma muses at the developments, "Reina would've loved that."

"Oh yes, I would," His girlfriend admits.

Sonoko let out a raspy laugh, her voice strained from the coughing fit. "Well, isn't this just great? I miss out on romantic confessions and get stuck with dengue instead."

Ranran grinned mischievously, leaning in closer. "Don't worry, Sonoko. We'll get some actors from the drama club to reenact the whole thing for you once you're feeling better. Complete with dramatic gestures and heartfelt speeches."

"And so, what is going to happen to the two after that?" Ran can't help but ask.

"From their interaction...."Ranran thought about it, "Rika is going to have to wait for the dust to settle, they probably won't date till 3-8 months, or around a year."

"Hah!? Why?!" Ran and Sonoko can't help but feel disappointed.

"Why?" Shinichi blinks before pointing out, "Did you forget that Mr Miki's wife Jun died not long ago by her ex-fiance, Kichiro? Poisoning her mind to take the wine and depression pills to commit suicide? Thanks to Miki's decision of cutting Kichiro's rope to save the majority of the survivors?"

"It also won't look good for Miss Rika if they both do it at the wrong timing, mina-san, one don't just simply date after losing a spouse. Even if the spouse is evil, people won't take it kindly and will think the other is the mistress." Ranran pointed out, "Did you all forget how Mr Miki ended up with Miss Jun in the first place?"

"Yeah, something about their drinks being spiked, lead to this...whatever this one-night stand thing is, then married a month after Kichiro died." Reina summarized.

"That is true," Takuma commented, scratching his head. "Before getting married, the reports did mention that MIss Jun was hated by the entire campus for merely dating Mr Miki, only a week after her fiance Kichiro died."

"I guess you both had a point," Sonoko let out a sigh, her voice still hoarse. "It wouldn't be good if Miss Rika were to end up like Miss Jun, to be insulted for things they were not at fault with."

"I would've liked it that they just simply dated on the spot!" Ran refuted in a puff, "Watching those romance dramas of those male leads who were clearly suffocated with the deranged villainess fiancé or evil wife, just like Miss Jun...Mr Miki deserves the best, especially with Miss Rika! Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for Miss Jun, but she was at fault on the things she did to Mr Miki."

"Ain't that frustrating soap opera in real life?" Sonoko sighs.

"It is!" Ranran crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Waiting is so...frustrating!"

"This is real life, not a romance drama," Ranran scoffed at the two other girl's mentality, though they are 6-year-olds like her after all, "As much as Miss Jun is hated for her decisions, let's not forget before all of that...she too used to be innocent, except she fell victim to two people: Her own mother's greed, as well as Kichiro, which made her resent Miki for 12 years."

This made the two girls silent at Ranran's words.

"Also, both of your perceptions about 'villainess', if you all think things are that straightforward, that the 'villainess' truly deserve the punishments that awaited them for being 'annoying', 'clingy' thanks to the male leads, you both have yet to see the bigger picture over what made them what they are. It is those people who made her what she is that needs to pay for their sins, not just the 'villainess' alone!"

Ranran's words hung in the air, leaving a numbing impact on the two little girls.

Deciding to de-escalate the situation before things might go south, Takuma jumped in to say, "By the way, when I heard from the cops that you both were strangled by Eiji or Kichiro or even Tatsuo, I grew pale. I thought the both of you were doomed."

Ranran and Shinichi exchanged glances, their faces filled with concern. "I mean look at your necks," Reina pointed at both of the two, "Those bruises look bad."

Ran and Sonoko glanced down at the Kudo children's necks, where faint bruises were still visible from their encounter with Eiji. "That looks very bad!" Ran inspects.

"It ain't as bad," Shinichi tries to dismiss this, before revealing, "Anyway, I got to hand it to Ranran. Had she not taken the cockroach spray from my pants pocket to spray at him, then used a Yo-Yo to strike the guy in the head, I would be finished." He sighs.

Takuma's eyes widened in shock before switching his attention to Ranran, "You...you fought off Eiji with a cockroach spray and a Yo-Yo? That's incredible!"

The founder shrugged, trying to downplay her actions. "Well, he was being a total creep, so I had to do something. I couldn't just stand there and let him hurt Shinichi."

"And so, I heard Eiji died after that, is it true!?" Ran can't help but ask.

"Yeah, I heard they found his corpse after that not far from the cliff where he attempted to throw us down," Ranran chuckled.

"Even so, I can't believe you actually killed a man, Ranran!" Ran was gobsmacked.

"Then what? Do you expect Ranran to let me die if she didn't kill him?" Shinichi frowned in annoyance.

Ranran tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "He was asking for it."

"Anyway, what is going to happen to Miss Jun's mom?" Sonoko spoke in a weak hoarse voice, "I heard she spiked her daughter's drink, which is why she was forced to marry Mr Miki for 12 miserable years!"

"Ah yeah!" Ran suddenly grew riled up, "Didn't she also marry Miss Jun just so that she could live rich?"

"Not only that, but it was also to settle the debts of 'Dozing Shoemaker', which is why she did it in the first place." Shinichi crossed his arms.

"Eh?!" All of their brows shot up, attention shifting to Ranran, "Is this true?" Reina demanded.

"Ah, it is," Ranran nods before revealing, "The real reason why they have been no report even though 12 years later despite becoming a luxury shoe brand is due to.......the fact that Miss Jun's mother had been secretly embezzling funds from the company all these years."

"Eh!?" Sonoko gasped, her eyes widening. "That's despicable!"

"Wait, then what about those luxury goods she was dressed in the photos Michio took...!?" Ran can't help but point it out.

The founder smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, turns out those luxury goods weren't exactly legally obtained. Miss Jun's mother had a knack for...let's call it 'creative shopping'."

Takuma raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Creative shopping? What does that mean?"

Shinichi leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a scandalous secret. "It means she had a habit of swiping expensive items without paying for them. Shoplifting, if you will."

Reina gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "No way! Miss Jun's mother is also a thief?"

Shinichi nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "Seems like it. She had quite the talent for stealing high-end fashion and accessories. It's a wonder she managed to keep it under wraps for so long."

Mouri Ran shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe it. That woman seemed so refined and elegant. Who would have thought she had a secret life as a master thief? Even after marrying off her grieving daughter to a loveless marriage!"

Ranran chuckled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, you know what they say, appearances can be deceiving."

"What about Mr Kichiro's biological mom, that Yasuo Shizuku, a.k.a Mr Miki's stepmom who made Mr Miki's life a living hell! Let alone, Mr Kichiro!?" Mouri Ran suddenly brought her name up, "I know that he tried to kill both you and Shinichi, but please tell me at least she too would be punished!? I mean had she not tried to drown Kichiro when he was Tatsuo back then, just because he was the son of a con man, none of this mess could've happened!"

Reina's expression turned serious, "Ah, Yasuo Shizuku, the infamous stepmother."

Then Takuma's voice trembled with anger while clenching his fist. "She's a heartless woman, to say the least. I might understand that Mr Miki was a product of his father's infidelity, but it is unbelievable how she could treat her own stepson so cruelly."

Shinichi nodded in agreement, his brows furrowing. "Yeah, that woman is a whole different level of evil. It's like she took pleasure in tormenting poor Kichiro and Miki, blaming them for every single wrong she has made in her life."

"Oh, this gets better," Ranran urge everyone to crowd closer to her before revealing, "You see, as soon as I tipped Sergeant Genzo back at the city, word travelled all the way back to the Yasuo family. And considering that we are all aware that Jun's mom had been secretly blackmailing Yasuo Shizuku that she knew Kichiro was actually the deceased Yasuo Tatsuo, the 9-year-old boy whom Shizuku staged his death since he is a product of infidelity for her part for over 12 years, that woman was no fool. She simply surrenders to the cops."

The group listened intently, their eyes widening with anticipation. The revelation about Yasuo Shizuku surrendering to the police was unexpected but satisfying, yet at the same time, disappointing on Ranran's part. "You don't sound happy at that," Reina can't help but notice Ranran's expression.

"Well, as you are all aware: She is a privileged lady," Ranran pointed out, "Considering her marriage to her husband was a forced marriage, she is probably very much aware of the crimes she had covered up for him." Ranran swung her legs, "Under her circumstances, the normal way to get a reduced sentence is to simply lawyer up, then pin everything on the husband by testifying his crimes. The problem is, Kichiro killed him, which leaves her to pin on another scapegoat: which would be another other than Jun's mother. By surrendering, she already increases her chances of reducing her jail time for her sins."

The group exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a mix of surprise and realization. It was a twisted game of survival and betrayal, with Yasuo Shizuku seeking to shift the blame onto Jun's mother in order to secure her own freedom.

"How unfair!" Ran exclaimed.

"That is how life works," Ranran heaved in frustration, "She probably plan this ahead, foreseeing this day would come."

The children fell into a heavy silence as the weight of Yasuo Shizuku's calculated actions settled upon them. Takuma clenched his fists, his voice laced with anger. "To think that she would sacrifice someone else to save herself... It's despicable."

"There are women who don't deserve to be mothers, normally, I was going to end it by saying Jun's mother is the worst mother of the year. But hey, Yasuo Shizuku takes the cake, sprinkles it with betrayal, and serves it up with a side of manipulation. She's playing chess while the rest of the world is struggling to understand the rules of checkers." Ranran mulls over this.

Shinichi's voice was filled with disbelief. "I can't even fathom the depths of her wickedness. How could someone be so heartless can just easily waltz their way out?"

"As I had mentioned to you before, it's one thing to play Tantei and go after the criminal, but it's another to get them to serve the sentence they deserve." Ranran reminded the apprentice, and then a sly grin formed on her face. "But you know what they say, karma's a real nasty lady. And she's got a wicked sense of humour."

Reina raised an eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Ranran continued, her voice dripping with mischief, "I may have gotten someone back in the city to spread some rumours, the investors who had been investing in Dozing Shoemaker, thanks to Miss Shizuku's influence...presumably Miss Jun blackmailed her into it investing onto the shoe shop....have been wondering why their returns hadn't been coming back these couple of months. The moment they find out that Miss Jun was using it to spend lavishly herself....let alone, uncover her affair, and all those things she covered up for her husband...."

"Ranran, you conniving little girl!" Shinichi pat her on the back, but he was impressed, "But good job, with those investors finding this out, they are going to pull all of their wealth-like influence to put her and Shizuku longer in prison!"

Sonoko let out a mischievous giggle. "Oh, this is going to be a show worth watching. I can already imagine her face when she realizes her little web of lies is unravelling."

Takuma's eyes glinted with satisfaction. "I love it when child abusers pay for their sins."

Even Reina and Ran were amused, "I want to have front-row seats to see this in action!" Reina cheered.

"Same!" Ran nodded in agreement. "Ranran taking this to a whole new level. It's like something out of a twisted movie plot."

"Speaking of a movie plot," Ranran gleefully nudge everyone in her direction, "Look at that little rat storming right at us, seems like he too is coming with a plot made for a movie."

The group turned their attention to Yoshida, who was rushing towards them with a furious expression on his face. His dishevelled appearance hinted at the trouble he had found himself in. "Kudo Ranran! Why did you frame me!?"

"Frame what?" Ranran spat in distaste.

"You know what I am talking about!?" The little boy barked at her before revealing, "The police found a book of mine with the entries...they called me someone who is a pathological liar! Why was it found in the abandoned cabin where the serial killer was at that time!? I clearly remembered this morning that I didn't bring it there!"

Ranran raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, you're mistaken. I didn't frame you. But now that you mention it, does this mean you are finally outright admitting you lied to me this morning? About promising me not to confront the killer, when Shinichi, Arima-sensei and I clearly told you not to?"

The group watched as Mana Yoshida's face contorted in frustration, realizing he had been caught in his own web of deceit.

"So you actually did, no wonder the killer came rushing over to the hotel lobby and ended up hurting so many of our classmates." Ranran can't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Well, well, well, look who's got a taste of their own medicine. Karma really does work in mysterious ways, doesn't it?"

"You!" The little boy seethed with anger, his voice trembling. "You think this is funny? People got hurt because of your twisted games!"

"Twisted game!? Look who is talking!" Shinichi stood up to confront their classmate, "Let me ask you something, Yoshida, was it funny when you decided to use Rokuro's feelings for Ran and painted me as if I was the villain!? Like a stupid love rival wanting Ran to be my girlfriend....those kinds of lies you spread, just to impress your crush, Mamiko!?"

"W-what!?" His eyes widened, "H-how did you know?!" Then Mana's face flushed with anger as everything clicked, his voice trembling with frustration. "You and that girl....you both framed me!?"

"Now now, Yoshida-san, framing is a harsh word for little kids like us, just like all of your made-up stories to your victims, remember?" Ranran smirked, enjoying the chaos she had unleashed.

Ran and Sonko's jaws just dropped, they couldn't believe what they were hearing from Mana, "Yoshida! Is this true!? What Ranran and Shinichi said!?" Sonoko coughed violently, which led Ran to pat her on the back.

Mana's face turned red with guilt, his voice barely a whisper. "I...It ain't as cruel as it sounds..."

"Oh, boo-hoo, poor Yoshida and his desperate cry for validation." Ranran mocked.

"Say if that book of yours wasn't discovered while you, as well as the 10 other kids you brought over to confront the serial killer ended up dead, were you going to simply pin me and Ranran as unreputable child detectives who don't know how to draw the line between danger and adventure!? Let alone, force us to end up shutting down Tantei Association!?" Shinichi snapped menacingly at Yoshida.

"Wow, talk about a twisted plan. Yoshida, you were playing with fire and you got burned," Reina chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I guess that's what happens when you try to manipulate others, especially Kudo Ranran of all the kids you chose to pick!"

Takuma crossed his arms, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Oh, Yoshida, looks like you've fallen into a pit of your own lies. How does it feel to be on the receiving end?"

Still coughing, the heiress who heard of this managed to squeeze out a sentence. "You bloody prick! If I wasn't sick, I swear I will kill you!"

"You bloody girl!" With Yoshida being cornered, he decided he might as well strike Ranran, "You will pay!"

Ranran's eyes narrowed, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Oh, Yoshida, you really think you can take me on? That's adorable."

Before anyone could react, Ranran swiftly dodged Yoshida's clumsy swing and delivered a sharp kick to his shin, sending him stumbling backwards. "Nice try, but you'll have to do better than that, sweetheart."

Sonoko gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "Ranran, stop!!"

The detective girl coldly shrugged nonchalantly. "Sometimes, violence is the only language certain people understand. And Mana here seems to be fluent in it."

The liar clutched his injured shin, a mix of pain and anger contorting his face. "You're dead, Ranran! I won't rest until I've destroyed you!"

But she just laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the room. "Destroy me? Oh, Yoshida, you have no idea who you're dealing with! I've been dancing with darkness and toyed with the devils from the moment I was born. So your feeble threats don't scare me."

"How dare you-"

"Mana Yoshida! How dare you endanger your classmates of 1-A!" A familiar voice from an adult made everything freeze still, the little boy's head turn to see who it was, and much to his horror was none other than his enraged father Mana Muryoku, who had just returned from meeting the officers after hearing the harrowing details over what his son had done.

Mana Yoshida's face drained of colour as he locked eyes with his furious father. The lobby fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the heavy breathing of the onlookers.

"Tousan..." Mana Yoshida stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I-I can explain..."

Mana Muryoku's glare intensified, his voice seething with anger. "Explain? Do you think you can explain away your reckless actions? Do you have any idea the trouble you've caused?" The man's voice boomed with authority, shaking the room. "You've not only disgraced yourself, but you've also brought shame upon our family name. How am I supposed to look at the other parents in the eye, after you brought over 10 of their children to confront the killer!?"

Ranran watched the scene unfold, a mix of curiosity and amusement flickering in her eyes. This was a side of Yoshida she expected to see—an angry and disappointed father ready to unleash his wrath. Even her friends were impressed at Ranran's level of scheming to get Yoshida to where he is now.

"But Tousan, I was framed!" Yoshida then pointed accusingly at the couldn't-care-less Ranran and Shinichi, "By these 2!"

Mana Muryoku's gaze shifted from his son to Ranran and Shinichi, his expression hardening. "Is this true? Did you two frame my son?"

"Sir, I knew your son is a talented storyteller, but I didn't think desperately trying to make a lie into a truth so pathetically would be one of them," Raising an eyebrow at the man, she goes, "We specifically told your son not to do so, even Arima-sensei told him in advance, but he didn't heed and simply brazenly lie to me in the morning that he was on a nature walk assigned by this very hotel we were on."

"This is true sir," Shinichi stepped forward, his voice calm and collected. "It wasn't just me, the majority of our classmates witness this outside the restaurant of this hotel from our tables while she was telling him off at the entrance."

"Same here, go ask them," Ran said.

"Me too." Reina chimed.

"And me," Takuma said.

"I don't buy it! My son told me stories about you being manipulative!" The father's face contorted with anger and disbelief. "Why would he simply disregard your warnings? That he endangered everyone's lives just to satisfy his own selfish desires?"

"You didn't...." Ranran's hand covered the sinister smile from her red lips, "You didn't receive it, didn't you?"

"Receive what?!" The man grew puzzled.

"Check the Teitan Elementary school PTA group on your smartphone, you will see what I mean," Ranran suggests.

Confused and curious, Mana Muryoku took out his smartphone and quickly opened the Teitan Elementary School PTA group. As he scrolled through the recent posts, his eyes widened in realization.

"There...are these....my son's messages?" he mumbled, his voice filled with disbelief. "Who is this...Mamiko girl? Telling him to do it, so that he would be seen as a hero?" His voice trembled as he continued reading. 

The group exchanged knowing glances, Ranran's plan was unfolding perfectly as couldn't help but smirk. Shinichi manage to hurriedly screenshot all of the messages between Mamiko and Yoshida last night before slipping the phone back to Yoshida.

"Mamiko is a girl who tried to stab my friend, Ranran, with a knife not long ago, after she exposed her for bullying others. And as the class monitor of 1-A, and president of the student council, I have a record to prove it from multiple witnesses. Along with the other kids of Teitan Elementary. Her behaviour is very erratic, yet, your son chooses to ignore those disturbing signs." Reina adds.

"She is a manipulative being," Takuma continued, knowing all of these details Muryoku is listening to is going to increase his direct anger towards his own son, "She bullied my girlfriend's cousin, Moriko, multiple times."

"She conspire two of my former friends against me," Shinichi voice out with a painful expression, but appeared extra more pitiful to rile the man's anger, "Tried to discourage my dream as a Tantei, so that as soon as I am isolated from them, she will dupe me to marry her in the future. Almost made me ruin Ranran's life, by misusing her name to get me to hate her. And yes," Shinichi glared at Yoshida, "When Mamiko tried to stab Ranran, I was there and shielded her."

"She even made Sonoko look like a villain," It was Ran's turn to be upset, while Sonoko shook her head disapprovingly, "She had the worst school life all thanks to her lies! I lost a friend thanks to her!"

Mana Muryoku's face turned pale, a mix of shock, anger, and disappointment washing over him. He felt the weight of his son's actions crashing down on him, the realization that he had failed as a father. The evidence was right in front of him, exposing the manipulation and lies that had consumed his son's life.