"Don't believe a word they say! They are all in this together." The little boy tried to convince his father, but it was apparently conflicting.

"If you don't buy it, go call out Arima-sensei. I am sure that you are aware....that she and I didn't have a close student-teacher relationship." Ranran challenged them.

"What on earth is going on!?" Without warning, Arima-sensei suddenly appeared in the lobby, her eyes widened with shock. She looked at the scene before her—the enraged father, the guilty son, and the group of children standing there, revealing the truth.

"Ah Arima-sensei, just in the nick of time," Ranran turned to Arima-sensei, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I need you to fill Yoshida's tousan here," She urged her direction at the man, "Over whether we truly did inform him not to go."

Arima-sensei's gaze shifted from the group of children to Mana Muryoku.

Taking a moment to gather herself, her eyes shifting between the children and Mana Muryoku. She could sense the tension in the air and the weight of the situation. "Miss Arima-sensei, did this little girl say was the truth?" The father confronted her, hoping that she denies this.

"Mr Muryoku," she began, her voice firm but compassionate, "I can confirm that Ranran and the other children did inform your son not to go. In fact, I personally reminded him of the importance of staying together and following the guidelines we had set for the field trip."

As if the teacher's words killed all the hope Muryoku had towards his son, the said little boy who is overwhelmed by the situation, finally found his voice. "Ok, I admit she and the others did! But even before that, Ranran and Shinichi broke into the abandoned cabin to confront the killer! So I can't be fully blamed!"

"Now Yoshida-san! How can you say out such lies!?" Arima-sensei sternly scolded the shocked little boy, "That never happened!"

Ran, Takuma, Reina, Sonoko and even Shinichi's exchange silent yet knowing looks.

The rest of the kids who remained at Kodama Forest camp before moving into this hotel knew that Ranran and Shinichi did, in fact, do so. Although it was midnight, and everyone else was asleep, they do know of some children within their class that can't sleep around that period, mostly due to the fact that they are sleeping underneath small cramp tents, neither of them had good sleep, enough to be wary even if one walks away and fro the campsite.

Mana Yoshida froze as if he was stabbed in the back, the fact that Arima-sensei lied brazenly before him was shocking, as for Ranran however, she remain unfazed by it, as if she knew this was going to happen.

Ranran glanced at Arima-sensei, her expression unchanged. She knew that the teacher's response was intentional, part of a plan they had discussed beforehand. Ranran had anticipated that Yoshida would try to shift the blame, so Ranran had come up with a strategy to protect themselves.

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

That night at the restaurant, while Shinichi left to go to the washroom after Arima-sensei requested to meet, he left Ranran alone with the teacher.

"Miss Arima," Ranran was the first to speak, before confronting, "The entire purpose of setting up this camping trip for our class while searching for a husband, I had to know....were you doing this to appease your father who had dementia?"

The brutal truth struck Arima-sensei in the gut, as she couldn't believe the girl before she is a 6-year-old. Arima-sensei's eyes widened in surprise and shock at Ranran's blunt question. She was taken aback by how much she knew, "H-How did you know?"

"I had one of the members of the association back in the city," Ranran's gaze remained steady as she looked at Arima-sensei. "One could've just easily searched while taking their leave. The problem was what I learn through Reina was....the staff in our school does not allow paid leave. Which implies to me you desperately needed money. But for what reason?"

Arima-sensei's expression softened, and she sighed, realizing that she couldn't hide the truth from Ranran any longer. She sat down across from the determined little girl and took a deep breath.

"You're right, Ranran. I have been using this camping trip as an opportunity to find a potential husband. And the reason behind it is indeed connected to my father's heart surgery," Arima-sensei admitted, her voice filled with a mix of guilt and vulnerability. "My father requires specialized care and treatment, and likely a new heart, which is quite expensive. As his only daughter, I've been shouldering the financial burden to ensure he receives the care he needs. And my mother is a homemaker, which places the burden even further on me."

Listening intently, her eyes showing understanding beyond her years. "Is that why you are searching for a husband to shoulder the finance?"

"That's right," The teacher grew startled, "I am surprised you noticed it, considering-"

"That you broke up 84 times throughout the years?" Ranran shrugged, "The last breakup was around the foundation during university, and you barely date since even after becoming a substitute teacher. For you to suddenly pick it up, it either makes you a masochist or that you needed money desperately for a reason."

Arima-sensei couldn't help but chuckle at Ranran's astute observations. The young girl's perceptiveness and straightforwardness were impressive. She nodded in acknowledgement.

"You have a sharp mind," Arima-sensei admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of admiration. "Yes, I needed the financial stability that a potential husband could provide. It was a difficult decision to make, but I had financial difficulty getting people or loans to deal with my dad's surgery. I felt it was necessary to ensure my father's well-being. I hoped that by finding someone who could support us financially, I could relieve the burden on myself and focus on taking care of my father. By the way, Ranran," The teacher then gave her a gaze, "When did you suspect all of this?"

"When you choose to remain back in Kodama Forest Camp, even after 3 deaths had taken place on this island, while insisting our classmates not to leave, despite the signs of a serial killer were beginning to surface," Ranran rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "In the beginning, we all assumed you were that heartless, not caring for the other kids' welfare. But then again, you were stuck between your friends since university dealing with the killer, your father, as well as your own financial struggles. It became clear to me that you were torn between your responsibilities, as a teacher, as well as a daughter and as the sole breadwinner."

The woman's shoulders began to slump slightly.

"But what if I told you I can settle the problem?"

Filled with intrigue and a hint of mystery. Arima-sensei looked at the young girl, her eyes widening with curiosity. "What do you mean?" Arima-sensei asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and scepticism.

"Miss Arima-sensei," The tone from the little girl then shifts to her attention, "I can...offer a deal better than what you are seeking. One that doesn't require you to seek a husband. However," Ranran pauses before revealing, "It wouldn't be without a price."

Widening with anticipation and a touch of apprehension. She leaned forward, her voice tinged with curiosity. "What kind of deal are you suggesting, Ranran? And what would be the price?" Arima-sensei asked, her voice filled with a mix of intrigue and caution.

Ranran's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with a newfound determination. "About me and Shinichi heading to the serial killer's cabin to investigate, say that never happened should Mana ask."

At first, the woman's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you....are you telling me to lie!?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with concern.

"You shouldn't say it in an unsightly tone," A hint of darkness could be seen flickering in Ranran's eyes, sending chills down her spine, "Especially when he is a pathological liar who had no show hint of remorse," she whispered, her voice dripping with a macabre charm.

Curiosity then intertwines within the woman, "Why?"

"To save more lives," The little girl leaned back, her smile widening as she revelled in the suspense.

"Tomorrow, he is planning to take 10 kids, the same one he took previously to confront the killer at the abandoned cabin, he wants to be the hero of his own making because I 'exposed' him. But he has no idea...his own crush wants them to die so that Tantei Association can no longer operate. Plus, we had no trust towards the police officers back in the city. If you claim that ain't the truth, not only the association can continue to operate to save more lives, your career as a teacher will remain well among the other kids. You might even be promoted to a full time teaching job. Also," Ranran adds, "Not long ago, the government of Japan had implemented a program for promoting heroism in incidents that are unexpected to society, and reward them at times. If you lie, considering there is a serial killer on this island, after Shinichi and the others stop him or her, you can claim credit for safeguarding us. As soon as the government hears this, you will be rewarded handsomely through finance as a hero through the government, that way, you will settle the debt of your Tousan's surgery."

The woman's mind raced, considering the consequences of Ranran's proposal. Sh was obviously torn between the moral implications of lying and the desperate need to save her father. The weight of her father's condition pressed heavily on her shoulders, and the thought of a potential solution sparked a glimmer of hope within her.

"But...but lying goes against my principles as a teacher," she murmured, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Everyone lies to protect the ones they love, or for selfish reasons in this world. It's a way of survival." Ranran spoke those words as if she was one who had faced many hardships, "Someone taught me 'Lies can be used as either a poison or a medicine'. In this situation...I choose to believe in the latter."

Arima-sensei stared at Ranran, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. She knew that the little girl's words held a painful truth. In a world where survival often depended on deception, the line between right and wrong became blurred.

The weight of her father's deteriorating health pressed upon her conscience, suffocating her with the urgency of the situation. She couldn't deny that lying could potentially save her father's life and secure a future for herself and her family. But at what cost?

"I...I don't know," Arima-sensei stammered, her voice quivering. "It's one thing to betray my principles, but...Mana....he is just a child too like you, Ranran. This ain't right...."

Ah yes, those words, 'He/she is is just a child', honestly, that is one of the most sickening words Ranran had to deal with when she was The Fox, a careless sentence constantly thrown back and forth by their irresponsible parents so that their kid will never get punished.

"But sensei, we are kids too, are we not?" Ranran's eyes darkened, her smile fading into a solemn expression. "Mana-san is no longer a baby."

"Ranran, he lost his mother to illness-"

"So does his losing a parent justify him ruining other kids' lives with his words? His age, his tragedy...doesn't justify all of the things he is willing to do. To me and Shinichi, if no one puts a stop to him, especially his pathetic Tousan who keeps coddling him since he lost a wife and mother, are we not simply cultivating a pathological liar?"

Ranran's words were enough to bring everything to a halt, for a moment, Arima felt that she was not dealing with a little girl, but a calculative detective in the making.

Silence filled the air as Arima-sensei contemplated the decision she was faced with. She couldn't deny the truth in Ranran's words. As much as she wanted to protect Mana and shield him from the consequences of his actions, she understood that enabling him would only perpetuate the cycle of harm. Also, her father would be dead by then.

Finally, she spoke, her voice laced with determination. "What about your association? You asked me to take credit for this...when you and the others are the ones who are truly after the serial killer? Will you all be alright with this?"

"We had no plans on revealing ourselves to begin with," Ranran's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze piercing through the woman, "Our identities would be exposed should this ever come up, criminals might realize we belonged to class 1-A," she stated firmly, her voice filled with conviction. "If it means sacrificing our own recognition to get rid of one bad apple, saving massload of lives, let alone, save your father and secure a better future for your family, we are willing to let you take credit for our actions."

Taken aback by the maturity and selflessness in Ranran's words, Arima-sensei can't help but look at school-hating Ranran in a different light now. The little girl's determination to protect others, even at the cost of her own recognition, struck a chord within her. Ranran was willing to make a deal, a dark deal, to save lives and bring justice to the situation.

As the weight of her father's illness pressed heavily on her shoulders, Arima-sensei made a difficult decision. She knew the consequences of her choice, the moral implications of lying and the potential fallout if the truth ever came to light. But she also couldn't ignore the desperate situation she and her father were in.

"What about....your classmates?" The woman pointed out, "They are aware of the truth too. Even if I lie...I will get into serious trouble if they speak the truth."

"I will convince them to collaborate," Ranran nods.

"You would do that?" Arima-sensei asked, her voice tinged with concern. "How?"

"I have my own ways," Ranran gave a mysterious smile that baffled the teacher.

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

"Tousan, they are obviously lying!" Mana insisted desperation in his voice.

Mana Yoshida was bewildered, as Yoshida just stood there, his eyes wide with disbelief and anger. As if the teacher's words shattered all the hope Muryoku had towards his son, the little boy, overwhelmed by the situation, finally found his voice. "Ok, I admit she and the others did! But even before that, Ranran and Shinichi broke into the abandoned cabin to confront the killer! So I can't be fully blamed!"

"Now, Mana, that's enough!" Arima-sensei sternly scolded the shocked little boy. "What you're saying is simply not true. Ranran and Shinichi did not break into any cabin. They followed the instructions and guidelines, just as they were supposed to."

Ranran stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute as she naturally lies. "Arima-sensei is right, Mr. Muryoku. We followed the rules and did everything we were supposed to. Mana's claims are unfounded."

"Mana enough! How much more lying are you going to continue on?! Isn't it enough that you almost cause all of your classmates to die!" The father confronts Yoshida.

Seeing Ranran's casual unfazed expression, it was hard to tell whether she framed him.

But Shinichi knew better, he is certain that she framed him.

Suddenly, the other kids from 1-A, who not long ago had finished their statements with the officers, gathered around the commotion as Mana Yoshida went to them, "You guys, you all were there at the campsite when it happened, right? You all saw...you all saw Ranran and Shinichi heading to the abandoned cabin investigating the serial killer, right?"

The other children from Class 1-A exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.

One of the students stepped forward, his voice filled with hesitation. "Yoshida-kun, I... I don't know what you're talking about. We were all at the campsite, and we didn't see Ranran or Shinichi heading to an abandoned cabin. They stayed with us the whole time."

"What?!" Yoshida's jaw dropped.

"Exactly, what is wrong with you?" One of the girls accused, "What is with you upfront lying about those two!?"

One by one, the words were echoed by the other children, one by one. They affirmed that Ranran and Shinichi had followed the group's movements and had not deviated from the planned activities.

Mana Yoshida's face contorted with frustration and disbelief. "Why are you all...why are you all upfront lying about Ranran and Shinichi not being there!?"

Unbeknownst to Yoshida, a wry smile was plastered on Ranran's face, as he had no idea about the plans she set up for him.

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

At around 12 am that night after checking into the hotel, the Mayfair at Brampton Hotel was cloaked in silence. The guests were fast asleep, unaware of the mysterious events about to unfold. Little did they know that a group of children had quietly emerged from their respective hotel rooms, each holding a black envelope tightly in their hands.

These children, the class of 1-A, congregated in the dimly lit corridor, they exchanged curious glances. None of them had any idea why they had been drawn together, or why they held their lit-up smartphones. With hearts pounding, they decided to open their smartphones simultaneously, hoping to find answers within.

The text message revealed all of them by name, directing them to meet up at The Enigma Lounge, the only luxurious adult bar under this very hotel.

As the children stood outside The Enigma Lounge, they hesitated for a moment before pushing open the heavy, ornate doors. Inside, the atmosphere was different from the rest of the hotel. Soft candlelight bathed the room in a warm glow, and the faint strains of classical music filled the air. The children looked around in awe, wondering what awaited them.

Before they know it, the light dimmed, as the spotlight features onto the stage.

A small figure emerged from the shadows. The children gasped as they realized it was none other than their classmate, Kudo Shinichi. His presence commanded attention, and his piercing eyes seemed to see right through each child as if he could read their every thought.

Raising his hand, the room fell into complete silence. The children leaned forward, wondering what was truly going on.

"Greetings, everyone, thank you all for coming." Shinichi's voice resonated through the room. "If you all had noticed, half of our classmates had only arrived at this very restaurant. It isn't without a reason of course."

The children exchanged puzzled glances, curiosity mixed with a hint of apprehension. They had never seen Shinichi like this before—so confident, so in control. Before joining the association, he was no different, but ever since joining Tantei Association, he looks way cooler than he used to be. They couldn't help but be captivated by his words.

"I have gathered you all here tonight because we are faced with a grave situation," Shinichi continued, his voice steady and commanding. "Tomorrow, Mana, our classmate, had plans to take the 10 other children I did not invite here...to confront the serial killer, not for our sake, but because he wants to end up like a hero. For reputation purposes. And his main reason is to impress his crush, that sociopath Mamiko. Of course, if it all goes wrong, the killer is very likely to march straight to our hotel to kill us all."

A wave of shock rippled through the children as Shinichi's words sank in. "What!? Mana likes...Mamiko!?"

"Hah!? How did you know that!?"

"Seriously!? I know that his mother had passed away, but he needs to have his head checked to fall for a sociopath!"

The realization that their lives were at stake brought a sense of urgency and fear. They looked at each other, their eyes wide with alarm, gasps filled the room while fear and uncertainty mingled in the air, and the children clutched each other's hands for support.

"Now I did consider confronting him, but as a victim of Mamiko's lies, no way he can be stopped unless reality comes knocking," Shinichi's gaze swept across the room, his eyes locking with each of his classmates. "Which is why I decided you all needed to be called here to address the issue," he declared firmly. "The reason Mamiko is using him is to shut down Tantei Association, should he, along with the 10 other children die under the killer. Shutting down, while it means that my dream as a Tantei is something I can no longer continue...it's one thing to no longer live with this dream anymore. But...."

The little boy paused, "...It's another if we can no longer stop incompetent cops from doing their job the wrong way."

The children listened intently, their eyes fixed on Shinichi. "What do you want us to do?" One of them asks.

Here it goes, "About us heading to the serial killer's abandon cabin....if anyone asks, say we never head there."

A hush fell over the room as Shinichi's words hung in the air. The children exchanged uncertain glances, "Why should we?" One of them refuted, "We were suffering in the campsite at Kodama Forest camp for over 2 weeks plus, while you and Ranran were in the penthouse enjoying luxury!"

As expected from this backlash, another child said, "You basically wanted us to lie, so that you can all continue to play Tantei dream, is that it?"

Shinichi held his ground, meeting the sceptical gazes of his classmates, he foresee this coming out. Fortunately, Ranran had coached him in advance over dealing with this setback. "Mina-san, I want to ask something that isn't related to this request. Are you all...still holding resentment over Ranran, because of that birthday incident with Takumi Egozuki?"

The apprentice's question caught the children off guard. They exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to respond. The incident involving Ranran and Takumi Egozuki caused tension in the class, and although time had passed, the wounds were still fresh.

One of the children spoke up hesitantly, "Well, it's not that we hold resentment towards Ranran, but...it was a difficult situation for all of us. I mean...she knew that Takumi at that time was manipulating us to buy her luxury present, and I felt like as a detective, she should've informed us in advance rather than keeping it to herself."

"That is right!" Another child whined out loud, "Our allowance could've been saved had she said something!"

"Instead, she only told you, since you are her apprentice, her friends Reina and Takuma, and that was it." The third child commented. "That shows how selfish she is."

"Then, should she did in advance, had you not considered the fact that if she tells all of you to keep it quiet from Takumi, one of you might not believe in Ranran and quietly tip Takumi off, then she would switch a different more undetectable tactic to manipulate others into gifting her luxury presents every year for her birthday?" Shinichi challenged them.

His words hung in the air, causing the children to pause and reflect on his question. "There is another thing I have to bring up, "Shinichi's gaze shifted to each child in the room, and he said, "Arima-sensei's dad....is critically ill, and she has been burdened with the weight of his medical expenses, which is why she remained at Kodama Forest camp despite the killings that had taken place recently, she was heavily relying on us to document some camp activities on the report so that she could get paid as a teacher while getting a spouse who could financially help foot the bill."

This announcement made everyone's jaw drop.

"Why am I revealing this? Simple, cause Ranran found a way to resolve this issue. Which will require all of you to lie." He took a moment to let his words sink in before speaking again. "Let sensei take credit for going after the serial killer of this island, then she will get paid by the government for her heroic deed. In the process, the association will be able to continue their job doing proper detective work."

"But Kudo," A hand was raised, "By doing so, although I roughly could see you and Ranran not wanting any glory out of this...but wouldn't that be all of us ganging up against Mana?"

Shinichi nodded, acknowledging the valid concern raised by his classmate. "Let's be real here, do you all strongly believe that Yoshida would be able to handle the serial killer? Along with the others?"

The children exchanged uneasy glances, as all of them shook their heads.

"Another thing, do you all strongly believe he is redeemable?"

The children shifted uncomfortably, their minds grappling with the harsh reality of the situation. Shinichi's question had struck a nerve, forcing them to confront the truth about their classmate, Mana.

"He's beyond redemption," one child finally spoke up, his voice filled with bitterness. "That idiot got darkness running through his veins. I mean....everyone in the whole school is aware of what Mamiko is, and yet...."

"Exactly!" Another kid interjected, his voice laced with frustration. "We all know the kind of person Mamiko is, and yet Mana is blindly following her, risking all of our lives for the sake of impressing her. It's like he's been hypnotized by her twisted charm or something."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, the children nodding in reluctant acknowledgement of the grim reality. "But his mother died!"

"Yes. That too," another child chimed in, her voice tinged with sympathy. "We can't ignore the fact that he's been through a lot of pain and loss, but that doesn't excuse his actions. Right now...he is playing with our lives just to impress a girl!"

"Exactly!" Shinichi exclaimed, filled with determination. "Which is why Ranran wanted all of you to not reveal a thing about our involvement at the abandoned cabin of the serial killer. The moment he twists the truth, it's one thing if our association gets shut down by Mamiko, and it's another if I ended up with that sociopath Mamiko, but it wouldn't do us good if Arima-sensei's father died because of this."

Even so, the rest of the kids were reluctant to lie for another reason, "But Arima-sensei didn't care about our safety!"

"She endangered us all at the campsite and didn't take us to the hotel here, despite the killings taking place!" Another child voiced out his anger.

"As a teacher, I admit that too crosses the line," Shinichi responded, trying to calm the rising tension. "She technically endangered us minors. But think about it. She's desperate. Desperate to save her father's life. Desperate enough to take risks and make tough choices. Also, I get it, you all still feel like Ranran isn't trustworthy and ultimately selfish, while the world 'selfish' is justifiable for a child Tantei like her. But overall, who are we to simply call her that, when all of us are generally no different than her?"

Shinichi then pointed one child after the other, "Haru, when you wanted the last piece of that expensive Ice cream cake during the field trip for your sister who is still sick at the hospital, didn't you convince everyone that you hadn't eaten any cake the entire day?"

"I...."Haru's eyes cast down.

"Misako," The next child Shinichi called out, "When your parents were arguing and your mother asked you if your father had been drinking, did you not cover for him and say he was just tired? Because he was taking more shifts just to purchase the smartphone you wanted for your birthday while your mother said no to you?!"

Misako's face flushed, and she nodded silently.

"And Kame," Shinichi continued, "When you accidentally broke your mother's favourite vase, did you not lie by keeping quiet? When your elder brother lies on your behalf and tells your parents that it was an accident caused by the cat next door?"

Hiroshi's eyes widened, and he nodded guiltily.

"Being selfish, lying...we all do, including me," Shinichi admits, recalling the time he unreasonably ordered Ranran to step down as The Fox, "I am not justifying what all of us in this room should be doing. But honestly speaking, can any of us say we wouldn't do the same if we were in her shoes?"

The room fell silent as the weight of Shinichi's words settled in. It was a difficult situation, and there were no easy answers.

"Mina-sama," Shinichi continued, his voice softer. "I am not here to plead our case, but at the end of the day.....the real reason that I wanted all of you to come, is to all decide a very vital decision of survival." He looked at each child, his eyes filled with determination. "I can't force any of you to lie, but I hope you'll consider the consequences if we don't. Arima-sensei's father's life is at stake, and we have a chance to make a difference. To protect ourselves and those we care about."

A moment of contemplation passed before one child spoke up, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I still don't know if I can trust Arima-sensei, nor Ranran. after what happened. But...if this lie can actually save more lives, then...maybe it's worth it."

The sentiment resonated with the others, and slowly, they began to nod in agreement. It wasn't about blindly trusting Arima-sensei or forgiving her actions—it was about recognizing the greater good and the opportunity to make a difference.

Shinichi smiled, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you for considering it. Together, we can find a way to protect ourselves, help Arima-sensei, and ensure that justice is served."

As the children exchanged determined glances, a newfound sense of unity filled the room. They may have been children, but they had the power to change the course of events. To rewrite the narrative and stand up against the darkness that threatened them.

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

As the children continued to deny Mana Yoshida's claims, Ranran's smile only widened, but it was a smile tinged with bitterness. She had played her part well, Shinichi and the others are framing him in order to save many other lives.

Arima-sensei stepped forward, her voice firm and commanding. "Enough, Mana. It's clear that your accusations are baseless. Ranran and Shinichi have been vindicated by their classmates' testimonies. I suggest you stop spreading falsehoods and accept the truth."

Mana Yoshida's face turned red with frustration, his voice quivering. "No! They're all lying! I know what I saw!"

Ranran rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Oh, please, Mana. Your conspiracy theories are as deluded as your crush for Mamiko. No one's buying your twisted tales anymore."

Shinichi stepped forward, his gaze piercing through Mana's facade. "You've dug yourself into a deep hole, Mana. Your obsession with Mamiko has clouded your judgment. It's time to face the consequences of your actions."

The other children in the class exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a mix of relief and apprehension. They knew that their lives were at stake, and they couldn't afford to let Mana's lies prevail.

And if they had to lie, so be it!

As Mana's face turned a shade of deep crimson, he clenched his fists, his voice shaking with anger. "You all will pay for this!!"

"Yoshida!" His father finally had enough of this, hearing all of this finally convince him that his son is a pathological liar. As the man stepped in, his voice was stern and exasperated. "Enough with your absurdity! Your classmates and teacher have spoken, and it's clear you've been fabricating stories to suit your twisted narrative. It's time to face the reality and accept the consequences of your deceit."

Ranran couldn't help but smirk, her victory over Yoshida filling her with a strange sense of satisfaction. She had scheme this web of deception against him, and now it was all unravelling before her eyes. Shinichi, on the other hand, couldn't shake off the heaviness in his heart. He had never wanted things to turn out this way, to be tangled in a web of lies and deceit. But this time, desperate situations called for desperate measures, and they had all been pushed to their limits.

So did the other children, and so did the teacher.

Sensing the tension in the air, Ranran took a step forward. With her carefully crafted softened voice, she feign her disappointment and determination. "Yoshida, you got to admit, your lies finally caught up with you."

"You bloody girl! You made everyone turn against me!" Yoshida's face contorted with a mix of anger and defiance, attempted to throw a fist at the child much to the horror of the others.

But before his fist could make contact, Shinichi swiftly stepped in and grabbed Mana's wrist, stopping him in his tracks. "Enough, Mana! Violence won't solve anything. It's time to face the truth and accept the consequences."

Yoshida struggled against Shinichi's grip, his eyes filled with rage and frustration. "Let go of me, Kudo! You're all against me! You're all against us!"

Finally, a fist struck Mana Yoshida in the face, courtesy of Hikari Takuma.

As Yoshida staggered back, holding his bleeding nose, Takuma stood there while he cracked his knuckles, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Consider this a warning, Mana. You'll face more than just your fists when you step out of line again. We won't tolerate your lies any longer."

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

"And then the rest of us lived happily ever after that, the end." Ranran ended the story cheerfully to the amazed 10-year-old Nagano Shinobu/ Shiro, a former member/drummer of Red Illumination and currently Emiko's boyfriend, was listening to all of this from the tablet through video call, as Ranran and the rest of the Tantei Association remain at the Main HQ.

Since he was bored while still recuperating from the hospital after his life-changing news, Ranran decided to kill time by sharing with him about that camping murder case they were entangled in before the events of the Red Drongos' deception case.

"How is this happily ever after?! A man has died because of you, Ranran!" Emiko can't help but scrunch.

"Let's not forget that all of the camping activities are banned for good in our school, not only because it almost dried up the entire emergency funds, it was to prevent everyone from ever bringing up that traumatizing camping trip to the kids of 1-A for 6 years till they graduate!" Junko pointed out, "You made the other kids in your class suffer in the worst way unimaginable by residing in that nice luxurious penthouse, just to prove your point! They had to now seek probably years of therapy to get this done and over with!"

"I hate therapy," Ran sighs, "I still have an anger management session to attend to!"

"Worst, you even made them lie together alongside your teacher to oust that Mana Yoshida!" Junko blasted at the uncaring founder.

"In the first place, the idiot deserved it," Ranran justifies, unaffected by their comments. "And second of all, why should my family fork out expenses for their stay at the hotel I was in? They are my classmates, not my friends."

"He was expelled later on, wasn't he? That Mana boy?!" Michio can't help but ask Shinichi, who is sitting next to Ranran.

The apprentice nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, after we oust him, Mana Yoshida was expelled from school. His actions and lies were too severe to be overlooked, especially after the press caught on pretty quickly, which we owed Takuma, who manage to contact Reina's uncle who knew a couple of people who work for the press to spread the news. It was a necessary consequence for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. And as for Mamiko who is still serving her time at that mental hospital, her stay is extended after the messages were exposed since she isn't supposed to have any access to a smartphone while being there at that time."

Shiro's eyes widened as he listened to the conversation. "Wow, that's intense. I can't believe you guys went through all of that. Camping now sounds like the worst disaster ever, like a horror movie with marshmallows and bug spray."

Then Ran pointed out and then adds, "And it was thanks to the both of you looking into the case, that the murderer decided to make an attempt and kill every single child from your class! They had to flee! Running in fear! Even Sonoko...although she had completely recovered from her dengue, she still keep getting nightmares with the others!"

"Hey, it's not like we asked the murderer to go on a rampage. We were just trying to uncover the truth. Sometimes things get messy, you know? But at least we survived, right?" Shinichi shrugged nonchalantly.

"Were the cops stunned that Ranran, a 6-year-old, literally killed a man with a Yo-yo?" Shiro inquire.

"Hmm...."Emiko hummed, "Yup."

"Honestly, they were way more shocked about her than Mr Eiji, who faked his death 3 times." Takuma sighs, "Wrong priorities."

"Speaking of priorities," It suddenly occurs to Shiro, "You mentioned the killer's family had cashed in on his death, they knew he faked his death before Ranran killed him, right? Were they...arrested for insurance fraud?"

"Yes," Shinichi admits, but he sighs reluctantly, "It heavily involved Ranran's scheming, otherwise, they would've been on some beach sipping cocktails while rubbing shoulders with wealthy criminals long ago."

"What about Miss Jun's mom and Mrs Yasuo Shizuku?"

"About that," Takuma was reluctant to share, but he had to, "When the police went after Mrs Yasuo, she was for some reason ended at the top of the Yasuo company skyscraper pulling Miss Jun's mom's hair, who we all suspected attempted to extort more money from the other, long story short....both women fell to their deaths in the midst of a chaotic struggle. It was a....bizarre end to their twisted relationship."

"And how did Miss Jun's mother actually know Mrs Yasuo was up there?" Shiro can't help but ask.

Ran and Takuma just shook both of their heads to reply, "You don't want to know," They answered in unison.

Shiro raised an eyebrow, perplexed by their synchronized response. "Okay, now you've got me curious. What happened? How did Miss Jun's mother end up on top of a skyscraper in the first place?"

"Nothing happen," Ran scratched her head, a sheepish grin on her face.

"I don't buy it," Shiro doubts.

"Seriously, nothing much happened." Takuma chuckled nervously.

Shiro's curiosity grew even stronger, and he couldn't let it go. He leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Ran and Takuma. "Come on, spill the beans. I can handle it."

"We will keep that story for another time," Junko interrupts, shaking her head. "Anyway, life can be stranger than fiction sometimes. I mean...how ironic that Mrs Yasuo died the same way Kichiro did. That shoe shop Miss Jun's mom had to be declared bankrupt, so did the Yasuo business had to be brought to an end, everything was all gone."

"And Mr Miki and Miss Rika? Did Mr Miki finally sell off Kodama Forest camp and go date, Miss Rika? And I hope that hotel won't suffer."

"Kodama forest camp had to be shut down thanks to those murders. And of course, Mr Miki will date Miss Rika when all the dust settles. But as for....my client's hotel," Ranran paused, "Thanks to me, it ended up with a ghost reputation, that the killer's ghost still haunts the island. But any publicity is good publicity, right? So...I told my client to get their hotel management to embrace the supernatural reputation and turned it into a haunted attraction. People were lining up to stay there and get spooked. In a way, the luxurious hotel didn't suffer any financial losses."

"Wait, that's...unconventional," Shiro remarked, scratching his head in confusion.

"And to end this story....everyone's parents, including ours.... had to fly up to the island to pick us up, and Ranran's parents...." Shinichi muses, "After hearing that she killed someone, instead of berating her or that sort, they decided that sometimes, bending the rules and embracing chaos was necessary to bring about justice."

"Wait, so Ranran's parents are alright with her killing someone!?" Shiro's jaw dropped.

"Yeah," Shinichi chuckled awkwardly. "They're like, 'Oh, you killed a man with a Yo-yo? Next time I better let you bring a gun and that taser baton '."

Junko shook her head in disbelief. "I swear that Ranran's parents are encouraging their child to be a mini serial killer."

"But it's not like Ranran is going around killing people for fun," Michio pointed this out. "She's just a 6-year-old detective with a knack for solving mysteries. You gotta admit, it takes some serious talent and dedication to take down criminals at such a young age."

"Exactly! Forget marshmallows and bug spray, give me a magnifying glass and a dead body any day!"Ranran grinned mischievously.

Emiko sighed and looked at Ranran. "Well Ranran, did you learn anything after this camping trip has ended?"

"Yeah," The founder concluded, "The moral of the story is that camping is dangerous, you may end up getting murdered, or ends up with dengue....which is why it's time we conclude camping sucks!" Ranran stuck out her tongue.

"I agree," Shinichi claps his hand, and so did Takuma and Ran.

Meanwhile, the 3 senior children of the association just shook their heads disapprovingly while face palming at their mindset, deciding that they are missing the whole point as Shiro stared at the screen, dumbfounded.