Suddenly, Reina, received the phone call while watching the intense battle between the two women on the skyscraper alongside Takuma, Ran and Sonoko, abruptly interrupted the tense atmosphere.

She held the phone to her ear, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Hello?"

"Reina, you all better leave Yasuo Corporation immediately!" It was none other than her best friend, Kudo Ranran.

Reina's eyes widened as she heard the urgency in Ranran's voice. "What? Why? What's going on? And how did you know where we were!? We didn't tell you anything."

"There are video recordings posted all over the internet, especially the rooftop battle between Mrs Yasuo and Mrs Saeki, Shinichi was able to see you all watching from below the building!" Ranran continued, her voice rapid and anxious.

"Eh!? Are you serious!?" Takuma who was with the other children had his jaw dropped.

Ran's mind raced to process the gravity of the situation. "Are our faces on the video!?"

"So far no," Shinichi's voice could be heard booming from the phone, "But we were able to make out your hair from the video."

"Anyway, why should we leave?!" Sonoko can't help but exclaim, "I mean look at those two women up there!"

She pointed up to the sky where Mrs Yasuo and Mrs Saeki continued their fierce battle on the skyscraper, their powers clashing with devastating force. The sheer intensity of their confrontation was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.

"Just call emergency and leave the cops be," Ranran instructed.

"They ain't going to make it on time!" Sonoko looked around to see the other adults on their smartphones, contacting emergency services while staring at the road filled with heavy traffic. "This is normally the time when cars and motorbikes filled up the road! There is no way they will make it on time!"

"Trust me, Sonoko, you don't want to be caught in the crossfire when things go south. This situation is spiralling out of control, and we can't afford to take any chances." Ranran's voice crackled with urgency over the phone.

"Seriously, Ranran!? I know that at that time when we were stuck on that island, you mentioned that we had no choice but to rely on our classmates' wits to get out of Kodama Forest Campsite and head their way to the hotel when that serial killer was out on the loose. Fair enough, we had to protect ourselves instead of heading out to the typhoon to tell them to leave. But now that we have returned back to civilization, it's still the same isn't it!?" Ran can't help but point out Ranran's selfish behaviour, "You always prioritize yourself before others!"

"Then Mouri-kun, if I bring up that Mamiko's spies, one of them works for the press is about to head to where you are all hiding, are you all willing to lose everything for two scumbags?"

Ranran's words immediately made Mouri gobsmacked, "What did you just say!?"

Reina felt a knot form in her stomach as she listened to Ranran's words. The gravity of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. "Mamiko's spies...heading our way?"

"Spies!?" Sonoko and Takuma exchanged looks, and then Takuma pressed, "What are you talking about!?"

"Shinichi recognized one of the men who works for one of the press media in one of the videos uploaded on Twitter, he is apparently one of the clients of Mamiko's mom!" Ranran barked.

The revelation sent a chill down their spines.

Now to those who barely knew 6-year-old Ishibashi Mamiko, no one would think that her talent for making up stories would be deemed dangerous. But to those who do know, her deceptive nature was a force to be reckoned with. He allegedly died a hero, sacrificing himself for the greater good when he was allegedly framed for a crime he did not commit.

The story was so convincing that many fell for her carefully crafted web of lies.

If it wasn't for Ranran who had connections to the world of politics, Reina and Takuma later learn that the said politician happens to be one of Mamiko's mother's regular clients as a dominatrix.

Although it was true that they did marry, it wasn't possible for him to be the biological father of Mamiko, since he was infertile, not to mention, women were not his favourite cup of tea, which is why he paid her to marry in public, in order to wipe away the truth of his preferences. And he didn't die since he was allegedly framed, no, they had actual evidence to prove shady dealings, which is why he later felt cornered and eventually committed suicide.

Another time, Mamiko lied upfront that she possessed supernatural powers, capable of bending reality to her will. She had convinced a group of naive individuals to join her in a secret society, promising them unimaginable power and wealth when she was around 5.

Little did they know that Mamiko's "powers" were nothing more than smoke and mirrors, the moment her mother transfer her to another kindergarten, the kids were left broken-hearted, and embarrassed of losing their money to her.

This is why when Ranran mentioned 'Mamiko's spies,' a cold chill ran down everyone's spine.

Everyone knew firsthand how manipulative and deceptive Mamiko could be. Let alone, ruthless.

They didn't forget the first time Ranran was almost stabbed by her with a knife, nor that time she manipulated Ran and Sonoko, Shinichi's closest friends, to discourage his dream as a Tantei just so Mamiko would eventually isolate Shinichi and marry him off to Ran. Let alone, that time Mamiko manipulated Shinichi into hating Ranran.

The scars from Mamiko's actions were deep, both physically and emotionally. Each member of the group had experienced her cunning firsthand, and they carried the weight of those encounters with them.

"I know what I am about to say may sound selfish," Shinichi decided to announce this, "But Takuma, Ranran just restored your reputation as a talented American Football Athlete, and regain your scholarship to enter a reputable athlete school when you start high school. If you get caught up in this mess, it could ruin everything you've worked so hard for."

Takuma's eyes widened, and his expression shifted from confusion to realization.

"Reina," It was Ranran's turn to say, "If those two died while you all remained there, your pushy mother is going to constantly bug you about your association with me, as well as make up all sorts of excuses to split you apart of Takuma if the media reaches this. Plus, Mamiko had just returned to school not long ago. Do you want your cousin, Moriko, to end up getting hurt? Don't forget, the moment you lose your place as president of the student council, Mamiko will straight up hurt her. You don't want that, do you?"

Reina's heart sank as she considered Ranran's words. She knew firsthand how relentless her mother could be, always looking for ways to control her life and break apart her relationships. The thought of her mother exploiting this situation to manipulate her was terrifying. Also, Moriko's suffering is the last thing Reina would want, after the strenuous uphill better she had to put up.

"No, I don't want that," Reina admit.

"Mouri," Ranran uttered out to Ran, "We have bad blood. As much as you and I hate each other, though I have reasonable grounds for doing so....if the press gets word of your involvement should we try to save those two women, it's bad enough that your Tousan who is seen hanging out with hostesses at a bar thanks to his job as a private detective ends up plaguing your reputation, but do you want your mom to lose her recent career as a lawyer!?"

Ran clenched her fists, expression filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. She knew that her reputation had already suffered due to her father's actions, and the last thing she wanted was for her mother to face the consequences as well. She had seen her work tirelessly to build a career while having her so young, and she didn't want all of that to go to waste.

"No, I don't want my mother to lose everything she's worked for," Ran admitted.

"And Suzuki," Ranran's voice suddenly boomed, "We don't get along too for reasonable grounds, but you have been duped by Mamiko way too long....do you want to relive the hellish nightmare if she uses this as an opportunity to ruin your family's corporate company!? End up on the streets!?"

Sonoko's eyes widened, and her fists clenched at the mention of her family's corporate company. No way, no way in hell would she let that Mamiko ruin her life! "No, I can't let Mamiko destroy everything my family has built," Sonoko replied firmly.

"Then we're all in agreement." Shinichi suddenly said with a serious expression, "Don't talk about saving Mrs Saeki and Mrs Yasuo, when our personal problems would end up surfacing, as the price of saving 2 evil women who had no regard for their own children's lives would end up becoming pointless."

It was a difficult truth to confront, but then Mouri Ran said, "Then are we any different than them!? To simply let them die....we are no different than them when their children were alive!"

"Then Mouri," Ranran confronts over the smartphone, "Tell me, how are you going to save those two in detail, while not putting everyone else's dreams and their lives on the line!?"

"E-eh!?"

"Do you have a backup plan if Takuma loses his American Football scholarship? Or if Sonoko ends up on the streets?! Or the fact Reina might end up being controlled by her mother!? Or even when your mom, who split up with your father not long ago, loses her job as a lawyer thanks to you!?"

Ranran's words hit Ran hard, "Why must you make it sound as if I would ruin everything by saving those two women!?" The long brown-haired brunette yelled over Reina's smartphone.

"It's easy for you to say 'save those two' while having our dreams intact if you are willing to sacrifice all of this, but did you not consider the aftermath?!" Ranran listed down the potential fallout on what is there to lose, "The devastation of a comfortable happy life, only for reality to trip you beneath....can you bear to live with it? The unhappiness that will come if anything goes horribly wrong? Also," Ranran suddenly remembers, "I heard that your Tousan hasn't been receiving clients from his detective agency lately, that meant you are both heavily relying on your mom's salary as a lawyer, correct? What is going to happen if she loses her job? Are you....don't tell me you and your father want to end up living on the streets, homeless"

Everything fell silent, her anger subsiding as she processed Ranran's words. "Wait, how did you know of this?! I didn't tell anyone?!" Ran can't help but ask.

"I went to a bar the other day to work on a case for one of our clients, your dad, Kogoro Ojisan, was drunk telling those ladies that he felt bad having to owe money to his ex-wife for one whole month. Though he did ramble a bit about disliking Eri-Obasan, he felt like he hated himself more for not being able to provide for you, Mouri." Ranran pointed out.

"He actually said that?!" Ran's heart sank at the realization that her family's financial struggles were not as hidden as she had thought. The weight of responsibility and the fear of losing everything began to weigh heavily on her shoulders.

Ran couldn't deny the validity of the concerns raised. Saving Mrs Saeki and Mrs Yasuo was a noble cause, but the potential consequences for her and the others couldn't be ignored.

Also, the thought of her mother no longer being able to work as a lawyer would be devastating.

When Ran's mother, Eri Kisaki, got the job, she was a couple of years behind since she married Ran's dad, Mouri Kogoro, in their 20's. Ran only started out elementary school when Eri applied, this was before her parents split up. In Japan, majority of the women are not treated kindly in the workforce, especially if one is behind on a lot of things due to motherhood, so for her mother to be able to get her first job was a miracle, even Ran's father is impressed back then.

In a way, this job was also a blessing in disguise for Ran. Cause after Ran's parents split up, Eri was able to get herself a place, bought herself a nice car, and even buy Ran some nice clothes and stuff, while Ran's dad who works as a private detective struggled to put food on the table. As much as he is a private investigator, he wasn't as talented as Shinichi or Ranran for that matter, which is why he didn't have many clients to begin with.

Also presumably the fact that Tantei Association has gained the interest of the public after solving major cases that have been reported by the news media recently, it ain't surprising that other people rather head to a reputable detective agency run by elementary school children who are way more capable than her father.

Anyway, not to be sidetracked, as selfish as it sounds, Ran can't help but think that she has more to lose should they choose save the two bickering women on the top of the Yasuo Corporation skyscraper. Right now, things had not been doing well fairly on her father's side of things, so they are relying on their mother temporarily.

If her mom loses her job, Ran might not be able to afford to continue her studies at Teitan Elementary School and may be forced to enrol in another affordable school, which also means she not only won't be seeing her best friend Sonoko anymore, Shinichi will continue to remain in Tantei Association with Ranran, and that would automatically mean Mouri Ran will have no chance to patch up their messed up friendship with Shinichi anymore.

Plus, Ranran's hostility to Sonoko still sticks. With Ran not around, who is going to help her restore her reputation thanks to Mamiko's deception?

But now, the mention of spies sent shivers down their spines. It was a reminder that Mamiko's reach extended beyond what they had imagined. She had eyes and ears everywhere, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

The memories flooded back, the moments of fear and treachery etched in their minds. The knife incident had been a wake-up call, a stark reminder of the danger they faced. In a way, the four of them had witnessed firsthand the lengths Mamiko would go to control their lives. She had manipulated their relationships, played with their emotions, and tried to steer their paths according to her whims.

And that itself was the reason why Ran later said,  "You are right."

"Ran, really!?" Sonoko was started by her friend's reaction.

"Sonoko, we have no choice." Ran insists, "My situation back at home ain't good, and we are in fact relying on my mom's income," Ran said, her voice filled with resignation. "As much as I wanted to save two people to end up throwing them in prison, with the situation we are all dealing with Mamiko, it would be pointless."

Silence fell over the group as they processed Ran's words. They knew deep down that she was right, that prioritizing their own well-being and the stability of their futures was essential. It was a difficult choice to make, but they couldn't ignore the potential consequences of getting involved in the dangerous situation unfolding on the skyscraper.

Finally, Takuma spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "As much as it pains me to say it, Ranran is right. I know it may sound selfish, but I can't bear the thought of living another day, wondering if was it worth sacrificing my love for American Football just to save two women who had shown no regard for their own children's lives. I mean....it would also mean I wasted all of Ranran's efforts to get my life back on track."

"Neither do I," Reina deeply sigh, "I haven't been happy in a long time till life was back to what it is thanks to Ranran, especially Moriko...I am worried Mamiko will come after her again if I do so."

"Same here," Sonoko found herself reluctantly agreeing., "Truthfully, I want those two women alive to deal with the same suffering they both put their children through, but the thought of me making my family homeless...I can't deal with that."

With a heavy heart, they turned their attention away from the ongoing battle on the skyscraper. They knew they had to leave, to protect their own dreams and lives. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but they couldn't let themselves be dragged into a dangerous situation that could potentially destroy everything they had worked for.

"We can't stay here any longer," Takuma stated, his voice laced with urgency. "We need to find a way out, now."

Then Reina's eyes darted around, searching for any possible escape route. "Let's get our motorbike sidecar and bikes out of here."

Once they reached their vehicles, Takuma wasted no time in starting the engine while Reina hopped onto the motorbike sidecar, while Ran and Sonoko each mounted the same bike. They knew they had to leave Yasuo Corporation immediately.

As they sped away from the skyscraper, they narrowly avoided the press while their hearts are heavy with the weight of their decision, Reina glanced back one last time, catching a glimpse of the ongoing battle between Mrs Yasuo and Mrs Saeki. The sight only served as a painful reminder of the choice they had made.

"I hope they wouldn't die, I know this is wishful thinking, but...." Reina murmured, her voice filled with doubt.

"If only someone like Mamiko doesn't exist, we could've deliver proper justice!" Ran lamented, her voice trembling with emotion while feeling powerless and sad at the same time, "Why must Kami-sama be so cruel!? Why did they let her exist in the first place to torment others!?"

The little girl's voice trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes. When her parents split up and the entire school knew, while she was having a hard time with the kids teasing her before the Ranran saga, she thought she had experienced firsthand what it is like to be powerless.

Then these recent events with Mamiko had made her question the true feeling of powerless and being helpless on a whole other level. If the kids bullied Ran at elementary school, there is a teacher to confide to. But when it comes to Mamiko, there seems to be no way of stopping an elementary school girl who is manipulative and as powerful as a supernatural force. Even the teachers just turn a blind eye to her deeds.

The situation with Mamiko had deeply shaken Ran's sense of security and her belief in justice.

She then thought about Ranran, the founder of Tantei Association, the morally ambiguous child detective. Before all of this, Ran used to think she was a she-demon. But with everything happening before her eyes, now Ran is starting to see the lesser of evil in her.

As tears streamed down her face, Ran couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by a sense of despair. She had witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by Mamiko's actions, and it seemed as if there was no way to put an end to it.

"This is one thing Ranran taught me a month ago, Mouri. Kami-sama in this world has their favourites, even the evil ones," Reina replied, her voice filled with sorrow and frustration.

Reina can't help but recall the painful memories of when Moriko was tormented by the she-satan. Back then, Reina did everything she could to expose Mamiko, but it seems like everytime she tries to bring this up in school, it always seems to backfire. The students would either dismiss her claims or turn against her, siding with Mamiko. It was as if Mamiko had everyone under her spell, making Reina's attempts to seek justice feel futile.

But Ranran, her best friend Ranran was like a saviour to her.

If it wasn't for her manipulative ways to mess with Mamiko, Moriko would've been dead by then.

"Neh, Reina," Sonoko who is sitting behind the pike Ran is pedalling can't help but ask, "Can't Ranran just scheme Mamiko into serious trouble? Enough to get her expelled? She is able to get rid of Mana Yoshida, our classmate who endangered us, why not do the same?"

"Mamiko is one of those unusual breeds of liars who is suspiciously probably way richer than your family, Suzuki," Takuma's grip on the handlebars tightened in anger, "Her mom has a talent for bewitching every rich powerful guy she meets with her looks, including the teachers. It's one thing that Ranran is able to get them to end up moving into the slum city, but she mentioned to me that it is a temporary solution. They would eventually move back regardless. The only way to put an end to this is to find something so vicious, they will never be able to set foot ever again on the grounds of Teitan Elementary school, let alone, our neighbourhood."

Sonoko remained silent for a moment as they rode through the city streets, the reality of their situation sank in.

In the midst of their sadness and frustration, Ran, who had been mostly silent during the discussion after tons of sobbing, grew wearied, "Just wait, one day...Mamiko would eventually need to pay for her crimes. Her entire family too are no exception!"

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

Meanwhile, back at Tantei Association Main HQ, even Shinichi was depressed with the decision he had to make while Ranran observed him silently.

Even more so when the video later showed Mrs Saeki and Mrs Yasuo plunging to their death, after a vicious death.

The good side that came out of this was that the other members left in a haste to avoid the press, so they will not be traumatized witnessing the death of two evil women meeting their doom. After all, it was bad enough that all of them, including Ranran and Shinichi had to deal with the trauma back at Kodama Forest camp, so this is the last thing they need to see or remember. Plus, everyone can sigh of relief that there are two lesser evils gone in this world.

Even so, it wasn't anymore less settling for Shinichi.

As Shinichi sat in his chair at the Tantei Association Main HQ, a heavy weight rested on his shoulders. He had been contemplating a difficult decision, one that would have far-reaching consequences. Ranran, ever observant, watched him closely, sensing the turmoil within him.

Shinichi had always been driven by a strong sense of justice, using his keen deductive skills to solve cases and bring criminals to justice. But now, faced with the situation involving Mamiko, he found himself at a crossroads. The power and influence Mamiko wielded made her a formidable adversary, and Shinichi understood the risks involved in confronting her.

Burdened by the weight of the decision he had to make, he truly didn't want to associate with Mamiko after all of the shady crap she had pulled towards him, especially towards the unfortunate Ranran.

At the same time, however....another reason he had to do this was because he didn't want to lose his dream as a child detective.

And Ranran's keen eyes easily picked up on the conflict within Shinichi. She understood the importance of his dream as a child detective and how it had shaped his life, especially after that incident he dealt with when he was around 4, which is why she had to convince the other children there not to save Mrs Yasuo and Mrs Saeki in the first place.

Should the press ever pick up on the other members responsible for egging Mrs Saeki's house, which later set off a chain of events that led the deranged woman to extort money from Mrs Yasuo to flee the country, then fought to their deaths while plunging from their Yasuo Corporate Skyscraper, this news would not only bring the Tantei Association under scrutiny but could also lead to its shutdown.

It was a risk they couldn't afford to take, especially considering the impact the association had on their lives and the lives of those they helped.

On one hand, Shinichi was glad that they narrowly avoided the press. But on the other hand, he couldn't shake off the guilt and unease that came with their actions. The deaths of Mrs Saeki and Mrs Yasuo, as vicious as they were, still weighed heavily on his conscience. Shinichi knew that taking someone's life, even if they were considered evil, was not a path he wanted to tread.

And yet, they didn't have a choice.

"I once told you to become a Tantei, not everyone is cut out for it. Especially since we are all kids, it makes things way difficult." Ranran quietly sat right next to him in silence.

Her words resonated with him, reminding him of the immense responsibility and challenges that came with being a child detective. "How is it possible that those stories portrayed a world so different from ours?" Shinichi's voice quivered with a mixture of frustration and anguish. "In Enid Blyton's stories about child Tanteis, they didn't have to make decisions that involved people living or dying, Ranran? And for us here....it's an entirely different matter."

"Enid Blyton had it easy." Ranran's response held a touch of bitterness. "Those kid detectives never had to deal with life-or-death decisions. They were too busy solving mysteries involving stolen cookies or missing pets. Also, that world, Shinichi, is not reality. It is a place of whimsy and imagination, far removed from the horrors we encounter. They did not have to deal with the severe hardships of solving cases of dark nature such as violence, murder, kidnapping, plus trauma. Not to mention, deal with corruption and all those crap in real life."

Massaging his temples, he groaned, "If only Mamiko didn't exist in this world....we wouldn't even be in this mess." his mind swirling with regret and longing for a different reality. "Why must she exist!?" he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice tinged with frustration. "As long as she is around, there would be no freedom in sight for us all."

The darkness enveloping them seemed impenetrable, casting shadows on their once-pure intentions. The line between right and wrong blurred in the face of such relentless evil. Shinichi yearned for a simpler time, a time when justice didn't demand such a heavy toll.

And yet, there is Ishibashi Mamiko.

Ranran listened to Shinichi's words, understanding the depth of his frustration and longing for a different reality. Even before the events of Tantei Association, she too once yearned for that reality that can never come true.

 "A reality without evil...that isn't possible."

It was a naive wish she had back then before becoming 'The Fox'.

Back then, the 3-year-old Ranran couldn't understand why it exists. Though she wasn't as extremely naive as Mouri Ran nor Shinichi regarding those ideals, she still held onto the hope that the world could be a better place, that justice would prevail, and that evil would be vanquished. 

But as she grew older and faced the harsh realities of Edgewood Academy after becoming The Fox, her perspective began to shift.

"Evil couldn't simply be eradicated completely out of this world, Shinichi."

It was a part of human nature, a dark side that coexisted with the light. The world Enid Blyton had created, with its idyllic child detectives solving simple mysteries, was a beautiful fantasy, but it didn't reflect the complexities and harshness of reality.

"In life, sometimes too much light would eventually burn others, leaving darkness in its wake." She paused for a moment, her voice tinged with a sombre tone. "Our job....eradicating pure evil isn't possible, so all we can do....is tune the light."

Shinichi looked at Ranran, puzzled, "Tune it out? What do you mean?"

"The people who bring light to others...sometimes they are the ones who contributed society's reason into committing these crimes. And the only way to deal with it as my late mentor once taught me....is to dim it at times. That way...we can strike them when they are least expecting it."

Shinichi's resolve hardened as he absorbed Ranran's words. "Right now, Mrs Saeki and Mrs Yasuo died because of your suspicions towards that man in the video. Even if he were to be discovered to have no ties with Mamiko's mother, her mother isn't the type to simply approach someone who would not benefit them regardless. So don't feel bad that those two women died because of our decision, cause your Tantei instincts are on point."

His eyes widened as he processed Ranran's words, understanding washing over him. Her perspective challenged his previous beliefs, forcing him to confront the complexity of the situation they were in. The death of Mrs Saeki and Mrs Yasuo, as tragic as it was, had not been in vain. Their actions were driven by genuine suspicions, and the consequences, though severe, were unavoidable.

The despair that had engulfed him began to transform into a fierce determination.

One day, they will throw Mamiko's family in prison regardless. It may not be today, tomorrow, next month or even years, regardless, he will make sure they will never see the light ever again.  

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

The following day, Shinichi scolded Ran and Takuma in the main Tantei Association HQ.

Shinichi's voice echoed through the Tantei Association HQ as he scolded Ran and Takuma for their reckless actions during the egging incident involving Mrs Saeki. His frustration was palpable, and his words carried a weight that hung heavily in the room. Ranran sat quietly in her seat, observing the scene with a mix of concern and understanding.

Since Reina and Sonoko are not members, they were only given a fair warning.

But Ran and Takuma on the other hand were members, which is why this lecture lasted for an hour. Shinichi's voice boomed with authority, his disappointment evident in every word he spoke. 

"But Kudo, let's be real here: You and Ranran were both on that island when the serial killer incident happened! Were you both not mad when you both almost died thanks to Mrs Yasuo's son almost killing the both of you!?" Takuma tried to reason with them, "Had she not staged his death to cover up her child abuse towards him, would you both not have to deal with almost being thrown off a cliff!?"

"Yeah! Also, Sonoko almost could've almost died from dengue! We were all agonizing under those small tents with the typhoon and everything for over 2 weeks!" Even Ran sided with the athlete. "During those two weeks, he was messing with the entire class of 1-A! We had sleepless nights! Had that Mrs Saeki not blackmailed the serial killer's mother into marrying her daughter off to her stepson, would he be out on a killing spree while making our lives miserable!?"

As much as Shinichi wanted to deny it, their arguments held a grain of truth, and he couldn't deny all of the hardships they had endured during their time on the island. The trauma they had experienced was still fresh in their minds, and it had undoubtedly affected their judgment and actions. 

"Plus," Takuma suddenly remembers, "You and Ranran schemed to get our ex-classmate, Mana Yoshida, out of our class when you both learn about his ties to Mamiko anyway. It ain't any different for me and the others to egg Mrs Saeki's house!"

The apprentice's face contorted with frustration as he struggled to find a response.

Ranran, who had been quiet the whole day, began, "Takuma, Ran," She suddenly says, "Shinichi isn't mad at you for egging Mrs Saeki's house. In any shape or form, you are all justified to do so."

The children exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what Ranran meant by her statement.  Shinichi, too, looked at her with a mix of curiosity and concern, waiting for her to continue.

"And while I admit what we did to Mana Yoshida was no different than both of your egging, keep in mind that Shinichi and I didn't do it so recklessly as to reveal both of ourselves while ousting that idiot out." Ranran justifies, "If you want to egg her, at least let us know why and be more prepared. We can't afford any nonsensical tabloid headline, can you imagine if Mamiko's mom gets word of this, do you think she is going to let you all go unscathed!? Cause I'll explain to you what might happen should they do, the first thing they would do is corner both of your families in a bad light! The way I scheme onto Mana Yoshida, you saw what happened to him and his dad, right?"

The two other kids gulped in horror as her words sank in. Suddenly, recalling the rumours of Mana Yoshida having his house broken into and all, and his widowed father constantly having to deal with the harsh whispers of his dead wife being a horrible influence to his pathological liar of a son, it was a like a punch to the gut.

"Ran, Takuma, I know you all have every reason to egg their house. And I ain't mad with the egging at all, I too would gladly join you had you told us. But Mamiko is still onto us. And she had just returned from being discharged from that mental hospital. From the intel I gathered, she is beyond deranged since ending up there, and I know if she ever gets her chance, she will try to murder us all, despite being six years old." Shinichi explained. 

The reality of their predicament became starkly apparent, and the reckless act of egging Mrs Saeki's house suddenly seemed trivial compared to the threat that Mamiko posed.

Ran and Takuma exchanged a glance, their previous defiance replaced with a mix of fear and understanding. They hadn't fully comprehended the extent of Mamiko's madness and the lengths she would go to protect her secrets.

"I am sorry, guys," Takuma's shoulders slumped as he realized the weight of his mistakes. "I just didn't think that far ahead."

"Same here," Even Ran sighed, "We felt wronged."

"You all have every right to be mad," Ranran placed a hand on Takuma's shoulder, giving him a stern look, "But don't let her manipulate the both of you, like one would hold the horn of a bull, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

After Ranran released her hand, Shinichi announced, "Don't worry about getting implicated with the egging incident, it was fortunate that the CCTV around the area did not get a good glimpse of the rest of your faces when the incident happened."

"And as for the motorbike-sidecar you all took without permission from Agasa's place, we are going to have to punish the both of you under Tantei Association grounds," Ranran then announced what they are facing, "Clean up all of our vehicles for a whole month."

"Eh!?" Ran moaned, and so did Takuma, "Do we really have to!?"

"Hey, it wasn't easy for Ranran to simply ask every single house not far from where Mrs Saeki formerly lived, to have those footage erased without triggering suspicions," Shinichi nodded firmly, her eyes unwavering. "It was in a rich neighbourhood, people are more vigilant and eager to gossip about anything they set their sights on!"

Ran and Takuma exchanged glances, cleaning up all the vehicles for a month seemed like a daunting task, but they knew it was a fair punishment for their reckless behaviour.

"Maybe next time when you both considered to egg Mrs Saeki's house, you both better think twice about using our motorbike sidecar without permission." Shinichi huffed, before urging Ranran to leave them alone to reflect on their actions.

As Ranran and Shinichi left the room, the atmosphere in the Tantei Association HQ grew heavy with introspection. Ran and Takuma sat in silence, their minds grappling with the gravity of the situation they had found themselves in.

And that is how Tantei Association's fifth major case: "Blood on the Campground', eventually comes to an end. In the days that followed, Ran and Takuma diligently carried out their punishment, cleaning the Association's vehicles with newfound humility. As they scrubbed away the dirt and grime, they contemplated the weight of their responsibilities as child detectives and the need for caution in their actions.