The class of 1-A had a tough time readjusting to normal life after their harrowing camping trip.

In a way, they were haunted by the memories of that fateful night and every time they closed their eyes, the horrors of the murder case flashed before them, reminding them of the heavy typhoons, small little cramp tents they were forced to sleep in for days, eat food from a walk-in fridge with 2 decomposing corpses

It was a nightmare that seemed never-ending, and the scars ran deep. The once innocent notion of camping was forever tainted for them, like a horror movie with marshmallows and bug spray.

Following its aftermath, the kids who are in 1-A on a Monday morning would gather in the classroom, their weary eyes reflecting the trauma they had endured. The atmosphere was heavy with a mix of fear, anxiety, and a lingering sense of disbelief.

As they settled into their seats, they couldn't help but exchange glances, silently acknowledging the shared experience that bound them together. No longer were they carefree children, but survivors of a dark and twisted tale. Even the events that took place after the Red Illumination scandal did little to ease their unease.

The school administration, in an attempt to restore a sense of normalcy, banned camping activities indefinitely. The decision was met with mixed reactions. Some students breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to escape the clutches of the outdoors, while others mourned the loss of a cherished tradition.

However, not everyone was feeling all so jittery since the camping trip.

"Ahh! Back to the classroom once more," Ranran yawned as she stretch her limbs from her desk, while Shinichi who is sitting next to her grew annoyed at her behaviour. "No more camping, hip hip hooray!"

Since Ranran had grown accustomed to danger due to her duties as a child tantei, it ain't surprising why she didn't feel traumatized, despite being strangled by the killer. And perhaps since Shinichi had grown used to seeing dead corpses when his father constantly took him to see crime scenes, not to mention, began working as Ranran's apprentice, although this was the first time he was strangled by the same killer, he too found himself more resilient than his classmates.

Shinichi rolled his eyes at Ranran's nonchalant attitude. "You may be unaffected, but let's not forget that our classmates had to witness their deaths the first time. Also, it's not something to be worth celebrating, since there are other kids who enjoy camping."

"I couldn't be bothered," Ranran brush this off, "I am so glad to be back in the comforts of my bedroom in the mansion I lived in, especially now that our family will no longer force us to go on this stupid camping trip ever again."

The apprentice sighed, realizing that arguing with Ranran was futile. "I suppose you have a point, but it doesn't change the fact that we went through some seriously messed-up stuff out there." With his blue eyes on the teacher's table, it remains empty as it is. "Arima-sensei took a month of leave, huh?"

"Yeah, she needed some time off after everything that happened," Ranran replied, twirling a strand of her hair absentmindedly. "Also, she receive the payout thanks to our 'truth', so she would be too busy with her dad's pending surgery."

The little boy nodded, his mind still filled with unanswered questions. "Neh Ranran."

"Hmph?

"About you giving the credit of protecting us from the serial killer to Arima-sensei, that lie....now that she had the attention of a hero, are you not worried that one-day Arima-sensei may be in over her head on the fame she is having now?" Shinichi can't help but express his worry.

Ranran looked back at him, blinking. "I don't."

"Why?" Shinichi couldn't understand. "This is the same teacher who refuses to bring our classmates to the hotel, despite the killings taking place near and far, because she was desperate for us to write the reports about what we learned throughout this camping trip in order to get paid as a substitute teacher."

"Yes, getting paid in order to get her Tousan on an emergency heart surgery," Ranran reminded him. "But as much as she did in fact endanger us, let us not forget...this is also the same sensei who also at times spoiled us rotten, unlike most substitute teachers."

Then Ranran began listing out one scenario after the other.

"Remember when she promised us a pizza party when we made a bet that we can maintain our classroom the cleanest within our grade, and we eventually did?" Ranran asked a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "Or that time she lied to one of our classmates when other kids in his tuition class were picking on him for having no mother, but she lied that she is his mother and whack them in the butt with a cane? Or even that time when.....that video of Mamiko and Sonoko plotting horrible things towards you surfaced, she actually told us to stay back in class whether we are alright and secretly gifted us chocolates she bought that one time while on a work trip to the U.K as a consolation gifts while consoling us both?"

The other child detective's expression softened as he listened to Ranran's words. As much as he didn't want to recall, he knows Ranran was right. It wasn't mere cheap words that soothe them, Arima-sensei had done things beyond what a substitute teacher should be doing. Despite her 84 exes record, she was by far the most caring and protective teacher they had encountered.

Ranran did not want to tell him, but the projector also revealed to her that within a decade, she would ultimately win the Teacher of the Year award, for her outstanding dedication and commitment to her students. After receiving the award, she quit her job and became a teacher for troubled teenagers, one of them happened to be the future despicable Ranran according to that biography written by Ranran's mentor's ex-fiance. Arima-sensei in that book mention Ranran might be a troubled child, but brilliant regardless, and should her cunning abilities were nurtured well from the start, she wouldn't end up where she is later in life.

"I wonder what will become of Yasuo company now. With their crimes now exposed, their power structure must be crumbling." Shinichi's words awoken Ranran's trance.

"I bet right now, Mrs Yasuo is panicking at this rate." Ranran chuckled, before revealing, "Let's not forget that her arranged marriage to the late patriarch had given the patriarch privileges to cover up his crimes. If I were her, I would be eagerly packing my belongings, money, as well as a fake passport to flee the country before the authorities come up to me."

Shinichi raised an eyebrow at Ranran's deductions. "You think she'll really run away? I mean, it's possible, but wouldn't that make her look even more guilty?"

"In the first place, nobody asks her to abuse both Kichiro the killer, as well as Mr Miki who is alive and well. So she asks for it."

Shinichi sighed, realizing that Ranran had a point. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see. The truth has a way of catching up to people, though."

As the classroom buzzed with subdued conversations, the air felt heavy with anticipation. Each student grappled with their own emotions, trying to make sense of the events that unfolded during that camping trip. It was a chapter of their lives that they couldn't erase, no matter how much they wished they could.

Ran, who was seated a few rows behind Ranran and Shinichi to the right, sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I can't believe we went through all that. It feels like a nightmare that won't go away."

Sonoko, sitting beside her, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I never thought camping could turn into something so...horrifying. I used to love the outdoors, but now, it just brings back those memories." Outside the classroom window, the sun cast its warm glow, offering a sliver of hope amidst the darkness. "Speaking of which, Ran," Sonoko suddenly remembers, "Are we going to go through with the plan this afternoon? With Takuma and Reina?"

With a slightly menacing grin, Mouri nodded, "Of course, we made that promise back in Kodama Forest camp, that person must pay for her sins."

A glint of determination is shining through Sonoko's eyes. "Nice, but...." She paused, "Things had gone up in price recently, and my Tousan still bans me from my privileges due to, you know....why."

"Don't worry," Ran reassured the heiress, "I know of a supermarket having sales of eggs recently, I really owed it to Ranran for letting me know. Also, she wired me some money Tantei association earned recently through a client."

"But...are you sure we are able to pull this off?" Sonoko frowns, "I am worried Ranran and Shinichi would soon figure it out."

"They won't," Ran dismisses her friend's worry, "They're too caught up in their own investigations to pay attention to our little scheme. Besides, we've been careful so far, haven't we? We'll just have to keep it that way."

"Good. We just need to be extra cautious."

As the two girls continued to discuss their secret plan, the rest of the class remained oblivious to their conversation, lost in their own thoughts and struggles. The scars from that camping trip would take time to heal, and the journey to reclaiming their sense of normalcy was far from over.

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

"Ah! Good to be back in this office!"

Shinichi can't help but be pleased with this, with he and Ranran both dressed in their signature cape coat while wearing their rondesu bags, implying that they had just left Teitan Elementary school, heading towards the office of Tantei Association.

The office was a reasonably sized cluttered room filled with books, files, and various detective tools. It was their sanctuary, a place where they could focus on solving mysteries and honing their detective skills.

"So much better than that stupid camping trip." Ranran shrugs.

"Exactly," Shinichi remarked. "No murderers, no typhoons, no almost dying from the damn cliff, just break hours."

He took a seat at his desk shortly after the two left their bags in the cabinet, while Ranran playfully plopped down on the chair not far from him, with the laptop placed on the meeting table.  "Ok, time to check out if Tantei Association had anything going on while we were away for 2 weeks."

Shinichi nodded, reaching for his laptop and opening it up. He navigated to the Tantei Association's website Emiko had set up, where they usually received requests and updates on ongoing cases. So far, there is nothing to do for the day.

Though oddly, one of the read messages stuck out to him.

Curiosity piqued, Shinichi clicked on the message to read its contents. "Neh, Ranran, can we talk for a second?" Shinichi called out, gesturing for her to come over. Ranran got up from her chair and walked over to Shinichi, peering over his shoulder as he pointed at the message. "Miss Rika, the horse instructor from our recent major case: Blood on the Campground, messaged you to search for someone?"

The founder leaned in closer to read the message on the screen. "Hmm, yesterday she did. You were busy running errands, and so were the others, so I settled her case after this."

"What was it about?"

"Do you remember that Daichi guy? The guy she brought up who upfront lied to her about the love confession letter to Mr Miki?" Ranran reminded him.

The blue-eyed boy furrowed his brows, trying to recall the details. "Oh, right. That happened during high school, correct?"

"Yeah, she asked me to look for him. In fact," Ranran's finger tap onto her chin thoughtfully, "She promised me a decent sum of money she got from selling that Kodama Forest Camp with Mr Miki not long ago should I did. I manage to track him down by the way, and she sounded very thankful."

"Eh...." He processing the information. "I wonder why she's looking for him now, after all these years. Wait a minute...."It suddenly occurs to him before he confronts Ranran, "Don't tell me....she is going to seek revenge? It only made sense, since she unfairly waited for Mr Miki when he was still married to Miss Jun for over 12 years."

"Who knows?" Ranran shrugged. "I just simply gave him his new house address, and she sounded very pleased with me, even gave me a bit more money and told me to keep the change before whistling out of the door."

"How much yen was it?" Shinichi pressed.

Pausing for a moment, Ranran struggled to recall the exact amount. "I think it was around 500,000 yen. She was quite generous."

"F-f-five hundred thousand yen!?" Shinichi's face fell in response, "Where is the money then?"

"I had the money split up and wired to all 7 of us members," Ranran recalled with a hint of amusement twinkling in her eyes. "You should've seen the shock of everyone's face, they all assumed it was a scam when I gave them the money."

"But that's... a lot of money," Shinichi stammered, still processing the information. "Are you sure it's legitimate? We should make sure it's not some kind of scam or illegal activity."

Ranran rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, come on, Shinichi. Do you really think I would fall for a scam? I checked everything thoroughly, and it's all legit. Miss Rika wanted to show her gratitude, and she had the means to do so."

"You ain't in the wrong," Shinichi can't help but groan, "But it's just...unexpected. We should be cautious with sudden large sums of money. We don't want to get involved in anything illegal or suspicious. But now that you mentioned it...."

He moves the cursor of the laptop to the Tantei association site to open the schedule calendar and then pointed at the screen to show Ranran, "Is this the reason why all of the members here took leave today!?"

The founder leaned in closer to the laptop screen, her eyes scanning the schedule calendar. "I mean yeah, they had to after the camping fiasco episode we had to deal with these past 2 weeks."

"Who is the one who approves the leave in the first place!?"

"Emiko, who you put her in charge of?" Ranran reminded him.

Running a hand through his hair in frustration, Shinichi groaned, "Right, I did. I just didn't expect everyone to take leave all at once. I need to remind her to be more organized the next time. Damn her, why did she just simply approve all of this without consulting any of us!?"

"She did put up their reasons for the leave, right? Individually?" Ranran asked.

Shinichi scrolled through the schedule calendar and clicked on each member's leave entry to check the details. "Yeah, here it is," he replied, pointing at the screen. "Looks like...Emiko is heading to some expensive museum she has been dying to go to but was unable to at that time since entry fees were costly until you wired the money to her account."

The apprentice then continues to read out the reasons, "Michio is taking his mom out for a mother-and-son date at some fancy restaurant, Junko had plans to apply for gym membership she has been wanting to join-wait," Shinichi shifts to Ranran, "Can a 10-year-old apply for gym membership?! Also, why the need to go to a gym?! She is physically fit enough to fight!"

"It depends on the gym and their policies. Some gyms may have age restrictions, but others might allow children to join, provided it is with parental consent. Also...." Ranran shook her head, "She didn't want to lose out Adeline to Michio."

"Hah!? The Snake's daughter!?"The little boy raised an eyebrow, "She must have lost her mind. How would it be possible for one of our own members to fall for the criminal's daughter, seriously?"

"Who knows," Ranran shrugged, "Love knows no boundaries. Besides, Junko has always been a bit unpredictable when it comes to Michio."

With his attention back to the screen, he finally reads out Mouri Ran's reasons, "So for Mouri, it would be....to buy....eggs!?" For a moment, the apprentice blinked in confusion as he read Ran's reason for taking leave. "To buy eggs? That's...unexpected. I mean, we could just buy eggs from the grocery store. Why would she need a whole day off for that?"

"Good question," Ranran ponders, "The other day, Ran came up to me to ask whether I know of any place to buy some affordable eggs since the cost of living had gone up recently, causing her to cut down on expenses. I guess she wanted to make the most of her day off and find a good deal on eggs."

"How many did she ask for?"

"4 trays," Ranran replied.

"Four trays?" Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise. "Why does she need so many eggs for? Is she...is she trying to open a bakery by cooking a massive omelette or baking a batch of egg custard tarts?!"

"Funnily enough here," Ranran grabs a seat next to Shinichi before pointing at Takuma's reason for leaving, "He too put down his reason as 'To buy eggs with Reina'."

"Takuma as well? To buy eggs with Reina? What's going on here? Are they planning some kind of egg-themed event?"

"Who knows? Maybe they're secretly organizing an egg-based cooking competition or something. But it's quite a coincidence that both Ran and Takuma have 'buying eggs' as their reason for leaving."

Shinichi scratched his head, a mix of curiosity and amusement on his face. "Maybe the promotion is up for a limited time only, so they are eager to rush over and bulk buy. We'll have to ask them about it later."

"Indeed," Ranran agreed. "In the meantime, let's go out for lunch."

As they put away the laptop, Shinichi couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious egg-buying mystery, "What in the world is going on with them purchasing eggs? Are they... is Japan about to experience egg shortages?"

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

"So this is where Miss Itsuki Jun's mom, Mrs Itsuki Saeki lives, right?!"

Reina, Sonoko and Ran asked Takuma, while Reina pointed at a building outside the gates.

"Yes, this is the place, I have been searching intensively on the internet after we returned from that camping trip," Takuma confirmed, his eyes scanning the once opulent mansion that now stood before them, marred by graffiti and name-calling.

Things like "Monster Mother," "Heartless Betrayer," "Sellout," "No Love, Only Greed," and "Shame on You" were spray-painted on the walls, serving as a public display of the anger and disappointment felt by those who knew the story behind Miss Jun's mother's actions. The words reflected the deep emotional impact her choices had on the people around her.

When the news broke out about the murder back on the island, it didn't take long for the news to finally reach the wealthy neighbourhood where Miss Saeki had been living. When Miss Jun was alive, everyone misunderstood her and accused her as an opportunist, since not long after her first fiance/ eventual killer Kichiro passed away a week after that fateful expedition, she began dating his best friend Miki, and married him a month after, since Miki is from a well-to-do family.

But as soon as the press publicize how her mother was behind all of this, public opinion shifted dramatically. The revelation of Miss Saeki's link to the murder of her own daughter and her subsequent actions shattered the façade of the loving and caring mother she had presented to the world.

Rumours spread like wildfire, painting her as a conniving woman who manipulated the situation for her own benefit, showing no remorse for her daughter's tragic fate. The anger and resentment from the community poured out onto the walls of the once-grand mansion, turning it into a canvas of public scorn.

The grandeur it once exuded had faded away.

"This is a woman sending the message to others, that it is worth selling her daughter's happiness in exchange for living here," Sonoko responded in sarcasm.

"I guess to her mother, it is way better than living in that slum city, right? It's a sad situation for anyone in Miss Jun's shoes." Takuma can't help but sympathize with the victim.

Mouri Ran's anger flared up as she read the graffiti. "How could someone be so heartless? To prioritize material wealth and comfort over their own child's happiness? Even now, I can't understand what mother would do this to her own child!?"

"Well this is why we are here in the first place," Reina grins, "Did you all bring the eggs?"

"Of course we did," Takuma chirped, as he heads to the small box compartment attached to his solar-powered motorbike. He opened it, revealing a collection of eggs of various colours and sizes, neatly packed in protective containers.

"Great, let's egg her!" The four of them nodded among themselves.

The plan was set in motion as they approached the mansion. Reina held a carton of eggs in her hands, her mischievous grin growing wider.

"We're going to give her a taste of her own medicine," Sonoko said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "All the hell began thanks to her."

"Technically, the hell began thanks to Mrs Yasuo," Reina corrected the heiress in scepticism, "Had she not attempted to give away the son whom she had with her con man ex at that time, blamed everything onto him before becoming Kichiro, then later Eiji, he wouldn't have ended up trying to kill us all."

"Then why on earth are we targeting Mrs Itsuki then?" Takuma can't help but frown.

"Because, my dear Takuma, between both evils, she is the evilest among them all," Reina explained with a wicked glint in her eyes, "While I admit that when Kichiro was Tatsuo, Mrs Yasuo attempted to murder him through strangling when he was around 9, at least she decided to send her own son to live with her ex's family relatives rather than keep him in the mansion to continue emotionally tormenting him. But Miss Itsuki however is a different story."

"As soon as she learns that Kichiro is Tatsuo after his supposed 'death', she used her daughter's grief and forces her to marry Miki while blackmailing Kichiro's biological mom for a luxurious life for so many years, couldn't be bothered when her daughter felt like she wanted to die for 12 long years. And that itself is way more unforgivable than the latter," Sonoko added, her voice filled with determination.

"Plus, this whole nonsense about us going through 2 weeks of hell back at the island would not had happen, had that woman not scheme for this marriage in the name of luxury right from the damn start, so she has to pay with her sins!" Ran vowed.

The group approached the front entrance of the mansion, their footsteps echoing in the quiet neighbourhood. The air was tense with anticipation. "Here is the plan," Takuma reminded everyone, "While one of us presses the doorbell intercom, she would come out of the house, that is when we strike."

"But I wonder if she would even bother to come out," Ran frowns deeply, "I mean didn't the press hounded her mansion outside since the news broke? It ain't likely she would be that stupid to come out if any of us since she will likely bark at us through the intercom to go away."

"Oh, she'll come out," Sonoko said confidently, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Because we have a little surprise for her."

Sonoko then pointed them to the speaker's place outside the mansion garden, "You see those Bluetooth speakers over there?" Everyone nodded while she explained, "Through some of the people who are friends with the Suzukis, there was a funeral ceremony event regarding her daughter not long ago at their residence, it will take place for 2 days, which is yesterday and then later tonight. Not that she genuinely cared." The little heiress then reached into her pocket and pulled out her smartphone. "I know of someone who was in charge of this event, this morning the speakers were at their place when he helped me pair my smartphone with the speakers after I explained why I had to do this. As long as we play a song so unbearable, she would be forced to come out."

Ran looked bewildered. "Are we seriously using a music ambush to get her attention?"

"And will it work?" Takuma was sceptical of this.

"She might think it is a trap," Reina was in doubt.

"Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures," Sonoko shrugged. "And besides, who doesn't love a catchy tune?"

"So which song should we go for?" Ran is a bit puzzled, "I don't know of a song that would bring attention in Japan."

"Oh, don't worry, Ran," Sonoko said with a mischievous grin. "I've got the perfect song in mind. It's a timeless classic that will make even the most stoic person cringe."

Curiosity piqued, and Reina leaned closer. "Alright, spill the beans. What song are we talking about?"

The heiress's grin widened. "Prepare yourselves, my friends, because we're about to unleash the ultimate musical torture. The song that will have Mrs Itsuki Saeki running out of her mansion in no time is... 'Baby Shark'."

A collective gasp filled the air as everyone processed Sonoko's choice. Takuma's jaw fell, "Are you serious? 'Baby Shark'? That's diabolical!"

He suddenly had post traumatic flashbacks flooding into his head, when they were solving their first major case in Tantei Association, 'The Extinction Heist', Ranran played that song when everyone couldn't agree with certain decisions on their computer, and it traumatized him for hours. Even Mouri Ran's spine shivered in horror recalling that moment.

"I never thought I'd see the day when 'Baby Shark' becomes a weapon of revenge." Reina is pleased with this.

"Well, if anything can drive her out, it's definitely that." Ran shook her head, a mix of disbelief and amusement on her face.

With their plan in place, Sonoko connected her phone, and with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she hit play and suddenly, loud music blared from hidden speakers surrounding the mansion. The unmistakable sound of "Baby Shark" filled the air, growing louder and more obnoxious with each passing second. The group stood back, their eyes fixed on the mansion, waiting for any sign of movement.

Sure enough, after a few moments, the front door swung open, and Mrs Itsuki Saeki appeared, a mixture of confusion and annoyance on her face. She scanned the surroundings, trying to locate the source of the torturous sound.

"There she is!" Reina exclaimed in excitement. "Now's our chance!"

With that, the group launched their egg assault. Eggs flew through the air, splattering against the walls of the mansion and on Mrs. Saeki's designer clothes. Each egg that hit its target cracked open, releasing a burst of colourful liquid and revealing snippets of the truth.

Without wasting another second, they unleashed the barrage of eggs. One by one, the eggs flew through the air, splattering against the walls of the once-grand mansion.

"This is for making me suffer with dengue thanks to your blackmail!" Sonoko shouted, throwing an egg with all her might.

"Egg her! Egg her!" Takuma chanted, caught up in the moment.

Ran, normally reserved and composed, couldn't help but join in the chaos. She flung an egg with all her might, a sense of satisfaction washing over her as it hit its mark. "For making us live in small tents while stuck on an island with a serial killer, we almost died!"

The scene resembled a bizarre egg-throwing festival, with eggs cracking and yolk splattering everywhere. The once-dignified mansion now bore the marks of their revenge, further tarnishing Mrs Itsuki Saeki's image.

"Your manipulation and heartlessness won't go unpunished!" Reina added, launching another egg.

The air was filled with the sound of splattering eggs, mixed with Mrs Saeki's cries of frustration and denial. The truth was slowly unravelling, painting a vivid picture of her involvement in her daughter's tragic fate.

As the final egg exploded, Mrs Saeki stood there, drenched in a colourful mess, her carefully crafted façade crumbling before their eyes. She trembled, a mixture of anger and fear on her face.

"You...whose kids are you!?" The woman grew mad while she stormed over to the children to confront them, "I had the right to go after your parents for raising hooligans!"

"Go ahead!" Takuma challenged, "At least they raised their hooligan kids with a conscience!"

"And they would never sacrifice their own children's happiness for personal gain!" Ran added, her voice filled with determination.

Mouri Ran stepped forward, staring Mrs Saeki straight in the eyes. "You know what's worse than being called a hooligan? Being called a heartless mother who makes their child want to die for 12 years!"

That is when Mrs. Saeki's face contorted with rage as she clenched her fists before she quickly made a grab for the garden broom, "You bloody prick! I am going to kill you all!"

"Guys, run!"

Realizing the danger, the group quickly scattered, sprinting away from Mrs Saeki as she swung the broom in their direction. They dashed through the streets, adrenaline fueling their escape.

"That was intense," Takuma panted, wiping sweat from his brow.

Ran nodded her expression a mix of exhilaration and fear. "I can't believe how furious she was. We definitely struck a nerve."

Sonoko, though still catching her breath, couldn't help but smirk. "Well, she deserved every egg and every word we threw at her. Let's just hope she learned something from this."

Reina glanced back, ensuring they were no longer being pursued. "I doubt it. People like her rarely change. But at least we made our point and exposed her true nature."

Their revenge may have had unintended consequences, and they certainly didn't expect Mrs Saeki's violent outburst. "Let's head home, we parked Shinichi and Ranran's motorbike sidecar not far from Mrs Saeki's place. If she finds out it belongs to Tantei Association, it just won't be Ranran and Shinichi being furious at us for using their vehicle without asking, we would be facing our furious parents as well." Takuma suggests.

Breathing heavily, the group agreed with Takuma's suggestion and made their way back to where they had parked the motorbike. The adrenaline from their encounter with Mrs Saeki still coursing through their veins, they walked briskly, exchanging glances and occasional nervous laughs.

As they reached the spot where Shinichi and Ranran's motorbike was parked, relief washed over them. The familiar sight of the vehicle brought a sense of security amidst the chaos they had just experienced.

Takuma turned to the others, a sheepish expression on his face. "I guess we should apologize to Shinichi and Ranran for using their motorbike without permission. I'm sure they won't be too happy about it."

Sonoko chuckled. "Yeah, I can already picture their faces when they find out. But I think they'll forgive us once they hear the whole story."

Ran nodded in agreement. "We were just trying to stand up for justice, even if it got a little messy."

Reina smirked. "And we succeeded. Mrs. Saeki got a taste of her own medicine today, and I have a feeling it won't be easy for her to forget."

Little did they know that their daring act of revenge would have far-reaching consequences, not just for Mrs Saeki but for their own lives as well.

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

"Damn those children!" Mrs Saeki cursed while drenched in a mixture of egg yolk and colourful liquid. She stood there, seething with anger and humiliation, her carefully crafted image shattered before her. The once-opulent mansion now bore the marks of their revenge, serving as a constant reminder of her deceit and heartlessness.

Her mind raced with a mix of rage and desperation. How had it come to this?

Mrs Saeki clenched her fists, the broom slipping from her grasp as she realized the futility of her anger. She was no match going after those children, given that age had caught up with her. Before, she had all the money in the world to simply sent out men to teach them a lesson.

Then again, if her daughter hadn't been killed by Kichiro, the son of the victim she blackmailed in exchange for money, she wouldn't be standing here, covered in the remnants of their revenge.

"Aaaah, damn those kids!"

The walls echoed with silence, still devoid of the laughter and warmth that never filled its halls.

As Mrs Saeki entered her bedroom, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was a mere shell of the woman she used to be. Her face, once radiant and confident, now bore the lines of stress and sorrow. The eyes that once held ambition and determination now reflected a deep emptiness.

Sinking onto her bed, Mrs Saeki allowed herself to feel the weight of her actions. The pain of losing her daughter and the knowledge that she had played a part in her tragic demise overwhelmed her. She couldn't escape the truth any longer; her choices had cost her the love and trust of her child.

Tears streamed down her face as she finally allowed herself to grieve. Grieve for the daughter she had lost, grieve for the life she had selfishly pursued at the expense of her own flesh and blood.

As much as everyone pointed fingers at her over using her daughter as a pawn, she often justifies it as a means to leave their life back in the lazy city, the city of slums.

Mrs Saeki's thoughts wandered back to the days when she first made the decision to use her daughter as a means to escape the life she despised. The memories were painful, but she couldn't deny the selfishness that had driven her actions.

She had grown up in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood, surrounded by crime and hopelessness. The constant struggle to make ends meet and the limited opportunities had worn her down. When she met Jun's father, a positive young man who can offer her security, she saw him as someone who makes life a little less bleak while living here.

But life with Jun's father turned out to be far from what she had expected. As optimistic as her husband was, her drive for material wealth only grew when he prioritize his own mother's every single selfish wimp, way more than their daughter. So she used to drive her late husband into becoming ambitious and trying to take up work promotions.

One time, they had an argument. Her husband who is usually patient with her greed finally had it with her and swore to take custody of Jun. He doesn't see the point on why he should upgrade his job opportunities, since they could live comfortably.

But before this could happen, a car accident ended his life.

The tragic accident took away the only person who had shown Mrs Saeki unconditional love and support. Left alone with her daughter, she felt a mixture of grief, guilt, and desperation. She couldn't bear the thought of going back to the poverty she had grown up in.

This is why years later when Jun return back to say she had a boyfriend named Kichiro whom she met in university, who ironically stayed in Lazy City, Mrs. Saeki's decided she had to meddle with her daughter's future.

Years went by, and she tried to break up the couple, but it always ended up failing them. Before long, she finds out the daughter is engaged. Worst, she somehow finds out that Kichiro's family had been insurance scamming for a living. Not like Saeki warned Jun about it, but she didn't care, she didn't mind the idea of insurance scamming.

But then, an opportunity arose that fateful day during the expedition, when Miki cut the rope of Kichiro, who plummeted to his death 12 years ago.

Her daughter was depressed, for one week, she did not eat, sleep or even took a sip of water. As if all hope had wiped out of her. Then one day, on the 8th day, around night time, she noticed that her daughter had secretly slipped out around the wee hours, headed to this club.

And that is when the woman laid her eyes on Miki, whose face mirrored closely the Yasuo family, a very wealthy family.

Now Saeki used to attend the same high school as the current patriarch of the Yasuo family, never once interacting, she used to see him from afar, so she was surprised to see Miki, her daughter's friend, have a face that strongly resembles him.

Seeing their drinks left unattended on the table, Mrs Saeki can't help but wonder....what if...she play with fate?

But deep down, a voice of reason whispered in her ear, reminding her there is a price to pay.