As soon as the children reached the hallway leading to the courtyard, the clattering sounds grew louder, confirming that the disturbance was indeed coming from there. The team exchanged quick glances, their faces set with determination. They braced themselves for what they might encounter.

"Did you all bring any weapons with you?" Shinichi whispered to Ranran while they inch their way there.

"I brought the taser baton with me," Ranran whispered back, her grip tightening around the taser baton she had concealed on her person. "Did you bring your baton as well?"

"Of course I did," Shinichi replied quietly, his hand resting on the handle of his baton. "After that incident back in Kodama Forest Camp, Okaasan and Tousan gave me permission to bring it anywhere I go."

"And we brought paintball guns," Michio and the others showed Ranran their paintball guns, a mixture of determination and apprehension evident on their faces. They had anticipated the possibility of danger and had come prepared.

As they cautiously made their way towards the courtyard, the clattering sounds grew even louder. Approaching the door, Shinichi was about to reach for the knob till Takuma suddenly said, "Be careful, they have those auto-sensor security lights around the area. I noticed it when we were heading to the pool."

Shinichi paused, his hand frozen in mid-air. "Good, I want to see if it was really Takashi's face."

Then, Shinichi pulled it open and as he peered into the blackness the security lights snapped on.

Beside a toppled dustbin in the corner of the courtyard was a Japanese raccoon dog.

It was caught in the sudden glare, sitting on its haunches, a half-eaten slice of pizza grasped guiltily in its front paws. Black markings on its face made it look as though it was wearing a bandit's mask, and its stripy tail was sticking out sideways.

The team stood frozen in surprise as the unexpected sight greeted them. The tension in the air dissipated, replaced by a mixture of relief and amusement. The raccoon dog stared back at them, its eyes wide with a hint of mischief, seemingly unaware of the commotion it had caused.

Ran couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "Well, it seems we were all worked up over a raccoon dog enjoying its late-night snack."

The creature froze for a moment, dazzled by the bright light.

"I guess we let our imaginations run wild. Who would have thought it was just a hungry raccoon dog?" Emiko who was initially on high alert, couldn't help but smile as well.

The children slowly lowered their weapons, realizing the harmless nature of the situation, and Shinichi took a small step forward hoping to get closer but it ran away, clutching its prize in its teeth. "I was wishing that it was deer, then at least we know that Primrose wasn't lying when she slammed the brakes of the van to avoid it." Ran sighed in disappointment.

The team breathed a collective sigh of relief, their tense postures relaxing as they watched the raccoon dog disappear into the darkness. The courtyard returned to its peaceful state, the only remnants of the commotion being the overturned dustbin and the lingering amusement in the air.

Ranran glanced around, half-expecting the secretary/supermodel to appear: she must have heard the clattering too. "I am surprised she didn't come out. Hmph? Wait, what is this?" It was then that she noticed the kitchen door was ajar. "Huh, that is odd. Miss Ohta mentioned earlier that Primrose will be heading straight to bed to calm herself down. Why hadn't she locked up?"

"That's right, it's kinda odd," Shinichi's curiosity piqued as he observed the slightly open kitchen door. It seemed odd that Primrose hadn't locked it, especially after the disturbance in the courtyard.

"Neh, you don't think Primrose is murdered, is she?" Suddenly that dark thought surfaced in Junko.

With their horrified looks, Ranran was the first to peer harder into the starkly lit courtyard, not before gasping out loud. "Oh hell no! Not her too!"

"Eh!? Not her too!? What is that supposed to mean?!" Soon, Shinichi and the others followed to see what Ranran was seeing, not before Ran, Emiko and Junko then stifled a scream of horror.

The team stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the lifeless body of Primrose. Primrose's lifeless body, lying motionless behind the toppled dustbin, became a grotesque centrepiece in this macabre theatre. The dark stain, seeping into the stone slabs beneath her, whispered of a gruesome end, sending shivers down their spines.

Shock and horror coursed through their veins, shattering the previously lighthearted atmosphere. Emotions overwhelmed them as they tried to process the grim reality before them.

As Shinichi approached alongside Ranran, he saw that a baseball bat – which looked just like Mr Punch's stick – had been discarded at her feet.

If that wasn't bad enough: the killer probably had the thought of making fun of her dignity as well. Because he and Ranran discovered that on Primrose's head, perched at a mocking, jaunty angle, was an old-fashioned English policeman's helmet.

"Seriously?! Did that idiot have to make her the cop in the 'Punch and Judy' show?!" Ranran rolled her eyes at that.

The killer's choice to adorn Primrose's lifeless body with the policeman's helmet was a cruel mockery, a disrespectful act intended to humiliate and degrade the victim even in death.

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

"It's a nightmare. I wish we'd never come here," Ran muttered under her breath, her voice heavy with exhaustion and despair. The weight of the recent events had taken its toll on her spirit, leaving her longing for an escape from the relentless horrors that plagued their every step.

In the living room of the guest house, the atmosphere was thick with a sense of impending doom. Mouri Ran's heart-wrenching wails cut through the silence, her innocence shattered by the sight of three lifeless bodies in such a short span of time as Ohta Bunko tries to comfort her. The young child's fragile mind struggled to comprehend the depths of darkness that surrounded them.

Ranran couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at the display of distress. "Not like she never witnessed a corpse before," she muttered bitterly, her words laced with a tinge of cynicism. Memories of their previous encounters with death resurfaced, reminding her of the harsh realities they had faced together.

The plea in Ran's voice, her desperate longing to return to the safety of their familiar lives, reverberated in Ranran's ears. It echoed the collective sentiment shared by all who had been subjected to this nightmarish ordeal. The longing for normalcy, for the sanctuary of home, grew stronger with each passing moment.

The shock and disbelief etched across the faces of Michio, Junko, and Emiko were palpable. The once vibrant and carefree individuals had been thrust into a realm of darkness and despair, their innocence shattered by the grim reality they had witnessed. Even Takuma, usually composed and steady, could not hide the flicker of fear in his eyes.

Ranran turned her gaze to Shinichi, finding solace in his familiar presence. He understood the gruesome nature of their work, having grown up surrounded by crime photos and investigations. "Ranran, it may take a while for them to come to terms with what they've seen," he reminded her, his voice carrying a mixture of understanding and patience.

A touch of defensiveness crept into Ranran's response. "I'm not being insensitive," she retorted, her tone defensive yet tinged with exhaustion. "They knew what they were signing up for when they joined the Tantei Association. What? Were they expecting an Enid Blyton adventure with no deaths?"

As much as Shinichi desired to argue, deep down, he knew Ranran spoke the truth.

"Ran-san, leaving isn't an option at the moment," Sergeant Genzo sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. "Once we apprehend Takashi, we'll need Shinichi to identify if he's the same man who infiltrated the residence and fled."

"Furthermore, since we were the first to stumble upon Primrose's lifeless body, and Ranran was acquainted with her from Edgewood, the police will undoubtedly subject all of us to interrogation in order to uncover the truth." Even Takuma couldn't deny the grim reality that held them captive. The walls of the guest house seemed to constrict around them, transforming into a prison that ensnared them within the clutches of a malicious entity revelling in their torment.

"Yeah, but only if they manage to apprehend him!" Junko erupted, her voice dripping with accusation. "With all those police around, he still slipped through their fingers! And during that entire meal with Primrose, he must have lurked in the shadows, observing us... It's sickening!"

Michio couldn't suppress the violent shudder that coursed through his body at the thought of Peggy's clandestine ex-husband watching their every move while they innocently dined, as Ranran exposed Primrose's web of deceit. His mind churned with countless questions, wondering if the killer had lurked in the darkness, silently witnessing their discovery of Primrose's lifeless form. How close were they now to becoming the killer's next victims?

"Why is all of this happening?" Ran's voice wailed, her desperation cutting through the room like a knife.

Sergeant Genzo shifted his attention back to Ranran, seeking clarification amidst the chaos. "So, let's start from the beginning. You believed Primrose was capable of the murders, given her position as Peggy's temporary secretary, which is why you confronted her during dinner, correct?"

Ranran nodded, her frustration mingled with disappointment. "Did you see the video Takuma sent? She was clearly lying through her teeth."

"And you all planned to meet her in the living room of this residence?"

"That's correct."

"Why?"

"To obtain the letters."

"What letters?"

"The one that she alleges Peggy had received with the Japanese address, the one she believed was from Takashi. As well as the letters Peggy wrote for her fans. All kinds. As well as any evidence such as a contract for example to prove that there was an ongoing anime series that was to be made about us."

"Why are you interested in obtaining those letters?"

"To confirm my theory that Primrose could've deliberately invited Takashi over to frame him for murder. As well as made-up lies that Peggy was heavily invested in making an anime project about us."

"Wait, what!?" Sergeant Genzo's face fell, before confronting, "Explain from the beginning."

"Alright," Ranran nodded before sharing what they discovered while ransacking the office of Peggy's. "Many things she said didn't add up. But despite suspecting her involvement, I didn't believe she was capable of executing the murders the way the killer did. Considering her dimwitted personality, it just didn't seem possible. I never expected her to end up murdered later on," Ranran sighed, her disappointment palpable.

"Ranran," The man sitting opposing her pinched his nose bridge before confronting her, "Did you not consider that by doing this blackmailing thing, the killer whom Primrose might know would've eventually ended up wiping her off so that he or she would leave no traces behind?!"

"Honestly no," Ranran answered with no hint of regret, "I would've assumed since that I cornered her against the wall, knowing how she pull all of her acts in school, that she might oust the killer while figure something out that will prevent the killer from ending her life, just so to save her own skin."

Sergeant Genzo let out a frustrated sigh, realizing the complexity of the situation they found themselves in. "Ranran, I understand your intentions, but by confronting her so directly, you inadvertently put her in even greater danger. It's like putting a bullseye onto her."

"I doubt it, she asked for it when she decided to put the bullseye on us," The red lip detective child refuted, crossing her arms, "In the first place, while we were heading up to Peggy's place, as she was driving the van, she purposefully stomp on the break pedals to wake me up, claiming that she did so to avoid a deer while she kept on eyeing onto me and the others through the rear mirror."

"Wait, that happened!?" Sergeant Genzo's brows furrowed as he absorbed Ranran's words, "Why didn't any of you say anything earlier?" He cast his gaze onto the other children.

"At that time, we didn't think much of it." Takuma argued, "I mean accidents happen, and she claimed deers are common around the residence."

"And we honestly assumed that Takashi was the killer until what Ranran said made sense." Shinichi suddenly defended Ranran while he shared, "Sergeant Genzo, it's not likely that Peggy's first ex-husband Takashi is the killer, because although I admitted that I had seen him in the stripe clothes, it was too flashy. If I was going to commit murder, I would rather not dress up like that, let alone, go to the flower shop to buy a carnation and stay there for several days before heading over to Peggy's place."

Sergeant Genzo's expression morphed into a mix of concern and realization as he listened to Ranran and Shinichi's explanations. "Well, then why did he flee from the residence then if he didn't commit the murder?"

"This one is based on speculation, but I have my theory on this," Ranran explained, "I have reason to believe that the killer instructed Primrose to write a letter to invite Takashi over, by pretending to be Peggy, claiming that she made a mistake ditching him over her comedian career. Which is why he was caught seeing dressed up in the 'Punch' theme clothes witnessed by Shinichi earlier since it was mentioned that both he and Peggy previously bonded closely over their love for 'Punch and Judy'. Then the killer somehow instructs Primrose to intentionally lets the gates open to let him slip in, we know this because he is too physically old to climb over those high walls, and Shinichi found no traces of leaves or cuts. But then, Takashi suddenly stumbled upon Peggy's corpse, then the worst timing happened when Primrose drove the van into Peggy's residence, so his natural response was to obviously flee."

The gears in Genzo's mind turned as he processed the information, connecting the dots to form a clearer picture of the events that had unfolded. At the same time, however, he was mind-boggled over one thing about this theory, "Why would the killer go through all this trouble to frame Takashi?"

"About that, we have no clue," Ranran admitted. "But I know Takashi is vital in the killer's devious scheme one way or another. So is Primrose. And likely....us."

"Hah? How do we play into the killer's hands?!" Junko was in disbelief.

"I don't know how, but Primrose wouldn't have to look at us in the rearview mirror, expecting us to do something when she lied about the deer."

"And whatever it is that the killer wanted us to do....."Takuma's voice rose an octave. "We are at their mercy now, are we not?"

The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of Takuma's words settled upon them. The realization that they were mere pawns in a deadly game orchestrated by a cunning and elusive killer sent a chill down their spines. Fear, mixed with a stubborn determination, ignited within each of them, fueling a desperate need to break free from the clutches of their unknown adversary.

"Don't worry,  I've stationed officers all around the perimeter of the estate. No one can get through now, believe me." Sergeant Genzo reassured them.

"This is from the same cops who failed to stop the murder of Primrose," Shinichi muttered. There was a pause, and from the rustle of tissues, he could tell that Ran was crying, but he ignored her to ask, "Did you all discover anything while looking through Primrose's room?"

"Actually, we did," Sergeant Genzo sighed, before eyeing Ohta Bunko, "Miss Ohta, did Miss Primrose mention anything about being in a relationship."

"Not that I know of," replied Muniko's secretary, confused. "Why?"

"We believe she was planning on getting married," said Sergeant Genzo.

"Really?" Surprise dried up Ran's tears as Ohta Bunko hears this while the young woman responded, "I had no idea."

"How did you know that?" Shinichi asked in eagerness.

"I was checking over her room. She had a whole file of cuttings and leaflets about wedding venues, caterers, that kind of thing. They were spread out on her bed. Looked like she was planning something really big."

"Wait, how big are you implying is 'big'?" Ranran pressed for specific details.

Sergeant Genzo hesitated for a moment before responding. "From what we could gather, it seemed like Primrose was planning a lavish wedding. The documents and brochures she had collected indicated a high-budget affair with extravagant venues, renowned caterers, and other luxurious arrangements. It appeared to be far beyond what one would typically expect for a simple wedding."

"I mean it wouldn't be surprising if she could afford it," Emiko suddenly pique interest in the developments of where this case is heading, "Ranran mentioned that she came from a family of Earls through her missing sister's marriage."

"Eh!?" Sergeant Genzo was once again surprised before turning to Ranran, "Is this true? And what is this about Primrose's sister going missing? Why didn't you bother to mention any of this?"

"It ain't that much of a big deal," Ranran scratched her head in response, "Her sister ran away from home after a huge fight with her husband, Primrose's brother-in-law. Also, though I admit that the brother-in-law is a wealthy casting director, Primrose only had access to those privileges through the means of her sister's marriage rather than being born into it. Besides, no way her brother-in-law would give her the money to throw an expensive wedding. There is a limit to how far he would do for his sister-in-law."

"And may I know how you know all of this?"

"I worked for him as a child actor, still does at times, Sergeant Genzo." Ranran grins cheekily.

"But if you are talking about a lavish wedding.....is it normal for the bride to pay for the entire thing?" Ran was still perplexed over where the direction of the case is heading, "I mean let's say Primrose will be the one to pay for all of this, but as Ranran mentioned earlier, it not likely her brother-in-law would fork out a ridiculous amount of money since she is the in-law....that meant the groom is likely to foot the bill, no?"

"Eh?" All heads turned to Ran.

"I mean those weddings themselves cost a fortune!" Ran blew her nose, "I know this because Sonoko read tons of magazines about it, as well as attended tons of it!" Ran rubbed her chin, "Primrose isn't likely to pay up, given that she only earned enough to live comfortably, so that meant the groom is likely to be rich to be able to afford this, right? Otherwise, why all those magazines about it are in her room?"

"I mean if you put it that way," Junko pushed up her glasses to think about it, "You have a point. It would be too unreasonable for Primrose to have her wealthy brother-in-law pay up for her wedding, especially since she is not even his kid, just in-law. Let alone, the groom not forking out a single dime would be unfair to Primrose."

"She must have bagged herself a millionaire." Takuma tries to guess the identity of Primrose's mysterious groom.

"Or a CEO of a business company," Shinichi figures.

"Or a celebrity," Michio thinks.

"Or maybe even a billionaire for all we know," Junko groaned.

"But don't you think it is odd? For her to be browsing for luxury weddings, that would mean that she is engaged, right?" Ranran then pointed at Ohta Bunko's fourth finger, "Miss Ohta here is still wearing the ring Mr Seto gifted her when he proposed to her, yet when we met Primrose at the resting area when she came with her van to pick us up, there was no ring on her fourth finger."

Sergeant Genzo's eyes widened as he realized the implication of Ranran's observation. "You're right," he acknowledged, turning his attention to Ohta Bunko. "Miss Ohta, did Primrose mention anything about an engagement or a potential partner?"

Ohta Bunko furrowed her brows, deep in thought. "Now that you mention it, she never mentioned anything about being engaged or having a partner. She didn't seem to be wearing a ring when we met her either."

"If Primrose was planning a lavish wedding, yet she never mentioned being engaged or having a partner, it raises a troubling question. Who was she planning to marry?" Ranran's gaze shifted to the rest of the group.

"Was there anything out of the ordinary?" Sergeant Genzo inquired from Ohta, "You mentioned being the last person to see her after Ranran and the rest of the children stormed off for confronting Primrose."

"I don't know if this is important, but....." Ohta had her finger on her chin thoughtfully, "When I asked her what was going on because Ranran and her were arguing in English, she said nothing much, and she said it was her own fault for being rude towards Ranran. And then when she looked at the window in the kitchen earlier....she looked as though she suddenly smiled while gazing at the kitchen window."

A sense of unease settled in the room, as if the dark shadows had deepened, enveloping them in a veil of mystery and foreboding. "Smiled?" Sergeant Genzo repeated, his voice laced with scepticism. "In the midst of all this chaos and tension, she smiled? That's certainly peculiar."

Ohta nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of confusion and concern. "Yes, it struck me as odd too. I couldn't understand why she would find anything to smile about in such a situation. It was as if she knew something we didn't."

"Smiled?" Shinichi probed, "Was it the evil kind, or-"

"Ah no, not like that!" Ohta Bunko had her hands up dismissing the little boy's words, "It was....how would you put it?" The woman struggled to remember, till she had a flicker in her eye, "It's like...she saw the face of an old friend. A warm, nostalgic smile, as if she had stumbled upon a long-lost connection. It sent shivers down my spine, considering the circumstances."

The room fell into a hushed silence, each person grappling with their own thoughts and suspicions. The realization that Primrose may have been harbouring secrets, possibly darker than they could have imagined, added another layer of darkness to the already grim atmosphere.

At this point, Ranran's mind was alive with questions. "You know, now that she mentioned it, when we arrived for dinner this evening, she seemed way more cheerful than she was earlier, it was as if the two murders of Peggy and Aurelia...hadn't affected her at all," Ranran interjected, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Dressed up back to her old style when she was in Edgewood...I wondered if she had lost her mind."

"She definitely did with you," Takuma recalled the argument back at the rest area.

"By the way, I also found this in her room too," Genzo was saying. "I thought you especially might want to know how this ended up in her room."

"Eh?" Ranran sounded puzzled, while Shinichi and the other kids edged forward to see what Genzo has given her. "Wait a minute, this photo.....?"

"You didn't send it to her?"

"Why would I?"

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

In January last year, 5-year-old Ranran knew her time in the U.K. is up.

Her last day in Edgewood Academy, a prestigious private school in London, was bittersweet for little Ranran.

As the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and nostalgia for the friends and experiences she was leaving behind. Ranran's family had made the difficult decision to return to their homeland, Japan, due to 'that incident' with her mentor.

And Ranran resented them, she resented her mother more than she did all of this behind her back.

Ranran was there during 'that incident', the tragic demise of her 8-year-old mentor was something not even moving to a foreign country would change a thing. She did not want to leave the mentor who is laid to rest six feet beneath the ground, he would be all alone should she leave.

In the weeks leading up to her departure, Ranran found solace in visiting her mentor's grave. Every day after school, she would make her way to the quiet cemetery, carrying a small bouquet of flowers. She would sit beside the tombstone, sharing stories and thoughts with her departed friend, as if he could hear her from beyond.

Moving to a foreign country would mean she would now be ordinary just like everyone else. Sure, her family didn't lose her title, but for anyone with titles, the privileges are deemed to be useless once one moves away from the U.K. In addition to that, there will be no more politicking with anyone anymore once she leaves this school.

A new reality, one without the prestige and special treatment she had grown accustomed to at Edgewood Academy was too much for her to bear, but it ain't as bad as leaving her deceased mentor behind.

As she was about to leave the premises, someone called out to her, "Ranran!" Ranran turned around, her eyes widening as she recognized the voices of the elder children, who were the clients of Fox and Deer, an online revenge business run by herself and her late mentor.

Intrigued by their presence and the mention of their mutual business venture, Ranran cautiously approached the group of older children. They stood together, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of sadness. Ellis, one of her mentor's classmates smiled to say, "Let's take a group photo!"

Ranran hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to be reminded of the past and the business she had been involved in with her late mentor. The memories were still fresh and painful, but there was also a sense of longing to reconnect with the world she was leaving behind.

With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, she joined the group of older children, standing beside Ellis as he took out his phone. The children gathered closer, their faces filled with a mix of emotions—sadness, nostalgia, and a touch of excitement.

"What is the purpose of taking this group photo?" The then 5-year-old Ranran peered as Ellis beamed, seeing the photo in his smartphone.

Ellis chuckled and looked at Ranran with a warm smile. "This photo," he said, "Would be something to remind you that if you ever feel lost, feel pathetically hopeless without those titles and privileges, look at our faces in this photo smiling. Before, it wouldn't have been possible. But thanks to you and 'him', we got to where we are now."

Ranran looked at the group photo on Ellis's phone, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She couldn't deny the warmth and familiarity she felt seeing the smiling faces of her late mentor's classmates.

The memories of their past in Fox and Deer, as well as the bond they had formed were still vivid in Ranran's mind. She remembered the countless hours spent whenever she schemes, seeking out information, and executing their revenge strategies. It was a bittersweet time, filled with a sense of purpose and camaraderie. But now, as she prepared to leave for Japan, Ranran had thought she would leave all of that behind.

The moment Ellis sent the photo to her smartphone, Ranran couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. The realization that she was leaving all this behind, her friends, and the memories they shared, made her heart heavy. She knew that once she returned to Japan, everything would change. It was a chapter of her life that was coming to an end.

"As for us," Veronica who stood next to Ellis beamed, "We will keep this in memory."

"Secrecy for life!"

After the photo, the children sat on a nearby bench, reminiscing about their experiences together. They talked about the pranks they had pulled off, the laughter they had shared, and the memories of her mentor.

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

Ranran took the photo from Sergeant Genzo's outstretched hand, her eyes widening as she studied it intently. The image depicted a group of children, including Ranran herself with the other Edgewood Academy children, presumably older than Ranran judging their heights, most of them were Caucasian standing together with beaming smiles on their faces. It was a picture taken during her time in Edgewood, a moment captured when she lost everything, but is comforted by the last remaining warmth from them before the darkness in Japan took up almost everything in her life.

But the eerieness of this surfaced when Ranran realized there is one red circle drawn around her head. It was as if someone had intentionally singled her out, highlighting her presence in the picture. The circle seemed out of place, a stark contrast to the smiles and camaraderie displayed by the other children.

"You found this photo in Primrose's room?" Ranran questions Sergeant Genzo.

"Yes, we discovered this photo hidden among Primrose's belongings." Sergeant Genzo nodded, his expression filled with concern.

Meanwhile, Shinichi who is sitting next to her can't help but felt a shiver run down his spine as he considered the implications. Normally, whenever his father takes him to crime scenes when he was younger, when a photo had unusual markings or indications, mainly on one person within the group, it can only mean one thing: That person is the target.

And that also means Ranran is being targeted.

Shinichi's mind raced as he analyzed the photo, trying to make sense of the red circle and its significance. It couldn't be a coincidence that the circle was drawn around Ranran, and the fact that they found the photo in Primrose's room, not to mention, she and Ranran had bad blood, suggested a disturbing connection.

"Ranran mentioned earlier that Primrose was observing her from the rearview mirror in the van," Shinichi grow more worried than ever, feeling disturbed by the sight of the circle, "That meant what Ranran had suspected about Primrose was true all along: Primrose had planned on using her as part of the killer's plan. As for what, it remains uncertain, but it is clear that Ranran is being targeted in some way."

"No way!" Takuma begins to grow horrified at that prospect, "But she is a child just like the whole lot of us!"

"That's right!" Even Michio grew riled up at this revelation, "What is wrong with her?!"

"Too bad that she is killed by the killer, otherwise, we could've known why she did that." Emiko narrowed her gaze at the sinister-looking photo.

Mouri Ran remained silent, her tears mingling with the tissue in her hands, a mix of sorrow and helplessness.

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

As soon as the discovery of the photo was out, Shinichi went into emergency mode.

The 6-year-old boy was busy shouting out orders to the cops, telling them to safeguard the entire floor of bedrooms upstairs. And should the cops fail to do so, he had a backup plan.

"Shinichi, you can't be serious about having Ranran moved into your bedroom!?"

Mouri Ran was livid to see Shinichi who immediately marched straight to Ranran's bedroom while he hurriedly pack up her belongings. "I don't have a choice, Mouri, she is already targeted. It only seems fair that she moves in with me."

"But she can look after herself!" Ran bellowed while the other children began to gather in Ranran's bedroom.

"Does she?! 3 people are now dead, including Primrose who assumed the person she trusted wouldn't kill her, but she did!" Shinichi voiced his anger over the situation.

"Uh, Shinichi, you do know I can look after myself, right?" The 6-year-old red-lip detective reminded him.

"No, you can't," Shinichi shook his head at him, "Primrose is someone who knows about you since Edgewood. And since she resents you for costing Millie her entire future, it wouldn't be odd if she had told everything about you to the killer, since she trusts the killer! This time, you can't deal with the killer alone. Not anymore!"

Shinichi's words hung heavily in the air, the weight of his concern evident in his voice. Ranran, though initially resistant, could see the logic in Shinichi's argument. The danger was escalating, and Ranran's safety needed to be the top priority.

And Emiko who is hearing this knew he was right, "I don't mean to side with Shinichi, but he is right. Primrose probably shared things about Ranran with the killer so that the killer could use her. For what, we ain't clear, but considering Primrose is dead, I am betting that the killer is the type to use someone, then dispose of them when they are no longer worthy to them."

"Speaking of the killer," Takuma wonders, "Is it likely that the killer could be Primrose's mysterious fiance?"

"Eh? What makes you say that?" Michio and the others turned to the athlete, as Shinichi continue to pack his mentor's belongings.

"Well, didn't you guys mention that while Aurelia was discovered dead at the pool, there is a possibility that Primrose could've known who the killer is based on her actions?" Takuma thought hard about it, "No matter how hard I thought about what you guys say, Primrose as Ranran mentioned is too dimwitted to scheme all of this."

"And your point it?" Michio wondering where this ties in."

"My point is," Takuma gave everyone a look, "Primrose lied about many things, about Ranran's theory that Primrose could've just jumped into the pool to protect Aurelia from the intruder.....since Primrose and the killer are close if he is her fiance, it would make sense why she didn't jump in the pool to save Aurelia, right?" Shinichi paused, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed Takuma's theory. "Also, Ohta-san mentioned seeing Primrose staring at the window, smiling after that feud with Ranran....it could be the said fiance for all we know."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier, a sense of unease settling upon the children like a suffocating fog. The realization that the killer could be someone close to Primrose, someone she trusted and planned a future with, sent chills down their spines.

Shinichi's heart raced as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. He had underestimated the darkness that lurked within Primrose's life, especially the killer, and now it seemed that darkness had engulfed them all. The room felt claustrophobic, the walls closing in as they grappled with the harsh reality that their lives were in danger.

It was as if a demon-possessed Shinichi, the room that was initially consumed by an ominous silence, broken only by the sound of Shinichi's hurried movements before he tells his mentor, "Come on, Ranran, I will be sleeping at the door, you take the bed."

"Do you want me to move into your room, Shinichi? I can help if you want," Michio who is always attentive to the kids younger than him offered.

"So do I," Takuma offered as well.

"Don't, Michio, Junko will get mad at me if I let you. And your mom will faint if you ever dealt with the killer, she is after all a widower of 10 years. And as for you, Takuma," Shinichi turned to the athlete, "You barely survived when the serial killer went after us on that island at that time, what makes this any different?"

As Shinichi's words echoed through the room, a sombre silence settled upon them. "Ranran, we are leaving."

While Shinichi and Ranran made their way through the dimly lit corridors, a chilling wind swept through the deserted halls of the late comedian's mansion. The once-familiar surroundings now took on a sinister quality, shadows dancing on the walls like malevolent spectres.

Their footsteps echoed ominously, a haunting reminder of the impending danger that lurked in every corner. The air was heavy with the stench of fear as if the very building itself trembled under the weight of the impending darkness.

Outside, the moon hung ominously in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The trees whispered secrets in hushed voices, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, ready to snatch away anyone who dared to cross their path.

As they entered Shinichi's room, an oppressive silence enveloped them. "Don't worry too much, have a good sleep. The killer will stand no chance messing around with me in front of the door."

The walls seemed to close in, suffocating them with their suffocating presence. The faint flicker of light provided the only source of light, casting long, menacing shadows on the walls.

Meanwhile, Ranran's senses just heightened to every creak of the floorboards and every gust of wind that rattled the windows. Every sound became a potential threat, and every shadow a potential harbinger of death.

The room, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison. The bed shrouded in darkness, beckoned Ranran with an unsettling allure. She couldn't shake the feeling that unseen eyes watched her every move, their gaze filled with malice and sadistic delight.

Shinichi positioned himself near the door, his eyes scanning the room with a steely resolve. His grip on the weapon he held tightened, his knuckles turning white with the strain. In the darkness, his features took on an almost predatory intensity, his determination etched on his face like a mask of vengeance.