"Guys, can we just go back now?" Michio whispered, his voice filled with unease, as the darkness seemed to close in around them.

At the same time, however, Ranran, Takuma, and Michio pressed on, their desperate search for Takashi leading them deeper into the heart of the desolate and sinister mansions. Shadows danced on the decaying walls, and a chilling breeze whispered through the broken windows, carrying with it an unspoken threat.

"Why should we?" Takuma scoffed, his voice dripping with a mixture of defiance and defiance and reckless determination.

"I mean, I don't believe in ghosts, but honestly....this place is enough to give you the feeling that if you were killed here, no one would ever know," Michio's words quivered, as his imagination conjured up horrors lurking in the shadows.

"Oh please, Michio. We've dealt with serial killers and thieves. I think we can handle a creepy old mansion," Ranran's voice rang out, laced with a mix of bravado and a hint of madness.

"Guys, I don't know if you all noticed this, but...." Takuma's voice trailed off, his senses on high alert. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a sense of foreboding washed over him. "Do you all not feel as though we are being watched? As if unseen eyes are tracing our every move?"

Ranran and Michio exchanged glances, their expressions tense and wary. But only Michio's eyes were wide with apprehension, reflecting the growing dread that gnawed at his insides. The weight of the darkness seemed to press down upon them, suffocating their hopes and feeding their fears.

The atmosphere grew even more oppressive as they took in their surroundings. The mansions, once grand and full of life, now stood as dilapidated mausoleums, housing secrets and malevolence. Every creaking floorboard and rustling curtain sent shivers down their spines, heightening their awareness of the lurking danger.

"If we are being watched, then that means we are getting closer to where Takashi is hidden after he was kidnapped," Ranran's voice emerged, a twisted smile playing on her lips, revealing a twisted fascination with the macabre.

"Eeeeeh!?" The boys' faces fell, a mixture of awe and horror filling his eyes, as he grappled with the realization that they were edging closer to their goal and, at the same time, deeper into the clutches of the unknown darkness that surrounded them.

"Ranran, what do you mean by those words?" Michio found himself asking the 6-year-old child in a low tone, hoping the men who are watching them didn't overhear their conversation, "How is it good that people are watching us?"

Ranran turned her gaze towards Michio, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. She paused for a moment, relishing in the discomfort her words brought upon the boys.

"Simple," she finally replied, her voice filled with a dark certainty. "Boys, do you know why whenever one touches a beehive, one would immediately get stung by bees?"

Michio and Takuma exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions mirroring their confusion. Takuma cautiously ventured, "Uh, because bees are protective of their hive and will defend the honey that came with the beehive?"

Ranran's smirk widened, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. "That's right, Michio. Anyone who approaches closely to the beehive would end up getting stung severely."

"What does our situation have anything to do with bees?" Takuma grew baffled.

"Simple, we are getting closer as to where Takashi is being held against his will," She took a step closer to Michio and Takuma, her small figure somehow radiating eerie confidence. "Remember when I said that there is a likely chance that Felix didn't arrive at the hills alone? Because Takashi could've easily escaped, so he may need some men to be stationed around to prevent that from happening. It's the same as us here."

With her grin widening, she explains, "There are a swarm of bees that will never leave far off the beehive to not only protect the queen bee but also, the honey that came with it. Same as it is for Felix, he probably didn't want anyone to know that Takashi is kidnapped around this place. Naturally, anyone in his shoes would put multiple men to surround the location to prevent any mishap."

Michio's eyes widened, a mix of awe and dread creeping into his features. He struggled to process Ranran's analogy, the implications sinking in.

"So... are you saying that if the ones who are watching us happened to be Felix's men...whom he had sent to prevent Takashi from escaping in whichever mansion that is on this street, that means....their beehive-no," Michio corrected himself, "Where Tadashi is being held isn't far off from where we are now?!"

"Exactly. If we are drawing the attention of Felix's men, then it means we are getting closer to the hive, to the heart of where Takashi is being held captive." Ranran nodded, her eyes gleaming with a wicked excitement.

A shiver ran down Michio's spine as the gravity of their situation sank in. The mansions around them, once empty shells of decay, now felt suffocatingly alive, pulsating with hidden dangers and secrets waiting to be unravelled.

"But Ranran, if that is true....are they not likely to kill us all? To prevent anyone from knowing about the location? Let alone, Felix's plans?" Takuma's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

"That is the point," Ranran's smirk widened, her eyes shining with an unsettling delight. "But as soon as Takashi is located by us, they are beyond screwed, are they not?"

Ranran's words hung in the air, their weight sinking into the hearts of Michio and Takuma. The realization that their very lives hung in the balance sent a chill coursing through their veins.

"Ranran, we might die." Michio's voice quivered with a mix of fear and uncertainty.

"Then the both of you," Ranran urged them to come closer to her for a private conversation, "Head head back to the mansion and inform Genzo."

"Hah!?" The boys' eyes widened in alarm, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and confusion. The weight of their precarious situation bore down on them, suffocating their breath and clouding their thoughts.

Ranran's expression remained eerily calm, her gaze piercing through their doubts. "Listen carefully, Michio, Takuma. We are in a deadly game of Felix's. I will go alone, drawing their attention away from you. Meanwhile, you must make your way back to the safety of the clinic where Miss Ohta is. Stay hidden until one of Sergeant Genzo's police cars arrives."

Michio and Takuma exchanged a glance, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within their eyes. Fear, uncertainty, and a glimmer of determination flickered across their faces. They had come this far together, bound by the desperate quest to rescue their friend. Now, the path ahead diverged, and the weight of responsibility fell upon their shoulders.

"But Ranran, what if something happens to you?" Takuma's voice quivered, his concern for the child's safety mingling with the fear of losing his friend.

"I will be fine," Ranran's red lips curled into a knowing smile of reassurance, a chilling blend of confidence and resignation. "I am certain judging Felix's calculative nature, he definitely informed his men not to do anything drastic unless we ever set foot as to where Takashi is. Because at the moment, the cops are still under the assumption that Takashi committed these murders, not Felix, and the manhunt is still sent out for him. And he needs to keep Takashi alive for the time being till Felix is cleared of suspicion, then sacrifice Takashi and stage it as suicidal guilt for the murders after he is assumed to be innocent before fleeing the following day."

"But you are relying on Shinichi to interrogate Felix," Michio reminded her, "If Shinichi fails to delay him any further-"

"Then Felix will ultimately succeed in killing Takashi, and probably put out an order to end my life." Ranran nodded to the grim reality, "I am aware. But if the three of us fled back, being alive while Millie ruins the reputation of Tantei Association, especially when you and Shinichi would be forced to return to your old lives with Junko and the others harassing all of you to be in a relationship....that is way more suffocating than being dead, right?"

The words hung heavily in the air, a chilling reminder of the stakes they faced. Michio and Takuma exchanged a sombre glance, the weight of their choices pressing down upon them. The darkness seemed to close in around them, its presence a tangible force that threatened to consume their hopes and dreams.

"I will figure out a way to get Takashi back," Ranran turned away from them, her voice filled with determination. "But while all of this is going on, flee, don't look back. If Felix's men try to stop you two from leaving, remember the routes I have sent to both of you on the smartphone. Right now, around this area, there is still a bit of phone signal."

Michio and Takuma nodded, their faces etched with determination and the weight of their mission. They exchanged a final glance, their unspoken bond conveying their resolve to survive and save their friend. Then, with hearts heavy and minds focused, Takuma said, "You better return back alive, Ranran. Cause if not, I will make sure Felix pays for every drop of blood spilt," Takuma's voice quivered with a mixture of determination and a wave of simmering anger.

"I know you would," She casually scoffs before going down several blocks.

Michio's breath caught in his throat as the weight of their mission pressed down upon him. "Takuma, we got to go."

"But-"

"Tak-san," Michio insists, his voice filled with urgency and determination, "We have to trust Ranran on this. She knows what she's doing, and we have to believe that she can handle herself."

With a shared nod, the boys turned away from the looming mansions and began their cautious retreat, their steps measured and hearts pounding. The darkness seemed to follow their every move, taunting them with whispers of what lurked in the shadows. But they pushed through, fueled by the hope of rescuing Takashi and the trust they placed in Ranran's cunning abilities.

As they weaved through the labyrinthine streets, Michio's mind raced with a mix of fear and determination. Every shadow seemed to hold a hidden threat, every sound of their steps amplified their unease. But he focused on the task at hand, clinging to the hope that they would reach safety.

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

In Peggy's opulent living room in the main residence, Felix continued to vehemently deny the existence of his twin sister, maintaining his charade in front of Shinichi and Sergeant Genzo in a polished British accent. "That baby in the photograph was nothing more than a jest, a prank concocted by my mother in a moment of whimsy," Felix insisted, his voice oozing with arrogance.

Sergeant Genzo exchanged a knowing glance with Shinichi, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. Through Shinichi's translation, he urged Felix to clarify his statement. "Kudo, ask Mr Felix what he exactly means by that. I want to get to the bottom of this."

Shinichi turned his attention back to Felix, relaying the sergeant's words with a hint of scepticism. He locked eyes with Felix, his gaze piercing and unwavering. "Sergeant Genzo wishes to know the true meaning behind your claim, Mr. Felix. Please explain yourself."

Felix's smile grew more disdainful, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Certainly, gentlemen. Allow me to enlighten you. The photograph in question, featuring the supposed twin sister, was a mere fabrication for the sake of my mother's comedic endeavours. As you are well aware, my mother is a renowned comedian."

The interrogation had stretched on for hours, the tension in the room palpable. Meanwhile, Emiko, Ran, and Junko monitored the proceedings from a distance, their minds racing with new information.

Emiko's voice broke the silence, a hint of suspicion in her tone. "You know, apart from Felix's real father not making any headlines, I couldn't find any mention of Felix's twin sister being involved in the accident. It's as if Peggy wanted her existence to be erased when she was alive."

Ran's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion as she scanned through the search results on her smartphone. "You're right. It's strange that there's no mention of her sister in any of the articles about the accident. It's almost as if Peggy wanted to hide her daughter's existence as if she shouldn't be born."

Junko nodded in agreement, her spectacled gaze fixed on her own smartphone. "It wouldn't be surprising if that were the case. While I enjoy Peggy's comedic performances, it's unlikely that the public would react kindly to the news that someone as talented and funny as she has a child who is...what my mother calls 'brain dead'."

"Well then, what are we going to do?" Junko groaned, and so did the other girls.

It was then, Emiko remembered something, "Neh Ran, during one of our major cases, I recalled you and Takuma paying Takuma's girlfriend's uncle, Matsuyuki Habiki, who worked at the press a visit, right?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Do you still have his number? Call him. Ask him if he knew anything about Peggy's secret daughter." Emiko suggests.

"But the car accident took place in the U.K., not Japan. I doubt Mr Habiki covers overseas Entertainment news." Ran refuted the artist.

"You're right, Habiki-san primarily covers local entertainment news. But he might have connections or colleagues who work in the international scene. It's worth a shot."

Ran frowned, considering Emiko's suggestion before she quickly retrieved her phone from her pocket and scrolled through her contacts, searching for Matsuyuki Habiki's number. Finding it, she pressed the call button, the anticipation building within her.

The phone rang several times before it was answered. "Matsuyuki Habiki speaking," a deep voice greeted from the other end.

Ran took a deep breath, her voice steady yet filled with urgency. "Mr Habiki-san, it's Ran-san. Do you remember me? I was with Takuma during the 'Illegtimate Extra' case?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Matsuyuki's voice came through, tinged with curiosity. "Ah, yes, Ran-san. I remember you. How can I help you?"

Ran wasted no time getting to the point. "We're investigating a matter related to Peggy Punchard. A British Comedian who used to live in Japan."

"Ah I heard about it, didn't the police announce that she was murdered in her own home not long ago?"

"Yes, that one. Aside from that...." Ran had to bring this up, "By chance, does anyone at your workplace cover anything about Peggy Punchard's personal life."

There was a moment of silence, and Ran held her breath, hoping for a positive response.

Finally, Matsuyuki spoke, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "Truthfully, if you are talking about that aspect, I was the one who was put in charge of covering her personal life."

"Eh!? Hontou!?" Junko and Emiko's eyes widened as they observed Ran pressing, "How far did you cover?"

"It was a long time ago, but all the way back to her first marriage that no one knows about. Is that...what you are asking for?"

"Ah no, we know about that. But do you know anything about Peggy's secret daughter? And she ain't Aurelia."

Matsuyuki Habiki's voice grew sombre on the other end of the line. "Her secret daughter? Yes, I do. It was a well-guarded secret, known only to a few of us in the industry. Peggy went to great lengths to conceal her daughter's existence."

Ran's heart raced, anticipation and curiosity mingling in her voice. "Please, Mr Habiki, we need to know. Peggy's daughter as in Felix's twin sister...I want to know her name, everything about her. Why she never brought her up to the press? Is it because Peggy is ashamed for having an idiot as a daughter?"

"I wouldn't really say that....." The man's voice grew sombre on the other end of the line, a heavy silence punctuating his words. "Her name is Joan, that girl you were talking about."

Ran felt a jolt of surprise and intrigue at the mention of the secret daughter's name. "Joan is her name?"

"Yes," Habiki's voice grew more sombre. "And no, she didn't do that just because she is ashamed of having an idiot daughter. She did that because she love her."

"Love her!?" Ran is appalled by the man's words, fortunately, the girls had left their sitting place to talk somewhere far away from the interrogation, with the phone still in her ear, she rants, "She never once revealed her name even to the press! Only her son and Aurelia! How can you say that she loves Joan if she did all those things by trying to erase her existence!?"

Ran's voice trembled with a mix of anger and confusion as she poured out her frustration while Emiko and Junko followed her, wondering what would be his response. Habiki listened silently on the other end of the line, his tone sombre when he finally responded. "There's more to the story than meets the eye. Peggy Punchard had her reasons for keeping Joan hidden from the public eye."

"What reasons could possibly justify hiding her own daughter? I know, she is an idiot and a burden, but she is still her daughter!" Ran's voice cracked with emotion, her heart heavy with a mix of empathy and disbelief.

"Bullying." Habiki's voice carried a weight of sadness and understanding.

"Eh!?"

"Way back then, there were not many special schools around the U.K. So Joan ended up in a normal kindergarten. But....the normal kids there made Joan's life a living hell. It didn't help when they learn she is the daughter of Peggy Punchard, no matter what, she was doomed for life." Habiki continued, his voice filled with sorrow. "They mocked her, taunted her, and subjected her to relentless bullying. It was a daily nightmare for Joan, and Peggy couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer. Which is why she paid the press to not release her daughter's name for private reasons. I know this because my colleague who was with me actually headed to the school where Peggy and Felix used to study before Peggy paid off the school to not say a word."

The little brown-haired brunette's heart ached as she tried to comprehend the magnitude of Joan's suffering and Peggy's struggle as a mother. Meanwhile, Junko and Emiko who were listening after she set to speaker phone had no idea what to make of this.

"Then what about the accident?" Ran confronted, "From what we have read, the name 'Joan' never surfaced once! Aside from Peggy's deceased ex-husband's name having appeared, it made it sound as though he was the only victim!"

"It was too painful for her to conceal this part," Habiki's voice grew even more sombre as he responded, "Considering Joan didn't live a beautiful life, she didn't want her daughter's tragic fate to be exploited by the media or become public knowledge. The accident was devastating, and Peggy wanted to protect what little privacy and dignity Joan had left."

Emiko's mind raced, trying to process the information. "It wouldn't have made sense! What is there to exploit out of people's deaths?!"

"Exactly!" Even Junko is baffled.

"It does, kids, you don't know how brutal the press can be," Habiki then went on to explain. "When a few of the reporters got word about Joan's existence, there were rumours and speculations surrounding the accident, some even suggesting that Joan possibly screaming erratically thanks to her mentality is the reason why Peggy's husband ended up crashing his car against the drunk driver. To preserve Joan's innocence and protect her from further pain, Peggy decided to keep her daughter's name out of the public eye by getting influential people involved and shielding her from the scrutiny of the media. It was a heartbreaking decision, but one she believed was necessary to spare Joan from further suffering."

The weight of the truth settled upon the girls, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. Peggy's actions, once seen as cold and callous, now took on a different light. She had kept Joan hidden not out of shame, but out of a fierce love and determination to shield her from the harsh realities of the world.

"What about the ex-husband? I noticed there were no photos of him when I tried googling about him?" Emiko pressed for answers. "I know that he is a Wildlife explorer with the possibility that he may not be as equally as famous as Peggy, or that may not have liked the spotlight to the point he wants to remain anonymous, but he married one of the most famous women in the world before the divorce took place. So what is with that?"

"About that...." Habiki hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether he should reveal the information he had learned about Peggy's ex-husband. After a deep breath, he decided to share it with the girls.

"I have to admit, it's a bit of a sensitive topic," Habiki began cautiously. "Peggy's ex-husband, Richard, was indeed a wildlife explorer. He was passionate about his work and dedicated his life to studying and preserving wildlife in remote areas. However, there's something you should know."

Emiko, Ran, and Junko leaned in, their curiosity piqued. "What is it?" Emiko asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Her ex-husband.....was rumoured to have been accused of illegal wildlife trafficking. Mainly heroin trafficking."

The girls gasped, their eyes widening in shock. The revelation sent a ripple of disbelief through their minds as they struggled to reconcile this new information with their previous image of Richard as a respected wildlife explorer.

"It was never proven, and there was no concrete evidence to support the allegations," Habiki clarified. "But the rumours were strong enough to cast doubt on his integrity. Peggy, being the protective and fiercely loyal woman she was at that time, made the decision to keep his photos out of the public eye to shield him from the scandal. But it has taken a toll on their marriage, which later led to the divorce."

This reminded Junko, "And how did Felix feel about this?"

"You mean when his twin sister died? Felix was devastated," Hibiki replied with a heavy sigh.

"Eh!? Not resentful? I thought he hate the crap out of her for being born an idiot and a burden!" Emiko and the others were stunned to learn from this.

"No, it was quite the opposite," Habiki explained. "Felix loved his sister dearly. Despite the difficulties she faced and the challenges they both encountered, he always saw Joan as his beloved sister, not as a burden. He felt a sense of protectiveness and responsibility towards her. I know this because when the press surrounded her house at that time, the family friend who was there at that time was lashing out at them for being insensitive as Felix was sobbing behind her."

Emiko, Ran, and Junko exchanged astonished glances, struggling to reconcile this new information with their previous understanding of Felix's character.

"Then why did he pretend not to have a sister all this time?" Ran asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

"Truthfully, I have no idea why after that," Habiki admitted. "When the press interest in it had dwindled down after Peggy was able to lie to everyone that Joan was something the press made up, I heard rumours that the relationship between Peggy and her son Felix was...how should I put it? Complicated," Habiki continued, his voice laced with uncertainty. "There were whispers of disagreements and rifts between them, but nothing concrete. Then when the news reports about his partying came up to a point he got into serious trouble, that was the time he was around in his 20s before he reformed, we knew it was bad."

The trio absorbed the information, their minds reeling with newfound understanding. The complexity of Peggy's relationship with her children and the hidden pain within their family dynamic started to come into focus.

"But, it's good to know that Felix had moved on from that past and become an environmentalist, although not a wildlife explorer like his father, at least he will no longer be tormented by his past for life. Which reminds me," Habiki suspiciously asked, "Why are you guys suddenly contacting me about Felix? Are the police suspecting something? Also, are they employing your service?"

With their eyes growing wide, Emiko quickly does damage control, "About that, we will talk to you about it at another time. Bye." And then hastily shut Ran's smartphone up.

It was a good thing, considering that Reina's uncle work for the press and the news coverage of this case is still ongoing, it wouldn't be surprising if Reina's uncle hastily pack up his gear and rush up to the hills to get the first scoop. But by doing so, it may end up endangering everyone, which is something they can't afford for now.

As the call ended, Emiko, Ran, and Junko were left stunned by the revelations they had learned about Peggy, Felix, and Joan. The weight of the truth settled upon them, leaving them with a mix of conflicting emotions. They exchanged glances, their minds racing to process the new information and consider its implications.

"If what Mr Habiki said is the truth....does this not change everything?" Junko found herself blurting out, "It is a perfect motive for Felix to commit murder on his mother, half-sister and fiance, no?"

"That's right!" Ran gasped at that, "His mother covered up any trace of existence about Joan, even though she lead a painful life, it must have hurt Felix to be denied bringing his sibling up. And Aurelia....she entered his life only 5 years after Felix lost his twin sister, he must have held resentment over the fact that his mom replaced Joan with Aurelia."

"But what about Primrose then?" Emiko brought up, "I get it he had to kill her to cover up his tracks, but is that really all?"

"It doesn't matter what that motive is! The bottom line is...Felix is very likely the killer we are seeking for!" Junko argued before adding, "We need to inform Shinichi about this."

It was around 8 pm that while another break was given before the next interrogation could begin,  the girls hurried to find Shinichi and Sergeant Genzo. They located them in a nearby kitchen, poring over documents and piecing together the evidence they had gathered so far.

"Shinichi, Sergeant Genzo," Emiko called out, her voice urgent. "We have crucial information that might change the direction of the investigation."

Both Shinichi and Sergeant Genzo turned their attention to the girls, their expressions turning serious. "What did you find?" Shinichi asked, his eyes focused.

Ran took a deep breath, her voice steady as she relayed the details they had learned from their conversation with Matsuyuki Habiki, the press reporter. She recounted the allegations against Peggy's ex-husband, his involvement in illegal wildlife trafficking, and the rumours surrounding his reputation.

"And Felix?" Shinichi inquired, his eyes narrowing.

Junko spoke up, her voice resolute. "Felix had a deep love for his twin sister, Joan, despite the challenges they faced. The discovery of Joan's existence and the subsequent rumours surrounding the accident, which suggested her erratic behaviour as a cause, could have caused Felix to harbour resentment towards Peggy and Aurelia."

Sergeant Genzo's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "This is a significant development. It provides a strong motive for Felix to commit the murders. But we still need concrete evidence to prove his guilt."

While Genzo continues to press for more answers as to what the girls had learned about Felix, Shinichi meanwhile walked away from them as he tried to call Takuma, Michio and Ranran over the phone. So far, no one has called back since they left, under the pretence that Ranran was sick.

As Shinichi dialled Takuma, Michio, and Ranran's numbers, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It had been quite some time since they left Peggy's opulent mansion, and the lack of response from them was concerning.

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

Finally, Ranran thinks she finally narrowed down which mansion Takashi held against his will.

She had narrowed down the likeliest location to a secluded mansion situated at the end of Suchi-no-Yūrei Lane 4254 street. Out of all the rows of mansions on Suchi-no-Yūrei Lane 4254, one stood out to Ranran as the most likely location where Takashi could be held against his will.

The reason she was able to narrow it down was thanks to Shinichi's statement when he saw Takashi fleeing from Peggy's mansion the other day. 

Considering that the killer lure Takashi over to the residence with lies of reconciliation between him and his ex-wife and that Takashi was seen with no leaves or scratches on the clothes he was seen wearing, adding the fact that Takashi was also an elderly man since the killer kidnapped Takashi with the purpose of framing him....if she were the killer, she would lock up Takashi in a mansion with the highest walls and gate to prevent him from escaping.

With her deduction in mind, Ranran took a deep breath to steady herself.

But before that could happen, the child felt something tapping her shoulder.

Startled, Ranran turned around, expecting to see one of her friends. However, to her surprise, she found herself face-to-face with one familiar face. "Takuma!? What the hell!? I thought I told you to leave with Michio earlier!?

"That was the plan, but then....when Michio and I were heading back, we noticed a suspicious-looking van following us. We tried to lose them, but they kept tailing us. So in the end...Michio and I agree to split way since one van only can chase after one child."

"Eh!?" Ranran's jaw dropped, "And who did it end up following?!"

"Michio of course," Takuma nodded thoughtfully, "I saw him flee back into the bustling shop district after fleeing out of the street from afar at the slope there when the van followed him, into a sea of people."

Ranran's eyes widened with concern as she listened to Takuma's explanation. The fact that Felix's men decided to follow Michio instead of Takuma meant that Felix wants to ensure that no one knows Takashi is being held there.

Or rather, he wants to ensure that Michio knows nothing.

Her mind raced with the new information, trying to make sense of the situation. It was clear that Felix's men were actively trying to prevent anyone from discovering Takashi's whereabouts, and their decision to follow Michio instead of Takuma indicated that they were unaware of their knowledge about Takashi being held captive. 

"Wait a minute, then why are you here then? Shouldn't you be figuring out a way to flee out of here?" Ranran confronted Takuma.

"Well, about that...." Takuma sighed, "After Michio had the van followed him, I didn't really have anywhere else to hide, then I thought of you still being alone searching about, so I figured why not go down the same street to help you out? Likewise, I was actually coming down the slope over there," He pointed to her the road behind them, "I am certain I saw the lights from the back of the house we are both outside at the moment."

"Really!? Ranran's eyes widened at Takuma's revelation. The lights from the back of the mansion could potentially be a significant clue. It seemed they were closer to finding Takashi than they had anticipated.

Without wasting any time, Ranran and Takuma cautiously approached the said mansion from the side of the gate, "Takuma, the light you saw earlier, was it like a room light? Or-"

"No, it was more like someone used a torchlight in a dark room upstairs." Takuma corrected her.

The little girl's heart raced with anticipation as they approached the mansion, the beams of the torchlight becoming more visible. It was a confirmation that someone was inside, and it could potentially be Takashi.

But judging Felix's calculative nature, it could also be one of his men wandering around the halls of the abandoned mansion to prevent anyone from breaking in to discover Takashi in there.

As Ranran and Takuma cautiously approached the mansion, their hearts pounding with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, they tried to remain as discreet as possible. "If only we can see how many men are in that mansion." Takuma groaned.

Suddenly, Ranran remembered something. "Maybe the glasses will do."

"Eh?"

Ranran reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses, "The other day, Shinichi brought this pair to Professor Agasa, his neighbour. He had installed a heating system, which allows us to see heat signatures through the glasses. It's like night vision, but for heat."

Takuma's eyes widened with excitement. "That's incredible! Put it on and see how many are in the mansion."

Ranran then quickly put on the glasses and scanned the area, her eyes adjusting to the unique visual perspective provided by the heat-detection technology. She could see the world in shades of blue and red, with warmer objects appearing brighter and cooler areas appearing darker.

As she looked toward the mansion, they noticed distinct heat signatures coming from various locations. There were a few smaller signatures scattered around the perimeter, likely indicating guards or individuals patrolling the grounds. "Ranran, how many do you see?"

Ranran focused her gaze on the mansion, her eyes scanning the area and mentally counting the distinct heat signatures she observed through the glasses. Her heart raced as she tried to provide Takuma with an accurate assessment.

"Let's see," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I count... four heat signatures around the perimeter of the mansion. It looks like there are guards stationed at different points."

"Four!?" Takuma's eyes widened with concern, "Do you see Takashi then!?"

"I don't know, let me check."

Ranran adjusted her focus, trying to identify any heat signature that could belong to Takashi. She carefully scanned the area, her eyes tracing the outlines of the mansion and its surroundings.

After a moment of intense concentration, she finally spotted a faint heat signature in one of the upper rooms. It seems like the shape of a guy, bound to a chair. "I found him."

"Eh!? Where?!"

"On the second floor behind where you said you saw a torchlight.....but it seems like Takashi is bounded to a chair."

"What!?"

Takuma's eyes widened in shock and concern at Ranran's revelation. The sight of Takashi bound to a chair in the upper room of the mansion only heightened their urgency and determination to rescue him.

"We have to get him out of there," Takuma said, his voice filled with determination.

"But we need a plan. We can't just rush in blindly." Ranran ponders, "Aside from four men being in there, we don't know how many more Felix had brought over here to ensure secrecy."

After thinking hard about it, Ranran handed the glasses to Takuma to ask, "Based on your opinion as someone who played American Football and having managed your team in our school...judging the size of those men guarding Takashi, tell me what are my chances of winning?"

Takuma took the glasses from Ranran and put them on, his eyes adjusting to the heat-detection technology. He carefully observed the heat signatures of the guards stationed around the mansion, assessing their size and build.

After a moment of contemplation, Takuma gave a good look at the small child, then at the bulked-sized men in the building. "Ranran, you better forget it."

Seeing Ranran's disappointed face, he had to let his friend know, "Aside from the fact that they are involved in drug smuggling, based on what I can see, those guards look quite big and muscular. Which would make sense for drug traffickers who worked in the wilderness."

"Is it?"

"Hmph," Takuma nod to her as he explained, "I used to hear this from my Tousan that men like them had to be well-built and possibly trained in combat, they do this since cocaine itself is valuable. Taking them on directly even with the paintball guns and taser baton we have would be risky. Even with your cunning mind, as you said earlier....we don't even know how many men Felix had brought over."

"Even so...." Ranran checked the time on her watch, "I think it would be a matter of time before Shinichi might run out of things to stop Felix from leaving and coming all the way here to finish the job."

Ranran's words struck a chord with Takuma. The urgency of the situation became even more apparent as they considered the time it would take for Shinichi to arrive at the mansion. They couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Then why don't I distract the guards from here," Takuma suggest.

"Eh!?"