"What did Felix mean when he said those words!?"

The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before him, the shadows lurking in every corner like malicious spectres. Shinichi's footsteps echoed ominously, each one a testament to his growing desperation. The air felt heavy, suffocating as if the very atmosphere was conspiring against him.

"By the way, if she is around....tell her those who are the Devil in disguise won't end well ."

His heart pounded in his chest, the thumping rhythm drowning out all other sounds. Those words that Felix said to Shinichi earlier before leaving Peggy's residence, every step of the marble floor sent shivers down his spine as if the house itself was whispering its malevolence. The dimly lit corridor seemed to twist and contort, a labyrinth of darkness and uncertainty.

Peggy, Primrose and Aurelia's murders were all done in accordance with the theme of Punch and Judy. So why did Felix intentionally bring that up!?

With each step, Shinichi's mind raced with images of Ranran's angry face with the paintball gun in her right hand, aiming as Felix attempts to put an end to her life. The weight of his own powerlessness bore down on him, threatening to crush his resolve. But he pushed forward, his determination fueling his every stride.

Wait, the Devil....was Felix referring to the Devil from Punch and Judy?!

As he descended the staircase, the oppressive silence was broken only by the faint sound of his own laboured breathing. The familiar rooms of the mansion appeared distorted, as fear clawed at his insides, threatening to consume him whole.

At first, the photo of Ranran circled in red surfaced in his mind, suddenly, Shinichi was reminded of a deadly outcome.

The night was enveloped in an eerie silence, the room cast in shadows. Shinichi and Ranran huddled together, their eyes fixed on the screen of Primrose's computer. As Ranran began to explain the concept of Punch and Judy, a sense of unease settled over Shinichi.

He listened intently, his mind absorbing the dark history of the puppet show. The violence, the brutality, and the sinister undertones all painted a chilling picture. It was a tale of tragedy, where the characters, Punch and Judy, were both victims and perpetrators of heinous acts.

But it was the mention of the Devil that sent a chill down Shinichi's spine as he asked, "Just out of curiosity, how did the devil die?"

"Er....there were many ways, but one of the iconic ones I remembered was Punch set him up on fire, and then the Devil burst into flames." Ranran nonchalantly explained.

The words hung in the air, their weight sinking deep into Shinichi's soul. The realization hit him like a tidal wave, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place with a bone-chilling clarity. Felix's mention of the Devil was not a mere coincidence; it was a cruel foreshadowing of the horrors yet to come.

Or probably, he long knew of Ranran being a cunning child.

"Of course....the reason why Ranran's photo was circled...was because she was the only child out of the group who is British, and Primrose knew this. She knew that Ranran would connect the story of Punch and Judy, Felix wanted her to know....in order to frame Takashi a lot more convincingly!"

He couldn't shake the feeling that he and Ranran were now trapped in their own twisted version of the puppet show, manipulated by a sadistic puppeteer pulling the strings from the shadows.

"And not only that, Felix plans to burn Takashi and Ranran alive!" Shinichi finally figured it out.

That also meant Felix knew that Ranran, Michio and Takuma would likely see through Felix's devious plans!

But since Takashi was saved thanks to Ranran, this means...Ranran would be the last victim.

The revelation hit Shinichi like a punch to the gut, stealing his breath and leaving him gasping for air. The gravity of the situation washed over him, drowning him in a sea of fear and desperation. The walls of the mansion seemed to close in around him, tightening their grip with every passing second.

The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before him, the shadows lurking in every corner like malevolent spectres. Shinichi's footsteps echoed ominously, each one a heavy reminder of the impending darkness that awaited him. The air grew thicker, suffocating, as if the very atmosphere conspired against him, taunting his futile attempts at escape.

Felix's words reverberated in Shinichi's mind, haunting him at every turn. "Tell her those who are the Devil in disguise won't end well." The meaning behind those words lingered in the air like a foreboding omen, promising a sinister fate for Ranran.

His heart raced, pounding against his chest, a relentless drumbeat of anxiety and dread. The dimly lit corridor twisted and contorted, casting twisted shadows that whispered of impending doom. Shinichi felt the weight of his powerlessness pressing down on him, threatening to crush his spirit. But he refused to yield, fueled by a desperate determination to rescue Ranran from the clutches of this diabolical game.

Each step he took was laden with uncertainty, his mind clouded with the grotesque imagery of Punch and Judy, a twisted puppet show that mirrored their own torment. The grotesque violence, the macabre dance, and the haunting presence of the Devil all wove a tapestry of terror that threatened to engulf them all.

As he descended the staircase, the silence grew suffocating, the absence of sound amplifying his unease. The rooms he passed through appeared distorted, their walls closing in on him, suffusing the air with an oppressive malevolence. Shadows danced mockingly, their dark forms mocking his futile efforts to save Ranran.

The memory of their conversation about the Devil's demise resurfaced, a cruel reminder of the impending horror. The flames that consumed the Devil, a symbolic end to his wicked existence, now loomed over Shinichi's thoughts like a funeral pyre, foretelling the fate that awaited Ranran.

"No!" Shinichi's voice echoed through the desolate corridor, filled with anguish and defiance.

The revelation struck him like a blow to the gut, a sickening realization that Ranran had been marked as the final victim in this sadistic game. But Shinichi refused to accept this cruel fate. He would fight tooth and nail, confront the Devil himself if he had to, to ensure Ranran's survival.

A surge of determination coursed through Shinichi's veins, dispelling the suffocating darkness that threatened to consume him. He would not allow Felix's wicked plans to come to fruition. With each passing moment, his resolve grew stronger, fueling his relentless pursuit of the truth and his unwavering determination to save Ranran from the clutches of this twisted nightmare.

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

Meanwhile, a game of cat and mouse was played within one of the mansions of Suchi-no-Yūrei Lane 4254 Street.

With Ranran swiftly reloading the paint gun, her small figure pressed against the shadowy corner of the mansion. The air was heavy with tension as she waited, her heart pounding in her chest like a wild drumbeat. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, a desperate dance of survival in the midst of this twisted nightmare. She could feel the weight of Felix's presence looming over her, his malevolence radiating through the decaying walls.

Times like this, she kinda regretted using the flare gun to shoot at him before fleeing earlier.

"You know what my deceased father used to say to me when I was a kid?" asked Felix calmly in English as he seeks across the hallway, searching for any traces of the little girl, "My father when he was alive used to say, 'You're so sharp that one day you're going to cut yourself.' I never understood what he meant. I never thought it was possible for a person to be too smart. But then I meet you of all the other kids thanks to Primrose, and now I get it. You're so sharp you're going to get yourself killed. Seems a pity when you were doing so well on my behalf, but there you go."

Ranran's grip tightened on the paint gun, her knuckles turning white with determination. She knew the danger that lurked in every word Felix uttered, the twisted amusement he derived from their deadly game. But she refused to let fear paralyze her. She had come too far to be silenced now.

Setting her smartphone to record, she taunted Felix with hopes of him revealing his crimes. "How did you know about us arriving here?" Ranran demanded, desperately playing for time.

"I owed it to Primrose," He chuckled while utterly his on-and-off lover's name carelessly like a plaything, "She shared so many stories about you when you were a kid in Edgewood, over how cunning you were into setting her niece, Millie who is a promising child actress, for failure and dragged her name into the mud. Even if Primrose didn't tell me, I have been raised with child entertainers my entire life thanks to my mother, so I know when a child lies, no matter how good they are, I know a liar when I see one. So I made my excuses and drove straight here to finish the job. And now I'm almost through."

"And so what? You think killing me would silence the truth?" Ranran mocked, narrowly avoiding getting shot as Felix pulled the trigger using a real gun.

The sound of the gunshot echoed through the mansion, the deafening blast ringing in Ranran's ears. The bullet whizzed past her, grazing her cheek and leaving a trail of blood in its wake. Pain seared through her face, but she refused to let it break her resolve.

Ranran's heart raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she ducked behind a crumbling pillar. The taste of fear mingled with the metallic tang of blood in her mouth, fueling her determination to outwit Felix at his own game.

"Yes, of course, it will do," said Felix. "Because I know of your cunning reputation, the whole beautiful plan will crumble into nothing with you around. And I can't allow that, Ranran, really I can't. I've been working on this too long to see it fall apart now."

Reloading the paintball bullets within her gun, Ranran took shelter at another hiding location, "So what is the reason for you to simply murder your mother? Money? Didn't you earn that much through your drug smuggling activities?!"

For a moment, there was silence till he angrily confronts, "I don't recall telling you anything about that."

"But the wilderness activities you allegedly took part in as an 'environmentalist' said otherwise." Ranran taunts.

With a burst of laughter she could hear, he goes, "No wonder your little club 'Tantei Association' is able to last that long, I didn't think it lived up to its reputation."

Ranran quietly rolled her eyes in silence.

"And so, aside from that, you are right. So what do you think is the motive behind the murders, little detective princess?" Felix's voice dripped with disdain, his words laced with arrogance as he continued to chuckle in a sinister way.

"Your twin sister. The one who is born as an idiot."

Felix's laughter abruptly ceased, replaced by a chilling silence that seemed to stretch on endlessly. The tension in the air was palpable, as if the very walls of the mansion held their breath, anticipating the next move in this deadly game.

The atmosphere grew even darker, the weight of Felix's revelation sinking into Ranran's consciousness like a poisoned dagger. The mention of his twin sister, born with a disability, cast a chilling shadow over their confrontation. It was a cruel twist, an unspeakable secret that Felix had held close to his chest, using it as a weapon in their deadly dance.

"I read about that car accident between your beloved father and her....you...were meant to be with your father in that very car, don't you?" Ranran's voice quivered with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Felix's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. The shadows seemed to deepen around him, intensifying the darkness that consumed his soul. Ranran could feel the weight of his anger, his rage bubbling beneath the surface.

"You seem to know more than you should, little detective," Felix growled, his voice dripping with venom. "But what do you think that has to do with any of this? Do you think I'm seeking revenge for a tragedy that befell my family?"

"Yes," Ranran answered without hesitation, "You love your father, in anything....a lot closer to him than your mother. You also....love your sister, despite being an idiot."

Further silence.

"The school she and you used to study in was in Edgewood, the school I used to be in," Ranran confronts, keeping wary of Felix who might appear out of the blue, "You were a straight-A student, she wasn't. Bullied severely, yet, you love that idiot for some odd reason. When your parents divorced, the day of the accident when he moved out of their marital home...you were supposed to be with your father, but you let her join your beloved father in your place since there was a special school not far from your father's new house. Unfortunately, your kindness was utterly a tragedy in the making, when that drunk driver ran them over."

The sound of Ranran's breath echoed in the stillness, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for Felix's reaction. The atmosphere crackled with tension, the air pregnant with the weight of their shared history.

Finally, Felix's voice broke the silence, each word dripping with venom and regret, "You think you know everything, don't you? You think you can unravel the depths of my pain with your amateur deductions?"

The echoes of gunshots pierced the air, the thunderous noise reverberating through the mansion's decaying walls.

"My sister Joan....was an idiot. But a lovable idiot."

Ranran's heart raced as she dodged the bullets, her movements fueled by a mix of fear and determination. The sound of splintering wood and crumbling debris filled the air as Felix relentlessly pursued her, his sinister laughter mingling with the chaos.

"All the children there....my intelligence meant nothing to them. Each of them always constantly went 'Felix is the golden child' with praises, seeking me to do whatever bidding they had. But Joan....she was different. She isn't smart, she suffered way more than I do but always saw me for who I am. She....probably got that from father."

Ranran's heart pounded in her chest as she listened to Felix's haunting words, the weight of his pain and torment palpable in the air.

"My mother Peggy however...was a stern woman behind her comedian facade," Felix continued, eyeing where would his prey be hiding while he bitterly goes, "She never once accepted Joan over who she truly is. Constantly away on a comedic tour just to avoid dealing with her, the only few people who truly cared aside from me is my father, so when she was treated with cannabis which my father brought back during one of his travels, I didn't see a problem since Joan remains perfectly healthy. But all of that changed when my mother found out about it."

Recalling the scandal about Felix's father allegedly committing a wildlife smuggling incident, certain things clicked. "Your father's scandal-"

"That is right," Felix bitterly replied, "That woman tipped the press to stop him from taking cannabis for Joan! Because she knew that in the U.K., cannabis is still considered illegal, and that father had no intention of stopping if it was what it takes to help Joan.....she made up lies about him smuggling animals that are about to extinct! And to avoid people suspecting that, she put on her fake facade that she supports her husband not being involved in such Ludacris!"

Ranran's eyes widened as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. The depth of Peggy's cruelty and manipulation became clearer with each revelation. She had sabotaged Felix's father, tarnishing his reputation and depriving Joan of the relief she so desperately needed.

The weight of Felix's pain and betrayal hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of gunpowder. It was a tragedy woven with strands of love, resentment and a desperate struggle for justice.

"Is that why you decided to drown her head in the toilet bowl? Your own mother?!" Ranran stated, her voice steady despite the danger that surrounded her.

Felix's eyes burned with a mixture of fury and anguish as he confronted Ranran. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with the weight of their shared history.

"My mother is no different than Punch from Punch and Judy," Felix spat, his voice filled with bitter resentment. "She took everything from me, from my father, and Joan. She stripped away our happiness, our chance at a normal life. Sure, I admit, my father was no different than the rest of her other exes, and demanded high alimony, but he wouldn't have done that if it wasn't for Joan's medical condition. And in return, she got what she deserved. Just like how Punch drown his child in the bowl, so shall she!"

"Then what about Takashi!? What does he have anything to do with this!? He is only the first ex-husband of your mother! You and Joan were not even born yet at that time!?"

Felix's face contorted with a mixture of anger and pain as Ranran confronted him with Takashi's involvement. The tension in the room grew thicker, suffocating them both as they stood locked in this deadly game of wits.

"Oh no, he has everything to do with this tragedy!" Felix sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Even if Joan wasn't born an idiot, my mother always finds fault with my father by comparing him to that brute, no different than the rest of the spouses she had married! Did you know? As soon as Joan died, after paying the press that Joan didn't exist....she renovated her entire daughter's bedroom with Punch and Judy memorabilia! The same thing that only she and Takashi ever loved!"

Ranran's eyes widened in shock as Felix's words hit her like a cold gust of wind.

"It wasn't until Takashi wrote that cute little note to my mother saying he still loved her, and could they start over around a year ago, that I decided it had to be done. I wasn't going to allow her to squander her fortune on some old guy. But it worked out really well in the end."

"Then Aurelia your half-sister? You killed her because you didn't like it that your mother was replacing her with Joan, didn't you!?"

"Aurelia...oh, that damn Aurelia," he hissed, relishing in the torment of his past actions. "The only thing she has ever known what to do was to run away from reality! Using mother's money like a mere ATM to feed her shopping whims! All because she couldn't accept that our mother caused the suicide of her dear father! I figured wouldn't it be great that she simply be eaten up by the crocodile in Punch and Judy, so after killing her, I placed her in the inflatable at our pool."

Felix's words hung in the air, the truth of his twisted family dynamic unravelling before Ranran's eyes. The weight of betrayal and resentment swirled around them, painting a bleak picture of a broken family torn apart by secrets and tragedy.

"What about Primrose? Your on and off again lover? Although she studied in Edgewood, she didn't enrolled around the same time you and Joan started school. And how did you convince her to be involved in the killings!?"

"That's right, about her...." Felix flipped one of the sofas in the room, hoping to find the red lip detective child hiding there, but she is nowhere to be seen, "When that boy who resembled you was interrogating me, I was surprised that he knew. How were you aware that we know each other?"

"The way she sees you with some other girl, I saw that idiotic look of someone being in love with the other every single day in my entire life."

Ranran was merely not going to mention Junko at all. Not one bit.

"Primrose. What a sweetheart! She was so obliging: believed everything I told her so easily."Sensing movement, Felix fired the shots, but to his disappointment, it was merely a pillow Ranran threw before escaping to the other room. "We met one time at a hotel, she was drunk rambling about how her generous brother-in-law had lectured her about continuing to rely on his paycheck like a freeloader. And that her supermodel career income was enough to live comfortably, but it wasn't enough for her."

Felix's voice echoed through the room, a mixture of derision and satisfaction. The dark corners of the mansion seemed to dance with his malevolence, relishing in the chaos he had orchestrated.

"But you see, even rats from the drain have their own desires," Felix continued, his tone filled with a twisted sense of pride. "She wanted a taste of power, a taste of control. That she is way better than her brother-in-law. And I offered her just that."

Ranran moved stealthily through the shadows, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to confront Felix, to stop his reign of terror, but she had to be careful. One wrong move could cost her everything.

"She fell into my trap willingly, eager to be a part of something bigger than herself," Felix taunted, his voice dripping with manipulation. "I fed her the information and gave her a sense of purpose. And she played her role perfectly when she chose to work for my mother Peggy. By killing her, as soon as Primrose marries me, she would be way wealthier than her brother-in-law. But she was a stupid damsel, she had no idea that whenever we broke up, I am aware of her 'activities' in the bed with the other men! How dare she thinks that a slut like her would be worthy as wife material?! Also, if it wasn't for her mother who covered up the fact that her brother, Primrose's uncle, was the one behind the wheel when he was drunk while running over my father and sister, I wouldn't have stoop that far!"

"And then....what about me? Did...did Primrose have that photo of me stolen, just so to use me to frame Takashi!?" Ranran grew angry by the minute.

"Of course," The devious man smiled, "Primrose resented you, even though you left Edgewood, you are the reason why Millie has lost her promising career as a child star. A child who is born in the U.K. should know Punch and Judy, which would be convincing enough for the cops to believe that Takashi who loves that dumb puppet show is the likeliest killer towards my despicable mother, even more so since you ran a successful detective agency with the 6 other members. As soon as she told me about you, I knew I had the perfect tool. She made all the arrangements for Takashi to come and see my mother. Heck, she even booked this place under the disguise of Airbnb for him to stay in. If there's one thing I can say about Primrose it's that she was efficient. By the way, when did you suspect it was me behind the killings?"

Ranran's blood boiled with anger, her grip tightening around the paint gun she held. The betrayal and manipulation ran deep, and she vowed to put an end to Felix's twisted game once and for all.

"You were the only one who has to gain the most out of her money if Peggy dies," Ranran fired the shots before Felix could ever set foot in the second living room on the second floor, "Aurelia has died, her ex-husbands had moved on with their lives, that leaves you with the last remaining survivor to win it all. In addition to that, in her office, all of her children's photos with you were not in it, implying to me that when Primrose mentioned your relationship with Peggy is close, it was mere lies."

Felix laughed, a chilling sound that reverberated through the room. "What a talented child you are, no wonder Millie lose to you. But unlike her nor Primrose, I won't be stupid enough to make that mistake." To her surprise, he locked the door before leaving, "While you remain here, I would have to go and comfort your little twin brother of yours, as well as that boy in the cap who fled with my puppet!"

"You better leave Shinichi and Takuma alone!"

"No can do, Ranran. Sorry. You know, I have something special planned for you. The finale to the whole show. It's a perfect ending, believe me."

As soon as the steps faded off, Ranran's brain was working frantically, wondering what Felix meant. What did he have in mind? How was he going to finish her off? What was the last scene of the Punch and Judy show?

Before she could ask him anything, he was gone.

Suddenly, an image came into Ranran's head.

As a then 3-year-old Ranran and 'The Boy' were at the seaside fair watching Punch and Judy with the other audiences, The Devil and Punch puppet came face to face.

The memory flooded Ranran's mind, the sound of laughter and the smell of saltwater filling her senses. The Punch and Judy show had captivated her young imagination, but it was the climactic confrontation between Punch and the Devil that had left an indelible mark.

In that pivotal moment, as the audience watched with bated breath, the Devil and Punch engaged in a fierce battle. The tension in the air was palpable, anticipation hanging heavy like a storm cloud.

And then, as the story dictated, Punch emerged victorious while the Devil exploded, set aflame. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, celebrating the triumph of the antihero over the forces of evil.

Ranran's eyes widened as the realization struck her. The final scene of the Punch and Judy show, the grand finale that Felix had planned, was a deadly confrontation with the Devil himself. The image of the Devil bursting into flames, consumed by the fire, played vividly in her mind.

It all flashed through her head a split second before a mobile phone rang, and the room was ripped apart by a violent explosion.

Before she knows it, she had been thrown through the front door and across the hall by the force of the blast, passing out unconscious.

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

As soon as Shinichi spill everything, Sergeant Genzo naturally scolded all of the children of the Tantei Association in the police van with one of his men driving in a hurry.

This includes Michio, whom Miss Ohta as soon as she heard Michio arriving at the clinic, hurriedly drove back to the mansion to drop him off, and a paranoid Takuma who had recently arrived on his blaster rollerskates to wheel a partially injured Takashi on the wheelchair all the way to the mansion.

After dropping Takashi off at the clinic, the atmosphere in the police van was tense, filled with a mix of anxiety, frustration, and fear. Sergeant Genzo's stern voice echoed through the confined space as he scolded the members of the Tantei Association for their actions.

"This has gone too far! All of this scheming behind my back!" Sergeant Genzo's voice boomed, his disappointment evident. "You children took matters into your own hands without considering the consequences, let alone, inform me! As a result, guess what!? Ranran is about to die!"

Sergeant Genzo's words hung in the air, the weight of his disappointment crushing the spirits of the children in the police van. The gravity of the situation hit them like a tidal wave, each word fueling their growing sense of guilt and desperation.

Michio, sitting with his head bowed, felt the weight of his mistake settle heavily on his shoulders. He knew he should have never left Ranran alone, allowing her to face the danger that now threatened her life. The regret gnawed at his conscience, fueling a surge of determination to make things right.

Takuma meanwhile felt a mix of fear and anger surge through his veins. He cursed his own carelessness for getting caught up in Felix's twisted game, endangering the lives of those he cared about. His mind raced with thoughts of Ranran's sacrifice, her bravery in the face of danger.

"Why didn't any of you inform us about your suspicions about Felix!? Had you done, I could've done something!" Sergeant Genzo berated them, as the tensions were running high.

"I... I'm sorry, Sergeant Genzo," Michio finally spoke up, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I didn't think it would come to this."

"Also, we didn't think he would come back so soon!" Takuma's fists clenched in frustration, his voice tinged with anger. "We messed up, Sergeant Genzo. Qe underestimated Felix, his cunning, and his capacity for violence. We should have reached out for help, and involved the police from the beginning."

"This is why I said right from the beginning, we should've informed Sergeant Genzo right from the start!" Junko blasted at them.

Ran who was busy staring at the view outside the van pointed out, "Neh guys, is that smoke coming from one of the mansions there!?"

Sergeant Genzo's eyes widened as he caught sight of the smoke rising from one of the mansions in the distance. His stern expression turned into one of urgency and concern.

"What!? That's one of the mansions Ranran was in!" Takuma grew horrified.

"What did you just say?!" Shinichi and the others grew alarmed in horror.

Sergeant Genzo's heart skipped a beat as the full weight of the situation crashed down on him. The sight of smoke billowing from the mansion where Ranran was located sent a surge of panic through his veins. He quickly relayed instructions to the driver, urging him to speed up and reach the scene as quickly as possible.

"Faster! We need to get there now!" Sergeant Genzo's voice trembled with a mix of fear and urgency. The children of the Tantei Association exchanged worried glances, their anxiety mounting with each passing second.

As the police van raced towards the burning mansion, dread hung heavy in the air. The flickering flames cast an eerie glow over the surrounding area, their destructive force threatening to consume everything in their path. Ranran's life hung in the balance, and the members feared the worst.

Upon reaching the scene, the children rushed out of the police van, their eyes wide with shock and horror. The fire blazed ferociously, engulfing the mansion in its fiery embrace. Smoke filled the air, making it difficult to see and breathe.

"No...Ranran!" Emiko's voice trembled as she called out, hoping against hope for a response.

"Had she left the mansion after you fled off with Takashi!?" Shinichi confronted Takuma.

"No, she did not!" Takuma's admission was enough to make him grow pale.

"No way! That meant she is still in there!?" Ran was utterly terrified at the scene before her, tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. She and Ranran may despise each other, but this is not how she wanted to see her enemy be punished by such means!

"Michio, call the emergency services! Fire brigade or anything! Hurry!" Even Junko is horrified at the scene before them, hitting her crush's shoulder to do something.

Michio's hands trembled as he fumbled for his phone, desperation evident in his eyes. He dialled the emergency services, his voice shaking as he relayed the details of the fire and their urgent need for assistance. The seconds felt like an eternity as they waited for a response, their hearts filled with a mixture of hope and fear.

But Shinichi knew better, they took hours to get up to the hillside on the van, and by the time he waits for them to arrive, Ranran would be dead.

Which is why Shinichi had to do something. "Emiko, you had several bottles of mineral water in the van, right?"

Emiko nodded, her eyes filled with tears as she grasped onto a glimmer of hope. "Yes, I have them in my bag. But what can we do with water in this situation?"

"You are not going to use those bottles of water to extinguish the fire, right?!" Junko shook her head at that idea, "It would not be enough to put the flames to rest!"

"I ain't using it on the house, you moron! But on me!" Shinichi snapped at the spectacle girl.

Shinichi's words hung in the air, his desperate plan slowly sinking in among the group. Emiko's eyes widened with realization as she grasped the idea, "You can't be seriously thinking of-"

"It's the only way!" The blue-eyed boy decided while staring at the intimidating burning mansion.

"Shinichi, this plan isn't full proof even for highly experienced fire brigaders!" Even Takuma was against this risky idea.

"What is going on?!" Meanwhile, Ran who is still shining in tears grew perplexed, wondering what is with the commotion.

"Shinichi is using the bottles of water to drench myself and create a barrier against the flames to save Ranran!" Emiko explained while Michio is still on the phone.

Emiko's explanation brought a glimmer of understanding to Ran's tear-filled eyes. She watched as Shinichi prepared himself mentally for the dangerous task at hand. He knew the risks involved, but the thought of Ranran trapped inside the burning mansion compelled him to act.

"Shinichi, this is too dangerous!" Ran's voice trembled with fear and concern, her heart pounding in her chest. "Please, don't do this!"

"I agree!" Sergeant Genzo being the adult tries to discourage the little boy.

"I have to," His words hung in the air, heavy with purpose and resolve as he stared at the fire, "Since she sacrificed her freedom to save others, I would have to. Otherwise, I am just an embarrassment of an apprentice, especially for a tantei. And to me, this is unacceptable!"

The determination in Shinichi's voice resonated through the group,  watching Shinichi douse himself with the water. As he stepped towards the burning mansion, the heat intensified, licking at his drenched clothes. The crackling of the fire echoed in his ears, mingling with the sounds of the desperate group behind him.

"Sergeant Genzo, block every single road around this hills, I am certain after Felix set fire to this place, he probably didn't wander off far." Shinichi didn't look at the man.

"And how would you know that? He probably fled this place a long time ago by the time we arrived."

"I used the emergency plan Ranran had given me earlier," Shinichi turned to face Sergeant Genzo, his eyes filled with determination. "Don't worry. He won't be able to wander off far."

"Have you done this before?!" Michio who was done talking to the fire brigade asked.

"No, never," Shinichi admitted. "But I had to do it if it means saving Ranran."

"Kudo....."Takuma and the others didn't know what to make of it.

"I will see you guys again," Shinichi's figure disappeared into the inferno, leaving behind a trail of worry and concern. The flames crackled and roared, their ferocity threatening to engulf him completely. The heat intensified, causing the onlookers to shield their eyes and retreat to a safer distance.

"Shinichi! Don't go in there! Shinichiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!" Ran's anguished cry reverberated through the air as she tried to stop him, but Emiko and Junko stopped her, echoing their collective fear and desperation.

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

Meanwhile, Ranran who fell unconscious for a moment after the explosion, could sense that everything around her is on fire. Though she couldn't open her eyes, she could sense the flames licking out of the front door and edging towards her.

The heat and chaos surrounding her were overwhelming. Her vision blurred with smoke, making it difficult to see through the flames that consumed the mansion. Coughing and gasping for breath, she struggled to make sense of her surroundings.

The crackling of the fire roared in her ears, drowning out any other sounds. Panic began to set in as she realized the gravity of her situation. She was trapped inside a burning building, the walls closing in on her with every passing second.

Seeing the fire brought back memories she didn't want to remember.

As the flames grew closer, memories of that past flooded Ranran's mind.

"All of you should perish in this prestigious academy!"

That elder little girl before the then 4-year-old Ranran announced with a cold, disdainful voice. Her words hung in the air, piercing through the chaos and destruction that surrounded them. The girl's eyes glinted with malice, her expression twisted with hatred.

Ranran recognized her instantly. It was The Fiance, the one who had orchestrated so much pain and suffering in the lives of the other children, and the 8-year-old girl who killed Ranran's mentor. The Fiance was exposed thanks to Ranran's cunning schemes, and with the recent announcement of getting expelled after her crimes of murder were exposed in front of the nobles and royals, it was clear that they announced The Fiance's expulsion for good.

But what they didn't foresee was The Fiance using a blowtorch to burn down the prestigious Edgewood Academy theatre, stating "If I am to expelled as a disgrace, then I rather die with all of you!"

The flames from the blowtorch danced in The Fiance's hands, casting an eerie glow on her twisted smile. The heat intensified as the prestigious Edgewood Academy theatre became engulfed in fire, the crackling and popping of the flames drowning out any other sounds.

Fear gripped the hearts of the children trapped inside the burning theatre. Panic spread through their ranks as they realized the gravity of the situation. The Fiance's words echoed in their minds, taunting them with the impending danger that surrounded them.

That is right, back then....Ranran was so shocked and stunned, one of her elder friends ended up scooping her away from the stage and fled away from the deranged girl.

As Ranran struggled to open her heavy eyelids, her mind raced with thoughts of survival. The heat and smoke continued to suffocate her, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.

At this rate, Ranran is certain she should fall asleep. She can't move much due to the impact. Maybe it would be easier to succumb to the deadly embrace of the flames. Cause her dying would meant-

"Ranran! Ranran, where are you!? Can you hear me?" A familiar voice could be heard screaming.