"Neh Tak-san, did you notice how tense Ran was back there?" Michio asked Takuma as they waited outside Michio's mom's boutique shop for the cab to arrive, while Ranran and Shinichi packed their necessities.

"Yeah, it was bizarre. Normally whenever Ranran says anything that Ran doesn't like to hear, she stubbornly talks back, but today she seemed completely different," Takuma replied, scratching his head in confusion.

"And did you see her trembling whenever she saw Ranran or Shinichi? It's like she was scared of them or something," Michio added.

Takuma nodded, "I wonder what's going on. Something must have happened to make her act like that."

"Maybe it has something to do with the break-in and the attacker," Michio suggested. "Ranran said those girls are not to join us and pay Professor Shibuya a visit, except us boys plus Shinichi alone. Could it be that she didn't trust Mouri? That Mouri could have been the one who knew about the intruder coming over to attack her?"

"Could be," Takuma agreed. "I know Mouri Ran has been hating Ranran to death after Shinichi became her apprentice, and was hell-bent on making Ranran's life miserable. It ain't no secret that she and Ranran don't get along. But as much as she is capable...why wouldn't she reveal the identity of the attacker?"

"I think it's because Mouri-san knew that person, and I may have a hunch as to who this person is," Michio pondered.

"Really? Who?" Takuma asked, intrigued by Michio's suspicion.

"Rokuro."

"EH!?" Takuma reacted in shock, "That 'Rokuro'!? The same asshole 3rd grader who framed Shinichi for throwing in the punches last month!? Wait, how do you know!?"

Michio took a deep breath before continuing, "Before you all headed out for camping during all your class trips, Shinichi contacted me to look into Rokuro."

"He did? But why would he ask you to investigate Rokuro?" Takuma questioned.

"Several weeks ago, while Shinichi went out to buy lunch for himself, he saw Rokuro and Sonoko by accident under the same mall they were in from afar," Michio revealed.

"What!?" Takuma's jaw dropped in horror, "Shinichi saw them here!? In Beikai district!? But I remembered according to him, Rokuro's parents moved to another city! What on earth is he doing here!?"

"No clue, but Shinichi suspected that Sonoko could've been secretly contacting Rokuro to let him know what Ranran had been doing to Ran, which is why Rokuro has returned here in the first place: In the name of revenge for Ran's sake, he went after Ranran," Michio said.

"Man, that's messed up," Takuma growled in anger thinking about it,  running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "If Rokuro really is behind all this, then he's even more twisted than I thought!"

"Yeah, and there is more," Michio said, his expression darkening.

"Like what?" Takuma demanded he shared more.

"Mana Yoshida, the boy whom you all got expelled from the school, met up with Rokuro."

"No way! Say what now!?" Takuma's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes, I discovered it when following Rokuro one day after school. I saw them talking and exchanging something," Michio explained.

"Ugh, this just keeps getting worse and worse. First, Rokuro attacks Ranran, and now he's involved with Mana. What could they possibly be up to?" Takuma rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I don't know, but it can't be anything good," Michio replied grimly.

"Nothing can ever be good as long as those two are connected through Ishibashi Mamiko, Majima-san," Takuma spat, outraged that he is learning all of these disturbing details, "Does Ranran know about this?"

"No, Shinichi told me to keep it quiet. He wanted to ensure he had proper evidence to suggest otherwise before informing her. So far, we only have that to go on." Michio groaned.

"Man, this is getting really complicated," Takuma sighed. "I mean, I get why Shinichi wants to do so first, but I worry about what might happen in the meantime. If Rokuro and Mana are up to something dangerous, he can't just sit around and wait. Also, what the hell!? How dare Mouri choose to keep quiet about Rokuro doing this to Ranran!?"

"Maybe Mouri Ran has her reasons. She might be afraid of the consequences of speaking up or worried about retaliation from Rokuro and his friends." Michio pointed out.

"But still, staying silent about something so serious is just wrong," Takuma argued. "If she knows who attacked Ranran and is protecting them, she's putting Ranran in danger!" While Michio observed the 6-year-old boy pacing back and forth, he sees him turning to Michio, "Hang on a minute, how did Rokuro know where our main HQ are!? As far as I remembered, Ranran forbade Emiko from publishing the address on our website!"

Michio frowned, trying to recall any possible clues. "You're right...Ranran even forbade any of us from revealing, or else she will punish us under the grounds of the association. Ah!" Michio figures, "I get it! Ran must have told Sonoko, her best friend about it!"

"Eh!?"

"I mean think about it, Ranran doesn't like Ran being around, definitely made things difficult for her. Mouri would need to rant out her feelings to someone close to her, right? Mainly Sonoko, who is her best friend!" Michio guessed.

"I wouldn't be surprised, given that those two bird beaks had a history of never keeping their mouth shut!" Takuma said, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. "If Rokuro attacks Ranran because of his crush on Mouri, it's just ridiculous! Shinichi after all severed ties with Mouri! What more does he want to simply go after Shinichi just because Ran still has feelings for him!? And if Mouri knew about it and chose to keep quiet, it equally makes her evil! I can't believe it!"

Takuma's expression then darkened as he recalled something, "Earlier this morning while we were having a meeting....when Emiko confronted Shinichi about returning the wallet to Ran last night after he revealed that he ended up researching the stolen eagle case with Ranran, Shinichi must have saw Ran and Rokuro together, didn't he!? That is why Ran's eyes were very red when she came here, Shinichi must have confronted the hell out of her in anger before storming off and ending up at Ranran's place!"

"Not to mention, you saw how cold Shinichi acted around Ran this morning? It would've made total sense to be angry at Ran, I bet he found out that Rokuro was the intruder somehow one way or another, and seeing their interaction, it would be obvious for Shinichi to think that Mouri knew this was going to happen to Ranran!" The eldest boy adds.

"Yeah, that makes sense," Michio nodded. "Even Ranran was giving Ran the glare, no wonder she is mad!"

"Who wouldn't be!? I mean Ranran fractured her arm not long ago in our previous major case, and then she ended up hospitalized again after Ranran saw Rokuro break into our HQ! I mean she suffered a concussion!" Takuma gritted his teeth in anger, "That nuisance! Ever since she joined Tantei Association, not one day do we have a sense of peace! Especially Ranran!"

"Thar is true," Michio crossed his arms thoughtfully with a frown, "I mean, Ran didn't even fess up when Ranran made that announcement earlier to come clean. My bet is she wants to harm her, just so she could drag Shinichi back to that life of misery he used to have with them before severing ties with them for good."

"If this isn't a case of delusion, I don't know what else is," Takuma said, his frustration evident. "And involving someone like Rokuro in all of this... it's just plain evil."

"I can't believe she would stoop so low," Michio sighed. "And now, with Rokuro and Mana involved, who knows what else they might be planning."

"...I bet he was have been racked with guilt, since Shinichi's association to them got Ranran into where she is now." Takuma suddenly finds him pitying the apprentice, "Poor him, he did everything he could find to remove Mouri, but as long as Ran didn't violate a single rule.....Ranran and he would end up putting up with Ran's harassment till the day we graduate."

"But if he knew of this, why didn't he do a thing as to oust her?!" Michio raised an eyebrow, a hint of realization dawning on him. "No, wait! He probably did! But she is way stubborn than a donkey. Seriously, why won't she leave? Is she not aware that what she did is wrong, and she's hurting Ranran and Shinichi by protecting Rokuro?!"

"Jealousy," Takuma theorized, "Even though Shinichi severed ties against Ran when she decided to side with Rokuro to pursue his dream as a Tantei, it kills her to see Shinichi happy without her, especially with Ranran!" As soon as Takuma was done, he grew pissed off than ever, "Honesrly, Shinichi doesn't want to see her anymore! What part of her does she not want ro understand!?"

"There are those kinds of girls who can't accept no for an answer, Takuma, Mouri happens to be one of them." Michio ponders this.

"Like Junko towards you!?" Takuma said, his anger flaring up.

"Hey, that's a totally different situation!" Michio retorted, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "Junko is just a little clingy sometimes. It's not like she's trying to harm anyone or get back at me for anything."

"Oh Michio, you are still a long way from knowing the heart of a girl," Takuma clicked at Michio while shaking his head at the eldest boy.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"One day, Michio, when you end up falling for someone that ain't Junko, you will understand." Takuma playfully elbowed him in the arm, till Ranran and Shinichi finally show up.

As Ranran and Shinichi approached, they could sense the tension in the air. Michio and Takuma tried their best to act normal, but the unease was palpable. Ranran noticed the awkward atmosphere and raised an eyebrow in question.

"Everything alright, boys?" she asked, her voice calm yet inquisitive.

Takuma exchanged a quick glance with Michio before he spoke up, "Yeah, everything's fine. We were just discussing some random stuff, that's all."

Ranran narrowed her eyes, not fully convinced, but decided not to push it further. She had enough on her plate as it is. Shinichi, on the other hand, seemed more focused on getting things done.

"Alright, boys, the cab should be here soon. Let's pay Professor Shibuya a visit regarding his stolen stuffed eagle," Shinichi said, his tone serious.

The tension eased slightly as the conversation shifted to the upcoming visit to Professor Shibuya. Ranran and Shinichi seemed determined to solve the case of the stolen stuffed eagle, and the boys knew they had to be on their toes to support them.

As they entered the cab and headed to Professor Shibuya's place, Takuma and Michio couldn't help but wonder what they would find. The mystery surrounding the break-in, the attacker, and Mouri Ran's involvement kept gnawing at their minds. They hoped that the visit to the professor would bring some clarity to the situation.

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

Meanwhile, the 3 other girls who were told to remain in Tantei Association had their seats around the meeting table, as Ran rambled on about what happened last night.

"I was locked out of the apartment Tousan and I were living up, as you are all aware, my Tousan sometimes had to go bar to bar while doing stakeout as a private investigator for his clients, and the keys to it were in my wallet, which I accidentally left it in the same cab with Emiko and Shinichi earlier."

The two girls, Emiko and Junko, listened intently to Ran's explanation. They could sense the distress and sadness in her voice as she recounted the events of the previous night.

"So anyway, here I was locked outside, and then I was surprised to see my former neighbour, Rokuro, who was on the way to pay me a visit to come and greet me." Ran continued, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke.

Emiko leaned forward, concern evident in her eyes. "When did you learn that Rokuro is the intruder?"

"It's my first time hearing of this actually," Tears were welling up in Ran's eyes as she continues, "Rokuro being a considerate friend then suggested we hung out at a cafe, which we did, then catch up on our past and everything in between."

"Wait, didn't Rokuro move to another city thanks to his family or something? I remembered you telling me that." Junko reminded her. "What was he doing here back in Beikai District?"

"His parents recently for some odd reason, had their jobs suspended."

"Suspended?" Emiko blinked, "Both of them? Under what grounds?"

"He ain't sure, which put a strain on the family, I think they are going to split up soon. This is why he came here to get to the bottom of it since his parents work here. Anyway, after Rokuro and I parted ways.....I saw Shinichi with my wallet."

Emiko and Junko exchanged worried glances as they listened to Ran's story. It was clear that Ran was feeling guilty and distressed about the whole situation.

"Wait, so you're saying that after hanging out with Rokuro, Shinichi saw the both of you, right?" Emiko asked, trying to clarify the sequence of events.

Ran nodded, wiping away the tears from her eyes. "Yes, he handed it to me, and then he left. And then I knew something was off."

"Why?" Both artist and secretary asked in unison.

"When we were friends, he always confronted me. Although we are no longer friends, it was shocking that he didn't confront me about it."

Emiko and Junko furrowed their brows, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Maybe he was just trying to avoid unnecessary drama?" Junko suggested. "He might have thought it was best to just return the wallet and move on, without getting into an argument or confrontation."

"I guess, but it's still strange," Ran replied, sniffling. "So I confronted him myself."

"What!?" Emiko's eyes grew wide in response.

Ran took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions before she continued with her account of what happened when she confronted Shinichi.

"I asked him if he saw me with Rokuro, and he said he did," Ran explained, her voice trembling. "I demanded why isn't he mad about it, and he then says 'Why would I bother? We are no longer friends anymore. You are free to see whoever you want."

"He has a point, Ran," Emiko said upfront and bluntly. "You and Shinichi are no longer friends, so he probably doesn't feel the need to get involved in your personal life."

"It's because of that, that I later snap at him!" Ran's voice wavered as she continued, "I-I couldn't stand how he was acting so cold and indifferent, while he was being all so casual and warm towards Ranran. I wanted him to be mad at me, to show that he still cared, even if we were not friends anymore. But he didn't... and it hurt." Then she went on, "I yelled at him, accusing him of being heartless and not caring about me at all. Not since he met Ranran," Ran confessed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I wanted to hurt him the way I felt hurt, and I thought he deserved it. Then he went on to accuse me as to how long do I want to continue being unreasonable and overstay my welcome!? That I was so cruel and evil to Ranran, I didn't hesitate to let Rokuro know about the location of the HQ, just so he could attack his mentor! And that is when I learn that the intruder who attack Ranran was none other than Rokuro!"

The two girls listened in shock as Ran poured out her emotions and the details of her confrontation with Shinichi. The atmosphere in the room grew heavy with the weight of the revelations. "And....did you know the entire time Rokuro was the attacker?" Junko pressed.

"No, of course not!" Ran burst into tears as she ranted, "I didn't even know till Shinichi told me about it. But Shinichi is certain that I knew! Otherwise, how did Rokuro know where our HQ are!? And he even revealed to me that Sonoko had been in close contact with Rokuro, which is how he knew where the HQ was! Because he is certain she told him!"

"Just out of curiosity, were you aware that Sonoko was talking to Rokuro?" Emiko wondered.

"No! I had no idea about that either till Shinichi revealed that to me yesterday night!"

Emiko and Junko exchanged concerned glances. The situation was getting more complicated by the minute, and they were unsure how to handle it. On one hand, they could understand Ran's feelings of hurt and jealousy, but on the other hand, her actions had caused serious consequences.

"But that's so unfair," protested Junko, "You've been friends since kindergarten, by right, Shinichi should have more trust in you than that."

"Tell Shinichi that," Ran grumbled, as she ranted, "But he rather trust the bloody she-demon over me!" With her hands covering her face, she sobbed, "Anyway, after that, Shinichi even told me that if I didn't want the rest of the members within the association to know about what I have 'supposedly done' by hiding the identity of the intruder intentionally to hurt Ranran, which I didn't, he warned me to either quit, or I will pay!"

The two eldest girls in the association were taken aback by Ran's emotional outpouring. It was clear that she was feeling cornered and hurt, and they could see how deeply she was affected by the situation. However, they couldn't ignore the seriousness of the accusations against her, especially if Shinichi believed she had intentionally concealed the identity of the intruder.

"Ran, I can understand that you were hurt and upset, but did you really have no idea that Rokuro was the attacker?" Emiko asked, trying to get a clearer picture of the situation.

"I swear, I had no idea!" Ran insisted, her tears still flowing. "I didn't even know he was back in town until I saw him yesterday."

Junko leaned in, trying to be understanding, "Okay, let's say we believe you. But then, why did you keep quiet when Ranran asked you to come clean today? Why not just tell her you didn't know as you did with us?"

"I was scared, okay?" Ran admitted, her voice shaky. "I was scared that if I told her I didn't know, she wouldn't believe me. She hates me so much for no reason, and I thought she would just use this as another reason to attack me. I didn't want to give her more ammunition to hurt me anymore, knowing how cunning she is. I mean after what Ranran did with Sonoko by framing her as some thief at that time....who wouldn't be fearful of Ranran's wrath?"

Emiko and Junko listened silently, trying to process the emotions and complexities of the situation. "Just out of curiosity, how did Shinichi know Rokuro did that to Ranran? Did Ranran see him?" Emiko pressed for answers.

"No, someone sent Shinichi a video footage anonymously while he was at the hospital, accompanying Ranran who was bedridden at that time," Ran said.

"And did you see the video yourself?" Junko inquired.

"No," Ran admitted, "Shinichi said he sent the video to the cops."

"Maybe Ranran instructed Shinichi to make up the lie regarding the video so that he could simply find a reason to kick you out of the association!" Junko declared frostily.

"That's not true!" Ran protested, her tears still flowing. "Shinichi wouldn't lie about something like that, and I believe he genuinely received the video anonymously. He wouldn't go to such lengths just to kick me out!"

"He wouldn't, but I can see Ranran influencing him to do this to Ran-san after all. Shinichi is still having his Tantei Apprenticeship under her, so it wouldn't be surprising if he did lie for Ranran just to keep his Tantei dream." Emiko speculates.

"Anyway, so much for Shinichi being an idiot," Then a wicked look crept into Junko's eyes. "Ran, tell me honestly...is Rokuro handsome?"

Ran looked startled. "He? Good looking" She gave a hesitant shrug."I guess... well, yes. Why?"

"Why don't you date Rokuro then, to get back at Shinichi since he has Ranran now," suggested Junko.

"Ooh, I wouldn't want to do things the way my Okaasan would. It will get messy, you know?" Emiko cringed in response.

"But I don't want to," Ran was on the verge of tears. "I just want Shinichi and only Shinichi! I don't want him to belong to Ranran."

"Are they even in a relationship to begin with?" Emiko wondered. "I mean there have been rumours, but so far, I couldn't confirm nor deny."

"Whether they are or not, it doesn't matter. But the bottom line is this: The thing is, I am very disappointed in Shinichi," Junko scowled, "I know you both had a nasty fallout as friends, but having let slip of the location of this association to Rokuro...I doubt Ran is capable of doing something that evil towards Ranran."

"What about that time when Mouri set Shinichi's smartphone to silent mode at that time?" Emiko pointed out, "During the 'King of Rubies' case, when she tampered with the phone, Ranran was not able to call for help. As a result, I, Ranran and Mouri-san were kidnapped."

"I remember that, but... that was a mistake, wasn't it? Nobody could've foreseen getting kidnapped by The Snake's men when she did so." Junko reputed.

"Maybe you are right, I don't think she would intentionally hurt Ranran like that, though," Emiko chimed in, trying to be fair. "Maybe she made some mistakes, but that doesn't mean she's evil or trying to cause harm to anyone."

"Anyway, what I can conclude is this, "Junko cut in cynically, "As long as no one saw the existence of that said 'video', I am going to deem Ranran and Shinichi guilty, that they merely come up with a fake video that never exists just so to kick Ran out of Tantei Association! The End!"

"Anyway, I decided on something."Ran suddenly got up, a determined look on her face "I don't think we should sit around here talking about this. I think we should go and do our own investigation, and teach Shinichi a lesson that I ain't a fool!"

Junko clapped her hands. "Good on you, Ran! So what have you got in mind?"

Emiko shook her head in disagreement, "Oh boy...."

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

"Why the four of us aren't sharing a cab, Shinichi?" Ranran found herself asking the apprentice as the cab is heading to their destination.

"I don't feel like I can contain my poker face in front of Takuma and Michio, especially after what happened between me and Ran last night." Shinichi sighed, looking out of the window as the cab moved along the streets while Ranran nodded, understanding his reasoning. "Ran is so unreasonable.....where did the friend I knew since kindergarten had gone?"

Ranran decided not to say a word, as she too view the passing buildings outside the window.

"I am sorry that you have to see me like that last night, 'cause honestly....." Shinichi apologizes without looking at his mentor.

"You don't have to apologize," Ranran glanced at Shinichi solemnly, "You had to deal with an unreasonable girl who is provoking you when you barely instigated her to do so. Anyone would easily snap, even the most patient member like Majima Michio would."

Shinichi let out a small chuckle, appreciating Ranran's understanding. "You're right. It's just..." He slumps while he goes, "I never expected her to be so cruel and heartless when she spoke ill of you last night. It's like she's a completely different person now."

"Anyone who is a victim of manipulation would never see their own ugliness until reality slaps them in the face." Ranran rolled her eyes thinking about it, "I can't believe she had the audacity to meet up with the dickhead who attacked me at the association."

Ranran's frustration was evident in her voice, and Shinichi couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and sadness for her. "I know, it's infuriating," he replied, clenching his fists in frustration. "I can't believe even after that feud I had with Rokuro, she still meets up with him. It's like....that time when Rokuro and my soccer mates falsely accused me of instigating that feud back then all over again....it's fine if she wants to see him now that we are no longer friends, but why won't she leave our association including us alone !?"

"She doesn't like it, the fact that you are now happier without her. Which is why she wants you to quit your Tantei Apprenticeship under me in the first place." Ranran bluntly states.

Shinichi sighed, leaning back in his seat as he processed Ranran's words.

"You know...the other day, when you instructed me to reduce my contact with Ran and Sonoko before you took me in as your apprentice, and that you suggest that I have the right to choose whether I want to severe ties with them for good or not....truthfully, the first thing that came to my mind was I want them out for good." he admitted. "Her behaviour last night...made me realize that this decision was the right move."

Ranran looked at Shinichi as she asked, "Was there more going on between you and the two of them which lead you to make that decision?"

Shinichi hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yes."

" May I...know what are those incidents that finally lead you to do so?"

Shinichi took a deep breath, deciding that it was time to open up to his mentor about the events that had led him to sever ties with Ran and Sonoko. "Do you remember our school having a grass slope last time before it was removed due to safety concerns?"

"Yes, I remember. The teachers banned us from playing there, or else we will be punished." Ranran replied, her expression becoming serious as she recalled the grass slope that used to be a popular spot for the students to hang out during their breaks.

Shinichi continued, "Well, during that day, Sonoko and Ran were all so excited to play there. Cause at that time, the places in Teitan Elementary School were fully occupied by other kids besides us. Anywhere, when they tried to invite me over to play, I refused. Then long story short...one of the kids who is a perfect caught them, then they landed in hot water."

Ranran nodded, understanding the situation. "So they got in trouble because they were playing in the forbidden area, but you chose not to join them."

"Exactly," Shinichi confirmed. "Unhappy that they were caught, they...tried to pressure me to join them once more."

"Hah!?" Ranran's jaw dropped.

"In a way...they were not please that I didn't get punished, tried to pressure me at some point to do it under 'friendship' reasons. Told me the usual 'You only live once' stuff. Or else our ties be severed."

"And....did you give in?"

"No, of course not. Otherwise...I wouldn't have ended up opening Tantei Association with you."

Ranran nodded, understanding the significance of Shinichi's decision. It was clear to her that he had made a choice to stand up for himself and not give in to their pressure, even if it meant severing ties with them. She could see how that incident could had been a turning point in their friendship.

"I bet this isn't the only incident."

"Oh no, there were more," Shinichi then narrates another tale, "Another time, this happened last year after the parkour incident with you, we had a school festival in our kindergarten. So there was a contest where children as young as 5, which was us back then, had to come up with creative projects. The prize itself was tickets to the Anime Exhibition for a particular mystery detective show which was a huge hit among our group at that time. The requirement to enter tue completion may vary. You can participate individually, as a duo, or as a trio. And so, Ran and Sonoko wanted me to team up with them."

"And let me guess, they didn't handle rejection well, did they?" Ranran remarked, raising an eyebrow. "What was your reason to do so? Is it because their drawing is awful?"

"No, because they wanted to draw a theme that didn't exist. Like unicorns and prince charming. I told them they ain't real, so I ain't gonna draw. Then told me if I don't accept, I would stand no chance of winning the first prize that was being handed out at that time. Then said it would be my loss."

"Just out of curiosity, what did you plan to draw?"

"Err....nothing."

"Nothing?" Ranran could sense the hesitation in him, "Come on, spill it, what did you plan to draw?"

Reluctantly, he revealed, "A coroner's office."

Ranran couldn't help but burst out laughing at Shinichi's response. "A coroner's office?! Are you serious? Why!?"

"Don't laugh at me!" Shinichi's cheeks turned slightly pink with embarrassment. "You know that I am very detective stuff even back then, and I thought it would be cool to draw something related to that awesome scene I was watching from some Anime show at that time. And that coroner's office was gore-looking but awesome. But Ran and Sonoko thought it was creepy and refused to go along with it."

"In what common sense would an average 5-year-old not find it creepy, Shinichi? Not to mention, the contest was held in a kindergarten! You are traumatising those parents and kids alike based on your drawing."

"But that's not the worst part," Shinichi continued, his expression growing serious again. "After they refused to team up with me, they kept on teasing me about having weird and morbid interests ever since. Of course, it wasn't in a malicious way, Ranran, and it barely hurt, but it did get annoying when Sonoko's tone shifted to 'I should pay more attention to Ran, Tantei Geek' on a daily basis."

"But you did win the tickets, right?"

"No."

"Why I am not surprise?" Ranran could see how these seemingly small events had contributed to the deterioration of his friendship with Ran and Sonoko.

"But you know what was the last straw for me, Ranran? That was when they started to make me apologize for every single thing that I did no wrong." Seeing that Ranran is visibly puzzled by this, Shinichi elaborates further, "Ran is a natural crybaby. Because as you can tell...I am smarter than her, she loses in any of those arguments we made. And when she cries and sheds tears...Sonoko always made me apologize for it."

"Are you sure it ain't your obnoxious behaviour that rubs them the wrong way?"

"I admit we had those times, but....." Shinichi interrupted Ranran, "Yes, I know I wasn't always the easiest person to be around. I can be arrogant and sometimes say things without thinking. But that doesn't excuse the way they treated me. For instance: Once, when Ran and I headed over to watch some magic show, and she was saying 'I wish I have magic powers', I told her it ain't possible and...I may have made some comments about how I thought I knew how some of the tricks were done," Shinichi continued. "Anyway, after easily pulling apart every single trick one would come up with, Ran decided I was ruining the magic for her and started to sob. Then Sonoko later kept insisting that I should apologize for being a know-it-all and ruining her experience."

"I mean to be fair, you technically didn't even bother to inform them 'spoiler alert'." Ranran reasoned.

"And it didn't stop there," Shinichi sighed. "They would do it all the time, for any little thing. Say if we were out shopping, I must offer to carry her shop goods. Or if I wanted to sit at the centre while watching a movie because it gives me the best view, Sonoko would go mad and say I should let Ran sit there instead, while I sit next to her on the left or right. And if I try to buy the centre seat behind the row, they go mad at me for no good reason, even more, if a little girl I barely know sits next to me with their parent."

"What is with them and their centre seat fixation?" She quipped.

"I don't know, anyway," He shook his head, "The point I am trying to bring up is it felt like I couldn't be myself around them without being criticized or made to feel guilty for being who I am. It became exhausting, and that is when...I started distancing myself from them at the 'Lost and Found' department in our school, solving cases of missing wallets and bentos as you said."

The founder listened quietly as Shinichi poured out his feelings and frustrations about his past experiences with Ran and Sonoko. If Ranran were to admit this as his partner-in-crime, she can't deny what Ran and Sonoko had to say about Shinichi is true, he can be rude and insensitive, at times unapproachable.

But....throughout this partnership, she knows the boy behind the tantei facade.

How he was always secretly aiding those unfortunate victims from those Tantei cases who had lost the most.

How he tried his best as a Tantei, disregarding his own personal beliefs because she is the more experience Tantei among them, time and time again.

True, the silly kids around them saw how smart he is, but they didn't see just how brilliant and kind he can be to the people around him.

How in a quick instant, he could pick things up and the ways his eyes sparkled when he figured something out. They didn't see the 6-year-old boy who get easily excited by whatever Ranran throw at him, who happily worked out every scheme Ranran would pull(Shinichi call it unethical pranks), and she would notice how he only smile secretly to himself, still in awe and wonder of her, never sharing the tricks behind them with anyone.

"I don't regret doing that to them, Ranran. I am happier in Tantei Association after distancing myself from them," Shinichi had his elbow planted at the door of the cab, "But I know I can be happier if Mouri Ran leaves Tantei Association and stop harassing you and me for good."

As the cab continued its journey, Ranran could see the resolve in Shinichi's eyes. As much as he wanted to, there was one problem she had to bring up, "But about you falsely accusing Mouri last night....you know that she isn't capable of getting Rokuro to attack me, right?"

"....it is a lie worth telling if it is what it means to bring an end to her harassment towards us both. Removing Mouri Ran out of the association....we will have better days ahead."

Ranran's eyes narrowed slightly at Shinichi's response. Being a morally ambiguous character herself, she couldn't deny that sometimes deception was necessary to achieve their goals.

And considering the things Ran did to her in that project.....it would be a lie worth using.

"Have you considered what might you do in case she retaliates?" she said, her voice neutral.

Shinichi thought for a moment before responding, his expression serious. "I've thought about it, and I know she will try to retaliate. But I'll be ready for it."

Ranran nodded, acknowledging Shinichi's determination. She respected his decision to take a stand against Ran's harmful behaviour, even if it meant resorting to some level of deception. She knew that sometimes, in their line of work, they had to make tough choices to protect themselves and their goals.

"Including that 'other identity' of yours, Ranran, if she ever tries to make use of it to get me to quit.....they will be eyes watching onto them, which is beyond my control."

As Shinichi said it, Ranran grew baffled at his cryptic words.

"That reminds me of something," Ranran suddenly remembered, "The other day after that damn Rokuro struck me in the head, while I was hospitalized....aside from Takuma and the others plus you, was there anyone else in the room?"

"Eh?"

"Cause I am certain I overheard several voices in the room."

"A-ah ha ha...about that, it's probably Takuma and the others." Shinichi sweats a bullet behind his back.

Ranran raised an eyebrow at Shinichi's response. She could tell he was trying to hide something, and it piqued her curiosity even more. "Takuma and the others? Are you sure it was just them?"

"Of course, or if it ain't, it is probably our grandparents or your parents."

"But the other voices I heard are children."

"As I said earlier, it's probably Takuma and the others." Shinichi insisted.

Ranran wasn't entirely convinced by Shinichi's explanation, but she decided not to press the matter further for now. There was something he seemed reluctant to reveal, and she will look into this another time.

"Alright, if you say so," Ranran replied, letting the topic drop for the time being. "Let's focus on the case ahead and find out who's behind the attacks on our clients."

Shinichi nodded, glad that the conversation had shifted back to the case.

It's better that Ranran never know....that on the day she was bedridden, her second family had come to pay her a visit.