When 6-year-old Mouri Ran stared at the face of her former neighbour, 9-year-old Kasumaki Rokuro, a person she'd never thought she'd see again, she was elated.

Having just left the cab and waving her goodbye to Shinichi and Emiko, she was looking forward to watching some TV before sleeping, her Tousan had gone out to do his private investigator duties, meaning he is likely not to return till around 2 to 3 am sharp.

Especially after dealing with the calculative 6-year-old Kudo Ranran, she truly deserves a break.

Joining Tantei Association has been a difficult and suffocating 2 months. It's one thing to deal with Ranran's harsh words towards her, let alone, her constantly belittling her while seeing her as a pest, but it was another to see her former friend and crush, Kudo Shinichi, constantly siding with the she-demon.

The worst part was as she headed upstairs to the apartment located above her dad's private investigator office, she realized her wallet is no longer in her pocket, meaning it must have slipped out when she was getting down from the cab. Which sucks, since the keys to the apartment are in her wallet, so that meant she can't enter her home.

As Ran headed downstairs, she was contemplating the idea of contacting her mother to pick her up and stay at her place. Now she could simply call her dad, and he will be more than willing to drop everything before rushing home to let his daughter in. One time, she remembered seeing him drunk, yet he stumbled in a hurry under the downpour of heavy rain one night before unlocking the door for her.

The problem is....they may not have enough financially to remain living under the roof of the apartment this year.

Lately, they had been relying on her mother's income, and although she is more than happy to give the money to them when asked, Ran felt like it would've been unfair to heavily rely expenses on her since her mother had this job as a lawyer not long ago, and then to top it off, recently purchase a place for herself after splitting up from her dad. She has mortgages to settle, so she can't simply burden them, even her dad has pride too.

Calling her mother, she knows Eri Kisaki would fetch her from her. The problem is that after that slapping incident at the principal's office in Teitan Elementary School, Ran didn't want to see her mother after that. Especially since she sided with the she-demon instead of her own daughter. A thing that is still heart-breaking even up till now.

Her dad's private investigator business hadn't been doing well lately, since he was utterly an incompetent detective. It didn't help that Tantei Association exists, since Ranran and Shinichi are so talented and capable as child Tantei, it was a no-brainer for anyone to seek someone who had experience dealing with six major cases, rather than to head to Mouri Kogoro's detective agency whose only experience involved solving infidelity cases, as well as cases that include missing pets.

So to see her former neighbour being around was a change of mood for her.

As Ran approached Rokuro, a nostalgic smile crossed her face. "Rokuro-kun, is that really you?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine delight.

Rokuro grinned back at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hey, Ran-chan! Long time no see. You've grown so much!"

Ran blushed slightly at the compliment, feeling a sense of warmth in seeing her childhood friend again. "Yeah, it has been a while. What have you been up to?"

"Oh, you know, just to check on my parents' working situation. Recently they got suspended, and I have no idea why," Rokuro replied casually, not giving away much about his recent activities. "By the way, what are you doing out here in the middle of the night? Shouldn't you be heading upstairs?"

Ran hesitated for a moment, not sure if she should share her predicament with Rokuro. After all, they hadn't seen each other in years, and she didn't want to burden him with her troubles.

But something about Rokuro's easygoing demeanour and the memories of their friendship from their childhood made her feel comfortable enough to open up.

"Well, actually," she began, "I just got back from a case with the Tantei Association, and I realized that I lost my wallet in the cab. And my keys are in the wallet, so I can't get into my apartment."

Rokuro's expression turned sympathetic, and he nodded understandingly. "That's tough luck. Why don't you call Kogorou-Ojisan?"

Ran hesitated for a moment before replying, "I don't really want to bother him. He's been really busy with work lately, and I don't want to add to his stress."

"I see," He rubbed his chin thoughtfully in response, "What about Eri Obaasan? You can call her to pick you up and stay there."

Ran's face fell slightly at the mention of her mother, but she tried to hide her feelings with a small smile. "I don't really want to bother her either. She's been busy with her work as a lawyer, and I don't want to be a burden."

Rokuro frowned, sensing that there might be more to Ran's hesitation than she was letting on. "Come on, Ran-chan, you shouldn't have to deal with this on your own. Friends help each other, right?"

Ran looked down at her feet, her heart torn. She didn't want to burden anyone with her problems, and she was used to handling things on her own. But seeing Rokuro's genuine concern, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

"I... I guess you're right," she admitted quietly. "But I don't want to inconvenience anyone."

"In what way are you an inconvenience? How about this," Rokuro suggested, "We go eat out, then your Tousan might be home by the time we are done."

Ran looked up at Rokuro, surprised by his offer. "You'd do that for me?" she asked, her heartwarming at the thought of spending time with her old friend.

"Of course! We used to hang out all the time when we were kids, right? Why not relive those good old days?" Rokuro said with a playful grin.

Ran couldn't help but smile back, feeling grateful for Rokuro's kindness. "Thank you, Rokuro-kun. I'd really appreciate that."

With a plan in place, they decided to go to a nearby family restaurant.

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

"But you know, Rokuro, it is odd that I never told you about me joining Tantei Association over the phone. How did you know I joined as a member?"

While dining together, Mouri Ran found herself asking this as they are waiting for their orders to be served. "The other day, Sonoko called me over the phone and told me what had transpired between you and Shinichi, so that is when I learn you joined Tantei Association to get Shinichi back from some girl," Rokuro replied.

Ran's eyes widened in surprise. "Sonoko told you all that? She's been talking about it to everyone," she said, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

Rokuro chuckled. "Yeah, she tends to be quite the chatterbox. But I'm glad she told me. I was worried about you, you know. Especially....after that feud I had with Shinichi before my family moved us away."

"I mean after what you both did, could you blame him?!"Ran couldn't help but be flared by that comment.

For some odd reason, although Rokuro used to be in the same soccer club as Shinichi, they never got along. The two had always been at heads towards each other, even before Rokuro moved away, Shinichi never had one nice thing to say about him one bit. Ran never really knew why though. Whenever she tried to get an answer out of the two, both of them would answer 'It is a boys thing'.

"That's true," Rokuro folded his arms. "But he tends to be rude, obnoxious at times. I don't know how his parents raised him, but he is arrogant and thinks everyone around him who can't catch up to his thinking is nothing but idiots."

"I can't really deny that, he tends to be that way at times," Ran frowned at Rokuro's comments, feeling the need to defend Shinichi's character. "But he had the intelligence to prove it. I didn't expect him to be able to help a lot of people and solved many cases, especially six major cases. Maybe he just didn't get along with you because of your feud, but that doesn't mean he's a bad person."

"I guess everyone has their own way of seeing things. But from my perspective, he's always been a pain." Rokuro shrugged, not seeming convinced.

Ran sighed, realizing that there was probably no point in trying to change Rokuro's opinion of Shinichi. After all, they had a history of not getting along, and sometimes first impressions can be hard to shake.

Changing the topic, Ran asked, "So, what have you been up to after moving away? It's been so long since we last saw each other."

Rokuro's face brightened as he launched into stories of his life after moving away. "So apparently, the city that my parents move to, I told you before that we are likely to move to the slums to cut down on expenses, right?"

Ran nodded, remembering that Rokuro had mentioned his family's financial struggles before they moved away. "Yes, I remember you saying that. How has it been living there?"

"At first, it was tough," Rokuro admitted. "The neighbourhood was rough, and we didn't have much. But you know what they say, 'tough times create strong people.' I made some friends there, and we started playing soccer together in the alleys. We called ourselves 'The Alley Rats.'"

"The Alley Rats?" Ran chuckled. "That's a unique name for a soccer team."

"Yeah, it was kind of a joke at first, but we stuck with it," Rokuro said with a grin. "We practised together, played in local tournaments, and slowly but surely, we started winning some matches. People in the neighbourhood started to notice us, and some of them even helped us get better soccer gear."

"That's amazing," Ran said, genuinely impressed. "It sounds like you've been through a lot, but you've also found a way to thrive in your new environment."

"I guess so," Rokuro replied modestly. "It hasn't been easy, but I've learned a lot, and I've become a better soccer player because of it."

As they continued talking, their food arrived, and they enjoyed their meal together. Ran couldn't help but admire Rokuro's resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he faced, he managed to find his passion for soccer and create a new life for himself in the slums.

"I think by the way things are going, you would eventually become a professional soccer play as you had always dreamed." Ran thinks.

When they were younger, the first time they met, Ran remembered he was a literal soccer nut.

At the apartment they used to live in before Ran's family moved here, there was never a day that goes by without Rokuro kicking a soccer ball around. He would spend hours practising his skills, and Ran would often join him, even though she wasn't as into soccer as he was.

"You really think so?" Rokuro asked a hint of excitement in his eyes. "I mean, it's always been my dream to play professionally, but sometimes it feels like such a long shot."

"Don't give up on your dream," Ran said with a smile. "You've already come so far, and I believe in you. If you keep working hard and never lose sight of your passion, I'm sure you'll make it."

Rokuro grinned back at her. "Thanks, Ran-chan. Your words mean a lot to me." He then saddened a bit as he played with his food, "Before all of this had taken place when Kudo fractured my foot, I thought my dreams as a professional soccer player were gone for good. Especially when the doctor delivers to me the grim news back then...."

"I know when I heard of the news, I immediately scolded Shinichi for being insensitive," Mouri Ran's expression turned sympathetic as she listened to Rokuro's words. "And he was so unremorseful."

"That sounds like Shinichi, alright. He never really cared about how his actions affected others." Rokuro let out a bitter chuckle.

"He can be really clueless when it comes to emotions sometimes. I guess that is the price one has to pay when one is born unusually intelligent." Ran frowned, feeling a mix of frustration and understanding.

"Speaking of which, there is something that I had to ask," Rokuro looked at her curiously. "I heard from Sonoko that after he severed ties with you and open Tantei Association with that girl, you joined not long after. She told me you are having a difficult time."

"I ain't going to lie about that," Ran sighed, her expression turning more serious. "It was hell.."

Rokuro leaned in, looking genuinely concerned. "Did Shinichi and Ranran bully you or anything like that?"

"Bully isn't even the right word for my situation," Ran hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to explain the situation. "Well, for one, the girl you mentioned, Kudo Ranran...she is beyond impossible to get along from the start."

Rokuro raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"It's... hard to explain," Ran admitted. "She's incredibly talented and intelligent, probably even more than Shinichi. But she's also... well, she can be really harsh and critical. She doesn't hold back her opinions and can come off as arrogant."

Rokuro nodded in understanding. "So, you guys had some conflicts?"

"More than conflicts, I would say," Ran said with a sigh. "There have been misunderstandings, arguments, and it feels like....she wants to kick me out. So did Shinichi. Very badly."

The more Ran poured out, the more Rokuro could tell it was tough on her.

"After that feud, you had with Shinichi....during the period when we were barely speaking to each other...he literally avoided me and Sonoko so much so, that I barely exist in his eyes."

Sensing the hurt and frustration in Ran's voice, Rokuro had to ask, "At that time when you joined in to solve the association's first major case, you mention that Ranran framed Sonoko at some lolicon apprentice, right?"

 "That's right," Ran nodded, her expression darkening. "She didn't mean to do any harm! She just wanted to know why Ranran had Shinichi sever ties with her in exchange for his apprenticeship, that is why Sonoko entered their house in the first place. Not like she broke in! There was an open party there at that time after all."

"That sounds... really messed up," Rokuro said, his expression grim. "Even now, I still cannot understand why would Ranran take such extreme lengths. And why would Shinichi believe her without considering Sonoko's side?"

"I never would've thought that Shinichi could be so easily manipulated. He always seemed so sharp and observant." Rokuro shook his head in disbelief.

"He is, in many ways," Ran admitted. "So much so, that when Ranran and Shinichi had an argument the other day at school, when I told him to quit, he snapped at me and told me to get lost! Especially after that video of Mamiko and Sonoko surfaced, he wanted nothing to do with her or me anymore."

Rokuro's eyes widened at Ran's revelation.

"I can't believe he would treat you like that," Rokuro said, his tone a mix of disbelief and disappointment. "I mean, even if he's having issues with you of all people, that's no excuse to treat the both of you so poorly."

"It's been really hard," Ran admitted, her voice tinged with emotion. "Especially when he told me that I was overstaying my welcome after Ranran restored Sonoko's reputation and when he found out that I avoided signing Ranran's contract to remain as a member, he ordered me to leave."

"And why did you not sign the contract then?"

"How could I? Everyone in school knows how shrewd and cunning Ranran is. In the end, I knew I had to sign."

"Why? Because Ranran forced you?"

"No, rather, I know I will never see Shinichi ever again if I don't," Ran admitted, "With Shinichi avoiding me after that feud, I can't bear the thought of him living a life without me in it."

"I can't even begin to imagine how tough this has been for you," Rokuro said, his voice full of empathy. "It's heartbreaking to see someone as kind and genuine as you go through so much."

Ran gave him a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Rokuro. It really means a lot to me that you're here to listen and understand."

"But if you don't mind me asking, why did you decide to stay despite the....difficulties?"

"I don't think Shinichi was in his right mind when he became Ranran's apprenticeship," Ran looked down at her hands, her fingers playing with her utensils. "I wanted him to snap out of it. Although I know he loves becoming a Tantei...he shouldn't get himself to be involved with someone as shady as Ranran." 

"That's quite a selfless decision," Rokuro remarked, admiration in his eyes. "You're really trying to protect him even when he's not treating you well."

"It's complicated," Ran admitted. "I care about him a lot, and I know he's a good person deep down. But it's been so hard to get through to him, especially with Ranran's influence over him."

Rokuro leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative. "You know, sometimes people have to figure things out on their own. Even if it's painful for us to watch, they need to come to their own realizations."

"I understand that," Ran said with a sigh. "But it's just... it hurts to see him change so much because of her. And it hurts to know that he doesn't want me around anymore."

"I can see how much he means to you. But remember, you can't change someone unless they want to change themselves. And you deserve to be around people who appreciate and support you."

"I'm glad I could be here for you," Rokuro said with a genuine smile. "And remember, no matter how tough things get, you're not alone. You have friends who care about you and want to see you happy."

Ran smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth from his words. "You're right. I'm really grateful to have friends like you who genuinely care."

As they continued talking and sharing their thoughts, Ran felt a sense of comfort she hadn't experienced in a while. Rokuro's presence was a reminder that she wasn't alone in her struggles, and that there were people who saw her for who she was and supported her unconditionally.

Rokuro paid the bill, and they walked out of the restaurant together, the night air crisp around them. "Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, Rokuro," Ran said, genuinely grateful.

"Anytime, Ran-chan. Anyway, I contacted Kogoro Ojisan earlier, and he would arrive here around half-an-hour time after that. It appears that he completed the investigation a lot earlier than he had anticipated. So you won't be locked out for long." Rokuro replied with a warm smile. "Remember, no matter how tough things get, you've got friends who care about you."

Ran smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth and connection. "I'll keep that in mind."

As they said their goodbyes, Ran watched Rokuro walk away with a sense of appreciation. Sometimes, unexpected moments and conversations could bring about the clarity and support she needed to face her challenges head-on. 

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

"Was that Rokuro you are talking to?"

A familiar voice made Ran jump before she whipped her head towards the blue-eyed boy, "Shinichi!? What are you doing here?" Her expression is not warm. "Were you watching the entire time!?"

But the apprentice didn't seem to be fazed by Ran's hostility. Rolling his eyes, he handed her the item, "You left your wallet at the cab, Mouri."

"Eh?! I did!?" Ran exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she took her wallet from Shinichi's hand.

"Yeah, but you were not around at that time. I was passing by and noticed you and that douche Rokuro talking at the family diner there, so I waited till you were done, then hand you the wallet." Shinichi shrugged.

Ran took her wallet from Shinichi's hand, a mixture of surprise and confusion still evident on her face. "Why didn't you just go up to hand me the wallet then?"

"Why would I? I am in no mood to see him after what he did to me, especially you. Also, I left you something at the letter box downstairs," Shinichi scoffed before deciding, "It's getting late, I am heading home. Bye." 

Ran watched as Shinichi turned and started walking away. She was taken aback by his seemingly nonchalant attitude as if their encounter was just another casual exchange. It was clear that there were unresolved issues between them, and his presence only added to the complexity of her emotions.

"Are you...not curious about why I was with Rokuro?"

"Eh?" He stood still while turning back to her, "Why should I? You both are neighbours anyway."

Ran's frustration grew at Shinichi's dismissive response. She couldn't believe how indifferent he was acting after all that had transpired between them. No, his lack of interest just fueled her anger, "Neighbours!?" Ran was practically trilling now. "Sounds like someone has jealousy issues! You haven't changed since that feud with him!"

But Shinichi scrunched his brow, his voice was calm. "What is there to be jealous of? You two are friends anyway, or boyfriend, I don't care. Anyway, what is there to deny? You were friends with him for over 2 years plus before meeting me, so it ain't surprising to me that one would simply choose to naturally side with one friend that knows longer than the other. It's how Sonoko has been doing, no wonder you two are joined at the hip, how admirable."

"You-"

The old Shinichi would've told her off about Rokuro back then. Maybe even snap at her over why was she seeing that idiot again, at least Ran would think that he cared about her.

But that was then, now he no longer felt anything towards his former friend. Not anymore, "Why? Are you wishing upon the stars for me to react that way?"

She doesn't think she's heard right."W-what?!"

"I don't even think highly of you in the first place, so why would I be jealous that you are with Rokuro now? If anything, I am more than happy to now know that Rokuro is completely yours now. Cause that means I no longer have to deal with any of your tantrums and problems anymore. But just a tiny reminder, I won't stand any nonsense from you anymore from that brute, after what you both did to Ranran."

"What are you talking about?!"Because of Ranran's name being brought up, Ran could only grit her teeth and said."Shinichi, although I admit we haven't been on the best of terms, you can't simply make up such wild accusations!"

Shinichi let out an exasperated sigh, his patience wearing thin. "Look, Ran, I really don't have the energy for this right now. It's late, and I'm tired."

"Tired? You're tired?" Ran's voice rose, her frustration boiling over. "You have no idea how much I've been through since you cut ties with me and joined forces with Ranran! And now you're standing here acting like it's no big deal?"

"Why is it a big deal to you anyway?" Shinichi's jaw clenched, and his gaze hardened. "You and Sonoko always do that to me, guilt trips me over and over. If there is a beehive with annoying bees pestering me about, I should distance myself."

Her anger reached new heights at Shinichi's callous response. His words cut deep, and the fact that he was brushing off her feelings like they were inconsequential only fueled her frustration.

"Is that how you see us as? Annoying bees!? Do you think we are always guilt-tripping you? Over what!?" Ran's voice trembled with a mixture of anger and hurt.

"Many things," Shinichi's expression remained stoic, "My dream as a Tantei, you let Sonoko keep on telling me that I should pay more attention to you, and you kept on brushing it off as if it were a joke. If it wasn't for that video of her with Mamiko scheming about discouraging my dream to marry me off to you, I would've been a fool to give up!"

"You... you really believed that?" Her voice wavered, a mixture of hurt and disbelief evident. "You think that I am capable of such a thing?"

"You didn't hesitate to defend Sonoko after that video was revealed, who knows?" Shinichi's gaze remained fixed on her, his expression distant.

The disbelief on Ran's face quickly shifted to deep sadness. Shinichi's accusations were like a knife to her heart. She had always known that their relationship had suffered since he started apprenticing under Ranran, but she never imagined he would harbour such distrust and negativity towards her.

"Aside from that....how long were you going to tell me that you leaked out our Tantei Association Hq location to Rokuro!?" Shinichi confronted Ran in anger.

Ran's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about-"

"The other day, when Ranran was attacked at the HQ by the intruder....it was Rokuro who attacked her!"

Ran's shock turned into a mix of disbelief and confusion. "What?! That's impossible! Rokuro would never do something like that!"

"There was a video that was sent anonymously to me, he was there when Ranran unmasked him."Ran's heart sank while Shinichi ranted, "Now on our official website, Ranran didn't post the location because she didn't want our enemies to know where we are based, and made all of us swear to secrecy or risk severe punishment. I was thinking a lot at the hospital as to who could've done this to Ranran. The only explanation is that since Sonoko is your best friend, and you both hated Ranran for granting me that apprenticeship, you must have told her, and then she tipped off Rokuro! Which is how Ranran was attacked!" 

Each word he spoke felt like a betrayal, a twisting of their history and friendship into something unrecognizable. She had never expected him to believe such things about her, and it cut deeply to hear him lay out these accusations so coldly.

Ran immediately denied."What are you talking about!? Of course not! I did tell Sonoko but that is about it!"

"Even telling Sonoko is enough to endanger Ranran! She rarely knows when to shut up in any given situation, mainly this one!" Shinichi's face twisted with anger, his voice harsh and accusing. "I told you not to even share this with your closest friends, and look what happened!?" 

 "Come on, Shinichi! Sonoko could've just simply had let slip-" 

"Exactly...you knew this, yet you didn't care. That is why...I am going to ask you this question, and you better be honest with me, Mouri Ran," Shinichi gaze remained fixed on her, his expression unyielding. "Tantei Association...are you going to quit, or continue to make a ruckus by endangering Ranran's life?!"

Ran saw red again and with one swift move, tried to kick Shinichi in the face. But Shinichi having memorized her move for over a year was quicker to dodge, leaving her to kick the air.

He then put his foot down with a firm tone, "I am not joking this time, Mouri. Quit. You know where this is going, Mouri."

The words that had not yet been uttered were said.

It was then Mouri Ran screamed. "That ain't true! I didn't intentionally want to harm her!"She looked like a madman, looking at Shinichi's gaze that was filled with hate and begging for mercy.

"Whether you did or not, it can never change the fact that it was you who told Sonoko where our HQ was, Ranran was hurt because you couldn't keep your damn mouth shut! And as a result, Rokuro attacked her!"

Ran's heart pounded loudly in her chest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as the weight of Shinichi's accusations bore down on her. She was caught in a whirlwind of emotions – hurt, confusion, and anger all swirling together. The reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks.

Ran's face paled as she stumbled two steps backwards.

This time she couldn't help but look at Shinichi, the little boy's eyes were cold without any warmth. So many days, she tried to make him accept her a little but today it all went in vain with a bloody CCTV footage.

It was then Ran was able to put two together on why Shinichi was rather furious at her.

It's Ranran again, everything is about his precious Ranran!

"Neh, Shinichi," Her throat tightened as she tried to speak, her voice trembling. "Are you not being too much? Don't you think...don't you think you are being too unfair towards me?!"

"Fairness...was it the same when you did this to me back then when you believed in Rokuro over me?" Shinichi scoffed at her.

"As I thought...that she-demon really brainwashed you!"

"Brainwashed!? Wow, who knew Mamiko's brainwashing is so effective, that you still act shamelessly, living like a squatter in our association? Then again, I can't blame you, since you hung out with a thief and soon-to-be murderer." He shrugs.

"Don't you ever talk crap of him!" she begins. "You don't know. You don't know how easy it was to talk with him-"

"Oh, so it's because he is easier to relate to, you decided why to brush off what he did to Ranran!? Is that what this is about!? I can't say those things about him, but you can talk gibberish things about Ranran?! Are you not a hypocrite?!" he interrupts. Anger is contagious. "If you like him so much, why won't you leave the association then!? Let me be happy with Ranran?"

The air around them was thick with tension and emotions, each word exchanged like a dagger that cut deeper into their already wounded relationship. Ran felt her chest tighten, the pain of Shinichi's words piercing through her heart. "I won't! That demon-"

"So if she were a she-demon, does this make you any less of a saint?" Shinichi challenged her, "Do saints insult other kids with bad names!? Let alone, justify their friend's behaviour of stealing people's dreams?! As soon as someone says something that doesn't agree with you, you instantly want to use your fist or use your tears as a weapon, like a crybaby. I guess that is why you call her those names, because this is the first time someone went against you besides me, and I admit, she was far better at making better decisions than me when it came to her own choice of friends. At least her friends never pressured her to get into a relationship and backstab people the way you both did. It's been a long time since I have had such conversations like that, at times I did wish I possessed the same kind of intelligence as she did."

Ran felt a lump getting bigger in her throat, but she didn't back down.

"What is so nice about her anyway? It's not like you can't achieve later in the long run, if anything, you didn't even need to rely on her in the first place and become your own detective in a few year's time," Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, Ran continued with a cold smile. "Or did she offer you a devil's deal that is far too tempting, and you couldn't resist your ambitious thoughts and went along with it?"

Shinichi closed his eye, inhaling deeply. When he opened his eyes again and saw Ran was still glaring a hole into his head, his shoulder slumped a little as he said in a defeating tone.

"So like you to come up with delusional conclusions, Mouri."

"Because as your friend, you are making a mistake trusting her!" she hisses.

"A mistake..." Shinichi repeated with a pause, before continuing, "So you are implying that trusting someone who acts like a devil but listens to me is a mistake, but trusting my own friends who pretentiously act like saints, but they are secretly backstabbers who never listened to me not one?"

"Shinichi!"

"When you are still with Rokuro now, even though I told you that I didn't like him, do you hear me saying to you that you should distance yourself from him?"He doesn't blink, "And friends have no right to meddle with my life, my decisions my rules. Since when have you and Sonoko ever treated me as one?"

She tries not to scream in outrage. "How could you be so...cold!? Why did you stop arguing for my sake!? When did you..."

"My emotions as a friend for you...died as soon as I found out all of the scary things you and Sonoko were capable of. No, probably even more so when you defended Rokuro for doing all of the harm to Ranran!"

The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, each syllable delivering a finality that sent shivers down Ran's spine. Shinichi's resolve was unwavering, his heart closed off to their friendship since kindergarten.

"Tantei Association...has no room for a girl who keeps on defending unreasonable people who do not serve the purpose of protecting the greater good. Leave the association quietly, and leave Ranran and me alone."

"I will never!"

As Ran's voice trembled with her declaration, Shinichi's eyes bore into hers. "Right now, you are not the friend I knew growing up. Don't make yourself anymore pathetic than Ranran anymore, Mouri."

Shinichi did not say anymore before leaving behind Ran who looked like she was about to choke to death. That night, the rain began to pour, mirroring the storm that raged within Ran's heart. The cold drops mingled with her tears as she stood there, the weight of the night's revelations crashing down on her.

She was drenched, not just by the rain, but by the overwhelming emotions that had unfolded in a matter of moments. Her friendship with Shinichi, a bond that had endured since childhood, now lay shattered at her feet. The accusations, the distrust, the hurtful words – they all carved wounds that felt irreparable.

Ran's chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She felt lost, adrift in a sea of pain and confusion. The boy she had admired, the friend she had trusted, was now a stranger before her.

As the rain soaked her to the bone, Ran sank to her knees, her hands clutching at her chest as if trying to hold together the pieces of her shattered heart. The thunder roared above, echoing the turmoil in her soul.

"Why...?" she whispered to the rain-soaked night. "Why did it have to turn out like this?"

But the rain offered no answers, only the steady rhythm of its fall, a relentless reminder of the harsh reality she now faced. The friend who had once been her anchor had become the source of her pain.

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

"All the house to myself as it is raining outside tonight, it is a good day to be gaming till midnight."

Meanwhile, far away in the comfort of her lavish bedroom, 6-year-old Kudo Ranran was far too busy gaming on her computer desktop.

As the rain tapped against the windowpane of Ranran's cosy room, the glow of the computer screen illuminated her face with intense blue light. Her small fingers danced across the keyboard and mouse, navigating through the virtual world with ease and precision.

In the digital realm, she was a force to be reckoned with – a fierce warrior, a cunning strategist, an unstoppable force. The game she was playing was one of her favourites, a fantasy RPG that allowed her to escape into a world of adventure and magic.

Her brows furrowed in concentration as she led her character through a treacherous forest, battling mythical creatures and uncovering hidden treasures. She had spent countless hours perfecting her skills and mastering the game mechanics, and it showed in her gameplay.

Despite her young age, Ranran's strategic thinking and quick reflexes made her a formidable opponent on any virtual battlefield. She had an uncanny ability to analyze situations, adapt to challenges, and outwit her opponents. Her room was adorned with posters of her favourite game characters, showcasing her dedication to the virtual realms she loved to explore.

As she progressed through the game, her excitement and determination were palpable. Each victory was celebrated with a triumphant grin, and each defeat was met with a fierce determination to improve. The rain outside seemed to fade into the background as the world of the game enveloped her.

Suddenly, Ranran's smartphone rang. Checking her caller ID, she is surprised to see it was Shinichi, "Hello, Shinichi? What's up?"

"Hey, Ranran," Shinichi's voice came through the phone, sounding a bit tired. "Have you....eaten dinner yet?"

Ranran's eyes shifted to her digital clock. It was already quite late, and she hadn't realized how much time had passed while gaming. She scratched her head, realizing that she had indeed lost track of time.

"Um, not yet," she replied sheepishly, hoping that Shinichi wouldn't scold her for neglecting her meal. "I got a bit caught up in my game."

"Shinichi let out a sigh, his voice carrying a mix of exasperation and concern. "You really need to take breaks, Ranran. You can't just skip meals like that. It's not healthy."

"I know, I know," Ranran mumbled, feeling a bit guilty. She was well aware of the importance of taking care of herself, but sometimes her gaming sessions could get so intense that she forgot about everything else.

"Alright, since it's raining outside, how about I order something for you? What do you feel like having?" Shinichi offered.

"I think I will pass, I have my mother's food prepped for me in advance." Ranran chuckled, before realizing something was off as she checked the window, "Hey Shinichi, why aren't the lights in your house on?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Shinichi replied, his voice carrying a hint of weariness, "I've been out for a while, Ranran. Dealing with some things."

"Dealing with things?" Ranran repeated, her curiosity piqued before realizing she could hear the sounds of rain in the background, "Are you still outside?!"

"Yeah, I'm....trying to keep my cool elsewhere," Shinichi replied, his tone a mix of exhaustion and resignation.

Shinichi's voice sounded hoarse. Ranran noted. "Shinichi, did anything happen to you earlier?"

Shinichi hesitated for a moment before responding, "I am feeling awful right now. Honestly, I don't even know where I am now."

Ranran's concern deepened upon hearing Shinichi's words. She had always been perceptive when it came to his emotions, even through phone calls. She could sense the weight of his distress, the fatigue in his voice, and it made her worry even more.

"Shinichi, are you hurt? Did something bad happen?" Ranran asked, her worry evident in her voice. She couldn't stand the thought of him being in trouble or facing difficulties alone.

"I'm not physically hurt, Ranran," Shinichi replied, his voice carrying a mixture of frustration and resignation. "But...ah crap, I don't even have an umbrella."

"Shinichi, where are you right now?" She could sense the turmoil he was going through, even if he didn't explicitly state it.

There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line before Shinichi sighed. "Ranran, you don't have to-"

"I ain't pitying you, but that recent break-in at Professor Shibuya's place took place hours ago. The man whom we saw on the motorbike fleeing the scene earlier...if he was sent by a criminal mastermind, it wouldn't be the right time to not tell me your location if he targets you."

Ranran's words were firm, and there was a determination in her tone that surprised Shinichi. He hadn't expected her to see through his attempts to downplay the situation.

"I'm...not far from Kitsune Tails Artifact store," Shinichi finally admitted, his voice weary. "I've been wandering around, trying to clear my head."