As the video played, everyone watched in stunned silence. It showed Rokuro breaking into the Tantei Association's headquarters and attacking Ranran while she shot him with a paintball gun.

The footage was clear, and there was no doubt about what had happened.

By this point, 6-year-old Mouri Ran's throat was stuck. A mix of emotions overwhelmed her as she watched the video. She was horrified to see the attack on Ranran, especially since the attacker is someone she had considered a friend.

The video of Rokuro in masked gear, having taken out the electric baton from the association's equipment box not long after he messed with Ranran and Shinichi's photograph, and then struck Ranran in the head was utterly horrifying and violent.

Rokuro is 9 years old, but it is shocking to witness such a violent act from a young child leaving everyone speechless. Sure, Mouri Ran had seen Ranran committing such acts unlike Rokuro, but still, this is a friend of hers she knew since kindergarten!

Emiko meanwhile remains quiet at that statement, not knowing what to think. What she assumed in Ranran as being biased towards Ran due to Mamiko's influence, was immediately thrown out of the window.

Initially, she assumed the reason Ranran always gave Ran the hardest time out of everyone was because of blind prejudice towards her. But then Emiko almost forgot that there was a period where she and Shinichi hated each other to the core. If Ranran targeted Mouri out of malice, she would've done the same to Shinichi since he has become her apprentice for about a month, by dumping any heavy workload she could find or even belittling his talent.

After all, he did call her a 'bastard' and humiliated her when she was around 5, as in putting a target onto those bullies their age with no mercy, far worst than that time Ran acted like a saint just to fish out any info when Shinichi cut all ties to be with her. She isn't the type to accept praises, forgive and forget, so Emiko knew better than she would've not hesitated to torment him if the opportunity arises.

And here, there have been no such complaints in regards to the workload from the apprentice, aside from the fact that he rambles about Ranran being too calculative and vicious towards capturing the criminals at the expense of others.

It all made sense now to Emiko, as she wondered why Ranran always was harsh on Ran.

Shinichi's expression was grim as he looked around at the faces of his fellow members of Tantei Association members. He knew that the revelation of the video was a turning point, one that would remove Mouri Ran from this place for good.

As the apprentice's gaze settled onto Junko who assumed that he came up with a video that never existed to get Mouri Ran out of the association, his voice was holding a mix of disappointment and resolve. "The reason I didn't show Mouri the video, was because I was disturbed to see it, Fuyuko."

The atmosphere was heavy despite being out on the streets, and everyone's thoughts were racing as they processed the shocking revelation.

"And this is why, I am not going to beat around the bush, but Mouri must leave the association." Shinichi finally announced.

The announcement hung in the air, and the weight of the situation settled heavily on everyone. Their expressions varied from shock to amazement, but there was a collective realization that something drastic had to be done in a matter of time.

"Y-You can't do that!" Ran stuttered a bit before arguing back, "I really didn't intentionally hide the identity of the intruder who attack Ranran!"

"Even if you didn't, you've repeatedly acted recklessly and impulsively, putting yourself and others in danger, because you had some delusional feelings for me! You accused Ranran of manipulating me, you questioned her intentions, and you even went as far as to endanger her because you are jealous over her relationship with me as mentor and apprentice!" Shinichi's gaze remained firm, his voice resolute. "Until you settle that problem of yours, I am not letting you return to harass Ranran ever again!"

Ran's face turned pale as Shinichi's words sunk in.

"Ooi, so this damn Rokuro is the one who did this to Ranran?!" Takuma, Ranran's close friend, was not having it as he angrily confronted Shinichi, "Where is he!? I want to kill him!"

"Don't worry about it, I took care of the problem," Shinichi reassured the outraged athlete, as he revealed, "After that incident, I informed Sergeant Genzo everything, and there is now a search warrant for his arrest."

"W-w-wait, arrest!?" Ran stammered in shock.

"But Rokuro is nine-years-old! Same age as me!" Emiko pointed out.

"And Ranran is 6 just like me, who was attacked by this nine-year-old!" Shinichi snapped at the artist, "I don't care how old he is, but he should've not let his filthy feet stain our association!"

"But Kudo, if he goes to jail, that means he can't be a soccer player anymore, right?" Takuma pointed out.

"Eh!?" Ran gasped, "What are you talking about?!"

"Once a crime is discovered to be committed, it will automatically make one not eligible to have a sports career anymore because they are not trustworthy to be hired, right?" Emiko figures perceptively towards 6-year-old Takuma.

"Eh!? You can't be serious, right?!" Junko's jaw fell.

Even Michio was stunned by the developments, "Wait, is that even possible?! Ain't that punishment too cruel?! Also, why such a thing would take place?!"

"I may not know much," Takuma thoughtfully scratched his chin, "But I remembered my American Football coach telling us that it's not uncommon for anyone with criminal records to get a place in professional sport. Although the chances are rare, it is super difficult if the crime involves violence for example. "

"In other words, they are putting the message out 'Criminals can't be athletes' strictly." Junko's eyes widened in horror.

"That means if Rokuro gets charged by the police, the chances of him becoming a successful professional soccer player will plummet, right?! I heard rumours that soccer was his dream. It would be such a shame to lose it all." Michio shook his head.

"The sports world takes these kinds of situations really seriously, similar to anyone who secretly uses steroids to cheat. You don't want to mess around with a criminal record. Cause once you are sent to prison, you are officially dunzo." Takuma nodded, his expression serious.

Ran's shock and distress were evident on her face. She had considered Rokuro a friend, and the thought of his dream being shattered due to his own actions was difficult to comprehend.

With her eyes widened, and she looked at Shinichi, her voice pleading. "Shinichi, as much as you hate him, you can't let that happen! Rokuro is a kid like us! He made a mistake, but he can change!"

"Change? He had a marker pen drawn onto both of our faces on the photo in our association, with a message he left for me and Ranran: 'Payback for what you did." Shinichi's gaze remained unwavering as he mocked, "If Ranran hadn't caught him, nor was I on the smartphone with her at that time, Ranran could've died! And you expect me to drop the charges!? I don't think so!"

"But he's just a kid like us!" Ran's voice was filled with desperation. "You don't need to be cruel as to force him to sacrifice his dream because of what he did to Ranran and you!"

"Me being cruel? As in to sacrifice his dream?!" Shinichi gave a look of disgust at his former friend, "I moved on from soccer club after he kept falsely accusing me of stealing his soccer dream and opened Tantei Association. Just when I was living the dream as a Tantei away from his field of interest, it didn't satisfy him enough that I was happier, and he went all the way here to attack Ranran after that upon tracking our HQ! How am I cruel?!"

"Shinichi-"

"No, this is a malicious prick who framed me during a feud, and the same person who attacked the one person who believed in my Tantei abilities. I won't drop the charges."

"Shinichi!"

"Since he didn't feel bad about ruining our association and causing destruction, why should I feel bad for ruining his soccer dream? No, I am going to make sure he will never get to live his dream as a professional soccer player ever again! Also, he owed Ranran medical fees, and that is settled."

"Wait, medical fees?!" Ran almost lost it towards Shinichi, "Rokuro's family are living in some slum city! How do you think he would be able to afford to pay up a-" Suddenly it dawned on Mouri, "Wait, how much was the medical fee?!"

"700,000 yen," Shinichi replied.

"700,000 yen?!" Ran repeated, her voice wavering with a mix of emotions. "That's... that's a lot of money! Also, ain't that price unreasonable?! Ranran only had a concussion!"

"It's the standard cost for medical treatment and observation. And while a concussion might not seem like much, it could have serious long-term consequences if not treated properly." Shinichi's tone was firm.

"But 700,000 yen is still a huge amount!" Ran's voice was a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Especially for a kid like Rokuro from a disadvantaged background! Also, his parents ain't making any income! How do you think he was going to pay up!?"

"Don't worry about it, someone else would," Ranran spoke coldly to her before ushering everyone to follow her, "We will talk about this when this is over since we still have Professor Shibuya's case to look into."

Ranran's voice had a note of finality, making it clear that the immediate discussion was over. The group shifted their focus to the case at hand, the weight of their roles as young detectives and justice-seekers pressing upon them.

The abrupt redirection of the conversation surprised everyone, momentarily shifting their focus from the intense discussion about Rokuro's actions and the potential consequences. Her authoritative tone left little room for argument, and the group followed her lead as they headed to their next destination.

As they walked, Ran's thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't deny the validity of Shinichi's concerns, but the thought of Rokuro's dreams being shattered weighed heavily on her.

Suddenly, without warning, Mouri Ran's smartphone rang in her pocket.

Ran quickly pulled out her smartphone, her heart racing as she saw a familiar number on the screen. With a curious but slightly apprehensive glance towards the others, she answered the call.

"Hello, Sonoko?" Ran spoke cautiously into the phone.

"Ran! My parents! How dare they!?" Sonoko's voice came through the phone, a mix of anger and frustration evident.

From the sounds of things, it was clear Sonoko was sobbing.

Ran's expression shifted from apprehension to concern as she tried to make sense of Sonoko's distressed words. "Calm down, Sonoko. What happened? What did your parents do?"

"They...they deducted 700,000 yen out of my allowance!" Sonoko's voice trembled with emotion. "Can you believe it?!"

Ran's eyes widened in surprise, and she exchanged a quick glance with the others who are walking alongside her, before focusing back on the conversation. "Wait, what is going on!? Why would they do that?"

"They said it's for... for Ranran's medical expenses!" Sonoko's voice quivered with a mix of anger and sadness.

"Eh!?"

"Because they found out through Shinichi that I told Rokuro where the HQ was, they were so furious, they deducted my allowance! Ran, you know how much I love shopping and hanging out with friends. Now they've cut off my allowance because of that stupid medical bill from when Ranran got hurt!"

Suddenly, the dots were connected in Mouri Ran's head.

Since Mouri Ran let slip the Tantei Association location to Sonoko, who ended up telling Rokuro that led him to attack Ranran, it only made sense that Sonoko ended up getting charged for paying up Ranran's medical fee.

Rokuro's family may not be able to foot the bill, but Sonoko who came from a wealthy family can. The situation was spiralling further than she could have anticipated.

Ran listened to Sonoko's words with a mix of shock and guilt. She hadn't fully comprehended the potential repercussions of her actions when she had casually mentioned the Tantei Association's location to Sonoko. Now, seeing how it had all played out and the consequences it had brought upon Sonoko, she felt a heavy weight settle in her chest.

"Sonoko, I'm so sorry," Ran's voice was sincere, laced with regret. "I never thought this would happen. I never meant for any of this to affect you."

"You didn't know, Ran," Sonoko's voice softened, though her frustration was still evident. "But I'm really angry at my parents for doing this. They're just punishing me for something I didn't even realize would lead to all this mess."

"We'll figure this out, Sonoko," Ran assured her friend. "I will try to get back that money, you had no idea that Rokuro would end up attacking Ranran after all!"

Sonoko's sobbing quieted down a bit as she listened to Ran's comforting words. "Thanks, Ran. I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen. But seriously, it's just frustrating. I hate being grounded, and now this is on top of it..."

This is Ranran's fault....everything had gone wrong because of Ranran!

Ran's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She understood Sonoko's frustration and couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment building within her towards Ranran. Everything that had transpired, the attack on Ranran, the deduction from Sonoko's allowance, and the overall turmoil within the Tantei Association, seemed to all lead back to Ranran

As soon as she ended the call with Sonoko, she went over to confront Ranran. "KUDO RANRAN! DON'T YOU THINK YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR?!"

With the brunette's emotions boiled over, her frustration and anger were directed at Ranran, who turned to face her with a calm yet unwavering expression. The other members of the Tantei Association looked on, sensing the tension in the air. "What have I done to you this time, Mouri?" Ranran gave an annoyed look.

The brunette's outburst caught everyone's attention, and they stopped walking, giving the two girls some space. Emiko and the others exchanged uncertain glances, sensing that this confrontation had been building up for a while. They remained quiet, allowing Ran and Ranran to address their issues.

Ranran's response was laced with annoyance, her eyes meeting Ran's gaze with a calm yet unyielding demeanour. She seemed prepared for this confrontation. Ran's anger, fueled by the events that had unfolded, surged within her.

"You've ruined everything!" Ran's voice trembled with emotion as she continued, her frustration evident. "From the moment you stepped into our lives-"

"You mean Shinichi's life, right?" Ranran coldly corrected the furious little girl.

"I am sorry!?" She grew startled at her lecture.

"You are about to accused me for ruining yours, Shinichi and Sonoko's life, right? Being all so delusional? Considering Shinichi himself is the one who decided to cut you and Sonoko out of his life on his own will, I have no reason to do the things you accused me off unless you both kept on meddling around. Yet, since you both shamelessly barge into his life without any respect of his personal space, let alone, his decision, I will point it out that it is his life, Mouri. Not you or Sonoko own his life. He ain't a slave to you both." Ranran firmly replied.

Ranran's words just make Ran more furious than she was already is, how dare she speak- "It is still our lives regardless, because neither Sonoko and I had yet to settled our differences with him! And until that is settled, he won't get to leave things unsaid from us!"

Honestly, hearing her pathetic words just make Ranran's eyes rolled, so did Takuma who is shaking his head, feeling sorry for the apprentice who is seemingly drained with the drama that never seems to end with this Mouri Ran girl. "Everything has gone wrong! Look at what's happening to Sonoko, to Rokuro, to all of us!"

Shinichi who was standing next to Ranran had his expression remained impassive, but his tone held a hint of exasperation. "Mouri, if you have a problem, say it clearly."

Ran's fists clenched, her voice rising in anger. "You had Shinichi charge Sonoko 700,000 yen out of her allowance to pay up your medical fees!"

The revelation hung in the air, causing a collective gasp from the members of the Tantei Association who were listening. Even Emiko, who was usually quiet and observant, looked shocked by this new information. Shinichi's expression remained impassive, but there was a tension in his stance that indicated he was aware of the gravity of the situation.

"In the first place, Ran, I made the decision to have Sonoko contribute towards the medical expenses. Ranran has no idea about it, She had to take accountability for her actions." Shinichi defended his mentor.

"Accountability? Do you even know what that word means? Making Sonoko pay for something she didn't cause is not accountability, it's manipulation!" Ran's eyes blazed with fury as she turned her attention to Shinichi.

"I wouldn't have done this to Sonoko had she kept her stupid mouth shut over where our HQ was in the first place. Otherwise, how would Rokuro know where to locate our HQ and ended up attacking Ranran!?" Shinichi's gaze didn't waver, his response measured.

"Exactly!" Takuma interjected, "I am sorry, but even if that one-brain cell moron can't predict what Rokuro could've done, she had control over what she said! And that is a fact!" Takuma shot back, his voice unwavering.

Mouri then turned her focus to Takuma, her voice sharp. "How can you defend this, Takuma? Sonoko had no idea what Rokuro would do!"

"Don't get me wrong, but I need to point this out," Emiko raised her hand to have everyone's attention directed to her before stating it bluntly, "In the first place, Mouri, you know that I don't take anyone's side, but you shouldn't have said a word about the HQ to Sonoko. I mean she isn't good at keeping her mouth shut, you know her better than that."

Emiko's words brought a momentary pause to the heated exchange. Her straightforward statement seemed to cut through the turmoil, forcing Ran to reflect on the decisions and actions that had led her to this point.

"I know that," Her gaze dropped to the ground momentarily before she finally spoke, her voice subdued. "But Sonoko didn't mean it."

"Didn't mean it? Shinichi overheard Sonoko speaking to Rokuro the other day at the school entrance through the phone, he was instructing her to report about our day-to-day lives in the association, something that I said right from the beginning that none of you are to disclose anything as soon as one becomes a member. But I guess this rule I implemented didn't register in your donkey brain, because he ended up breaking into our HQ and attacking me!"

Silence.

"Now tell me, for someone who is not even a member, let alone, had a history of treating Shinichi with hostility....how is any of that not malicious for Sonoko's part, Mouri Ran?!" Ranran pointed upfront, "It ain't as if you and her are not aware of their bad blood. So why should she report to him the location of our HQ, if she and you both knew that he despised Shinichi enough to be framed maliciously?! The answer itself is self-explanatory, don't you think!?"

"I-"

"I guess I am expecting too much from someone who can't accept the reality of how life works, talking about dreams and boys to date around, not caring about endangering the lives of others because of self-pity. It's fortunate that Shinichi opened his eyes and realised you are far too childish for your liking, he learned not to be as illogical as you when it comes to judging people, Mouri." She pauses and sighs, "Then again, it's kinda expected from a girl to live in denial after suffering for so long. I wish I could be as naive as you, be easily fooled and continued to be lied to like a simpleton without being wary of others."

Ran's heart hammers with hurt. Did she need to be that harsh towards her with her choice of words!? Even Shinichi wasn't that obnoxious when it comes to her thoughts! "You are right. I am ignorant of the world we live in, but at least I ain't a psycho like you!"

Mouri Ran was expecting Ranran's eyes to twitch at her insult. In the TV series she watches, the villainess always gets ticked by the righteous words of the heroine, then crumbles and shamelessly tells the other off.

But to her surprise, Ranran didn't. She remained a straight judgemental face towards her, scaring Ran a lot more.

Of course, Ranran expected her to call her that.

Mouri Ran is very lucky that the current Ranran won't slap her in the face, since before Ranran's mentor Christopher passed away, he had her trained to deal with insults with elegance.

And by 'elegance', he meant to react unexpectedly: By acting a little weak and pale.

Ranran instead appeared almost... vulnerable. Her face paled slightly, and her shoulders seemed to slump ever so slightly.

Emiko's eyebrows raised, clearly not expecting this reaction, while the others exchanged confused glances. Even Shinichi, who was standing right beside Ranran, seemed momentarily taken aback. Shinichi, who had been with Ranran for a month in this line of work after having experienced all of this, was angry at Mouri. He knew Ran was naive, but he didn't think she would go as far as to yell cruel insults towards his mentor. Since Ran has never experienced the hardships he and his mentor face, he feels like he has to tell her off.

"Mouri Ran, how dare you call her a psycho?! When it was your word that injured Ranran later on?!" Shinichi snapped at Ran in defence of her hostility towards his mentor.

"AIN'T SHE NOT!? DID YOU FORGET WHOSE MONEY SHE STOLE FROM!? I WAS ALMOST SHOT IN THE HEAD!?" Ran screeched at Shinichi, who did not waver in her anger before adding further, "EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO WRONGED YOU OR HER, SHE MUST ALWAYS HURT THEM 1 MILLION FOLDS!"

"Why do you even try to pity those who wronged others greatly? Is life worth living like a doormat?" Takuma suddenly defended his friend, giving contempt looking at Mouri Ran for insulting her character.

"A DOORMAT!? IS THAT WHAT I AM TO ALL OF YOU!?" Ran grew mad at her friend's harsh words, "Because I do not wish the worst for others. Is it really that hard to understand? That even if I feel wronged, I would never want my pain to be inflicted on others."

"Wow, it sounds easy for you to throw around, like a saint."Takuma spat.

"Of course! Ranran doesn't necessarily need to do all those things to others to achieve justice! That's why people are able to become heroes that are loved by others while villains remain as one! They don't throw away their beliefs because the bad guys taunted them too! What she has been doing all this time doesn't make her a hero! She is just a pretentious hero!"

"Then what about those victims who suffered because of heroes' beliefs?"Takuma's eyes were covered in his bangs and cap.

"Eh!?"

"We always watch those revenge dramas where they say not to do it in real life, cause they always said 'it makes us a bad guy'. That 'forgiveness' is the route to achieving inner peace. It sounds so easy, but those words are only meant for those who never suffered brutal harsh realities as I did. What a joke." Takuma's voice clicked in disapproval.

"YOU-"

"I was bullied by the entire school when I was accused of faking my talent to go pro as an American Footballer, Mouri Ran. Though I admit I did deserve what was coming, don't those other kids deserve it as well!? I mean there was no evidence and they blindly believe in those rumours that my talent wasn't real!" Takuma reminded with hurt in his eyes, as Ran froze while Ranran tried to stop him from talking about his past, knowing that it was a very painful subject to bring up, but he dismissed her as he glared at Mouri Ran, " My mother kept telling me not to do so because she said we shouldn't stoop as low as them. But the more I didn't do it, the more they gleefully filled the top of my desk with name-calling, calling bluff that my talent was a lie!"

Ran pinched the bridge of her nose as she let out a heavy sigh before shouting, "That's exactly what I am saying! We don't have to stoop to Ranran's level, becoming 'them' to end 'them'! What is the point!? You ended up destroying yourself along the way!"

"You don't get it, do you!? What he is trying to say is just by listening to such nonsense, he almost lost the will to live because of idiots' beliefs from his mother and kids like you!"Ranran is taken aback by Ran's stance, but the shock is short-lived, replaced with disgust and anger over how lightly she took this. "If Tantei Association worked with that sort of mentality you did, there are things worse than destroying yourself, you know what that is!? Living as a fool till one is left with nothing while the others continue to thrive as they hurt others along the way! That's why there are more criminals and victims in this world because the whole lot of you exist to aggravate it to just blindly accept it!"

"I ain't like them!"

"Of course, you would deny it! Denying it makes it easier for you to no longer hold responsibility for the others who had to suffer, no?! The only thing you know in the entire 6 years of your bloody life, is to gossip about others with that one brain cell heiress and blindly believe whatever is said about that person while the rest of us are suffering to idiots thanks to people like you, and that is all you ever know!" Ranran screeched.

"Shut up!"

"What, it ain't the truth!?" Ranran's voice raised a lot higher than intended, "Shinichi having to put up with you unreasonably if I were him, I would've done worse! Cause I don't even know how he put up with your nonsense! At all!"

Before Mouri Ran knew it, she was about to slap her till Ranran challenged her.

"Go ahead, slap me! You know that no matter how many times you do, it won't change this harsh fact that you are no different than those corrupt detectives who ignore their cries for help! What a vile child you are, Mouri Ran!"

By this point, Ran grew white at Ranran's loud outburst over Takuma's situation, she burst into tears while Shinichi refrained his furious mentor away from Mouri protectively.

It was at this point, Emiko sensed something in Ranran from that outburst.

That part of Ranran...she noticed this was the first time she saw her true self. The one that was hidden from the other kids.

Brutally honest to the core, wounded, with hints of anguish from her voice behind her cunning exterior. It is a character that went through a lot in life as if she went through the worst pits of hell time and time again before she finally bloomed. The real Ranran she always hid from others. For a moment, Emiko can't help but feel guilty.

Shinichi actually glared at Ran, "Mouri Ran, just please stop throwing about your nonsense in front of Ranran, alright? Just stop. You don't know what she had to go through in life, just stop!"

"Kudo!" Junko was really shocked at this.

Truthfully, even Shinichi had his own reserved doubts when Ranran's Edgewood friends told him what she had to deal with.

Which is why when he did a secret background check on Ranran's life in the U.K. by confronting his mother over the smartphone, after much reluctance, he was shocked to learn through his mother what they say was nothing but the truth, which is honestly earth-shattering to him.

All the things Ran and Sonoko did to Ranran were not lies.

"Mouri, just stop harassing Ranran for once! Just stop!" Shinichi's booming voice was enough.

Shinichi's forceful intervention had a profound impact on the situation. His cold expression and stern words directed at Mouri Ran cut through the tension like a knife. Junko, who had been observing the exchange, was taken aback by Shinichi's unexpected response. She hadn't anticipated him to step in so strongly.

Mouri Ran was visibly shaken by Shinichi's words, even more so when she sees him glaring at her, let alone, being so protective over Ranran.

Seeing that sight only made Mouri resent Ranran more.

After that dispute, the children walked toward the nearest burger restaurant, Shinichi was still avoiding Ran and accompanied Ranran alongside the other boys. Ran just glared at his back.

Ran didn't want to cry, she didn't want to look weak.

But it was harsh, really harsh and cruel the way Ranran worded her behaviour.

Ignorant!? Doormat!? How much more does this girl think poorly of her!?

"Why is she treating me like this? What did I do to wrong her?" Ran asked.

Before Junko could answer, Takuma beat her to it. "Reflect yourself, only then do you know what you did was wrong! How dare you even wonder what you did wrong!? Ranran was almost killed because of you, including that soon-to-be murderer friend of yours! You murderer!"

What an idiot, to believe the words of that delusional psychotic beautiful Ranran, she hissed.

As if Takuma could read Ran's mind, the athlete goes, "You know, when I heard Shinichi was heartless enough to cut ties with you publically in front of everyone as friends in exchange for his apprenticeship under Ranran, I used to think he was a shameless scum. But after getting to know him...if I were him, I too would make this same decision without hesitation!"

The harshness of Takuma's words hit Ran like a punch to the gut. It was one thing to have an internal conflict, but hearing her faults and mistakes laid bare by someone else was a different level of pain. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and a sense of shame crept over her.

Beside her, Junko shook her head in silence.

Watching Shinichi and Ranran walking closely side by side as the children head their way to the fast food restaurant, knowing that she is someone that Mouri Ran couldn't compete with, granting him things like his dream with her own capabilities while Mouri had nothing.

Knowing deep in her heart, Mouri Ran knew at this point Shinichi wasn't coming back to her anymore.

Between his dream and her, the dream is his number 1 place in his heart, and Ranran represented that. She is able to give him everything Ran can't.

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

"Reina, I feel like I personally want to punch Mouri, how dare she questions what she did was wrong!? Does she not know how appalling she is when she leaked out the location?!"

After entering the fast food restaurant as the athlete finished his meal, the first thing Takuma did was to tell his girlfriend, Reina, who is the head of the head student council of Teitan Elementary School everything that has transpired to their friend Ranran over the phone.

"Oh, believe me, Tak-san. I too want to personally punch her in the face after hearing what you just said about the way she treated Ranran. But like Ranran once said: Some people are just not worth dirtying your hands for." Reina who is in the student office doing paperwork replied, appalled as to how far Mouri Ran was willing to go to gaslight Ranran.

"I look forward to the day she gets kicked out of the association for good, Rei-san."

Reina's voice was filled with a sense of determination as she replied, "And Mouri still refuses to leave? Even after everything was laid out bare?"

Takuma let out a frustrated sigh, his tone exasperated. "Yeah, she's still clinging on to her position like a stubborn shameless leech. Even after everything that happened today, she's acting like she's the victim. It's infuriating."

Reina's response was filled with a mix of disbelief and frustration. "I can't believe she's still holding on. After all the harm she's caused and the blatant disregard for everyone else's feelings and safety. It's like she's incapable of self-reflection."

"I know, right?" Takuma's frustration was evident in his voice. "And what's worse is that she doesn't seem to grasp the gravity of her actions. She's completely blind to how her behaviour affects everyone around her."

Reina's voice softened, a hint of sympathy in her words. "That is awful."

"Which is why....can you do something about punishing her, Rei-chan? As well as her best friend Suzuki? I swear that as long as that girl is around with her bloody big mouth, Ranran is eventually going to be murdered by that idiot someday."

Reina's silence on the other end of the line was palpable. Takuma's request was not something she took lightly. She understood the gravity of the situation and the potential danger that Mouri Ran's actions posed, especially to Ranran.

Finally, after a moment of contemplation, Reina responded with a calm yet resolute tone. "I'll see what I can do, Tak-san. It's clear that something needs to be done to address this issue and ensure everyone's safety. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

Then Reina's eyes drifted around her surroundings, only to notice one item that could protect her friend from the deranged girls.

A stack of papers with forms, recently from their class.

With a smile formed on her mouth, she muttered to herself, "Suzuki Sonoko and Mouri Ran, you are going to pay severely for the things you did to my friend."

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

When they were seated at a table munching on their food, Michio leaned forward. "There's something I don't understand," he began, squirting more ketchup onto her fries."Now that we learn that there is a possibility it could've been something Professor Shibuya could've taken away from his former workplace at NASA, what do you think is small enough yet so valuable, that The Snake resorted to hiring someone to steal it?"

The group fell into thoughtful silence as Michio's question hung in the air. The mystery of the stolen item and its potential significance weighed heavily on their minds. Each member of the Tantei Association was lost in their own thoughts, contemplating the possibilities.

"How big is the bird actually?" Michio asked no one.

Emiko took out her smartphone to check the measurement details sent by Professor Shibuya earlier before he vanished into thin air.

Emiko quickly located the measurement details Professor Shibuya had sent and read them out loud, "According to Professor Shibuya, the stuffed bird measures approximately 12 inches in height and has a wingspan of around 18 inches. So, it's not very big."

"Given its size, it must be something incredibly valuable and rare to go through all this trouble. It's not something that can be easily replaced or replicated." Shinichi crossed his fingers, "Maybe a pen drive with some sensitive data shall do."

"A pen drive could definitely hold sensitive information, but would that really be worth going to such lengths to steal? The Snake killed his own men last night for it. If it was that simple, he could've just simply planted one of his men as a professor to simply infiltrate into NASA, then have their own pendrive to copy it out." Ranran commented.

"Even so, if The Snake knows that Professor Shibuya stole some data from NASA secretly without their knowledge, he wouldn't have needed to go through so much hassle and just easily steal it from Professor Shibuya, Ranran. Don't forget," Shinichi snap his finger, "Professor Shibuya will end up in prison if the police caught wind of it."

"Are they any other item one could suggest fitting into Professor Shibuya's stolen stuffed eagle? But it has to be from NASA." Ranran turned to the others.

The group pondered the question, their minds working through the possibilities. They were faced with a challenging puzzle – trying to identify an item small enough to fit within the stuffed eagle yet valuable enough to warrant the attention of a criminal organization like The Snake.

"Nothing," Emiko sighed, feeling the migraine all of a sudden. "I don't think any of us are familiar with NASA, aside from the fact that they do rocket-related projects."

The frustration of their lack of knowledge about NASA's projects was evident on the faces of the Tantei Association members. It seemed they were at an impasse, unable to deduce the specific item that might have been stolen from Professor Shibuya's former workplace.

"Aside from NASA, I am more curious over who was the man who rang Professor Shibuya?" Takuma who finished his discreet phone call with Reina earlier, wondered aloud before sitting down with them.

"Same here," Junko studied the filling of her burger as though the answer might be lying inside it. "The one with the nasty voice....could it be The Snake?"

"I won't be surprised if it was him," said Michio through a mouthful of fries.

"Or one of his men, "Shinichi sucked on his straw."Maybe the same one who was shooting at us this morning..."

Emiko frowned over the top of her burger as she took another bite. "I don't think this case has got anything to do with the missing eagle. I think it's about rocket science, and whatever is in the stuff eagle. And if all the secеts are in Shibuya's head, it is very likely he's been kidnapped."

"By The Snake? asked Shinichi.

"Maybe," Emiko nodded.

"Maybe the person in New York who disgraced Professor Shibuya was working with The Snake?" suggested Ran. "Maybe they disgraced him first so he'd come back here and The Snake could get him?"

Emiko arched an eyebrow "Isn't that what they call a conspiracy theory?"

"No,'' grunted Shinichi. "It's what they call a dumb theory''

Ran was fuming rage at his statement.

"Even so, I wish Professor Shibuya had been more honest with us, "Junko cut in quickly as Ran reddened."I mean, how can you help a client who doesn't tell you everything?"

"I mean to be fair, he is at risk of heading to jail if what we assumed is true about him allegedly stealing from his former workplace," Emiko thought out loud, and all eyes swung toward him.

"Neh Ranran," Shinichi asked his mentor, "Do you not have any contacts that have any connections to NASA?"

"Contacts huh....." Ranran twisted her straw out of shape. "I can try to ask my friends from Edgewood, but I wouldn't keep my hopes high."

The silence that followed was broken by a tinkling sound from Ran's smartphone.

When she answered, she cupped her hand around the phone and turned away But not before the others had heard her say, "Rokuro, not now..."

"I just want to talk."

Ran remained quiet but didn't dare hang up as Shinichi grew irritated, it was clear he knew who was on the phone. He could've snatched Ran's phone and told him off after what he did to Ranran, but it would obviously make him a tyrant.

So he did the only solution available, which was to storm out of the restaurant in anger.

Ranran who noticed this, quietly stood up before she set out to chase after him. Mouri Ran was about to, but then Ranran's determined glare stopped Mouri Ran in her tracks, leaving her standing there with a mixture of frustration and confusion. She watched as Ranran swiftly left the restaurant to chase after Shinichi, her expression stern and unwavering.

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

Inside the restaurant, the rest of the Tantei Association members exchanged uncertain glances. The tension was palpable, and it was clear that the situation had taken another turn. Junko sighed, rubbing her temples. "Well, this is turning into quite the mess."

"Can it be helped? If someone refuses to shamelessly leave the association, who wouldn't be pissed off?" Takuma rolled his eyes, his comment made Ran's eyes twitch.

Ran's hands trembled, but she can't argue with them at the moment, now that Rokuro is still on the line.

Amidst the tension and uncertainty among the Tantei Association members, the situation seemed to be spiralling out of control. Ran's frustration and anger were evident, but with Rokuro on the line, she needed to focus on the immediate matter at hand. She left the table in a hurry and stood at the corner of the fast food restaurant before she answered the call, her voice strained but controlled.

"Hello?"

"Ran, I just wanted to talk," Rokuro's voice came through, tinged with an odd mix of earnestness and uncertainty.

Ran took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. "What do you want to talk about, Rokuro?"

There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line. "You know now, didn't you?"

"How can I not!? Is that what you call to ask? After what you did to Ranran?" Ran clenched her free hand into a fist, her nails digging into her palm. "Why did you do it?!"

"I did it because of you."

"Don't you use me as an excuse!" Ran's voice quivered with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Neh, there has been something bothering me not long ago. About that feud with Shinichi 2 months ago...were you the first to throw the punch!?"

Rokuro's voice remained quiet on the other end, almost hesitant. "Yeah, I was. But it was just a heated moment, Ran. I didn't mean for things to escalate like they did."

Suddenly, Rokuro's bombshell confession brought everything to a standstill, everything she knows about Rokuro was not what she expected.

That meant...that for the past 2 months, Shinichi had been telling the truth!

This also meant...Mouri Ran trusted the wrong person!