The last child 6-year-old Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko wanted to do was to head down to the office of the president of the student council, 6-year-old Matsuyuki Reina, who is best friends with Kudo Ranran.

Yet, here they are, Ran and Sonoko stood hesitantly outside the office of the student council president, their small hands clutching each other's as they exchanged nervous glances. The events of the past few days had left them feeling emotionally drained and vulnerable, and now they found themselves facing another uncomfortable situation.

"Ran, do you think Reina-chan will be mad at us?" Sonoko whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ran bit her lower lip, her brows furrowing in thought. "I don't know, Sonoko. But we have to."

"I sure hope that her fierce cousin Matsuyuki Moriko isn't around," Sonoko panicked at that thought, "Cause I know as soon as that feud we had earlier with Ranran and Shinichi reached her eyes, she will tear our hairs to bits as she threatened us to the last time we made Ranran and Shinichi angry."

 Ran couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at Sonoko's nervous remark. "Don't worry too much, Sonoko. I am sure Moriko isn't around."

Sonoko still looked uneasy but nodded in agreement.

Taking a deep breath, Ran raised her hand and was about to knock gently on the door of the student council office, till the door opened to reveal a rather furious Matsuyuki Moriko.

Matsuyuki Moriko stood in the doorway with a stern expression, her arms crossed over her chest. Her presence exuded an air of authority and seriousness that made even the young Ran and Sonoko feel a shiver of apprehension.

"Ran, Sonoko," she said curtly, her gaze shifting from one girl to the other. "What brings you both here?"

Ran and Sonoko exchanged nervous glances before Ran stepped forward, her voice shaky but determined. "Um, Moriko-san, we wanted to talk to Reina-chan."

Moriko raised an eyebrow, her expression unchanging. "And what do you want to talk to her about?"

Ran took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "It's about what happened between us and Ranran."

The leading actress of the drama club's stern expression didn't waver, but her eyes seemed to study the two girls closely. "You did something to Ranran, didn't you?" Moriko said angrily, but just when either of the two girls was about to open their mouths to defend themselves, the actress shushed them. "You are not only not satisfied with ruining Ranran's reputation, you even justified the purpose of murdering her through the damn boy!"

"I-"

"I had the shock of my life went I heard what you both did to her! You two should've gone to jail! Permanently! What is wrong with the both of you!? Why all the hate and jealousy just because she is more outstanding than you!? She worked her own way, and yet, here the both of you are still bullying her! When will you both stop!? Till the day she dies!? Or until you strip off every single happiness in Shinichi just to make both of yourselves happy!?" she said, hitting Ran's chest where her supposedly non-existent heart was, repeatedly.

"I...we made a mistake," Ran said, his voice getting smaller and smaller as he bent his head in shame.

"Shut the hell up! You both never regretted a thing you did to her and him!"

Moriko's words cut through the air like a blade, her anger and frustration evident in every word she spoke. Ran and Sonoko stood there, their heads bowed, unable to meet her gaze. The weight of their actions had finally caught up with them, and the gravity of what they had done was impossible to ignore.

"I am very tempted to slap you both, I truly am," Moriko continued, her voice filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. "It's one thing you both despise Ranran out of envy, but how can you do that to Shinichi!? That had been your friend since kindergarten a year ago!"

Their guilt and shame are palpable in the tense atmosphere of the hallway. Matsuyuki Moriko's words had cut straight to the heart of the matter, exposing the true nature of their actions and the pain they had caused.

"Even if the torture incident did take place in New York City, you both deserved it!" Moriko's stern gaze never wavered as she continued to address the two girls, "You idiot, especially you, Mouri Ran," The actress jab at Ran's chest the hardest, "Knew that the two were busy solving a stolen eagle case, you were a member of Tantei Association before deciding to quit. And yet....trying to expose Ranran as The Fox.....what will you both expect to get!? To see a thankful Shinichi who shed tears for abandoning the both of you!? When you both were the ones who let him go!?"

Moriko's words were harsh and unforgiving, each syllable driving home the magnitude of the girls' actions. Ran and Sonoko felt a heavy weight settle in their chests, the guilt and shame of their behaviour becoming nearly unbearable.

"Moriko, that is enough," She turned back to see her cousin Reina.

Matsuyuki Reina, the 6-year-old student council president, stood there with a calm and composed expression, her presence a stark contrast to her furious cousin Moriko. Despite her young age, there was a sense of maturity and wisdom about her that demanded respect. "Rei-chan..."

"Moriko, don't waste your time here, you have another lesson in Drama club, remember?"

Moriko huffed in frustration but finally stepped aside, allowing Reina to step forward and address Ran and Sonoko before leaving for the drama club.

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

Once more, the two little girls tendered the letter to take a leave of school for several days on Reina's office desk.

"I figured this was a matter of time," Matsuyuki Reina looked at the two girls with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She took the letter from them and glanced over its contents briefly before setting it down on her desk.

As Reina inspected, the words were not exchanged. Even so, the nagging part in the back of Ran's mind continued to eat on her as she had to ask. "Er...Reina."

"Hmph?"

"Ranran....she is really The Fox, deshou?"

Reina's gaze shifted from the letter to Ran, her expression unreadable. The question had caught her off guard, and for a moment, the room was filled with silence.

"Is she?" Ran repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Reina sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Yes, she is."

The confirmation sent a jolt through Ran's heart, and she felt a mixture of emotions surge within her. It was a truth she had suspected, and yet hearing it confirmed by Reina only solidified the reality of the situation.

Even Sonoko was stunned, "Wait a second, but if that were the case-"

"You want to know...how things got to this point, right?" Reina finished her sentence.

"Yes," Ran nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "I want to understand. I want to understand why she became The Fox. Why did she lie to me? Why did she....and why did Shinichi....?"

So many unanswered questions, yet, Ran's mouth was running dry. Sonoko was equally curious, her expression a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.

Reina's gaze shifted from one girl to the other, her eyes contemplative. She seemed to be considering how much to reveal, how much to share with them. After a moment, she let out a sigh, as if making a decision.

"Ranran's journey as The Fox is a complicated one," Reina began, her voice measured. "She started out....way early when she was around 3 years old in Edgewood Academy in the U.K."

"She was only three? Ain't that too young!?" Sonoko's eyes widened in surprise, unable to imagine someone so young being involved in something as complex and dangerous as The Fox.

"It was something I don't think she really had much choice or say in that matter," Reina nodded solemnly, recalling the details, "From what I can understand back then...around the period when she started out enrolling in Edgewood Academy, a school of nobles and royals alike....a lot of corruption was going on among kids of all ages there."

"Corruption among kids?" Ran echoed, her brows furrowing in confusion. The idea of corruption at such a young age seemed surreal to her.

"Yes," Reina continued, her tone serious. "We are talking about....various illegal activities and unethical practices such as drug trafficking, fabrication of evidence, framing innocent children, and yes, there were...cases of parents grooming their children to continue these activities."

"No way...." Sonoko gasped in shock, "That wouldn't been possible! I mean...they are rich and powerful!? Why would they....?"

"Power and wealth can sometimes lead people to believe they are above consequences. And in the case of Edgewood Academy, it had become a breeding ground for these corrupt practices among the children of influential families. The corruption was so deeply ingrained that even though it was obvious openly, speaking out would spell a doomed life in the academy. Bullying would be one of them for instance."

Ran and Sonoko exchanged a look, their disbelief evident. The idea of children engaging in such dark activities was unsettling and difficult to comprehend.

"Ranran's deceased friend...the funeral that Sonoko made it about herself at that time...was a victim of those practices," Reina continued. "But the biggest problem was...his arranged fiance, a royalty. And she is a child who is around our age at that time." Sensing puzzled looks, Reina explained, "In the U.K., even if one commits a crime at that age, one can easily end up in prison or a juvenile. But if one is born into royalty, you are basically using the 'get out of jail card in real life if one commits any shady crimes in general. This is what was going on during the past two years Ranran was in that school. She...was responsible for it."

The revelations about the extent of corruption and unethical practices among children in Edgewood Academy left Ran and Sonoko stunned. The idea that children from influential families could be involved in such dark activities was difficult for them to wrap their heads around. Reina's explanation shed light on the circumstances that had pushed Ranran into becoming The Fox.

"Christopher....that is the name of the deceased friend, belonged to a family of high nobility, the highest, would've become a Duke had he married her. But he didn't have a nice life as one would imagine...." Reina glumly spoke, "From the stories I heard from her Edgewood friends during the death memorial, he was abused viciously by his biological mother, because he wanted to be under the custody of his biological father and stepmother, who was at that time the mistress. And if that wasn't bad enough, anything the fiance of Christopher spoke ill, true or false, he always gets beaten up when she rats out to his mother, because his mother is the type who would do anything to ensure the royal connections remain throughout this engagement."

Sonoko's curiosity was piqued, her mind racing to make sense of the tangled story.

"How did this have anything to do with Ranran becoming The Fox? A lot," Reina elaborates the story, "There had been a conspiracy made by Christopher's deluded narcissistic fiance at that time. Her plan was...to stage multiple incidents involving nobles and royals against the commoner children to shut down Edgewood Academy. And this was possible for the fiance at that time, by exploiting the feelings of those nobles and royal children whose emotions were at an all-time low, then exploiting them to do horrible deeds to be kicked out of the school. She....wanted to become the next 'Princess Diana'. The people's princess, which was her purpose all along."

"Why?" Ran couldn't understand, "If she is royalty, what is there to gain out of this?"

"Fame, more money, and above all...the thrill of getting away with it, that was what that girl was." Biting her lip, Reina continued, "It was a twisted and heartless plan that preyed on the vulnerabilities of innocent children. And of course....the commoners she befriended and surrounded...were not good people as one would imagine in fairy tales, they too had that devious ambition to skyrocket themselves to high society."

Ran clenched her fists in anger, her heart aching for the victims of such a cruel scheme. "How could someone be so heartless? To manipulate others' pain and suffering for personal gain?"

"This is where.....Ranran as 'The Fox' comes in," Reina suddenly says, "Around the timing of this, Christopher was forced to be homeschooled by his abusive mother to become a successful pianist. He...needed a child to do the errands for him. An unusually out-of-the-box child that he could easily use to do his bidding. Naive, but not completely, ruthless and cunning enough to ruin his fiance's plans."

Sonoko's eyes widened as she connected the dots. "You mean... Ranran?"

Reina nodded solemnly.

"How did he convince her actually if he were homeschooled? And why did Ranran willingly do this anyway?" Ran became baffled.

"I ain't clear, Ranran didn't share with me much of the details. But what I do know was...an online revenge business was later set up exclusively for Edgewood children only." Reina recalled, "To cut a long story short, they rehabilitated a lot of those children, mainly those who are unhappy in their arranged engagements and are seeking to find a life away from such entrapment set up by the goons of Christopher's deranged fiance. Most of those children...you probably met them."

Recalling the time both Ran and Sonoko were tortured back in New York City, seeing their angry looks gave them a hint that they probably did.

Which made Ran ask, "Why are they...protective over Ranran?"

"I will get to it," Reina sighed, "Eventually, the business was so successful, that Christopher was able to break that engagement. By right, he was supposed to join Ranran in Japan the following year. But....it was never meant to be when the kidnapping incident which you both knew happened. Christopher....perished as a result, in front of a then 4-year-old Ranran. Because his ex-fiance and her goons found out the two were behind exposing their reputations, they had his mother kidnap Ranran to lure Christopher back after evidence of the abuse was submitted in court and she lost custody."

Ran and Sonoko listened with a mix of fascination and horror as Reina continued to unravel the complex web of events that had shaped Ranran's journey as The Fox.

"Now those children whom you claim to have 'tortured' you...are their clients/friends. They are also....children of high society who hit rock bottom, thanks to kids like you who are very judgemental towards cunning, 'malicious' kids like them. Circumstances and cruel upbringing almost lead them to commit despicable things, which is where Ranran and Christopher come in and restore their lives to their happiest and with dignity. For you to attack Ranran....it's like attacking their God or saviour, destroying the one best thing that has ever happened to them in their pathetic lives.."

The two hung their heads in shame, their actions and behaviour now laid bare in front of them.

"Picture this scenario: They were all around 8-years-old when he was killed. Ranran was 4, now 6. Could you bear the thought of being in their shoes and witnessing Ranran being harmed by the callousness of both of you, Mouri and Suzuki-san?" Reina confronted them.

The weight of their jealousy, cruelty, and thoughtlessness hit them harder than ever before. The pain they had caused Ranran and Shinichi, who had already endured so much, was a burden too heavy to bear.

Overwhelmed by the details of that past Ranran never once spoke of, Ran stubbornly argued, "Even so, she never said any of this for the past 2 months when I was in the association! Had she said a thing...." Ran commented.

"It's huge! I won't be able to keep my mouth shut if that happened to me!" Even Sonoko is bewildered, wondering why Ranran kept it quiet all those years.

"Ranran doesn't like it when one perceives her as a victim, and if she was like that sociopath Ishibashi Mamiko, you are greatly mistaken," Reina spat at the two.

"Wait, how did Shinichi fit into all of this?!" Sonoko asked.

"Shinichi...that was all thanks to you," Reina gave a glare at the two.

Ran and Sonoko exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion evident. "Thanks to us?" Ran asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"When you both....sided Rokuro after he lied that Shinichi instigated the feud and he parted ways with you and Sonoko...he heard that rumour that Ranran could've intentionally become The Fox here in Japan, the infamous child Tantei who vanished from the spotlight with a Fox mask, using family connections to shame him. At that time, we had no idea Mamiko was part of the problem, aside from the fact that Sonoko, which is you," Reina poked at Sonoko's chest glaringly, "If it wasn't for you, Ranran could've continued her Tantei job as The Fox anonymously, to avoid getting the press from ousting her identity, she had no choice but to quit early. But that wasn't enough for Shinichi. No, he was so consumed with inferiority thanks to both you and Ran, that he broke into Ranran's house several days later to confront her to quit!"

Once more, the two exchanged stunned glances, realizing the unintended consequences of their actions on Shinichi. The realization that their feud had played a significant role in pushing Shinichi to confront Ranran was a heavy blow to both of them.

"During that period, Ranran was so enraged because he called her a bastard last year as some 'mistress daughter', she naturally tied him up that night and tortured him till the cops arrived at her house."

Staring at Reina in shock, their eyes wide and mouths agape as they exclaimed in unison, "She did WHAT!?"

"You heard that right, and I am certain you both were not blind that there was a period that Shinichi came up to me to hand over a week of absence from school after that." Reina pointed at Ran's chair, "He sat before me while handing me the letter days after the torture, he didn't know that by having Ranran forced to leave as The Fox, the rest of the cops she could've thrown behind bars had dimmed because no one knows her identity. When he realized this...he was very depressed. In a way...he felt like he had lost everything that mattered to him. It wasn't until he felt very remorseful and made amends for what he did to Ranran, that he begged to become her apprentice. Then the rest....was history."

"You...what is your reason for telling us Ranran is 'The Fox'?" Sonoko became suspicious of Ranran's best friend.

"If you had originally exposed her that day in New York City, aside from criminals whom she threw behind bars coming after her, what do you think you and Ran will be?" Reina confronted sternly.

"Eh?"

"The moment you get Shinichi to quit as an apprentice by forcing Ranran to let him go, Shinichi will definitely be kidnapped and killed, since he knows about her alter ego, or maybe even be used as a bargaining chip by those criminals to lure Ranran over. Then there is the both of you," She crossed her arms furiously at the two, "Ran-san used to be a member of Tantei Association, deshou? Criminals would be more than happy to kidnap you, in order to get a rough idea of how much you know about the girl behind the Fox mask. Then as for you Sonoko...."

The head girl peered at the second daughter of the Suzuki Group family, "You might be spared since you are not a member of the association, but do you think the Edgewood kids will sit still and do nothing about it? I am certain.....last year's incident didn't do much in your favor, did you? They are capable of the worst things besides torture, making you wish you rather die than be alive. A path worse than death....are you willing to live with it? And it won't just end with you, your father, your mother, even your precious sister.....the bloodshed they are capable of just for going after Ranran, who is doing something for society....you wouldn't want to live through that."

Their eyes widened as they grasped the implications of Reina's words. They exchanged a horrified look, realizing that had they exposed Ranran's identity as The Fox, they would have potentially put themselves in grave danger. Criminals seeking revenge or attempting to silence them would likely have been a constant threat.

Reina's words had hit them like a sledgehammer. The gravity of their actions and the potential consequences they had unknowingly averted began to sink in. The web of connections and dangers surrounding Ranran's identity as The Fox was far more intricate than they had ever imagined.

"Do you see it now? Why does everyone in school despise you? Especially Ranran and Shinichi? Both of your actions....made us think you are nothing but monsters, I am certain....even Ranran's Edgewood friends believed so as well."

By this point, Ran and Sonoko realized they were both monsters.

They had caused so much pain to so many people over something as simple as jealousy. She had made life so much worse for a girl that did not deserve it. She had trampled over all her friendships and was now left with nothing but excruciating pain all over her body. So did Sonoko.

Reina's words had revealed a side of the story they had never known before, a side that painted a much more complex and interconnected picture.

A sob. A tear. Another fell out of their eyes, but neither of them could say a word.

The president of the student council said nothing, as much simmering anger she had directed at the two for doing all of this to Ranran without knowing a thing. Observing the two letters Reina had received, she announced, "I can't approve the two leave, unless you both completed the punishment I imposed onto the both of you the other day, regarding writing 'I am sorry to Ranran and Shinichi' 3000 times. Which you both tried to cut corners by exposing Ranran as The Fox the other day."

Reina's stern gaze remained fixed on them, waiting for their response. It was clear that she was holding them accountable for their actions, and the punishment she had set forth was a reminder of the hurt they had caused.

To her surprise, the two sobbing girls nodded, promising they would submit the 3000-time apology essay.

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

After they were done, they packed up their rondesu bags and left school early before the school bell rang, but not feeling the mood to head home since their parents were surely to confront them, they decided it would be better to gather at some park.

Sitting on a bench in the park, Ran and Sonoko felt a heavy silence between them. The weight of their actions and the pain they had caused hung in the air, making it difficult for either of them to find the right words to speak.

Although Ran thought she'd shed all her tears that day already, she started crying again. This time, though, she wasn't crying for herself, but because her naiveté hurt Shinichi.

Shinichi did not distance himself from her because of her siding Rokuro to be with Ranran, he did so because he knew that she was no longer the girl he knew back in kindergarten.

He put his trust in her, and she couldn't even distinguish the truth. But that she-demon is able to, which led him to the next best thing next to Mouri Ran...was the unfortunate misunderstood Kudo Ranran, a victim of Mamiko's schemes and lies.

This was all her fault. Shinichi was right.

Her jealousy pushed Shinichi away to the point where he didn't want to come back to her anymore. They pushed him to Ranran, and her friends were right all along.

She deserved this, didn't she? To sit and cry all alone in this growing darkness, wearing karma as all her bruises and gashes. She was given a second chance, and she proved to fate that she did not deserve redemption in life. That she was one of the worst.

This was just life coming back at her.

Finally, Sonoko broke the silence, her voice shaky as she too wiped away a tear from her cheek, her own voice choked with emotion. "Ran-san, where did we all go wrong with Shinichi? Let alone, ourselves?!"

"I never thought I would say this, but that she-demon....Actually, I don't even know I have the right to blame her for being cunning anymore, Sonoko. All I know is that we messed up!" Ran growled, shaking her head and beginning to pace, her arms crossing with frustration. "I thought she did it because she hated us, but there was more to it and we didn't know!" she asked, grimacing.

She didn't wait for Sonoko to reply but simply continued on her rampage.

"I agree. We messed things up somewhere. Otherwise...we wouldn't have ended up here." Sonoko nodded agreeably, but her expression said wonders about how unsure she really was.

The guilt and remorse they felt were overwhelming, and they both knew that there was no excuse for their actions. They had allowed their jealousy and insecurities to cloud their judgment and lead them down a destructive path.

"Truthfully, as much as we were very much at fault, Ishibashi Mamiko was the main cause! Had she not duped you into that joke, Shinichi would've not only left us, but even Ranran wouldn't have treated us so harshly!" Ran wailed, glad that there was no one at the park for now to hear their cries.

As Ran and Sonoko continued to pour out their regrets and frustrations, their emotions were a mixture of anger at themselves, resentment towards Mamiko, and a deep sense of helplessness. The truth they were confronting was harsh, and the weight of their mistakes was almost suffocating.

"You are not wrong!" Sonoko sobbed, "Ranran must have still been fearful of her influence, especially after how Mamiko managed to get Shinichi to break into her house! And I know Tantei Geek would never have done that if it wasn't for her lies!"

Amid their tearful confessions, Ran admits one thing, "You know, as much as Ranran wasn't much at fault for all of this, and though I admit Ishibashi Mamiko is fully at fault for manipulating us against each other, towards the end of the day....we all let out insecurities played us to where we are now. And in the process, we not only lose Shinichi, we lost ourselves......"

Sonoko wiped away her tears, her voice shaky but resolute. "We need to make things right."

"How Sonoko?!" Ran asked, finally sounding bereft of anger.

"This whole crap happened because of Ishibashi Mamiko," Sonoko wise up for the first 6 years of her life, "And now that I think back, the only person who would be heartless enough to upload that video of Rokuro breaking into the main HQ of Tantei Association to attack Ranran while writing such malicious caption....had to be no one but her!"

Sonoko's realization hit both of them like a bolt of lightning. The pieces of the puzzle were finally starting to come together, and the truth behind Mamiko's actions was becoming clearer. It was a revelation that brought a mixture of anger and determination to the surface.

"Now that you mentioned it," Ran's voice hardened, her tears replaced by a fierce determination. "Mamiko has been manipulating us all along, preying on our insecurities and turning us against each other. And she's done the same to Ranran and Shinichi. We can't let her get away with this."

"But the issue is...she once used a knife and attempted to stab Ranran before after the she-de-no," Sonoko corrected herself, "After Ranran exposed Mamiko, that could've happened had Takuma not tackled her. Can we defeat someone who is maliciously evil to the bone...she won't hesitate to even stab a 6-year-old like Ranran?"

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park, Ran and Sonoko found themselves facing a daunting challenge. The realization that they were up against someone as manipulative and ruthless as Ishibashi Mamiko was both frightening and infuriating.

"If we want our lives back to the way things were, I guess we have no other choice," Ran's expression hardened, her determination shining through. "She is the main reason why our lives are where we are now. At the same time, however....."

".....yes, Ran?"

"At the same time....." Ran repeated those words in silence before thinking about it grimly, "I think we should take our time to figure out during a week's time...over why we had such prejudice towards Ranran."

"Eh? Ain't the answer obvious? Because we misunderstood her for tempting Shinichi with a tantei apprenticeship, under the condition that he abandon us?" Sonoko remembered.

"That's part of it, but there's more to it than that," Ran nodded, her expression serious. "I feel like the moment we are able to get to the bottom of it, the other kids, including Ranran and Shinichi, will no longer be wary of us being bad children."

Sonoko wiped away her tears and looked at Ran, puzzled. "How does that work?"

"The reason Shinichi ended up breaking into Ranran's house is because Mamiko exploited our worries for him," Ran brought this up, "If we can find our own source of the problem as well, not only Mamiko can no longer manipulate us anymore, we will get our life in school back! I don't want others to continue thinking we are delusional." 

"True," Sonoko pondered Ran's words, her brow furrowed as she considered the idea before turning to Ran, "But what gave you that idea?"

"It's....about that video of you saying that you can do a prettier job than Ranran 2 years ago, when Ranran was leading the funeral procession."

"Eh!?"

"Don't get me wrong, Sonoko, I believed something was going on that lead you to say that, you ain't a malicious person from the moment I met you. But if we can't find that reason....the kids in our school will continue to be harsh towards you and I. Which is why I suggested this idea in the first place."

Sonoko sat there, processing Ran's words. The suggestion was unexpected, yet it made a strange kind of sense. She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling that incident from two years ago when she had made that thoughtless comment during Ranran's time of grief. It was a moment she regretted deeply, but she had never fully understood the root of why she had said it.

Sonoko took a deep breath, her mind racing as she considered Ran's words. "I will think about it."

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

After the day ended, Sonoko who headed home asked her eldest sister, Ayako, what would be a better way to remember something they wished to forget.

Sitting down with Sonoko in their cosy living room, Ayako listened carefully to her sister's question. After a thoughtful pause, she began to speak, her voice gentle and comforting. "What about hypnosis?"

Hearing her sister's suggestion, Sonoko's eyes widened in surprise. "Hypnosis? Really?"

Ayako nodded, a reassuring smile on her lips. "Yes, hypnosis can be a helpful technique to access memories and emotions that might be buried deep within your subconscious. It's like peeling back the layers of your mind to understand the underlying reasons behind certain thoughts or actions."

"Is there...a way to do it yourself at home?"  Sonoko leaned in, genuinely intrigued by the idea.

Ayako nodded again, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, there are self-hypnosis techniques that you can try at home. It might not be as profound as a session with a trained therapist, but it can still help you gain insights into your own thoughts and feelings."

She proceeded to explain the basics of self-hypnosis to Sonoko. "Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won't be disturbed. Sit or lie down in a relaxed position, and close your eyes. Take slow and deep breaths to help calm your mind and body. As you breathe, you can repeat a calming mantra or word to yourself, like 'relax' or 'peace.'"

Ayako's soothing voice continued to guide Sonoko through the process. "Imagine yourself descending a staircase or walking down a path into a tranquil place in your mind. This could be a serene garden, a peaceful beach, or any place where you feel safe and calm. Let your imagination create vivid details of this place."

"Once you're in this mental sanctuary, focus on the memory or feeling you want to explore," Ayako advised. "Allow your mind to wander and let the memory come to the forefront. Don't force it; let it flow naturally."

Sonoko listened attentively, her curiosity piqued by the idea of exploring her own thoughts and emotions in this way.

"During this process, you might find that certain images, emotions, or thoughts arise," Ayako continued. "Pay attention to them, and let them guide you. If you encounter any resistance or discomfort, try to approach it with an open mind. Remember, the goal is to understand and heal, not to judge yourself."

Finally, Ayako gently brought Sonoko out of the visualization. "When you're ready to conclude the session, gradually bring your awareness back to the present moment. Take a few deep breaths, and open your eyes. Reflect on the insights you gained during the session, and consider writing them down in a journal."

Sonoko nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness about trying self-hypnosis. "Thank you, Ayako. I appreciate your guidance."

Ayako smiled warmly at her sister. "You're welcome, Sonoko. Remember, this is a process of self-discovery and healing. Be patient with yourself, and give yourself the space to explore your thoughts and emotions."

As Sonoko left the living room, she felt a renewed sense of determination. She was eager to try self-hypnosis and delve into her own subconscious to uncover the hidden reasons behind her actions. With Ayako's guidance and support, she hoped to find a way to make amends and move forward.

That night in her bedroom, Sonoko followed her sister Ayako's guidance and prepared herself for a session of self-hypnosis. She had set the stage for relaxation, dimming the lights and creating a calming atmosphere. As she lay on her bed, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, ready to embark on this journey of self-discovery.

She began with slow, deliberate breaths, allowing herself to relax and let go of any tension in her body. With each exhale, she felt herself becoming more centred and focused. She repeated the word "peace" softly in her mind, allowing it to become a soothing mantra that accompanied her breath.

In her imagination, Sonoko envisioned herself descending a staircase. Each step she took brought her deeper into a state of relaxation. The mental image of the staircase was clear and vivid, helping her mind to shift into a more receptive state.

At the bottom of the staircase, she found herself in a serene garden. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. Sonoko took a moment to take in the details of her mental sanctuary, feeling a sense of tranquillity wash over her.

As she settled into this peaceful place, Sonoko turned her focus inward. She allowed her thoughts to drift to the memory that had been troubling her—the incident from two years ago when she had made that hurtful comment during Ranran's time of grief.

At first, the memory felt distant and hazy, like a foggy picture. But as she continued to breathe deeply and relax, the details began to emerge.

In front of a cathedral, she finds herself shorter than she is a 6-year-old, surrounded by mourners gathering in the streets dressed in black. She wasn't in Japan, she knew this since the sky was unusually gloomy, not to mention the buildings looked foreign. Yet, Sonoko knew she stood there, clutching a woman's hand, which happened to be her mother's.

"I am bored," Sonoko found herself saying to her mother.

Her mother gently shushed her, her expression stern yet understanding. "Sonoko, this is a funeral. It's a solemn occasion. You need to be respectful."

"But I don't know anyone here," Sonoko pouted, feeling restless and out of place among the sombre crowd.

Her mother sighed softly, her tone gentle. "I understand, dear. But sometimes, we attend these events to show support for others, even if we don't know them personally."

Sonoko's childlike impatience persisted. "Can we go now? I'm tired of standing."

Her mother looked down at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "We'll leave soon, but let's wait a little longer out of respect."

"But I don't even know who is the boy who died, so why am I here?"

"I couldn't find a babysitter at the last minute, Sonoko."

The memory continued to unfold in Sonoko's mind, and she found herself observing her younger self and her mother from a distance. The scene was vivid, and she felt like she was reliving the moment all over again.

"But you could've left me with the maids and butlers," Sonoko finds herself pouting.

"I wanted to, but your father has a point, as the daughter of the Suzuki, you have to attend events as a representative on occasion." 

"Not really, Ayako-neesan is the successor, so I don't need to since I am the spare."

As Sonoko continued to immerse herself in the memory, she felt a mix of emotions. She could see her younger self's impatience and frustration, contrasting with her mother's patient attempts to explain the importance of the event.