"I just don't know how to reach her anymore, Eri. I just don't....."

"Irene, I'm so sorry you're going through this," Eri said softly, not knowing what to make of this.

"You know, Eri, I knew she didn't want to go to Edgewood back then," Irene wiped away a tear that had escaped from her eye. "When she was around 2....that moment my estranged grandmother came over to offer the deal of moving out of the damn slums to this neighbourhood, it was a no-brainer for me to send my daughter to Edgewood at that time. Cause the only thing she was doing back then was sitting in front of her father's computer and gaming 24/7. But the moment that reached her ears, she detested me since then."

"Irene, you made those decisions because you believed they were in the best interest of your daughter back then."

"This time...the reason I moved forward the moving date to Japan, was because she kept skipping school, not because she hated Edgewood, but she kept going to that boy's gravestone to talk to him. And she wants revenge, Eri."

"She is 4, you can't really take her words seriously."

"No, I know my daughter." Irene insists with a slur, "When we were still living in the slums back then, there used to be a neighbour who parked his car outside, never bothered to fix it and kept on ringing throughout the night. So we had sleepless nights. Ranran somehow...I don't know how she was able to do this, but the car was filled with trash and rotten eggs inside the very next day, and the owner accused her of doing this despite lacking evidence. And she was 2!"

The lawyer was shocked as Irene continued to rant.

"I knew she did it because I had stacks of eggs in our kitchen that we planned to discard the following day. It went missing on the day the owner confronted us," Irene pauses, "Not long ago....she locked up a boy in a classroom in Edgewood Academy, inhaled carbon monoxide till he could no longer talk or walk anymore because that boy caused her friend to die. And I knew she was grieving, but I didn't think she would take it this far."

The depth of Ranran's actions, even at such a young age, was alarming. It was clear that the situation had taken a toll on Irene, leaving her feeling helpless and desperate.

"Is there any proof that the boy Ranran harmed did?" Eri asked.

"There was, and though the evidence is circumstantial, I knew my daughter was right, and those children killed him. And yet...." Irene nodded, her tears continuing to flow. "I lied to her and said she was being overcome with grief to do that, that she is muddled. Which is why...I don't know what to do, Eri. I feel like....had I not lied, I will end up losing my daughter. And the worst part is, she knows it when I lie and would call it out. Nowadays....disciplining doesn't work anymore, hell, she isn't even afraid if we cut out her allowance anymore, because she knew where to find money elsewhere."

"Irene...." Eri said, her voice filled with empathy. "Ranran's behaviour is indeed concerning, and it's understandable that you're feeling lost and overwhelmed. But lying ain't the solution, it will only make her doubt you and your husband more."

Irene let out a bitter laugh. "Help her? Eri, I don't even know how to talk to her anymore. She sees through every lie, and she's become so independent and cunning. It's like I don't even recognize my own daughter sometimes."

"Then why don't I talk to her then?"

"Eh?"

"If I talked to her, it will give you some insight on what she thinks, right?"

Eri's offer to talk to Ranran seemed to catch Irene off guard. Irene blinked, her eyes still moist with tears, as she considered Eri's proposal.

"You would do that for us?" Irene asked, her voice a mix of hope and uncertainty.

Eri nodded firmly. "Of course, Irene. We've been friends for a long time, and I care about you and your family. I may not have all the answers, but I'll do my best to talk to Ranran and try to understand what's going on with her. Maybe there's a way we can help her through this difficult time."

Irene's eyes filled with gratitude, and she reached out to squeeze Eri's hand. "Thank you, Eri. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We'll figure this out together," Eri assured her. "But first, let's get you home. You've had enough to drink for one night."

Irene nodded, her exhaustion evident. With Eri's help, she slowly got up from the table, and they made their way out of the bar together, walking through the chilly December night.

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

When Eri met up with 4-year-old Ranran, the eyepatch was removed.

According to Irene, the same dead friend donated his eye for Ranran. Still dignified while recuperating from the hospital room, she looked surprised to see Eri Kisaki's presence.

"Hello, Ranran," Eri greeted gently as she entered the room, offering a warm smile. It had been months since they last met, and Ranran's demeanour changed drastically.

Ranran regarded Eri with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. She had clearly been through a lot in recent times, and Eri knew she had to tread carefully to establish trust. The young lawyer pulled up a chair and took a seat across from Ranran, maintaining eye contact. "Do you....still remember who I am?"

"I do, you are Eri Kisaki Obaasan, you have been my mother's friend since childhood in Japan, a lawyer. We met at Harrold's mall while my mother left to buy me ice cream."

Eri grew a bit amazed at that, "You are still able to remember that? My own daughter couldn't even remember any of this."

Ranran nodded, her gaze steady and focused. "I remember things that are important to me."

Gazing at the little girl on her bed, Eri thinks of a lot of children who ended up in the courtroom, either due to their parents divorcing, having witnessed a murder-suicide between their parents, or dealing with traumatic events not long ago that led them there.

And if Eri were the be honest, a lot of kids there were utterly terrified and intimidated whenever they were asked to reveal disturbing details. 

Ranran however....appeared different from the children Eri had encountered in court. 

Despite her young age and the challenging circumstances she had faced, she exuded a sense of composure and wariness that was uncommon in someone so young.....it was as if she had grown used to an environment so hostile as part of her daily routine.

The red-lipped girl regarded Eri for a moment, her blue eyes assessing and calculating.  "Why are you here? Are you trying to convince me to move to Japan with my parents?"

"No, I want to know why you don't want to go to Japan?" Eri asked gently, hoping to get a better understanding of the young girl's concerns.

"Eh?"

"Your mother....said you didn't want to move to Japan. And I feel like...aside from your friend has died, I think there is a lot more you are not telling." Eri cautiously said.

"Telling won't make a difference," Ranran scoffed, "My mother never listens to anything I want, it's always what she and Tousan want."

"You are right, I am a mother myself to my 4-year-old daughter, we don't always agree on many things in life. And as a matter of fact, I too did things the way your mother does," Eri admits to the child, "Parents....are naturally selfish creatures, no different than their children, but....just because they do those things, didn't mean they didn't love you any less."

"Love doesn't mean much if they never listen," Ranran replied, her tone holding a hint of bitterness. "They always say it's for my own good, but they never ask me what I want. They just decide everything for me and brush me aside. How is that love?"

"Ranran...."

"The last time they announced we were moving from the slums when I was around 2, I was beginning to have a network of kids to play with, and computer gaming 24/7." Ranran replied, "I was happy not to go to school, because that meant no homework."

"And who taught you that?"

"TV, it is a miserable life if one goes to school, so when my parents couldn't afford it, I had 2 to 3 years of freedom. They shortened it only because they got sick and tired of living in that broken detached townhouse, so it was easier to sell the freedom of my childhood and end up in Edgewood Academy." 

It was clear that the young girl had a deep-seated resentment for the way her life had been structured.

"When I started out in Edgewood Academy, it was like a gilded cage. I was very unhappy. But the moment I found my footing, especially since they offered fancy rewards for good grades, I figured it was fun. But then my parents plan to move again, without telling me. Again, I would be forced to lose many things, including my friends and my newfound privileges. Moving to Japan...it will make me a nobody with nothing."

"You don't know that," Eri argued, "Change can lead to new and wonderful experiences. You might make new friends, discover new interests, and learn things you never thought possible."

"No, I don't need new ones, my old ones are better." Ranran shook her head firmly, "It's easy to say that, because they grew up there their whole life, I grew up here for five years plus, why should I give up everything for them again and again? Just because the adults want, I must sacrifice like cannon fodder?"

"Ranran...."

"My friend Christopher, that was how he died: By living like a cannon fodder." Eri's jaw dropped as the 4-year-old revealed, "Engaged to a rude tyrannical princess who always felt inferior towards him, and a mother who constantly abused him to ensure he doesn't break his arranged engagement and monopolize the royal connections, until the day he died...I don't want to end up dying like him if I move to Japan. Cause everyone there in Japan would."

For a moment, Eri didn't know how to reply to that. "Not all places are the same, and not all people are like the ones you've encountered."

"Your daughter....her name is Mouri Ran, correct?"

Eri was taken aback by the sudden change of topic, but she nodded in confirmation. "Yes, that's right. My daughter's name is Mouri Ran. How did you know?"

"I had someone dig around the neighbourhood my parents planned to move the other day, she is very hot-tempered, and I heard she will end up in Teitan Elementary school, the same school I would end up in ultimately." Ranran considered for a moment, her blue eyes still sharp and calculating. "She has a friend named Sonoko, the same friend who ruined Christopher's funeral the other day, that I punished her at the cathedral."

Eri was surprised by Ranran's knowledge of her daughter's friend, Sonoko. She wondered how the young girl had managed to gather such information, and it added to the sense that Ranran was exceptionally perceptive for her age.

"I heard that they are good friends and that they protect each other. If I ever go to Teitan Elementary School, Ran will bully me because of what I did to Sonoko, which she deserves for ruining Christopher's funeral." Eri's eyes grew wide as Ranran revealed further details, "They are also friends with a boy, named Kudo Shinichi. My rumoured brother from another family, I heard he too are close with them. He too would give me a miserable life if he knew about it."

Growing increasingly concerned by the depth of Ranran's knowledge about her daughter and her friends, Eri advised gently. "Ranran, I understand that you may have heard things about them, but it's important not to make assumptions or judgments about them based on rumours or past incidents."

"They ain't rumours," Ranran insists, before revealing, "I had someone went to Japan, that someone is very reliable. Head to the same kindergarten where they are studying, and Sonoko tells everyone she hopes Ran and Shinichi get married one day, it is all recorded on video. She says if she ever sees a prettier girl than Ran, she will attack them."

It was clear that the young girl had access to a wealth of knowledge about her daughter's life and her friends, and it left her feeling uneasy. She couldn't help but wonder how Ranran had acquired such detailed information, especially about conversations and events that had taken place in Japan.

"I also know....that adults there said my mom and Shinichi's Tousan used to date," The 4-year-old spoke sternly, "If I move there, I will be known as 'The Daughter of the Mistress'. Here, I am Kudo Ranran with no ties to that. And that boy Shinichi dislikes me, I know because there is also a video recording of him telling his 'friends' he isn't going to treat me well if my family move there."

The lawyer couldn't help but feel a sense of concern for Ranran, who seemed to have a significant amount of anxiety and fear related to the potential move to Japan.

"Which is why...I cannot move, cause I will die, Eri-Obaasan. But my parents don't care, they rather let me live in misery."

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

"Irene....you...may need to reconsider dealing with certain things in Japan before moving Ranran there, cause it's clearly those videos about other children disliking your daughter will continue to deter her from moving there." Eri took Irene aside to explain the circumstances. 

After her talk with Ranran, Eri felt compelled to discuss the situation with Irene further. She believed that Irene needed to reconsider certain aspects of the move to Japan, especially in light of the videos that Ranran had mentioned.

"She....she knew?"

"Your daughter...is very perceptive unlike mine, and she had given legit reasons to not want to move," Taking Irene aside, Eri spoke with a concerned tone. "And judging from those videos Ranran had given me, they are clearly not doctored."

Irene looked distraught as Eri mentioned the videos. It was clear that she hadn't expected Ranran to have access to such information, and the implications of it weighed heavily on her.

"I had no idea she knew about those things," Irene admitted, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and worry. "I thought..."

"Yusaku and Yukiko, as well as the Suzukis....I know they did their best in parenting, but it doesn't seem like their children like Ranran despite their parents telling them not to hate on her. And I can only assume who is behind spreading those false rumours to poison the children's mindset about her." Eri growled lowly at no one in particular.

Eri could see that Irene was struggling to process this information, and her heart went out to her friend. She knew that Irene had made decisions she believed were in the best interest of her daughter, but now she was faced with the harsh reality that those decisions had led to Ranran's isolation and unhappiness.

"What I am going to do, Eri? She's become so different from the little girl I used to know."

"It won't be easy, but it's not impossible," Eri reassured her friend. "Let her do whatever she wants in Japan."

"Eh?"

"Of course, I don't mean spoiling her," Eri quickly corrected this, before adding, "I think...Ranran is perceptive but grieving at the loss of her friend, whom she lost through a malicious nature. Exposing her to.....things of dark nature, and she will grow very resentful towards this very world we live in."

Irene was visibly distressed by the information and the implications it held for her daughter's well-being. She had always wanted what was best for Ranran, but it was becoming increasingly clear that their current plans might not be in her best interest.

Eri's suggestion to give Ranran more agency and freedom in Japan was a new perspective for Irene. She realized that perhaps a more flexible approach to the move was needed, one that took into account Ranran's feelings and concerns.

"Eri....what do you think I should do?" Irene admitted, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Then Eri had an idea, "You know....the other day when I was talking to Yusaku, he said the Kudo family had connections to the cops, right?"

"......what about it?"

"Not long ago, didn't he mention that one day he might offer his son Shinichi a chance to do Tantei work if Shinichi takes this seriously? Offer that to Ranran when she gets older, if you made her busy doing something, she won't have any time to be consumed by revenge anymore."

Irene listened carefully to Eri's suggestion, and her expression shifted from worry to contemplation. The idea of offering Ranran the opportunity to become a detective in the future seemed to intrigue her.

"That's an interesting thought," Irene replied, her mind working through the possibilities. "Ranran is incredibly intelligent, and she has....unusual skills. It might be a way to channel her energies into something and keep her focused on her studies. But..."

Eri understood the hesitation in Irene's voice and gently encouraged her to express her concerns. "But what, Irene?"

"I'm just worried that if we make her busy with detective work, it might also isolate her further from other children," Irene admitted. 

"Is Ranran difficult to be with?" Eri wondered.

"That is entirely up to her, she intentionally becomes so if she dislikes this person. The only friends she sticks to are the ones in Edgewood Academy, which is why she refused to move to Japan in the first place." Irene sighed.

"Does she have plans to remain in contact with those Edgewood friends of hers?"

"Yes," Irene continued, "Judging their interactions, I can tell this is going to remain in the long run."

"Then let Ranran be with them," Eri suggested. 

"But it won't make her move on from everything." Irene grew intensively worried.

"You can't force someone to move on quickly, Irene." Eri reiterated. "I don't know what was going on with Ranran when things were playing out, but it is clear cut that Christopher must have been a huge influence for her to react that way. Let alone, made her violently react in such a way, that moving to Japan to her felt like a death sentence." 

Eri's words struck a chord with Irene, and she couldn't help but reflect on the events that had unfolded and their impact on Ranran. She knew that pushing her daughter to move on quickly might not be the best approach, especially given the traumatic experiences she had endured.

Irene sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I have a bad feeling this may go wrong, Eri."

"What could possibly go wrong in putting a child with responsible adults at the police department?" Eri gave a sceptical look.

As it turns out, a lot.

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

Although it had been 2-3 years since they had that conversation, Ranran apparently thrived well as a child Tantei for a 6-year-old little girl.

But it wasn't without a price.

Mouri Ran, Eri's daughter, kept on feeling very inferior to Irene's daughter, especially since Shinichi cut all ties with Mouri and Sonoko to be with Ranran as Eri later learns, to pursue his apprenticeship under Ranran. 

At that time, Eri didn't think much since they were still kids figuring out themselves. But over time, it became rather obvious to Eri that Mouri Ran was being manipulated by the same source who spread lies about Ranran's reputation, which made Shinichi distance himself from Eri's daughter when she grew more jealous and hostile over Ranran.

Having established herself in this new role as founder of Tantei Association, she had garnered the attention and respect of her peers, including Shinichi. This led to a growing sense of inferiority in Mouri Ran, Eri's daughter, who felt overshadowed by Ranran's accomplishments and the close relationship between Ranran and Shinichi.

Eri couldn't help but notice the changes in her own daughter's behaviour. Mouri Ran's jealousy and hostility towards Ranran had intensified, and Eri grew concerned about the influence of the mysterious source who seemed to be manipulating the situation. 

But as much as she wishes she could interfere, the person behind it is too financially and intimidatingly powerful, that even being a top-tier lawyer wouldn't be enough.

"Okaasan! How could you simply side with that she-demon!?" Mouri Ran said, her voice filled with frustration and sadness. 

"Mouri Ran, how many times did I tell you not to call Ranran that?! Also, Shinichi left you because of that damn video your friend Sonoko did with Mamiko!" 

Eri was growing increasingly worried about the situation. The tension between Mouri Ran and Ranran, fueled by jealousy and outside manipulation, had escalated to a point where it was affecting her daughter's emotional well-being.

"Okaasan, you don't understand! Ranran is always in the spotlight, and Shinichi abandoned us for her!" Mouri Ran exclaimed, her frustration evident.

"No, I checked it myself that you and Sonoko were the ones who abandoned Shinichi when he fought with that former neighbour of yours! Also, you didn't speak to him for over 2 weeks, which is why he decided to pursue his apprenticeship under Ranran in the first place!"

"Whatever! Before, Shinichi used to want to patch up with us! Ever since that she-demon showed up in his life, he stopped caring about us anymore!"

"Well, who wouldn't after being forced to apologize for things he didn't do!? Also, when will you be quitting Tantei Association and stop harassing Ranran and Shinichi!? The reason you joined in the first place was to fix Sonoko's reputation, right?! After that, no one is forcing you to remain, so quit!" 

"But Okaasan, I can't just leave!" Mouri Ran protested. "I want to prove to Shinichi that he didn't need to rely on her to be a Tantei!"

"Then what?! You kept on discouraging him the entire time just to marry him off-"

"When will you stop believing in that!? I was framed by that she-demon! And so was Sonoko!"

"Mouri Ran, I understand that you're upset, but continuing to blame Ranran won't solve anything," Eri said, trying to maintain a calm tone. "And Ranran is a very diligent girl, she wouldn't just simply go about framing you and Sonoko out of nothing! Even Shinichi himself came up to me to air out all the things he had to put up with you and Sonoko, so stop finding excuses to blame Ranran, when in reality, it was you and Sonoko's fault!"

The argument between Eri and her daughter, Mouri Ran, had escalated to a point where it seemed nearly impossible to reach a resolution. Eri's concern for her daughter's emotional well-being was evident, but Mouri Ran's intense jealousy and anger toward Ranran had clouded her judgment.

"So don't you try to skip anger management classes your father and I had assigned you. Especially what you said at the principal's office the other day, wanting Ranran to die!? Because she is prettier and more talented!? Where did your morals go!? Your father and I didn't raise you to be this way!" 

"She deserves it! She's taken everything from me, and Shinichi too! I hate her!" The tension in the room was palpable as Mouri Ran's anger flared even more. Her face flushed with emotion, and her voice shook as she responded.

"Hating someone isn't going to make things better. Just leave them alone and move forward."

"I don't want to move forward! I want things to go back to the way they were before she came into our lives!" Mouri Ran's anger seemed to intensify as she yelled.

"Ooi, Eri! Is everything alright?"

Eri's ex-husband, Mouri Kogoro, entered his private Tantei office to see the commotion. "Ah, Anata, take Ran to see the therapist now." 

"Let's go, Ran," Kogoro urged their 6-year-old daughter to come forward. 

"No! Why should I!? Ranran is the mastermind!" 

"Ran, you are clearly in the wrong!" Kogoro's stern voice cut through the tension in the room. "Ran, your mother and I have had enough of this behaviour," Kogoro said, his tone stern. "You need to see the therapist now to help you deal with your anger and jealousy issues."

Mouri Ran glared at her father, her anger and frustration still simmering. She didn't want to admit defeat, and she certainly didn't want to face a therapist.

"You can't make me!" she shouted defiantly.

"Don't push your luck any further," Kogoro called out his daughter's temper, "You are not the only one who knows how to fight in the family."

Kogoro's firm stance finally seemed to break through Mouri Ran's anger and defiance. She glanced between her parents, realizing that they were serious about seeking help for her. With a defeated expression, she reluctantly nodded and allowed her father to lead her out of the room.

Eri watched her daughter leave with a heavy heart, her concern for Mouri Ran's emotional well-being weighing on her. She knew that their family was facing a difficult and challenging situation, and she hoped that therapy would help her daughter work through her feelings of jealousy and anger.

As the door closed behind Mouri Ran and Kogoro, Eri couldn't help but wonder if even therapy would be enough.

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

But that was merely wishful thinking.

Eri had hoped that therapy would help her daughter, Mouri Ran, work through her feelings of jealousy and anger, but it seemed that the situation had not improved. The fact that Mouri Ran continued to pester Ranran and refused to quit the Tantei Association was a source of concern for Eri.

However, when she learned that Mouri Ran had finally decided to quit the Tantei Association on her own accord, Eri felt a sense of relief. Perhaps her daughter was beginning to understand the consequences of her actions and the need to move forward.

Yet, it wasn't the case when her ex-husband called her to reveal that she and Sonoko had taken an unscheduled flight to New York City. Apparently, Sonoko contacted her doting uncle to purchase tickets to get there, despite the two little girls being banned from their school trip because of that recent incident with Ran leaking out the main HQ of Tantei Association's location to an acquaintance they know of, resulting the boy to attack Ranran.

"What were they thinking, Kogoro?" Eri asked, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and concern over the phone in anger from her office. "They're just children, and they should have known better."

Kogoro sighed heavily on the other end of the line. "I honestly don't know, Eri. I tried to talk to Ran, but she was adamant about going to New York with Sonoko. I even contacted Sonoko's uncle, but he seems to have no idea about it since he went to work overseas for a while, so by the time he realised this, it was kinda too late."

"We need to find a way to bring them back," Eri said firmly. "This behaviour is unacceptable, and it's putting them in danger."

"According to Sonoko's Tousan, I spoke to him over the phone, and he told me not to worry. He had a couple of adults monitoring them there in the city from afar."

Eri couldn't help but feel a sense of unease despite Sonoko's father's assurance. Sending two young girls on an unscheduled international trip without proper supervision was incredibly irresponsible, and Eri couldn't understand why he would condone such behaviour.

"Sonoko's Tousan mentioned those men they sent out to look after them were qualified former military men, police officers and once worked for the prime minister of Japan, and I did verify them myself. He told me he wanted to catch them in the act so that they could reprimand them." Kogoro said.

Eri's unease didn't entirely dissipate, but the knowledge that the two girls were being monitored by qualified individuals did provide some reassurance. She knew that Sonoko's father had significant resources and connections, and if he was confident in the people he had assigned to watch over the girls, then it was likely that they were in capable hands.

Still, Eri couldn't help but worry about the safety and well-being of her daughter, Mouri Ran, and her friend Sonoko. Sending them on an unscheduled trip to New York City, even with surveillance, was a risky move.

"Kogoro, I hope you're right, and they'll be safe," Eri said, her voice laced with concern. "But we need to have a serious talk with both of them when they return. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable, and they need to understand the consequences of their actions."

"I agree, Eri," Kogoro replied with a heavy sigh. "This whole situation is incredibly frustrating. But let's hope that this experience will be a wake-up call for them."

As the days passed and the two girls continued their unscheduled adventure in New York City, Eri couldn't help but wonder what had led them to take such drastic actions. She knew that Mouri Ran had been struggling with feelings of jealousy and anger towards Ranran, but she couldn't fathom what would drive them to leave their homes and go on a trip to another country without permission.

Eri and Kogoro could only wait anxiously for their return, hoping that the experience would indeed serve as a valuable lesson for the two girls and that they would come back safe and sound.

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

Although they later did return home safe, it wasn't without some oddities.

When Kogoro returned the call a few days after Ran returned home, Eri was shocked to learn that Ran showed up with bruises, said nothing, and then locked herself up in her bedroom. Clearly, the men the Suzuki family had sent out didn't do much of a good job.

It wasn't until Shinichi made a phone call to Eri, that everything began to make sense.

Apparently, he had made a clear warning about them harassing Ranran, since Ranran's Edgewood Academy friends would show no mercy to anyone who had gone after Ranran for the past 2 months. Clearly, Eri's daughter didn't heed her words and showed no fear.

"Her jealousy apparently took a toll on her, she didn't like seeing me being happy with Ranran, and kept sputtering nonsense the other day that she had feelings for me when she clearly didn't. Her Edgewood friends had been keeping tabs on Ranran after moving to Japan, so when they heard what she and Sonoko did towards me when Ranran was hospitalized at that time...you get the idea."

Deeply troubled by the revelation, Eri had to ask, "Is Ranran aware?"

"Nope, I didn't inform her because she is too busy with the other cases we are working on."Shinichi admitted with a sigh over the phone, "But I just want to let you know that Ran and Sonoko didn't fair out well with Ranran's Edgewood friends, behaving rudely and conceited towards Ranran, Eri-obaasan."

"I appreciate you letting me know, Shinichi," Eri replied with a heavy sigh.

"Again, I am very sorry for your daughter being dragged into this mess."

"No, you don't need to apologize, the one who should've been the one doing so is Ran," Eri once more refuted that the 6-year-old boy was innocent, before revealing, "I will try to coax Ran into apologizing, in the meantime, once more, as her mother...I apologize for what you and Ranran have to deal with."

As soon as Eri hung up, the first thing she did was confront her over the phone.

But it didn't help much, it appeared that Ran had seemingly blocked her mother's number, especially after that episode of Eri having slapped her in the principal's office for speaking ill of Ranran. It was clear that their relationship had deteriorated to a point where communication had become nearly impossible. Even contacting her ex-husband to get Ran to talk to her through his smartphone did little to help. The fact that Mouri Ran had taken such drastic steps only deepened Eri's concern for her daughter's emotional well-being.

Finally, without warning as she left work early, Ran suddenly called, asking to meet up at the cafe. For a moment, Eri decided to confront her rebellious daughter face to face.

"Ran-san, if this is about you blaming Ranran again, I am not going to let you do as you like, alright?!"

Eri Kisaki's arrival at the cafe brought a mixture of surprise and anxiety to Ran. She knew that her mother's stern demeanour meant that she was ready to address the situation head-on and that both scared and relieved her.

"Okaa-san....I....want to know certain things."

Eri Kisaki's gaze held a mixture of concern and determination as she looked at her daughter. She could sense the gravity of the situation from Ran's tone and demeanour, and her instincts as a mother kicked in, ready to provide guidance and support.

"Of course, Ran," Eri replied, her voice gentle yet firm. She motioned for Ran to take a seat, and Eri herself sat down across from her. "You can talk to me about anything. What's on your mind?"

Ran took a deep breath, her heart racing as she struggled to find the right words. She met her mother's gaze and began, her voice quivering slightly, "It's about Ranran. The things that happened in the U.K., things like her getting kidnapped by a kidnapper to lure a friend of hers to be killed, her eye being dug out, the funeral parade and everything...you slapped me the other day at the principal's office when I spoke horrible things about Ranran...that meant, you knew all of this is true, right?"

For a moment, the young lawyer was shocked.

She could sense the mixture of emotions swirling within her daughter, not knowing how to reply to that, "Ran-san-"

"Tell me the truth, did Ranran really....deal with those things!? Around the age of 4?"

Taking a moment to compose her thoughts, Eri replied, her voice gentle, "Yes, Ran, what you've heard about Ranran's past is true."

Ran's eyes welled up with tears as the weight of the truth hit her. She had suspected that the information was accurate, but hearing it confirmed by her mother made it all the more real.

"W-why did you not say a thing about her past before I did all those things?! Cause have you did, I would have.....I would have...."

"Because she had the right to not share any of this from the start," Eri's tone held a firmness that cut through Ran's emotions. She continued, her voice steady, "After that incident happened, Ranran didn't want to move to Japan."

"Eh?"

"As you are aware, the friend who died for her is buried in the U.K. He was abused by his mother for years, so he was cut off from contact with the rest of his friends at Edgewood Academy." Eri Kisaki elaborates while her daughter sniffed, "Ranran wants to find all sorts of excuses to avoid moving here because even though he had passed away, she didn't want him to be lonely. Things got so bad on her refusal to leave, she went missing around 5 days that her parents sent out police across the pond to search for her."

Ran listened to her mother's words, her tears mixing with a sense of shock and guilt.

"By the time they found her hiding in one of her friend's mansion, she had to be sedated." Eri recalled, "Kept coming up with all sorts of excuses according to her mother to refuse to move to Japan. Things got so bad, that her mother decided she could not let her continue to remain in the U.K., or else she would grow overly obsessed with the idea of destroying the children who killed her friend's lives while ending her life throughout the process. And she was only 4 at that time."

Eri continued, her voice soft but resolute, "Moving her to Japan in haste was the only decision her mother could make to stop her from going such a destructive path. The only way to stop her from going back to the U.K. was to simply allow her to do whatever she wanted. Be it her becoming a child Tantei or whether she did anything wrong, the bottom line was to not let her fall back on that path. If I had said a thing about her past, everyone of you including you would simply befriend her out of guilt and sympathy, and considering you know her...I can conclude you know that she is the type who can tell if one isn't sincere, Mouri Ran."

The little girl's tears continued to flow as she listened to her mother's explanation.

"Ran-san, I always taught you not to judge someone by appearance, but clearly you didn't heed my words when I warned you about speaking ill of her for the past 2 months."

Eri's words struck a chord deep within Ran. She felt a profound sense of guilt and shame for her actions over the past few months. Her jealousy and anger had led her to say and do hurtful things, and now, hearing the truth about Ranran's past, it all seemed so trivial and insignificant in comparison.

"I was so wrong," Ran's voice trembled as she spoke. "I treated her so poorly, especially when I learned she was The Fox, and when Shinichi ditched me for her...I accuse her of being the worst cunning she-demon....."

"Ran-san...."

"The truth is...I always longed knew that Ranran was innocent."

"Eh?"

"I knew she barely had any interest in him, she didn't like him the way I do. And that she values him as a Tantei, and is very respectful towards him. I knew that for the past 2 months when I became a member based on their interactions. But.....blaming her was easier, because that way, I would never have to live with the fact that I was in the wrong in how Sonoko and I had treated Shinichi."

For a moment, the lawyer didn't know what to make of her daughter's attitude. "If you knew that, then why....?"

"I don't want to give up....like the way you did with Tousan. Because I know the worst thing in the world...is to let go of something that would've continued to make you happy."