At first, the kids didn't know what to make of Professor Shibuya's response regarding his birds being 'disturbed'. Did he refer to his supposed vast collection of preserved stuffed birds like the bald eagle?

Then Ranran knew she had to ask, "Are you referring to the collection of birds similar to the stolen bald eagle you had mentioned earlier?" Ranran asked, trying to gather as much information as possible.

The elderly professor hesitated for a moment, as if unsure whether to share further details. But then he seemed to come to a decision and spoke. "No, aside from that I do admit having it, I also have live ones within the residence."

As soon as the words left Professor Shibuya's mouth, the members of the Tantei Association exchanged surprised glances. Live birds? They hadn't anticipated that their client was not only interested in taxidermized birds but also kept live ones in his residence.

Ranran's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist asking, "You keep live birds in your home? What kind of birds are they?"

The elderly professor looked a little uncomfortable as he replied, "Various species of birds, both local and exotic. I have a fondness for observing them and studying their behaviour up close."

"Just out of curiosity, may I know...what breed do you have?" Shinichi inquired.

"Hmph....let me recall, "The ornithologist rubbed his chin before revealing, "I have songbirds like canaries and finches, as well as some parakeets and cockatiels. I also have a few pigeons, doves, and quails. Additionally, I have a pair of African Grey parrots and a few rarer species like the Eclectus parrot and the Hyacinth macaw. And many many more."

Shinichi and the others were taken aback by the impressive array of bird species the professor mentioned. It was evident that he was truly passionate about his work as an ornithologist.

"That's quite an extensive collection," Emiko remarked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

Professor Shibuya nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "Yes, it brings me great joy to be surrounded by these beautiful creatures every day. They are like my children."

"How many birds do you have roughly in total?" Mouri Ran asked.

Professor Shibuya paused for a moment as if mentally counting his feathered companions. "I think I have around 150 birds in total if we don't count the eggs that aren't hatched yet," he replied. "Each of them holds a special place in my heart."

"Wow, that's a lot of birds to take care of," Takuma exclaimed.

"It is indeed a big responsibility, but I find immense joy in observing their behaviour and learning from them," Professor Shibuya explained. "Each species has its unique traits and habits, and studying them helps me gain a deeper understanding of the avian world."

"You must have had a large compound built to accommodate those birds, right? Cause I know some of those birds belonged to the wilderness." Junko questioned the elderly man.

"Yes, of course," The ornithologist nodded, "It wasn't possible to raise them at some apartment in the city like Tokyo for instance, so I had to live at some mansion with a large compound to raise them."

The thought of a mansion filled with various birds was intriguing to them. Though for some reason, Shinichi couldn't help but noted Junko is shivering at that thought for some reason.

Emiko couldn't help but wonder, "Do you have any rare or endangered birds in your collection?"

"Yes I do," Professor Shibuya's face grew serious as he replied, "Which is why I am very cautious when it comes to acquiring birds for my collection. I strictly adhere to ethical guidelines and ensure that all the birds I keep are legally obtained and not endangered. I don't want to contribute to any illegal wildlife trade or endanger any species further."

"With 150 birds, it must be quite a task to take care of all of them. How do you manage their care and well-being?" Takuma was curious about the logistics of managing such a large collection. "Do you pay people to look after them?"

"No, I looked after each of them individually by myself." Professor Shibuya said as he reasoned to them why, "There were many close call situations that the people I used to hire attempted to smuggle the birds into illegal trades, which broke my heart. Since then, I decided to personally take care of them to ensure their safety and well-being. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it for the love I have for these birds."

"Eh? Then how are you able to make a living while looking after those birds, then?" Michio inquire.

"I work from home."

"Made sense." The others nodded in unison.

"That's quite a hobby," Michio commented, intrigued by the idea of having live birds in one's home.

"It is, indeed," Professor Shibuya agreed. "Birds are fascinating creatures, and being able to watch them in their natural behaviours provides valuable insights into their lives."

Sensing his love for birds, Shinichi suddenly figures, "Is that what you are worried about? The cops coming over to seize those birds you single-handedly raised?"

Professor Shibuya nodded sadly. "Yes, that's one of my concerns. I've heard stories of law enforcement officers confiscating animals during investigations, and it worries me that they might disturb my birds or take them away. These birds are not just part of my research; they are like family to me."

"Including the stolen bald eagle?" Emiko pressed.

"Including that as well." The old man nodded knowingly.

It was clear that his love for birds went beyond mere scientific interest; his collection had become a deeply cherished part of his life, and he considered each bird a member of his family.

Understanding the professor's attachment to his feathered companions, Ranran spoke up, "Then, can we pay your place a visit later on? As to where that eagle of yours was stolen?"

Professor Shibuya looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "I suppose that could be arranged. However, I must warn you that my residence is not open to the public, and I usually don't allow visitors. But given the circumstances and the urgency to recover my stolen eagle, I'm willing to make an exception."

"We really appreciate your cooperation, Professor," Ranran said gratefully. "We promise to be respectful and not disturb your birds unnecessarily."

Professor Shibuya smiled warmly at the young detectives. "Thank you for understanding. I can see that you are all sincere and passionate about helping with my case."

"Of course, we are," Takuma replied earnestly. "We will do everything in our power to find your stolen eagle."

"I think that is a good idea," Michio agreed. He shot a curious glance at the old man who was nervously rubbing his hands. "What time would be convenient, Professor Shibuya?"

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

After a long discussion, they all agreed to meet up at around 8 pm sharp.

Professor Shibuya simply hastily wrote down his address on the Eagle photo before leaving. As the children watch Professor Shibuya limped out across the car park to catch a cab, and as Ranran watched, the first thing she said was, "You know, as much as he loves birds, I felt like one of the things he said earlier doesn't make sense," he decided. "Why make so much fuss over a dead bird?"

The others nodded, understanding Ranran's confusion.

"I agree," Michio chimed in. "It's unusual for someone to be so attached to some stuffed bird. I mean he had 150 live ones to look after."

"I mean Ranran said earlier herself, maybe that eagle happens to be one of the rarest and most valuable birds in his collection. Losing something that holds so much value and that is irreplaceable could be deeply distressing for him." Ran suggests.

"But if he had such concerns about his birds getting stolen, he could've just met up with the cops at their station, right?" Shinichi said thoughtfully.

"He must have faced some unfortunate experiences in the past to be so cautious about it," Ran suggests.

"True, and he mentioned that he works from home to take care of all his birds. I wonder if there have been any incidents where the police or any other intruders caused disturbances at his place before." Takuma wondered.

"It's possible," Emiko said. "We should inquire further about any past incidents or security measures he has in place to protect his birds. It could help us understand if there's any connection between the stolen eagle and potential threats to his other birds."

"Neh guys, can we....sit out on this case?" Junko who had been silent earlier, was pale at the thought of paying a visit to a mansion filled with birds.

"Why?" The other members of the Tantei Association looked at Junko with concern. "Are you feeling uncomfortable about visiting Professor Shibuya's mansion?" Ran asked gently.

"Ah yeah, I forgot to mention that Junko had a fear when it came to birds," Michio admits.

"Eh? Seriously!?" All the kids started at Junko who is sweating bullets before Ranran questioned the eldest member, "How did that come about?"

"When we were in kindergarten, there was an incident where one of the senseis was feeding chickens," Michio recalled, "Somehow, while Junko was running around, the food meant for the chickens ended up sprinkling all over Junko. Long story short, the chickens got a little too excited and started chasing Junko around the schoolyard. She ran and screamed, and the whole class burst out laughing. Ever since then, Junko has been scared of birds."

At first, they tried to process the thought of tiny chickens chasing a young Junko around the schoolyard.

Soon, they grew sympathetic, by bursting into laughter.

Junko's face turned red from embarrassment, and she playfully punched Michio's shoulder. "It's not funny!" she protested, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"No, it is funny," Shinichi said, trying to hold back his laughter.

"Too funny," Ranran wipe the tears of laughter at that thought. "What are the odds....of being chased by something you would have for lunch or dinner?!"

"Shut up, Ranran!" Junko shot back, her face turning bright red. "It was a traumatizing experience for me, okay? I don't want to relive that nightmare! It literally jabbed my leg till it bleed!"

"It's funny though," Emiko said, grinning.

Even Takuma and Ran were having a rough time not bursting into smiles. "Anyway, about the stuffed eagle," Junko switches topics at that, "I believed Ranran is right about that as well, 'cause I can't imagine myself reacting that way. I might as well go straight to the cops."

"Same here," Ran admits, "What would've been the reason to simply be upset over a stolen dead stuffed bird? I mean don't get me wrong, it is expensive. But he too has mentioned he had 150 alive birds to look after."

"Maybe it's stuffed with gold something," Takuma wondered aloud, studying the photo of the bald eagle. He flipped it over and stared at the professor's address. "Huh, he is really an extreme bird freak."

"Eh? What made you say so?"Emiko arched an eyebrow towards Takuma.

"You read the name of his house address? It literally reads as 鳥羽市 (Chōha-shi). In this name, "鳥" (Chō) means "bird," and "羽" (ha) refers to "feathers" or "wings." "市" (shi) means "city" or "district." So, 鳥羽市 would be "Bird District" or "Feathered Wings City." Takuma said.

Shinichi peered over where Takuma was pointing, "Huh, who knew?"

"I think Takuma is right," Emiko agreed with him, "It's odd that he doesn't want the police involved. Like, even though I agree, the item itself, a stuffed eagle, is a questionable object, I wouldn't care about being mocked that my eagle was stolen." She shot Ranran a wary glance. "Do you think he's got something to hide?"

"I won't be surprised if they were...."Ranran answered.

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

"Alright, since we still have hours to spare before 8 pm, let us all split up and do our own thing before meeting here at around 7 pm sharp," Ranran announced, before allocating the tasks that needed to be done, "Shinichi, I may need you to accompany me and do some online research, especially in the dark web to see if there have been any reports of stolen taxidermized birds being sold on the black market or through any illegal wildlife trade channels."

"Sure thing, Ranran!" Shinichi replied with seriousness.

"Takuma and Emiko," She turned to the others at the meeting table, "Considering the stuffed bird itself is expensive, tried to check around any antique stores nearby where Shibuya lives may happen to have a stolen Eagle."

"Eh? Why should we look at antique shops?" Takuma grew puzzled at that.

"Antique shops sometimes dealt with rare collectables, and the stuffed eagle could be of interest to certain collectors." Shinichi explained, "I mean naturally if one steals something, one would try to sell the stolen eagle through less conventional channels, right? After all, antique shops sometimes dealt with rare collectables, and the stuffed eagle could be of interest to certain collectors.

"That actually makes sense, it's natural for thieves to simply take something to pawn it off so nothing can trace them back." Emiko nodded, understanding Shinichi's reasoning.

"Exactly," Takuma chimed in, "I'll head to the local antique shops and discreetly inquire about any unusual or valuable bird-related items they might have come across recently."

"As for Ran-san, Michio and Junko," Shinichi who is the apprentice shifts his attention to the other remaining 3 members, "I think the three of you just do any research about the bald-headed eagle."

"Why? I don't see any relevance in doing so." Junko scoffed.

"Ah, you see, Junko," Ranran said with a sly grin, "while you're doing your research, you might stumble upon some interesting facts or connections that we haven't considered yet. Plus, it's always good to have multiple angles of investigation. You never know what little detail might be the key to cracking the case!"

"Yeah, don't underestimate the power of research," Emiko added, "Sometimes the most mundane-seeming information can turn out to be the missing piece of the puzzle."

Michio nodded in agreement. "And who knows, maybe you'll find something fascinating about eagles that will help us understand why Professor Shibuya holds that specific one in such high regard."

Junko sighed, realizing she couldn't argue with their logic. "Alright, fine," she reluctantly agreed. "I'll do some research about eagles, but don't expect me to be all giddy about it like Michio with his birds!"

Emiko chuckled. "No worries, Junko. We'll leave the giddiness to Michio. You just focus on finding the information we need."

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

"But seriously, Junko, are you sure you'll be okay visiting Professor Shibuya's mansion with all those birds?" Michio asked, his concern evident.

Junko hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I'll be fine," she said, trying to sound confident. "It's been a long time since that incident, and I've mostly overcome my fear of birds. Besides, this is an important case, and I don't want to hold the team back."

As it was lunch hour, they walked down to the burger restaurant, Junko jumped up enthusiastically as she polished her glasses. She loved going to lunch with Michio, even if they wouldn't be alone now that they are with Ran.

"Alright, guys, let's grab some burgers and fuel up for the rest of our investigations!" Ran suggested, leading the way to the restaurant.

As they entered the burger joint, the aroma of sizzling patties filled the air, making Junko's mouth water. She eagerly scanned the menu and decided to go for the juiciest, cheesiest burger on offer.

"I'll have the double bacon cheeseburger with extra pickles and a large side of fries!" Junko declared, her excitement evident.

Ran chuckled at her friend's enthusiasm. "You always know how to enjoy a good meal, Junko."

Michio couldn't help but smile at the sight of his friend's enthusiasm. "Make that two double bacon cheeseburgers for me and Junko," he said to the cashier, "and a classic cheeseburger for me with some onion rings on the side."

Suddenly, a huge sound struck against the window not far from where they were sitting.

Shocked, they turned, only to Junko's horror, a pigeon apparently hit itself against the window.

"Oh no, not a pigeon!" Junko exclaimed, her eyes wide with fear.

"It's just a bird, Junko. It's outside, and it's fine," Ran reassured her, trying not to laugh.

"But what if it comes in here? What if it attacks us?!" Junko's fear was evident as she clung to the edge of the table.

Michio couldn't help but chuckle. "Junko, it's just a pigeon. It's not going to attack us. Besides, it's probably just a little disoriented from hitting the window."

"Yeah, Junko, don't worry. Pigeons are harmless," Ran added, trying to calm her down.

But Junko was having none of it. "Harmless? Have you seen those beady little eyes and sharp beaks? They can peck your eyes out!"

"Okay, now you're just exaggerating," Ran said with a grin. "Pigeons are not that dangerous."

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one with a bird phobia," Junko retorted, crossing her arms.

The pigeon outside seemed to have recovered from its mishap and flew away, much to Junko's relief. "See, it's gone now," Ran said, trying to reassure her friend.

"Let's just eat our burgers and forget about pigeons, shall we?" Michio suggested, trying to change the subject.

Even so, the uneasiness of another pigeon hitting the window once more irked Junko.

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

"But honestly, I doubt would be able to find the bird." Emiko thought hard about it.

"Eh? What makes you so sceptical about that?"

In another part of the city, Takuma and Emiko decided to visit a local antique shop. "Cause for me, I would rather try to sell it online."

"Eh?"

"Cause nowadays, to pawn something, it's not as loose as it used to be, Takuma." Emiko then explained, "When you head to a pawn shop, they usually require identification and other documentation for any valuable item brought in for sale. Selling something like a stuffed eagle, especially one that might be easily recognizable and well-known in the ornithology world, would be tricky. So, the chances of someone attempting to sell it in a pawn shop or antique store are pretty slim."

Takuma nodded, realizing the validity of Emiko's point.

"Doing it online, however, would be easier," Emiko said, "For online channels, you can attract the same kind of attention, especially from those potential buyers who collect rare and exotic items. Even overseas too are no exception. It's a way for the thief to reach a wider audience while maintaining some level of anonymity."

"But I don't think online things are reputable nowadays," Takuma then brought up, "My father once bought a dress that is affordable online for my mother, but when it arrived on our doorstep, it turned out to be nothing like the picture, and the material was terrible!"

Emiko laughed. "Well, you're right. Online shopping does come with its fair share of risks. But for someone trying to sell a stolen eagle discreetly, the dark web or specialized forums might be their go-to options."

Takuma raised an eyebrow. "But the dark web itself....are they reliable as online shopping?"

Emiko shook his head. "Definitely not reliable in the traditional sense. The dark web is a shady and dangerous place. It's like the Wild West of the internet, where anything goes and anonymity is the norm. But for criminals looking to trade illegal items, it offers a cloak of secrecy that can be appealing."

"Even so, I guess that is the reason why Ranran and Shinichi told us to look at antique shops, huh? Since it is less conventional."

As the two entered the shop, the musty smell of old books and trinkets filled their nostrils. The shop owner, an elderly man with spectacles, greeted them warmly.

"Good evening, young man. What brings you to my humble store?" the shop owner asked.

"I'm actually looking for something quite specific," Takuma replied, trying to sound casual. "I'm wondering if you've come across any rare stuffed birds recently, particularly an American bald eagle?"

The shop owner raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Ah, that's an interesting request. I do occasionally come across unique items, but an eagle is quite rare. Let me check my inventory."

As Takuma and Emiko waited, she couldn't help but notice a peculiar painting hanging on the wall. It depicted an eagle soaring majestically over a vast mountain range, its eyes gleaming with determination.

"Beautiful painting," Emiko commented, trying to strike up a conversation.

The shop owner smiled. "Ah yes, that's one of my favourite pieces. Eagles are such magnificent creatures, don't you think? They symbolize freedom and strength."

Emiko nodded in agreement, all the while keeping her instincts sharp. She hoped that the shop owner might inadvertently reveal something that could lead them closer to the stolen eagle.

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

By the time Emiko and Takuma got to Beikai Library, they found Ran, Michio and Junko seated at a long table surrounded by books about birds. "Found anything?" Junko tilted her head.

"No," Takuma and Emiko sighed, "We paid a visit to every single antique shop we could find, no bald-headed eagle."

"How awful," Ran groaned, then she noticed Emiko's sketch pad peeking out of the tote bag strapped to her right, revealing a sketch art of an American bald eagle on her pad, her brow knitted in concentration. "It's beautiful," gasped Ran as she pointed at the drawing.

"Oh, this?" Emiko grew a smug face, not expecting Ran to notice her sketch. "Thanks, it's just a rough draft. I drew it whenever Takuma and I were waiting for every single pawn shop owner to look for the stuffed bird."

"Wow, you drew this while waiting? That's impressive!" Michio exclaimed, genuinely amazed by Emiko's talent.

"We waited so long, that she was able to complete the sketch," Takuma groaned, before staring at the sketch, "But I got to admit, you are good in drawing unlike me."

Emiko chuckled, flipping through her sketch pad to show more of her artwork. "Well, drawing is my way of passing the time and staying focused. It helps me relax and keep my mind sharp."

"Anyway, did you dig up any interesting facts about bald-headed eagles?" Takuma turned to the trio.

"Other than the fact that it lives up to 30 human years? That is all that needed to be said," Michio rolled his eyes, certain that the brain in his head is about to pass out.

Suddenly Junko gave a cry of excitement. "What? You found something!?" Emiko and the others got close to Junko.

"Of course I did!" Soon, Junko could be seen flipping through the pages of bird books before pointing at one paragraph, "Here, you see? It says here that when a male bald eagle pairs with a female bald eagle they stay together for life. Isn't that romantic?" And she cast a dreamy look at Michio.

Takuma rolled his eyes and nudged Michio while mouthing quietly to him, "You are screwed."

And Michio couldn't help but secretly agree. Takuma could not imagine Michio spending thirty years with Junko. Not one bit. It was already difficult enough for Michio to deal with Junko for 2 months since Tantei Association had opened, even more so since they have been childhood friends for over 10 years.

Emiko leaned her body over the table to read Junko's book. Her lоng lashes flickered as she scanned the text."I wish my parents could have read that before they got married, at least they would've been happier to marry other people before having us-I mean me." she observed sarcastically.

Takuma shot her a curious glance. "Speaking of which, about your Tousan..." Takuma wanted to know, "Is he not going to hold custody of you?"

"He isn't financially in a position to do so, otherwise, I would've gladly joined him," Emiko turned away, "He and Mum are always fighting. Can't truly blame him. I would leave too if I were him."

She lapsed into silence and continued sketching.

Takuma knew his parents would never leave each other. But he didn't say so. He'd recognized the warning look in Emiko's eyes

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

Meanwhile, Ranran had been busy searching online for any information about stolen taxidermized birds being sold on the black market or through illegal wildlife trade channels in Tantei Association's main HQ after lunch with Shinichi at a cafe not far from here. She scrolled through numerous forums and websites on the laptop, while Shinichi used his, trying to find any relevant leads.

"Found anything?" Her apprentice Shinichi asked.

"Nope, barely. You?"

"Ugh, this is like looking for a needle in a haystack," Shinichi muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice as he swiped one after the other. "There are so many shady websites out there, and it's hard to tell what's genuine and what's just a scam. Especially now that we are in the dark web."

"Tell me about it," Ranran replied, shaking her head in frustration. "It's like wading through a swamp of misinformation and sketchy deals. But we can't give up. We have to keep digging."

Shinichi nodded, his determination undeterred.

As they continued to sift through the online abyss, Shinichi knew he had to ask one dreaded question. "Neh Ranran."

"Yeah?" She isn't looking at him.

"Have you....when you were The Fox at that time, have you ever...falsely accused someone for something they didn't do knowingly, just to remove them because that person is a threat? Even though you knew....that person is innocent?"

Ranran's expression changed before shifting her attention back to Shinichi, "What is with this question?"

Shinichi hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I... I'm just curious. You know, with all the cases you've solved and all the secrets you must have kept as The Fox, it's natural to wonder about your past experiences."

At first, Shinichi didn't know whether Ranran was about to reveal a thing, judging her posture looking so guarded.

After a while, she sighed, "Who has never once done such a thing?"

"I guess you're right," Shinichi said, a touch of understanding in his voice. Before asking, "May...I know what is it you did that lead you to do so?"

Ranran looked away for a moment as if contemplating whether or not to share her past. Finally, she took a deep breath and decided to open up.

"It was a long time ago, during one of my early cases as The Fox," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. "I was...hired by this girl of great noble standing in Edgewood Academy. She....was an ignorant child who was born with everything at her fingertips, one who indulged in luxuries and will never look back. When she hired us, she told us....this would not be our ordinary revenge case."

Shinichi listened attentively, sensing the weight of the story.

"She wanted us to frame herself, for a series of crimes that she didn't commit," Ranran continued, her eyes fixed on some distant memory. "The reason she wanted us to do this...was to protect someone."

"Really?" Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise. "That's a pretty extreme measure to go for. Who is this person to her?"

"Her friend."

"A friend!? Protect her friend from who then!?"

"Her own father."

Shinichi's eyes widened further at the revelation. "Her own father? Why would she want to protect her friend from her father?"

"Because her father is one of the Dukes in our neighbourhood at that time. At that time....she was engaged to one of the royal family members. With that said connection....he does as he pleases. And to prevent her from knowing a thing, she is...that ignorant noble girl as I know back then. But then...she met up with this friend, an average person with no aristocratic background."

"Ah, I see," Shinichi said, beginning to grasp the complexity of the situation. "Tell me...how did things spiral to a point, that it lead her to you as The Fox?"

"How did it get there....."Ranran took a deep breath before continuing her story. "When the average friend and she grew closer, the noble girl I told you about was embarrassed that she wasn't as smart as her friend. So she took focus on her studies, and gradually, in a way...that friend was a very good influence on her studies and stuff. So much so....the noble girl scored second place within her grade. It was all healthy competition. They support each other greatly. But... her father, the Duke, didn't like the influence her friend had on her. He saw the friend as a threat to his plans and his daughter's obedience. I think...you can see where I am heading with this."

The apprentice gulped as he figures, "He wants his daughter to be a dumb puppet, doesn't he? To use the royals to his advantage? But since her friend is making her smarter-"

"Exactly," Ranran confirmed, "He saw the friendship as a threat to his control over his daughter. So, he devised a plan to break them apart and remove the 'influence.' Behind his daughter's back, he plans to eliminate her. As in murder."

Shinichi's eyes widened in shock and horror at the revelation. "How old was she when this happened?!"

"8-years-old. I was around 4 when it happened."

Shinichi couldn't believe what he was hearing. A young girl, just 8 years old, facing such a terrifying and dangerous situation. He felt a mix of anger and disbelief as he realized the depth of the darkness that existed in the world.

"Her coming to me as The Fox....was to make herself lack of value as a pawn. By making herself appear worthless in her father's eyes so that he wouldn't see her as a valuable asset to manipulate, he would eventually have no choice but to discard her."

"That's a heavy burden for a young girl to carry. But it wouldn't have worked, regardless of this, she is still the fiance of the prince, no? Plus, if she is powerless, there would be no one to protect her friend anymore." Shinichi pointed out.

"You are right, as dumb as she is, this engagement made her valuable. But...." Ranran who is still browsing on the tablet pointed out, "Breaking it up would be made it all so different."

"There is no way it would be possible for her to go up to the king and say 'I want to break up with my fiance', right?!" Shinichi frowned, "It would be unprofessional and it is a political marriage."

"Exactly," Ranran sighed, "Which is why I roped the prince and came up with a very bold plan, one so ambitious...I kinda regret coming up with it in the first place."

Shinichi's curiosity piqued even further, "What was this ambitious plan you came up with?"

Ranran hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to spill the beans. "I roped the prince the noble girl was involved in, and her friend, plus the noble girl together in one room, then say 'Tell me, how would it feel for the noble girl and the friend to switch places as the fiance of the prince' By making the noble girl bully her own friend in public, and the prince faking his love for the said friend, it would rile up enough anger to break up this engagement, that the noble girl will be freed from her father? Not to mention, the friend will be protected by the royal family?"

Shinichi was taken aback by the audacious plan that Ranran had come up with. It was a risky move, and the potential consequences could have been disastrous. He couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and concern for his mentor's actions.

"That's... a really bold plan," Shinichi said, trying to process the implications. "But what if things had gone wrong? It could have backfired terribly."

"No, we were very careful, and the plan worked like a charm. In the end, the friend was safe, but at the cost of the noble girl's reputation. But seriously, the prince and the others who were behind this felt really bad for the noble girl, you know? She...ended up getting expelled by Edgewood Academy....and...her father....kicked her out of their own home."

"I don't know whether to be in awe with your scheming, or feel sorry for that poor child," Shinichi thinks.

"I even remembered aside from the prince and their friends alone, the one who is the most devastated was that said friend...it was too painful to watch, even for me." Shinichi could see the weight of the past still lingering on Ranran's shoulders. "I was 4 when I came up with this plan, and I knew she was innocent, but I hate it I was forced to frame her as a villain. Even more so to get her friends to participate in this, as much as I have that noble girl's permission to do this to her....it felt awful."

Shinichi could see the conflicting emotions in Ranran's eyes as she recounted the past.

"You wonder...why I did do this? Simple, I too wanted that stupid Duke father of hers gone, for corrupting the children of Edgewood Academy. Although we ended up getting rid of him, at what cost? In exchange for peace within the academy, a child had to lose her place in the prestigious school she love...."

Shinichi remained silent for a moment, taking in the weight of Ranran's past actions.

"By the way, why are you asking such a question out of the blue?" Ranran found herself asking Shinichi.

Shinichi hesitated for a moment before answering honestly, "I....have plans to do this to someone."

Her eyes widened in surprise at Shinichi's response. "Are the reasons....justifiable?"

"Very," He crossed his hands as he explained his reason, "I am trying...to protect someone with a medical condition. But this person is aggravating it and is refusing to listen if I don't do it....that person I am trying to protect would eventually...."

Ranran is shocked to hear this, there is someone out there besides Mouri Ran he is willing to go for? "Do I know this person?"

Shinichi hesitated before answering, "Yes, you do. It's someone I care about deeply."

"More than Mouri Ran?" Ranran blinked.

"More than her."

She could sense the depth of Shinichi's emotions, and it was clear that he was torn between his duty as a detective and his desire to protect someone he cared about. "Is the medical condition serious?"

"Very serious."

"Enough to frame this innocent person?"

"Yes. Very."

Ranran took a moment to process everything Shinichi had revealed. She could see the conflict and turmoil in his eyes, torn between his loyalty to justice and his desire to protect someone he cared about deeply.  "There are consequences riding on this if you do."

"I know," Shinichi replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "I want to do what's right, but I also can't stand by and watch someone I care about suffer. It's tearing me apart."

As Ranran listened, she could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on them both. It was a dark and complicated path Shinichi was considering, and she knew that whatever decision he made would have far-reaching consequences.

"But, honestly, Ranran, what would you do in my shoes?" Shinichi asked, looking for some guidance.

"I can't really say much, since I've done this multiple times," Ranran leaned back in her chair, taking a deep breath before answering. "But...before I answer this, I need you answer to me honestly."

"Sure, shoot," Shinichi replied, ready to answer whatever question Ranran had for him.

"This innocent person....is he or she had a trait so horrible....that they to deserve what was coming towards them? Despite being innocent?" Ranran asked, her tone serious.

"Yes." He answered without hesitation. "This person...had been warned far too many times that I could count, but they refuse to listen. If I don't do something, they will bring more havoc to the person I care about."

"Then do it."

"Eh?"

"Do it." Ranran insists, "A person who had been warned multiple times but refused to listen....that is way more dangerous than a normal criminal with lost morals."

Shinichi was taken aback by Ranran's blunt response. "But... it still feels wrong to frame an innocent person, no matter how dangerous they may be."

Ranran leaned forward, her eyes serious. "Sometimes, in this twisted world, we live in, we have to make difficult choices. It's not always black and white. If this person is truly a threat to someone you care about and they refuse to change, then you have to take action. Just make sure you've exhausted all other options before going down this path."

"But what if it ruins their life, and they didn't even do anything wrong?" Shinichi countered, feeling conflicted.

"It's a tough call, no doubt," Ranran admitted. "But you need to prioritize the safety of the person you care about. It's not about what's fair; it's about what's necessary to protect them."

Shinichi sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I wish there was an easier way."

Ranran smirked a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Life isn't a fairy tale, detective. It's messy and complicated. You just have to make the best of the hand you're dealt."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Shinichi mumbled, feeling a mix of emotions.