Now 6-year-old Mouri Ran had been friends with Shinichi for almost 2 year and 3 months plus.

Well, truthfully only a year, if one were to exclude of Mamiko's interference with their relationship. Even so, since kindergarten, Shinichi was very straightforward.

And when Ran thinks about Shinichi putting his Tantei observation skills onto matters involving something like this, mainly involving relationships such as dating, that is out of the question for him.

If anything, he tends to approach things with a logical and analytical mindset, which sometimes makes it hard for him to understand the complexities of emotions and human behaviour.

"Shinichi is amazing when it comes to solving cases," Ran said, "but when it comes to matters of the heart, he's... well, let's just say he's not exactly the most sensitive or tactful person."

Sonoko laughed. "You do have a point there. He can be a bit... blunt."

"Exactly," Ran agreed. "Do you remember that time when he exposed the previous cook in our kindergarten 2 years ago when we were four years old for swapping the food ingredients for a cheaper alternative?"

Sonoko chuckled at the memory. "Oh, I remember that! The look on the cook's face was priceless when he confronted why our bread tasted so strange. Shinichi didn't hold back, did he?"

"He definitely didn't stop to air out the fact that the cook sold off the slightly expensive ingredients just to fund her daughter's wedding!" Ran rolled her eyes recalling it as she and Sonoko walked their way back to Teitan Elementary School.

"And not long after the cook lost her job thanks to Shinichi, he ousted one of the teachers at our kindergarten for having an affair." Sonoko cringed as she recalled the scandalous event. "Do you remember that?"

"It can't be helped, he was fed up with the teacher constantly holding a fairy tale reading session instead of letting us go outside to play just because she hated standing under the hot sun, it wasn't surprising why he later ousted her secret relationship with the school's janitor." Ran shook her head, chuckling at the memory. "If there is one thing Shinichi dislikes the most, is unrealistic stories such as fairy tales."

Dragging out more sighs, Ran revealed, "To summarise it short, he will not take in a case that he would classify as a 'girl's problem', Sonoko. Although we are slowly trying to trust each other, following the aftermath of Mamiko's lies, I have known him long enough that he will say no regardless, especially now that the association is picking up more and more cases lately. I wonder if he would even bother to look into Chika's mysterious boyfriend."

"But I thought Shinichi isn't picky when it comes to cases." Sonoko refuted.

"Ever since our last major case, we have been receiving a surge in high-profile clients recently, so...." Ran paused. "I mean it involved a prince, so it got too overwhelming now that business is picking up a lot more than we are used to."

"Oh yeah, that case right?" Sonoko nodded in understanding. "That stupid Prince Landon kidnapping one of your members and almost marrying her for the throne?"

"So unlike you to curse a prince, Sonoko." Ran muses.

"It's one thing to fall for a Prince Charming in fairy tales, but it's another to be kidnapped by one in real life!" Sonoko huffed, clearly still a bit miffed about the whole ordeal. "But honestly, when you said that he is 10 years old, I was shocked! I mean he even had the audacity to steal your father's money while you were all protecting him at your Tousan's agency, let alone even went as far as to stage a military coup with his father....do all princes his age think like that in real life!?"

"Well, not all princes according to Ranran. But yes, most of them in Edgewood Academy do."

"Damn....Ranran definitely didn't have a normal life there before moving here." Sonoko decided.

"Definitely not." Ran nodded solemnly. "And honestly, I wouldn't want to be in Landon's shoes now, especially since Ranran orchestrated the worst kind of hell for him now that he is sent back to Edgewood Academy."

"Ah, that is right!" Sonoko suddenly remembers, "I heard that he was spared from jail, right!? How is that worthy justice!?"

"Well, according to Ranran, he lost his status as Prince now. So...." Wondering how to explain this to Sonoko, Ran explained, "And this is what I heard from Ranran, but apparently...if you are a child who studied there, especially with a lot of kids that are born into nobility and royals only to lose it, it would be a life worst than death, that you would wish you kill yourself rather than go through the entire ordeal. And if you made any enemies like Landon did in school, be prepared for the worst kind of hell. Oh yes, bullying is covered."

Sonoko's eyes widened in shock. "That's... really intense."

"And better yet, Landon can't apply for school transfer if he wants to, since he lost his privileges as Prince. Which is the price to pay if one refuses to go to prison."

The 6-year-old Heiress's jaw dropped in astonishment. "That's... brutal. Ranran...she really wasn't going to let him go unscathed, huh?"

"Well, she is a brutal girl after all," Ran nodded solemnly. "And we had to deal with it first-hand back then, remember?"

"Don't remind me," Sonoko shuddered, remembering the intense atmosphere she and Ran had to deal with when they both falsely accused Ranran of stealing Shinichi away from them back then.

"Anyway, because of our recent major case, prioritises for certain cases had to be put in the back seat." With Ran and Sonoko heading to the shoe lockers upon Ran ending her words, the two bend down to take out their shoes and switch to the school-provided ones.

"I guess that makes sense, with all the high-profile cases your agency has been handling lately. It must be strenuous. Even so, we can't leave Chika's boyfriend unchecked, right? If Shinichi can't do it, who else will look into the matter?"

Before her friend could reply, the two 1st graders overheard a boy's voice from the school hallway. "Hi," A little boy could be heard saying, "Do you have a name, or can I just call you mine?"

At this response, the girls watch the owner of the voice from afar, seeing Shinichi who couldn't hold back a scowl at this rude boy, while Ranran who stood next to Shinichi gave the boy an odd look. The two were on their way to their 2nd Tantei Association HQ, based in Teitan Elementary school, when this boy actually had the audacity to use the lamest pick-up line in the book to go after Ranran.

Since the popularity of Tantei Association had exploded, so did the interest in Kudo Ranran among 1st graders. It didn't help that she had a cunning mind, but there had been a fan club made for her. It turns out that one who is born with beauty and talent will attract moths to the flames.

While Reina, Ranran's best friend, had been making attempts to find a way to permanently ban clubs like this from existing, Shinichi is forced to accompany his mentor to prevent those idiot boys from coming after her. At this point on, Ranran is beginning to understand why her apprentice Shinichi despise fan clubs.

"Seriously?" Shinichi said in his incredulous voice. "Do you have no shame!?"

The boy just smiled before nonchalantly dismissing Shinichi, "I know. I bet you never thought Ranran had a chance with a guy as good-looking kid as me, huh?"

"As if." The Tantei girl replied, swiping his hand before rolling her eyes. "I mean, honestly, what do you think this is? Disney? Where does a girl marry the first boy or man she fell for? Also, what the hell is wrong with your face today?"

Shinichi along with the two other girls, and some schoolmates watching them watched in amusement as the jerk's jaw dropped. "What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with my face!"

Randan let out a sneer. "I mean I don't know if you noticed, but if you take a good look in the mirror, I can't believe after 6 years merely existing on this earth, you couldn't tell that you have the face of an ogre."

Oooohs and ahs erupted in the school hallway.

"Excuse me?!" The unnamed boy yelled, making Shinichi step in to defend her, while at the same time struggling to contain his amusement.

But the little girl went on taunting him, "I have an idea when you head home, go chant mirror on the wall, whose face closely resembles an ogre of them all. And I have high standards when it comes to having a boy I like." With that, she turned back cooly with Shinichi escorting her to the school's Tantei association, while the others clapped their hand, even the girls were no exception.

"Hmph. Whatever, no one is going to wanna marry a witch like you," the guy said before stomping away. All Ranran did was she only rolled her eyes, while many people in the room began applauding, some calling out "Ranran sekai ichiban!!"

A couple of girls had come up to her while they were heading back to their association, asking her how was she able to get this guy to leave her alone.

"He seriously won't stop bugging me. I don't know how you did it! Once he sets his eyes on someone, he never lets them go. Especially if they're pretty like you." One girl had said.

Ranran had only grinned at the compliment.

Ran and Sonoko who observed this interaction were impressed. That gave Ran an idea, "You know what, Sonoko? Just because the male Kudo wouldn't accept it, perhaps the female one would."

Bewildered, Sonoko didn't get what her best friend meant till she put it together, "You want our nemesis Ranran to look into this!?"

"In the first place, we both wronged her, so we have no right to call her a nemesis, Sonoko."Ran pointed out, a thoughtful look on her face. "But yes, I think she could be of help in this situation. Given the way she handled that boy just now, it's clear she could tell whether the boy is genuine or not to a girl's heart."

"But do you think she'll be willing to help us? I mean we wronged her in many ways unimaginable." Sonoko grew unsettled at this, "And I know she is very unforgiving."

"Ranran knows better when to separate private matters and be professional," Ran considered Sonoko's words carefully. "Remember that time when you caught dengue back at that island? When we were fearing for our lives with the serial killer for 2 weeks while out camping with our classmates?"

"Of course, how could I forget? Ranran contacted my parents to book a room in the hotel she was hiding out at that time." Sonoko slumped a bit.

"That's right," Ran affirmed. "She helped you without hesitation, even though we had our differences. Although not always, she can be compassionate at times when it matters."

With a reluctant gaze, Sonoko asks, "But ain't your agency busy with all of the cases at the moment?"

"According to Shinichi, he just settled the last one for the day, so we should be stir-free from it for a week for now."

And when she said so, neither girl had any idea that she had just started a new mystery for Tantei association to solve.

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

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Majima Michio sat in his usual chair at the big table in the middle of the room. He had flicked through his smartphone before putting his device aside with a yawn.

"Nothing's happening at all," he said to no one in particular as he gazed around at the members gathered at his headquarters."No crimes, no mysteries, nothing even suspicious nothing!"

"Michio, earlier when we started receiving a huge amount of cases not long after 'The Prince of Lies' case, you were busy whining that we were so overwhelmed with work. And now that Shinichi and Ranran had it all sorted out, you are demanding another case?" said the girl in glasses, 10-year-old Fuyuko Junko, who shook her head in disapproval as she was at her own chair, with stacks of records blocking her face.

Michio pouted. "Well, it's just boring when there's nothing exciting happening. I want some adventure!"

The boy with a cap, 9-year-old Takuma, leaned over and commented, "You sound just like Shinichi when he's feeling antsy with Ranran's antics."

Michio crossed his arms defensively. "Well, maybe I'm just tired of waiting around for something to happen!"

Even Shinichi, who was sitting opposite Ranran playing chess, was looking rather bored.

"Even The Snake seems to be quiet these days," Michio said as he stretched his arms. The Snake was their archenemy, a vicious master criminal whom Tantei association had beaten in three previous cases so far.

"Good," grunted Takuma who was sorting through his investigation equipment that was stored in a big trunk. As usual, his cap was on back to front. This annoyed Junko immensely since she can't stand proper clothing, considering she prefer clothes to be neat and tidy. He was also wearing his favourite hoody over his worn-to-death baggy cargo shorts. He needed a good makeover, Junko decided.

"Well, it is better to have peace than to deal with such people after all. Peace nowadays for detectives rarely comes by."Ranran sighs as she places another chess piece, thinking about which strategy to go against Shinichi.

"I agree with Ranran on this aspect." Shinichi took one of Ranran's pawns.

Emiko had been the last to arrive. She idly stroked her long hair and looked round at the team in surprise. "Ranran is right, you know. What is there to complain about? Isn't it nice to have some peace and quiet for a change rather than fearing for your own life?" she asked.

Then she flashed Shinichi a curious glance."Where's Ran by the way?''

"She'll be along soon," Shinichi informed the 9-year-old aspiring artist, "She's having a crepe meal with Sonoko and that other friend of hers. Shimizu Chika."Shinichi places another chess piece in his strategic move.

"Eh? Shimizu? That surname sounded familiar?"Michio scratched his head.

"Of course it does, Michio, "Ranran told him, "You know the 'randoseru' bag we always carry around to school? It turns out her tousan's company was behind it."

"Ah....that explains it."Junko nodded understandingly.

"How did Ran and Sonoko get to know someone like her?"Emiko couldn't help but ask in curiosity.

"She used to come around our kindergarten as a volunteer with her mother, who was the cook there at that time before her mother passed away due to breast cancer later on," Shinichi explained to Emiko.

"Eh...is that so?"

"A lot of our classmates I remember like her, especially the girls. She was good with us. Especially Ran and Sonoko bonded well with her. So yeah...when our time was up, they promised to keep in contact. Whom knew it lasted this long."

"So I assume it is a reunion talk?"

"Ah no, they talk all the time online, then when we started school, she was already there to welcome us and guide us around. For today, it was to talk about Chika's new boyfriend." Shinichi recalled.

Emiko made a snort of disgust. "That's the last thing any girl needs," she declared."A new boyfriend.На! I wonder how long they'll last together?"

"Maybe roughly 2 months, "Ranran commented.

Emiko's eyes widened at her comment, before nodding in agreement, "I like your thinking, Ranran."

As Emiko focused on her sketch, the rest of the Tantei Association members continued their various activities. Ranran and Shinichi's intense chess match continued, with each move calculated and precise.

Though Takuma grew a bit wary as he stood up to grab his chair, then sat in between Ranran and Shinichi's chess table. "Neh guys," Takuma quietly called out to them to ask, "Is everything alright with her and that boyfriend of hers?"

"Huh?"Ranran turned to Takuma. "What are you talking about?"

"You know....former Red Illumination drummer-"

"Ah, Shirou-san, right? Yeah, about that relationship....."Ranran's voice trailed off as she considered her words carefully.

"They broke up, didn't they? I knew it," Takuma gave a nodding look, "It can't be helped, since his recent surge in popularity as a musician would eventually-"

"Oh no, that wasn't the reason for the breakup. Also, he isn't the one to call things off, Emiko did." Shinichi replied.

Takuma's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, Emiko broke up with him? But why?"

"No clue," Shinichi shrugged, "But it was very amicable."

"And you know this....because?" Takuma found himself asking.

"He contacted her on the electronic tablet, and oddly....she and Shiro took it very well. In fact, yesterday, I saw them talking as if they were still friends. Nothing odd. No yelling or shouting, even as I left the main HQ to give them some privacy, nothing dramatic or fake accusations happened." Shinichi frowned.

Takuma leaned back in his chair, pondering this new information. "That's... unexpected. I mean, usually, breakups can be messy, right?"

Ranran nodded in agreement. "Exactly. But it seems like they handled it maturely and are still on good terms."

"Well then....are any of you aware what is the reason behind it?" Takuma can't help but grow curious.

"That is the odd thing," Shinichi rubbed his chin without looking at Takuma while wondering which chess piece to use against Ranran, "We don't know."

"Really?" Takuma was genuinely surprised. "I mean, it's not like I want to pry into Emiko's personal life or anything, but it's just unusual for them to break up without any reason."

"What made you think there was a break-up, Takuma?" Shinichi can't help but wonder what made Takuma think so.

"Cause Emiko sounded-"

"Snappy?"Ranran couldn't help but sigh, "There was a school medical check-up last week which made her sound this way."

"A medical check-up?" Takuma's eyes widened in realization, "Why? Is Emiko afraid of the doctor or something?"

"It ain't that, just that lately her mood is very...up and down a bit. So the school suggested she head over to see another doctor. To cut a long story short...."Shinichi spoke in a low voice, hoping Emiko didn't overhear their conversation, "I don't think it's good news."

"Is it?" Takuma lazily glanced his eyes at Shinichi, "Did it have anything to do with that stupid prince having kidnapped her last week, which made her traumatised and act this way?"

"Takuma, this isn't the first time she was kidnapped. And she returned unharmed twice, so that is definitely not the reason why she is behaving this way." Ranran replied.

"Then, what could it be?" Takuma furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of the situation.

"We don't know for sure," Ranran said with a slightly frustrated look. "When I asked, she said she planned to tell us when she was ready. Say it will heavily affect the way we run Tantei Association."

As they continued their conversation, they couldn't help but glance over at Emiko, who was still engrossed in her sketching. She seemed focused, but there was a hint of tension in her expression. Sharing the same table with Michio and Junko, who can't help but wonder what was going through Emiko's head, Emiko set aside her tablet and looked up before showing the sketch work on the tablet, "Michio, Junko, take a look and see how is the Sea turtle I sketched looked like to the both of you."

Michio and Junko leaned in to examine the sketch on Emiko's tablet. The sea turtle was beautifully detailed, with intricate patterns on its shell and a serene expression on its face. Its flippers were positioned gracefully as if it were gliding through the beach.

"Wow, Emiko, this is amazing!" Junko exclaimed, genuinely impressed by Emiko's artistic talent. "You've captured the essence of the sea turtle perfectly."

Michio nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's like it's going to come to life any moment. You've got some serious skill, Emiko."

Emiko smiled, grateful for their kind words. "Thanks, you guys. I've always been fascinated by marine life, and drawing them helps me feel closer to the ocean."

"That's really cool," Junko said, still admiring the sketch before frowning, "But why are they apples in the artwork?"

"Ah...about that...I have no clue either, it just...came up."

As Emiko explained the unexpected addition of apples in her sea turtle sketch, the others couldn't help but chuckle. It was a quirky touch that added a unique element to the artwork.

"It's like the sea turtle is on a fruity adventure," Michio remarked with a grin.

"Maybe it's a turtle with a taste for apples," Junko added, giggling.

Emiko joined in the laughter. "Well, who knows what goes on in the mind of an artist?"

"You should consider entering an art competition or something. You could win for sure!" Junko spoke in excitement.

Emiko's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "You think so? Maybe I'll look into it."

Just then, Ranran and Shinichi finished their chess match, with Ranran emerging as the victor. She gave Shinichi a smug grin, clearly proud of her strategic skills.

"Looks like I've still got it," she teased, leaning back in her chair.

"How do you keep on winning, I wonder....?" Shinichi can't help but frown.

Soon, Takuma spotted an unexpected face appearing at the window next to Ran as he scowled, "Looks like she had to bring that one-brain cell heiress out of all the kids here."

Takuma's relationship with Ran and Sonoko was never good, stemming from the history of false accusations and harassment that Sonoko along with Ran had constantly directed at Ranran, mainly it was always about her allegedly stealing Shinichi before Mamiko's lies were exposed. So to see Sonoko's face outside the windows of their second HQ was utterly something Takuma detested.

And it wasn't odd that for this reason in particular, Sonoko never once set foot in front of the association's door. So for her to do so with Ran tells him something is rather off.

As the door slid open, the members of the association noticed one interesting detail.

"New style I see?" gasped Junko in awe.

Sonoko's face lit up. "I know right? I had this done by this hairstylist. I can send you the address if you are interested." she suggested.

Junko blushed. "No, I couldn't," she swallowed nervously "I mean, it suits you, Suzuki-san, but I don't know how it would make me look. Right Michio?"

"Why are you dragging me this matter about your hair?"Michio pulled a sour face."I told you I ain't into praising anyone if one were to dress prettily before me."

Junko's face turned even redder, and when Takuma laughed, Emiko kicked him under the table, causing him to wince in pain. "Why are you here today? I hope this isn't about harassing Ranran again, Suzuki Sonoko." Shinichi speaks coldly to his former kindergarten friend.

Sonoko's cheerful demeanour faltered for a moment under Shinichi's icy tone. As she thought, he still hasn't forgiven her for the things she and Sonoko did to Ranran, let alone, all of the shady crap she did to Shinichi regarding discouraging his tantei dream.

Before Sonoko to argue, Ran nudges Sonoko to say, "Remember why we are here."

"It ain't like I have no life to lead besides doing that sort of thing, Tantei Geek!" Sonoko took a deep breath, reminding herself of the purpose of her visit. She straightened up and addressed the group with a serious expression. "I am here to see Ranran on a case-"

"Deny." Ranran flat-out rejected the heiress before she could announce the purpose of the visit.

"But I haven't even stated my reasons yet!" Sonoko pouted.

"And I don't think I would be interested to know about Chika's boyfriend, Suzuki," Ranran huffed.

Sonoko's attempt to approach the topic of Chika's boyfriend was swiftly shut down by Ranran. It was clear that the tension from their past interactions hadn't completely faded away.  "And I am not going to ask how you know we are about to ask that, right?" Ran sighed.

"Of course not," Ranran, still standing firm, added, "I won't do it for the sake of some idle curiosity or personal matter."

Ran and the others watched the exchange, each with their own mix of curiosity and wariness.

"But if this involves Edgewood Academy, it matters to you, right?" Ran spoke diplomatically.

Ranran glanced at Sonoko, her expression guarded, "What is this about my old school has anything to do with Chika's boyfriend?"

Sonoko hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "It's just...Chika's boyfriend, Nori, studies there, but I doubt he does. I think...I think he lied, and that is why I want you to look into it."

Ranran's eyes narrowed, "And what made you both think he upfront lied to Chika?" 

Sonoko glanced around at the others in the room, feeling slightly uncomfortable under their scrutiny. She took a deep breath before she and Ran grabbed a chair each to sit before the founder of Tantei Association, "A lot."

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

"Considering now that you mention it, I do remember the Edgewood rule on not flashing their luxury goods within the premises."

After Ran and Sonoko explained everything, Ranran grew in deep thought about this, "And you said this Nori boy was flashing his goods?"

Sonoko nodded. "Yes, that's what we heard. It seemed like he was showing off expensive items, like designer clothes, accessories 'accidentally' according to Chika, when clearly....he gave me the impression of someone who is desperate to prove he does belong to a rich family, and I know this because I dealt with such kids before in certain events through my family."

Ranran frowned, clearly mulling over the information. "And did either of you manage to talk to Chika directly about this?"

"I mean we barely met Nori yet, to be honest," Ran hesitated before answering, "Also, she insisted that everything was fine and that there was no need to worry. We can't go around simply accusing without evidence after all."

"Then again, Chika can be on the 'naive' side when it comes to trusting others," Sonoko adds with a slump.

"How is she 'naive'?" Ranran found herself asking.

"One time, a week after her mother died, someone approached Chika when I was still in kindergarten with Ran and Sonoko to request a photo of her mother to do charity, promising that the proceeds would go to Chika's family. But if it wasn't for me to do research over how much of a scumbag from that other class back in our former kindergarten was back then, Chika could've been cheated of with the money." Shinichi revealed.

"Seriously? She is that stupid?" Ranran exclaimed, her eyes growing wide at the apprentice's words, "Didn't you say her father ran some high-profit business about rondesu bags or something? I could've guessed that she would've been a smart 9-year-old."

"Hey, don't be rude, alright?!" Sonoko scolded the insensitive 6-year-old founder, "Not already is born with the same kind of education that you have!"

"But on a technical note, I remembered Chika telling me that she studied at Fujikawa Academy, which if we were to analyze their teaching methods compared to Ranran's former school, Edgewood Academy in the UK, it is close enough. So in her defence, Ranran isn't completely in the wrong, you know?" Shinichi argued.

"You!"

"Sonoko, remember why we are here," Ran tugged her arm for a moment, reminding her purpose.

Sonoko took a deep breath and nodded. She turned back to Ranran, her expression more composed. "I don't like that you are insulting Chika, but since this is a major concern, I am not arguing for Chika's sake."

"Suit yourself," Ranran shrugs casually, which irked Sonoko more.

But the heiress decided to keep her mouth shut, at least for now.

Ranran's blunt nature had always been a point of contention, but in situations like this, it served as a reminder that the truth could be uncomfortable. Sonoko knew they needed to focus on the task at hand. "Anyway, Chika's Okaasan died years ago and her Tousan is always out on business trips. Although so far she has good friends who genuinely love her for her and all of that, I don't think that all of this was enough for her to be perceptive when it comes to love."

"Which is why I want you to look into Chika's boyfriend regardless, I know, this may have sounded nosy, but I can't feel that the boy she is seeing would be genuinely loving towards her," Ran adds.

"Are there anymore reasons besides Chika's lack of perception that we have to look into this matter?" Ranran continued to press the two girls.

"Besides that,  I know it would be rude for me to be direct about this, but Chika....her appearance is...how should I put it in a way that it isn't rude?" Sonoko was reluctant to say.

Ranran and the others raised an eyebrow, waiting for Sonoko to continue despite her obvious hesitation. "Ugly?" Takuma answered.

"Dull?" Michio suggests.

"Boring? Average?" Shinichi was the last to say.

"Why am I not surprised? You boys here are insensitive when it comes to things like this," Sonoko sighed in exasperation.

"I wouldn't say she is ugly, but Shinichi's words were a bit more accurate." Ran replied with a nod as confirmation, "Appearance-wise, she is very average-looking. And the way she described Nori sounded as if his appearance was way better than one could've imagined. I know Chika isn't the type to overly dramatize or exaggerate when it comes to describing someone, so I feel as if Nori is what he claims to be...the last person he could've gone after is someone prettier than Chika, which is why I don't feel like he had genuine feelings for her."

Ranran's straightforward analysis didn't surprise the others. They were used to her keen observations and blunt assessments. However, Sonoko seemed to be struggling with something, and Ranran sensed there was more to the story.

"Sonoko, you're holding something back," Ranran stated, her gaze piercing through the heiress's attempt to conceal information.

Sonoko hesitated before finally admitting, "When Chika started heading back to school again after her mother's death, there was this one boy who asked her out. Back then out of concern for her.....I dug up about him easily since his father works as a businessman, roughly the same field as my parents, and then I soon found out him talking to his friends about a bet. They supposedly made a bet that he couldn't get Chika to be his girlfriend within a certain timeframe."

"Seriously!? What the hell!?" Junko's eyes narrowed, and a flicker of anger crossed her face. "A bet? So, this was just a game to that boy?"

"Anyway, the bottom line is I somehow got people to have him and those boys expelled later on. And I am worried Nori could've been one of the boys those idiots could've hired to finish off where they started." Sonoko nodded, looking genuinely concerned. 

"Is Chika aware of it? That betting incident?" Shinichi questioned.

"No, she has no idea," Ran replied while shaking her head, "Only me and Sonoko knew about it, cause we didn't want to hurt her."

"In other words, due to the stupidity of both of your ethics as friends, neither of you girls is closer to figuring out whether he could be some 2 faced boy pretending to be rich to marry into a rich girl's family. Deshou?"

The two girls couldn't help but nod in embarrassment.

"Unbelievable, and I assume the both of you made attempts to do research over his name, but so far, it came up with nothing, correct?"Ranran pressed further, and again, they nodded.

Ranran sighed, clearly frustrated with the lack of information.

"Well....at that time..." Ran hesitant to continue on, before glancing at Sonoko, who she too is hesitant to explain this to Ranran.

Sonoko looked back at the red-lipped girl, "At that time, we be considered rude if we were to ask so much. After all, no one likes it when it comes to being bombarded with so many questions, Ranran. You have to wait for her to feel comfortable, only then, she will open up more over this guy."

"Oh?" Ranran mocked, "You both seemed to have that part of common sense when it came to Chika, but not when it came to my relationship with Shinichi and I, huh?"

Ranran's sarcastic remark hung in the air for a moment. The tension in the room seemed to rise as the subtle reference to Ranran's past and the issues with Shinichi, Sonoko and Ran's relationship surfaced. The other Tantei Association members exchanged glances, unsure how Ran and Sonoko would navigate this delicate topic. By this point, Shinichi is expecting the other two girls to argue and deny that they have every right to pry.

Yet, to his surprise, Sonoko slumped in defeat as she admitted, "I ain't going to deny, Ran and I made too many unforgivable mistakes under the influence of Mamiko. And even if she didn't manipulate us....we both wronged the both of you in unimaginable inhumane ways. Right, Ran-chan?"

Even Ran's expression grew defeated as she processed Ranran's words, she just silently nodded in response.

Ranran, despite her usual assertiveness, was taken aback by this unexpected admission. The room fell into an awkward silence as the weight of past mistakes lingered in the air. Shinichi, who had been observing the exchange, felt a mix of emotions—surprise, relief, and a subtle acknowledgement of the growth in both Sonoko and Ran.

After a moment, Ranran broke the silence as she suggested, "Mah....if you two are so concerned over this, why not the both of you accompany her."

"Eh?!"Both girls reacted in surprise.

"Think about it, "Ranran re-positions her sitting posture as she explains, "you won't truly know a person, till you see him face to face. With the both of you there, at least both of you will get some bits here and there to figure out what kind of a person he truly is, nah? I am pretty sure that Chika-san won't mind a bit over the two of you being with her to meet him. After all, she wouldn't have trusted either of you this much if she hadn't told you about her boyfriend, neh?"

"Now that you mention it...."Sonoko gave it a thought.

"Ranran-san has a point, why not we do it, Sonoko? I am sure if we asked Chika, she wouldn't say no. We are her friends after all."Ran said.

"Even so...."Sonoko scratched her head in frustration, "what if our friendship with her suffers over this? That....she trusts him over us?"

"Well then, think about it on the other side, Sonoko."Heads turned to Ranran, "Rather than thinking 'what if we are no longer friends because of this', replace it with 'what if he is in fact a liar, and ends up hurting another girl aside from Chika'?"

"Eh!?"Both girls react in shock.

"A lot of wealthy criminals that currently exist to date, how do you both think they were able to get rich girls to marry them and enter high society?"

"Hmm....I know! They charm their way!"Takuma snaps his finger.

"You stupid or what?!"Sonoko smacked the table to get Takuma's attention, "just because girls like us seek true love, doesn't mean we are that stupid to fall for those kinds of sweet words, Takuma!" she then ranted on, "we aren't like others, we are taught early on to observe their intentions before we proceed to date! Even someone like me ain't that dumb!"

"Sonoko...."Ran's voice trailed out.

"That's true, but there are those who grew up with a gold spoon, yet don't acknowledge its true value and toss it away stupidly in the name of love. Let alone, barely even bothered to learn to see their hidden intentions." Ranran pointed out.

Silence.

"Men who exist to be opportunists just needed to simply marry a circle of dumber, insecure rich girls, after the honeymoon period is over, they would just need to make them have their kids, quit their jobs, and presto: You finally secure a green card to constantly get away with most of the crimes they committed. And those girls in return will never dare to admit it wasn't worth it in the name of pride. Of course, this will make them feel uneasy as time goes by. Because they decided to doubt their nagging feeling, they ended up living a miserable life because of it. Suddenly, their wealthy lives are gone, and they have to live paycheck to paycheck while raising kids while their husbands are out with their mistresses with their illegitimate kids running around."

"And....the reason you know of this is because....?" Emiko grew curious as to how Ranran knew all of this.

"Don't tell me your life in Edgewood Academy showed you all of that?" Junko guessed.

Ranran didn't reply, but by judging her silence, it was evidently clear that Junko hit the mark.

"Seriously!? That happens among royals and noble children as well!?" Junko's glasses almost slipped out of her face in response.

"Without a doubt," Ranran responded with a serious expression, "Wolves in sheep's clothing everywhere, I can't even tell you how many adults I have to secretly orchestrate in such a way for them to end up behind bars."

"But wait a minute, "Michio suddenly snapped, "If you were involved in doing such a thing.....won't those children of those families be mad at you!? For throwing all of their fathers-"

"And mothers," Ranran corrected.

"Hah!?"

"Both, I had to throw both of them at times for being horrible irresponsible parents," Ranran spoke candidly as if it meant nothing.

Michio's eyes widened in shock, and he stammered, "But... but, if you do that.....then won't you be pissing off those children who were born into such families?"

"It didn't matter, they had to go, or else my life as well as the other children won't be smooth sailing in Edgewood." Ranran shrugs, "Also, if achieving a better peaceful life requires me to have those children end up in orphanages, so be it."

The revelation about Ranran's past actions left the members in stunned silence.