The first thing Ranran didn't expect to see on an early Monday morning outside the Tantei association agency at their school were two things.

The first is other kids gossiping about the fact that she and Shinichi applied for the club and they got approved. The second was a classroom sign-tag Shinichi obtained from the school council, which was fastened to the top of the door. "What are your thoughts? Not bad right?"

The red lip girl gazed silently at the classroom tag high above them, the one that reads '探偵協会' (which reads Tantei association in Japanese)."I never thought I'd see the day when some detective c- I mean the agency would come to this school."

"Yeah," He folded his arms, pleased of this moment as he, too, looked up.

"Are Majima and Hikari-kun already in class?" Ranran inquired.

"Yeah, right there waiting for you, "Shinichi confirmed.

"Did you notify them that there is a possibility we may not receive any case files after this case? Why they shouldn't keep their hopes up if the agency is no longer able to run?"

"Done."He replied.

"What did they find so far?"

"They say they will announce it in office."

"Ok, noted."

"Oh, we had an issue when filling out the application." He heaves a sigh.

This can't be good, "What is it?"Ranran asked.

"Since we open our agency within school grounds, we cannot prevent people from joining in."

"Eh?" she said, folding her arm at him. "Didn't you notify the adults at this school that we are unable to invite anyone due to our situation?"

"I tried," he continued, "I even informed them that some of the kids would interpret this as a 'fun club,' without understanding the hazards, but they don't care. They believe we are making stuff up."

"Did you tell Reina to-"

"She argued for you, and the majority of the council members agreed with you, but rules are rules, Ranran. Although she is the leader, the grownups above them have the final word."

Ranran's face twisted in response to his words. "I guess, for the time being, I'll figure out how to deal with the situation," the girl breathes heavily. "Let's get started, shall we? Tak-san and Majima are probably already waiting for us."

Ranran is the first to enter, followed by Shinichi. Not until he overheard someone yell, "KUDO SHINICHI AND KUDO RANRAN! WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SONOKO!"

Shinichi winced at a voice he hadn't heard in almost a week, wide-eyed as a furious long brown-haired girl sprinted towards them, ready to blow her rage at them both. What a pity that the peace came to an end so soon. "Shinichi, where has Ranran gone? Where is she?"

"Why are you seeking for Ranran, Mouri?" He looked at Ran unconcernedly.

"Isn't she in there? Of course, she has to be there," Ran said, pointing to the classroom. Ran isn't at ease knowing Ranran is around, so she insists, "Tell her to come out-"

"There's no need since I feel it's a fickle matter." Shinichi barred the door, not allowing Ran to enter since he suspected she was out to harass her again. The last thing he needs is for her to irritate his mentor.

"Shinichi-"

"If you keep raising a commotion like a wild hooligan, don't blame me for whacking you with a stick if necessary."

Everyone in the corridor turned to listen to the owner's speech. Behind Shinichi was the aforementioned Kudo Ranran, whose displeasure was palpable in the aura she was emitting.

The closer Ran drew to Ranran face to face, the more she noticed how gorgeous Ranran's features were, making Ran's sense of unworthiness towards Shinichi shrink 100 times more. Ranran resembles an adorable doll to Mouri Ran, with an aura of a princess-like demeanour, with glossy short black hair, dazzling brilliant blue eyes, and natural-born bright red lips, that may make you bend or kneel before her, from the dread she can inspire.

However, recalling what she had done to Sonoko forced her to swallow her anxieties," Kudo Ranran!" Ran began with a tense tone.

"Ran, be nice and leave, or else-"

Ranran raised one hand to instruct Shinichi not to, going to put an end to whatever he was about to say as she arched a brow at Ran. "What appears to be the issue, Mouri?" She remarked, expectantly, in her no-nonsense tone.

"You knew it was Sonoko, that's why you deceived Shinichi into striking her black and blue with a baseball bat, am I right!?"

"I'm sorry?" Ranran looked perplexed.

"What are you on about, Ran?" Shinichi was as baffled as Ranran.

"What the hell is going on?" Takuma, likewise Majima, can't help but wonder as they try to view what's going on from where the two were seated.

"You get what I mean! The lolicon gimmick! Ranran knew it was Suzuki, so she made up a tale and painted her as if she worked for the lolicon, giving everyone an excuse to abuse her! Am I mistaken!?" Ran started speaking, her voice tight, shaking, and controlled, as if she were speaking through her teeth.

Shinichi felt even more puzzled, while Ranran raised an unimpressed brow. "What is she on about?"

"I think what she is trying to say is...she is justifying Suzuki's crime."

"Say what now?!" his jaw dropped, so does Ran and everyone listening to this.

"I believe the girl who broke into our house is Suzuki, and Ran is defending the mentioned convict." The red lip girl answered as if it were nothing, much to Ran's horror at her lack of remorse.

"Wait, so it was the one brain cell heiress who was listening to us the whole time!?" Shinichi was the next to react in disbelief, followed by rage aimed at Ran "How could she have followed us to our family's house dressed like that? Also, eavesdropping on us?! I knew she had a big mouth, but I never imagined she'd stoop as low as to break into our house like a thief!"

"Shinichi! Are you saying it's Sonoko's fault she deserved the beatings from both of you!?" Ran was alarmed at Shinichi's reply.

"Wouldn't you have done the same if you had to find out a child you barely knew followed you to your house, let alone hit one's skull till I couldn't walk for three days!?" Ranran's logic silenced Mouri Ran. "Why did she do all of this in the first place?"

"Eh?!" Ran froze in response to her surprise question.

"Was it to spread more rumours about us again? Or to end my life!?"

"That's-"

"Now that you mention it, what was her motivation for doing all of this in the first place?" Shinichi couldn't help but suspect "We're no longer friends, so she has no reason to follow us in the first place. And yet...she was dressed in all of the questionable attire..." It was Shinichi's turn to confront Ran.

"She...Sonoko was unwell on that particular day!"

"Sick?" Ranran echoed the term, as did Shinichi, who remembered she had just asked for sick leave a week before, not around the time of the break-in.

"Yes, sick! She was so distraught after you suspended her drama club that she began crying in the rain till she became unwell! That's why she's wearing a sweatshirt and a mask!" Ran elaborated.

"Suspended?" Before turning to Ran, the two Kudos exchanged glances.

"You understand what I'm talking about!" Ran was fed up with their uncertainty, so she went on to say, "Did I need to remind you both? Something regarding our school's pervert-"

"Oh, that idiot? The one with the big girl pants?"Shinichi couldn't help but stick his tongue out in disdain, "Ugh! And to think I almost forgot about it already!"

"Which was all orchestrated thanks to that she-devil!"Ran screeched, glaring at Ranran, "you made use of this cross-dressing killer situation by exploiting that poor boy's hobby, striking fear onto everyone in school so much so, you use it as a means of shutting down her club!"

"First and foremost, did any of us invite her to follow us in the first place?" Ranran posed that surprising statement.

"I-"

"Second, Mouri, the pervert, was apprehended with the evidence from his gym bag. Plus, he had those Snow White photographs on his phone. It was taken with his phone, and the angles of the pics aren't something I can simply photoshop out of the blue. If I intended to cause harm to Suzuki's drama club, given how little I know him, I can't just easily snatch his phone and plant those photos."

"But-"

"To top it all off," Ranran adds, "we were two kids alone in a house, with all of the adults entertaining the drunkards outside the door. Now, imagine someone unexpectedly following you while secretly listening in on your private conversation; then you receive a photo of the lolicon's accomplice who matched the description of Sonoko's attire; I challenge you to say to me right now, in front of everyone, that you are willing to risk being murdered by her!"

Ran became quiet, and the other kids were taken aback by her speechless reaction.

"Exactly! The way you were saying earlier, you were practically justifying house break-ins, spying, stalking-hell, even attempted murder!"Shinichi argued alongside her.

"I can't believe I'd be hearing all those things from the same guy who did the exact same thing to me," Ranran grumbled.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing Shinichi."She quickly covered it with a smile.

"Stalking?! Spying!? Attempted what!? " Ran couldn't help but listen and gawk at the two. "How ignorant can you both be!? We're talking about Sonoko here! Also.....Shinichi!" Ran went to Shinichi and demanded an answer "This girl is nothing more than a nutcase! Will you continue to listen to her delusions or will you return to us as friends!?" Ran shot back.

Shinichi remained silent for a time, contemplating Ran's words seriously, and Ran's optimism grew. Who would he pick? His long-time best childhood friend, or that shrewd liar? She anticipated him to say he'd think about it more thoroughly, but she didn't expect him to respond right away.

Shinichi's attention briefly strays to Ranran before returning to Ran. "Ranran, first and foremost, is not delusional. Second, how could you justify all Suzuki had done? Do you realise we can charge you for the things she did!? Third, she has no right to eavesdrop on our conversation!" Shinichi blasts at her, purposefully avoiding the subject at hand.

Ran's heart throbbed so painfully. How can he.....

"That isn't the point, Kudo Shinichi. What matters is, you both could have murdered Sonoko for real!" she snapped impatiently at him.

"What do you expect, Ran?! We were working on a serious case involving real-life criminals, and the fact that you both decided to follow us into the house, where we were not expecting a snitch to be eavesdropping on our case, and have no adults to protect us...seems like reckless endangerment on your part, toward us! "The little boy retorted.

"Shinichi..." Ranran attempted to hush him, but he refused.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics, Ranran. Let me handle it "He said as he reassured her before returning his gaze to Ran, seeing how she reacted.

What? Cases?! He is probably lying! "You're both delusional, you know. You and that she-demon of yours should be imprisoned!" Ran spat, her eyes flashing in anger.

Shinichi rolled his eyes, convinced that the situation wasn't as dire as Ran made it out to be. "You referred to Ranran as a she-demon, but do you have evidence that she intentionally shut down her club, Mouri? Plus, Ranran isn't as petty as you assume." Shinichi said. Ran bit her lower lip as she gazed down. "Don't tell me you were intending to confront Ranran without evidence because of such stupidity caused by Sonoko of all people?" He said as both his eyebrows lift.

"Of course not, simply because....!" Ran yelled, as though she was making up her mind. "Anyway, you know deep down Ranran has a reputation for hurting others and stuff, who wouldn't be worried for your welfare!? That's why...that's why I.....!"

"Worried for him? Kinda too late don't you think?"Ranran stared at Ran in distaste, "Wasn't it you who decided to side someone else blindly over Shinichi?"

Ran froze at the mention of that incident.

"Also, you decided to condemn me based only on what rumours were spread about me, huh?" Ranran interrupted their chat abruptly, irritated by the circumstance since she was beginning to see why Shinichi was upset with someone like Ran to the point where mending their friendship wasn't necessary.

"I may not have any proof of your 'antics.' But what I do know is that everyone who has ever tried to go against you, for whatever reason....always ends up in peril. They are constantly associated with you in some way!"

"Then, if you were so worried.....Shinichi, "Ranran began, "Did she ever warn you to stay away from me for so long leading up to where we are now when the two of you were friends back then?"

That wounded Ran because of the way Ranran stated it, "No, she never." Shinichi confirmed with a shake of his head.

"Because I didn't want to accuse you without proof..." Maybe Ran realised she was sounding like some pathetic villainess, maybe she recognized she was failing to defend Suzuki in front of the many children, or maybe she realised Ranran's way of presenting facts painted her character as unsavoury. Ran, in any case, had ceased speaking at a certain point. "I didn't come all the way here to criticise you just so I could get Shinichi back, alright?"

However, the words that came out of her lips were so ridiculous that one couldn't help but chuckle. Everyone is grimacing. Shinichi was no different. "You know what, I am telling the school principal what you two have done!" she exclaimed, fed up with their stares.

"Oh good, go ahead then, "Ranran answered without worry.

"Eh!?" Ran was taken aback; this was not the reaction she had expected from her.

"Now that we know Suzuki is to blame, I'd like to know why she committed all of the atrocities she perpetrated at our house!"

Other kids noticed Mouri Ran's colour drain when she said, "W-what did you just say?"

"She is correct! What she did to Ranran was atrocious!" Shinichi nodded and turned to face Ran. "I'm telling you, Mouri, she better say why she did it no matter what. Otherwise, she'll be kicked out of school for good!"

"Wha-"Ran was shocked; the two couldn't be serious!?

"I think I know why even if I don't have much proof." Ranran gravely massaged her chin.

"Really? What is it?" Shinichi jerks his gaze back at Ranran.

Mouri Ran is terrified; if Ranran exposes Suzuki's motive, her reputation would be destroyed! Having to deal with those idiot kids who made fun of her separated parents was terrible enough; she didn't need Ranran to drag her down to the pits of hell. Mouri is certain that if the other kids learn her crush on Shinichi is true, she will not last even 5 days at school! Ran also knew Sonoko would never reveal the reason; even if she was expelled from school, she would keep her lips sealed for her sake. This is something Ran would detest if that happen.

And she wasn't in the wrong, Ranran did have full intention of exposing her feelings to Shinichi in front of the entire school. In the first place, neither of them is in an official romantic relationship, since it has become a running teasing gag through the entire Teitan Elementary school that they would eventually be in a relationship. Since Ranran upfront confronted that that Shinichi isn't interested in her that way, it would be a matter of time before everyone thinks of Mouri Ran as an unreasonable jealous little girl whose sole purpose is to ruin Shinichi's happiness.

Also, Ran isn't likely to deny it, since there must be a tiny hope that he will return back to her since she likes him that way.

Damn, Sonoko was right, Ranran is truly is a demon from hell!

Before Ranran could expose her, Mouri dropped down on her knees, much to the amazement of those watching, and began to beg, "Please, don't say it."

"Hmph?" Ranran looks towards Ran, astonished to find her pleading.

"Please...don't—"

"Say anything, Mouri?" Ranran cuts in, frowning at the kneeling girl, who is already anxiously biting her lower lip. "The two of you not only refuse to apologise to us, you just justify all three of the offences listed by Shinichi!"

"T-t- that's....." Ran muttered, defeated. Her hands were white from trying not to spring up and punch Ranran between the eyes. At the same time, Ranran was right. As dubious as Ranran is, Sonoko was wrong to break into their house. In everyone's eyes, Ran is defending a girl who hit her to the point Ranran was wheelchair-bound.

"Look, "Ranran sighs pinching her nose bridge, "I just want to solve cases in peace with Shinichi, can I not?"

"Eh?"

"Ranran is right; it's getting late." With all of the drama going on, Shinichi feels irritated.

"What!?" Ran was perplexed; is he really working on a case with Ranran? "How come you didn't-"

"Wouldn't you have stopped me if you'd known? Even after our squabble? Because of Ranran's morally ambiguous reputation!?"

Again, Ran was stumped. Her silence confirmed Ranran's theory all along, as Shinichi stared at Ran in disbelief."No way..."Shinichi's words nearly trailed off, "I can't believe...Ranran was right all along about you two...you both would just jump blindly on what people say about us rather than get to know their true selves. Just like you did with me..."

After realising the truth for their repeated sighting together, silence descended on the corridor. As they murmur between themselves, everyone became sympathetic to the red lip girl's suffering and Shinichi's in comparison to Ran.

"I can't believe this, poor girl."

"I know right? She just wanted to solve cases, then she got dragged into this unnecessary love drama that had to happen. What did she do to deserve this?"

"I may not know if Shinichi is innocent or not, but I do understand his plight."

Meanwhile, some of them wonder how Ran was going to respond to this.

"Alright, time is not our luxury," Shinichi interrupted before looking down at her, "Regarding Sonoko's incident on prying onto us, it is wrong on all levels and in all forms. We'll figure out how to fix this when this case is settled "The boy said, his casual tone only appearing to aggravate the irritated Mouri further, but the kids' whispering reminded her she had done enough.

"Shall we begin now?"Takuma beckoned the Kudos while he waited alongside Michio for a while, having heard all the drama outside.

"Yeah, we are getting late," Michio commented.

"Alright, let's go. And don't let Ran in. Members only."Ranran instructs.

That was when Ran noticed another surprising thing, "Don't let me in? What is that supposed to mean?!"Only then, did she spot the Tantei association signboard and recalled what the other kids said about opening a club, "Wait for a second, you join a new club? What happens to your soccer club suspension?!"Her purple eyes cast a puzzled look at the two.

"Why should I explain everything to you?" Shinichi frowns at her and places his hands on his hips, while Ranran orders, "Enough chit-chat; it's time to get to work. Before we begin, Shinichi, please lock the door and window."

"Hai!"He nodded to her.

"Wait!"

"What now!?"Shinichi snapped at Ran, losing his patience.

"When are you going to get this fixed?" She cut him off, her bangs obscuring her vision.

"Fix what?"

"The mess you caused onto Sonoko?! How are you guys going to fix this!?" Her head snapped up and she cried out.

"I mean now that everyone around here heard of it, her reputation should've restored itself as it is, nah?"Shinichi doesn't see how is this a big deal, now that everything is all aired out of the blue.

"It's not that simple!"Ran blasted back at him."You put a hit out on her! Not all the kids here will listen till from the horses' mouth!"

"Maybe next month, "Ranran answered.

"Next month?! Are you crazy!? Sonoko can't last for a month!"Ran was flabbergasted at their cold attitude towards the situation.

"An intruder who breaks into one's property, let alone, inflicted pain onto the owner to a point one gets bounded to a wheelchair for 3 days, should not whine about their punishment."

Ranran's harsh words sent chills to Mouri, seriously, who is this girl!? Ran was going to accuse Ranran of being overly dramatic, that the wheelchair was on an act, but she knew better than to argue with someone like her.

"Shinichi, say something to her!"Ran then turned to Shinichi,

"Why should I? She ain't in the wrong this time, you know it."

"That does it, is it because she's prettier, charming, or had she been feeding you sweet lies that I can't give you?!"

"Ran, do you think I am that simple-minded as your friend Suzuki!? That I would judge a person based on one's lacking!?" Shinichi snarled at her, much to Ran's shock for he rarely yelled at her in anger so fiercely. Even Ranran was little taken aback by his anger, so were the two boys in the club.

Silence. Then Shinichi spoke up when he was sure Ran would not interrupt him.

"You're Mouri Ran, and she is Kudo Ranran. You two are different kids, so stop comparing yourself to her, Ran." He spat out, "And she ain't purposely delaying for a month to fix Sonoko's problem, you know? We are currently under manpower in solving this case that needs urgent solving as soon as possible. So obviously you and Sonoko would need to wait a month unless we can get more kids to help us solve this."

By now, Ran was going to burst into tears because of his tactless response.

"Shinichi, let's go. Can't waste any more time. As for you, "Ranran looked down her gaze at Ran," we will figure something out for Sonoko once the case is done. Alright?"She then turned to Shinichi, "Let's go."

"On it."

Before the two could join the two other boys, Ran gritted her teeth. Standing up from kneeling, she finally declares, "If this case itself matters so much to a point you both had to beat up Sonoko, then.....count me in!"

As all eyes turned to see the two Kudo children and Mouri Ran staring each other down, the atmosphere in the corridor, which had before been filled with unreasonable noises, fell completely silent.

"What?"Shinichi asked, staring at Ran, "Are you joking!?"

Mouri Ran shivered, regretting her words as soon as she said them.

Unfortunately, she made her declaration in front of witnesses, whatever little honour she had left now depended on her refusal to back down. Sonoko is also already entangled in Ranran's schemes. Because they are under manpower, if Ran joins in, it should speed up their investigation, right?

"I'll join Tantei Association. Once this matter is resolved, you will both restore Sonoko's reputation to its previous state."

For a moment Ranran and Shinichi stared at her. Looking into Ran's face, Ranran wondered if Mouri's jealousy towards Ranran is getting the best of her. Shinichi and Ran left the feud unresolved, and Shinichi did nothing to resolve it. In Ranran's perspective, Shinichi wasn't being prideful, he was fed up with them not listening to him.

Unimpressed, Ranran shook her head. "And why should we let you do that? Do you think this is a joke as well?" She scolded her, "To begin, what can you offer this agency? You can't even think beyond the box, let alone face the anguish of falling to the floor. Along with your previous argument with Shinichi, it appears you responded emotionally to Shinichi's explanation of what he said about their soccer rivalry, deshou?"

"But-"

"As I already listed out the reasons," she lets out a strangled complaint. "This is why you ain't allowed. Cause I won't tolerate having a crybaby to be part of this agency."

Okay - Ran might not have been smarter than Ranran in terms of that, and she might have overreacted over how she had handled things with Shinichi, but she's not going to deal with this scheming little girl calling her a crybaby the way Shinichi did!

"You don't get to dictate what I am and ain't permitted to do, also, the school club rules state anyone can join," Ran argues, her eyes focused into a fury.

Shinichi clenched his teeth at her statement, realising that his worst nightmare had come true. This is why Ranran is adamant about removing this regulation from their agency.

"How about this?" Ranran chuckles darkly and smiles ominously "All of the members here have passed the exam that I give them. If you pass, I'll allow you in."

Mouri Ran's anxiety level rose. After all, it wasn't a refusal from Ranran, but Ran couldn't back down. Not for Sonoko, at any point. Ran tightened her teeth, her mind whirling. "What sort of test are you going to give me?" Ran asked, thinking on her feet.

The two Kudos looked at each other before gazing back at Ran.

....

Mouri Ran begins pacing back and forth during recess, time was running out for her.

"Even if you join, one person isn't going to be enough to get things moving." As she walks, Ranran explains to her in a chilly tone, "I'll allow if you can find one more willing member before school ends, and no, it can't be Suzuki after what happened. But I'll warn you ahead of time: that person...must also be willing to go through one of the association's tests, which I'll put him or her through. If that person passed the test, you are permitted to enter. Otherwise, please don't bother us again."

Ranran did not look away from Ran as she stated those words, instead of entering the world of detectives through the classroom door that divides them, while Shinichi discreetly closes the door before Ran.

But that was easier said than done for Mouri Ran, especially since her and Suzuki's reputations had dropped to an all-time low following this morning's altercation, which had spread like wildfire over the whole school. Meanwhile, Ran feared Suzuki was hiding someplace, as revealing Suzuki was responsible for the break-in did nothing to restore her reputation. She was no longer suspected of being a lolicon accomplice but being renamed a thief and an attempted killer was still unacceptable to the outraged students of Teitan Elementary School.

"How are you going to deal with it?" After hearing all of this, Emiko inquires, "Didn't I warn you that if you'd just let things be, you and Suzuki wouldn't be in this situation? I warned you Ranran isn't like that, but you persisted. You didn't listen, and now look what happened."

Ran needed someone to listen to her problems after she had used most of her energy searching for kids to join her. She couldn't see Suzuki as she usually did for fear of disclosing her hiding position and attracting the attention of those furious children. The only person she had in mind was Miyama Emiko because the Queen of Intel does provide amazing advice on such trifling concerns of the heart.

The two girls are hanging out in Emiko's vacant classroom, while Ran vented her frustrations about Sonoko's condition and this morning's drama. "I wish we had listened since Suzuki is now in this situation... I'm at a loss on what to do now." She sobs and wipes her tears off her cheeks with her hands.

"Though I think Ranran is rather harsh on this aspect, especially that Kudo boy, I ain't surprised why they were upset towards your friend, given their circumstances, I too would personally whack Suzuki with a bat if I were one of them."

"That's cruel!"Ran whined.

"It is, but would you have done otherwise if you and Sonoko had been in their shoes?" Ran became deafeningly quiet as her sobs transitioned to hiccups. "There you go."

Emiko waited until she had calmed down, and then she asked that one question, "Why are you so eager to defend her, even what she did was wrong?"

"She...she did it because of me-"

"Yes, it's true. But Ranran was in a wheelchair, and as someone who has a wheelchair-bound cousin, I can assure you she wasn't faking it."

"Y-you think so too?"

"I have nothing to gain or lose saying the truth, Mouri."

Emiko waited patiently for Ran to gather herself, only to hear Ran reply, "Because she was there for me even after my parents separated."

"Eh!?"She did not see this coming.

"You know...my Okasan...once cooked a meal for my Tousan." As her hiccups subsided, Ran recounted, "and he was repulsed by the taste. They had a tremendous argument as a result of this, and to cut a long storey short...okasan moved out of the house and never returned." Emiko blinked at her as Ran continued. "After she left him and got her own place, Tousan drank a lot." Emiko is perplexed as to where she was heading with this. "I believe he drank because he felt bad about saying it to his mother. To forget about her, he throws himself by solving cases"

"Solving cases?"

"Ah, you may not know of this, but my Tousan open a detective agency recently. So he works as a private investigator for a living."

"Ah...I see."

"His job requires him to go to hostess bars on occasion. Because this is a small town, everyone knows everyone. Everyone knows I'm a child with dysfunctional parents, and no one wants to be my friend because my father drinks and meets women who aren't my mom." Emiko received a sorrowful expression from Ran. "But, you know, despite all of this chaos, Tousan has never hit me when I'm in the wrong. Even if everyone labelled my father a drunkard, he was at least keeping a roof over my head. That's right, "Ran reflects, "Sonoko and Shinichi never left my side throughout that time. Even though other kids abandoned me after learning about it later."

"Ah..." Emiko nodded, understandingly, "I get it since my parents are divorcing."

"Eh?!"

"But it's all for the best." Emiko glances up at the sky through the window, "They never loved each other when I was growing up, you know?  I felt like they have their motives for marrying each other, but love is not one of them," she remarked, her attention fixed on the tabletop.

"Eh? No way! One marries for love!"Ran expresses in disbelieve.

"Not mine, I know this."Emiko is certain of it, as she grins widely, "I don't have to watch them hurling cooking pots at each other anymore, or saying terrible things,"

"Man, that's horrible!" Ran exclaimed in terror.

"Ah, you'll eventually get used to it. These days they just throw kitchen brushes."

Uh no, I don't think that is normal either. Ran couldn't help but think, as she couldn't recall a time when her separated parents throw things at one another in front of Ran, just harsh words and that is about it. They would even discourage Ran into throwing things at people if she feels angry.

"When is the deadline? In recruiting whoever it is that is willing to join?"

"I have to bring someone by the time school ends. Also, there will be 'tests' done on them, if they pass, I am in. If not...Suzuki is gonna suffer for a whole month."

"Those are harsh conditions, huh? Then again, it's something I expected from that girl. With your reputations, she probably knows it'll be impossible."Emiko frowns before offering, "Alright, then why not you take me instead?"

Ran's eyes dilated with amazement. Eh? Are you certain? But... You'll be forced to suffer Ranran's tests-" Ran's face darkened once again.

"What can she possibly do to me? Apart from the title 'Queen of Intel,' I am a nobody with no friends, so it would make no difference to my reputation either way."

"Miyama-"

"The point is...you need someone to save Suzuki, deshou? Even if I fail, nothing would happen to me anyway. Cause I have nothing left to lose, while you do."

The truth is, Emiko sees this as an opportunity to get to know Ranran since the opportunity has presented itself. She had everyone's intel except Kudo Ranran, whose actual character is still an enigma. Unlike what one would think, the 'Queen of Intel' has one principle about herself.

If Emiko decides the child is evil, she would sell her intel to other students without hesitation to secure her survival at this school. So far, all of Ranran's foes attempted to pay her to gain even a speck of info about Ranran, but she was unable to do so owing to her private nature. Ranran's intel is of course the  most profitable to secure long term survival here. 

If she is decent, then Emiko would not sell Ranran off. Rather, she would befriend the mysterious girl for getting rid of all those horrible kids in school.

Mouri Ran contemplated her remarks before responding, "Alright, if you insist."

....

"So based on both of your research, Watanabe specializes in pick locking locks that even covers magician padlocks and animal cage type locks?"Shinichi asks.

"That's right!" Takuma nodded, urging Michio to provide the documents for the Kudo children; the school had ended, and they decided to settle matters here before travelling to Majima's house at the main Tantei association headquarters. They've all taken their seats.

Shinichi took it as he showed it to Ranran while they both read it, "How were you two able to obtain that information?"Shinichi turned to them in curiosity.

"You remember the files you all gathered about Watanabe's past? We decided to go back to the slums where he used to live as a kid accordingly and interview everyone about it." Majima was so ecstatic with their findings that he didn't notice his voice wavering. "At first, I believed it was nearly impossible because the majority of his friends had died of old age."

"And guess what? We got lucky!"Takuma grins with twinkling excitement in his eyes, "There was one childhood friend of his that remained, who knows a lot about his colourful career and manage to keep in contact before Watanabe ended up in the prison he escaped from."

"Old age..."Shinichi suddenly recalled something, "Now that you mentioned it, Watanabe is already in his 60's."

"With this type of information...we should record it, because who knows what Mr Echis may accomplish for someone with such talent?" Ranran's attention is fixed on the table, where Watanbe's photograph stares back at her.

"Earlier you mentioned a lot of Watanabe's childhood friends had passed away, did they remain in contact before this?"Shinichi questioned Michio while flipping the pages of Takuma and Michio's notes.

"They did leading up to their death. According to the people leaving around the slums where Watanabe used to reside, they always hung around a lot. They were considered to be his family, their bond are as thick as thieves, quite literally since they used to do a string of robberies way back during their poverty days."Michio answered.

"A string of robberies? Like what?" That brought Ranran's curiosity.

"Breaking into toy shop to steal toys, stealing snacks from convenient stores. Oh yeah, one of them includes breaking into amusement parks or zoos for that matter."Takuma recalled.

"Did they steal any money throughout that period?"Ranran probe.

"Not that they know of."Michio thinks, before adding,"I almost forgot to mention that they bonded through their love for the zoo."

"A zoo you say?"Shinichi blinked.

"Yeah,"Michio nodded to him,"They were formerly known as 'Happy Zoo Kids' because they often hung out there daily nearby their place, till the zoo suddenly shut down and moved away due to government issues, which I ain't clear about that."

All of a sudden, the children were startled to hear the door knock. "I'm curious, who is it?" Takuma could not help but wonder.

"That's an excellent question." Majima couldn't help but be intrigued, staring out the club's window to see who it was, only to remember Ranran had previously asked them to shut the curtains so no one could lip-read their investigation.

"Could it be Ran?"Shinichi couldn't help but dread.

"What? No way! I doubt she can find someone willing to do so. Especially since how the situation played out earlier."Takuma comments before turning to his friend, "You told her to do so just so she can never set foot here, right?"

"Of course I did; Shinichi intends that she doesn't come here and jeopardises her own life as a result. That's why I devised something impossible."

Knock knock knock, "Ranran? Shinichi? I brought someone over! You promised if I do you let me join!"

"Ah reh? It's indeed Mouri-kun."Takuma recognizes that voice anywhere.

"What are you going to do now? Now that she did bring someone over?"Michio was staring at her.

"Damn, I didn't think she'd be able to get someone over here." Shinichi tensed his teeth in worry, wondering what would happen next as the knocking continued."What are we going to do?"

Meanwhile, Ranran remained as calm as a cucumber as the knocking continues to haunt her apprentice.