Uncertainty is the one thing 6-year-old Kudo Shinichi hates the most.

It wasn't that he was one insecure little boy, if anything, the world itself is a complicated place run by imperfect adults, mistakes are at times unavoidable, which is also the reason why it leads to uncertainty.

The first time he knew he hated dealing with this feeling was when his parents decided to fly overseas, leaving their 2-year-old son behind under the care of their neighbour, Professor Agasa. During that period, although there was the option of leaving him in the care of his grandparents, there was a noticeable 'strain period' between his parents and the grandparents, so his neighbour was the last option, and he was more than happy to look after him.

And Agasa is a good neighbour, even now. That was something Shinichi never deny.

But during that period, not even his reassurance was able to calm down a then 2-year-old Shinichi, when a commercial aeroplane crashed into the sea, due to terrorism.

The worst part? His parents might have been it.

Suddenly, it felt like his world was going to collapse. Everything was uncertain, let alone, Shinichi's future at that time. Was he going to grow up as an orphan? Surviving in this rich big mansion all on his own? With no siblings? Or worst, end up in an orphanage?!

Fortunately, hours later, Agasa managed to receive the phone call and learn his parents narrowly avoided taking that flight that killed a total of 127 passengers plus crew and staff. It turns out the two fell asleep at the airport after a delay, and they were 2 hours too late to be on board. Even so, it left a mark on Shinichi in an incomprehensible way.

Suddenly, the world felt very dangerous and unpredictable, ready to pounce on his parents or him at any time. To avoid facing such brutal uncertainty, he buried himself in a world that is predictable: The Sherlock Holmes Series written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

After reading several times about how Sherlock Holmes is able to figure out everything with accuracy, Shinichi was finally able to face the world once more. With the ability like Sherlock Holmes, he can figure out a plan in advance to face anything that is unpredictable before him, no longer feeling sick and tired that life is always hanging on a thin thread with such evil adults around the world, desperate to hold onto to his safety net.

That safety net also includes his dream of becoming a detective.

But the thing that threatens to cut the net, is also the one who is backing his dream: His unpredictable mentor, Kudo Ranran.

He had tried his best to not think that Ranran might once more go back on her words and stab him in the back after what she did with the stakeout, but he was still human, he can't help but be wary of that girl. No matter how grim everything seemed, he finally is living the dream.

But how long would this dream last? That was a question he never thought about it once in his head.

His dream right now is riding on this book he has to return for his mentor, the book titled 'Art', at the library in Teitan Elementary school. By the time he left the HQ from Michio's place to get to where he is, he was around 6:40 pm, so it was a sigh of relief that he run all the way there.

Initially, he was going to drive that motorbike-side car he recently obtained from Professor Agasa for their Tantei Association to get to school. However, the other day when he took the vehicle to take Ranran and pay that doctor a visit, Ranran noted that the engine was leaking upon returning to the HQ, so he took it back to Agasa and told him he would repair it in a week's time.

The Teitan Elementary school library was a bustling place. It was always filled with children of all ages, eager to learn and explore. The library was a place of opportunity, where children could find new worlds to discover and knowledge to be gained. It was a place of magic, where children could let their imaginations run wild.

But on a Tuesday at such a late hour, the number of students had dwindled down to just merely one school librarian, and he was honestly surprised to see who it was.

"Fuyuko, I wouldn't have guessed that you would be working as a school librarian!"

Those were the words that tumble out of Shinichi's mouth, surprised to find the spectacle girl who is in charge of the librarian section. It was an unusual sight, given that she is seen acting hot temper around Michio with such possessiveness on a daily basis, he could not have imagined her sitting down and reading a book quietly for several hours.

"What do you mean by that word?!" Junko's brows furrowed, with hands on her hips, "How did you think I secured the number one spot during the spelling bee competition for our school?!"

Now that she mentioned it, one of the members did mention her spelling bee achievements.

Even so, Shinichi himself is a regular in this library, as he is a vivid bookworm. He recognized every librarian who worked here.  "But I never see you in a library before."

"We have rotation when it comes to shifts Kudo," Junko sighs at his lack of awareness before pointing at their work schedules taped on the wall behind her, "I am in charge of the noon to the evening sessions while the ones you know of work during mornings-anyway, what are you doing here?"

Remembering his task, he pass the book titled 'Art' to Junko, "I am here to return this for Ranran."

"Eh!? From Ranran!? Now that you mentioned it," She sat down and used the computer on the table to check Ranran's account in the library, before squinting her vision, "As I thought! The deadline is today! But why isn't she the one returning the book!?" She turned to him for answers.

"Well...I offered to do it for her since I am on the way to school to pick up an item I left behind here by accident."

"Seriously, why do you continue to run errands for that girl? Knowing she will always disrespect you?" Junko became annoyed at Shinichi's constantly spoiling Ranran.

For a long period, every time Junko enters the association, she always sees Shinichi catering to Ranran's every single need. Most of the detective work into the association, especially the ones requiring strenuous of work including hours of researching on the computer, to reading newspapers and stuff, how does one juggle homework, life and all of this in one go? And he is only 6!

Junko couldn't help but think if the association continues to run till then both turn 10 years old, how is he going to continue running the business? Exams begin by the time they start 4th grade, there is no way they would be able to juggle all of this forever despite the success they are having now. Maybe Ranran can do it, but what about Shinichi? Does he have no life to do this sort of thing?

She then thinks back to the time Ran shared with her that he left her for Ranran...was this one of the terms if Ranran granted him an apprenticeship? If so, that is very cruel, and she can foresee her doing that, given her huge dislike for the long brown-haired girl.

Then again, Junko is aware of the parkour incident last year in Beikai mall. In fact, everyone in this school knew about it. The event was run by the staff members of this school, recruiting children to join Teitan Elementary as their students. The infamous 'bastard' incident was enough to send a witch hunt on the others who went after a then 5-year-old Ranran, as well as the other kids.

Since Shinichi was confirmed to be responsible for saying those words, it's mutual for Ranran to hate anything associated with him, including his friends. And as much as she hated it, Junko could simply relate to the founder a little. Since not a single child actually saw her father in person since he works as a ship captain, they assumed her to be lying and used to cruelly tease her as a 'bastard'.

But Junko has photos of her parents, including of herself as a baby with the two. No evidence of photoshop. What more do they want?

Junko then ponders of the incident, according to rumours, Ranran's mom had an affair with Shinichi's dad while being married to Shinichi's mom. It's normal in her opinion for Shinichi to detest Ranran, she is after all a living existence of infidelity, bringing pain to Shinichi's mom and himself, reminding him that his family is as broken as Ran's. Though she thinks Ran fair out lucky since she had no illegitimate sibling, unlike Shinichi.

Yet, there were times she sees the pain as non-existent. Junko one time recalled seeing the former starlet, Shinichi's mom, taking Ranran to buy all the clothes in the world one could ever dream of at a mall. And those clothes and shoes Ranran wore were luxury brands, something Junko can never dream of getting, and Ranran doesn't seem fearful of the woman's presence.

Quite the opposite, she was smiling instead. That didn't look like an illegitimate daughter fearful of the legal wife, more like the mother and daughter image it was projecting to Junko.

There were also rumours of Shinichi's mom being disappointed that she didn't get a daughter but a son, and she could no longer carry another child after him. Is she projecting her desperation for a daughter by showering all of this on Ranran? If so...Junko will never say this out loud, but she is truly one lucky 'bastard', and it was reasonable for Shinichi to feel unfavored because of Ranran's existence.

"I ain't spoiling her by doing errands. Also, this is the first time I am returning a book for her."

Shinichi hid the truth behind this statement, for he couldn't help but wonder what Ranran meant when she said he had more to lose if he didn't return the book in her stead. Just what did she mean by that?

Deciding not to think too much of the Kudo family drama, the secretary of the association took the book and had it scanned into the system. To Shinichi's surprise, the monitor that showed in the system in front of him projected the title of the book he had returned as 'Art of Deception' instead of 'Art'. "Did they key in the wrong title? It ain't Art of Deception." Shinichi pointed at the monitor.

"It is, it ain't like the librarians to make a mistake." As he glanced at the book she was holding, he noted the book cover was slipping, revealing additional words beneath the title of the book. He stopped and paid further attention to the book.

Noticing he seemed interested in the book, Junko sighs before removing the cover and to his surprise, the cover looked a lot different than what he had seen earlier.

The colour of smoke could be seen exploding behind the title 'Art' earlier, all of the colours were seemingly wiped out from the back, revealing a glaring fierce red grabbed with a hand, a ring donned on the middle finger. Even more astounding to Shinichi was the title 'Art', beneath it now reveals 'of Deception'.

Suddenly, it was no longer the impression of an Art tutorial book, but rather, an aggressive appearance of a book, one that befits his mentor's taste. This made Shinichi rather dumbfounded, wondering what on earth was going on.

With his evident confusion, Junko goes on to question him, "Did you watch or read the story of Harriet the Spy?"

How could he not?

Everyone in school knew of the story, how this 11 year old child wanted to become a spy and wrote horrible things about her friends, as well as the people around her. When the movie was made, the first impression he had was that the main girl in the story was an awful self-centered girl who is insensitive towards the feelings of her friends. Another thing about that movie he was bothered by it was the female lead was asked to lie to win her friends back, something that he himself finds this moral very conflicting.

Perhaps it was for that reason, the school later banned it from being available in the library.

"This book here," Junko tapped in front of him, "Same situation, but worst."

"Worst?!" He blinked.

"Worst," She affirmed it before summarizing the book, "This one is a 7-year-old child, but smarter than Harriet. No," she shook her head, "If I may be honest, close to dangerous level of intelligence."

"How so?" He demanded.

"Mostly it showed how this kid managed to become from peasant, to court advisor, then later...king."

"King!?" He took a step back, before deciding, "You mean queen, right?"

"No, king." Junko insist before pointing the summary from the back of the cover after removing the layer, "It's about a little girl who aspire to be queen, got rid of everyone including her legal half-brother who is legal heir to the throne, and run the country prosperously as a queen loved by her subjects. By all accounts, it's mostly about politics royals back in the day used in real life."

"Real life politics!?" Shinichi gasp before giving more attention to the book.

Now that Junko mentioned it, Ranran is exceptionally gifted when it came to politics. He recalled the first time when the election was announced that Reina, Takuma's girlfriend, daughter of a nuclear family, as student head council, he was honestly shock. Because in Teitan Elementary school, there was no way in history that it was possible.

After all, this school environment...anyone of single parent household are treated harshly. Only widowed children are exempted.

But then Ranran came and changed the perception for the better. According to their family, Shinichi recalled Ranran's dad bragging that she was the only 3-year-old child in Edgewood Academy to be granted a talented student program to study politics, so it's no surprise this politic talent came into good use for Reina's position as president of student council.

"I am actually surprised that she can understand the contents. But as for me, I can't understand a word this book said. It felt heavy." Junko held the book as if it felt heavy, both physically and mentally.

"Is it? Ain't it just a simple book that offers political strategies to manipulate people?" Shinichi suggests, thinking Junko is over-exaggerating.

"It is, but the terms are difficult to comprehend, even though I am considered well versed in English among my grade," Junko admits, a little downhearted that despite the fact she is older than Ranran, she is still smarter by no means.

"What is with the cover to cover up the title 'Art' then?" Shinichi suddenly wonders as his eyebrows knitted to a frown, "And how can they allow this sort of book in our school? I mean doesn't it teach kids to lie and manipulate around like 'Harriet the spy'?"

Shinichi was bothered by this. How can this sort of book exist on their school grounds?

"I think I recalled when this book made it on the shelves, it was a best-seller decades ago. The book was actually meant for adult readers, but then the problem began when it was mistakenly sold at the child section." Junko recalled reading it on the web, "Although normal children like us can't understand the contents of it, that couldn't be the same for those children of high society."

"Eh? Why?" Shinichi confronted.

"Well...they receive early education in advance compared to normal kids like us, Kudo. Not sure if you were any different-"

"No, I didn't receive such an education. I was sent to a normal kindergarten with Ran and the rest of them. And usually, my parents are the ones who taught me if I am interested in something, go for it. If not, don't bother." Shinichi self-admitted it ashamedly, but then it dawned on him, "But I ain't sure if Ranran did."

"Ranran?" She fluttered her eyelashes before asking, "Didn't she attend a kindergarten in the U.K like you?"

"I...am not sure," Shinichi struggled as he tried to recall anything about Ranran's previous school. But so far, nothing.

"Do you have the name of the school she used to attend? I can check on the site." Junko tried to prompt his memory.

"Hmm....Edgewood Academy." He recalled his grandparents bragging about the fact Ranran enrolled in such place in the U.K. She was around 3 at that time, and back then, he didn't much of the school she used to be in, aside of the fact that it is a 'rich children' hang out place, similarly like Sonoko's lavish parties thrown in their residence where they talk ill of one another and had nothing better to do in life.

Shinichi swore he could've heard something drop on the floor, and Junko jumped up to exclaimed, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? EDGEWOOD ACADEMY!? RANRAN USED TO STUDY THERE!?"

"Junko, quiet down! We are in a library!" He hissed at her, as she seem to have temporarily forgotten where they were at the moment.

Embarrassed, she quiet down and was thankful there is no one around besides the two of them. Regardless, she continued, "Edgewood Academy! A very prestigious Montessori school for noble and royal children gather, and only those with 1% rare kind intelligence are allowed to even set foot there!"

"Wait, Montessori school? What is that? And seriously? What is a Montessori school anyway?" Shinichi cocked his head to the side, unable to understand Junko's behaviour, as it kind of freaked him out.

"How dense can you be!? Let me show you," She then hurriedly google for the definition of Montessori school.

As the results produced before him, it defines 'Montessori' as teaching real life practical skills for children of all ages to ensure independence without relying on their parents. The difference of this school in comparison to the many other 'Monstessori' according to Junko was since majority of the children there are born from high society, their version of this particular education is a little extreme.

For 3-year-olds of Edgewood Academy, one sample is one is that they can come up with their own contracts with terms and conditions apply. Hearing this literally made Shinichi flabbergasted, since he wasn't capable of understand such terms besides writing gibberish and that was about it.

On the website, it showed the beautiful old castle-like building of Edgewood Academy, and in the first glance, the building reminded him of Hogwarts, a prestigious wizard school in the Harry Potter franchise. Interior-wise, Shinichi suspect it must be as lavish as it is on the outside.

Too bad magic doesn't exist here in real life. But the uniforms of the students...why did it look vaguely familiar to him?

In a dark blue blazer, black sweater around the white collared blouse and unique black tie, it looks high quality made. For the females, it comes with a grey checkered skirt, but for the males, grey trousers. Both wearing loafers. By all looks of it, Shinichi felt a pang of slight jealousy that Ranran was able to wear a such beautiful school uniform that puts his kindergarten uniform to shame since it makes children resemble a tone of serious adult-like aura rather than be reminded that they are a kid.

The thing that catches his eye the most was the badge on the right side of the blazer.

Gold like deer with leaves around the anther, with a catchy slogan that reads 'Privilege is Nobility'.

Then that is when he recalled where he saw this...when he was digging about The Fox and the connection to Ranran, he recalled her wearing this exact uniform, except this deer logo wasn't evident, it was a different logo. Does this mean Ranran intentionally covered it up with a fake logo? To not let anyone know she studied at Edgewood Academy? If so...why?

A million incoherent things were rushing through his mind as Junko grumbled further. "Ah damn, I knew Ranran lived in privilege, but who knew she had the luck to even study under such a school..."

"Who knows? Maybe that school is just basically like those Instagram celebrity pets, dressed to look good on the outside, but no brains on the inside." Shinichi rolled his eyes at that comment.

"Ha ha, you wished," Junko sneered at that thought, "1% intelligence...the requirement actually meant 'The child is properly toilet trained, understands at minimum 6th grade level of English, and is capable of interacting with the adults who interview them with complex questions', that is only for a 3-year-old child too. Also, bribery is prohibited, even if the family is noble or a royal."

"Wait, what!?" Shinichi is windblown, "That is too much of high expectations, don't they think? Expecting a 3-year-old to understand this and that!?"

And he meant it. Although he showed signs of being smart since he was a baby, around the age of 3, there is a limit to how far one can execute their intelligence. Around that age, he couldn't understand the heavier topics about politics, the only thing he knew of was heroes in Anime are good people, while people who lie about their pure intentions are the bad guys.

The fact that Ranran was a student there, also, given that his family once mentioned she studied there for 2 years, meant that she did pass the complex interview with her own capabilities.

Wait...if this school had such students, that meant...Ranran comes from a family of nobles!?

If that is also the case, that also meant...she is not only smarter than Shinichi, her status is higher than his despite her wealth.

While Shinichi swore he was close to fainting after figuring all of this out, another thing that stood out on the monitor set alarm bells to him. In their school library system, it reveals the record of names who borrowed such books.

And one of those names revealed one that is rather familiar...Ishibashi Mamiko, the girl who claims Ranran is bad news to Shinichi.

Wait, why did Ishibashi Mamiko's name appear the most through this book, especially with her of all people?!

Even Junko was taken aback by this, reading the record, "Mamiko actually can understand this book's contents? Who knew...she must be smart."

Counting the number of times Mamiko's name appeared in the name records, Shinichi made it out the number to be 50. And yet, for Ranran, it was only one time. "Mamiko ain't smart, she borrowed 50 times." Shinichi pointed out to Junko comparing the two girls' names in numbers.

"Maybe Ranran might want to borrow it again? Who knows?" Junko shrugs without thinking to much of it, before setting the book in the returned basket, ready for another librarian to put it back where it belonged.

"Anyway, why did the author put one cover to cover the other book?" He proceeded to ask, almost forgetting about the cover question.

"Ah yes, I almost forgot!" Junko suddenly remembered, "Well, it caused chaos."

"Chaos? What sort?"

"Well...there was this elite elementary school reported in the papers many decades ago. Not mentioned which school, but it took place in Japan...there was a situation where the teachers were treating girls as weaklings, giving them crappy roles in the school, mostly like housewives sort. Even added rules in the school that favour males there over them. So they rebelled using this book, and it caused a huge commotion-"

"Commotion? Like how?"

"Not sure, but the bottom line was: It burn down the school." That made Shinichi's jaw drop as Junko continued, "Anyway, that school is gone for good. But the government banned it after that incident, all hush-hush, and the world later got word of it and too, ban it from children to prevent another incident like that from ever occurring. So info about that school is rather limited. Even so, the author who wrote that book still needed to make a profit. He was rather...unscrupulous regardless of the age group over who read this, hence, this cover came into play before he sold it under the guise of 'fictional fairytale'. That way, others including children were able to read this without getting caught."

She took the cover and put it back to the 'Art of Deception', changing the title back to 'Art'.

"The book gave them ideas of using shady political tactics to rebel against the corrupted and powerful figures. Because children of high society received advanced education, they were able to understand the tactics and did the same in real life, it worked but not without consequences. After the author's death, the government found out about it and ordered it to be burned. I am actually surprised, how did this book somehow manage to end up here?"

Perplexed, Shinichi then asked, "Why didn't you report it if this book is so controversial?"

"I mean since not all of us understood the heavy dialogue, let alone, did any funny things like protesting in school to the point it was at risk of shutting down, I didn't report it. Also, not many adults and children were interested in the book besides one kid and Ranran." Junko pondered about it.

Shinichi fell silent at her words, scanning the book in the basket and trying to connect Ranran's words regarding his apprenticeship.

Is Ranran...trying to tell him that Mamiko can't be trusted? Because she is a lot smarter than he assumed? Now that he thought about it, would he have known Mamiko is capable of reading this book? Had he not done the task she assign him to return the book?

Considering Mamiko borrowed this book 50 times, does this....make her devious?

If one is smart and granted intelligence to understand the ideas of this book, especially since all of the ideas are based on real-life royals when they were their age, does this not mean one can simply abuse it for selfish purposes? The same was with Mamiko?

For the first time, Shinichi began to tremble at that thought.

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

It was Wednesday by then, and everything is for the time being as normal as it gets.

Though they were slight changes, to keep wary of The Snake and his daughter's plots, group walks to school and home were arranged among the association members. Ranran and Shinichi were no different, in appearances, they remain as normal as they usually are despite the 'betrayal' Ranran had caused.

Shinichi kept it silent about this, not because he was threatened to. No, Ranran never told him to keep things between them. Before the opening of their association, there was one rule they abide to.

If the two ever had a huge blowout like this one similarly in the past, they are going to brush it aside for the greater good.

Which is what they are doing now. Sitting under the same seating in class and all of that while doing their homework and stuff, not even their classmates and teachers were aware of what had happened. Everything is as normal as ever, even for Ran and Sonoko, where they as always talked about Ranran's shady behaviour surrounding Michio and Junko after Ran shared how she was threatened not to tell Junko anything until the investigation was completed.

"Ranran is even monopolizing relationships outside the association, wow...what a dictator she is," Sonoko muttered in distaste after learning what Ranran had done.

"She even got Michio to lie about it. I could've exposed her upfront, but I know Ranran can easily twist and turn it like what Mamiko said. As expected...I kinda wish Mamiko is student head council instead of her friend, Reina." Ran lamented at that thought.

Ishibashi Mamiko had a nice girl reputation during the parkour event, even up to the time they entered school. When she lost the votes to the head council by a unanimous vote to Reina, their classmate, even Ran and Sonoko were stunned. Especially when rumours spread about the fact that Mamiko is corrupt to the point, she was capable of sensationalizing a tiny story into a bigger lie, Ran couldn't understand where did all those stories come from.

But then after joining the association, when they learn she and Reina were friends, everything clicked into place.

Ranran must have tempered with the votes or bribed the voters to speak ill of Mamiko.

There had been rumours about this going about since the shocking loss, but so far, all the students who used to be Mamiko's supporters had seemingly shifted to Reina on their own accord. Maybe they wanted more from Ranran since they can pay bribes.

What a corrupted little girl! Ran can't help but think.

Why does no one dare to expose that sly girl's schemes and corruption!? Are they that intimidated by a little girl like Ranran!?

Meanwhile, another child is also questioning himself regarding unexpected developments surrounding what he knows about Mamiko. Before meeting Ranran, although girls their age surrounded Mamiko and spoke praises of her, he often felt like there was something off about her. And for some reason, after rumours spread across the school about Mamiko's journalism club having to do with writing stories that are overly exaggerated, for some reason...it didn't sound like a lie.

But why? Why did he think so?

Shinichi doesn't get easily swayed by anyone. Yet, he ain't sure why....

...maybe after discovering that her name had appeared 50 times in the book he returned from Ranran, which has been bothering him since. Shinichi hates uncertainty, but he was getting nowhere with the case of the red ruby, especially after what he had uncovered about the founder of the journalism club, this raises a question for him. One that has bothered him since yesterday.

Is there...something Ranran knows about Mamiko that Shinichi isn't telling him?

And also...why didn't Ranran say anything about studying in a prestigious school?

Maybe he shouldn't even be asking this question, it was sounding as if he was doubting Ranran. But to begin with...he barely knew a thing about Ranran.

Especially that story of her being strangled as a child...in a prestigious school? That is hard to digest.

Without further ado, to put an end to all of this confusion, he knew who to ask to get to the bottom of this.

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

"Why do you want to know whether this story is true or not? Are you...doubting Ranran? Because she was 4 years old at that time?!"

Dead silence could be felt emitting from the smartphone of Amelia Francis Dixen, the contortionist/friend of Kudo Ranran, currently on her way to Edgewood Academy as it is around 7:30 am at her place, in her Edgewood school uniform.

It was 4:30 pm in Japan, and by now, most of the children including the rest of the association members had headed home early. Some of the kids remained here in this school on a Wednesday due to after-school activities and stuff. Normally the old Shinichi would head to the soccer club, but upon hearing that the status is still under suspension as it is undergoing investigation is still underway, he was free to do his business. The matters of the association have also settled temporarily, as it is a waiting game between them and the Snake.

Around this time, Shinichi was sitting on the sofa in the head student council office, having set an appointment on meeting someone of vital importance to Mamiko's true self. Initially, the head of the council was adamantly against this meeting when he requested her to meet the person of interest.

But after getting Takuma to convince his girlfriend, she reluctantly agreed.

So while he was waiting for the said guest to arrive, Shinichi finally got the call he requested from Amelia, formerly one of the suspects in Extinction Heist. Also a falsely accused romantic rival of Michio courtesy of Junko's jealousy.

After the events of Extinction Heist, Amelia returned to school to complete her education when word travelled fast to the parliament house regarding 'animal rights' of that sort, so the circus activities were on paused mode at this point while an international investigation is being carried out regarding The Snake's identity and how many laws were broken.

One of the association members, Michio, met her while searching for Junko who was kidnapped in the circus at that time, and they relied on Amelia's help greatly. The reason Shinichi still had her number is that he swore to her to look after Ranran after Amelia learnt of the hostility she was forced to deal with while moving to Japan, and boy, she did give him an earful.

Even calling her was the last thing on his mind as he was rather fearful of that girl, but Shinichi had to know about where Ranran stood before he could proceed to look into Mamiko. He wants to know whether Ranran could be trusted before he investigates the founder of the journalism club, he only had a few days before D-day, Friday, the exhibition of the King of Rubies could begin. After all, she betrayed him, but he has no clue why.

Did Ranran do this because she held a grudge calling her a 'bastard'? Or is there more to it?

He wants to understand Ranran's credibility as a trusted partner-in-crime, how much she shared is the truth? If what she said is the truth, that meant her betrayal is not without a purpose!

Today, he is asking about that story regarding her being strangled. Shinichi suddenly realized Amelia was waiting for his response. "I mean... Um..." He stammered. "I mean, in our city, we never come across such...kids who are that young to be...capable of doing that sort."

If anyone knows Ranran better back in the same school, it must be none other than Amelia.

Honestly, the first time when Amelia revealed she too studied under the same noble school as Ranran, he choked on his late lunch. What the hell is a daughter who comes from a family of circus performers doing in a school full of privileged children!?

Never mind, he will ask Ranran about that someday, asking Amelia might be a death sentence, especially since she is protective around Ranran. It seems like the more he digs into Ranran's life back there, the more surprising things he discovers.

"Hi, sorry to interrupt your phone call, but are you Amelia Dixen?" Shinichi overhead a boy's voice calling out to the contortionist.

"Hmph?" Amelia could be heard covering the receiver of her phone before turning to the source of the voice, "Ah, you must be that new kid who scored the scholarship here in this academy, congratulations."

"Yes, I am Watanabe Botan, please take care of me. Took a last-minute 14-hour flight after learning I secured it. I was told that you were one of the members of the student council I am supposed to meet since this is my first time here."

"Ah yes! So you are the lucky scholarship student from Japan."

Wait...Watanabe Botan...why did that name sound-wait, no way!

Shinichi gasped, Ranran did not! She did not just give that drug smuggler a spot at the prestigious school she used to be in, did she!? In exchange for intel regarding Adeline!?

Though he was aware of the deal being made, she did not bother to mention it was a spot at her old school. Also, he knew he shouldn't think of Botan that way, since he was doing this to try and pay his adopted parents' medical bill and they were at risk of losing their house.

For some reason, he had mixed feelings of awe and envy towards Botan, being able to study in such a school.

After hearing Amelia wait at the student council, she went back to the conversation, "Well, I guess you do have a point. But yeah, that did happen. The commotion that idiot had caused when I recalled this...ugh, I am glad he is gone."

Long deathly silence. "Wait, Ranran really got strangled!? At her school!? So that story she told me was true!?" Shinichi couldn't believe it, he was bewildered by this revelation. "How can this sort of thing happen on school grounds!? Not to mention, a prestigious school by no means!?"

"He was the son of an Earl, that's why," Amelia thought about it over the phone. "There are not many children of such rank, so they are scared going after him meant ruining their parents' jobs."

"An Earl you say...." Shinichi weighs in about the rank she had mentioned.

While searching about Victorian Eras, a noble he learns has several notable ranks. From highest to lowest, it starts with Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and lastly, the lowest is Baron. And the worst thing below all of that is commoner.

This made Shinichi feel so confused over how on earth Ranran got a spot there. "Do commoners study there? If so, is that how Ranran got in? Through her abilities?"

"Yes and no," Amelia denies this, "Although we have few commoners in our school, Ranran is notably the rank of a viscount through her mother. At least that was what I know at that time, I ain't sure after she moved away, their family rank had received an upgrade in status."

Shinichi made a face in response.

What the hell!? Ranran's noble rank wasn't even above Earl's rank at that time! Just Viscount! Bloody Viscount! And yet she decided why not go after the son of a freaking Earl, despite being one rank beneath him!

As if Amelia could read his expression despite being on the phone, she explained why Ranran had the bravery to do so, "She had a backer when she was doing her job as The Fox, that's why."

That made Shinichi more intrigued than ever, "A backer!? Who?"

"That boy in a deer mask, everyone in the school refers to him as 'The Deer'."

Shinichi's brain almost melted at that revelation. He knew Ranran was 'The Fox', but who knew besides 'Fox', there was also 'The Deer'. "The Deer?! Who is he!?"

Then it suddenly occur to him when Ranran once mentioned her mentor had passed away....of course! Why was he stupid!? There was no way in hell a 3 or 4-year-old child be that clever in scheming unless one guides the other! "Ranran's mentor right!? What rank does he have?" He pressed.

"Uhh...if I recall correctly, Marquess. Soon to be a duke."

"WHAT!?"

By this point, Shinichi is close to fainting. What sort of life did Ranran lead before coming here!? Hell, although he is aware she studied in a prestigious school filled with nobles and royal children, how the hell did she manage to befriend such people!? Looks like he had tons of questions to ask Ranran when all of this is over.

Oh man, his mouth felt dry now. Where is the tea Reina made for him while waiting for the person to arrive?

As Shinichi took the cup and drink while waiting over the phone, Amelia winced harder. "So she also didn't bother to mention that in addition to having the Marquess's backing, she literally laughed when that son of the Earl tried to coerce her to beg for mercy in the midst of the strangling?"

Shinichi spat out a mouthful of his drink, spraying it everywhere.

With effort, he set his drink aside before attempting to clarify. "So let me get this straight," He said, with unusual calmness while wiping his lips with his sleeve. "Ranran didn't work alone in this line of work as a detective!?"

"Um... yeah."

Curious, he decided to inquire more about the situation, "I only heard from her the client who hired her wanted to expose her best friend for stealing her boy or something, and when Ranran exposed him, it led to him trying to kill her. She didn't mention anything that the boy was the son of the Earl."

"Oh no, there was more to it."

As Shinichi is about to find out, Ranran's life in Edgewood Academy was about to be a lot more wilder than the version he was told.