"Ranran, did you finally figure out who the killer is?" Shinichi asked.

Ranran paused for a moment, contemplating the question. She looked at the evidence they had gathered, the connections they had uncovered, and the motives they had explored. After a thoughtful silence, she finally spoke.

"I can't say with absolute certainty at this point," Ranran replied honestly. "We still have more to investigate and more pieces of the puzzle to uncover. However, based on the information we have, I do have a strong suspicion about the identity of the killer."

Ranran's eyes met with Shinichi's, her gaze filled with determination. "But before I reveal my suspicion, we need to get Emiko and the others to look into it even further."

Shinichi nodded, acknowledging the importance of a solid case. "You're right, so where should we begin?"

"Michio, Junko," Ranran called out to them over the laptop, "The shoe shop Dozing Shoemaker, the shop that originally belonged to Jun's family...were you both able to obtain the finance records? Considering the shoe shop is now officially a luxury shoe brand unlike its heyday origins you should all be able to obtain it, right?"

Michio and Junko exchanged a quick glance before Michio took a deep breath and replied, "Sadly, no." Michio answered.

Ranran's brows furrowed slightly as she absorbed the information. "What!? What do you mean no?"

"There were no available finance records for Dozing Shoemaker," Michio repeated. "We tried accessing various sources, including public records and archives, but it seems like the financial records of the shop are either missing or intentionally concealed."

Junko chimed in, her voice filled with frustration. "It's as if someone doesn't want us to dig deeper into the financial history of the shop. We hit dead ends everywhere we looked. By the way," She raised her right eyebrow, "Ranran, why are you certain that a luxury shoe company would even bother to publish it in the first place online? Ain't that stupid? It's like you are publishing how much savings you have, what you are doing with the money etc."

"That is when you are wrong, Junko," Shinichi argued, "Nowadays, luxury companies do that to maintain transparency and build trust with their customers. It's not uncommon for luxury brands to publish their financial reports or disclose relevant financial information. This is to showcase their financial stability and success, which can be appealing to potential investors and customers. You need millions of yen to run a luxury business after all, and to get people to invest or lend you money, you have to prove you are capable of making a profit, as well as give them profit in return."

Ranran nodded in agreement with Shinichi's explanation. "Exactly. It's a way for luxury brands to demonstrate their credibility and give customers confidence in their products. So, the absence of financial records for Dozing Shoemaker is indeed suspicious. Do they not have any records for the past 12 years leading up to now?"

Ranran's eyes narrowed as she considered the implications of the missing financial records for the past 12 years. "If there are no records for the past 12 years, it suggests a deliberate effort to conceal the financial history of Dozing Shoemaker during a critical period. This raises even more suspicions about the involvement of someone with a vested interest in hiding certain transactions or activities."

She turned her attention to Michio and Junko. "Did you try to dig out the financial reports through the shoe company's website at least? I am sure they must have one since they are a luxury brand for shoes."

Michio and Junko exchanged glances, recalling their research efforts. "Their website...no records as well.," Michio replied.

"But it isn't a business site, more like a typical shoe shop one would get online." Junko quipped.

"I am confused, did no one actually complain that Dozing Shoemaker did not produce a single financial report for 12 years?" Shinichi comments. "It's tons of millions of yen on the line!"

Shinichi's confusion was justifiable. In a way, the absence of any complaints or inquiries regarding the lack of financial reports for Dozing Shoemaker over a span of 12 years seemed peculiar. It raised questions about the oversight and accountability of the company's financial operations.

Ranran furrowed her brows, contemplating the situation. "You're right, Shinichi. It is highly unusual that there have been no public complaints or investigations regarding the absence of financial reports from Dozing Shoemaker for such a long period. Who wouldn't want to know the reports, especially if one is investing in a company doing luxury goods?"

She paused for a moment, deep in thought. "This suggests two possibilities. Either there were shady dealings with the company's money, or there is a deeper layer of involvement and influence at play, protecting the company from any potential repercussions."

"Like the expedition trip Kichiro and the others were on, right?" Michio snap his finger, "He plunged to his death from the cliff, and any trace of records all vanished in his university thanks to Mike's family. The same family Jun, later married into after Kichiro died."

Michio's realization sparked a significant connection. The mysterious expedition trip, Kichiro's tragic death, more deaths that followed, and the involvement of Mike's family were all interlinked. It seemed like the Yasuo family had a pattern of erasing evidence and suppressing information related to events that could potentially tarnish their reputation.

Junko's eyes widened as she grasped the significance of Michio's observation. "You're right, Michio! If the Yasuo family had the means and influence to cover up the details surrounding Kichiro's death and the expedition, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think they could also manipulate or hide the financial records of Dozing Shoemaker."

Shinichi leaned forward, his voice filled with determination. "We need to dig deeper into the connection between the Yasuo family, the expedition, and Dozing Shoemaker. There's a strong possibility that the answers we seek lie within their intertwined histories. Emiko, can you use your resources to gather any additional information on the Yasuo family and their involvement with the expedition and the company?"

Emiko nodded, her fingers swiftly typing on the keyboard. "I will do my best. I'll utilize every resource available to uncover any leads or connections that can shed light on this matter."

As the Tantei Association delved deeper into the web of secrets surrounding the Yasuo family, the expedition, and Dozing Shoemaker, they knew that the stakes were high. The truth they sought had the potential to unravel the intricate tapestry of deceit and expose the dark underbelly of those involved.

"Ranran, who is the killer in your opinion?" Shinichi shut off the laptop from his bed to ask his mentor.

Ranran turned her attention to Shinichi, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "Based on the information we have gathered so far....it is circumstantial," Ranran began. "But I have a strong suspicion that the killer is someone not only closely connected to Miki and Jun but also had a huge hatred for Miki's family."

Shinichi leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "And what made you think otherwise?"

She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "The series of incidents began through the mistreatment of Miki in Kichiro and Jun's eyes. Especially the incident involving the outdoor party at Yasuo's home residence...I think that is the breaking point."

"But Ranran, it's just an outdoor party," Shinichi argued. "It's a bit too petty to go after someone, let alone, murder someone just because of the scene one caused at their party."

"You're right, it does seem petty on the surface. However... that the party is thrown by the Yasuo family, a family who owns millions of yen in businesses...I doubt it was a simple outdoor party among personal friends if one gets humiliated by a college boy from the slum city known as Lazy City to react all so murderous."

Ranran's words hung in the air, the weight of their implications sinking in. Shinichi contemplated her words, considering the significance of the Yasuo family's wealth and reputation.

"Are you suggesting that this party....could've been a function so important within the wealthy community, thanks to Kichiro...he ruined it to such an extent...it was a good motive to murder him?" Shinichi mused.

Ranran nodded, acknowledging Shinichi's line of thinking. "Exactly. Suffering humiliation at a party...social standing wise, it is the worst thing that could happen to a rich person, but if the person is not only rich but powerful, it's like using a stick to prod a sleeping bear to maul you, alive."

Shinichi's eyes widened. He had always known that the motive behind Kichiro's murder had to be significant, and Ranran's explanation shed new light on the situation.

"Ranran, if you're right, then this goes beyond serial killing," Shinichi suggested. "This is worst than I imagined."

Ranran nodded, acknowledging Shinichi's line of thinking.

Shinichi leaned back, his mind racing with possibilities. "If we can uncover the true motive and the person behind it, we might be one step ahead. But...."He realizes, "We still don't have any records about the expedition that Kichiro and the others use to attend during their post-graduate session. I wonder....did Miki's family even wipe that out?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if they did." Ranran sighs. "And I doubt the killer is done with these murders."

"And how do you know that?" Shinichi asked.

Ranran's expression turned grave as she contemplated the question. She spoke with a sense of certainty in her voice. "The series of murders we've encountered so far on this island, they were intentionally staged as accidents. Mr Eiji fell off a cliff during a safety demonstration, and then Mr Iwao died, supposedly by accident while walking into the walk-in fridge to prepare the other kids' lunch, only for the wind to seemingly lock him from the inside. Before all of this had taken place, Mr Kiryu died while his shower unit exploded while Mr Kichiro fell off a cliff....tell me, it should've ended when Kichiro died, but why are they more murders along the way?"

Shinichi listened intently to Ranran's analysis, his mind processing the information she presented. The pattern of seemingly accidental deaths on the island was indeed suspicious, and her observation raised an important question.

"You're right, Ranran. If Kichiro's death was the original target, why are there more murders happening? This means this is beyond a simple serial killing," Shinichi speculated.

"I think we are missing out on the bigger picture," Ranran admits, scowling to herself, "And I had a nagging suspicion that everything began the moment Mr Miki's biological mother passed away in the lift accident."

"That is true," Shinichi's eyebrows furrowed as he considered Ranran's words. "According to Emiko, the woman who worked at the horse therapy ranch mentioned that his real mom never even inform his real dad about Miki's existence...so how is it that after the lift accident which cost her life, he was immediately adopted into his biological's dad's family without warning?"

Ranran nodded, her expression serious. "It does seem peculiar, doesn't it? The sudden adoption of Miki into his biological father's family right after his mother's tragic death raises several questions. I bet if we look into this, plus the expedition records of Kichiro and the others...everything will come to blows."

"Also Eiji's real identity," Shinichi reminded Ranran, "Why use a fake identity to become a rock climbing instructor? What is his real connection to Kiryu, the guy who died when his shower unit exploded? He said that they are friends, which is why he took over Kiryu's shift-" Suddenly, Shinichi's light bulb flicked, "That's it!"

"Eh?"

"Since we can't find a single shred of Eiji's social media accounts that were deleted, we can get Michio and the others to look into Kiryu's family to see if any of them knows Eiji. After all, if Eiji claims that he and Kiryu are friends, surely the family would've known."

Ranran's eyes lit up as she grasped the significance of Shinichi's idea. "That's a brilliant suggestion! If we can't find any traces of Eiji's social media presence, we should explore the possibility of his connection to Kiryu through the latter's family. They might hold valuable information about Eiji's true identity and his relationship with Kiryu."

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

"You got to be kidding me!? The murder count had gone up from 4 to 6!?"

Mouri Ran exclaimed in the dining room after Ranran quickly relayed the update of the case to the rest of the team through the walkie-talkie before ending the call. Even Takuma who is hearing this next to her was close to fainting. "6! 6 damn murders! We are screwed! We are all going to die on this island!" Ran was becoming dramatic by this point.

Takuma's expression turned grim as she absorbed the shocking news. The increasing number of murders was indeed alarming and raised the stakes of their investigation. The atmosphere in the room grew tense as the gravity of the situation sank in.

"We need to move to the hotel, no wait! The killer is even aware of the hotel Ranran and Shinichi are living in!"

"Ran, calm down," Takuma said firmly, trying to maintain composure amidst the chaos. "Panicking won't help us. We need to stay focused and continue our efforts to uncover the truth behind these killings. We have come too far to give up now."

"Oh no, 6 murders is a warning! A serious warning!" Ran has lost it while she continued, "Sonoko is dealing with a possible dengue, we are all stuck on this island for over a week plus now! And things are not getting any better because of the typhoon! Plus," She pointed at the doors of the walk-in kitchen, "We are all still eating food from the same fridge, where Mr Iwao's corpse is still locked up in there!"

Takuma sighed heavily, realizing the mounting pressure they were all under. "I understand your concerns, Ran, but we have to remain calm and rational. We need to take precautions and keep a close eye on each other."

"Can we not just lock up Miss Jun?!" Ran suddenly said, "It's like according to Ranran and Shinichi, wherever she goes, murders follow her!"

Takuma looked at Ran with a mixture of concern and understanding. "Mouri-"

"I want to go to that hotel where Ranran and Shinichi are now!" Ran finally lost it with tears in her eyes, while she rubs and goes, "I want to take Sonoko there, I am tired...I am tired of the insects, the food, the fear....and I want to go back home...."

"Ran, I know things are really bad right now at this rate." He took a deep breath and spoke in a reassuring tone. "But we are on the playing field of the serial killer now. As soon as he or she knows that the accidents the killer made are murders, it's the end for all of us. Going to that hotel...you heard what the two said about the killer possibly using their Wi-fi to delete Mr Eiji's social media accounts, do you want to do that? Despite the risk!?"

"It's still better than sleeping under the small damp tent!"

Takuma understood Ran's frustration and fear. The situation had taken a toll on all of them, both mentally and physically.

And truthfully, if he were to be honest, he and his girlfriend Reina even had that talk in the tent the other day, about moving into the hotel away from this campsite. The weather wasn't getting any better, the atmosphere felt suffocating and tense, and it was difficult to eat the camp food without thinking that the food came from the walk-in fridge, where Mr Iwao's corpse is still stored in there.

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

"You think it's a good idea to check into the hotel where Ranran and Shinichi are?!"

Takuma and Reina sat close together in the small tent, their voices are hushed as they discussed the idea of moving to the hotel where Ranran and Shinichi were staying. The constant rain outside created a melancholic backdrop to their conversation.

"I understand your concerns, Reina," Takuma replied, his voice filled with contemplation. "The situation at the campsite is becoming increasingly unbearable. The fear, the tension, and the proximity to the gruesome events... but did you not consider the fact that the murderer might still be there in that hotel?"

Reina nodded, her eyes reflecting the weariness she felt. "Of course I do, but staying here feels suffocating," Reina said, her voice tinged with frustration. "The constant rain, the dampness, and the lingering presence of death... it's affecting us all."

"Not only that, did you forget that you are also our class monitor? If you and I leave, the kids are going to learn that Ranran not only checked into a luxury hotel but also fact that you are abandoning them! It won't look good for you if we returned alive to Teitan Elementary School, Reina. Plus, we are 6-year-old kids, we ain't as capable as Ranran, who helped a client who later granted her a penthouse! If we were to check into that hotel, we have no money!"

Takuma's words struck a chord with Reina, reminding her of her responsibilities as the class monitor. She understood the implications of leaving the students behind and how it could be perceived by others.

Reina sighed, her shoulders slumping with the weight of their predicament. "I think now I am finally beginning to understand why Ranran loves to live life selfishly. When she was giving us girls dirty looks when we moved into her bunk bedroom without asking her now, after listening to Eiji's ghost story about a resentful man who was haunting the camp grounds when others betrayed him, I thought she would be fine with us moving in to protect us from ghosts, thought that she would look out for our classmates. I knew the moment I saw her face, it was a mere no."

"The rest? No, but for you is an exception. Just that she can't show that, as those girls would think she is biased towards you," Takuma nodded, acknowledging Reina's realization. "Ranran never likes to play hero from the start, to her, it's just added responsibilities onto lives she wants nothing to do with."

Then Takuma remembered an incident that took place in Tantei Association, "I tell you a story, this happened when we were in Tantei Association the other day before our camping trip."

Reina looked at Takuma, curious to hear the story he was about to share. 

Takuma took a deep breath, recalling the details of the case he was about to share. "There was this woman, a regular of Michio's mother's  boutique shop. Do you recalled that I once informed you about his his part-time babysitting job the last time?"

Reina nodded, intrigued by the story. 

"Mrs Hashimoto used to always call Michio to babysit her child," Takuma continued before sighing, "except he was never paid a single yen when doing so,"

Seeing his girlfriend's shocked face, he reveals why.

 "Considering she was a regular who contributed financially at his mom's place, it wasn't surprising why."

"Go figures, free child labour in her eyes." Reina rolled her eyes.

"To cut a long story short, Michio is always expected to drop everything and help her out, even if it meant interrupting his work at the association."

"Wait, then what if Michio isn't around to do so?"

"That is where the problem began: Just simply dump the naughty 4-year-old son of hers in our HQ to look after. Kept using the excuse that 'We are not allowed to say no, we must respect elders since we are around 6-10 years old', and if we ever pointed out how naughty her son is, she would reply 'It's just a kid, he will grow out of it eventually'. As if the boy had no faults! He trashed the place 24.7."

"In what way?"

"My expensive American Football that Ranran gifted me the other day signed by a real pro? Deflated. And not like a little — I mean, stabbed with a pen. Just because it was 'boring' and 'not bouncy enough' for him."

Reina's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"I wish I was," Takuma groaned, rubbing his face in frustration. "And that's not all. The expensive fountain pen Ranran gifted to Shinichi the other day signed by his favourite British Sherlock actor from the U.K? Snapped clean in half. The kid tried to use it to dig worms out of a flowerpot that Emiko planted in the Greenhouse upstairs. And yes, if you are wondering, Emiko was angry, because her plants were screwed"

Reina looked utterly horrified. "Oh my god. That's just... evil. That pen must've been worth thousands!"

Takuma nodded solemnly. "And guess who got the blame when Shinichi found out? Not the kid. Us. Because we 'should've kept it somewhere safer' — as if we expected a four-year-old whirlwind to go full chaos mode on everything we own."

Reina shook her head, still processing. "What the heck was that woman thinking?"

"It's gets worst, as he went on terrorizing the others as well. Played Emiko's tablet till she lost all of her artwork, snatching Junko's glasses and breaking it here and there, as well as pulling Mouri's hair...."

Reina's jaw dropped further, disbelief flooding her face. "How did Mouri react?!"

"You mean the same Mouri who love children? She literally want him out!"

Reina's eyes widened, her shock clear. "Did....that woman not pay for in damages? Of all the things her little son has destroyed?"

"Nope. She just smiled and said, 'Oh, he's just a little boy! Kids are naturally curious, it's normal for them to explore things in their own way.' As if that was supposed to excuse destroying everyone's belongings! Even said things like 'You all should've been clever not to bring in expensive things if you all knew a child was coming'."

Reina's face twisted into a scowl. "I am going to bet Ranran didn't take it well." 

Takuma nodded, clearly as exasperated as she was. "But she was smart, somehow for certain number of days she calculatively managed to avoid her on whatever days she dropped her son there. But one day, she miscalculated and did to same to Ranran."

"Let me guess.....she snapped?"

"No, she went silent."

Reina's brows shot up in silence before the color drained out of her face. As her best friend, anyone who knows that a silent Ranran meant their days are numbered.

And considering she had seen all of the 'things' Ranran is capable of, the inhumane schemes are barely spared on anyone, let alone, on children, she knew mother and son are completely screwed.

"W-what....did she do this time...."  Reina's voice trembled slightly as she braced herself for the worst, her mind racing with the possibility of the situation turning dire.

"Well, the problem was fixed. That was what matters the most." Takuma glanced at her with a wry expression, his eyes full of both exasperation and something darker—something that made Reina's stomach knot. 

"No, seriously, what did she do this time?"

Knowing his girlfriend will continue persisting, he dropped the bomb.

"One day, I saw Ranran sitting on one of the chairs in our association. Except, she had the chair faced in front of the windows, where you can see a scenery of people crossing the road." 

Reina's confusion deepened as Takuma continued. "I was the first to arrive, so I asked what was she doing, she said 'waiting for the bus.'"

Reina's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why would she? She hates taking public transport." Her voice barely above a whisper, she could feel the unease creeping up her spine.

"Exactly, I didn't get it either." Takuma exhaled slowly, the weight of what he was about to say clearly pressing on him. "Until I heard a loud 'thud' sound outside, as if....some big vehicle ran over something."

Reina's pulse quickened as Takuma's words sank in. "A... vehicle? Wait, she said waiting for a bus? What did it ran over-" Her voice was barely audible, her stomach churning with the sudden shift in the atmosphere, suddenly realizing what Ranran had done.

Takuma leaned in closer, his eyes darkened with something that was half unease, half disbelief. "Yes, she did what you just guessed." Takuma looked at Reina, his face pale, his jaw tense. "That's when it clicked. The person who was ran over by the bus is none other than-"

Reina's breath hitched. "How old was that boy again?"

"4."

Reina felt a cold chill wash over her as Takuma's words settled in. "She didn't even spare him, huh?" Her voice barely escaped her lips, shaking as she processed what he was saying. "How!?"

"Somehow, she figured out that he enjoyed running around the street with no supervision. Oh yeah, she somehow figured out the bus schedule here, as well as the fact that the traffic light there had malfunction."  

Reina's eyes widened, her heart racing. "She didn't just stand by and watch—she knew it would happen, and still... still did nothing?"

"Actually, I did something. I called the ambulance."

Reina blinked, stunned for a moment, before she processed what Takuma just said. Her heart pounded in her chest, the sudden rush of relief battling with the confusion and dread she still felt. "And....what was she doing when you were doing so?"

"Just silently watching me, before she too quietly took out her own phone."

"And let me guess.....called the ambulance too?"

"No, she called the cops."

"Hah!? Why!?" The more she hears of this, the more confused she grew at her friend's actions.

"Let me mimicked the actual incident, ok?" Mimicking his hands as a gesture of a phone, he did a impression of Ranran, "Hello, police? Yes, I am here to report a disturbing incident of child neglect....."

Reina's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what? Child neglect?!" Her voice cracked with a mixture of shock and outrage. "She—she actually called the cops onto that boy's mother?! Mrs Hashimoto?"

Takuma nodded grimly, continuing his dramatic reenactment. "'...It appears that a child, about four years old, was left to run around the streets unattended. His mother has a history of dumping the kids onto us, 1st to four graders to look after, while ignoring our calls when we make attempts to contact them. Just now, he was ran over by a bus, so I am suspecting child abandonment. Can you send the kid to social welfare service, please?'" Takuma paused, looking at Reina with a tired, frustrated expression. "And then she hung up like it was no big deal. Like she'd just reported a random incident."

Reina's eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open in utter disbelief. "In other words, she framed Mrs Hashimoto?!" 

"To be fair, considering Mrs Hashimoto kept dumping her son on us without paying or even acknowledging the chaos he caused, I ain't surprise one bit. I mean....who knew Ranran was smart enough to know that since the 4-year-old troublemaker always enjoyed messing with our emergency door in our office, that she secretly let him out into the street to be ran over......"

By this point, Takuma sounded more amused than furious over Ranran's scheming, and even Reina find this disturbingly true.

"In addition to that, Ranran knew that Mrs Hashimoto had a bad habit when it came to collection time. I mean whenever he says she will come and collect her son around 4 pm, for example, she would wait till 8 pm to come, ruining whatever plans we have to do in the process. Which is wasn't surprising how Ranran was able to execute any of this flawlessly thanks to that." 

Reina gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "But won't this mean-"

"Yes," Takuma nodded with a grin. "That means she lost custody of her only son, thanks to Ranran's schemes."

His girlfriend's jaw dropped as the weight of Takuma's words sank in, "If that were the case, that means-"

"Yes, we will not see that damn boy anymore."

"Wait, then that boy....is he-"

"Of course, Ranran isn't the type to simply let one die. However, being run over a by a bus....I can honestly say he is paralyze from the waist down. And....no surgery in the world can ever fix that, for good."

Reina's shock deepened as she processed Takuma's words. "That's... that's extreme for someone who doesn't want to look after a child."

"Well, it's Ranran after all. Even when I first heard about it, although the six of us kids did tell her off about taking things too far, she justified her actions by confronting the six of us 'Tell me, are we supposed to be like those idiot babysitters club who should entertain a bloody naughty 4-year-old kid who is causing property destruction in our association? His bloody mom is out there hanging out with her friends on a shopping spree, going out to nightclubs while we are stuck with that tiny psycho! Are we, not a detective agency that is supposed to save lives?! Make your pick, the victims of the case, or a 4-year-old who will continue to terrorize us with his mother who is brazenly exploiting us in the name of free child labour!' Ultimately, since neither of us wanted to see that boy who ruined our things, we ended up giving in to her."

"Damn, this is so messed up.....I am going to bet Mrs Hashimoto is furious with what Ranran had done."

"Oh, you can bet she does." Takuma nodded in agreement as he spoke excitedly, "I mean she was about to sue Ranran's family, even confront her. Calling Ranran a 'Future Budding Pyschopath'. But that was before she was handcuffed, let alone, imposed with the neglectful charges presented through hard evidence that Ranran had gathered secretly behind her back. You should have seen the look on Mrs Hashimoto's face when she rushed over to our main HQ to confront Ranran, outraged, but then the police dragged her away to the back of our office. It was a beautiful sight, even the shopkeepers who were nearby took videos and photos of her in handcuffs thanks to Ranran's.....'child abandonment accusation'."

"And what was Ranran doing when all of this was going on? Was she scared?" Reina wondered.

"Oh no, she had the chair face in front of the window, eating a box of caramel popcorn she imported overseas while all of us were gathering at the window, watching the woman screaming while being dragged to the back seat of the car. Apparently, Ranran prepared this when she was secretly avoiding the mother and son duo."

"Damn...."Reina can't help but think, "That is ruthless."

"Oh, she wasn't the only one," Takuma remembered, "Shinichi even took a seat next to her, sharing the popcorn, he said it was the most delicious popcorn he has ever eaten."

"Wha-!?" Reina's jaw dropped. "Shinichi....actually did so too?!"

"I mean he couldn't forget his fountain pen that was gifted from Ranran, so....."

"This... this is so messed up. A pen over a kid!?"

"To be fair, the pen was signed by his favourite Sherlock Actor. Especially from the U.K where Ranran lives, so....."

Reina merely said nothing but rubbed her face in frustration, "Of course, he and his precious Sherlock pen would be the deciding factor in all of this." She paused, her head spinning as she tried to wrap her mind around the twisted mess of events.

"The cherry on top was....as soon as Mrs Hashimoto learn she was about to face losing custody of her son while that boy was about to be placed into the foster care system, considering she grew up an orphan, she knew the life as a foster child will be a living hell.  So when she went to see Ranran under cops' supervision, she had her knees on the floor, begging Ranran to drop the charges with tears in her eyes, promising she will not dump her son on our association's doorstep ever again."

Reina's eyes widened in disbelief, "An adult pleading to a 6-year-old kid like us? Now that is something you won't see everyday."

"Yup."

"And did she?"

"Ranran did, under the condition that all of the furniture and stationery, which too include everyone's expensive things her stupid idiot kid had broke is paid in full."

"But wait, those things he had broke....including Shinichi's pen is-"

"Yes, Ranran even told her 'I don't care if this also means having to sell your house or your car, or even take up loan, I expect you to pay in full in terms of damages. By the way, since you also fully exploit one of my fellow member's, Michio's kindness, for looking after your kid without being paid, I expect you to pay him what you owed for over a year!'"

"Wait, she made her pay for Michio too!?" Reina's eyes widened even more, and she gasped.

"Ranran's reasoning was justifiable, since she said 'He is the 10-year-old son of a widowed mother for over a year plus. As much as I can agree you contribute financially in terms of buying his mother's things from the boutique shop which lead you not to pay for him, the things you pay for at his mother's shop does not justify the hours he is forced to spend on your stupid precious half-brain dead son. Pay up in full, or else I won't go easy on him."

"And....did she-"

"Yes, a lot of things had to be sold." Takuma admitted.

"Wait, isn't this overkill!?" Reina's mouth went dry, and she couldn't help but stare at Takuma in shock.

"If she feels you've wronged her or someone in her group, there's no room for leniency. You saw how she did it with your cousin's case when she was being bullied, remember? Anyway, she made her message clear to her: If she ever tries to take advantage of children like us — she is capable of doing so much worse. And Ranran doesn't make empty threats. She's already proven she can take everything from someone, and she'll do it again—without a second thought."

Reina struggled to reconcile her admiration for Ranran's determination with the severity of her actions. "Is her parents aware of what she did?"

"Of course they are." Takuma muses, "They both ended up going to a luxury bar and got themselves so drunk after learning everything that has happened. Shinichi's parents had no choice but to head to the bar to collect them and drop them back home while they moaned in front of Ranran, who was wondering why did they return home so late. This was a word for word from the parents according to Ranran: 'Ranran, do you not feel an ounce of guilt over what you have done to that poor child?' "

"And her response was.....?"

"'I prevented the exploitation of child labour, using every means to fix the problem despite being cruel to protect my fellow members of the association, something that not even you adults with a cowardly spine are able to pull off for me, so what guilt am I at fault with?' before heading into her bedroom to play video games."

"Why am I not surprise......" Reina could barely hold back a laugh.

"Anyway, the following day, the grandparents called and scolded her parents, telling them to be more understanding towards Ranran, since she is 'Born and built differently'."

"I mean to be fair, her brain is partially damaged thanks to that stupid nurse having dropped her while delivering Ranran." Reina grew amused at this before adding, "Not born that way though, more like the result of one unfortunate moment in time." She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of how Ranran's circumstances could be explained away so easily by her family.

"Just the elder folks, not her parents," Takuma laughed a bit. "But the bottom line of this story along with our situation of wanting to move to the hotel and ditching our classmates aside is simple: You can play the hero like Michio, be good to the kid while the people around him suffer for being kind, or...you can be like Ranran, live life the way she wants and not for the sake of others, she didn't end up burdening others along the way."

Reina listened attentively to Takuma's words, pondering the contrasting approaches of Michio and Ranran. She understood that there were different ways to navigate through life, especially in the name of justice.

"So if you truly want to go to that luxury hotel where Ranran and Shinichi are, by ditching our classmates at the campsite, you had every right. Even though you are the class monitor, I wouldn't blame you. Or choose to go through another miserable day at the campsite, fearing the serial killer may come." Takuma said.

Reina looked at Takuma, her expression perplexed, "As the class monitor, I have a responsibility to our classmates. I cannot abandon them in a time of need, even if it means enduring another miserable day at the campsite."

"Right."

"But..." She looked at Takuma with a mixture of determination and concern. "I also thought about what Ranran said, that the serial killer might be there in that hotel. If we were to look at this objectively, the hotel and the campsite with a killer on the island, checking into a hotel room would be so much bearable."

Takuma sighed, understanding Reina's conflicted emotions. "I know it's difficult, Reina. The situation we're in is far from ideal, and both options come with risks. Staying at the campsite means being exposed to potential danger, while moving to the hotel may bring us closer to the killer."

He paused for a moment, contemplating their next move. "Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, Reina. Consider the safety of your classmates and yourself. Weigh the pros and cons of each option, and trust your instincts. I'll support whatever choice you make."

Reina nodded, appreciating Takuma's support.

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

"I am genuinely scared of what is coming next, Ran."

Mouri Ran is feeling the shiver, perhaps due to the combination of the cold weather thanks to the never seemingly endless typhoon, or that she just recently heard the eerily chilling details of the cases surrounding their camping instructor through the walkie talkie, the brunette's unease was understandable.

Even Sonoko tightly wrapped her jacket around herself, lying on the mat Ran set up for her as she continues to cough, presumably suffering from dengue, she was trying to warm up her chilled body. The eerie atmosphere around the campsite seemed to intensify with each passing moment, and the details of the chilling cases they had heard through the walkie-talkie were still fresh in her mind.

Ran glanced at the others, noticing that they too were affected by the unsettling stories. The spotlight left outside cast eerie shadows on their faces, adding to the sense of unease. The howling wind and the sound of rain pounding on the tents only added to the eerie ambience.

The chilling details of the cases surrounding their camping instructor had shaken her to the core. The sinister nature of the crimes committed in their hometown and on this very island they are stacked in, combined with the mysterious circumstances surrounding the expedition and the Yasuo family, created an atmosphere of fear.

Even Ran too was feeling it, with the deaths totalling up to six, it was really taking a toll on their sanity. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves despite the fear gnawing at her. She knew that succumbing to panic wouldn't help their situation, but it was getting difficult as each day passed with no news of the killer getting caught.

"Ran..." Sonoko called out to her while coughing.

Ran turned her attention to Sonoko, concern evident in her eyes. "Are you okay, Sonoko? You sound worse. Hopefully, the rain die down so Shinichi could deliver the bag of medicine tomorrow from the hotel."

Ran's voice was filled with genuine concern as she observed Sonoko's deteriorating condition. She knew that Sonoko's health was declining, and the lack of proper medical facilities at the campsite was a significant concern.

Sonoko nodded weakly, trying to put on a brave face despite her worsening cough. "I'll be fine, Ran. Just a little under the weather. But I really hope the rain lets up soon. I could really use that medicine Shinichi is bringing. I don't want to get any sicker."

Ran placed a comforting hand on Sonoko's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "Hang in there, Sonoko. We'll get through this. Shinichi will come through for us, I'm sure of it. We just need to stay strong and keep supporting each other."

The wind outside howled again, causing the tent to sway slightly. The unnerving sound sent a shiver down Ran's spine, but she refused to let fear take control.

"Neh Ran....about that hotel Ranran and Shinichi checked in....did they mention whether the hotel they checked in is luxurious from the walkie-talkie?"

Again, Sonoko coughs roughly.

Ran's brows furrowed with concern as she heard Sonoko's rough cough. She handed Sonoko a glass of water, allowing her to take a sip before responding to her question.

"I'm not sure about the details of the hotel they checked into, Sonoko," Ran replied, her voice filled with genuine uncertainty. "We haven't had much communication with them through the walkie-talkie, besides the killer on the island. But from what I gathered, they found a safe place to stay. Whether it's luxurious or not, I can't say for sure. Why do you ask?"

Sonoko took a moment to catch her breath before responding, her voice slightly hoarse. "I overheard something odd, from Ranran and Shinichi's side from the walkie-talkie."

Ran's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned closer to Sonoko, her eyes widening with interest. "It's odd, I ensured to lock the door of the second dining room in the Kodama Forest Activity Centre while having a Tantei Association meeting with Takuma, so no one could hear our conversation with Ranran and Shinichi through the walkie-talkie. How were you able to hear it?"

Sonoko's eyes darted around nervously before she replied in a hushed tone, "I... I leaned my ears against the door."

Ran's eyes widened in surprise and concern. "Sonoko, eavesdropping on our conversation... It's not right."

Sonoko nodded, her expression filled with guilt. "I know, Ran. I didn't mean to intrude, but I had to.  I wanted to know if any of you were any closer to capturing the serial killer. Then suddenly, when you left the door ajar to head to the washroom, while Takuma was conversing with them, I heard it."

"What, did they mention 'luxury hotel'?"

"Oh no, nothing of that sort," Sonoko took another sip of water, clearing her throat before sharing what she had overheard. "It was brief, but I distinctly heard Ranran mentioning some words to Takuma that she had eaten her meals with Shinichi at The Crown and Caviar."

Ran's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Sonoko mentioned the name "The Crown and Caviar." The unfamiliarity of the name piqued her curiosity even further.

"The Crown and Caviar? I've never heard of that place before," Ran replied, her voice laced with curiosity. "Do you have any idea what kind of place it is?"

"It's a fancy British restaurant."

Ran's eyes widened in surprise at Sonoko's response. "A fancy British restaurant? That sounds quite luxurious. Are you sure you heard it correctly, Sonoko?"

Sonoko nodded, a determined look on her face. "I'm positive, Ran. Don't forget, I am born into the second wealthiest family in the whole of Japan and ate in many restaurants, but I'm certain that's what I heard. That restaurant is one of the most exclusive and high-end establishments in the city. It's known for its elegant ambience, exquisite cuisine, and impeccable service. The Crown and Caviar are often frequented by wealthy and influential individuals, and reservations are usually hard to come by unless you have connections or are willing to pay a hefty price. And through my father, this restaurant will only be open in luxurious hotels only."

Ran's mind was racing as she processed this new information. The idea that Ranran and Shinichi might be staying in a luxurious hotel and dining at such a prestigious restaurant added another layer of intrigue, yet at the same time, irritation to their situation. She couldn't help but wonder how they had managed to secure such accommodations amidst the chaos of the island.

"Sonoko, we are all 6-year-old children, right?" Ran said, her voice filled with curiosity. "How in the world did Ranran and Shinichi end up at such a place? And why didn't Shinichi mention any of this!? Is he and she not aware of what we are up facing now!?"

Ran's frustration grew as she contemplated the possibilities. She couldn't help but feel a mix of annoyance and curiosity towards Ranran and Shinichi's apparent detachment from the harsh realities the rest of the group faced. It seemed unfair that they had managed to find comfort and luxury while the others struggled to survive.

However, another thought crossed Ran's mind, one that made her pause and reconsider her initial reaction. She recalled Ranran mentioning the possibility of the serial killer using the Wi-Fi in the hotel to delete Eiji's social media account. That revelation suggested that their current location, despite its luxury, might not be entirely safe either.

Ran took a deep breath, trying to calm her swirling emotions. She looked at Sonoko, her expression thoughtful. "But then the fact that Ranran mentioned the possibility of the serial killer using the hotel's Wi-Fi is concerning."

"Neh Ran," Sonoko again coughs, it was difficult with the dengue flu she was dealing with, "Is Ranran the type to lie to live in luxury?"

"Ah no! Definitely no!" Ran insists, interrupting Sonoko's question. "We may have our differences and conflicts, but Ranran is not the type to lie just to live in luxury. She may be ruthless at times, but she doesn't lie when it comes to heinous crimes, especially murders for instance. If she mentioned the possibility of the serial killer using the hotel's Wi-Fi, then it is clear cut the truth."

Ran's voice carried a mixture of concern and conviction. She had witnessed Ranran's determination and resourcefulness throughout their time together in Tantei Association, and despite their hatred for one another because of Shinichi thanks to Mamiko's lies, she trusted that Ranran had their best interests at heart.

Once more, Sonoko coughs harder than ever, deepening Ran's concern for Sonoko as she witnessed her friend's intense coughing fit. She quickly moved closer to Sonoko, placing a comforting hand on her back.

"Sonoko, are you alright? Your cough sounds worse," Ran said, her voice filled with worry.

"I knew that Ranran googled and told me what to expect while suffering dengue, but seriously, of all of the flu I have dealt with, this one is relentless," Sonoko managed to say between coughs, her voice strained.

Ran gently rubbed Sonoko's back, trying to provide some comfort. "I'm sorry you're going through this, Sonoko."

"Why for our camping trip, of all the places of travels, this island had no clinic nor hospital!" Suzuki's cough intensifies.

Ran's heart sank as she remembered Ranran's words about dengue being a disease that the sick patient's body had to deal with alone. The lack of medical facilities on the island made their situation even more dire. She wished there was something more she could do to help Sonoko, but she knew that they were limited in their options.

"I wish there was a clinic or hospital on this island, Sonoko," Ran said softly, her voice tinged with frustration. "I hate seeing you suffer like this, and it hurts to know that we don't have the resources to provide proper medical care."

Sonoko nodded weakly, a pained expression on her face. "It's not your fault, Ran. But seriously, this sucks. I hate being sick." She gently placed a hand on Sonoko's shoulder, offering comfort and reassurance. "I want to be on a warm bed again while recovering from this madness, back to my lavish bedroom. Not be in this tent!"

That is when Sonoko had an idea, "Neh Ran."

"Yeah?"

"What time is it now?"

Ran glanced at her wristwatch, the dim light of the tent illuminating the dial. "It's almost 10:30 PM," she replied, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Why do you ask?"

"Is Ranran usually awake at this time?"

Ran thought for a moment, recalling Ranran's usual sleeping patterns. "Considering that there is a serial killer on the loose, she won't sleep till around 2 am. Why do you ask, Sonoko?"

"Contact her over the walkie-talkie, I think it's time I make a deal with her."

Ran looked at Sonoko, her curiosity piqued by her suggestion. "A deal? What kind of deal do you have in mind, Sonoko?"

Sonoko's hesitation was evident as she spoke, her voice strained from the coughing fit and the discomfort caused by the dengue symptoms. "Ran, I...what do you think of getting Ranran to arrange for us to stay at the luxury hotel?"