As the door closed behind Sergeant Genzo, the room fell into a heavy silence. The rain outside continued to drum against the windows, the world outside seemingly unaware of the weighty discussion that had just taken place.

Takuma let out a deep breath, breaking the quiet. "Well, that was intense."

"Yeah," Shinichi murmured, still processing everything. "I didn't expect things to take such a serious turn."

"It can't be helped," Ranran remained composed, her gaze focused on the bookshelf door. "When General Stefan barged into our office, he was impatient and eager to capture Landon with his bare hands without buying a word at that time that we knew where Landon is, so it wouldn't be surprising for him to put pressure on everyone in Japan to get to Landon."

"That is true," Shinichi nodded in agreement, his expression troubled. "If what Landon said is true, regarding General Stefan's eagerness to obtain the coordinates to the diamond mines where his father, the Crown Prince, had discovered, then this situation is even more complicated than we thought."

Takuma furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "And if the Lockwood family is involved in international matters of such magnitude, it's no wonder they're taking drastic measures to protect their interests."

Ranran nodded, her eyes still fixed on the concealed entrance.

"But seriously, ain't General Stefan a greedy man?!" Takuma ranted at that thought, "He was raised by his ex-brother-in-law, the King of Norway, as a son. Although he isn't the direct heir to the throne, he definitely lived a luxurious life as a royal, right?! So what more could he have want!?"  

"That's the thing with some people," Shinichi said, frustration evident in his voice. "It's never enough. They always want more, no matter how much they already have."

Shinichi and Ranran exchanged a knowing glance. 

"I am going out to buy us some drinks from the vending machine to chill out for a bit, need anything?" Takuma decided while glancing at the other two.

"Grab an iced lemon tea for me, please," Shinichi requested.

"Same here," Ranran added.

Takuma nodded, heading towards the concealed exit. He carefully opened it, glancing outside to ensure the coast was clear before slipping out. As the door swung closed behind him, the room once again fell into a heavy silence.

"Ranran, do you really mean it when you said you want to send Landon to Sergeant Genzo if he was found innocent?" Shinichi proceeded to ask.

"Of course," Ranran confirmed while she explained to him why, "As I previously mentioned about Landon's background back in Edgewood, there were rumours of him allegedly gaslighting his first arranged fiance at that time."

"But you also mentioned there was no solid evidence to prove it at that time." Shinichi reminded her.

Ensuring no one is around to hear about what she is about to reveal, Ranran drop one bombshell, "You are right, but that didn't mean I didn't have one to begin with back then."

Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected this revelation. "Ranran, what are you talking about!?"

"When his first ex-arranged fiance hired us at that time....we had video of him telling that other girl 'interesting' things. At that time before the girl he fell for became his second fiance." Ranran smiled to her amusement, "He was telling her how she was a 'delusional' girl, which he wasn't wrong since it was the truth. But he didn't bother to mention one thing."

".....which is?"

"In one part of the conversation, he mentioned that the relationship between our client and him ain't romantic, but political," Ranran revealed, her voice low and serious. "He said that his father, the Crown Prince, always emphasized that duty came before personal feelings and that he, too, would have to prioritize his responsibilities as a prince over any personal desires."

".....but you mentioned earlier that is the truth."

"It is. But....before all of this was going on when they first met, he made it sound as if she was his only one, even though he didn't do things like giving her roses and stuff. I give you one example scenario." Shinichi listened intently, absorbing Ranran's words. "If I call you handsome, how do you feel?"

"How would I feel?" Shinichi was a bit taken aback by her blunt words, before pacing back and forth within the HQ, "I would think you want something from me?"

"Why?"

"Cause you don't praise someone unless you want something, I know you."

"Exactly, now picture this,"  Ranran continued, her tone measured. "You imagine this girl who was raised by this noble family growing up full of neglect throughout her life. One day, at a fancy ball, this boy approaches her to say 'you are special', how would you feel in her shoes, Shinichi? And remember, she doesn't know him yet at that time."

Shinichi took a moment to process Ranran's scenario. "I would think something he is a good person to praise me and acknowledge me. But I wouldn't fall for him easily."

"But if it happens consistently? Plus kind acts such as accompanying you everyday to school, saying things like 'I really can't do things without you' or 'I am glad you are in my life', or even words like 'You are unusually smart, I am glad I met you', would you find yourself slowly developing feelings for him?" Ranran questioned, her gaze steady.

Shinichi's brow furrowed as he considered the scenario. "I honestly can't picture myself falling for the other with such words."

"Alright, then think of that time when you were being discouraged over and over with your Tantei dream when Mamiko turned both of your former friends, Ran and Sonoko, against you. When I said I would take you in as an apprentice at that time, how did you feel?"

"The happiest I have ever been, of course," Shinichi paused, his mind travelling back to that difficult period in his life. 

"Why?"

"Because...I felt like you just gave me a lifeline to break free from them." Realization dawned on him.

"Just like this apprenticeship under me is your lifeline, that was what it was for her back then," Ranran nodded, her expression solemn. "She was deluded into thinking this was the only way to achieve her true happiness. In moments of vulnerability, kind words and gestures can have a powerful impact. Which is why it wasn't hard to imagine how Landon's actions could lead someone to develop feelings for him, especially in the context of their arranged marriage."

Shinichi's expression darkened as he absorbed Ranran's words. The manipulation and betrayal described were painfully familiar.

"At that time, although my late mentor and I were unable to pinpoint the motive behind this gaslighting, the only reason why Landon did so was to make the girl, his second fiance at that time, jealous."

"Eh!?"

"He had a crush on the second girl at that time, the daughter of a baron. I knew this because of the way he looked at her while my late mentor and I were observing this interaction through the CCTV in our school." Ranran recalled. "When his arranged marriage was set with the first one, he was put in a difficult position. He couldn't outright pursue the second girl without causing political problems, but he also didn't want to be in a loveless marriage. So, he chose to employ manipulation, trying to make the second girl jealous enough to end her feelings for him."

"That's...complicated," Shinichi remarked, trying to wrap his head around the intricacies of Landon's situation. After he stopped pacing, he turned to look at Ranran to say as he deduces, "So he gaslighted the first one to make the second one....that is an extreme way of trying to earn a reaction from the second one, deshou?!" Shinichi murmured, his expression troubled.

Ranran said nothing, but she quietly nodded to herself.

"But you mentioned the second one later broke things up with him due to 'questionable choice of words', right? Does this mean....the second one found out about this gaslighting episode?"

"Of course, because I secretly left a note at her desk, under the request of the first ex-fiance after she was rehabilitated. When the second one did her own investigation, she broke things off with him." Ranran replied.

"Eh!?" Shinichi reacted in shock. "Why didn't you say anything earlier when you told us about Landon before he arrived!?"

"If I did, the first thing that annoying Junko would do is side Landon as soon as he arrived. After all, it was out of 'love' that he did it. You know she is a sucker for such stories. Plus, at that time, I knew Landon would find another way to force me to take his case, since 'no' isn't an option."

Shinichi's eyes widened in understanding. "Now that you mention it....you had a point. Wait, does Landon know?!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if he does," Ranran frowned, "Otherwise, how would he have known that I opened Tantei Association here? I told my friends there not to utter a word about me being The Fox. And they are usually pretty tight-lipped kids."

"Chotto matte, the entire school has no idea about you being The Fox?!"

"No, except the clients who signed the contract with me and my deceased mentor. The penalty for revealing is pretty high." Ranran sighed.

"But it ain't like you to be careless with your other life back then, I am sure he couldn't have found out about that." Shinichi dispute.

"He could," Ranran refuted, "A lot of kids at that time were desperate to unmask my identity as The Fox after I ruined so many lives, especially since he is royalty and one of the slightly more influential families compared to other royal and noble children alike, it wouldn't be surprising if he knew."

Shinichi's brows knitted in concern. The complexity of the situation continued to unfold, leaving him with a mix of empathy for Landon's predicament and a deep sense of unease about the choices he had made.

"I never thought Landon's situation was this...twisted," Shinichi murmured, his mind racing to process all the new information. "I mean....he is 10-years-old, the same age as Michio. Yet...."

"In Edgewood Academy, nothing is ever straightforward, that was it for me, as well as everyone there." With her eyelids shut while crossing her arms, she leaned against the chair as the rain outside poured heavily, "When Landon wooed her, it wasn't merely out of jealousy."

"Hah!?"

"It was also to build his status in Edgewood," Ranran revealed without looking back at the apprentice, "Remember when I said his grandmother is the mistress of the Lockwood family? Before she married into it? Apparently, in Edgewood, children of mistresses and bastards are not treated kindly."

"But....he is the grandchild! Not an illegitimate bastard!"

"Actually, the were also additional reasons why he had to set up this arranged marriage with the first one." Ranran paused, "I told you before that his grandmother came from a family of con artists, that isn't a lie. When she was secretly seeing Landon's grandfather while still married to the first one, there was a warrant out for her arrest involving murder."

Shinichi's eyes widened, the revelation sinking in. "A murder charge?"

"Yes," Ranran confirmed, her voice steady. "She allegedly wooed someone of a rich family, then lured him over to her family, only to be killed and robbed." With his eyes growing bigger by the moment, Ranran narrated further events that she had left omitted. "In order to protect her, not long after the press got wind of this, Landon's grandfather ended up divorcing the first one to marry her. Guess what happened to those charges?"

Shinichi was speechless, his mind racing to process the shocking revelation. The twists and turns of Landon's family history were more complex and dark than he could have ever imagined.

"So...she essentially got away with murder?" Shinichi finally managed to ask, his voice filled with disbelief.

"You can imagine the people of Norway were furious. But nothing could be done. This injustice grew from bad to worse when the first ex-wife, the queen loved by the people of Norway, died in a boating accident with her family. Considerably they can do nothing against the queen, it was easier to shift the blame on Landon's dad and him."

Ranran's words hung heavily in the air, the weight of the revelation settling over the room like a suffocating blanket. Shinichi couldn't believe what he was hearing - a web of deception, betrayal, and dark secrets that seemed to entangle every member of Landon's family.

"Those diamond mines....if what Landon said is true.....that meant-"

"Politically, it will do them good in terms of reputation." Ranran pointed out, "They just need to state that the diamonds will benefit their people, then presto, whatever that was reported about their murderer grandmother would become yesterday's news."

"Seriously!? Is that what Landon is planning to do!? If we helped him find the coordinates!?" Shinichi's voice was barely above a whisper, his mind racing to comprehend the depths of the injustice. "We can't let that happen! That would mean-"

"Sweeping things under the rug," Ranran finished his sentence before he could.

"Exactly!" Shinichi's frustration and determination surged.

"In the first place, we don't know whether Landon's claims about the diamond mines in Norway discovered by his father were true or not." Ranran turned to face him, her expression resolute. "All we had to go on is his words, and that is about it."

"But...."

"To verify it, I had one of my Edgewood friends take a flight to Norway to verify whether Landon's words were the truth," Ranran reassured him, "As all of this is going on, we will know soon if what General Stefan said about Landon being a thief and a liar is true soon."

Puzzled by her statement, he questioned, "I don't understand." 

"You will know soon."

Just then, the concealed door creaked open, revealing Takuma holding a tray of iced lemon tea. He entered cautiously, sensing the sombre atmosphere.

"Hey, I got your drinks," he said, though his voice was tempered by the serious tone in the room. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine, Takuma." Ranran smiled naturally while Shinichi forced a smile too.

Takuma set the tray down on the table, glancing between Ranran and Shinichi. He could tell that the conversation had taken a heavy turn.

"Looks like I missed quite a bit," he remarked, though his tone was tinged with concern.

"Just a...complicated discussion," Shinichi replied, his mind still reeling from the revelations.

Ranran picked up her iced lemon tea and took a sip, her expression composed. 

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

Meanwhile, due to heavy traffic taking place in the city caused by the heavy downpour of rain, the rest of the children Landon, Ran, Emiko, Michio and Junko chatted in the cab to get to know one another while they headed their way to Mouri Detective Agency.

"So what would the family do once the diamond mine is discovered?" Michio had to ask Landon.

Landon leaned back in his seat, thinking for a moment. "Well, if the diamond mine is found, aside from boosting our family's prestige and wealth, it will boost the country's cost of living for the better, since more jobs will be offered to the people of Norway.

Junko nodded. "That's good news!" she observed.

"It would, as long as I can locate my father on time." Landon sighed.

"You don't sound happy with the news," Ran noted.

"It can't be helped, cause without father around, my rights to the throne will be questioned," Landon mumbled.

"But you are biologically the son of the crown Prince back in Norway. What could change?" Emiko frowned.

"You kids don't know how politics work in the royal world," Landon challenged Emiko. "My grandfather may have been an influential man enough to secure our rights, but don't forget I am still a child. And with my father still missing, as long as I can't locate him, the people of my country will never see the profit that comes with the diamond mine if that falls in the hands of General Stefan. If anything, he will just simply pocket the money to himself."

"But that's daylight robbery!" Emiko snapped.

"It won't be, as long one is a king, one can do anything." His voice grew quieter "That's why my father decided to keep the news secret between him, me and my grandfather. The sooner I find him, the better."

As the cab inched along the road, Michio who sat at the front of the passenger seat asked the girls, "Is anyone watching? "

"I thought I saw a man across the road," Ran pointed out, "But I was mistaken, he walked away further from the cab."

"Ah, is that so?" Landon shuffled along in silence as the ride continued on. After a while, what Landon said next caught everyone by surprise, "So just out of curiosity, are you and that Shinichi boy dating?"

Ran's face flushed a bright shade of red at the unexpected question. She glanced at Landon, momentarily flustered, before finding her voice.

"N-No! We're just friends," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "Shinichi is...he is just a friend since kindergarten. That is all."

Landon raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Just friends, huh? I saw that look you gave him earlier back at the association."

Emiko ever the perceptive one intervenes while speaking bluntly, "Truthfully she thought she did at some point, but then it was nothing but lies."

Ran's embarrassment deepened, which riled up Junko, "But it's-"

"Junko, it's alright," Ran caught Junko's arm by surprise, as she shook her head at her, "It's the truth after all."

"Ran-san...."

"It would be a chapter not worth mentioning ever again, right?" Michio cryptically reminded the girls.

The atmosphere in the cab grew slightly tense, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. It was clear that Ranran and Shinichi's history was a sensitive topic, one that had left its mark on them.

Landon observed the dynamics with a thoughtful expression. He could sense the underlying emotions, and it intrigued him to see how these friendships had evolved over time. "Why do you ask this question, Landon?"

After a brief pause, he decided to reply, "I am sorry, but the reason I asked this is because I grew used to seeing my parents together like that growing up, and they seem to have a close bond the way they look at each other." Landon explained, his tone gentle.

Ran nodded, her initial embarrassment dissipating. "I can understand why you'd wonder. It's just... Shinichi and I have been through a lot together. But that's all it is."

"But Shinichi didn't even look back at Ran." Emiko pointed out while she recalled that meeting.

"He didn't, but my father used to be that way too when he first met my mother. Which is why I assumed that could've been the case, but I was mistaken." Landon chuckled a hint of wistfulness in his eyes.

"Your parents must have been very much in love," Ran remarked, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

"They were," Landon replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of warmth and sadness. "They were each other's support through thick and thin. My father often spoke of how my mother was his anchor in a storm."

"Your mother...I did a search on the Net about your family history, didn't they meet in Edgewood Academy?" Emiko quipped.

"They did," Landon admitted. "The academy was where they first crossed paths. My mother was the daughter of one of the professors, and my father was attending as part of his studies in international relations. They grew close over time, and the rest, as they say, is history."

"The academy was where they first crossed paths. My mother was the daughter of one of the professors, and my father was attending as part of his studies in international relations. They grew close over time, and the rest, as they say, is history."

"That sounds like a beautiful love story," Junko chimed in, her eyes bright with interest.

Landon nodded, a fond smile on his face. "It was. They faced their fair share of challenges, especially with my mother being a commoner and my father being royalty. But they never let that get in the way of their love. Then....her death changed everything...."

As Landon's voice trailed off, a sombre atmosphere settled in the cab. The weight of his words hung in the air, and the other children exchanged knowing glances.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Michio offered, his voice gentle.

Landon nodded, his gaze distant. "Thank you. It was a difficult time for all of us."

"What kind of professor was she?" Emiko quipped.

"Ah that....she is a political scientist," Landon answered.

"What is that?" Ran grew confused.

"A political scientist studies the processes and systems of government, politics, and political behaviour," Landon explained. "They analyze how governments operate, make policies, and interact with each other on the global stage. It's a field that delves deep into understanding political institutions, ideologies, and the behaviour of individuals and groups in political settings."

"To summarize it short, his mother learned how those people in charge make the rules for the country." Emiko summarized. "Which probably explains why he noticed our relationship dynamics as soon as he entered the association."

Amused, Landon wondered, "You are into politics?"

"I don't, but my father is." Emiko thinks back, "There was never a day that he didn't have the news channel on. He'd always comment on what was going on in the country and in the world. I guess I've picked up a bit from him along the way."

"And do you understand a word he says?"

"Truthfully back then, I was around 7, so no. But then...life happened when I was around 8, so I had to pick that up." The 9-year-old artist replied.

"It sounds like you've had quite an interesting upbringing, Emiko," Landon remarked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Ha ha, but you wouldn't want to, they are getting a divorce, and they are by far the most messed up parents one wishes not to have." Emiko darkly laughed to herself as she grew deadpan.

Landon's expression grew solemn, recognizing the weight of Emiko's words. "I'm sorry to hear that, Emiko."

"Ah, don't be. I was wishing that happened. In the first place, I barely remembered a time that they were any affection exchanged between the two growing up." Emiko shrugged, trying to brush off the topic.

"Really?" Landon is surprised to learn of that.

"But you got lucky for once in your life," Junko pouted, "You scored yourself a celebrity as your boyfriend not long ago!"

"Junko!" Emiko hissed.

Landon's eyes widened in surprise, glancing between Emiko and Junko with a mixture of astonishment and amusement.

"Boyfriend? Celebrity?" he echoed, clearly taken off guard.

Emiko's face turned an impressive shade of red, and she stammered, "J-Junko, it's not like that at all!"

Ignoring Emiko's protests, Junko couldn't help but tease, "Oh come on, Emiko! Don't be shy. We all know about your video calls with Shiro. It's practically written all over his face!"

"Junko, that's enough," Emiko insisted, though her cheeks remained flushed.

Landon couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange. "Well, it sounds like there's quite a story there. But let's not press Emiko if she's not comfortable talking about it."

Emiko shot Landon a grateful look, relieved that he wasn't going to push the matter. Junko, on the other hand, pouted in mild disappointment.

"Fine, fine. I'll drop it," Junko relented, though her mischievous glint hinted that this might not be the end of the discussion.

"Then I am assuming...." Landon pointed at Junko and Michio, "You two are in a relationship then?"

Michio's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and embarrassment crossing his face. He glanced at Junko, who was equally flustered.

"N-No, we're not!" Michio stammered, trying to regain his composure.

Junko nodded in agreement, though her cheeks were still tinged pink. "That's right, though we're just friends for now, I am waiting for him to eventually ask me out."

As Michio gasped in horror, Landon couldn't help but laugh at their reactions. "Ah, I see where this is heading."

Emiko threw him a sidelong glance. "Do you?"

"I know of a boy around the age of 7 or 8 once," Landon recalled those memories as if it was yesterday, "When I was still in Edgewood, he was engaged to this princess."

Junko's eyes widened in surprise. "Engaged at that age? That sounds like something out of a fairy tale."

"Ah, I think Ranran mentioned this once before," Ran remembered, "She said arranged engagements are common in Edgewood."

"That's right," Landon confirmed. "It's not unusual for families of royalty and nobility to arrange marriages for their children, even at a young age. It's considered a way to secure alliances, consolidate power, and ensure the continuation of their lineage."

Michio's eyes widened further, clearly taken aback by this revelation. "That sounds...complicated."

"It can be," Landon admitted. "It's a practice that comes with its own set of challenges and complexities. And out of all of the engagements....this one I am about to tell you had its share of tragedy."

Emiko and the others listened intently, their curiosity piqued by Landon's story.

"The boy was from a noble family, the girl is the royal," Landon began. "Their engagement was arranged by their families as a way to strengthen their political ties. While the boy weighed the decisions made on their behalf.....the girl clearly did not. And even if she did, she was a tyrannical princess who cheated on him over and over."

Landon's voice held a note of bitterness as he continued, recounting the darker side of the story.

"He....had no one by his side, as he powerlessly watched her disregard their commitment, engaging in affairs without any concern for the consequences. Let alone, knew what love was. One day...he fell for another girl, and learned what love is."

Emiko and the others listened in rapt attention as Landon's voice carried the weight of the story. They could sense the bitterness and pain in his words, a stark contrast to the fairy-tale image of royalty and arranged marriages.

"For the past several years since he was 3 years old, he tried to break free from the engagement, to find his own happiness, to be with that girl he fell for. But the princess was relentless, using her power and influence to keep him bound to their arrangement. It became a prison for him, a life devoid of choice or agency."

The cab grew heavy with the weight of the story. The children exchanged glances, their hearts aching for the boy who had suffered so greatly.

"But one day," Landon's voice grew stronger, "He succeeded. He exposed her in Edgewood, and all of us were there. As a result, he broke free of the engagement to be with the girl he loved. While in the process, the princess lost everything, even the right to become one."

"Good, a girl like her deserves payback!" Junko grew riled up, and so did Ran and the others.

"Had the story gone according, it would've been happily ever after. But the boy's freedom wasn't without a price." Landon continued, his voice steady.

"Eh?"

As the kids didn't know where the story was heading, Landon ended the story with, "That princess who lost everything....schemed for his death, and he died in front of the girl he loved, whom he never once confess his feelings to."

"That's...heartbreaking," Emiko finally whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"Wait, that actually happened!?" Ran gasped in horror

"It did," Landon insists, "And if that wasn't bad enough, her only punishment was to end up in the mental hospital." 

The cab fell into a heavy silence. "That's...what!?" Michio finally breathed, his eyes wide with shock.

"Wait, how did that happen!?" Junko demanded.

"She manipulated around, that is all that needed to be said....." Landon said no more.

The children listened in stunned silence, their minds struggling to process the tragic turn of events. "That's...unbelievable," Michio's voice filled with a mixture of shock and sorrow.

"No way... That's just...too much," Emiko muttered, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"What about....that girl he loved!? What happened to her? Did she die?" Junko confronted.

"That girl...." Landon's gaze was distant, lost in the memories of that painful time. "Let's just say....she is gone."

Ran's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart aching for the boy and the girl who had suffered so greatly. She couldn't fathom the depths of pain and loss they had endured.

"That's...just too much," Ran whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.

Emiko clenched her fists, her expression a mixture of anger and grief. "That's...unforgivable. How could anyone do something so cruel?"

"Wait, did she know he had feelings for him? That girl he left that evil princess for?" Junko confronted.

"It's better she never knew."Landon nodded, his gaze still distant. "My father once said: There are things not worth knowing about, otherwise.... it just simply corrupts you."

As they continued their journey towards the Mouri Detective Agency, the rain continued to pour outside, a fitting backdrop to the heavy emotions within the cab. The children sat in contemplative silence, each of them carrying a piece of the weight of the world on their young shoulders. 

When they arrived at Mouri Detective Agency, the rain had cleared up when the taxi pulled outside the building where Mouri Ran lived.

The agency is situated in a typical urban setting, often depicted in a cityscape with other buildings surrounding it. The building itself is of medium height, not too tall but not a small storefront either. It bears a distinctive, somewhat retro style, giving it a unique charm amidst the modern architecture of the city.

The children stepped out of the cab, the cool air of the evening greeting them. The rain had finally subsided, leaving behind a sense of freshness in the air. The Mouri Detective Agency stood before them, a familiar sight for some, and a new experience for others.

"By the way, Ran-san, why did your father quit the police force and open his own agency." Junko turned to her.

"No clue," Ran shook her head in frustration, "Even until now, I have no idea why he left. He used to love working as one back then."

"Did you not ask your mother why?" Michio suggests.

"I did, she refused to tell me either." 

"That's strange," Michio remarked, furrowing his brows. "Did he get in trouble there?"

"If it was back then, no way," Ran admitted, her expression reflecting her frustration. "Tousan takes his job as a cop back then seriously."

"Back then? Odd choice of words," Landon noted.

"I would like to mention that before Ran's parents split up, he didn't drink booze and smoke all day," Emiko revealed.

"Emiko!" Ran hissed at her.

"What? It's common knowledge, the entire school and neighbourhood knows about this anyway." Emiko shrugs casually.

"Ah, well, families have their own complexities," Landon offered, trying to diffuse the situation. "My grandfather, The King, had multiple affairs besides my grandmother, before deciding to choose her out of all of the mistresses to marry before divorcing his wife."

"That's...messed up," Junko finally commented, trying to process the information.

"And your...grandmother is alright with this back then?" Michio was in awe.

"Yeah, in the first place, they were merely casually dating before he fixated on her and eventually, divorced his first wife." Landon sighed. After a moment of silence, Landon glanced at the agency's entrance. "Well, shall we go inside?"

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

As Ran led the group further into the agency, navigating the cluttered space with practised ease. The agency was a place filled with memories, a testament to the years of cases and mysteries that Kogoro had tackled. The shelves were lined with an array of case files, each one representing a puzzle that had been unravelled.

Kogoro's desk, on the other hand, told its own story. Cigarette butts and empty beer cans were scattered haphazardly, a testament to the habits he had formed over the years. The TV on the table was a constant presence, a reminder of the moments when Kogoro would try to unwind in between cases.

"Wow, this place is like a real detective's office," Junko observed, her eyes wide with awe.

"Yeah, it's definitely...authentic," Michio added, glancing around with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.

Emiko's gaze lingered on Kogoro's desk, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Your father sure has a...unique way of organizing things."

"He barely does, here, I am in charge of housekeeping since my mother left," Ran let out a small sigh, a hint of exasperation in her voice. 

Landon surveyed the room with interest, taking in the various elements that made up the detective agency. "He must have solved tons of cases enough to have tales to share."

"Barely," Ran chuckled, "Mostly there about locating missing pets to uncovering infidelity, way different than Tantei Association."

"Ouch," Junko cringed.

"Is business that bad for your father to get good clients over?" Landon turned to Ran for clarity.

"No, truthfully, her father isn't a competent Tantei, which is why he rarely had good clients over to his place. In addition to that, Ranran and Shinichi had proven themselves to be excellent child Tanteis in their own right, it ain't surprising why clients go to our HQ rather than pay Ran's Tousan a visit." Emiko admits.

"That's...a bit harsh," Michio remarked, trying to choose his words carefully.

"No, she ain't wrong," Ran added with a wry smile. "Tousan...he isn't good Tantei material."

"Ah, I see," Landon nodded in understanding, though there was a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

"Though, I have to apologize that this place...probably ain't as grand as...your home." Ran apologetically nodded to Landon.

"Don't worry about that at all." Landon waved off Ran's apology with a kind smile. "It may not have twenty to thirty servants rushing over every minute, nor had the lavish ornate decorations and sprawling gardens that I have grown used to. But it has its own charm."

For some reason, his words made Emiko's eyes twitch to one side.

After showing him around the office, while Junko was busy talking to Michio and Emiko who were curious about the way of life in Norway, let alone, of a royal prince, Ran and Junko wandered about the office as Ran showed Junko a photo album of herself with Shinichi when they were in kindergarten.

"Eh!? That is Shinichi?" Junko pointed at the young boy with a reluctant grin in the photograph with Ran while playing on a slide in kindergarten.

Ran chuckled as she looked at the photograph. "Yes, that's Shinichi. Back when we were just kids having fun at the park."

Junko studied the picture with a teasing glint in her eyes. "He looks so...different. I mean, he's still the same obnoxious 6-year-old I know of now, but back then, he was just a regular kid."

"I wouldn't really say that," Ran recalled, "He sees things differently unlike other kids."

"How so?"

"When he first came to kindergarten to browse around, he confided in me once that when it was nap time as all of us kids were napping, he thought of us as being in a mortuary, since everyone laid down covered in blankets."

Junko's eyes widened in surprise. "A mortuary? That's...a rather dark way to see nap time."

"I blame his dad who is a mystery writer, he enjoys reading all those works thanks to his Tousan's influence." Ran sighed, a hint of fond exasperation in her voice.

"That's...kind of creepy," Junko admitted, her eyes still wide with surprise.

Ran chuckled. "It can be, but it's also what makes him so good at solving cases. He has an incredibly sharp mind and a keen eye for detail."

Junko's gaze shifted back to the photograph, her expression softening. "He really is something, isn't he? Even as a kid, he has this...intensity about him."

Ran nodded in agreement. "He's always been driven, even when we were just kids. He never backs down from a challenge."

As they continued to flip through the photo album, Junko pointed at another photo, "Ah, this must be you, Sonoko and Shinichi in kindergarten at the swing set."

Ran smiled at the memory. "Yes, that's us. We spent a lot of time playing together back then."

Junko examined the photo closely. "You three look like you were having fun. It's nice to see that you've been friends for such a long time."

"We have," Ran affirmed, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia. "Sonoko, Shinichi, and I have been through so much together. They're like family to me. I would do anything for them." Then her face fell, "But towards the very end...I didn't do the same for Shinichi."

Junko's gaze turned thoughtful. "Ran-san, you were manipulated by Mamiko. You couldn't have known what would happen."

"But it doesn't excuse the fact that I didn't want Shinichi to become a Tantei, that I meddled around."

Junko placed a comforting hand on Ran's shoulder. "Ran-san, you were just trying to protect him. You didn't want him to face the dangers and hardships of being a detective."

"I know, but I should have trusted him, believed in him," Ran's voice wavered with emotion. "And yet... I didn't, blaming Ranran for taking him in, severing his ties with me and Sonoko as friends, when in reality....she was protecting him from us, from Mamiko. And towards the very end...I was the villainess while she was the heroine." 

Junko's expression softened, filled with understanding and empathy. "Ran-san..."

Ran's gaze remained fixed on the photo as she sadly revealed, "I don't think I should seek forgiveness, but rather, fix my wrongs in the association. After learning of...what I know of Ranran's past, I had no right anymore."

"Ranran's past.....? What are you talking about?"

Realizing Ran almost let slip about it, she dismisses Junko's question while casting her eyes silently before shutting the album, forcing a smile as she ends it with, "Ah, that is nothing."