T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 9 - Bird Wonderland

That night around 8 pm, the members of Tantei Association finally reached Professor Shibuya Jirou's house ahead of the others as they travelled by taxi since it was too far to travel using their motorbike sidecar, bike and skateboard in combination.

"Why are we not using the roller skates Takuma used the other day during our sixth major case, 'The Last Laugh'? I thought it can travel long distances since Shinichi's neighbour, Professor Agasa, made good modifications to it?" Michio, who shared the second cab with Junko and Ran, was sitting in the front passenger seat as he turned to them.

"It did, but shortly after he was done, the shoe overheated and short circuit. Had Takuma not taken it out after rescuing Mr Takashi that day, it could've almost burned his feet." Junko pointed out.

"Oh, right. I remember now," Michio replied with a nod. "Well, I guess it's a good thing we didn't risk using it tonight then."

While Michio went on to converse with the taxi driver, Junko noted that to her right, Mouri Ran was looking rather down, leaning her head against the door window.

"Hey, Ran, you alright?" Junko asked, concerned for her friend.

Ran looked up, forcing a smile on her face. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a bit tired, I guess."

Ever since Mouri Ran joined Tantei Association, there was never a day she never shed a tear behind the scenes, aside from the disturbing nature of the crimes she had to witness as a 6-year-old, she also had to deal with the cold treatment from her former friend, Shinichi, as well as his mentor, Ranran.

Junko gave Ran a sympathetic look, ensuring Michio isn't looking at the two girls, she whispered to Ran, "Neh Mouri, have you not thought of quitting the association?"

"Eh?" This made Ran startled.

"I mean...it's clear that Ranran and Shinichi are giving you a hard time, no?"

Ran's eyes widened in surprise at Junko's bold question. "Well, yeah, but... I can't just quit because of 'personal feelings', nah?"

"But at what cost, Ran?" Junko frowned, not fully satisfied with Ran's answer. "You are clearly hurting with Shinichi ignoring you, while Ranran constantly lashing out at you. Besides, you clearly don't like Tantei work."

As much as Mouri Ran wants to deny this, Junko was not completely in the wrong.

The main reason Mouri Ran joined Tantei Association at that time was to salvage Suzuki Sonoko's reputation. At that time, when Sonoko broke into the Kudo's mansion to verify what was the true nature of the relationship as the family was having an important gathering party to get investors, Ranran and Shinichi mistake her for a suspect in one of the cases they were working on, so they naturally defended their humble abode by whacking her with a bat black and blue.

When the truth was revealed, Mouri Ran demanded Ranran restore Sonoko's reputation, but Ranran refused since she deemed it would be unreasonable and Shinichi sided with her. Plus, they only had 4 members at that time to solve their first-ever major case, so in haste, Mouri Ran willingly volunteer on aiding this case, in exchange for Sonoko's reputation being restored.

And now, although Ranran had kept her word and restored Sonoko's reputation, Ran had still remained in the HQ regardless and refused to leave, which is the cause of the friction between the three of them. Mouri Ran's motive was to get Shinichi back, away from Ranran who is manipulative and cunning. Also, the fact that Mouri had a crush on Shinichi is one of the main reasons.

"But it ain't like I am the only one," Ran sighed, her emotions conflicted as she too pointed out, "You too don't like Tantei work, but you chase Michio all the way here because he is avoiding you."