T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 30 - Different Hotels

"Tousan, you are making a mistake!" Sonoko's voice trembled. "Ranran isn't who she claims to be!"

Sonoko's desperate plea echoed in the dimly lit lobby of the rundown hotel, her voice carrying a mixture of frustration, fear, and urgency. Mouri Ran watched her friend with a conflicted expression, torn between her loyalty to Sonoko and her own growing doubts about the situation.

"Suzuki Sonoko, I understand that you may have your reservations about Ranran, but we have been through this before," her father's voice replied with a hint of weariness. "You've accused her of baseless things, and it led to a terrible incident at the Tantei Association headquarters. Especially after last year's incident, I don't know what other things are you capable of!"

"But Tousan!" Sonoko's voice cracked with emotion. "I know I did wrong her last year when we were 5 regarding me storming into the death memorial, but this time she is truly at fault for many other things!"

Mouri Ran's eyes widened at Sonoko's words. The tension in the air was palpable as she watched her friend and listened to the heated conversation between Sonoko and her father.

"Sonoko, enough of these baseless accusations," her father's voice was stern. "You need to take responsibility for your actions and the choices you've made."

Tears welled up in Sonoko's eyes as she struggled to convey the urgency of her feelings to her father. "Tousan, please-"

"You almost made our family broke when you stormed into the death memorial Ranran was hosting, and she was only 5 when that incident happen!" Her father's voice was firm, cutting through her pleas. "You're not thinking rationally, and I won't stand by while you make baseless accusations against someone else. Ranran is innocent of the things you're claiming, and it's time for you to face the consequences of your actions."

Sonoko's shoulders slumped, her voice trembling with a mixture of defeat and frustration.

"Also, Mouri, I know you are a good friend to my daughter, but you need to stop this nonsense. I heard the details of what happened between you, Sonoko and Shinichi from someone."

Mouri Ran who is hearing of this could do nothing but tremble in anger, once more, Kudo Ranran had the upper edge of manipulating everyone, including Sonoko's parents. Her rage boiled beneath the surface as she listened to Sonoko's father's words.

"You have two choices, either call me, and I will send someone to take you back home. Or you guys remain in the hotel, so what will it be?!"

The call ended, leaving the lobby in an eerie silence. Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon them.

"Tousan... he doesn't understand!" Sonoko's voice cracked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ranran... she's not who she seems to be! She's dangerous!"

"We will show them," Mouri Ran watched her friend's distress, "When Ranran is unmasked as The Fox, things will go back to the way things were."

Sonoko's tearful gaze met Mouri Ran's determined one. "You really believe that, don't you?"

"I have to," Ran's voice was resolute. "Anything to get Shinichi back, we must deal with hardships."

"But what if she manages to manipulate everything again?" Sonoko's voice wavered, doubt creeping into her tone.

"We won't let that happen," Mouri Ran's grip on Sonoko's shoulder tightened. "Schemers don't prosper, remember?!"

"I hope you're right, Ran." Sonoko wiped her tears, a mix of determination and uncertainty in her eyes. "These past 2 months had been difficult."

By this point, Mouri Ran was beginning to regret not trusting Shinichi thanks to the feud between him and Rokuro, "This was all my fault, had I not fallen for Rokuro's lies because he had feelings for me, Shinichi wouldn't have ended up with Ranran. Hell, we wouldn't even be in this predicament...."