T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 39 - Limitations

On the aeroplane back home, the speculations and whispers among the students from class 1-A were inevitable. The mysterious appearance of bruises on Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko triggered their curiosity, and it wasn't long before various theories began to circulate.

6-year-old Kudo Ranran could not be bothered, now that she is asleep.

But Ranran's group had managed to secure seats together on the flight from afar, and as they settled into their seats, the discussions around them were hard to ignore.

"It seems like everyone's talking about Mouri Ran and Sonoko."

Reina nodded to Shinichi, her gaze thoughtful. "I mean around day 1 before we flew to New York City, those two were so high and mighty about achieving the best trip of their lives after I banned them from this New York school trip for all of the hell they had done onto Ranran, only to rebel against me, I would not have foreseen within days later, they would come back looking all so defeated."

"To be fair, we knock them unconscious after attempting to expose Ranran as The Fox, before shipping them to Ranran's Edgewood friends," Takuma reasoned to his girlfriend, "Whatever hell they had given them, it must have done them well. Cause their eyes to look all so defeated. "Takuma chuckled.

Shinichi chuckled softly at Takuma's comment. "I have to agree. Looks like karma caught up with them faster than expected."

Reina sighed her expression a mix of empathy and mild amusement. "I hope they've learned their lesson about messing with Ranran."

Takuma leaned back in his seat, his gaze shifting to Ranran who was peacefully asleep beside him. "Well, at least now they'll think twice before trying to meddle anymore. I ain't into violence unlike Ranran, but seeing them covered with bruises made me feel glad that this is all of the hell they had caused for Ranran."

"Even so, I have concerns it will blow out of proportion." Reina frowned, "I saw that look Mouri was giving Ranran earlier, her resentment had grown a lot."

"Good," Shinichi grins, "The more she has, the more she might lash out at Ranran."

"How is that good? Ranran might get hurt." Reina and Takuma grew worried.

"The more she lashes out, the more kids around her will continue to doubt anything she says about Ranran, let alone, what we did to her behind-the-scenes." Shinichi says, "Ranran can protect herself, and so can we. We need to push them to do one last jab before they could do a thing."

The discussions continued throughout the flight, with Ranran peacefully asleep, unaware of the conversations happening around her. As the plane soared through the skies, the thoughts and emotions of Ranran's group remained as complex as ever.

Takuma's voice lowered as he spoke, his tone serious. "Shinichi, you're right in a way. Mouri Ran's resentment can actually work in our favour. Her credibility had been into question for a long time after Mamiko's video with Sonoko came up."

Reina nodded in agreement. "And if she pushes too hard and people realize that she's been dishonest, it might just backfire on her."

"Exactly," Shinichi leaned back in his seat, his expression contemplative.

"But....it ain't really wrong that we relied on Ranran's Edgewood friends to...." Once more, Takuma avoided using the word 'torture', "Teach them a lesson."

The plane's gentle hum and the distant conversations from other passengers provided a backdrop to their quiet discussion. As the trio exchanged thoughts and perspectives, it was clear that the situation was multi-layered and emotionally charged.