T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 46 - A Risky Gambit

6-year-old Mouri Ran's words tugged at her mother's heartstrings. 

When Eri Kisaki and Mouri Kogoro split up after a huge dispute, although Ran was loved by both sides, it appears that the split was really taking a toll on her daughter for a long 2 months. As much as she and Kogoro would bicker and spat about after splitting up, it wasn't to a toxic point unlike most divorced parents she would see in court, let alone, scare or traumatize a child.

Which is why both sides agreed not to divorce since they are both aware that kids at school won't take it kindly onto children from broken families. Back then during their era as children, any child from such parents normally was spared from being bullied, unless their parents are officially done with each other for good.

But Eri wasn't aware that the dynamics of the world had changed, and Ran was already feeling the effects of it. Nowadays the chances of divorce among separated parents have increased so drastically, that even Ran will not be spared by kids her age.

Eri had wanted to protect her daughter from the emotional turmoil that often accompanied divorce, but in doing so, she hadn't considered the impact it might have on Ran's own understanding of love and relationships. Especially her crush towards Shinichi. Ran is only 6-years-old after all.

"You're right, Ran; letting go of something that makes you happy can be incredibly painful, and that was something neither your father nor I had in mind before we split up. But sometimes letting go is the way to make oneself happy."

"How is it so!?" Ran continued to weep, "I am unhappy to see Shinichi smiling whenever he is with her. And whenever I spoke to him, he always gave me the cold look."

"Well, would you not be in his shoes? If you were falsely accused of something you didn't do? Then harassed by him when you decided to cut ties with him to find your own happiness with someone else?"

The young mother's words struck a chord with Ran, causing her to pause and think about her own actions and words.

"Ran-san, throughout the times your Tousan is out at work at those bars undercover as a private Tantei, even though he has annoyingly surrounded himself with hostesses, have you ever once seen me try to stop him?"

The lawyer's question gave Ran pause as she considered it. She knew that her father often spent long hours at work, and though she had been aware of his interactions with hostesses, which had fueled her own insecurities and fears, even though her mother saw him, she did nothing.

"We split up, Ran. And it's been hard on both of us back then, I ain't going to lie." Eri explained gently. "But we know better than to meddle in each other's lives. Why? Because at the end of the day, we don't possess each other as if we are belongings, Ran-san. Your Tousan and I may not be together anymore, but we still care for each other's well-being as your parents, Ran. Otherwise, if we were out busy doing the things you did to Shinichi, what would be left of us? Let alone, you? Would you be happy towards the end?"

Eri's words continued to sink in for Ran. 

"I...I didn't think of it that way," Ran admitted, her voice filled with remorse. "I just.....I felt like...Shinichi wasn't in his right mind-"

"No, he is very clear about who he is. It's because you and Sonoko weren't, you were both out simply wanting to find the blame instead of fully accepting your own faults, and Ranran had to be the unfortunate victim for both of your hostility!"

Ran couldn't argue this time, since she knew this was a losing battle and Ran had no one to blame but herself alone.

Slumping, tears fell out of her eyes as Ran revealed, "I....want to make amends with Shinichi."