T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 50 - The Fallout of NASA

"You mentioned that Ishibashi Mamiko started out all of this, right? Then why not expose her?"

6-year-old Ran blinked a blank look before one of the kids sighed at how dense she could be.

"At the beginning of the story you shared, your friends and that 'cunning detective girl', all of whom were pitted against each other because of her lies, and her delusional feelings towards Shinichi." One girl recounted Ran's story, "She is basically a pariah after she exposed her in school, correct? That girl?"

"Ah, yes," Ran nodded, her expression thoughtful. "The detective girl did that to make sure she couldn't dupe another child anymore."

The girl who had spoken up continued, "Exactly. So, why not dig out something damning about her? It could help clear the air and show them that you were also a victim of her lies."

"But it ain't like the entire school ain't aware I was one of her puppets," Ran's fingers curled.

The girl nodded, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. "True, but exposing her further could still make a difference. It would show that you're taking responsibility for your actions and actively working to make things right."

Ran took a moment to consider the suggestion. It wasn't a bad idea, she thought. After all, Mamiko's deceit had been the catalyst for much of the strife. "You might have a point," she admitted. "It's just... I don't even know where to start."

"Is it because she is superiorly cunning that you are worried you don't know where to begin?" A boy asked.

"To be honest, exposing her is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands." Ran's gaze turned contemplative. "She used to live in a mansion with her mom in some luxurious neighbourhood, but after that scandal of her mom working as...you know, the evil kind of job one would work in a nightclub....honestly, after moving to the slums....especially when she attempted to murder...our leader with a knife once at school, I fear of her way more than the other girl would."

The children listened intently, their eyes wide with a mix of shock and concern. "Wait, why is she still in school then?!" Another boy asked.

"Her mom has 'ties', apparently 'that kind of profession' still works in their favour."

After hearing Ran say so, it was clear that Mamiko was a force to be reckoned with, and Ran's fear of her was more than justified.

"That's... really messed up," one of the boys finally commented, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Yeah, like, that's some next-level crazy stuff," another girl added, shaking her head.

"That poor child must have been fearing for her life." Another boy thinks.

"She didn't, she said she had no time to fear since she had Tantei work to do." Ran muses.

"That's seriously intense," one of the girls breathed, clearly impressed by Ranran's resolve.

"I honestly don't know how she managed to find the strength to deal with her," Ran nodded, a shiver running down her spine as she recalled some of the more chilling encounters with Mamiko. "Anyway, Mamiko's got this way of manipulating people, making them believe whatever she wants. It's like she's got a dark magic to make people do things they wouldn't think possible. And....I am scared of her now I think back way more than the other. Cause at least the leader didn't try to kill me with a gun or a knife the way Mamiko did."

"But exposing her lies could be a way to regain your friends' trust," a thoughtful voice chimed in. "If they see that you're willing to take a stand against her, it might help them see you in a new light."