T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 2 - Nobles Vs Suzukis

"Walter," the 5-year-old's Ranran's voice dripped with a chilling indifference, her words laced with a false gentleness and innocence that sent shivers down the two girls' spine. "No need to punch Sonoko. She is still too young to understand what she is saying."

To everyone else, it might sound as if Ranran is being kind. She isn't.

Behind that soft facade lies a cold and calculating mind, deliberately insulting Sonoko, stripping her of any dignity with each spiteful word. She taunts Sonoko, labelling her as a fool and a wild bull in her own family, driving a wedge of inferiority into the girl's heart.

And this was proven evident when one of her contacts argued, "Too young!? You and she are the same age! She should know better than to harass you!"

And that struck a nerve in Sonoko. How dare that brute!

But Ranran relishes in the fear and hatred that brews within her.

"So you are saying that this Suzuki Sonoko here," Tiffany was in very much disbelief while pointing to the short-haired girl, "Is the daughter of that 'Suzuki family'? The same family who is the Second Richest Conglomerate family in the whole of Japan? What sort of rubbish farce is this!? She behaves so rudely and improperly!"

The irony of a high-born girl acting improperly and uncouthly in front of a crowd amplified the mockery that Ranran revelled in.

The children remained in the luxurious hall, having not long ago held a death memorial of Christopher, a little Duke who was murdered last year by his mother. Ran and Sonoko simply barge into the place, and Sonoko confronts Ranran about kicking off her birthday party here for a deceased boy whose title privileges barely work in Japan, unlike the U.K........this speaks volumes.

"How could someone from the esteemed Suzuki family behave rudely and disgracefully?!" Teddy was stunned at her behaviour.

As whispers were exchanged, Samantha who noted that Takuma, Moriko and Reina were still standing at the entrance came to ask, "The three of you, do you recognize whether this idiot before us...." She pointed at the shocked girl, "Happens to be the daughter of the Suzuki Group?"

The air grew heavy with tension as Samantha's words hung in the air like a dark omen. Takuma, Moriko, and Reina, who were still standing at the entrance of the luxurious hall, exchanged uneasy glances.

"Honestly, I barely know her long enough, we only saw her once at a parkour event months ago," Reina admitted, and so did Takuma.

But then Moriko who is usually timid said something shocking, "Neither do I, but I can confirm with you that she is."

Moriko's unexpected revelation sent ripples of surprise through the crowd. All eyes turned to her, wondering how she could possibly know such a well-kept secret. Even Sonoko seemed taken aback by the revelation, her eyes darting between Moriko and Ranran, trying to comprehend the situation.

"And how, pray tell, would you know such a thing?" Isabelle demanded, suspicion tainting her tone.

"She bragged about it," Moriko hesitated momentarily, her hands trembling slightly, but then she spoke with a hint of determination. "I overheard her telling the rest of the kids one time when we were at that same parkour event. Talking all so high and mighty."

Sonoko's eyes darted around the room, "Well, that's preposterous!" she declared with a forced laugh, attempting to brush off Moriko's claim. "Moriko must be making this up. She's always been a bit...delusional."

But the seed of doubt had been planted, and Sonoko's attempts to deflect only fueled the fire of suspicion. "No, I don't," Moriko argued, "When Shinichi pushed Ranran down and fractured her leg, and she pointed Shinichi for doing this to her, you yelled at Ranran to say 'Don't lie, do you know who I am? I am Suzuki Sonoko, the 2nd daughter of the Suzuki Group! I will make sure you won't live well if you continue to lie."