T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 6 - The Idiot Side-character

Jealousy is a part of nature as Ran's mother once taught her when she was younger.

It will always bring out the ugliest part of a person, therefore, one shouldn't act out the way those bad guys in Tv would, because otherwise, you will be that sore loser everyone love to hate. Yet, as much as Ran tried, it was becoming too difficult to contain any longer as Shinichi grew more and more distant towards her and grew closer to Ranran.

Mouri Ran's jealousy towards Ranran's talents and her close bond with Shinichi began to fester and grow over time for the past few months. As she witnessed the success of "House of Winter Vs The Trolls" and saw how Shinichi and Ranran were cheered by the applauding crowd, in the case, given a standing ovation during the play, her feelings of resentment intensified.

In her heart, Mouri Ran knew that this part of her jealousy was irrational and unfair. It wasn't as if Ranran intentionally wanted to rub her idiotic arrogance in her face by acting clingy over Shinichi to hurt Ran's fragile heart. Unlike those villainesses Mouri Ran saw on Tv where they do that to the male lead to spite the pure heroine loved by many which earn their hatred, Ranran never did any of those things in front of her, or even as Ranran and Shinichi assume no one was looking while they banter about as they laughed, it was utterly very cordial to the eyes of many. With that mentioned, Mouri Ran has no reason to attack her character as a result.

At the same time however, it can't be help since Kudo Ranran herself is born with a cunning mindset. Nothing about her is sincere. Yet....everyone around loves the little child detective girl.

Neither of them were friends, but the hatred towards Ranran is evident. For taking Shinichi away from her, for ruining Sonoko's reputation....everything in Mouri Ran's life was at fault all thanks to the she-demon's schemes. But Shinichi knew about it and didn't care, he was fine with Ranran being this way. Which irked Mouri Ran completely.

As time went on, Mouri Ran's jealousy and resentment towards Ranran became consuming. She couldn't understand why her ex-friend Shinichi was so enamoured with her, despite knowing about her manipulative nature. Ranran seemed to have this magnetic charm that drew people in, and it frustrated Mouri Ran to no end. Her once vibrant and lively personality seemed to dim as her negative emotions took over. She couldn't escape the constant comparison to Ranran, and it ate away at her self-esteem.

Despite her feelings of anger towards Ranran, Mouri Ran couldn't deny the undeniable talent and charisma the girl possessed. It was evident in the success of "House of Winter Vs The Trolls" and the adoration she received from the school and community. Ranran seemed to effortlessly excel in everything she did, and it only added fuel to Mouri Ran's envy.

The last straw...was when Mouri Ran, who months ago was cast in the role of Greda through Sonoko, was given a script that require her to not act the typical stereotype heroine loved by many, but a heroine who is very ignorant.

...................................................

"What is this?!" Ran exclaimed, her frustration evident in her voice. "I'm supposed to play this bumbling, idiotic character?"

The drama club leader, who was also the director of the play, tried to reason with her. "Ranran actually suggested this, and she thinks this character generally suits your personality."

"You must be joking! Am I that much of a fool!?" Ran protested, "How can you listen to someone who has barely been in the drama club since day 1!? When Sonoko was the one who had been with you since the beginning!?"

"Mouri, you know that Sonoko had to pay for what she did when she broke into the Kudo residence and hurt Ranran." The drama club leader sighed, understanding Mouri Ran's frustration but also feeling the pressure to maintain harmony within the club. "Before that incident took place when Ranran was cast as the Snow Queen, did you hear her whine about it? And this was before Ranran was put in charge of changing the entire script Sonoko wrote."