Relationships aren't about whether a person fits the mold of a male protagonist. They're based on mutual understanding and a connection that allows feelings to intertwine.
When one party chooses to deceive, that connection is severed.
Especially when the deceitful party's "greed" is exposed, the bond can never be rekindled.
Despite this, Suzuki Sonoko remained supportive.
"That's right! Ran, this is the best choice for you."
"That guy Kudo will definitely get into even more trouble."
"The problems he's facing now are huge, the trouble he's gotten himself into is something that can't be easily dealt with."
She was speechless about Kudo's actions.
Sacrificing his identity could have made him safer, but it also meant making a choice to give up completely.
If the organization that turned Kudo into an elementary schooler wasn't destroyed, and the poison he consumed couldn't be completely reversed, then Kudo would either be a child forever or would need to grow up again.
But no matter which Kudo it was, he was already out of the game.
Being a child forever meant certain doom.
Growing up again at the same pace would also mean his end.
Would Ran have to wait for that elementary schooler to grow up while Kudo regrew?
In Sonoko's eyes, the moment Ran rejected Kudo, no matter how hard he tried, the outcome was predetermined.
"Hmm."
Mouri Ran didn't think that much about it.
She simply couldn't accept Shinichi using "protection" as an excuse to get close to her, and then using that to be "greedy."
It wasn't that she didn't understand.
But if he had used a different method, she wouldn't have chosen to move out of her house and live with her mother.
"What are you going to do now?"
"I mean about Kudo."
"Pretend I don't know."
Mouri Ran made her decision.
"Since he ruined the identity of "Kudo Shinichi," I'll pretend Shinichi is already dead."
"He's now someone else, another child of Mrs. Eri and Mr. Kudo."
"I won't expose him, but I also don't want to live with him."
"Hmm, that's probably the best choice."
Sonoko was happy that Ran could make a decision.
Given what Kudo had done, she also felt it was best for Kudo to keep a distance from Ran, to avoid causing her endless trouble.
Now a new problem arose.
"Next is the matter of Amamiya, right?"
"He's the one who writes the diary every day. He's the one who knows the story, he knows a lot."
"Hmm, not bad, he's a guy I like. Amamiya has hidden points beyond his looks."
In a way, her taste in guys was pretty good.
Wasn't it?
She found the one who wrote the diary out of countless people.
Just for that specialness, Sonoko knew why such a big event happened the other day.
Everything was behind Amamiya.
Amamiya wasn't the one who did everything, nor was he the one manipulating things behind the scenes, but the eye of the storm was always on Amamiya.
"I was wondering why that big ice cube Shirayuki Kaguya never stayed at Shuuchiin, she was actually testing Amamiya."
"And the arrogant little brat behind that big ice cube."
"I was wondering why that little brat was involved, so that's how it is."
She suspected that the arrogant little brat and the big ice cube were up to something.
Now she knew, the secret behind this wasn't small.
"Ran, are you going to meet Amamiya directly?"
"Hmm... I do plan to."
"How about the weekend then?"
"Eh?"
Mouri Ran looked at Sonoko in surprise.
"But the weekend is your date with Amamiya-kun, isn't it?"
"Well, dates are important, but I think some things are important to say."
"And it's okay for you to be involved, it's like a confession session between us."
"If we talk about things openly, it'll be more natural for me to go on dates with Amamiya later."
"Are you still planning on going on dates with Amamiya-kun?"
"Of course."
"I didn't want to date him for any other reason, I just thought he was really handsome."
"Isn't it natural to continue dating him after that?"
Looking at Sonoko, who was so matter-of-fact, Mouri Ran felt her worries were unnecessary.
Indeed, Sonoko only wanted to date Amamiya-kun because he had hidden points in his looks.
It was a very pure reason.
The purpose was without any impurities.
"Ran, wait for me to contact you tomorrow, remember to prepare everything."
"Hmm."
Tomorrow's date still needed some preparation.
Even though the main purpose this time was to accompany Ran to confront Amamiya, she still treated it as a real date, so she needed to do the necessary preparations.
So early the next morning, Suzuki Sonoko started preparing for the date.
She chose her clothes and put on light makeup.
She basically prepared everything for a date before heading out to meet Ran at the agreed location.
The meeting place was naturally below Amamiya Ren's apartment.
When she arrived by car, Suzuki Sonoko saw Ran.
"Liao-shu, pick me up later tonight."
"Understood, Second Miss."
Getting out of the car, she walked towards Ran.
"Ran."
She noticed that Ran had also dressed up today.
"Oh, you changed your style too."
"It feels like if you stand beside me, I'll steal the spotlight as the protagonist."
"No way."
Such praise was exaggerated.
Mouri Ran felt a little embarrassed.
"I'm not kidding, you know."
"Today's Ran is even prettier than yesterday, it feels like you've changed."
Suzuki Sonoko, who always knew about Ran's situation, wasn't joking. She really felt a change in Ran.
It was a special change, not the kind that came from clothes.
It was a special change, a change that started from within.
PS: Next chapter will be a little late.
PS: We've passed chapter 3 and the Tiger of Yin.