Wakasa instantly noticed it.
Unlike the people who were standing around, watching as the police handcuffed the crazy criminal, she was the only one to notice the look of disappointment and anger on Ran's face.
The criminal had tried to escape and she tried to take him down, but her Karate skills proved useless against his Muay Thai.
And Wakasa found herself recalling her own anger and disappointment at herself when she couldn't protect Amanda nor Kohji, and both are dead.
Ran let out a breath as she stretched a bit, taking a small break from her training inside the dojo, and that's when she noticed Wakasa leaning on the door.
"You've been pushing yourself, but it ain't good enough.", Wakasa said as she closed the dojo's door.
Ran frowned before she pointed out, "No offense, Wakasa-sensei… But I don't think you can help me…".
Wakasa smirked, "Try me….".
Ran panted while lying on the ground, every part of her body was aching with unimaginable pain. She had fought Wakasa at the beginning with low strength, thinking the woman was bluffing, but when she received the first punch in her face, Ran knew Wakasa was tough.
Despite pushing herself to the limits and using her full power, Wakasa easily beat her up, and now Ran found herself unable to move even a finger.
She slowly opened her eyes to see Wakasa staring down at her coldly with her arms crossed.
"Get up.", She ordered.
The commanding tone she spoke with alongside the aura she emitted sent a shiver down Ran's spine, before she slowly got up.
"You're weak. You lack both speed and strength. Sure, your speed and strength for your age is something, but since you often face criminals, you're gonna have to be tougher than that.", Wakasa said.
"Teach me.", Ran said without a second thought.
Wakasa remained passive for a few seconds before she smirked, "I hope you can keep up with me then.".
This was not the plan, Wakasa had told herself that she would help Ran, train her once or twice, but it has been a month and they've been secretly meeting nearly every day, with Wakasa helping her train, and often sparring with her.
Wakasa wasn't sure why she still stuck to Ran, but she thought that it may be because of the girl's determination and ferocity reminded her of her younger self, of how she vowed to get stronger to avenge Amanda and Kohji.
Of course, Ran did not just train with Wakasa but she started chatting with her about everything, her life, her family, and would often ask Wakasa more about herself, but the latter would give vague answers.
But Wakasa then recalled that Ran was close to Haibara and the detective boys, so this could be a chance for her to ask her about Haibara.
"Ai-chan? What about her?", Ran asked curiously as she sat on the mat to take a break.
"I find that girl to be very mysterious… She's very serious and smart for someone her age.". Wakasa mumbled as she sat next to her.
"I don't find that surprising, I've met people who were that smart as kids.", Ran replied vaguely.
Wakasa raised an eyebrow at Ran's answer. She could tell that the girl was lying, trying to hide something from her, so she probably knew something about Haibara, or something connected her but decided to keep it a secret.
'You're smarter than you look, Mouri.', Wakasa complimented her mentally.
"Wakasa-sensei, why are you sad most of the time?", Ran asked out of the blue, making Wakasa blink at her.
"Where did that come from?", She asked curiously.
"I often notice you staring with a sad look, and sometimes anger is in your eyes, what's bothering you?", Ran asked in genuine worry, which took Wakasa off guard.
"I… You remind me of myself when I was younger… When I failed to save someone, I care about because I wasn't strong enough.", Wakasa mumbled as she clenched her fists angrily.
"Wakasa-sensei…", Ran said in pity, "You want to avenge that person, don't you?".
"Yes, I'm doing my best to find the person who created the poison that killed them and their boss, and I'll kill them.", Wakasa did her best to contain her anger, but her tone was nevertheless aggressive.
Ran remained silent for a few moments before she said, "Maybe… maybe that person was forced to make the poison?".
The sentence made alarm bells ring in Wakasa's head, and she turned to Ran and asked eagerly, "What makes you say that?".
Ran would not have said that unless she knows something.
"I've learned lots of things during the cases my father or Shinichi would solve, and one of them was that the person we think is the culprit for something he had done may not be the true culprit in the end, maybe a victim who was forced.", Ran explained before she looked at Wakasa with a smile, "My advice, if you ever find that person, talk to them first.".
Wakasa looked at her vaguely, wondering about her words. Could it be that Sherry is actually a victim? That changes the whole concept she had about Sherry, so it would be best if she payed her a visit and spoke with her directly, but first things first.
Wakasa stood up and said, "We've chatted enough, spar with me.".
Wakasa expected Ran to complain or ask if she had done something wrong, but Ran surprised her by launching towards her, a fist heading towards her face.
Wakasa caught her fist and aimed for a kick but Ran blocked it with her arm.
"You're the one who always said to catch their opponents off guard.", Ran slightly smirked as she freed her fist and turned to perform a reverse roundhouse kick, but Wakasa evaded it.
She smirked as as she blocked Ran's other punch before she sent one of her own, which Ran caught, "You're learning fast!".
"I've had a good teacher!", Ran laughed as she blocked a kick from Wakasa.
Wakasa will chat with Haibara, but after she's done being Ran's best teacher.