Cradled in Ran's arms, Akashi appeared calm, but his vigilance remained sharp.
Despite the comfort of her tender embrace, his mind was racing, meticulously scanning the surroundings.
He knew all too well that even though Akemi was merely a peripheral member of the organization, the stakes were high.
She had masterminded the robbery of 1 billion yen, a daring act that wasn't without consequence.
Years of navigating the shadowy world of the organization had taught Akashi one thing: Gin was not someone to be underestimated.
There was a high probability that Gin was nearby, keeping a watchful eye on Akemi's every move.
Perhaps there were even spies planted within the bank, blending in seamlessly among the staff and customers.
He recalled how, in the original timeline, when Akemi was silenced, Vodka had casually mentioned that they had been monitoring her movements all along—even knowing when she accessed the safe in the hotel.
With this in mind, Akashi quickly concluded that recognizing or interacting with Akemi now would be a grave mistake.
Any sign of unusual behavior from Akemi might alert the organization and spell disaster, not just for her but for everyone nearby—including Ran, who was still holding him protectively.
He knew he couldn't afford to involve her in such a dangerous situation.
After taking a moment to calm himself, Akashi determined the best course of action.
---
Akashi cast one last, thoughtful glance at Akemi, who was being reprimanded by the bank manager behind the counter.
He then looked up at Ran and said, "Sister Ran, the bank business is done. Let's leave now!"
Ran smiled warmly at his words and turned to head outside, carrying him effortlessly.
"Alright, let's go. Dad just handed me the bankbook and withdrew the money. How about this? I'll take you out for a big dinner!"
With that cheerful promise, Ran walked out of the bank with Akashi in her arms, her figure brimming with youthful energy.
Behind the counter, Akemi glanced up instinctively, sensing a familiar gaze lingering on her.
She turned to look, but all she saw was the retreating figure of a lively young girl disappearing through the door.
The bald manager, who had been berating Akemi moments earlier, clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Young employees these days really lack discipline," he muttered under his breath.
Akemi turned back and bowed respectfully, her voice soft yet sincere.
"Manager, I'm deeply sorry. But with my current condition, I don't think I can fulfill my duties any longer. I'd like to resign."
Her words carried genuine remorse.
Though her decision to rob the bank was driven by the desperate need to save her sister, she couldn't help but feel guilty.
She understood that the manager, who had simply been doing his job, might face consequences because of her actions.
The bald manager's stern expression softened immediately upon hearing her resignation. A sigh of relief escaped him as he said, "Masami-kun, are you scared? I get it—bank robberies are rare, after all.
"But look around, no one was hurt today. It's proof that our work environment is still quite safe."
His tone lightened further as he added, "I'll grant you some time off. Take a proper break and come back recharged. You've got a promising future ahead."
Akemi offered a faint, bitter smile in response.
Her thoughts echoed silently: A future? I'm not even sure if I have one anymore.
After making that statement, the bald manager quickly turned around and left.
"I hope this capable employee doesn't bring up resigning again," he thought anxiously.
Meanwhile, Akemi, who had received false news, began packing her belongings, preparing to leave.
She picked up her phone, her gaze narrowing as she read the text message on the screen. Her delicate hands tightened around the phone, betraying her tension.
Without hesitation, Akemi grabbed her bag and headed toward the parking lot.
As she passed by the long-haired security guard, their eyes briefly met.
Yes, this long-haired guard was also part of the robbery conspiracy!
Among the three robbers who had stolen 1 billion yen from the bank, only the getaway driver had fled the scene.
The other two—Akemi and the long-haired guard—remained behind at the bank. Under the bright lights, they carried out their deception seamlessly. Neither displayed the slightest hint of suspicion.
Even though the police had been drawn to the other side of the Datsu River by the fleeing van, a few officers stayed behind to investigate the bank.
Wearing high heels, Akemi strode calmly to the parking lot and climbed into her red Mazda.
The engine roared to life, and she smoothly drove away from Yotsubishi Bank.
Once she had traveled a safe distance, Akemi exhaled deeply, finally allowing herself a moment of relief.
Reaching under her seat, she retrieved a bag—stuffed with yen.
This was the real prize: 1 billion yen.
Of course, it wasn't just one bag; the rest were stored in the trunk.
Before the cash transport truck arrived, Akemi had instructed the long-haired guard to load the money into the bags.
After incapacitating the truck driver with an anesthetic needle, the group had transferred the billion yen into her Mazda.
The aluminum cases delivered to the robbers' van were empty.
To cover their tracks, they smashed the van's windows to create chaos and noise, ensuring the racer could draw attention as he fled.
While the police and others focused on the van, the real cash remained hidden in plain sight in the bank's parking lot.
Calmly and openly, Akemi drove off with the fortune, her cunning plan succeeding in misleading not only the police but also Conan and even the Black Organization.
All eyes were on the Mercedes-Benz van, which acted as the decoy.
Even Gin, with his formidable intellect, was fooled—unable to locate the billion yen Akemi had hidden.
For now, Akemi had to find a secure place to stash the money. She pressed the accelerator, and the red Mazda sped off into the distance.
---
When the police, Kogoro, and Conan reached the Datsu River, they found only an abandoned van and empty aluminum cases.
The van had been meticulously wiped of fingerprints, leaving no leads. Inside, the police discovered two black masks but nothing of significance.
Realizing the trick, Conan silently cursed and quickly turned back.
Meanwhile, Akashi had no intention of joining Ran for dinner.
Making an excuse about meeting school friends, he left her behind and hailed a taxi. His abrupt departure angered Ran, who decided to teach him a lesson later. Left without options, she called her best friend Sonoko to go shopping.
Akashi, however, wasn't returning to the bank. He knew exactly where Akemi would go next—and was headed there in haste.