Ming Ke Theater Chapter 058

【……

Time was up. The police contacted the number the robbers had called earlier and informed him they were preparing to release Kunio Yajima.

The short, chubby robber told the police, “Then, have Yajima call me an hour after he’s released. Once I confirm with him personally that he’s reached a safe place, I’ll release two hostages.”

The tall, thin robber picked up the two bags they had brought into the bus, which were meant for ski equipment, and placed them one in front of the other in the bus aisle.

“Listen up, don’t try anything clever or play any tricks on me!” he said.

The sound of the two bags hitting the floor was strange, and seeing their bulging shapes, things looked increasingly grim.

Conan got off his seat and crouched down, wanting to reach out and see what was inside the packages. The tall, thin robber immediately noticed his movement. This time, he clearly lacked the patience he had before. He pointed his gun at Conan’s head and snarled, “If you really want to die early, I might as well grant your wish!”

Tomaki Shinide swiftly moved in front of Conan, adopting a protective stance. “Please stop! This is just a child’s prank, and your demands have already been granted. If you kill any passenger now, wouldn’t it derail your plan?”】

In the space, Vermouth slowly blinked. This scene had finally appeared.

Gin turned his head, frowning as he scrutinized her. “I remember this Tomaki Shinide was you, correct?”

Vermouth didn’t speak, and Gin took it as an affirmation. He said, “Since it was you, what are you doing? Are you protecting that brat?”

Vermouth said, “I’m just following Tomaki Shinide’s upright yet somewhat impulsive persona…” She paused there. “Alright, even I can’t fool myself with that excuse, let alone you. Yes, I’m protecting him. I don’t want him to die in front of me.”

“Reason?” Gin asked.

“She’s not a rat, is she, Gin? Let’s take her out once we’re outside!” Chianti yelled. She had always disliked this woman’s behavior, and now she finally had something on her.

Gin: “Shut up.” This was directed at Chianti, then he looked at Vermouth. “You know he’s Shinichi Kudo? How did you find out?”

Vermouth said, “Ah, you know who my last identity was. I have a good relationship with certain people. After seeing Shinichi Kudo’s name on the assassination list, I came over to investigate and discovered this secret.”

Gin gestured for her to continue; there was still a question unanswered.

Vermouth said, “He’s Yukiko’s child. Of course, I can’t let him die there.”

Yukiko Kudo was touched by these words. “I can’t believe you value me so much. I’m so touched, boohoohoo.”

Gin ignored the woman and continued to press Vermouth. “And then? Are you really going to conceal such important information for her? Do you think I’ll believe that?”

Vermouth’s face turned cold. “You don’t need to scare me with that. Once we’re out, I’ll explain it personally to that person.”

Gin: “You’d better keep your word.”

Shinichi Kudo also noticed that Vermouth’s attitude towards him and Ran was a bit strange. Likewise, she seemed to be looking for an opportunity to bypass him and deal with Ai Haibara. Was it really just for his mother’s sake, as she claimed?

It didn’t feel right, did it? There should be another reason. But he couldn’t remember. Had he met her before? If he had, with her dazzling appearance, he wouldn’t possibly forget her.

【……

The bags indeed contained bombs, Conan thought. And there was an accomplice in the last row; he had to find them first, otherwise, he couldn’t act easily.

Ai Haibara was trembling all over, terrified by the Organization’s aura, completely losing her ability to think. This feeling, it must be Vermouth!

She lowered her head, hiding her entire face under her hat, afraid of being recognized here. If she were discovered here, everyone in the bus, the Professor, and the children, would lose their lives.

Jodie, in the front row, turned and whispered to Conan, “Don’t be too reckless, Cool Kid. A good opportunity will come soon.” She noticed the child with the hat next to Conan and asked, “Little Red Riding Hood, what’s your name?”

Ai Haibara didn’t know who Vermouth was, and this Jodie-sensei was also suspicious. She couldn’t look up and speak to her, so she reached out and grabbed Conan’s hand.

Conan felt the coldness and dampness of her palm, realizing how much she feared the people from the Organization.

At that moment, Jodie-sensei asked again in English. Conan thought of an excuse and whispered, “We just happened to be on the same bus, so we don’t know each other. She’s probably just too scared, so I think we shouldn’t bother her.”

Jodie’s movements were too large and quickly drew the robbers’ attention. One of them yelled at her, “Hey! What are you doing over there?”

Tomaki Shinide, next to Jodie-sensei, advised, “Jodie-sensei, please don’t provoke them.”

Jodie had no choice but to sit upright. Before she did, she glanced at the girl’s slightly trembling hand.】

“Jodie-sensei, you’re too bold. They have guns. What if they shot you?” Sonoko Suzuki said.

“It’s fine. Those two bags have bombs, so they wouldn’t dare to shoot,” Jodie-sensei said.

“Bombs? That’s even worse.” Sonoko Suzuki was also someone who had experienced major incidents, including explosions. In such situations, if you were unlucky, you could lose your life. “You truly have great skill and courage.”

Jodie-sensei lowered her eyes. At that time, perhaps it was because she knew Shuichi Akai was also on the bus, so knowing she had someone to rely on made her actions bolder.

But now, Shu, are you truly gone? She still hadn’t been able to accept that fact.

【……

The short, chubby robber received Kunio Yajima’s call and began the next phase of their plan.

He told the driver, “Go to the Metropolitan Expressway, take the Chuo Expressway, and slow down when you reach the Kobotoke Tunnel. Don’t worry, we’ll keep our word and release the passengers on the bus safely then.”

The tall, thin robber, holding his gun, called out two people: Tomaki Shinide and a young man in a mask sitting in the back row. He told them to come to the front. Both complied.

As they passed Jodie’s location, a small notebook suddenly flew from under the seat, hitting Jodie’s ankle. Jodie picked it up and saw a sentence written on it: “Do you have lipstick?”

Tomaki Shinide and the masked youth both saw this but didn’t say anything, walking at a normal pace to the front of the bus. Jodie had lipstick. Although she didn’t know what Conan needed it for, she took a lipstick out of her bag and quietly threw it under the seat as well. Conan quickly caught it.

Vermouth, disguised as someone, thought, What can one lipstick do? Let me see your true abilities, Cool Guy.】