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This girl is way too honest.
As if Akio didn't know what was going on—Aoyama Nanami had just explained it all a moment ago.
Even with the worst memory, there's no way he'd have forgotten already. He only pretended not to hear because he wanted to gloss over it.
But Aoyama Nanami wasn't the type to take advantage of him.
She already felt she owed Akio enough. If she pushed her luck any further, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself. So she chose to tell the truth.
"I've made nine hundred thousand yen so far. According to our agreement, half should go to you—four hundred fifty thousand."
"But because of the upfront costs, I can only hand over three hundred thousand for now."
"Please don't worry, though. I'll make up the missing one-fifty as soon as possible."
Akio sighed and patted her shoulder. "Alright, I believe you. Just don't work yourself to the bone. Balance is the key."
Nanami nodded. Whether she actually listened or not, only she knew.
A little exhaustion didn't matter much anyway. With the power of light protecting her, she could push herself without fear of collapse.
Akio stayed for dinner with her at the massage parlor before heading out.
Since learning this was the famous Beika Town, he decided to take a little walk around.
Unfortunately, he didn't stumble into a murder case.
Guess Beika wasn't quite chaotic enough for murders to pop up on every street corner.
Still, he did get a look at the town's most famous landmark—Teitan High School.
But school was already out, so no sign of Ran Mouri, Shinichi Kudo, or anyone else from that crowd.
Not that it was surprising.
Beika wasn't that big, but it wasn't tiny either. Running into main characters on the street wasn't exactly easy.
Forget it. Time to head home.
And with that, Akio left Beika Town and returned to his place. Another day gone.
The next morning, Akio arrived at Umbrella's Tokyo branch.
No sooner had he entered his office than Medea pushed the door open with a teasing smile.
"Boss, I need to remind you of something."
"What is it?"
"According to the timeline, today's the day the biohazard breaks out in Sojun City. That also means the regional director will be attending the HQ video conference. How are you planning to handle it?"
Akio thought for a moment, then flicked his fingers and transformed himself into the likeness of the branch director.
Just a simple illusion—not worth bragging about.
Medea had been the one to teach him that trick.
By nine a.m., Akio was logged into Umbrella's high-level video meeting. Directors from around the world filled the screen.
Presiding over it all was none other than Albert Wesker.
Akio recognized him instantly. One of the infamous Wesker Project subjects—Thirteenth, specifically—and one of only two survivors, along with Alex Wesker.
As far as the outside world was concerned, Wesker was Ozwell E. Spencer's mouthpiece, which was why he had the authority to run these meetings.
The conference had barely started before Wesker's piercing gaze locked onto Akio.
"How's the Blacklight Project progressing?"
Akio answered calmly, "We've run into some trouble."
Wesker's frown deepened. Nothing irritated him more than plans going off track.
Still, he held back, giving Akio a chance to explain.
"What happened?"
"Someone's discovered the Blacklight Project and is working behind the scenes to sabotage it."
"You're saying there's a mole?" Wesker's face darkened, storm clouds before a downpour.
"Not a mole. Someone with foresight—future sight, to be exact."
Akio's tone stayed even. "I know it sounds absurd, but it's the truth."
Future sight?
Wesker's eyes narrowed, sharp and doubtful, searching Akio for the slightest crack.
Akio met his gaze without flinching.
After a long silence, Wesker finally spoke. "Do you need assistance?"
"Not for now," Akio replied. "I'm investigating quietly. Soon I'll have identified every obstacle, and the project will proceed as planned. But I'll need time."
"How much time? I want something concrete."
"About a month."
Akio pulled the number out of thin air. He figured a month was plenty for Sirzechs and Serafall to confirm whether Umbrella's higher-ups had really sided with Rizevim.
"A month's too long," Wesker shot back instantly. "I expect this handled in half that time."
"Half a month?" Akio frowned, pretending to struggle. "That's tight. I might need some backup."
"You'll have it," Wesker said coldly. "I'll dispatch a special squad to assist you. They'll report to you tomorrow. Don't let me down."
"Of course not." Akio thumped his chest in mock solemnity. "You have my word."
Privately, he was already grinning.
Once that special squad arrived, he'd personally reprogram their minds and turn them into his own people.
Then they'd be his sharpest blade, aimed right at Wesker's throat.
Just picturing Wesker's expression in that moment made Akio chuckle under his breath.
He actually found himself eager to meet this so-called special squad.
What exactly made them so "special"?
The meeting wrapped up soon after.
Akio dropped his disguise, and Medea strolled in.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
"Smoothly. Wesker's sending a special squad here tomorrow. I want you to bring them in."
"No problem," Medea said without hesitation. "And what does Boss plan to do with them?"
Akio smirked. "Brainwash them, of course. Then send them back as my blade against Wesker."
Medea gave a soft laugh. "Boss, you really are wicked."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"..."
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