Chapter 46

I was sitting across from David in the second-floor office.

In the heavy atmosphere, I finally opened my mouth with resolve.

"Did you seriously come back at noon after asking her out at night and have nothing to show for it?"

"...Dead serious, damn it. You think I could lay a hand on a totally plastered, out-of-it Jugra, you moron?!"

"Ahh... then, yeah, that's fair."

"...Yeah."

I had meant to offer some encouragement and teasing to David, who returned not in the morning but at noon. But seeing him slumped on the sofa with dead eyes, I thought maybe something had gone wrong, and that's how we ended up having this conversation.

Downstairs, Little Boss was in the middle of dealing with the clinic’s full house of patients, acting the same as always. Her attitude toward David hadn’t changed either, so we all tilted our heads in confusion.

Who would've thought nothing actually happened.

Well, hearing his outburst again just now really drove it home—this guy’s got a surprisingly pure view on romance.

"...Sigh. Oh, right. I’ve got a message for you from Jugra. She says, 'Good work securing Evelyn. Burn the conversation with the guy behind the request at Judy’s place onto a BD.'"

"I always wonder—does Little Boss have precognition or something? Everything’s always so well-prepared, like she's laid everything out in advance..."

"Ahh… yeah, I know, right. She was talking about that during yakiniku last night. Apparently, there are two types of ways to know the future: one is prediction, the other is trend analysis. Prediction is just lining up all the facts and connecting the dots, and trend analysis is prepping for all possible outcomes and grabbing the best path in the moment. Jugra does both. She trends first, then narrows the options through prediction to guide both offense and defense simultaneously, or so she says."

"So there’s a third method then... Only someone like Little Boss, who controls capital and Delamain, could pull that off..."

"Hahaha... well, it’s Jugra we’re talking about. Anyway, here’s the stuff she gave me. Inside the case is Evelyn’s full set of cyberware and a payment chip. Payment is technically under Evelyn’s name, but anyone can cover it, apparently."

...Did he just say full set of cyberware?

I nervously opened the case, and inside, cushioned safely, was a complete cyberware set. Next to it was a chip for payment. When I checked the contents, it listed a 30,000 eddies charge and the cyberware itemized.

"If the cyberware’s here, what’s Evelyn’s condition right now?"

"Jugra replaced everything after she got back at noon yesterday. Apparently it was infected by a demon. It’s already been removed, but since it was worn out and damaged, there’s no point in keeping it. The list of replacements is in there too. She said if you refuse to pay, she’ll reinstall the contaminated gear for free. But she really doesn’t recommend it, so yeah, better not."

"So she’s in a healthy state now?"

"Hey, don’t forget. Jugra and brains—and drugs—don’t mix... Though, if it’s Biotechnica-grade, there might be a chance. She’s in intensive care and already treated. Whether she makes it back from the flatline depends on her. Sounds like they hit her with some pretty extreme stuff—Jugra had a grimace on her face. Oh, and if it’s Judy you’re worried about, she’s apparently allowed visitation. Might wanna tell her."

"Yeah... sounds like there’s no immediate risk of death at least. So, overall, we can call this job a success?"

"Ahh… now that you mention it, this was a protection request. Then yeah, I’d call it a success. She’s not dead, she’s been treated, and it’s just a matter of time solving the rest."

"...True. Just surviving that mess is already a miracle..."

"Plenty of rescue gigs end with the target already killed and dismembered before the job even gets accepted."

"Yeah. Telling a client that kind of thing is brutal. But Little Boss always has a death certificate with estimated time and cause of death prepped, so that softens the blow."

"Exactly. That’s why we always tag on ‘extract data if possible’ to the mission orders."

Thanks to David’s report, I had a rough idea of Evelyn’s condition.

For now, once I deliver this, that should wrap up this whole affair.

Just as I reached out to pick up the case, pale, delicate fingers grabbed the handle before I could. I glanced over—Vally was there. Looked like she was going to deliver it instead of me.

"You’re toxic to a heartbroken girl. I’ll go break the news gently, so you handle the other approach."

"You sure? I mean, the outcome wasn’t the worst, but it’s still pretty painful to explain."

"I know, that’s why I, another woman, am going. There are faces we don’t want the opposite sex to see, you know. David-kun, is that all? Anything else?"

"Uhh—nah, that’s everything. Just don’t forget to extract the BD from the memory implant—that’s the main thing. I made sure to relay her final request too."

"Thanks. Then I’ll be off."

"Yeah, I’m counting on you."

"Naturally. I’d be a total freeloader if I didn’t at least do this."

Come to think of it, Vally didn’t do much at the power plant.

Well, we frontliners were way too strong, and her main role’s being the driver.

I looked her way out of concern and got a playful wink in return.

...Hah, guess comforting a young maiden is a job for the big-sister type.

Alright, time to move on to the next plan...

"So next up’s either tracking Yorinobu or the developer, right? We have no clue where Yorinobu went, but it feels like he’s tied to 『Kiryuu』."

"Yeah, Delamain said they saw an agent from 『Kiryuu』."

"Ahh… maybe I should take the 『Kiryuu』 lead?"

David said, sounding somewhat tired.

But... isn’t David part of the Edgerunners? Can he decide that on his own?

Maybe sensing my doubt, he gave a wry smile and continued.

"People often get it wrong, but my actual title is Jugra’s Ripperdoc assistant. I only joined their team for cyberpunk training... wait, how long is this training supposed to last? I feel like I’ve gotten pretty used to being a cyberpunk..."

David tilted his head and blinked his optical implant to connect to a holo.

A few dozen seconds later, he gave a tired, exasperated smile and resumed the conversation.

"Ahh, looks like they completely forgot. As of today, I’m back to being just her assistant, so I can work during downtime. That means I’ll take over the 『Kiryuu』 case, V. ...Really, I think it’s better if I handle it..."

"R-Really? Then I’ll leave it to you?"

"Yeah, I’ll look into the chip inside you. It is the one Yorinobu Arasaka stole from Saburo, right?"

"Yeah. I witnessed Saburo’s assassination from start to finish, so I figure that might be useful too."

"You’ve still got the footage, right? Can I get it?"

"Of course. Sasha?"

"Yup-yup, sending now!"

"Thanks, Sasha. …But I’m still not over that restaurant recommendation, you know."

"Ahaha... I wouldn’t have done it if I’d seen this future coming. I forgot you’re a total pure-hearted boy, David-kun. I’m sorry. Do your best, okay?"

"...Yeah. Well, I’ll go ask Jugra a few things before heading out. Later."

Getting teased and cheered on by Sasha, David quickly hopped into the elevator down to the clinic.

Coming back at noon with Little Boss, huh...

I haven’t heard the details yet, but it reeks of bittersweet youth. Might make for good drinking talk.

"Alright, which leaves..."

"Finding the 『Relic』 developer. …Who the hell is that, anyway? I don’t think it was ever made public."

"Yeah… even if you dig, all you find is Arasaka’s biotech division. Maybe the name’s written on the side of the chip or something?"

"You want me to check knowing it could kill me? C’mon, that’s insane… This one really has no leads… Hm?"

Just as I was thinking that, a holo-call came in from an unknown number.

I picked it up on a whim—and the face that popped up belonged to the Japanese guy who had been Saburo’s bodyguard back then.

"You must be Vincent. We know you were present at the scene on the day of Mr. Saburo’s assassination. I have several questions to ask you. Come to Tom’s Diner in Little China, Heywood. As soon as possible."

That was all the message said before the holocall was cut.

The call history listed the name as Takemura—it seemed my presence at the scene had been discovered.

...Wait, Takemura? That Takemura, the head of security!?

The same Takemura rumored to be a superhuman, a match for the Operations Division’s Oda?

I’d only heard whispers about the guy, but if it was really him, ignoring the call would be a bad idea.

Sweating bullets, I gave Jack a quick rundown of the situation before rushing out of the office.

Tom’s Diner was just around the corner from the megabuilding where I lived—a casual eatery.

They had legendary pancakes, even featured in gourmet magazines.

Makes sense—no one would expect a corpo to be hanging out at a place like that.

When I arrived at the diner, which had only a few customers this close to lunchtime, I saw someone I recognized sitting in the back.

...In front of a supersized stack of pancakes.

He took a bite, nodded in approval, clearly enjoying himself. The owner stood nearby with arms folded, nodding proudly in silence.

Noticing my gaze, Takemura raised his right hand slightly in acknowledgment.

...Yeah, you’re definitely Takemura. No doubt about it.

Maybe I’m just tired.

His image in my head was that of a rugged samurai with a dark, stoic face—an old soldier radiating veteran toughness. That used to be my impression... until now.

Called over, I reluctantly made my way to the seat across from him. He motioned with his chin for me to sit, and I obliged.

Takemura must’ve noticed me eyeing the pancakes, because he gave a brief smile, cut off a portion, and slid it over to me on a small plate.

I mean, I wasn’t hinting or anything... but thanks, I guess.

"I'm sorry for the short notice. This was the only time I could spare. I appreciate you coming, Vincent. And the fact that you showed up after that message... confirms it was your left arm we found."

Figures... that thing’s still lying around, huh.

And with Arasaka’s Mantis Blades embedded in it, there’s no way it wouldn’t be traced back to me.

"Yeah, I figured there was no point in trying to hide it. So, what does a former corpo turned cyberpunk have that you want? If this is about a job, go through my Little Boss, Jugra Kagura."

"Fair enough. She is Masahiro's daughter. I wouldn't dishonor him like that."

"Little Boss's dad, huh? You two were close?"

"...More like senior and junior. We were in different departments, but he looked out for me more than once. Total doting father—always bragging about how adorable his daughter was. And when it came to covering for people, no one did it as naturally as he did. After all, he was best friends with the fully teched-out Adam Smasher. You don’t maintain a friendship like that unless you understand someone from the inside, not just the surface."

"Huh... You’re pretty loyal, huh."

"...Ahem. The job is to locate Anders Hellman. And if possible, secure him. It turns out he worked with Yorinobu on the previous incident to steal the 《Relic》."

"More crimes?"

At my question, Takemura frowned deeply, irritation flashing across his face.

"Yes. He even sold the research to Kang Tao, using it as leverage to defect. I've already arranged things with Rogue, the Queen of the Afterlife. I want you to go in my place, get the info from her, and proceed with the capture."

"You’re going through another fixer?"

"I only asked her for information. Not the actual apprehension. I’d like you to coordinate with Lady Jugra on that front—any objections?"

"None. Negotiate the reward with her directly. That’s not my call."

"Understood. Now, onto the main issue. It’s been determined that the incident was a terror attack by 《Machine Dragon》. But what exactly were you doing behind the monitors?"

"...Ah—well, I was hired to steal the 《Relic》. By Evelyn, Yorinobu’s girlfriend. She’s a high-end doll. Guess they got close from that. But it seems she was being blackmailed behind the scenes. All of it started with that 《Relic》, apparently. She didn’t want Yorinobu to get hurt, so she tried to eliminate the source. And... you saw how that turned out. After Yorinobu and Saburo’s shouting match, 《Machine Dragon》 opened fire with a Gatling gun. I lost my left arm and ran. I didn’t check if they made it—I saw you guys coming up the elevator."

"...That’s all? I was thinking you might’ve been with 《Machine Dragon》 and tried to kill both of them... No, that doesn’t make sense. Sorry, that was uncalled for."

"I’ll let it slide. Besides, I’m one of Little Boss’s guys. If I pulled something like that, I’d already be dead. In pieces."

"...Your presence isn’t corrupting Lady Jugra, is it?"

"Give me a break. We’re Team Two of her handpicked crew. Go tell that to Team One."

"...Then again, the Tiger Claws might have a stronger influence... Regardless, for the sake of Lady Jugra, Masahiro’s legacy, I’ll erase your presence from the records. Be grateful."

"I’ll remember that. So first step is visiting Rogue, right?"

"Yes. Hand her this credit chip. Mention my name, and track Hellman down. I’m counting on you."

"Got it. I’ll also send my regards to Little Boss. And—thanks for the pancakes."

I gave my thanks for the amazing pancakes before leaving the diner.

Once I was a short distance away from Tom’s Diner, I slumped down against a wall and sank to the ground.

God, that was nerve-wracking. I thought I was going to be shoved into a black car without a word—but Little Boss really saved me there.

...Then again, failing to protect Saburo might’ve cost Takemura his head of security position.

If that’s the case, maybe he’s just playing errand boy now, chasing leads about the incident.

Which would mean... the success of this job could determine Takemura’s future.

...If I screw this up, he might kill me himself before the cleanup crew even arrives.

I seriously need to pull this off... Better share it with the team.

Lucky for us, this is a golden opportunity to dig into 《Relic》-related matters. Time to wring every bit of info I can from this.