Chapter 6

Honestly, the Academy is torture.

Sure, I’m attending thanks to the money Mom scraped together working her ass off, but since it’s an affiliate of the Arasaka Corporation, the tuition is insane, and the materials aren’t cheap either.

We’re barely scraping by as it is, yet Mom stubbornly insists on sending me there.

Most kids at Arasaka Academy come from wealthy families—that’s just how it is.

No offense to Mom, who works day and night as an EMT for an NCPD subsidiary, but I don’t belong there.

Still, I can’t let her see me miserable, so I grit my teeth and endure it.

Plenty of people laugh at me, the bottom of the school’s social ladder. Always have.

No matter how good my grades are, I’ll never climb out of this hole—not with the blood I was born into.

Truth is, I’d rather be working somewhere, just like Mom.

I wanted to help ease the burden, but she wouldn’t let me.

"...Sigh. Guess the new EdgeRunners BD’ll have to wait."

I started buying bootleg EdgeRunners BDs from Doc—a ripper one step shy of going full cyberpsycho—and for a little while, things felt less suffocating.

That world was pure adrenaline, sharp and vivid, where the extraordinary was ordinary.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve fantasized about living like that.

...Then again, maybe it’s just ’cause it’s the only damn thing I’ve got to enjoy.

Head down, scanning the pavement for anything valuable like always, I trudged home under the shadow of that colossal Arasaka Tower looming over City Center.

That’s when I spotted her—a kid just standing there in a daze near an alley, staring up at the tower.

Jet-black hair, short and glossy. Probably Japanese descent. Wearing overalls and a tank top—weird combo.

Dumb move. Gonna get jumped by gonks hanging around there.

I looked away—just in time to hear it happen.

"Hey, brat! Looks like you got somethin’ nice there! Hand it over!"

Sure enough, a bunch of lowlifes had her cornered in the alley. From where I stood, I couldn’t see much, but she wasn’t moving.

...Tough luck, kid.

No way I could help. Not like I’ve got fancy chrome to fight with, and I’d just end up a punching bag myself.

Eyes down, I tried to slip past unnoticed—

"Hey! The hell you doin’? I was waitin’ for you, dumbass!"

—Except my feet were already moving toward her, and my mouth spat out the lie before I could think.

I knew this was pointless.

But I couldn’t just walk away.

And more than anything—I didn’t wanna become some spineless coward.

The rush from those EdgeRunners BDs—where they fought like hell and went out in a blaze of glory—shoved me forward.

"...Well, shit. Here we go."

That quiet mutter didn’t come from the gangoons in front of me—but from the kid I’d just shielded.

Then, I saw something unreal.

The next second, the big guy’s face was caved in by the kid’s boot.

The guy beside him crumpled, clutching his face.

The scantily clad woman further back folded like paper, gut-punched before she could blink.

By the time I processed it, I finally got a look at the kid’s face.

Dark eyes—Japanese-dark, the kind that swallows light.

A shiver crawled down my spine, like staring into the abyss of that alley.

Her expression was blank—except for the faintest smirk.

"Hmm. Wasn’t plannin’ on meetin’ you yet... Ah well. Guess it’s fate."

"The hell—y-you did this...?"

The big guy tried to stand—until the kid’s spinning kick sent him back down.

I just stared, baffled.

"Well, yeah. Not my turf, so I overdid it a little. Thanks, kid."

"Uh... you’re welcome...? I guess?"

"Anyway, since we’re here—let’s talk."

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward a high-end car parked nearby.

No way. This gonk’s loaded?

Rich kids like her usually have bodyguards. Maybe she snuck out?

The car’s rear door opened, and she pulled me in.

This was definitely a kidnapping—but with this girl, freaking out felt pointless.

[Welcome back, Ms. Jugra. Destination?]

"Home."

[Understood. Proceeding.]

No driver. Just a monitor with a pale, featureless face I definitely recognized.

This was a Delamain. The ultra-luxury taxi service.

Doc said a single ride costs months of rent.

And this wasn’t just point-to-point—this was custom service. High-tier membership.

Sweating into the plush seats, I glanced at the kid. She looked thrilled.

"Uh... you sure about this? I didn’t do much."

"Nah, you did great. Saved three lives back there."

"Huh? Wait, you got backup hidden somewhere?"

"Kinda. Those gonks had bargain-bin chrome. Woulda been a pain to deal with."

I eyed her skeptically.

Her arms—both chrome. Left eye, definitely cyberware.

That kick was brutal, but her fists probably hit harder.

The ride was smoother than anything I’d ever been in.

"Forgot to introduce myself. Jugra Kagura. You?"

"D-David. David Martinez. Just David’s fine."

"Cool. Call me Jugra. Or Jug if we get closer, David."

Her voice was still kinda high—husky, but young.

Hearing my name without scorn—when was the last time that happened?

I turned to the window, hiding my face—then realized we weren’t in Heywood anymore.

The people outside wore clothes I’d never seen. Felt like another country.

"First time in Japantown, David? It’s modeled after Japan—best tourist spot in NC. Tyger Claws run the place. Y’know, those tattooed guys? Drop my name if they hassle you. You’ll walk away fine."

"...Why the hell would Tyger Claws care about you?"

"You’ll see when we get to my place."

She grinned.

A sinking feeling hit me. Maybe I should’ve walked away.

As we drove deeper, the streets got seedier. More skin on display.

...Wait, this is a red-light district. The hell’s her house doing here?

Jugra looked completely at ease, like she was home. Somehow, it made me relax too.

The Delamain stopped in front of a clinic with a simple sign:

《GLOCKER》

And a very prominent Tyger Claws emblem.

"Here we are. My house—no, my castle. Jugra Kagura, prodigy ripperdoc. That’s me."

She turned, flashing a smirk despite her deadpan face.

Wait—RIPPERDOC?! Did she just say RIPPERDOC?!

You need serious cred to call yourself that.

The clinic’s door had every security measure imaginable—biometrics, keypads, physical locks.

Inside, the waiting area had digital certs on the walls—all under Jugra Kagura.

The operating room put Doc’s place to shame.

Down the hall, a cramped but cozy living space.

Jugra kicked off her shoes.

Right—Japanese custom. No shoes indoors. I copied her.

"Oh, you know the rule? Impressive."

"Nah, just followed your lead."

"Yeah? Well, thanks anyway. It's a lot easier to clean when you take your shoes off."

As I stepped onto the strange green carpet, I was caught off guard by the feel beneath my feet—nothing like synthetic resin.

Looking closer, I realized the flooring was made up of multiple sections of the same size.

So these are… individual pieces fitted together? These have to be high-end.

The wooden table in front of me barely came up to my knees, and there was a thin cushion beside it, apparently meant to be sat on.

I tried sitting down. Surprisingly comfortable. And the table felt like just the right height.

Jugra came back from what looked like a kitchen space, carrying two glasses and a pitcher. She sat across from me, then poured a brown liquid into the glasses and handed one to me.

"Only got barley tea, but it shouldn’t be a problem. We don’t really drink juice or that sort of stuff at home—sorry."

"Barley tea? …Wait, is this the real stuff?"

"Sure is. Imported, a bit pricey, but I like the taste. Help yourself."

"Ah, yeah… gulp… whoa, this is seriously good…"

The flavor was clear—pure. It made me realize just how chemical synthetic drinks usually taste.

Before I knew it, I’d downed the whole glass. Felt a little guilty about that, but Jugra just gave a wry smile and poured me another without hesitation.

The gesture made me a bit ashamed of how greedy I'd acted.

"Alright, now that your throat’s warmed up, why don’t you talk?"

"Huh?"

"You’ve got something weighing on you, don’t you? Consider this my thanks for helping me out at the tower—I'll lend an ear."

"Well…"

Yeah, there were a lot of things eating at me.

Like whether I should even stay enrolled at Arasaka Academy when I can barely afford it. Or how the hell I’m supposed to let out this pent-up frustration. I mean, there's a lot on my mind.

But spilling all that to someone I just met today—someone younger than me, no less—felt a bit awkward.

Maybe sensing my hesitation, Jugra smirked.

"That’s exactly why it is easier to talk to someone you just met. And if it gets weird, no big deal—we just never meet again."

"…Yeah. You’re right. That makes sense. Sorry, mind if I talk a bit?"

"Go for it. Dump everything you’ve got, right here."

So I started talking. A little at first, then more.

I told her how I live in the H4 building in Santo Domingo. How I’m barely scraping by. That it's because I’m attending Arasaka Academy. How people talk behind my back because I’m poor. How the only fun I have is watching bootleg brain dances, and even that’s gotten dull.

Jugra nodded along, occasionally asking something that drew more out of me. Her words helped me dig up feelings I hadn’t even realized I’d buried.

I want to change this life.

I want to make it big.

I want to be like those Edgerunners I saw in those illegal BDs—to become a real cyberpunk.

And while I was baring all that, Jugra never once laughed at me.

"…Yeah. That’s about it. Man… I feel a lot better now. Like I finally cleared the fog out of my chest."

"Glad to hear it. Just saying it out loud helps you sort yourself out. Normally that’s a job for the Academy’s counselors, but sometimes dumping it on a ripperdoc works just as well."

"…Thanks, Jugra. I feel a bit lighter. My situation hasn’t changed, but… I feel like doing something now."

When I bowed my head to thank her, she waved her hand like it was nothing and shrugged.

She’s supposed to be younger than me, but somehow she feels more mature.

"Ah, crap. Sorry, I talked way too long. I should get home before my mom starts worrying."

"Don’t worry. There’s a Delamain waiting out front. I’ve got an annual pass—use it as much as you like."

"Thanks, that’s a huge help. This place is kinda far from mine."

I unfolded my legs and stood up—my joints popped in protest.

Guess I’m used to sitting on couches. Sitting on the floor really does a number on your back…

Just as I was about to leave, Jugra handed me a piece of paper.

It was a business card with her holocall and email info.

"If you ever feel like meeting up again, register this. Oh, and one more thing—here’s some advice."

Holding the card, I looked up at Jugra—and was struck speechless by the intensity in her eyes.

There was a weight to her that didn’t fit her age. It felt like she’d lived through far more than I had.

"The weak don’t get to choose how they die. That’s exactly why you can’t forget to keep pushing to get stronger. …If you’ve got free time, get a job and help out at home. And if you fail at everything, come back here. If you don’t mind burning a few hours in the evening, I could use an assistant."

She said that, casually shooing me out.

I bowed deeply once more before stepping outside, a strange mix of emotions welling up in my chest.

The moment I stepped out, I felt a flood of eyes turn my way. Cold sweat broke out on my neck.

But it only happened for a second. As if it had all been in my head, everyone moved along like nothing happened.

Glancing back, I spotted a sign—looked like it belonged to the Tyger Claws.

Jugra was definitely rich, but not like the usual Arasaka Academy upper-class types.

She wasn’t someone who should be hanging around with someone like me.

…Flipping over the card she gave me, I found a line printed on the back:

"Shoot for the Majors! (Grr!)"

A cute, chibi-styled tiger was shouting through a megaphone.

"…Yeah. Just sitting around waiting won’t make money fall into your lap. Gotta earn it myself. …I don’t want to burden Mom anymore."

Up to now, I’d only been thinking about quitting school to work full time, but I never considered working evenings.

Wasting away watching illegal BDs, just waiting for Mom to make dinner—what kind of cyberpunk dream is that? Wanting to change my life like that? What a joke.

Alright. Let’s give this a shot.

As I rode the Delamain taxi back to the H4 Megabuilding, I started looking up nearby part-time jobs…