Extra 1

...I really did manage to come back, huh.

It seems Delamain handled the zoning plan for the Zipang District that had only been drafted and filed before. Development is progressing, centered around the company overseeing operations.

Leaning against the rooftop railing of the headquarters, I looked out at Night City two years after everything happened.

Arasaka Corporation had Yorino appointed as CEO and, after forming a business alliance with Delamain, seemed to have restarted operations.

Since their activities were mostly shady—acting behind the scenes—their direction shifted toward IT, becoming a pioneer in cybernetic research.

They promoted highly versatile implants with minimal impact on the human body and aimed for a peaceful approach by utilizing Delamain's big data.

With Arasaka, once one of the world's top mega-corporations, having collapsed, Night City's defensive power had greatly increased.

...Yes, it increased.

Delamain basically went and did it overnight, deploying surveillance turrets with cameras in collaboration with the NCPD all over the place.

Thanks to that, Night City's security—already solid due to the Dragon Tail foundation—improved drastically, and supposedly the mayor kept shouting "Banzai" in celebration or something.

「Strange... I didn't think any of it would remain... What a nostalgic sight.」

Looking down at the scenery—numerous modern Japanese-style homes—a wave of melancholy hit me.

Here, in the Zipang District, it looked like companies invited over from Japan were involved, creating what was in every sense a real Japantown.

Even though widespread advanced translation software had erased most language barriers globally, the first voices heard in any area could be a mix.

But here, only the familiar sound of Japanese could be heard.

...It really felt like I had come back to Japan.

「To think not only could I come back to the surface again, but actually regain a physical body...」

"You’ve got that look on your face—like you still can’t believe it."

Turning at the familiar voice, I saw Johnny Silverhand in his signature disheveled punk rocker outfit, fingers hooked in his pants and smirking cockily.

It was a scene you’d only ever see if you’d reached the Temperance ending, where control of the body was handed over to Johnny.

He looked... younger, somehow. His scruffy beard was now neatly trimmed, and the whole “fallen samurai” vibe was gone. He looked full of life again.

"Don’t worry, we were the same way at first. You’ll get used to it soon enough."

"Should I say ‘Nice to meet you’? I’m really glad I got to see you, Johnny Silverhand. Or would you prefer Robert?"

"Yeah, ‘nice to meet you’ is fine. The guy who was Robert John Linder is long dead. Just call me Johnny. Seriously... don’t go kicking the bucket before I can thank you. I’ve been waiting two years, dammit."

Joking around, he leaned against the railing and took a drag from his e-cig.

"Ahaha, yeah, my bad. I really thought I was gone for good back then. Couldn't show my face even if I wanted to."

Truth is, I only woke up inside Watashi-chan about a year later.

If I were just a regular case of split personality, I’d have probably said goodbye for good. But if the soul of a reincarnator really does exist—and I’m pretty skeptical—it must’ve remained as a foreign element and kept my personality from disappearing.

A miracle born of pure plot convenience, huh? Still, I should probably be thankful I got to enjoy a second life.

That said, I’m not about to jump into cyberpunk-style shootouts in a flesh-and-blood body. I’ll just live low-key.

"Thanks for giving me this new life. I really appreciate it."

"Then I’m glad. You still playing guitar?"

"Yeah. I rented a house with Alt, opened a guitar school, raising the next generation of rockers. Sometimes I join Kerry for guerilla SAMURAI gigs too. This district’s too damn peaceful—needs a little chaos now and then."

"Heh, that sounds... fun. I’ll look forward to seeing it."

"I’ll hook you up with front-row tickets next time. I hear you're one of our biggest fans. Just make sure you stick around ‘til the end this time."

"...Yeah. It’s all over now... and I’ve got time."

Slapping me hard on the back through my surgical gown, Johnny left with his usual flair, saying, “Later.”

...Live Johnny is dangerously cool, damn.

He opened a guitar school, huh. Come to think of it, even in the Temperance ending, he bought a guitar as a parting gift for a kid.

That’s so like him—I couldn’t help but smile, but then—

The rooftop door burst open like it had been blown with C4 from inside.

Startled, I turned to see a breathless David, who had grown more mature and cool-looking.

As he looked at me, reality seemed to sink in for him, and he smiled like a sunflower blooming in the morning sun—guheh!?

H-he triggered Sandevistan from sheer emotion!?

My vision was swallowed in the black of his inner jacket, and from the thick arms wrapped around me from behind, I realized I was being hugged.

...Haah, fine, I’ll allow it. This is a special occasion.

Sharing in the joy of reunion, I wrapped my arms around David’s waist.

Hearing his stifled sobs from above, I shrugged my shoulders and patted his back to comfort him.

After several tens of seconds, it seemed David had finally sorted through his emotions and loosened his grip, so I slipped out.

"Yo, looks like you’ve been doing well. I’m back, all embarrassed and happy. Long time no see, David."

"Yeah! Welcome back, Jugra!"

"Mm, ah—about that. It overlaps with Watashi-chan’s name, so call me Jug, would you? That name really belongs to her."

"...Got it. Welcome back, Jug. I really... missed you."

...The impact of this tall, lean, handsome guy's radiant smile is no joke.

Looks like he’s become quite the man. I’m sure he’s doing great with Rebecca and the others.

Don’t want to get in their way, so I’ll keep the skinship to a minimum.

...Though, he’s kinda standing really close.

"Sorry about that. I wanted to at least say goodbye in person... Did you see the chip?"

"...Yeah. The one about you being a reincarnator and me being the protagonist of an anime, right? I heard. But it's fine. I’m not the same guy I was back then anyway."

"Yeah, true. The anime you had both arms as main cyberware and were built like a gorilla. Personally, I think this leaner, more toned David has a gentler vibe—suits you better."

"R-right..."

I heard him mutter "close call" under his breath, but maybe I should just let that slide.

"So, I heard you took over my clinic? Thanks for that. That place holds memories with my mom, who used to act like my dad."

"Ah, yeah. I thought, you know, if you ever came back, you'd need a place to return to. I'm still just starting out, but... I think I haven’t ruined the reputation too much."

"Haha, I don’t really mind. I see... a place to return to, huh..."

It was a scenery that stirred some sense of nostalgia, but... yeah, I never thought of this as my place to return to.

That place, that clinic, is my home.

"If it's okay with you, Jug... can I live at the clinic too? It's just, having work close by would be better after all..."

"Hm? Isn’t the second floor office available right now? Wouldn't the living space be kind of cramped? I mean, your family home is right next door, isn't it?"

I accidentally voiced a random doubt that crossed my mind. Ah—wait, could it be... that kind of situation...?

When I looked at him, as if realizing I had caught on, his face turned bright red, all the way to his ears.

Wait, you had two whole years and still couldn’t win over David, Rebecca...!?

"Uh, um, mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"A-ah."

"You and Rebecca... in a relationship...?"

"We’re not. And we haven’t done anything like that either."

"L-Lucy too?"

"Of course. I..."

David looked like he had made up his mind as he took my hand and pulled out a small square box from his pocket and placed it on it.

...M-my heart's pounding like crazy, like I’m about to die, b-but still... so, you feel that way about me...

『I love you, Jug. I want to be with you, with marriage in mind. I want to make you happy.』

Inside the opened box was a pair of what people usually call engagement rings.

With trembling hands, I took the box. Pushing Rebecca and Lucy aside to stand in that spot—was that really okay? What is this, what is this, what is this—I'm happy but I can’t even process it all. Getting into a relationship with a canon character—isn’t that forbidden or something? Or... or... or...

『I mean, I was—well, I’m worn down now—but I was probably a guy in my past life, you know?』

『That doesn’t matter.』

『I don’t really understand love or affection, and I don’t even know if I can love you back, okay?』

『That’s fine. I’ll figure it out with you.』

『With this body... I-I don’t even know if I can have kids, you know?』

『If you're with me, that’s all that matters.』

『Uh, um, and... are you really okay with me?』

David’s expression gradually softened as he nodded and wrapped me in his arms.

The embrace was so gentle, it felt like it was saying he never wanted to let me go. And I...

『Someone like me... is allowed to be happyーー』

『ーーOf course you are! If anyone has a problem with it, I’ll cut them down myself! I want you, Jug. Not anyone else—you.』

『...I see. Then, I guess that’s a relief.』

A former man, a reincarnator, a clone of the original, an anomaly in this world—me, huh.

...Well then, I guess it can’t be helped.

If David’s going to be with me as I live this life from the beginning as just one more person in this world, then I feel at ease.

I took the silver ring from the box, tried slipping it onto the ring finger of my left hand... doesn’t fit.

Ah, this must be David’s one. Doesn’t go on all the way. Well, guess I’ll just put it on him instead.

"Jug...? Wha—!?"

"See, now we match. Should we seal it with a kissーーmmph"

Before I could finish my teasing, David’s lips met mine.

The feeling of the engagement ring on my left ring finger was just a little frustrating.

But it felt good—it made my heart feel full.

As our lips parted and we both blushed bright red, we realized without a doubt that we were now in love.