"Hey, Maki."
"Hmm?"
Maki turned her head toward Karl, lying on the recovery bed with her nerves relaxing after having just installed an upgraded model of the same cyber-eyes Karl approved of. "What's up, Karl?"
"I've always been curious," he said.
Sitting in the Arasaka clinic in City Center—the same one where he'd once been a patient—Karl watched Maki intently. "What does it feel like to swap out your eyes? Isn't it strange, being stuck in darkness even when your eyes are open?"
"I guess it feels like waking up from a nap and finding yourself in pitch-black darkness... like the world has already slipped into night and you can't see a thing."
Maki pressed her finger to her cheek thoughtfully, then continued, "It's definitely weird, even a little scary. I mean, being unable to see is terrifying. That's why I asked you to come with me today—hearing your voice, knowing a friend's nearby, it really helps."
"So you've always come alone for these kinds of cyberware procedures?"
"Of course," she nodded, then shifted a little to test her posture before slowly sitting up from the bed. "But it's nothing compared to what others go through. After meeting you, Karl, I started to understand more of what happens in the streets. There are people who go in for cyberware, get their organs ripped out without anesthetic, strapped to an operating table, watching themselves be gutted alive... and they never wake up again. Compared to that, I'm really lucky."
"There are plenty of people who are lucky like you," Karl said. "But being grateful for what you have, and still feeling compassion for others—that already puts you ahead of most."
He studied her expression. "At that academy of yours, I bet fewer than five students can even comprehend the suffering of the lower classes in this city."
"But I haven't done anything," Maki replied. "I don't think that makes me special."
"Maybe not," Karl shrugged. "But being able to see it at all—that means something."
Ideas take root.
Karl watched her attempt to stand up—her legs unsteady like a newborn deer. "If the neural anesthesia hasn't worn off, maybe sit down a little longer."
"Help me up."
"Alright."
Karl stepped over and supported her. With Maki a full head shorter, she leaned comfortably into him. "How are your eyes adjusting?"
"Even with your disguise, I can still spot you with these eyes."
"With that kind of intuition and the latest optics, yeah, I don't stand a chance," Karl chuckled. "Honestly, that's gotta be a talent. I've masked my face dozens of times, and unless someone already knew, no one's ever seen through it—except you. You could probably get certified as an ID inspector. The kind who can tell if someone's faking their identity at a glance."
"Maybe."
Maki tilted her head slightly, looking up at him. "Or maybe I just have a thing for strange people."
"Are you saying I'm weird?"
Karl laughed, still steadying her. "So what now? Food? Or am I taking you home? Judging by how fast you tried to get out of bed, I'm guessing you're not ready to head back just yet."
Then something hit him. "Wait—I don't even know where you live. Did you come to Night City alone?"
"Kind of like studying abroad, I guess?"
"So what made you pick this hellhole? Honestly, this place isn't exactly safe."
Karl thought about it. "Only recently has the NCPD tightened things up a bit—fewer street fights—but it's still a stretch to call it secure."
"My hometown is Chiba. It's Tokyo's port city. Compared to Night City, it's not that different."
"Ah, I see."
Karl nodded in understanding.
Same story, different place.
After helping her walk a few steps, Maki signaled she could manage on her own.
"Aren't you curious what Chiba's like?"
"I don't know much about it," Karl admitted, "but I do know Night City. If you say they're similar, I can imagine it. Let me guess—corporate drama again? Better not talk about it, or I'll lose my appetite."
The two chatted as they left the Arasaka clinic, unaware that a nurse watching them had already submitted a report.
Miss Takemura underwent a cyber-eye replacement procedure at 11:50 AM, accompanied by the mercenary 'KK'—Karl. After a twenty-minute operation, the two departed the clinic together.
Both individuals were high-priority assets in Arasaka's personnel registry. Naturally, any joint activity involving them was flagged and submitted for further reporting.
This report, upon submission, was immediately escalated—landing in the hands of a specific individual.
Chidōna scanned the fresh file, her eyes resting on the names before turning toward the kitchen, where Hanako Arasaka was trying to bake a cake.
At the end of last year, Hanako had seen Maki bake and was inspired to try it herself.
She'd hoped to master the skill before Christmas. But despite her efforts, none of her cakes had turned out the way she wanted. That holiday, she ended up a mere guest, enjoying Maki's dessert.
That memory stuck with her. Since then, she often threw herself into baking whenever her schedule allowed.
Chidōna was usually the one doing the tasting. Arasaka Michiko had sampled a few early on, but as the experiments piled up, she started treating them as post-meal snacks.
Thanks to her toxin-processing implants, Chidōna could eat cake after cake without any adverse effects—and she thought they were getting better, too.
But Hanako remained dissatisfied, driven to perfect the craft. Still, today's session would have to be cut short.
"Miss Hanako, a record just came in from the clinic."
"Is it urgent, Chidōna? If not, I'd like to finish this batch."
"It's about Karl and Maki."
"Karl... and Maki?"
Hanako's hands slowed. After a moment—
"I see. Set it down over there. I'll…"
She wiped her hands. "I'll come take a look right away."
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