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Chapter 16 - Chapter 15 — déjà vu

Chapter 15 — déjà vu

The Konpeki Plaza loomed above the skyline — sterile, silent, perfect.

Jackie stood beside me in the lobby, adjusting his suit, trying to play it cool.

I glanced around…

The polished floors.

The glass walls.

The Arasaka guards stationed by the elevators.

I'd seen it all before.

Not in a dream.

Not in a vision.

I'd played this.

Over.

And over.

And over.

I knew where the guards would move.

Where the cameras would turn.

How Yorinobu would betray Saburo… and how this all ended in blood.

But this time?

I wasn't here to follow the script.

I was here to break it.

---

[System Notice: Awareness Perk Active — Memory Loop Synch]

[Prediction Paths Unlocked — Tactical Edge +50%]

---

Jackie glanced over.

"You good, mano?"

I gave a half-smile.

"Never better."

He nodded, trusting me — because he always did.

Just like every time before.

---

The lobby check-in passed smooth — Evelyn's voice in my ear, her tone sharp.

"Remember, Alaric… stay cool. Don't draw eyes."

I smirked slightly.

"Eyes are exactly what I want on me."

Evelyn's soft exhale echoed in my comm.

"Just… don't die yet."

---

[System Notice: Evelyn Parker — Interest +5 — Banter Accepted]

---

We rode the elevator up — the music soft, mocking.

Jackie tapped his foot.

I stood still.

I'd been here before.

I knew where this ride ended.

---

But not this time.

This time…

I wasn't going out in a crate.

Jackie wasn't going down bleeding out on the floor.

And I sure as hell wasn't dying with a chip frying my brain.

---

The elevator chimed.

I met Jackie's gaze — calm, steel-hard.

"Stick close," I told him.

"Whatever happens… we walk out alive."

Jackie gave me a slow nod.

"Damn straight."

---

And when those doors opened — I stepped into Konpeki like a man walking into a story I'd already rewritten.

Because this wasn't a game anymore.

This time…

I was the one in control.

---

Romance & Loyalty Recap After Chapter 15:

Evelyn Parker — Interest: +140 — Stage 3 Complete — Post-Heist Moves Open

Judy Alvarez — Interest: +60 — Stage 3 — Personal Tease Connection Active

Jackie Welles — Loyalty: +40 — Bond Solidified, Trust at Maximum

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