"What did you say?"
David looked up, confused, still chewing his food. His words came out muffled.
"Nothing..."
Lucy gave him a glance, shook her head helplessly, and returned to her meal.
The sunlight was gentle... but the peace didn't last long.
"You haven't forgotten our deal, right..."
A call connected. The voice on the other end was one David knew well.
It was Kirk, a Fixer he'd been working with a lot lately.
"Just stick to what we agreed. Seriously, you're starting to sound way too chatty..."
Kirk had been calling nonstop these past few days, enough to test even David's patience.
"You can't look at it like that."
Kirk chuckled awkwardly, then explained.
"This one's important. I just... don't want you screwing it up..."
"I do my job. That's it."
Maybe because he was talking to an outsider, David instantly shed his usual youthful tone.
"Heh... fair enough... guess I'm just nervous.
Anyway, I'll leave it to you."
Kirk mumbled something under his breath and hung up.
"Was that about the Gig?"
Lucy, who had been watching him closely, lifted her head, worry in her eyes.
"Relax... same as always. Just Kirk being long-winded—you know how he is."
Lucy tapped the table lightly with her slender fingers and let out a long sigh.
"So... when do you head out this time?"
Across the table, David had already demolished his huge bowl of noodles. He hummed with satisfaction, then laced his fingers together and stretched his arms high above his head.
"Don't worry. Same as before—nothing special.
Once this job's done, we'll rest until Mom's back on her feet."
Lucy gave a small nod.
...
Night City's climate was peculiar, marked most by its sharp swings in temperature.
Built on desert terrain after the war, the city burned under scorching heat by day and froze in bitter cold at night.
In the subtropics, snowfall was almost unheard of. Only for a few short months each year did the temperature drop low enough to make people shiver.
Even now, the signs of change were there—the stifling heat giving way to cool breezes. Palm fronds swayed, throwing shifting shadows across the passersby below.
Arthur noticed none of it. He still wore his single-breasted coat, his hat firmly in place.
His blue eyes hid beneath the brim's shadow as he watched the crowded NCART station ahead.
"How's the gun I gave you holding up?"
A husky female voice crackled over the comm, rapid and commanding.
"Uh..."
Arthur spread his hands, then dropped his gaze, scanning the weeds at his feet.
"So I should thank you... for not handing me junk?
Come on, what's the catch? Don't tell me I just cleaned up one mess for you and now you've already got another."
"What else do you want me to say?
Can't it just be that you saved my life, and I'm inviting you for a drink?
Now get over here already. Stop wasting time."
Leaning against a palm tree, Arthur listened to her sharp tone. He lifted his head, gave the area a quick scan, then scratched his face.
"Alright... at least you don't sound like some imposter."
With that, he moved toward the Skyrail gates, quickly swallowed by the crowd.
"City Center. My apartment.
And by the way, what's with the cloak-and-dagger act? Who exactly are you putting on a show for?"
"Uh... shut it..."
The Skyrail sliced across the night sky, plunging into Night City's busiest district.
Outside the window, the ring of skyscrapers around Corporate Plaza came into view. AVs swirled above like worker bees guarding their hive.
Despite the dizzying drop outside, the ride itself felt perfectly smooth.
As the rush of wind died away, Arthur stepped off the train, adjusting his hat with one hand.
He got his bearings and set off with purpose.
When he pushed open the door, the lavish apartment looked just as it had the day before. Bamboo leaves swayed outside, breaking the sunlight into scattered patterns across the floor.
"If you'd been a few minutes later, you'd have gotten another call."
Meredith lounged by the window, a coffee cup in hand.
Without turning, she said flatly,
"What the hell do you want, anyway?
A company exec without someone to run her errands?"
Arthur removed his hat and tipped it in her direction.
"Company rules. After a big job, you get a few days off.
Usually, I just spend them alone..."
Her fingers drummed idly on the cup. Then she rose and walked toward him.
The sunlight streamed in, forcing Arthur to squint—he could only make out her silhouette.
"Impressive. A company exec with no friends."
Arthur smirked faintly. He leaned forward a little, shaking his head.
"And here I thought you'd look down on lackeys like me."
"Guess why I don't have friends."
Stepping into the light, her appearance made Arthur grit his teeth.
Her long bare legs caught the sunlight, the skin at her knees tinged faintly red.
She wore only a thin black nightgown, the hem brushing her thighs, swaying as she walked.
"What the hell are you wearing?"
Arthur instinctively stepped back, pressing against the shoe cabinet.
"I'm in my own home. I'll wear whatever I damn well please."
Still speaking, Meredith beckoned him closer.
"Don't just stand there. Come have a drink with me...
That damn Militech only gave me four days off."
She cursed freely, flashing four fingers with a look of disgust.
Her words eased the tension a little. Arthur glanced at the door beside him but stayed put.
"You'd better..."
He half-raised his hand as if to signal something, but stopped himself, swallowing the rest of the thought.
"Alright then. Who could turn down...
...a drink?"