"Don't worry, Berry."
There was no opportunistic advance as imagined. V sat next to Berry, embracing her petite body, letting Berry rest her head on her shoulder.
"Although I don't know the reason, as long as you don't agree, I won't touch you." V said, comforting Berry's shoulder, looking at her with tenderness.
"Mm..." Berry, her face flushed from the revelation of her shameful past, now nestled in V's arms, obediently hummed in response.
V's assurance gave Berry a great sense of security, and much affection spontaneously bloomed in her heart. She buried her head in V's arms, obediently playing the ostrich.
One large, one small, nestled together.
Time seemed to rewind to when V first found Berry. She was so tiny, her face full of fear and terror, only able to sleep soundly in V's embrace.
Past and present intertwined, becoming clearer.
Gently patting Berry's shoulder, feeling Berry's warmth in her arms, V had never felt so wonderful.
It was like being back in the womb, warm and cozy, and the world seemed to slow down and become peaceful.
She must be poisoned, she thought.
Poisoned by something called Berry, and very deeply so, probably incurable for this lifetime.
Thinking this, V chuckled self-mockingly.
She had intended to pursue Berry, but now she found herself liking Berry even more. What was going on?
The two of them clung together for a long time. During this time, Berry secretly looked up at V several times, though V noticed every time.
Berry, her cheeks flushed, hugged V tightly, quietly listening to their heartbeats, rising and falling, as if echoing each other.
Feeling V's body temperature and rich scent, Berry bravely gathered her courage and lifted her head.
"Sister V, actually, I like you too."
Grabbing V's shoulder and leaning close to her ear, Berry exhaled softly and whispered, then, without waiting for V's response, pecked V's fair cheek like a dragonfly touching water, before shrinking back into her embrace, hugging her tightly, playing the ostrich.
"So, does this mean we're, together?" V touched the spot on her face where Berry's kiss seemed to linger, then smiled brightly, like a spring breeze in February.
She lowered her head, looking at the back of Berry's head, and asked.
"Mm..." Berry's voice was as soft as a mosquito, but this promise, like a sacred vow, clearly reached V's ears.
V smiled, gently pulled Berry's small head from her embrace, cupped it in her hands, looked at the other's face, flushed like a ripe peach, and her dodging eyes, then kissed her.
This time, there was no resistance; instead, she was met with an unpracticed but passionate welcome.
V felt immense satisfaction, more excited than becoming a legend in Night City.
Mission accomplished.
Looking at Berry's trembling eyebrows, so close, as she shyly closed her eyes, V thought with certainty.
Berry, immersed in sweetness, didn't know that PUA (Pick-Up Artistry) has a specialized technique.
First, completely break down the other person's psychological defenses, then, in the guise of a savior, embrace and guide them. This will usually make the other person conform to your wishes.
In simple terms, it's about first trapping the other person in a hopeless situation, and then, when their emotions are at their peak breakdown, extending a hand to pull them out. This greatly mobilizes the other person's emotions to obey you.
As for the minor detail that the one who framed them and the one who saved them from despair are the same person, there's naturally no need to let the grateful rescued person know.
At least, watching Berry clumsily reciprocate her actions, V was very satisfied.
It seems she should quickly delete the "Emotional Strategy Manual" from her terminal, V thought, cupping the back of Berry's head.
Was this behavior despicable? Of course not.
Her feelings were genuine and sincere, without any pretense.
So close, looking at Berry's trembling eyelashes, V's blue eyes were full of deep desire.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Berry woke up in V's arms.
Scratching her head, Berry sat up.
Uh, complicated feelings.
Looking at V, who was still asleep, Berry didn't know what expression to make.
Last night, she seemed to have been, somehow, vaguely taken by V?
As her memories slowly returned, Berry's face began to flush.
Last night, she and V had 'sparred' for about an hour in the art of 'lip-sword fighting.' Now, with her eyes open or closed, those images filled her mind, and just thinking about it made Berry feel dizzy.
So, does this mean she's V's girlfriend now?
Berry bit her lip, feeling a bit at a loss.
"Heh heh, Berry, you're awake."
V also woke up, smiling as she did.
In the early morning sunlight, V's radiant, shining smile made Berry stare, stunned.
Actually, having someone like her wasn't so bad.
It was just being someone's girlfriend; it didn't conflict with her inner heart of iron-blooded masculinity.
She was V's girlfriend. Rounding up, didn't that mean V was her girlfriend?
Then hadn't her goal been accomplished?
V had been completely conquered by her and was now utterly infatuated.
Only by convincing herself this way did the restless masculine heart inside Berry reluctantly calm down.
This was the masculine charm of her soul; she had taken V down in one go. Berry concluded this way, nodding in satisfaction.
After the two of them got up and washed, they spent some time cuddling again. After all, a short separation makes the reunion sweeter (?).
Actually, as long as she wasn't topped, Berry really wanted to stick close to V. After all, V was a peerless beauty, and Berry had been craving this for a long time. Now that her wish was granted, she clung on like a magnet, refusing to let go.
Smelling the other person's natural scent and kissing back and forth, Berry finally stopped, her face flushed and breathing heavily.
Such wonderful times were always brief.
If they were an ordinary couple, they could spend a week or two playing around after confirming their relationship, but they were both Mercenaries determined to become Night City legends, and they didn't have that much time to waste.
"According to yesterday's plan, Mercenary Arno and I will meet with that Militech executive, Stott. V, you and Jackie will go scout out the Maelstrom den, the All Foods Factory."
The four of them finalized the plan yesterday.
Contacting Stott, the Militech executive responsible for investigating the company convoy attack, was one part of the plan.
"Is that Mercenary Arno trustworthy?" V, sitting on the sofa and embracing Berry, frowned and raised an objection to Berry's plan.
Although Mercenaries were born to live a life of constant danger, she still didn't want Berry to be placed in an overly hazardous environment.
Going with a Mercenary she barely knew to meet a corporate executive seemed too risky in V's opinion.
But Berry, who was familiar with the plot, knew that meeting the old aunt Stott was actually not very dangerous. More importantly, what was Arno? He was her machine body, an extension of her arm, so trust wasn't even a factor.
But Berry still hadn't told V this little secret of hers; she planned to confess everything to V when the time was right.
I'm sorry, V, this is the last time.
Berry raised an eyebrow; the feeling of keeping a little secret was quite nice.
Speaking of Stott, the corporate executive, she was actually someone they could win over, although her private life was a little too... uninhibited.
Berry found a more tactful word.
She couldn't forget that after completing the All Foods Factory mission, Stott called her. She thought there was a follow-up task and stupidly and sweetly controlled Female V to attend the meeting.
And what was the result?
Her beautiful Female V was topped by the old aunt Stott. Berry was stunned at the time.
That was why she took on the task of meeting Stott herself, preferring to let Arno go instead. She didn't want that old aunt getting any ideas about V.
However, this old aunt's strength was undeniable. As an executive of Militech, she had many resources that could be utilized.
Berry wanted to connect with her. After all, she desperately needed high-tech items now, and Militech, originating as an arms dealer, possessed many high-tech weapons. For example, the "flathead" they were trying to acquire this time was one such item.
Therefore, Berry wanted to connect with Stott and then ruthlessly fleece Militech.
Just as the feudal system at its peak produced the weapons to overthrow itself, the weapons and technology needed to overthrow the megacorporations should also be provided by them, right?