Cyberpunk: 2075

"bite.

The elevator has reached the 100th floor.

Looking at the door that slowly opened in front of him, Karl took a breath and then exhaled. After the door was completely opened, he stepped into the large flat floor where Tavernier's suite was located.

"Exactly nine o'clock, exactly."

Kenichi Shiro, wearing his usual black suit, stood at the elevator door and nodded to Karl.

"You didn't break your promise."

I came at the right time, so it would be strange to miss the appointment. I had already mastered this skill to the full level when I was in school.

"Mr. Kenichi Shiro."

Karl nodded in response as a greeting, and then he noticed something different about Kenichi Shiro today.

On the left collar of Kenichi Shiro's black suit, he wore a pin that he didn't have before. Judging from the style, it was a silver, chrysanthemum-looking pin.

On that pin is Arasaka's logo.

Karl had heard that people with sufficient status in Arasaka would wear a silver pin with the Arasaka logo on the left side of their collar, and executives who had served in the Arasaka combat unit would be even more so. A more distinguished Arasaka logo pin with a chrysanthemum appearance.

Looking at Kenichi Shiro's pin, Carl understood who Kenichi Shiro was today.

He is no longer his boss at the detective agency, but a loyal servant of the Arasaka family.

There is no doubt that Arasaka Haruko herself is here.

"My lady is waiting for you."

After saying this, Kenichi Shiro stood next to the elevator door without making any movement, and just motioned Karl to move forward.

Karl didn't say anything. He took a few steps forward and passed Kenichi Shiro. Then he saw the entire view of the flat floor.

On the right side of the suite is the bathroom. On the left side of the suite, there is an outdoor staircase connecting to the apron on the top floor. Looking through the transparent bulletproof glass, you can vaguely see the glory of the Night City, and Not far from the stairs, it's In the middle of the suite, there is a small coffee table facing the large screen in the room. On the cushion next to the coffee table, Haruko Arasaka, wearing the same cherry blossom kimono as when they last met, is sitting there, fiddling with it. Tea set.

Karl took a few steps closer and saw clearly what Haruko was doing. She was making matcha with tea.

Regarding Karl's arrival, she tilted her head slightly toward his location. She was obviously aware of it, but judging from her appearance, she was not in a hurry to talk to Karl.

She didn't answer, and Karl certainly wasn't prepared to speak.

After looking around and finding no particularly good place to sit, Karl simply walked next to her and sat down on another raised cushion in front of her right.

I stared at Haruko for a few times. Haruko was the same as the last time I saw her. There was no difference. She still had the same thin appearance, the same long hair that hung down to her waist, as smooth as silk, and the same look. Her face was indeed as beautiful and dignified as that of a Warring States princess, and she looked exactly the same as before.

However, even if it was their second meeting, Karl still had to say it.

He didn't care much about appearance, but he really liked Haruko's eyes.

I don’t know if those eyes are prosthetic eyes, but they are as beautiful as the night sky, as if you can see the reflection of the stars.

These are the stars that cannot be seen in the night city with heavy light pollution.

Time passed very quietly, and there was only the thin sound of tea whisking through the liquid in the entire flat floor.

After more than ten seconds, Haruko stopped moving in her hand. She put the tea handle head down and carefully placed it on the tea seat on the coffee table. She held the frothy matcha in her hands and brought it to Karl.

"Please use it."

Haruko stared at Karl with a smile, as if a tea master had finished his work and invited guests to have a cup of tea.

Karl stared at the green and foaming tea, but several thoughts flashed through his heart.

This kind of thing appeared in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and developed into a part of the tea banquet. He was not unfamiliar with it, but...

Matcha powder is made by steaming young tea leaves, roasting and drying them, then using a stone grinder, and whisking them with real water. In 2075, it was too luxurious.

Seeing Karl looking at the matcha, Haruko, who thought he was hesitating about the brand, explained: "This is the matcha from Iphodo Tea Shop in Kyoto. It has been four hundred years since it was founded. I think it is the taste. The best matcha ever.”

"No, I'm not curious about the brand."

Karl actually wanted to say, matcha is too bitter, can I add milk?

Remember adding milk is also a way to drink it, but it seems to be often criticized by traditionalists.

Remember, as a courtesy, you have to hold it with both hands...

Taking a small porcelain cup of matcha with both hands, Karl drank it without even thinking about tasting it.

Then, a bitter taste started from the tip of the tongue and spread all the way into the stomach.

It's really bitter. She definitely put too much tea powder.

As the bitterness subsides, a fresh tea aroma begins to emerge from the mouth. After careful aftertaste, it is still very bitter.

Putting down the finished tea cup, Karl looked at Haruko: "I've finished the tea, can I start the report?"

"No need."

Haruko shook her head: "I don't want to hear these little things.'

Is 320,000 euros, or something involving the assassination of your personnel, considered a small matter?

but.

"Since you don't plan to listen, then my procedure is complete, right?"

Karl just wanted to get up: "Can I leave?"

"no."

Haruko stared at Karl closely with her eyes: "I don't care about small things, but there are some important things.

I want to ask you.

"Important things?"

After listening to Haruko's words, Karl, who had stood up very quickly, sat down again: "Is it a matter of salary? How much bonus are you planning to give? I did a good job on my last job, right?"

After staring at Karl's face for a few times, Haruko sighed.

"This is also a small matter. You have to talk to Mr. Kenichi Shiro about the salary."

"Then, what is the important thing, you tell me."

Karl noticed a scrutinizing gaze coming from the elevator door, and subconsciously sat up a little straighter.

Your boss is watching, and you have to behave well in front of your boss’s boss.

"I have a proposal here."

Haruko put her hands flat on her knees.

"A proposal that may be acceptable to you."

"proposal?"

Karl felt that the scrutinizing gaze seemed to be getting sharper.

"What proposal."

"I want to ask you to accept that Haruko looked at Karl:

"Accept the offer to be my personal bodyguard.'