KyokaSuigetsu
patreon
Chapter 38: A Wonderful Cohabitation Life
🕑 Added 2025-04-01 03:21:23 +0000 UTCNight City.
True to its name, the night didn't bring tranquility — instead, it ignited a frenzy far beyond the chaos of daylight.
Drunkards stumbled through the streets, yelling at nothing and no one.
Biker gangs roared through the roads on their motorcycles, the screeching tires competing with the screams of pedestrians.
But the worst of all were the distant echoes of gunfire — an ominous sound that could mean anything from a robbery to a gang war.
Night City awakened under the stars, baring its bloodthirsty fangs.
Even with the curtains drawn, Leo still couldn't shake the restless discomfort. Inch by inch, he shifted closer to V, who was sitting on the curved couch.
Poor V had been pushed all the way to the edge. Any further, and she'd be sitting on the floor.
"Are you serious? That gunfire is blocks away."
"My hometown wasn't this chaotic..."
"Then why the hell did you come to Night City? Here, it's three guns per person — and that's including the newborns."
What could Leo say? It wasn't like he had a choice.
"Just think of it as getting kicked out," he mumbled. "Anyway, what do you think about getting one of those?"
He pointed at the TV, which was showcasing a product.
"For those who value household safety above all else, consider installing your own home turret system. With these, not even the nastiest thugs stand a chance!"
The screen displayed a cartoonish automatic turret, the kind typically seen in games — mounted to the ceiling, ready to gun down intruders on sight.
V scoffed. "Unless you want some netrunner to hack it and turn it against you, I'd say skip it. High-tech isn't always better than old-fashioned vigilance. Besides..."
She snatched the remote from him.
"And Stop & Stay Safe is a kids' program. Can't we watch something adults actually care about?"
Beep.
The channel switched.
"Good evening, Night City!"
"Welcome to the Deadpool Lottery evening rerun. Whether you're a late riser, a night shifter, or just love our show enough for a second watch, we've got you covered!"
"No more chatter — let's check how many people kicked the bucket yesterday! Wowza, 42 fatalities! A bumper crop of bodies!"
Onscreen, a cheesy fighting game animation filled the screen, complete with exaggerated Japanese sound effects. The upbeat tone completely ignored the grim nature of the subject.
"A big shoutout to the Valentinos and Maelstrom! Between the two, they've racked up 21 kills — nearly half of all deaths in the city! Honestly, if not for the City Center acting as a buffer, they'd probably push us into triple digits."
The broadcast then cut to footage of NCPD officers cleaning up crime scenes — severed limbs, blood-streaked walls. The grotesque visuals made Leo's stomach churn.
"You're too young to watch stuff like this."
He tried to grab the remote, but V clutched it tightly, challenging him to try.
"This isn't just a gore fest — it's Night City's news, straight from the streets. Mercs love this show."
Pop.
V cracked open a can of soda, keeping her eyes on the screen.
"Deadpool Lottery gives you a real-time look at which districts are hot zones. It tells you where it's safe, where it's dangerous, and where there's money to be made.
Like now — Valentinos and Maelstrom are at war. That means Watson's industrial zone and Heywood's scenic district are no-go zones. If you don't believe me, ask Jackie. I bet his injury had something to do with Maelstrom."
Leo was impressed by her intuition. She was spot on — Jackie had nearly died in a gang shootout, taking three rounds to the chest near his heart.
V noticed his silence and mistook it for fear. With a rare gentleness, she patted him on the shoulder.
"Relax. This apartment's in one of Heywood's safest areas — West Wellsprings, right by City Center. The Valentinos keep a close eye on these streets to make sure no one scares off the rich folks like you."
Leo remained skeptical, but he stayed glued to the screen as the host cracked more dark jokes about the city's state.
Power grid hacks.
Store robberies.
Cyberpsychos running rampant.
What a charming place. Night City — the armpit of humanity.
Leo stuck close to V for the rest of the night, unwilling to face the darkness alone.
Eventually, as the clock struck ten, sleepiness overpowered his lingering nerves.
"I'm going to wash up and sleep. Don't stay up too late — stunts your growth."
Since learning that V was only seventeen, Leo couldn't help but instinctively adopt a more protective, elder-like tone. As if to seal the deal, he ruffled her hair.
V froze.
A battle-hardened street mercenary, survivor of countless skirmishes, was being treated like a kid?
But when she looked into Leo's eyes, she saw no malice — just genuine, almost annoying affection. It was infuriatingly disarming.
Unable to muster a response, she sulked, brooding over her interrupted solitude.
Later, by the window, V cracked it open just a sliver, gazing at the neon-lit skyline.
Back in the Hive, skyscrapers loomed like oppressive walls. The sky was a distant dream.
But here, in the wealthier part of Heywood, the city sparkled. Police cruisers patrolled the well-maintained streets. A different world entirely.
"Being rich must be nice."
She pulled out her Kenshin pistol, admiring the sleek, futuristic design. The gleam of her Gold membership card in her pocket, along with the swelling digits in her account, brought a warmth to her chest.
"For a boss this generous, I suppose I can put up with a little nonsense. 365,000 eddies a year... Can't complain."
February 19th, 2076
At 8 AM, the smell of spicy, savory food wafted through the air, stirring Leo awake.
Still groggy, he stumbled to the railing, peering down.
"I ordered breakfast. Come down and eat."
V's voice rang cheerfully, a stark contrast to the night before.
"Be right there..."
Yawning, Leo made his way to the bathroom.
Cool water washed away the last remnants of sleep. He felt refreshed, his mind sharpening.
A health report flashed in his peripheral vision.
"Good morning, Father! Your body is recovering well. Neural hormone levels are stabilizing. Please continue maintaining a healthy routine. Have a great day!"
Even as he brushed his teeth, Leo couldn't help but smile. Sure, implants were cold and metallic — but having a smart, caring AI like Shironeko? That was a comfort no machine could match.
