Supporting Characters in the Game are Obsessed

In this cyberpunk world, there truly exists a wide variety of human groups (and a few weirdos) all over the place.

This is largely because the whole world is filled with chaos and destruction in a post-apocalyptic manner.

Additionally, the unexpected side effect created by the fantastical “translation module” plays a role too.

Even the cheapest neural computer chip products come with this module, which has become so widespread that even vagabonds living in landfills can benefit from it.

Honestly, I’m among those who have greatly benefited from this technology, even if I complain.

Thinking back, it makes sense.

Before falling into the game, my English skills were, to put it nicely, complete garbage.

“Hello Zeeto Hello~♪”

That was the only song I could sing.

Naturally, I didn’t have the conversational skills to talk freely with foreigners.

But just a bit of an excuse: this world had almost a 100-year difference from the one I lived in.

The changes in “everyday colloquialisms” and complex “proper nouns” in this future world contributed significantly to the confusion in my head.

Fortunately, when I first fell into the landfill, I had a round neural computer chip and a translation module installed in my body.

Though it was an outdated product and impossible to use online, at least the translation worked well.

If it weren’t for that, the hot-headed blonde kid (Gyeomjok) might not have thought to rescue me.

Anyway.

Whether or not you can communicate is that important.

“…….”

However, today I came to realize once again that the translation module doesn’t always maintain perfect performance.

A monotonous voice flowed out steadily from the dirty unmanned terminal.

“Welcome to the City Security Department of Neon City, where love and peace is provided for a fee. How can we assist you?”

Contrary to that very polite announcement, a large text below the unmanned terminal stated, “Intruders with illegal intentions will lose the protection rights under city laws and may have their granted right to life revoked.”

Despite such a ominous warning, Catherine casually entered her business into the unmanned terminal.

“Meeting reservation with the Security Department for lunch.”

After a brief pause, the unmanned terminal played its mechanical voice again.

“I have confirmed the schedule. Please scan your city ID or corporate ID valid within the city on the lower display.”

I let out a light sigh as I watched Catherine inputting her corporate ID card into the scanner.

…Sigh.

I recalled the memory of when I first asked Catherine out on a date.

—

35. Anyway, Date (1)

—

Silence continued in the room.

Julia, who was into a classic game, got distracted by the caramel popcorn next to her, focusing on us instead.

Eve, who had become more relaxed after spending the night with me, cautiously moved over and munched on a piece of popcorn.

The glass plate that fell to the floor lay shattered in a messy state.

Using glass plates since the living standards have been elevated led to such issues. Cheap and sturdy plates are definitely better.

In such an atmosphere, Catherine stared at me with dazed eyes, startled.

She was overtly flustered.

It had been a long time since I saw the legendary mercenary, Meteor, look so caught off guard.

If I told other mercenaries, they would dismiss it saying, “Nah, Meteor can’t be flustered.”

And then.

“Ah.”

Catherine exclaimed as if she realized something.

“What am I saying?”

“…Huh?”

Why is she saying “What am I saying” out of the blue?

I felt puzzled by the abrupt remark.

But Catherine, looking straight at me, nodded.

“Then of course, we should go together.”

If I had questioned that “strangeness” I felt at that moment to Catherine, things might have turned out a bit differently.

But too bad, I was also not in the right frame of mind since it was my first experience trying to suggest a “date” to a woman.

Arranging to go out was common, but purely asking from a “romantic perspective” was practically my first time.

Catherine busily prepared for the outing.

As I observed her, I cautiously asked.

“…Are you bringing that along?”

“Just in case.”

I could understand the bulletproof coat made from carbon nanotubes. It’s casual wear for her, so why not wear it on a date?

But then Catherine fastened a simple belt pouch underneath.

Inside the belt pouch, a big gun, emitting the smell of gunpowder and oil, poked out along with some ammunition.

“…….”

…Well, that makes sense!

It’s just like me to prepare thoroughly for an outing, so I made an effort to accept that scene.

Of course, I should have felt something odd from the fact that both mine and Catherine’s actions were the same, but.

Back then, I just brushed it aside.

They say a woman’s date is like warfare.

I suppose this expression comes from such scenes.

I nodded to myself.

With that level of armament, Catherine was practically set for war.

Soon, Catherine finished her “date preparation” and casually grinned at me.

“You got a call from the City Security Department too, right?”

“…?”

…Huh?

“I almost mistook that for something wrong.”

“……???”

What on earth does that mean?

I frowned, thinking hard.

—

*

—

Objectively speaking, it was mostly my fault.

To explain using a certain Buddhist logic that has subtle connections with the cyberpunk universe… let’s say I received my karma (कर्म).

For someone who has never asked anyone out, suddenly suggesting going out together would certainly raise suspicions.

(Especially when that guy has no hobbies of going outside either.)

Yeah.

All of this is my fault.

Of course, I could have revealed the truth to Catherine there, but I had already heard that the City Security Department had contacted me.

It felt odd to simply pretend I hadn’t heard that.

Just like a parent worried about their child left unattended, I felt uneasy letting Catherine go to the Security Department alone.

Well, truth be told, it wasn’t a bad situation.

If I hadn’t suggested a date to Catherine, she probably would’ve gone to the Security Department by herself.

And a date could always happen after that business is taken care of.

As someone with the “I” attribute, who can only calm down after sorting everything out in one outing, I resolved to ensure that date got done today.

“Access granted to ‘Catherine Lee’ and one other person. Welcome. Love and peace, City Security Department.”

Thus, we found ourselves within the City Security Department.

To be honest, I was a bit worried at the entrance about whether I’d receive any messages or notices, but thankfully, there were no issues.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Right?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Honestly, this is the inner sanctum of the City Security Department.

I felt like I had walked into the tiger’s den, while Catherine, the one actually involved, seemed completely unfazed.

Hiding my nervousness, I answered her musing.

“Last time was during that secret mission.”

“Yeah, we were together then too.”

“Secret mission” refers to the last main scenario that existed in the game.

Looking back, that was a turning point in my life. I got to meet Eve.

To simplify it, the genre of my life shifted from “hard-boiled cyberpunk action drama” to “happy-happy cyberpunk slice of life.”

The waiting room felt desolate.

As it was a separate private waiting area, there weren’t visible other people.

But the monotonous concrete walls without any wallcovering were dotted with holes from foam tie. It felt like construction was still incomplete.

Considering the frequency of terrorist incidents in the Security Department building, leaving it like this would definitely be a financially sound decision.

I had heard the Security Department building got rebuilt several times after being demolished.

“Relax a bit.”

Catherine poked my side as she spoke.

I thought I was remaining composed, but it seemed odd to my childhood friend of ten years.

“…You should relieve some tension.”

“Why?”

She looked genuinely confused.

Gyeomjok…

“It’s the City Security Department building, who knows what might happen?”

“…So, doesn’t that mean you should also be tense when at home? You live with Chairman Monolith after all.”

Ah.

That’s true.

Honestly speaking, the mega-corp is probably scarier than the city. They have more money than the city.

Now that I adjusted to it, I could see that when I was guarding the chairman at Monolith Tower, I should have been just as nervous.

“Well, that’s why the Chairman likes you.”

“?”

Before I could respond to Catherine’s mumble, the automatic doors in the waiting room smoothly opened.

“Hello~.”

The person who stepped out from beyond the door was a man in a neat checked suit. His ponytail swung gently behind him.

It was a familiar face.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“…Ah, yes. Nice to see you.”

The classic introvert trait of becoming weak when meeting an extrovert kicked in. I answered quietly back.

His casual demeanor hadn’t changed.

As far as I know, he’s a really nice guy.

To put it simply, he’s one of the very few people genuinely working for the citizens of the city in the game.

“This is the first time I’m hearing direct news from you. I’m glad to see you’re doing well too, Meteor.”

Just the fact that he called my name correctly puts him in the top 10% of intellectually sound people.

He just has an overly suspicious appearance.

His narrow eyes leave quite an impression.

With a bright smile greeting us, he looked as if he were just a straight-up villain laughing softly.

The fox-like man, “Gable Do,” greeted us with that suspicious smile.

“Hehe… then shall we begin the story?”

…….

I wish he wouldn’t smile like that.

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