In the end I did agree to a trade, Yoko would owe multiple favors, and a few quick hacks to be able to sell out my Ping to netrunners.
Picking up a few Quick hacks that I wanted to fill out my Cyberdeck really did make it worth it, even if the future favors that Yoko now owed would probably be more valuable in the long run.
But more importantly than that. The pure excitent that Yoko had shown as we got into the programming, as we dug into the whys and hows made my night.
Totally worth the few days it took to fully program the thing.
Jeez just the fact I was able to remake Ping from the ground up in just a few days of work, made aware of just what Programming 10 really ant.
Between the massive amount of experience and knowledge I had, and the Perks keeping completely invested, and able to find and debug errors nearly instantly?
I was a monster of a programr.
It was amazing.
Yoko had kept in her lobby as we talked for hours about programming, but eventually I escaped. As I drove ho long after the sun had co up, I was forced to wonder once again.
What would programming 11 look like? If I was already this good? I could already basically write an entire program in one sitting, no wasting ti coming up with what I needed the code to do. I just wrote it, already knowing what the best way to code it was.
In the end, I would find out. As I drove through the early morning traffic, through a city that never sleeps, but did wake up from ti to ti, I knew that I would find out.
Because this world? This life? Was just too much fun!
I was still practically buzzing when I got ho and flopped on the couch. Jun was out, probably doing more TC work, but I finally felt that urge, that need to code satisfied at least for now.
Sure I have even more quick hacks I wanted to play with, and there was of course the big project that I wanted.
And the music box.
I blinked.
Okay fine.
Ti to finish my music box.
I pulled up my coding laptop and opened my old work on it.
Then I deleted it all. And started fresh.
I needed a system capable of handling the sounds I couldnt make with a guitar, but it was more than that. I wanted it to be still.
I didnt want just bad recordings, I wanted my own music to be part of it.
So I got to programming. This ti, I was inspired. The programming of the box was a few things. First, it was a sound system. I would be able to literally write songs, and add tracks and sounds to it directly.
The programming for that took a while, but when I finished I realized I would need even more hardware to handle this.
It needed a bigger harddrive, basically.
So I went back out and hit a computer parts store. It was less Netrunner stuff, and more ho system use, but that was fine.
I shelled out a good amount of eddies for a large modern mory storage, and installed that into my incomplete mory box.
Motoko. Have you eaten today? Jun demanded suddenly as I blinked and he was in the house.
Ah. I might need to stop getting so hyper focused when I worked!
I think so?
Eat! He demanded handing a XXL burrito was this punishnt!? If I forgot to eat would Jun force to eat one of these!?
This is cruel and unusual punishnt. I complained but Jun was in no mood. Watching as I scarfed down the burrito so I tasted it as little as possible, and then he nodded.
Cmon we are going out.
What? Cmon Jun! Im in the middle of sothing!
Have you even left the house today? He asked instantly with a glare, and I returned it.
I have! I got ho early this morning from netrunning. I then went to the computer store. Just because Im getting distracted with this, doesnt an you get to treat like a child, Jun.
He looked like he was going to explode for a minute, but then he took a deep breath and let it out.
Okay. Im sorry. He said and I blinked surprised at the sudden shift. You have worried though, you got sick the other day because you didnt do anything but work on your program.
I Okay yeah I wasnt at my best, but it wasnt because I got Okay fine. Ill set an alarm, and if I dont eat or sothing Ill suck it up and let you treat like an idiot for a while. Deal?
Jun seed just as surprised at my words, as I had been at his.
Then his lips quirked up.
Deal. He reached over and despite my attempts to keep it away his hand patted my head for a few monts.
How about we head out anyways. We havent really done anything besides hang out around the house in a while. We could go hit the gun range? Or visit Sensei. He bugged the last ti I was at the dojo that he hasnt seen you.
I blinked.
Wait Sensei wanted to co to the dojo? I asked, actually surprised. Honestly considering how often he had put in ti out, I had the impression the guy hadnt liked very much.
Motoko. Sensei thought you were preem. Hell I think youre preem you fought off borgs with a Katana, while adapting to brand new Cyberarms. Rember? He asked, looking at like I was a dunce.
I lost. I reminded him how our fight had ended up. Akari had beat my ass, and Jun and I had ended up
Well roughhousing was the kindest way to put it.
You survived. Cmon. Grab your Katana as well, Sensei will be glad to see you, but hes definitely going to force you into so Kata.
Aww Jun I dont want to deal with that right now. I grumbled, but he was smirking at , and I didnt have the heart to get into a fight to remove it.
Jerk would just sit on again anyways.
Fine. But I demand noodles for dinner.
Well eat after we see Sensei, itll work up an appetite. He told , smiling brightly and I sighed as I got ready.
--
Walking up to the dojo for the first ti in a while was weird. It didnt look all that different, although it was a lot busier than it had been during the war.
Jun had driven this ti, refusing to let drive him in the Quadra so I was riding on the back of his Kusanagi. He parked out front right next to the twelve other Kusanagi all parked in front of the gate.
Like I said. Busy.
Once again the fact I wasnt wearing any TC morabilia, or had the tattoos ant that as I followed Jun through the gate, he was getting nods of respect, while I was getting weird looks.
We walked into the entrance of the dojo, funnily enough a room I had never been before, but Jun walked right past the little reception, taking around to the side which opened up to the dojo itself.
It was filled. TC guys were all training, so with bokken, so with the exercise equipnt laying around the area. But Jun walked confidently to the one person in the room I actually knew.
Sensei. Jun offered, holding a fist with his other hand and bowing.
Kusanagi. And Kusanagi. He greeted us both. I didnt bow, but I did give him a smile and a wave.
You look well. Have you kept up your practice? He asked instantly, probably already knowing the answer.
Dangit. Jun was purposefully not looking at ! Had Jun sold out!?
No. I havent had a chance to draw a blade in a while.
Then you will need practice. Kusanagi, go you know what training is needed. He said looking to Jun before turning back to . You co. Lets see how much you have lost.
I didnt groan.
Audibly.
I followed Sensei as he led over to an open area, a place not to battle with another student, but just a practice area. He grabbed a bokken off the wall and handed it to .
Begin. He demanded, and I nodded rembering the stances and swings he had liked.
So I exercised.
It wasnt all bad. Swords were cool, but this still felt like a betrayal from Jun.
Now I know why he had agreed to noodles so easily. The bastard.
--
Whos the kid? I heard whispers among so of the TC guys that were practicing under Senseis watchful gaze.
No idea. Sensei put her in the corner, she one of us?
No idea.
They thought they were being quiet, but the room was mostly quiet outside of soft grunts, and my ears were pretty good.
I didnt care though.
If I was going to be stuck practicing sword forms, I was going to try and wrangle another Blades level up out of it.
Or at least try.
But I wasnt going to be left alone. Finally soone cracked, their desire to try and figure out who the weird girl in the corner was overrode Senseis wrath.
It made sense. Gang bangers werent known for their patience.
Hey, girl, who are you? One of the n said having stomped over towards .
Motoko. I said but ignored him otherwise. I could see Sensei watching, and I knew how that man thought. If I stopped swinging he would be over here in an instant to berate . Even if soone was interrupting my practice.
Never seen you before. What are you doing here?
Practicing. I said just restraining myself from rolling my eyes.
This answer didnt seem to please the man.
Fine. Then as your senpai, Ill give you a lesson. He said casually, at least trying to sound nice, but it was obvious the guy was looking for trouble.
Considering Jun wasnt in the room at the mont. He had gone downstairs at one point. That was probably the only reason the guy wasnt a sar on the tatami already.
Im good. I answered instead, focusing on my blade work. Sensei was watching.
I insist. Everyone who cos here, has to get used to the way we do things. He said firmly standing in front of , forcing to stop swinging. Then he took a few steps back and raised his own Bokken up.
Really? I couldnt help but ask. You really want to do this right now with Sensei watching?
Sensei hasnt stopped . If you were one of us you would understand the rules of this place. Tsukune. He said with a rather nasty smile before his face flattened, and he swung.
Did he just offer his na and attack? What a weeb.
He was strong. I noted, not borg strong, but he was a taller guy and he obviously worked out a lot.
Everyones picking on the teenage girl today. My eyes narrowed and I decided I wasnt having it.
My Bokken instantly flashed out startling him as I went on the offense, swinging for his neck and face each ti.
It was only a bokken, and swinging for the chest might make him ignore a swipe to really slam into , but a face strike?
No one wanted to get hit in the face.
So he blocked, and that let put him into my pace. He might be stronger, but I was faster, and I think I was better with a sword too.
He blocked a retaliatory swipe of his own Bokken trying to force back but I just turned that into another swipe.
No, I confird. I knew I was better.
We continued with my blows constantly raining down. He was just good enough to block them, just good enough to stay alive under my assault.
I could see the mont his face went from confident blank to actually worried.
The mont he looked at his chooms and then refocused on .
I was pushing him nearly up against the well when I felt it.
An intrusion.
Soone was trying to quick hack !
My own defenses were holding them off, but that wouldnt last forever.
I tumbled backwards, flipping a few tis to make room, and glared.
That one. The guy with the stupid face was trying to hack .
I attacked him viciously. A Breach slamming into his personal ICE and a quickhack right behind.
Where he was taking ti to break through. I had no such problems. His eyes shut down causing him to cry out, which was right about the ti I chucked my Bokken letting it spin end after end until it smacked right into the now blinded netrunners face.
His quick hack ended just as abruptly.
Unfortunately I couldnt enjoy my ti. I spun smacking the bokken striking down at away with a backhand. Tsukune, the fucker had tried to sneak attack .
I rolled backwards until I reached the wall and then I reard myself.
Two Bokken were in my fists and I twirled my left hand one.
I was gonna beat this gonk black and blue.
What is going on here? Juns voice suddenly cut in and everyone stepped back.
Tsukune might be a tall kid, but he was practically half of Juns size after all the chro Jun had chipped in.
There was a reason just his fat ass alone was enough to hold down.
Ah. Kusanagi-Sama! Tsukune called out looking surprised.
Kusanagi Sama?
I couldnt quite hide the snort and snickering I let out, Jun turned to with a glare that I was trying to hide my giggles from, but they were looking at Jun like he was so big important guy, and not the teenager that literally ate burritos for all als of the day if I let him.
What is going on? Jun asked , and I couldn't help it.
Jun-Nii! These big scary anies were bullying ! They made fight, and even tried to quick hack in the middle! I whined purposefully using Siren Song to make make my voice as childish as I could.
Which mightve been too effective as Juns nose wrinkled at .
Nii? Tsukune asked, sounding a little faint as he realized what he had just done. I was smirking looking at the older guy, the guy who was standing next to my testy borg brother.
I was so ready for Jun to start growling!
Motoko, dont bully people. Jun said suddenly cutting through my schadenfreude.
Wha! Jun! They were bullying ! I was minding my own business doing the practice sensei gave !
Sorry about my sister. Shes kinda a gorilla. Jun absolutely bashes !
How dare he!
Of course I retaliated walking over and punching him right where his kidney would be. Unfortunately his stupid chro ant he just grunted a little at my strike and ignored after.
Ah Of course Kusanagi-Sama, I didnt know she was your sister. Tsukune bowed to Jun nervously, but I was more focused on glaring at my jerkass brother.
How dare he not take the side of his shy sister getting bullied by a bunch of gym bros!
Good, Im glad. And one last thing. Jun suddenly moved, and his hand was wrapped around Tsukunes throat.
I had stepped back Bokken raised instinctively at Juns sudden aggressive action. But I relaxed.
Jun wasnt a Cyberpsycho right now. It would be fine.
Poor Tsukune of course didnt know that, lifted off the ground by my borg brother, his feet wiggling as they reached for solid ground.
If you ever bother my sister like that again, Ill make you regret it.
To my surprise though, Sensei wasnt getting involved. The older man was just standing back watching it all take place.
Finally Jun let the guy go as he flopped onto the ground gasping for air.
Cmon Motoko. Sensei wants you. Jun offered, returning back to the calm air he had just before.
If you were gonna scare them, at least dont throw under the bus first. I grumbled at him, but Jun just reached out and ruffled my hair as we walked over to Sensei.
Of course I batted his hands away, now wasnt the ti for headpats!
Kusanagi. Spar with Kito. Sensei said as we finally approached pointing at another man that was probably a decade older than who looked just as surprised. At first I thought he was talking to Jun, but Jun and Sensei instantly walked off back towards a corner.
Irritating.
Uh.. hey. I offered with a weak wave of my bokken.
Kito. He introduced himself, and then took a swipe at .
I guess it was a good thing I was still holding the two Bokken I had picked up. I blocked, and started my own assault.
--
*100 Blades XP Gained.*
*100 Blades XP Gained.*
*100 Blades XP Gained.*
I was reading through the alerts I had gotten after everything, clutching onto Jun as he drove us to a noodle bar.
He had promised after all, and he was right. I was now very hungry.
Stupid Sensei made keep sparring with people whenever I beat one, or was defeated.
I would need to nap when I get ho. I had bruises all over my body.
Unfortunately, while the alerts were good, I didnt get an actual level up.
I would have to spar more if I wanted that sweet Blades level up.
Sorry about that. Jun ntioned as we pulled into a space near Cherry Blossom Market.
I guess the noodle shop there was Juns favorite.
About what? I grumbled at him. I hadnt exactly planned to get dragged into a sword fight with everyone in the dojo.
You know what. Sorry. I should have warned you a bit, the students at the dojo are very territorial. I think Sensei wanted to see how you handled them as well.
Sensei can suck a full bag of dicks.
Jun snorted before gently bopping on the head. Be respectful, he helped both of us before But yeah he can be a dick about it. You were having fun though. You were smiling while swinging those bokken.
I gave Jun a deadpan. I was forced to fight every gonk that wanted a round, of course I took the small pleasure I could by hitting them in the face. I told him as we walked through the market.
Im glad you werent hurt too much. Youve gotten pretty good with a blade. Im proud of you.
Nuh-uh. You dont get to be proud of after throwing into a weird winner takes all training session. Noodles first, and maybe after Ill forgive you enough to let you be proud of . I told him and Jun actually laughed, an honest real noise escaping him as he leaned over and threw an arm over my shoulder.
Deal.
*Ringing*
I blinked. Feet stopped as a call ca in.
A call from Wakako.
Hold on. I told Jun instantly, as my eyes went gold.
*Wakako, whats up?*
*Stop by. Welles is already on his way. I have a gig for you.* The call ended, and I sighed long and loud.
Then when I ran out of air I took a deep breath slowly, and then sighed again.
Rain check Jun-nii. I have a gig from Wakako. I told him and he gave that little frown he did whenever I went and did sothing dangerous.
That was fast.
Wakako likes to hang up on people. Its one of her things. I ntioned and Juns eyes narrowed.
Maybe you should stop working for her Motoko. If she isnt treating you right.
I scoffed at that. Wakako is just grumpy. We spent like an hour watching so weird show last ti I visited. Its cool Jun.
You Watched TV with Wakako. The fixer Wakako? Jun asked, looking at like I was crazy.
Yeah? She has shit taste in TV too. Gotta go. I told him as I turned and headed through the market towards Jig-Jig street.
First gig with Jackie?
Interesting.
Fine! Call if you are going to be out late! Jun demanded like a mother hen as I was walking away and I just nodded and waved behind .
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