Just standing on it for a few seconds feels like it wants to consu you.
John brought Barry for so fun, but when they arrived, it was still this Eden City Police Station lieutenant colonel who greeted them.
Because the Ban Island Izakaya has a semi-mbership policy.
Barry leveraged his status to gain permission.
They passed through the marble arch, particles running through the illusory and hazy lights.
The privacy and space of each area were well-controlled.
The circular venue enclosed the bar counter in the center.
As John passed by, he glanced over:
The ingredients were actually real seafood and at, with a dozen chefs preparing food in the open kitchen, isolated from noise.
Tonight, Barry was the one taking the larger share of the spoils.
He took the initiative to cover expenses and ordered Liangzi’s service, after which they saw the girl who captivated Sato Kei.
She was wearing a pink cherry blossom kimono, not overly made-up, nor did she have too many cold implants, and she spoke in a gentle tone.
John said nothing, just focused on eating and drinking heavily.
Although he did not designate a service person, other girls ca over to introduce food and serve him drinks.
After getting slightly tipsy.
The fixed entertainnt of the venue began.
Cherry blossom decorations rose silently from the floor, and frosted glass obscured the view, multiplying the room’s privacy several tis over.
The girls, who spoke softly, were like water.
When they saw that John wasn’t speaking, they wouldn’t engage in frequent conversations, nor were there any physical gestures. They only made minimal introductions when pouring drinks and serving dishes, then quietly knelt at the edge of his field of vision.
Constantly lowering their presence.
Each ti John observed with the corner of his eye:
They always wore a smile, the kind that could make a hardened man with blood on his hands feel ashad.
Liangzi was the standout among them.
She was like the girl next door, distant as if in a dream, with each interaction seeming to have starlight in her eyes, every ripple in her gaze reflecting the custor’s silhouette.
This emotion was so "real" it scared John.
They experienced the drinks and top-tier massages, stopping short of purchasing any further special services, conversing softly in the steam-filled lounge.
Barry noticed John’s distraction.
"Don’t worry, you handled things bravely, and nothing got out of hand. Owl Town won’t retaliate against you, at least not in the short term... It’s a waste of ti to target you; the cost-performance ratio is too low, and your life doesn’t bring much tangible profit. Besides, they’re in chaos right now."
"Why?"
John asked.
Barry sat up, wrapped in a towel, revealing his abs and scars, as well as faded tattoos on his arm — seemingly military emblems, symbolizing his service branch.
"Owl Town crossed the line."
He took a small sip of sake before explaining.
There had long been a tacit understanding between the Owl Town and the Black Gold Gang, but a group of cyber-psychos appeared on the streets, fully implanted and out of control, aning that unspoken boundary was crossed.
A stage of using any ans necessary was coming.
Assassinations, framing, corporate sanctions, heavy weaponry... there would be everything until the companies achieve their goals.
"You’ll see more and more big players getting involved, the streets will be more dangerous than they have been in the past ten years, and the police and SAT can only watch, engaging to a limited extent and cleaning up the aftermath."
John didn’t expect to hear such words from a cop.
"This f*cked-up city, it’s truly damned."
"Is it your first day here?"
Barry said expressionlessly.
Tonight, he clearly made a killing.
The money was divided, they relaxed, chatted enough, and it was about ti to handle so serious matters.
He turned to John and asked.
"Do you want to help you with sothing?"
"Robbery."
John answered instantly.
[Shop - Myoko’s Gyudon]
The night grew into an abyss of dullness, with the last monts before dawn typically devoid of custors.
Drunkards and gamblers had been drained by the city.
The shop’s curtains hung slightly, casting a dim glow, yet Myoko was nowhere in sight.
She was standing in the back alley making a phone call.
The gang war also affected ordinary citizens.
The food supplier was demanding to change quarterly paynts to monthly, citing transportation risks, fearing the shop might close down or be robbed, leaving them with unpaid bills.
[I have a family to support, damn it, agree to let deliver two boxes tomorrow, or... that’s that.]
"F*cking squid, that bastard."
Myoko cursed, taking a drag from her e-cigarette, the filter hissing as if reminding her to replace the refill.
The shop was a bigger problem than the food supply.
Raqi Industry wanted to rezone Sakura Cross Street, prepare for recycling and subleasing, and open into chain shops, which would an she would lose her only livelihood.
Buzz buzz buzz.
The rear alley lights flickered and died.
Myoko leaned against the wall in the dark, her breathing slowed, as if being swallowed whole by the city.
Two youngsters lay with their arms under their heads in the attic.
They heard the phone conversation clearly.
Ding ling~
[いらっし... Welco.]
A broadcast ca from the front of the shop.
Myoko reacted as if a puppet pulled out of water, her body moving even before her mind.
She pushed through the back door into the shop.
Click.
She was confronted by a pitch-black shotgun.
The robber wore a floral shirt, muscles knotted, green hair, and a blue clown mask.
The shotgun slightly lifted.
The gunman spoke with a raspy electronic voice.
"Please scream, Miss Myoko, preferably enough to alert so passing drifters or neighbors."
"Hoo~"
Myoko raised her hands, panting.
"Whatever you aim to gain, there’s none here, no need for such a foolish act..."
Click, bang!
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