"Alright then, Miss Akisui, I hope you know what you're doing."
Arasaka Raison and Akisui Setsugetsu didn't continue the topic any further.
Akisui Setsugetsu said, "Raison-kun. This group will be our sleeper agents. Although they've already entered the Arasaka system, we can't upgrade their cyberware through official corporate channels."
Arasaka Raison replied, "I know. The company installs backdoors in all the cyberware it issues to employees. You don't need to worry about their gear—I'll handle it. Is that all?"
"That's all we can do for now."
"Alright. Get some rest, Miss Akisui."
"You too."
The call ended, and silence once again filled the apartment.
---
That morning, V woke up early, planning to head out alone.
She was preparing to purchase materials today and add some new characters to her merchandise catalog. Yogan also rose early and greeted her, "Morning, V. Heading out this early?"
"I'm going to the hospital to see Tracey."
"Want me to come with you?"
"No need. I can go alone."
"Come on, V. You're terrible at hiding your feelings. You practically have 'please care about me' written all over your face."
In the end, V accepted Yogan's offer to accompany her.
On the way to the hospital, Yogan asked, "V, how did you get into mercenary work?"
"I told you already, didn't I? Amoedo brought me in."
"V, you know that's not what I meant. Street mercenary work is dangerous, no matter how careful you are. Dying on the job is a real possibility. From what you've told me, Amoedo really cared about you. I doubt he'd want you doing something this risky."
V hesitated for a couple of seconds, as if trying to come up with a new excuse. After an internal struggle, she gave up.
"Alright, Yogan. You're right. Amoedo was totally against me becoming a merc like him. He took me in, and I wanted to find a way to ease his burden. So I lied about my age and picked up some gigs from careless fixers. When Amoedo found out, he was furious. We had a massive fight."
"What happened after that?"
"After that? Amoedo realized he couldn't stop me, so he agreed to train me once I turned eighteen. But judging by the reluctance on his face, he was probably still looking for an excuse to push me out of the merc world. His idea was for me to focus on school, find a job at a corp, and live a stable, uneventful life. But he never considered that his daughter was seriously ill and Night City schools are ridiculously expensive. How was he supposed to pay for Tracey's treatment and my education at the same time?"
V fell silent. After a while, she turned to Yogan and said, "Alright, your turn. It's not fair if only I spill my past. What kind of life did you lead?"
Yogan chuckled. "Compared to yours, mine was plain as day. Grew up normally. Went to kindergarten, elementary, middle school, high school, and even made it to college."
"Wow, didn't expect you to be a college boy."
"Ha! There's a lot you don't know about me. I didn't finish, though. Dropped out before graduation and came to Night City. Still, I consider myself somewhat educated."
"Look at you, getting cocky."
"Hey, I gotta make the most of the credit V-senpai gives me."
"Cut it out, stop flattering yourself. So that's it? Nothing dramatic or noteworthy?"
"Not really. To be honest, the biggest trauma I had before coming to Night City was getting wrecked in a video game."
"Damn, your life really was peaceful."
"Yeah, completely uneventful. But after seeing what life's like here in Night City, I think I miss the quiet days."
"Night City? A place of talent and beauty? Are you sure you understand those words?"
"Please, V. That was sarcasm. Can't you tell?"
"Fine. So, what about your family?"
Yogan shrugged. "No idea. Probably won't ever see them again."
"…I'm sorry."
"I said probably. There's still a chance I'll make it home. Come on, V, given our relationship, can you at least wish me some luck?"
"You should've said that sooner. Wasted all my sympathy."
---
The Medical Center—Night City's largest and most advanced hospital.
In the game, Yogan never got the chance to visit this landmark in Watson. Now, he finally had the opportunity to explore one of the city's grandest buildings. For once, he also got to see what kind of medical service those 'Platinum Members' of Trauma Team actually received—something that had always seemed commonplace in the game.
V led Yogan into Tracey's room.
The first thing Yogan noticed about the Platinum Member suite was how spacious it was. The room was as large as V's entire living room. It was fully equipped with all kinds of appliances and even had a private bathroom. Rather than a hospital room, it looked more like a comfortable bedroom in someone's home.
The bed in the center of the room was wide, surrounded by doctors examining the girl lying there.
After a while, the doctors finished their inspection and began packing up their equipment. One of the doctors noticed V and greeted her.
"Miss Byssinia."
"Doctor."
"The patient's condition is very stable. You don't need to worry. However, regarding Miss Tracey's current illness, I still recommend using the more mature treatment methods."
"I know, doctor. I understand that replacing her blood with synthetic blood is the most effective treatment for leukemia. But didn't you say there were other options? I don't want Tracey to have too many cybernetic implants at such a young age."
"You're right, Miss Byssinia. Even without cyber implants, leukemia isn't necessarily untreatable nowadays. But we also need to consider the patient's emotional state. Miss Tracey really wants to be discharged soon. As her attending physician, I need to get the guardian's opinion."
"Alright, doctor. Let's try the methods that don't involve implants for now. I'll try to talk to her."
"Thank you for your understanding and support, Miss Byssinia."
The doctor exited the room.
The girl on the bed was extremely thin, her face pale, and several tubes were inserted into her body. But her eyes were sharp and lively.
V approached the bed and asked, "Tracey, how are you feeling today?"
"I feel good."
"Are you still in pain?"
"It doesn't hurt as much anymore. V, who's that?"
"His name is Yogan. He's my and your dad's new partner."
"Hello, big brother."
Yogan smiled at her and nodded. "Hi there."
V continued, "Do you feel any other discomfort?"
"No, V. Everyone here is really nice to me."
"That's good. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?"
"V…"
"When you get better, I'll take you to the amusement park. You've always wanted to go, right…"
Suddenly, Tracey raised her voice, "V!"
Her voice was muffled through the oxygen mask, but it was forceful.
V jumped a little, startled. "What's wrong, sweetie?"
Tracey stared at V, her eyes brimming with tears. "V, please tell me the truth. Is my dad already dead?"
"Huh? No! What are you saying? Don't be ridiculous! Your dad—he's just…"
Tracey's voice cracked with sobs. "V, you're a terrible liar. Dad told me that whenever you lie, you can't look someone in the eyes. He wouldn't abandon me. I've asked you so many times, but you always change the subject. So just tell me… Is my dad really dead?"
Seeing things take a bad turn, Yogan quietly slipped out of the room, leaving the two with the privacy they needed.