"What's on the menu?"
"Something familiar… if that's even possible."
Leo eyed the gangsters nearby, their arms inked with fierce oni tattoos. Even though he tried to act casual, his lingering gaze didn't go unnoticed.
Jack stepped forward, his burly frame effortlessly blocking Leo from their line of sight.
"Those are Tyger Claws. One of the biggest gangs in Night City. They run most of Westbrook and a good chunk of Watson. Staring at them like that? Not your best move, mano."
"Noted."
Leo quickly averted his gaze, though the passersby had already noticed him. Their curious, wary stares followed him like shadows. Jack, however, didn't seem too concerned.
"Come on. I know a spot that does Asian food."
Navigating through the bustling street, they soon reached a small food stand illuminated by the glow of red lanterns.
"Anye Jie Jiuchu, huh?"
The name scrawled across the lanterns was in Chinese, though Leo figured it might be some kind of izakaya.
"Jack… I don't exactly pass as Japanese, do I?"
Jack grinned. "Nah, you're not fooling anyone. But this stall's the best bet for a decent meal. Otherwise, it's all burgers and synth-fries."
"Guess that settles it."
Through the glass display, Leo spotted steaming dumplings, sushi rolls, and stir-fried noodles. His stomach growled in agreement.
They sat down, Jack taking the outer seat to shield Leo from prying eyes.
"Order whatever. In Heywood, it's tradition—first meal with a new friend? The older guy pays."
Leo grinned. "Not gonna argue with that."
"Chow mein sound good? Extra spicy."
"Works for me."
Jack waved to the chef. "Oye, jefe! Dos chow mein, bien picante!"
The white-haired Japanese chef nodded, and soon, the sizzle of noodles hitting the wok filled the air. The aroma was intoxicating. Leo could practically taste the meal already.
"While we wait, spill it. Why Night City?"
"Studying. Arasaka Academy."
Jack nearly choked on his soda. "Chingada madre, you serious? That place is hardcore. Right next to City Hall, too. Prime real estate."
Even the chef shot him a curious glance.
"Sounds prestigious. You ever been?"
Jack shook his head. "Nah. Not exactly my scene." He cracked open a can of soda and handed another to Leo.
Leo took a sip—and immediately regretted it.
Jesus, what is this? The orange soda was pure chemical sludge. Sweet enough to strip enamel off his teeth.
Mercifully, the conversation shifted, sparing him from further sips.
Soon after, the steaming plates of chow mein arrived.
Dark noodles glistening with soy sauce. Synthetic sirloin generously scattered on top. Scallions for garnish. It looked… authentic enough.
Leo dug in, the heat of the chili paste lighting up his tongue. But as soon as he bit into the meat, something felt off. The texture was too uniform, the flavor hollow—the unmistakable sign of lab-grown protein.
Synthetic sirloin… Welcome to Night City.
Still, it was hot food. Better than nutrient bars or expired burritos.
Once their plates were cleared, Jack slapped a few eddies on the counter and led Leo back to Misty's shop.
"Vik wants another look at you. I'll wait here."
Leo nodded, watching Jack wander over to Misty, her smile widening at his arrival.
Back at the clinic, Vik gave Leo a quick once-over, ensuring everything was functioning as it should.
"Observation period's done. You're good to go. If nothing goes haywire in a week, you're in the clear."
"Appreciate it, Vik."
"Before you head out, let's swap contacts. And about your eyes…"
Leo hesitated. "My eyes? Thought we were finished with that."
Vik smirked, pulling a glass jar from a nearby shelf. Inside, floating in preservative fluid, were Leo's original eyes.
"We are. But these? Still useful."
"…The hell?"
"If your optics glitch or if you go cyberpsycho and need a full removal, you'll be glad you kept these. They're OEM. Best fit you'll get."
The thought of reinstalling his own eyes unsettled Leo.
"Or," Vik continued, "you could sell 'em. With your genetics? Easy seventy, eighty grand. More than what your new optics cost."
Leo whistled. "Shit. So if I swapped out all my organs and sold them, I'd make a fortune?"
"Sure. Then you'd go cyberpsycho in a week. MaxTac would put you down faster than you could say 'bad idea.'"
Leo chuckled. "Alright, I get it. I'll store them."
Vik nodded, satisfied. "Smart choice. No charge for storage—but if you croak, I'm selling 'em."
"Fair deal."
Back at Misty's, Jack was waiting, already mid-conversation with her. When he spotted Leo, he waved.
"All set?"
"All set. Thanks for waiting."
Jack grinned. "Welcome to Night City, mano. The legend starts now."
Leo smiled, feeling the weight of his choices—and opportunities—sink in.
Jack, V (wherever the hell she is), and me.
---
Read Up To 30+ Advanced Chapters in pat/reon.com/KyokaSuigetsu