"Okay, since you understand, I won't say anything more."
Yoko Taro nodded calmly. "Then, I'll wait for the good news."
"Yes! I understand!"
Takeyama Masaguchi responded hurriedly, his voice tense but determined.
"Good. Go and get ready!" Yoko Taro ordered in a deep voice. Then, as if recalling something, he added, "Since you said that the boy from the Dragon Kingdom has some kind of high-end implant, you can choose anything from the latest equipment I purchased from Arasaka."
"Success is the only option. Failure is unacceptable. Understood?"
"Crystal clear!"
Takeyama's voice trembled with excitement. He didn't know what kind of implant the boy had that allowed him to control firearms remotely. But with the equipment from Arasaka at his disposal, the mission's success rate would skyrocket.
Seeing Takeyama's determination, Yoko Taro said nothing more. With a slight wave of his hand, Takeyama immediately understood. Bowing respectfully, he turned and left the main hall, guided by a subordinate.
Moments later, Takeyama stepped into the prosthetic weaponry vault. As the heavy metal doors slid open, his eyes widened at the sight before him. Various cybernetic implants and advanced weapons lined the walls and display cases.
Blades, primarily samurai swords, dominated the arsenal. But there were also cutting-edge firearms and cyberware from Arasaka—gear rarely seen on the open market. High-powered sniper rifles, gorilla arms capable of tearing a man apart, and optical camouflage systems.
Each piece was a testament to the secret dealings between the Tiger Claws and Arasaka.
"Ah... this is it! This time, there's no way that little punk can escape!"
Takeyama's face twisted into a grin as he caressed a sleek cybernetic arm with reinforced servos. Madness gleamed in his eyes as he laughed, a low, sinister chuckle echoing in the vault.
Meanwhile, across town near Sakura Street...
After catching a bit more sleep, David got up, washed, and headed downstairs to meet Lucy for lunch.
Exiting the building, they once again chose to eat at the Chinese restaurant near Little China.
Seated at a small table by the window, David glanced at Lucy. Noticing her pale complexion, he asked, "Hey, Lucy, are you feeling okay?"
"No, no, it's nothing," she replied, shaking her head with a faint frown. "Just didn't sleep well last night. Bit of a headache, that's all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry. Let's order."
Seeing her insist, David nodded and picked up the menu.
Just then, his phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, he saw Jack's name and answered.
"Yo, David! What are you up to?" Jack's cheerful voice boomed through the receiver.
"I'm at Little China, having lunch with Lucy. You nearby?"
"Oh, hell yeah! I'm right around the corner! Mind if I join?"
"Sure, come over."
A few minutes later, Jack burst through the restaurant doors with his usual enthusiasm.
"Hey! David! Lucy!" he called, striding toward their table with a wide grin. "Didn't think I'd catch you two lovebirds out on a lunch date!"
David chuckled and shook his head. "Come on, Jack. It's not like that."
"Yeah, yeah, sure." Jack winked. "So, what's the special today? Couple's combo?"
Lucy laughed, the color returning to her cheeks. "Jack, don't you have anything better to do than tease people?"
"What can I say? It's my charm!" Jack pulled up a chair and plopped down beside them. "Speaking of charm, how's the love life, David?"
"I should be asking you that," David countered. "At your age, shouldn't you be thinking about settling down?"
Lucy joined in with a playful grin. "Yeah, Jack. You're not getting any younger. Your mom must be worried."
"Heh... you have no idea." Jack scratched his head, his smile turning sheepish. "She's always nagging me to find a nice girl, get married, and give her some grandkids."
"Well, why don't you?" Lucy asked, tilting her head curiously. "Haven't you ever had a crush on someone?"
To their surprise, Jack's cheeks flushed slightly. "Actually... I have."
"Oh?" David raised an eyebrow. "Who's the lucky girl? Got a picture?"
"Yeah, show us!" Lucy added eagerly. "Let's see if you two are a good match."
"Uh... no pictures yet." Jack rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit embarrassed. "I haven't exactly... you know... won her over yet."
"Wait, seriously?" David asked. "How long have you been into her?"
Jack hesitated, then admitted, "About two years now."
"Two years?!" David blinked. "You're kidding, right?"
Lucy's eyes widened. "Jack, two years, and you still haven't asked her out?"
"It's not like that!" Jack defended himself. "We talk a lot, and she doesn't seem to mind my company. I'm pretty sure she likes me... but I just haven't found the right moment to make a move."
David leaned forward, intrigued. "What's her name?"
"Misty. She works as a nurse at my buddy Viktor's clinic."
"Misty?" David's mind immediately conjured an image of the kind-hearted, spiritual girl who had been close to Jackie Welles in the original game timeline. So they're not together yet...
"Well, Jack, you've been into her for two years." David gave him a pointed look. "What's been holding you back?"
Jack scratched his head, clearly uncomfortable. "I've been, you know... taking it slow. I send her messages every day—good morning, good night, stuff like that. If she's sick, I tell her to drink more hot water and rest. Just... being there for her, you know?"
David's expression froze for a moment. Then, unable to hold back, he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Jack... you've been stuck in the 'nice guy' zone for two years."
"Huh?" Jack looked puzzled.
"Dude, being a warm, caring guy is great," David explained. "But if that's all you do, she might see you more as a friend than a potential partner."
"But... I thought women liked guys who care about them?" Jack asked, genuinely confused.
"They do," Lucy chimed in. "But... there has to be something more. Otherwise, it feels more like friendship than romance."
"Exactly," David agreed. "Jack, have you ever asked Misty out on a real date?"
"Uh... not exactly." Jack shifted in his seat. "I mean, we've hung out a few times, but never anything formal."
"There's your problem, man!" David clapped him on the shoulder. "You've got to take action. Invite her out—just the two of you. Make your intentions clear. Otherwise, you'll be stuck in the friend zone forever."
Jack frowned, considering David's words.
"You really think that's what I need to do?"
"Absolutely."
Lucy nodded. "Take her somewhere nice. Show her that you see her as more than just a friend. Trust me, a little romance goes a long way."
Jack took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "Alright. I'll do it! Next time I see Misty, I'll ask her out!"
"Now that's the spirit!" David grinned.
"Yeah, go get her, Jack!" Lucy added with a smile.
Jack slapped his hands on the table with a grin. "Alright, enough about me! Let's eat!"
The three of them laughed, the tension easing as they turned their attention to the steaming plates of food arriving at their table.
But even as they enjoyed their lunch, David couldn't shake the sense of unease lingering in the back of his mind...
Somewhere out there, danger was brewing.
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