>>4501672
>You told the truth. You were being severely beaten by Emi when she first got the headache.

>>4501672
>You told the truth. You were being severely beaten by Emi when she first got the headache.

>>4501672
>You keep insisting that she was just getting you dressed. But perhaps something gives your lie away.

>>4501672
Actually, I;ll change >>4501721 to
>You keep insisting that she was just getting you dressed. But perhaps something gives your lie away.

I've just realized that "something" would be intentional.

>>4501875
^ support

Also nice to have you back, op!

>>4501875
Support.

Welcome back!

>>4501672
>You told the truth. You were being severely beaten by Emi when she first got the headache.

>>4501875
If that's true, support.

>>4501875
+1

>>4501672
>Told the truth
If it comes out what she was really doing and we lied about it, it's gonna look like we lied to cover up our motive for revenge.

>>4501672
>You told the truth. You were being severely beaten by Emi when she first got the headache.

Man, that was a much longer break than I expected. Thanks for being so patient guys.

File: Kaguya.jpg (284 KB, 899x500)

284 KB JPG

“She … she was helping me get dressed.” You say quietly, looking away slightly and refusing to meet the Enforcer’s gaze. It was no wonder that he didn’t believe you, or at least suspected you weren’t telling the whole story. It was also completely intentional.

Even if you told the truth, there was no guarantee that you would be believed. Especially since the Handmaids were the personal servants of Lady Muramoto, not to mention probably the daughters of powerful figures themselves. It would be you word against theirs, and that wasn’t a confrontation you were sure you could win. But if the truth was revealed reluctantly and only much digging, that might lend it the validity you need.

The Enforcer opens his mouth again as if to question you again. But for some reason, he stops. There is a look of surprise on his face. Then one of attention, as if engaged in a mental call with someone else.

“Apologies Kaguya-sama, please wait here for a moment.” He says, leaving the room. You wait for a few minutes in silence as he concludes his conversation over the cybernet.

But suddenly, the Enforcer exclaims. “What? Judas? What’s he coming here for?. Already arrived? … Ah! Judas-san! I was already forwarded the authorization, so please just follow me ...”

You could easily hear his uncontrolled outburst through the thin paper walls. Judas? Who was Judas? He was obviously someone that the Enforcer didn’t expect to come here. And judging by the Enforcer’s tone of voice, someone he obviously respected, and was even wary of. But before you can figure out anything else, the Enforcer comes back inside the room. Next to him was a massive man in dreadlocks, shades, and a leather trenchcoat which drooped all the way to his boots. You could see a telltale bulge on his left hip.

“Apologies for the wait, Kaguya-sama. But it seems that I won’t be the one asking you questions now.” The Enforcer bows, before quickly exiting the room.

You steel yourself, preparing yourself to repeat your story again. But the man in the trenchcoat that the Enforcer had called Judas doesn’t ask you any questions.

“Lady Kaguya, I’m going to need you to hold still.” He tells you in a blunt, professional voice. There isn’t a trace of etiquette, or even etiquette training in his tone.

>Cooperate. He was already cleared by security (+1 Hopeful)

>Ask him what he’s going to do? (+1 Cynical)

>>4503699
Fuck. I didn't know we were this young...

>Cooperate. He was already cleared by security (+1 Hopeful)

Gotta protect her innocence for as long as we can.

Even if we just killed a girl...

>>4503699
>Ask him what he’s going to do? (+1 Cynical)

>>4503699
>Ask him what he’s going to do? (+1 Cynical)

>>4503699
>Cooperate. He was already cleared by security (+1 Hopeful)
Might as well stay innocent for now.

>>4503699
>Ask him what he’s going to do?
I don't see what's so cynical with it.

>>4504220
Kaguya's stressed, and a bit paranoid-feeling. It'll also affect her first impressions with Judas.

>>4503699
>Ask him what he’s going to do? (+1 Cynical)

>>4503699
>Cooperate. He was already cleared by security (+1 Hopeful)

>>4503699
>>Cooperate. He was already cleared by security (+1 Hopeful)

For the purpose of continuing, I’ll remove all bonuses and continue as if Kaguya innocently asked Judas what he was going to do.

“Aren’t you going to ask me questions?” You ask, slightly confused.

“I’m not here to do that. There are … faster ways to find the information I’m looking for.” Judas replies. He reaches behind his head to the nape of his neck, drawing a long, thick cord from his datajack.

“This will feel strange.” He warns, grabbing your shoulders in case you try to move away. His gloved hands are rough and ungentle in their grip, more suited to holding heavy weaponry than the shoulders of a child. You feel cautious. But he was cleared by security, right? You could trust him to keep you safe at least.

Judas reaches behind your head, peeling back the thin layer of synthskin that hid your own datajack in one smooth motion. He doesn’t waste any time at all. You get the feeling that he did this a lot. For some reason, an image of hacking collapsed figures in a dark alleyway comes to your mind.

Then, the jack goes in. It feels like … a wire being threaded through your spine’s socket … like cold electricity running through your nerves … like a scalpel running along the surface of your brain, just softly enough to not cut, but only a few joules of pressure away from slicing through the delicate tissue and doing irrevocable damage.

“Hmm .. you’ve only got a bit of hindbrain cyberized. Only your vision center’s more than 75% replaced. Pretty light augmentations, that’s rare these days. But fry, non-invasive cranial tracings, inert resin-encased components, and biosilicate mesh wiring? Maximum unobtrusiveness, huh? The whole setup will organically grow with you. You could burn the whole setup in a cyberattack, and your body would just flush it out as waste. The quartz microgenerators are a nice touch, perfect for a low-demand cyberbrain like yours. Only the Hindbrain looks like a Muramoto corp product. The rest is … Langley Watchmakers ltd, by the looks of it … Fry, your brain’s more expensive than most luxury sports cars ...”

The scalpel worms it’s way through the folds of your brain. Somehow, it doesn’t cut anything, but you can feel it’s sharpness. It sends an involuntary shiver down your spine. You resist the urge to pull away. The scalpel worms deeper and deeper until with an audible thunk, it hits something metallic at the back.

“Heh, just as expected.” Judas mutters, pulling the wire out of your cyberjack. “Pretty strong firewall … but I found what I needed, so I’m done here …”

“Wait … Wait, what did you need to know?” You demand. Panic rises inside your chest. He had connected directly to your cyberbrain after all. Maybe he had found out the truth about what had happened with the Handmaids. You weren’t worried about that. But if that had been what he had been looking for, did he also know the truth about what had happened last night? There hadn’t been any requests for access, and you doubt he’d simply hack you, a member of the Muramoto Family itself … but that was just it. You didn’t know!

>What were you looking for? Who are you even?

>Do you know what’s going on? What happened to Emi-chan? Please tell me!

>Don’t think you can just leave. I demand an explanation for everything!

>If you accessed my memories without permission, you won’t get away with it!

>>4507052
>>What were you looking for? Who are you even?

>>4507052
>What were you looking for? Who are you even?
>Do you know what’s going on? What happened to Emi? Please tell me!
Emi does not deserve a -chan from us.

>>4507061
^support.

How the fry did we get this much cyberware? This is interesting.
> You could burn the whole setup in a cyberattack, and your body would just flush it out as waste.
What does that mean? Someone could hack us and make us lose all our augs, or that if we go all out in hacking, the worst that could happen is losing all our augs?

> Langley Watchmakers ltd
So CIA. Mother needed money, and sold us as an experimental rabbit?

>>4507052
>What were you looking for? Who are you even?

>>4507052
>What were you looking for? Who are you even?
>Do you know what’s going on? What happened to Emi-chan? Please tell me!

Please, big dreadlock man. That was scary, having a cyberscalpel run through my mind...

>>4507106
I doubt even our Mother dearest would go that far... after all, what connections does she have with the CIA?

Winslet, on the panther hand...

>>4507052
>Do you know what’s going on? What happened to Emi-chan? Please tell me!

>>4507106
>>4507186
Kaguya had those installed when she first got integrated into the family. It's expensive, but in terms of actual power and capability, it's only comparable to the average Blank's cybernetics. It doesn't matter how much money you pay, there's only so much you can fit inside someone's skull without replacing brain tissue outright.

To answer the question about what 'You could burn the whole setup in a cyberattack, and your body would just flush it out as waste.'' means, it means that since all of Kaguya's vital brain functions are still organic, destroying her cyberbrain wouldn't harm her at all. The whole external cyberbrain would just break down and be flushed out by her circulatory system.

>>4507052
>What were you looking for? Who are you even?

>>4507061
Support

>>4507052
>What were you looking for? Who are you even?

>>4507052
>What were you looking for? Who are you even?

“Wait, what were you looking for?” You ask.

“I wasn’t told to give you that information.” Judas says, getting up to leave.

“Please, sir. What you did to me was very frightening. Not to mention … painful.”

“Hah? I thought I was pretty gentle.” Judas says. You see a twitch at the corner of his mouth, the beginning of an expression of pity. However, it’s sood crushed beneath his stone-cold professional veneer. “Well, you should see me when I’m not being gentle.”

“At the very least, you could tell me why you had to search through my mind.” You ask in a forlorn and undemanding tone that would pull at anyone’s pity. It was such a small thing to ask, wasn’t it?

“I’m not sure you’re authorized to know ...” Judas hesitates. But there’s some guilt in the way he hesitates. You’ve got him.

“I’m a member of the Muramoto family. I doubt you’ll get in trouble from obliging my curiosity. Besides, I’m fine if you leave out the details you’re not sure you can tell me.”

“Well … you are a member of the family after all.” Judas relents. “I was looking for malicious foreign sleeper subroutines in your cyberbrain. In other words, a virus.”

“A virus?” Are you saying I have a virus?” You think back to that night where you had snuck into Kentaro-kun’s room to use his Dataport. You had no idea where you had gone. It was certainly possible.

“Nah. Your cyberbrain doesn’t have the capacity to support anything bad.” Judas assures you. He gets up to leave.

“Wait before you go, may I know your name and status in the corporation?”

Judas smiles obligingly. You can see the glimmer of curiosity in his eyes, as if he has several questions he wants to ask you himself. “Judas ‘The Baku’, professional nightrunner. As for my position, I work on contract. If you ever need to contact me, ask around your family … although I’m curious myself. Why would a little girl like you want to do with me?”

>I’m curious what makes you so curious

>I was just curious about the person who accessed my mind

>I’m just trying to find contacts for future reference

>I may have a job for you

>>4509981
>I was just curious about the person who accessed my mind
>I may have a job for you
Kentaro back from the dead, hmmm?

>>4509981
>I was just curious about the person who accessed my mind
>I may have a job for you

>>4509981
>I may have a job for you

>>4509981
>I may have a job for you

kentarrrroooooooo

>>4509981
>I was just curious about the person who accessed my mind

>>4509981
> I have a job for you
Kebtaro, obviously.

But why can't we train? Plutocrats are afraid that they get hacked so they don't augment. But we are augmented and have Chekhov's Cyber brain. We are in an unique position in the family abd seem to be predestined to be s nightrunner.

>>4510672
A better question is why other Plutocrats don't have a safe cyberbrain like ours. And if it's not safe enough for them, why was it installed in us?

>>4510672
I think they do augment, just safely and minimally like us.

>>4510686
Was it said somewhere that they have something different?

>>4510686
I think it's more of an honor/tradition thing in a sense, and an ego trip. Remember, they're perfectly engineered bio-weapons, the best that the human gene pool has to offer. Why sully their perfectly engineered bodies for some computer augments that make them seem weak or defective?

In a way, our Chekhov's Cyber brain is a reputational weakness among other Plutocrats. Keep in mind, we have people that do wish us sabotaged or dead, so in a way this a double win for our enemies, desiccating our perfect body while imbuing it with a potential vulnerability, as in guise as a strength and an advantage.

We should totally train with our Cyber brain in our spare time btw.

>>4509981
>I’m curious what makes you so curious

Am I the only one interested in this answer?

>>4510672
>>4510714
It's partially because they don't want to get hacked, but it's also because full-blooded Plutocrat brains are fine-tuned and do not respond well to large portions being cut out and replaced.

>>4509981
>>I’m curious what makes you so curious

As soon as you realize what Judas is, you immediately think of Kentaro’s situation. A Nightrunner was a mercenary of sorts, but much more than that. They were much more than thugs and muscle for hire, they were specialists as skilled as any Corporate special operations team. In a sense, they were like the ronin of old, skilled wandering warriors not attached to any loyalty or master. Perhaps you could recruit Judas to help you investigate the circumstances of Kentaro’s coma.

“I may have a job for you.” You say, without any hint of subtlety.

“What would a little girl like you need a mercenary for?” Judas asks. But he doesn’t laugh or belittle you. In fact, you feel him growing even more curious about you. “I should warn you, I’m still working for your family’s corporation as a whole right now. And I make a policy of not getting involved in internal politics … well, at least without the right price.”

>Hire him on the spot

>Tell him you’ll probably hire him, first you need to think it over

>You’re not ready to hire him yet

>>4511243
>Hire him on the spot

>>4511243
>Hire him on the spot
Fuck it

>>4511243
>Hire him on the spot

What do we have to lose, after all?

>>4511243
>Hire him on the spot

This isn't internal politics, no one is really blocking Kentaro's revival.

>>4510724
>>4510714
So even with access to the best augs money can buy, those augs would be inferior to the genetic augmentation (and training) of a Plutocrat body? This would seem counterintuitive, as it's possible in the current era to:
> build robots that are stronger than any human
> build computers that are more powerful in raw processing capacity than a human brain
> build computers that could hold more data than a human brain is capable

What is hard in present day is building a computer system which can even approximate the complex reasoning process behind the decisions of any advanced animal, with the peak of autonomous robotics being around simple life (pathfinding, navigation, and avoidance of objects).

Also, I can see why it would be important from the story's point (a person with infinite resources and genetic augmentation at their disposal could be augmented to a level we couldn't imagine, and would quickly get overpowered or fall down the Sue slippery slope.)

>>4511243
> Hire him on the spot

>>4511375
> What do we have to lose, after all?
As far as I know the story, we might uncover some secrets that can be problematic for the Family. IF Kentaro could get brought out of the coma, he'd be reinstated as our bodyguard, ruining the machinations of any player who want their person to be our guard.

>>4511617
>So even with access to the best augs money can buy, those augs would be inferior to the genetic augmentation (and training) of a Plutocrat body?
I read both posts you quoted, and nowhere does anyone say that.

>>4511617
It's possible to do all those things, but it's not possible (yet) to do other necessary stuff. For example, those strong robots are seriously inferior to human limbs in agility and precision. A good mechanical prostetic would need a different actuator, one that wouldn't necessary be capable of great torque. As well, those powerful computers consume a lot of power and produce a lot of heat, both things incompatible with implantation, especially into the brain.

>>4511617
It's possible in the world of this quest research along biological lines has progressed faster than ours.

>>4511617
>>4511648
>>4511684
>>4511690
The best augs producible are around equivalent to the best plutocrat producible, but these augs require extensive cyberization that most plutocrats aren't willing to do.

Top-tier cybernetic bodies are stronger, faster, and more agile than what a plutocrat can achieve. They'll be more powerful in raw processing, and have eidetic memory. There are limits to flesh after all. But at that point, there's barely going to be anything human left in your body. Heavy augmentation can lead to desensitization, dysphoria, and even psychosis until you start replacing the parts of the brain responsible for those feelings. And even top-of-the-line augmentations aren't regenerative. Every dozen hours you spend using your augmentations at top capacity is going to be at least an hour you spend maintaining yourself. And plutocrats are much more vulnerable to phantom pain than a baseline human.

One cognitive thing Plutocrats are better than computers at is pattern recognition. They learn incredibly quickly in a way an artificial neural network can't really compete with. This capability is lost with heavy brain augmentation … that is, if in trying to augment, you damage some important neurological connection. Brain surgery is risky at the best of times.

A plutocrat body only gets better and stronger at strenuous tasks the more said plutocrat does them. On top of that,a plutocrat body is built for pleasure. It's a joy to move in one, a revelry of physical sensation and capability that people haven't been able to replicate in cybernetics. There’s a saying that plutocrat bodies are designed half for hedonism. At the end of the day, Plutocrats are still rich people out to enjoy themselves.

>>4511988
I always wondered how to simulate quality of life in a game.

>>4511243
>>Hire him on the spot

>>4511988
>Top-tier cybernetic bodies are stronger, faster, and more agile than what a plutocrat can achieve
How rare are people with augs of this tier? And how close to it was Kentaro?

>>4511243
>Tell him you’ll probably hire him, first you need to think it over

>>4511243
>>Hire him on the spot

Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I ... don't have an excuse. I just fell asleep.
>>4512207
Every megacorporation has a few squads of people like this, but they're very expensive. Kentaro was like, a 6 out of 10.

“I have something I’d like you to investigate. The circumstances of what I suspect was a cyberattack.” You say, “It isn’t internal politics. Would you be willing to accept a job request from me?”

“Well Little Lady, it depends on how much you can pay.” Judas says, “I’m currently employed, so it would just be a side job for me. So, what pay range are we talking about? 200 sincreds per hour? 300? 25000 sincreds for the entire job?”

You realized that in all likelihood, Judas was most likely overcharging you but you received 67000 sincredits every month. He was most likely underestimating how large your allowance was … either that, or he was planning to raise the price of his service over some excuse he found once you already agreed to hire him.

“I’m willing to pay around that amount of money. Now, about the job ...”

“Hold it Little Lady. I don’t talk business in places where I can be overheard.” Judas interrupts you, before leaning in close and whispering in your ear. “Meet me tonight at Park 89 on Hillside 7 Terrace 27-f. Or send a servant of yours with the job if you can’t make it. You know my price, so the rest is up to you. Now, it would be suspicious if I stayed here any longer, so our little chat will have to end now.”

“I understand.” You nod, “Safe travels then.”

“See you later, little lady.” Judas says, “It’s been … very interesting.”

With that, he leaves you alone in the room.

“Ah, pardon me, sir.” A soft voice says from outside the hall.

Mere seconds after Judas leaves, Naoka steps into the room.

“Kaguya-sama.” She bows. Unlike before, she has a subdued look on her face. And there’s no mistaking the tint of worry.

“Naoka. How may I help you?” You greet her cordially, your own face and tone an unreadable monotone.

“Winslet-san would like to see you in her office.” She says. That would be the second time you were summoned to Winslet-san’s office, the second time this week for an event previously unheard of.

“I … understand.” You clench your fists silently. You … have mixed feelings about this.

>Ask Naoka if Emi is okay

>You don’t trust yourself to speak with her

>>4513912
>Ask Naoka if Emi is okay
Frankly, I am worried we'd seriously killed someone at 12.

>>4513912
>You don’t trust yourself to speak with her

>>4513912
>You don’t trust yourself to speak with her

>>4513912
>You don’t trust yourself to speak with her

>>4513912
>You don’t trust yourself to speak with her

>>4513912
>You don’t trust yourself to speak with her

>>4513912
>Ask Naoka if Emi is okay

At first, you consider asking Naoka if Emi is okay. But when you open your mouth to speak, no words come out. You’re still bitter about how the two of them treated you. And you don’t trust yourself to say anything to her without giving that away. Besides, if there was something serious about Emi’s situation, you have a feeling you’ll find out soon enough.

The two of you walk through the halls in silence. The air is strained between the two of you. You can tell the incident in your suite has not faded from Naoka’s mind. Nor has it faded from yours. But what can the two of you do? And so the two of you are silent.

But on your way to Winslet-san’s office, you pass through one of the Manor’s many courtyards. Standing in the middle of it under an old, half-dead tree is a very lost-looking Lady Muramoto. She had a worried expression on her face, and there were white streaks in her heavy makeup where tears had trickled down. Staring at the ground, she had not noticed the two of you yet. Had she … heard about Emi?

“Muramoto-sama.” Naoka whispers. A single, sympathetic, pitying tear wells up in her eye.

>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)

>Leave before Lady Muramoto notices you (+1 Cynical)

>>4515295
>Leave before Lady Muramoto notices you (+1 Awkward)
Assume she really is worried about Emi. What will we say to her? Hypocritically wish Emi well? Insensitively barge in with the tale of the maids assault on us?

>>4515295
>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)
>>4515300
I think we can be sympathetic to Lady Muramoto without liking Emi.

>>4515295
>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)

Fuck man, now I'm really worried.

>>4515300
Emi and Naoka acted horrendously towards us, it wasn't out of personal malice to us, but personal grief to Lady Muramoto. And even then, I don't think the punishment served the crime in this case. Loss of employment, certainly. A loss of life, or ability? No, I don't think the punishment served the crime at all.

>>4515333
While* should have been in the front.

>>4515333
I agree with all of this, but still. They tugged on our fucking hair!

>>4515295
>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)
We were sympathetic towards her the last time, and it seemed to work. At least we have to keep up the charade.

>>4515295
>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)

>>4515565
It's not a charade if it's true, anon.

>>4515295
>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)

>>4515295
>Leave before Lady Muramoto notices you (+1 Cynical)

>>4515295
>Ask Lady Muramoto what’s wrong (+1 Hopeful + Social Check)

Social Combat
Goal: Comfort Lady Muramoto while convincing her of your sincerity

To Naoka’s surprise, you walk out into the courtyard without anyone’s bidding.

“Mother … is something wrong?” You ask.

Lady Muramoto raises her head to look you in the eye. There is uncertainty in her gaze, as if she isn’t sure how to regard you.

“Kaguya-chan?”

>Roll 3 1d20’s. You will need 2 successes.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4516631

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4516631
>15%

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4516631
I... I'm honestly at a loss for words here...

>>4516652
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu2ug--bFPI

Kaguya has 24 Hopeful

>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success
>Accept failure

>>4516804
>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success
It's too important to fuck up now. Plus, I would like to make them feel better somehow, even if the gesture is small.

>>4516804
>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success

>>4516631
>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success

>>4516804
>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success

>>4516804
>>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success

>>4516804
>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success
Hopeful is spammable. At last, there's something to use it for.

>>4516804
>Use 4 Hopeful to gain success

I forgot to account for bonuses for Kaguya’s charisma, you actually only lose 1 Hopeful

>+2 Kaguya is very charming
>+1 Lady Muramoto is fond of Kaguya

“Is something wrong … Mother?” You ask in your most concerned, imploring voice.

“Kaguya-chan?” Lady Muramoto looks up.

You gently grab Lady Muramoto’s hand with both of yours, squeezing it reassuringly with “Please don’t cry Mother. Whatever it is, I’m here for you.”

“Oh, Kaguya.” Lady Muramoto sobs, drawing you close and hugging you tightly. The sheer intensity of her emotional response was overwhelming. And a little … unstable. You felt like a piece of driftwood being clung on to by a drowning person.

“Have you heard about my Handmaid, Emi?” Lady Muramoto asks once she releases you.

You shake your head. “I was there when she fell down. But beyond that … no.”

“She’s unconscious right now. She won’t wake up and the doctors were talking about how it looks like she caught a virus and … I can’t ... if something were to happen to Emi-chan, I don’t know what I’d do. She’s one of the only people I can trust here …”“

Lady Muramoto begins sobbing again. She hugs you again. And eventually, it relents again.

“Don’t worry, Mother.” You whisper gently to her. “The doctors here are the best money can buy. I’m sure that Emi-chan will be fine.”

“You’re probably right.” Lady Muramoto finally admits, calming down. It is only then that Naoka interrupts the two of you.

“Muramoto-sama.” She says politely. You notice that she does not bow.

“Naoka-chan.” Lady Muramoto smiles sadly. She was obviously glad to see her. “You’ve heard about Emi-chan, right? Of course, you were there, weren’t you?

So there must be a high degree of trust and familiarity between Lady Muramoto and her two handmaids. You had already guessed as much.

“Emi-chan is a tough girl. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Naoka gives her best attempt at a comforting smile. To you, it seems awfully strained and you can see how unsure she is on the inside. But it does seem to convince Lady Muramoto.

“Thank you, you two. You’ve made me feel much better.” Lady Muramoto says, before getting up. “I won’t waste any more time feeling down then.”

“In that case, I must escort Kaguya-sama. But when I am done, rest assured, I will resume accompanying you.” Naoka says, before bowing goodbye and guiding you away.

Even after the two of you expressed your sympathies to Lady Muramoto together, the air between the two of you has not cleared. If anything, it has become even more strained. And you can tell Naoka is even more unsure of how to regard you than before.

You could cut the silence between the two of you with a knife.

>I hope Emi-chan gets better, I really do.

>We both care deeply for Lady Muramoto

>Do you still think I’m lying?

>Let Naoka speak first

>>4518683
>Let Naoka speak first
Let her air her thoughts, and we can go from there.

>>4518683
>I hope Emi-chan gets better, I really do.

>>4518792
While I do agree, I believe it's better if she starts off the conversation, if she wants to.

>>4518838
She's a beta cuck who won't initiate, which means it falls to us, the alpha heiress, to do so.

>>4518683
>Do you still think I’m lying?

>>4518865
Kek.

I believe this more of a test of will, in this case...

Chaddess Kaguya can handle the tension in silence better than any virgin handmaiden.

>>4518921
I guess the main reason I want to pick this one is ever since Kentaro Kaguya has been making an effort to take initiative. I think she'd do so here as well, even if letting the maid crack might get us better results.

>>4518946
I like your interpretation. Personally, I think this situation we are in is unique, and quite honestly I don't know how'd she respond, if she would even feel up to it. Confused and guilty, never a good combo.

>>4518706
^ support
All options will make us show our cards, we have to force Naoka to show hers.

>>4518683
>>Let Naoka speak first

>>4518683
>Let Naoka speak first
>Think about how Emi's symptoms look similar to Kentaro's and what this could mean.

>>4518683
>Let Naoka speak first
>>4519243
Also this, I think Kaguya is wise enough to realize it.

>>4519243
Fuck. Every time we look back, it keeps getting worse, doesn't it?

Wait a minute... does this mean we could fix them both?

>>4518683
>We both care deeply for Lady Muramoto

The tension grows and grows until it would be unbearable for anyone else. You’re sure that Naoka has something she is dying to say to you. It shows on your face. In that case, it doesn’t bother you at all to wait until she breaks down. You’ll have to make your move eventually. Let her make hers first.

And sure enough, just before you reach Winslet-san’s door …

“You may have fooled Muramoto-sama, but don’t think for a second you fooled me.” Naoka hisses quietly to you. But she doesn’t sound sure at all. In fact, it sounds like she’s desperately maintaining an act. She had accused you in the most brutal way possible, and stood by while her friend had interrogated you without any right. If she was wrong, then both she and her friend were doomed.

“Naoka-chan, I hope Emi-chan was okay. I really do.” You say as gently as possible, “But we’re in public, so if you do not watch your actions now, you will only shame yourself.”

“You bitch!” Naoka swears, almost on the verge of screaming. “You’re just an upjumped street rat who doesn’t belong here. How dare take advantage of Muramoto-sama’s kindness and gentle heart!”

Naoka’s unbalanced words slide off of you like water. However, your response is formal and cool as ice.

“You will refuse to believe me, but I promise you that I care for Lady Muramoto just as you do. Now, thank you for escorting me this far, but I must visit Winslet-san.”

With that, you leave Naoka. The door to Winslet-san’s office closes, separating the two of you.

“Lady Kaguya.” Winslet-san greets you cordially. You sigh. Once more into the breach.

“Winslet-san.” You bow politely, “You wanted to see me?”

“Indeed I did. Please Lady Kaguya, have a seat.”

You tentatively accept. Winslet pours the two of you a cup of tea, before beginning to discuss her assignment for you. So far, she doesn’t mention Emi-chan’s situation. But that was only natural, to begin a serious conversation with a more casual topic. You are still cautious. Winslet-san was much sharper than either Lady Muramoto. or Naoka-chan.

But as the conversation continues, still no mention of Emi-chan’s situation is made. Instead she moves on to small talk. It almost feels like she’s trying … to soften you up?

And then the fateful question arrives. “‘Lady Kaguya. You have heard of the … unfortunate situation the handmaid that was accompanying you has entered into, haven’t you?” Winslet-san asks directly.

You nod. “Indeed I have.”

“Well, it certainly put a rather abrupt end to your exercise, didn’t it? Now, I have a few questions on the events leading up to that … incident.”

It seems you are about to be questioned again ...

>You were already questioned. Why are you being questioned again?

>Is it really her responsibility as your governess to interrogate you?

>Surely Winslet-san knows more of the situation than you. Perhaps she should be the one filling you in instead?

>Answer all of Winslet’s questions truthfully

>Answer as best you can, but hide a crucial detail (what?)

>>4520230
>You were already questioned. Why are you being questioned again?
>Surely Winslet-san knows more of the situation than you. Perhaps she should be the one filling you in instead?

>>4520232
>Answer as best you can, but hide a crucial detail (Everything)


JK. My real choice is supporting >>4520263.

>>4520307
'Everything' was supposed to be spoiled. Damn you janky text software!

>>4520263
This

>>4520232
>Surely Winslet-san knows more of the situation than you. Perhaps she should be the one filling you in instead?

>>4520263
+1

>>4520263
^this.
We have plausible deniability about Emi.

>>4520655
Plus, when you take into account Kentaro's situation, it honestly looks like we're being targeted.

Man, I am out of it this session. Sorry guys.

“I was already questioned several times.” You point out, “Why am I being questioned again?”

Could it be … that Winslet-san was not speaking on behalf of the same party as your previous questioners? You assume that the main family of the Muramoto Noir branch was the one which ordered your questioning … although if there was something going on behind the scene, then it was definitely worth investigating. But then, on whose behalf was Winslet-san questioning you? It would have to be a faction of the household with members that would know that you had been questioned, but was not privy to the records of your questioning.

“Well dear, you’re about to be question again … wait, several times?” Winslet-san glances at you in stifled surprise, “I was … not privy to you being questioned by more than your Uncle’s representative. Well then, as I said, that doesn’t change that you will go over the events that happened again for me.”

Now you were sure that Winslet-san’s questioning was not related at all to your earlier one. And she was trying to hide it. In that case, you could try to bait her into showing more of her hand. How much did she really know?


“Winslet-san, I was being questioned all this time. Surely you know more of the situation than me by now. Perhaps you should be the one filling me in instead?

Winslet-san sighs. “Well, information is scarce as is. But I do know that one of the Handmaids that was helping you shows signs of a hostile cyberattack … And from what I’ve heard, the attack must have taken place from when they would have been accompanying you … But to briefly change the topic, are you sure you were questioned by … trusted individuals?”

>Now that she mentions it, are you sure you can tell Winslet-san about Judas? You better inform her of him showing up, just to be safe.

>You don’t trust Winslet enough to tell her anything. But that means you will have to lie to get through this (Social Combat)

>>4522415
>>You don’t trust Winslet enough to tell her anything. But that means you will have to lie to get through this (Social Combat)

>>4522415
>You don’t trust Winslet enough to tell her anything. But that means you will have to lie to get through this (Social Combat)
>Pretend that we're trying to hide the fact that the maids bullied us, but not very well. Use this to distract Winslet from the real lie.

>>4522476
That could backfire on use horribly, as it give us the motive for Emi's virus. Just saying.

>>4522415
>I was interviewed several times by increasing ranked individuals from Muramoto security. It gets frustrating after the third interview.

Honest, but selective. I don't believe it's wise to trust her with Judas, but I would trust her with everything else. Plus, I actually want to build a ramport and a positive relationship with her. I have yet to see any evidence of wrongdoing, and I refuse to poison our relationship with her further with no solid evidence pointing to shenanigans.

>>4522415
>Now that she mentions it, are you sure you can tell Winslet-san about Judas? You better inform her of him showing up, just to be safe.
I'm afraid to roll

>>4522535
>I was interviewed several times by increasing ranked individuals from Muramoto security. It gets frustrating after the third interview.

^This. Honest and selective. Lying all the way, especially through Winslet would need tough rolls with a Cynical bonus. We're low on Cynical, and the dice gods despise poor Kaguya. We need to tell as little as possible, and hold on to plausible deniability in the worst case.

As far as I can follow, we weren't even told that she came down in a cyber attack, and we don't have the training to successfully mount one.
Also, as far as I know, cyberbrains need wired connection to interact with each other. (Except ours, apparently.)

> Man, I am out of it this session. Sorry guys.
Did something happen with you? It's okay if you let this thread die, work it out, then come back when you feel like it...

>>4522415
>Now that she mentions it, are you sure you can tell Winslet-san about Judas? You better inform her of him showing up, just to be safe.

not like we were told to keep him secret

>>4522415
>Now that she mentions it, are you sure you can tell Winslet-san about Judas? You better inform her of him showing up, just to be safe.

>>4523038
We made a decision to hire him without consulting the family and Winslet. By telling her - are we prepared to face the political consequences?

>>4522415
>You don’t trust Winslet enough to tell her anything. But that means you will have to lie to get through this (Social Combat)

>>4522668
Cyberbrains don't need wired connections to interact with each other, it's just a much better bandwidth.

Thanks for your concern anon. But I'll do my best to continue.

At first hearing Winslet-san’s words, you think she’s just trying to manipulate you into giving away some information she might not know. But now that Winslet-san mentions it … are you sure that Judas was someone you could trust? He definitely wasn’t a normal member of the Household, and had said as much himself. And he had pretty much appeared out of nowhere. Even if you don’t make any mention of your deal with him, you better tell Winslet-san of his appearance, just to be safe.

“Well … There was one person that was out of place. He called himself Judas, and claimed to be a nightrunner under the employ of the corporation.”

“A man named ‘Judas’, you say?” Winslet says. For a brief instant, her expression gained that vacant-eyed look of someone in a call with someone else in Cyberspace. But it fades as quickly as it appeared.

“Thank you for your time, Lady Kaguya.” Winslet-san simply says. “You may go now.”

You hadn’t even finished your tea. She wasn’t going to question you any further? Had such a small piece of information been big enough to satisfy Winslet-san? In that case, it was definitely more important than what you had thought …
…

Night falls. The time of your scheduled meeting with Judas approaches. But before you leave, you think to yourself … Perhaps you shouldn’t go alone?

>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past

>You can always depend on Kyune Onee-chan

>You’ll go alone. But you might also sneak a weapon out of the armoury first. (Stealth Roll)

>To keep things as private as possible, you will go alone

>>4524567
>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past

>>4524567
>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past

>>4523920
1 - We're hiring him with our own money. 2 - Why tell her that part?

>>4524567
>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past

>>4524567
> Take Kyune Onee-chan
Do we have weapons skills at all, so if we can get a weapon, can we use it?

Also can we go in our street clothes? Traditional clothes will make us stick out, and that will be a problem on the street.

>>4524598
We don't have an "own money", it's provided to us by our family.
Also why don't we invest it if we don't need it? Do we have any investment opportunities? ( It would make us grow in the eyes of Winslet)

>>4524649
It's an allowance. They give it to us, that doesn't mean it isn't ours.

I'd assume we're already investing by default.

>>4524567
>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past

I trust him to protect us, and keep our secrets.

As much as I trust Kyune, she has her own battles to fight. I wouldn't like to burden her more with our troubles.

Also, isn't Kentaro things still in his room? Couldn't we grab his spare?

>>4524567
>>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past

>>4524567
>Yoji has proven himself someone to be trusted in the past
>>4524649
>you don't have your "own money," it's provided to you by your employer
Nuclear take there.
I had also been assuming Kaguya was investing, probably in some Muramoto Special Plutocrat Savings Account™ with a good interest rate. But if the QM had not considered that, he can now pretend he did.

>>4525227
>callin the qm out like that

Rip, Investment Savings!

>>4524649
>>4524676
>>4525227
Using the money your family gives you to buy your own private shares of the family business as an outside creditor? Pretty underhanded. Kaguya does have a bank account with special privilege's though. Namely, the corporation won't send Enforcers after her if she defaults on a loan. That being said, the interest isn't really that good since that would be like a bank making accounts within itself to earn interest with off it's own money. Sincreds are pretty secure, you can't print them for free.

Anyways, Kaguya isn't investing because I wanted it to be something players considered doing and then sought out. Yeah, totally. A-all according to keikaku guys!

It would probably be unwise to go to a secluded meeting spot alone. But you couldn’t just ask any of the Household Guards to come with you. For some reason, your intuition tells you to keep your private dealings well, private. But there was one guard that had proven themselves trustworthy in the past: Yoji. He had guarded you for the brief period between your two retainers, so you knew him on a personal level. So if you told him to not speak at all about what he saw tonight … perhaps he would. It wasn’t like you were doing anything illicit anyways. So what if he rmade mention of it in a report. As long as by seeing your dealings with Judas, he didn’t add this information to the game of household politics, that was enough for you.

Well, it’s your right as a daughter of the Muramoto family to be able to requisition the services of Household Guards after all. You open the index to the Enforcers currently not assigned a task or on patrol or guard duty. Lucky for you, Yoji was free. You call him.

Kaguya-sama? Yoji answers. Even over the call, Yoji sounds surprised that you are contacting him directly.

Yoji-san, I’d like you to escort me on an excursion into the Hillside Terraces. Please report to the garage when you have the time.

At this hour? … Right away, Kaguya-sama. Yoji does not question your orders any further.
…

You Yoji-san in the cavernous garage meant for personal use by the Muramoto family.

“Thank you for coming at this late hour, Yoji-san.” You greet him politely. Considering your status, you’ve always been nothing but polite to every servant you’ve interacted with.

“It isn’t a problem at all, Kaguya-san … although …” Yoji-san stares at you with a critical eye.

“Is something the matter, Yoji-san?”

“Well, if Kaguya-sama will permit me to speak honestly … I do not believe such a casual outfit suits you.” Yoji bows in apology at his words.

“I see.” You nod, “Well, I wish to minimize attention to myself and in the neighbourhood we are heading, unfashionably dressed girls must be more common than girls dressed in exquisite yukata.”

“Kaguya-sama, you are aware that many girls have programs exactly for that purpose?”

“But there are surely some that do not use them.” You insist firmly. Yoji gives up questioning your line of reasoning any further.

The two of you get into a sedan. As soon as you input the coordinates, the car automatically slides down the driveway and onto the mountain road beyond.

“So, this location you are going Kaguya-san … may I ask what you intend to do there?”

>Tell Yoji to stay close and guard you at all times

>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

>>4525315
We have unfashionable clothes?

>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

>>4525314
>defaults on loan
>knees won't be capped

Noir, you should tempt us with such power! It'll make us just like every other American in the 21st century.

And that's just depressing, mate, living decadently off our family hard earned wealth, with nothing to show for it. What are we, a full-blooded blueblood?

>>4525315
>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

I doubt Kaguya would be anything but polite about it. He'll probably know soon enough anyways.

Could we also use Judah's to help with our drug problem?

>>4525402
I think she's referring to the street clothes we've bought for our last excursion. For her, western clothes are unfashionable compared to kimonos and yukatas.

>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

>>4525514
> Could we also use Judah's to help with our drug problem?
Kentaro's the priority. If we know what happened to him, we have an idea what happened to Emi. That information should give us a Hint To The Unknown, or maybe the ability to reproduce what we did to Emi (Hacking challenges, and a new game mechanic).

Second order of business would be to get information on where we can train Hacking, and Cyber security. If we can hack, then we can get hacked, and I won't want Kaguya be unprepared.

We also need Kaguya double up her training in martial arts.

This will get more and more cyberpunk.

>>4525638
Didn't we literally just have a meeting with a technician? Seems like he and Judas are a good start for our cyber training, even if it's only minor since we haven't gone full cyberbrain yet. Nor am I inclined to, given the present state of our associates.

>>4525638
And investment opportunities. We should really start focusing some more on the business side of things as well.

>>4525315
>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

>>4525315
>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

>>4525315
>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

>>4525315
>>Tell Yoji to give you privacy, stay just close enough to intervene

“Yoji-san, when we arrive, I must ask you to give me as much privacy as you can without interfering with your safeguarding of me.” You flatly deny Yoji’s request.

“I understand, Kaguya-sama.” Ever the professional, Yoji doesn’t broach any argument.

The car slowly pulls up to your destination. Hillside 7 Terrace 27-f, Park 89. It was a park like so many parks in the Hillside Terraces. A small patch of greenery cut from the mountainside, placed between rows of a dozen or so picturesque houses where the upper-middle class of Noir lived. Compared to the squalor of the city below, it was a garden paradise. But to your eye, so used to the gardens within the Muramoto Manor walls, the many parks of the Hillside Terraces seemed to blend together for you, as if they had been mass-produced in a factory.

Sitting on a bench on the far side of the park was a figure you recognized.

“Stay here.” You tell Yoji, before getting out of the car. The mountain wind blows shrilly. You shiver slightly before a warmth grows in your chest as your metabolism adapts to the temperature. You had picked out your casual outfit for a midday stroll. You hadn’t expected it to get this cold so early in the evening.

“Lady Kaguya.” Judas greets you. The park bench he was sitting on was below a fluorescent street light which shown down on him, casting him in a pale light. The two of you were alone in this circle of light, the rest of the park a featureless black sea.

“Who’s your friend?” he asks, nodding in the direction of Yoji, who was standing next to the car at the edge of the park. Yoji had put on a pair of shades, obscuring his appearance.

“My bodyguard.” You don’t elaborate any further.

“Hmm, I see. This isn’t the kind of job where you’re too worried about someone overhearing, is it? I guess that’s good for me. No risk of getting tangled up in anything … so, what’s the job?”

>You want him to investigate the circumstances of Kentaro’s coma.

>You want him to investigate Emi’s coma too

>You want him to gather information about the Assistant-Head Maid

>You want him to be your guide on another excursion into the Cybernet

>Write-in

>>4527351
>You want him to investigate the circumstances of Kentaro’s coma.

He's already investigating Emi. As for the other two, our family hired him first. Don't trust him yet.

>>4527351
>You want him to investigate the circumstances of Kentaro’s coma
>And tell us any news he gets on Emi's coma

>>4527403
+1

>>4527403
+1

Ye two seem to be related. Let's find out

>>4527351
>>You want him to investigate the circumstances of Kentaro’s coma.

>>4527403
This.

“There is an enforcer of the Muramoto Family with the name of Seido Kentaro.” You begin slowly, “He recently fell into a coma due to a cyberattack from a virus. I’d like you to investigate the circumstances of his coma. Investigate the cause, and gather any other information that you can.”

“I see. So what is your relation to this ‘Seido Kentaro’?”

“He was my retainer, assigned to guard and serve me by my family.” You reply. A swell of emotions threatens to overtake you, memories of the small kindnesses Kentaro had shown you in the short time you had known each other. “He was … my friend.”

“I understand.” Judas nods, seemingly moved. “I’ll see what I can do between my other jobs then.”

“Thank you.” You bow.

“Anything else I should know?”

“Yes there is.” You say, “There’s a Handmaid that works for the Family as well that was suspected to have been victim to a cyberattack of similar circumstances. You might be able to draw some parallels if you investigate both of them. Also, I’d like you to report to me any information you find on her as well.”

“Understood.” Judas nods, “Now I named my price earlier, but to reiterate, I either expect 300 sincreds an hour or a flat payment of 25000 sincreds for the entire job. So what’s it going to be?”

>A flat payment of 25000 sincreds to find out the cause of Kentaro’s coma might be simplest and cheaper in the long term

>A Rate payment might be cheaper in the short term. You suspect this might be a very standard job for Judas.

>Haggle (Social Combat)

>>4528684
>Haggle (Social Combat)

Well, you know there wasn't really a choice when you offer us this, didn't you?

Even if we fail, we'll get some experience in haggling and negotiations, and we'll just have to pay the same price as before.

>>4528684
> 25k
Haggling on the first assignment will decrease our standing with him should we need his services later.
The flat rate will also incentivize quick results.
It's also easier to launder.

>>4528684
>A flat payment of 25000 sincreds to find out the cause of Kentaro’s coma might be simplest and cheaper in the long term

>>4528684
>A Rate payment might be cheaper in the short term. You suspect this might be a very standard job for Judas.

Unless this takes him over 83 hours, it's cheaper. All upfront has its own risks too, with rate we can keep updated on his progress.

>>4528684
>>A flat payment of 25000 sincreds to find out the cause of Kentaro’s coma might be simplest and cheaper in the long term

>>4528684
>A flat payment of 25000 sincreds to find out the cause of Kentaro’s coma might be simplest and cheaper in the long term
Do we pay it all now? I'd definitely prefer to pay half now, and the other half after the job is done.

>>4529566
If we're doing this, it'll be upfront, but with the promise of future employment if the job is done well.

>>4528684
>Haggle (Social Combat)

>>4528684
>A flat payment of 25000 sincreds to find out the cause of Kentaro’s coma might be simplest and cheaper in the long term

>>4528684
>A Rate payment might be cheaper in the short term. You suspect this might be a very standard job for Judas.

“A rate payment. 25000 sincreds, you said?” You pull out your Social Identification Card.

“Prepared to do business, are we?” Judas laughs, “But sorry little Lady, that’s now how things work here …”

Over the course of half an hour, Judas guides you through the process of setting up a shell bank account, transferring money from your personal account from there, and transferring the required funds from there to one of his own shell accounts without leaving a trail.

“Pleasure doing business, Lady Kaguya.” Judas says, “Although word of advice for you, It’s standard to pay half the funds in the beginning and half the funds when the job is over to your satisfaction. Prevents scammers from running away with all your money.”

“I will keep that in mind should I require your services again.” You promise. With the hint of future employment, the two of you part ways on amicable terms.

“You are finished, Kaguya-sama?” Yoji asks once you’ve returned to the car.

>It’s time to return to the Manor and end the day

>Since you’re in the city, you might as well go buy some real casual clothes

>Remind Yoji very sternly to speak of this to no one

>>4530389
>Since you’re in the city, you might as well go buy some real casual clothes

Gives us a potential cover if we get found out for leaving the Manor.

>>4530389
>Since you’re in the city, you might as well go buy some real casual clothes
Gives us an alibi, albeit one that will get us scolded by Winslet. Also alibi for the money.

>Remind Yoji very sternly to speak of this to no one
This goes by saying. Is he simply loyal, or does he need a bribe?

>>4530389
>Since you’re in the city, you might as well go buy some real casual clothes
Shopping is a girl's best friend.

>>4530389
>Kaguya says rate payment but then says the flat amount
immersion ruined

>Since you’re in the city, you might as well go buy some real casual clothes

>>4530401
+1, except not sternly, more of a reminder

>>4530853
^this. We trust Yoyi

>>4530389
> Social Identification Card
In a corporate cyberpunk future, people can only have one credit card?

>>4530998
So that the corporations can better track you^W^W find unique custom offers especially for you.

>>4530389
>Since you’re in the city, you might as well go buy some real casual clothes
Alibi.
>>4530998
In the grim darkness of the far future, corporate marketing firms engineer acronyms that cause the most despair and nihilism possible.

“Actually, I have one more thing to attend to.” You say, “I would like to procure some appropriate casual attire for future excursions.”

“Very well then, Kaguya-sama.” Yoji seems reluctant for your excursion to go on any longer than you have to. But ever the professional, he doesn’t complain. “However, most shops in this area are probably closed by this hour.”

“Ah. Is that so?” You hadn’t considered that, the shops closing. “Are you sure they’re all closed?”

“Unfortunately, they would be.” Yoji says. He closes his eyes for a second, before opening them. “Checking the websites of all the supermarkets in a hundred-mile radius, there are none that are open.”

“I … see.” That’s slightly disappointing. But it wasn’t that big of a goal anyways …

“However … there are department stores in the City Proper that are open 24/7.” Yoji mentions, “If Kaguya-sama wishes, perhaps she might visit one?”

>You’d get in too much trouble if someone found out. Your clothes aren’t that unfashionable anyways.

>You’ve gone this far already. You’ll be more than safe with Yoji at your side.

>>4531810
>>You’d get in too much trouble if someone found out. Your clothes aren’t that unfashionable anyways.

>>4531810
>You’d get in too much trouble if someone found out. Your clothes aren’t that unfashionable anyways.

>>4531810
>You’d get in too much trouble if someone found out. Your clothes aren’t that unfashionable anyways.

Count your blessings, Yoji. I would have asked for your input on every attire.

Holding all of the clothes Kaguya liked is implied, and so doesn't bare mentioning.

>>4531810
>You’d get in too much trouble if someone found out. Your clothes aren’t that unfashionable anyways.

>>4531810
>You’d get in too much trouble if someone found out. Your clothes aren’t that unfashionable anyways.
Alibi attempt failed. We'll come up with some other story, surely.

>>4531810
>You’ve gone this far already. You’ll be more than safe with Yoji at your side.

>Cyberpunk
>Every shop isn't open 24/7
Immersion broken

>>4532910
The kind of wageslave who gets the night shifts for lower-than-subsistence wage is too unglamourous for the upper city.

“No, I will return to the Manor.” As tempting as Yoji’s idea was, the risk of the trouble you might get in if someone found out was too great. Not to mention the trouble that Yoji might get in. Perhaps you’d come back with Kyune Onee-chan another day. She’d probably be a better judge of fashion than Yoji.

“As you wish, Kaguya-sama.” Yoji says. After considering it a bit, he says “If you wish, I can put in an order for a servant to pick out a sampling of various clothes for you in the morning.”

“That is not necessary.” You tell him. If you were going to pick out clothes, you could do it yourself. And besides, for some reason you feel like picking out a casual outfit through something as formal as a servant would … taint them somehow. But why did you care about the casual nature of an outfit so much? It was just an outfit after all. Regardless, that was your wish.

You give a tired sigh. “I will return to the Manor now.”

As the car ascends up the mountain again, you stare out the window at the city of Noir far below. In the day, Noir was a dreary, ugly sight of smog and concrete. But at night, it was beautiful. A far away light show of glowing neon. Five years ago, you left that city and ascended up the mountain just like tonight to take up the life you formerly lived. You had thought it had been an escape. But now, you yearned to return. Perhaps it was just a spoiled girl’s passing whim, but you yearned to walk it’s streets as a normal girl your age without the heavy trappings of the Muramoto family around your shoulders.

One day, perhaps.

End of Thread

Extra Scenes

>The End of a Corporate War

>Kyune’s night

>>4534491

>The End of a Corporate War

Kyune already gets too much focus

>>4534491
>The End of a Corporate War

>>4534572
>The
+1

>>4534491
>>The End of a Corporate War

>>4534491
>The End of a Corporate War

>>4534491
>The End of a Corporate War

>>4534491
>The End of a Corporate War
I yearn for violence

>>4534572
Would players like to see less of her then?

The Noir-Muramoto Headquarters Operations room was dark, illuminated only by the cool blue of dozens of glowing monitors, manned by masked and suited technicians tending and managing the vast dataflow being directed to the control room. But in contrast to the state-of-the-art technology filling the vast chamber, the figure on the command dais was dressed in a jet black Haori and leaned against a sheathed sword. He had the austere appearance of a feudal warlord from the distant past. A Martial God with the command dais being a blooming lotus flower with petals of glass and steel.

“Muramoto-Sama.” A suited figure bowed formally before him. The ornate katana hanging at his side marked him as a high-ranking member of the Muramoto Corporation, “Street Gang activity has increased in Industrial District Sector 72. We suspect Ishii involvement.”

“What assets do we have in the area?” He asks, not looking away from the main screen for a second. His eyes were still, taking in the influx of data all at once as a model of the situation around Noir updated in real time.

“Two factories, three warehouses, and twenty brand and franchise business titles in the cohabitating worker quarters.”

“Send a dispatch to intercept and neutralize them.” Lord Muramoto ordered.

“Which Division?”

“The closest one. A single Enforcer will suffice.”

Over the course of the day, without a break, Lord Muramoto sternly directed the efforts of the Muramoto Corporation’s private military in it’s underground struggle against the upstart Ishii Conglomerate. The upstart foreign megacorp had made an unexpected amount of headway in its attempts to muscle in to Noir, so much so that he had had to come down to the city to give it his personal attention. Ishii had gained an unexpected number of hidden allies among the corporations and powers already established in the city. He would have to untangle that web of allies later.

A Corporate War would have little impact for the vast majority of the populace of Noir. Compared to their teeming number, the forces were just too small. Mere thousands of elite operatives and proxy forces compared to a population of 11 million. Compared to even the daily gang violence, it was a drop in the bucket. The conflict was fought in private warehouses, maintenance tunnels, over the cybernet, and in corporate deals and negotiations. Scalpels aimed at each other’s jugulars.

For days, he had been in the city coordinating the war, living in a hotel room, sleeping barely four hours a day, and spending every waking hour in the Operations Room. He had expected to only have to stay just long enough to direct an aggressive push to cow the Ishii, only for that push to be followed by another one, then another, then disintegrate into frontless war, the operational display for all intents and purposes becoming a vast, multi-dimensional go board. But despite that, the Muramoto forces had slowly gained more and more of an advantage. At first a slight one, but then a larger and larger one until no Ishii forces dared show themselves in the open and they were forced to act through their proxies in the Underworld. It reminded him of the crisis that had followed him taking his post as the Branch Manager nearly half a century ago. Now that had been a real Corporate War.

“Muramoto-sama.” An Aide nervously interrupts his reminiscing.

“What is it? Speak!”

“The Ishii Conglomerate … They just sent us an offer … They’re suing for peace!”

At first Lord Muramoto thought it was a trap of some kind, some cunning ploy. He wouldn’t put it past the Ishii to be so underhanded as to use an official peace offer like that. But over the course of the next few hours, as communications were established with the Ishii, reports of their activities became less and less frequent. The red dots recording the known locations of their forces disappeared from the operational display. It seemed that the peace offer was … genuine.

At last, Lord Muramoto gave the order. “Cease all operations.”

The order permeated through the Muramoto forces at light speed. Far away, in the city, Enforcers and Nightrunners halted what they were doing. A grizzled, bearded man sheathed his sword, in an alleyway filled with the dead ganger bodies. A bald figure in a simple white robe detached his head from the forest of wires hanging above him. A black-clothed nightrunner perched on the roof of an arcology cursed, before reluctantly abandoning the apartment they had been staking out.

From the top of the Noir-Muramoto hierarchy to the bottom, the order was heard. But the veterans knew that war would resume. As long as the Ishii Conglomerate desired in on Muramoto Territory, they would be employed.

It's a busy week for me, I don't know when the next thread will be. Definitely within the week though. I'd like to reclaim my pride as a QM who posts daily.

Your QM is doing their best, please wait warmly.

>>4537776
Just felt like we were clinging to her too hard early on. I was satisfied with the amount of her in this thread. Also almost checked.

>>4537786
Thanks for running! It's been crazy for everyone for a while now, we understand.

>>4537776
I like her, just don't want to be too clingy. Plus, that title was too tempting not to chose.

Good thread btw, mate!

>>4537786
Thanks for running!
I feel like wr're finally making some headway.