Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. I grunted doing pushups. I was so close to Body 3. Pushups were hard. They hurt, and I struggled even past a few of them, but it wasnt like I had to worry about the pain after taking a nap, so there was a certain urge to just keep pushing in me.

Home. Jun called out as the door opened once more his favorite burritos in his hand.

I really need to talk to him about diversifying his diet.

W-welcome home Jun-Nii. I called out as I finished another pushup before flopping onto the floor with a grunt.

I really needed to clean up the apartment a bit. It was gross down here.

I grunted as I rolled up to my feet.

Hey whats that? He asked, suddenly pointing towards the holster I was wearing in the small of my back. I was trying to get used to wearing it so I was going through most of the exercises while keeping it on.

Holster. Went out to get it today. Wanted to be able to keep the gun on me while out in the city.

You shouldnt be out there at all.. Its dangerous. You still dont know anything. He practically growled at me.

I cant stay inside forever Jun-Nii. I cant even stay cooped up for much longer. I tell him with a sigh.

He growled seemingly wanting to argue that I definitely could but to my surprise he kept himself from snapping and instead flopped onto the couch with a groan as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment.

You always gotta be difficult. You just got out of the hospital. Out of a coma! You dont even know anything.

I know. But I wont learn by hiding in the apartment until the outside comes in and drags me out. I have to learn, have to do. I tell him, which he grunts out sounding displeased.

Yeah maybe. He grumbles but instead of arguing further he grabs his burrito. That holster cant have been cheap.

50 eddies, for the knife sheath and the holster. I tell him and he chokes a bit on his burrito.

50!? He sighed Expensive. Probably worth that much but we could have found something a lot cheaper. He chides me.

Oh. Sorry. I mutter realizing I probably had rushed ahead without actually bringing up the issue with Jun. I had just decided to take care of the problem myself Gamer brain. I realized. I had thought of it like a quest almost.

No, it's fine. Should have realized you would want something to hold them. Guess I was he trails off going from sounding annoyed to tired. Guess I was trying to keep you inside longer. My bad.

I think we are all just a little bit afraid, Jun-Nii. You are afraid for me. And Im a bit afraid in general. So thanks. For worrying about me. I offer instead as I settle on the couch and decide to do something I hadnt really done yet. I initiated a hug.

He relaxed and returned the hug for a minute before seeming to have enough and pushing me off as he thrust a burrito in my face. Eat!

Ughhhhh. I groaned but devoured my burrito.

--

Now that I had a holster and sheath, I needed to get used to drawing from them. It was different. The back holster wasnt something I had ever used before, but it was natural after a bit of practice, and I had to admit, the holster itself made the practice a lot more effective.

That and I was getting Reflex XP a lot more consistently, as I kept practicing the draw.

*100 Reflex XP Gained.*

I nodded pleased. While I wasnt gaining Handguns XP at least I was getting something out of it.

Finally after practicing my draw for a lot longer than I wanted too, I got the alert.

*Reflex Leveled up!*

I sighed in pleasure at the alert. Finally! I could train my Handguns and Blades skill again now.

I stretched a bit, my right arm was getting a little tired so I decided instead to switch to something else for a bit. I settled and started training squats.

I would be ready for whenever something crazy happened. I wasnt just expecting it. I knew it would happen. Jun was in a gang. He would eventually run into trouble, and I was a cute young girl. Someone would make trouble for me eventually.

When they did, they would get a knife in the kidneys and a bullet to the head. At least that was the plan.

Gotta keep improving, gotta make sure Im safe.

*Ringing*

I stumbled during my squat nearly falling on my ass as I looked around for a phone. Only to realize the noise was coming from my head.

Unknown number?

I shrugged. Hitting accept.

Hello?

EEEEEeeeee! Moto! You really are alive! I ran into your cute brother today at a meeting and he let slip that you were awake! I cant believe he didnt tell anyone until now! And you didnt call me? Your best Choom? Your sister!? The girl's voice squealed into my ear and I quickly messed with the settings to lower the volume a bit.

Owe. It wasnt my ear, but it still kinda hurt.

Umm Hello?

Shiiiit. Jun-Chan wasnt kidding. You really do have amnesia. I cant believe thats an actual thing! She sounded shocked before her voice picked up. Forget that! Im coming over. Jun-Chan refused to let us see you in the hospital but I have to see this. Bye-Bye!

The call ended.

That is my best friend? I asked a little disturbed. She seems way way too high energy for me. I barely got a word in!

I groaned as I stood back up. If someone was coming over I should probably clean up a bit. I was sweaty from my exercise.

-

I was just throwing a hidden burrito wrapper hidden in a dark corner into the trash when the door burst open.

Seriously, did nobody knock?

Moto-chaaaaan! I was suddenly pulled into a hug by a shorter girl as she grappled onto me. Honestly all I could see was neon green hair because she had an actual full sized mohawk and it was basically bashing me in the face. It was full of so much hair spray, or whatever these people used to make their mohawks in the future.

Umm. Hello? Really what else was I supposed to say!? I didnt know this crazy girl!

Oh girl wow you are different. She said, pushing me away to look up at me.

Her face was chrome and neon. I thought. Her cheeks were chrome, with neon etching on the chrome making her look like she had cat whiskers made of green neon.

Was she trying to be a cat, or something else? Because mohawks dont really register cat to me

Wow, look at you. You look so Standard. Has Jun not taken you out to get chipped, or at least a haircut? Your hair is so long!

I blinked my hair had been down to my shoulder blades when I woke up. The nurses had cut it, while I was in the coma, but more just chopping it down. I had mostly just been throwing it into a ponytail.

Is that bad?

Not for me. I like my hawk, but you usually keep it a lot shorter girl!

Did I?

Jeez! Its so weird. Here. This is what we used to run around looking like! She said and her eyes shifted color before I got a text including a picture.

I blinked because this was the first time I had seen a picture of myself from before.

Motoko was a street gang wannabe for sure. I noticed instantly how different we looked. She had been a lot more chromed than I was. I hadnt thought I had lost that much to the scavs, since I had been rescued I thought I just had my standard eye system lost. But no, she used to have a lot of chrome on her face like This girl.

Oh whats your name? I asked. And that caused the girls jaw to drop.

Oh. She seemed a little hurt for a moment before shaking it off. Im your bestie Hiromi! She offered acting cute and throwing her fingers against her cheeks.

I just nodded and swiftly added her number into my system. There I added your number. I told her which did earn me an actual smile.

Good. Now cmon let's get out of here, everyone will want to see you are still alive!

Everyone? I asked as I resisted her suddenly tugging on my arm as she attempted to drag me out of the apartment. Unfortunately, it was obvious she was stronger than I was and I was dragged out the door barely given enough time to grab my shoes as she wasnt listening to my arguments.

This girl was definitely a force of nature. Then she dragged me out the front of the apartment and I did everything I could to stop her.

You have to be kidding. I argued instantly, but it was no use.

What? Cmon youve ridden bitch on my bike plenty of times before. Get on. She argued as she finally let me go to hop onto a motorcycle.

I knew this bike. It was a Yaiba Kusanagi. The coolest motorcycle in the game in my opinion, but of course she drove the goofy high backed version that made a sleek killer bike look like something stupid.

More importantly. I was fourteen and Hiromi was definitely the same age. Also crazy.

I didnt trust her to drive me anywhere!

Not a chance Is it close enough to walk? I could use the exce-eeee! I squealed as she hopped off the bike long enough to drag me the rest of the way and practically push me onto the bike before hopping on and starting the engine. Literally starting to peel out despite me only sitting side saddle!

Hiromiiiiii! I screamed as she cackled driving out onto the street and slowing at a light before turning to me.

Better get situated Toko we are going!

While the idea of jumping off and making a run for it ran through my head, the light was already changing and I quickly settled behind her gripping her around the waist tightly so I wouldnt fall off as she started driving.

I was wrong, she wasnt a crazy driver. She was a Cyberpsycho driver! I kept my eyes closed for most of the drive as she swung through traffic driving in between people and cursing and flipping off anyone that honked or got in her way.

This is how I die. Crying like a bitch on the back of a motorcycle.

Of course it didnt happen, other than constantly forcing other cars and vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting her we made it to wherever she was taking me.

I shivered as we drove down deeper into the city. Kabuki? I muttered noticing the signs after I decided to be brave enough to open my eyes.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.

Yeah! We are going to Ho-Oh! Its a Tyger Claw hang out! I guess you forgot all about it huh? Well its great. Everyone will be glad to see you!

I just blinked. Ho-Oh. Why was that name familiar? Other than the obvious Pokemon reference.

Hiromi slowed pulling down a small street and then slowing to drive around a pair of barricades that blocked off a small side street she slipped right through them and then drove through to a small open area full of Tyger Claw style cars and bikes. And a club.

I was twigging pretty hard. I had definitely been here before in the game.

I just couldnt remember why.

Cmon! Hiromi called as she already slipped off the bike and was urging me to follow. I took a deep breath and slipped off the bike.

I wasnt feeling very confident right now. I didnt like this at all. I didnt know any of these people but some might know me. Worse? I didn't exactly fit in. Sure I had on my Tyger Claw jacket, but the rest of me was more normal. I didnt have neon or tattoos or anything that would show I was meant to be here.

Plus I didnt really like bars.

I followed after Hiromi who burst into the bar. Im baaaack! And guess what bad bitch is back among us! Back from the dead! I grimaced. I was pretty sure I never died.

Damn. She muttered a bit blinking before walking over and grabbing a drink out of the fridge. At least it wasnt alcoholic. What are you doing?

Exercise! I chirp back at her happily as I continued my work. I was definitely getting better at this, but the XP was starting to come in really slowly. There was only so much XP I could grind from drawing my gun and never getting a chance to shoot it.

Might have to talk to Jun about that. He did say to bug him about stuff I needed instead of running off and doing it myself.

Looks boring.

It can be! I offer as I finally decide to switch from gun to blade. Holstering the gun for the last time I took a moment to stretch out before my left hand went to do the same thing with my knife, Draw into stab. Thankfully I could train blades a lot easier since I didnt have to worry about shooting holes in the wall with it. Letting me keep the XP grind coming.

I was almost at level 2 Blades.

You are better with a gun than you were before. You were kinda hopeless, but you are worse with a Knife. Hiromi eventually commented as she watched me practice for a minute.

Really? I was good with knives?

No but you were good with a Katana. You taught me some things after all. She mentioned which surprised me. I didnt know Hiromi used a Katana, she didnt look like she was armed at all really.

Heh I dont carry it around. Im not part of the Tyger Claws yet. Some of the men dont like it when people walk around with their weapons. I only use it when I want to show off.

Cool. I might have to get one.

Oh right. You dont have your Katana anymore. She muttered looking sad as she thought about it.

Was it special? I asked as I continued to work through my stabs. I dont really remember it.

It was your moms. You carried it with you everywhere, used to piss off the Gangster claws, but you are generational, so they always had to leave you alone about it.

Oh. I guess the Scavs took it then.

Yeah. Probably hawked it at a dropoff too. Fuckers.

I shrug Ill either find it again, or I wont. Do you have a picture of it, or was it special in any way?

No. Sorry. It was a pretty standard Arasaka Katana. I doubt you will ever see it again. Or even know it from any other. Dammit. Hiromi cursed sounding pretty upset about it.

Dont stress Choom. I dont even remember it to miss it. Im just glad Im alive. The Katana is just a Katana.

Yeah Yeah I guess. She offered. You are the most boring amnesiac I ever met. She said, sounding amused.

Im just exercising! I got out of a coma a few weeks ago, remember? My muscles were all jello.

And a knife?

The city can be dangerous. I mean I was kidnapped apparently. I want to be able to protect myself. Ill switch to pushups and other stuff soon. I told her as I continued drawing and stabbing. I wanted that sweet sweet level up.

I grunted as I continued on, my arms tiring, but I was gonna push for the grind.

*100 Blades XP gained.*

*Blades skill level up!*

*1 Perk Point Gained.*

I slowed to a stop. My hand on my knife had grown confident. I knew for a fact I could do all sorts of things with it now. My control and confidence in my knife work had gone up.

But what was a Perk?

Like in the game with the perk tree? I hadn't seen anything like that.

I quickly pulled up the Stat screen. And my Reflex stat was blinking. I clicked it, and then Blades was blinking. Clicking that I saw that I had an option.

There was a little icon that revealed a list of perks I could choose from. All had something to do with blades.

I read through a few of them. Concealed blade. Letting me better hide a knife on my body to bypass some scrutiny. Parry. To better deflect incoming blades, which I noticed had a greyed out Perk below it, and then another one below that. I followed the tree until it came to the end.

Bullet Deflection.

Cool.

But I kept reading for now. Wanting to know what other options there were. Lots of them looked interesting but a lot of them were very niche. What I did notice was a perk that actually had some use outside of me fighting with a blade.

Ambidextrous: Use either hand as competently as the dominant hand.

This was a perk that would buff anything. And could be pretty useful since I was training for a knife in my off hand.

I decided. Accepting that perk and a moment later my left hand felt like a wave of cold ran down it, and then as if it was waking up from falling asleep my brain seemed to read the limb as Different. I blinked away the stat screen, and with a bit of a knife trick that I felt pretty confident with. I swapped the knife to my main hand and drew my gun with my off hand.

It was just as quick as the main hand even if the holster slowed me down a bit as it was designed for right hand draw.

I shifted using my left hand to aim and adjust and it all came naturally to me.

What are you doing now? Hiromi asked as she lay on the couch her chin in her hand.

Im ambidextrous. I tell her, sounding a little surprised about it.

What no you're not. You're a righty. Hiromi says confidently.

Maybe I was. But Im not anymore. I told her showing how firm I was as I continued playing around with aiming the pistol and knife in concert.

Huh. I guess the Scavs messed up your brain I guess thats a good thing?

Yeah its cool. I tell her smiling as I once more swapped knife and gun with a showy toss of the knife to switch hands before sheathing and holstering them. You look bored.

You done?

Not really, but I can take a break. Youre my guest right now.

Pfft. We are chooms. Im not your guest. But alright. Cmon I want to get some chow.

Okay.

--

After a brunch where we sat people watching as we ate Hiromi finally said she had to get home so her parents wouldnt kill her. We shared a hug and I waved as she drove down the street.

I winced. She was still a terrible driver.

I went back inside and got back to grinding. Body was close to level 3! If I remember right, that was the starter score for V in the game. If I could reach 3. I would be at a baseline that I knew was fairly competent.

Unfortunately the morning workout didnt push me into level 3 just yet. And I took a break to take a shower and head back outside for a while. I figured doing some aerobic exercise would be a good change. So I decided to start jogging around the block. The massive concrete stairway that led to the level above was used as part of the path. Jogging up the steps to the midpoint before going down on the other side spit back out on the same side of the block.

It was hard, my legs ended up burning, but it was great exercise.

Plus as I jogged I got another skill!

*Athletics Experience Gained.*

*Skill not unlocked, no XP gained.*

*Athletics Unlocked.*

I smiled. That would be super useful! Especially if I ever had to run away! It was also under the Body tree. So that was nice.

I kept it up. Jogging around the block once before I was too tired to do anymore. But I knew I would go take a nap and probably do it again right after.

Of course as I was heading in, I heard a word that stopped me dead.

...Scavs again.

I shifted. That was a word I had been hypersensitive to. Kidnap and try to murder steal my body once shame on you. Do it twice, shame on me.

I stopped but the two working class guys were just grumbling. H-hey excuse me? I asked, deciding to interrupt. I walked over to where they were both eating from a vendor. Both guys gave me a suspicious look as I approached.

What do you want, kid. If you think we are easy marks, get lost.

No nothing like that. I heard you say Scavs I had a run in with them a while back so Im a little I trailed off while wiggling my hand. They arent set up around here or anything are they? I honestly couldnt help the hint of fear that entered my voice as I spoke.

The two men kept a look on me for a moment before the one that said Scav to start finally spoke. Not around here thankfully. I came across a nest while on a job fixing some apartment lights. Over in H2. You are plenty far away from those bastards girl.

H2. Megabuilding H2. I repeated to myself nodding. What floor were they on?

Both men looked at eachother. Listen kid, I dont want to be responsible for you going off and trying something stupid. Those fuckers are dangerous.

I know some Tyger Claws. Might be worth it to them to hit them Scavs, Thats all. Not a fan of them. At all. I said and the guy hesitated a bit before shrugging.

Floor 24. A whole side of the building is blocked off by them. They had hooked into the power supply which is why the lights were failing. But thats all I know. Dont be stupid.

Thanks. Really. Thank you. I offer them a bow and turn and start jogging off.

H2. Floor 24.

The gun in the small of my back felt heavy.

--

Hey Jun-Nii. I call out as my brother gets home late that night. Oddly he usually stays out most of the night.

Imouto. He greets me back checking me over and seeming pleased with the sight.

Hey Jun-Nii. Is there a place I can go to practice shooting this? I asked nodding towards my back as I continued to do pushups on the floor. My question startling Jun for a moment as he thinks.

We can go shooting yes. We will go tomorrow. Together. I looked up in surprise at his words.

Dont you have work?

I can take a day off. And since I will be going to shoot, I can tell my boss that I am taking the day for training. He offered with a smile. Looking pleased with himself about his plan.

Nova. Thanks Jun-Nii.

It is what I am here for. he assures me before heading into the room to relax.

He really wasnt though. I wanted to say. That he didnt have to be completely responsible for me But I was still like a child even if I wasnt actually amnesiac. Even if I still knew things this wasnt my earth. This was Night City. The rules here were different. I mean I was still working on prices for stuff to make sure I didnt overpay again.

I turned back to my pushups just a few more, and I should get Body 3.

Just a few more.