Tonight's gathering was both unexpected and, in a way, inevitable.
After the events of last night, that Mr. Goodwin was now well and truly dead—at least one of the uncertainties that had weighed on his mind was resolved.
On top of that, this was the first time since forming his team that Lin Mo had let his companions handle a mission while he only stepped in to finish things off.
Looking on the bright side, last night's affair had been their first real cooperative operation as a crew.
So Lin Mo decided to bring his team together, choosing the same restaurant in Japantown as the meeting spot.
What he hadn't expected was to run into Maine's crew there as well.
After all, he hadn't told them about the gathering, and Maine was still in his "lay low" phase. By rights, he shouldn't have been wandering around the city without a care.
Was fate really this strange?
What followed after was simple enough.
Lin Mo's original intention was to have Jackie spend some time with David, talk to him about life, let the veteran merc give the kid a few lessons.
Before tonight's meetup, during their earlier comms, Lin Mo had even shamelessly lied, saying this David kid had long admired Jackie, that he looked up to him as a big brother. He asked Jackie to share some life experience with the boy, to let him learn a thing or two.
Finding out he had a "fan," Jackie was genuinely surprised. After thinking about it for a moment, he didn't refuse this little task of playing "guest lecturer."
As for David, that was even easier.
Earlier that day, during classes, Lin Mo had bragged to him that everything he'd learned was thanks to Jackie's guidance.
"If you ever want to beat Kitagawa Hiro someday, you better go study under Jackie. His methods work, guaranteed."
Lin Mo could still recall how David's eyes lit up then, as if he were already picturing himself mastering some legendary martial art, crushing Kitagawa in his dreams.
And so, after class that afternoon, Lin Mo had brought David here—to the edge-runner hangout that always buzzed with life after dark. Jackie, in his black leather jacket, was already waiting.
Thanks to Lin Mo's "white lie," one side saw a die-hard fan, the other saw a long-lost apprentice. Their first meeting and conversation flowed surprisingly well.
After giving them space, Lin Mo had gone inside the restaurant, nibbling on a rather unremarkable dinner while waiting for Kitagawa Hiro to arrive.
He hadn't expected Maine's crew to show up first instead.
Since they were acquaintances, Lin Mo couldn't just ignore them. He stepped outside, letting Maine's team meet Jackie and David, everyone getting familiar with each other.
Later, with Rebecca pestering him to drink, Kitagawa finally arrived in time to rescue him from her relentless "hospitality."
Eventually, under Rebecca's annoyed glare, Lin Mo and Kitagawa slipped into the restaurant and discussed the events of the previous night.
By the time they finished talking, dinner and a late-night snack were both done.
"Lin-kun, are you planning to head out?"
Seeing Lin Mo rise, Kitagawa also stood, ever the attentive retainer keeping in step with his master.
"We've talked enough, eaten enough—what, you expect me to just sit here watching them party all night?"
Lin Mo chuckled, hands in his pockets, strolling out of the restaurant at ease.
Kitagawa went to the counter, paid for Lin Mo's meal, then followed right after.
"Oh, by the way—do you know why Sasha still hasn't shown up?" Lin Mo asked, as if suddenly remembering.
Kitagawa thought for a moment, then shook his head helplessly.
"No idea. I don't know her as well as you do, Lin-kun. We've barely met. Even during last night's op, we only communicated over a private channel."
"That's strange…" Lin Mo muttered.
He had invited Sasha since it was a rare team gathering, practically a "breaking-the-ice" session for the crew. Yet she was nowhere in sight.
He'd even called her earlier, and she'd only replied, "Something came up, I'll be there soon."
"Ever since that night I gave her the Trauma Team Platinum membership card, she's been all secretive… what the hell's she up to?"
Lost in thought, Lin Mo stepped into the small parking lot outside.
The place was as lively as ever—food stalls steaming hot, edgerunners drinking and yelling at flimsy plastic tables, vehicles parked in chaotic rows, laughter and curses ringing through the night.
Maine and his crew, sitting and drinking nearby, noticed Lin Mo's arrival but didn't bother him when they saw he was heading straight toward Jackie.
The big man from Heywood had claimed a table, his bulk crammed into a flimsy chair, bottles cluttered across the folding wooden tabletop.
Opposite him, David was already tipsy, clutching a bottle, both men laughing between drinks.
"Having a good talk?"
Lin Mo pulled up a chair, joining their table.
Kitagawa grabbed another chair and sat across from him, making it a four-sided setup.
"This kid? He's my kind of guy," Jackie said with a grin, shooting David a look full of approval.
"Oh? Careful not to spoil him—get him too full of himself, that won't do." Lin Mo replied lightly.
David, flushed from alcohol, slammed his hand on the table.
"I'm not full of myself! In fact, Hiro—come on, let's spar. I'll show you what I've learned!"
Kitagawa blinked in surprise, then smirked faintly, his voice low:
"Very well."
…How much had he drunk? To be this bold?
Lin Mo watched, speechless, as David fired up, dragging Kitagawa to the side to warm up.
The two locked eyes, full of fighting spirit—David with courage, Hiro with amused patience.
Onlookers quickly caught on and cheered them on like it was a street show.
Lin Mo leaned toward Jackie and whispered:
"What the hell did you teach him? He's acting like a whole new person."
"Confidence," Jackie answered simply, grinning with satisfaction.
"Confidence?" Lin Mo raised a brow.
"Yeah. You asked me to teach him, right? About being a merc. Kid's got the basics down, what he lacked was self-confidence. In that, he's like me at his age—I didn't know whether to follow my mom into the bar business or join the Valentinos. You know how that turned out. So all I could do was tell him not to stay a scared kid. Gave him a push."
Lin Mo nodded quietly. He had to admit Jackie was right—both David and Jackie shared one thing: mothers who worried too much about them.
Mrs. Wells had never wanted her only son out in the streets, afraid he'd wind up dead one day. Sadly, she'd been right.
Most edgerunners enjoyed their lawless "freedom," but few ever had good endings.
Introducing David to Jackie, letting the veteran guide him, was exactly Lin Mo's intention. He couldn't let the kid just wander aimlessly, paralyzed by indecision.
And now, seeing David daring to challenge Kitagawa, Lin Mo felt a spark of pride—as if his careful cultivation was finally bearing fruit.
The spar ended quickly.
Five punches—chest, gut, chin, shoulder, gut again. That was all it took.
Less than a minute later, David was down, groaning in pain, unable to stand. The crowd booed at the short fight, but David still wore a strained smile through the hurt.
Kitagawa stood over him, impassive. Then, after a long pause, he reached out, offering his hand. His stern face softened into quiet approval.
"Not bad. You took five punches and even landed two of your own. That's progress."
David grasped his hand, pulling himself up with effort, still wincing but grinning.
"Couldn't you at least let me land a few more?" he joked weakly.
Kitagawa snorted, knocking his metal arm against David's forehead.
"Save that line for an enemy. See if they'll go easy on you. If childish talk like that worked, I wouldn't have this chrome arm, and you wouldn't be in pain right now."
David fell silent, rubbing his head.
…
As the spar ended, Lin Mo turned back to Jackie with a smile.
"You should get to know him better. You've heard his name—Kitagawa Hiro. He's my right hand."
"Of course. How could I not? David wouldn't stop badmouthing him earlier," Jackie chuckled.
Then, like recalling something, he asked:
"By the way, didn't you say your crew had a netrunner too? Where is she?"
"Don't know. Still hasn't shown." Lin Mo shook his head.
Jackie started to say something but froze, eyes widening as he looked past Lin Mo.
Lin Mo arched a brow, about to turn—when a familiar voice hit his ears.
"Yo~ Little Lin Mo, just you and this weird uncle chatting? Want big sis to keep you company?"
The voice was bright, playful, full of teasing mischief.
Lin Mo froze mid-turn, staring into the distance like he hadn't heard a thing.
Jackie, however, glanced past him curiously—and saw her.
A green-haired girl with twin pigtails, a bottle in each hand, sly smile dancing on her lips. Rebecca.
She plopped down beside Lin Mo, slid one bottle in front of him.
"Come on, drink with your sis, Little Lin Mo," she said coyly.
With a sigh, Lin Mo took the bottle, drinking like a condemned man.
"Good boy. I thought you'd forgotten our bet," Rebecca giggled.
"A bet?" Jackie's eyes lit with curiosity.
Rebecca smirked. "Yeah. We had a little shooting contest. He lost, so I made him drink as punishment."
Lin Mo coughed, face flushed, warmth rising with the alcohol. Jackie leaned in, concerned.
"You alright, choom?"
"I'm fine," Lin Mo waved him off. "Small stuff. Honestly, the allergy was cured ages ago."
Rebecca's eyes widened. "Ha! I knew it was just an excuse! You've been lying all along!"
Lin Mo shrugged innocently, earning more teasing from both her and Jackie.
Their laughter carried on, until Rebecca suddenly trailed off mid-sentence, her gaze snagged on the restaurant entrance.
"Huh? That's…?"
Lin Mo followed her stare.
His pupils shrank instantly.
A familiar, yet strange figure approached—the white-haired netrunner girl.
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MY CYBERPUNK 2077 SIMULATOR
🧠💻 MY CYBERPUNK 2077 SIMULATOR 💻🧠
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