Cyberpunk 2077: Hyper Light Drifter

Chapter 16: Birds of a Feather



The pink haired man cracked his neck and waited with his hands in his pockets.. It was a rude gesture. Teeming with overconfidence. The bald twins couldn't help but feel offended. Did this gonk think he was a world touring fighter? Just another kid trying to be tough. 

Baldy # 1 dashed toward the arrogant guy, a powerful haymaker aiming at the jaw. That was when something impressive took place. Right before it connected, the young man stepped back out of range. His palm swiftly crashed up into the baldy's chin with force. The blow sent his eyes rolling back into his head. 

That wasn't the end. The pink haired man kneed him in the diaphragm before throwing the baldie over his shoulder. Just like that, Baldy # 1 was unconscious. That left the other twin who was spooked. It had only been a few seconds!

"Are you going to come to me…or should I just come to you?" He mocked. Baldy # 2 frowned.

"Aaaaaarrgh!" He gave a warcry while dashing toward the danger. 

Another swing full of mistakes and flaws. Both Lei and the young man knew it. He lazily ducked under the swing before grabbing the baldy's neck and slamming him down. The back of the twin's head hit concrete and he saw stars. 

"Didn't wanna hurt you too bad. How else would I get my credits if you pass out?" The man couldn't help but mock. 

"Kagami! Stop being an ass!"

"Yeah, we all know you're a good fighter!"

"Those twins fucked up this time."

"Doesn't that bastard get tired of beating up newbies?"

The crowd of young adults yelled at the man with fake anger. It was just boring for them if they knew who would win. Kagami raised his hands with a shrug.

"Why're you mad at me? They're the ones who want to gang up on people." 

Kagami then crouched beside the still conscious but definitely concussed twin. After lightly slapping his face, he spoke up. His tone was casual. 

"Yo. Where's my credits?"

"Ugh…sending…now." Baldy # 2 said. 

Both of their eyes shined for a moment as funds were transferred. With a satisfied grunt, the young man walked back to his perch…that being a low standing rail he could sit on. 

As he headed back, he noticed the sickly girl who was eyeing his every move. A slight smile tugged at his lips before he jumped up to Lei's spot. He then sat beside her while fishing out a cigarette. After lighting it and taking a puff, he raised it to her. 

"You smoke?" He asked. 

'Take it.' Johnny immediately thundered in her ear. 

'You're trying to turn me into a smoker. It ain't happening.'

'Never said you gotta become one. Just give me my fix.'

Lei put her meal to the side and fully observed the man. He was muscular but not in a body builder sense. More like a specialized athlete. Some cyberware could be found behind his ear. It was unknown what its purpose was. More chrome could be hidden under the clothes.

"I don't smoke…" She took his cig. "...but I'll take it because you asked." She then took a drag of the nasty shit before giving it right back. 

'Ahh…' Johnny hummed like a weirdo. Kagami raised an eyebrow.

"You only took it because I asked? Does that mean you're weak to peer pressure?"

"I try to stay strong. It's hard." She joked. 

"Hm…You watch my fight?"

"It was one-sided. I knew as soon as you stepped up that you would win."

"So you were rooting for me." Kagami stated with a knowing smile. Lei rolled her eyes. 

"No. I could just tell the difference."

"I know you're a fighter. Let's go a few rounds."

"Sorry. I can't fight. Fun to watch though."

"Liar. Can't fool me."

"Not trying to fool you."

"Mhmm." He grunted with sarcasm. Turning his head to the side, he called out. "Get over here! What ya waiting on?" This caused bodies to move.

Seeing a group of people coming over, Lei felt a small pang of anxiety. It was just about how sudden these meetings seemed to be. Johnny was wrong about it being 20 minutes. The timer hadn't even gone off yet!

Another young man was the first to reach them. He had spiky black hair and eyes, but his arrogance matched that of Kagami's…though he seemed more of the silent type. The guy was also covered in tattoos.

"This scary guy right here is Yoshiro. We're cousins. Call him Yoshi."

"Yo." Yoshi greeted casually before snatching the cig from Kagami. 

"You two. Are you Tyger Claws?" She asked. 

The two men looked at each other before turning back. Yoshi snickered, causing smoke to shoot out his nostrils. Kagami couldn't help but chuckle. 

"Obviously. Why even ask, you gonk?" 

Damn. Lei could feel the heat rising to her face. Obviously they were Tyger Claw. Dur durrr! Her hands covered her face. 

"...I just thought that you two were…I don't know."

"Different? Nice? Amiable?"

"...Mnn." She hummed.

"Hahaha! June, we got a funny one over here!" Kagami called out.

"Yeah?" Came a nonchalant voice that was on its way over. 

A beautiful girl that had incredibly curly hair. Her features resembled a Haitian descent though she was lighter skinned. She was quite beautiful with pupils that started off as black at the top but ended a vibrant red. Most likely expensive optics.

It took her a second to reach them. Expensive looking headphones hung from her neck. Most likely the reason she didn't just climb up. Dressed in expensive fashion and carrying expensive electronics. Music or entertainment focused? Behind her was another girl. 

"Why's everyone up there?"

She had light blue hair with similar colored eyes. European descent. With a white shirt covered by overalls that ended in shorts, and brown boots on her feet…well, her clothes were covered in dirt and grime. Vintage looking gadgets placed all in her pockets for whenever it was needed. She resembled some type of mechanic.

"Stop tinkering with that box and come say hi to the new kid." Kagami said. Both women stopped before Lei and waved. 

"June. It's a pleasure."

"I'm Carly…um…hi." The blue haired girl seemed more withdrawn.

"Lei. Hope we get along…" She then frowned at Kagami. "...and what do you mean by new kid?"

"You're new to the spot."

"And? What if I don't come back?"

"If you get bored, you'll come back." Kagami seemed sure of it.

"And what makes you think that?" Lei questioned.

"Well, you're here now aren't you?"

"That means nothing."

"June said the same thing. Now she's here whenever she feels like leaving the house."

"Hey! Don't bring me into this." June complained. 

Yoshi sat on the cardboard box, his back leaning against the rail. His face turned into a frown upon noticing Carly. He casually grabbed her wrist and dragged her between his wide legs. 

"You're dirty again." He commented while pulling out a handkerchief. It seemed as if he'd done this plenty of times. 

"O-Oh. I'm sorry." She said as he gently wiped her face and clothes. 

Lei raised an eyebrow. They seemed like an item. Output and input? What an interesting pair for a Tyger Claw and his woman.

"Don't mind them. Yoshi is overprotective and cares a lot about us. Same to me. That's just how he is." June commented. 

"So they aren't an item?" Lei asked quietly. Kagami and June shrugged.

"Maybe they did something behind closed doors but it aint our business." The Haitian girl continued. There was a slight edge to her voice.

Well alright then. Yoshi just got it like that. Almost sounded like June had a moment with him too…Moving on then?

"So? What brought you here?" Kagami asked. The sickly girl smiled slightly. 

"Thought about seeing the parade. Wanted to kill some time before then."

"Really? Us too!" Carly exclaimed from Yoshi's lap. Her skin was now squeaky clean.

"Well…we've got about an hour to get there before it starts." Kagami said.

"Then let's go." Yoshi commented while standing up. Carly started to fall, but he caught her effortlessly. 

"Shall we?" Kagami extended his hand to Lei. 

The rocker girl glanced at her half-eaten ramen then back to his hand. Damn. Looks like she'd have to eat it on the move. A tragedy.


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