Work and progress

The past month had been a blur of movement, sweat, and Kitrina's endless voice echoing in my head. My hideout had become a training ground, and I'd thrown myself into every drill she laid out, no matter how much my muscles screamed in protest. Small changes had started to creep into my body. My arms had a subtle definition they didn't before. My legs were no longer stick-thin; they carried a hint of muscle tone that made me feel like I could rely on them. I wasn't so scrawny anymore.

"Looking less like a noodle every day, kitty," Kitrina teased one afternoon as I worked through a series of pull-ups. My hands burned against the rough ropes I'd strung up, but I refused to stop until she told me to.

"Keep talking," I grunted, hauling myself up one more time. "You're the one who made me do this."

"And you're welcome," she shot back, perched on the edge of the desk with her signature smug expression. "I'm molding you into something halfway respectable."

The makeshift training course had grown with me. The pipes I used for pull-ups groaned under my weightless these days, and the bricks I stacked for jump training had been replaced with heavier ones scavenged from the alley behind the building. I could feel the difference every time I moved. I was quicker and sharper. Kitrina had drilled flexibility into me, making me stretch and contort in ways that left me cursing her name for hours afterward.

But it wasn't just about the training. The small changes crept into everything. The way I walked, the way I carried myself—it all felt different. Stronger. I didn't stumble as much when I climbed the side of the building to get home. I didn't feel out of breath hauling myself through the busted window anymore. My body was catching up to the demands I placed on it.

"Not bad, kitty," Kitrina said after one particularly grueling session. "You're still clumsy, but at least you've got the strength to back it up now."

I rolled my eyes, wiping sweat off my brow with the back of my hand. "Thanks, coach. Real motivational speech."

She grinned. "Hey, I call it like I see it."

The old clothes I wore hung a little differently now, the loose fabric brushing against arms that weren't so stick-thin anymore. My stomach, while still flat, had the faintest hint of definition. It wasn't anything dramatic, but it was enough for me to notice. Enough to remind me that all this work was doing something.

 The delivery jobs I'd picked up had become second nature, my body adapting to the constant weaving through crowded streets and climbing over obstacles to avoid unwanted attention. The packages I carried stayed hidden in my system storage, and I always pulled them out just before making the drop. It was a small advantage, but one I wasn't about to give up.

"Careful, Yumi," Kitrina said as I slid through a narrow gap between two buildings during one of my runs. "You're starting to look like you know what you're doing."

"Funny," I muttered, ducking under a low-hanging pipe. "I thought you'd be proud."

"Proud? Of you?" She snorted. "Don't get ahead of yourself, kitty. You've still got a long way to go."

But I could tell she was pleased, even if she'd never admit it outright. The sharpness in her tone had softened ever so slightly, and the rare moments of approval she offered felt a little less grudging. 

By the time I got home each night, my muscles ached in ways that were starting to feel almost familiar. I'd kick off my boots and collapse onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling as the faint hum of the city buzzed in the background. And despite the exhaustion, I couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of accomplishment. I was getting stronger. I was changing. And for once, it felt like it was for the better.

The next day

The evening air was thick with the usual hum of Night City as I made my way to Lizzie's Bar. Neon signs flickered overhead. My boots splashed through puddles, the cool water seeping into the worn soles. The sounds of distant sirens and muffled conversations.

Inside Lizzie's, the bass from the music vibrated through my chest. Patrons crowded around the bar, laughing and shouting conversations competing with the pulsating beat. I spotted Rebecca leaning against the bar, her electric blue ponytail catching the strobing lights.

"Hey, choom!" she called out, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Thought you might've flatlined on us."

"Not a chance," I replied, sliding onto the stool next to her. "You don't get rid of me that easily."

Rebecca chuckled, taking a swig of her drink. "That's what I like to hear." She eyed me up and down. "You been working out or something? Looking less like a twig these days."

I smirked. "Maybe a little.."

She nudged me playfully. "After that scrap, we had, figured you'd want to beef up. Not that you did too bad."

I rolled my eyes. "I seem to recall you being just as drunk as I was. Besides, neither of us are exactly fists of fury."

"True," she admitted, her eyes glinting. "But it was fun. how About we go to a shooting range sometime."

"You're on," I said with a grin.

Rita appeared from behind the bar, wiping her hands on a towel. "Yumi! Been looking for you. Suzie wants to have a word."

I raised an eyebrow. "With me? What's the gig?"

She shrugged. "Dunno, but you better head back. She's in one of her moods."

Rebecca gave me a light shove. "Go on, don't keep the boss waiting. I'll keep your seat warm."

Making my way through the throng of bodies, I headed toward the back rooms. The noise of the bar faded slightly as I pushed open the door to Suzie's office. She sat behind a cluttered desk, her gaze sharp as she looked up from a stack of data shards. Judy was there too, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"Yumi," Suzie said, gesturing to the chair across from her. "Take a seat."

I settled in, trying to read the atmosphere. "Rita said you wanted to talk?"

Suzie nodded. "You've been doing good work for us. Reliable, discreet. The kind of edgerunner we could use more of."

I shrugged modestly. "Just doing what I can to get by."

She leaned forward. "We'd like to offer you a place with us. Join the Mox officially."

I blinked, taken aback. "Wow, that's... unexpected."

Judy spoke up, her voice smooth. "You've got potential, Yumi. And you've shown you've got our back."

I hesitated, the weight of the offer settling in. Being part of the Mox meant protection, a family of sorts. But it also meant commitments and expectations.

"I appreciate the offer," I began slowly. "But I need some time to think it over."

Suzie nodded. "Fair enough. Take the night to mull it over. Let us know."

I stood up. "Thanks. Really."

As I turned to leave, Rebecca was leaning against the doorway, eavesdropping with zero subtlety. "So? You in?"

"She's thinking about it," Judy said pointedly.

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "What's there to think about? We're chooms, right?"

I laughed lightly. "It's a big decision. Don't want to rush it."

"Well, whatever you decide," she said, slinging an arm around my shoulders as we walked back to the bar, "we're still getting drinks. My treat."

"Careful, last time we did that, it ended with me on the floor," I teased.

She smirked. "Hey, you gave as good as you got."

We spent the next few hours swapping stories and downing drinks. The tension of the offer faded into the background as the night wore on. At some point, the conversation turned to our less-than-stellar fistfight.

"Seriously though," Rebecca said, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, "I haven't had that much fun in a long time. You're alright, Yumi."

"Back at ya," I replied, clinking my glass against hers.

As the bar started to clear out, I decided it was time to head home. "I should bounce," I said, sliding off the stool. "Got some stuff to take care of."

Rebecca pouted dramatically. "Already? The night's still young!"

I laughed. "For you, maybe. I'll catch you later."

"Don't be a stranger," she called after me as I weaved through the remaining patrons.

Outside, the cool air was a welcome relief from the stuffy heat of the bar. I pulled out my phone, pretending to dial as I walked down the dimly lit street.

"Alright, Kitrina," I said quietly, knowing she'd hear me. "You there?"

Her voice chimed in smoothly. "Always. How was your little rendezvous?"

I glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot. "They offered me a spot in the Mox. Full membership."

"Interesting," she mused. "And what did you say?"

"I told them I'd think about it," I replied. "Figured you'd have an opinion."

She scoffed lightly. "Joining a gang, even one like the Mox, ties you down. Limits your options."

"They're not just a gang," I argued. "They look out for each other. For people who can't look out for themselves."

"Sounds noble," she said dryly. "But remember, alliances come with strings attached. Obligations. You're just starting to find your footing."

I sighed. "I get that, but going solo has its risks too."

"True," she conceded. "But you have something they don't, your system. And the fewer people who know about it, the better."

"Nobody knows," I assured her. "And I'd keep it that way."

"Just be careful, Yumi," she cautioned. "From what I've learned Night City has a way of chewing up even the best intentions."

I nodded to myself. "I'll think it over. Thanks."

"Anytime," she replied, her tone softening slightly. "Now get some rest. We've got training tomorrow."

"Can't wait," I said sarcastically.

She chuckled. "Sweet dreams, kitty."

I hung up, slipping the phone back into my pocket. The streets were quieter now, the usual hustle dimmed in the late hour. As I made my way back to my hideout, I couldn't help but replay the night's events in my mind.

Rebecca's laughter, the warmth of camaraderie, the weight of Suzie's offer, it all swirled together. 

Back at my place, I climbed up the familiar fire escape, pulling myself through the broken window. And walked down the hall while having a smoke. Entering my room the faint glow of the city lights cast long shadows across the floor. I kicked off my boots and flopped onto the mattress, exhaustion settling in as I finished my smoke.

Kitrina materialized nearby, and she smirked. "You reek of cheap booze and bad decisions."

"Thanks," I muttered. "Always know how to make a girl feel special."

She tilted her head, her expression turning serious. "All jokes aside, you did well today. You're making connections, figuring things out."

I met her gaze. "So, you don't think I should join them?"

"I think you should trust your gut," she replied. "Just remember what your priorities are."

I nodded slowly. "Helping those that cant help themselves and getting revenge for them."

"Exactly."

Silence settled between us for a moment. The distant sounds of the city filtered through the cracked window, a siren wailing, the hum of traffic, and muffled voices drifting up from the street below.

"By the way," I said, breaking the quiet. "Rebecca's not so bad once you get to know her."

Kitrina raised an eyebrow. "The girl who clocked you in the jaw?"

"She didn't clock me," I protested. "More like... lightly tapped."

"Sure," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "Just be careful. Friendships can complicate things."

"I'll keep that in mind," I replied, stifling a yawn.

"Get some sleep, Yumi. We've got a lot to cover tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Kitrina."

She gave a small nod before fading from view, leaving me alone in the dim room. I pulled the blanket over myself, staring up at the cracked ceiling. Despite the uncertainties, a small smile played on my lips. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

As sleep began to take me, I whispered into the darkness, "Maybe things are looking up after all."