Chapter 305 – Staaaare~

"Takemura Maki..."

Karl repeated the name, but it felt strangely unfamiliar. He didn't recall seeing anyone with that surname among the Arasaka Tower banquet attendees.

"I've never heard that name before."

"We're just a small family," Maki replied with a soft laugh. "Our place in Arasaka came only because a relative was once recognized and favored. Compared to the established families in the corporation, we don't really count for much."

"A small family that rose through favor... then your family must be well regarded."

After all, most small families that get a foot in the corporate door don't let their younger members casually drive an Herrera Outlaw GTS. And Maki being here on the fourth floor of the banquet hall spoke volumes about her status.

This level was for heavyweights only.

As they chatted, Maki took a small plate with four sweet shrimp from a passing server.

"Boiled sweet shrimp. Want one?"

She offered the plate toward Karl.

"I thought people at banquets like this would prefer raw."

"Sashimi? You'd see more of that at parties held in Kyoto. But this is still North America."

"Even at Arasaka Tower events?"

"Depends on who's running the show."

She nudged the plate closer. "Want me to peel one for you?"

"No thanks. That'd draw too much attention."

Karl didn't mind the idea of a friend peeling shrimp for him, but the image of a guest feeding a security guard at an elite banquet? That would definitely raise eyebrows.

"Are you sure?"

"...Maybe just grab me something I don't have to peel next time. That way I can sneak a bite without drawing attention."

He glanced at her hands. "Hard to believe guests at an Arasaka banquet still have to peel their own shrimp. Isn't keeping guests' hands clean part of banquet etiquette?"

"Just a quirk of his."

Since Karl had passed, Maki placed the plate on a nearby table. "I heard that man used to eat shrimp shell and all during his time in the military. Supposedly helps with calcium intake. Ever since, all shrimp dishes have been served whole at Arasaka events."

"That man... Military background... Saburo Arasaka?"

Saburo Arasaka. The patriarch of the corporation. A fossil at 157 years old. If it was his preference, then of course the entire company followed suit. Still...

"You'd think at his age he'd be worried about shrimp shells shredding his stomach."

"He has a full medical team on standby at all times. If his stomach ruptures, they just replace it with a synthetic bio-stomach developed by their biotech division. And apparently, most of the time, he just eats energy bars anyway."

"Energy bars, huh? Guess that's some kind of nostalgia."

Makes sense. When the emperor at the top has a preference, everyone else has to follow.

Karl was about to say more when he noticed someone approaching.

Movement.

A cherry blossom-colored kimono.

"Long time no see."

When Maki saw who it was, she bowed gracefully, hands together at her waist.

"Miss Hanako."

"Maki."

Hanako said her name without honorifics—a familiar, even affectionate tone. Her expression was warm.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

They know each other?

Karl glanced between them, then toward the spot Hanako had previously occupied. The execs around her had all dispersed and were now mingling. Looks like the greetings and loyalty pledges were done—time for socializing.

They were sharp, Karl noted. Show up, make an impression, and get out before overstaying. No wonder these people held such high positions in Arasaka.

Still, even though they had scattered, Karl noticed their eyes constantly drifting back toward Hanako.

Who she spoke to, what she said—every detail carried weight. A glance, a word, and entire agendas could shift.

Karl turned his attention back to Maki and Hanako. Their conversation was light, mundane. Just a few words exchanged.

From what he could gather, they used to be fairly close but hadn't seen each other since Maki enrolled in Arasaka Academy here in Night City. This was their first reunion since Hanako returned.

Old friends crossing paths again... just like me, huh?

As that thought crossed Karl's mind, Hanako's gaze shifted to him.

Staaaare~

...?

Staaaare~

...??

Maki noticed Hanako staring and assumed she was curious about the guard beside her. Wanting to shield Karl, she feigned confusion.

"Miss Hanako?"

Drawn by her question, Hanako blinked and pulled her gaze away from Karl. She smiled gently and said:

"Let's go get something to eat, Maki. I'm a bit hungry."

Perfect. Maki gave Karl a quick look—a silent promise to protect his identity—then nodded and followed after Hanako.

A nice gesture... but his cover was already blown.

Hanako was the client who had commissioned the team. Karl's disguised identity wasn't to hide from her, but to avoid causing panic among the banquet guests.

But still, he couldn't very well waltz into a conversation with Miss Hanako like it was a casual meet-up.

"I'll explain later," Karl thought.

As Hanako, Maki, and Chidome moved toward another part of the hall, Karl turned his eyes back to the banquet floor.

Something felt off.

Where was Mr. Kenichiro?

He had just been mingling with guests a moment ago.

Where had he gone?

.

.

.

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