Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 775, Page 189: A Different Idea

The journey to Haruko's office was shorter than I had imagined.

When the elevator stopped in this special area, Carl truly understood the definition of the word 'office' for Haruko—the entire floor was her private territory.

The neon lights of the city at night outside the floor-to-ceiling windows serve as a natural backdrop, the smart glass automatically adjusts its transparency according to the angle of the moonlight, and even the air circulation system carries a faint cherry blossom scent.

This reminded him of the two-person office downstairs that was the envy of ordinary Arasaka employees—now, recalling it, it seemed like a high-class storage room.

Meanwhile, Karl recalled the office he had visited before, Haruko's office when she was the CEO of Night City's Arasaka Tower. The room that symbolized the top floor and the center of power, because Haruko was the only member of the Arasaka family in the Arasaka Tower at the time, seemed as simple as a conference room in comparison.

Looking back now, it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with it.

The executive officer's office is ultimately just a stage for performances, while this area—the entire floor transformed into a living space—is the real private domain belonging to 'Haruko Arasaka'.

Just as ancient samurai needed both a dojo and a tea room, the former to display their majesty, and the latter to express their true elegance and self.

The soft sound of the elevator doors closing interrupted his thoughts.

Karl stepped into this forbidden zone for the people of Arasaka Tower. His shoes made no sound on the sound-absorbing carpet. In the distance, he could hear the faint melody of Mashi humming a song, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies.

Everything here tells a simple truth: to the heirs who flow with the blood of Arasaka, the entire tower is nothing more than a potted plant in the family garden.

Those top-floor offices, which outsiders see as symbols of supreme power, are ultimately nothing more than props that have to be used.

"Yo, Mashi."

As Carl stepped into the spacious floor, his gaze immediately fell upon a familiar figure in the distance. He raised his hand in a casual greeting, then turned his attention to Haruko, who was working at her desk, and Chiyo, who was standing quietly to the side.

“Haruko, Chiyome,” his voice was lighthearted with the joy of a long-awaited reunion, “It’s been a while since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?”

"Karl."

Chiyo's voice was like a clear spring flowing over pebbles, calm yet carrying a subtle warmth.

She nodded slightly, her shoulder-length black hair swaying gently with the movement—one of the few small gestures she would make. As a rigorously trained guard, she should always maintain a poker face, but at this moment, a barely perceptible smile was revealed in the corner of her eye.

After all, for Chiyome now, Karl's presence actually makes her guarding duties a bit easier.

“Over here, over here~” Mashi poked her head out from behind the pile of documents like a cheerful little sparrow, holding a half-eaten cookie in her hand.

She gestured with her hand: "Come over and eat with us, we're almost out of food. Oh, and come help me with some chores too, consider it a bedtime preparation before you rest."

"Did I come here just to suffer, Mashi? I'm starting to doubt your motives for sending me here."

Karl muttered to himself, somewhat speechless, as he looked at Haruko. Haruko then looked up, her hair slowly falling over her shoulders.

Her movement of putting down her pen was as graceful as closing a folding fan, and the moment she saw Karl, a gentle smile appeared on her lips: "You've come."

"Yes, you're here." Karl walked naturally towards Mashi, casually picking up a piece of cake from the dessert plate. "But judging from your posture, you're still working overtime?"

He leaned closer to the pile of paper documents next to Maki, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Documents related to tomorrow's procedures? Still being signed and approved at this hour? I thought everything was ready long ago."

Haruko gently shook her head, her hair shimmering like pearls under the light: "The more crucial the moment, the more we must strive for perfection." Her fingertips traced the edge of the document, smoothing out a slightly curled page. "Normally, this isn't necessary, but this matter involves my name after all." At this point, she looked up at Karl, a faint smile in her eyes, "It should always be as perfect as possible."

"Striving for excellence and perfection," Carl pondered these words, then suddenly chuckled. "Why does it sound like Delaman Taxi's service package—'Providing you with an excellent travel experience'?"

He finished his cake in a few bites, then casually pulled a wipe from Mashi's wet wipe box. Mashi made an "Eh" sound and was about to protest when Carl finished wiping his hands and picked up the top document to start looking at it.

"Vortex Gang Potential Riot Threat Assessment and Personnel Alert Plan." He read the title, his eyebrows gradually rising. "This level of security plan actually needs to be sent to you for review?" The document was flipped through in his hands. "Now I understand why you've been so busy working with Mashi all this time. You even need to look at routine threats from street gangs?"

"If a cyberpsychosis incident were to occur, it would affect our reputation to a certain extent in the eyes of the world."

"That's true. But I reckon you've already bribed the NCPD with a lot of money. I don't believe Andy's special operations team from the NCPD won't come to tomorrow's meeting. They should be able to resolve any problems, right?"

"Necessary precautions"

"You're so careful."

Carl felt as if he had witnessed another side of Haruko. Although Carl had long known that Haruko was very thoughtful and seemed to be prepared for everything, from the small knife that was given to him later on to the one that was on his arm, everything she gave him seemed to be ordinary, but in the end, it proved to be precious and valuable.

"Let me lend a hand."

Although he had come to rest, Carl rolled up his sleeves when he saw the mountain of documents in front of him. Anyway, there was a whole floor of space to rest, which was better than being stuck in that office chair that tortured his back—five or six hours of sleep would be enough, and helping his friends with some work before that was also worthwhile.

He naturally took the stack of documents from Ma Xi's hands, his movements as practiced as if he were in his own office. Ma Xi's eyes immediately lit up, her purple pupils sparkling like stars.

"The savior has arrived—" She clasped her hands together, making an exaggerated prayer gesture, her hair swaying gently with the movement, "It's all up to you!"

“Don’t expect me to stay up all night.” Carl flipped through the documents without looking up. “I’ll catch up on sleep after a while. By the way,” his gaze swept between the three of them, “you guys haven’t had a break at all, have you?”

Haruko smiled slightly, her eyelashes casting dappled shadows in the light: "There is still some rest to be had." She raised her slender wrist and pointed to a hidden door not far away, "If Karl gets tired, he can go over there to rest at any time."

Chiyo silently handed over a steaming cup of coffee, making no sound as the bottom of the cup touched the table—a gentle touch honed through long-term training by the guards.

"I will."

Just as Carl began to help, on the floor where the CEO's office was located, Arakasa Seiichi slowly put down a document in his hand.

The file contains all the reports on the Dogtown incident.

The source of this report is Haruko Arakasaka.

Is Karl also in Arasaka Tower now?

Arakasaka Seiichi silently thought to himself, pondering Karl's disguise as Akechi.

I wonder if he can get used to it, if he can...

As Arasaka Nobuyuki thought of Haruko and Karl, a strange thought crossed his mind.

(End of this chapter)