Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 781, Section 195: Haruko and Blanca
As members of the new U.S. delegation entered the venue, the remaining members of the Arasaka Group also arrived one after another.

The doors to the conference hall slid open again, and Kenichi Shiro walked in with steady steps. His gaze inadvertently swept over Akechi, that brief glance seeming both unintentional and yet containing some hidden meaning.

He then walked straight to the other end of the long table, sat down next to Vice President Sanada, and the two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, their expressions solemn.

Immediately afterwards, Michiko Arakawa appeared at the doorway, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

She was wearing a futuristic studded leather outfit with a high collar and shimmering patterns on the cuffs.

What's most eye-catching is her striking blue rooster-comb hairstyle, with strands standing up like sharp blades, gleaming with a metallic sheen under the cool-toned lights.

Ignoring the surprised or inquisitive glances from those around her, she strode confidently to her seat, her high heels clicking crisply on the marble floor.

Michiko Arasaka's fashion sense always transcends conventional views and is always ahead of its time.

She once started a trend of JK girls wearing school uniforms that swept the world, and now she has clearly witnessed another level of fashion evolution, leaping ahead of others before they have even seen it.

However, to be honest, from a wise perspective, Ms. Michiko Arasaka's style of dress is somewhat shocking. She may have seen the popular style of the future, but being one step ahead is genius, while being two steps ahead is a bit too strange.

If this is what fashion will look like in the future, I might not be able to accept it, but considering that many people on the streets are already dressing in this style.
In the future, not everyone will be wearing weird clothes and sporting a rooster-like hairstyle, right? Is that some kind of end-of-the-century style?

It's a bit disheartening to think about; fashion is just so hard to understand.

Akechi's gaze lingered briefly on Michiko Arasaka, a complex and unfathomable emotion flashing in his eyes, before he quickly looked away and turned to the figure that followed her into the room.

Kenichi Saburo.

Kenichi Shiro's father had undergone full-body cyborg modification because his aging body could no longer keep up with the demands of combat and he was no longer able to protect Michiko Arasaka.

He walked over with mechanically precise steps, every movement exuding an astonishing sense of power. The metal joints made a slight hum as they turned, and the modified prosthetic eye flashed with a cold blue light. Although the body still retained some human-like features, anyone could see that this body had long surpassed the limits of humanity.

Mingzhi unconsciously tensed up.

The sense of oppression emanating from this 'old man' was even stronger than that from any of the fully armed security personnel present.

The power contained within this cyborg body is probably enough to tear apart an armored vehicle with bare hands, but it looks cold and lifeless now.

Is it worth sacrificing one's human identity to protect someone?

Mingzhi didn't understand, but it was indeed someone else's choice, and he had nothing to comment on.

Kenichi Saburo followed closely behind Michiko Arasaka, standing motionless like a statue after she sat down.

Sensing his father's arrival, Kenichi Shiro turned his head slightly. Their eyes met briefly in mid-air. For a moment, it was as if an electric current flashed through their eyes, but then they returned to calm. There were no greetings, no small talk, only a tacit understanding that could be understood in silence.

Compared to the new American personnel who didn't bring many guards, and Vice President Sanada and Kenichi Shiro who came alone, Michiko Arasaka was clearly more concerned about the security around her.

Perhaps it was the caution instilled in her by her father's past experiences that made her so wary; even during what appeared to be a peaceful meeting and within the Arasaka Tower, she never forgot to bring guards.

Perhaps influenced by her mother's teachings after arriving in North America, Haruko Arasaka, who grew up in the Arasaka mansion, didn't forget to bring her own bodyguard. The elevator doors slowly opened, and Chiyome followed closely by her side. Haruko left her work to Maki and stepped out of the elevator with a composed gait.

Her gaze swept across the hall, and she immediately spotted Mingzhi's figure—his silhouette, which appeared exceptionally tall under the lights, made her eyes linger for a moment.

'This side of Karl exudes a rare, elite quality.'

The moment the thought crossed her mind, Haruko keenly sensed a gaze.

Following her instincts, she looked in the direction of the new American delegation and was surprised to find that the person looking at her was a familiar face—and the other person had obviously noticed her momentary lapse in concentration when she was staring at Mingzhi.

Haruko knew that person quite well, but she never expected to see him here.

'Blanca.'

After thinking for a moment, Haruko understood why the other person was there.

'Are they the heroes of this presidential rescue?'

Haruko and Blanca looked at each other, their thoughts unknown.

She originally thought it would be many years before the other person was qualified to stand in front of her, but she didn't expect that the other person would climb up so quickly, much faster than she had anticipated.

Blanca is now a formidable opponent that needs to be watched closely.

'Did you notice the way I was looking at Karl just now? Have you already figured out Karl's current disguise?'

Haruko felt a strange sense of unease.

An idea suddenly popped into her mind.

If Carl were to impersonate someone without her knowledge, would she be as perceptive as Blanca?

This thought, after some complex internal reflection, transformed into certainty in the next moment.

of course!
She would be earlier than Blanca, more perceptive than Mashi, and more certain than anyone else. The moment she saw Karl, even if Karl's disguise was perfect, even if he stood in the farthest corner of the crowd, she would inevitably, absolutely, certainly, definitely gaze at Karl more clearly than anyone or anything else.

Only yourself.

Only myself.

She was the first to notice Karl's special nature, the first to be looked at by Karl, and the first to look at Karl.
No one can compare to myself!
'The young lady seems to be in a different mood.'

Behind Haruko Arasaka, although Haruko's expression remained unchanged and she did not say anything, Chiyome, who was always protecting her, still noticed the change in Haruko's emotions.

(End of this chapter)