Rogue ultimately left smiling, which nearly confused the Bodyguards at Afterlife when she walked out the door.
Their usually serious boss suddenly smiling caused their worldview to shake slightly.
Good grief, what kind of magic did these people possess to cheer up their imposing boss? It couldn't be some newly released pill, could it?
Ignoring the astonishment of Rogue's subordinates, Berry, having made a hefty profit, walked back to her workshop completely satisfied.
"She left..."
Johnny Silverhand, who was on the table, looked up slightly when he heard the movement, then lowered his head again.
What he said was less a question and more a mumble to himself.
"Hey, Johnny, cheer up. Rogue actually agreed to help."
"What?!"
Johnny looked up in disbelief.
To be honest, he hadn't held much hope, but Berry's single sentence instantly lifted his spirits.
Seeing his reaction, Berry patiently explained.
"Rogue has decided to sponsor your body replacement project. Be happy! This will greatly speed up the time it takes to get you out of that little box."
However, after speaking, Berry felt a wave of melancholy.
Rogue truly had the worst luck imaginable to get involved with Johnny Silverhand.
What kind of person Johnny Silverhand truly was, perhaps the millions of residents in Night City each had their own opinion.
In the eyes of the average citizen, he was an unforgivable terrorist who detonated a nuclear bomb in Arasaka Tower, sending half a million people to the Afterlife.
If this were a video game world where you could level up, Johnny would definitely reach max level instantly just based on that kill experience.
In the eyes of Mercenaries, Johnny Silverhand was a veritable Mercenary legend: powerful, decisive, whose momentary brilliance shocked the entire world.
People like Jackie admired Johnny Silverhand's power and achievements.
And in the eyes of Johnny's band fans, Johnny was an undeniable musical genius and punk kid. His timeless classics still had many die-hard fans today.
Of course, in Berry's opinion, these people were all living in their own fantasies.
The Silverhand they perceived and imagined was merely a false idol onto which they projected their desires or fears.
After all, they had never interacted with Johnny, never talked to him, never lived with him, and certainly never slept with him.
If asked what kind of person Johnny specifically was, they couldn't say.
The Johnny in their spiritual world was nothing more than a fantasy reflecting their own desires.
Therefore, to evaluate Johnny, one must look at the people who were close to him—his friends and lovers—those who spent time with him day and night.
But unfortunately, there was a consensus among Johnny's friends: that kid Johnny was fundamentally a piece of trash.
He was short-tempered, arrogant, indulged in drugs, heavy drinking, and promiscuity—no different from a street thug.
If anyone claimed Johnny was a mentor or a pioneer—things completely unrelated to him—his friends would be the first to object.
What the hell was Johnny? Did he deserve that?
Indeed, by the standards of any civilization, Johnny Silverhand was a total scumbag.
But there was a reason why Johnny Silverhand became Johnny Silverhand and not Thug A or Thug B.
Johnny was a person who had awakened his fighting spirit.
He had been lost but finally broke free. He didn't know the future, but he understood the present and knew that this corporate-controlled world was wrong. Therefore, he chose to fight.
Johnny's fighting spirit was absolutely striking—he never admitted defeat and never gave up.
This was also why he attracted so many people in Night City.
The people of Night City were actually all lost, whether they were office workers honestly going to work or street Mercenaries.
They all felt confused in this world, unsure where they came from or where they were going.
Yet Johnny could stand up, say no, and fight without any reservations.
This spirit was undoubtedly valuable and attractive in Night City.
And Rogue, being equally lost, was naturally attracted by this quality and ended up in bed with Johnny.
Even though she broke off the relationship later, furious over Johnny's infidelity, Rogue still couldn't shake him.
The most crucial factor was Johnny's striking fighting spirit.
This was something even Rogue, also a legendary Mercenary, couldn't achieve.
Her eventual capitulation to Arasaka was proof of that.
So, now Rogue was acting like a tsundere, cursing Johnny to high heaven verbally, but ultimately unable to let go and choosing to help him.
In the game, this was evident when Rogue chose to stake her entire fortune and risk her life to accompany Johnny.
Counting the previous two times, Rogue risked her life three times to break into Arasaka Tower with Johnny.
If that isn't love, then what is?
Thinking this, Berry sighed over the trapped Rogue while simultaneously feeling fortunate.
Thankfully, her V wasn't an idiot like Johnny, who couldn't understand what love was even if someone risked their life for him.
Her V was soft and fragrant, capable and... capable.
V would definitely choose to support her dreams, right?
After all, they were a match made in heaven.
Bai Rui said with such confidence.
They would never be like Rogue and Johnny, pulling and tormenting each other for so long, ending up bruised and battered.
"...I knew Rogue would help!"
Johnny was still happy about it.
He didn't reflect at all on why Rogue would help him.
If it wasn't love, was it because he drank and did drugs, or cheated on her and chased other women?
Seeing Johnny like this, Berry rolled her eyes helplessly.
This Johnny was only suitable as a comrade-in-arms; one couldn't fall in love with someone of this personality, or they'd be exhausted and angered to death.
However, fortunately, Berry decided to get some revenge for Rogue.
After all, Rogue was currently the sole sponsor of the "Johnny Revival Project," so Berry had to side with her.
Johnny? Johnny was nothing.
Lying in a small box, he couldn't even pull out half a coin; he was a pauper, and he should be grateful for any help he received.
Looking at that confident, even cocky expression, even on the Q-version Virtual Character, Berry pondered how to design Johnny's Chassis so that Johnny would get a good Iron Fist.
It's not gentlemanly to not repay a grudge, and she hadn't forgotten the grudge of Johnny's loose tongue and constant chatter.
If she didn't get this back, she, Berry, wasn't born of her mother.
Berry, who had just fleeced a Rich Client, returned to her apartment in a joyful mood, half-closing her eyes, humming a tune, feeling utterly delighted.
Life was like this; as long as you got money, you were this happy.
And even more happiness was yet to come.
Because as soon as Berry opened the door, she saw her Little Girlfriend at home.
The TV was on, V was leaning on the sofa, her long legs crossed on the coffee table, with snacks beside her hand.
The feeling of someone being home was very warm.
"Hi, baby, you're back."
Coupled with V's doting gaze when she heard the door open and looked over.
Damn, this was too blissful.
Berry was almost dizzy with the sweetness of her wonderful life.
In short, just this moment made Berry feel like she had a wonderful day.
"V, you're just too amazing~"
After cupping V's head and giving her a big kiss, Berry plopped down on the sofa, leaning against V as they watched the exaggerated show on the wall-mounted TV.
However, after Berry returned, V's attention was no longer on the boring TV show; she lowered her head, looking at her Little Girlfriend, who was squinting with happiness.
"What, Berry, are you very happy today?"
"Mmm-hmm, of course."
Allowing V's hand to wrap around her shoulder, Berry comfortably rubbed her head against V's neck, her movements very natural.
Unconsciously, Berry's movements had become very feminine.
Was this what they called habit becoming second nature?
Grabbing some Biscuit-like Snacks from the table, Berry nibbled a few, then naturally offered them to V's mouth.
"I fleeced that Rogue for a huge sum today, how could I not be happy!"
Berry's tone was cheerful, and she let herself go even more in the comfortable environment of her home.
Yes, home.
Berry had already considered this small apartment her home.
Of course, she didn't mean the house, but V.
Where her loved one was, that was home.
"Hmph hmph..."
V didn't speak, just put her arm around Berry's shoulder and smiled.
So-called love is when you can't help but feel happy when the other person is happy.
Night City isn't just about fighting and killing; there's also daily life, isn't there?
In the game, V could go 24 hours a day without sleep, just chopping from one end of the city to the other.
But this was reality, and besides, dealings involving murder and theft weren't an everyday occurrence.
V was also an ordinary person who had leisure, entertainment, and a life to live.
Morgan Blackhand once said that even the most noble journey has its tedious daily routines.
But with Berry by her side, V never felt that daily life was boring.
And speaking of life.
V looked at Berry.
She suddenly remembered that their mandatory lesson for the day seemed to be unfinished.
Sometimes being too familiar isn't a good thing, for example, knowing what the other person is thinking with just a look.
When V looked over with eyes as dangerous as a bear trap, Berry's face flushed red, knowing V's intentions.
"Wait, I've been busy all day and I smell of sweat, let me take a shower first."
Berry blocked V's approaching lips with her finger, shaking her head with a bite on her chin.
Although V really wanted to say that's exactly the smell she wanted, a simple savory flavor.
But to avoid being seen as a pervert by Berry, V still reluctantly nodded.
And when Berry saw V's expression, she let out a mischievous laugh, leaned in and lightly bit V's neck, thoroughly teasing V.
When Berry made such an intimate move, V's throat moved, and just as she was about to act, Berry, having succeeded in her scheme, made a quick escape, jumping off the sofa.
"Hehe, I'm going to take a shower first!"
Berry left with a mischievous laugh.
V, on the sofa, touched her neck, where Berry's warmth seemed to linger.
Watching Berry retreat into the bathroom with a mischievous smile, V's expression was complex.
Uh, this Berry, when did she get so good at this?
V felt that Berry seemed to have changed; just two days ago, she was still awkward, not letting her do anything without the lights off, so why was she so skilled now?
However, V didn't dislike this side of Berry.
And if this was the case, it seemed, probably, maybe, many plays that had previously remained in her imagination could now be tried.
Thinking about those things that couldn't be spoken of to outsiders, V's mind began to wander.
Since she teased her, it was only natural for her to retaliate, right?
Looking at the closed bathroom door, V had a mischievous idea.
Although she had already showered, she didn't mind showering again—with Little Berry.
No sooner said than done, V stood up and walked towards the bathroom, where water had already started running.
A major battle was imminent.
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