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I opened my eyes today… safe and sound.

I did everything within my power, as far as I can remember, but I thought Enama Corporation, one of the main masterminds behind Neo Haven, would somehow come after me… I guess even for a Mega Corp, there was nothing they could do when an abyss diver deliberately wiped out the data from an entire independent research lab.

Thanks to that, the days of falling asleep and waking up in fear, clutching a pistol, quickly came to an end.

…The only unexpected problem is that my relaxed body had no intention of waking up on time…? I definitely set the alarm for 7, but when I actually wake up, it’s magically changed to 9… Being too Cyberware-compatible is also a problem.

The ultimate state of unconsciousness…! Turning off the alarm and falling back asleep…!!

“Haaah…!”

I tried to head to the bathroom as quietly as possible, but in this cramped mixed-use apartment, it was hard to avoid the eyes of my housemate, who was already awake.

“Heh heh… You really are weak in the mornings, missy?”

“…I wasn’t usually like this. Somehow… it turned out this way. Yeah…”

“Those kinds of energy-draining words are for old folks like me! When you’re growing, it’s best to eat well and sleep soundly. No need to be so embarrassed…”

“Yeah~ Yeah…”

Along with a half-hearted reply, I slammed the bathroom door shut!

I caught a glimpse of my portion of prepared synthetic meat and synthesized drink set out in the empty spot at the table before I closed the door. Where did the iron-blooded old man who emphasized ‘absolutely no interference in each other’s lives!’ during our agreement go, and when did this doting grandpa who worries about my development appear…?

‘…Anastasia and I are obviously adults, how are we supposed to grow any more…!’

Zzzzzzip…!

I take off the best suit, which even repels pollutants on its own, and squeeze out a generous amount of cleansing gel.

On my arms. On my legs. Over my underwear. …And carefully on those sensitive areas inside, before washing off the gel in one go with compressed air sprayed from the air cleaner. There are tens of thousands of drink options to choose from, but clean water to wash your body is a luxury… This world is truly insane.

“Ugh…”

My head understood that I was clean… but my body didn’t feel refreshed at all. It felt awful, actually.

They say people hate being deprived of what they used to have the most… That’s definitely true. The only way to quell this anger and sense of alienation is with a thick stack of Credits. My desire to work is skyrocketing…!

Slam!!

“Oh? Are you awake now?”

“…Yes. Hurry up and eat, and let’s start… business!”

The old man burst out laughing at my attitude, which was quite solemn, like a protagonist in a shonen manga.

“…Puhahaha!! That pride of yours…! How can you be so much like my granddaughter, I wonder…!”

…Hmph! Laugh while you can! Today, I’m going to put all my heart and soul into my customer service skills and get a ton of expensive service requests!

….

…….

……….

[ Today’s Credit Change : + 5,000 C ]

“……”

“Ahem…! W-Well… let’s call it a day for today…”

Perhaps feeling sorry for me, who was sitting blankly, staring at the hologram displayed on my retina, he hurriedly locked the shop door and closed up for the day.

What good is being the best hacker and architect if you’re providing Cyberware services? The situation and location don’t match, so the income is just… hopeless.

The only customer who came to me all day was one of the settlement residents.

Considering that it was the same person who came for an inspection on the first day, I honestly suspect that the mechanic grandpa secretly contacted them because he felt so sorry for me, with no customers.

Cyberware-related services that would have had people lining up in the metropolis are completely unpopular in this dusty, out-of-the-way settlement. …Well, if they were people who valued that kind of thing, they wouldn’t be living outside the wall in the first place.

Most of the customers who visited the machinery shop today were there to repair broken machines. In other words, they were the mechanic’s customers. At least in the early days of the opening, there were some customers who came out of curiosity or because they really needed Cyberware checkups…

Now there are really no customers except for the occasional outsider…? Am I doomed…? I can barely afford food, let alone rent…?

…I feel so wronged.

“Diligence and sincerity my ass…!!”

I thought that since I had safely escaped the lab, I would be able to enter the city soon and prepare for the future step by step. But I’ve been stuck in the same place for almost ten days.

“…Eek!”

My body is acting up again. It’s definitely not my style to get teary-eyed just because I’m a little angry or sad. Unless I’m gritting my teeth and finding a solution. If I ever get Credits, I definitely need to install an implant to control my period.

“Are you really alright…?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s a relief. Then, although it’s a bit early, I’ll go buy some dinner…”

Beep!

Before the old man, who seemed at a loss because some girl he didn’t even know was getting a little teary-eyed, could say anything, I quickly added up today’s Credits with the cost of the food I had been getting and transferred it all to him.

“……”

“Ahem…”

The silence is heavy.

I don’t know how the old man interpreted my edgy behavior… But whatever his circumstances, just because my gender has changed, I’m a little weaker, and a little… a lot shorter, I absolutely refuse to be the recipient of cheap pity.

In a world where it’s hard enough to take care of your own life, volunteering to be someone else’s guardian and taking responsibility for them is like digging your own grave.

I don’t know exactly what kind of existence I am in this suspicious game called Neo Haven Prime, but I would save the characters I liked, loved, and supported. I had no intention of becoming a walking death flag myself and getting killed.

……And I especially didn’t want to hurt a kind-hearted person.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to repay your kindness with evil. I’m just… not used to it…”

…Idiot. If you’re going to apologize, do it properly. Why add unnecessary excuses…?

This must be because of my body. It’s definitely my body’s fault. I’m not that petty…!

“Heh heh… Getting flustered and apologizing doesn’t resemble her much.”

“…?”

Gently….

A rough, calloused hand softly strokes my head.

“…This senile old man will give you one piece of advice, young lady with a bright future. Regardless of who you truly are, other bastards will evaluate you as they please. If the enemy has a weakness, and you have an advantage, don’t hesitate to use it. And…”

Whack!!

“?!!??!?”

I was suddenly attacked. No, attack is too much of an exaggeration… In reality, it was just a simple flick on the forehead, but it was so painful that my vision went white, and I unknowingly collapsed to the floor…! Your hands are seriously strong!

“It’s polite to just say thank you~~ and accept what an adult offers you! You rascal…!! Do you understand?”

“Yes… Yes!! I understand…!”

Rolling around. He hit me and then, afraid I might get a bump, roughly stroked my head, and I barely managed to escape his touch. Pleased with my dumbfounded expression, the old man laughed heartily as before and went out to pack up some dinner.

“……Ha.”

The initiative in interpersonal relationships… can be taken away so quickly. I’ve learned something new. And this old man… I just thought he was a strange mechanic I happened to meet… but maybe not.

When I think about it carefully, it’s rare to see even ordinary old people in this unpredictable neighborhood, so there’s no way such a hale and hearty old man would be a powerless ordinary person without a hidden card.

So, I’ll keep his cryptic advice… in a corner of my heart for now.

“……Alright!”

First, I got up.

I still don’t like that he completely treats me like his mysterious granddaughter, but I’m not so shameless that I wouldn’t at least do some basic meal preparations while my roommate is out buying food.

Clatter…!

I take out plates, forks, and knives from the cupboard and set them on the table. I sweep up the sand that rolls in every time the shop door opens and closes, even though it’s pointless. I neatly organize the scattered parts and tools again.

And then… I waited calmly.

Since he was the one who crossed the implicit line first, I’ll naturally ask for his name while we eat… And if there’s anything I can help with, I’ll help… Even if it’s just a short relationship until I get citizenship, I’ll try to build a more constructive win-win relationship than we have now.

So… how long did I wait for him to return from one of the few grocery stores in the settlement?

The unexpected happened suddenly. The brightly shining ceiling lights, the countless operation panels, and the lights of all kinds of electronic devices disappeared in an instant, and the inside of the shop was plunged into darkness.

“…Huh?”

[ Warning…! Main power grid shutdown detected, emergency generator activated. ]

…It seems like there’s a night visitor who was waiting for the owner to leave.