[center][img]https://www.fun-academy.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/La-meilleure-chose-a-propos-de-Cyberpunk-2077-Ses-ruelles.jpg[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220228/11075c38be0cdd491d3b42d4da31dbbd.png[/img] [hr] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkoHp2bcnzs[/center] [@Eviledd1984] Hiro paid no mind to the woman's threatening stare nor the displeasure in her tone, as he slowly turned away and took a sip of his scotch while she whisked herself away from him. He was more perplexed as to how his facial recognition software didn't recognize her whatsoever. That's when the answer hit him like a bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky. [color=ec008c][b]"It's because she has no file. She's a [i]runner.[/i]"[/b][/color] It made sense why this woman was acting so standoffish around him. Perhaps she already knew he was a cop. That, or she just had her suspicions of him. Nevertheless, she caught Hiro's attention the moment he scanned her. Now he was the suspicious one. Carefully observing her as she made her way across the bar towards a darkened booth in the corner, Hiro downed the last swallow of his scotch and rose from his seat, making sure to keep his distance from her. By now, the bar was a packed house, people drinking, dancing, possibly partaking of some illicit substances or making shady deals in the shadows, the constant thudding and booming of loud electronic music with lots of bass. It was all an irritant to the detective, but it served its purpose in masking his presence. The woman sat down at the booth, speaking to some male, Asian, possibly in his mid to late thirties. Was he a corpo, Hiro thought. Maybe he was a fixer. Nevertheless, Hiro trained his eyes on the man, zooming in on his face and activating the scan. Soon, his entire interface lit up with a plethora of info. [hr] [img]https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000598188707-1kxfvp-t500x500.jpg[/img] [code]>>>///MATCH FOUND/// (NAME): Kobayashi, Kazuma (小林 カズマ) (DOB): 06/12/2049 (AGE): 37 (OCCP): YAMAGATA ZAIBATSU (SEX): Male (EMPLOYMENT): 2068 - PRESENT (RACE): Asian (PRIOR ARRESTS:) NONE[/code] [hr] [color=ec008c][b]"So he's a corpo."[/b][/color] Hiro mused, his hand reaching up to delicately stroke his rather broad chin. [color=ec008c][b]"Yamagata. They're a Japanese corporation that's been trying to gain a foothold in Nova City for years, but the other corps won't let them. Supposedly they're connected to the Yakuza. Not that I would know."[/b][/color] The woman and Kazuma eventually stood up, making their way further towards the back of the club in the VIP section. Hiro hurried to follow them but made certain to keep his distance lest he raise any more suspicion. He started to push through the throngs of people again when another [url=https://art.ngfiles.com/images/921000/921464_ronniethezombie_rocker-chick.png?f1559418679]young lady[/url] bumped into him, obviously under the influence of some strong alcohol...or possibly drugs. [i][color=00aeef][b]" *hic* Hey there, handsome! You wanna dance?"[/b][/color][/i] She slurred, her eyes loopy and languidly staring into Hiro's. He could practically smell the booze on her breath. [b][color=ec008c]"Not right now."[/color][/b] Coldly the detective replied, shoving the drunk woman back into the crowd as he resumed tailing the corpo and the other woman. [i][color=00aeef][b]"Hmph! Asshole!"[/b][/color][/i] She cursed at him audibly, yet Hiro could hardly hear her over the blasting music and buzzing chatter of the bar. He was more focused on finding out just what this Yamagata employee was up to hiring a netrunner. Once they reached the VIP lounge, Kazuma quickly shut the door. [color=ec008c][b]"Damn it!"[/b][/color] Hiro muttered to himself. He knew how these places were built, the security measures put into place to keep nosy detectives like him out. There was no way his optical implants could see through the wall, nor would his cochlear implant be able to eavesdrop on any conversations. He sighed, leaning against the wall with a bothered expression marring his rugged face. [color=ec008c][b]"Guess I'll have to do this the old fashioned way."[/b][/color] Hiro blinked once, opening up another window in his AR interface. Hastily, he input the commands through his cerebral processor and waited. It wasn't long his ears was filled with Thorley's voice. [b]"Yeah Nishida? What is it?"[/b] Hiro elaborated, [color=ec008c][b]"I may have a lead on something, Emma."[/b][/color] [b]"Really?"[/b] Said Emma slightly intrigued. [b]"Is it about Hayworth?"[/b] [color=ec008c][b]"Probably."[/b][/color] Replied Hiro with a small grimace. [color=ec008c][b]"There's a corpo here talking to some netrunner. Scanner identified him as Kazuma Kobayashi. He works for Yamagata."[/b][/color] [b]"Is that so."[/b] Emma hummed over the line. [b]"I know Yamagata and Nova Corp have had it out for each other ever since they established an office in the city, but what the hell does this have to do with our murder victim, Hiro?"[/b] [color=ec008c][b]"I don't know."[/b][/color] Hiro sighed. [color=ec008c][b]"But probably more than I'm thinking. If a Yamagata employee is hiring a netrunner, then chances are they're planning some big hack. Did you find anything else on Miss Hayworth? Her affiliations, friends, relatives?"[/b][/color] [b]"Yeah, sure I did Samurai."[/b] Scoffed Emma. Hiro could feel her rolling her eyes on the other end. [b]"All while I was between Nancy's legs."[/b] [color=ec008c][b]"Spare me the details, Em."[/b][/color] Hiro muttered in reply. [color=ec008c][b]"I could care less about you and your girlfriend getting it on. Just meet me here. I'm gonna find out what Yamagata's up to."[/b][/color] [b]"If we go snooping around in corpo business, you and me are gonna end up dead."[/b] Said Emma sternly. [b]"Or fired. Which is worse, but fuck it. I'll see you there."[/b] [color=ec008c][b]"Right. Tell Nancy I said hello."[/b][/color] He smirked to himself as he hung up, just as the door swung open and the woman and her corpo stepped out. [color=ec008c][b]"Shit!"[/b][/color] Hiro cursed under his breath, trying his damndest yet again to avoid suspicion. It didn't take Hiro long to notice stumbling his way was the blonde from before. Immediately he grabbed her by her wrist, eliciting a surprised yelp from her has he pulled her close. [color=ec008c][b]"Come here!"[/b][/color] He whispered hastily, propping her against the wall and covering her with his body. [color=ec008c][b]"Act like you love me, alright?"[/b][/color] [color=00aeef][b][i]"W-what?!"[/i][/b][/color] She stammered in shock, her eyes widened. [color=00aeef][b][i]"Fuck off!"[/i][/b][/color] Suddenly her knee violently connected with Hiro's crotch, forcing the detective to his knees. The blonde scoffed at him, her middle finger extended firmly in his grimacing face. [color=00aeef][b][i]"You had your chance, dickhead!"[/i][/b][/color] She turned swiftly on her heels then stormed off, leaving Hiro on the floor to nurse his wounded pride...and his junk. [color=ec008c][b]"Ugh...bitch!"[/b][/color] Hiro muttered through clenched teeth, slowly staggering to a standing position despite the constant throbbing from his pelvic area. [color=ec008c][b]"If one my kids ends up being retarded, I'll know it's because of you."[/b][/color] Taking a deep breath inward, the detective collected himself then resumed following Kazuma and the runner.