Chapter 49: Kitagawa Shizuka

The Rayfield Caliburn smoothly rolled into the underground parking lot of the towering megabuilding, its sleek, cutting-edge body gleaming as it parked. The car, with its streamlined profile, was a rare sight—an apex predator in a sea of average vehicles.

Lin Mo stepped out, making his way to the elevator. With a familiar tap, he hit the button for the 15th floor. The elevator ascended, humming quietly as it rose. When it stopped, Lin Mo emerged into a hallway filled with clutter and the occasional loitering street punk. Graffiti-covered walls, trash, and broken furniture lined the corridors—just another forgotten corner of Night City's sprawling chaos.

He weaved his way through, finally reaching Kitagawa Hiro's door. He pressed the bell, and the door slid open to reveal Hiro, who greeted him with a respectful bow, stepping aside to let him in.

Lin Mo sighed inwardly. The former Tiger Claw enforcer's strict adherence to respect and hierarchy was something he still wasn't used to, even after several encounters. But it was clear now—Hiro had accepted Lin Mo as someone worth that deference, a sharp contrast from their first meeting, when suspicion and caution were thick in the air.

As Lin Mo entered the cramped but clean apartment, he noticed something different—a softness in the air. There were subtle changes in the décor, small touches that made the place feel more lived-in, more comfortable.

Sitting on the sofa was a girl, no older than 18, with long, flowing black hair and a face so delicate it looked like porcelain. Her skin was pale, and her eyes, a deep black, were void of the typical energy that filled most people. She stared at the table in front of her, her gaze distant, her entire demeanor fragile, like a doll left too long in a dusty attic.

This was Kitagawa Shizuka, Hiro's sister. Lin Mo had only ever seen her from a distance, usually hiding behind her brother, a fleeting shadow. Now, seeing her up close, he understood what Hiro meant when he'd joked that they didn't look like siblings. Her refined, almost ethereal beauty was in stark contrast to Hiro's rugged, battle-worn face.

Shizuka must have sensed Lin Mo's presence because she slowly lifted her head, meeting his gaze for the briefest moment. Something flickered in her eyes—an acknowledgment of his arrival, if nothing else.

"Kitagawa Shizuka," Lin Mo reminded himself. Hiro had mentioned her name before, though never in detail.

Instinctively, Lin Mo reached into his jacket, realizing too late that he hadn't thought to bring a gift. It was rude, sure, but it was too late to go back now. He decided to roll with it.

Hiro, ever the respectful host, moved over to his sister, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. His voice was low and soothing as he introduced Lin Mo.

"Shizuka, this is Lin Mo—Lin-kun. The one I told you about. He's the one who helped save you."

Shizuka blinked, her gaze flicking to Lin Mo before dropping again. She seemed hesitant, unsure of what to say or do. After a moment of stillness, she whispered, her voice barely audible, "Thank you, Lin... Onii-san, for saving me and my brother."

Lin Mo: "..."

Hiro: "..."

The air in the room suddenly became thick with awkward silence. Lin Mo turned to look at Hiro, confusion etched across his face. Hiro, equally baffled, returned the look. Their eyes locked, and somehow, in that silent exchange, they both understood.

Did you not tell her I'm only sixteen? Lin Mo's expression seemed to ask.

Hiro's slight shrug gave him away. No. Didn't come up.

So, should I just play along? Lin Mo's eyes conveyed his exasperation.

Hiro gave a reluctant nod. It would probably be best.

Shizuka tilted her head, looking between the two as if she sensed their silent conversation.

"What... are you doing?" she asked quietly, her voice still soft but laced with curiosity.

Hiro, seizing the moment to break the tension, coughed awkwardly. "Ahem. Lin-kun isn't used to being called 'Onii-san,' that's all. Maybe you could call him 'Lin-kun' or 'Mo-kun' instead?"

Shizuka looked down, her fingers gently gripping the fabric of the sofa as she shyly glanced up at Lin Mo. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice dropped even lower.

"Can I call you... Lin Onii-san?" she asked timidly.

Lin Mo: "..."

This was becoming a habit—he was finding himself at a loss for words more frequently than he liked. But seeing the genuine, almost childlike hope in Shizuka's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to reject the idea.

Suddenly, a message notification blinked in Lin Mo's field of view. He opened it, and sure enough, it was from Hiro.

[Hiro: Lin-kun, I know this is unusual, but please play along. She needs a strong, reliable figure right now. You're the closest thing to a brother she's had since... well, everything.]

Lin Mo sighed, accepting the weight of the request. With a nod, he crouched down in front of Shizuka, gently taking her hand. From his holster, he pulled out a sleek, high-grade Arasaka Techtronica smart pistol, placing it carefully in her hands.

"This is for you," he said quietly.

Hiro's eyes widened in surprise. "Lin-kun, you don't have to—"

Lin Mo waved off Hiro's concern, his focus on Shizuka. Her wide eyes darted between him and the weapon, clearly unsure of what to make of it.

"I'm not the best at comforting people," Lin Mo admitted, his voice steady, "but I'm giving you this because I want you to be able to protect yourself. Your brother and I can't always be around. But know this—if anything happens to you, your brother will stop at nothing to find you. And I'll be right there with him."

Shizuka's eyes softened, her fingers tightening around the pistol. "Lin... Onii-san... you're worried about me?" she asked quietly.

Lin Mo nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. After a brief pause, he reached out and gently patted her head, his voice warm but firm.

"You need to learn to protect yourself, Shizuka. When you're ready, let your brother teach you how to handle that gun properly."

At his touch, Shizuka trembled slightly, her face growing redder, her long lashes fluttering as she lowered her head to hide her expression.

Moments later, Lin Mo stepped out of the apartment, Hiro close behind him. The two of them left Shizuka with some final instructions, though Hiro's mood had noticeably shifted.

Once they were alone in the hallway, Hiro's shoulders slumped, the weight of the world pressing down on him.

"Don't beat yourself up, man," Lin Mo said, nudging him with an elbow. "You look like someone just crashed your favorite bike."

Hiro let out a long, heavy sigh. "I'm happy Shizuka's recovering... I really am. But it feels like—"

"Like she's leaning on me more than you?" Lin Mo cut in, finishing the thought Hiro couldn't seem to vocalize.

Hiro hesitated, then nodded slowly, his expression one of resignation. "Yeah... something like that."

Lin Mo clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it. She's used to you being her protector, her caretaker. You're more like a father figure to her than a brother. She's leaned on you her whole life. Now, I'm just the new guy—someone who helped when she needed it most. It's natural she sees me in that role right now."

Hiro seemed to mull over Lin Mo's words for a moment before nodding in understanding. "You're right. I didn't think of it that way."

With a small grin, Lin Mo added, "Let's just focus on the job for now. We've got work waiting at Wakako's."

"Yeah, you're right," Hiro replied, visibly shaking off the tension.

The two made their way down to the underground parking lot, where Hiro finally noticed the Rayfield Caliburn parked in the corner. His jaw dropped.

"This car... it's yours, Lin-kun?" he asked, awestruck.

Lin Mo leaned casually against the car, flashing a grin. "Yeah. You like it?"

Hiro stared at the car like he was looking at a dream. "I knew you were doing well, but... this is the kind of car legends drive."

Lin Mo chuckled, amused by Hiro's reaction. "Want to take it for a spin?"

Hiro's hands twitched slightly, a look of longing in his eyes. "You'd let me?"

"Get in," Lin Mo replied, opening the door for him.

Hiro didn't need to be told twice. He slid into the driver's seat, his hands reverently gripping the steering wheel. As he fired up the engine, the Caliburn growled to life, the sound resonating through the garage like a beast ready to be unleashed.

With a grin, Hiro pulled out of the parking lot, the Caliburn roaring as it sped toward the heart of Night City.