Take It Easy

A few days had passed since the Badlands gig. That meant Lei had time to kill. Waiting around for Panam was a task in itself. It truly made her anxious since a cure was her most important goal. After that? A question for the future. 

Since there was nothing to do except twiddle her thumbs, why not find a way to spend the day? There were a few things she could do. Arasaka was throwing a parade tonight. She could go explore and then take a look at the end of day. 

And so…Lei found herself standing outside of the Kabuki train station. She didn't go out in her merc gear today. No…today was a day of rest. A backpack kept it all tucked away!

Wearing a white crop top shirt with black stripes, her smooth stomach was on full display. Her pierced belly button only added to the allure. Her slim but toned legs were covered by black leather jeans. Black boots wrapped in white silicone straps completed the look.

Well…not quite. A soft black choker wrapped her pale neck in a snug grip. Its material was ribbon-like. Every single bit of her clothing was chosen to accent her silky black hair and black painted nails. Lei truly resembled a goth rocker girl. 

That was if one ignored the modified Burya strapped to her left leg. Still, the way the holster straps hugged her thigh and waist emphasized the curves of her bottom. A hottie forsure. 

'Just picturing a gonk like you rocking out to one of my shows. Man…Kerry would've been head over heels. Letting you step on him and all that shit.' Johnny commented. Lei walked forward with a hum. 

'Could've just said I look nice, Johnny.'

Lei continued her pace. She couldn't help but window shop, not knowing what exactly she'd like to get…if anything. Clothing, accessories, souvenirs, etc. She even passed a few joytoys in the middle of their shifts. 

Eventually, she reached the Kabuki Roundabout. This was a tourist attraction and only a few blocks away from Jig-Jig Street. Her empty grey eyes roamed the vendors and stalls. On the higher floors were stores that sold more important or dangerous things.

'By the way. Who's Kerry?' She thought to ask.

'Thought you said you did your research on me?'

'I did.'

'But you don't know?'

'Can you just answer the question?'

'Kerry Eurodyne. He was a member of my band. Samurai. A weak-minded coward.'

'Messed up thing to say about a friend.' Lei commented.

'He may be a coward, but he could surprise you in ways one wouldn't expect. I'm sure he's living the life right now.'

'Wanna go see him one day?' She offered.

'Sure. Why not.'

'Anyone else you wanna see now that you can?'

'...Alt.' He said. His voice was gentle. Much more than usual.

'We'll be seeing her soon anyway. I was talking about people in the flesh.'

'You asked. I answered.' Johnny stated. 

The smell of something delicious wafted into the rocker girl's nose. It made her stomach rumble a bit. Following the yummy in her tummy, she soon located the source. A ramen shop was built into the roundabout, allowing people to sit in front of the table. 

Lei joined the already eating customers, ready to order something. A middle aged Japanese man could be seen over the table cooking nonstop. Upon noticing her, he stepped over. 

"What can I get you?" His words were Japanese as well, but her cyberdeck translated it effortlessly. 

"Mmmm…I'll take a pork blaze miso." She said after reading the menu on the wall. 

"Spice level?"

"One below the most spicy. Oh! And this is to go."

"Alright. Let me fix that up for you."

A few minutes went by as he cooked it up. It smelt heavenly, not to mention everyone else's meals. The chef put the completed dish in one plastic cup, while the actual broth was placed in another. This would prevent everything from growing too stale or soggy.

"Here you go."

Both of their eyes shined as credits were sent over. Lei took the bag and quickly made her way out of the roundabout. She was hungry, and she'd decided to eat it at her destination. 

The rocker girl went past Jig Jig Street. A few blocks later, she turned onto a side street. A makeshift ramp could be found on the side of a building. It seemed to lead somewhere further up. 

Lei went up the ramp, ducked under some A/C ventilators, leapt over a small gap between roofs, all while following the trail. The sound of laughter and conversation soon reached her ears. After squeezing in between two thin walls and stepping over a railing, she came to a large rooftop clearing.

Young adults and late teens could be found congregating the place. They all seemed to have their own cliques, with some people going between them. In the middle of the area were two men fighting in hand to hand combat. It was more brawling than actual combat though. Street fighting. 

This was a fighting competition where people could watch, make bets, or participate themselves. It was a friendly type of hangout, only privy to those who did their research or heard by word of mouth. 

Multiple people observed the newcomer's entry. It had grown a bit quieter. Lei could only give a slight smile before sitting on the edge of one of the roofs. Her looks had gathered a small bit of attention, but her demeanor had gained even more. Only then was she scrutinized fully.

This was all casual though. Not the type of scrutiny like an exclusive club. More like curiosity. The sickly girl wasn't bothered at all. She immediately opened her bag and pulled out its contents. 

'Twenty minutes.' Johnny said while glitching onto a makeshift chair. Actually a cardboard box.

'Until?' 

'Someone grows the courage to come up to you.'

'Sure…'

'Set a timer if you think I'm lying.'

Just to prove him wrong, she set a timer. Lei didn't think anyone would be speaking to her today. Conversing with someone who could possibly be a cyberpsycho was a risk that most people wouldn't take. 

Anyways…onto more important things. She couldn't stop her hum as the broth poured into the bowl full of noodles. Everything about it looked delicious, from the color of the broth to the beansprouts. 

The chopsticks were cracked open then scraped together just to avoid any splinters. Can never be too careful. Then it was time. A mouthful of noodles and pork…

"Mmmm…" She hummed quietly. 

A few of the nearby teens and young adults glanced at her curiously. But they didn't understand. This shit…was heavenly. Incredible flavor for the pallet. 

As she ate, two bald headed twins stepped into the middle. They were identical down to the clothing they wore. Even the way they finished each other's sentences. 

"Who wants to fight us?" One of the twins said. 

"Two versus one isn't a fair fight. Why would anyone do that? A pair of twins? Really?" A random guy spoke up. Both twins crossed their arms. 

"We aren't twins! I'm just one man controlling two bodies."

"Sure, good try. Not believing that." A woman commented. 

That was when someone else stood up. A young man with messy pink hair approached the duo. His neck and hands were covered in tattoos, the rest hidden inside his clothing. He wore a red shirt covered by a black leather jacket. Black leather jeans and shoes to finish…he was a pretty boy. Delinquent type. A chain hung from his jeans, clipped to the belt loops. 

Lei frowned at the man. His demeanor, tattoos, and bright colored hair reminded her of the Tyger Claws. This guy was definitely gang related. 

"I'm up for it. How much are we betting?" He asked. The bald twins put up a finger. 

"Ten thousand credits. Sure you wanna lose so badly?"

"Don't be so sure. If you fight unfairly, you probably only rely on numbers. Could be a trash fighter."

"Yeah right. Let's go." One of the twins scoffed. The two squared off.