Chapter 55

Uh…

Oops, seems like he let something slip.

Roche's expression suddenly turned ugly.

[Just think of me as being clairvoyant, anyway, I'm not your enemy, so don't take it out on me.]

He wanted to roll his eyes speechlessly, but there were other people around.

"What? Don't have a clue about how much trouble you've brought upon yourself?"

Seeing Roche's silence, Rogue thought he was at a loss for words and continued to ask.

"Do you really want me to bring up the past, Ms. Rogue?"

Nonchalantly sitting on the sofa, Roche didn't plan to back down, instead turning the tables.

"In 2023, Arasaka Tower, the day Johnny Silverhand disappeared and died, you just took off."

He stared intently at Rogue's eyes, the once radiant face still holding a hint of the past's charm.

He wanted to see if, after fifty years, this once legendary figure had her backbone broken.

"Do you want to talk about it in more detail, or do you want to have a proper conversation?"

"Heh…"

Rogue laughed without anger.

"You've got guts, kid. Not every man can be like you, but I like it."

There was not a trace of tension or anger on her face, only more satisfaction.

She relaxed her body and leaned back onto the sofa.

"Fine, let's put this behind us. But… I often say this – acting on a hunch will definitely backfire."

"Since it's business, and you want my help, prepare the money first."

She looked at Roche, with a faint smile on her face.

"What if I don't have the money? Will you have someone throw me out?"

Roche glanced at the balance on his card and raised an eyebrow.

"No, I would say – come back when you have the money. Be practical."

Even facing such provocation, Rogue didn't budge at all.

This was one of the most difficult and formidable people Roche had ever encountered in his life.

Even if she were an enemy, in front of her, just using language to communicate could smoothly carry the conversation forward.

[Damn, no fixer is simple, except for that stupid shit Dexter.]

Roche complained to Johnny with a bitter smile.

[Because she's freaking Rogue.]Johnny didn't skimp on praising her in his own style,[But she has changed.]

[People change, especially after fifty years, or more precisely, fifty-four years.]Roche said.

[The eyes don't lie, Rogue is still Rogue… tell her about me, she will help you.]

Sighing, Johnny made a decision.

[Are you sure?]

[Why bother asking, just say it.]Johnny said impatiently.

[I think you two had something going on, you playboy?]

Roche smirked and teased.

[You're just a kid who hasn't even grown his hair, you don't understand.]Johnny revealed that familiar smug tone,[Rogue never says "no" to me.]

With the mercenary bodyguard's gaze fixed on Roche and Maelstrom, ready to draw their guns and start firing at any sign of trouble, Roche leaned into Rogue's ear and whispered.

"Johnny Silverhand, in my hands."

A kidnapper's tone, indeed.

Then he saw Rogue's eyes, as if she were looking at a cyberpsycho, along with a look of disgust.

——

Lieutenant Moir's official prototype is Major Motoko Kusanagi from "Ghost in the Shell". Here are two images of Kusanagi from "Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045".

So Moir's full name is "Motoko Moir." Yay!

[Great, they think I'm an idiot.]

Roche knew that this straightforward approach wouldn't work.

He took off his Bluetooth earpiece and handed it to Rogue.

Rogue looked at it with a glance from under her deep eye makeup and took it.

"I didn't expect people to still use this stuff these days."

Roche just smiled and watched her stuff the earpiece into her hair.

[Johnny, say hello to your old acquaintance.]

He didn't need the earpiece and could still communicate with Johnny through that still-mysterious system.

Speaking of which… what exactly was it?

He'd ask Rogue later; maybe she knew something.

Roche nodded secretly, looking at her with anticipation.

At this moment, Rogue was still sitting in that "big shot" posture and then glared at him with sharp eyes.

"You're trying to fool me with this electronic synthesized thing? This joke isn't funny." She retracted her arm, leaning back gently, the last hint of a smile disappearing from her eyes, "It's a pretty good imitation, though. You must've put a lot of effort into it?"

Hearing her say this, Roche was first taken aback, then showed a wry smile.

Turns out she didn't believe him at all.

"No, this Johnny is real."

Roche explained palely, without any convincing power.

He looked around, worried about eavesdroppers, lowered his head and whispered urgently.

"Johnny, just say something only the two of you would know. I'm about to be thrown out onto the streets as a fraud!"

Having said that, he backed away and nervously watched Rogue's reaction.

It felt so thrilling, getting involved in the stories of two former legends.

At first, Rogue still had a poker face. Then Roche saw her eyebrows twitch slightly, her eyes starting to waver, and she looked around, signaling the people nearby to leave.

Her lips were deeply bitten by her teeth, then she squinted, exhaled a heavy breath, swept Roche and Moir with a stare devoid of any hostility, supported her thighs with both hands, and sat up.

"Enough!"

Rogue suddenly shouted, and the air froze abruptly.

Sitting on the sofa and communicating with their eyes, Roche and Moir were startled before realizing she wasn't angry.

[Damn it! Johnny! What the hell did you say to her? We're here to form an alliance, not make enemies.]Roche hurriedly asked,[You usually spout nonsense, but now you've learned to be shy?]

Johnny didn't send the audio information to Roche, so he couldn't relay the information through the system and had no way of knowing what unspeakable secrets Johnny had told Rogue in those few short minutes.

[It's just the stuff between men and women, what else could it be? I told you, Rogue won't refuse me.]

He said triumphantly.

[Damn, a scumbag right beside me.]Roche rolled his eyes.

"Follow me."

Rogue stood up and led the way.

Roche and Moir exchanged glances and followed her.

Passing through the extraordinary bar atmosphere, walking through the interweaving lights and shadows of the corridor, they entered a private room deep inside the Afterlife.

The moment the door closed, the buzzing and murmuring from the outside world disappeared.

The room was eerily quiet.

"I'll ask one last time, is this really not something you guys made up..."

Rogue took a deep breath, walked forward, questioned halfway, then retreated on her own.

"It's impossible, impossible, how the hell could you still be alive?"

[But I am still alive.]

Having said those little secrets that only the two of them knew, Rogue had accepted the reality.

"Could you two please wait outside for a moment? I need to talk to him alone."

Rogue sat down on the sofa, her face serious.

"…Fine."

Roche thought for a moment, took out his PDA, and handed it to her.

"Johnny is on the relic in the slot. Pulling it out might cause problems. Enjoy your chat."

Then the two of them opened the door, and the mercenary at the door made way for them.

More than half an hour later, as Roche and Moir sat side by side, almost stuffed to death by the dog food next door, the tall, dark figure came over and patted Roche's shoulder.

It seemed that Johnny and Rogue had either finished their talk... or it had broken down.

But when they walked back into the private room, the scene inside was surprisingly harmonious.

"Call Claire to bring a bottle of wine."