Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 177 36 Arasaka Haruko

Chapter 177 36. Arasaka Haruko
"Ding."

The elevator has reached the 100th floor.

Looking at the door slowly opening in front of him, Carl took a breath and then exhaled. After the door was completely opened, he stepped into the large flat where Tavernier's suite was located.

"It's exactly nine o'clock, not a minute off."

Kenichi Shiro, wearing his usual black suit, stood at the elevator door and nodded at Karl.

"You didn't break your promise."

I arrived on time at the right time, so it would be strange if I broke the appointment. I have mastered the skill of arriving on time to the highest level when I was in school.

"Mr. Kenichi Shiro."

Carl responded by nodding as a greeting, and then he noticed that something was different about Kenichi Shiro today.

On the left collar of Kenichi Shiro's black suit, he wore a brooch that he had never worn before. Judging from the style, it was a silver brooch in the shape of a chrysanthemum.

On that pin, there was the Arasaka logo.

Carl had heard that among Arasaka, people with sufficient status would wear a silver pin with the Arasaka logo on the left side of their collar, while executives who had served in Arasaka combat units would wear a more distinguished Arasaka logo pin with a chrysanthemum shape.

Looking at Kenichi Shiro's pin, Carl understood who Kenichi Shiro was today.

He is no longer his boss in the detective agency, but a loyal servant of the Arasaka family.

There is no doubt that Arasaka Haruko herself is here.

"The lady is waiting for you."

After saying this, Kenichi Shiro stood beside the elevator door without any movement, just motioned Carl to go forward.

Carl didn't say anything. He walked forward a few steps, passed Kenichi Shiro, and then he saw the view of the entire flat.

On the right side of the suite is the bathroom, and on the left side, there is an outdoor staircase connected to the rooftop helipad. Through the transparent bulletproof glass, one can vaguely see the brilliance of Night City. Not far from the staircase, in the middle of the suite, there is a small coffee table facing the large indoor screen. On the cushion next to the coffee table, Arasaka Haruko, wearing the same cherry blossom-colored kimono as the last time they met, is sitting there, fiddling with the tea set.

Carl took a few steps closer and saw clearly what Haruko was doing. She was making matcha with a tea whisk.

Regarding Karl’s arrival, she tilted her head slightly towards where he was, obviously already aware of it, but judging from her appearance, she was not in a hurry to talk to Karl.

She didn't say anything, and Karl certainly wasn't prepared to speak.

After looking around and finding no particularly good place to sit, Carl simply walked to her side and sat down on another raised cushion in front of her right.

I stared at Haruko for a few seconds. Haruko was the same as the last time I saw her. She was no different. She was still a little thin, with long hair that fell to her waist and was as soft as silk. She still had a beautiful and dignified face like a princess of the Warring States Period. She looked exactly the same as before.

However, even if it was the second time they met, Karl still had to say it.

He didn't care much about appearance, but he really liked Haruko's eyes.

I don’t know if that pair of eyes are artificial, but they are very beautiful, just like the night sky, as if you can see the reflection of stars.

These are the stars that cannot be seen in the night city with serious light pollution.

Time passed very quietly. The only sound in the entire flat was the rustling sound of the thin tea whisk brushing against the liquid.

After more than ten seconds, Haruko stopped moving her hands. She turned the handle of the tea whisk upside down and carefully placed it on the tea whisk holder on the coffee table. Then, she held the foamy matcha in both hands and placed it in front of Carl.

"Please use."

Haruko stared at Carl with a smile, looking like a tea artist who had completed his work and was inviting guests to taste tea.

Carl stared at the green, foaming tea, and several thoughts flashed through his mind.

This kind of thing appeared in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and even developed into a part of the tea banquet. He was not unfamiliar with it, but
The young tea leaves are steamed, baked and dried, then ground into matcha powder using a stone mill, and beaten with real water using a tea whisk. In 2075, this was considered a bit too luxurious.

Seeing Carl looking at the matcha, Haruko thought he was hesitating about the brand, so she explained, "This is the matcha from Ippodo Tea Shop in Kyoto. It has been four hundred years since its establishment. I think this is the best tasting matcha."

"No, I'm not curious about the brand." Carl actually wanted to say that matcha is too bitter, can milk be added?

I remember adding milk is also a way to drink it, but it seems to be often criticized by traditionalists.

Remember to hold it with both hands as a courtesy.
Carl took the small porcelain cup of matcha with both hands, and without even thinking about tasting the flavor, he just gulped it down.

Then, a bitter taste starts from the tip of the tongue and spreads all the way into the stomach.

"It's really bitter. She must have put too much tea powder in it."

As the bitterness fades, a fresh tea fragrance begins to spread from the mouth. Savor it carefully.
It’s still very bitter.

Putting down the finished teacup, Carl looked at Haruko and said, "I have finished my tea, can I start my report now?"

"No need."

Haruko shook her head: "I don't want to hear these little things."

Three hundred and twenty thousand euros, especially when it comes to the assassination of your people, can that be considered a small matter?

but.

"Since you don't intend to listen, then my procedure is complete, right?"

Karl just wanted to get up: “Can I leave now?”

"No."

Haruko stared at Karl with her eyes: "I don't care about trivial matters, but there are some important things I want to ask you."

"important things?"

Hearing what Haruko said, Karl, who had just stood up quickly, sat down again: "Is it about salary? How much bonus are you going to give? I did a good job last time, didn't I?"

"."

After staring at Carl's face for a few seconds, Haruko sighed.

"This is a small matter. You need to talk to Mr. Kenichi Shiro about the salary."

"So, what is the important thing, you tell me."

Carl noticed the scrutinizing gaze coming from the elevator door, and subconsciously sat up straighter.

The boss is watching, so I have to perform well in front of my boss's boss.

"I have a proposal."

Haruko placed her hands flat on her knees.

"A proposal that may be acceptable to you."

"proposal?"

Carl felt that the scrutinizing gaze seemed to be getting sharper.

"What proposal?"