Goro Takemura x Reader

One

"You won't be gone too long?", Yorinobu asked, glancing over his shoulder.

He was sitting on one of the many stools, covered with pearl-white fabric and legs made of real wood, and was once again engrossed in his work. In front of him, the image of a man flickered on the news.

You recognised him. It was Hellman, one of the prestigious bio engineers who worked with you on a project. You had only met him a handful of times, but knew with just one glance at the screen that he presented himself better than he really was.

With a sound of agreement and a nod, you acknowledged Yorinobu's question.

No answer came back, although he had seemed so worried a few moments ago.

Only when you threw your loose red linen jacket over your shoulders, covering the black kimono underneath, did he become alert.

His brown eyes wandered along the soft curves of the fabric. A breath later his eyebrows drew together.

"He's had a new kimono made for you again.", it wasn't a question.

Neither of you needed an answer, because it was obvious.

"If you weren't so stubborn, Chichi would send you something too.", you replied and checked once more that the obi of your clothes was tied tight enough.

A discontented grumble could be heard from him. He had turned back to his work.

"He bribes you.", he only said, no hint of blame or reproach in his voice, which made him unmistakably Japanese by the accent.

Even if Yorinobu and you did not agree, he was still fair enough to accept that you disagreed. He did not hold it against you that you did not refuse his father's expensive gifts, whether it was out of politeness or because they all suited you.

He too had once been so spoilt, so where could he have got the right to judge you?

And still he lived very comfortably thanks to the money and influence his family name brought with it. There were always two sides to a coin, he had just chosen the side you had not.

Yet you were both part of Arasaka. He because of his blood. You, because of his father's decision.

"You won't be gone too long?", he asked after a while again.

You frowned, a little annoyed by his mindlessness. Even though you two did not shared the same DNA he never failed to act like a big brother towards you.

"I already told you.", you said with a hint of irritation in your voice.

He raised a finger as to scold you.

"Not in this tone.", there was a audible smile in his words.

You sighed.

"I just want to go out for a bit. Look at the city. Talk to people."

As he looked up from his tablet again, the expression on his face was dark.

"This is Night City.", he simply said.

"I know."

"Violence everywhere."

"I know."

"Drugs."

"And blue haired dolls.", you said with a grin on your face that said it all.

He didn't find that reference very funny and instead did a gesture that told you to get lost.

"Take my flying vehicle.", he finally called out as you were about to enter the lift. And don't be out for too long. "I can ask Smashed to accompany you also. Just to be safe."

The doors swung open with a soft ringing sound. Japanese music reached your ears from the inside. It was amusing that, no matter what language, elevator music sounded always annoying.

"I'm fine, Nii-San.", you said, more softly and with a smile this time. "I'm going at daytime."

"That doesn't mean anything in this city.", for the first time in hours he got up from his seat.

Yorinobu Arasaka was quite tall, considering that his own father wasn't and his mother also hadn't been. Even Hanako wasn't remotely close to his height and she was his biological sister.

It made you wonder if he ever had his legs adjusted through cyberware. Or perhaps he had just gotten the long end of the genetic pool stick.

As always, he was dressed vainly but rather simple, in some black dressing pants, the shoes matching and a metallic purplish buttoned up shirt which's pattern resembled the scales of a koi.

It was his favourite, along with a very plain golden chain around his neck and the black shades that he used to darken the expression in his very honest eyes.

His usual expression was grumpy, perhaps because he was already of a certain age. But over the years you had learned that he struggled to make his eyes lie the way his lips did.

You eyed him for a moment before a sigh of defeat escaped your lips.

"If it calms your anxiety, I'll keep my tracker on hand.", you opened your hand and waited.

His gaze lingered on the palm, followed the lines that showed what profession you followed in the corporation.

Even though you were a bio engineer, you weren't quite fond of cyberware. Most of your body was still natural, besides a few extras like some teeth that had needed fixing and screws that kept your right thumb together after you had broken it by accident.

Everything that was seen as common in this day and age you didn't have. Even Yorinobu had at least the smallest modes built in, like a radio or a communicator with which he could make phone calls and payments. And he was considered meagrely equipped by Night City standards.

You, however, were human, down to the last bit of cells. A strangely unique thing in a place like this.

After a while, he took a deep breath, lifted his glasses from his nose and massaged the bridge for a moment. Then he turned around, went to his bedside cabinet and took something out.

His attention was occupied for a moment before he looked up again and placed a small box in your outstretched hand.

"Press the button twice if you're in trouble.", he said, ruffling through your (H/C) hair like one did with a child. "A team will rescue you before a second passes."

You curled your nose.

"I know.", the elevator doors rolled shut.