Goro Takemura x Reader

Twenty-Five

Your gaze was fixed onto Takemura as he placed himself in front of the car, his hands folded in front of his stomach.

Another man joined his side. You remembered him. It was Oda, Hanako's personal bodyguard. It struck you as odd that she had ordered him to join Takemura on this mission otherwise he would have never left her side.

Oda was so loyal to Hanako that you thought he was in love with her. And maybe he was, although it wouldn't matter. Hanako wasn't into younger men, especially not when they had a temper.

But he was fine looking, you had to admit that. Yet, Takemura struck your taste a little more, a little taller than Oda, with wider shoulders and a kind of confidence that only came with age.

It was his maturity that made you feel like you could fall back in him without a worry in your mind. A great deal in a partner.

A dangerous threat in someone who's sole duty it was to keep an eye on you. You needed to be careful around him, that much was clear.

But time and time again you found yourself failing. You wanted to be kind to him. Out of all the people in this godforsaken city he seemed most worthy of it.

"Okada-san.", Goro's voice flooded your head through the headphones that covered your ears.

You could see him how in front of the car and for the glimpse of a second the outlines of a woman appeared. She seemed old, quite short and slightly bend over her posture.

You couldn't make out the details of her face but she had greyish hair.

After Takemura had left you alone, you had made sure to connect yourself with the exterior system of the car. That way you were able to listen in on the conversation without sparking any suspicions.

The tech was so old it almost counted as ancient. Most modern programs didn't even pick up the signals no more since it was irrelevant.

It wasn't able to save information or spy on some mega corp, but it got the job done.

"Hm.", the woman who Takemura had addressed as Okada tilted her head to eye him from all sides. "A gentleman, I see."

Just as expected, she spoke Japanese. Her voice had this old undertone that only a woman with many experiences had. Yet there was this amusement in her words.

Almost like a grandma who got to judge the new boyfriend of her beloved granddaughter.

"Okada-san.", Oda bowed to her too, only to be disciplined by Takemura the next second.

"Show some respect.", he mumbled and placed a hand in the younger man's neck so that he'd bow even deeper. "It's Okada-sama to you."

With a low groan, Oda did as he was told. Although his displeasure couldn't be ignored.

Luckily for all parties involved, Okada seemed like a rather calm and feisty woman. It wasn't a given that people of older age excused the ignorance of the younger generation. Especially not amongst those who still valued old traditions.

She just smiled, a strange expression if you were honest to yourself, and did a gesture to dismiss the young man's rudeness.

"They learn with time, don't they?", she asked Takemura, who seemed to be more of interest to her. "Tell me, Arasaka samurai, why did you have the audacity to seek me out?"

Her old eyes narrowed behind thick glasses. She could have gotten them replaced or fixed, modern medicine allowed many wonders to happen. But the fact that she preferred old methods made you think that she was also open for discussion.

Takemura bowed once more, one arm placed before his stomach, the other behind his back. Almost as if he was to appeal to a queen.

Jealousy stuck you.

But why?

Wakako seemed older than Takemura, or at least she hadn't aged as well as him. Either way, she was a woman who wouldn't have suited him.

And he was a man who was interested in results rather than long conversations and exchanges of charming mannerism.

His eyes fell upon her.

She seemed to back away. Or at least her shoulder stiffened. The smug look of intelligence remained though. She was just careful, like a bunny who was aware of the fox.

"You are one of the biggest fixers in Night City.", as he spoke, his words oozed with respect and a hint of admiration. "We are in need of information."

"You could have went to anyone.", her eyes narrowed, her face written with mistrust.

"But you are known for you... discretion."

"And for my disliking of Arasaka.", she pronounced it in a particular kind of way, just to make sure that no one around would get the wrong idea and consider her a dog of the corporations. "You should know my history, don't you? After all, you are a man of Arasaka. They must have provided you with some history."

Takemura did not let himself be irritated by those small hints and digs at him. He remained calm, so calm, that even Oda managed to keep his temper in check.

"Okada-san. My deepest apologies for what has happened in the past. But must I remind you that it is Arasaka who allows your business to... flourish?", he threw a quick glance over his shoulder, perhaps to create a dramatic pause or just to make sure that you were still safe inside the car. "It is us who can end this... business of yours. Arasaka has its main focus on Japantown. It would be quite convenient to take back this territory. What do you think? New streets paid for by Arasaka? Corpos instead of Tigers. Your people would have to give way. To Pacifica, perhaps."

He threw a glance at Oda who answered his mind games with a snug expression.

"I heard the Voodoo Boys are known for their hospitality.", he replied with his chin raised.

He kept his hands crossed in front of his stomach as well. Perhaps the student wasn't too far from the master.

Wakako let out a low sound. She knew that, in the end, she was just a fixer and Arasaka unspoken law. There was no way she'd be able to resist. This was a war she could not win.

"Very well.", she put on her grandmotherly smile again. "What is it that you are looking for?"

Takemura approached her, pulled a chip out of his inner pocket and handed it to her with both hands.

"Information on these two shall be enough for your safety.", he said.