Lin Mo noticed Hiro Kitagawa's awkwardness and patted him on the shoulder, saying casually:
"I actually made some good eddies today—and it's my first completed gig. All you need to do is put in a few kind words for me with Wakako. This meal's on me."
Hiro looked conflicted, but after everything he already owed, one more favor didn't seem like a big deal.
He nodded seriously and accepted.
Originally, he had planned to grab a quick street meal and crash in the alley behind the clinic, staying nearby to look after his unconscious sister. But now that Lin Mo had invited him out, and her condition had stabilized—with a ripperdoc watching over her—letting her rest inside for the night was clearly the best option.
After thinking it over, Hiro decided not to reject Lin Mo's offer. Getting out for a bit might do him some good too.
They informed Viktor and Misty and headed into Little China for a night out.
Well, "night out" might be generous. They basically found a half-decent place and scarfed down some barely edible synthetic food.
After dinner, Hiro led Lin Mo to Lizzie's Bar in Kabuki—one of Night City's more famous nighttime hangouts.
It was also the most renowned braindance parlor in town.
In truth, nearly every entertainment venue in Night City revolved around three elements:
Booze, braindance, and sex dolls.
Like inseparable sisters, those three could be found in nearly every club, lounge, and bar.
Lizzie's was no exception. Alongside strong drinks, it also offered premium braindance sessions.
The bar was run by a small gang called the Mox—Night City's newest player, founded in 2067.
As they approached, a parking lot came into view out front.
A few women stood guard near the entrance, wielding bats and blunt weapons. They wore flashy, revealing outfits, with eye-catching hairstyles in all shades of neon—part fashion statement, part sex doll aesthetic.
"Lin-kun, you ever read up on the Mox?" Hiro asked, breaking the silence as they walked.
Lin Mo shrugged. "Heard a bit. I know they protect street workers. Think they've got beef with the Tyger Claws?"
In the game, the Mox didn't get much focus. They were small, not particularly rich in loot... so Lin Mo never really paid them much mind.
Even after living here for years, there was no way he could know everything about Night City.
"They've got a tragic origin story," Hiro said. "I was with the Claws back then. Heard parts of it. Want to know the rest?"
"Sure," Lin Mo said. "Always up for some Night City history."
Hiro nodded and began:
"Back in 2067, there was a sex worker named Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Borden. She fought hard to build her own club, 'Lizzies.' But unlike most bosses, she actually cared about her girls—treated them as equals."
"But that same year, one of her girls was raped by Tyger Claws. Lizzie took an axe and decapitated three of them—left their heads hanging over her club door."
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. "Damn. What a woman. Is that when she formed the Mox?"
"No," Hiro replied flatly. "She died. That very night, the Claws raided her club. Publicly, they said she was killed—but we inside the gang knew better. She suffered unspeakable torment before she died. It was her punishment for defying the Claws."
Lin Mo went quiet for a moment, then let out a sigh. "Yup. That's Night City."
"The aftermath caught the Claws off guard. The whole city stirred. Street workers banded together. They built a bar on the ruins of the old club, called it Lizzie's—named it in her memory."
"A bunch of little people trying to keep warm..." Lin Mo murmured, hands in his pockets as he gazed up at the neon-lit sign.
They'd arrived.
At the door, a Mox guard stepped in front of them—blocking Lin Mo specifically.
"Hey, kid. You even old enough to be here?"
She wore a skimpy, brightly colored outfit typical of the Mox. The night air was chilly, but she didn't seem to care.
She gave Lin Mo a sharp once-over. His clean-cut, handsome face might have turned heads elsewhere, but in Night City, aesthetic tastes were all over the place. Clearly, she didn't think someone his age belonged here.
"Rikki, it's me," Hiro coughed, stepping forward.
Ever since they'd gone out, Hiro had realized something annoying but true: people always noticed Lin Mo first and overlooked him entirely.
"Well damn, Hiro. Long time no see. So what's this? A new recruit? Or are you just changing flavors?"
The woman—Rikki—rested her spiked bat on one shoulder and leaned lazily against the wall.
Lin Mo frowned slightly.
Hiro's reaction was sharper. His expression turned cold as he walked up to her, lowered his voice, and growled:
"Rikki, you better watch what you say. You can mess with me all you want, but don't disrespect Lin Mo-kun."
Rikki blinked. It took her a second to realize he wasn't joking.
She looked at Lin Mo again—this time without the earlier scorn. Her expression softened, and she flashed a much warmer smile.
"My bad, little brother. I didn't realize who you were. Welcome to Lizzie's Bar!"
Hiro chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. He gestured toward the door.
"Come on, Lin Mo-kun. I promise this place will be worth your time."
As they stepped inside, the music hit them. It wasn't ear-shattering rock, but something smooth and mellow.
The bar was decked out in rich neon—purple and pink walls everywhere. Overhead spotlights danced across the room, casting red spiderweb patterns that wrapped around the guests like a net of desire.
Some people danced. Some sipped drinks at the bar. Others sat silently with BD headsets on, lost in digital dreams.
What really caught Lin Mo's eye, though, was a strange man sprawled on a nearby couch.
His eyes were replaced with visor-like optics. His face looked sickly and skeletal, skin tinted bluish-gray. Both arms had been replaced with long mechanical prosthetics—long enough to touch his calves while lounging.
Next to him sat an older man in cowboy gear, with a thick mustache that gave him a rugged charm.
Both wore braindance headsets, clearly immersed in fantasy.
Definitely mercs, Lin Mo thought. Regular folks didn't walk around with that much chrome.
Still, he didn't dwell on it. He turned back to Hiro.
"You used to be with the Tyger Claws. That woman didn't seem worried about you at all."
"I left them a long time ago," Hiro said evenly. "And not on good terms. Aside from a few old friends, most of the gang doesn't think much of me anymore. The Mox have no reason to hassle me."
Lin Mo nodded thoughtfully. "Ah. Enemy of my enemy and all that."
Hiro laughed and clapped him on the shoulder, raising his voice over the music.
"Forget all that, Lin-kun. Tonight, let's just have some fun."
.
.
.
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