"The weather's getting cold; let's have some tea."
Her voice was soft and gentle, not at all like that of someone in their fifties; it still sounded like a young girl's.
"Alcohol warms the soul too." Arasaka Yoshinobu remained indifferent, staring at the cherry blossom tree. He placed the wine glass by his side, watched for a while longer, then finally turned his head to look at the serene expression of Arasaka Hanako.
"What now? Does Father have something he wants me to do again?"
As Yoshinobu's words fell, Hanako softly replied, "No, it's just that you haven't come home for a long time to sit with us. Who knows when we'll sit together like this again."
Yoshinobu's expression softened a bit but then he only gave a mocking smile: "I thought you came here because you heard some news and planned to warn me."
"Hmm... Rather than a warning, I would say I'm somewhat worried."
Hanako turned her calm gaze towards him: "Although Father hasn't said anything, you and I both know very well that, at times like this, anyone who might approach you could drag you into hell.
Brother, don't go too far. Father won't give you a second chance, and we both know that."
Yoshinobu laughed twice: "I don't know what you all are worried about. I'm the next confirmed heir of the Arasaka Group. Are you afraid I would destroy my own company? Destroy my future?"
He sneered: "Whether anyone wants to see me or not, Night City is the future of Arasaka. If I choose to stay home out of fear of being suspected..."
Yoshinobu gave his sister a meaningful look: "Or perhaps, you want to take over Arasaka Company in Night City for me?"
"Of course not, I prefer staying at home. Night City..." A hint of sadness flickered in Hanako's eyes: "To me, it's just another place of heartbreak."
Yoshinobu was silent for a moment, then changed the topic: "Anyway, there have been quite a few troubles in Arasaka Company in Night City recently, and someone has to go check the situation.
The unexpected leak of the Artificial Vajra project, and since the Relic Chip was stolen, it still hasn't been recovered. Father's health is also deteriorating...
We must stabilize the situation and be prepared in times like these."
"I understand, Brother. If there's anything you need help with, you can always come to me." Hanako's displayed docility brought a flicker of complexity to Yoshinobu's eyes.
His feelings for Hanako were a mix of love and resentment. He loved her because she might be the only person in the world who genuinely cares for him; he resented her because her obedience to Arasaka Saburo was above all else.
She was a good sister, but also a pitiful puppet manipulated by the fear of Arasaka Saburo. Once Yoshinobu stood against Saburo again, she would not hesitate to plunge a dagger into Yoshinobu's heart for Saburo.
Indeed, that was the kind of person she was.
Yoshinobu looked at Hanako for a while, retracted his gaze, and said, "I received intel from the Intelligence Department. There's a new group of formidable mercenaries in Night City, likely related to the theft at the Canadian base.
I must go there in person to verify the situation."
"Oh? You've found those kids?" Hanako clearly remembered the Canadian theft case very well too—it was criminal to lose so many Relic chips at once.
The Arasaka Group had almost fully mobilized its spies embedded in other companies to recover the loss, but had gained nothing, as if the Relic chips had vanished into thin air.
Thus, the internal agents of the Group analyzed that perhaps these chips were in the hands of the group of young hackers who disappeared that day. Hence, tracking the whereabouts of this group of young hackers had become the current core task of the Arasaka Intelligence Department.
And not long ago, an unexpected message came from Arasaka's counter-intelligence agents, saying that they had found information highly matching the individuals, which, after verification by the Intelligence Department, finally led to Yoshinobu heading to Night City.
Yes, even Mercer himself probably didn't expect that now he was also in a two-way pursuit with Yoshinobu.
"Yes, Arthur Jenkins mentioned that a young woman under his command accidentally discovered a possible match, with high probability, but because of the great danger posed by the other party, this time, I must personally oversee things in Night City to ensure the successful recovery of the Relic chips."
After saying this, Yoshinobu slowly got up and said, "I know you have always doubted me, but it doesn't matter. I will prove through practical actions what kind of leader Arasaka Group needs now.
Father is old; our layout in New America is repeatedly blocked, and even Night City is almost lost. If we are completely ousted from New America by Military Science, then the future of our Group will head downhill.
Now, Father's head is full only of the matter of the Relic chips... Sigh, we cannot let the only future pillar industry we have also become a dowry for others."
Hanako also stood up but did not follow him; she merely watched him leave while speaking, bowing slightly, and said, "I understand, then I wish you, Brother, success in battle and all the best."
"Yes, lately Father's health has been troubling again, you'll have to take care of him more," said Yoshinobu.
Hanako nodded gently, "Yes."
After parting, Hanako sat back in front of the cherry blossom tree, gazing at the withered trunk. After a long time, she let out a light sigh.
"Ota." Her voice had just fallen.
In the shadows of the wooden corridor outside the house, a suit-clad man emerged from the darkness, bowing at ninety degrees: "Yes!"
"You go too... Be careful, and help me see what exactly is happening in Night City."
After Hanako's words fell, she paused for a moment, then said, "Father will most likely send Adam's Hammer and Takemura to Night City with Brother, but I believe Brother will not show any flaws in front of them.
So, be careful, don't get exposed."
"Yes!" Ota bowed again and then disappeared into the darkness.
Hanako extended her hand, feeling the breeze in the courtyard, lightly sighing.
A turbulent season indeed...