Chapter 13: Plane and Model, the Difference Between the Two (Testing the Waters, It's Tomorrow, Let's Celebrate First (X

Of course, this is just my personal opinion; maybe you just didn't need it before, after all...

The words still coming from ahead broke the cyber wanderer's chaotic thoughts.

He hadn't even thought of what basis his sudden train of thought relied on, when David saw on the other's face—naturally intact skin due to lack of modifications and implants—a gentle smile appear.

In the rich themes of cyberpunk, settling scores with gratification is also naturally a part, right?

Staring fixedly at the other, David fell silent for a few seconds before also giving a natural, wry smile.

... Indeed so.

Following the other's words, I really have rarely put on a face or restrained my emotions, except during that worst period.

Welcome, what would you two like to order?

One black coffee, no milk or sugar.

Usually only young people trying to act cool would voice such a request; a kind server might remind them, but as a regular face at this shop, Aomo, the server nodded without hesitation upon hearing it, then turned to the astonished David: 'Sir, what would you like?'

Um... just order your house specialty.

At the drink shop, choosing a soda or whatever was fine for David, who definitely wouldn't pick coffee; not noticing he had subconsciously said that, Aomo's face across from him showed a hint of oddness.

'Sure?' 'Okay,' 'Wait, change it to lemon soda... no, change it to hot cocoa instead.'

'?' the clerk turned to look, while David glanced at Aomo then at the clerk: 'Just the hot cocoa.'

At least this is a familiar name, David thought.

As for the other's small temporary change of order, David, who didn't much like soda, didn't think the reason lay with himself, only assuming the other also disliked soda.

'Okay.'

It seemed the server would never have any opinion on customers' orders, while always keeping a business smile, and they went off to take the order.

David also turned to look at Aomo: 'What is this shop's specialty?'

Aomo's intention to stop him was so obvious, yet David couldn't imagine how a coffee shop's specialty could be some kind of flood and ferocious beast.

It couldn't just be an iced Americano, could it?

"Honey special drink, to attract horse girls and thereby draw others to liven up business," Aomo said helplessly, "After all, although this café is across from the school, there really aren't many students who like coffee."

"So that honey special drink isn't suitable for people to drink?"

Having spent a few days in this city and seen quite a few exotic races, he still knew little about existences like horse girls.

Rather than saying he's not interested, it's more that there's too much material, too dense, and he doesn't know where to start.

"Can't say it's unsuitable, but the specialty is even more concentrated and thick with added licorice... I wouldn't advise you to gamble on compatibility."

If it were someone as familiar as Bi Ze, Aomo wouldn't bother to remind.

But for someone like David, whom you could hardly call an acquaintance nor a close friend, he was actually the most polite.

"Like that..." hearing it sounded like he'd escaped a disaster, David unconsciously tugged at his ever-yellow jacket, then looked at the bustling crowd in the distance, and couldn't help but sigh again that this place really is unlike Night City.

Before Night City's exam grounds, there wouldn't be these relatives and friends; at most a few luxury hovercars would be parked.

"So you're not here to look for Bi Ze?"

"... Huh?"

Hearing that out of the blue, David didn't react right away, but at that moment the server pushing a cart chimed into the conversation.

"Hello, your hot cocoa," "Ah, thank you."

"Please wait a moment for your black coffee," "Okay."

The sudden interruption gave David some time to collect his thoughts; after the server left, he then held his hot cocoa and looked toward Aomo, who had been standing sideways watching the exam crowd.

"... Yes, I'm here to find you, to thank you,"

"I see." Aomo nodded in understanding.

"I thought you'd have an accident."

So the accident turned out to be David instead.

Gazing at Aomo, who had turned his head to meet his eyes, seeing his calm, unsurprised demeanor, David felt that earlier illusion-like sensation rise again in his heart.

He felt he was about to grasp it, the source of that sense of similarity.

"I made a bold guess once," Aomo chuckled, "I still remember I gave you my contact info, but you neither called nor came here, yet you actively invited me to chat."

"So I first guessed you came to look for Bi Ze, but there was no need to call me, since you were clearly uncomfortable talking with me before, right?"

"But if you came to see me, then it's surely formal enough to warrant a face‑to‑face meeting with ceremony—that's my guess, easy to understand, right? Quite simple."

Seeing him so frank, David was somewhat speechless and gave a wry smile.

"Aren't you afraid of guessing wrong?"

"If you guess wrong, tell me what's off so I can be more accurate next time," Aomo shrugged, "I have an elder who always tells me mistakes aren't a problem; mistakes can reveal problems."

"He also hopes I'll try, when observing others, to guess their identity and behavior more often, like training a detective."

"Guessing wrong isn't important; what matters is correcting the mistake to accumulate... This might be one of the few decent things he's said."

As he recounted that person's words, Aomo's face showed a hint of warm smile; seeing that, David realized the other's previous few smiles had merely been out of politeness.

But he was too good at disguising; before seeing his genuine smile, David couldn't tell what was wrong with those smiles.

"Like that..." it turned out to be this way...... David finally understood the similarity between the two.

Precise, rational, and that not‑obvious aloofness—these are dangerous traits, yet they don't necessarily mean destined to be enemies.

After all, Faraday's image has already coalesced, while he is still a young person of similar age to himself.

Despite his unexpected maturity, he's still running around for school exams, also shows unexpected tolerance toward Bi Ze, and is responsible enough to have left his own contact information.

Maybe... I could try to befriend him, influence his development, so he doesn't end up taking that step toward Faraday......

David watched him silently thinking; frankly, staring at someone without speaking is quite rude, even akin to interrogation, but Aomo showed no discomfort.

"Hello, your black coffee." "Ah, okay, thank you."

He could even take the coffee with a normal expression, so naturally that the server didn't notice the odd atmosphere here.

Aomo.

Facing the youth who lightly blew on the coffee surface and took a light sip, David Zheng asked solemnly and seriously:

Can you be my friend?

I thought we already were. The youth still had no surprise on his face, as if this development was completely consistent with his guess.

I mean like Bi Ze.....

As he spoke, he froze in place, suddenly realizing he had been as rash as the boy when his relative was still alive; moreover, seeing the other slowly set down his coffee cup and then burst into loud laughter only made him feel more embarrassed.

"Ha——" At first he tried to suppress it, but the corners of his mouth inevitably curved into a wild arc, "Hahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha!"

"……" David felt a bit angry, but he couldn't say anything; even recalling his own words just now made his prosthetic body feel a bit warm, though it still didn't compare to the first night he spent with Lucy.

"Sorry, ha, sorry, I just didn't expect," he said, almost laughing out of breath, facing the countless gazes he usually tried to avoid, Aomo raised his hand in a soothing gesture, "I just didn't expect, I didn't expect that your image, David, would differ so greatly from the model in my mind."

"Model?" David was somewhat concerned about the meaning of that phrase.

It's not important; if you're really curious, I can tell you later. Anyway, I suppose I should congratulate you on returning to the form you miss most, right?

You...

David stared, stunned.

You've become much younger, haven't you? This is exactly where I didn't expect it; I admit my guess's success rate isn't ideal, but such a large deviation is truly rare after a long time.

Aomo gradually calmed his breathing, even the flushed face from his earlier laughter began to fade, and then he smiled and proposed to the bewildered David:

Have you ever thought about starting over?

David continued to stare at him blankly.

And he lifted the coffee cup again and took a light sip.

In this brand-new world, although your most longed-for state isn't ideal, it can still be shaped into something more ideal.

I... David's mind flashed with the image of his mother Gloria.

You don't need to rush the decision; you can take a sip of hot cocoa to calm down, the warm sweetness helps stabilize body and mind.

"……" David, following the instruction, drank a mouthful of hot cocoa with a complex expression, somewhat dissatisfied, "You still haven't answered my previous question."

Still the same words. Aomo said with a smiling, narrowed eyes.

I thought we already were.