Chapter 3
Time slipped by day after day, and in the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.
The two of them settled into a routine—arriving at the Afterlife together in the morning to work for a while, heading out for lunch, and then spending the afternoon either driving around the city or attending meetings, depending on V's schedule. Evenings were spent at the Afterlife, drinking and eating with V's crew.
At first, V only took her to high-end restaurants, but gradually, their outings turned into a search for the best street food hidden in the alleys of Night City.
For the first couple of days, So Mi could still sit quietly in the Afterlife's server room while V worked, coding alongside Nix, discussing new technologies, and casually handling cyberattacks against the Afterlife. But soon enough, V started using excuses to bring her along to meetings—big and small—introducing her to the major corporate figures entrenched in Night City. In between, she also made sure to acquaint So Mi with several of her more reclusive subordinates.
Suspicion grew in So Mi's mind. Finally, that afternoon, while they were wandering through a park in North Oak, she could no longer hold back.
"You've been involving me in your business a lot these past few days," the netrunner pointed out bluntly.
"You noticed," V replied with an unsurprised smile. A genius netrunner like So Mi was bound to catch on—her intentions had been too obvious.
"What are you trying to do?" So Mi asked.
"If you become recognized as one of the key power players in this city, those 'Blue Eyes' bastards will have to think twice before trying to drag you back to the moon to work for them," V stated matter-of-factly, meeting her gaze.
"That's the only reason?" The former FIA agent's instincts told her that V had other motives.
"Of course." The newly crowned queen of Afterlife smiled innocently. "The Blue Eyes might be suspicious, but that's fine. Sometimes, making them doubt a little is all it takes to get things done."
So Mi wavered slightly. Over the past several days, V had been introducing her to top corporate executives, speaking about her in glowing terms, as if they were equals, sharing the same business empire. However, at the same time, when introducing her to her own inner circle, V had not elevated her status in front of them nearly as much. The difference in her approach was stark.
This discrepancy made So Mi more inclined to believe that V was simply laying down a smokescreen to mislead the organization behind Blue Eyes, rather than genuinely grooming her as a successor.
"…Alright." The netrunner pushed down the last trace of doubt and chose to trust V's explanation—at least for now. "Thanks, V."
"You're welcome," V responded with an easy smile. "Besides, you've done plenty of work for me too. Haven't you noticed how much more free time I have these days?"
The new queen of Afterlife felt a thin layer of sweat forming on her back. Thankfully, her plan had been meticulous enough that even a sharp ex-FIA agent like So Mi hadn't picked up on the cracks.
For the past five months, V had been using Night City's vast resources, working with a top-tier medical team to try and solve her lifespan issue. But every single treatment had failed. The doctors had concluded that her brain damage was irreversible, and there was no way to stop her body's increasing rejection of her cybernetic implants. The best they could do was prescribe new medication to ease the pain and stabilize her condition—at least on the surface.
For a while, V had pushed thoughts of her health aside, even allowing herself a sliver of hope.
But all of that shattered seven days ago.
She had collapsed in the shower, vomiting blood. Luckily, it didn't last long enough for So Mi, who was just outside, to notice. Using work as an excuse, she had immediately gone to her private hospital. After a full-body examination, the doctors gave her an exact prognosis—she had 32 days left.
At this stage, preserving her energy no longer mattered. At her request, the doctors increased her medication dosage, which immediately resulted in a noticeable decline in her physical capabilities. In just a few days, V could already feel herself slipping from her peak. She could still handle most threats with ease, but she knew—she could never take on Arasaka again.
At this rate, it was only a matter of time before she regressed to the level of a rookie merc. And when that happened, the vultures lurking in the shadows would smell her weakness and descend without hesitation, tearing her apart.
Her death was inevitable. She had made peace with that.
But she could not—would not—let So Mi be put in danger again.
The moment So Mi had appeared at the doors of Afterlife, V had already set into motion the plan she had been preparing for the past five months.
There were two versions of V's plan.
If So Mi never returned before her death, or if the person who came back had lost the ability to protect herself, then she would inherit all of V's private assets—enough to secure a well-protected refuge anywhere in the world and hire a personal security force.
But if So Mi returned before V died and still possessed her top-tier hacking abilities, then V would gradually transfer everything she owned into So Mi's hands.
Everyone—whether they were people V had inherited from Rogue or trusted confidants she had cultivated herself—knew exactly who their next boss would be. The moment V was gone, they would all pledge allegiance to So Mi, helping her truly take control of the empire V had built.
V had once consulted Rogue about this plan. If the former queen of the Afterlife disagreed—if she wanted to reclaim Afterlife after V's death or appoint a different successor—V was willing to exchange everything she owned for Rogue's promise to protect So Mi.
But the legendary fixer, now well into her eighties, had simply patted V on the shoulder with a chuckle, saying she was retired. Whatever V wanted to do was her own business—she wouldn't interfere.
So, the moment V saw that So Mi had retained her world-class hacking skills, she began gradually introducing her to the power players of Night City. And as soon as So Mi's seven-day recovery period ended, V pulled back Afterlife's security, watching firsthand as So Mi—despite losing access to the Blackwall—handled both a cyberattack on Afterlife and an assassination attempt by a seven-man mercenary squad in under three minutes.
That was when V fully let go of any hesitation, boldly pushing So Mi into the spotlight.
At that point, whether it was Myers or Blue Eyes, anyone looking to make a move on So Mi would have to seriously consider the cost.
Everything was progressing smoothly in secret. Using her deep understanding of So Mi, V had kept her completely in the dark.
"What do you want to do tonight?"
Feeling a little guilty for having doubted V's motives earlier, So Mi wanted to ease the awkwardness between them. Instead of her usual passive approach, she actively asked for the first time.
"Hmm…" The new queen of Afterlife, pleased with the turn of events, pretended to think seriously. "How about a movie night? Pick a few good films, curl up on the couch, and let's just binge-watch them all night long."
"No problem," So Mi agreed immediately. "Should we have Claire mix some drinks?"
"They wouldn't dare step into my place," V smirked. "Hate to disappoint you, but movie night is just for the two of us."
For the past few days, V had sacrificed their alone time at night to help So Mi integrate into her circle, making sure she got to know all of her subordinates. Now that the netrunner had at least become familiar with everyone, the queen of Afterlife had no intention of missing out on any more precious time to just be with her.
"Then I guess we're drinking tequila," So Mi smiled. "Let's pick up some snacks, too. Stock is very low at home."
Home.
V savored that word the entire drive back.
She had never referred to any of her properties as home before. To her, an empty place where she only stopped by to sleep at night wasn't worthy of that title.
But now… maybe it was.
The once-silent mansion, standing as lonely as she was, was now filled with traces of life. Half of her wardrobe had been cleared out and refilled with clothes in So Mi's size, despite the netrunner's disapproving glare.
Since So Mi liked to cook, V arranged for fresh groceries to be delivered every morning, making sure the fridge was always stocked so she could cook whenever she wanted.
The living room couch now had extra cushions and a throw blanket. The bathroom counter held makeup brands V wasn't familiar with. The armory had expanded, with a new section filled with hacking gear for So Mi. The rooftop had been upgraded with professional power distribution and network reception equipment.
The house was no longer just a place to sleep—it carried the presence of someone else.
It felt like a home.
They struggled through the front door with multiple shopping bags filled with snacks. So Mi immediately went to the kitchen, pulling open the fridge to start preparing dinner, while V walked over to the newly purchased snack cabinet and began organizing everything by category. Once she was done, she naturally moved to the sink to help wash vegetables.
The sky outside darkened as the interior lights automatically turned on.
So Mi glanced at V standing beside her, quietly focused on washing produce.
After spending so many days together, anyone, even those with really dense emotions could tell—V's feelings for her weren't just friendship.
For the past few days, So Mi had been searching within herself, trying to find an answer—trying to understand how she should respond to V's emotions. She was afraid of taking a step forward only to realize that her feelings were just gratitude. She refused to disrespect V by mistaking appreciation for something more.
But in this moment, as she watched V beside her, So Mi suddenly realized how foolish all her previous doubts had been.
Of course, what she felt for V wasn't just friendship.
She should have known when she spent so much time picking the perfect dress before the Black Sapphire party, desperate to leave a lasting first impression on V.
She should have known when she dressed up for the occasion, when she touched V's face, when she deliberately left a lipstick-stained champagne glass behind.
She should have known when she constantly teased V, when she watched the scrappy mercenary nearly explode in frustration yet could only shout her name in mock-threats.
She should have known when she took V to the place that reminded her most of home.
She should have known when she held V's hand in the Relic projection.
She should have known when, with freedom just within her reach, she had been unable to bear the weight of her guilt and told V the truth.
And then there was that recording—the one she still didn't know if V had seen.
She had made it while suffering the backlash from breaching the stadium's defenses, her body and mind both in agony. In a half-conscious daze, she had suddenly decided to leave a farewell message for V.
She hadn't envied V for knowing how their story would unfold.
What she had truly envied… was the version of herself in that recording—the one who might have been able to stay by V's side.
How much had she been avoiding, to not see the feelings that had long taken root?
But there was something strange about V's behavior.
She never tried to hide how much she valued So Mi. She openly expressed her favoritism, making it clear that So Mi was different from everyone else. But at the same time, she never made a single move to go further—not even the slightest attempt to test the waters.
She was always careful to maintain an appropriate distance, never overstepping unless absolutely necessary. No matter what state they found themselves in upon waking up, V would always ensure that, before falling asleep, she was pressed against the very edge of the bed.
So Mi couldn't figure her out.
"So Mi, the food," V's voice suddenly broke through her thoughts.
Snapped out of her daze, So Mi looked down at the naengmyeon in the pot, now overcooked. A flicker of frustration crossed her face.
"It's fine. Still edible." V didn't seem to care at all, smiling as she scooped up the limp noodles, rinsed them under cold water, and slid them into the pre-prepared broth.
They each carried their bowls to the bar counter, settling in to eat while watching the sun set over Night City.
"What were you thinking about just now? You were completely lost in thought," V asked after swallowing a bite of noodles.
"Not telling you yet." So Mi twirled her chopsticks in her bowl, not looking up. "I'll let you know when I figure it out."
"Pfft." V grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth. "So mysterious."
"Aren't you the same?" So Mi shot back. "You're always sneaking around. Don't think I don't know you've been feeding me a bunch of bullshit."
"I have not," V mumbled, clearly guilty.
"Then tell me where you went last night," So Mi put down her chopsticks and stared at V. "Just a reminder—it was three in the morning."
V was caught off guard by the sudden change in So Mi's tone. She had always been reserved, hesitant to ask too many questions. But now…
V wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but it felt like something had shifted. So Mi no longer seemed to consider her just a friend she had no right to question. Instead, she was…
Frustrated.
Annoyed that V had gone behind her back.
It was as if an invisible boundary between them was being quietly erased.
"…Forget it." Realizing she didn't exactly have the right to interrogate V about her whereabouts, So Mi sighed, standing up. "Let's watch the movie."
Her wrist was caught before she could leave.
"I wasn't feeling well last night, so I went to see a ripperdoc." V turned in her seat to face her. "It was just a headache from not calibrating my cyberware for too long. Got it fixed last night. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. Don't be mad."
So Mi stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words. Her heart skipped a beat.
"I wasn't mad…" So Mi muttered, suddenly feeling unsure of herself. "Next time, if you're not feeling well, just let me know."
"Okay." V's previously pitiful expression softened into a warm smile. "Now, shall we go watch our movies?"
By the third time she dozed off and was startled awake by the sounds of action sequences from the TV, So Mi had to admit—nobody was perfect.
Take V, for example. No matter how outstanding she was in every other way, her taste in movies was absolutely horrendous.
"Maybe we should just talk instead, V," So Mi murmured sleepily, eyes half-lidded.
"Sure," V responded, lowering the movie volume slightly and turning toward her.
At first, they sat properly, side by side on the couch. But after a few drinks, So Mi began feeling drowsy.
The first time she fell asleep, she leaned against V's shoulder. Embarrassed when she woke up, she shifted away slightly.
After another few drinks, she dozed off again. This time, V extended her arm in advance, letting So Mi rest against her more comfortably.
When So Mi woke up for the second time, she awkwardly sat up straight, took the drink V handed her, and—without a word—subtly scooted a bit further to the other end of the couch.
And yet, somehow, the third time she woke up, she was back on V's shoulder.
"…Do you really like this movie?" So Mi asked, blinking in confusion.
"To be honest," V rubbed the bridge of her nose, looking a little sheepish, "Johnny always wanted to take Rogue to see it, so I got curious. Didn't expect it to be so… mediocre."
"Johnny and Rogue?" So Mi perked up slightly. "They were…?"
"They were together," V nodded. "But Johnny was never exactly a stand-up guy. He cheated on her three times before she finally dumped him."
"No offense," So Mi smirked, propping an elbow on the back of the couch. "But sounds like he had it coming."
"He did." V laughed. "I gave him shit for it plenty of times. Between Rogue and Alt, both of them genuinely cared about him, but he never saw it. And even when he did regret losing them, he'd just act like it was no big deal—like they were the ones being difficult."
"…Alt?" So Mi sat up a little. "Altiera Cunningham? The Alt—the most legendary netrunner in Night City history?”
"Yeah," V nodded. "She was the one who created the first version of the Relic. Arasaka kidnapped her and forced her to develop Soulkiller program. She had a failsafe in place in case they tried to silence her, and in the end, she escaped into cyberspace before they could kill her, becoming a rogue AI.”
Hearing Alt's story, So Mi fell silent. If V hadn't sent her to the moon, would she have met the same fate? Or worse—would she have been erased completely, without even the chance to escape into cyberspace?
"In the end, Johnny connected us, and I helped Alt destroy Arasaka's Soulkiller servers, freeing all the trapped engrams. As payment, she helped me extract Johnny," V recalled, finishing her drink. "I shared a lot of Johnny's memories, even let him use my body to go on one last date with Rogue. So when I woke up in Mikoshi, Rogue found out Johnny was gone, and the guy who once killed him—Adam Smasher—was dead by my hand. She decided it was time to retire, and she left the Afterlife to me."
"…Johnny used your body to go on a date with Rogue?" So Mi raised an eyebrow.
"Yep." V smirked, tilting her head. "After fifty years, Rogue finally agreed to a date, but they didn't even finish the movie before it fell apart."
"Didn't go well?"
"Nope. Johnny was still living in the past, but Rogue had moved on," V chuckled. "He was crushed. For someone who was always a ladies' man, that might've been the first time he actually got rejected."
"…And what about you?" So Mi rested her chin on her palm, watching her intently.
"…What?" V blinked, caught off guard.
"Are you good with women?" So Mi shifted slightly but kept her gaze locked on V. "Assuming you actually like them?"
For a moment, V's heart stopped.
She tightened her grip on her glass, averting her gaze, searching for a way to stall.
She reached for the bottle on the table and slowly poured herself another drink.
"…I guess I do alright," she finally said, taking a sip. "But I've been a little busy trying to stay alive, and now I've got all this to deal with. Haven't exactly had time for anything else."
So Mi swirled the ice in her glass, watching the cubes clink together.
"I figured," she murmured.
"What have you figured out?" V asked, amusement lacing her voice.
"Some of your clients. A few of your subordinates. The way they look at you isn't exactly professional," So Mi murmured, still watching the ice swirl in her glass. A vague, unreadable smile played at her lips. "And sometimes, the way they look at me carries a bit of hostility that I don't quite understand."
"Clients are just clients, you know how it is," V's expression darkened slightly. "As for my subordinates, I haven't noticed. Who, exactly?"
"Oh? Planning to fire the ones who have feelings for you?" So Mi finally lifted her gaze to meet V's, her cryptic smile still lingering. "You don't even have a girlfriend—what's the point?"
V stared at the bottle on the table, feeling the weight of So Mi's gaze on her. The heat of it pressed against her skin, and she forced herself to maintain a neutral expression.
"Fantasizing about the boss means their work ethic is compromised," V sidestepped the question. "People like that shouldn't hold important positions."
"That's a hell of a reasoning." So Mi nodded thoughtfully, then downed the rest of her drink, now diluted with melted ice. "Figure out who it is yourself. I'm going to take a shower."
Using V's shoulder as leverage, she pushed herself up, set down her glass, and headed for the bathroom downstairs.
The hot water poured over her as So Mi closed her eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.
They had already taken the conversation this far, yet V still insisted on maintaining that deliberately vague, unshakable composure.
It frustrated So Mi.
V's favoritism toward her was as blatant as it could be. Her clients and subordinates saw it, clear as day. And yet, when facing So Mi herself, it was as if she had built an invisible, delicate wall—one that allowed emotions to pass through, but never allowed either of them to take a step closer.
So Mi was certain now—V was holding something back. Something unseen was keeping her from acknowledging what was right in front of them. Even now, when the truth was practically laid out on the table, she still dodged, still refused to face it.
But what was it?
V remained motionless on the couch, staring at the table in front of her, even after she heard the water shut off upstairs, followed by the soft sound of So Mi's footsteps as she made her way to the bedroom.
Her red hair fell slightly out of place, covering part of her face, hiding the shadow in her eyes. The faint curve of So Mi's lips from earlier refused to leave her mind, lingering like an imprint she couldn't erase. Bitter and sweet.
After tonight, she had 25 days left.
V reached into her pocket, pulling out a transparent packet of pills. She took two, washing them down with the last of her drink. The sharp burn of alcohol slid down her throat, spreading through her chest. Any fleeting sense of warmth from earlier was gone, leaving only bitterness in its wake.
Upstairs, the lights went out. So Mi had gone to bed.
V stood up in the darkness, walked to the bathroom, and took a long, silent shower. When she was done, she made her way upstairs with quiet, deliberate steps. At the top of the stairs, she stopped, looking toward the bed.
So Mi lay with her back to her, her violet-red hair illuminated faintly by the moonlight. It's now the only color V could see.
For a long time, V simply stood there.
Then, finally, she turned, about to head back downstairs.
"Are you trying to make me move out?"
The voice behind her stopped her in her tracks.
V spun around immediately. "What?" Her voice came out sharper than intended. "Of course not."
"Then you should get back into bed."
So Mi remained in the same position, unmoving, her voice calm but firm.
For a moment, V almost questioned whether she had imagined the entire exchange.
She took a step forward—then another, slow and careful. The distance from the doorway to the bed was shorter than crossing enemy lines, yet she moved with even more caution.
When she finally lay down, she made no sound. The only sign of her presence was the faint dip in the mattress beside So Mi.