Case number 730

"To be precise, Mr. Sano, and staying within your budget, I believe the most reasonable course of action would be to treat your abdomen with the ABT-7," Ryunosuke commented professionally, to which Hiro nodded. "Despite being released in 2305, it’s still a third-generation implant, which means it retains all the advantages of the latest model."

Tuesday. It was Friday that I last spoke with Katy…

"I see. Then let’s proceed with that option," Mr. Sano said with a smile. He was reclining; abdominal rot was among the most painful ones.

Sitting in a well-lit dining room in District 4, Katy and I focused intently on learning the art of implant sales from our two trusted companions.

Katy, being the model student she was, took notes in an organized notebook, while I used one hundred percent of my brainpower to observe their gestures and tones. It felt strange to have her so close and yet not exchange even a glance.

"I'm glad we’re on the same page. The ABT-7 implant is exactly what I was looking for."

"We’re delighted to find a viable solution. You know, life is a blank canvas for each of us. It’s our mission and greatest honor to share a few brushstrokes of your painting, Mr. Sano..."

Here we go again…

"Thank you for allowing us to hold the brush alongside you..."

"I’m glad you chose to work with us, sir." Hiro was cut off by Ryunosuke. "I’ll forward your decision to headquarters, and by tomorrow morning, you’ll receive a formal quote via email."

"Mr. Oda, Mr. Mann, thank you for your assistance." Gloves on, the three men shook hands.

Replacing an entire abdomen meant substituting real organs as well. In the case of the ABT-7, the client would need both kidneys and their entire large intestine removed. The alternative was death by the S-Flu... Do implants truly guarantee a way out from the rot? What does that mean for Dad, then? Spinal implants were supposed to be the best for preventing infections… If I’m not mistaken, both Shinpei and Katy have similar spinal implants.

I debated with myself.

Some parts of implants are real tissue grown in artificial meat farms. Does that mean one can still get infected with the S-Flu through them? Are implants really humanity’s answer? If we consider the previous three evolutions of the virus, this is the first time its symptoms are visible to the naked eye. Does that mean with a sacrifice…?

"Isayama." Katy touched my shoulder.

Hiro and Ryunosuke were already at the door, waiting for us.

"Are you coming, or what?"

I had completely spaced out…

"Sorry."

"Huh?" Katy reacted to my coldness.

It’s better to let things cool off between us. So far, I’ve only managed to mess everything up… It’s not that I don’t want to talk to her. I’d love to laugh with her… The problem is that she can’t stand me; every time I open my mouth, I somehow get a negative reaction...

The strangest thing was seeing Ryunosuke’s expression as he watched us. He looked at us in a peculiar way, as if saddened by the state of our dynamic.

…

Shortly after, the four of us returned to the office, just in time for the morning break.

Continuing with our excellent relationship, Katy didn’t speak to me for the rest of the morning.

During the break, she even went off on her own to talk to Irina. I just prayed she wasn’t badmouthing me…

"How’s it going, kiddo?" Felix slung his arm over my shoulders as he arrived at my desk with Shinpei. "Are Hiro and Ryunosuke taking good care of you?"

"Good morning. They are, actually..."

Although Carlos took better care of me when he invited me to ramen...

"Good, glad to hear it," Felix said cheerfully, as always.

"Let me tell you, Felix, I’m very proud of our little rookie here. He’s stumbling less and less in his reports."

"Not exactly something to be proud of…"

"That’s wonderful! This must be celebrated!"

More ramen?

"Shinpei! You should treat us to some coffee from that machine of yours!"

What?

"Well, well. If you insist…" our boss smiled.

Wait…

In the blink of an eye, the three of us were standing in front of that mechanical demon, ready—some more enthusiastic than others—to add a new chapter to the legend of our boss, known throughout Cellos Robotics as Shinpei the Thunderer.

After more than two minutes of testing the building’s foundations and soundproofing, we finally had our reward ready.

"To be honest, it doesn’t smell bad at all…" I sniffed at my cup.

"Right?"

"I expected no less from Boss Shinpei. Well, comrades, cheers." Felix raised his cup.

He must’ve been the first person in history to toast with a coffee cup. Regardless, we followed his lead.

"Thanks for the coffee. Cheers, Shinpei."

"Cheers, comrades…"

The three of us took a sip at the same time.

This… This is amazing! The souls sacrifices needed to get the machine to make a coffee are definitely worth it!

"Delicious, right, little cub?"

"Yes!"

"How strange…" Shinpei muttered.

For some reason, his face darkened for a moment.

"Did it really taste like this before?" He seemed disappointed about something.

Even his hand trembled subtly.

"Shinpei, are you okay?" I asked, puzzled by his worry.

"What’s…"

"Shinpei?" Felix asked as well.

Sorry!" he said, giving himself a light slap before forcing a smile again.

Even so, Felix’s face expressed his concern for our boss’s health.

"Don’t worry," Shinpei laughed. "Sometimes a coffee enthusiast forgets the flavor of their own brew. Just barista dramas..."

Shinpei…

"Come on, let’s get back to work. Every day brings new cases to solve…"

Without giving us time to dwell on what had just happened, Shinpei sent us back to our desks.

With my brown-gold treasure in hand, I returned to my desk and put on my holographic control glasses.

"H-hey, Isayama." Seconds later, Katy appeared, looking somewhat nervous.

I think one of my biggest fears has just come true...

"I-I need to talk to you," she said, visibly shaken, stirring in me a fear and tension I thought I had long forgotten…