“Ugh… what should I do with this…”
The tin can, who was scanning the surroundings in silence, raised its alert level to a level that seemed to scrutinize everything.
The citizens nearby, disturbed by the flickering scanner lights like those set up on a stage, turned to look but quickly turned away upon seeing the numerous badges that clearly indicated it had just been through a fierce battle.
There was no guarantee that the Five Eyes’ remnants were lurking in the vicinity, just because they were looking for me on the network. Especially since there was a hacker around, who could move relatively freely from street constraints, the chances were even lower.
However, it couldn’t hurt to be careful…
“There’s no need to stick around in the midst of people. If it feels dangerous, just head to the outskirts; it’s not something we should be responsible for.”
– Well then, excuse me. –
Noticing that there seemed to be no objections, the tin can smoothly slid toward the edge of the plaza where the security personnel were located, allowing me to concentrate fully on the terminal.
At least it was a relief that Rosaline’s fixation wasn’t on the tin can, which had just pulled Asyef’s arm off, but rather on me.
…Or maybe not? I wonder if they misunderstood and thought it was all part of my plan?
I really should ask the person involved directly to be sure.
As soon as I entered the channel, I was flooded with complaints.
It was a weak tone, contrary to the strong words of revenge that had summoned people, but… she must have known that.
Reluctantly admitting, this situation had a lot to do with their own actions… most of it, in fact.
Huh? Surprisingly, the response was underwhelming. Not just underwhelming, but rather dull.
I was prepared for a fierce outburst, yet instead of panicking, she accepted it so calmly.
Is mentioning my real name in passing not a big deal?
Thinking about it, no matter how much my friends preach about anti-corporatism and idealism, they were still criminals hiding in major metropolises, even with warrants out for them because of their anti-corporate activities.
It’s possible they were just everyday people trying to gain the upper hand with such trivial provocations or psychological warfare…
“Phew…”
I barely managed to restrain my arm, which was about to slam down on the touch panel.
It’s fine to take pride in the results you’ve made, but you should really consider more diverse possibilities.
If it goes on like this, how can I trust you when we work together in the far future!
My rising irritation was redirected into a text message.
I casually reached out to touch the handle of Asyef’s axe. I could feel it firmly stuck without any chance of my strength pulling it out.
…Hey, tin can, it’s not needed! You don’t have to struggle to pull it out and hand it to me!
I didn’t know if there were any scratches on the machine, but I calmed down the carebot that was gripping the blade.
Being clueless like Rosaline is a problem, but having someone like this who is too on edge is burdensome in many ways.
The voice that was coming back to me cut off abruptly.
If they needed time for discussion, they could take as long as they needed… well, not really, I could give them until the end of the workday. What happens after that, I don’t know.
I wondered if I had been too forceful as the silence prolonged… but ultimately, it seemed she agreed that this was a meaningless dispute.
…Finally, it’s over. I wondered if I should at least thank her for understanding; the long, petty back-and-forth had officially come to an end, verified by the persons involved.
Well, with that, there’s no more agenda left. I was thinking of leisurely watching the Christmas event…
What?
Before I could respond with how it was a completely unamusing pun, the event prepared by her and the Five Eyes began to unfold.
“Now then! From this moment! We will begin the countdown, one minute to the much-anticipated lighting ceremony!”
Behind the smoothly proceeding host following the script.
At least it seemed they had some conscience; perhaps concerned about aesthetics, they temporarily paused the product advertisements, as the Christmas decorations sent some of the monitors becoming blurry one by one.
Sizzle… zzzz…!
The citizens facing it thought it was just part of the show and stared blankly, yet it wasn’t horror movie-style; this brilliant art with the screens gradually being covered in noise would certainly not exist even in the 22nd century.
This girl only makes sense when she’s being snarky at times like this!
Hastily checking the cyberware, I found no specifically detected signals.
It was probably hiding in the network of the plaza or adjacent to the event equipment… I never thought I’d get to see the backdoor technique I used to love watching.
Plus, I, who knew what was going on, was startled; I could only imagine how the ordinary bystanders felt.
More than half of the monitors densely hanging on the giant tree emitted nothing but white noise, and just as the speakers playing Christmas carols began to be occupied, the atmosphere was starting to feel strange.
“Oops?”
The devices that had been hijacked were gradually returning to normal, and with that, the host’s complexion, which had been darkened, was slowly recovering.
I wondered if Rosaline would believe me if I said honestly that I hadn’t done anything.
This was… she had finally noticed and stopped her ambitious attempt to take over the event’s central system (Main Frame).
Not me, but the hired hacker mercenaries.
I didn’t know how many had survived in the bitter cold, but Rosaline was clearly frustrated, relentlessly taking the heat from their all-out assault.
Looking again, it seemed her irritation had ignited a spirit of competition; she appeared to be having a good time, didn’t she?
Even while bumping heads head-on with those dozens of network phantoms, Rosaline quickly regained her composure, which was extraordinary.
Thus, I tried to deny that I wasn’t the opponent she was fighting against… but then I reconsidered.
This might be awkward to say, but if the parties involved are happy, isn’t that enough? I’m personally holding out hope that after venting all this stress, this rambunctious girl will calm down a bit.
Humans can be quite fickle.
Just by stepping back one step, just slightly deviating from the issue, and I feel so much lighter mentally.
It felt like a revolutionary system had been invented, one that automatically entertained the little kids during the holidays.
Well, as a result, the host was clutching at their neck, and people who had been sneakily watching the anti-corporate materials displayed on the monitors were stifling laughter or whispering to each other…
– Did they prepare the stage equipment deliberately for this? They seem quite the moderate resistance group. Compared to their notoriety, it’s even childish. –
“I guess they’ve always carried that banner.”
Nodding at the tin can’s declaration to lower the danger level.
Before long, the eye-shaped lights symbolizing the Five Eyes illuminated the dimly lit building walls.
From the sound equipment near the stage and the speakers hidden everywhere came statements like, ‘Corporate oppression is not justified.’
Lastly, the massive tree had become a literal haven for illegal activity due to the propaganda video plastered on it.
Hmm… This would surely be splashed across the news as a humiliating incident.
Oh? To think you would return the hypocritical lecture in this way.
Amidst it all, now being treated as some sort of solitary anti-corporate activist was amusing.
Well then… Should I seek revenge on the enemies of the control room’s patients who struggled in harsh environments?
…Why do you want to trample on the sprout of the growing democracy?
The answer is quite simple. It was because Aaron, who would undoubtedly witness this scene live, had called using the number he had decided to reserve for when he had something important to discuss…!
Help!
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