Page 86 of Neon Flux

Ugh, he was watching me and listening to everything I said. How had I ever agreed to this?

A small cough interrupted, and Maddox said, “We are pure reconnaissance. Just pretend like we aren’t here.”

Easier said than done.

I’d dyed my hair back to the chestnut brown I’d had when I was at university, and even picked out my most conservative outfit. I sat at a small table outside a posh café in Sky, just on the edge of campus. I looked up at the stark white spires of parametric design, leaving no question about the wealth that permeated this place. I’d once looked on it with wonderment—now all I saw was a very literal ivory tower.

My hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea for comfort, even though it was a warm day. Why was I so nervous? Just because Ihadn’t been back to campus since I dropped out and felt like an absolute fraud?

“Eon Ibarra? Is that you?” A warm, deep voice called from behind me.

I spun in my chair to see Hiromi smiling. He looked good—as he always had. A handsome face sat atop broad shoulders, his dark hair fell over his forehead in soft waves. He swept it back with one hand as he approached, and I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.

“It’s been too long.” He wasn’t wearing a Vysor.

I stood and reached out a hand, but he used it to pull me into a hug, strong arms wrapping around me.

“Hiromi, it’s good to see you,” I replied, returning the embrace. His cologne was the same—a subtle reminder of late-night study sessions and stolen glances across crowded lecture halls a lifetime ago.

“You look gorgeous, as always.” He pushed back, holding me lightly by the biceps. I thought I heard a soft tsk through my Vysor at that, but I ignored it.

“Always such the flirt, Hiromi. Sit with me.”

He spun out the chair opposite mine and plopped down, leaning back casually.

“I was so happy to get your message. I heard you dropped out, but then Professor Tanaka kept mentioning you.”

“Yeah, I kept working for her…but in a different capacity.”

He waved his hand nonchalantly. “You look good. Whatever you did, it’s working for you. You were always brilliant—I’m not surprised you landed on your feet. Where are you at now?”

Unbidden, flashes of those months came back to me—twisted and drug-addled. Dancing for some chinos-wearing creep with a beer gut. An anonymous hand in my hair as I arched my back and moaned. Drugs, and more drugs, so I wouldn’t remember the things that were far worse. Landed on my feet, indeed.

I shook my head, willing the memories away, willing it all away as my pinky finger twitched. “That’s classified, unfortunately.”

“Classified, huh? So mysterious.”

“It’s actually why I’m here. I’m working a special project, but I’ve hit a snag—something I think you can help me with.”

I held my fingers to my temple, a question waiting for his consent. He pulled out an old-school palm display and opened a link. Once he nodded, I sent the files. I’d modified all the images so it just looked like some sort of text, not glowing glyphs plastered all over a high-rent apartment.

Hiromi’s eyes went wide. “Where did you get this?”

I shook my head. “Also classified. But I need a translation. A good one. Can you help?”

He ran his thumb over his chin. “How much is there?” I pinged the rest to him, and I saw the tension hit his jaw. It was a lot. For most translators, this could take weeks. But I knew Hiromi had written—and owned—the best AI translation model on the market.

“I assume you need this ASAP as well?” he asked.

I nodded. “There’s payment, of course. Name your price.” I knew that wasn’t a motivator for Hiromi. It wasn’t like he needed the money. Must be nice.

He shook his head. “You need this, Eon? It’ll help you?”

His eyes tilted downward just a bit at the edges, giving him that same puppy-dog look I’d crushed on in undergrad. When we were both young. He’d always seemed so out of reach then—like a storybook prince from a children’s holo, a fantasy for a poor, outlander girl.

Now he was looking at me like this, and I wasn’t that little girl anymore. I knew what to do.

I leaned over the table, getting closer, letting my blouse fall open just enough. “Yes, Hiromi. I need this. It’s…critical for mywork.” I pouted just a little, and didn’t miss the way his eyes darted to my lips, his mouth going a bit slack.