Golden Sun
"Good morning, Angela."
"Nngh... Soo. Good morning. Sleep well?"
Angela emerged looking delightfully disheveled, stretching her arms high. Anyone else might've called it a mess, but on her, it carried this intoxicating air of decadent allure.
"Yeah."
"Hehe, glad to hear it."
With the morning sun at her back, her beaming smile was the stuff of fantasies for nine out of ten guys in Eden. Pure perfection. Of course, Soo felt nothing of the sort. In this world, only magic could rattle her.
But across from Soo, Irina's eyes were shaking wildly.
What the hell... how do you even grow tits like that? Not implants—real ones... and the shape, goddamn perfect...?
Angela's looks had pegged her as some warrior babe in Irina's mind, perfect for reining in Soo. But seeing her up close, she was less amazon and more... generously endowed in heart and... Irina shuddered, staring openly at those breasts.
Angela's jade-green eyes had locked onto her.
"And... we have a guest?"
"...Seems I dropped by without warning. My apologies. Nice to meet you. Connector Irina Tish Morozova."
Irina shot to her feet, handing over her card. It was a rare one—even for her. Paper, with one of her own paintings as the backdrop. Pure Irina, pouring her love for her art into it.
"Yes, hello. I'm Angela Meyer. As you can see, a mercenary on the same team as Soo."
Angela examined the card and blinked wide-eyed.
"Oh...? You're that connector from before?"
"You know her?"
"Angela helped me with a job back then."
"The Luthien lab?"
"Yeah."
"I see."
Irina finally tore her gaze from those breasts to really see Angela.
"Just like you and Enoch got my help, I owe you too. Thanks to you, I'm still kicking. Appreciate it."
"Uh... ahaha, yeah. G-glad to hear it?"
Angela laughed awkwardly. Was that gratitude? Or sarcasm? Irina's odd phrasing threw her, but hanging with Soo meant she couldn't be bad news.
"So... Soo? What's the occasion?"
"Came to congratulate on the opening and drop a job. Said she'd bring gifts too—stuff we need—"
Soo's eyes snapped to Irina mid-sentence. She suddenly remembered Angela mentioning wanting one ages ago.
"—wait, I got it. Buy us a coffee machine."
"Not a bad idea. Got a brand in mind?"
Soo blinked.
The name rang a bell, but it was fuzzy. "El... Eli, Eliar?"
"Eliakan?"
"Yeah, Eliakan."
Irina nodded after a double-blink.
"Booked a female installer for 7:20 PM tonight. Ordered every bean we have—pick your favorites."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Th-thank you."
"Of course. Congrats on the opening. Hope it thrives—no more starving."
She means it, right? Angela had her doubts but smiled and nodded anyway. She'd sized Irina up quick enough. Steady through chit-chat with Soo? Not exactly the same vibe, but close. Or maybe she'd weathered storms like Salvador.
Which was it? Tempting to dig, but rude to a well-meaning guest.
"Ahem, I know I look a bit rough, but could I hear the job details?"
"Not at all. I was about to ask, actually."
Irina handed over a fresh shard—not the one for Soo. Every move screamed pro connector, mercenary-savvy. Nice person for real, Angela thought, slotting it into her neck.
The data scrolled her retina—same as Soo's. Simple job, but nagging questions.
Angela pulled up profiles on targets 'Ibaraki Kou' and 'Radolf Jugli'.
"Why not handle it themselves?"
"Word is, they run with lowlifes every night. Bad for business, sketchy vibes. Not verified—didn't hear their side."
"Can't judge by looks alone, but these faces... yeah, suspicious."
The East Asian guy looked trigger-happy enough for Enoch. His presumed black partner too. Enoch would've been grinding teeth, calling for immediate takedowns. But Angela's check? No major rap sheets. Petty stuff, sure—but in Southpeak, that's just Tuesday.
"Gotta see it ourselves, though."
"Yes. Client prefers kills, but not mandatory."
Even that casual line showed care for Soo. One job in, and Irina had her pegged. Angela curved a knowing smile her way.
Irina got it—no more delays, time to roll.
"I'll head out."
"Already?"
"Yeah, this cheap alliance farce shows no sign of ending. Time to ghost before I starve."
"We'll see you around more."
"Don't make a habit of it. Talking to you tires me out all day, Soo."
"I think it's fun."
"Not me."
Irina stood without fuss, flashing a businesslike smile.
"Later. Keep contact online only."
"I'll bring gifts next time."
"In one ear, out the other."
She tsked openly, bowed to Angela.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Ahaha... same here."
Last nod to Angela, and Irina was gone, no backward glance.
"Quirky speech, but... yeah, seems warm enough."
"Yeah, Irina's nice."
"Alright, let's roll?"
"What about the interior guys?"
"We can push it."
"They might charge extra."
"Fine by me. Sis'll cover it. Merc office means jobs first."
"Ooh..."
More womanly than Enoch, yet Angela brimmed with command. Soo stood, quietly impressed.
"Let's go."
"Yeah, gimme a sec to change."
"Yeah."
"Burger on the way?"
"Sounds good."
"Hehe, yeah. Let's grab some."
Soo stepped out expecting burgers. Instead: a bathhouse.
"...Why?"
"Private rooms for two—easy wash. Plus, waterslide inside. Fun, right? C'mon, ride with sis."
Utterly duped, Soo shot Angela a betrayed glare. Angela just dragged her in, unfazed.
*****
"That's the office up ahead, huh."
"Yeah."
"Wait and watch? Weirdos at night, they said."
"Yeah."
"Hmm, three more hours, no dice? Back to ours. Interior crew's waiting."
"Yeah."
Angela giggled, turning.
"Soo, mad at sis?"
"Yeah."
"Nng, sorry~."
"Ugh."
Angela's aegyo hit like a truck. Or maybe those tits smothering Soo's face perfectly. Cradled close, Soo sighed, then wriggled her butt. Her tail poked the headset underneath.
"Mmph."
"Call?"
"Mm."
Angela loosened up; Soo bolted free and answered.
Soo hung up and stood from the bench.
"Angela, there."
"...Oh my god."
Far off. Golden Sun—like a painting come alive—dragged a drugged-up woman into a building. Ignoring her sobbing boyfriend.
What a scene.