The knock came at 6:17 AM—three sharp raps against glass, followed by the screech of a window being forced open.
Megumi jolted upright, his sheets tangling around his legs as a familiar silhouette vaulted into his room.
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" Serena announced, her combat boots thudding against the floor.
She smelled like cigarette smoke and cherry cola, her sleeveless hood jacket showing off the fresh flowers and vine pattern ink on her biceps.
Megumi rubbed his eyes, his glasses askew, "Why are you here so early?"
"Since your mom left, I took it as an opportunity to visit my favourite depress emo boy in the whole wide world?." Serena plopped onto his bed after removing her boots, her neon-green cybernetic eye flickering as she scanned his room.
"Why weren't you at Haru's party? Ryo said you bailed." She followed up as rest against the railing well placing her feet onto his thighs.
Megumi's fingers twitched toward within his sweatpants were his cartridge remain hidden, "Didn't feel like it. Besides what would it matter if I have gone or not. I would be standing at the corner watching everyone having a good time and completely not get noticed."
Serena snorted press her foot against his face, "Stop being depressed, I would have loved to see you come over. If no one noticed you, I would noticed you and even spend the rest of party keeping you entertained."
Megumi gives an awkward smile before replying, "I wouldn't want to ruin your reputation amongst the -" she instantly kick him against the cheek.
"I'm a college dropout who is living by herself while working as waitress. What rep am I going to lose since I don't have any. Besides they cool with me because I'm the only one buying the drinks and friends with Danielle and Haru."
She pushed herself upright with a smirk sharp on her face, "By the way, I got you a present."
"What-" she placed her finger on his lip and follow up with.
"First, you need to make me breakfast. I'm starving." Her stomach growled to further prove her point.
---
Serena's apartment complex was a crumbling stack of modular units in the Ironworks District, its walls vibrating with the groan of nearby factories.
Her bike was parked haphazardly next to a dumpster.
"Home sweet home." she said, kicking open her door.
The living room was a disaster zone.
Empty energy drink cans formed precarious towers on the coffee table.
A half-disassembled pistol sat beside a microwaved dinner labeled.
"Wait here," Serena ordered before disappearing into her bedroom.
Megumi hesitated, then started gathering cans. By the time he'd stacked them neatly, he'd moved on to folding the blanket draped over the couch.
"Oi!" Serena's voice cracked like a whip. She stood in the doorway holding something behind her back, her face flushed, "I didn't bring you here to play maid."
Megumi continued to fold the clothes that was tossed around, "It was bothering me. Besides, this my way of saying thank you for checking up with me."
Serena noticed that her unwashed clothes were left on the couch behind him, the last thing she wanted was for him to see her as unhygienic pig.
Instantly she dashed towards him with completely flushed face, she thrust a large black case into his stomach, "Open it."
Curiosity stuck as he placed the last clothing on table and grab the case. He noticed Serena was getting nervous so he didn't think it was a prank or anything.
Inside, nestled a metallic spinal wire with multiple ports. It was a cybernetic implement, its surface etched with lightning-bolt patterns.
"I know how much you wanted your own cybernetics," Serena said, her voice dimming quiet as she plays with her hair. "So, I work extra hard to buy you this, it's a lightning variant since you like lightning so much."
Megumi's breath caught. "You bought—?"
She begun fidgeting a strand of her hair, "After my parents were murdered, I was alone and was going to do something stupid. Till you become the selfish bastard and told me to live. Ever since that day, I'm forever grateful for you. Even after I drop out, you still come and visit. You thank you don't deserve this but I believe you deserve so much and more. My depress saviour." She averted her sight of him, completely embarrassed after what she said.
Without a second thought, she received a tight tearful hug from him, "Thank you, I truly appreciate your kindness."
Serena's grin as she hugged him back, "I know you do, but it makes me happy to hear you say that."