#mutuals asks

V having a Relic episode while just walking down the street. On their way home, to a gig, *from* a gig, doesn't matter. They manage to stumble into an alleyway so they're off the main sidewalk, but it's bad. One of the worst they've had. They're pressed against the wall, using it to stay upright, but they're in Night City. Someone sees them having a bad time and decides to take advantage of the situation: trying to mug V, or assault them, or get something from them.

Johnny can't do much. He's been talking to V, trying to keep them conscious, but it's not like he's physically there to keep V safe, and V can't defend themself right now, either.

But maybe...

He slips into the thinning barrier between their consciousnesses and takes control just long enough to protect V. When V comes to again, they're on the ground, back against the wall--they must've slid down--and their attacker is bleeding out on the concrete across from them. The Malorian is in V's left hand.

something something an echo of the streetkid opening where v takes care of themself during a mugging but now they can't anymore, even though they're so much more than they were back then something something

they're SOOOO oughhhhh crying. sobbing. ough.

OMG!!!!! amazing discovery!!! it could really be the one!!! ooooh what if Tommy gets shot??? and Buck sees it happening???

☹️

Tedhe medhe ke packets bbg

Awwweee, just made my day frfr you're out here saving people from breakdowns (´；ω；｀). Thank you, sister, I'm not going to forget that

YOU AS WELL!!! YOU!!!! NEVER LET THE HATERS GET TO YOU, I'LL GO SHOOT THEM

... you make an excellent point there. in fact, Yuuri wouldn't even have to wait until this topic's brought up to reach jellyfish-reproduction levels of anxiety.

The ISTJs! They're just chilling, don't worry <3 (They're eyeing Shepherd, your Honor)

Hope I did Riot justice, this is my first time drawing her, hope you like it! <3

That's the nicest thing I could get home to after work <3<3<3<3<3 you nailed THE GLARE LMAO HAHAHAHAHAHA

Hikari and Isao learn Kafka's wanted to join the Defense Force but end up aging. Something which they found strange since no one ever brought up his files. I mean someone that taken the exam at least 15 different times would at least been noted.

Or Isao gets pretty annoyed with the employees in charge of the Entrance Exams because it's a mess. Papers strewn about, different exam regimes which feel super disjointed, and there isn't any fiber suit compatibility tests before the physical portion. The thing pretty much gets a huge overhaul as this is asking for lawsuits.

Kafka finally gets to try out a kaiju fiber suit, only to realize he's one of the few individuals who have difficulty synching. This often leads to low to even zero outputs as the standard material doesn't always agree. Hikari then suggests the man go for the field operator position first.

Let him understand how things work from a distance while they figure out his combat skills and the suit issues in the background. That way Kafka would be fully ready for physical field work. He's already got a good advantage with his knowledge on kaiju biology.

Things go awry when Tiny shows up. Hikari and Isao definitely visit Kafka at the hospital. (In a disguise since the media is already spreading rumors about them.) They both hear the man yell "kaiju" before getting interrupted.

Isao and Hikari were horrified to see Kafka in kaiju form. It was only a minor relief that the man was still himself. Both were scared about being forced to put him down as Kikoru is fond of the himbo despite trying to hide it.

Finding out his fortitude didn't help either. The meeting between captains was practically a shitshow. Especially since both Shinomiyas had to reveal their relationship with the himbo.

Kafka's base life experience would start with the First Division. The only entire base at the moment to know his kaiju status as tests have to be run. He is the first case of someone becoming a kaiju, nevermind the possibility that there could be more like Tiny or him.

Isao unfortunately knows he has to test Kafka's limits as Narumi doesn't have much tact. Riot Mode incident could be considered peculiar rather than terrifyingly intense compared to canon. Hikari realizes that the larva thinks Isao is a kaiju with No. 2 active so she tells him to shut it off.

Kafka kind of just stops once he doesn't feel the "daikaiju" anymore. Still feral since Tiny hasn't returned to sleep yet. However the kaiju is able to now recognize Isao and Hikari, becoming docile in their presence. The man eventually returns to human form but it's obvious this is a form which comes out as a last resort.

Kafka does get permission to take the entrance exam for the Third Division. There are still skeptics who believe he's a threat. Both Shinomiyas want to prove that isn't the case. Plus they do remember the promise he made to Mina.

Even if things are gonna be a bit awkward since her and Soshiro know Kafka's status as the "Wielder of No. 8".

ooh!! Kafka opening up about his failed dream to become an defense officer! I bet you anything how that topic got brought up was probably due to Kikoru or maybe even Isao himself telling Kafka he would have been a great officer to have in the JDFAK.

Kafka may be the type to guy to talk about his failed dreams with a smile on his face, but its very obvious to Hikari and Isao both how torn up inside he actually is about this i would think. Hmm yeah i can definitely see this being a catalyst sort for moment for Isao to look more into the entrance exam process and realize how whack the internal team behind it is lol

As for Hikari I absolutely can see her being the one to really push Kafka to give his dream a second try!! especially after Kafka’s naturally low sync rate is discovered, Hikari wouldn’t allow Kafka give up on himself again!! So i agree i can definitely see Hikari bringing up the offer of getting Kafka a position as a field operator!!

I do wonder how would Kafka still end up in the hospital in this version of events? maybe Kafka still ends up having his moment of saving Reno through a simple chance meeting with the Yoju that attack them both in canon. (pains me that Reno gets to miss out on meeting his work senpai in this au T^T)

and Tiny’s arrival!!! god that moment must have been so so terrifying for Hikari and Isao the relief of hearing Kafka’s voice come out of his kaiju mouth must have been staggering however brief. (this does make me wonder when and how kikoru would get informed on Kafka's condition during all this)

and the meeting with the board directors…that was already a tense meeting…throwing in the Shinomiyas being forced to revealing their romantic involvement with Kafka?

Sonic i'll be honest i'm having trouble seeing Isao being able to walk out of that shitshow without his judgement being called heavily into question once that information get loose. Maybe, Isao testing out Kafka's limits that was the comprise he could come up with to both save face and stall for more time as he and Hikari brainstormed on how to make sure Kafka could make it out this mess in one piece?