street hustlers. He may help us from time to time, but it’s pretty meaningless to him. If a corporation needs a discreet or low key hacker, someone like Shirou is the person to go to.”

“So he’s not big on loyalty?”

“He’s not big on anything,” Masaru said, “except what interests him at any given moment.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.

Masaru stopped chewing the caramel.

“Akira trusts you,” he said finally, “Well, trust may be too strong a word, but she doesn’t see you as a threat. That’s all I really need. But also you’re wanted by Comsaco. If you were a Comsaco employee I probably wouldn’t be in the same room as you right now. But if Comsaco is after you then you&...

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