Kenji didn't sleep.
He stared at the cracked ceiling of the nurse's office while the others dozed in shifts. Rei curled in the corner with a binder clutched to her chest like a pillow. Tetsuo snored on the floor, his bat never far. Akane had claimed the rolling chair, legs spread, skirt hiked halfway up her thighs. And Sayaka… Sayaka was curled against his side again, her face nestled into his neck, her breath warm, steady.
But Kenji? No peace.
His shoulder still throbbed. Sin had already muted herself for the night—mercifully—but Kenji's mind kept drifting back to that girl on the monitor. The one who didn't scream. The one who fought. Pink hair. Cold eyes.
He'd seen girls like that in manga. But this one was real. Alive. Sharp. Dangerous.
And he wanted to find her.
By sunrise, the group had fortified the cafeteria better—moved shelves, blocked weak points, rigged makeshift traps. Tetsuo and Rei worked like machines. Akane, shockingly, had mechanical skills.
Sayaka made coffee.
Black. Burnt. Undrinkable.
Kenji took a sip anyway. "Mmm. Tastes like ash and trauma."
Sayaka beamed. "I made it with a lighter and an old pot."
"You're a goddess."
Akane snorted. "Brown-nosing already?"
Rei stepped in before it turned ugly. "Focus. We have two priorities now: locate more medical supplies, and sweep for other survivors. We'll check the west wing. That girl Kenji spotted was near the library. It's a long shot—but…"
"I'm going," Kenji said.
Sayaka stiffened. "Then I'm going too."
"No," Rei said firmly. "You'll stay with me. You're not combat-ready."
Akane raised her hand. "I'll go. I'm good with close quarters. Tetsuo?"
"Duh. Bat's thirsty."
Kenji nodded. "We move fast. Silent. No hero moves."
Rei handed him a walkie. "Channel 2. If you see anything… or anyone... don't engage until we confirm their status."
Akane smirked. "Unless they're hot, right?"
Kenji ignored her.
The halls were still. Darker than yesterday. Windows smashed. Lockers ripped apart. Blood on the walls had dried into handprints that reached toward the ceiling like sinners clawing at God.
They passed the music room. Still. Empty. No more lullabies.
They reached the library.
Empty at first glance.
Then—
Crash.
They ducked. Akane spun low, dagger out. Tetsuo readied his bat.
Kenji crept toward the source of the noise.
The reference section. A toppled shelf.
Then he saw her.
Her.
Miku Shoko.
Long pink hair in a high side ponytail, dirt and blood streaked across her sharp, almost regal face. Her uniform was torn at the waist, exposing a tight black sports bra underneath. She held a mop handle like a staff—breathing hard, knuckles white.
She turned. Saw them.
"Don't move!" she hissed.
Akane stepped forward. "We're not infected."
"Bullshit," Miku snapped. "Everyone says that right before they turn."
Kenji raised his hands slowly. "You saw me on the monitors yesterday. You fought off two infected. You don't panic."
That made her hesitate.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Kenji. Toma Kenji. I've got a group holed up in the cafeteria. It's safe. Sort of."
Miku's grip relaxed. Barely. "I've been alone for two days. Everyone in my class turned. I barricaded myself here. I ran out of water this morning."
Akane tossed her a bottle.
Miku caught it midair, drank deeply, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. It wasn't sexy. It was intense. Raw. Like a soldier cleaning her blade.
"Alright," she said. "Take me to your base."
Kenji nodded. "Let's move."
As they retraced their steps, Miku's gaze scanned the halls like she was logging every door, every crack, every blood trail.
"You have a plan?" she asked.
"Stay alive. Gather survivors. Find a way out."
"That's weak."
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "You got a better one?"
"Kill the infected. Take the rooftop. Signal help. Hold until extraction."
Akane whispered to Tetsuo, "She's like a tsundere Terminator."
They reached the cafeteria without incident. Rei and Sayaka were waiting.
When Miku stepped inside, both women reacted differently.
Rei's eyes narrowed. Clinical. Cautious.
Sayaka immediately looked threatened. She backed into Kenji's side again.
Miku gave a nod. "You're the teacher."
Rei nodded back. "You're the fighter."
Kenji broke the tension. "Everyone—this is Miku Shoko. Newest survivor. Not infected. And not friendly."
Miku cracked a smile. "Yet."
[Ding!]
New Character Added: Miku Shoko
System Affinity: High
Romantic Potential: 92%
Combat Skill: Exceptional
Sexual Tension: 0% (Currently hostile)
System Forecast: This one will not fall easy. High Resistance. High Reward.
Sin returned with a moan. "Ohhh yesss. I like her. Boss bitch energy. Rival vibes. You're gonna need to seduce her slowly, Kenji. Or let her seduce you."
Rei turned away. "She's dangerous."
Akane smiled. "She's hot."
Sayaka pouted. "She's going to ruin everything."
Tetsuo shrugged. "She got abs, though."
Kenji said nothing. He was watching Miku as she walked to the table, sat cross-legged, and took out a pocketknife to start cleaning her nails. She looked at all of them like pieces on a board.
He knew right then—this girl wasn't just another survivor.
She was a game-changer.
And the system agreed.
[Ding!]
System Quest Unlocked: Pink Flame Protocol
Objective: Build Trust with Miku Shoko
Bonus Path: Unlock Special Combo Skills
Failure: Risk Full Party Disbandment
Difficulty: Insane
Kenji sighed.
"Welcome to the team."
Miku didn't look up. "You'll have to earn that."
The blood moon outside rose higher.
And the real war had just begun.
{To Be Continued..}