The sun was barely breaking the horizon, spilling its dull orange light over a city that looked like it had been swallowed by hell overnight. From the roof where they'd rested, Kenji surveyed the streets below, abandoned cars smashed together, windows shattered, bodies half-rotted in the gutter. A slow wind carried the mixed scent of smoke, gasoline, and decay.
The group had eaten a quick breakfast; canned beans, protein bars, and whatever Rei managed to salvage from their stash. No one spoke much. Even Akane's usual flirty remarks were absent, though Kenji caught her sneaking glances at him whenever she thought he wasn't looking.
The plan was clear: move deeper into the city toward the hospital district. Mika Tachibana, MILF nurse, single mother, and the group's next potential powerhouse might still be there. But that meant crossing through three major streets crawling with undead.
"Alright," Kenji said, adjusting the strap on his bat and tightening the gloves he'd wrapped in duct tape for grip. "We move in pairs. Keep quiet. If anything starts running, don't try to be a hero." His eyes met Rei's for a split second—just enough for her to nod subtly.
Tetsuo grinned nervously. "Don't worry, I'll leave the hero crap to you."
They descended from the roof using a fire escape, boots hitting the cracked pavement softly. The first block was eerily calm, too calm. Only the occasional low moan in the distance broke the stillness.
Halfway down the second street, they came across a scene that made Akari freeze. A school bus sat jackknifed against a lamppost, its side caved in. The windows were painted red from the inside, and hands small, broken hands, still pressed against the glass. Some were moving.
"Kids…" Akari whispered, her voice cracking.
Kenji's jaw clenched. "Don't look. Keep moving."
But before they could take another step, one of the bus doors screeched open. Four small bodies tumbled out, children, their faces pale, eyes glazed, teeth gnashing. The smallest one, a girl in a torn pink dress, let out a shriek that sent every hair on Kenji's body standing.
They came fast. Faster than they should have.
"Shit! cover left!" Kenji barked. Tetsuo swung his crowbar into one of their heads with a sickening crunch. Rei's knife flashed silver as she slit the throat of another mid-leap. Akane ducked under a lunging corpse, spinning to drive her blade through its spine.
Kenji grabbed the last one by the collar and smashed its skull against the side of a car until the body went limp. Blood dripped down his cheek, but he barely noticed.
The noise had drawn attention. Shadows moved at the far end of the street. More moans. Dozens this time.
"Run!" Rei shouted.
They sprinted through a maze of alleyways, jumping over trash piles and skidding around corners. Twice they had to shove dumpsters into narrow openings to block pursuit. Finally, they ducked into a boarded-up convenience store.
Inside, the air was thick and stale. Dust motes floated through broken beams of sunlight. Kenji leaned against a shelf, chest heaving.
"You good?" Akane asked, brushing dirt from his jacket. She was close, too close, her chest pressing lightly against his arm. "Because you were… intense back there."
He gave her a look that was half annoyance, half something darker. "Not the time."
"Maybe not," she smirked, "but later…"
Rei shot her a glare, but said nothing, instead focusing on barricading the door with an overturned freezer. Akari and Tetsuo searched the back for supplies.
In the quiet, Kenji checked his system notifications:
> +42 EXP
Lust Meter: 59%
Survivor Morale: Stable
Side Quest Unlocked: 'Find Mika Tachibana' – Reward: Medical Support Skill + Permanent Stat Boost
A sound from the rear door snapped everyone's attention. Slow, deliberate tapping. Then a female voice—hoarse, weak, called out:
"…h-help… anyone…"
Kenji exchanged a look with Rei. No one moved for a second. Then he stepped forward.
If Mika was alive… this was their shot.