(Insert Saya's Image Here)
———
Hand in hand with Akuto, Saeko walked calmly down the corridor.
Saeko held her wooden sword while Akuto carried a metal rod. The two looked like a perfect pair.
But Akuto hadn't picked up the rod to use as a weapon—rather, it was to… attract zombies!
Clang!~
In Akuto's grip, the rod rang out with sharp taps, luring the zombies throughout the building.
Saeko, holding Akuto's hand, suppressed the symbiote inside her while cutting down zombies with frightening efficiency.
Like a couple strolling in the rain, the two of them walked leisurely through a school overrun with the Dead.
…..
Bang!
Kicking open a barricaded locker, a flustered twin-tailed pink-haired girl tumbled into view.
Her name was Saya Takagi—Akuto's second childhood friend, though not a close one.
The reason was simple: Saya was a tsundere.
Even though she secretly cared deeply about Akuto, she always waited for him to approach first.
But because of the way Akuto's pre-arranged "background" was set, he wouldn't take the initiative to get too close with any girl. And since neither took that step, their relationship had simply remained distant.
If not for the fact that they'd sat front-and-back in middle school, perhaps their bond would have been even more estranged.
…..
Bang!
The locker burst open, and Saya, clutching a short baton, swung wildly out of panic!
But her strike was caught by a hand she knew very well.
Looking up, Saya saw a peerless boy bathed in sunlight.
Thump-thump-thump…
Her heartbeat quickened, blood rushing through her body, her fair cheeks flushing red.
Akuto-kun? Was it really Akuto-kun?
Why did it feel like he wasn't the same as before?
"Akuto-kun… you came just for me? Thank you, I… I'll definitely repay you somehow."
Saya reached out her hand, her eyes filled with hopeful longing.
Understanding her meaning, Akuto gently pulled her out of the locker.
But the moment she stepped out and saw Saeko Busujima beside him, all her shyness disappeared.
"Takagi, I'm Saeko, captain of the Kendo Club. If I recall correctly, your family holds some influence in Tokonosu City, yes? Would you like to join us in searching for them?"
Saeko extended her invitation.
"Ah? Oh… ohh… Yes, if possible, please let me come along."
Snapped out of her daze by Saeko's words, Saya reluctantly set aside her starstruck thoughts.
There were more important matters than admiring handsome boys right now.
She slapped her cheeks with both hands, pulling herself together.
"Akuto-kun, Saeko-san, please take care of me."
Saya's sharp glance toward Saeko was hard to miss.
Truly, women's eyes were all the same—there was no such thing as a good man not being noticed by other women.
…..
In the infirmary.
Everyone gathered together.
Saya, upon seeing Rei and Shizuka, felt her pressure multiply.
What was with Akuto? Why was he only rescuing beautiful women? Not a single man among them?!
Had he already started building a harem at the very beginning of the apocalypse?! (TL: Sounds like a light novel title xD)
Seeing Akuto return, Rei took a deep breath. Hesitating for a moment, she spoke softly, tinged with loss.
"Akuto-kun, Takashi bandaged his wounds and left. He said he didn't want to stay here, that he was going to find his family."
Akuto glanced at Rei, chuckled lightly, and said:
"Komuro leaving doesn't matter. What's important is that you chose to stay, Miyamoto-san."
"He made his choice, and everyone has the right to do so. We have to respect that."
Akuto knew Rei was only outwardly sad.
It was a normal human reaction—guilt after making a self-serving decision.
But that guilt would go no further.
If she were truly overwhelmed with grief, she wouldn't have stayed here.
In just a short time, Rei had already grasped a basic law of the apocalypse—
The weak… must cling to the strong.
…..
"Yes, Akuto-kun, I understand. I respect Takashi's choice."
"My choice is different. I've chosen to stay by your side. And since I've chosen that, I'll take responsibility for it."
"So, I'll do everything I can not to drag you down!"
After his words, Rei's mood lightened considerably.
In her declaration, she had expressed sadness for Takashi's departure, received Akuto's comfort, and finally pledged her loyalty to him.
In that moment, Rei completed her "evolution."
Her mind now focused on only one thing—
The scent on Shizuka's body.
While tending to her, Rei noticed Shizuka's skirt was gradually soaked, white liquid dripping endlessly.
No matter how much she wiped, it wouldn't stop.
Eventually, Shizuka woke up, bathed, and changed clothes to solve the issue.
If Rei's guess was right… that liquid was Akuto's.
Did that mean…
Akuto and Shizuka had already "done it" in the infirmary before the outbreak?
Otherwise, given the timing, how else could Shizuka's body already be filled with so much of the symbiote?
…..
"So, the plan is to find a vehicle and head to my father's estate, right?"
Saya pushed up her glasses, her sharp mind working.
In just minutes, she had figured out not only her own role but everyone else's as well.
Akuto: all-rounder and leader.
Saeko Busujima: combat specialist.
Rei Miyamoto: grunt labor.
Shizuka Marikawa: support.
And herself—Saya Takagi—the strategist to guide Akuto.
"Earlier, Shizuka-sensei said she has the keys to the school bus. Akuto-kun, what do you think about leaving the school on the bus?" Saya asked with expectant eyes.
"That works. We'll take the bus."
But just as the decision was made, Akuto heard something and looked down.
Vroooom!!~
The roar of an engine echoed up from the underground garage.
"Looks like someone beat us to it. And from the sound… they've taken the school bus."
"What?! Then what do we do? We don't have keys to any other vehicles!" Saya frowned deeply.
"No problem. We'll just go down there. The zombies have blocked their exit."
"As long as we show we're willing to clear the Dead for them, they'll open the doors." Akuto concluded decisively.
"…Alright. I understand. That's our only option! Everyone, let's move quickly! Akuto-kun, Saeko-san, please lead the way!"
Saya nodded firmly, knowing time was short.
Creak~
The doors opened, and the group rushed out.
Thanks to Akuto and Saeko clearing most of the building earlier, they met little resistance and quickly exited the school.
…..
On the school bus.
Koichi Shido's eyes widened in shock as he saw the group burst out of the building and charge toward the garage entrance.
The purple-haired kendo girl led at the front, holding the line against countless zombies.
No matter what creature stepped into her range, its head was severed in an instant.
But it was the boy at her side that annoyed Shido most.
"What the hell? Even while facing zombies, they're still holding hands? What the hell are these students thinking?"
As he fumed, the group reached within dozens of meters of the bus.
Then the "pretty boy" spoke.
"Open the door. We'll clear the zombies. In return, let us board."
"Fine! Clear them first, then I'll open up!" Shido shouted back from the window.
But Akuto shook his head.
"No. Open the door and let part of our group in first. Once we've cleared the zombies, then let the rest in."
"If you don't agree, we'll leave. You should be able to see clearly—with our strength, we can absolutely make it out of the school. And once we do, any rational survivor would let us onto their vehicle."
He looked as if he was ready to walk away at any moment.
Seeing this, Shido panicked.
"Fine! Send some of your people over first—we'll open the door to receive them!"
He knew well that while they didn't necessarily need his bus… he did need them to deal with the zombies blocking his way out.
…..
"You all go first. Saeko and I will follow right after."
"Got it, Akuto-kun, please be careful!"
Clang!
Akuto struck the metal rod again, its ringing echoing through the garage, drawing over a dozen zombies away from the bus.
"Move!"
Saya and the others seized the chance, rushing with Rei and Shizuka from the side.
The school bus door opened, and the three of them scrambled inside.
"Go!"
Almost the very same instant they boarded, Shido slammed the gas pedal.
With the zombies lured away, the problem was solved—so why let anyone else on board?
(End of Chapter)
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