Chapter 14

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After that, how much time had passed?

I had become so numb that I forgot to look at the clock, just sitting there aimlessly.

I had endured hunger several times, but my stomach was still empty, and with a dazed mind, I returned to the staff room and opened my father’s backpack to see if there was anything. What I saw was almost untouched emergency rations.

"Liar..."

When I spread out all the contents of the backpack on the table, it seemed that about two days' worth of food was left untouched. The first day's worth of food I had given to my mother, and the remaining two days' worth we had split, making it enough for four days for each of us. But it turned out that my father had only eaten two days' worth of food over nearly ten days.

"Why..."

Among the items carelessly placed on the table, I found a neatly folded piece of paper. With trembling hands, I picked it up and read what was written inside.

"To Kaede,

I think you must be really hungry and have no choice but to open Dad’s backpack to read this letter.

And I think that by the time you read this, Dad won’t be able to see you.

After what happened to Mom, I hope you can forgive me for leaving you behind.

I wish I could have left more food, but Dad did his best.

If I had known from the start that help wouldn’t come quickly, I could have left more, but I’m sorry.

Eat a little at a time, and try to survive as long as you can.

Dad managed to do it, and I’m sure you can do even better.

Maybe help will come eventually.

Maybe the power will come back, and you can call for help.

Or maybe someone passing by will come to your aid.

Dad isn’t afraid of those infected.

Well, saying I’m not at all afraid might be a lie.

But what scares me more is leaving you behind.

I’m very worried about whether you can survive.

There’s so much I want to say, but I can’t find the words.

Kaede, I love you.

Dad and Mom love you very much.

Kaede, this is Dad’s request. I’m sure Mom feels the same.

Kaede, survive.

Do whatever it takes. Anything is okay. Even if you have to do bad things.

You’re a good kid, so you might not be able to, but still. Absolutely, survive.

From Dad"

As I read on, my vision blurred more and more, and a tear fell onto the letter.

Touching the tear that fell on the already blurred ink, I thought that my father must have shed tears while writing this letter.