Chapter 16

From Kaede's story, it is clear that the other presence felt on this third floor, the presence of a zombie, is that of what used to be Kaede's "mother."

I decided to help Kaede.

If that's the case, I must reduce the danger as much as possible.

Kaede's mouth opened and closed as if trying to say something, but she couldn't seem to form the words. After taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth again and said,

"…I understand."

With just those words, she spoke.

I picked up the crowbar from the floor and stood up.

"Here, this is the key to the changing room."

Kaede also stood up and handed me a keychain, which must have belonged to her father, with trembling hands. As I was about to leave the room, Kaede followed.

"Do you intend to come with me?"

"Ah, sorry… Is it not allowed…?"

"…No, I think it's better if you do. It's good for you to see it with your own eyes."

If I decided to help her, I thought it would be better to let her see it.

We left the room and moved the furniture in front of the changing room, standing before the door. The sound of the zombie inside scratching at the metal door was grating on our ears.

I unlocked the door and turned the doorknob, then pushed it open with force. Of course, I could easily blow away a human with a single push, but I did it this way in front of Kaede.

The zombie was slammed against the wall as the door opened.

However, the fallen zombie, upon seeing us, slowly stood up and weakly raised its hands, approaching us.

"Mom…"

Kaede called out softly from behind me.

The zombie in front of us was beautiful.

As Kaede had said, there were only noticeable injuries on its arms, and if not for those, it might have looked like just a slightly pale person. However, upon closer inspection, its eyes were terribly clouded, clearly indicating that it was no longer human.

Kaede, who had been standing motionless behind me, must have been thinking the same thing. She did not try to approach the "mother" in front of her, but only shrank back.

"Have you said your goodbyes?"

I coldly said this to Kaede, not waiting for her response, and swung the crowbar at the head of what used to be Kaede's mother.

The dull sound of the skull cracking echoed, and the zombie slowly fell.

"Mom!"

As Kaede tried to approach, I caught her by the collar with my left hand, stopping her. Before Kaede could regain her balance, I swung the crowbar in my right hand again, mercilessly striking the fallen zombie's head.

A terribly unpleasant sound was heard, and the head was completely crushed.

Kaede stood there, dazed, in front of the mangled corpse of the zombie. After a while, she turned to me and glared sharply.

"Don't let your guard down. Just because they fall doesn't mean they're dead. If you crush the head like this, it's definitely over."

You didn't have to go that far, she must have wanted to say.

In response to Kaede's silent protest, I answered without changing my expression.

In truth, it was already dead with the first strike.

But I deliberately delivered the second strike as a lesson.

Even if she resents me for it, it doesn't matter; I decided to help her.

Kaede said nothing, but approached the corpse of what used to be her mother with trembling legs, staring at it intently.

What is she thinking, standing there?

Only Kaede's heavy breathing echoed in the silent room.

This was necessary.

No matter who they were originally, zombies must be killed.

And if it's someone you know, it's even more important.

If it's family, a lover, or a friend, it's even more so.

If it's too painful, someone else has to do it.

I just did it.

After a while, Kaede turned to me and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Azami, I'm sorry for earlier… Thank you for what you did for my mother."

A drop of water fell to the floor.