Chapter 30

Night had already fallen outside, and in the dark room, I was lying on my back, staring at the ceiling.

This was my room in the police station.

From what Yuki said, there shouldn’t be any particular worries, but just to be safe, I chose a room near the center of the floor, close to the stairs, where I could sense people passing by.

Tomorrow, I’m supposed to go out with the male police officers to gather supplies.

I heard that the city hall and the police station communicate via radio, and when we go out, they will guide the zombies away from the police station, just as they did when I took refuge here. From there, we will use a special vehicle from the garage connected to the police station to get outside.

Indeed, if everyone had to climb down a rope ladder every time, they would eventually be caught by the zombies.

I could go down the ladder alone on a motorcycle to pick up Kaede, but imagining the scene, it would be a big action sequence to get the fallen motorcycle back up and start the engine in the middle of zombies. So, I decided it would be better to go out with the supply team.

I wanted to help with the supply gathering since they were taking care of me, and it wouldn’t be bad to see how it’s done. I think it will be fine since we’ve managed so far, but if I can see with my own eyes that we can continue to gather supplies steadily, it will reduce one of my worries.

After that, we will part ways at a place with fewer zombies, timing it right.

When I explained this to the others, including Oda, they frowned, but if they are going to stick to not helping with Kaede’s rescue, then this is the only way, so they reluctantly agreed to the plan.

For me, it’s better to get off the vehicle and return here safely, even if it looks suspicious, rather than being seen doing something more dramatic like fighting zombies.

As I was thinking about this, I sensed someone approaching my room.

Knock knock

“...Yuki? Come in.”

Before she could call out after knocking, I said, and the door opened quietly with a click. Yuki entered the room, holding a flashlight covered with a cloth.

“...How did you know it was me?”

“Who else would come to visit a new guy like me?”

I replied to Yuki’s half-lidded eyes as I got up.

I knew it was Yuki because I had registered her in my "constant battlefield" presence detection, but I couldn’t explain that.

“Wasting batteries, so it’s okay to turn it off, right?”

Saying this, Yuki came over to me, sat down, and turned off the flashlight. The room was enveloped in darkness again, and a moment of silence followed.

“...Senpai. You’re going out again tomorrow, right?”

Yuki said in a small, quiet voice.

“Yeah.”

“Bringing Kaede back, you should really get Oda and the others to help you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t impose on them for such a personal matter.”

I understand Yuki’s concern.

The plan I’m trying to execute would sound insane to anyone who heard it. But for me, it’s more frustrating to involve Oda and the others in such a "simple" personal matter and potentially put them in danger.

“Today went well, but next time, it might not...”

“...What do you mean?”

In response to my question, Yuki hugged her knees, pressed her face against them, and answered in a trembling voice, her head still bowed.

“Even if Senpai reaches Kaede safely, and even if you both make it back here safely, next time, it might not go well...”

I remained silent, waiting for Yuki to continue.

“I’ve seen it happen many times. People who have taken refuge here dying right in front of me. We were just lucky. I’ve seen many, many people die just when they were about to be saved...”

Before I knew it, Yuki was crying. Even as she cried, she continued to speak.

“I’m still scared when I think about how I could have ended up like them. I can’t forget the feeling of an infected person’s hand grabbing my foot and my shoe coming off while I was climbing the ladder.”

“Yuki...”

“...Aren’t you scared, Senpai?”

Lifting her head, Yuki stared at me intently. Unable to meet her serious gaze, I averted my eyes.

I’m sure the other survivors who are still alive feel the same fear of zombies as Yuki does. And I’m the only one who doesn’t feel that fear. I can’t explain why.

Feeling something like guilt, I became uncomfortable.

“I... I’m not scared.”

That’s why I clearly told Yuki, hoping to escape from that feeling by being honest about my own emotions.

“Senpai...”

The pain in Yuki’s gaze, hugging her knees, was palpable.

“Senpai, you’re still... cold...”

Yuki’s words hit me hard.