Chapter 37

The rain that had been falling for days had finally stopped, and the sky visible through the small window was blue. It was a perfect day for a drive.

A few days had passed since then, and today was the day to finally take Kaede to the police station.

In the end, Kaede couldn't pull the trigger on the gun. It seemed that even though they were dead, she still felt a strong aversion to killing something that was once human.

This was a natural reaction for most people. For Kaede, who had always been told she was a "good girl" by her father, it was even more so. However, in the world we now lived in, such feelings were nothing but a hindrance.

I told Kaede that she would have to learn to kill zombies someday. Her response was hesitant, but it seemed she understood what I meant.

Above all, if she was to follow the words in her father's letter, which urged her to do whatever it took to survive, the answer she had to choose was already predetermined. Yes, even if killing zombies was a "bad thing" for Kaede, it was something she would have to do eventually.

Kaede couldn't pull the trigger, but it seemed she had become somewhat accustomed to the presence of zombies.

Her hands still trembled when holding the gun, but her steps were much steadier than the first time I had given her one. She even told me that she had gotten a little used to it. With that, I felt she would be fine when we arrived at the police station.

"Are you ready?"

I called out to Kaede, who was in the staff room.

"Yes!"

Kaede, with her long hair tied back, wearing a hoodie and a jacket, had a backpack on and gave a determined response. She had apparently packed the clothes I gave her inside. She could have left them behind, but that was fine.

I considered whether to have her wear the protective gear I received from Mr. Oda, but since I would be protecting her, I decided to have her wear only a Kevlar vest under her clothes to make it easier for her to move when climbing the ladder.

"Can I have a moment?"

Kaede stopped as we were about to leave the staff room and asked me.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I just want to say goodbye."

Kaede walked towards the women's changing room, where the door was sealed with furniture piled in front of it.

A farewell to her deceased mother, perhaps.

"Should I open it?"

"No, it's okay."

Kaede quietly said, stood in front of the door, closed her eyes, and clasped her hands as if in prayer.

She must have known she wouldn't be coming back here. What was she thinking with that solemn expression?

After a while, Kaede opened her eyes and turned to me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Are you done?"

"Yes."

Kaede replied with a bright smile.

"I couldn't say goodbye to my dad, but this backpack is something from him."

"It's the same thing, right?" she added, tugged at the shoulder strap of the backpack, and smiled.

"Got it. Let's go, then."

"Yes!"

Kaede turned to me with a determined, sharp expression.

And with that, Chapter One comes to an end.

Thank you for your reviews, bookmarks, and ratings; they are very encouraging.

I will continue to update from tomorrow, so I hope you will continue to follow along.