Chapter 43

Senpai was alive.

When I saw Senpai after a long time, he seemed to have bulked up, and despite the fact that we can't even take a bath in this world, his skin looked so good and he seemed to have rejuvenated. I was envious!

...No, that's not it.

Senpai is hiding something.

Senpai had said he wasn't afraid of the infected. I don't know if it's related to what he's hiding, but as he said, Senpai went out of this shelter again and returned safely with Kaede.

It's not impossible, but... it's still impossible.

I was very lucky to be able to evacuate here, and I don't think I could do it again if asked. The people who died in front of me didn't seem particularly unlucky either.

But Senpai has evacuated here twice. He even went to Kaede's location after parting ways with the Oda group.

I have no idea what he's hiding, but I'm happy just to see that Senpai is alive, so I decided not to ask anymore. I don't want to be seen as a nagging woman! Well, I might have already been nagging a bit...

"Then... can I call you Yuki-san...?"

Kaede, sitting in front of me, fidgeted and asked with her eyes looking up.

While waiting for Senpai to return from talking with Oda, she had been thinking about how to address me. She had been pondering it ever since I told her to call me whatever she liked, and it seemed she had finally made a decision.

"Sure, no problem."

"Ah, um! Azami-san called you that... If it's disrespectful, I'll change it..."

"It's fine. After Senpai started calling me that at work, everyone else started doing it too."

When I said that, Kaede put her hand on her chest and looked relieved. She's such a girl who makes you want to protect her.

Even though she can't properly take care of herself, she still has beautiful long black hair and a well-put-together, serious face. Her beautiful eyes look at me shyly. In one word, she's a true beauty.

"Kaede-chan is so cute, u-ri u-ri."

"Kyaa!"

When I said that and hugged her, she smelled so good. Why! It's so unfair!

"Hey, ah, please forgive me!"

Is this because of her youth, or because of her youth? I poked her side and teased Kaede.

"What are you doing..."

When I realized, Senpai was standing at the door, looking exasperated.

+++++

As soon as Senpai entered the room and sat down, he rested his chin in his hand and stared blankly at the wall with a troubled expression.

"Um... Azami-san, did something happen with Oda-san?"

Kaede asked Senpai, who looked worried.

"Yeah... no, nothing. I just talked with Oda about the future."

"About the future..."

"Don't look so worried. It's not like I'm leaving or anything."

"That's good... I'm glad."

Kaede smiled when she heard that.

...She's really cute, it's so unfair.

I wonder if Senpai likes girls like Kaede. But, Kaede is just a high school freshman, only 15 years old. That's a crime! A crime!

...But in this world, there's no such thing as a crime anymore.

"Yuki, what are you thinking? You have a strange look on your face."

"Eh!? What do you mean, a strange look! That's rude to say to a girl!"

"Sorry, sorry. Yuki, thanks for taking care of Kaede. I appreciate it."

Senpai is really tactless, but he can be kind sometimes.

"It's okay. Just let me know whenever you need it."

I waved my hand in front of my face. I felt my cheeks getting a bit warm.

"Has Kaede decided on a room?"

Speaking of which, we hadn't decided on a room because we were thinking about how to address each other and fooling around. I had explained the rules and jobs here, though.

When Senpai asked, Kaede blushed and answered shyly.

"Ah, about that, can I continue sleeping with Azami-san?"

"Eh."

The words slipped out of my mouth naturally. I slowly turned to face Senpai, as if a creaking sound could be heard.

I said there's no such thing as a crime anymore, but it's still a crime, Senpai!

When I looked at him like that, Senpai opened his mouth in a rare flustered manner.

"Wait, Yuki, you're misunderstanding something."

"Ah! No, it's not like that! I meant in the same room...!"

Kaede also waved her hands in front of her, denying my assumption. Her face was even redder than before, and she looked as cute as ever.

...Wait a minute!

Kaede, you don't seem to mind at all! I remember you were hugging him when you came here too!

This is not good, not good at all.

To prevent Senpai from becoming a criminal, I have to step in!

"Kaede-chan is still a child, and it's better to have someone around for reassurance! So, let's share a room with me!"

"Sorry, Yuki. That would be a big help. Kaede might feel lonely, and I was actually going to ask you."

When I suggested this, Senpai nodded and turned to Kaede. For a moment, Kaede looked a bit sad, but she quickly turned to me and asked with her eyes looking up,

"Then, Yuki-san... can I be a bit clingy?"

Oh, she's so cute.

I feel like I'm doing something wrong, but if Senpai was planning to do this anyway, it should be okay, right?

"Sure, you can be as clingy as you want with your big sister!"

I said that and patted Kaede's head.

Sometimes, it's nice to be a bit relaxed.