Chapter 47

The Self-Defense Forces' rescue helicopter made a round trip without any issues, transporting all nine people from the city hall to a nearby base.

While waiting for the second round trip, it was mentioned that due to the helicopter being over capacity, not much luggage could be carried. Therefore, Oda and the others were hurriedly using drones to transport supplies from the city hall to the police station.

Initially, it was thought that the rescue at the police station would come the next day, but in reality, it was said that it would come as early as the day after tomorrow and no later than a week. The reason was that there might also be rescues near the base, and since fuel was not in abundant supply, securing it had to be carried out simultaneously.

Oda gritted his teeth, but he judged that with the supplies transported by the second round trip helicopter, the food brought from the city hall, and the supplies currently secured at the police station, they could last for about two weeks. He reluctantly accepted the proposal, perhaps having had a premonition when the supplies arrived.

Now, Oda and the others are busy organizing dangerous items like firearms because they will be leaving here soon.

Since they will be away, it's important to secure these items so that no one can easily get their hands on them during that time. It seems that the Self-Defense Forces are also running low on ammunition, so they will take as much as they can, but I don't know the details.

"Senpai, we're going to be saved, right?"

The sun had already set, and in Azami's room, Yuki said with a calm expression.

"…Yeah."

Azami smiled gently at Yuki.

"Kaede, that's great too!"

"Yes. Thank you, Azami-san… and Yuki-san, and everyone at the shelter… I'm really glad."

"It's mostly thanks to Senpai. You're so considerate, Kaede. You're really cute, you know."

"Kyaa!"

Yuki always teases me by hugging me like this. I think she does it to keep the mood light in this dark world. I'm grateful for her consideration, and I do feel a bit better when we play around like this.

Yuki is very beautiful, cute, kind, and bright. She was very kind to me, even though I was a stranger. She's the kind of wonderful woman I want to be when I grow up.

"Don't get too carried away."

Azami, who looked exasperated, still smiled as she said this.

Azami is a kind person.

I still remember the day we first met, when Azami said she would save me, at least for now.

"At least for now."

I've always felt uneasy about these words, fearing that I might be abandoned someday.

But despite my fears, Azami stayed with me and took care of me when I had a cold, even though I was being selfish and asked her to stay. This seemed to alleviate my fears, but when Azami went out after I recovered, I was hit by the same anxiety.

When she didn't return after a night, I was worried about her safety. But gradually, I started to think that she had finally abandoned me. I had glared at her when she made my mother's passing easier, and I couldn't do much more than cook for her. I even caught a cold and caused her trouble. I thought she had finally had enough of me.

So when Azami returned on that rainy night, I was really happy. I hugged her without thinking.

I don't think Azami ever considered not returning to the hardware store. She said it was convenient, but I could feel it deeply when she brought me clothes. My heart was full.

I didn't trust Azami and felt anxious on my own. But when she returned, she was considerate of me.

I was really happy.

"…What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

"Ah! N-no, nothing!"

However, there is one thing that has been bothering me about that night.

Azami said she was looking for a functioning shelter before going to bed.

Azami said she had taken down most of the infected people I saw when I fled to the hardware store. She has gone out many times since we met and has always returned safely. The distance between the hardware store and here is quite far, given the state outside. She also repeatedly lured a single infected person into the narrow emergency staircase, just to get me used to them. On the day I took refuge here, there were no infected people on the first floor, which I'm sure Azami had cleared to make it easier to escape.

Is Azami not afraid of the infected?

There's Yuki, a friendly junior from the company, and there are interactions with people here. But I can't help but think that for Azami, this shelter might not be necessary at all.

In other words, could it be that she was looking for a shelter just to evacuate me there?

Azami said she was here because the leader, Oda, wanted her. So, if we are rescued by the Self-Defense Forces and no longer need to help Oda, what will happen?

"Um… Azami-san, will you stay with us at the other shelter?"

"Hmm? Well… I don't know what kind of place it is. I guess it would be fine if there are no problems."

Azami's hesitant response made me feel a bit of new anxiety again.