Chapter 70

Last night's rain had fortunately cleared up by morning.

When we finally left the police station, I opened the shutter from the top of the truck, just as we had done at the supermarket we used for food supplies. A few zombies managed to get into the garage, but there was no other choice but to leave them there. This allowed everyone to safely move to the department store.

Even if you don't get bitten by a zombie, dying turns you into one. The truth of this was revealed to the Oda group when I killed that guy.

Regarding the treatment of that guy, we told the refugees and other police officers that we had left some food for him. In case someone saw the online posts and came there, we did leave a small amount of supplies, just in case. But I doubt anyone would come to rely on that now.

"Senpai, you took so long to come, I was really worried."

The patrol of the building was already perfectly completed, and now everyone was cleaning and tidying up each floor. The store was a mess, and it was dirty to begin with, but the floor still had bloodstains from my fight with the half-gang group. It would take more than just today to clean all of this up.

"While we were delayed, it started raining."

"But it's really good that everyone is safe."

"Yeah, it's good that we could relocate without any issues."

Without any issues.

For me, it was, but for those left behind at the police station, it might not have been.

Oda and the three of us, including me, didn't say anything except what was necessary for the work, and we moved here. The awkwardness we carried with us as we got out of the car must have been noticeable to everyone.

At the very least, Yuki and Kaede seemed to sense the tension. The two of them, who had rushed over with relief, were looking around at our faces anxiously.

But if they had mentioned it, all we could have said was that we were just tired from the tension of things not going as planned, and they seemed to have accepted that.

"This place is so big and nice! It's still a bit scary, thinking something might come out, but we can steal as much as we want!"

Perhaps because I had a slightly troubled look on my face, or because Kaede was giving me a worried look, Yuki said this in a joking tone.

"We should always be on guard, just in case something happens in the future, but for now, it's safe. Especially the floors above the second."

"Kaede, let's go shopping after we finish cleaning up! Of course, Senpai, you have to come with us!"

"Hehe, that sounds good."

"Alright, I'll come. Please be gentle with me."

"Yay! Hehe, free shopping!"

Seeing Yuki repeat the phrase "free shopping" with a cheerful tone, I couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking how carefree she was.

+++++

Late at night, I was called to the staff room by Oda. Only the two of us were in the room.

Oda, sitting in a chair across the office table, had a troubled look on his face.

"Hey, Yanagi."

"…What is it?"

Just as the awkward atmosphere began to dominate the room, Oda spoke quietly.

"Why did you do that?"

"That," refers to me killing that guy in the holding cell. Oda, without meeting my eyes, leaned his elbows on the table and clasped his hands, looking down as he asked.

"Because I thought it was necessary."

"…Was it because Kaede was hurt and you were angry?"

"Of course, I felt something similar. But simply put, he didn't deserve to live, right?"

"…"

It's nothing. As I said at the time, there was no need to hold back with someone who had attacked and tried to kill Kaede.

"You were probably hesitating, right? I just did what needed to be done."

If he had lived, he would have been an unnecessary risk and a disturbance. Oda must have understood that too.

"…If you had acted on impulse, I could understand. But to me, it seemed like you did it calmly."

"That's true. I remained calm throughout, thought about it, and decided to kill him."

"Yanagi… why can you be so calm…?"

"What do you mean? I just killed someone who was unnecessary."

"…Have you… killed anyone else before?"

At my answer, Oda looked at me as if he couldn't believe it. His eyes, which seemed to hope for a "no," were filled with a hint of fear. A sharp pain ran through my chest, but the words were already out.

"…Yes, I have. Many times."

Oda's eyes widened at my words. They seemed to hold a hint of fear, reminding me of the scared eyes of those I had killed in Japan. A sharp pain ran through my chest, but the words couldn't be taken back.

"You're joking… right?"

"I'm not. That's why I don't agonize over killing people like you do."

"Can I ask… was there a reason? Some unavoidable circumstances?"

"A reason? Sure, there were many cases of self-defense. But not all of them. I've killed many people who were just in the way or were enemies, for no other reason."

The words wouldn't stop coming out. I didn't hesitate to speak the truth, even if I didn't reveal the core of it.

I could have lied, but I didn't want to tell a complete lie.

Oda, listening to my words, had tears in his eyes. He pressed his lips together and stared at me with those eyes.

Did he feel betrayed? Was he regretting the day he confessed to me?

With a furrowed brow, Oda closed his eyes, as if trying to hold back tears. He was thinking, and a long silence filled the room.

"…Yanagi, if… if something like this happens again, what will you do?"

"Next time, I won't hold back. I'll kill without mercy."

"…I see… Yanagi. I…"

When I answered the question that broke the silence, a tear rolled down Oda's cheek.

"…I will expel you from here."

"…I see."

As Oda declared this, tears streaming down his face, I could only say that.