Chapter 71

Disrupting the scene.

What I thought about that tanned, nose-pierced guy.

If he had been brought here alive, even if he had been handcuffed and locked in a room somewhere, it would have been unsettling to just leave him there, and it would have been necessary to post a guard. Even at the police station's holding cells, it was the same. He was such a troublesome existence, and originally a scumbag who attacked Kaede, so I killed him.

However, if the only thing to consider is disrupting the scene, then the fact that I can calmly kill someone like that would also apply to me. For Oda-san, and probably for everyone else, it would be the same. Even before I went to another world, I might have thought the same thing.

Killing and eliminating those who get in the way. Such a dangerous ideology doesn't seem to fit the original world. Would ordinary people want to live with someone who holds such an ideology? Could they approach such a person without feeling uneasy or harboring fear in their hearts? Could they turn a blind eye to such a person being among the people they want to protect? That would surely be impossible.

There was one thing I didn't tell Oda-san about the reason I killed him. It was the possibility that my powers might be exposed due to his existence. In my mind, that reason didn't hold much weight. Now, considering that I'm thinking about leaving this community, it would be even less of a concern. Being feared as a monster and leaving here wouldn't make much of a difference.

However, regardless of the size of the reasons, I think I am almost the same as someone who has broken down in this world of zombies, someone who kills for their own benefit while claiming to protect everyone.

That's why I had no intention of arguing with Oda-san's words. I could understand Oda-san's thoughts, and I didn't have the right to say anything.

In the early morning, when everyone was still asleep, I was heading out in a car with Oda-san and two of his subordinates. We had told the other police officers that we had forgotten something at the station and would also gather supplies from a hardware store that the department store didn't have.

"…I heard the story. Hey, is this really okay?"

The bald guy in the back seat muttered.

"It's not like killing that guy is a big deal…"

"No, it's fine."

I interrupted him. From his words, it seemed Oda-san had told them about my true nature. But even so, he said that.

"But, we've been helped by Yanagi-san…"

"I'm the one who's been helped."

I interrupted the bearded guy's words.

Indeed, from their perspective, it might be true. I had helped them in ways they didn't see. But for me, it wasn't much trouble, and I did it because I wanted to.

Without them, Yuki would probably be dead. That alone was enough to say I was helped.

Oda-san had been struggling to help the evacuees despite his own suffering. The other police officers were the same. I had been doing things to help them a little, and I had no intention of using that as a reason to demand anything or to be told anything.

"More importantly, take care of Kaede and Yuki."

"…I told you this when we first met. I'll take full responsibility for their protection. I promise."

Oda-san nodded firmly at my words. If that's the case, I have nothing to worry about.

Originally, when I was looking for a shelter, I had thought about leaving Kaede with someone and going somewhere else. But now, I'm just returning.

That department store should have enough supplies for a long time. If something runs out, it will be safer to go out than before. The Self-Defense Forces are probably still functioning, and they might come to rescue us eventually.

…Yuki might be angry with me.

"Hey, Oda-san. This is just a request, but if you could."

"…What is it?"

"Make it look like I was killed by the zombies."

Well, since we probably won't meet again, it might be strange to worry about such a thing. But for Kaede, it would be better this way.

"…Only the four of us know about last night, and I have no intention of telling anyone else. So, I was already planning to do that."

Oda-san quietly replied to my request. I thought he was being considerate in a strange way. But it was probably the answer he came to after much internal struggle.

I appreciated it. It was a rather selfish request, but I didn't want Kaede or Yuki to feel the emotions I saw in Oda-san's eyes, even for a moment.

"Oda-san, you're really something."

While looking at the outside where the number of zombies seemed to have decreased, I said this with a wry smile.

+++++

At the hardware store, we planned to transport machinery like generators and iron pipes, which the department store didn't have. However, these items were on the second floor, and even with radio communication, we couldn't carry much.

We were planning to part ways here.

Despite setting up barricades on the second floor, we couldn't be careless when using the emergency stairs, and the store was dark. When we were on our second trip, carrying a few types of generators, we received a radio call from Oda-san in the car.

"They've appeared. Stop the work and come back immediately."

Following the order, the three of us hurried to the car. Although the distance was still considerable, a fair number of zombies were already walking around the edge of the large parking lot and the road.

The bald guy and the bearded guy climbed into the truck bed, which was facing the store entrance. Of course, I didn't follow them.

"Yanagi-san, really…"

"At least for now, it's dangerous, so come with us…"

"Then, both of you, take care. I know I'm being repetitive, but please take care of Kaede and Yuki… and Oda-san too."

I said this in response to their calls from the truck bed and threw the radio I was wearing into the truck.

"Please tell Oda-san I said hello."

I raised my hand, turned my back to the car, and walked into the hardware store.