Chapter 72

In the new shelter, which was a department store, most of the tenants had grilles installed, and they used them to create rooms.

The inside was completely visible, so there was no privacy, but we managed by setting up partitions and other such things.

There were plenty of materials to do this, so it wasn't difficult.

Moreover, if something happened, it would immediately catch the attention of others, which, for me, who had experienced something like that before, was somewhat reassuring.

The new room assignments had my room and Yuki's room next to Azami's room.

This made me feel that moving to this department store was a good decision.

However, perhaps because it was a new place,

I felt uneasy and couldn't fall asleep easily last night.

Yuki seemed to be the same, and after Azami was called away by Oda, we talked in low voices for a while.

I think we talked for quite some time, but Azami didn't return during that period.

I thought there must have been an important meeting or something.

When I woke up in the morning and peeked into the neighboring tenant to greet Azami, she was already gone.

"Kaede, you're up early. Good morning."

"Yuki, you're awake too. Good morning."

"Wow, senpai is even earlier. I wonder where she went."

As Yuki, rubbing her eyes, peeked into Azami's room from behind me, her casual words made my heart beat loudly.

"Hey, Kaede!?"

Ignoring Yuki's call, I immediately ran towards the police officer I saw from a distance.

The female police officer, who was surprised, looked at me with wide eyes, and I forgot to greet her as I asked:

"Um, um! Azami...!"

"Good morning, Kaede. Yanagi went out early with Oda and the others. They said they were going to get something from the police station and the home center."

"Is that so? I'm sorry for the sudden question. And I'm sorry for being late with my greeting. Good morning."

She answered me calmly despite my rude behavior.

I was worried about her going out, but I was relieved to know that my bad feeling was just my imagination.

"Kaede, you scared me by suddenly running. Ah, good morning!"

"Yukinoshita, good morning. You two are as close as ever."

After exchanging greetings with Yuki, who had run up from behind, she said this and left.

"Kaede really likes senpai, doesn't she? Uryuryu."

"Kyaa! N-no, that's not...!"

"Really? Is that so?"

Yuki hugged me and teased me.

I could feel my face turning red.

In the room at the police station where Azami confessed that she was scared that day,

I almost said the same thing.

But for some reason, I was scared.

I don't think Azami noticed.

Her hand, which stroked my head, was as gentle as a father's or a mother's.

However, why did her hand seem to tremble at that moment?

Thinking about it, a vague unease began to form in my chest again.

+++++

After breakfast, we continued from where we left off yesterday.

Azami had said it was fine to leave my room alone, but I still cleaned her room, even though it might be considered meddlesome.

I wanted to be of some help to Azami, even if it was just a little.

"Looks like they're back. They said they have something to talk about."

Yuki, who was working in the next room, appeared and called out.

I quickly responded and followed Yuki.

Most of the evacuees seemed to have gathered in the largest, cleared-out tenant space in the store.

Yuki and I walked there, talking about what it could be.

When all the evacuees were gathered, Oda stood in front of them.

Beside him were the two male police officers who were often with him.

I looked around for Azami but couldn't find her.

Yuki was also looking around, probably for the same reason.

"Everyone, there's something I need to tell you."

At Oda's words, a bad feeling welled up in my chest.

Looking at his face, it seemed very sad and painful.

I swallowed hard and waited for him to continue.

"…Yanagi is dead."

For a moment, the evacuees' voices of shock could be heard, but then it became silent.

I could see Yuki, who was next to me, covering her mouth out of the corner of my eye.

Oda opened his mouth to continue, but I couldn't hear anything.

I stood still, watching the scene as if it were a silent movie.

Yuki hugged me, but I couldn't respond.

I couldn't hear anything.

As the silent scene began to blur, I slowly moved my feet.

Ignoring Yuki's hug and bumping into the evacuees in front of me, I walked to Oda.

"…Azami…?"

"…Yanagi is dead. She was killed by an infected person."

I realized Yuki was next to me.

At Oda's second statement, Yuki collapsed and cried on the spot.

Azami is dead?

Killed by an infected person?

I repeated the words in my dazed mind.

No.

That's a lie.

That can't be.

I don't want to believe it.

I can't believe it.

Because.

Because Azami.