[PoruShark Writer's Note: Here's how the map of Tokonosu City will be in the story.
Tokonosu City – East Side:
Downtown (Northern Shoreline): Takagi Estate, Onbetsu Bridge.
Uptown (Southern Mountain): Elementary School, Tokonosu Bridge.
Tokonosu City – West Side: (Fujimi Academy)
The shopping mall and police station on the East Side will be between Downtown and Uptown.
That's all—enjoy reading another lazy and lousy chapter.]
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"Is there something wrong, Hashimoto-san?" Saeko said, becoming conscious of Yui's curious gaze while they were both seated inside the broadcasting van, which was being slowly driven by Nach through the traffic on the east side downtown.
"You're a student at Fujimi Academy, right, Saeko-san?"
Aside from the enticing thigh-high leggings and slit-short skirt that almost gave a peek of her lace erotic panties, Yui was able to discreetly identify Saeko as a high school student by her familiar sailor uniform.
"Yes, I am... I mean, I was a third-year student."
Saeko answered, calm and composed, but Yui could clearly sense the slight sadness in her tone and behind her sweet smile.
"And what about Nach?" Yui said, moving on to her next question as she couldn't find the right words to console Saeko—or even anyone else—amid the chaos of the undead outbreak.
"He was a part-time teacher. A new one," Saeko replied, directing her answer to Yui while giving a suspicious smile toward Nach, who was listening to their conversation and glancing back at them from time to time through the open window between the driver's seat and the broadcasting area.
Nach, meanwhile, could only respond with an awkward smile.
Saeko took on the role of explaining what was necessary to Yui—that she and Nach were searching for students who had been left behind during their escape toward the Takagi Estate.
"But how did you know I was trapped inside the van with those bastards?" Yui asked, this time directing her question at Nach, waiting for his answer just like Saeko was.
"I saw you on the news last night..." Nach said, only to clarify after noticing Saeko's doubtful look.
"Not on television, of course, but through binoculars since we were at an apartment near Onbetsu Bridge last night."
Nach's half-true, half-lie excuse seemed to convince both Saeko and Yui. Still, Yui wasn't done yet, returning to the concern that brought up the topic of Fujimi Academy students in the first place.
"I'm sorry to say this, but I think you two were already too late," Yui said—not with a consoling expression, but with fear written across her face.
"What do you mean, Yui?" Nach asked, looking over his shoulder toward her, worried despite knowing that most of the students left behind were still alive through the Reader's Viewpoint.
"The horde of undead that attacked the bridge last night..." Yui murmured, her voice trembling as much as her body from the recollection of the horror—of the aggressive undead devouring her coworkers and everyone else—"...were students of Fujimi Academy."
Of course they would be chasing us for the sake of the plot...
"Nach-sensei!"
Saeko's warning made Nach snap his attention back to the road ahead.
—Screech!—
The van came to a sudden stop before crashing into the cars pileup in the middle of the road.
"So this is as far as we can go with the van," Nach said, looking at the traffic blocking the road as far as he could see, along with the undead lurking about, drawn by the sound of screeching tires when he slammed on the brakes.
Nach put the van in reverse, driving back as he turned the wheel, stepped on the brake, then pulled the handbrake to spin the van around 180 degrees before driving away from the undead—not to escape, but to hide the van at the corner of a street beside a high-rise apartment building.
"Ehh? You're gonna get up there, Nach? Why would you do that for?"
From the top of the high-rise apartment building, Nach would be able to clearly see the main road and possibly spot the Fujimi Academy bus that Shido had driven.
That explanation answered Yui's worried question—but not Saeko's concern.
"So you're really looking for them after all," Saeko said, confirming her assumption as to why Nach hadn't headed straight for Tokonosu Bridge, where Takayama's bus was closer.
"I don't think it would be worth saving them, Nach-sensei," she added—not only as a warning about Shido's schemes, but as a clear refusal to save the students who were Shido's disciples.
"Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, it doesn't mean they're lost forever. Sometimes we all need a little help."
An awkward silence filled the van.
Nach grew embarrassed by what he had said, despite delivering the line with a rough, deep voice and serious expression, while Saeko and Yui suffered secondhand embarrassment after understanding his reference.
"At least say something, or I'll just get more embarrassed," Nach said, unable to bear the silence.
"So you're a fan of foreign films... pfft... I mean, that should be obvious since you're a foreigner..." Yui said, desperately holding back her laughter—until Saeko delivered the final blow.
"Is that the kind of professor you want to be, Nach-sensei?"
"There's no copyright here... I mean, Shido might be a lost cause, but it won't hurt to give those students a chance."
Not that Nach was lying—but he was only referring to Miku, and he was really just trying to save Takashi, since he believed he needed to keep all the main cast alive to find a way to wake up from his dream and return to his reality.
"Are you coming with me, Saeko?" Nach asked as he stepped out of the van, opened the side door, and offered his hand to her.
"You're more of a good person than I initially thought, Nach-sensei," Saeko replied, taking his hand as she stepped outside and stood beside him.
"You can wait here until we get back, or come with us."
"I could just go on my own and leave both of you," Yui said, reminding Nach that she had no reason to endanger herself unless he was asking repayment for saving her dignity and life. But Nach wouldn't be satisfied with just a favor in exchange.
"You're mine—and I'm not letting you or the van go since I have the key."
After what she had just experienced—nearly being assaulted by her perverted boss and coworker—Yui should have felt repulsed by Nach's bold words and perverted grin. Yet she didn't dislike that kind of attitude, and actually preferred it in a man.
"Fine. I'll come with you, Nach."