Next, they began exchanging personal information, a simple effort to get to know each other amidst this unusual situation.
Through conversation, Azlan learned that the girl before him was actually 17 years old, two years older than him.
Akane enthusiastically told about her love for acting, which started since childhood because she was inspired by children's idols on TV. Not just a momentary admiration, she showed her seriousness by attending various acting training and competitions from an early age. Now, she was under the auspices of the Lala Lai Theater group, pursuing her dream of becoming a famous actress.
In short, Azlan categorized Akane as someone chasing her dreams—a luxury he never had.
On the other hand, Azlan himself honestly revealed his past. He told how he became an orphan in a war zone and his horrifying life experiences, as if discussing someone else's history. He told it without noticeable emotion, making his experiences feel even colder and more brutal.
However, the impact on Akane was clearly visible. Her view of Azlan changed, becoming softer and full of empathy. She began to understand why the man before her seemed so mature and cold—the world had taught him to never let his guard down.
*GRRR...!*
The sound of a growling stomach was clearly heard between the two of them, breaking the emotional tension in an awkward way.
"Ngnh... I haven't eaten since yesterday, really!"
Akane held her stomach, her face reddening with embarrassment. She tried to defend herself while lowering her head, afraid to be seen by Azlan.
Azlan didn't mock or comment on it. Instead, he immediately stood up, walked to the locker and opened it.
"Let's end the serious talk here. Although not luxurious, there are still some canned food and instant noodles here."
"Thank you. Let me cook it for Azlan-kun too. Where are the cooking utensils?"
Relieved at not being mocked. Then, enthusiastically, Akane offered.
Azlan directed her to the portable gas stove and simple cooking utensils he used. Deftly, Akane began preparing food.
In an instant, the aroma of instant noodles and canned sausages filled the staff room, bringing a little warmth and a homey atmosphere amidst the destroyed world.
For a moment, they were just two teenagers sharing food, momentarily forgetting the terrifying reality outside that minimarket.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Azlan was not an expert in acting, but his sharp instincts honed on the battlefield told him that there was something still hidden by Akane. Perhaps it was part of her past that she didn't tell, or perhaps something deeper.
Even so, he didn't pressure her to tell.
Everyone has secrets they don't want others to know.
After the simple dinner prepared by Akane, physical and mental exhaustion finally attacked the girl. Her eyelids looked heavy, and she almost fell asleep in her chair several times. The emotional pressure she had experienced since arriving in this world had clearly drained her energy.
Since the minimarket only had one bed in the messy manager's room, Azlan told her to sleep there. Initially, Akane refused the offer, feeling uncomfortable.
Letting the host sleep on the floor while the guest was on the bed, no matter how she looked at it, it wasn't appropriate. Akane didn't want to take advantage of Azlan's kindness to her.
"No need to worry." Azlan said, reassuring her with a calm voice. "I won't sleep. Nighttime is my time to meditate and train Senjutsu. That bed will be more useful for you to recover your energy."
"Okay."
After being urged several times, Akane finally accepted the offer with mixed feelings between gratitude and unease.
She entered the messy manager's room, and as soon as her head touched the pillow, exhaustion immediately defeated her. Within minutes, she was already fast asleep, her breathing regular and deep.
Meanwhile, Azlan sat cross-legged on the staff room floor. The piercing night air entered through the gaps in windows that weren't tightly closed.
"Huuu... The temperature is getting colder. Tomorrow, I need to find blankets or other heat sources."
He muttered while exhaling breath that turned into white mist.
Closing his eyes, Azlan forgot the biting cold. His mind focused, breathing with a deep and regular rhythm. Slowly, he began to feel the flow of natural energy around him.
That energy flowed slowly, absorbed by his body through diligent Senjutsu training.
In the silence of the night, with the only sound being his own breathing and the sigh of wind outside, Azlan meditated.
In the next room, Akane slept peacefully, protected by his presence.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Mhm~..."
A light yawning sound came from Akane's lips as she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was still blurred by the remnants of sleep. She furrowed her brow, confused.
The cracked and dusty ceiling above her was completely unfamiliar. This wasn't her clean and tidy bedroom.
"Where is this...?"
A small panic seized her. Reflexively, her hand felt the clothes she was wearing.
Feeling the clothes still intact covering her body, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. At least, this wasn't the worst scenario that had crossed her mind.
Then, her memory began to recover. Zombies. Escape. The man with light wings. The minimarket. Conversation about another world.
"Ah, I remember! So all of yesterday's events weren't a dream?"
That reality hit her hard. She was truly trapped in a destroyed world, filled with the living dead. A wry smile decorated her beautiful face.
"This might be my punishment from the gods, right? Instead of heading to a peaceful afterlife, I was thrown into a more terrifying world."
Imagining herself being eaten alive by zombies and becoming part of them, Akane couldn't help but shiver.
"I wonder if there's a way to return...?"
But, almost instantly, she shook her head herself.
Her old world? The place where she was mocked by netizens until it made her desperate to the point of wanting to commit suicide?
Was there really anything worth fighting for to return? Maybe not.
Her disappointment with her own world still felt more bitter than her fear of zombies.
Then, Azlan's face appeared in her mind. The mysterious man who saved her, gave her shelter and accepted her.
"Azlan-kun has been so kind to me. I must repay his kindness."
Akane patted her own cheeks, driving away all negative thoughts and sad sentiments trying to gnaw at her.
Today was a new day. She was still alive, and that was already a blessing.
With renewed spirit, Akane rose from the bed. She did light stretching, flexing her stiff muscles. Then, with determined steps, she left the messy bedroom, resolved to start the day by making breakfast for her savior.
It might be a small thing, but it was the beginning of her intention to repay the favor and find her new role in this strange world.