It has been four days since Saya and Rei named that thing "Parasite."
I was quite surprised at the time when Saya was able to draw that conclusion about how those disgusting worms worked based solely on what she had seen in the video.
After all, she didn't physically study the parts of the parasite, and she certainly didn't have access to a lab or scientific equipment.
The mind of a genius is truly something else.
For dumb people like me, that level of intelligence is completely unattainable. My zombie brain simply can't process information at that speed or with that depth.
Sometimes I wonder if I was ever that smart in my previous life, but honestly, I doubt it. I was probably a mediocre student who spent his time staring at beautiful women's butts.
Well, as long as I have enough physical strength, I think I can keep on living even without being too smart.
I've completely lost hope of ever returning to being a normal human who needs to go to school every day, then graduate, go to college, graduate again with a useless degree, and finally become a productive member of society working in an office until I die of stress.
That dream died when I was born a zombie.
There are ghouls hunting humans, there are parasites infiltrating people's bodies, and at any moment, there will probably be a zombie apocalypse, because I recognize this world as the world of Highschool of the Dead. It's only a matter of time before everything goes to hell.
Hm! Hm! Being a normal human wouldn't do much good anyway. It's better to be a strong zombie.
I think about it and come to that conclusion.
While I'm thinking about these depressing things about the future, Rei and Saya are sitting comfortably on the soft grass under a huge sakura tree.
Because it's winter, they're both bundled up to protect themselves from the cold. I don't have any winter clothes, so I'm wearing normal clothes. Well, it's not like the cold affects me anyway.
Near where we are, there is a decorative fountain made of cracked stones showing colorful fish swimming lazily in the crystal clear water.
I think they're called koi fish or something like that.
They're cute, actually.
Big and fat, with bright orange, pure white, and deep black colors. They move slowly through the water.
And actually, I'm quite tempted to dip my hand into the cold water and grab one of those plump fish before throwing it straight into my mouth and chewing on its raw flesh. My stomach growls silently just thinking about it.
But that would definitely make Saya angry, right?
She would yell at me and call me a savage idiot or something. After all, this is the backyard of the Takagi mansion, where there is this meticulously manicured garden. I can't be that kind of visitor who comes in and starts devouring the pets like a wild animal.
Although they really do look delicious...
At that moment, as I continue to watch the cute fish swimming, unaware that a hungry zombie is watching them, Rei calls my name.
"Arata!"
I turn my head toward her.
"What's up?"
Rei looks at me with a puzzled expression as she points at my face.
"Wipe your saliva. You're drooling. Heh! Arata looks like a dog looking at food."
Damn. Was I really drooling? I quickly wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, feeling a little embarrassed.
Then Rei flashes a bright smile and asks cheerfully.
"By the way, tomorrow is your birthday, right?"
Ah, yeah. I almost completely forgot about that.
My birthday is tomorrow, December 24th. It's the birthday I had in my other life, but I use it in this life too because I honestly don't remember the exact date I was born as a zombie. My parents in this world abandoned me so quickly that they never told me when I was actually born. So I just use the date from my previous life because it's the only thing I remember.
It doesn't matter much anyway. My birthday in this world is probably around that date in December.
Saya, who had been half-dozing with her eyes closed leaning against the tree trunk, slowly opens her eyes upon hearing that, and blinks a couple of times.
"Really? Your birthday is tomorrow? I didn't know that."
We met Saya just one year ago, before my last birthday. The problem is that we've only known each other superficially since then. We've played together, we've gone to the park, but we've never really talked about personal things like birthdays or family histories. That is, the subject hasn't come up until now.
Rei seems quite pleased with the fact that she knows something about me that Saya doesn't. She puffs out her chest proudly as she says in a smug tone.
"That's right! I did know. I've celebrated Arata birthday every year since we met. I always invite him to my house to celebrate. My dad buys a delicious cake, and we play games all afternoon."
Saya adjusts her glasses with one finger while frowning slightly.
"The birthday party is supposed to be at his house, not yours. Because it's his birthday, not yours, Rei."
Rei flashes a nervous smile on her face as she scratches her cheek with a finger.
"Well... you know how Arata is when it comes to his home. He always avoids that topic, hmph! Hmph! He's never told us exactly where he lives or invited us to visit him. So we celebrate at my house instead."
Hey, why are you suddenly getting angry?
But what Rei says is true, since I've never told either of them where I live. I can't exactly invite them to my abandoned building full of rubble and without electricity or water.
Saya nods understandingly as she looks at me with piercing orange eyes.
"This idiot is indeed an idiot who doesn't want to talk about himself. Frustrating."
"Um! Arata is a big idiot!"
"Hey! I'm listening, you know! I'm right here!"
Rei laughs cheerfully at my protest, then gets up from the grass and her red eyes quickly take on a gleam of excitement.
"Anyway, Arata! Come to my house tomorrow to celebrate your birthday. Tonight I'll ask my dad to prepare things. You come too, Saya-chan! It'll be more fun with more people."
As she says this, she suddenly lunges at Saya and hugs her tightly from behind, pressing their cheeks together.
I see how Saya immediately becomes annoyed by the physical contact. With an irritated snort, she pushes Rei away from her.
"Don't hug me like that all of a sudden! Hmph!"
Then she adjusts the frame of her glasses. Hey, does she really need to wear those things at such a young age? She's barely ten years old. Her eyes are already that damaged.
Anyway, a pleasant pink color spreads across her white cheeks as she looks at me sideways.
"Since this is the first time the three of us are spending your birthday together, it's better if you come here, to my house. My house has enough space and resources to have a proper celebration."
Rei immediately shakes her head vehemently.
"No way! It should be at my house like always."
She says this in a stubborn tone, and it seems she really doesn't want my birthday to be celebrated anywhere other than her home. Furthermore, she looks at Saya as if she has suddenly become her enemy or rival. Sparks fly between their glances.
"Haaah?!"
Saya puts her hands on her hips and looks at Rei with disdain.
"Why does it have to be at your house? My house is much bigger and has better facilities. We can use the garden, the pool, the party room..."
"Because it's always been at my house! You can't change the things I have with Arata!"
"Don't be so childish, Rei!"
"You're the childish one, Saya!"
The two of them start to really fight now.
I decide to intervene before this escalates further and they end up pulling each other's hair or something.
They both turn to me with angry looks and say at the same time.
"Don't get involved, Arata!"
I'm not scared of them, and instead, I smile as I pat them on the head.
I'm used to these kinds of fights between them, and I know how to handle angry Rei and tsundere Saya. After doing this, they always calm down.
That makes me wonder if I've tamed them at some point.
Hey! Stop thinking about that!
"Hey, hey, calm down. This time we can celebrate here, okay? Since we're friends, we can't leave anyone out. And since Saya wants it to be here and it's the first time the three of us will celebrate together, then it's okay to do it at her house."
Rei immediately puffs out her cheeks, and I can tell she's not happy with my decision.
"Bad Arata. You always take Saya's side."
She closes her eyes under my caress and sighs.
"But it's okay if it's just this once. Next year it has to be at my house again, no excuses! Promise?"
"Promise. Next year it will be at your house, Rei."
I'm completely fine with that. I don't really care where we celebrate. I just want to spend time with my friends and maybe eat some raw meat when no one is looking.
Saya responds too, but unlike Rei, she sounds...
"I-It's not that I care much where we celebrate. I just thought my house would be more convenient. That's all."
She sounds tsundere.
Even so, she looks away with rosy cheeks.
Then Rei and Saya sit back down on the grass under sakura tree. Me, meanwhile, draw their exasperated glances when I take a small leap out of the shade and lie down flat on the ground with my back against the soft, cool grass under the sun. I cross my hands behind my head as a pillow and direct my gaze toward the beautiful clear blue sky above us.
It's a perfect day.
Amidst the birdsong, I hear an exasperated Saya speaking to me.
"Why are you lying on the ground like a bum? There are beds at home if you want to sleep."
"The grass is more comfortable."
I reply with a lazy smile.
Then I remember something important and turn my head toward where Saya is sitting.
"By the way, Saya, what happened with the announcement of the discovery you and your mother made? You know, about the parasites. How have government researchers or the media responded?"
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