Takashi was worried and restless. He practiced his stances and how to properly handle a weapon. From yesterday until today, he hadn't been at ease, constantly thinking about rescuing his companions, Nanashi and Saeko-senpai. The unease wouldn't let him sleep, and to make matters worse, he had been scolded. He truly felt incompetent as he recalled what had happened the day before, once they arrived at the Takagi estate.
Entrance of the Takagi Villa
Takashi and the remaining group didn't even have time to discuss what would happen next when an unexpected scene caught them off guard. Before them stood the heroic figure of Saya's father, Takagi Souichiro—a strong leader who, even after the outbreak, did everything he could to prevent society from collapsing. With swift action, he managed to establish this base for his troops.
Without hesitation, he executed the zombie of his own friend, a man who had stood by his side for many years. With measured words, he declared that zombies could no longer be saved, and that the best way to honor a person who had turned was to put them down.
His actions earned both approval and disgust from many, but it was undeniable to Takashi that Souichiro Takagi's words were true. He had seen it with his own eyes: there was no salvation for them. And even if there were, he couldn't allow the people important to him to take that risk. No—it was the right decision, especially after hearing Saya's analysis of what was happening in the world and what lay ahead.
Feeling more motivated and reassured by the safety of the Takagi household, Takashi gathered everyone. Saya appeared after arguing with her parents. Kohta was clearly irritated; he could be heard muttering,
"Katanas lose their edge and break easily. They're clearly trash."
Takashi could sense that everyone was on edge. He felt the tension between Saya and her father upon her return; Professor Shizuka, far from her usual carefree expression, looked deeply troubled. Rei took Takashi's hand and smiled at him; that simple gesture restored his strength.
"We have to rescue Nanashi-san and Saeko-senpai. I know they're still alive, but I don't think they can hold out against an entire horde of zombies until we get there," Takashi said firmly. He blamed himself for not being stronger. If they could just endure a little longer, he was sure they could hold on until Saya's mother rescued them all.
Everyone nodded, though they seemed distant and distracted, lost in their own thoughts. Takashi sighed, understanding. They had made it this far, but nothing would bring back their peaceful lives.
We went from a normal life we took for granted to one where we have to fight just to survive. Only time will make us get used to this new normal, Takashi thought sadly, gripping Rei's hand tightly for support.
Kohta was in better spirits. Although he somewhat despised Saya's father, Takagi Souichiro, for wielding a katana, he firmly believed that firearms were superior weapons.
Takashi and Kohta approached Takagi Souichiro to explain the situation. A single piercing glare silenced Takashi and startled Kohta. Then Souichiro spoke:
"My wife already informed me of what happened. Your friends will be rescued according to a determined schedule. There are more important matters at hand. For now, a child should not commit reckless acts—they only make things harder for the adults."
Souichiro's schedule was already packed; he had no time to be distracted by rescuing two individuals. He hadn't sent anyone to rescue his own daughter, and he wouldn't show favoritism toward others. His duty was to ensure security and stabilize the country as quickly as possible.
"That kid saved your daughter. Was that reckless too?" Saya shot back, approaching quickly after hearing her father's cold words. She ran to stand beside her companions. Her father had already assumed her dead, and only thanks to them had she arrived safely. She harbored resentment toward him.
Souichiro was somewhat impressed by Saya's courage in confronting him. Still, he couldn't allow anyone to interfere with his plans—securing basic resources was his top priority.
"One of them is from the Busujima family, correct?" Souichiro asked stoically, recalling the information Saya had given him during their meeting in his office.
"Yes. My two companions: Nanashi-san and Saeko-senpai."
Souichiro raised an eyebrow at the name Nanashi, but continued without changing his expression.
"Only warriors come from the Busujima household. I can assure you she can make it here on her own, not to mention hold out until our arrival. After all, she is my master's daughter."
"But they don't have weapons, and Saeko-senpai only has a wooden sword."
Souichiro interrupted firmly:
"For her, anything is a weapon. That wooden sword will be enough."
"But—!" Kohta raised his voice at the absurdity of claiming a wooden sword could get them through hundreds of zombies.
"Enough! I've made my decision. They will be rescued once things here are settled."
Takashi remained silent and withdrew, casting a defiant glance. Souichiro noticed, but paid him no further attention and turned to Saya.
"He'll only be a burden. I see nothing in him."
"Dad!" Saya shouted angrily, but couldn't continue. Though she remembered Takashi fondly, these past days—after seeing him inseparable from his girlfriend—she found herself unable to go on. Perhaps that shout was nothing more than a final protest for the Takashi of her childhood, the boy she had once deeply loved. Bitterly, she fell silent.
Takashi looked gloomy, but Rei never left his side. With her there, he regained some strength. Takagi Souichiro was right: he had to trust his companions—but they trusted him as well. He tried to sleep, thinking of how to help them.
…
After finishing their practice, Takashi had already spoken with Kohta about going to rescue Nanashi and Saeko. Kohta was confident too and had devised a plan to help them. They were convinced they could do something against the zombie horde there; they just needed better planning.
However, something delayed them: a dispute involving Kohta and the weapons he had brought from Professor Shizuka's friend's house. Saya intervened on Kohta's behalf and confronted her father. Kohta was deeply grateful to Saya for defending his precious weapons. She simply wanted to leave that place as soon as possible—she had already confirmed that her parents were alive. Seeing Saya's gaze, Souichiro sighed inwardly and assigned her a task, hoping she would see the problems firsthand and prove whether she could handle the situation.
My intelligent daughter should be able to show them reality, Souichiro thought, though he didn't truly care what those people chose to do.
Takashi and the group clashed with a pacifist faction that opposed Souichiro's methods. They argued that zombies might still recover and that Souichiro's forces were likely murderers. Despite their efforts, no agreement was reached, and everyone ended up exhausted.
As evening approached, Takashi grew increasingly worried about Nanashi and Saeko's safety—until an unexpected event left him frozen. The people he least expected had arrived.
A bus pulled in. He recognized it instantly—it was their school bus. Professor Shidou's group arrived along with all the students who had escaped with him. Rei, standing beside Takashi, began to tremble. Takashi took her hand and squeezed it tightly, silently assuring her that he was there for her. Rei held back her tears and stood firm.
"There's something I need to settle."
"It's okay. I'll always be by your side," Takashi said with a smile.
Rei gathered her courage and, recalling all the resentment and pain she felt toward that man, stepped forward wielding one of Kohta's weapons—a firearm with a knife attached, resembling a spear.
Shidou was genuinely terrified at how quickly the situation had changed. Before, he had been praised by some people; now he begged Takagi Souichiro for help. All he received was a cold stare. Souichiro then turned to Rei, watching intently.
"Thanks to my father—the best officer in the police department—I made it here. He suffered because of you when I had to repeat a year. Only you could've done that, the son of a corrupt politician," Rei said with hatred. "And even so, I endured it, so my father could bring you to justice. But now…"
She pointed the weapon at Shidou's face.
"S-So the daughter of a respected officer is going to murder me?" Shidou said nervously, trying to manipulate her using her father's reputation.
"I don't want to hear that garbage from you," Rei said bitterly, holding herself back from stabbing him without mercy.
With a thunderous voice, Takagi Souichiro spoke from behind them:
"Then kill him! If that's what you want, kill him!"
Rei thought for a few seconds and lowered the weapon. She didn't want to dirty her hands with that trash.
"So, that's your decision?" Souichiro asked.
Rei turned at his words and saw all her companions standing beside Takashi, smiling at her. She felt genuinely happy—they supported whatever decision she made.
"He's not worth killing."
Shidou's face went pale as he struggled to contain his hatred. Souichiro didn't even give him time to respond before shouting at him to leave. He and his students were all corrupted.
To Takashi's surprise, Takagi Souichiro stared straight at him, then pointed toward the entrance, where Professor Shidou and his students were leaving. That was when Takashi saw two exhausted figures walking toward them.
"Nanashi? Saeko-senpai?" Takashi was in disbelief. He had been preparing to go rescue them—and yet they had arrived safe and sound. He couldn't believe it.
Kohta was equally skeptical as he stared at Saeko's wooden sword, covered in blood. This has to be a fucking joke, he thought, and ran toward Nanashi. There was no way they could have faced an entire zombie mob with just a wooden sword—he needed an explanation.
Takashi stopped Kohta, and everyone regrouped in the room Saya had provided for them. Only Saeko was absent; she had been summoned by Takagi Souichiro.
Kohta grabbed Nanashi by the shoulders, shaking him frantically as he demanded answers. Nanashi didn't hide it—he pulled something from his pocket that Kohta had seen before. Kohta's eyes lit up as everything clicked into place, and he clenched the object tightly.
"Hahaha! Just as I expected—a simple wooden stick couldn't be as effective as military-grade weaponry. Now I get it! You used the noise from the grenades to clear the way."
Nanashi nodded, but also gave credit where it was due.
"Saeko was the one who finished off what was left. She helped a lot."
But those words fell on deaf ears. Kohta knew Saeko could kill several zombies—but not handle an entire horde. To him, the credit clearly belonged to the war grenade.
Takashi was relieved that his companions had returned safe and sound. A massive weight was lifted from his shoulders. He failed to notice Rei's expression growing dark as she looked at Nanashi.