"Exponential."
"As a language teacher, I've seen and heard this abused as simple hyperbole. Unfortunately, this is not one of these times. When they say exponential, they mean it."
"I knew it was strange when the parents told the kids not to go home after we decided to cancel the camping trip. Especially when most of them caught a fever. And some suffered dangerous hypothermia. Did we catch some weird illness?"
"Overnight, hundreds of thousands of people died. And that was in Tokyo alone. The situation rapidly deteriorated all over Japan within hours. Not even the government, the military, and the police were spared."
"And those who are dead... don't stay that way. They woke up angry and hungry. They're not... human anymore. They might not even be alive as we understood them. They... they all became zombies. God, I hate the word zombies, but to use any other word is unnecessary."
"The world has not seen such a pandemic in human history, and likely, never will be. Assuming there will be anyone alive to remember and write this account."
"My parents told me they loved me. I felt like I hadn't done enough to repay them. I cried like I hadn't done in an actual decade. Yet, it was too late. All I could do? I will hold onto my duty until the end."
"To protect my students and ensure they stay alive."
DECAYING PREFECTURES A STATE OF DECAY/OREGAIRU QUEST
18th of August 2013, Clear Weather
15.30 PM
It was the first dusk of the apocalypse. Half the kids insist on going home even though their parents told them not to. The other half were afraid, but they were not persistent.
It was expected. These people were just kids, and all of them were raised in relatively functional families. Sixteen and seventeen years old, all Sophomores. Two aren't even my students, but the younger siblings of my students.
They all missed their parents.
They came here for two reasons: to do club activities and to get additional grades via social service. They were supposed to help with grade schoolers' summer camp activity in Kougen Chibamura, a leisure area built and managed by Chiba City on the outskirts of Aimata, Minakami City, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture.
Because many of the grade school children fell ill right when the camping event began, they decided to cancel it and rush back to Chiba. Helping with the wrap-ups of event cancellations, the High School students stayed a little longer before the chaos hit full force.
Their parents frantically called them NOT to go home and wait for help. They were told to hydrate, drink medicine, and barricade their room. Worried sick, the High Schoolers insisted on returning to Chiba. Hiratsuka thought it was a bad idea, but she felt it was best to follow their wish and keep things calm.
It was a mistake.
When they arrived on the Kamizu city edge, they faced an inhumanly monstrous traffic jam caused by multiple accidents. Burning and smoking cars by the wayside, dead people aplenty, and they become zombies.
They had never, ever screamed so hard. And so they returned to where they came from, damn the speed limit. I don't fucking care!
"What about the children's bus?" Hikigaya Komachi asked. "I wonder if they can get away."
"We can't worry about them." Hikigaya Hachiman gritted his teeth. "We can't even worry about our parents."
That boy might appear cold and antisocial, but that's far from the truth. Even though he didn't want to be here... perhaps he knew it was a blessing in disguise. And the sister isn't that different from him. They only survived because they were isolated from the crowd when the disaster hit. Had they been in Chiba, they might have succumbed either to panic or, worse, the zombie wave.
"Ebina-chan!" Tobe Kakeru shouted. "Are you alright?!"
Ebina Hina weakly raised her hand. "Sorry. I didn't feel so good."
"It's a high fever," Yuigahama Yui said. "Is everyone else feverish?"
Totsuka Saika and Kawasaki Taishi raised their hands as well. Likewise, the overweight Zaimokuza Yoshiteru stood out with his whining.
"I am ashamed to fail you, my comrades!"
"The fever itself is a good sign. However, those who are feverish need antibiotics. Otherwise, they're screwed if their temperature drops." Shizuka said. "Once their temperature drops to a shallow level, it means their body stops fighting the infection and risk dying."
Five of them had a fever. When it rains, it pours.
"Sensei, did you know anything about this disease?" Komachi asked.
"Did you not hear the EAS broadcast?" Shizuka growled. "Listen to it and cement it into your head."
"First, many people had an incapacitating high fever. Second, people who have hypothermia are very likely to die. Third, those who died did not stay dead. And fourth..."
"Be thankful that getting bitten does not mean instant zombification," Shizuka said. "But if you get bitten, there's still a risk of secondary infection by common bacteria. And no matter how you die..."
"Anyone who dies will turn into a zombie," Hachiman concluded. "And with many of us falling into fever like this...all of us are already infected by the zombie virus."
"That's insane! That can't be right!" Tobe panicked. "Right, Hayato?"
"Sorry, I think Hikitani is correct." Hayama Hayato clenched his hand. "It's the only explanation that makes sense right now. The virus had already spread all over Japan before the first victim hit the ground."
"I'm sorry for you all to hear this. But Hikigaya is correct. Those who didn't have fever symptoms are immune, but immunity is not an invulnerable shield. Whatever caused the zombification is already in your blood." Shizuka scoffed. "I'm sorry you all have to get involved."
"It's fine... Sensei." Saika weakly said. "If it wasn't for you... we might be already..."
The situation in Chiba City was likely hectic, if not worse than here. Phone calls could not get through. Only emergency broadcasts from the nearest town could be heard on the radio.
It was like the entire Modern Japan was silenced in less than six hours.
After securing the abandoned camp administration building, Shizuka told them to care for their sick friends. "You split into two groups. Boys and girls with physical strength, help me nail the window shut. The rest, take care of the sick by giving them medicines and water."
"What should we give them? I thought reducing the fever was a bad idea?" Yumiko questioned. "So, nothing like Ibuprofen."
"Antibiotics, whatever you can find here, and give them the usual dose. And if you see any injuries or scratches, wash them with alcohol or iodine and never let them be exposed. As for the fever, give them ibuprofen if they get to 40 degrees Celcius or above, but not before." Hiratsuka told her. "Give them as much water as possible, maybe even sports drink from the supply store. If they can overcome this, they will survive."
Yumiko, Yui, and Komachi nodded.
"Sensei," Tobe said. "The individual bungalow would be more secure because they only have small windows. We can block the door, right?"
Hayato disagreed. "However, they might be too small and cramped if we had to put sick people and caretakers together. Would that be an issue?"
"Actually, you guys have a point." Shizuka nodded. "Still..."
Hachiman raised his voice. "The problem is they don't have a backdoor. There's no place to run when you're trapped inside."
"Ah." The other two healthy boys grimaced.
"If there's nowhere to run, it might be a good idea to lock yourself there," Shizuka said. "I said this not as a joke, but as long as you can run... you should run."
The stronger kids decided to help Hiratsuka secure some hardwood and nails to reinforce the windows. Not aiming for aesthetics, they didn't spare much time and only focused on making the windows as durable as possible.
As a result, it almost looked like they were trapped in a cage. But anything that can prevent break-in is good.
"Sensei, we found some medicine, but..." Yui told Shizuka as she gave Hiratsuka the drugs she gathered and gave her sick friends. "We barely have enough to last the night. If anyone else fell, we'd be short of medication for the sick! Not a single tablet of antibiotics can be shared!"
"We're so screwed, we don't have a lot of food either," Shizuka swore. "Fuck it. We'll have to loot."
"Loot?!" Yui gasped in horror. "You mean trespassing and stealing?!"
"I know it's weird to hear from a Teacher, but right now, everyone is for themselves," Hiratsuka said. "I'll have to get the drugs elsewhere as we're in the middle of a forest."
"I know this might be hard to hear, but do you guys trust me?" Shizuka sighed. She was tense and weary but still perceptive of her students' expressions. "I will not abandon you."
Shizuka could tell not all of them were convinced. It was understandable. However, they were not ready for the hell that waited for them if they decided to follow her.
"You're going alone? That's dangerous!" Kawasaki Saki, who was quiet until now, spoke out harshly. "My brother is sick and needs medication, too! I'm going!"
"...Are you confident that you will not flinch?" Shizuka asked with a grim face. "As you try to crush the zombies into a bloody pulp? Trust me, you WILL either have to decapacitate them... or destroy their head. There's no other option."
"This is a world of violence." Shizuka rubbed the near-crying Saki's head. "Whether you go with me or stay here doesn't matter. We all have to shed a lot of blood if we want to survive."
"I can," Saki said as she bit her lips. "I will crush anything that got in my way. For Taishi's sake."
"I'll go as well." Tobe also stepped forth. "Ebina-chan must survive, or I'll..."
Ah, Tobe Kakeru probably had a crush on her. That's why he wanted to help no matter what. It was a little irrational but very much understandable.
These two troublemakers... Hiratsuka Shizuka knew them. These two delinquents can beat most fit and healthy adults into submission. Shizuka had no doubt they could be great fighting assets. However...
"I'll go as well." Hachiman was the one she didn't expect to volunteer. "I won't try to fight my way out, but I'm good at sneaking around. And I can run very fast. We'll need a lot of drugs to feed that fatass."
"Onii-chan... you..." Komachi grimaced. She was about to stop her elder brother but decided not to. "Right, please go. For Yukino-san's sake as well!"
Much as Hachiman didn't show it, he cared about Yukino and Zaimokuza. Shizuka always knew how altruistic this guy could be. This boy jumped in front of a limousine to protect a dog.
Still, bringing all three of them would be difficult. Shizuka will have to choose how she approaches things.
"The rest of us will try to secure water," Hayato said. "We can't just rely on bottled supply, plus there's a risk of contamination. We'll have to filter and boil them."
"As an aside, we have a lot of firewood and charcoal, so solid fuel isn't an issue. But we don't have much liquid fuel here. Kerosene, gasoline, the works."
"Oh man, firewood and charcoal?!" Yumiko whined. "We don't have gas pipes here, do we? The smoke will kill us before the zombies do!"
"Overnight, the entire power grid and gas pipes will fail us because no one can maintain them in this chaos." Hayama shook his head. "I'm sorry, we have to conserve any fuel we have, and I suggest you don't play with your phone for the time being just in case someone calls us. Charge them fully and never touch them. Uninstall heavy apps because they drain your battery like a vacuum."
"I see." Yumiko nodded. "That can't be helped. We have to conserve gas until we can find more of them. If we want to go home, we survive until the chaos subsides."
"We had to." Hayato smiled. "Let us get started."
Shizuka sighed. She was lucky to be stuck with some of the brightest high school students in the entire Prefecture. Although they're all socially awkward and rebellious in some way.
The place is also isolated and calm, which is good for morale. However, the difficulty will come the moment their morale drops. That's what Shizuka's personal hell will be like.
"Another thing I would say: never go anywhere alone. Always pair up no matter what you do, and pay attention to your partner." Shizuka warned. "Or you will die."
"But what about you, Sensei?!" Saki pointed.
[ ] Take Saki and Tobe
They're good at fighting. They probably can survive if they can stay calm and organized. If. [ ] Take Hachiman
Shizuka doubted this guy could dish a lot. But he's quiet and crafty, which would be helpful in a different way. [ ] Go alone
These kids are not ready yet. It's best to slowly acclimate them to their new situation before letting them roam around. However, this may reduce trust in Shizuka's leadership.
[ ] Search the ski resorts (Chances: Low - Danger: Low?)
Most of the area here is covered in unpopulated woods. Next door to our camp is an all-purpose hotel, onsen, and ski resort building. We don't know how many people stayed or died after the initial panic. Finding antibiotics will be tough. But there should be a lot of food and maybe some survival gear. [ ] Go to the Clinic in the south (Chances: Medium - Danger: Medium?)
There is a clinic and attached pharmacy in the Yujukuonsen area. It was full of farms and ryokan, so the native population density wasn't high. However, no one can be sure how many refugees left Gunma and got stranded there or died trying to run. [ ] Go to the pharmacy in the east (Chances: High - Danger: High?)
There are several clinics and at least one pharmacy. While Yubara is not a big or dense town, national highways and railways were built throughout its region. With heavy traffic jams, there might be a lot of stranded people. Maybe dead.
Camp Equipment: Good
Heavy duty industrial gloves was the highlight of largely decent protection. A lot of carpenter tool had been repurposed as combat gear, giving massive boost in fighting power.
No ranged weapon so to speak.
Weapon list: Framing hammer, double-headed hammer, crowbar, gold lever, filled steel pipe, wooden tonfas, nail gun, vegetable cleaver, long knife, chopping axe.
Armor list: Thin jackets (T0), summer clothes (T0), winter jacket (T2), rigger gloves (T2), safety shoes (T2), hard hats (T1).
Camp Facilities: Perfect
Kitchen, bedroom, lounge, hot bath and toilet. The windows are barred and barricaded. You can survive for a long time.
"I'm taking Hikigaya with me," Shizuka said. "I'm sure you all know that he'd rather kill himself rather than abandon his sister. Plus, he's wimpy and not going to cause any trouble."
"I mean... that's true, but it still hurts to hear." Hachiman half-protested.
"Listen, I said we are looting, but that also depends on circumstances," Shizuka told the kids. "When there are functional shops with attendees, it is always better to commit an honest transaction."
The kids all sighed in relief.
"Even if the store looks abandoned, taking what you want freely is impolite." Shizuka shrugged. "Leave some money there if you have it. Our entire culture is built on collectivism and courtesy."
"Besides which, we're also going there on foot." Shizuka grinned. "Are you ready to walk 7 kilometers back and forth, boy?"
Hachiman twitched. Just one trip alone means one and a half hours of walking. He already regretted everything.
"Your face told me you're not ready. Well, I'm not either. We are going to use a car for today. Let us hope that we can find gas while at it."
Although Shizuka topped the car full when they arrived there, extra gas would not hurt. What's worse is that they only have this one minibus. A smaller car would be handy.
"Tobe and Kawasaki, you two are the strongest students here. Do you remember what I told you?"
"Chop the neck... or uh... crush the head? Yikes." Tobe repeated.
"Just because you two are our powerhouse doesn't mean the rest of you can get scott-free. Everyone had to fight in one way or another. Except the sick ones. You protect them no matter what, but if you can't... run."
Saki visibly clenched her hands in anger.
"Is the only option is to stay here?" Saki asked. "Is there really no way to go home?"
"Like the proverb said, all road leads to Tokyo," Shizuka told her. "But this is not strictly true. If we go to Tochigi and Ibaraki, we could avoid the zombie ocean of Tokyo."
Shizuka took a deep breath. "But it still doesn't change that we would go through a zombie tide in every major city we pass through. Do you think we can do that while hauling five sick people who could die at any moment?"
"No, Sensei."
"I won't force you to do anything, I won't force you to stick around, but I swore on my dignity as a teacher I will be here for you." Shizuka widely smiled. "Now, please cheer up. Does any of you have a specific request?"
"Sensei, I think getting more hygiene products stocked up is good," Yumiko said. "I'd like the specific brand I use, but beggars can't be choosers."
"Mmmh." Yui nodded. "I'm sorry if we sound spoiled, Sensei."
It is unusual for Miura Yumiko, of all people, to be this humble. The class's top Stacy must be shaken to the core.
"Write the brands you guys need. If I can find it in the nearest konbini, I'll buy it."
Everyone decided to make a list of their needs. It's probably best to double up because of the five bedridden patients.
"Let's go, Hikigaya."
"Uh."
Hachiman looked anxious, perhaps even a bit scared. But Shizuka noticed he was not absentminded but focused. His eyes darted left and right just in case there were dangers.
"It's good to be locked in, but it's tiring to maintain concentration all the time," Shizuka said. "Calm down."
"...That you're this calm actually freaks me out." Hachiman bluntly told her. "But when I recall how my parents could be, I don't think you're that weird."
"I'm just good at coping." Shizuka laughed. "Sometimes I felt like I'm a sociopath, but no, I'm actually a spoiled crybaby. Growing up doesn't mean you get tougher. It just means you become numb to everyday pain."
"I know. You always cry whenever you're out of other adult's sight." Hachiman scoffed. "But really... thanks for keeping us safe."
"...You welcome."
"But did you really mean it, Sensei? About paying for things you take even though we're in the middle of an apocalypse like this?"
"Did you know how things were after the 2011 Tohoku disaster?" Shizuka asked.
Hachiman was quiet and thoughtful for a moment. "I'm not sure."
"The 2011 earthquake didn't just hit Tohoku but felt all the way to our city. People evacuated en masse, basically abandoning whatever they did at the time. And that includes shopping."
"But even in abandoned towns due to disaster or other circumstances, it is rare to see a store being looted."
"Japanese doesn't loot. We were taught not to since time immemorial. Some people take what is in their cart home and pay later, while others abandon their shopping cart. It reminds you not to take things you don't have the right to. This has been our way of living for hundreds of years since the Edo period." Shizuka said. "And I firmly believe it is my responsibility as a teacher to remind you kids and set a good example."
"I see." Hachiman hummed. "Does that mean you wouldn't do it?"
Shizuka chuckled. "I'll ask you what crime you would not commit to protect Komachi's well-being. Our answers are very likely to be similar."
Hachiman didn't say anything, but he definitely understood what Shizuka meant.
"Besides, we're already guilty of trespassing, wood theft, and vandalism by boarding up that camp administration building." Shizuka cackled madly. "A little bit of looting isn't that bad! Don't worry, I will take full responsibility!"
"You're insane!" Hachiman cringed.
Hachiman and Shizuka noticed a few cars were speeding up to the north.
Somehow, the konbini close to the camp was indeed open. Hiratsuka and Hachiman walked inside to see an anxious-looking cashier who welcomed them.
"Is it still open?" Shizuka asked.
"Yes, I was waiting for my husband to pick me up. He should be here anytime soon." The cashier awkwardly smiled.
Shizuka talked with the cashier, who helped her sort her purchases.
"You came from Chiba? That's quite far, isn't it?"
Quickly, she had more than three baskets of items. Most of it is white gas camping fuel, first aid items, sanitary products, and last one is non-perishable food, seasoning, and powdered drinks.
Oh, and two cartons of cigarettes.
It was a massive purchase, easily over a hundred thousand yen. Even the cashier looked in awe.
"Ano, would you like to take our bento along? It's on the house." She said. "In fact, please take as much cooked food as you could."
"Is it fine?"
"I plan to take the rest with me to the evacuation center. However, we could only carry so much with us."
Since most of it will get spoiled by tomorrow, it makes sense the cashier wanted to get rid of it anyway. So they take another basket. It was full of bento, onigiri, sandwiches, and other pre-cooked food.
"Honey! Are you still there?!" A muscular man came in a hurry, sweaty and red. "I'm sorry, I was late."
"Ah, thank God you're safe!" The cashier hugged him, half-crying. "Since you're here alone, that means..."
"I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I'm sorry."
The cashier was clearly mourning, most likely for the loss of a family member. However, she still has the courtesy of bowing to her last customers.
"Let us leave." Shizuka told Hachiman. "They're about to close the shop."
"Ah, yeah." Hachiman nodded.
Putting all the items inside the car wasn't easy. It's not like they can carelessly shove everything in. Otherwise, there could be disastrous spillage.
"It's almost dark."
And the shutter to the konbini was closed and locked. Most likely, the husband and wife will evacuate somewhere north.
"We wasted too much time here. Let's go."
Shizuka did not regret it. She got quite a lot of supplies, and it would be helpful to ensure their survival. However, the antibiotic issue remains unsolved.
Their only hope is the generosity of the Clinic and pharmacy owner.
"Do you know where everyone is evacuating?" Shizuka asked the husband. "Just in case."
"Minakami Municipal Elementary, Niiharu." The husband replied. "It was built on a plateau and difficult to climb, making it a highly defensible position. The police told us to gather there."
"I'm surprised there ARE police left," Hachiman commented.
"Only a few of them, and we're starting evacuation now. If you want, you should join us as well."
"We'll think about it." Shizuka smiled. "Thank you for the information."
As Shizuka and Hachiman entered the minibus, Hachiman gritted his teeth. Occasionally, they would pass over seemingly angry zombies, shuffling around at a jogging pace. However, some of them were visibly sprinting as well.
Either way, they are not dealing with slow, shambling zombies. Outrunning them isn't always an option. And this made Shizuka's stomach turn sour from anxiety.
"There's no police force worth shit." Hachiman spat. "It's too rural here. Half the population is elderly, economic activities are laid back, and crime rates are at an all-time low. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the cops don't have a gun. The place is too safe and peaceful until this shit happens."
The whole village district of Niiharu only has 6500 inhabitants, and therefore, somewhere between four to eight police officers.
"Right," Shizuka said. "And while the school seems like a great place to hold ground, it was still too close to the hot spot that is Kamizu."
In fact, pretty sure the school was directly connected to the National Route 17... which could be catastrophic.
"The military, in addition to the chaos caused by mass fever, most likely too tied up in the urban areas trying to evacuate everyone and contain the zombie tides." Shizuka opened the door as they arrived at the front of the Clinic. "...Be careful."
Hachiman decided to carefully follow Shizuka as she walked calmly toward the seemingly open Clinic and pharmacy.
"Is anyone here?!" Shizuka shouted. "Excuse me!"
"We're closing!" A staff hurriedly but politely bowed. "We're evacuating to the welfare center to treat all sick citizens! If you need medical help, please come along!"
"That would be nice, but we just need antibiotics," Shizuka said. "Please, my students are dying this very second."
"What are you talking about?" A middle-aged female doctor came with two bags of medical equipment slung to her shoulders and yelled. "Even in the middle of a disaster, there are procedures!"
Oh, God, not THOSE types...
"With due respect, doctor, I am a Public Servant." Shizuka showed her ID. "I'm taking some of my students to a summer camp, and we're stranded here, unable to go home. The nearest hospital is in the middle of a hot zone. And no, I am not taking them to an evacuation center. That's a hotbed for secondary infection."
Hachiman showed the photo of five students lying in bed, clearly distressed. "...Please help us, Doctor."
"I see. You're stranded in Chibamura..." The doctor mumbled. "I'll go with you and check their condition myself."
"Doctor?" The staff asked.
"You go first to the evacuation center. I will be there." The female doctor said.
Ah, thank God she was being reasonable.
"Have they received any treatment?"
"Just one 200mg dose of cefixime," Shizuka said. "It was all we had in our hand. Also, we purposely avoid giving anti-fever medication."
"Can't be helped." The doctor shook her head. "The fact that you immediately went for it means you understood what you're dealing with. Reducing the fever before they reach critical temperature is helping the infection."
"Yes. The pandemic is caused by some unidentified virus, but the problem is the spike in secondary bacterial infection." Shizuka nodded. "I heard this right before the cellular broadcasting network fell."
"If you were honest, then I could make things easy."
With a seemingly empty road, it needs less than fifteen minutes to reach the camp.
"My name is Shimada Masako. The only doctor in this village district." The doctor introduced herself as she wiped her hands with wet tissue and hand sanitizers. Then, she wore a sterile pair of gloves before checking the bedridden teenagers. "They're all reasonably fit, no injuries internal and external, and things should be fine... but not this girl. She's way too fragile. I'll give her an IV drip just to be sure."
Shizuka wasn't surprised but still felt like she was hit by a wrench. Of course, Yukinoshita Yukino showed the worst symptoms.
Yui could not help but quietly as she hugged Hachiman, who kept his composure but still stressed out.
"Other than this girl, the rest of them should have a good chance of surviving the night. Make sure to pay attention to their hydration. Oh, and tie them individually. If any of them suddenly pass away..."
"Tying them?! Isn't that a bit too much?!" Yumiko balked. "They're not crazy!"
"It could be worse, Girl." Dr. Masako grimly said. "The zombies are about as strong as the host. Dealing with elderly zombies is easy, but young boys and young girls in their peak of puberty... that is hell."
Yumiko grimaced.
"How should we repay you?" Hayato profusely bowed. "We were grateful, doctor."
"1500 Yen per patient, 1100 Yen per antibiotic prescription, 7500 Yen for the IV drip. No visitation fee. And I am not giving you any spares." Dr. Masako firmly replied. "I'll come here again in the morning to check on your condition."
It was a strangely generous term. Although a little higher than the standard fee with National health insurance, it's not unbelievably so. If anything, Dr. Masako definitely low-balled her cost, especially with the fact that she had to come here by herself.
Shizuka was about to pay the fee, but Hayato cut her off and paid it out of his wallet. The rest of the teens all bowed in gratitude.
"You heard the words. We'd have to observe your sick friends carefully." Shizuka said. "That means some of us had to take night shift and sleep early. I'm not letting any of you stay awake all day."
"I volunteer." Hachiman and Saki both raised their hands.
"Komachi also will take tonight's shift," Komachi said.
"I see. The rest of you don't mind that, right?" Shizuka asked.
Yumiko, Hayato, and Tobe shook their collective heads. And so, everyone unpacked and reheated the konbini food for their well-earned feast.
While the situation remains uncertain, there is still hope.
"Oh. By the way, I also bought a lot of condoms. You know, in case you need them." Shizuka cackled.
"SENSEI!"
"Tomorrow, we'll talk about short-term survival plans. Dismiss."
Resources Gained:
Assorted grain (Carb, 80) - Rice, pasta, and noodles. Base carbohydrate material for cooking.
Canned meat (Protein, 90) - Canned fish, chicken, beef, or pork. It lasts for years unopened.
Powdered drinks (Luxury, 100) - Instant coffee, tea extract, skim milk, and fruit-flavored... stuff. Light to carry but need clean water to use.
Chocolate bars (Luxury, 40) - Different brand have different structures and fillings, like wafers, rice krispies, caramel, nuts, or a combination of them. But they're all cocoa-flavored sugar block.
Cigarette (Luxury, 24) - Smoker's best friend and worst enemy.
Hygiene product (Luxury, 120) - All sorts of soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste from convenience stores.
Camping Gas (Liquid Fuel, 15) - 1L cans of white gas and small cans of pressurized butane. Great for lanterns and small stoves or as a fire starter.
Bottles of antiseptic (Medicine, 100) - 10% povidone-iodine solution, useful to clean wounds.
Painkillers (Medicine, 100) - Ibuprofen, useful to reduce minor pain, fever, and swellings.
Facilities Built: Crude water filter made from cotton, sand, and charcoal (+25 clean water per day, -1 fuel, -2 labor)
Resource Calculation and Morale changes: Determined after a day pass.
Shizuka decided to call the night early and go to sleep as soon as she had finished digesting her early dinner. Between the low level of anxiety and physical tiredness, it didn't take her too long to sleep.
At midnight, she woke up to her phone vibrating. She blinked and noticed an unfamiliar high ceiling. Dim lights of the lanterns illuminated the room.
While the phone buzzed, no sounds came off the speaker. This was deliberate so that people who were asleep wouldn't wake up.
She was glad she had bought a few power banks in the Konbini. In fact, these power banks were the most expensive individual items she purchased.
"Sensei, here's the account of our current supplies." Yui handed out a notebook. "I think we're doing reasonably well. But at the moment, the water filter is somewhat inefficient. We still didn't make enough for everyone to drink."
"If we had someone skilled in woodworking, this wouldn't be an issue," Yui blushed and scratched her head. "Not to mention we had to fix it daily, or it will leak or get contaminated."
Well. That part seems to be about the most realistic outcome of shoddy artisanship. But again, Shizuka can't blame them.
"I am honestly surprised you guys got it working in the first place." Shizuka laughed. "You guys are just about the most urbanite kids I knew. And we're shorthanded on material, too."
"Aside from that, the sleeping arrangement is rough for everyone. The place is big and comfortable but too many windows, most of which can't be boarded on." Hachiman coughed. "Covering them would only hurt our awareness without addressing fragility. So we decided to huddle in a cramped corner."
"Hmm, that is true." Shizuka hummed.
The glass windows were a weak point they hadn't resolved.
"OH SHIT AM I KIDNAPPED?" A baritone voice asked, somewhat loudly.
Camp Morale: Moderately Good (+2)
Individual Morale:
Hiratsuka Shizuka (Leader) - Spirited (+2)
Hayama Hayato - Spirited (+2)
Miura Yumiko - Cautious (0)
Yuigahama Yui - Calm (+1)
Tobe Kakeru - Calm (+1)
Hikigaya Hachiman - Bothered (-1)
Hikigaya Komachi - Cautious (0)
Kawasaki Saki - Bothered (-1) Incapacitated:
Yukinoshita Yukino - Gravely Sick
Ebina Hina - Sick
Totsuka Saika - Sick
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru - Recovering
Kawasahi Taishi - Sick Modifier:
Luxuries consumed +3
It's the small things that make hard life bearable
Overtly spacious base +5
Not enough room is never an issue here. In fact, it might be a little too big. We can use more people. Or move to a base slightly smaller.
Almost perfect amenities +10
It has a lounge, an indoor toilet, hot spring bath, and a small kitchen. You can survive almost forever.
No bedroom -5
There's no privacy, even when you're sleeping.
Power +5
Most modern humans can't survive, physically and mentally, without electricity and the convenience it brings.
Wall of glass -20
Some windows can be boarded, but most of them cannot. This gave people a sense of insecurity. A heavy barricade or sandbagging is required.
"I thought I was about to die." Zaimokuza was released from his binding.
"Be thankful you didn't." Hachiman snarked.
"...I want to pee." Zaimokuza hurriedly wobbled to the office bathroom. "Oh, wait. Is this an adult diaper?!"
Hachiman and Yui snorted. Zaimokuza must be super embarrassed about that. But it's not like they have much choice. Because a urinary catheter is out of the question.
"Wanting to pee is a good thing. The virus apparently shut down kidney function, so the fact that you want to pee is a sign of recovery." Shizuka said. "This forces the body to produce more sweat to expel excess water and ureum, which, in turn, reduces body temperature."
Since fever is the last line of defense a body has against the Zombie virus, that was strangely rational and coherent. Almost as if...
...designed to kill human beings.
However, all of this was nothing more than conjecture. Some may even say it was a borderline conspiracy theory. Without scientific proof, the assumption remains an assumption.
Most likely, the recovering victim will wake up one by one, wanting to urinate. But for Yukinoshita... who knows.
If Yukino is still bedridden until tomorrow, their only choice would be to perform blood dialysis. This is to remove the excess urea from her blood. Which means they had to go to Haramachi, Agatsuma district. Dr. Matsuoka said she would help, but she will need reliable guards.
Of course, that assumes Yukino survived the night.
"How is Yukinoshita?"
"Her fever is down to 37, but there's no sign of a hypothermia problem," Yui mumbled. "If I had to be honest, I'm rather positive she will live. No, maybe it's better to say... I have faith she will live."
Oddly enough, Hachiman looked even more tense than before. Then again, he was never the optimistic type.
"I'm going to watch over the windows," Hachiman said as he took a wood axe as his weapon of choice. "You watch the sick people with Komachi."
"Yes." Yui sweetly smiled. "Be careful, Hikki."
Hachiman nodded, though, in this near-darkness, Shizuka noticed his face was a bit red.
Hmm? What was that weird vibe? Was there some development that Shizuka didn't hear?
"Sensei," Saki called as she entered the front door. "We're screwed. Zombies are coming out of the neighboring resort."
Oh no.
They were so busy. There was no time to check if their next-door neighbors were alright or were there at all. Some people remained there instead of evacuating into the town area or further north to the mountains.
This camp in the valley near the mountains is awkward, but Shizuka choose to stay here because this is where they were before.
"Are they close to our camp?"
"No. But it was still a risk." Saki said. "Should we attack?"
"Lead the way and be careful. As far as we know, most zombies are blind and rely on sounds." Shizuka said. "Hikigaya, you stay here and protect the girls. If there were more than one stray zombie, wake up everyone sleeping. You can take care of one... right?"
"Ah." Hachiman widened his eyes. "Yes, Sensei."
The woods at night were noisy but didn't hide the sounds of fighting. People panicked, screamed, and pleaded. It seems that there are quite a few living survivors.
"Please stop!"
"Ahhh!"
However, there were as many zombies as there were living people. These survivors are too incompetent and cowardly to defend themselves, which makes things worse.
(It does seem that the zombies develop greater bite force than living humans, though, judging from the wear and tear. Normal humans can never bite through a thick jacket like that.)
"Kawasaki, do you want to help them?" Shizuka asked.
"Sensei?" Saki raised her eyebrows. "Why do you ask?"
"I am only responsible for the well-being of my students, and you get to decide whether we help or not." Shizuka smiled. "And whether you would endanger yourself for strangers."
"...Let's help them. At least that would reduce the number of zombies near us." Saki pulled out her wood axe.
"Got it."
Shizuka didn't have to clarify twice as she charged full speed toward one of the zombies. She skilfully attacked from behind by shoving it down the pavement before crushing the head with a hard stomp.
It was sickening, but the durability of an aging person was still there even after they got zombified. If he was any younger, a single stomp would not be enough.
By a hair, she managed to dodge a claw from an angry zombie nearby, out for blood. Shizuka rolled so she could rejoin Saki and maintain some distance.
Snarled, the zombie did aim for Shizuka, but the rest went for the stunned and panicked people.
"DON'T FREEZE! EITHER FIGHT OR RUN, IDIOTS!" Shizuka howled.
This seemed to break them from their fear-induced trance. A few ran away, while most decided to fight back. They were clumsy, but any hands joining the fight were better than none.
Saki roared and jumped on the charging zombie. Her shoe met its chest with a faint crunch. As Newton dictated, both were pushed back by the impact, but Saki stood while the zombie fell on its back.
Shizuka didn't wait for it to wake up before stomping the young female zombie's face twice. No, she had to do it thrice. She was almost ambushed by another zombie, but Saki chopped it with her wood axe.
Dr. Shimada was right. Age does matter when it comes to how resilient a zombie can be. Shizuka wishes she could have a military or police boot. Stomping heads would be so much easier than using her leather loafers.
Her group is too poorly equipped. Even the wood axe can only inflict so much damage. It's not well designed as combat gear. And as she thought this in a split second, she had to grapple with a reasonably fit-looking male zombie.
If not for her Aikido, she would have been overwhelmed by the body mass difference. Then she had to dodge another and smashed another with her knee.
This is going to be painful. Saki better hold her own because Shizuka could only fight so many opponents herself.
"Is the resort facility empty?" Shizuka asked the survivors.
"No, there must be at least a dozen zombies there." One of the survivors flinched as he held his wounded shoulder. "There used to be thirty-five of us, including the Matron and resort staff."
"We can't go back. We had to leave." A female survivor cried. "Does anyone have a car here?"
"No, some of the bastards ran ahead of us!" Another barked. "I don't have the key with me!"
"Please tune down your voice. The zombies have poor hearing... but they still have ears." Shizuka said. "Why are you not evacuating downtown?"
"We thought it would be fine since this resort is relatively isolated, but no one accounted for the sick people. Some people hesitated to... err... finish a zombified friend or family. The rest are history."
Shizuka scrunched her face. While the distance between the camp and the resort is about a hundred meters, it still could be dangerous if the rest of the zombies managed to get out and roam in their direction.
They need to either clean up the resort... or abandon the camp.
"You're from the nearby camp. Right? Please help us." One of the survivors begged.
"That depends on what you're asking." Shizuka smiled. "If it's medicine, you're out of luck. We don't have anything to help you treat the injured."
"Please let us stay! We'll do anything to help and will not bother you! Most of us also don't have deadly injuries! We can survive!"
"We have five sick people. You probably don't want to be around us," Saki said. "Sensei, I think the others would also be uncomfortable sharing a place with so many wounded people."
"That makes sense." Shizuka grinned. "My students are all clever."
[ ] Let them use the bungalows
They're about the best place to sleep in the area. Secure due to the lack of big windows. However, it's unsure whether the survivors can take care of the wounded to prevent them from dying.
[ ] Help them wire the cars (Wit check)
Help them so they can leave the resort area and go elsewhere. High chance of triggering a second battle from all the noise.
[ ] Refuse to help
Their safety is not our business. But they may resort to drastic measures and put the camp in danger.
"Hmm, let's try this," Shizuka said. "Kawasaki, you call Hikigaya here. I'll need his slimy finger."
"Ah." Saki flicked her hand and wiped it to clean the zombie blood. "Alright."
"Do you mind if I break into your cars?"
"Uh." Everyone looked at each other.
"I don't want to get in there. Fighting a zombie in an enclosed space is borderline suicidal. On the other hand, I might be able to do a few tricks and hotwire some of these cars. Probably not the newer ones."
Hiratsuka isn't an automotive specialist. And even tinkering with machines, she prefers dealing with significantly simpler motorcycles. However, she knew that most new cars come with tamper protection, which makes hotwire impossible.
It doesn't hurt to ask for a second opinion, though.
"You need me, Sensei?" Hachiman asked.
"We're carjacking. Which cars do you think would be safe to hotwire and hijack?"
Hchiman squeezed his eyes in disbelief. Like asking: "Are you fucking kidding me?" wordlessly.
"These people wanted to escape, but I guess running your ass off in the middle of the night is unwise," Shizuka explained. "So we gotta help them because they have no keys, and there are zombies inside."
"Ah." Hachiman understood. "Most modern cars since the late 90s have a chipped key in conjunction with computer control. Hotwiring them isn't going to work. The keyless cars can be hacked open using FOB relay, but I don't think any Soubu kids have the skill."
"I figure that, I think picking the old cars might be a better option," Hiratsuka said.
"...There are some brands with fatal security flaws, though." Hachiman jammed a screwdriver and forcibly opened one of the car's doors with a heavy twist. One could hear cracks as the mechanism inside was forcibly destroyed. "Some cars had ignition system entirely bypassed like this."
"Do you have a past you're not telling me, boy?"
"This is a known issue on this particular brand." Hachiman winced. "Kids in America apparently made it a sport stealing these cars and took them on a joyride."
Shizuka could believe it when Hachiman casually turned on a car in less than a minute. It looked modern, too.
It was simultaneously amazing and anticlimactic.
"No one exploits this in Japan because, in Japan, most car thefts are done with luxury cars in mind, I guess." Shizuka laughed.
"Thank you!" The survivors bowed. Unfortunately, it was a four-seater car, and six of them squeezing in made it look clownish.
"Let's go. We need to treat our injuries and clean the blood." Shizuka waved.
She looked at the ski resort facility and sighed. That one will be an issue another day, but there's no need to recklessly antagonize a horde without preparation.
"Sakisaki!" Yui shouted. "You're hurt?!"
"Not much, just got a few bites and scratches." Saki brushed her off. "Just pour the damn iodine already."
"Just a few." Hachiman twitched. "You're a hair away from losing a chunk of your flesh. Just a few, my ass."
"Hush, hush. Onii-chan, please get away." Komachi pushed him. "We'll have to inspect them thoroughly."
"Right." Hachiman immediately left, shuddering.
They did have a few close calls. However, Shizuka and Saki protected their most vulnerable spot to biting attacks: their neck. One time, Shizuka had to pry the jaw of a Zombie to prevent a deadly chomp.
"Is it just adrenaline, or is my body getting stronger?" Shizuka pondered. Shizuka always strikers herself as a physically strong woman (which unfortunately intimidates many suitors), but some of the things she does without hesitation today feel unreal.
Most of their injuries were superficial, easily cleaned, and treated with soapy water, iodine, and bandages. Shizuka and Saki also took a dose of ibuprofen, which will help with minor pain and swelling.
They have hundreds of ibuprofen tablets and half a liter of iodine. They're not exactly worried about their supplies, which will last weeks. Antibiotics remain their bottleneck for now and likely for the foreseeable future.
"We need a thicker clothing." Shizuka inspected her bandaged arm. "Zombies seem to have crazy jaw strength and enough to bite and claw through summer jackets like they were made of paper. That bite strength is flat-out inhuman. Hikigaya was right that we're lucky not to lose a chunk of our flesh."
"Is it?" Saki asked. "Are you sure our body isn't getting tougher too?"
So, Kawasaki also realized it... In that case, Shizuka could confidently say she surpassed her limit before the pandemic. Did the virus have anything to do with it? Perhaps even healthy survivors are affected in some way...
"Nevertheless, we need combat gear. We have the strength to survive and fight back, but we can't leverage this strength with summer clothes, sandals, and loafers."
"Do you know anything, Sensei?"
Even if thick clothing could not prevent injuries, they could mitigate it. They could try to loot the resort for winter jackets... but heat management will also be an issue. This is, after all, the Summer season. Wearing winter gear would kill them slowly from dehydration.
"Yeah," Shizuka said. "It's either a motorcycle shop or sporting goods store."
"Why motorcycle shop?" Saki questioned. "I can understand getting armor from the sporting goods, though."
"All-season jackets and riding armor," Shizuka said. "It's hard to find better equipment than motorcyclist clothing if you have to balance protection and comfort. It's not like we're under threat of gunfire."
"However... most of them are located in the urban area. Which means more zombies to fight our way through." Shizuka sighed. "Basically, we're gambling for an easier future through present hardships. That's why I don't want to force you or the other kids."
As Shizuka said this, she could see a hint of sadness. Saki has always been a stoic, rebellious girl. Shizuka was surprised that she was willing to join the camp's volunteer work. It must be because her little brother participated. Otherwise, she wouldn't be here.
Yuigahama Yui, the empathetic girl she was, didn't hesitate to lend her shoulder so Saki could hide her crying face. Komachi followed suit. Shizuka would've joined, but she felt there was not enough room, so she rubbed Saki's head gently to ease her pain.
This girl went through a lot.
...
"Hmm." Dr. Shimada Masako was surprised to see most Soubu students wide awake. "Looks like my diagnosis is on the clock."
Only Yukino was still struggling.
"Surprisingly, she had passed the critical point. Now that she survived the night, her chances of recovering are high." Dr. Masako said. "How about her urination?"
"...I think I urinated quite a bit," Yukino answered. "But I feel a bit sluggish."
"That's normal." Dr. Masako examined Yukino with all sorts of physical tests. Including a very gentle punch to the back of Yukino's waist. "You didn't feel pain here?"
"That doesn't seem to be the case." Yukino furrowed her eyebrows.
"No edema, no spasmodic movement, no seizures. Do you feel any numbness or cramps?"
Yukino shook her head. "Only splitting headache, and I feel a bit feverish."
"Her kidney is functioning properly. I'd say she more or less passed the worst period just fine." The doctor said. "And the rest of the kids are recovering well. You guys will be alright."
Yui hugged Yukino, briefly crying in happiness.
"If only everyone had the same luck." Dr. Masako sighed.
"Is the situation at the evacuation zone bad?" Yumiko crossed her arms and asked. "So much that you had to split it into two."
"For good reason." Dr. Masako said. "We put the healthy ones in school and the sick ones in community center. Guess what? Two hundred fifty sick patients died overnight. We had to dispose of so many familiar bodies. Morale is at an all-time low among the volunteers. Imagine what would happen if they shared a shelter."
The kids all grimaced.
"I really was in front of death's door." Yukino rested back, gloomily looking at the IV drip needle jabbed into her wrist. "Thank you, everyone... and I apologize for being a burden."
Though she survived death, it will take a while until Yukino can be a productive member of this survivor community. In a staggering contrast, Zaimokuza is all but healed and functional.
Everyone else is in the process of recovering.
"Shut it and go to rest. Your voice is grating." Yumiko chided. But her voice had no hostilities. She probably felt a bit awkward, even.
"Other than taking antibiotics for the next five days, do we need to pay more attention to the sick ones?" Hayato asked.
Dr. Masako dropped a couple of canned food. Specifically, non-human canned food.
They were for cats.
"On the house." The doctor said.
"...Oh my." Ebina Hina gasped. "Do you mean... we need to eat those?"
Yumiko looked like she was about to vomit. Of course, just thinking about it would make most people grossed out.
"You guys might think I am joking." Dr. Masako smirked. "But cat food is proportionally inflated with protein, low food additives, low sodium, and some are lowered in phosphorus. That's because older cats often suffer chronic kidney failure."
"Your kidneys have been comatose for a day and are in dire need of recovery. At least for today, eat them with your rice. I don't recommend them for long-term survival, though. They're nutritionally unbalanced for omnivores."
"I see." Hina winced. "It can't be helped. At least they're human grade..."
Though it sounds like Ebina Hina was coping, the bespectacled otaku girl wasn't wrong. Japan was weirdly gung-ho in promoting trends of 'human grade' pet food, where pet food production shares the same ingredients and sometimes the same factory as human food.
Undoubtedly, this makes these gourmet pet food more expensive. However, the group never thought it would be helpful in dire times. Ironic.
"Tough body, tough mind. The longer we linger, the longer we're bedridden. I am ready to return to active service!" Zaimokuza shouted as he took one of the cans. "A mighty luxury unlike what you find in the trenches!"
This chuuni, I swear to God.
"Normally, doctors prescribe amino acid supplements to help restore kidney function. As you can tell, we don't exactly have a good supply of them. My pharmacy used half our inventory overnight to treat the sick and the wounded. By tomorrow, we might not have anything left." Dr. Masako packed her bag. "For now, please refrain from a high phosphorus, high salt diet. This means no prepackaged human meal. Unsalted tofu and chicken breast work, as are cranberries and some fruits."
Shizuka received a paper with diet recommendations. Among other things, cow-based products are verboten.
"Living like a civilized, modern person is a luxury in trying times. Be thankful that you're alive."
Living like a civilized, modern person is a luxury in trying times. Those words never hit them harder than this second. These kids, raised in a peaceful and prosperous family, might eventually need to live like animals to survive.
"But no matter what, you are the future of what's left of this nation." Dr. Masako gently smiled. "Please, cling to your humanity until the last second possible."
"Yes. Sensei!" The teens chorused.
Shizuka gave her an envelope with a few thousand yen inside as an examination fee in front of the entrance.
"To be honest, it is ridiculous that I'm still billing you in the middle of the apocalypse." Dr. Masako said. "Right now, even though fewer than five hundred people accounted for, everyone is clinging to the hope that things will be over quickly. I'm not an exception. We're trying to rebuild the local economy as we speak."
"Don't we all?" Shizuka grinned. "These kids were no different. They're fighting for their lives, hoping things will return to normal."
"...Right." Dr. Masako sighed. "Other than antibiotics, I think you might be able to purchase some things in the evacuation camp. Since you're currently a stranger, they might overcharge you. But if you could accomplish some favor and gain the trust of the locals, they'll start acknowledging you."
"Hmm." Shizuka rubbed her chin. "Rather than gifting rewards, we might get a discount. Is that right?"
That's a good idea. Shizuka has quite a bit of cash on hand. But also, they're limited resources unless she starts robbing ATMs.
"More or less." Dr. Masako scoffed. "That's why many stores have been emptied, but if you plan to loot around in low-danger zones, you might just find scattered leftovers. The more densely populated areas, of course, have more supplies. But going unprepared is a death sentence."
"I'll come back and check again near dusk. But if you need me, find me in the Community Center instead."
It's where they kept the sick survivors. Honestly, Shizuka felt amazed by her bravery. Hundreds of patients equal hundreds of potential zombies.
What's more, that means there are more than five thousand zombies in this region.
Shizuka will have to discuss things with the teens. Once they're all wide awake, anyway. For now, Shizuka also needs sleep.
[ ] Talk to the individual students about their thoughts, wishes, requests, and proposals
[ ] Gather the students for a meeting about the community goals
Shizuka decided a more subtle approach was more important for the moment. She thought a quarrel could break any moment because the entire group was split into two cliques.
The first is the Hayato clique: Hayama Hayato, Miura Yumiko, Tobe Kakeru, and Ebina Hina. The second one is the Hachiman clique, which is Hikigaya Hachiman, Hikigaya Komachi, Yukinoshita Yukino, Totsuka Saika, and Zaimokuza Yoshiteru.
The other people in this group are much more nuanced in their relationships.
Kawasaki Saki and Kawasaki Taishi are independent, especially since Saki is an unflappable loner. Although Taishi is close with Komachi, the meek boy will not take sides in most conflicts because he's out of the loop.
Yuigahama Yui is close with both cliques. Or rather, she's often torn between their interest. If conflicts were to break out between the two cliques, she would be the key to resolving it, and Shizuka would try her best to support the girl.
Right.
In terms of personality, the Hayama group is the more spoiled.
"We could really use some entertainment, Sensei," Tobe said. "Come on, there's no television, movies, or video games here. Not like we can use the internet either, with the entire network down."
"I think the base is good. We have a kitchen, toilet, and bathroom. We have everything, even an air conditioner." Yumiko said. "But I really want proper beds. Preferably separated from others."
"Do we even have enough room for thirteen of us? The base is big, but not that big to have thirteen separate bed spaces." Shizuka sighed. "Let's think up a better solution."
"I think loft beds might be useful to save space." Hayato proposed. "We can also build partitions to divide us into a few shared spaces."
"Partition huh." Yumiko was thoughtful. "Let me think..."
"I think it is a good compromise," Hina said. "Four bedspaces for the twelve of us? We can afford it. And Sensei can have a smaller one on your own."
Shizuka is alright with the hammock, to be honest.
"True," Tobe said. "But we don't have the skill, tools, or material to make furniture, don't we?"
"Skill issue, that's not something to be solved immediately, but if it's tools and material..." Yukino rubbed her chin. "I had a solution."
"You do?"
Because internet maps no longer function without a cellular network, they had to unfold a somewhat old city map. Thankfully, these paper maps are available wherever tourism is the heart of the economy. And Minakami, Gunma, is no different..
"This is our position, and these two places are important to us. This place here is the woodcutter repository area. Trucks would pick up the woods here to be transported elsewhere."
"And now we go southwest." Yukino circled a building. "This is a small construction company that accepts renovation contracts, as well as making furniture by order or creating DIY kits and instruction."
"The tools we need should be here because I doubt anyone is willing to use traditional tools for woodworking," Yukino said. "I know this because I've read my family business report before."
"Yeah, man, just boarding the front windows killed mah back." Tobe shuddered. "Power tools might be dangerous, but they should be helpful."
"That second water filter was so annoying to make with hand tools," Yumiko whined. "I don't want to do any more manual labor!"
"So, I figure you guys want to stay here instead of moving out?" Shizuka concluded.
"Even if we want to, we don't know where to go." Hayato shrugged.
"There's a villa very close to us. It was small. However, it was not a bad place to stay." Yukino said as he pointed at the map, less than a hundred meters from the camp. "Not to mention it has an observation deck so people who stand guard can have a greater line of sight."
"Now that you said it, this administration office has a poor line of sight," Hayato mumbled. "Not to mention... too many glass windows and doors. The entire left wing of the building is vulnerable."
The left side of the administration building is basically a store. Almost half of the walls are made of glass. The right side is much more secure but also occupied by men's and women's hot spring baths and a small office they repurposed as an infirmary.
"Are you saying we had to move?!" Yumiko asked in disbelief.
"Either we move, or we work our way to cover them. All of them." Hayato said. "We gotta work hard no matter what."
"I'm so sick of this survival game nonsense!" Yumiko huffed and walked out angrily. "Don't follow me!"
"Ah, Miura-san!" Tobe called. However, he was too distracted when Hina started crying. It's easy to guess where his concerns lie the most.
Hayato took a deep breath and followed Yumiko to talk with her, but Shizuka stopped him. "She needs alone time. I'll watch her from a distance."
Was it ever a surprise that the extrovert group fell apart first? Hachiman's group, composed of introverts, was never particularly close with each other. That's why they're good at giving each other's space. On the other hand, these outgoing kids only meet each other in prosperous, peaceful times.
Real friendships are forged in fire.
As Yumiko walked outside, she was greeted by the sight of Zaimokuza Yoshiteru splitting the pile of thick firewood into usable pieces. Zaimokuza must have done this for a while since he already produced four bundles of firewood beside him.
"Why didn't you use the sledgehammer and splitting stand?!"
A splitting stand is a static wedge-shaped axe blade on a solid mount. You put the wood on a mounted splitter blade and drop the short sledgehammer to push it down. It was effortless because you don't have to care for accuracy, and the sledgehammer is powered by gravity.
"Miura-dono, the decadence of modern Japanese is the reason for our downfall," Zaimokuza said. "I am out of shape, and being sick made it worse. Sometimes, the easy path will make your life harder."
It was harsh of Zaimokuza to say that, but he was not wrong. He was obese, plain and simple. And the infection must have taken a toll on his body and mind.
Right now, Zaimokuza is more conscious of himself than anyone else.
"Do we really have to do this?" Yumiko barked. "Can't we just, I don't know, go to the evacuation center and get out of this hell?"
Zaimokuza ignored her and continued with woodcutting.
"There's no such thing." Hachiman suddenly said. "And I'll be honest: I'd rather be squatting alone instead of joining the shelter."
Yumiko grimaced and held her mouth when she noticed Hachiman's right hand was covered in blackish liquid. Although the colors were different, the smell was not unfamiliar.
It was blood. Zombie blood.
However, other than that, Yui was beside him with a concerned look.
"Chiba, Tokyo, Gunma, there's no safe space," Hachiman said. "But still, I am going back."
"You think you can return to Chiba, even knowing that?" Yumiko grabbed his collar in anger. "And why did you get Yui involved with your stupidity?!"
"No! Yumiko! You're mistaken!" Yui grabbed her arm, trying to calm her. "Hikki was trying to keep everyone safe!"
"What do you want, Miura?" Hachiman grinned. "Do you not want to go home?"
Yumiko was shaken. Of course, she wanted to go home. But the fact that her parents told her NOT to come home was traumatizing. She knew it was for her own good, but it still hurts to hear.
"Of course I do!"
"Then stay alive and stop being a selfish bitch." Hachiman called her out. "No one will bend their knee to your whim."
Shizuka noticed that while Hachiman's eyes were full of anger and resolve, his entire body shook. He bluffed his way out because, in reality, he did fear Miura Yumiko.
He had always been a liar and a pushover, at least, until things went south, and he would willingly throw himself into danger.
Yumiko had to let Hachiman, though. No one is willing to call the bluff of a person with a bloody hand.
"...Did you go and attack one of the zombies?" Zaimokuza handed Hachiman a small bucket of water and hand soap.
"One of them strayed away from the resort," Hachiman said. "While they retain vision and hearing, their overall senses are dull. Nevertheless, they're faster than you think they are. They have infinite stamina. They WILL chase you to the end of the earth unless you can fool them."
"I was able to kill one by luring it, hiding in the bush, and stabbing the back of its head," Hachiman said as he washed both his bloody hand and a big screwdriver. "Aim for the cerebellum. Instant death. Or should I say, re-death?"
"You say that, but aiming for the back of the head in a direct confrontation would be very difficult." Zaimokuza sighed. "Probably easier to beat their heads off."
"Hey, never said I'm that courageous of a person." Hachiman snarked. "I'm not Sensei, Kawasaki, or Tobe who's willing to punch people in the face."
"You're all crazy." Yumiko huffed.
Yui rushed so she could catch up with her angry friend.
"Am I the only insane person here?" Yumiko asked, distraught. "Am I such a baggage that everyone gave a stink?"
"Uhh... I don't think of you as a baggage." Yui said. "You were the one taking care of the sick people the most. You pay a lot of attention to our comfort and safety. Even Yukinon feels indebted to you."
"It's just that... I think... people don't want to be reminded how bad our situation is." Yui sadly smiled. "Even Hikki only grumbles to himself when no one else is looking."
In other words, they don't need to hear Yumiko's complaints and tirade.
"In other words, I had to quietly suck it up?"
"No. Please talk to me anytime you want. I will listen to what you say." Yui waved her hand. "But also, please listen to what we say."
Yumiko sighed.
Their awkward silence didn't last long when they heard infrequent but continuous thuds nearby.
"Saki-chan?" Yui asked. "You should not strain yourself too much! You're still wounded!"
Saki was punching and kicking a tree barehanded. Granted, she used a roll of a thick sleeping bag as padding, but that's still not going to be overly pleasant.
"I'm fine. I'm just doing some warmups." Saki coldly said. "Would be awful if we got attacked and I got hurt from a sprain."
"...That doesn't sound like a warmup to me." Yumiko crossed her arms. "...Fighting those zombies, are they that scary?"
"The fact that they're zombies doesn't scare me," Saki said. "The fact that they WERE people was."
Yumiko and Yui grimaced.
"Sometimes, I was thankful we're not in Chiba. Because I would hesitate a lot if I saw someone close to me being turned into a living dead. And probably got killed freezing." Saki said. "But all things considered, I was thankful Sensei was there."
"Sensei... Hiratsuka-sensei is super strong, right?" Yui asked.
"Superhuman," Saki bluntly told Yui. "We fought twelve of them, and Sensei could fight against half of them alone. Without Sensei, the survivors will likely die or be scattered away. I'm too weak to make a difference by myself."
"At that moment, I realized something important. With that kind of strength, Sensei doesn't need us. She could leave anytime, anywhere she wanted." Saki looked at her tightly bandaged arms, which she used as a replacement for sports tape. "I hated it. I hated knowing I had to rely on someone who could abandon us on a whim."
Kawasaki Saki wanted to get stronger.
"And also, let me tell you something," Saki said to Yumiko. "Some of us have people we wanted to protect. But even if you don't have one, at the very least, find a way to protect yourself."
"People I wanted to protect, huh?" Yumiko scoffed.
Of course, she has them. That would be her clique members, Ebina Hina and Yuigahama Yui. Yumiko was just too embarrassed to admit it.
Hiratsuka smiled and decided to come out of her hiding.
...
"What does Komachi really want? Hmm." Komachi muttered. "Komachi thinks we need fresh food, but that seems to be a pipedream for now. For now, Komachi would say any vegetable or fruits would do."
"Right," Shizuka said. "Finding vegetables in a farming town like this would be easy. Keeping them fresh could be a challenge, though. We don't even have a proper refrigerator."
"We can use one of the drink fridges to keep them longer." Komachi pointed out. "The bottled drinks can survive room temperature just fine."
"Huh, true."
"If I may." Taishi coughed and raised his hand. "I might be able to gather wild vegetables. We are lucky this camp is at the foot of a mountain. And Zombies are unlikely to be here."
"Are you sure?"
"I could try catching fish from the rivers. I could also gather vegetables from abandoned farms and check if they're ripe." Taishi pointed. "Granted, I'm not knowledgeable enough to deal with mushrooms yet. That would be very unsafe."
"Sasuga, Taishi-kun. It's always the quiet ones that surprise people the most." Komachi patted the sick boy. "You can help us once you get healthy."
Kawasaki Taishi
Quirk Skill: Foraging 1
Gather a small amount of fresh food whenever he's idle and roaming the woods or farmlands. "Living off the land when cut off from the supply chain, the spirit of a Boy Scout."
"Oh, and another thing. Because cooking can be a pain, Komachi also wanted a stockpot, maybe a slow cooker too." Komachi said. "With these two tools, our lives will be much easier."
"What do you want, Kawasaki?" Shizuka asked. "I know you want better weapons, but what else?"
"Bread yeast and artificial preservatives," Saki said. "Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, citric acid, anything of that sort in bulk."
"I think we can get a few in the Konbini, but how much do you really need?"
"As many as you can get," Saki said.
What the hell is this girl's planning? Shizuka wondered.
"Oh, and several empty water bottles, the gigantic multi-gallon ones. We need them to store clean drinking water, among other things." Hayato said. "What use of a water filter if we can't store leftovers?"
She kinda understands the last part, though. Clean water is their lifeline.
They were so used to drinkable tap water that when civilization collapsed like this, they got worried that the water would get contaminated. A realistic concern, all things considered.
"Speaking of water filters... why are we building them instead of getting them?" Saki asked.
"...Ask Hayato about it." Yumiko coughed. "Don't they sell faucet filters in the stores?"
"Most faucet filters sold in Japan are tailored to Japanese needs. They only remove iron dust and rustic taste with crude zeolite pebbles." Hayato said. "We can steal a water purifier machine, but between the bulk and the cost, I'll leave it to Sensei to decide."
"But if Sensei can find bulk zeolites, we can improve our filter." Hayato pointed. "And get cleaner water in higher quantity. So that's what I wanted right now. Maybe UV lamps as well, but those are hard to find."
How does Hayato say the craziest thing, and somehow those were the most sensible arguments they heard? His charisma is too raw to comprehend.
"And where do you think we can find those?"
"Daiso. And if that doesn't work, pet stores." Hachiman said. "You know, cat litter sand. Make sure they're unperfumed."
The girls all looked at Hachiman with disgust. This doesn't help his self-esteem issues in the slightest, making him shrink away.
"I... I want to stay here. The bathroom is too good to get away from." Yumiko said. "But to be honest, if either the electricity or the hot spring dies, this camp loses a lot of value to me. I guess we could really use proper bed space."
"I guess I want to reinforce camp defense somehow. But we also need to prepare a secondary base." Saika added. "I think we could use a nail or roofing hammer. They're useful tools if we want to build stuff. And well... they make handy weapons."
"Automotive and power tools will be helpful." Tobe pointed himself with his thumb. "I might look dumb sometimes, but I worked in a junkyard before. I know a little bit about tools and machines."
"Can you do a carjack?" Shizuka asked. "I know it's technically a crime, but sometimes, you just have to do it."
"Well, in theory, yes. Obviously, I never do that. So it would take time and careful consideration." Tobe said. "I can also make weapons from broken car parts."
Tobe Kakeru
Quirk Skill: Junker 1
Can steal working cars (1 turn). Salvage weapons and parts from ruined cars (1 turn). "The art of dismantling a vehicle is very delicate, though not as hard as bringing them back into service."
Traits:
Worked in a junkyard (Quirk Skill: Junker)
"So we need better hammers and axes. What was the term again? Something about lever? Physics isn't my forte."
"You mean leverage." Hiratsuka sighed. "I understand. You want longer handles for the hammer and axe, right?"
Increasing leverage would make the weapons even better at causing damage. Simple physics from a fourth-grade science lesson.
"The wood axes aren't that good, either way," Saki said. "The heads are too thick and designed to split wood. Only good if you aim for the zombie's neck, and that's a luxury with a handle this short."
Indeed. While there are plenty, axe designs can be divided into two core forms: chopper and splitter. Splitter axes tend to be thick. Designed to cut vertically, following the wood grain as a wedge. Chopper axes tend to be thinner and sharper, designed to cut horizontally through tree limbs.
Felling axes and fireman axes are examples of chopper axes. They're long, sharp, and deadly.
"If we can get a sewing machine and a bunch of clothes, I can make you guys better clothing for fighting and survival," Hina said. "I can do it with hand, but that takes an unreasonable amount of time. Also, I can't make armor pieces yet. So get them in the sporting goods."
Ah, so Ebina Hina wanted a sewing machine, huh?
Ebina Hina
Quirk Skill: Sewing 1
Makes clothes more durable. Reduce damage from enemy attacks by 10%.
"Craft more suitable clothing for trying times, tailored to the person and situation."
"Just more books," Hachiman said. "Not just for entertainment. But with the internet down, we need to learn and adapt. Also, we could use ranged weapons, but guns are out of line."
"You mean..."
"Bows and crossbows," Hachiman smirked. "They aren't considered weapons, but I am certain they can kill almost anything that walks on land."
This guy is really witty, isn't he?
"I want a Katana!" Zaimokuza shouted. "...Is what I want to say, but it's unrealistic. A suburi bokuto would be nice as a weapon!"
Suburi bokuto is a type of bokuto (wooden sword) used for strength training. Their weight and size vary but are at least as heavy as steel Katana.
Hmm.
"What about you, Yukinoshita?"
"A maguro knife," Yukino said. "I'd also like a Katana if we can afford it, but that's impossible. Not in Gunma."
A tuna knife? Did she intend to use these oversized knives to kill zombies?
"Getting tuna knife in the middle of a mountain, are you nuts?" Hachiman asked. "They're probably harder to get than a katana!"
"Tch." Yukino clicked her tongue. "Then, an ordinary bokuto is fine."
"Other than this, does anyone object to staying here and reinforcing the base?" Shizuka asked. "Does no one here want to join the evacuation site?"
"You may not realize this, but there is strength in numbers. And they also have armed police. If we stay here, we fight tooth and nail to survive. No one will come to help."
There was a heavy silence.
"I mean..." Hachiman mumbled. "Even if we go there, we'll still be strangers."
"Right," Yumiko said. "I understand it would be safer, but thinking about it... will they even accept us? Beyond courtesy, anyway."
"Besides, the last time we talked to our parents, we told them we were staying," Saika said. "Even if the hope for a rescue is vain, I want to hold onto it for a while."
The other teens nodded in agreement.
"Right. We can think about that after we check the condition of the evacuation shelter. For now, we're staying here. And I'll try my best to fulfill your wishes."
Whatever long-term goal this community needs can be decided later. At least these kids used their brilliant heads to think about survival.
Members' Demands:
Hikigaya Komachi:
Fresh vegetables and fruits (Luxury): Massive luxury in the apocalypse that doesn't last without refrigeration. Obtainable in a restaurant, grocery store,supermarket, or farm.
Stockpot (Tools) x2: A high-capacity cooking pot usually used for school or business use. Obtainable in a restaurant, supermarket, or hardware store.
Slow cooker (Tools): An electric appliance that cooks dishes over hours. Obtainable in a supermarket or hardware store.
Kawasaki Saki:
Bread Yeast (Material): A yeast strain often used to cultivate bread dough base. Obtainable in a convenience store or supermarket.
Food Preservatives (Material): Various chemical salts to preserve food and cosmetics. Obtainable in a convenience store, supermarket, or beverage factory.
Chopping axes (Weapon, Tools): A tool to cut wood. Very effective against flesh and bones. Obtainable in a contractor building or hardware store.
Hayama Hayato:
Sack of zeolites (Material): Mineral sand and stones for filtering purposes. Absorb odor and contaminants. Obtainable in a pet store, convenience store,hardware store, or supermarket.
Water gallon jugs (Material): These PET bottles can contain over 10 Liters of drinking water. Obtainable in a supermarket.
Water Purifier Machine (Tools): A water pump with a ceramic microfilter. It can turn almost any water into clean water. Heavy and requires a truck to carry. Obtainable in a supermarket or hardware store.
Tobe Kakeru:
Power Tools (Tools): Various electric-powered tools are used for craftsmanship and construction. Obtainable in a contractor building or hardware store.
Heavy toolbox (Tools): Various wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools are used to assemble, fix, or disassemble machinery. Obtainable in a contractor building or hardware store.
Miura Yumiko:
Mattress (Material) x6: A simple bed that can be used as it is or on top of something else. Very light but requires a truck to transport. Obtainable in a supermarket or hardware store.
Loft bed (Furniture) x6: A DIY raised bed platform with sizable space underneath. Not particularly heavy, but needs a truck to transport. Obtainable in a supermarket or hardware store.
Totsuka Saika:
Nail hammer (Weapons, Tools): Impact tools for construction and maybe bashing some skulls. Obtainable in a contractor building, hardware store. or smithy.
Sack of bolts (Material): Huge pile of bolts and nuts. Vital in modern construction. Obtainable in a contractor building or hardware store.
Sack of nails (Material): Huge pile of nails in a bag. Vital in modern construction. Obtainable in a contractor building or hardware store.
Yukinoshita Yukino:
Bokuto (Weapons): A wooden sword carved from hardwood into the shape of a katana. Useful to train swordsmanship but could be lethal in the right hands. Obtainable in sporting goods.
Maguro knife (Weapons, Tools): A knife that could be mistaken for a sword. Used to fillet large fish with a single slice. Obtainable in a smithy, a fish market, or a big sushi restaurant.
Katana (Weapons): The quintessential traditional Japanese swords. Regulated and expensive. Obtainable in a smithy.
Ebina Hina:
Portable Sewing Machine (Tools): A small, electric-powered sewing machine useful to make clothes and mend torn ones. Obtainable in a hardware store.
Sports gear (Armor): Various types of protective equipment in sports, might be useful even in surviving an apocalypse. Obtainable in sporting goods.
Hikigaya Hachiman:
Skill Books (Item): Books containing advice and techniques on self-reliance are important to survive as the civilization collapses. Obtainable in the library and bookstore.
Sporting bow (Weapons): Synthetic bows and arrows. Although dangerous, they're not considered weapons by Japanese law. Obtainable in sporting goods.
Crossbow (Weapons): Synthetic crossbows and arrows. Although dangerous, they're not considered weapons by Japanese law. Obtainable in sporting goods.
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru:
Suburi bokuto (Weapons): A thick wooden sword for strength and fitness training. Also an effective bludgeoning weapon. Obtainable in sporting goods. (Zaimokuza)
Katana (Weapons): The quintessential traditional Japanese swords. Regulated and expensive. Obtainable in a smithy.
Community Demand:
Working gloves (Armor): Prevent needless injuries while doing labor. Obtainable in hardware stores.
Working boots (Armor): Resilient, industry-standard footwear. Obtainable in hardware stores.
That is a lot of demand. However, they all have their argument on why they request it.
The problem is the transport. It would be impossible to carry some of them around with our current car. Miura's demand is the most damning, as we might need to make multiple trips even if we have a kei truck.
"Right. I need to make a decision."
CHAPTER 3 END
[ ] Find a truck today and depart tomorrow
Borrow, steal, charter. However the method used, we need a truck.
[ ] Depart immediately before the sun starts to set
Just carry what we can today and come back again later when we need it.
[ ] Loot the restaurant, convenience stores, and contractor building (Easy?)
They're close to the camp or located in sparsely populated places.
[ ] Loot the area around the countryside (Medium)
We don't know what we will find. Density of zombies: concerning.
[ ] Loot the supermarket (Medium-hard?)
A fairly hot place. But they have things that could not be obtained elsewhere.
[ ] Loot the hardware store (Medium-hard?)
A fairly hot place. One stop for most of our needs. Can we even carry all of them?
[ ] Visit the evacuation shelter for more information about places to loot
"It's decided," Shizuka said. "We're looting the closest place to the camp first."
"The resort?" Yumiko blinked.
"No. We go southwest until we can reach the contractor buildings Yukinoshita mentioned. "The first stop is the catering and bento restaurant south of this camp. That place should have a lot of useful things, especially food."
"Hmm, but isn't the resort pretty much similar?" Saki asked. "There should be a lot of food there."
"Unlikely." Hachiman shook his head. "Ryokan resorts like to keep their food fresh and top quality, so they get ingredients delivered before dawn."
"In other words, they don't very often keep a big supply of pantries," Komachi added. "A catering restaurant that produces bento, naturally, serves food in bulk. It's a gamble. Either we get everything, or we get nothing."
"I see." Yui clapped her hands and smiled. "We should raid them together!"
"...you're weirdly gung-ho about this." Yumiko got weirded out. "But either way, we can take turns carrying the goods. The sick ones aren't going to defend themselves."
Other than Zaimokuza, the other four were unable to do anything. Yukino couldn't even walk unassisted.
"Alright. Let's clean up these motherfuckers." Shizuka clenched her hands and grinned. "Tobe, you'll be part of the vanguards. Any complaints?"
"Hell nah, Sensei." Tobe cracked his fingers. "Let's beat them to the pulp."
"I'll also be part of the advance party." Saki raised her hands.
"No, Kawasaki. You'll retake a night shift, right?" Shizuka told her. "Save your strength. We might need it in a pinch. Besides, who will deal with the zombies in the resort if they break out of infestations?"
"...Alright."
Shizuka wasn't very accustomed to this rebellious girl being so obedient. But then again, Saki knew firsthand the horror of fighting against the zombies.
Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't relate. She literally couldn't. Even though the zombies were fast and had limitless stamina, she could face several of them and get away with minor injuries. Saki could overpower most grown men, and she struggled to keep up.
Hiratsuka Shizuka isn't an average woman. No, she's not even an average human being in the first place. And if Saki's gut feeling was correct, she's only growing sturdier since the pandemic began two days ago.
It doesn't mean Shizuka didn't have a sense of fear. However, she doesn't have the same feelings of dread and horror as everyone else. To their credit, her students were holding up much better than the vast majority of people.
"The rest of you, don't rely on Kawasaki too much. Anyone fit and able, take up your arms." Shizuka told everyone with a serious face. "And remember..."
"Crush the head or cut their neck." Tobe made a decapacitation gesture. "You can stab them through, but it's hard."
Although you can disable the zombies by destroying all their limbs, that takes so much effort. And you created a landmine that bites unsuspecting people.
"Komachi will join the advance party." Komachi raised her hand. "Well... technically, Komachi will try Komachi's best not to get in the way. Don't count on Komachi to fight at all."
"You'll just be a deadweight." Hachiman chastised her. "Stay put."
"Tsk, as if Onii-chan can be relied on or anything." Komachi rolled her eyes. "No, we could use someone skilled in cooking to pick the ingredients. Your little sister is much better, no?"
Hachiman frowned.
"I'll go," Hayato said. "I don't like to boast, but I'm very fit and no slouch in fighting. I'll protect your little sister in your stead."
Hachiman looked at Hayato in distrust. However, he was too afraid to say anything. Hikigaya Hachiman is way too meek for someone cold-blooded and calculating sometimes.
"I'll hold onto that." Hachiman scowled.
Shizuka was sure Hachiman would murder Hayato if the worst-case scenario happened. So she will make sure nothing of the sort happens.
Although Komachi was on the younger and petite side, at least she was not a child anymore.
She has to contribute somehow. They all do if they want this camp to survive without outside help.
Hachiman is rational enough to understand this, even if he's uncomfortable.
"Komachi," Hachiman said. "You need to protect yourself."
"Of course," Komachi said as she raised a sharpened screwdriver. Similar to the one Hachiman had. "Stab the cerebellum, right?"
"And the side of the temples. The pterion bone." Hachiman pointed the part behind his eyes. "The weakest part of the human skull."
A stabbing weapon is very effective against living humans who die from blood loss. More knights died to knife stabs than they did to swords, lances, and war hammers. But against zombies, the skill ceiling required is very high. It has to be very precise.
Can Komachi do it?
If she were as cold-blooded as Hachiman, she probably could. Shizuka knew that Komachi acted childish on purpose, even exclusively addressing herself in the third person.
Hayato and Tobe carried a spare water pipe they obtained from the tool storage. The pipes are stuffed with cloth to prevent ringing. Just like aluminum baseball bats, pipes are loud when used to strike something because of the hollow cavity.
Or someone.
They're not as deadly as a hammer, but the reach of the pipes gives them leverage.
"Are you sure just the cloth is enough?" Hayato asked.
"We gotta fill it with rubber or resin if we wanted the pipes to be quieter and deadlier," Tobe smirked. "But at least we're not announcing it's dinner time whenever we cave their head inward."
Okay, that was funny.
"I am ready to stand guard," Zaimokuza said as he held the rusted sledgehammer one-handed. It was one of the rare times the other teens found him menacing. Usually, he has always been goofy and clowned by others due to his personality.
Shizuka thought that this tall, overweight boy probably had the strength of at least two people his age.
"Alright," Shizuka said. "First, we use the car noise to draw them out. Hikigaya siblings should sneak in and sort the items that we need."
"Hikigaya's sister can rejoin us once we clean up the restaurant. If there are too many zombies, we lure them southward and run them over with this car. I already disabled the airbag and duct-taped the front windows just for this."
Even if it damages the car, cleaning up zombies around the camp would be worth it.
"Let's go."
The restaurant was part of a complex in a bend from the main road. The complex comprises at least three shrines, two glamping facilities, and a small private farm. In terms of distance, it was 100 meters from the campsite, opposite the Ski Resort.
In such a quiet area, the sounds of a car are noticeably loud. Shizuka didn't spare anything, though. She smacked the horn and held a second worth of noise.
Then, she shut down the engine and paid attention to her surroundings.
Nothing.
There were no zombies in the restaurant's vicinity.
"Get out and stay quiet."
Shizuka had Hayato and Tobe, who calmly jogged toward the restaurant. She raised her hand to make them stop.
They heard faint banging, not from this building, though.
"There are zombies in the other buildings," Hayato said. "Most likely one of the glamping houses or the residential area."
"Let's sweep inside. Then get out and check the other buildings." Shizuka said as she entered.
"Careful, and look at the floor closely. If you see a corpse..."
"Yes, Sensei."
They checked every nook and cranny of the catering restaurant.
It was an extensive kitchen facility. There was a separate area to serve the dine-in customers.
"This is a good place. Honestly, I feel bad looting this." Tobe whistled. "It's exposed, though."
"A lot of cooked food. Some unfinished." Hayato checked. "I wonder if they're still edible."
"Bro, why are you acting like a miser?" Tobe gawked. Hayato was one of the most wealthy kids in the group. Only Yukinoshita Yukino can compare to him.
"We ARE living the miser life right now," Hayato argued. "That said, I am not risking food poisoning. We need to dispose of them later."
"The restaurant is clean. Let's move elsewhere."
They cleaned the Glamping house nearby. And no zombies there, either.
"Sensei, I think Yumiko would like this place," Hayato said.
The glamping house was smaller than the administration building but had similar amenities. Better yet, it has a heavily isolated bedroom.
"I do think so. Aside from the cramped space, this is better suited for us than the camp administration building." Shizuka nodded. "Let us move to the next place."
Sweeping through the complex was tedious but not difficult.
What was most disheartening was when Tobe and Hayato were forced to wipe out several elderly zombies in many houses here. They all shared the same attribute to them.
They all lived alone. Most likely, they became sick, and no one could help them. And they died and got zombified while being trapped in their own house.
"...Sensei." Hayato looked at Shizuka. "Can we give them a proper funeral later?"
Looking at those eyes, it was full of guilt.
"We can. But for now, let's arrange the bodies where we can see them the best." Shizuka said. "The Ministry of Health was clear that we should not bury the dead or dump them in the water because it may cause environmental contamination. Even if we filter and boil water, that doesn't mean we can be reckless."
"Understood."
They managed to secure some big trash bags and sleeping bags as body bag replacements for the taken-down elderly zombies. The bags were labeled with their respective names and put on the sidewalks, allegedly part of the instruction given through the various emergency broadcasts.
Supposedly, it was so the authorities could do a proper cleanup. But with the sheer scale of death and devastation, they doubt they have the luxury.
"The proper funeral is cremation, but we're neither their families nor we're Buddhist priests. We have no right nor qualifications to do so." Shizuka said.
Hayato clapped his hands to give a short prayer. Shizuka and Tobe did the same.
"I'll have you two realize we would do this for a while. If we are lucky, this crisis will not last longer than two weeks, but..." Shizuka looked at the neatly arranged bodies. "If we are not, we're looking at months of surviving at least."
"What do you mean, Sensei?" Tobe asked.
"In a normal situation, in the middle of a humid summer season like this, dead bodies decay very quickly," Hayato explained. "However, with the dead coming back to life like this, we can't be too sure anymore."
"Did you not notice the unnatural lack of rotting smell from these zombies?" Shizuka asked. "It was as if they were freshly killed and not being dead for at least few hours if not more than 24 hours."
"I did notice," Tobe said. "They smelt of stale, bloodless meat. I can smell the fishiness but not the iron or rotting."
"Most likely, the virus held back their state of decay." Shizuka closed her eyes and lit a cigarette. "Depends on how slow the process became, the zombies may last from weeks to years."
"Can they survive the winter?!"
"We don't know." Shizuka shook her head. "Can WE survive winters? We can think about that later. For now, survive the deadly Summer first."
Komachi and Hachiman inspected the restaurant kitchen facility. They found it a waste to loot it.
"When you think about it, we don't exactly have extra fridges." Komachi winced. "It's better to leave the fresh ingredients in the cold storage here and use the facility as required. We can haul off the imperishables elsewhere, though."
Hachiman was inspecting the windows.
"Sensei, the windows already came with safety bars installed. If we can strengthen this, it might make for a more secure base than the camp building." Hachiman told her. "I could sleep my ass off here."
"Then we have two places to check for. Including the Glamping house over there." Shizuka pointed at the building in question. "Ask Miura if she likes either place better. If no one objects, start moving all the resources from our camp."
"Oh!" Komachi widened her eyes.
"I'll tell her that." Hachiman nodded.
"Every building within 50 meters is clean, but still, be careful," Shizuka warned Hachiman. "We don't want you to get ambushed."
"Right."
"Hoho!" Komachi found a square knife that was unusually long. "I bet Yukino-san like this one."
Although the knife has no tip, it might cut well. Now, Shizuka was doubtful it could be used as a sword substitute. Just the weight distribution alone would be wack.
"Hmm, we can give it a longer half-tang handle." Hayato figured. "That way, it can be used with two hands. But we need good wood and carpentering tools. And even then, there will be limits on how much abuse it can take."
"If we can find a welder, I can help with tang extension." Tobe raised his hand. "Probably not as good as full forged tang, but better than nothing."
...Shizuka wasn't sure if she was relieved or terrified by how creative these students could be. Is this what happens when geniuses are forced to use 100% of their processing power?
Bento and Catering Restaurant Searched:
Loot Pending discussion
While the cleanup of the complex was easy, the same could not be said about cleaning up the area around the renovation contractor building.
There were, to put it simply, too many zombies. There were at least twenty of them roaming around the area.
This area was covered in houses, and most were multi-family residents. Even sneaking would have been impossible.
The only saving grace was half of them were elderly. It was sickening but also relieving.
"You boys ready?"
Shizuka rushed ahead soundlessly, but her heavy steps betrayed her and alerted the zombies. Nevertheless, it was too late, as Hiratsuka grabbed its head and smashed it to the pavement with the combined force of her arm and body weight.
An instant kill.
More zombies came in her direction. It was like a tide of teeth and claws trying to tackle her into submission. She had to roll aside because that many going at once would screw her no matter how strong she was. Fortunately, this was a mistake on these zombies' part, as Hayato and Tobe were there, presented with an easy target to bash with their stuffed metal pipes.
Wham. Wham. Wham. Wham. Two zombies down.
Shizuka could not afford to be lenient, however. The zombies attacking her are the youngest and the fittest. They're fast, and in the case of adult males, they have the mass to overpower her should she lose balance.
Even though she was tall for a Japanese woman, she was still shorter than most adult males and late teenagers. And she was fit and toned but not musclebound.
"Shit!" Shizuka coughed when a relatively muscular zombie tried to claw her by the stomach. She was thankful that the zombie had a short nail, or her clothes and skin would be badly shredded.
She managed to block half the impact force but was thrown off balance.
Komachi came in a clutch. As if appearing out of thin air, the fourteen-year-old girl stabbed the side of the zombie's head before he could lunge at Shizuka. The muscular male zombie croaked.
Komachi was already gone when the body fell, sprinting around and running behind the houses. Hayato masked the noise by hitting the metal poles beside the road, ensuring Komachi stayed unnoticed.
"Come here!" Tobe howled like a beast and smashed the knee of a zombie to make it kneel before beating the back of the head.
Tobe was about as strong as Saki, if not a little stronger. How he delivered the pipe was perfect. This boy was rumored to beat 100 people in middle school.
It might not be a rumor. Perhaps distorted truth. But Shizuka knew an experienced fighter when she saw one.
She needed to pick up her pace and start beating them into mush.
Hayato was nowhere as refined, but he boasted an unrivaled physical fitness and athleticism. Hayato got bitten or grappled but got away with minor injuries, usually taking down the zombies with him.
He can hold on his own, indeed. As expected of the Demon Prince of Soubu.
"Oh God!" Hayato held his shoulder. "That hurts."
Komachi popped from hiding and pulled her screwdriver from the zombie she had taken down. "Nothing else is left. There might be more zombies in the area, though."
"Let's go and start hauling. We cannot afford a second fight of that scale." Shizuka huffed. "Hayama, are you alright?"
"Yep, shallow wounds, not much bleeding." Hayato nodded. "We really ought to protect our neck better. There were a few close calls, but the collar helped."
"The makeshift protector we have barely worked. But it worked, nonetheless." Shizuka nodded. "We really need a sewing machine."
Hina had helpfully made padded collars for them to wear. However, the choice of materials and hand stitching limits the effectiveness.
However, it was still better than nothing. Infection or not, a bite to the carotid artery would be fatal without emergency surgery.
"The workshop is abandoned." Shizuka half-shouted. "Move it. Haul everything."
Tobe licked his lips and secured himself a workbelt, in which he shoved various tools that would be useful.
Despite the capacity and weight, it looked surprisingly easy to move around.
"I love this! Who needs a toolbox?" He asked. "Anyway, take that drill... this toolbox here... that angle girder... that rotary saw, that-"
Tobe was a bit slow on the command, but at least it was clear that he knew what he needed. He also took spare parts for the tools, which Shizuka was unfamiliar with. So it would take more time for her alone to sweep around, even with a guide.
Unfortunately, while quite a few materials were lying around, they could not carry them. They need a truck. Shame.
Those would be useful to reinforce their base.
Contractor Building Searched:
Material left: Metal pipes, refined lumber, planks, steel rebar, furniture parts
"We carried so much stuff. Should we continue, or should we return?" Komachi asked as she tended to the wounds on everyone in the car. While the other three had minor injuries, she was pristine.
"I can still fight," Hayato said once he got patched up. "Our last stop is the convenience store, right?"
"Bring it on." Tobe wiped his nose.
Other than getting a few bruises, Shizuka was fine, too. Her old wound from last night is stinging a bit. The one she worried about the most was Hayato, though. He took quite a few bites.
"We return first, unload everything, and change members." Shizuka decided. "No offense, Hayama. You got hurt more than I'm comfortable with, and the places we go are almost as risky as the ones we fought in."
Shizuka could see the disappointment in Hayato's eyes, but she smirked.
"You're not a delinquent like Tobe or Kawasaki. Don't be too worried about underperforming. You killed more zombies than Kawasaki and Hikigaya siblings combined." Shizuka said. "And I meant it. If you feel unsatisfied, get into better shape starting tomorrow."
"Right. Yumiko will also get mad at me if you get roughed more than you are now." Tobe patted Hayato's shoulder.
"Right." Hayato seemed more focused now. Hopefully, that was genuine, not just a lie to assure everyone else.
As Shizuka changed her attention to the passenger in the shotgun seat, she noticed Komachi wiping the bloody screwdriver with a rag.
"Thank you for saving me." Shizuka earnestly said. "I also like how swiftly you take action without endangering yourself."
"Haha, Komachi honestly felt useless there." Komachi laughed. "It was a bit scary, to be honest."
"Sure, but you didn't make a single mistake." Shizuka refuted. "Don't force yourself to do things you don't want or can't do. And if you want to do something but cannon, take a slow step."
"...Thank you for bringing us here, Sensei." Komachi suddenly said. "At first, Komachi was resentful and regretting that Komachi was here. But looking at the chaos with Komachi's eyes made Komachi realize..."
"Komachi is glad we're not in Chiba right now." Komachi chuckled. "But once Komachi is strong enough, we will go home."
"Yeah." Shizuka nodded.
...
"Hayato!" Yumiko screamed in worry. "Are you alright?"
"Too loud. Too loud." Hayato said to calm her down. "I am alright. The collar does its job."
Saying that his arms were covered in plaster and bandages. He took quite a beating, even if most of his injuries were superficial. Everyone can see this.
"You don't have to do this. It's too dangerous!"
"We had to do this, Yumiko." Hayato reprimanded her. "Even if it's painful, we have to fight."
It's rare to see Hayato look so grim, especially since he always tries to emotionally placate Yumiko.
"I told Hikigaya I would protect his sister when I could barely protect myself." Hayato painfully closed his eyes. "I couldn't protect you. I could not protect anyone."
Yumiko bit her lips. Although she was angry, it wasn't like she didn't understand.
"Right." Yumiko relented. "Just... take a rest."
"Finally, we're getting some good shit," Tobe said as everyone unloaded their loot. "Pick your choice of weapon. We're gearing up!"
Saki didn't waste her time. She picked a simple chopping axe and felt the length and weight. It was longer and sharper than the splitting axe she used to, but still small and light enough to swing with one hand.
"This is perfect," Saki remarked.
"Don't pick a weapons that you think would look cool. Pick a weapon you can rely on and never hesitate to use." Shizuka said. "Your livelihood depends on what is in your hands."
"Sensei doesn't use weapons, though?" Yui pointed.
"Sensei is built differently." Tobe shrugged. "The closest thing to a weapon she had is concrete and pavement."
That's right. Most of Sizuka's kill had been shoving and stomping zombie heads to the floor. She thought that this combat style was sufficient for now. However, should they be forced to fight on soft ground, the deadliness of her attacks would be reduced.
...Especially with her loafers.
"My weapon is my hands and my feet. But for that reason, I need armored gloves and reinforced boots to get stronger." Shizuka smirked. "Those are not something we can get around here. Only the big shops in the city have them."
"Ooo." Yui nodded as she picked up a small hammer with a fiberglass handle and swung it into a tree covered in a roll of sleeping bag. The tree shook with a resounding thud.
This is the designated target practice made by Saki.
"This is surprisingly light to carry and swing but has enough power." Yui winced. "It's also longer than the short hammer we have. I like this one."
"Fiberglass handles are the middle ground and almost always the cheapest. Some people prefer wood, which is lighter, or rubberized metal, which is heavier." Tobe squirmed. "I think they were a bit fragile for my taste, but if you like fiberglass hammers, stick with it."
"Anyway! Since Hayato is out of commission, I need someone else to come with me and check the convenience store." Tobe shouted. "Who's coming?"
"I'm coming." Saki had decided.
"Impatient to test your new axe?"
"I am getting what I need, that's all," Saki said. "And since we're abandoning the camp and moving southward, we could be less worried about the infested resort."
Right. The stuff Saki requested could be obtained in the convenience stores, albeit in less quantity than she preferred.
"This time, Komachi won't clown around anymore." She wore thick working goggles and a hard hat and held a sizable red nail gun. "Komachi will help."
"Whoa, careful. That is dangerous." Tobe warned. "Where did you even pick that one from?!"
Sizuka added. "And Movies lied a lot about how strong a nail gun is. They make for crappy guns that could hurt you with a ricochet."
"Nah." Komachi jammed the gun on the floor and pulled the trigger. "Komachi will use it as intended."
That is, at point-blank range. This is how it should be used and the safest way. Judging from how deep the nail went, it has the piercing power to smash through a concrete wall.
That would be enough to pierce a zombie skull.
"...I think Komachi knows that her body is too small," Hachiman commented. "At least, she needs an external power to protect herself. I'll also go."
Komachi is a perfectly average 14-year-old girl. Her sharp senses and mind were the only thing that could help in battle.
"Alright. Little sister, stay in the back and help us in a pinch." Shizuka said. "We're departing."
The distance to the convenience store is 4 km, which isn't much given that no one would care about Shizuka speeding on an almost empty highway. That said, the teens inside were all strapped to their seats, terrified.
Komachi and Hachiman perked up and grimaced. "Gunshot."
Even though they were in a speeding car, they could hear it somewhat. The road was empty of noise other than the muffled, well-maintained car engine.
"It was fairly close." Shizuka slowed the car down. "Might even be our destination."
"That would be terrible." Hachiman pulled out his favorite screwdriver as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Awful, disastrous even."
"Stop whining." Saki fixed her work harness and gripped her new chopping axe. "Some people could use help over there."
Chaos. It was chaos.
Four cops and two security guards faced a horde of thirty-plus zombies. The panicked and pained scream filled the air. They were clearly trained but too rigid and not skilled enough in their field. The only thing between their flesh and zombie teeth was their wooden baton, which wasn't as helpful when used with less-lethal taiho-jutsu.
"What are you? Trying to arrest them? Crush their damn skull!" Shizuka rushed and tackled a zombie who was about to bite the neck of a security guard. Her knee broke the jaw of the zombie, followed by a landing stomp.
True to the prediction, Saki could take down most zombies with ease. The chopping axe drove halfway through a zombie's neck effortlessly, and the range and leverage made it more practical. Looking at her covered by so much blood, Hachiman looked a bit terrified.
Tobe wasn't much better, if slightly cleaner. His stuffed steel pipe was by no means weak. The length and hardness made it a potent bludgeon stick.
Hachiman and Komachi are both responsible for picking strays and downed but still active zombies. The nail gun was effective when shot on the back and sides of the skull.
"Still not good enough to hurt the brain from the front," Komachi remarked.
"Well, duh. The frontal lobe of the human skull has a history of deflecting pistol bullets." Hachiman pulled his screwdriver from a dead zombie.
With living humans, there's the possibility of concussion being inflicted. But that wasn't enough against zombies. Their brains have to be scrambled or bled out to kill.
Emboldened, the security guards and the police went berserk on the zombies. Their skill might be mediocre by Shizuka's standard, but significantly above most civilians. And their bodies are as fit as they could be.
Even a wooden baton can inflict a lot of crushing, given enough hits. By the time they finished, most of their batons had been in a sorry state.
"Kazuhiro! You idiot!" One of the police officers shouted in frustration. One of their members died on duty. "I already told you not to use your gun!"
"Please be calm, Senior." Another officer said. "Kazuhiro died too young. He wasn't ready."
"And these kids were?" The Senior officer asked. "Never mind about that. We should bring his body back. Even if his family isn't around, he deserves to be given the proper respect."
Shizuka's group was torn on the surface, but they were mostly fine. A few extra bruises that would feel awful tomorrow, but no one got bitten.
"Did you get hurt?" Hachiman asked Komachi.
"I think I bumped my knee and hurt my toe. Other than that, I'm fine." Komachi winced. "Just need some ointment. No need for pain pills."
The nail gun turned out to be very, very helpful.
The funniest part is how Hiratsuka Shizuka came out the worst. Out of breath and wheezing, the smoker woman was out of juice.
"I... need... a drink." Shizuka calmly walked into the trashed convenience store and took a can of energy drink. "Wait, there's no cashier?"
"P-please take it! On the house!" The familiar female cashier showed up. "Thank you for helping us! Everyone, please take something to drink and rest!"
Shizuka opened the energy drink and gulped it. Her thirst satiated, and her stamina was restored somewhat. Then she lit a cigarette between her lips.
Damn the smoker's lungs, she needed that focus and clarity.
"Ew, Komachi doesn't like it." Komachi refused to touch it and took a bottle of sports drinks instead. "While Komachi likes caffeine, Komachi prefers them in actual coffee."
"What happened here? So many police." Shizuka asked the muscular store owner's husband.
"They were unloading the ATMs." He answered. "This area will be written off, but it would be a problem if someone breaks in. So we might as well empty the store."
"However, a roaming zombie horde came. We took them out, but one of us... Kazuhiro panicked and fired his gun. This attracted two more hordes, thirty-plus in total." One of the officers cried without sobbing. "We thought we were about to die. We truly feel indebted."
"I see. So the people from the local bank are here." Shizuka nodded and pulled her bank account book. "In that case, can I withdraw some money?"
"Of course! Of course!" The aging bank manager nodded. "500.000 yen maximum. We need the bank stamp, your own stamp, and a police officer's."
"That is fair."
Honestly, Shizuka wonders how long fiat currency will be worth. But might as well unload a small part of her savings while there is still a chance.
A handwritten deduction and three stamp marks were added to the account book.
"This is a ripoff." Saki was examining the supplies of preservation chemicals in the store and noticed the price of each small package. "Not even a kilogram pack?"
Most were in 100, 300, and 500 grams packages.
"Are you trying to start a food production plant? Just how much shit you need?" Hachiman jibed.
"The issue is the price, dumbass. Smaller packages are always more expensive." Saki chastised him. "Go away, I need to focus!"
Saki also took jugs of food-grade ethanol (often used to disinfect vegetables and fruits) and bulk packages of bread yeasts. It was an expensive purchase, Shizuka noted.
"Umm...are you going to do something with them?" Event the storeowner/cashier asked.
"Yes," Saki answered without hesitation. "Food doesn't last forever, and making them last longer will help."
"I see. Then you can take it for free." The store owner smiled. "As you can see, we're carrying out most of the store merchandise. You can take anything that was left. We're thankful that you saved our life."
"Really?"
Saki ended up with two baskets full of cooking chemicals. Unfortunately, most of the stores are empty now. Shizuka pilfered some items that were left behind that could be useful later.
Cat Food (Protein/40) - Supposedly human-safe and easy on the kidney, but tastes dreadful uncooked and unseasoned.
Battery water (Clean Water/20) - Distilled water to refill lead acid batteries. Drinkable but tasteless.
Wet tissue packs (Luxury/40) - When taking a bath is not an option, or you're just lazy.
Collapsible water container, 12 liters (Materials) x5 - Camping supplies, not as durable but takes less space than solid water jugs to store.
Rolls of duct tapes (Materials) - Duct tapes can solve almost any problem. Comes in black and clear color.
A bucket of adhesives (Materials) - Random small tubes and cans of various glue types. Not for large-scale projects.
"Sensei, can we have these?" Saki asked for boxes of empty bottles. "Carrying them would be a pain, though."
These soft drinks and beer bottles were supposed to be recycled, but now that the supply chain is dead, they're just trash.
"Can I hear why you're awfully specific about these?"
Saki whispered to Shizuka the reason why, and Shizuka's eyes almost popped out.
"That's illegal." Shizuka frowned.
"Yeah? And who's going to enforce it?" Saki scoffed. "We're guilty of trespassing, squatting, vandalism and theft."
"Out of necessity." Shizuka defensively pointed.
"You will thank me later." Saki waved as she left.
In fairness, Shizuka has to admit that Saki's skill could be a trump card. Shizuka is not familiar with a world where humans are detached from alcoholic consumption.
Especially when countless adults needed beverages to cope with the additional stress of surviving the apocalypse. Shizuka certainly did.
It's a shame that Saki is underage, though.
Kawasaki Saki
Quirk Skill: Bartending 1
Turn fruits and vegetables into assorted drinks, bread waste into beer, rice into red sake, or ethanol into moonshine with cooking action. Require clean water. "Mixing drinks is a culinary art, too. What do you mean it's illegal?"
Cooking skill equivalent value to 4 (+1 Camp Morale)
Traits:
Faked her age (Quirk Skill: Bartending)
"You want the empty bottles?" The storeowner's husband asked. "I can deliver them for you. We have no use for it anyway."
"Thank you!"
"By the way, I took the liberty to explain you to the police officers. Although they still recommend you join the evacuation shelter, they understand you're stuck here and feeling like a stranger."
"So, Hiratsuka Shizuka-san. Have you moved anywhere?" The police chief asked.
"We abandoned the summer camp and moved into an abandoned restaurant and glamping house because the ski resort is infested with zombies," Hiratsuka answered. "As far as we see, there aren't any other survivors within two kilometers from that place."
"Understandable. We appreciate the help. If there is good news, we will send people to share it." The chief smiled. "Other than that, there are also workers from the utility companies who go around that area to maintain infrastructures. Otherwise, the power and water will shut down."
That would be terrible.
"As far as communication is concerned, we're also trying to restore the landlines and cellular network. Only J-Alert is functioning right now, and we got our instruction from this network."
J-Alert is a satellite-based system that allows authorities to quickly broadcast alerts to local media and citizens via nationwide loudspeakers, television, radio, email, and cell broadcasts.
"That explains why we can still hear news from the cell phones, TV, radio, and town speakers." Shizuka nodded. "Though we still can't use them to communicate."
"The surviving members of the executive government had since been evacuated to the sea. Specifically, JDS Izumo parked in Tokyo Bay. Tokyo had been considered a lost cause and blocked from all directions. Surrounding Prefectures, including Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa, are holding on. People are running to the countryside. Compared to us, they're worse off." The chief explained.
"How many ministers survived the initial outbreak?"
"Other than this news, we were in the dark about the details. The current instruction to all police force is to form a line of defense in the most defensible area and protect all survivors until further notice."
"With Kazuhiro dead, we're down to five of us." the chief shook his head. "Not only that, but we're also extremely outgunned. Our revolvers are only effective in short range, and their loudness attracts too many zombies. Our batons aren't designed to kill. And now we lost them."
In most city police departments, the SWAT team has military-grade small arms. However, this area only has a single police box. All of them are stuck with five-shot M60 revolvers.
In Shizuka's opinion, that's worse than having no gun.
"If you stuff the pipe with foam or cloth, it vibrates less and not as loud," Tobe advised the rest of the police, who strangely paid close attention to his lectures. "If you want, I can make you pipe tonfa. I'll exchange them for these items."
"We'll visit you tomorrow." The chief, his men, and the bank personnel bowed politely. "Please be safe."
Hiratsuka and the teens politely bowed back at the group.
"Tobe, did you promise them to build weapons?" Shizuka crossed her arms. "Good job, but you should consult things with us."
"It would be a shame if they died. They look quite skilled and honest." Tobe shamefully winced. "Don't you think I'm being a good boy?"
"Yes, yes you are." Shizuka sighed. "Let us go back."
"I think we should take it easy tomorrow." Komachi proposed. "No more going out to dangerous places."
"We believe the Glamping house is more suitable for our needs." Yumiko nodded. "It's more secure and, in some way, more comfortable. However, there isn't enough bed space even for half of us. We either have to repurpose the wooden deck or the lounge."
"It has only one bedroom and five beds. In addition to the hammock in the lounge, they usually built a tent on the wooden deck with two beds in it." Yumiko chided. "But I feel it's both unfair and unsafe."
How this girl is so selfish yet so considerate is amusing.
"I told you we could use the restaurant's serving area better." Hachiman pointed out. "It's spacious, and the windows are all caged with a safety bar. Beds aren't an issue."
"I am so done living like a refugee!" Yumiko jibed at him. "Do you like that?"
"Well, not particularly, but..."
Hachiman is totally losing his position. No matter how reasonable his position was, he was too meek to stand up to her.
"Why not just split the group in half anyway?" Shizuka sighed. "Both buildings combined are smaller than the camp administration building in total. Our position is much more well-defended. Both buildings have the same front-facing and rear-facing area, which completely lacks a backdoor."
Hachiman and Yumiko awkwardly rolled their collective eyes.
"If Sensei said so," Hachiman agreed.
"Yes. I agree." Yumiko nodded.
So this is it. The groups had always been comprised of two cliques. It was inevitable that there would be arguments.
"Right." Tobe unrolled his sleeves. "Since the Glamping house had secure windows, we might as well reinforce the safety bar mounting in the restaurant. Does anyone object?"
"No." Saika excitedly raised his hand. "I'll help! I've been bedridden quite a bit."
"I'll also help," Hayato said. "Yumiko and Yui, we'll help them prepare the space for bedding."
"Right." Yumiko didn't protest but asked anyway. "Who wants to stay in the Glamping house?"
"Eh? Why do you ask?" Tobe blinked.
"Normally, I would say that the girls and boys separated. But that seems like a bit forced, right? Since the group is split anyway, people should be able to choose where to stay."
"Oh, except Yukinoshita. She gets to stay in the Glamphouse. She's the only person here that hasn't recovered, and we got to care for her."
"I want to sleep in the tent on the wooden deck!" Tobe excitedly waved.
"Seriously?" Yumiko squeezed her eyes.
"This is summer camp, and we haven't camped properly! Might as well do it since it's there." Tobe reasoned. "I can snooze up pretty much anywhere."
Can't argue with that logic. Tobe might be a cheerful kid, but he might be hiding his stress.
"Alright, I'll stay with Tobe in that case." Hayato smiled. "The wooden deck actually had space for two tents, so if anyone wants the second tent built, we'll help."
"To be honest, I feel stupid arguing. Some of us are going to take night patrol anyway." Hachiman said. "I just want a little privacy. That's why I'll use an indoor tent to sleep tomorrow."
"That's true," Yumiko muttered. "Yui? You're doing night duty?"
"Other than hauling our fuel to this new place, I didn't do much. So I don't think I can sleep early, even if I tried." Yui nodded. "Might as well."
"Ah." Yumiko looked disappointed but did not protest. "Be careful."
"Oh, Hayama, I can't find the PET jugs, but do you think they suffice?" Shizuka asked Hayato as she gave him five sets of collapsible water jugs.
"Yes. Those should be enough." Hayato nodded. "We just need something to store our drinking water, after all."
"The restaurant has everything Komachi wants except a slow cooker. But everything else is there. We now can boil big batches of clean water."
"Weapon issue mostly solved, as well." Shizuka hummed. "Is that Yukinoshita's new weapon?"
The rectangular knife blade looks the same, but the handle is much longer and covered in paracords. This means the knife can be used with both hands.
"We had the tang lengthened by hammering and welding a steel nail. Then we use a hardwood grip covered in paracord." Hayato pointed. "We can't make proper scabbard yet, so it has plywood covering."
"Thank you." Yukino held it. "I'll make sure to contribute when I get healthy."
"Right! To celebrate, let's take a bath together!" Tobe shouted. "No opportunity like this!"
"Don't say cursed things." Hachiman chided.
Thankfully, there are two bath facilities. The indoor bath is for girls, and the outdoor bath is for boys. While the girls get a sense of privacy, the indoor bath is smaller. The boys didn't complain about the arrangement for that reason alone.
Shizuka licked her lips, then shook her head to free herself from stupid imageries.
Demand Completed!
Hikigaya Komachi: Fresh vegetables - Yes, Stockpot x2 - Yes, Slow cooker - No
Kawasaki Saki: Bread yeast - Yes, Preservatives - Yes, Chopping axes - Yes
Hayama Hayato: Sack of zeolites - Yes, Water gallon jugs - Yes, Water purifier machine - No
Tobe Kakeru: Power tools - Yes, Heavytoolbox - Yes
Miura Yumiko: Loft bed 2/6 - No, Matress 6/6 - Yes
Totsuka Saika: Nail hammer - Yes, Sack of bolts - Yes, Sack of nails - Yes
Yukinoshita Yukino: Bokuto - No, Maguro knife - Yes, Katana - No
Ebina Hina: Sewing machine - No, Sports gear - No
Hikigaya Hachiman: Skill books - No, Sporting bows - No, Sporting crossbow - No
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru: Suburi Bokuto - No, Katana - No
Community demand: Working gloves - Yes, Working boots - No
Resources gained (Loot):
Staples (Carb/40) - Rice, noodles, pasta. All sorts of carbohydrate sources.
Flour (Carb/40) - White flour made of ground wheat grains.
Minced meat (Protein/40) - Chopped chicken, beef, or pork meat. Perishable.
Green vegetables (Fiber/40) - Broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, and other green herbs. Perishable.
Hygiene product (Luxury/40) - All sorts of soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste.
Firewood bundles (Solid Fuel/10) - Good old firewood made of local pines. Somewhat fragile to be used as a structural material but burns decently.
Charcoal (Solid Fuel/10) - A more sophisticated form of solid carbon fuel. Burns better than firewood but still smoky.
Camping gas (Liquid Fuel/3) - 1L cans of white gas and small cans of pressurized butane. Great for lanterns and small stoves or as a fire starter.
Resources produced:
Clean Water: 48 - 39 = 9 (1x Collapsible water jug 9/18)
Camp Morale: 75 (Excellent) (Base Action bonus +50%)
Individual Morale: 28
Hiratsuka Shizuka (Leader) - On fire (+4)
Hayama Hayato - Optimistic (+3)
Miura Yumiko - Spirited (+2)
Yuigahama Yui - Optimistic (+3)
Tobe Kakeru - Optimistic (+2)
Hikigaya Hachiman - Calm (+1)
Hikigaya Komachi - Spirited (+2)
Kawasaki Saki - Spirited (+2)
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru - On Fire (+4)
Ebina Hina - Calm (+1)
Totsuka Saika - Optimistic (+3)
Kawasaki Taishi - Spirited (+2) Incapacitated:
Yukinoshita Yukino - Recovering Modifier:
Good breakfast and dinner (Komachi) +8
An army marches by their stomach.
Luxuries consumed +4
It's the small things that make hard life bearable.
Spacious base +10
Not enough room is never an issue here. Everyone can comfortably fit. And maybe some more.
Perfect amenities +15
It has a lounge, a bedroom, an indoor toilet, a hot spring bath, and a small kitchen. You can survive almost forever.
Power +5
Most modern humans can't survive, physically and mentally, without electricity and the convenience it brings.
Well-secured Windows +10
Most windows can be secured with planks and safety bars. It's not a fortress, but enough to not catch us by surprise.
Waking up and refreshed, Shizuka woke up on the sofa of the Glamping house. Her body was aching all over, but nothing a simple painkiller could not deal with.
Shizuka had her wound checked and dressed. She was surprised by how quickly these wounds healed despite her age. It was like she was a teenager again! By tomorrow, she should be free of external wounds and muscle pains.
There's something new in this community of survivors: the schedule board. On this board, the general activity of the survivors is stated. Shizuka can adjust her activities with them.
Hmm...
Schedule:
Miura Yumiko - Training
Ebina Hina - Training
Totsuka Saika - Training
Tobe Kakeru - Making weapons 0/6
Hayama Hayato - Making weapons 0/6
Kawasaki Taishi - Foraging (Farm)
Hikigaya Komachi - Foraging (Farm)
Hikigaya Hachiman - Sleeping
Kawasaki Saki - Sleeping
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru - Sleeping
Yuigahama Yui - Sleeping
Yukinoshita Yukino - Recovering
It seems that some of the kids fear being left behind. So they decided to do a slow and methodical physical training. Judging from the notes, they're in the right direction. But they could use some pointers.
Tobe and Hayato are working with the power tools to make weapons for the police. They planned to make tonfa and baton using welded iron pipes stuffed with urethane foam. This would make them reasonably light but potent bludgeon, but not as loud as unmodified pipes. Shizuka wonders if they're doing alright without supervision.
Komachi and Taishi decided to forage the farm literally next door. It's harvest season, and some plants might bear fruit. However, while the open farm may seem safe, we don't know if hidden dangers are lurking in the corner. At least these two know how to run fast, right?
[ ] Help with the physical training
[ ] Help with making weapons
[ ] Help with foraging
