Chapter 15: Moments of Calm
April 30, 20XX
7:15 p.m.
Rika’s Maisonette, Tokonosu City
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The final rays of daylight had faded, giving way to the deep blue of twilight. Inside the maisonette, the group had settled in, savoring the rare moment of peace. With the immediate threat of the infected momentarily at bay, the girls took the opportunity to refresh themselves in the bath, their laughter and playful banter echoing through the house.
Shizuka Marikawa, with her usual carefree attitude, found herself the center of attention as Saya, Rei, and Saeko couldn’t resist teasing her about her ample figure. “Oh, Shizuka-sensei, you’re so soft!” Rei giggled as she playfully poked Shizuka’s chest, causing the nurse to blush and squirm in the bath.
“Stop it, you two!” Shizuka protested weakly, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she tried to cover herself. “You’re so mean!”
Saeko chuckled, joining in on the fun. “You can’t blame us, Shizuka-sensei. It’s not every day we get to relax like this. And besides,” she added with a mischievous smile, “it’s nice to see you letting loose.”
Saya, ever the sharp-tongued one, smirked as she leaned back in the warm water. “If only the guys could see us now,” she teased, earning a chorus of laughter from the others.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the house, Blake, Takashi, and Kohta had gathered in Rika’s room, which doubled as her armory. The room was sparsely decorated, but the large gun locker against the wall caught their attention immediately. However, the gun locker was locked and since they obviously didn’t have the key they just pried open the locker with a crowbar they found in the house. Inside, they found two formidable weapons: an Armalite AR-10(T) rifle and an Ithaca M37 Riot Shotgun, along with two boxes of 12-gauge shotgun shells and three boxes of 7.62×51mm NATO rounds.
Kohta’s eyes lit up with excitement as he examined the firearms, his enthusiasm palpable. “An AR-10(T) and an Ithaca M37… This is some serious hardware!” he exclaimed, almost giddy as he ran his hands over the rifle. “The AR-10(T) is a precision rifle, perfect for long-range engagements. It’s chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, which means it packs a punch. And the Ithaca M37… man, this shotgun is a beast in close quarters. It’s reliable, durable, and built for combat.”
Takashi, who wasn’t as well-versed in firearms, listened intently as Kohta explained the specs. “So, these are better than what we’ve got?”
Kohta nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely. The AR-10 will give us a huge advantage if we need to engage targets at a distance. And the Ithaca M37 is perfect for close encounters. With these, we’re much better equipped to deal with whatever comes our way.”
But then Kohta had a look of confusion on his face, “However, something bothers me about this” Kohta said thoughtfully. Curious about what he meant, Takashi asked Kohta on what he meant by that to which he replies by saying, “These weapons are not something which you can just acquire in Japan by being a simple person. Whoever this friend of Shizuka sensei is, she probably has a profession where she can get away with stuff like this without drawing any attention”
Takashi, who was listening to Kohta, gave his thoughts on the matter, “Maybe, she is from military?” Kohta thought about it for a moment before answering, “Maybe, but whatever it is, we should be thankful for her that we got these guns.”
Blake, who had been quietly inspecting the weapons, spoke up. “Alright let’s make sure everything’s in working order. We don’t want to run into any problems when it counts.”
The three of them set to work, dismantling the guns they already had to perform a maintenance check. Blake took apart his Springfield M1A rifle with practiced ease, meticulously cleaning and reassembling it. Takashi followed Blake’s lead, carefully mimicking his actions as he disassembled the Beretta 92FS pistol Blake had given him earlier. Kohta, meanwhile, was in his element, expertly maintaining his Remington 870 shotgun while casting an appreciative glance at the newly acquired Ithaca M37.
As they worked, the sound of laughter and splashing from the bath reached their ears. Kohta’s expression turned mischievous as he glanced toward the door. “You know… we could sneak a peek at the girls. They’re just over there, and it sounds like they’re having fun.”
Blake and Takashi both shot him down immediately. “Not a chance,” Takashi said firmly, shaking his head. “I’m not dealing with Rei’s wrath, or worse, Busujima’s.”
Blake chuckled, agreeing. “I value my life, Kohta. Let’s just focus on what we’re doing.”
Kohta sighed in defeat, returning to his shotgun. “You guys are no fun…”
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April 30, 20XX
7:45 p.m.
Midori Bridge, Tokonosu City
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While the group enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation, the situation at the Midori Bridge was rapidly deteriorating. The police, under immense pressure from both the infected and desperate civilians, struggled to maintain order at the blockade. The area was chaotic, with the sounds of shouting, crying, and the occasional gunshot ringing through the air.
A group of civilians, led by a conspiracy theorist, had gathered near the barricades, holding makeshift signs and chanting slogans. The man at the front, a wild-eyed individual with unkempt hair, ranted to anyone who would listen. “This is all a government plot!” he shouted, his voice hoarse from yelling. “The US and Japanese governments created this virus to control us! They want to kill us all!”
The police officers at the barricade exchanged uneasy glances, the situation spiraling out of control. Captain Hiroshi Tanaka, the officer in charge, grimaced as he watched the growing unrest. “This is getting out of hand,” he muttered to his second-in-command, Officer Saito.
Saito nodded, her expression grim. “We’ve already got our hands full with the infected. If these people break through, we’re done for.”
Tanaka who had been bitten by a zombie earlier in the bridge thought that he was a goner for sure, but however, it seemed that the zombie’s bite wasn’t able to turn him into a zombie. It was probably due to the thick riot gear protection he wore earlier that he was able to survive with only but a bruised arm.
Then Tanaka’s radio crackled to life, the voice on the other end filled with urgency. “No reinforcements are coming. We’ve been ordered to use deadly force if necessary to maintain the blockade.”
Tanaka cursed under his breath, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “Damn it… We don’t have a choice.”
He turned to his officers, his voice authoritative. “Hold the line! We can’t let them through, no matter what! If anyone tries to break the barricade, shoot to kill!”
The tension in the air was thick, the situation teetering on the edge of violence. The infected continued to press against the barricades, their numbers growing as more of them were drawn to the commotion. The officers braced themselves, their fingers hovering over the triggers of their weapons.
It was only a matter of time before all hell broke loose.
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April 30, 20XX
8:15 p.m.
Rika’s Maisonette, Tokonosu City
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Back at the maisonette, the girls had finished bathing and were now dressed in comfortable clothes, their spirits lifted by the brief respite. The sounds of running water and laughter had been replaced by the quiet hum of conversation as they gathered in the living room.
Meanwhile, Blake, Takashi, and Kohta had completed their maintenance checks and were now taking turns in the bath. The warm water was a welcome relief, washing away the grime and stress of the past few days.
As they soaked in the tub, the conversation turned to more personal matters. “So, Blake,” Takashi began, leaning back against the edge of the tub. “What’s your family like?”
Blake’s expression softened, his thoughts drifting to his parents. “My mom’s Japanese. She’s the reason I’m here. My dad’s American, ex-Navy SEAL. They’re both back in the States. I haven’t been able to contact them since this all started, but… I have to believe they’re okay. My dad’s tough, and he’s got plenty of ways to protect themselves from any trouble.”
Kohta, who was scrubbing his hair, looked over at Blake. “That’s gotta be rough, not knowing what’s going on with them.”
Blake nodded, his expression somber. “Yeah… it is. But I try not to dwell on it. We’ve all got people we care about. We just have to keep going, for their sake.”
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Takashi, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. “I get what you mean. My mom works at the Shintoko 3rd Elementary School so I think she’ll be able to get help, but my dad… I can’t get into contact with him. I don’t know where he is. He’s somewhere in the city, I think, but with everything that’s happened, I don’t know if I’ll ever find him.”
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared burdens hanging in the air. But despite the uncertainty of their situation, there was a sense of camaraderie between them—a bond forged in the fires of survival.
When the three finally emerged from the bath, feeling somewhat refreshed, they were greeted by the sight of Shizuka, who had clearly indulged in a bit too much alcohol while they were bathing. The nurse, now more than a little tipsy, was sprawled out on the bed in Rika’s room, her cheeks flushed and her speech slightly slurred.
“Takashi-kun!” Shizuka cooed, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she beckoned him over. “Come here, let me give you a hug~”
Takashi’s eyes widened in alarm, and he backed away, hands raised in defense. “Uh, Shizuka-sensei, maybe you should lie down and get some rest…”
But Shizuka was persistent, her inebriated state making her bolder than usual. “Oh, don’t be shy! Come on, Kohta-kun, you too~” she giggled, reaching out toward the poor, unsuspecting Kohta.
Kohta, who had been caught completely off guard, went pale as a ghost, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Before he could react, his vision blurred, and he promptly fainted, overwhelmed by the fanservice.
Blake, who had wisely kept his distance, decided it was time to make his exit. “I think I’ll leave you to handle this, Takashi,” he said with a smirk, backing out of the room.
Takashi shot him a pleading look. “Wait, Blake—”
But Blake was already out the door, making his way down the hallway before Takashi could rope him into dealing with the situation. As he descended the stairs, Blake’s thoughts drifted to the rest of the group. They were safe for now, but the threat outside was never far from his mind.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he spotted Rei Miyamoto, curled up and half-asleep on one of the lower steps. She looked vulnerable, her defenses down after the long, exhausting day.
Blake paused, unsure of whether to wake her or let her rest. After a moment’s consideration, he turned and made his way back to Rika’s room, where he found Takashi trying to rouse Kohta, while Shizuka had finally passed out on the bed.
“Rei’s asleep on the stairs,” Blake said quietly. “You might want to get a blanket for her.”
Takashi nodded, quickly finding a blanket in the wardrobe. “Thanks, Blake. I’ll take care of it.”
As Takashi headed down the hallway toward Rei, Blake returned to his original task of heading to the kitchen. He couldn’t help but smile as he thought about the chaos upstairs—some things never changed, even in the midst of an apocalypse.
When Blake reached the living room, he was surprised to find Saya Takagi sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep. She was dressed in nothing but her underwear, the towel she had draped over herself earlier was covering her lower body but left the other areas exposed. Blake’s breath caught in his throat as he tried to look away, but his eyes kept drifting back to her.
“Focus, Blake,” he muttered to himself, tearing his gaze away from Saya. He needed to get to the kitchen, but something made him pause. He glanced back at Saya, who was still sound asleep, her chest rising and falling steadily.
Blake hesitated for a moment, then returned to the couch and gently adjusted the towel, making sure it covered her properly. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel exposed when she woke up.
As he stepped back, Blake couldn’t help but admire Saya’s beauty. There was something about her confidence, her sharp mind, and her determination that drew him to her. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside. Now wasn’t the time for distractions.
Blake finally made his way to the kitchen, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight. Saeko Busujima was at the stove, cooking dinner. She wore nothing but an apron, the fabric clinging to her curves in a way that made Blake’s heart skip a beat.
For a moment, Blake was frozen, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. Saeko noticed him standing there and turned to him with a smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Blake-kun, what brings you to the kitchen?” she asked, her voice as smooth as silk.
Blake struggled to keep his eyes on Saeko’s face, his mind racing. “Uh, I was just… thirsty,” he stammered, trying to play it cool. “I came down for some water.”
Saeko stifled a laugh, clearly seeing through his attempt to avoid staring. “Don’t worry, Blake. I’m wearing underwear under this apron,” she teased, lifting the edge just enough to show him.
Blake’s face turned bright red, and he quickly turned his attention to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it in one go. The cold liquid did little to calm his nerves.
Saeko watched him with a smile, enjoying the effect she was having on him. “You really were thirsty, weren’t you?”
Blake nodded, trying to regain his composure. “Yeah… thanks.”
Saeko turned back to the stove, her expression softening as she continued to cook. “If you’re not too busy, would you like to help me with dinner?”
Blake, grateful for the distraction, agreed. “Sure. What are we making?”
As they worked together, the conversation turned to their families. Saeko mentioned her father, who was away in their overseas dojo when the outbreak occurred. She spoke fondly of him, but there was a sadness in her eyes that Blake couldn’t ignore.
Blake, in turn, shared stories about his parents. His mother’s strict yet loving nature, and his father’s military background. The conversation brought back memories of home, and Blake found himself growing more somber as he thought about his family.
Saeko noticed the change in his demeanor and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Blake-kun, are you alright?”
Blake snapped out of his thoughts and smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine. I just miss them, you know? But I’m sure they’re safe. My dad’s ex-military, and he’s got plenty of guns. They’ll make it through.”
Saeko returned his smile, her eyes filled with understanding. “I’m sure they will. And we’ll make it through this too. We just have to keep our spirits up.”
As they finished preparing dinner, Saya entered the kitchen, her face flushed as she clutched the towel to her chest. “Can I help with anything?” she asked, her voice a little too casual as she avoided making eye contact with Blake.
Saeko, sensing the awkwardness, welcomed the change of pace. “Sure, Takagi-san. You can help set the table.”
The three of them worked together to set up the dining table, the tension from earlier gradually dissipating as they focused on the task at hand. Once everything was ready, they called the rest of the group to join them.
Shizuka, still groggy from her nap and the alcohol, yawned as she made her way down to the dining room. “I’ll be there in a minute,” she mumbled, her eyelids heavy with sleep.
Kohta, on the other hand, had fully recovered from his earlier fainting spell and eagerly rushed to the table, his eyes lighting up at the sight of a proper meal. “Finally, real food!” he exclaimed, practically salivating at the sight.
Takashi and Rei, who had been sitting on the stairs earlier, entered the dining room together, their cheeks slightly flushed from the close proximity they had shared under the blanket. They took their seats quietly, exchanging a glance as they settled in.
With everyone gathered around the table, Saeko turned to Blake with a playful smile. “Blake-kun, why don’t you say Grace like you do in America? I’d love to experience it firsthand.”
Blake, caught off guard by the request, felt his face heat up as all eyes turned to him. “Uh, sure… I guess I can do that.”
He cleared his throat and bowed his head, reciting a prayer in Japanese as best he could. “Lord, we thank you for this meal and for keeping us safe. Please continue to watch over us and guide us through these difficult times. Amen.”
He finished with an “Amen” in English and made the sign of the cross, feeling a little self-conscious but relieved that it was over.
The group, unfamiliar with American customs but intrigued, followed his lead and said, “Itadakimasu” before digging into the meal. The atmosphere was warm and light-hearted as they ate, a welcome change from the tension and fear that had dominated their lives for so long.
As they complimented the food, Saeko modestly accepted the praise but made sure to point out that Blake had helped with the cooking. The group’s surprise at this revelation was palpable, and Blake found himself explaining how he had learned to cook while living away from home in the States.
Kohta, always curious, asked Blake about the specific dishes they had prepared and how they made them. The conversation became animated as Blake and Saeko detailed the process, sharing tips and tricks they had learned along the way.
For the first time since the outbreak began, the group felt a sense of normalcy. They laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed a meal together, temporarily forgetting the horrors that lurked outside.
After dinner, Takashi and Rei volunteered to do the dishes, allowing the others to relax upstairs. The mood was light as they cleared the table, the sound of running water and clinking dishes filling the air.
Upstairs in Rika’s room, the group gathered once more to discuss the night watch. It was decided that they would draw sticks to determine the order, with the four shortest sticks designating the night watchers. Kohta drew the first shift, followed by Shizuka, Rei, and Saya, each shift lasting an hour and a half.
The group then turned their attention to sleeping arrangements. The girls would sleep in Rika’s bedroom, while the men would take the guest room. However, the guest room’s bed was only big enough for two people, leaving one to sleep on the couch in the living room.
To settle the matter, the men played a game of rock-paper-scissors, which ended with Blake losing. Despite Takashi’s offer to take the couch instead, Blake refused, insisting that he lost fair and square.
With the arrangements settled, the group dispersed to their respective sleeping areas. Kohta, having drawn the first watch, took up his post near the windows, keeping a vigilant eye on the street outside.
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May 1, 20XX
4:30 a.m.
Rika’s Maisonette, Tokonosu City
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The house was quiet as the final shift of the night watch began. Saya Takagi, roused by Rei after her turn ended, stretched and rubbed her eyes before taking her place by the window. The city outside was still shrouded in darkness, the faint glow of dawn just beginning to creep over the horizon.
Saya moved quietly through the house, her gaze sweeping over the sleeping forms of her friends. She checked the locks on the doors and windows, ensuring everything was secure before heading downstairs.
As she descended the stairs, her eyes fell on Blake, who was sleeping soundly on the couch. His features were softened in sleep, the usual tension in his expression replaced by a rare look of peace.
Saya found herself studying his face, noting the unique blend of features that marked his dual heritage. His jet-black hair fell over his forehead, and his breathing was slow and steady.
Without thinking, Saya reached out and gently touched his hair, running her fingers through the soft strands. The unexpected intimacy of the moment startled her, and she quickly pulled her hand back, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
“What am I doing?” she muttered to herself, flustered by her actions. She had always been attracted to Takashi, but there was something about Blake that intrigued her, something that made her heart race in a way she hadn’t expected.
Shaking her head, Saya forced herself to move away from the couch, determined to push those confusing thoughts aside. She had a job to do, and now wasn’t the time to get distracted.
As she returned upstairs, Saya’s thoughts continued to swirl, a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and something else she couldn’t quite identify. She resolved to focus on the task at hand, but the memory of Blake’s sleeping face lingered in her mind.
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End of Chapter 15