Chapter 16: Morning Resolutions
May 1, 20XX
7:00 a.m.
Rika’s Maisonette, Tokonosu City
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Blake Henderson awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains, the warmth of the morning sun slowly drawing him from his sleep. For a brief moment, he lay still, his mind groggy and his body heavy with the comfort of rest. The events of the past few days felt distant, almost like a bad dream.
But as his senses sharpened, the memories came rushing back—the chaos, the fear, the struggle for survival. Blake sighed, sitting up on the couch and rubbing his eyes. This wasn’t a dream. The nightmare was real, and they were still living it.
He glanced around the living room, taking in the quiet stillness of the house. The others were still asleep, the house peaceful for now. Blake needed to clear his mind, to shake off the remnants of sleep and prepare himself for whatever challenges the day would bring.
Slipping off the couch, Blake quietly moved to the center of the room and began his morning workout routine. Starting with some stretches to loosen up his muscles, he then transitioned into a series of calisthenics. Push-ups, squats, planks—each movement was precise and controlled, the physical exertion helping him focus.
As he worked through his exercises, his thoughts drifted back to the world they had left behind. His family, his friends, the life he had known—everything was gone, replaced by this new, harsh reality. But Blake wasn’t one to dwell on despair. He had been trained to adapt, to survive. That’s what he intended to do.
He moved into a handstand, his lean, muscular body effortlessly balancing on his hands as he began a set of handstand push-ups. The blood rushed to his head, his arms burning with the effort, but he welcomed the challenge. It was a reminder that he was still alive, still capable of fighting.
Unbeknownst to him, Saya Takagi had woken up and was heading downstairs when she caught sight of him. She paused at the entrance to the living room, her eyes widening in surprise as she watched Blake perform the difficult exercise with practiced ease. She had seen glimpses of his physique before, but seeing him like this, so focused and disciplined, stirred something within her.
Saya hesitated, unsure of how to approach him. She wasn’t the type to get flustered easily, but something about Blake’s presence, especially in this moment, left her feeling uncertain. Instead of walking into the room, she found herself hiding behind the wall, peeking at him as he continued his workout.
‘What am I doing?’ she thought, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. She wasn’t used to feeling nervous around anyone, let alone someone like Blake. But here she was, fidgeting like a schoolgirl with a crush.
After a few minutes of indecision, Saya finally mustered the courage to step into the room. “Good morning, Blake,” she greeted him, her voice slightly shaky despite her best efforts to sound composed.
Blake, still in the middle of his handstand push-ups, heard her and smoothly lowered himself back to the ground. He turned to face her, slightly out of breath but with a friendly smile. “Morning, Saya,” he replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”
Saya shook her head, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest as she met his gaze. “You didn’t. I was already up… and I saw you working out. You’re pretty dedicated, huh?”
Blake shrugged modestly, stretching his arms to cool down. “Old habits die hard. Helps me clear my head, too.”
There was a brief, awkward silence between them, both unsure of what to say next. Blake could sense that Saya was a little nervous, which was unusual for her. He decided to break the tension with a simple offer.
“How about some breakfast?” Blake suggested, gesturing toward the kitchen. “I could whip up something for everyone.”
Saya’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, grateful for the change in topic. “Sure, I can help. What do you have in mind?”
Blake thought for a moment, then smiled. “How about a classic American breakfast? Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon… with some salad on the side to balance it out.”
Saya nodded, already moving toward the kitchen. “Sounds perfect. Let’s get started.”
The two of them worked together in the kitchen, the earlier awkwardness fading as they focused on the task at hand. Blake prepared the pancake batter while Saya cooked the bacon and sausages, the savory aroma filling the house. They moved around the kitchen with surprising coordination, occasionally bumping into each other and exchanging shy smiles.
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As the smell of food wafted through the air, it wasn’t long before the rest of the group began to stir. The first to arrive in the dining room was Saeko Busujima, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the preparations being made.
“Good morning,” Saeko greeted them with a warm smile. “It seems you two have been busy.”
Blake returned her smile, flipping the last of the pancakes onto a plate. “Just thought we’d get an early start. Breakfast should be ready in a few minutes.”
Saeko nodded appreciatively and stepped forward to help set the table. “It smells wonderful. I’m sure everyone will appreciate a hot meal.”
One by one, the rest of the group joined them, drawn by the enticing aroma. Shizuka Marikawa, still a little groggy from the night before, rubbed her eyes as she sat down. “Oh, this smells so good… You two are lifesavers,” she mumbled, still waking up.
Kohta Hirano practically bounced into the room, his face lighting up at the sight of the spread. “Pancakes! Man, I haven’t had a proper breakfast like this in forever.”
Takashi and Rei followed, their expressions softening as they took in the sight of the table. Rei smiled warmly at Blake and Saya. “This looks amazing. Thank you.”
Blake and Saya finished setting the table, the plates piled high with food. As they all sat down, the atmosphere was light and relaxed, a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives.
They chatted easily as they ate, discussing everything from their plans for the day to memories of their lives before the outbreak. Laughter and conversation filled the room, a comforting reminder that they still had each other, despite everything.
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May 1, 20XX
8:00 a.m.
Midori Bridge, Tokonosu City
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While the group enjoyed their breakfast, the situation at Midori Bridge was finally stabilizing after a night of intense fighting. The police, having fought off both the infected and desperate civilians, were now rotating shifts as those on the night watch took a much-needed rest.
Captain Hiroshi Tanaka stood at the barricade, surveying the scene with a weary but determined expression. Officer Kaori Saito approached him, her uniform disheveled from the night’s events but her resolve unshaken.
“Captain, we’ve secured the area for now,” Saito reported, her voice steady. “The infected have been pushed back, and the civilians are being kept under control.”
Tanaka nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. “Good work, Saito. We need to maintain this position until the JSDF arrives. How’s the situation at the East Police Station?”
Saito hesitated before replying. “They’ve secured all the bridges leading in and out of the city. It shouldn’t be long before the JSDF relieves us. But… the situation is still tense. There are rumors of more infected gathering in the outskirts.”
Tanaka grimaced, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. “We’ll hold out as long as we can. We’ve come this far… we can’t afford to lose control now.”
As they spoke, Officer Ryota Ishikawa joined them, his expression tired but relieved. “We made it through the night. That’s something, at least.”
Tanaka glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yes, it is. But we can’t let our guard down. Stay vigilant, Ishikawa. We’ve still got a long way to go.”
Ishikawa nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Understood, Captain.”
The three officers stood together in silence, their eyes on the horizon as the sun rose higher in the sky. The battle was far from over, but for now, they had won a small victory. And in times like these, even small victories were worth celebrating.
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May 1, 20XX
8:30 a.m.
Rika’s Maisonette, Tokonosu City
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Back at the maisonette, the group had finished their breakfast and were now gathered in the garage, investigating the vehicle Shizuka had mentioned the day before. As soon as they laid eyes on it, both Blake and Kohta recognized it immediately—a Humvee, built for off-road conditions and tough enough to withstand the harshest environments.
“Is this what you meant by a ‘tank,’ Shizuka-sensei?” Blake asked with a grin, admiring the vehicle’s rugged exterior.
Shizuka nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! My friend Rika always called it her ‘baby.’ It’s really strong and can go anywhere.”
Kohta’s eyes were practically gleaming as he inspected the Humvee. “This is perfect! We’ll be able to get through anything with this.”
The group checked the interior of the vehicle, searching for any supplies that might have been left behind. They found two jerry cans of fuel, enough to keep the Humvee running for a while, and a duffle bag filled with tools for maintenance and repairs.
“This is a goldmine,” Blake remarked as he examined the tools. “We’ll be able to handle any mechanical issues that come up.”
With the vehicle secured and ready, the group returned to Rika’s room to start planning their next move. They knew they needed more supplies, and the nearby convenience store was their best bet.
Saya took charge, organizing the plan with her usual efficiency. “We need to be quick and precise. Here’s what we’re going to do…”
She began mapping out the route they would take to the convenience store, marking potential hazards and alternative paths. The group listened intently, each of them aware of the risks involved.
As they finalized their plan, Saya suddenly paused, her expression thoughtful. “There’s something else I want to suggest. We should consider taking a detour through the suburbs uphill… where my home is.”
The room fell silent as the group processed her words. Saya’s tone was calm, but there was an underlying tension, a worry that she was trying to keep hidden.
“I know it’s risky,” Saya continued, “but I’m worried about my parents. I need to know if they’re okay.”
Blake, understanding the gravity of her request, nodded in agreement. “We’ll do it. We can’t leave any stone unturned, and if we’re going to make it through this, we need to stick together.”
Takashi and the others also agreed, recognizing that this detour was about more than just gathering supplies—it was about hope, about ensuring that their loved ones were safe.
With their new route set, the group began preparing for their departure from Rika’s maisonette. Each of them gathered their gear, mentally bracing themselves for whatever dangers awaited them outside.
As they loaded up the Humvee, ready to face the challenges ahead, there was a sense of determination in the air. They had survived this long, and they weren’t about to give up now. Together, they would face the horrors of the world and do everything in their power to protect each other.
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End of Chapter 16
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