Chapter 23: Unspoken Feelings
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May 2, 20XX, 7:00 a.m. - Shrine, Tokonosu City
Blake Henderson stirred from sleep, his senses slowly returning as the first light of dawn crept through the cracks in the shrine’s wooden walls. Blinking groggily, he realized something warm and soft was pressing against his chest. He glanced down and was surprised to see Saeko Busujima nestled against him, her head resting on his chest like a pillow. More surprisingly, she was drooling on his shirt.
Blake raised an eyebrow. 'Well, this is... unexpected.'
Saeko, normally the calm and collected warrior, looked completely at ease in her sleep. Her breathing was soft and rhythmic, her face peaceful. Blake’s first instinct was to shift, but he quickly decided against it. After everything they had gone through the day before, she deserved a moment of rest. Instead, he lay there quietly, letting her sleep while his mind wandered.
His thoughts drifted to his family. 'I wonder how they’re holding up. Are they safe?' It had been days since the outbreak began, and though he was doing his best to keep the group alive, his thoughts often strayed back to the States. His father, a former Navy SEAL, had taught him a lot, but even the best training couldn’t prepare someone for the collapse of society. He hoped his family was managing.
Blake’s mind then turned to the rest of the group. 'Did they make it to the Takagi Estate?' He trusted Takashi and the others, but he couldn’t help but worry. The estate was one of the safest places in Tokonosu, but anything could have happened on the way there. They were strong, though—Saya, Takashi, Rei, Kohta, Shizuka—they had all proven themselves time and time again.
A small, amused smile tugged at his lips as Saeko shifted slightly in her sleep, letting out a soft sigh. 'If only they could see you now, Saeko.'
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May 2, 20XX, 7:30 a.m. - Takagi Estate
Saya Takagi groaned softly as she stretched out in the comfort of her bed, the familiar warmth of her blankets wrapped around her. After days of running, fighting, and constantly being on edge, it felt like a small slice of heaven to finally be home. She could still feel the tension in her body slowly unraveling, her muscles relaxing into the plush mattress.
'It feels so good to be home,' she thought, snuggling deeper into her blanket.
For a few more minutes, she lay there, her eyes closed, letting herself savor the moment. Everything felt familiar again—her room, the softness of the bed, the faint smell of lavender from the sheets. But as she lay there, her thoughts inevitably drifted to the events of the past few days.
Blake and Busujima were still out there somewhere. That much she knew. But why did that bother her more than it should?
Saya frowned, her face half-buried in her pillow. 'I’m not worried about them. They’ll be fine. Blake’s resourceful, and Busujima is a badass with a katana. But still...'
The nagging feeling of unease persisted. It wasn’t fear for their safety—it was something else, something that gnawed at the back of her mind. She didn’t like the idea of Blake and Saeko being alone together. The thought made her chest tighten, though she couldn’t quite explain why.
'Why do I care?' she asked herself, feeling a small pang of frustration. 'It’s not like I...'
She cut off the thought before it could fully form, shaking her head as if to clear it away. 'This is ridiculous. We’ve got bigger things to worry about.' Still, the unease lingered. She buried her face deeper into her pillow, trying to suppress the emotions bubbling inside her.
She hated this—hated feeling vulnerable, hated not being able to control the swirl of emotions. 'What am I even feeling?' she wondered. 'Why does the idea of Blake and Busujima alone together make me... jealous?'
But no. She couldn’t be. She wasn’t like that. There was no time for childish emotions, especially not now. It was just the stress of the situation getting to her. That had to be it.
With a frustrated groan, Saya sat up in bed and pushed the thoughts away. 'Get a grip, Saya. Focus on the bigger picture.'
After a deep breath, she got out of bed and headed to her closet. Today was different. She didn’t need to dress for battle or be on the run from zombies. For once, she could dress like herself again. She selected a long skirt and a neatly pressed blouse—her usual attire when she wanted to feel like the refined young lady she was.
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Dressed and ready, Saya stepped into the hallway, the grand windows allowing her a clear view of the estate grounds. As she walked, she glanced outside and saw a sea of tents scattered across the open fields surrounding the mansion. Survivors—people who had taken refuge at the Takagi Estate, hoping for safety.
She paused for a moment, her eyes sweeping over the camp. There were so many people, so many lives shattered by the outbreak. 'How many of them lost their homes? Their families? And here we are, safe inside...' Saya’s gaze turned distant for a moment, but she quickly brushed the thought aside as she resumed her walk.
Eventually, she reached the dining room, where the familiar sound of her friends’ voices greeted her. As she entered, she saw Takashi, Rei, Shizuka, and Kohta already seated at the table, with her mother, Yuriko Takagi, sitting at the head.
"Good morning, everyone," Saya said as she greeted the group, her tone carrying its usual confident edge. She gave her mother a polite nod before sitting down beside her.
"Good morning, Saya," Yuriko replied, her tone warm but measured.
As Saya took her seat, the estate’s butler and maids began bringing in trays of food, setting the table with an impressive spread that would rival a feast. Freshly baked bread, eggs, fruit, and an assortment of dishes were laid out before them, and for a moment, Saya’s friends couldn’t help but marvel at the luxury of it all.
Takashi, glancing at the lavish breakfast, couldn’t help but comment. "Man, we’re lucky we know you, Saya. If it weren’t for you, we’d probably be out in one of those tents."
Shizuka nodded, her usual cheery demeanor brightening even more as she dug into the food. "Yeah, this is amazing! Thank you again, Saya’s mom."
Rei smiled gratefully. "We really do appreciate it."
Yuriko gave a small nod, her voice calm and composed. "You’re all welcome. We’re just fortunate to be able to offer help where we can."
As they ate, Saya’s thoughts wandered to her father. She hadn’t seen him since arriving at the estate, and his absence left her with a growing sense of unease. Turning to her mother, she asked, "Mom, where’s Dad? I didn’t see him at all yesterday."
Yuriko hesitated for a moment before responding. "He’s out attending to some business."
Saya wasn’t satisfied with that answer. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she pressed on. "What kind of business?"
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The rest of the group paused, curiosity piqued by Saya’s question. Yuriko sighed softly, realizing she couldn’t avoid the subject any longer. Her expression grew more serious as she addressed the group.
"Your father is currently leading a mission to secure the power plant in Tokonosu City," Yuriko explained. "He took a small team of our men and a group of electricians with him. The power supply to the city is critical, and they needed to ensure that it remains operational."
Saya’s chest tightened with concern, but she masked her worry with a nod. "He left yesterday morning?"
"Yes," Yuriko replied. "They should be back by this evening."
Though relieved to know her father was safe for now, Saya couldn’t help but worry about the danger he was in. Securing a power plant in a zombie-infested city wasn’t exactly the safest job.
Seeing the concern in her daughter’s eyes, Yuriko’s expression softened. "He’ll be fine, Saya. He’s prepared for this. We have the best people out there with him."
Saya nodded, trying to push her worry aside. "I know... it’s just—"
Her words faltered, and she quickly shifted the conversation. "And what about Blake and Busujima? They’re still out there somewhere."
Saya’s voice took on a more urgent tone as she turned back to her mother. "Can you send someone to look for them?"
Yuriko’s calm demeanor didn’t waver, but her response was firm. "I’m afraid that’s not possible."
Saya frowned. "Why not?"
Yuriko sighed, leaning forward slightly. "Sending out a search party for your friends would set a precedent, Saya. If we do it for them, others here will demand the same for their loved ones. We simply don’t have enough people to meet those demands. We barely have enough men to guard the estate and support your father’s mission."
Saya clenched her fists in frustration, knowing her mother was right. She had already suspected as much, but she had still wanted to ask.
Yuriko’s expression softened as she reached out, placing a hand on Saya’s arm. "I’ll have our guards keep an eye out. If we hear anything about Blake and Saeko, you’ll be the first to know."
Saya sighed, her frustration ebbing slightly. "Thank you, Mom."
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Scene Shift: Tokonosu Airport
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May 2, 20XX, 8:05 a.m. - Tokonosu Floating Airport
The faint hum of helicopters and the distant sounds of JSDF soldiers setting up equipment were the only noises breaking the stillness of the cafeteria. Rika Minami sat quietly, her fingers wrapped around a mug of lukewarm coffee, her eyes following the activity beyond the large airport windows. Across from her sat Tajima, sipping his own drink, his rifle resting casually against the side of the table.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. The floating airport had become a critical base of operations for the JSDF, with military personnel repurposing it to accommodate helicopters, military vehicles, and even refugees. Just offshore, the JMSDF’s Escort Flotilla 3 stood watch, its ships forming a formidable line of defense.
Tajima let out a soft chuckle as he placed his mug down, breaking the silence. "It’s funny, isn’t it? We’ve got all this firepower and technology, but we’re still not sure what the hell’s going on out there."
Rika glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah... It feels like we’re just trying to put band-aids on a bullet wound."
Tajima nodded, leaning back in his chair as he surveyed the bustling activity outside. "You know, I always thought that if something like this happened, we’d be ready. We’ve been trained for every possible scenario—urban warfare, natural disasters, even terrorism. But this?" He shook his head. "This is a whole different beast."
Rika leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table. "It’s not just that we’re unprepared... It’s that we don’t know the scope of the problem. The infection spread too fast. We don’t know how far it’s gone, how many people are infected, or what’s causing it. And until we figure that out, it doesn’t matter how many helicopters or tanks we have—we’ll just be reacting, never taking control."
Tajima let out a long sigh, nodding in agreement. "You’re right. We’re fighting a battle we don’t fully understand. And we’re losing ground every day."
Rika’s eyes narrowed as she glanced out at the ships on the horizon. The sight of the JS Hyuga, deploying UH-60J Blackhawks and AH-1 Cobra helicopters, should have filled her with a sense of security. But instead, all she felt was a gnawing sense of dread. How long can we keep this up? she wondered.
Tajima’s voice broke through her thoughts. "At least we’ve got reinforcements now. The JSDF, the navy, and the air force are all mobilizing. It’s better than nothing."
Rika’s gaze shifted to him, her expression grim. "Reinforcements or not, we can’t just sit here and hope for the best. If the infection spreads further, even the military won’t be able to contain it."
Tajima raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "You always were the pessimistic one."
"I’m realistic," Rika corrected him, her voice sharp. "This isn’t something we can solve with brute force. We need information. We need to understand what we’re dealing with—how this infection started, what’s keeping it going, and how we can stop it."
Tajima sighed again, the weight of her words sinking in. "Yeah, you’re right. But that kind of information is hard to come by in a city full of the walking dead."
The two fell silent again, the noise of helicopters and military activity filling the gap in their conversation. Rika tapped her fingers lightly against the table, deep in thought. She had seen her fair share of conflict over the years, but this—this was something far more dangerous. The zombies were relentless, mindless in their pursuit, and there was no clear end in sight.
"What about the survivors in the city?" Tajima asked suddenly, his tone more serious. "I’ve heard reports from the JSDF that there are still pockets of civilians holed up in various parts of Tokonosu. Some of them are holding out in places like the Takagi Estate. You think they’ll be able to last much longer?"
Rika considered the question for a moment before responding. "If they’re smart and have enough supplies, they might. The Takagi Estate is well fortified, but even the best defenses can only hold out for so long. Eventually, they’ll run out of food, water, or ammunition. Or the infected will find a way in."
Tajima shook his head. "Damn. And we’re just sitting here, miles away, drinking coffee like it’s business as usual."
Rika’s gaze darkened, and she glanced down at her half-empty cup. "It’s not like we’re not doing anything. The military’s trying to secure the most critical areas—the power plant, the bridges, transportation hubs. But we can’t be everywhere at once."
She paused, then added, "We’ve lost too much already. Entire sectors of the city are gone, overrun by the infected. The civilian death toll is... unimaginable. And the worst part is that we can’t evacuate them. The JSDF is stretched thin, and the sea routes are blocked by quarantine zones."
Tajima’s smirk faded, replaced by a more somber expression. "Yeah... I’ve heard the same. Some units are barely holding the line. It’s only a matter of time before..."
He trailed off, leaving the rest of his thought unspoken. The implication was clear—if the military continued to lose ground, there wouldn’t be any safe places left. Not in Tokonosu, and possibly not anywhere else.
Rika’s hand tightened around her cup, her knuckles turning white. "We can’t let that happen."
Tajima gave her a sidelong glance. "What are you thinking?"
Rika set her cup down, her eyes hardening with determination. "We need to start pushing back. We can’t just sit here and wait for orders anymore. If we wait too long, there won’t be anyone left to save."
Tajima chuckled, though there was no humor in his voice. "That sounds like the Rika I know—always ready to take matters into her own hands."
Rika’s lips curled into a small, wry smile. "Someone has to."
The conversation paused as the rumble of more helicopters landing outside caught their attention. Rika turned to watch as several more UH-60J Blackhawks and AH-1 Cobras touched down on the runway, JSDF personnel rushing to unload supplies and prepare for another deployment.
"Looks like things are ramping up," Tajima noted, his tone more serious now. "The higher-ups must be planning something big if they’re bringing in this much firepower."
"Let’s hope it’s not too late," Rika muttered under her breath.
She watched the military operation with a sense of unease. Reinforcements were good, but they were just a temporary solution. The real problem lay in the nature of the outbreak itself. Until they understood what they were dealing with, the military’s efforts would be little more than a holding action.
As the minutes passed, the atmosphere in the cafeteria grew more tense. The distant sound of helicopter blades cutting through the air became a constant reminder of the war being waged beyond the safety of the floating airport. And though Rika and Tajima sat in relative calm, both of them knew that this momentary peace could shatter at any moment.
"You think we’ll get called out again soon?" Tajima asked, breaking the silence.
Rika nodded, her expression grim. "Definitely. The city’s falling apart faster than anyone expected. It won’t be long before we’re sent back into the chaos."
Tajima grinned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Well, when that time comes, at least I know I’ll have the best sniper in the Police force covering my back."
Rika gave him a flat look, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Tajima."
"Hey, I’m just being honest."
Rika shook her head, but she appreciated the lightness in his tone. They both knew what was coming, but for now, they could afford this brief reprieve—a moment of camaraderie before the storm.
And as the sound of helicopters continued to fill the air, Rika couldn’t shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.
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End of Chapter 23