Chapter 26: A Moment of Respite
----------------------------------------
Blake’s POV
The soft padding of their footsteps echoed through the grand hallways of the Takagi Estate as Blake, Saeko, and Saya made their way deeper into the mansion. Blake couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place in the opulent surroundings—dark wood-paneled walls, intricate tapestries, and ornate vases lining the corridor gave off an air of quiet sophistication. It was a stark contrast to the chaos they had endured outside these walls, and for a moment, Blake found himself uneasy in the unfamiliar calm.
As they passed by a series of intricately carved doors, Saeko’s voice broke through the silence.
"Takagi, we don’t have any of our spare clothes with us," Saeko said, her tone polite but laced with a hint of practicality. "We left the rucksack with our belongings in the car when we arrived."
Saya glanced back over her shoulder, her expression unfazed. "Don’t worry about that. The Humvee is in the garage, being checked over by Matsudo, our estate’s mechanic. If you need your things, you’ll have to go out there, but..." She paused for a moment, then smiled slightly. "It’s probably easier if you let the maids handle it. They’ll bring you clean clothes while you’re showering."
Blake exchanged a glance with Saeko, a small sigh of relief escaping his lips. "That sounds good. Thank you," he replied, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. The exhaustion from their journey had been building up, and the idea of a hot shower followed by fresh clothes was more than welcome.
Saeko nodded in agreement, her gratitude clear in her expression. "Yes, thank you, Takagi. It’s a huge help."
"Don't mention it," Saya said, waving off their thanks casually. "It’s the least I can do after what we’ve all been through. I’ll wait for you both in the living room with the others once you’re ready."
They continued walking, the weight of the past few days hanging heavily on their shoulders despite the respite the estate seemed to offer. In just a minute or two, Saya stopped in front of two large doors, assigning them the guest rooms.
"This one’s yours, Blake. And Saeko, you’ll be staying in the room next door," Saya said, gesturing to the doors on either side of the hallway. "Take your time. We’ll be downstairs."
Blake nodded, watching as Saya disappeared down the corridor, her footsteps growing fainter until they were lost entirely in the vastness of the mansion. He turned the handle to his assigned room and stepped inside.
----------------------------------------
Inside the Guest Room
The guest room was both simple and elegant, reflecting the understated luxury of the Takagi family. The walls were a soothing off-white, adorned with minimalist artwork. A large bed, covered in crisp white linens, sat against one wall, while a polished mahogany desk was placed next to a wide window that overlooked the estate grounds. Heavy curtains hung on either side of the window, their fabric catching the last rays of the setting sun.
Blake closed the door behind him, walking further into the room. He moved toward the desk and pulled out the chair, seating himself as he began to unlace his boots. His muscles ached, fatigue weighing him down. As he removed his gear—the combat vest, the gloves, the elbow and knee pads—he couldn't help but let out a long, tired sigh.
The road to the Takagi Estate had been long. From Fujimi Academy to Marikawa-sensei’s friend’s house, and then to the estate—it felt like they had been running from one battle to another, barely catching their breath in between. His thoughts wandered to the rest of the group—Takashi, Rei, Kohta, and Shizuka—and whether they would ever truly be safe. They had all made it this far, but the uncertainty of their future weighed heavily on him. Each of them had family members out there, and they were still far from safety.
‘There’s still so much to figure out,’ Blake thought, rubbing his face with both hands as the fatigue pressed down on him. ‘This can’t be our last stop. It’s only going to get harder from here.’
Finally, after removing the last of his clothing, Blake walked into the bathroom, the promise of a hot shower too tempting to resist. The bathroom was just as pristine as the rest of the room, with gleaming white tiles and a large bathtub that looked inviting after days of relentless travel and combat. Blake turned on the shower, letting the water warm up as he scrubbed himself clean, washing away the grime of the past few days. After what felt like an eternity, he sank into the warm water of the bathtub, his body instantly relaxing as the heat soaked into his muscles.
The steam curled around him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he allowed himself to close his eyes and just breathe. For a few minutes, there was no running, no fighting, no fear of the infected hordes lurking just beyond the gates. There was only the soothing warmth of the water, and Blake savored every second of it.
----------------------------------------
Blake’s POV - Post-Shower
After what felt like both a fleeting moment and an eternity, Blake finally stepped out of the bathtub, wrapping a towel around his waist. The fogged-up mirror reflected a version of himself that felt unfamiliar. His eyes were tired, his face a little gaunt from the constant stress, but there was a resolve there—a fire that still burned despite everything.
As he walked back into the bedroom, Blake noticed something that hadn’t been there when he entered the bathroom: a neatly folded set of clothes laid out on the bed. He paused, momentarily taken aback. ‘Well, I guess those are the clothes I’m supposed to wear. I hope they fit,’ he thought, picking up the shirt and holding it up to inspect the size.
Surprisingly, the clothes were a perfect fit. A black button-up shirt, dark slacks, and a pair of socks were all laid out for him. He wasn’t sure how Saya’s household staff had managed to guess his measurements so accurately, but he wasn’t going to question it. With a grateful smile, he dressed quickly, feeling a sense of relief as the clean fabric settled against his skin.
As he finished buttoning his shirt, Blake took one last glance around the room. ‘Alright, let’s see what the others are up to,’ he thought, before opening the door and stepping into the hallway.
----------------------------------------
In the Hallway
Just as Blake stepped out of his room, he was greeted by the sight of Saeko emerging from her own guestroom across the hallway. For a brief moment, Blake froze, his breath catching in his throat.
Saeko stood there, dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono that was a deep shade of indigo, embroidered with delicate floral patterns. The outfit accentuated her grace and poise, the elegant lines of the garment flowing around her as she moved. Her dark hair, usually tied back, was now loosely cascading over her shoulders. Blake, who had always admired her strength in combat, now found himself stunned by her beauty.
For a few seconds, Blake simply stood there, staring at her without saying a word. Saeko, noticing his silence, tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes questioning.
"Blake?" she asked, her voice soft but curious. "Is there something wrong?"
Blake blinked, realizing he had been staring, and quickly shook his head. He felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. "No—no, nothing’s wrong," he stammered, clearing his throat awkwardly. "It’s just... you look beautiful. The kimono suits you."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Saeko’s lips, her cheeks flushing slightly at the compliment. She bowed her head slightly in thanks. "Thank you," she replied, her voice warm. "Saya arranged for the staff to bring it. She was thoughtful enough to make sure we were both taken care of."
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Blake nodded, a sheepish smile on his face. "Yeah, I guess she’s good at thinking ahead." He glanced down at his own outfit. "Looks like they managed to get my size right too."
Saeko let out a light laugh. "I’d say we’re lucky."
There was a brief pause as they stood there, the air between them comfortable, but with a lingering sense of something unsaid. Both of them knew that the journey ahead wouldn’t be easy, and moments of peace like this were rare.
"Shall we?" Saeko asked, gesturing down the hallway toward where the rest of the group was waiting.
"Yeah," Blake said, a small smile returning to his face. "Let’s go."
Together, they walked down the hallway, their footsteps in sync as they made their way to the living room. There was still so much ahead of them—so many dangers, so many uncertainties—but for now, they could afford to take a brief moment of respite.
In the Living Room
Blake and Saeko walked down the grand staircase of the Takagi Estate, their footsteps echoing slightly as they approached the living room. The soft murmur of voices and the flicker of light from the large flat-screen television on the wall greeted them. As they stepped into the room, they found the rest of the group seated around the large sectional couch, their eyes glued to the news broadcast playing across the screen.
Takashi, Rei, Kohta, and Shizuka were watching with quiet intensity, their faces reflecting the gravity of the situation unfolding before them. Blake could see that the news coverage was focused on the ongoing global crisis—the infection that had thrown the world into chaos. Saya sat off to the side, her brow furrowed in concentration as she absorbed the information on the screen.
Blake and Saeko made their way over to the group, quietly joining them. Blake glanced over at Kohta, who was perched on the edge of the couch, his eyes wide behind his glasses as he processed the news.
"Hey, Kohta," Blake called softly as he took a seat beside him. "What did we miss? Saeko and I just got here."
Kohta, without taking his eyes off the screen, started explaining the important details. "You guys missed the Prime Minister's address to the nation. He explained how Japan is working with the U.S. military to try and secure the major cities. They’re focusing on securing the nuclear plants and water supply stations first. If those go down, things could get a lot worse."
Blake’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the information. The Prime Minister’s address was critical, and the fact that Japan was actively cooperating with the U.S. military wasn’t surprising, but it did reinforce how dire the situation had become.
Kohta continued, his voice a little more urgent now. "The U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet is heading this way to rendezvous with the JMSDF. They’re forming a blockade around China and North Korea. They want to make sure those two countries don’t try anything... funny."
Blake’s stomach tightened at the mention of China and North Korea. He knew the geopolitical tensions in the region had always been fragile, but now, with the world descending into chaos, there was a much greater risk that things could spiral out of control.
"Funny?" Blake echoed with a hint of concern. "You mean they’re worried about military aggression?"
Kohta nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, that’s what the analysts are saying. They’re worried that if the infection destabilizes things too much, China or North Korea might try to take advantage of the chaos. The U.S. and Japan are working together to make sure that doesn’t happen."
Blake leaned back in his seat, his mind racing with the implications. The infection was already a disaster, but if tensions between nations escalated into armed conflict, the situation could become catastrophic on a global scale.
"That’s not good," Blake muttered, his voice barely audible. "We don’t need another war breaking out on top of everything else."
Saeko, who had been sitting quietly beside Blake, glanced over at him with a thoughtful expression. She could see the worry etched into his face, and for a moment, she felt the same weight of the situation pressing down on her. But before either of them could dwell on it any further, Takashi spoke up.
"Blake, Saeko," Takashi said, breaking the tension. "You two haven’t eaten anything since you got here, right? You should go grab something to eat before you get too caught up in all of this." He nodded toward the television. "We’ll fill you in on anything else later."
Blake and Saeko exchanged glances. The gnawing hunger that had been pushed to the back of their minds during the news broadcast suddenly came back in full force. Both of them realized that they hadn’t eaten in hours, and the prospect of a hot meal was too good to pass up.
"Good point," Blake said with a faint smile. "We’ll grab a bite and catch up with you guys later."
Saeko gave a small nod, agreeing with Takashi’s suggestion. "Let’s go, Blake."
With that, the two of them stood and made their way toward the dining room, leaving the rest of the group to continue watching the news coverage.
----------------------------------------
In the Dining Room
As they entered the dining room, the scent of freshly prepared food greeted them. The long table was already set, with plates of food waiting for them. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was more than enough to satisfy the hunger that had been building up inside them since their long journey to the estate.
Blake and Saeko took their seats across from each other, the quietness of the dining room a stark contrast to the tension they had left behind in the living room. The two of them ate in silence for a while, savoring the meal that had been prepared for them.
Blake allowed himself to relax a little, the simple act of eating offering a momentary distraction from the chaos outside. He glanced up at Saeko every now and then, noticing how calm and composed she looked, despite everything they had gone through. There was a certain grace about her that he admired, even in the most intense situations.
It wasn’t long before the quiet atmosphere was interrupted by the soft click of heels against the wooden floor. Blake and Saeko both looked up as Yuriko Takagi entered the dining room, her elegant presence immediately commanding attention.
Yuriko, Saya’s mother, walked over to the table with a warm smile, her sharp eyes taking in the sight of Blake and Saeko seated quietly. "Ah, there you are," she said, her voice smooth and refined. "I’m glad to see you both getting some food. You must be exhausted after everything."
Blake stood up briefly in respect, nodding politely as he gestured for her to sit down with them. "Thank you, Mrs. Takagi," he said. "We definitely needed this."
Yuriko waved a hand dismissively as she took a seat at the table, her posture poised and graceful. "Please, call me Yuriko. You’re friends of Saya, and after everything you’ve done for her, formalities can be left behind."
Blake and Saeko shared a quick glance before Saeko spoke up. "We were just doing what we had to do," she said humbly, her voice soft. "Saya is our friend. We’d never leave her behind."
Yuriko’s eyes softened as she regarded the two of them. "Saya is smart, but she’s not a fighter like the two of you. I’ll admit, I was worried sick about her. When the outbreak first began, my husband and I... we had an argument." She paused, her fingers tracing the edge of the table thoughtfully. "I wanted to send a rescue team, but it wasn’t possible. We couldn’t risk more lives."
Saeko nodded sympathetically, understanding the weight of Yuriko’s words. "You don’t have to explain. I’m sure it wasn’t easy."
Yuriko let out a soft sigh, her gaze drifting toward the window as if lost in thought. "I’m just relieved to know that she has friends like you to watch over her, even when we can’t." Her eyes flickered back to Blake and Saeko, a grateful smile gracing her lips. "If there’s anything I can do for either of you, don’t hesitate to ask. You’ve earned my trust and gratitude."
Blake, ever practical, took the opportunity. "Actually, there is something you might be able to help me with," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Do you have access to a satellite phone? I’d like to make a call back home, if possible."
Yuriko raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by his request. "A satellite phone?" she repeated, then nodded slowly. "Yes, we have one. I can have it brought to you."
She reached for the radio clipped to her belt and made a quick request to one of the estate’s staff members, asking for the satellite phone to be delivered to the dining room.
As they waited, Yuriko turned her attention to Saeko. "And you, Busujima-san?" she asked kindly. "Is there anything you need?"
Saeko was quiet for a moment, contemplating the offer. "I would like to meet your husband when he returns," she said after a pause. "There are some matters I wish to discuss with him."
Yuriko nodded, her expression understanding. "Of course. I’m sure he’ll be interested in meeting both of you, especially after everything that’s happened. He should be back soon."
A few minutes later, one of the household staff arrived with the satellite phone. Yuriko handed it to Blake with a small smile. "Here you go. Feel free to use it as long as you need."
Blake took the phone gratefully, a sense of anticipation building inside him as he dialed the number he knew by heart. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity, and for a moment, Blake feared that he wouldn’t be able to reach them.
But then, finally, a familiar voice answered. "Hello?"
Blake’s heart skipped a beat. It was his mother’s voice—Naomi Henderson, the voice he hadn’t heard since the outbreak began.
"Mom," Blake said, his voice thick with emotion. "It’s me. It’s Blake."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and then Naomi’s voice broke with relief. "Blake! Oh my God, Blake, where are you? We’ve been worried sick!"
Blake smiled, though his voice remained steady. "I’m okay, Mom. I’m in Japan. I lost my phone on the first day when everything went to hell, but I’m safe now. I’m with friends."
Naomi’s voice trembled slightly. "Thank God. We’ve been waiting for your call... I didn’t know if you were..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Blake closed his eyes, his voice softening. "I’m alright, Mom. I promise. I don’t know how long it’ll take, but I’m going to find a way home."
----------------------------------------
End of Chapter 26