As the world around me twisted and contorted once more, my head throbbed in sync with the piercing resonance of the concentrated hertz. The familiar scene disintegrated, leaving behind only a vast emptiness, a void of darkness that consumed everything. Gradually, the canvas reset itself, presenting a replica of my own form standing before me.
My head pounded relentlessly, sending shockwaves of pain coursing through my body. And then, in an instant, my eyes shot open, greeted by the disorienting reality of my surroundings. Beads of sweat glistened on my skin, while I found myself naked, draped with a solitary blanket, a cool towel pressed against my forehead. The harsh illumination from the shop's windows penetrated the room, casting its unwavering glow upon the scene. It all came rushing back—I remembered where I was.
Rei, sitting on the opposite couch, fixated her gaze upon me. Her presence brought a sense of reassurance amidst the residual haze of the dream that had just slipped away. I struggled to recall the contents of that vivid reverie, grasping at fragments of memory that dissolved like mist in my mind. The intensity of the experience was undeniable, yet the details remained frustratingly elusive. Try as I might, I could not retrieve the elusive narrative that had unfolded within the depths of my slumber.
A solitary tear escaped my eye, gliding down my cheek—a silent testament to the emotions that swirled within me. It was a tear of confusion, tinged with a profound longing to recapture the essence of the dream, to unravel its enigmatic message. But alas, it slipped through my fingers like sand, leaving only a profound sense of loss and a longing for answers.
I rose from the couch, the blanket draped over my lower body providing a semblance of modesty. My clothes, stained with the remnants of battle, lay neatly stacked upon the coffee table. Rei's unwavering gaze met mine, and in that moment, the weight of the unspoken hung heavily in the air. The realization dawned upon us both—I had ventured out into the treacherous night, engaging in a perilous struggle against the undead, only to succumb to exhaustion without a word of explanation.
Rei's eyes held a mixture of concern, frustration, and something else I couldn't quite decipher. The air grew thick with an awkward tension, magnified by the intimacy of the situation. She had tended to my needs while I lay oblivious to the world, vulnerable in my slumber. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me, the color rising in my cheeks as I struggled to find words.
"You don't have to be embarrassed," Rei offered, her voice calm but laced with a hint of amusement. Her gaze traced a path from my disheveled hair down to the blanket-covered form. My discomfort intensified, caught between the desire to escape the spotlight and the warmth of her presence.
"Uh, yeah," I stammered, acutely aware of the awkwardness lingering between us. Rei's tone carried a touch of anger, a tremor in her voice betraying her concern. She stood there, slightly trembling, and I realized the depth of her worry.
"Sorry," I managed to mutter, the weight of my actions settling heavily upon me. Guilt gnawed at my conscience, a realization of the pain I had inadvertently caused. Rei's response was immediate, her voice taking on a stubborn edge.
"You're so stupid," she retorted, a blend of frustration and affection evident in her words. Her demeanor shifted, assuming a tsundere attitude—a mixture of fondness and feigned annoyance. I couldn't help but find solace in the familiarity of our banter, even in the midst of this tense moment.
"You didn't have to just leave like that," Rei continued, her voice softening slightly. "I was so worried, thinking you had vanished without a trace. What if something had happened? What if you were bitten or worse?"
Her words pierced through my self-inflicted guilt, resonating with a truth I couldn't deny. I had acted rashly, without considering the consequences, and it was only by fortune or fate that I had returned unscathed. The gravity of her concern washed over me, mingling with my own remorse.
In that moment, I realized the significance of our bond, forged in the crucible of survival. Rei's reproach carried the weight of her genuine care, her anger born out of a fear of losing someone dear to her. And though she chided me, her concern spoke volumes, reassuring me of the depth of our connection.
"I'm sorry," I repeated, my voice laced with sincerity. "You're right. I should have considered the consequences and communicated with you. It was thoughtless of me, and I promise I won't put you through that again."
Rei's expression softened, the tension in her features giving way to a glimmer of understanding. She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to touch mine, bridging the emotional gap that had formed between us.
"Just promise me you won't be so reckless next time," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of vulnerability and affection.
I gazed into Rei's eyes, a profound sense of remorse washing over me. The realization of my foolishness was crystal clear, especially when considering the care and concern she, Miya, and Ayato had shown me. Venturing out alone in a fit of frustration had been an act of recklessness. Rei, who undoubtedly harbored the same frustrations, had chosen a more mature approach by remaining within the safety of our refuge. I couldn't help but feel ashamed for my immaturity, especially since I was three years her senior.
"I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice filled with genuine contrition. "I understand now that what I did was thoughtless and irresponsible. I promise I won't repeat my actions without at least informing you first." I looked at Rei, hoping she could perceive the sincerity in my words.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Rei met my gaze, her expression a mixture of annoyance and worry. "It's not about whether or not you do it again," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's about communication. I want to be included in your decisions because you're important to me now, more than you realize."
Her words struck a chord deep within me, resonating with the emotions that swirled inside. The realization hit me like a wave crashing upon the shore—I loved her. I hadn't fully comprehended the depth of my feelings until that moment. Rei held a special place in my heart, and it was clear that she felt the same way about me.
Touched by her sentiments, I felt her emotions reverberating within my being. "I'm sorry," I repeated, my voice filled with a mix of regret and determination. "The reason I lashed out last night was because I couldn't protect you, Ayato, and Miya. I made a promise to keep all of you safe, and yet I felt utterly powerless. I despise the person I've become, feeling useless in the face of danger."
My voice grew slightly louder, carrying the weight of my frustrations, yet careful not to attract unwanted attention from the lurking zombies outside. Rei listened attentively, her gaze unwavering. She interrupted my self-deprecating monologue, her voice rising in response.
"Idiot!" she exclaimed, her tone a combination of exasperation and conviction. "You're strong in your own way. Did you forget about the ingenious trap you devised for the zombies? That was incredibly smart! The issue is that you rush into things without patience. None of us ever see you as a burden, nor have we held anything against you. You brought us together, protected us, provided for us, and cared for us. We owe you everything."
Rei's embrace offered solace, her arms wrapped tightly around me, and I felt her unwavering support. Her words pierced through the darkness of my self-doubt, illuminating the efforts I had unknowingly made to protect and care for our group. The realization hit me with a profound force—Rei had been watching me all along, observing the subtle changes in my behaviour. She had seen my determination to learn martial arts, the extra precautions I took during patrols, and even my growing restlessness at night. Her words echoed in my mind, "I see you."
The depth of her understanding and her unwavering presence ignited a fire within me. I yearned to shield them from harm, to do everything in my power to ensure their safety. My love for Rei, Miya, and Ayato surged through my veins, compelling me to become more, to do more. I realized, with absolute clarity, that I was willing to make any sacrifice for them.
Rising from the couch, I glanced outside. The sky was overcast, and a cool breeze rustled the leaves, signaling the approach of dusk. We couldn't afford to waste any more time. Although we had lost a precious day due to my reckless actions the night before, we had to press forward, swiftly reuniting with Miya. Determination etched into my features, I reached for my trusty spear, a silent signal to Rei that it was time to move.
Understanding my unspoken directive, Rei nodded in agreement. Together, we gathered our belongings, carefully packing the essentials into our backpacks. Before leaving the safety of the staff room, we made sure to take advantage of the remaining supplies in the shop, savouring whatever small comforts we could find.
As we ventured back into the main area of the shop, we prepared ourselves mentally for the challenges that lay ahead. With a final glance around, we stepped toward the front of the shop, cautiously surveying the surroundings for any signs of the undead. To my relief, the immediate vicinity appeared clear. The meticulous trap and my relentless fight against the zombies had yielded promising results. The area was mostly devoid of threats, at least within a two-kilometre radius. However, I knew we had to remain vigilant, aware that the zombies outside this radius would eventually migrate toward our location.
Hand in hand, Rei and I ventured out of the familiar confines of the shop, our footsteps measured and cautious. The once bustling street now lay silent and desolate, a stark testament to the devastation that had befallen our world. Chiba University beckoned to us, a goal in this grim landscape, still a good 50 minutes away. But the immediate task at hand was to scavenge for supplies, exploring the nearby shops, stores, and buildings that dotted the vicinity. The area bore the remnants of its previous life, with car sales establishments and boat repair shops hinting at its proximity to the sea. With our boat as our only means of escape and survival, I was determined to secure any available fuel we could find. Every door I cautiously pushed open, every nook and cranny I explored, held the potential for life-saving resources.
Though I had succeeded in eradicating the zombies within a two-kilometre radius, I remained acutely aware that there may still be undead lurking within the confines of buildings. The groans that occasionally reached my ears served as grim testament of their presence. Navigating through this perilous terrain demanded unwavering caution and keen instincts. Yet, with Rei steadfastly by my side, providing unwavering support and guidance, I felt a reassurance amidst the prevailing darkness.
As we ventured deeper into this post-apocalyptic world, scenes of both extraordinary and heart-wrenching nature unfolded before our eyes. The remnants of a once vibrant society, frozen in time, whispered tales of lives lost and dreams shattered. Our journey, though fraught with danger, also offered glimpses of resilience and the indomitable spirit of humanity. It was in these contrasting moments, where beauty and tragedy intertwined, that I found myself contemplating the true essence of survival. With every step we took, every door we cautiously opened, we not only sought sustenance for our physical beings but also nourishment for our souls. In this bleak world, our survival depended not only on the physical provisions we secured but also on the emotional fortitude we forged. The bond between Rei and me, forged through shared experiences and unwavering trust, fortified us against the encroaching darkness.
As the hours wore on, our path gradually led us closer to our destination. The weight of our mission, the urgency to reunite with Miya, bore heavily upon us. But we pressed on, our spirits undeterred, fuelled by the flickering flame of hope that still burned within our hearts.
The grotesque sights that awaited me beyond the sanctuary of our boat served as a stark reminder of the grim reality we faced. Out here, in the remnants of a world once teeming with life, the concept of safety took on an entirely new meaning. Each step I took along the desolate streets brought me face to face with unimaginable horrors, as if the very fabric of humanity had unravelled before my eyes.
The air hung heavy with the stench of death and decay, assaulting my senses with its nauseating persistence. Lifeless bodies lay scattered in grotesque tableaus of finality, some still recognizable, while others reduced to mere remnants of what they once were. Time had taken its toll, rendering them unrecognizable, their flesh putrefied, and their faces contorted in an eternal expression of suffering. Amongst the ghastly scenes, there were moments that were particularly pitiful, where the desperation of the living had pushed them to unimaginable ends. Patches of blood stained the ground where individuals had chosen to leap from towering buildings, seeking escape from a fate worse than death. And yet, little did they realize that their decision, in its tragic irony, only ensured their transformation into mindless, undead creatures. Hung from high places, they dangled like macabre decorations, their lifeless bodies swaying in the wind, oblivious to the torment that awaited them in the afterlife.
Who would willingly choose such a fate? To plummet from great heights, gambling with the slim hope of evading the clutches of the undead, only to awaken as a hollow, soulless shell, perpetually driven by an insatiable hunger for living flesh. It was a tragic irony that defied comprehension. As the living fled in desperate attempts to outrun the relentless pursuit of the undead, they found themselves trapped in an unyielding cycle of fear and desperation. Death, it seemed, had become an ever-present companion, stalking their every move. This was the new normal—a world turned upside down, where the living were now prisoners of their own mortality, and the undead, their captors. The once familiar rhythms of life had been irrevocably shattered, replaced by an unrelenting nightmare. To survive meant to adapt, to find strength in the face of unyielding darkness, and to cling to the flickering ember of hope that refused to be extinguished.
And so, I pressed on, each step a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.