The breakfast table, surrounded by Amy and Steff, became a makeshift war room, where our decisions held the weight of our continued existence. In the uncertain dance of this new reality, each move we made required thoughtful consideration, a blend of practicality, and a touch of hope for a better tomorrow.

Both Amy and Steff agreed with my plan. After we finished our breakfast, I walked towards the graveyard, feeling a sense of duty to offer a prayer for the departed souls.

"We may not be blood-related, but for me, you're like a father. I will treasure all the memories we had, and till I die, I won't disappoint you. I will do it. I will survive this apocalypse!" I declared, a determination echoing in my words.

From a distance, Steff and Amy watched me, sharing a smile. "That's the man we've devoted ourselves to and the man we both love," Steff said, her smile reflecting a deep sense of admiration.

"You're right… it was the right choice to follow him" Amy agreed with a bright smile as they look at me walking towards them.

Walking back to them, I asked, "Have I kept you two waiting?"

"No, you didn't," Amy replied.

"Should we explore the mansion?" Steff suggested.

"Let's do it," I agreed. The mansion, with its secrets and potential resources, awaited our exploration.

As we explored the mansion, searching for useful items, we stumbled upon a treasure trove of resources.

In the kitchen, we discovered knives and various cooking utensils. "As we're staying here, these cooking utensils will be useful for us," I remarked, recognizing the importance of practical items in our day-to-day survival.

Moving to the living room, our findings took an unexpected turn. Two pistols and a displayed katana sword caught our attention. "Weird, why are there katana here?" Amy asked, puzzled by the presence of the traditional Japanese sword.

"It's weirder that you think having guns is normal," Steff teased, her comment drawing a giggle from me. "He said that it was a gift from the time he visited Japan. It might be a tough sword, so this will be useful."

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The backyard proved fruitful, providing us with an axe for woodcutting, essential for various tasks in our makeshift stronghold.

In the garage, a pickup truck and a motorcycle awaited us, complete with keys. Alongside them, we found a shovel and tools for vehicle maintenance. "I found the keys!" Amy exclaimed.

"Where did you find them?" Steff inquired.

"It's inside one of the drawers. Can I drive it?" Amy asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"We aren't still going anywhere," I replied, managing to suppress a smile.

"Awww," Amy sighed disappointedly.

"Souta said 'still,' didn't he? This means he'll let you drive once we're going out," Steff tried to lighten the mood.

"Yeyyy!!! Really, really!?" Amy practically skipped over, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, learning how to drive is also essential," I said, my attention divided between the conversation and the ongoing search.

"Yeyy!!" Amy's exuberance filled the air, becoming a familiar background noise.

Having completed our search, we gathered in the kitchen to discuss our plans. Seated around the table, we engaged in conversation.

"We found some useful items, including kitchen knives, pistols, a katana sword, an axe, vehicles, and more," I said, setting the tone for our strategic conversation.

"The food here will last us a 2 months at most. Our goal is to stay here as long as we can. To ensure our safety, we need to train our bodies, improve our stamina, and learn self-defense to at least protect ourselves from zombies," I continued, emphasizing the harsh reality of our situation.

"Kill or be killed. We will train for six days and then head to the gas station to steal all the food. Any questions?" I asked, prompting them to engage in our collective survival plan.

Amy raised an idea. "What if we go to the mall or a supermarket? There could be a lot of food there."

I replied, "Malls and supermarkets are likely full of people, possibly even zombies."

"Why do you call them zombies?" Steff inquired.

"In movies, they bite people, and then they turn into one of them," I explained.

Steff nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, let's rest today and start our training tomorrow morning."

With our findings laid out on the table, both figuratively and literally, we began discussing our plans for fortifying our stronghold and navigating the challenges of the world outside.

"First, we need to secure the perimeter," I suggested, tracing our fingers over the layout of the mansion. "We don't know what's out there, and it's better to be safe."

Amy nodded in agreement, "We should also check the supplies regularly. We don't want to run out of essentials."

Steff, always practical, added, "And reinforcing the entrances. We can't afford any surprises from unwanted guests."

As we delved deeper into our discussions, the atmosphere shifted from excitement to a more serious tone. The reality of our situation weighed on us, and each decision carried the weight of potential consequences.

"We also need a plan for long-term sustainability," I said, glancing at the gathered resources. "Whether it's finding more survivors or establishing a reliable source of food and water, we can't rely on luck alone."

Amy, always eager, suggested, "We could explore nearby areas. Maybe there are other survivors or hidden stashes of supplies."

Steff chimed in, "And learning to use those guns. It's better to be prepared for any threats we might encounter."

The discussions continued, weaving a tapestry of plans and contingencies. The camaraderie that had developed between us became evident as we shared ideas, concerns, and even moments of laughter amidst the serious talks.

In the midst of it all, Amy couldn't contain her excitement about driving. "When can we start driving, Souta?"

I chuckled, "We'll plan for it, Amy. But for now, let's focus on securing our stronghold and ensuring our survival."

As we mapped out our strategies, the air in the kitchen became charged with determination. In this world reshaped by chaos, our decisions now held the potential not just for survival but for building a future in the midst of uncertainty.