"-aaaaaa!"

"Good, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Rai, a new member of the Fire-Nebula Camp, awakens from his stupor. He was unconscious for several hours. He is now in a room dedicated to the patient's room, aka the medical room operated by Taki.

"Taki-sensei, I'm fine. So, it was just a dream, huh?"

Rai, who was still a bit doubtful about reality and dreams, tried to confirm. A pinch to the cartilage area in his armpit made him realize that he was now in the real world.

"I heard you when you were delirious. Did you dream about what happened when you left Matsuo? I'm sorry about that!"

Kanji, Rai's best friend, is on the bottom left. The man looked like he was playing something. It had become a habit when he didn't know what to do.

"Kanji, no, you don't need to apologize. You've done the right thing. It's just, I still can't get over it!"

The patient who is now lying down can only accept the fact that the dream was his dark past. It was the beginning of the apocalypse. A time where they will eventually become cannibals.

"You two must have had a bad time right? Now drink this and go back to rest!"

"Thank you, Taki-sensei!"

Two pill capsules along with a glass of water were provided to Rai. It is a capsule to increase the positive performance of the brain, endorphins and dopamine hormones. Those are the two capsules that Taki gives to her patients which she puts in the category of too much stress.

"I'm not very familiar with people's psychology. However, if you need help, you can come to me to talk. Well at least I can give you the right medicine,"

Taki, while cutting the bandage, told Rai about what he should do when something like this happened to him. Kanji continued his game while occasionally looking at Taki. In short, Kanji likes Taki's big oppai. Rai realized that because he had known Kanji for a long time.

"Okay, Taki-sensei. By the way, how about our job earlier?"

Awakened to reality, Rai asked about the work that he and Kanji had just done. He remembered that he went out with Kanji to do a survey of a suitable place as an additional place such as needing more space. However, as Rai remembers, he fainted when he saw Kanji who cut off the zombie's body which was still in there.

"I've fixed that matter. I've cleared some zombies there and the place is safe. You fainted when you saw me attack them,"

Kanji who put his phone on the table explained. He stood now as if he had other business to attend to.

"I'm sorry about that!"

"No need, I'm actually not as strong as you, maybe. But, we still have to repay Tanaka-sama's kindness!"

Obviously, Kanji made Rai feel disappointed with himself. That's right, the two of them originally intended to help Tanaka which saved their lives and even gave them a place to live. It would be strange if they just stayed and paid nothing in return. Therefore, they took the initiative to conduct a survey in the vicinity in order to obtain data on issues of space and place.

"You know, you two don't have to push yourself. Mast-, that Tanaka-sama just wants you to recover and look after the surroundings. So you don't have to bother doing things like this!"

Taki, who was now preparing the compress, joined in the conversation. The woman knew a few things about Tanaka who was a bit selfish about work. Thus, she assumed that their actions would actually not be highly appreciated by Tanaka. Even if it was appreciated, it was just a formality from Tanaka.

"But, we can't stay like this. We're not ungrateful people!"

However, the patient thought otherwise.

"Humu, honestly that's what I said. You know, I was a cop... back then,"

Compress is dropped on Rai's head. The man who had just taken the medicine could only lie down to keep the compress position from falling. However, Rai was forced to stand up because he saw his friend, Kanji, who stopped and put on a dangerous face.

"W-wait, is there really a cop in this town with big oppai-"

Rai swiftly covered the mouth of Kanji who was about to interrogate and slightly harassed a woman who could be classified as a milf. Rai knows this other friend very well, who can be said to be good at playing trapping words.

"Forgive my friend's rudeness, Taki-sensei!"

Apologies came not from Kanji, but from Rai's mouth. However, the word presumptuous has already been heard by Taki.

"Pfft, you young people only think about the above. Actually, I'm just a cop in the technology and information department. You could say, I'm a hikikomori in the police,"

said Taki who was packing some things. He only responded to the words of the male duo with a laugh. The atmosphere became silent for a moment. Taki saw her past and Rai poked Kanji who had been staring at Taki's oppai. Rai realizes that Taki is currently thinking about unpleasant things, as can be seen from the look on her face and the movement of her lips.

"...It must be tough isn't it, being a part of the police at a time like this!"

"Hmmm, not really... Well, that's how it was at the beginning. Have to protect the citizens where they sometimes rebel. Must, save others while holding back their curses. Sometimes there are criminals who come too which can endanger our lives and no- Ah, I went too far. Yuki will be coming soon with food, so take a rest first!"

Unknowingly Taki poured out what was in her mind into speech. Rai and Kanji now realize that it is very likely that Taki, who was a policewoman, has experienced worse things than what they experienced. it wasn't really wise to dig into that, so both of them knew they should just shut up and only answer the small talk that was said at the end of Taki's sentence.

"Well!"

Rai is finally more aware that he is not the only person who feels tormented by this apocalypse. Likewise Kanji who realized that what they had experienced might still be nothing compared to the experiences of others in this camp.

'It turns out that I'm still cooler than Taki. It's even possible that I'm better than Yuki-chan or Tanaka-sama.'

That's what Rai had in mind. He is now treating his tormented feelings by looking for other people who may have more problems than himself.

Afternoon turned into evening. Time still passes even if some people want it to stop for a while. Some also want time to roll back in time. Unfortunately, the nature of time is not controlled by anyone.

~~~

In the afternoon, the sun is at a forty-five degree angle to the west.

"Hey, I got a text from Taki. He said Rai fainted while checking in the area around the boarding house!"

The afternoon sun is not that bright, but it is clear that the atmosphere that arises is more pronounced because humans are basically more tolerant of the intensity of the afternoon light than during the day.

"Nii-chan, don't even open the phone! Help me hold off these zombies!"

At that time of the afternoon, two people were relaxing in the southern area of the boarding house. It's a crossroad near the market, gym and shop area. The actual area was safer than the others because Tanaka always passed through that area.

"Fifty-three, better than before than now. Could it be that you're having a hard time?"

"Stop playing around and do your job, nii-chan!"

...

"So, what's the message from Taki-sensei?"

A high school girl whose hands were red hot from hitting her fist against a hard object asked.

"Well, the point is that Rai fainted when he met the zombies and Kanji brought him back. He survived by the way, it's just that he has psychological problems. Maybe it's almost the same case with Yuki!"

Tanaka, the man whose head had just been hit by something hard, but not harder than his skull, answered.

"Wait, Yuki has a mental breakdown?"

Haruka, a high school girl who is currently with Tanaka, hears something new. It was Yuki's condition which was mentally unstable. Only Tanaka actually knew this.

"Well, you could say that. Just don't tell her directly. I want to rehabilitate her slowly. My initial guess was that she had the disorder because she had been stuck in a cramped boarding room for too long in a state of starvation!"

Tanaka briefly explained. It was true that Tanaka had a plan or wishful thinking to make Yuki better. However, for now, Tanaka would let Yuki get used to the boarding area first and then he would try asking her to go outside. That was the plan Tanaka had in his mind.

"Wait, is this Yuki's mental disorder some kind of 'psychopath' who laughs at herself when she's alone?"

With a curious tone, Haruka asked. She was reminded of an incident where it was the first time Haruka saw Yuki smiling like a psychopath in a truck. That was the reason why Haruka thought that Yuki was a psychopath who sacrificed a man to enter the zombie settlement.

"What do you mean? No, it's just that back then when I asked her out of the boarding house, she seemed to turn into someone else. Well, she laughed at that time too. Could it be that she has a split personality?"

"Yeah, that's what I'm surprised too. Back when I first met Yuki, she was laughing in the truck as if she had managed to hurt you or something. That's when I thought of her as a strange and evil person. However, day by day, I think she's a normal student like me and Makise!"

Haruka briefly explained what happened. It was indeed a thing that happened.

"Good information. I think it's true that Yuki has both a split personality and a mental breakdown! Also, you're not normal, you fighter chuunibyou!"

"What do you mean by that mental disorder thing? Also, I'm not a chuunibyou!"

Haruka, however, didn't quite understand what 'mental disorder' was meant by Tanaka. In her perception, 'mental disorder' is a kind of crazy person who acts crazy because of debt or work or other stressful things.

"Well, the point is, she sometimes interprets my words with strange meanings, but she knows that she was conscious at the time. Ugh, how should I put it... the point is she's weird!"

The experience Tanaka had at that time was a bit difficult for him to convert into words. What Tanaka meant was an incident where Yuki misinterpreted Tanaka's sentence into another interpretation. Tanaka noticed it while sleeping with her.

"And why do you still want to be with her?"

Haruka immediately asked without thinking or evaluating the sentence she was about to say. She would only realize it a few moments later.

"..."

"Ah!"

"Honestly it's because she and I have kind of understood each other. By the way, what are we going to do? Rai is actually better and now it's... at 4:55 pm. Maybe we should just go back first and continue six more tomorrow!"

Tanaka stood up. He invited Haruka to immediately return to the boarding house to rest. Perhaps, if only Tanaka was working, he would continue to work. However, because there is Haruka, an ordinary human, Tanaka also thinks about the night where the zombies are more vicious, but the human sense of taste is fading.

"Well, I agree. Working with you is really tiring, nii-chan!"

Sitting pretty is still the position Haruka uses. Although not sweating, the girl's body did feel tired and sore in some parts. One reason is for sure, the work they do requires a lot of energy.

"Forty-eight!"

"I told you to stop judging me!"

Return trip. Haruka and Tanaka with the truck they were driving headed towards the boarding house which was not too far away. Only about two kilometers, or maybe less.

~~~

Ahhhh, Taki, Taki. What exactly did you say earlier? Honestly, you feel that way too, don't you? Want to be useful to others, but the ability you have is not in line with desire.

Yes, I actually feel the same way. I feel like helping Tanaka-sama who saved me. I want to be of use to him and this group!

"Taki, you look so serious today. What's wrong with you?"

Oh, Yuki. I forgot that this girl was beside me. The afternoon is indeed the time where I forget to be around. Just looking at the orange sky color that is so stunning and contemplating the things that have happened. I hate this habit.

"No, it's just that I was thinking about something!"

The more secret the better. I don't want to make this girl frown.

"That must be hard isn't it, being a cop!"

Wait, I seem to have heard this sentence. Where have I heard of it?

"Well, at first it was like that. Having to protect the citizens even though they sometimes rebelled themselves. Must, save others while holding back their curses. Sometimes-- wait, I remember. This is Rai's line!"

That's right, this is a question from Rai. Why was Yuki able to make me say something similar to what I said earlier?

"Pffttt, you just realized. You're really thinking hard, Taki!"

Regardless, I'm not focused on anything. Maybe at that time Yuki eavesdropped and tried to copy Rai's tone and intonation. However, somehow her voice was so different. Does this have something to do with the frequency of the sound I'm receiving? Agh, stop thinking about that obviously difficult hypothesis to prove!

"Umu... umu... umu..."

The only communication medium that can be used at this time is via SMS with a tower that can still be secured by Tanaka. Even then, the message delay can be around fifty minutes for various reasons. Walkie-talkies are indeed the best way, but for now, they are still used to using their phones to play.

Wait, radio! Cell phones have FM radio!

"Ah!"

"Have you found the answer, Taki?"

Yuki, I still remember her being beside me but it's still a bit surprising to see her stay still.

"No, yes, I mean, yes!"

Ugh, I don't know what to say. I just found the key.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but I think you need some time to do something. I'll take care of both of them, so you can do whatever you want!"

Yosh, I can go to the electronics store. Anyways, without Yuki's permission, I'll still do it... Forget it, I don't want to be toyed with by this girl again.

"Thank you, Yuki-sama. I was thinking about a radio station we could use as a one-way-call. Well, basically we can make announcements like that!"

I want to explain, but it's still difficult to give an understandable explanation. Ughhh, I'm really not cut out to be a teacher. Luckily I didn't choose that job even though I got an offer from the national school.

"I don't know what it is, but it looks cool. Bye bye!"

"Yes, bye-bye!"

Even though we were only a few steps apart. This high school girl is indeed a little unique. Unique and terrible.

...

What do they actually do? Even though I told you to just stay at the boarding house.

"Tanaka-sama, there are two zombies over there!"

"We'll take care of it tomorrow... Or I'll take care of myself tonight!"

Yes, that's correct. Zombies won't care about me when there are no mutants around. I don't know what parameters could make the zombies attack me, but for now, only mutants made it possible to realize that I was the enemy.

"We have arrived!"

Now is the time to check the surroundings. I saw only two people in the boarding area. Yuki and Haruka.

Yuki was at the door. She explained the situation to me. There are no irregularities, damage or accidents. Only the incident where Rai fainted and Kanji took him. I guess I have nothing to worry about with these two.

"So where are those two right now?"

"Kanji is currently out to take care of the zombie corpses. Rai is currently forced to rest in this room. Do you want to eat, Tanaka?"

Yuki pointed to the room beside her and after that she posed a bit embarrassed while offering food. This must be a recipe she just tried. I would definitely give it a try, but after I checked Rai's state.

"Humu, I'll eat later. By the way, I've brought some things that Taki asked for earlier. Walkie-talkies and others. Where is Taki by the way?"

The index finger points to the box-truck. Along with that, Haruka walked closer to me after she closed the gate.

"He's out on his own, he's got another idea. He's in the warehouse at the moment. Then I'll go back to my room!"

"Yes!"

That girl must be thinking about something even more interesting. For some reason, regarding electronic devices, I feel I can entrust it to her.

Yuki walked past me. Meet Haruka. She nudged the hair-tie girl rather roughly. Well, relations between young girls. The important thing was that they weren't as hot with each other as they were some time yesterday.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

I went into the room where Rai was. He lay down, just not asleep.

"Tanaka-sama... Please forgive me for causing trouble!"

"No, no, if you want to say that, say it to Taki and Yuki. I'm just here to check things out!"

He suddenly looked down at me. Honestly I'm not used to it and don't really like it. Reminds me of the old me who always looked down in front of my boss.

I came closer to him. Obviously I'd scrub his whole body if there were any wounds or anything related to zombies... Except for the actual sexual parts. Result of checking, nil.

"But, why did you two come out? Didn't I tell you to stay in the boarding house and just keep watch?"

That's still my question. I know that some of the houses and buildings in the vicinity are still occupied by zombies. Although not too much, it would still be scary if suddenly there was a jumpscare like in the Currsedwood movies.

"Actually, the two of us were thinking about something. Since we're going to make land and other things, we'd like to try surveying the houses that are around to be used as warehouses or places that can be used as slots for other places. I'm sorry, I just made trouble!"

The same thing actually occurred to me too. It's just that I don't have enough free time which forces me to not be able to do it and have to focus on other parts.

"No, actually I've thought about that too. It's just that there are still a few things that are needed such as tractors and other equipment that can be quiet if possible. As for the survey task, leave it to me. snake, zombie or frog!"

I remember that Yuki was amused by frogs.

"Wait, why is there a frog on the danger list?"

"Because one of the members of this camp could go crazy if that animal jumps here and there. Well, it's getting late. You'd better sleep or do whatever while you're still inside this walled area!"

Two days ago, I remember her jumping up and down in fear when a frog came towards her. Also, I don't know what made the frog target Yuki who was just sitting around. Sometimes, there are also people like that, targeted by animals for whatever reason.

"Well!"

I am out. Haruka stroked her hand which was covered in bandages. I knew that it was the hand that was touched by Yuki.

"Does it hurt? If so, I'll remind Yuki. Sometimes she really likes to be reckless and doesn't think long!"

"No, it always hurts and throbs when it gets cold!"

I've never been seriously injured, so I can only believe it. Maybe she needs Taki's help for this.

"I'll call Taki then!"

"Ah, it's okay, Tanaka-sama. I can take care of it myself. Leave Taki-sensei with the idea. Also, you still have things to do, don't you?"

A tone so new to my ears. I don't know, but for some reason it feels like this girl is a little worried about something. Could it be that the wound had some secret? Could it be that she is actually blessed but trying to hide her identity? I dunno, but I don't think I have the right to dig any further.

"... Alright. If anything happens, you better go to Taki!"

"Well!"

Haruka went to her room. I am with myself now alone in the empty space called the field. Well, there wasn't any crowd since the occupants of this camp were only eight people including me.

It's still evening. I have some work to do. Take care of the two zombies that were missed on the South side, take care of the zombies around here and build barricades between the back alleys. The area that will later become a food-producing field.

"Oh yeah, I told Yuki about food earlier!"

I went upstairs to eat lat

er.

......

...

The room has a distinctive smell. This is the smell of electronic devices. I don't know what the name of the smell is. What is certain is, I love this smell.

"Hey Taki, what do you want to talk about?"

I called out to the woman who was concentrating on the thing. It's the kind of box I seem to have brought from the electronics store. Could she make a computer that can play multiplayer?

"Oh, master!"

"Hey, I told you to call me by my name, didn't I!"

Luckily no one else heard it. This incident had actually been leaked to Yuki and Haruka. However, I won't be able to help but be embarrassed if this is found out by other young people. This will obviously have a bad impact on their young minds.

"No, what's important now is this!"

Taki shows some kind of electronic and paper objects. It's a new thing to see Taki so excited.

"What's that?"

Even though Taki pointed it close to my face, I still couldn't understand what it was. It's similar to a motherboard, but a box.

"Don't you know? It's a radio!"

Clearly explained. I still don't understand.

"What are you- Ahhh, that's true. I spent so long on the internet that I forgot that radio is a thing! Wait, but doesn't radio only work one way?"

I only understood it for a while. That's right, radio broadcasting is an ancient way to go. But still it is not as effective as walkie-talkies which can be used for two-way communication.

"But that's not enough to tell us the situation at the base. We might also be able to find contacts with other camps if we build a receiver. For now, I can make a module out of a computer to serve as the main device and there just happens to be an FM tuner in one of the boxes you've got. Bring it in. Just a few things that are lacking such as antennas, better headphones and microphone sets and transmitters. What do you think?"

Taki explains with different styles and poses in each object she says. I understand things like antennas, microphones and headphones. However, the transmitter and receiver are something new. From the name, it's like something that picks up a signal and gives off a signal.

"That sounds good. I don't know why you always come up with cool crazy ideas, Taki. I'll look into it tomorrow, and by the way, is there anything else besides what you just said?"

"That's nothing compared to the master who made a lot of things regarding this apocalypse. Who could have thought that bows and catapults could be used as substitutes for firearms at a time like this,"

Taki complimented me back. However, that compliment is actually very invalid if you look at who the greatest idea owner here is.

"You know, other people would think that way. You who are used to being a police officer might think that other weapons can't be used!"

That's right, she's a cop. Formerly. It must have made her change the way the world views it. Every time she went out, she had to carry her gun with. It was something that could make anyone forget that there was an alternative ranged weapon other than that of a firearm.

"Hehe, as a sci-fi lover, I feel lost in this zombie genre. By the way, don't you want to go upstairs to do that with her?"

That must be Yuki she meant. However, she is currently in a deep sleep. It wouldn't be nice to have to bother people who were in such a condition.

"She's fast asleep. Maybe she's overworked her fertilizer and hydroponics!"

"Yeah, you're right. She's exhausted... Then, who will master going to do it with?"

Taki put the things she had in her hands. I understand what she means.

“Someone who is currently less than two meters away from me!”

As usual, it will be a long and fun night.

~~~

On the same night, something happened in a room. There were four people, two different genders, each divided into two.

"Uno!"

The voice of the girl who said excitedly was heard. It was a greeting made when someone was playing a game called 'UNO'.

"Aghhh, why did you lose again!"

Another girl's voice was also heard. This time her voice was more resigned and annoyed at losing. The voice of a girl named Haruka, a girl who is not good at playing cards.

"Hehe, you remember, the loser must tell the embarrassing incident that has been experienced!"

Makise, the girl who is a candidate for third place, gives a warning that aims to confuse Haruka's mind. Less ethical tactics, but perfectly legal to do. The confused Haruka could only look at the card's color variable.

"Aghh, fine. But I still haven't lost!"

Haruka superimposed the red card number 5 onto the red card number 7. Makise just laughed at that.

"You really let your guard down, Haruka... Game!"

"Ahhhh!"

Makise put the green card number 7 on top of the card Haruka just took out. There are no cards in Makise's hand, the throne of defeat is crowned to Haruka.

"Yosh, Haruka-chan, I can't wait to hear your embarrassing story again!"

Kanji, a person who is quite easy to get along with. He was one of two boys who played this game. The other one is Okata, you could say Makise's girlfriend.

"You guys are noisy. Okay, I'll tell you about my experience when I first went to a famous coffee shop. At that time I joined the line which I thought was the line that wanted to order. Apparently, what I had to do first was order at the table I was going to sit at and then the waiter would come to take the order. I didn't have a card or anything and some people laughed at me. Hey, can we stop? I feel like I don't fit in this game!"

Haruka, the girl who lost, was forced to tell the embarrassing story she had experienced. That's really the story that happened, it's just that Haruka remembers the part of the three people laughing at her. In her memory, there were more than ten people laughing. This girl feels at a disadvantage in this type of card game. Wanted this game to end soon so she wouldn't reveal more disgrace. That's the hope she had.

"Well, I guess we should just stop. I feel sorry for Haruka-chan!"

Okata, the actual person is rather quiet. However, when dealing with peers, he can be noisy, but still more dominantly silent if not on topics that he knows. Typical people who will only join the conversation on certain topics only.

"Ahh, Okata. You're no fun!"

Kanji, as the person who pioneered the start of this game, denied Okata's words with direct satire to the person. Okata who was being teased didn't feel any emotion or anything. This man knows how Kanji is when joking. They used to have problems, but in just three days, they became close friends who rarely saw each other.

"Come on, can't you see poor Haruka's pitiful face!"

Okata revealed what was on his mind. Haruka, the person who was the subject of this conversation, was offended by Okata's words.

"Hey, I'm not putting on a poor face!"

Denial came from Haruka's mouth which was out of sync with the face she was wearing right now. The girl really welded her face.

"I feel sorry for you, Haruka!"

Makise, Haruka's best friend, joins in calling Haruka. The ponytail girl who lost and was currently shuffling the cards was now the subject of conversation from the other three.

"Wait, Makise, you don't have to go along with it. Aghh, you bastards. Alright, one more game and we'll be done. It's too late, you know!"

"Well!"

One game done. This is the last game that Haruka, Okata and Makise have agreed on. For Kanji, he was the type of person who would continue playing until he fell asleep or passed out. The night continued, the breezy wind occasionally hit the surrounding buildings. The cold night did not stop the people in the boarding house from carrying out their activities.

......

...

“Why~”

The tone is very low and pitiful and full of despair. Her heart wanted to grieve, but all she experienced was losing the game.

Haruka, for the sixth time, has to tell her embarrassing experience. It was six defeats in a row.

"Pfft, you really don't understand the tricks and tricks of playing Uno, Haruka. Hey, just tell me about the incident when you mistook other people for me in the shopping area first!"

Makise, a good friend and one who knows how bad Haruka is at playing cards, mocks the losing side. This time, for the first time, it was Makise who won the first time. The girl was feeling a bit arrogant at the moment and because there was a rule 'may request a story theme for the first winner', Makis took advantage of it.

"What, why did it have to be? I don't want to!"

"Hey, that sounds interesting. My friend did it too. Tell me about it!"

Kanji added. He remembered the incident where Rai called him at school when it was clearly someone else. Rai was hit by an illusion that thought that Kanji was walking too fast.

"I didn't go along with it, but I thought it was an interesting story!"

Okata, the person who usually chooses the middle path, also joined in. Haruka, who was desperate, persisted in changing the theme of the story.

"Aghh, I'll just tell you about something else... Ummm... Is that so?"

However, her mind was already fixated on the story that Makise had told earlier. It's a dead end. A ticklish feeling tickled Haruka's body and goosebumps.

"You know, you've been fixated on that moment ever since I said that, fufu. You really are easy to manipulate, Haruka!"

"Aghhh, okay, you won Makise. This was when I was fifteen years old, when Makise and I were shopping for things for our graduation celebration. At that time, Makise separated from me and I still recognized the clothes she was wearing. At that time, I found out the person was wearing the same clothes as Makise, I thought it was Makise who was watching the advertisement billboard. I came from behind to close her eyes and made a sound, 'guess who' in my normal tone. To think she wasn't Makise and I ended up at the police station for being questioned. Ugh, at that time Makise actually made a new friend while I was the one holding back the shame!"

Hearing that sto

ry, Kanji, Okata and Makise couldn't help but laugh out loud. They couldn't help but feel amused by Haruka who had to endure the embarrassment even if it was just a story. The power of bad memory that seems to repeat events.

"And you know... I know about Haruka being taken to the police station because of rumors that a teenage girl is about to rape another girl!"

Interspersed with laughter, Makise added her story in sync with the incident.

"Aghhh, stop it, Makise!"

For a few minutes, all of them, except Haruka, laughed. Haruka could only pout with a sour feeling. The sour taste in her mouth and feelings will imprint on the memories of the people who are her high school friends.

As per the voting agreement, the game is over. Haruka's total wins are zero, Makise's one and the rest belong to Okata. It was night in the boarding house, and one of the bedroom doors opened. It was a room that belonged to Haruka.

"Well, bye and good night!"

"See you later!"

Kanji and Okata had already left. Kanji because he wanted to immediately check with his friends, Rai, and Okata which it was his habit to go first.

"Hey, I'm sorry Haruka. You're just too cute like that!"

The two remaining people at the door, Makise and Haruka.

"Noisy, you sadistic creature. Tomorrow we'll see if the game is chess!"

Even though Haruka was terrible at playing cards, playing chess was something she could do. In the past, she had won 3rd prefecture level in this competition.

"Ahh, I'm not going into that. You're too skilled!"

"Damn you!"

Makise's reply irritated Haruka who had just locked the door. While joking, the girl put her arm around Makise to cradle her neck against her armpit. It was Haruka and Makise's habit of joking around even though to be honest Makise felt a little sick later. However, as long as it wasn't too much, Makise wouldn't mind it.

"Ow ow, hahahaha"

Makise's laughter made Haruka understand. It was her best friend. She managed to survive that hell. She can still survive and survive and currently Haruka's job is to protect her friend while repaying Tanaka's kindness for helping her.

"Then good night!"

“Yes,”

In short, end their meeting.

"...Ahh, quiet,"

That night, it was Haruka who was on duty for the night watch. She sat at the bottom of the stairs to the second floor because the posts on the side of the gate were still unfinished. There was no one to accompany her. Only the pain inflicted from the fatal wound on the hand was the thing that accompanied Haruka's night.

"Please, don't infect more than this!"