We all have a bit of a break and Saeko keeps trying to get me alone for a talk. I eventually can’t push it off anymore. I walk up to Saeko and she gives me the low glare that I remember from one of the few other times we had a little fight.
“I need to talk to you in private before we head out…” I hardly have a time to get the words out before she starts dragging me off to the bathroom area much to the enjoyment of the others. First I try to soften the blow a little bit might save me later.
“Saeko, I uh well first I have something for you in Auntie’s car. It’s an anniversary gift I was meaning to give you for our upcoming anniversary, but it can help now.” This gets a bit of a smile from her but then she puts the frown back on after that moment of remembering she is supposed to be mad at me.
“You can’t just skip over this with gifts, although I’m looking forward to the gift you have some explaining to do. First of all, how did you know about all of this? How are you suddenly faster and more accurate? Who the HELL is Alice? I know for a fact you don’t have other friends here so no need to spout the same stuff you did to the others…” She looks angry at first then it just sort of dwindled down to become hurt… She doesn’t think that I’d? No no, hopefully, she has more faith in me. Also, just because it's true doesn’t mean that the last comment isn’t any less hurtful.
“So, I haven’t been totally honest with you.” I begin, the pain in her eyes at this comment makes me realize I just helped further the assumption shit… I’m not good at these things.
“I noticed.” She narrows her eyes at me. At the beginning of all of this, I was the first to call out zombies without even seeing any do I just say everything? Do I reveal everything? Fuck well if there is anyone that deserves a full explanation it would be her.
“I’m” I have to steel myself for a moment. “I’m from another world.” Her eyes open in shock like it’s a joke at first before realizing I’m not joking at all they narrow again, and she brings a knife up to my neck that I didn’t realize she had.
“Where is my Haru then?” She jabs it in a little bit. I’ve never seen this side of here before. This anger this… fear in her eyes of me having been replaced. I’m both flattered and terrified.
“That’s -erg- still me. Haaa I uh was reborn into this one. I thought it was just normal Japan, so I lived a normal life. I was given a mission to just survive until I turn 18 to let me be born again the next time I die. I uh also have a few other benefits.” She pulls the knife back slightly still not fully convinced.
“I have 5 skill slots. I have Disease Resistance, Metabolism, Swordsmanship, and Study at the moment.” I reveal what they all do to her holding nothing back she knows me well enough to know when I’m holding something back. I also trust her enough not to leave me.
“So that’s how you learned the blade so quickly without really being that skilled at the start.” She's a bit surprised but then seems to accept it a bit as the only way I could be near as good at her at fighting. Even then with learning speed only improved by 50% that’s still fairly impressive.
“Yeah, I just thought I needed to survive hardships like my mother's passing. If not for disease resistance and Metabolism I would have likely died as a child. I decided on learning a martial art since I figured the world would make me get robbed or something. Swordsmanship just seemed perfect since the others introduced it to me when I needed that outlet.” I chuckle nervously. She relaxes a little more but still gives me this concerned look.
“That’s sort of how I met you. I don’t know anything about this world other than a possible future in a world without zombies. Even then I was from America before and even English here sounds different, and the presidents are all different.”
“Earlier today when we were in the training room, I got a message from the world. It told me about how I will receive rewards based on the number of survivors I rescue and the number of zombies I kill. There was also a special quest to rescue several specific people most of which are people in our group. The only one missing is a person named Alice which I don’t have any last name for. When I killed the zombies on our way I finished some of the tasks to kill zombies it gave me these points that I used to make me think and move faster.”
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She looks at me for a bit searching for any possible lie before finally nodding.
She seems to sigh in contentment. “Good so you weren't holding back against me in all of our spars. I noticed you were noticeably faster and more accurate in our last fight with those zombies. I was a bit frustrated that you would look down on me and never go all out.” Wait THIS was what she was upset about not the Alice person or anything else it’s that she thought I was going easy on her?
“I’d never hold back against your love, I learned not to when after I tried, and you kicked my ass. I might as well tell you what your present is. Your dad and I ordered a sword for you to be custom-made. He gave me the idea, but I ordered it online. I even got it ordered from a real modern blacksmith too not one of those flimsy prop swords for conventions. I figured you would appreciate a deadly wea-“I’m interrupted by a deep kiss and her pressing herself against me. I struggle for a bit and pry her off.
“Down, down girl haha I take it you appreciate it then?” I just hold close for a moment for heads still touching as she backs up and looks into my eyes getting excited by the idea of a sword.
“Of course! Let’s go get it now, it should help us clear the zombies out of the school more quickly. Yes, that’s a good reason to go out there before we leave… I need to get it.” She's justifying the extra movement around school now. We were just going to try to find survivors then meet in the parking lot where the car already is but it's best to get a real sword in her hands before then.
“Shh let's just get it on our way out. The zombies aren’t much of a threat to us together. We can clear the area a bit and get it when we save others first okay?” I caress her head smoothing it down a bit.
“So, you're really not going to ask any questions about my last life or skills or anything?” I give her a confused look in her eyes. I really expected this conversation to go a lot differently.
“I mean I’d like to know more about your past life. Maybe learn more about these skill things but as long as it's being used to make you stronger and more likely to survive I’m fine with waiting until later to learn more. We need to get safe first.” She just seems so casual about it all. I had a little existential crisis when I was a baby and learned about reincarnation and a system.
“Alright, -sigh- I guess the others are still waiting on us.” One last kiss before we leave the bathroom slightly disheveled.
“HARU! I did not raise you to do things like… ‘THAT’ when we are in the next room over. Please be a bit more mindful of others.” Auntie is giving me a stern talking while slightly red-faced.
“Did you at least use protection? The world may be ending but without doctors, it could be harsh on Saeko.” I’m flabbergasted at this. Both Saeko and I have a malfunction for a moment there as we both trip slightly.
“We just kissed! A couple of times sure but we didn’t do THAT Auntie.”
“Oh? Sure, it was just a kiss, I had plenty of just kisses when I was your age, I know how it happens.” Auntie smirks comments now a lot more jokingly than seriously.
“Erg you know what never mind this isn't important. Let’s just split up into groups and meet up at the bus. If possible, look for supplies such as weapons, gas, or medical supplies like first aid kits that should be in each classroom. Hell, fire extinguishers may even be good since they are pressurized and make a lot of sounds. You can turn it on and toss it in case of an emergency. More importantly while out and about unless your me or Saeko don’t try to kill needlessly it takes time unless you go for an instant kill. Even then we are only doing it since it takes the same amount of time to shove as to destroy them. If your confident then do so otherwise move on don’t take risks when one bite means death.” Getting a bunch of nods from everyone.
“Who’s in what group?” Yara asks red-faced and upset while looking at me and Saeko. Sheesh, she probably just thinks we are slacking off in this serious situation.
“Let’s go in two groups one to clear a path to the bus and get other survivors and the other to get to aunties car to get a weapon. We will both search for supplies on the way.” Saya moves to my side as if saying that she will go with me and it’s already been decided. Takashi and Rei are similarly together as if they will only be on the same team.
“Saeko go with Auntie get to the car quickly then rescue some people on the way. Once you get that weapon you should be in a lot less danger.” Saeko nods before walking over to stand next to Auntie who looks a bit conflicted.
“We can make our way to the bus in a larger group and pick up people on our way.” I hug Saeko and look at her and Auntie.
“I trust you with Auntie good luck and I hope you like it.” kissing her on the forehead after pushing aside her triangle hairdo I realize now why people were teasing us. I have some of her lipstick on my face which is now smeared on her forehead.
“Good luck!” both groups split and head out.