Capítulo 32: CHAPTER 32
Niikaz walked ahead, her pace steady and deliberate, with the father and daughter following closely behind. The area was eerily quiet, the absence of undead unsettling.
The father glanced around nervously, gripping his wench tighter. "Where are you taking us?" he finally asked, his voice low but trembling with uncertainty. "And… thank you. For everything."
Niikaz didn't turn around. Her voice was calm but firm. "To a safe house."
The daughter clung to her father's side, her small steps struggling to keep up. "Will we really be safe there?" she whispered, her eyes filled with both fear and hope.
Niikaz stopped briefly, looking back at them with a sharp gaze. "You'll be safer than out here. Keep moving."
As they neared the safe house, Niikaz slowed, her eyes narrowing. Ahead, Hisashi and Takashi stood guard at the gate, weapons raised but steady. Saeko, wooden sword in hand, remained vigilant beside them, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Behind them, Rei and Takagi waited, tense but composed.
From the second floor, Hirano and the others—Yamada, Takuzo, and Naomi—watched over the area, their weapons poised and ready. While Naomi cast the barrier around the members near the gate.
Niikaz raised her hand in a silent signal, and the group at the gate relaxed slightly. Takashi stepped forward cautiously, his weapon still in hand. "Niikaz! You're back. Are they with you?" he asked, his eyes flicking to the father and daughter.
"They are," Niikaz replied curtly. "They're survivors."
Hisashi gave a quick nod, his focus unwavering. "Any undead following?"
"None," Niikaz assured them. "I made sure of that."
Kazu appeared at the doorway, gripping a handgun nervously. He looked at Niikaz with a mix of awe and relief. "You're okay…" he murmured, his voice almost drowned out by the tension in the air.
Niikaz look at Kazu with soft-gentle expression even she didn't acknowledge his words directly. Instead, she turned to the father and daughter. "we will stay here, get inside."
Kazu noticed Niikaz's smile quickly blush and this noticed by Rei and Marikawa-sensei. "Oh hoo~" both of them grin widely notice something.
The gate creaked open as Hisashi waved them in. The father hesitated, his grip tightening on his daughter's hand, but Niikaz's sharp gaze urged him forward.
As the group moved inside, Kazu lowered his gun but kept it at the ready. His eyes lingered on Niikaz, a silent admiration evident in his expression, but he didn't speak.
Once everyone was inside, Niikaz closed the gate firmly behind her and scanned the group. "The area is clear for now, but don't let your guard down," she said flatly. "We don't know how long this calm will last."
The father held his daughter close, relief washing over him as he glanced around the secure safe house. For now, they were alive, and that was all that mattered.
---
As everyone settled inside the safe house, the tension began to ease. Marisato, the father of the little girl, stepped forward, holding Alice's hand. "Thank you for letting us in," he said sincerely, looking at the group. "My name is Marisato, and this is my daughter, Alice. I owe you all our lives."
Takashi nodded in acknowledgment, his posture still cautious. "We're all just trying to survive," he replied.
As introductions continued, Naomi crouched down to Alice's height and smiled warmly. "Alice, would you like to wash up with me? It must have been a rough day."
Alice hesitated but then looked at her father for approval. Marisato nodded gently, encouraging her. Naomi stood up and turned to Niikaz. "Niikaz, would you like to join us?"
Niikaz shook her head with a small smile. "I'm a little shy," she said casually. "I'll take a bath later."
Marikawa-sensei, who had been quietly observing, grinned teasingly. "Why? Don't want to take a bath with the others? Afraid someone will see you?"
Niikaz smirked, her tone light and playful side-glance towards Kazu. "I just don't want anyone to see my body except my partner."
The room went silent for a beat, and then all the boys' faces flushed bright red. Kazu shifted awkwardly, clearly flustered, while Takashi scratched the back of his neck, trying not to meet anyone's eyes. Hirano adjusted his glasses, his cheeks pink along with Nishinoya and okada pervert smile on theor face, and even Hisashi looked away with serious face, clearing his throat loudly to break the tension.
"Ahem," Hisashi said, trying to regain composure. "Anyway, I found this upstairs earlier." He spread a map across the table, effectively changing the topic and drawing everyone's attention away from Niikaz's teasing comment.
With the moment of levity behind them, the group's focus turned back to the pressing issue at hand.
"With the bridge in chaos, crossing won't be easy," Hisashi said, tapping the map. "There's rioting and noise, which means undead are already swarming the area."
Hirano adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "If we wait until morning, it'll only get worse. But moving in the middle of the night has its own risks. Visibility will be low, and we'll have to be extra cautious."
Takagi crossed her arms, pacing slightly. "We can't afford to waste too much time here. Supplies are limited, and staying in one place for too long is dangerous."
Kazu, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "Then we need a solid plan—one that minimizes risk. Maybe we send a small scouting group first to check the bridge before everyone else moves."
"No, I don't agree if we go separately, if we move, we move with all of us", Hisashi added.
"Will we make it out to the bridge safely will these many of us?" Nishinoya added.
The room fell silent as everyone considered the options. The weight of their decisions was heavy, knowing that one wrong move could cost them everything.
"That tank surely won't fit all of us" Hirano seems sad, as a military nerd for sure beneath his heart he want to tried ride that.
-----
In the kitchen, Niikaz unpacked the supplies Takuzo, Yamada, Naomi, and Kazu had brought from the convenience store. The counters and tables were soon filled with canned goods, chips, bottled water, and instant meals. Niikaz quickly started organizing them, separating what could be used for the night's meal from the rest.
"Alright, let's get something warm for everyone," she said, pulling out a few cans and setting them on the counter. She turned to Saeko, who had been quietly observing. "Saeko- senpai, will you help me with this?"
Saeko nodded but hesitated. "Are you sure it's safe to cook here? The smell of food might attract others—survivors or worse." She glanced toward the windows nervously. "And with this many people, we need to be extra cautious."
Niikaz gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry about the smell or noise. I've taken precautions."
Saeko raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Precautions?"
Niikaz smiled slightly. "After we eat, there's something I need to discuss with everyone."
The room grew quiet as her words carried a weight that wasn't lost on anyone. Takagi, standing nearby with her arms crossed start face towards Niikaz, scoffed lightly. "So it's finally time, huh?"
Everyone turned to her.
Takagi adjusted her glasses, her voice sharp and precise. "There's a lot I want clarified. From the bus until now, things haven't added up. You kill undead with ease, you move faster than any of us could imagine, and you seem to know things none of us do. It doesn't make sense." She crossed her arms tighter and narrowed her eyes. "I'm a genius and an honor student, and yet I can't figure you out. That's frustrating."
She paused, then pointing her finger toward the weapons near the door—advanced firearms brought in by Yamada and Takuzo. "And another thing, those weapons."
"Hirano!" Takagi called out suddenly, making the boy jump in surprise.
"Y-Yes, ma'am?!" Hirano stammered, flustered as usual in Takagi's presence.
"You're a military nerd, aren't you? Don't you recognize those weapons?"
Hirano scratched the back of his head awkwardly, giving a nervous chuckle. "Well, um, yeah. I mean, I noticed the structure and design are… unique. Different from anything I've studied or used before. But back in the teacher's office, Niikaz kind of promised me she'd explain later, so I didn't press her about it. Hehehe."
His awkward grin did little to ease the tension.
Niikaz, calm and composed as ever, smiled at him. "Thank you for your patience, Hirano." She turned her gaze to the others. "I guess we'll have that talk after everyone has had a chance to eat and freshen up."
The group exchanged glances, clearly curious but resigned to wait.
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