章 5: CHAPTER 5
Flashback: Escape from the Outbreak
Before the chaos had erupted, Hirano Takeshi crawled cautiously toward the classroom door, his round, stocky frame trembling with anxiety. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dampening the thick, nerdy glasses perched awkwardly on his nose. His chubby fingers reached for the sliding door, but just as he was about to open it, a sharp voice made him freeze.
"Hirano!"
He flinched, his body tensing as if bracing for impact. Slowly, he turned, eyes wide with fear as they met the piercing gaze of Takagi Saya.
"T-Takagi-san..." he stammered.
She stood tall, her posture rigid with the usual air of superiority that she never failed to exude. Her long, silky ponytail swayed as she bent down slightly, bringing her face closer to his level. She placed a finger to her lips and gave him a stern look. "Shush! Let's get out of here."
Her commanding presence left no room for hesitation. Hirano, still trembling, nodded quickly. Together, they slipped out of the classroom and into the empty corridor, the faint sounds of chaos beginning to echo in the distance.
Takagi led the way, moving with calculated precision. Hirano, short and stocky, struggled to keep up. His bulky frame and lack of athleticism made each step feel heavier than the last. His timid nature only added to the burden he carried in his mind, but he did his best to follow her lead.
They made their way through the school, avoiding crowded areas and keeping their heads low. Takagi was sharp, always thinking two steps ahead, her eyes scanning every corner for threats. Her mind worked like a machine, calculating the best routes, the safest spots to hide. Hirano admired her quick thinking, though her sharp tongue often made him feel inadequate.
As they approached the stairs leading to the administration building, Takagi stopped abruptly, pressing her back against the wall and signaling Hirano to do the same. She peeked around the corner, her ponytail brushing against her shoulder as she surveyed the hallway.
There, at the far end of the corridor, one of those things-once a person, now a mindless, grotesque creature-was crawling on all fours, its pale skin stretched tight over bones. Takagi's sharp mind began formulating a plan to slip past unnoticed, but before she could finish her thoughts, Hirano spoke up.
"Takagi-san... do you think we should get help from the teachers?" His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but the fear in it was evident.
Takagi didn't even glance at him. "Are you an idiot?" she shot back, her voice cold. "How do you know the teachers aren't already dead? Or worse, turned into one of them?"
Hirano shrank back, his cheeks flushing. "E-er, right..."
Takagi's eyes rolled in annoyance. "People like you, with tiny brains, would be the first to die if I weren't here."
Hirano fidgeted nervously, tugging at the hem of his shirt. "T-Takagi-san, do you have your phone? I-I know it's against school rules, but maybe we could call someone for help..."
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Takagi turned her sharp gaze toward him, raising an eyebrow. "I'm an honor student. Even if I had my phone, who would I call?"
Hirano's gaze shifted to the floor. "M-maybe the police?"
Takagi's frustration boiled over. "Police? Really? Are you that dense?" She let out a long, exasperated sigh. "Do you even notice what's going on around you? Do you hear any sirens? The police aren't coming to save us. They're probably dealing with the same mess everywhere else."
Hirano blinked in confusion. The weight of the situation was starting to sink in, but his mind struggled to keep up. "I-Is the whole city... in an uproar?"
"Probably," she replied without emotion, keeping her eyes on the hallway. "If this is happening here, it's happening all over."
Hirano glanced nervously back toward the stairs. His chubby face was pale, and his usual awkward smile was long gone, replaced with an expression of pure dread. "M-maybe we should try to contact the Self-Defense Force? They might be able to help."
Takagi rolled her eyes again. "They won't be able to help either"
"Without direct orders from the government, they can't just swoop in to save the day. But-" Hirano tried to raise the argument but was cut short by Takagi.
"I'm not talking about protocols!" she interrupted, her voice sharp. "The SDF is probably in the same situation as the police. They're overwhelmed, just like everyone else. It's not like they're immune to this chaos."
Hirano bit his lip, unsure of what to say next. His hands trembled, and he fiddled nervously with his glasses. "S-so... what do we do?"
Takagi closed her eyes, letting out a slow, measured breath. "We survive. That's all we can do."
For a brief moment, silence fell between them. Hirano shuffled awkwardly in place, feeling utterly out of his depth. Takagi, on the other hand, stood rigid, her eyes darting around as she mentally mapped out their next move.
Suddenly, the faint sound of movement behind them snapped Takagi back into focus. She turned her head slightly, just in time to see one of the creatures slowly climbing the stairs toward them, its vacant eyes locked onto their position.
"Let's get out of here," she whispered urgently.
"O-okay," Hirano stuttered, his heart pounding as he followed her lead once again. They sprinted down the corridor, the adrenaline masking the exhaustion that was starting to set in. Hirano's legs felt like lead, but he forced himself to keep moving, knowing that slowing down wasn't an option.
As they reached the next corner and stopped to catch their breath, Takagi couldn't help but mutter under her breath, frustrated by the situation she found herself in.
"Of all people, I had to get stuck with Hirano," she grumbled, casting a quick glance at him. His face was flushed red, and he was panting heavily, clearly struggling to keep up.
Her mind wandered briefly to Komuro Takashi, recalling how he had run off before the outbreak had fully taken hold of the school. He had always been impulsive, acting on instinct rather than reason. At the time, it had annoyed her-why he run off bringing 'that' girl instead of me? But now, stuck with Hirano, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
(Komuro ran off
first, leaving me stuck with this idiot...) she thought, frowning.
週次パワーステータス
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