Capítulo 29: Chapter 33: Massacre
[Day 2]
Asahi checked on the shell-shocked trio that had narrowly escaped death moments ago. They had mostly recovered from the traumatic experience of being splattered with bits of bloody flesh and sticky brain matter. Thanks to Kyoko's thoughtful gesture of offering them a clean towel, they no longer looked like extras of a slasher movie.
The simple act demonstrated the relaxed confidence of Kyoko and the rest of the group, even in the face of an undead apocalypse breaking out around them.
(They owe it all to my love! Your utter confidence in tackling every problem raised their morale and spirit.)
'Hmm. None of these guys look bitten.'
Kyoko sidled up beside Asahi. "Do we know if the virus can be transmitted through blood, as in swallowing an infected person's blood?"
She intentionally spoke softly to avoid alarming the trio.
Asahi shook his head. "I don't think it does."
"They should be in the clear then." Kyoko nodded and sharply adjusted her glinting glasses. "Do we take them with us?"
This time she wasn't hushed, ensuring everyone heard her question. Everyone in the group had the freedom to openly voice their opinions — whether they agreed or disagreed with Asahi's decision.
Komuro seized the chance to cash in his freedom of speech without a second's hesitation. "Why is that even a question? The more people we have, the better chances we'll have of facing the undead."
"I beg to differ, Komuro," Saya said haughtily. "More people just means more potential zombies. However, I'm not so cruel-hearted to leave them here."
Asahi reached out and affectionately caressed Saya's hair. "I didn't know you had this much kindness in you. Guess there is a compassionate girl under that brash exterior."
[–Saya Takagi: Affection +5]
With a red face, she brushed his hand away, intense defiance flashing in her eyes. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not kind, but I'm not a bitch either."
Asahi found her tame response rather surprising, lacking her usual tsundere flair. Come to think of it, she had yet to use her signature 'Stupid idiot' card on him.
(I think she looks up to you, like an older brother.)
'Or she is afraid of me.'
He had mowed down undead quite cruelly for Saeko's amusement. The violence must have left a deep impression on Saya.
(How about both?)
'Both are good.'
At that moment, Asahi felt a delicate tug at his shirt. He looked down to see Shizuka's imploring eyes. "Aa-kun, we aren't leaving any students behind."
Asahi gave a firm nod. "Of course, Nee-san. We'll take all the survivors."
The bus would have plenty of room for meatshields against the elite undead aka the Ravagers.
[–Shizuka Marikawa: Affection +8]
His selfish gesture was interpreted as one of noble kindness by his sister. If only she knew how far she was from the truth.
'She should be well over a hundred now.'
(Fufufu,) Klyshca replied with an ominous chuckle. (You should check that when you have time. I won't spoil anything.)
Asahi forced himself to resist the temptation to pull up the Partners menu, instead leading the group towards the locker room. The others obediently followed, save for Saya, who lingered near the stairwell, arms crossed as she watched Shizuka and Asahi with an inscrutable expression.
"It's not like we can save everyone."
Despite the distance and surrounding chatter, Asahi's keen hearing picked up her cynical words clear as day. He found no fault in her pessimistic stance, as it nearly mirrored his own views.
He wasn't going out of his way to save anyone. However, he had to save those before him, or his sister would be sad. He refused to let anyone, or anything hamper his older sister's precious happiness.
(Spoken like a true siscon.)
'A proud one.'
In a few swift strides, they arrived at the locker room. Saya made a frantic beeline for her locker, pink twintails waving behind her, and immediately took out her glasses. "Finally, I can see in HD!"
Just a hour prior, she was beaten to a near-death state, yet here she exuded such pure, childlike exuberance. It seemed like nothing could break her mentally after that encounter.
'She has a strong heart.'
(My love, you're falling for her.)
'That's why we came here. Getting jealous now, are we?'
(I'm Klyscha. Goddess of Dreams. And I have never known jealousy.)
'I'm the tarnished who gave you the taste of jealousy.'
(Mou~!)
Chuckling at her cute reactions, Asahi returned to the real world, where the pink-haired tsundere still celebrated her reunion with her clear vision.
"Saya, you look more charming with glasses."
[–Saya Takagi: Affection +2]
A vivid blush painted Saya's cheeks at the unexpected compliment. "Wh-what? Where did that come from?!"
"Straight from my heart."
[–Saya Takagi: Affection +1]
Turning her head with a huff, Saya furrowed her eyebrows. "Your heart needs to double check. It's not accurate—"
Before she could finish her rant, Shiori abruptly placed her hands on Saya's shoulders and intensely stared into Saya's widened orange eyes.
"W-What is it with you?" Saya stammered, fidgeting. "You're annoying."
A playful smile curled Shiori's lips as her gaze flicked down to Saya's chest. "You got a nice pair there, girlie."
Saya reflexively covered her chest. "Die, pervert."
Shiori's eyes widened in genuine shock, taken aback by Saya's venomous accusation. "W-wait, no! I was talking about your stylish glasses! Aren't they from that trendy new fashion brand?"
"Hmph, I don't know. Mam—Mom gave them to me."
"She has good taste."
"Of course. She needs a good fashion sense to lead the business."
Shiori's attempts to make Saya open up worked flawlessly.
Asahi clapped his hands. "Alright, enough chatting."
He got them back on track. Now with the extra baggage of three students, he cleared the way to the exit.
Half-eaten, mangled corpses in various states littered the ground. Not a single soul batted an eye at the brutal sight. What shook everyone was the horde steadily closing in on them to surround the academy building's exit.
(They are camping for exits!)
'Must have heard us.'
Asahi licked his lips in anticipation, an almost barbaric glint in his eyes as he tightened his grip on his trusty ax. Charging the ax with his elemental energy and taking a step forward, he sent the weapon hurtling towards the undead horde. A lustrous portal yawned open, swallowing the spinning ax whole. Moments later, it burst forth with the momentum of a rampaging giant, effortlessly crushing every undead in its path.
A sudden influx of invigorating energy filled his body — he had leveled up, again.
Asahi looked over his shoulder. "Saeko and Shiori will make space for everyone. Komuro, Rei, guard our rear with me."
Saeko held her katana overhead, a subtle grin on her face. "Thank you for relying on me."
Shiori flashed Asahi a thumbs-up. "Leave it to us sisters."
The twins fearlessly dashed into the fray of undead armed with nothing but a wooden katana. Saeko struck an undead's knee to make it kneel. Twirling with grace, she brought her sword down in a vicious arc, splitting its skull like a ripe melon.
"Mhmm," she purred, feeling exhilarated from the sensation of crushing bones.
Shiori extracted Asahi's ax from the undead and tossed it back at him, which he snatched from the air with ease. "Saeko, don't get distracted."
Saeko acknowledged Shiori with a curt nod, reining in her bloodlust and engaging the horde with much more precise, disciplined movements. As Saeko's twin, Shiori had mastered the Busujima Sword art to nearly the level of her sister. As such, she could easily support Saeko when she used her family techniques.
Covering each other's backs flawlessly, they made a path for everyone to follow.
A bloody path.
...
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