13th Episode: Supplies Collected at the Pharmacy

After completing the collection in the shopping district, Hayato returned to Yui's house.

Cold wind stung his cheeks. The path home was ruined. His mind was light.

The results from the pharmacy exceeded his expectations.

He made no sound. He opened the front door quietly with the key handed to him. He closed it softly behind him.

He went upstairs. He spoke at Yui’s room door.

“Back.”

“Welcome back.”

The door lock disengaged. Hayato entered.

Yui looked at him, asking with her eyes for the results.

Hayato smiled. He reported the outcome.

“The pharmacy in the shopping district had its shutters down. All goods inside were intact. I took everything I could. Items not past their expiration date.”

“…Seriously?”

"Yeah. I brought this just in case—thinking I might still be able to use the compresses even if they're running low. Planning to hand them over to Kirioka Agricultural High School."

Hayato spoke with a hint of pride. Yui looked at him, eyes wide with surprise and disbelief.

Hayato then pulled out a cardboard box from his spatial storage. It held five cases of nutritional drinks, ten bottles each.

"See? Plenty of it."

He held the box with both hands, displaying it. Yui’s expression said clearly, "Don’t just pull a giant cardboard box out of nowhere into my room."

"Fine, I get it. I’ll put it away."

"Right."

After Hayato finished stowing the box, Yui asked.

"Those are for the trade with Kirioka Agricultural High School, right?"

"Yep. We take priority, of course. Only surplus items go to them."

Hayato’s supply exchange was payment for the knowledge of Battery replacement.

In a world where civilization has collapsed, knowledge that enables one to operate a non-functional vehicle holds measurable value.

Hayato had considered that salt alone might not suffice for instructing someone with limited understanding, so he sought additional items to offer, aiming to fulfill his purpose.

"You may choose as much as you like, Yui. Store it in the spatial storage. It won't expire. There's enough space—use one area equivalent to eight tatami mats freely."

Hearing that Hayato would allow her partial use of his spatial storage, Yui stared in surprise.

"Then, list what you brought."

Yui took a sheet of paper and a pen from the study desk and handed them to Hayato.

After reviewing the items together, the following were confirmed:

· Medical supplies

Pain relievers, eczema and dermatitis treatment drugs, fever and pain relievers, nasal inflammation medication, sexual function improvement drugs, various vitamin supplements, cavity prevention medication (fluoride), etc.

· Nutritional supplements

Various nutrient drinks, powdered milk, baby food, liver oil drops, powdered drinks (green tea, black tea, black vinegar, lemon tart cherry), etc.

· Hygiene products

Hair growth and regrowth agents, adult diapers, topical pain relievers, various hair care, body care, and skin care products, antibacterial spray, masks, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, tissue paper, toilet paper, etc.

· Support devices

Various supports for hands, feet, and waist

· Various protein supplements:

Serial calorie bar (chocolate, white, strawberry flavor), jelly (mixed fruit flavor), powder (coffee, cocoa, caramel, vanilla, muscat, grapefruit flavor), tablet (lollipop flavor)

· Others

Some expired plasters

"Everything is needed. It might be faster to just pick out what can be discarded."

"...Yes."

Hayato nodded, deflated, after Yui pointed out the obvious with calm precision.

The next morning, a sound reached his ears. Hayato opened his eyes.

In a world overrun by zombies, making noise was to be avoided.

It would not reach indoors, but carelessness remained carelessness.

Still, Hayato’s presence ensured safety. Even if bitten, healing was possible. As long as Hayato remained, there was no problem.

— What is he doing now.

Shaking off sleep, Hayato moved to the kitchen.

"Ah, good morning. Did I wake you?"

"No, maybe my hearing’s just better."

Hayato had experienced battlefields in another world. His physical abilities had improved.

A grizzly bear’s hearing is two thousand times stronger than a human’s.

He normally suppressed it unconsciously. But if he focused, the results would be severe.

"What were you doing?"

"Breakfast. I wanted to try using the supplies we got yesterday."

As Hayato approached, a soft, pleasant scent drifted from Yui.

Closer inspection revealed her hair swayed gently, her skin appearing more lustrous than usual.

He remembered then—besides nutritional supplements, she had also received hair care, body care, and skincare products.

"You couldn’t have used hot water. Didn’t it feel cold when you washed?"

Yui’s home held several water buckets brought back from the other world.

He usually wiped his body with a damp cloth, but last night had used it more than usual.

"Of course it was cold."

Yet he seemed satisfied in return.

He thought it might be proper to compliment a woman when she dressed up, and Hayato shared his impression with Yui.

"Your hair is smooth. Your skin looks clean. And you smell good too."

"Uh-huh."

Yui nodded, her cheeks flushed.

Hayato’s vocabulary was limited, but Yui’s tolerance was nonexistent, and the balance worked out.

Breakfast was ready. This morning’s meal included not only the rations Hayato provided, but also cereal bars obtained from the pharmacy and green tea dissolved from powder.

"Quite a luxurious table."

"Yeah. Food matters."

"I agree."

Hayato sat down and took a calorie bar, biting into it. Sweetness balanced perfectly, chocolate flavor spreading through his mouth with each chew.

The rare sweetness stirred violently in Hayato’s mouth.

“This is luxury.”

Hayato reached for the green tea and brought the cup to his lips.

The bitterness spread across his palate, neutralizing the cloying sweetness.

“Yui’s judgment was spot on.”

“Judgment? You mean the one that only gives away things that can be discarded?”

“That’s it. I might have gotten carried away.”

Nutritional supplements were better used by us.

Items without expiration might not be consumed by Hayato and Yui alone, but could be traded with others outside Kirioka Agricultural High School.

Medicines with expiration dates could not be traded, but could be used by us. The production plant had stopped. This might have been the last chance to obtain them.

As a result, what was handed over this time was expired pain-relief patches, a portion of various supports for hands, feet, and waist, and a portion of electronic measuring devices.

There were too many supports and electronic measuring devices to worry about handing over this time.

Incidentally, hair growth and scalp stimulation treatments were also not needed, and the other side seemed uninterested as well, so they were removed from consideration.

"Then, I'm off."

"Be careful."

After finishing his meal, Hayato headed toward Kirioka Agricultural High School, seen off by Yui.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

Hayato entered the grounds of Kirioka Agricultural High School as he had the previous time, scaling the front wall.

Though this was only his second visit, it seemed his presence had become widely known in just a few days, as armed teachers did not rush to respond this time.

Hayato found out where Oomori was and walked through the school grounds as if he were just another student. He handed supplies to Oomori in the staff room.

"Good job getting here safely."

"No, I’m chased by zombies. The bicycle is just faster."

Hayato answered while placing items on an empty desk in the staff room.

The intelligence and abilities of newly turned zombies are on par with drunk humans.

Drunk humans vary in degree. Some zombies can run, others stagger. But none can outpace a bicycle.

Of course, if trapped between two ends of a single road, it’s over. Still, people on bicycles have likely been bitten at some point over the past three years.

"Temporary measure until we can get vehicles running."

Oomori slowly nodded, as if digesting Hayato’s explanation.

"Understood. But prioritize your own safety over transporting supplies."

"Thank you."

As Hayato spoke, he withdrew the following items.

・'Pain Relief Plasters' 7 large sheets per box, 6 boxes total ※ Expiry date passed several months ago

・'Various Supports for Hands, Feet, and Waist' 3 sets each

・'Electronic Thermometers' 3 units

・'Blood Pressure Monitors' 2 units

・'Digital Scales' 1 unit

・'Salt Concentration Meter' 1 unit (Single-use, 2,000 readings)

"Found in the back storage of a drugstore. The plasters expired several months ago. I brought them anyway—thought they might still be usable."

Hayato explained, gesturing with both hands.

Oomori listened intently, nodding as he took up a plaster pack.

"Still intact, then."

"Yes. Surprised me."

Hayato lied about his origin because if someone inspected the site, they would learn he possessed strength comparable to a grizzly bear.

Kirioka Agricultural High School, with no teachers or students in sight, might not issue commands like “work for us like a draft animal,” but caution was necessary.

“Speaking of which, is this place really only inhabited by teachers and students?”

“We have declined all acceptances.”

Oomori answered with a stern tone.

Hayato registered surprise, yet made clear he did not seek affiliation.

“I am fine. I have no intention of joining a group.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Joining a large group means no freedom.”

Hayato stated his case. Oomori nodded, yet asked.

“That may be true. But can you guarantee enough water and food?”

Oomori crossed his arms, staring at Hayato’s face. Hayato spread his arms wide, displaying his healthy form.

“Look, I am alive and well.”

Oomori glanced at Hayato’s body, then nodded slowly, as if convinced.