Episode 59: Return to Peace

Five days after the fire at the station south.

Hayato traveled daily between the Shopping Mall and the Chukann Natural Hot Spring Hotel.

The New Order Coalition had disappeared without a trace.物资 collection by the people proceeded smoothly.

Hayato himself had acquired clothing and shoes. He had also obtained a pair of binoculars.

‘They use motorcycles. Perhaps the gasoline they collected ignited.’

‘Internal conflict among allies. Or retaliation from someone captured.’

‘Maybe the family of a kidnapped or killed person carried out the act out of resentment.’

Many people harbored resentment toward the New Order Coalition.

At the Chukann Natural Hot Spring Hotel alone, the attack on the mall had resulted in nearly thirty fatalities, serious injuries, and missing persons combined.

Human casualties had also occurred at nearby shelters. Given the Coalition’s previous atrocities, identifying the perpetrators from resentment was impossible.

Hayato was the only one seen. The man claimed to be unharmed and testified that a creature in armor had appeared—no one took him seriously.

Hayato decided to ignore it.

And today, as always, he transported supplies and knocked on the hotel door in a regular pattern.

The door lock clicked open from inside.

"Welcome home, Master."

Anna rushed out from room 1002 and hugged Hayato tightly.

She rubbed her face against his chest, like a cat.

"I don’t remember getting married."

"Wait, Master, you’ve lost your memory? You clearly introduced yourself when you carried me from the mall. Let’s go home together soon."

"That was an emergency response during a life-threatening situation."

Hayato stated his defense clearly.

At the time, the New Order Coalition was approaching. Anna had not grasped the situation and was disoriented.

Hayato had taken her without hesitation. He said, "Just listen. You volunteered to be my wife. What complaint do you have about being taken by your husband?" and silenced her.

Even so, they had made contact with a New Order Coalition motorcycle. The escape had been barely possible.

"Marriage was agreed upon by both parties. I do not consent to divorce."

Anna countered Hayato’s defense with the marriage provisions of Japan’s Constitution, Article 24.

The law holds the principle of legal hierarchy: Constitution, international treaties, domestic laws, in that order.

What is established in the supreme law, the Constitution, cannot be overturned by statute.

When Hayato’s emergency evasion (criminal law) clashed with Anna’s Japanese Constitution, Anna’s claim prevailed.

"By the way, what was the legal age for marriage again?"

"Shall we enter our home, my lord?"

Hayato was pulled by his clothes into Room 1002, secured for storage.

Room 1001, where Hayato and the others were staying, and adjacent Room 1002, measured 37 square meters and 36.5 square meters respectively—nearly identical in total area.

The difference was that Room 1002 had a terrace five square meters smaller, a shower attached to an open-air bath in the guest room, and no private bathing room.

In exchange, the flooring was three tatami mats larger, totaling eighteen tatami.

In short, Room 1002 was ideal as a storage space for items that would not fit in Room 1001.

"Mr. Nishiyama, actually, I’d like to borrow Room 1002 as well."

"Is that so?"

I’ve become friendly with Miss Sakurai’s daughter, staying in Room 715. Naturally, I’ll pay double the lodging fee for both of them. I can pay in good quality pine, or in unpolished rice, or even in freshly milled rice.

Understood.

Mr. Nishiyama of the hotel responded with a deep smile.

Hayato made another request.

He asked if Rooms 714, 715, and the rooms directly below 1001—Rooms 901 and 902—could be exchanged.

Room 714 had been used for laundry and cooking, but it was far from Room 1001.

Moving between rooms carried the risk that Yui and the others would be approached by other guests.

After all, former hotel guests included a group of four high school students who had brought zombies from the Shopping Mall. Safety was never guaranteed.

The distance between Hayato and Sakurai, who was expected to serve as guard, was too great to be effective.

Therefore, via the hotel, Hayato made an inquiry to the occupants of Room 901 and Room 902, proposing a room exchange in exchange for six months’ worth of lodging fees and a modest supply of provisions.

Upon agreement, Hayato promised the hotel would pay an equivalent amount. The arrangement succeeded.

Hayato had previously secured Sakurai’s consent to relocate the room for guard duties, and provided six months’ lodging fees and an appropriate amount of provisions.

— Anna was essentially the room and cargo supervisor; Sakurai was hired as a guard.

Thanks to Hayato’s generous arrangement, the hotel’s treatment improved, Yui and the others gained greater safety, Sakurai and his daughter avoided starvation, and Chukann City’s security improved.

Being with Yui and Natsuki alone might grow tiresome, but including Anna in card games or board games will ease the mood somewhat.

As Hayato, who does not expect anything from Anna beyond the present, considers this the best possible outcome.

"Today I secured kitchen supplies, towels, laundry nets, and books on the second floor. The laundry nets will prove useful."

Hayato placed several bags around the table and unzipped them.

Kitchen supplies, utensils, face towels, bath towels, standard square and three-dimensional laundry nets, and books emerged one after another.

"Thank you. It’s still awkward to borrow from Yui."

"That’s understandable."

Anna’s eyes lit up as she began inspecting the contents of the bag.

"All of this is for Anna. Then I’ll return to the adjacent room."

"Wait, you're leaving already? Stay for at least one night."

"That would draw reprimand. Sort through the bag's contents."

"Ah, yes."

"Lock the door when I'm gone."

"Come back soon."

"Come for dinner."

Hayato exited the room and knocked on the adjacent door with regular intervals.

The door unlocked from within faster than before.

Yui stepped out, approached Hayato, sniffed the scent that Anna had pressed against her chest earlier, then greeted him.

"Welcome back."

Yui did not say, "You've been playing with the thief cat," nor did she change her expression.

She drew her brows into a V-shape. Her mouth corners lifted slightly, mockingly.

A husband returning from infidelity.

The gesture evoked the grim domestic scenes of Edo or Showa-era households.

That performance, it's familiar.

Yes, yes, fine, just get in.

Hayato was pulled by Yui’s hand and dragged into the room.

The current arc has concluded with two volumes.

Mark the end here, having secured the safe zone and provisions. For now, this concludes.

I’ve always wanted to write about zombies, so it was enjoyable to do.

Thank you for reading this far!