Part 17: To Help or to Abandon

It was just a dozen minutes or so ago that Yuuo Takeaka saw a figure on the rooftop of the market "Captain."

What he saw was the parents and younger sister of Kōsuke, plus one unfamiliar male companion.

The companion appeared to be a Self-Defense Force member, armed with what looked like a Type 89 assault rifle. Most likely, it was him who had protected Kōsuke's family all the way here.

It appears the destination was this school, but along the way they encountered a horde of "zombies." Though they barely escaped to the rooftop where "Captain" was, their retreat was cut off, forcing them to leap onto the roof of a conveniently parked truck, where they ended up stuck....That's when Tanaka-kun found them, it seems.

That's the general outline.

Now, a crowd of "zombies" — even more impressive than the walls of a Comic Market booth — was beginning to gather around them.

"I'm going — right now, immediately."

Kousuke's tone was decisive.

"I get it! I get it!"

Mr. Sasaki shouted in his usual high-pitched voice.

"But take a look at the situation. Just glancing at it, there are at least a hundred of them. What do you plan to do?"

"Even so,"

Kousuke's words were firm, as if he were biting down hard.

"I have to go. You understand, right?"

"I get it!"

Mr. Sasaki replied once more in the same tone.

"But I'm telling you, going without any plan is reckless!"

"Then are you saying you'll just stand by and watch me—watch my family—get slaughtered?!"

His voice was so fierce it almost sounded like he was about to add, "I'll kill you!"

In contrast, Mr. Sasaki appeared surprisingly calm—just as usual.

Perhaps he was simply used to being intimidated by his students.

"Come now, calm down a bit, Hibiya-kun."

If anything, it was Kōzō Asada, sitting beside him, who seemed flustered.

"Of course, if you have a strategy and believe it's safe, I'll adopt it immediately. But don't you think charging in without thinking is just pointless death? You're no different than a moth drawn to flames."

"Huh? How would you know unless you actually try it?"

Hmm.

Well...

From what I can see, Kōsuke-kun seems to have lost his composure.

And Mr. Sasaki, for his part, could have chosen his words a little more carefully.

"Hah... "

He lets out a quiet sigh.

Well...

Probably...

This is exactly the kind of moment the mysterious supernatural being gave me power for, I suppose.

Honestly, I'm not really eager to get involved, but it seems this is my moment to step in.

That's how it looks, anyway.

"So, may I make a suggestion?"

Raising my hand, Mr. Sasaki frowns and looks my way.

"Uh... you there in the red jersey, what was your name again? Oh well."

Yeah, he's definitely a jerk.

"If you've got something to say, go ahead."

"I'll act as bait to lure the 'zombie' toward me. While that's happening, the auxiliary team can rescue Hibiya's family. How about that?"

"What... what did you just say?"

"That's... that's way too dangerous."

Both Mr. Sasaki and Ko Suke make the same expression.

"It's not just too dangerous... it's beyond that. Sure, you might be skilled, but there's no way you could handle that many 'zombies' at once."

It made perfect sense.

Just facing zombies head-on was risky enough, let alone dealing with over a hundred of them—clearly, it was utterly reckless.

The true horror of zombies isn't just their individual strength—it's their relentless assault without regard for their own lives.

Let's be honest.

I don't have the confidence to handle more than three "zombies" at once with my current strength.

Currently, it takes a significant effort to take down a single zombie.

Assume stance → Strike the head → Withdraw the sword

Three actions are required, namely this.

If it's one-on-one, there's no risk of losing, but whether that method can efficiently deal with numerous "zombies" is another matter—quite difficult, really.

Thus, the strategy I'm proposing is nearly equivalent to suicide.

But then again.

If there's anyone who can save the Hibiya family, it's probably me.

As they say, "unflappable like a robot," I make my decision without the slightest hint of inner turmoil.

"I'm fine. We have a chance. It'll work out somehow."

I lied with complete calm.

"Really...?"

"However, I'll be the one deciding who comes along. Of course, only if that person says it's okay."

"Hmm..."

Mr. Sasaki and Masada exchanged glances.

"If she says so..." Their expressions clearly said it.

I see. It seems my abilities are being overestimated far more than I thought.

Wait a minute...

Could it be that they think I'm some kind of monster?

"If this plan goes wrong, the likelihood of me being the one to sacrifice myself is extremely high. If one life can save four others, isn't that decision obvious?"

And even if something goes wrong, I'm sure that self-defense force member will take charge of defending this place.

To keep this community alive, they probably believe someone with proper training—like him—would be far more necessary than someone like me.

"By the way, who are you taking with you?"

I reply.

"Only a small, elite team will go. The two who will head to the rescue are Imano Rintarou and Kuniyo Asuka. Everyone else will remain here and wait."

"I-what?" I heard Kousuke's surprised voice.

Ignoring it, I continue,

"Excluding Rintarou Hayashi and Asuka Kuniyo, there will be no objections or counterarguments. There's no time. Decide now, in this very moment. Please, within the next few minutes."

Everyone fell silent, speechless for a while.

To reject a plea for help.

Or to risk the lives of comrades in a gamble.

Ultimately, that's the choice I'm forcing upon you.

After a long silence lasting several tens of seconds,

The one who took on the role of the scapegoat was, as most had expected, the same person.

Mr. Sasaki Hayasuke.

After letting out a deep sigh, as if expelling mud, he spoke.

...Got it. Get ready immediately.