That 20: The Nameless One
"Amazing... it's working."
The location was the rooftop of the Kagakyo Academy.
Almost all of the refugees there were watching her figure from there.
Hibiya Kōsuke was one of them.
"Truly... amazing."
Not because of strength or skill.
But courage.
The courage of "her," who remained calm even in the face of so many "zombies."
Of course, it's not just Senpai who's amazing. Nono Rintarō and Kimino Asuka are the same.
I've known Rintarō even before the world turned like this. We were in the same class.
During PE class, he was always shouting out weird noises—definitely the type who stood out, not just a little, but quite noticeably so. He was so eccentric that even the class delinquents wouldn't bother him.
Yet now, he seems so dependable.
When I realized my family was in crisis.
I panicked. I lost control. I had to go help them.
That's what I thought.
I hated Mr. Sasaki for hinting, "It'd be better to leave them behind."
Yet deep down, I also realized I couldn't help but be drawn to those words.
I didn't want to go. I didn't want to die. I just wanted to live—me, only me.
Even if it meant abandoning my family.
I realized then that I was a coward.
But I also think that this is probably just normal.
This past week, I’ve been going through Senpai’s training.
Even discounting the fact that my right ankle is sprained, keeping up with them was difficult.
Even now, just thinking about the moment I sliced through “zombie” flesh and skin brings back an unpleasant sensation in my hands.
I’m fundamentally a “teethless person.”
People who can jump into hell like that are the ones who are truly abnormal.
And deep down, I feel genuinely relieved by that very abnormality.
Ririka tightly grasped my trembling hands.
"Thank you... for staying."
The petite girl whispered in a tone as gentle as a mother's.
If it weren’t for everyone watching, she might have burst into tears right there in her chest.
Kosuke simply nodded slightly, then turned his attention back to the figures of "them."
Looks like it's working... Everyone, that's great! Got off the truck! Just need to run over here now! Kosuke! Go do it!
His childhood friend Takanaka Yuuo shouts.
Kosuke hesitates for just a moment, then sprints down the stairs.
By the main gate, Mr. Sasaki and the others are already waiting.
"Sir! They're almost here!"
"Right on it!"
With an air of calm assurance, as if everything were proceeding exactly as planned, the teacher placed his hand on the main gate.
Through the gate, he could see the faces of his comrades. Following them, the faces of his family.
A few "zombies" trailed behind, but the distance was easily manageable.
"——Dad!"
By the time he realized it, his voice was trembling.
"Kosuke! Is it really you!"
People who had been worried sick about his safety all week.
Before he knew it, tears had spilled from his eyes.
The main gate opens.
Rintarō, Asuka, father, mother, younger sister.
Everyone is safe. Not a single one bears a scratch.
At that moment, he offered prayers of gratitude to whatever supernatural being might be watching from above.
It felt like a miracle. Few families are whole and together like this.
After welcoming everyone in, the main gate was firmly closed.
At the same time, Koichi was embraced by his father more tightly than ever before.
"Are you hurt? Are you okay?"
— Hey now. That's my line.
While mentally making a sarcastic remark.
"Sorry, but I do apologize for interrupting this emotional moment—may I ask one thing?"
Mr. Sasaki interjects.
"There was another person with you who looked like a Self-Defense Force member. What happened to him?"
Cutting short the joy of reunion, Koichi's father turns around.
"Kozaikawa-san... he said something about helping the girl in the tracksuit, then he left."
The girl in the tracksuit was probably Senpai.
The Self-Defense Force member who had been traveling with my parents apparently headed off to rescue Senpai.
Kosuke quickly wipes away his tears.
That's right.
The real joy of reuniting can only come after she returns.