Part 30: Adult Responsibilities

"There's a light truck I've got my eye on. Probably abandoned."

Hibiya Norio scans us with sharp, piercing eyes.

"First, secure that light truck. Then, circle around to the back gate and stop by the convenience store right there. Load it up with as many supplies as possible, and return through the back gate. If zombies happen to gather in the area, we'll postpone scavenging the convenience store for another day. Understood?"

Everyone nods.

"Also... Mr. Asada, take this."

Kenji pulled a single handgun from his pocket.

He pressed it into the startled Asada's hands.

"Taken from Captain Kohayashi at the Self-Defense Force camp. But I don't know how to fire it. You're a police officer, aren't you?"

"Y-yes, I am..."

In fact, Asada, the actual police officer, looked more nervous than anything.

"Just... I was in the general affairs department. Honestly, I'm not really used to this."

"Even so, you're better off than me."

"...I understand."

"Just remember, gunfire attracts the undead. Only use it as a last resort."

Asako softly speaks to Kousuke.

"Hey, Courseke's dad seems really cool. Like a hard-boiled detective or something?"

"...Hmph."

Kousuke just grumbled unhappily, somehow.

Now that I think about it, I recall Mr. Norio saying something about not staying long in this place.

Maybe Kousuke convinced him to stay, or perhaps he managed to change his mind.

Whatever the reason, there seemed to be a tense atmosphere hanging between the two of them.

"Me and Mida will go out and secure the pickup truck. After that, we'll head to the back gate by car, so you two will bring supplies from the convenience store. That's all. Understand? Don't take any risks. The store is close—worst case, you can make a round trip to retrieve the supplies."

"Um..."

I timidly raise my hand.

"Just to be safe, may I accompany the two of you?"

Kio snorts.

"Need protection from a girl like you?"

Ah...

That's not okay. That's a death flag. Lines like that always get you killed in movies.

Dad...!

It was Kousuke who voiced the objection.

Father and son lock eyes.

I don't know what kind of eye contact took place between the two of them,

...Hmm. I see.

Norio easily gives in.

Well, this time we're just staying within a relatively safe range, so I don't think there'll be much danger.

And so, in one way or another.

Mr. Asada, Mr. Hibiya Norio, and I—three of us—exit through the main gate.

Honestly, right now, it feels more like a cheerful stroll with a tune on my lips.

Still, I can't afford to get cocky. That would be a death sentence, plain and simple.

I tighten my focus and follow behind the two men.

Not long after, a single "zombie" stumbles into view.

"Ooh... o...?"

"Wait. I'll handle this one."

Norio raises his shovel, its blade sharpened to a keen edge.

"Shall I pull it in?"

"No need."

Before the word is even out, Norio leaps at the "zombie" with astonishing speed.

Swinging the shovel down swiftly, aimed straight between its eyes.

Wow. Clean.

"I didn't plan to talk about this in front of 'her.'... Mr. Asada. This kind of work—should be done by adults, by men. Isn't that how it should be?"

"...Hmm."

Huh?

The conversation took a dull and uninteresting turn.

"Apparently, I hear you've been assigning killings to children. I'll say it plainly—this strikes me as irresponsible."

"...We've discussed this matter repeatedly ourselves."

"It's no different than gutting a fish you've caught....Have you ever gone fishing?"

"No, I haven't."

"Well then, you're missing out. That's the only real way to enjoy life."

Not Asako, but that guy definitely has a hard, intense vibe going on.

Maybe I didn’t really need to follow him after all?

“Look, the truck’s just ahead… wait!”

Norio stops abruptly, leading the way.

“Damn it. We’re in trouble.”

Ahead of him stand five “zombies.”

The light truck they’re after is just beyond them.

“There are too many. We might need to rethink our strategy…”

I hesitated for a moment.

Of course, with my current skill, I could easily take down five or so "zombies."

Still, flaunting my strength with a smug expression seems unwise.

Mr. Norio doesn’t seem to approve of me drawing my sword anyway.

It might be better to slowly earn his recognition of my abilities over time.

But according to rumors, a "monster" might be lurking nearby.

I felt the drawbacks of hesitating here outweighed any benefits.

Hmm.

I might end up disliked by Mr. Norio.

But that’s unavoidable—so be it.

"I’m going."

I wasn’t going to give him a chance to argue.

"Hey, wait a minute, you—"

Ignoring Mr. Norio’s words, I drew my sword from its scabbard.

Timing my strike perfectly, I slash horizontally in a single motion.

I decapitate two of the “zombies” at once.

One more slash—third one down.

Then, just two left. I swing down with a single strike each, aiming for their skulls—thwack, thwack.

It took less than five seconds.

See? Easy, right?

(Showing off)

“W-What…? N-No…?”

Kio stands frozen, speechless.

What is this...? I wish you could understand, just a little, the feelings we have toward "her."

Matsuda says, rubbing his forehead.

As I wipe the clinging blood away, I sheath the blade.

Let's hurry. Before those so-called undead gather together.