Episode 114: The Worst Day

It was the worst day of my life.

I had always believed that the day I was first attacked by a zombie was the absolute worst, and that nothing could possibly be worse.

But apparently, there's still room for something even lower.

Exhausted, I fell asleep only to wake up again immediately—this cycle repeated over and over.

Somewhere far away, I felt as though a decision had been made about my fate, and I trembled with fear.

I knew it was just paranoia, but still, the dread remained.

First, I thought, where should they cut me from...

I felt like I heard a voice saying that.

Anesthesia... I won't get it, of course.

That means the key will be how quickly I lose consciousness.

I don't want to suffer in pain. If it's going to happen, I just want it over quickly...

But even as I was overwhelmed by such negative thoughts, in the next moment, I found myself hoping for a miracle.

(If Kōichi comes to save me...)

Yet that flicker of hope was nothing more than the final glow of a dying flame.

In middle school.

The day a boy named Murakami suddenly beat me up for no reason.

Kōichi stood there, helpless, frozen in place—just like always.

That cowardly bastard.

Even as I fall, he might continue to look away, as he always does.

If he’d truly intended to come and help, he’d have arrived long ago.

(There’s… no help coming, is there?)

Or maybe he just can't come for some reason.

Perhaps because security here is so tight.

It wasn't impossible. After all, he already knows I have a friend. That would probably mean he'd have to restrain himself, to avoid any unnecessary moves.

(Then again... maybe there really isn't much chance he'll show up after all...?)

Just as dark despair began to take hold of me once more—

clank! The door to the electrical room swung open.

I hadn’t been expecting anything, yet there they were—two men who had taken along an old man resembling a homeless person.

"What should we do? Should we shut him up for now?"

"Better not....Look, he’s the ‘carp on a cutting board’ type."

One of the men chuckled.

Strangely, anger didn’t rise within me.

People are made to eventually accept whatever despair they face.

Come to think of it, the old man who’d been given his final prognosis had been just like that.

Just a few days before his life ends.

With a calm expression, he said this:

— Now I won’t have to see anything I hate, nor suffer painfully.

That’s all.

Is heaven… real?

I don’t know. There’s no way to prove it.

Yet imagining what lies beyond death felt like the only comfort left.

Weakly, I’m dragged along by the men.

—I don’t want to die… Please, don’t kill me…

I tried muttering, gambling on the chance that pity might still exist.

The men stared back with eyes completely devoid of feeling, giving no reply.

It reminded me of the look Kōichi had given me that day—watching silently as I was beaten.

▼

"Hey, this guy’s peed himself....What should we do?"

"Strip him naked and wash him, that’s all we can do."

"But water’s too precious."

"There should be alcohol disinfectant. Let’s just endure with that."

It was a small dining area, more or less.

Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the sound of something simmering—probably from the kitchen.

From the large table where I was lying, the unmistakable smell of blood was strong.

So this is where I’ll be “disassembled,” and then “prepared” afterward.

"Then I’ll just grab the disinfectant. Keep an eye on this place."

"Got it."

I also saw the old man who had been taken away before me.

The old man, after that—apparently, his right arm was taken too, just like his right leg.

Whether he was still alive or not was uncertain. He hadn’t moved a single muscle.

“First, I’ll bind this old man. Then, it’s your turn.”

The man spoke in a calm tone, almost gentle.

“Don’t worry. I’ve learned plenty about how not to cause pain.”

The next words were something he’d decided on long ago.

“Please… kill me gently.”

That was all.

There was nothing else I could think of.

Not the kind of dramatic, "I won't give up until the very end!" sort of resolve.

That sort of over-the-top, shonen-manga-style determination had never existed for me.

It was easier this way.

I’d rather pass away peacefully than die in despair.

...Or maybe that was just a psychological defense mechanism.

If I could just have my bonds torn apart until blood was drawn, and then freed instantly, that’d be different.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

The man's reply was brief.

It's just a matter of advancing the work process a little, isn't it...?

It's an order.

Yet, despite that, we're prepared to do anything.

It seems this man is someone who doesn't compromise when it comes to his work.

Damn it.

...

Therefore,

I-I-I-I, uh, you're doing great, aren't you?

A familiar male voice was heard.

What the hell are you? What do you want?

"I've already got permission from Mr. Kida, so please take any complaints to him."

"Come on, come on, don't kid me."

"He's my friend. Isn't it alright to let me say goodbye?"

"What's that?... You're not carrying any weapons, are you?"

"Of course not. I wouldn't do anything so ridiculous."

"Still, I'll have to do a body check."

"Be my guest."

A ten-second pause.

"Damn... three minutes. Longer than that, and I'll have to pull you out."

"Appreciate it."

There was no need to look—It was Kyōichi.

He let out a deep, weary sigh.

"Uh... uh, Dog Bite-sama."

"......Why did it come to this?"

"Probably as you'd imagine. There's hardly anything left to eat here."

"Even so!"

I shouted, my voice hoarse and dry.

"There should still be plenty of supplies left on the surface!"

"As I said, there are zombies overflowing around the station..."

"If we stand together, we can handle zombies like that! There's no need to get involved in something like this..."

"I understand what you're saying....But that's essentially commanding some of our comrades to 'die.' There are leaders in this world who simply can't do that."

"Damn it all."

"I completely agree. Just because you can't sacrifice your comrades, you think it's okay to sacrifice some random stranger...?"

At that moment,

"Hey! Takaya, you won't get away with badmouthing Mr. Koda!"

"Like I care!"

Koichi shouted, gritting his teeth.

"Everyone here... they're all going crazy!"

The courage it must have taken for this friend to say those words.

"You...!"

The man slammed his fist into the wall, his anger plainly visible.

"What do you think would happen if Koda-san found out about those words...!?"

"I don't care if he finds out! It's a mistake, a mistake, I tell you!"

Koichi was now screaming, tears streaming down his face.

"Koichi... enough. You've done enough already."

I said, sighing.

"Please... just take it upon yourself."

"Y-yes, of course!"

Then Koichi slowly placed the helmet upon my head, lying there.

The helmet imbued with the power of the "Hero."

"I'm truly sorry I didn't come to rescue you sooner, Dog Bite..."

No.

It's fine.

I'm sure you did your best.

Just knowing that was enough.

In an instant, light enveloped my entire body.

Silver armor.

Crimson cloak.

—Jyanjajaaan! Fhukaaatsu!

I thought I’d never hear it again in my lifetime—Kouon’s voice echoed once more.

Squeezing my arms slightly, the ropes snapped apart with a sharp crack.

"W-what... what is this...?! Hey, Takaya! What did you do?!"

His expression twisted in shock, flicking between me and Kyouichi.

Struggling to lift myself halfway up, I felt as though the world had completely changed since just moments ago.

Vitality and hope surge through my entire body.

It's fine if I die, right?

What nonsense. This isn't a joke.

I'm going to live.

I'll live to be a hundred, surrounded by grandchildren and family, and die in peace.

If anyone dares to interfere with that—then I won't spare them.