Part 342: Round-Trip Work

Zooming through the sky, back once more to the mall rooftop.

For now, the "zombie" clinging to the exterior wall is

"——Saint Slash!"

It looks like a sparkling wave of energy, as if Dog Bite-kun is neatly knocking it off.

When I returned, the refugee uncle waved at me as if he'd been waiting all along.

The uncle who claimed to be the winner of the rock-paper-scissors battle royale sprayed deodorant all over his body with a hiss,

"Are you okay? Don't smell bad, do you?"

a strange kind of concern.

Honestly, with zombies closing in, who cares if you're stinky?

Then again, now that he's doing that, I'm starting to notice my own smell.

"Nah, I'm just the type who sweats easily... heh, heh, heh"

"There's no problem, hurry up and get on my back."

The man cautiously wraps his arm around my shoulder.

With Mr. Shibata Keisuke—once a company president from somewhere—riding on my back, I arrive at the relay building, listening to him drone on about his own management philosophy: "Enduring a little while is the same as enduring forever."

"Thank you! Miss! Good luck!"

Watching him wave goodbye with a yellow handkerchief, I made a quick return to the mall.

Next was Takahiro Koyama (36), who had worked at a construction company.

Then came Shintaro Miyazawa (40), a sales representative in the medical field.

Following him was Shigemitsu Hirahara (29), an office worker in real estate.

Then came Yoshio Sanomiya (31), a part-time worker at a family restaurant.

Lastly was Kosuke Hata (25), a struggling stand-up comedian.

Next was Takashi Hanada (24), a graduate student researching Chinese history.

Everyone, as if following some unspoken rule, emitted a strong smell of deodorant spray. Then, finally, a yellow handkerchief was waved.

Perhaps they’re thinking I’m some rude, smelly old man who might just collapse midway through.

I wouldn't complain just because I'm a little put out, now would I?

Still, the thought of endless round-trip work is exhausting.

After completing the eighth round trip, they arrived at the rooftop of the mall.

Everyone's healing is done, yon☆

And, Mayoi-san.

For now, we're evacuating smoothly.

After that, we prioritized the children who had been severely injured—Akane-chan and Hideo-kun—sending them to the relay point first.

By the time we returned again, about twenty evacuees remained.

Around that time, I nearly gave up.

After nonstop evacuation efforts, I was on the verge of collapse.

"If we move again... I might run out of mana midway."

"Got it. For now, let's grab some snack bread."

I shove the pre-prepared pastries into my mouth like a starving ghost.

"Hey, hey... Are you seriously eating in a situation like this...?"

I ignore the half-teasing, half-resentful mutter from a few of the refugees.

I carefully select only the food that’s securely sealed—no risk of contamination—and bring it to my mouth.

Chocolate chip melon bread, cream rolls, various lunch packs, cheese steamed buns.

Jam bread, anpan, sandwich bread. Whole sausage, cream croissant, apple pie. Mini snack gold. Curry bread, yakisoba bread.

As I cram each of them into my mouth, mashing them together with a crunching sound,

—First, let's go with the authentic Russian soup, Borscht!

—Next, this canned food called "Soft-textured delight, Castella." Here you go~.

— A quick, ready-made "Seafood Donburi" by piling rice over various seafood cans!

— Just like your favorite, "Tako no Ke no Sato."

I suddenly remembered that time we all worked together to fight off a horde of zombies.

Come to think of it... I did have reliable companions back then.

Ms. Konomi Asuka.

Ms. Tada Ritsuko.

Mr. Imano Rintaro.

And... Mr. Hibiya Kōsuke.

Hmm. Kōsuke-kun.

Now that I think about it, it's a pity we lost such a person.

I won't suddenly rush into action just because memories of him have come back, but I do feel I should wrap things up before everyone at Sakagura gets worried.

Munching on the Nice Stick that Asuka had enthusiastically recommended, I finally felt something settle in my stomach.

Standing up while bearing the odd stares of the eccentric crowd, I turned my attention to the next person in line.

There, a truly ugly argument was taking place, with people shouting, "It's my turn next!" "No, it's mine!"

Hey, there was a game of rock-paper-scissors earlier where I'm not quite sure whether I threw scissors or paper.

When you look toward the entrances and exits within the mall, you realize the voices of the "zombies" are drawing dangerously close.

Maybe Hashida-san had everyone fighting with each other all planned out.

I quietly whispered to the dog-biting guy,

"Can we hold the barricade?"

"Probably....I just never expected 'zombies' to be running around like this..."

It was inevitable that it would eventually fail, I thought.

I nodded in understanding and quickened my pace slightly.

"Sorry, next person —"

Without missing a beat, two men raised their hands.

"...We'll try transporting both of you experimentally. Thank you for stepping forward bravely."

I seized both men's hands without hesitation and activated my ability, "Demonization."

Ignoring the two men, whose arms were now wrapped around my hair like serpents, muttering things like "Ah, actually, maybe we should postpone this," I leapt from the rooftop of the mall.

The two men, their deep tenor voices harmonizing in a duet, echoed through the "Land of Mirrors"—and then, fading out as they reached the relay building.

"What's wrong?"

I simply replied, "No, nothing at all," to Nanami, who was wide-eyed at the destination, and hurried ahead.

At that moment, of course, there was no yellow handkerchief—though, really, that might be for the best.

After all, I’m a high school girl who looks like someone you’d want to nibble on.

If I’m not at least a little intimidating, discipline can’t be maintained.

At the very least, until we leave this "Land of Mirrors."

As I flew through the air, I looked down at the "zombies" staring at me, all at once, motionless and unblinking.

This level of obsession that borders on madness.

True renown is achieved through wicked deeds.

Something like that, Mr. Hamada said.

That's probably going to happen from now on.