Part 350: Nanami and Mai — Final Part

Yesterday morning.

A shopping mall.

Having just witnessed those three "zombies" firsthand.

Nanami Kotsu had frozen in place, as if her batteries had run out.

Mr. Sue, Mr. Yoshitake, Mr. Umegi.

Every man she'd ever slept with ended up unlucky.

From the moment that irrational thought—so feverish in its intensity—had struck her...

Tears wouldn't come.

She had always been dry in that regard—she hadn’t cried even when her parents died.

But even so… her arms and legs turned stiff, like wooden poles.

And of all people, Togita Mai was right beside her.

At first,

“Damn it… if I could just get drunk, I’d want to be drunk.”

“Then use ‘High Tension’?”

“Can’t possibly read that kind of mood, not even for that.”

and,

“This is the worst… they were all good people, really.”

"If you feel that way, you should've just stuck with one specific person, right?"

"Shut up. I *do* have a boyfriend, you know? That'd make it look way too real."

"Whoa. There are actually people who claim that dating multiple people isn't adultery... seriously? No way... that's just ridiculous..."

That's the kind of safe, neutral conversation I remember having.

But suddenly, I realized I'd poured out far too much—everything, even the unnecessary stuff—straight to Mayumi.

The kind of thing I never intended to tell anyone.

The detailed account of every single event happening around me lately.

It wasn't because she was once my partner.

Nor was it because we'd survived the most dangerous period after the "End" together.

Even if it had been someone else—someone nameless, or Ran—I think I'd have done the same.

Being involved as Vivian inevitably meant constantly avoiding prying eyes.

So, there had been a series of brief encounters and departures, one after another in quick succession.

Yet, amidst all this, I had finally found someone I believed could stay by my side for good.

He was someone who, like me, was a "player."

Perhaps that's why I thought this way.

That he might be my soulmate.

He shared my outlook on life and preferred the same way of living as I did.

That’s why... I allowed myself to rely on him.

I was certain he, too, would desire the same things I did.

There’s a certain phrase that always comes to mind on nights when I sleep alone.

—Eh? No, I didn’t mean to get involved with you like that, really.

—Wait a second. You saying that puts a huge burden on me.

—Anyway, weren’t you supposed to be unable to have children in the first place?

—So you’re the one who broke things first, without asking?

It was a perfectly reasonable argument.

I was the one who had jumped ahead of myself.

He believed that the bond he needed was something the other person also needed.

After ten years, Nanami would probably laugh at her current self and say,

"Back then, you were so young."

▼

And now.

A heavy weight pressed against the back of her throat, and Nanami found herself unable to speak further.

Finally, the words that escaped were:

"Why...?"

"Hmm?"

"What's the benefit in...?"

"We're friends, aren't we?"

No answer came.

Her breath caught in her chest.

And then, at that moment.

A "zombie" appeared ahead. Blocking the path of Nanami and the others.

It seemed there were a few isolated "zombies" scattered around here, not part of a group.

Switching gears mentally, she quickly turned forward.

"Looks like it's not going to be that simple after all..."

"We'll try to avoid them and push through. But I think we'll probably have to ditch the moped sooner or later."

"Yeah. With how light it is, one hit and it'll topple over."

"That means the rest of the journey is a marathon. Oh, by the way, hasn't Nanaomi always come in last at marathon races?"

I'm not last, I'm not even close to last—maybe around tenth or so? I'm confident in sprints, but my muscles are built more for endurance.

Oh dear. You'd better prepare yourself for a bit of a fight.

"Depending on the situation, maybe I'll try that 'mystery-type' spell one more time..."

"No way. And how come you even picked that crap magic in the first place?"

"Crappy..."

Nanami gave a wry smile.

Come to think of it, her bad mouth had originally been transferred from Mayu.

Nowadays, the image had completely reversed...

——It's simple, really.

At that moment, she thought she heard Ran's voice whispering in her ear.

Perhaps, as she said, it was indeed simple.

How to live.

Beliefs and such.

Forget all that complicated, troublesome stuff.

Just like in the old days—when we were close.

Hey, Maii

Hmm

I actually have something on my mind.

One strategy is coming to mind.

To the immediate left lay the Imperial Palace.

If we could lure those zombies here... the bridge could be easily destroyed, and the moat is quite deep.

Of course, completely sealing them in would be difficult, but if they try to break through to the north toward Shibuya, they'll be held up for quite some time.

"...Hmm."

Mayi smirks.

"Count me in."

Then, what if...

A warm sensation flowed into her chest, and strangely, courage began to rise within her.

Just one person.

To be wanted by a friend was enough to stir such a positive feeling.

— To live. To return home alive.

At that moment, Nanami firmly believed this.

Of course, together with the new life now dwelling within her body.