A tragic loss
"Noooooooooooooo! Ack!"
We need to go. This isn't real. I don't think this could be real. But it is real. This is, Hell. We are actually in Hell right now. This is Hell and we are here. I just saw someone getting eaten. I knew that guy, and we couldn't do anything, less we be killed ourselves. He was my chemistry partner. He was a nice guy and didn't deserve such a death. None of us deserve to die by these things. They are...evil. I want to go home. I want Onii-sama to come and protect me. I don't think I'm strong enough to deal with this anymore.
"We need to keep going Makoto-kun."
She snaps me out of my thoughts. She's right. I can't lose it now.
"R-Right. Lets continue."
We continue onwards in Hell. The school Hell. I always knew school was Hell, but now I know it is Hell. These things are evil and eating people. All we can do is keep ourselves safe. We've been walking for awhile now. Just making it to the nurses office is a hard task. We haven't seen anyone we could've saved. Everyone we see is in the process of being eaten.
"I'm getting a little tired Makoto-kun. I need to rest."
"Rest? I guess that's something we can do. Hmmmm, what about this classroom?"
I suggest and point to a nearby classroom. It seems to be fine, but we don't fully know about the dangers around this school.
"Lets be cautious."
"Yeah, being cautious is good right now."
We nod to one another and go near the door. We look around hesitantly...I don't see anyone or anything around here. We go inside and close the door quietly. We know that sound draws them, so even our steps have to be light. We both sit down at some desks. We release a breath.
"Makoto-kun...we're nearly there."
"Yeah, we are nearly there. We just have to stick together. We've done good so far."
"Yeah...but, I'm still worried about Kazuma-kun and the others. I know Kazuma-kun and Igou-senpai know how to fight at least. But, the others don't. As far as I know anything. No, Rei-senpai can fight with spears, can't she? So, maybe she has a weapon similar to the one we have. Maybe when we find her, and she doesn't have a weapon, we can give her this."
"Possibly. For now, you're the best person for the weapon. Anyway, we can't stay here long. We need to leave in a minute."
She nods with a sigh. She's tired, I'm tired. I know this is hard. But we need to pull together for this.
"I know. Its just, actually going back out there is..."
"Scary. It is scary but very real also. Just think about surviving..."
"Makoto-kun, are you thinking about Takagi-senpai right now?"
I freeze in my tracks. She asks me that all of a sudden? Why would she ask me such a thing? Am I thinking about Takagi-senpai? Is she ok? Is she dead? I hope she isn't dead. She's very smart, so if someone is going to survive this, then its her.
"...Takagi-senpai, is fine. I'm sure she's out there right now using her brain."
"Its ok to worry about her, you know? Even if you haven't really talked before, you can still worry about her. We don't have to become monsters Makoto-kun. We don't have to turn into one of those things. We can still be humans and worry about our loved ones."
"I can worry about her later. Right now, I'm worried about us."
"Me too. Should we go?"
"If you're ready?"
She nods and stands up. I stand up also. We look to one another to confirm our readiness. We go towards the door, and open it softly...aah!
""Aah!""
We let out cries...lots of them are here! Aah! This is a disaster! I slam the door shut and we back away from the door! These things are trying to get in! There's no other way out!
"Haru-chan! Help me move these desks to block the door!"
"Yeah!"
We both grab desks and push them against the door. Wedging the door shut will buy us some time. I hope we can think of something. I look out the window as Haru-chan speaks.
"W-What do we do now!?"
"We have to defend ourselves!"
I reply strongly. This school isn't taking us today. I will defend Haru-chan and she will defend me. I thought we might be able to shimmy across the ledge outside, but its too narrow for us to hold onto it properly...
"B-But, you haven't got a weapon!"
I look around until my eyes meet a chairs. I pick up a chair and show it her.
"Its got metal circular legs. Should be able to knock them away with this. Haru-chan, if I don't make it, please tell Takagi-senpai that I love her."
"And if I don't make it, tell Kazuma-kun that I love him."
We nod to one another. If we are dying, we aren't going to make it easy for them. Haru-chan holds her weapon tightly as I hold this chair with its legs pointing directly in front of me. Its only a matter of time now. These things are going to bust that door down and we are going to be eaten alive.
"Remember, knock them over. Its effective Haru-chan."
"Yeah! Don't die Makoto-kun! I wont forgive you if you die!"
"You neither! You die and I will never forgive you!"
We nod to one another again. This is it. The monsters are getting through the door. I'm shaking. I've never...even been in a proper fight. I've seen Onii-sama fight before, but I've never actually been in a fight. The closest fight I've ever been in is when Haru-chan and Kazuma-kun fight verbally and I get involved.
BREAK!
Here it comes! They have gotten through and are coming our way! Shit! I'm scared, yet I am buzzing at the same time. I'm hyped up. Adrenalin. That's what is happening to me. I'm going for it!
""Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!""
Haru-chan and I charge at the same time! I get up to one and smash it in the face with my chair! Then I turn to the right and smash another one in the face! One makes a bite for me but I used the seat to stop its advances and twisted the chair so its legs would connect with the side of its head, which sends it to the floor!
"Take this!"
Haru-chan tripped one and slammed her foot in its face! Go Haru-chan! This time we wont die! But there's too many of them. Even I am having a trouble thinking right now!
"Makoto-kun! Behind you, ten o'clock!"
I turn to that angle and bring the chair up with such force that it pieces the things jaw and goes right through to the brain!
"Thanks Haru-chan! To your left!"
"Got it! Hyaa!"
She smashes her weapon into the side of the monsters face which makes it fall to the ground! I take my chair out of the monsters head...it falls to the ground? It isn't moving...its...dead? Is it...dead now? Well, it was dead before, but that was living dead...now, it isn't moving at all...destroy the brain! Destroying the brain kills these things? I turn to Haru-chan and smash my chair into another monsters face as I convey this information to her.
"Haru-chan! Destroy the brain! Stab them in the head, it should kill them!"
"In the head!? Right! Take this!"
Haru-chan uses the screwdriver end of her weapon, and makes a stabbing motion with her weapon! It makes contact with the thing and instantly it stops moving. So, destroying the brain, and possibly the spinal cord is the way to kill them!
"It worked! Makoto-kun, we can do this now!"
"Yeah! Lets go for the kill!"
"Time to die bastards!"
With that, we start dealing killing blows! But no matter how many we kill or send to the floor, they just keep coming! There's no way we can take them all, and we are getting tired. I'm not as athletic as she is and she's tired so...I'm pretty much wiped out. My breathing is laboured and sweat is rolling down my face in beads.
"H-Hang on Makoto-kun."
She said while breathing hard. Yeah. That's all we can do. Fight and fight until we die.
"I-I will t-try! Haru-chan! Your right!"
She swings her weapon around and then pierces the head of the thing. This is getting tough. There's too many right now. They just keep coming. And we can't get to the door as it is blocked by them. If we can't get out of the door, and we can't shimmy across the window ledge, there's got to be an alternative.
"Haru-chan! We need an escape plan!"
"Yeah! But, where!?"
"I don't know! If I could just think for a few seconds!"
"Then, I will keep them busy, alright!? You use that brain I love and get us out of here!"
She rushes to the front of the class while knocking some over. What is she going to do?
"Hey! Come for me dickheads! That's right you bunch of shit's! This way! Come for me! Come and get the tasty human meat! I'm tastier than the boy! Come and get me you fucking monster rejeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeects!"
W-What is she doing!? She's leading them away from me and to the front of the class! Is she insane!? She's going to die!
"Think Makoto-kun! If anyone is going to use that lovely brain, then its you! Like you said before, I've got more skills so I can last longer!"
"Don't die!"
"Yeah, just think, ok!?"
I nod and start thinking. There's got to be away out of here. The door and windows aren't an option. If those aren't an option then there's others we can think of. I've got to think of something as Haru-chan is counting on me and I don't intend to let her down now...
Its really hot in here...Wait, if the weather is hot then there's...the ventilation system! Yeah, the air ducts! We can get through the air ducts! Alright, I will have to look around for them...ok...not near Haru-chan's location...not to the side...the back! The back! We can get through them! I rush over and start hitting the vent cover after climbing a desk! Adults wouldn't be able to fit, but fortunately we aren't adult size.
"Come on you piece of shit! Open up! Open up you fucking vent bastard!"
"Ma-Makoto-kun! H-Hurry, please!"
She's getting tired! No! If she is tired then she's going to get sloppy and then one false move is...no! I get off the desk and grab a chair. I climb onto the desk again and repeatedly smash the chair into the vent cover! Come on you bastard!
"Open up fuckeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!"
CRASH!
"I-It opened! Haru-chan! Its open! Come on! Lets get going..."
"Aah! Get away!"
She's surrounded! Damn! She can't fight so many on her own...I throw the chair at the window so it makes a crashing noise! The creatures turn to it. Haru-chan nods and quickly runs past the creatures while gesturing me to go first. All I can do is comply and get into the vents!
Once inside the vents, I go in a little deeper and manoeuvre myself around so I can help Haru-chan in.
"Take this."
I take the weapon and place it beside me. I then grab her hand and help her into the vents...
GRAB!
"Aah! Something's got me! Get off you bastard!"
One of the creatures has a hold of Haru-chan! She attempted to kick it off as I reach for the weapon to stab it in the face!
BITE!
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
It bit her! That thing bit her leg! I hold the weapon and lean across her, I stab that thing in the face and it lets go of Haru-chan's leg! I quickly pull her into the vent and place the cover on it!
"Haru-chan!"
"I-It hurts. Bastard."
"Can you continue on, Haru-chan?"
"I-I'll have to carry on. Its just a bite, I'm fine."
I nod. I take the weapon and we start crawling through the vents. If we head this way, I'm pretty sure we will make it to the nurses office if we go this way.
"Makoto-kun, Kazuma-kun is alright, isn't he?"
"I-I don't know. But we will know soon. How's the leg?"
"It stings."
It stings? Is that normal? I wouldn't know, I haven't ever been bitten.
"Good thing we are heading to the nurses office then. If Shizuka-sensei is still fine, she can bandage it up for you."
"Y-Yeah, Shizuka-sensei should be able to bandage it up."
I smile but on the inside, I feel a certain sense of dread wash over me. I don't know what it is, but I feel like something bad has just happened. That thing bit her. Is something going to happen to her? Is she...no, I'm not going to think about that. There's no way she's going to be one of those things from a simple bite. It was a bite, not something serious.
"If she isn't there, then we will just have to bandage it up for you."
"Y-Yes."
We continue crawling for about five minutes, making our way through this air vent until finally...
"W-We got here Haru-chan!"
"R-Really!? Is Kazuma-kun there!?"
I look and nod and get their attention. I can see Kazuma-kun, Shizuka-sensei and a purple haired girl. I think she's a third year...erm...Busujima Saeko-senpai? Is that right? Or am I thinking of someone else?
"Kazuma-kuuuuuuuun!"
I cry out! They look around. They kind find us. Ok, I will have to guide them.
"Up here! In the veeeeeeeeeeeeeeents!"
They all look up. Kazuma-kun has a relieved face! He stands on a medical bed and comes face to face with me. The cover is in the way.
"Makoto-kun! Haru-chan!"
"Kazuma-kuuuuuun!"
"Kazuma-kun!"
Haru-chan and I say to him. This is good. He's fine.
"You both are fine! I was so worried!"
"Stand back! I'm going to kick the vents cover off."
"R-Right."
So Kazuma-kun, Busujima-senpai I think it is and Shizuka-sensei stand away and I start kicking the vent. After a few kicks, the vent finally comes off. I lower myself out of the vent and together with Kazuma-kun, we lower Haru-chan out of the vent.
"Kazuma-kun!"
"H-Haru-chan!"
Haru-chan hugs Kazuma-kun tightly, while I go over to the purple haired girl.
"Hello, what's your name? My name is Igou Makoto!"
"Hehe, hello. My name is Busujima Saeko. Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
She extends her hand which I take.
"It is a pleasure senpai. So, wow you survived those things huh. Its scary, isn't it?"
"It is a little. But, it seems you two survived also."
"Y-Yeah. It was hard mind you. We got cornered in a classroom, but I came up with the idea that we should climb through the air vents."
"Was it your idea? That's very ingenious of you. I don't believe I would've thought of that."
Senpai praised me! But then narrowed her eyes at Haru-chan who is still embracing Kazuma-kun tightly. They both are blushing.
"That wound on her leg. How did she get it?"
Busujima-senpai asks me quietly. I respond to her in the same low voice.
"She...got bitten by one of those things. As we were climbing into the vent, one grabbed her foot and bit her before either of us could stab it in the face."
"Bitten..."
"Y-Yes, is something wrong with that?"
I ask with a raised eyebrow. She seems to have changed her whole demeanour when I mentioned Haru-chan getting bitten. Is there something wrong with Haru-chan? Its only a bite. She isn't going to be hurt by that, right? Its only a flesh wound and it doesn't look that deep.
"She's been infected."
Infected? What does she mean?
"I-Infected with what?"
"With what's happening around here. Just before, I had seen several of them biting people and dying of the bite. Only to raise again moments later. Sorry to say this, but your friend is going to become one of them."
One of them? Haru-chan? N-No, she's lying. It was only a bite. Haru-chan wont die from a bite, she's lying.
"D-Don't lie about such things Busujima-senpai."
"Aahhhhh! Gak!"
Haru-chan! She coughed up blood! W-What? Is Busujima-senpai telling the truth? Can she...really be infected? She was only bitten on the leg. This isn't a movie. You don't get turned into a monster from a bite. It, she's just having a reaction to the situation. Yeah, she's not going to...die.
"H-Haru-chan!?"
Kazuma-kun calls out. Haru-chan falls to the floor as I hear a panicked cry from Shizuka-sensei. Busujima-senpai put out her bokken to stop Shizuka-sensei from getting close.
"Busujima-san?"
"Shizuka-sensei. That girl is infected. She will become one of them soon."
"...Kazuma-kun? Makoto-kun? Am I...going to turn into one of those things?"
Haru-chan asks sadly with tears forming in her eyes. I don't have any answers for her. But it is plausible since it is spreading so fast and they are biting people. So, it isn't impossible that the infection is spreading by bite. I don't want to believe it though. We got all this way, only for a fucking monster thing to bite her as she was climbing into the vent.
"No! You're not turning into one of those things! You are fine!"
Kazuma-kun is in denial. But Haru-chan sees the truth, even I see it. I don't want to believe this, however she's going to die and become one of those fucking things. Why is this happening? Haru-chan is a lovely person. She's so loving and caring towards her friends. She kept them away from me while I thought of away for us to get out of there.
"Kazuma-kun...Makoto-kun...I don't want to be one of those things. Busujima-senpai, am I really dying?"
"Yes. I am sorry but a bite from one of those things equals death."
"I don't want to become one of those things. Kazuma-kun. Kill me."
K-Kill her? S-She wants to die? She wants to die...
"No! Busujima-senpai doesn't know what she's saying! You aren't becoming one of those things!"
"...I am. I'm going to die. And if I am, I want to die as I am now. I don't want to die as one of those things. Kazuma-kun, I want you to kill me as I am."
Kazuma-kun to kill her. Must be because she loves him so. I'm so sorry Haru-chan.
"Haru-chan...d-don't say such things...you aren't dying...its just the heat or something..."
"...Haru-chan, I'm so sorry. Kazuma-kun, you have to grant her wish, and kill her."
I can't believe I just said that. I just said, kill her. She doesn't deserve to die, yet she is one way or the other. Either way, we're losing our best friend.
"W-What are you saying!? I-I can't kill her! She's not dying!"
"Grow up! You might be optimistic, but its time to face reality! She's dying and she wants to die the honourable way! She doesn't want to become a monster, she wants to die as a human, not a monster! And she wants you to kill her, as she loves you so much. Haru-chan, I'm sorry but he deserves to know. Kazuma-kun, Haru-chan is in love with you. And that's why you need to be the one to do it. Send her to Heaven, while we survive in Hell. Haru-chan deserves to be in Heaven now, not here in Hell."
I cry as I say these words. Haru-chan...I'm so sorry...
"B-But..."
"He's right, Kazuma-kun. Please, kill me. I want to be human when I go, not a monster. Please, take my life as a human, and not as a monster."
Haru-chan cries, Kazuma-kun hugs her.
"B-But I love you Haru-chan..."
"Thank you for loving me, like I love you. Please survive now Kazuma-kun. Keep Makoto-kun safe. He isn't a fighter like us. He's the brains. Work together to survive."
"...I...don't...know..."
She grabs his hand.
"Please! You do it. For me, for Haru-chan. If you love me, then send me to Heaven."
[Its just, one more day. No one said there would be rain again. Wont blame it on myself, yeah. I'll blame it on the weatherman. Get away, for awhile. Here I am, out on my own again. Wont blame it on myself, yeah. I'll blame it on the weatherman.]
I start singing her favourite song. Haru-chan smiles and cries at the same time.
"Thank you, Makoto-kun. Kazuma-kun, do it quickly, ok?"
He nods with tears streaming down his face.
"O-Ok, Haru-chan. I will do it for you. If you want me to, then I will do it for. I'll be a man, and I will give you want you want. And I will keep Bakato safe. We will work together to survive...Haru-chan."
"Thank you, Kazuma-kun. Makoto-kun, continue to sing my favourite song, alright?"
"Ok Haru-chan. For you, anything."
Busujima-senpai goes towards Kazuma-kun and hands him her bokken.
"Use this. Swing for the head. Instant death, Takashiro-kun."
"...T-Thanks Busujima-senpai."
He thanked her, she came over and stood next to me.
"I know that song. Lets send her off with what she wanted."
"Thank you Busujima-senpai."
Busujima-senpai and I take a breath then starts singing.
[Standing on the shore, calling out your name. I was here before, I could see your face. Only clouds will see, tears are in my eyes. Empty like my heart, why did you say goodbye.]
"Goodbye, everyone! Makoto-kun, Kazuma-kun! I love you both!"
"I'm sorry Haru-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"
He swings down!
[The rain goes on. On and on again. The rain goes on. On and on again. Oh blame it on the weatherman.]
With the swing, he killed her. She died with a smile on her face. She confessed to Kazuma-kun. Her sacrifice wont be in vain. She didn't die in vain. She's going to live in our hearts now. Goodbye, Haru-chan.
Well, Haru-chan's gone. I hope I was able to make it sad. I wonder if anyone expected that? To answer a question or two from reviews, for Hisashi, you will have to wait and see. As for original arcs, there will be a few involving certain characters.