The morning sun had arisen over Tokonosu. Back at the bus, Akio just shot open his eyes as fast as he could, to make sure that he was still on the bus. Thankfully, he was still there, and he hadn't had anything stolen off of him. He checked the seat beside him to where Saeko was when he fell asleep the night before and saw his backpack and Bokken were placed there, and Saeko gone up somewhere else.

He unzipped the backpack and was relieved to notice that his old friend's lightsaber he had received in that package was still placed inside, in addition to the lightsaber parts for his own lightsaber, but yet Akio looked at the parts and wondered if he would ever use it again, just like his father had said in that letter.

"Good morning."

He looked up at the isle in between the seats and there was Saeko leaning her hands on the seats looking at him. He didn't say a word yet, as he was hearing Shido lecturing the group of students who were on his side about his ideas which included finding a safe place and working together for survival.

"Good morning." Akio greeted back.

As much as Akio did agree with the fact that people need to be guided with the intelligence, strength, and wisdom of a certain individual, he made it clear to Shido the night before, and questioned him if he was to be removed from the equation, how would his followers survive?

"Hirano! Stop!"

He turned to Saya and Kohta and noticed that Kohta was just beginning to wake up.

"Takagi…Morning..." Kohta yawned. "Is it time to get up already?"

"Yes, it's morning and you're drooling."

Kohta wiped the saliva from the surroundings of his mouth, then apologized to Saya. Akio didn't speak as he silently looked outside, with all the crowded people on the street, and the amount of cars that were on the road. He then heard Saya and Kohta's conversation.

"I think we should evacuate to the suburbs." Kohta suggested.

He saw Saya point towards outside the window.

"Cars aren't the only way to get out of here."

Akio could hear in the distance, an airplane taking off.

"The airport on the ocean, you're right!" Kohta said.

"It's far too dangerous to be anywhere in the city. I bet they would try to escape to…some island or some isolated area with strong military presence." Saya tried to think.

"You mean like Okanawa? The American Military stationed there isn't there to fight…OH! But the Self Defence Force is!"

"If the military has taken appropriate measures, then I'm betting Okidu or Qushu should be ok to…If the planes are leaving, then all the flights should be heading to those areas."

"So, you think we should head that way to?"

Akio suddenly jumped into their conversation.

"If we wanted to go there, we should have done it hours ago." He said.

"The area's filled with Self Defense Force and American Military may be managing to keep them under control." Saya explained.

"And do you think they might have adapted a strict policy of letting anyone else in?" Akio asked.

"Most likely." Saya responded. "Especially someone like you if they find you out, maybe."

"Hirano, what would you do in this situation?" Akio asked.

"I'd seclude myself…" Kohta responded, picturing himself playing a first person shooter.

"Kohta, what would happen if this was a worldwide thought?" Akio asked him.

"He's right ya know…" Saya said in agreement. "And also, what if people then made it a rule to keep communities as small as possible in order to survive?" She asked.

Saya then looked back at Shido.

"That's what he's begun to think…but I don't think he knows that himself." She said, gazing upon Shido looking down at one of his female students.

"I can sense his thoughts, and his thoughts may only be for his benefit." Akio said.

"Should I interrupt them?" Kohta asked, gripping his nail gun.

"Forget them Kohta…let them be. For now, let us discuss our own concerns." Akio said.

"I really need to talk to somebody who I can trust…" Saya said, while she thought about Takashi's absence. "I could have talked to Komuro if he were here."

"Am I not trustworthy enough to talk to?" Akio asked.

"She likes Komuro…yeah…that's it." Kohta mumbled.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Saya yelled in defense.

Akio saw Saeko and Shizuka stand up near Saya's seat, then Saya was surprised of the fact that they had heard the conversation.

"What?!" Saya scolded.

"I'm worried about Komuro." Saeko admitted. "I just hope that they can hold out long enough to meet up with us…"

Rei and Takshi were coming up to a street where the sound of gunshots erupted, and flaming cars filled the air.

"This is nuts! It's like a war!" Rei said.

"And we're front row center for it." Takashi responded. "Dangerous place to be, hold on tight!"

Takashi sped up the bike, and avoided the un-dead as best as he could, in which he was successful. His next obstacle was the living. One with a meat cleaver just missed Takashi and Rei, and they were also fortunate enough for a shotgun blast to miss them, and hit a car instead. They attempted to shoot them a second time, but only took out a zombie that was close to their own range.

"We're not dead!" Rei said with relief. "Why are these guys shooting at us?" She questioned.

"World's gone crazy Rei! We can't trust anyone." Takashi briefly stated.

"Can't…trust…anyone."

As much as Rei hated the idea, she knew Takashi was right. They continued and then they noticed a bridge but Takashi turned away from it.

"The bridge was right there!" Rei said.

"I know, but didn't you see it?" Takashi asked.

Rei took a good look at the traffic rate on the bridge.

"At this rate we won't know when we'll cross. We'll head to Embetsu Bridge, then meet up with the teachers and the others." Takashi said.

Takashi began to accelerate forward once more.

Shido was continuing to lecture his students, rambling about pride and family while the others watched, thinking how false his leadership was, especially when Shido commented about Rei and Takashi being unfit to be part of their own family.

"This guys a maniac…" Saya said.

"He actually sounds more like a recruiter for a cult." Saeko commented.

"It doesn't sound like it, he is. I mean just look at them, just listening to his every word." Saya responded. "I need to get out of here." She then added.

"Well…I don't think we're going to keep the bus." Akio spoke up.

"Yeah…" Saeko nodded in agreement. "The roads look pretty bad, and we still need to cross Embetsu Bridge and head to the East Police Station to meet up with Komuro."

"Well…you're sure concerned about Komuro." Saya noticed. "Aren't you more concerned about your own family?" She questioned.

"Of course I am, but my father is my only family, and he's at the dojo overseas." Saeko explained. "So the only ones I need to be worrying about is myself and Komuro and…"

Saeko moved her eyes toward Akio without moving her head.

"Aaaaah…I see what's going on." Saya teasefully smiled.

"No, it's nothing like that." Saeko denied in defense.

"Alright, let's get back to business before things get to out of hand. You were saying?"

"Well…I really don't care about anyone else. I mean look at me," Saeko then let out a smile, and confidentially said. "If anyone's going to make out of her alive, it's going to be me, right?"

"Do we not have faith in everyone else's survival?"

She was caught surprised with Akio standing in between the gap way, putting both his hands on the nearby chairs.

"It's not that I...-" Saeko sighed. "I didn't mean to say it in that way it's just...Who can really handle themselves as of now, honestly."

Shizuka stood up from the drivers seat to join in on their conversation.

"But that's why we're all here as a group, right?" She asked.

"I suppose..." Akio shrugged.

"So I want to ask you guys, where do you all live?"

"On the other side of the bridge, same area as Komuro's." Saya answered.

"I'm not nearby. If we were near the school, I would be closer." Akio said.

"Really? Are you sure there's nothing you left behind that was important to you?" Saya asked.

"No…All I really need right now is...In the bag." Akio replied.

"Alright." Saeko chimed.

"But what about your parents?" Shizuka asked.

"My mother is…she's…"

Everyone then understood what he was so hesitantly trying to explain.

"And my father…I don't know..."

Akio then sat down, and turned away from Saeko to face Kohta.

"So Hirano, how about you?" He asked.

"My parents aren't in the neighborhood. But…" Kohta started to blush. "I'd go anywhere as long as I'm with Takagi."

Saya didn't say a word, and just looked at him, with disgust and annoyance expressed through her facial expression.

"So Hirano…is your family close?" Saeko asked.

"Well…my father is a Jewelry merchant, so he's gone to Amsterdam to buy stones. And my mother is a fashion designer to-"

"You expect us to believe all that?!" Saya rudely interrupted.

Shizuka giggled at this moment, then mentioned if it were a manga, Kohta's dad would be the captain of a cruise ship. Kohta kept his smile on his face, and his rather joyful mood.

"My grandpa actually was, and my grandma was a concert violinist."

Saya continued to be annoyed and growled.

"Interesting history." Akio commented.

Shizuka stood up then said that she wanted to come along with the group.

"You sure you would like to remain with us Miss Marikawa?" Akio asked.

"Well…both of my parents passed away years ago, and my relatives live far away. And I probably shouldn't be saying this but, I think Mr. Shido is kind of a douchebag."

The rest of the group then chuckled at Shizuka's last statement.

"So what do we do? I'm actually not familiar with this area." Saeko said.

"We need to check Embetsu Bridge first." Saya emphasized.

Shido was noticing the group, and turned to them to wonder they were discussing. As he then stated that they needed to work together, Saya then told him about her groups plan to split from the bus.

"Well." Shido gave the group a glare. "If that's what you've decided, go right ahead, I won't stop you Takagi. How could I? This is a free country after all. However…" He then stared at Shizuka. "I'm afraid you'll have to remain Miss Marikawa."

Shizuka then gasped, responding to him.

"Losing the doctor is a blow to our current situation."

Shido then straightened his glasses, then continued his request.

"Would you please stay, what do you say? There are students who are relying on you."

Shido began to walk towards the group, specifically for Shizuka. Kohta was the one to stop Shido in his tracks. He used his nail gun to shoot at Shido, and the nail skimmed his check, leaving a mark, and hitting a bus chair in the end.

"You…you shot at me." Shido said, petrified.

"I missed you on purpose…Douchebag." Kohta told him.

"But…you're not a violent student!"

"How many of my fellow students do you think I killed in school yesterday? And I can kill you too! For all THE WAYS YOU MADE FUN OF ME!"

Kohta further explained he was holding back his rage for a long time. Due to the circumstances though, nothing is normal, and there is no need to hold back anymore.

"That's why I'm able to kill now! And I can even kill living people! Starting with the ones who made fun of me!"

Shido backed away, feeling threatened by Kohta.

"I made fun? You don't understand! I always held you in such high-esteem!"

Kohta turned back to his friends, then told them this was the opportunity to go, to hold back Shido from preventing their escape.

Everyone grabbed whatever they had, and leaped out of the bus. Saeko, who stood at the doorway to look back at Kohta, praised his actions.

"You're such a man, I'm impressed." She complimented.

Kohta followed Saeko outside on the city streets and then the rest of the group outside, and climbed an array of stairs up heading upwards towards a bridge above the waterfront. So far, all they could see down the path were nothing but empty roads...Well, not completely empty.

"It's them!" Kohta cried.

Kohta, Saeko, and Akio all stood together...Kohta with his nail gun, Saeko with her Bokken, and Akio also with his own Bokken.

"Ready?" Akio asked.

"Didn't have to ask." Saeko smirked.

So they began their defense. Saeko swung her Bokken by every single delicate swing that she made, Kohta simply aimed at one zombie at a time to nail the zombies in the forehead. Akio stood his ground and preferably, used his own skills with wooden sword to lay killing hits on the zombies. He stayed reluctant to using the Force or pulling the lightsaber he had stuffed in his backpack, as they were in open areas now and he had to be careful of who may possibly witness Akio's Jedi connection.

"Uh guys..." Shizuka shook, becoming nervous. "Maybe we should have stayed on the bus with Mr. Shido..."

"Wait, didn't you say that he was a douchebag?" Saya asked.

"In fact I did..." Shizuka acknowledged. "But Shido isn't the first guy who I was stuck on a bus with..."

"Uh guys...Just to let you know, I'M RUNNING OUT OF NAILS!" Kohta exclaimed.

Akio and Saeko swung their wooden swords and delivered killing strikes to other zombies surrounding them.

"Would you like to borrow this?" Saeko offered, presenting her Bokken.

"I...I really don't fight with hand-to-hand combat..."

"That's fine..." Saeko sighed. "Besides...I'm actually REALLY fond of it."

Saeko looked over to one other zombie and had the full intent of charging towards it to kill it, but, she saw Akio's hand held out and focused on the zombie she was about to strike, and saw the zombie go flying over the bridge.

She gave Akio a little smile before proceeding to attack more of the un-dead, fighting alongside a fellow swordsman, now covering for Kohta, Saya, and Shizuka. Things were looking up as the two were able to lay down their efficiency in their sword training, and take out as many of them as they could. It didn't even take too long for both of them to cover the entire bridge and take them all out...Akio being a big help, with his friends encouraging him to use his Force powers, so it was able to make zombies disappear much more easily, and thankfully no one was really around to witness what Akio had done to aid the fellow survivors.

"Nice going!" Saya complimented.

"I wish I had powers like that..." Kohta wailed in joy.

Then from the side of the bridge, a motorbike hovered above and came landing down onto the road. To their surprise and luck, Takashi and Rei were the ones on the motorbike.

"Over already...?" Takashi frowned.

"For now." Akio said in response.

The sun was just setting over the horizon and everyone had been exhausted from everything that had occurred that first few days of the zombie outbreak. After the greeting with reuniting with Rei and Takashi, they decided that they would take shelter underneath the bridge they were just fighting on, and make plans to proceed forward.

"I have a thought!" Shizuka shared. "It's been such a long day, how about we call it quits?"

"Call it a day?" Kohta questioned.

"You have a place nearby?" Akio asked.

"Actually...Well, my friends place anyway...My friends flat. It's only a short walk from here."

"Your boyfriends place?" Saya asked.

"No, no, no, no, no, nothing like that." Shizuka shook. "My girlfriend's apartment." She explained. "She is normally away on her job so I was given a key so that I could stop by the place and look after it."

Kohta rubbed his chin and thought about Shizuka's position in what kind of place they may be staying in. "Is it a high rise? Does it have a good view of the surrounding areas?"

"Yes. It's a duplex along the river, there's also a convenient store nearby. And my friend also has a car...A BIG car...The one that looks like a tank."

"Ugh..." Saya spat. "I really don't care about a car...I could really use a shower." She rubbed her hand through her bloodstained hair. "I've never felt dirtier in my life."

"I couldn't agree more..." Kohta dazed.

Saya heard this comment and took is as an offense and kicked Kohta down on the ground in response. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!" She grumbled.

Akio looked at the scene Saya was causing but couldn't resist and shook his head, while remaining focused on the situation. "So what are we to do now? Who can go?"

"I'll go." Takashi declared. "I'll take the motorbike and go with her."

"Okay..." Shizuka agreed.

Shizuka followed Takashi to the motorbike and drove away with her to go and check out the place she had been talking about, leaving Kohta, Saeko, Rei, and Akio by the waterfront.