Rei, Rin, Makoto, and Nagisa walk to their jobs together. They live in the middle of Area 7 in the residential area. Most of the people who live there are young people and families who work for the Japanese army, and then a couple of them with miscellaneous jobs like Makoto who works for the Area 7 Market. After a couple blocks, Makoto strays off to the left to his job, while the rest walk straight ahead to the military buildings.
"I hope we're not sent outside this time," Rin says to make conversation.
"We probably will. There's been a heard of the infected coming in from the eastern point that they'll want us to get rid of," Rei replied.
"Man you're lucky at least! You're part of their 'analyst committee' you've barley killed any of those things!"
"Well they need my strategy skills in order to keep you guys alive."
Rin turns away, "Whatever, I still think it's unfair."
They reach the military building, where other people were entering to get their morning assignments. They all lined up for roll call and were then given their assignments. Sadly, Rin, Rei, and Nagisa's group were assigned to go outside since a herd of the infected had been lurking around the eastern section of the fencing around Area 7. Rin, Rei, Nagisa, and about ten others all got in a military truck and were driven out to take care of the problem.
As they were riding in the truck, Rei looked at Nagisa to make sure he was okay. He had a glassy look in his eyes, as if he wasn't in reality because he barely got any sleep. For the past two years, Rei has basically been Nagisa's caregiver. Nagisa hasn't been able to healthily deal with what happened to his family because there hasn't been any time for him to deal with it. He's had nightmares and mood swings to where no one knows what to do with him anymore. Although he has been a walking train wreck, he has been one of the best skilled fighters of the recently brought up army in Area 7. So far he has killed over 100 infected and assisted with more than 100 in the past two years.
When they arrived at their destination, they were given an attack strategy and sent out to take care of the infected that were messing up the fence. There were about 15 infected who were in the area outside of Area 7 they were in, and they went in and attacked. Nagisa went in and sliced eight of them by the time the other seven were taken care of by everyone else. Besides Nagisa's friends, not a lot of people associated themselves with him. Rumors were spread about what happened to him and his family, so no one really knew what to say around him because of it.
When they got back, they had lunch and then were all called in for a special announcement by the general of Area 7.
"We have a special mission that we've created for specific people to visit Area 4 next week for classified reasons. Those people are…"
The general called out some names then got to, "Matsuoka Rin," Rin poked his head up from not really paying attention. Why was he going all the way to Area 4? It was all the way up in northern Japan while they were in central. After the names were called out, Rin went up to the general.
"Um, Sir?"
"Yes Matsuoka," the general replied.
"Why am I going on this trip?"
"You'll find out as soon as you get there."
"But what am I qualified for? Hazuki Nagisa has better fighting skills than me, and Ryuugazaki—"
"Both of their skills are needed here, and your skills are needed for this specific mission. I need to go; we'll talk about what you will be doing the day you get to Area 4," and the general walked off before hearing Rin's final words of persuasion.
After work, Rin, Nagisa, and Rei met up with Makoto on their walk home.
"You're going away too?" Makoto asked Rin.
"Yeah apparently, I have no idea why though," Rin replied.
"Do you know how long you're going to be gone?"
"No, they just said that I was leaving next week for 'classified reasons'."
"Huh, weird."
"Do you know anything about this Rei?" Rin asked Rei.
"No, this was the first time I heard about it. It must be important if the reasons are classified," Rei replied.
When they got home, Haru made a stew of potatoes and meat with some rice. The dinner table was mostly filled with sounds of everyone eating from a long days work, until, "You're leaving?" Haru asked.
"I'm not leaving for good, I'm just going away for a bit to Area 4," Rin said.
"For how long?"
"I'm not sure; I just know I leave next week for 'classified reasons'."
Nagisa hadn't touched his meal at all and just stared at it blankly.
"Nagisa, aren't you hungry?" Rin asked.
"Not really," Nagisa replied.
"I didn't made food for five for nothing Nagisa, eat," Haru demanded.
"I'm tired," Nagisa said.
"That's because you haven't been sleeping dummy," Rin said.
"Eat first then go to sleep, okay?" Rei said to Nagisa.
"…okay," Nagisa said, and then picked up his chopsticks and slowly ate. He was the last person to finish, but at least he finished. Nagisa wasn't as hungry as he used to be. There were multiple times when Haru would sit with Nagisa so he would make sure he finished his dinner when they got home. Nagisa ate about half of his meal, and then he got up and went to the bedroom and went to sleep.
"Well at least he's finally getting some sleep," Rin said as he finished his food, "I'm gonna go outside for a bit," he got up as well and went outside to the porch.
Makoto helped Haru clean up the rest of the plates from the table, and then went outside to the porch too. Rin was startled by the door opening, then relaxed when he saw that it was Makoto. Lately Makoto and Rin have been getting closer every since the infected inherited the earth. They would talk a lot especially at night about things from what happened at their jobs to their fears for the future state of their country.
"Sure is a beautiful night," Makoto said to break the silence.
"Yeah," Rin replied.
"Are you doing okay Rin? You seem irritated by something," Makoto said concerned.
"Hmm? Yeah I'm fine just…thinking about the past and all…"
"Oh."
"Yeah, it's the second anniversary to the whole incident and all."
"Already?"
"Yeah. I just…"
"Rin don't tell me you're—"
"I just…miss him."
"You know it wasn't your fault right?"
"I mean…I could've saved him."
"Rin you know—"
"I know I know! I just…I really miss him. If I just pulled him along with me I might have been able to—"
"Rin, I don't like to be blunt but what's in the past is in the past, and you need to accept that. You know he wasn't mad at you for what happened, and he just wants you to move and on be happy. We all want that."
"I know I just," Rin started to tear up, and Makoto went over to him and put his hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay,"
"I'm sorry I…I miss Ai."
