Chapter 3: Escape the School

The plan is simple.

First, we gather weapons to defend ourselves from the zombies.

Then, we sneak our way out of the school to the closest vehicle and get somewhere safe – a less populated area.

After we all find that place, we look for our families.

Obviously, I only intend to stick around this group until we escape the school. After that, I'm running straight home, where Komachi awaits.

How do I know I'll find her there? Simple, she stayed home today due to a cold. While it's nothing serious, as an older brother it's only natural for me to worry about her. I was even ready to ditch classes today just to stay with her. While she talked me out of it with the ultimate threat of deducing my Komachi points, looking back, going through with that plan would've been for the best.

In any case, now is the time to gather weapons.

"Alright guys let's search every corner of this classroom for anything that could be used as a weapon." said Hiratsuka-sensei, and the rest responded with a chorus of agreements.

I stayed quiet, however. I had long since begun looking for a weapon. And would you look at that, I've finally found one.

I pick up the metal pipe laying in the locker we pushed against the door earlier and make a feel for its weight. What is a metal pipe doing in this classroom, you ask? Honestly, I have no idea.

Who am I to question this little boon from the gods, though? A weapon's a weapon, I'll take what I can.

"Hm... not too heavy, not too light. This will do fine." I mutter to myself, though it seems my little test swings have gathered unwanted attention.

"Oh, you've already found one, Hikitani-kun?"

Oi, who the fuck is this Hikitani-kun you're talking about? Do you mean me? Now that the world has gone to shit, don't make me add your name to my list of people to kill!

I turn an annoyed look at Hayama, but he merely responds with a friendly smile.

A fake friendly smile, mind you. I am logic incarnate; I can easily see your true self you foul riaaju.

Obviously, I can't say anything about it. I'm not crazy enough to offend everyone's favorite Hayama and make enemies out of probably everyone in this room. I'm not about to spoil my chances at survival.

Relaxing my glare, I sigh.

"That's right." I don't bother saying anything else. What would be the point?

"Have you seen any other weapons, by chance?"

"Not exactly weapons, but yeah. In that locker over there," I point at the locker pressed against the door and continue. "you might find something useful."

"Ah, thank you, Hikitani-kun. Did you hear that, guys? Let's check out that locker!"

And so, everyone did just that.

Tch. He's already acting like the leader. Not that I mind though, for all his faults he is not an idiot, I give him that. If he leads, perhaps my chances at survival will rise.

Yeah, right. No matter the leader, a group is always bound to shatter. It's better to get off this doom train the first chance I get.

As everyone approaches the locker, one person stands back. That person instead chooses to pull at my sleeve.

"Hm? Iroha-san? What is it?"

She avoids my eyes by looking at the ground. However, after a moment, she musters up her courage and speaks.

Oi, what's with that blush? If I couldn't piece together that you are trying to thank me, and if I was a normal teenager, I would seriously misunderstand you girl!

"I didn't get the chance earlier. Thank you for saving me back there, Senpai."

Even though I saw this coming, I don't know what to think. I've helped people in the past, mind you. However, except for my family, no one's thanked me for it. Usually, they just call me a creep or something and brush me off. Thus, the slight blush of embarrassment that creeps up on my cheeks is only to be expected.

(What the... how do I even respond to something like this?)

"H, hmph. Don't worry about it." the only thing I can do in this kind of situation, is brush her off. And besides, it's not like I did it to be thanked, and it was definitely not for her sake. I did it to save my own conscience, that is all.

"Iroha-chan! Everyone's already found their weapon. Come, take this."

Hiratsuka-sensei called with a broken chair leg in hand, most likely a weapon prepared for Iroha. As for Iroha, she went straight to the teacher. Though not without sparing a one last glance in my direction.

"Alright. The zombies have left. Is everyone ready?"

""Yes, sensei.""

Now that everyone has the means to defend themselves – be it a bat or a broken piece of furniture for most – we follow Hiratsuka-sensei outside the classroom. As she said, the zombies once swarming the corridor are no longer there.

A sense of relief washes over my being. The first hurdle is out of the way. Now all we have to do is carefully sneak our way past the zombies and reach the vehicle we had all agreed upon earlier – the school bus. Luckily, Hiratsuka-sensei had already snatched the keys to the bus earlier when the disaster had just begun. She had considered the possibility that she would have to use the bus. I swear, she watches way too many movies. Although, just for this occasion, I'm glad she does.

We are currently on the third floor. There is a stairway to the left of us. Taking on a formation where the men go in front and the women in the back, we quietly move towards it as planned.

"It's too quiet. How far could the zombies have gone in such a short amount of time? I don't like this."

Though I say those words quietly, the quiet carries my words to the rest of the group. Some flinch in fear, while others shoot me frowns and glares - the latter is the bitches among the women, those that usually call me a creep or whatever. What? Can't handle it when I speak facts, but it's different for the popular dudes? Oh, you bunch of miserable idiots.

However, it would seem that not everyone here has lost their brain cells.

"You're right, Hikigaya. Everyone, stay ready for anything. Remember, stay as quiet as possible."

At Hiratsuka-sensei's words, the mood of the group improves, and a wave of seriousness washes over us. It needs not be said, but our lives depend on this.

And so we advance, until we reach the second floor.

As Tobe reaches past me for the steps leading to the first floor, I hear the sounds of growling and quickly put my hand in front of his chest to stop him.

Seeing the confusion on his face, I quietly whisper "zombies".

Understanding washes over him, and the rest of the group ready their weapons.

Now with our guard up, I signal for us to move further. There are no objections. It is now or never.

Hmm... now that I think about it, since when did I become the one leading the way?

"Run for your lives!"

Whoever shouted this, I hate you. Do you realize how many zombies have you just attracted to our location!? In any case, now covered in fresh zombie blood, we make our way to the bus. It is a miracle that all of us have survived thus far, with only mild injuries.

What I hate the most about this situation? The fact that I lost my metal pipe! It got stuck in a zombie, and before I could retrieve it, a bunch of zombies began to chase us out of nowhere. Nor am I the only one in such a situation, Hiratsuka sensei lost her bat while Sagami dropped her own piece of wood.

"Aah! Noo! H, help me! Please!"

I turn around, and see that one of the girls that is friends with Sagami - what was her name again, Yukko? – has fallen to the ground while holding her leg in pain. It would seem that she has sprained her ankle.

I am the nearest to her. Without thinking much I rush towards her. There are zombies chasing us damnit! This makes it way too often that I disregard logic to save someone.

"Take my hand!" I shout after kicking a zombie reaching for her in the face with a jump. She doesn't need to be told twice, and takes my hand with tears in her eyes.

"T, thank you!"

"Save it! Now hold tight!"

I pick her up and place her over my shoulder. I secure my hold on her and make a run for it. I'm lucky she's light, otherwise this would be a suicide run for sure.

Thankfully, Hiratsuka-sensei has already managed to unlock the bus, and everyone has made it inside.

"Hurry up, you two!" Hiratsuka-sensei shouts as she starts the car.

Before long, we reach the bus.

With Yukko still on my shoulder, I go for the entrance to the bus.

"Kuh!"

"Kyaaah!"

I fall on the ground with Yukko in tow. Looking back, I see a zombie has taken hold of my leg.

"F, Fuck!"

I can't help but swear. There was a zombie hidden beneath the bus all along!? What is wrong with this last second attack bullshit!

"Get the fuck off of me!"

Cussing, I kick at the zombie with all the strength I can muster.

"Groah!" the zombie growls as I finally free myself from it's grasp.

"H, Hikigaya-kun!"

Yukko exclaims. Finally free, I rush to pick her up. Then, we make a run for the bus.

"Hikitani-kun! Give 'er here!" shouts Tobe, and I happily hand her to him.

After that, I get inside myself and Hiratsuka-sensei closes the door with a switch.

Suddenly, the loud noises of zombies pushing against the bus enter my ears, and I realize just how close I had gotten to death.

However, it's still not over yet.

"S, start already, you old junk!" Hiratsuka-sensei is yet to start the damn bus! If the zombies swarm us before she succeeds, we're doomed!

However, such a scenario leaves my mind the moment I hear the engine start. Looks like lady luck has shone upon us.

As I thank any deity that comes to mind, Hiratsuka-sensei drives off. Dozens of zombies are turned to mincemeat the moment the bus drives over them, though their numbers are not great enough to get in the way of our advance.

Before long, we smash through the school gates and drive off.