Chapter 8: She's sick

It has been some time since then. I left the crown in my room, still hidden in that box.

I enter the living room, but only find Komachi seated on the couch there.

"You're alone? Where's Iroha?"

A sudden jolt faces my words, before Komachi turns to look at me. Was she sleeping perhaps? Hadn't she gotten enough sleep earlier? No, perhaps she fell asleep late due to fear.

"Huh? Aaah... it's you, Onii-chan. Iroha-senpai went to the restroom. Still, your presence is even less noticeable than usual, are you sure you didn't die and come back as a ghost?"

(This cheeky brat.)

"Yeah, yeah. I died and became a ghost. I've come to hunt you, Komachi~! Ooo~!" I joke with exaggerated movements, and a mockery of a spooky voice.

The two of us share a light laugh, before I make my concerns known.

"How are you, Komachi?"

It was just yesterday that she came down with a cold. I have good reason for worry, I've read that stress can prolong cold, if not worsen it. And the apocalypse is undoubtedly a stress-inducing event.

In the face of my worries, Komachi merely waves her hand with a carefree smile.

"I'm fine, Onii-chan. I'm already feeling much be- Cough! Cough! Urgh..."

And there it is.

"Stop fooling around, Komachi! You're clearly not fine."

"But you said it yourself, we can't stay her for too long."

That's right, I did say that earlier today.

Staying in a populated area like this one is way too dangerous. It is only a matter of time before a horde of zombies appears, or a group of dangerous people catches wind of us. There is no doubt in my mind that such humans are out there, desperation can bring the worst out of people, after all.

Thus, our only option is to pack our bags and leave for a less populated area as quickly as possible, perhaps Chiba village? Now that I think about it, wasn't that place in the direction where Hiratsuka-sensei was heading as well?

It would be great if that were the case. I might be a loner that hates working with others, but I can't possibly protect Komachi by myself forever. Gaining allies is a must if I want to survive this mess.

But still, that place is quite a distance away. I can't possibly put Komachi through a dangerous trip like that, not in her current condition.

"That may be so, but in your current condition it's too dangerous. Not only will we be slowed down considerably, but we also must worry about the zombies."

"Onii-chan, I will be fine. Really, it's just a cold. I'm feeling much better than yesterday."

That might be so, but it is still no condition to travel long distances on a bicycle. Especially because we might face a situation that leaves us with no choice but to move on foot. Also, depending on how the weather changes, her condition might just worsen if we're not careful.

"We can spare a day or two holed up in here, Komachi. While it is true that we need to move as quickly as possible, it is ultimately a precaution. The apocalypse started recently, it will take time for hordes to gather and gangs to form."

I might say that, but in no way can I confidently back those words up. Humans aside, zombies are a completely new and unknown threat, it may be possible for them to evolve into even more dangerous and unpredictable beings. I am not about to say that part aloud though, I can't have Komachi turning my words against me now.

"...You're right, Onii-chan. But... that's right! We don't have much food either!" It seems she is yet to give up on leaving this place. Perhaps staying in a zombie-infested city just unnerves her that much.

Thankfully, that is something she is mistaken about. With how long those two spent chatting, I had thought for sure that Iroha would have told Komachi about this by now, but I guess they didn't get to that part yet.

"Iroha didn't tell you, huh? The two of us looted a store on our way here. We've got enough food to last at least a couple of days if we use it sparingly."

"You did?"

I merely nod in response. As I think her reasons have been used up, yet another one appears. This time, even I have to hesitate.

"But... what about mom and dad? Shouldn't we look for them?"

(Mom and dad, huh...?)

As parents, they have done well when it comes to supporting me. But at the same time, in raising me they were a little... unfair. Though I can't really blame them, for as much as they love Komachi more than me, so do I. Still, I love them with all my heart, and am grateful for the things they've given me regardless of their flaws. Of that, there is no doubt.

However, their work place is rather far away. And if they did survive, they would surely not stay in the same place. Finding them would be next to impossible. Still, if they did survive, surely they would come here, looking for us.

(Well, they would probably come looking for Komachi, but still...)

"If they survived, and I hope to god that they did, then they would come looking for us the first chance they get. With that, leaving this place now becomes even more problematic, huh?"

I hadn't even thought about it before, but now, even if Komachi wasn't sick, leaving would mean that our parents would find an empty house. Reuniting with them would become next to impossible after that.

Komachi looks down solemnly upon hearing my words. There is no doubt that she has reached the same conclusion as I. She might not be a loner like me, but she can definitely put two and two together.

"If they survived, huh...?"

(Komachi...)

As tears take form in her eyes, I swallow mine. As her big brother, I must stay strong. I can't allow myself to show weakness, not anymore.

With a tightened fist, I say what I no doubt will regret for the rest of my life.

"Then... this is what we'll do. We will stray here for three more days. If by then our parents don't return, we leave."

Staying any more than that could spell our deaths. Even if I want to see my parents again, I can't allow us to wait any longer than that. Saving what is left of my family, that is what I must focus on.

"...I understand."

That is all I hear as I leave the living room. I need to be alone right now, to collect my thoughts.

But most importantly, I can't show myself breaking in front of her.

My tears can wait until I reach my room.

It's been three days since then.

Tomorrow, we would leave.

At least, that was the plan, if Komachi was in good health that is. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

In spite of my hopes, Komachi's condition only worsened. She came down with a high fever yesterday, and we have used up all the medicine we had. The ever-growing shortage of food is also an issue.

Closing the door to Komachi's room, I leave her sleeping form there.

Coming down the stairs, I am met with a worried Iroha.

"How is she?"

"...It's gotten worse." is all I can say. With her current condition, and the lack of medicine to treat it, I find myself in quite the bind. I can't help but feel fear at the prospect of her condition growing even worse than it is now, it would put her life in danger.

"What will we do now?"

I already have an answer for that. I had an entire night to think it over, and I have come up with the only plan there is. However, that plan does not include anyone but myself.

"We? No, I'm doing this alone. You stay here with Komachi."

"This? What are you talking about, senpai? What are you going to do?"

"I'll find her medicine."

And I know just the place to find it.

"Alone? Senpai, that's too reckless! There are zombies everywhere!"

Reckless? Sure, but what other choice do I have? I can't take Iroha with me, someone has to stay here and watch over Komachi.

"You think I don't know that? If I don't do this, Komachi's condition will surely worsen. I'm not about to let my sister die. I am doing this no matter what."

In the face of my iron-willed words, Iroha is left at a loss. Surely she understands by now, when my family's at stake, I will do whatever it takes to save them. My will is unshakable, my decision is final.

"...Where will you go look for the medicine? The hospital?" she finally asks, having given up on changing my mind.

I shrug.

"Nah, the pharmacy. It's much closer from here than the hospital is."

"Will you take the bicycle with you?"

"And risk loosing it? No thanks. The pharmacy isn't that far away, anyway. It's just a ten minute walk from here. I'll make it back in no time."

"...I see."

Komachi's condition, it seems it has gotten to Iroha. She is no longer her cheerful, cutesy self. This response however, was the deadest of them all.

A little cheering up wouldn't hurt anyone, now would it?

"Don't worry, kouhai. I know what I'm doing. Don't underestimate the King of Loners, I will be back before you know it." I say in as much cheer as a worrier brother, and even more so a loner, possibly can.

Though her next words put the gears in my mind to halt.

"What? Are you hitting on me? I know its the apocalypse and men are kind of in a shortage right now, but I have someone I like and he is very much alive."

And she bows her head.

"...I'm not, though?" seriously, how should one react to a sudden, unrequired rejection like this?

And she chuckles.

(Seriously... this sly Kouhai of mine...)

"Senpai."

"Hm?" that unexpected shift into a serious tone is a scary one.

"Return no matter what."

"Hah! Obviously."

In my room, I just finished freeing up space in my backpack for the medicine.

Just as I thought I was finished with my preparations, my eyes caught a certain item placed on the desk.

The crown sits there. If it is sentient, no doubt it wants to sit on my head right now. And as much as I'd love to reject the idea... I can't.

"Can't forget about you, huh."

Only dark thoughts come to mind by acknowledging that fact, but I throw the crown in the backpack regardless. If I want to make sure I return to Komachi no matter what, there is no way I am leaving without my trump card in hand.

And with that, I am finally ready.