I'm a damn Sensei in the Apocalypse

by King Askeladd

I'm just a reckless adult with a group of students and a busty nurse who wants to survive this Zombie Apocalypse and maybe get a girlfriend? But one thing I know, I hate high school students!

4. CHAPTER 4

( Microbus ) (N.A: Happens at the same time as the previous chapter)

It was a few hours before dusk and the atmosphere inside the bus was divided between the back and the front.

In the back, Shido was arguing like a religious leader speaking to his followers. And on the other side, most were trying to rest, subject to listening to the professor's nonsense.

"Hirano!" Saya nudged the chubby boy beside her who seemed lost in thought.

"Gah... Takagi-san, good morning." the boy greeted in a gentle tone.

"You were sleeping like a log," Saya grumbled.

"But that's..." Kohta looked out the windows and suddenly found himself facing a bridge that seemed stuck in traffic, it was so chaotic that it made New York look organized, with cars and people crowding.

"It would be better if we hadn't headed towards the city. There's no way these cars are getting out. The Offshore airport, there's a port there too, it seems the populated areas are the most dangerous, so everyone must be trying to flee to some island in some corner, isolated places like that tend to have fewer people." Saya spoke analytically.

"If we had handled this properly, the planes would be heading to Hokkaido or Kyushu." Saya continued.

"Should we go in that direction too?" Kohta asked.

"We're going too slow, the national defense forces and the American army have 'them' under control in various areas, and they must have realized they can't trust anyone... No, one day the whole world would act like this, if people can't handle their outbreak, what will we do?" Saya spoke.

"I'll do what I can," Kohta simply said.

"But does the rest of the world think like that? Also, if everyone just continues with their lives, they'll realize it's necessary to maintain communities." Saya informed.

"You're really smart, Takagi-san." Kohta simply said.

"What are you talking about?" The girl then moved her gaze to Shido who continued his speech. "That guy already knows that, he's just using it to his advantage, but he doesn't understand anything." Saya said.

"Should we kick him out?" Kohta asked with a grim expression.

"More importantly, how are we going to survive, we have to come up with a plan first. If his head wasn't so focused on that..." Saya sighed as she looked at a reclined Takashi, she couldn't see his face, but she imagined it looked like that of a dog that had just been kicked.

"Takagi-san, you like Komuro-kun, right?" Kohta suddenly said.

Saya blushed. "D-don't say something like that out of the blue, chubby!" She exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Takashi was worried about Rei. As the carriage moved, they wouldn't reach the police station in time. Was she okay? Did something happen?

He was anxious and exhausted from the thoughts swirling around. He wasn't even paying attention to what Shido was doing in the back.

Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts. Takashi turned to see who it was and found Saeko's kind eyes looking at him with concern.

"Komuro-kun, you seem worried. What's going on?" she asked, her voice soft and comforting.

Takashi sighed, feeling a weight accumulating on his shoulders. He found himself confiding in Saeko, sharing his concerns about Rei and his desire to ensure her safety.

"I just want to make sure she's okay," he admitted, his voice filled with genuine concern. "She's strong and brave, but... she's also impulsive, look what happened because of that, I can't help but worry about her."

Saeko was mature for her age, and upon hearing what Takashi said, she understood his feelings but also knew Rei would be quite contrary to what he just said, not to mention she had an idea of why Rei left.

Saeko listened in silence, her understanding expression showing that she fully understood Takashi's feelings. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, silently conveying support.

"Rei is a fighter, Komuro-kun. And I'm sure Azazel-sensei is taking care of her the best he can," Saeko said, trying to calm Takashi's fears.

Takashi nodded, feeling a bit of relief from Saeko's reassuring words. He knew she was right... But the damn bridge was blocked, they heard a warning through an intercom that passage was prohibited...

The problem was that zombies were starting to be drawn in, and desperate survivors were doing anything to cross. The bus was currently at a standstill, the police said there would be some communication soon, but here was like a trap, and in this case, they were the rats.

They would never reach the police station this way, which made Takashi sigh. He stood up with Saeko following him, then Saya and Kohta went to them as well.

"Shizuka-sensei, have you heard anything?" Takashi asked the nurse.

"Hmm... What?" The woman was oblivious to the question, she turned and looked at Takashi. "Nothing, no one's been saying anything for a while, and I'm getting hungry." Shizuka said.

"So, what's the plan now?" Saya asked, looking at Takashi for leadership.

Takashi scratched his head, feeling the weight of responsibility on him. "The situation on the bridge is getting worse. It seems we're stuck here for now."

"Should we wait for the police or try to find another way?" Kohta asked, looking out the window at the chaos outside.

"I'm not sure if the police will be able to resolve this anytime soon," Takashi replied, frowning. "And with that crowd of zombies and desperate survivors out there, it's not safe to try to leave the bus."

"But if we stay here, it's like staying in a trap," Saya said sensibly. "They're piling up out there, and we don't know how long we'll be safe."

As they discussed their limited options, Shido's voice echoed in the back of the bus, interrupting the conversation. He continued with his speech, trying to keep the group's spirits up, but his words seemed hollow in the face of the grim reality they were facing.

"This guy really doesn't understand the gravity of the situation," Kohta muttered, watching Shido with disdain.

"He's more concerned with promoting himself than with the group's safety," Saya agreed, with a disapproving look.

Takashi sighed, looking out the window again. He was torn between the need to keep everyone safe and the desire to find Rei and her family. He couldn't shake off the thoughts of what might have happened to them since it all began.

"Komuro-kun, you seem distant," Saeko noticed, her soft voice bringing Takashi back to reality.

"I'm worried about Rei and my family," he admitted, looking at Saeko with eyes full of concern. "I know they're strong, but..."

Saeko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, silently conveying support. "They're out there, fighting just like us. We have to believe they're okay."

Takashi nodded, silently grateful for Saeko's support. He knew she was

right, but the uncertainty still consumed him.

Meanwhile, the situation on the bridge continued to worsen. Zombies and desperate survivors were piling up, making the path to the police station increasingly dangerous and uncertain.

"We can't stay here forever," Takashi said. "We need to find a way to move forward, even if it's difficult."

"What's the matter, everyone? We're all working together." Shido was the one speaking at the back of the bus.

Shido's tone echoed through the bus, cutting through the tense air that surrounded the group. His self-assured and self-assertive speech seemed to completely clash with the grim reality they were facing. He continued to talk about how everyone was united, but his words seemed hollow in the face of the imminent threat of the zombies outside.

Takashi felt a wave of irritation surge within him. He was already tense and worried about the situation, and Shido's words only served to increase his frustration.

Abruptly, he turned to face Shido, his eyes filled with determination. "United? Do you think standing here, trapped like rats in a bus surrounded by zombies is being united?" Takashi replied, his voice filled with restrained anger.

The other passengers looked surprised at Takashi. Saya, Saeko, and Kohta exchanged glances, recognizing the impulsive reaction. Saya placed a hand on Takashi's shoulder, trying to calm him, but he was determined to express his frustration.

"You can say whatever you want, Shido-sensei, but the reality is we're stuck here, without a clear plan, not knowing what to do!" Takashi continued, his fists clenched at his sides. "We're dealing with a serious situation, and your empty words won't get us out of this mess."

Shido looked at Takashi with a mixture of surprise and disdain. He wasn't used to being challenged, especially by a student. His arrogant expression turned into a scowl as he crossed his arms.

"Do you think you can do better, kid?" Shido replied, his voice laced with challenge. "If you think you have all the answers, why don't you take control? Let's see what you're capable of."

Takashi felt the heat of the argument rising, adrenaline pulsing through his veins. He knew he shouldn't let anger take over, but the pressure of the moment was causing his emotions to overflow.

"If that's what you want..." Takashi began, but was interrupted by Saeko, who placed herself between the two men.

"Please, stop," she requested with a calm yet firm voice. "This is not the time for internal conflicts."

Takashi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew Saeko was right. It wasn't the time for internal fights, not when they were facing such a dangerous enemy outside.

"You're right, Busujima-senpai," Takashi finally agreed, taking a step back and lowering his fists.

Shido snorted with disdain, but didn't say anything more. He wasn't a man of many words.

"HEY, ASSHOLE WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO TALK TO OUR LEADER LIKE THAT!" It was Tsunoda who shouted, the same idiot who had picked a fight with him before.

He stood up abruptly, clearly irritated, probably holding onto past resentments against Takashi.

Tsunoda advanced towards Takashi, fists clenched and eyes filled with rage. He was clearly out of control, driven by a mix of fear and frustration. Takashi, in turn, prepared for the confrontation, his own fists clenched in readiness.

"You moron, don't you know when to shut up?" Tsunoda growled, his teeth gritted as he approached Takashi.

Takashi stood his ground, his eyes locked on Tsunoda. He knew he couldn't let the other guy intimidate him, especially not now.

"I'm not going to let you mess up what we're trying to do here," Takashi replied, his voice firm.

Tsunoda didn't seem interested in listening. He advanced even further, ready to attack. Takashi had no choice but to react. With a quick movement, he dodged Tsunoda's first punch and retaliated with a precise blow to the other guy's stomach.

The impact made Tsunoda stagger back, surprise evident on his face. He tried to recover, but Takashi didn't give him a chance. A series of quick and sloppy movements straight to the jaw was enough for him to knock Tsunoda out before the guy could retaliate.

The bus fell silent, all eyes turned to the scene that had just unfolded. Shido and his group, Saya, Saeko, Kohta, and Shizuka, all watched with a mixture of surprise and shock.

Takashi felt a wave of emotions wash over him. He looked around, seeing the different expressions on people's faces. Some were shocked, others impressed, and some even seemed relieved.

But above all, Takashi felt a strange sense of satisfaction. He knew he shouldn't feel this way, after all, he had just gotten into a fight. But in that moment, he felt good about punching Tsunoda.

Maybe it was the release of all the tension and frustration he had been feeling. Maybe it was the need to show strength and leadership to the group. Or maybe it was simply the adrenaline of the moment.

Whatever it was, Takashi realized that he now had everyone's attention on the bus. He straightened up, looking around.

As Tsunoda lay on the ground, dazed and not understanding what had just happened, Takashi felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. He knew that all eyes were now on him, waiting for his next words and actions.

Knock.

Knock.

Suddenly they heard someone knocking on the bus door, outside there was a police car parked while a single policewoman was at the door demanding passage.

Shizuka didn't think twice and opened the door, relieved that the police were here.

The woman entered with her hand on her holster. "That's enough!" The policewoman's voice echoed in the bus, cutting through the tension in the air.

Everyone watched the new arrival; she was a beautiful young woman with chin-length blue hair with a green-tinted fringe on the right side and brown eyes, a policewoman in uniform that didn't hide anything of her curvaceous body, firmly holding her gun but with an expression of authority and calm. She looked around, assessing the situation with sharp eyes.

"What's going on here?" She asked, her voice firm and authoritative.

Shido quickly stepped forward to respond. "Officer, I am Professor Shido from Fujimi Academy, we are just discussing strategies to keep ourselves safe. This young man here," he pointed to Takashi, "simply lost his head for a moment."

Takashi frowned at Shido's attempt to distort the situation, but before he could speak, the policewoman addressed him directly.

"You, what do you have to say about this?" She asked, her brown eyes piercing Takashi with intensity.

Takashi felt the weight of expectations on him, but he knew he couldn't let Shido distort the facts.

"Officer, what's really happening is that we're stuck here on this bus, with the situation outside deteriorating by the minute. We don't have a clear plan of action and tensions are high," Takashi explained, keeping his voice firm and direct.

The policewoman nodded, seeming to understand the situation. She looked around again, noting the worried and nervous expressions of the passengers.

"I understand," she said, lowering her gun slightly but not letting go of it. "My name is Officer Xenovia Quarta. I'm here to evacuate civilians to a safe area. This bridge is about to be overrun by the infected, and it's too dangerous to stay here."

All eyes widened at the news, and a sense of urgency settled in the bus.

"Evacuate to where?" Shido asked, his interest clearly piqued.

"The nearest police station is secure and being used as an operations center to deal with this crisis," explained Officer Xenovia.

Takashi looked at Saeko and the other passengers, seeing hope shining in their eyes. It was a chance to get out of that zombie-surrounded bus and have a safe place to shelter, right at their destination.

"Let's go," Takashi said, his voice firm and determined.

The passengers began to sit back more relaxed, ready to follow the policewoman's orders. Shido, of course, tried to take the lead, but Officer Xenovia's authoritative presence made it clear who was in charge.

The other passengers followed suit, each feeling a mixture of hope and anxiety with this new turn of events.

"Just follow me," Xenovia said, starting the police car. She led the way where she was let through by the other policemen holding the line on the bridge.

The engine rumbled and the bus began to move slowly, leaving behind the chaotic bridge and the zombies surrounding it. All the passengers looked out the window, seeing the city in chaos and the threat of the undead everywhere.

But they also saw something beyond the windows of the police car. They saw a chance to survive, to find a safe haven amidst the chaos.

( 30 minutes later/With Takashi )

They arrived at the police station which was surrounded by barricades, the parking lot was empty with not a soul in sight and no cars parked. On the way, we noticed that the front part of the station was surrounded by zombies that didn't enter the place because of the bars, they probably didn't invade the parking lot because there was nothing there.

This also highlighted a point, the Officer seemed very vigilant about the surroundings when she got out of the car and looked around, including where were the other officers?

She soon approached the bus and ordered everyone to get out, we cooperated obviously, but Tsunoda and Shido's people seemed to look at me in a confrontational way... I decided to ignore it as much as possible, but my fists clenched with the uncomfortable situation.

"I don't know, doesn't seem very safe to be exposed like this," Kohta whispered to Takagi.

"Why don't you shut up, lard bucket. Say that to the armed officer in front of you," Saya spoke, defining the situation well, it was definitely tense and irritating someone armed was not a good idea.

"Finally, a bit of peace and quiet," Shizuka said with a yawn.

Saeko just remained neutral, but seemed more relaxed than the last few hours on this bus.

Upon opening the door and stepping out, Xenovia then asked, "Do you have all your things... We don't have time to go back and forth." She raised the question.

"Yes," I replied for everyone.

"Great, follow me!" She ordered authoritatively.

The group of survivors followed Officer Xenovia through the empty parking lot as they made their way to the back entrance of the building.

Xenovia then knocked three times on the door with light taps and then after a few seconds, the door opened with a creak, something seemed to be blocking it, apparently it was an electromagnetic door that could be opened with some command.

They were then greeted by another officer, a woman with brown hair and violet eyes, standing at attention.

She was a beautiful young woman with violet eyes. She has long brown hair that is usually tied back in a ponytail. Her attire was a blue police uniform with white, just like Xenovia's. The difference between the two is that she carried a shotgun.

"A Remington M870 is known for its reliability, durability, and simplicity of operation, making it a popular choice for police applications. It comes in various variants and is commonly used for tactical operations, crowd control, and other situations where a 12-gauge shotgun is required," Kohta murmured with shining eyes as he looked at the weapon.

As they approached, the brown-haired officer, identified as Irina, raised an eyebrow upon seeing the group arriving. Her gaze swept over each face, seemingly assessing the situation before greeting Officer Xenovia.

"Xenovia, you took longer than expected. Are these the civilians you were evacuating?" Irina asked.

Xenovia nodded, maintaining her firm and professional posture. "Yes, these are the survivors we found on the bridge. The situation there is deteriorating rapidly."

Irina observed the newcomers for another moment, her eyes lingering on each for a moment before returning her attention to Xenovia.

"Good job bringing them here. We have the entrance blocked to keep the zombies out. Let's take them to the safe area." With a gesture of her gun, she indicated for everyone to follow towards the doors of the police station. The group entered the station, relieved to be away from the imminent danger outside.

Inside the station, they were guided through narrow corridors and empty rooms until they reached a large room where other survivors were gathered. There were six people in total, all with tired and worried expressions, but relieved to be in a safe place.

The newcomers were met with curious looks and some shy greetings. A tall middle-aged man approached, seeming to be the leader of the group of survivors.

"Hi, I'm Andrew Gilbert Mills. Welcome to our makeshift fortress here at the police station," he said with a friendly smile, but his eyes revealed the tension and exhaustion of the difficult day.

Andrew, he was a huge, bulky man with a bald head, a brown goatee, and brown eyes, his skin was dark. His attire consisted of a white dress shirt, black pants, and dress shoes, he also had two silver earrings in his left ear.

The survivors glanced at each other, processing the new information. Takashi watched Andrew closely, noting the details the man had mentioned. Looking at the group around Andrew, it was clear that these survivors had been together for some time. There was a sense of camaraderie mixed with palpable tension in the air.

Aside from Andrew, there was an elderly woman with gray hair tied in a messy bun. She held the hand of an equally elderly man who looked tired and worn. Next to them were two young people, a boy and a clearly pregnant girl, who kept a vigilant eye around the room.

"Andrew, these are the survivors we found on the bridge. They were trapped on a bus surrounded by zombies," explained Xenovia, giving a brief summary of the situation.

Andrew nodded, his eyes scanning Takashi's group with a mix of curiosity and concern. He then approached, extending his hand in a greeting gesture.

"It's a relief to have more people here. As Xenovia said, we're keeping this area as secure as we can," said Andrew, his voice calm but tinged with concern.

Takashi shook Andrew's hand, feeling the strength of the man's grip. He noticed that Andrew seemed to be someone accustomed to leading, someone who knew how to stay calm amidst chaos.

"My name is Takashi Komuro. These are my friends," Takashi quickly introduced the group of survivors, indicating each of them.

Andrew nodded to each of them, offering an encouraging smile. "It's nice to meet you, even under such difficult circumstances."

As they conversed, Irina stood by Xenovia's side, her expression serious and watchful. She watched Takashi's group with sharp eyes, as if assessing each of them.

As the conversation flowed between Andrew, Takashi, and the other survivors, Shido remained silent, his calculating mind already working on his next moves. He noticed Irina's presence beside Xenovia and decided to approach them.

"Officer Xenovia, Officer Irina, a word, please," Shido spoke with his smooth and polished voice, but there was a cunning gleam in his eyes.

Xenovia turned to him, her eyebrows raised in expectation while Irina stood by her side, her penetrating gaze focused on Shido.

"What is it, Shido?" Xenovia asked, maintaining her rigid posture.

Shido smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes, as he began his series of calculated questions.

"I couldn't help but notice the absence of other officers here. Where are your fellow officers? And what about supplies? Food, water... Do you have enough for everyone present?" Shido questioned, each word measured and meticulously chosen to provoke a reaction.

Xenovia pressed her lips together, her expression hardening with the growing irritation within her. She didn't like being questioned, especially by someone like Shido, whose intentions she could never fully decipher.

"The other officers are busy on various fronts, keeping the perimeter secure and ensuring there are

no imminent threats. As for supplies, we have enough for everyone. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Xenovia replied, her authoritative voice cutting through the air firmly.

Shido raised an eyebrow, his expression impassive, but there was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. He had managed to irritate Xenovia, and that was exactly what he wanted.

"I see. Very well, Officer Xenovia. I'm glad to hear that you have everything under control," Shido replied, his tone polished masking his true intentions.

"I suggest everyone rests and settles in for the night, I will turn off the lights," Xenovia declared.

Takashi took one last look at the survivors in the room, at Shido and his group, and then at the clock on the wall which showed the time they had agreed upon... He hoped Rei was okay.

(With Kohta)

Several hours had passed since they arrived at the police station; in fact, this was the entire day they had to catch their breath and feel safe. It had been a long day, to say the least.

What was he doing now? Well, he was actually eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of Officer Irina. That M870 in her hands was simply marvelous; it was rare to see a police officer needing heavy artillery on the streets, but here she was, a woman incredibly sexy, holding it.

Heaven, he could die happy seeing women like Irina and Xenovia so well-equipped. It was like a Gun Gale match where the entire lobby used female characters for... he wasn't going to delve into that topic.

Unfortunately, he was helping Shizuka-sensei treat the elderly couple. They seemed unwell, and a situation like this was not suitable for the life they led... Damn, this made him think of his family, something he preferred to keep away from his mind and focus on beautiful things like a Desert Eagle. Jesus, if he found a Desert...

He felt good, to say the least, even after everything and the threat that everything represented. He felt relieved in this scenario; he could be who he truly was and useful, cool. Maybe he could even get a girlfriend soon... Takagi-san is available despite having feelings for Komuro-kun, but as he seems to only have eyes for Rei, he doubted his chances were negative. He was at least on the scale of 0.

In an ideal world, he would have a harem, and probably in a few days, he would be looking like a Giga Chad, collecting beautiful women for his pleasures... But it wasn't like that. Oh, how unfair life was, but he wouldn't complain if he got that Desert from before.

(With Saya)

Saya was sitting in a corner, observing Shido's group from a distance. He was having a long conversation since they arrived at this place... She just didn't know about what, but she had an idea of what it was about. This made her eyes go to Officer Irina who remained guard at the door; she seemed... calm, or rather, ignorant about standing guard. Saya found this odd.

"Takagi-san, you seem focused," Saeko suddenly approached and sat beside Saya.

Saya looked up, surprised by Saeko's sudden arrival. Her eyes expressed a mix of feelings as she watched Shido's group.

"Yes, I'm just observing. That man is a potential problem," Saya replied, keeping her voice low so only Saeko could hear.

Saeko nodded, her gaze also fixed on Shido's group. She could feel the tension in the air, which made her alert.

"He certainly is... Shido always had a way of manipulating situations to his advantage," Saeko murmured, remembering past interactions with the man.

Saya frowned, agreeing with a nod of her head. She also had her own reservations about Shido, especially after what he tried to do during the incident at the school.

"That's why we need to stay vigilant. We can't let him put everyone at risk," Saya said with determination, her eyes scanning Shido's group for any signs of intrigue.

Saeko nodded in agreement, her expression serious as she also observed the movement around.

"I agree. And we need to be careful with the Officers too... something about her doesn't seem right," Saeko added, her eyes narrowing slightly as she mentioned the two fellow policewomen.

Saya followed Saeko's gaze to Irina, observing her more closely. She could see what Saeko meant; there was something in the officer's demeanor that didn't match the situation.

"Yes, I agree. It seems there's more than meets the eye here..." Saya murmured, her mind working quickly to try to understand the dynamics of the station.

"What do you think of the other group, Andrew-kun seems like a decent guy, and I had a brief conversation with his wife," Saeko commented.

"The pregnant one?" Saeko nodded in response to Saya's question. "I'm not sure, I have a bad feeling about... But I believe it's about that guy..." Saya said.

"Well, let's hope everything goes well. Including Takagi-san, she must be worried about her parents, where are they now?" Saeko asked.

"Heading in the opposite direction from here, I'm not worried; their bad mood is probably scaring away these things," Saya replied with a brief laugh.

Saeko, who was getting along very well with Saya, simply said, "Well, I hope they're okay."

"Busujima, what about you? You seem pretty calm for a pre-apocalyptic period," Saya said, changing the subject with a smile.

Saeko just smiled. "The only family I have is my father, and he's abroad in a martial arts competition. I prefer to focus on my own safety at the moment," the girl replied simply.

"I understand..." Saya said. Talking to Saeko was comfortable for her for some reason; she had a good energy, to say the least. So without any shame, the girl rested her head on the older girl's shoulder.

Saeko was a little surprised by the action, but she soon smiled and let the girl settle in; she had a few more things to think about anyway.

(With Takashi)

Takashi had been talking to Andrew since they arrived. He had a brief introduction to the group: Andrew, who owned a café nearby, along with his pregnant wife Kathy, had been saved by the police force shortly after everything began.

The elderly couple, Misaki Todou and Zen Todou, were a couple who owned one of the nearby pharmacies and were also rescued.

Takashi asked Andrew some important questions to get up to speed.

First, if they were the only ones in this place. The answer was yes, but it hadn't always been that way. Apparently, they were 15 at one point, but due to people's desperation to go after their families or leave the city, this number was naturally diluted, with little effort from the police duo to stop it.

Second, where were the other police officers? He was informed that most of the police force was now spread throughout the city seeking order, and that Xenovia and Irina were the only ones here, which ruled out Rei's father being nearby.

Third, what did Andrew think of this situation? The older man was somewhat apprehensive, saying he was tense because there were beasts out there wanting a piece of you while his wife, who was now six months pregnant, was not in a position to run around. Their plan at the moment was to wait for new orders from the police duo, and depending on that, leave the city and go to a remote place like an island or up a mountain. Since they had no family in Japan, they were concerned about their own safety.

Andrew seemed like a decent enough guy to even say that if it came to it, they could join him. Takashi wondered if he was just being a good Samaritan or wanted more people for safety, obviously having a doctor in his group.

Shizuka, who was treating Zen, the old man who was leaning against the wall, struggling to keep his breathing normal, suddenly stood up and came over to me.

"Takashi-kun, this isn't good, apparently he has a heart problem and it's been hours since he should have taken his medicine; if this continues, only a hospital could help..." She informed.

Takashi listened attentively to Shizuka's words, his face serious reflecting the gravity of the situation. He knew they couldn't leave Zen without the proper treatment for much longer.

"So, if we have the right medicine, he'll have a better chance, right?" Takashi asked, seeking to confirm if there was any hope for old Zen.

Shizuka shook her head, a worried expression on her kind face.

"I can't guarantee anything without the right equipment to assess his condition, but having the medication might be the best chance we have," she replied sincerely.

Andrew, who was nearby, intervened in the conversation, reminding everyone about the Todou's pharmacy, highlighting the possibility of finding the necessary medicine there.

"Zen and Misaki own a pharmacy. We would surely find what we need there," Andrew suggested, his voice filled with hope.

Takashi nodded, a spark of determination shining in his eyes.

"Then that's it. We need to get that medicine as soon as possible," he declared, his voice firm and decisive.

However, before Takashi could take any action, Andrew interrupted, expressing his concern about the idea of Takashi going alone in search of the medicine.

"I'm not saying you should go running after this medicine. We don't know what we might find out there," Andrew retorted, his voice calm but firm.

Takashi frowned, but before he could respond, Andrew continued.

"We're all in this situation together. We need to think of everyone and keep safety as a priority," he argued, looking directly into Takashi's eyes.

Takashi pondered Andrew's words for a moment. He knew the man was right. Going after the medicine could be dangerous, especially considering the chaotic situation outside.

"So what do you suggest?" Takashi finally asked, open to Andrew's ideas.

With the decision made, Takashi turned to Shizuka, asking for the name of the medicine Zen needed and instructing her to ask Misaki for the exact location of the pharmacy. Meanwhile, he planned to approach Xenovia and Irina to discuss the situation and seek any additional support they could provide.

(With Xenovia)

(With Xenovia)

The woman was now sitting in the sheriff's chair, which was the room next to where the others were. She was alone at the moment, watching the news.

"Dear viewers, I bring you an urgent update on the events that have been shaking the world in the past few hours. A mysterious and terrifying plague has rapidly spread, turning the infected into aggressive and dangerous creatures. Despite the increasing reports of encounters with these victims, we continue to avoid drawing attention to the true nature of these beings until we have a definitive answer."

"Some experts say that the trend of rapid spread will begin to decrease in the coming days and that the recommendation is isolation from infected individuals. In addition to staying tuned to the news for possible preventions that would help control the plague."

"Some governments like China, Korea, and Brazil have declared a state of emergency amid the growing chaos and have started burning the bodies of the infected in hopes of stopping the virus from spreading, suspecting humans to be the carriers."

"At 5:17 PM today, the Prime Minister of Japan announced, in an online conference, the institution of a state of anarchy, aiming to contain and control the spread of this terrible scourge."

"At this critical moment, government officials are being called upon to head to the affected areas, hoping to restore order and provide protection to the population. There is uncertainty about what the future holds, but one thing is certain: we are facing a global crisis that requires immediate action and unified efforts to confront this unprecedented threat." These were the reporter's last words before the broadcast ended.

Xenovia leaned back in her chair. "State of anarchy, as if Japan wasn't already like this... Not a word about the military in this situation, everything seems to be getting worse as quickly as possible... What I wouldn't do for a pastry right now," the woman grumbled.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Reflexively, Xenovia pointed her gun directly at the source of the noise, but it was Irina who entered.

"Irina, what are you doing here? You were supposed to be guarding the others," Xenovia reproached, but then she noticed Takashi was with her.

"What's this?" Xenovia questioned.

"Old man Zen has gotten worse, he needs the medicine--" Irina began, then was cut off by Xenovia.

"And one of the idiots volunteered to go get the medicine. Are you all stupid?" the blue-haired officer asked.

"In fact, I was hoping to convince him not to go," Irina pointed at Takashi, who seemed to be the root of the problem.

"Tch!" Xenovia relaxed and sat back against the chair as if she had dealt with something trivial. "So, hero, are you going to put on your cape and go get medicine for the needy? With all this enthusiasm, I'm surprised you haven't flown to Africa to end hunger."

Takashi felt the weight of Xenovia's words and the disapproving look she directed at him. He wasn't used to receiving this kind of sarcasm, especially in such a serious situation. He took a deep breath, maintaining his composure in the face of the officer's provocation.

"If we don't do something, Todou-san won't have another chance," Takashi replied, his voice calm but firm. He didn't want to confront Xenovia, but he also couldn't just stand idly by.

Xenovia raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "And do you think you'll be able to make it through this zombie-infested city and come back unscathed? It seems like an impossible mission, hero," she said, her voice full of disbelief.

Takashi looked into Xenovia's eyes, standing firm. "I know the risks, but we can't simply abandon someone in need. That's why we're here, isn't it?" he replied, his determination unwavering.

Xenovia felt a real urge to ask if the boy was stupid at this moment. She sighed. "Your name is Takashi Komuro, right?"

"Huh? Yes!" He answered, not understanding.

"Komuro-kun, where were you when this pandemic started?" She asked.

"At Fujimi Academy," he replied again.

"And what was the situation like there when you left?" He finally understood where Xenovia was going with this.

"I understand the dangers--" He was cut off again.

"Do you really understand? Do you know why this station is so empty?" It was a question she answered herself. "It's because the big shots of this city sent many of the police officers here to contain this plague, and they haven't returned. I have two assumptions: either they died, or they ran away. There's no training for a pandemic like this; these things have a much greater force than ordinary humans. If you go out there, you're done for," she said.

She continued, "And of course, there are also people out there very willing to hit or shoot you. Humans go crazy in crises like this, and keeping that in mind, now you, a high school boy, want to tell me you're going out there and coming back alive for an old man who was going to die anyway? Are you crazy? Do you want to die? What would your family think about this?" Each word from Xenovia was like a bullet hitting his eardrums, causing his determination to waver.

"I--" Takashi was about to respond.

"I don't want to hear your answer. I don't have time for children. But if you're so eager to help the old man..." She then offered the gun to Takashi.

He widened his eyes at the suggestion, and even Irina seemed incredulous.

"Xenovia, have you lost your mind?" Irina stepped in front of her and Takashi, not intending to let him take the gun even though it seemed he wouldn't.

Xenovia lowered the gun and holstered it. "Maybe a little. We're being overrun by these things; it seems like a matter of time before the worst happens. Why postpone the inevitable for the weak and useless? I think we'd be doing them a favor," Xenovia said coldly and unsympathetically.

Takashi felt a chill run down his spine at Xenovia's cruel words. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown on his determination. He looked at Irina, seeking some support or comfort, but all he saw was concern and disbelief on her face.

"Xenovia, this isn't right. Takashi is just trying to help," Irina intervened, her voice firm but tinged with concern.

Xenovia just shrugged, as if she didn't care about Irina's concerns. "Fine, Irina. If he's so determined to be the hero, then let him be. But don't come crying to me when he doesn't come back," she replied, her voice filled with disdain.

Takashi felt torn. On one hand, he wanted to help Zen and bring the medicine he desperately needed. On the other hand, Xenovia's words left him doubting his own abilities and whether he was making the right decision.

"I... I... won't go," he said, his voice trembling.

Xenovia just shrugged again, as if she no longer cared about the situation.

Irina looked at Takashi, her gaze conveying a mix of concern and silent support.

Takashi, who seemed disoriented for a moment, was once again met with a question from Xenovia.

"You know, you're young but you don't seem stupid. So either you're a boy with a heart of gold, or you're trying to make up for something. Which one are you?" Xenovia asked.

Takashi was far from being a warm-hearted person... But something had been weighing on his mind since everything calmed down, when he was on that rooftop with Rei... He killed him, someone with a truly warm soul, a natural leader if he were still alive, his...

"I killed my best friend, he was bitten and asked me to end it for him..." Takashi confessed, a weight on his chest.

Hisashi was an amazing guy. In fact, since everything started, he always wondered one thing, 'What would Hisashi do?' It was strange for him, but ever since they met, even though they were the same age, he always looked up to Hisashi. Even when he started dating Rei, his secret crush, Takashi couldn't blame him. He was a good person who, when he wanted something, went for it, unlike Takashi, who was always afraid to act.

Even now, everything remained the same. He was the same Takashi as always, and if Hisashi were in his place, he would already be on his way to the nearest pharmacy... He felt envious of him.

Xenovia then looked piercingly at Takashi. "I understand... You know what, I wanted a chocolate mint pastry." As if it were a glimpse and a nod...

Then, without warning, Xenovia pulled a stun gun from a drawer and fired it at Takashi.

"What?" The young man felt a wave of electricity course through his body, his muscles involuntarily contracting before he fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Damn it! Xenovia, that was stupid. What are you going to do with him?" Irina rebuked the action.

Now with her eyes on Takashi's body, she replied, "He might be useful for resolving that."

(Scene Skip/With Shido)

As chaos unfolded outside the station, Shido remained within the circle of his 'fanatic' followers, his face obscured by the harsh lights of the room, apparently once used for interrogations. He was lost in thought, plotting his next moves to take control of the group.

"These fools..." he muttered to himself. "They believe they can just hide here and wait for everything to blow over. They have no idea what's happening out there."

A few minutes ago, Officer Irina had informed everyone that Xenovia and Komuro would be going out together to search for the medicine for the old man. Apparently, those in favor of Komuro didn't like the idea, which led Busujima, for example, to disagree due to deciding to accompany them for safety. However, Officer Irina seemed to thwart her attempts.

There were some questions raised by Takagi, such as what kind of medicine they needed to bring back for the old man, but it seemed the speculation was quickly cut off when Irina affirmed that Xenovia knew exactly what needed to be brought.

It was a good opportunity, a cruel smile dancing on his lips. "Interesting... She seems determined to bring the medicine back. But what she doesn't realize is that, when she returns, it will be me who's in charge."

Shido then turned his attention to the group led by Takashi. He saw them as naive children, desperately trying to maintain a sense of order amid the chaos. But to Shido, order was just an illusion he was ready to unravel.

"This Komuro believes he's a leader. A leader of what? A group of scared teenagers who resort to violence at the first choice?" he thought with disdain. "They have no idea what it takes to truly lead. They lack the courage, the cunning, the determination needed to survive in this new world."

"These police officers also have no idea how to handle anything, locking them up in a surrounded place, what foolishness. Policemen were nothing but pawns who followed orders from their superiors; soon he would put them in their place."

As Shido plotted his plans, he knew he needed to act with caution. He couldn't let his true objectives be discovered prematurely. He needed to gain the group's trust, skillfully manipulate them into following him blindly.

Some of them had certain issues to deal with.

Busujima was opaque, but didn't seem to like him much. But it wouldn't be difficult to dominate her, even with her impeccable background. People like her favored loyalty if owed to someone; he just needed to make her owe him.

Takagi and Hirano would be easily dominated, he just needed to apply the right pressure on these two, as they had weak spirits. Shizuka wasn't any different in that regard.

As for the police personnel, it didn't seem like he would have problems with them; a waiter with a pregnant wife, and an elderly couple on the verge of death didn't seem like something to worry about.

And of course, the police officers. Shido knew they wouldn't hold the leadership position for long; one thing his father taught him well is that soldiers are not leaders.

Ah, and there's Komuro, he would probably have to get rid of him; he seemed like a time bomb in his plans and could turn against him at any time, his impulsive nature would be his downfall.

"When the right time comes, when they are all distracted, it will be the perfect moment to act," he murmured to himself. "And then, no one will be able to stop my dominance over them."

With a cold smile on his lips, Shido returned his attention to his plans, knowing that the chaos outside was only the beginning of his rise to power within the group. And no one, not Takashi, not Xenovia, not even the undead wandering the streets, would be able to stop him.

(With Saeko)

Saeko watched Xenovia and Takashi leave with a pang of suspicion. The news that they would go in search of medicine for Todou-san came suddenly, without warning. This left her uneasy and alert, as something didn't seem right in this situation.

"It's strange... why weren't we informed earlier?" she questioned mentally, her eyes scanning the expressions of everyone present in the room.

The concern in Hirano's eyes, Takagi's mistrust, Shido's apparent indifference, and Shizuka's seriousness. Each of them represented a different piece in this chaotic puzzle that had formed since the beginning of the pandemic. And at the center of it all, Takashi seemed to be the reluctant leader, seeking to do what he thought was right even if it meant facing unknown challenges.

"Takashi..." Saeko murmured to herself, her mind replaying the moments they had fought together, when he showed courage and determination. She knew he lacked experience in leadership, but she admired his willingness to protect and help others, even if it put him in danger.

As for Hirano, despite his sometimes impulsive behavior and inappropriate jokes, Saeko saw in him a surprising courage. He might be clumsy, but he was always ready to help, especially when it came to protecting Saya.

Speaking of Saya Takagi, Saeko recognized the girl's intelligence and determination. She admired the way Saya remained calm in crisis situations, always seeking rational solutions to problems. It was clear that she cared deeply for her group, especially for Takashi.

Irina, with her friendly yet distant demeanor, was an enigma to Saeko. She didn't know much about the police officer, but she sensed a distrust towards Shido, something Saeko fully shared. She didn't trust the man and was determined to keep an eye on him, ready to act if he showed his true colors.

And then there was Shido, the manipulator, the opportunist seeking power. Saeko regarded him with a mix of disdain and suspicion. She knew he was plotting something, and that kept her on alert. Her instinct told her to keep him at arm's length, as he represented a threat not just to the group, but to the order and security they tried to maintain.

As Saeko mentally prepared herself for the challenges to come, a series of violent coughs echoed through the room. Everyone turned towards Zen, who was sitting against the wall, holding his chest with an expression of agony.

"What's happening?" Irina asked, rushing towards him.

"Darling!" His wife called out, worried.

Zen was gasping, his hands trembling as he tried to breathe. The pain was evident on his face, and he cursed between coughs.

"Shit... I... I think it's my heart..." he managed to say, his voice weak and hoarse.

"What can we do?" Hirano asked, looking to Shizuka for guidance.

Shizuka took a deep breath, her mind working quickly. She knew they needed to act fast before Zen's condition worsened.

"Someone needs to find something to calm him down," Shizuka suggested, her voice firm. "Water, a wet cloth... anything that can help ease the pain."

"Darling..." Misaki gasped.

Saeko then looked at the old man and then at her wooden sword. If the medicine didn't arrive soon, someone would need to make a difficult decision... It was better than a serious heart problem slowly taking him away.

(With Takashi)

Growl

My eyes slowly opened, what happened… Ah, he remembered, Xenovia had knocked him out.

Growl

What the hell was that woman's problem, he just wanted to help...

Growl.

What was that noise? My head throbbed terribly, as if it were about to explode. The growls seemed to echo throughout the room, reverberating in my ears in a distressing way. I got up, still dizzy, trying to understand where I was. I looked around, and that's when reality hit me like a punch in the gut.

There was blood everywhere. On the walls, on the floor… and a body. A dead police officer, lying there, eyes glazed over with a terrifying emptiness. My heart started pounding uncontrollably as I tried to process what I was seeing.

"What the hell is this!?" my voice came out in a whisper, almost a growl of pure desperation. The growls continued, getting closer, more intense. I turned, and what I saw froze me in place.

The automatic glass door, which had seemed to be the only thing separating us from those terrible sounds outside, was now locked. On the other side, all you could see were distorted figures, staggering, with empty eyes and pale skin. Zombies. My stomach churned at the frightening sight.

"But… what's happening?" my voice trembled, barely able to form the words. That's when I heard Xenovia's voice.

"You didn't suspect the reasons why we were all isolated here with just me and Irina?" her voice was calm, almost irritatingly serene given the circumstances. I looked at her standing in the corridor that led inside, my eyes wide with terror and confusion.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, my mind swirling in a whirlwind of fear and distrust. "You made me pass out…" She just smiled, a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Knowing they can't see us, and all they seem to want to do is end humanity, would this be a punishment from God or perhaps a trial…" she pointed to the zombies on the other side of the door, who now seemed even more ravenous, yet still calm.

"What?" I wasn't understanding.

"It takes faith to see beyond, Hero, many of these infected out there were people who were close to this place, or seeking safety from the police force, but it was too late for them." Xenovia then began to approach me. "When it all started, you had to make a difficult decision to protect your life and your friends', understand Komuro-kun, it's a test from God." She spoke again.

My thoughts were in turmoil. What did she mean by a test from God? What about protecting my friends' lives? My mind was about to explode, as confused and terrified as my heart, which was beating uncontrollably in my chest.

"But… what about the zombies out there? What do they have to do with all this?" I asked, my voice trembling as I backed away, feeling cornered between Xenovia and the locked door.

She moved closer, her piercing gaze seeming to see through me. "They are the manifestation of the darkness that surrounds us, Takashi. Humanity is being tested, and those who can't find the inner light are doomed to be consumed by it."

I swallowed hard, trying to process everything. "And the police officer… he…"

"He was one of the first victims. He tried to maintain order, but order no longer existed. So God gave me the order to free his soul from this limbo, and so I did." Xenovia spoke.

Those words hit me like a punch to the gut. Limbo between life and death. Was that what this police station had become? I looked at the zombies on the other side of the door, even more frightened now. This woman… Was she insane!?

"So what do we do now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You said you wanted to help, right? I have a better method, we are the same, we both kill those we love to survive… So first, let me show you that you're not alone, but you need to learn two things first." Xenovia spoke.

"What? What things?" My mind was confused and my breathing was getting faster by the second.

"First, you need to understand that people are just resources, like anything else in this world. You have to separate the good from the useless, and see if keeping certain resources is worth it." She paused for a moment, watching my expression. "And second, you can do whatever you want, without caring about the consequences." Xenovia's smile widened, and her eyes gleamed with an intensity that chilled me to the bone.

"Come, follow me, I'll show you the way to the light." Xenovia affirmed.

Reluctantly, I followed Xenovia through the dark corridors of the police station. Each step was a weight on my shoulders, each thought a turbulence of fear and doubt. As we walked, the idea of immobilizing her crossed my mind. I could try. I could jump on her, try to disarm her. But she kept her hand close to her gun, and something told me it wasn't a good idea.

"After all, what does she want from me?" I thought, as I walked beside her. Her presence was like a magnet, both repelling and attracting my attention. I had to be cautious.

We arrived at an interrogation room, and Xenovia stopped in front of a glass that gave glimpses of another room. Inside, I saw a man handcuffed on a table, his pale skin and empty eyes indicating that he was turning into a zombie.

"This is the police chief of the station." Xenovia spoke, her voice serious and calm. "He was infected and handcuffed himself here to protect most of the officers."

I looked at her, perplexed. "Why didn't he go to a cell?"

She shook her head slowly. "The cells are all with turned police officers. Since the outbreak began, we couldn't access them."

That information made my stomach churn.

So many police officers, now turned into zombies and trapped inside their own cells. It was a nightmare, even more so knowing they were just a short distance away from us.

"What do we need to do now?" I asked, feeling like I was in a maze.

"You need the chief's keys." Xenovia replied, looking me in the eyes. "With them, we'll have access to the evidence room. There we can find everything the station confiscated from fugitives, including confiscated medicines."

I stared at her, shocked. "Why don't you do it yourself?"

She sighed, looking down for a moment before answering in a melancholic tone, "I'm not fit for this test, Komuro-kun. This is a path that only you can follow, you wanted to help right?

Those words hit me hard. "Help… me?" I immediately associated it with the feeling of failing to save an old friend. It was true. I was broken, but I needed to move forward.

I decided to act. I approached the door that separated the interrogation room from the room where the chief was handcuffed. Carefully, I opened the door, making as little noise as possible.

The zombie, previously sitting with his arms handcuffed on the table, now

started to move. The noise alerted him, and his lifeless eyes fixed on me. He got up with a growl, his mouth opening in search of fresh flesh.

Without thinking twice, I entered the room. The zombie clumsily advanced towards me, his handcuffs hindering his movements.

That's when a crazy idea came to my mind. I needed the chief's keys, and they were on his waist. With no other option in mind, I decided to act.

The zombie came closer and closer, his growls echoing through the room as I slowly approached him. With each step, my heart beat faster, my breathing becoming shallow. I had to make this work.

With a sudden impulse, I threw myself towards the zombie, dodging his clumsy claws. I approached the table where the chief was handcuffed, while the zombie tried to reach me.

With a dexterity I didn't know I had, I rolled over the table towards the chief's waist. The zombie snarled and growled behind me, his frightening presence urging me to act faster.

My hands trembled when I finally reached for the keys on the chief's waist. I grabbed them tightly, feeling the cold metal against my sweaty skin.

But before I could move away, the zombie reached me, his pale fingers grabbing my leg with a grotesque strength. I screamed in pain and desperation, struggling to free myself.

Xenovia watched everything with an imperturbable expression, as if she were watching a theatrical performance. It was hard to understand her intentions, but now was not the time to think about it.

With one last effort, I managed to break free from the zombie's grip and ran towards the door. With the keys firmly in my hand, I managed to lock the door before the zombie could reach me.

"Well then… It's time to go." She spoke simply, while I panted.

But one thing I knew through all of this, I needed to get everyone out of here as soon as possible, both for safety against the zombies and for this woman's cautious schemes.

Breathless and still with adrenaline rushing through my veins, I looked at Xenovia, who stood before me with a serene and peaceful expression, as if what had just happened was just another normal chapter in her life.

"You always take unnecessary risks, don't you?" She commented casually, as if she were talking about the weather.

I was exhausted, but her observation made me realize that maybe she was right. I had a tendency to act impulsively, without thinking about the consequences. Perhaps this was a weakness of mine, or perhaps it was just how I dealt with the chaos around me.

"Let's go." Xenovia said, snapping me out of my reverie. "The evidence locker is right there."

We moved through the police station, arriving at what seemed to be the evidence locker. It was a small, dark room, sealed more with what looked like a gate than a door.

"Open it." Xenovia indicated, and I obeyed, cautiously opening the locker doors.

Inside, there were no medicines as I had hoped. Instead, I was surprised to see an array of firearms and melee weapons, lined up on the shelves. Revolvers, knives, axes… it was like we were in an improvised arsenal.

"What the hell is this?" I asked, looking at Xenovia in shock.

She just shrugged, her expression impassive. "Everything the police confiscated from delinquents and suspected Yakuza members. Sometimes, the law isn't enough to protect people, so they resort to more… direct methods."

My mind was spinning. Guns. Many guns. I was never a big fan of violence, but now we were in a world where survival depended on it.

"And the medicines?" I asked, trying to find some hope amidst all this.

"They're somewhere here…" Xenovia replied vaguely, as she approached a shotgun on the nearest shelf. She picked it up with surprising ease, as if she were familiar with it.

"There are some bags here, I opened one and found… Was this dynamite!?" I exclaimed.

"Ah, this is perfect." Xenovia spoke as she took the bag from me and then started grabbing guns and filling the bag mostly with pistols and ammunition, larger weapons wouldn't fit mostly.

I was getting impatient, that's when I caught a glimpse of a wooden bat with barbed wire around it, I grabbed it with my hands… If Kohta were here he'd probably say it was an Upgrade.

While Xenovia was distracted, I felt my hand lightly squeeze the bat… Intrusive thoughts, or at least that's what I hoped.

"I think this is enough… You'll just take this thing, I don't think it'll be a painless remedy." She spoke while putting the heavy bag over her shoulders.

"Hey?" Takashi didn't understand what she meant.

"For the old man." She simply replied. "If you take a revolver it'll make noise, but it'll be quick… Here, this one is perfect." She grabbed one of the few pistols in the room and handed it to me.

"Y-you want me to!? The medicines!?" I questioned indignantly.

"Medicines were just an expression, listen Komuro-kun, soon the old man will be in a better place next to God, there's no point in delaying the inevitable, we're doing him a favor here" She spoke persuasively.

"YOU!" Before I could say anything we heard a noise.

BANG

BANG

Gunshots!? That seemed like a bad sign!

(Refugee room, moments before)

Shizuka was focused on keeping Todou stable, checking his blood pressure and vital signs, while Misaki held the old man's hand, her eyes welling with tears.

Todou groaned in pain, his expression contorted in agony, and Shizuka did her best to ease his suffering.

Misaki looked at Shizuka, her eyes filled with tears. "He's going to be okay, right?" she asked in a trembling whisper.

Shizuka gently held Misaki's hand, trying to convey comfort. "We'll do our best, Misaki. He's in good hands."

But then, suddenly, Todou stopped groaning.

His face, once twisted in pain, suddenly became peaceful. Shizuka, wide-eyed, looked at the old man with a mix of shock and disbelief. She knew what this could mean, but didn't want to believe it.

"It can't be…" she murmured softly, more to herself than to Misaki.

Misaki looked at Shizuka, her heart heavy with anguish. "What's happening?" she asked, her voice choked with tears.

Shizuka didn't immediately respond, her mind spinning with grim thoughts. She knew what the absence of groans of pain could signify in a situation like this. But she didn't want to confirm it aloud, didn't want to give voice to the fear that was starting to settle in her heart.

She looked at Todou, his face now peaceful in deep sleep, and then at Misaki, whose eyes pleaded for an answer.

Meanwhile, Irina, who was next to Saeko, made a gesture while murmuring a prayer.

Saeko looked at her slightly surprised by the action; the girl believed herself to be a good judge of character and had found the whole story with Takashi strange so far. But this action seemed to make the Swordswoman calm down a bit despite everything.

Shido's 'group' didn't seem too worried about anything, but they seemed relieved that the noise had stopped, as Yuuki Miku said relieved.

Shido then decided to seize the opportunity and approached Andrew and Khaty, who were away from the majority, with an expression of confidence and authority. He knew he needed to convince them to follow his group, as he had his own plans in mind to take control of the entire group.

"Andrew-san, Khaty-san," he began, his voice firm and persuasive, "I don't think we've talked properly yet, but I'd like to make you a proposal. You saw how I saved my students from this unprecedented catastrophe. I know how to keep people safe, and now we need to make quick decisions to ensure the safety of your family."

Khaty looked at Shido with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Are you saying the police station isn't safe?" she asked, unsure about the sudden change of plans.

Shido shook his head with a confident smile. "Actually, when we passed by the front of the police station on the bus, I noticed the place was surrounded, except for the parking lot. That means we'll need to leave soon too."

Andrew looked at his wife, seeing the worry on her face. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Khaty, we need to think about our son. If he says it's best for our safety, maybe it's best to think about our son."

Khaty looked at her husband, seeing the determination in his eyes. She sighed, knowing he was right, but still feeling unsure. "But here we have police to protect us."

Shido then thought with a malicious gleam and responded, "Indeed, Khaty-san, the commendable effort of a police force is respectable, but I've seen how things are outside, and the police have nothing under control. I feel that soon it may be too late to follow their advice. Look at Mr. Todou, for example. If it wasn't for Shizuka-sensei, he would probably have been gone long ago. We have a very competent nurse in our group who can help at any time regarding the baby. Besides, we are better prepared to deal with any situation that may arise." He spoke persuasively.

Andrew agreed, looking at his wife with a comforting smile. "We're doing what's best for our family, Khaty. And if things get worse, we can always follow this group." She then nodded still reluctantly.

The atmosphere in the station was suddenly interrupted when Saya, outraged by what she had just seen, decided to confront him in front of everyone. She approached him without hesitation, her loud voice echoing through the room as she expressed her frustration and mistrust.

"How can you use people like this in a moment like this?!" She shouted, her face contorted in anger. "Don't you see he's manipulating all of us?!"

Kohta followed closely behind her, trying to calm her down and prevent any possible fight from breaking out. But Shido, surprised by Saya's direct action, took advantage of the situation to start a persuasive speech about leadership and decision-making in times of crisis.

"We're in a potentially dangerous place," he began, his voice sounding confident. "And it takes someone with courage and determination to make the right decisions. For example, sending Komuro-kun out there could be risky, and yet they let him go, and it's taking so long to go to the other block that we can only imagine the worst. And for what? For nothing!"

He then addressed Saya directly, pointing to her with a subtle smile. "You, Takagi-san, are letting your personal fears get the better of you. I'm thinking about the well-being of the group as a whole. If Komuro-kun is still alive, of course."

"You bastard!" Saya grabbed Shido's lapel.

Shido's followers roared in support, and Tsunoda approached Saya, pointing at her threateningly. "Back off and stop defaming our leader!" He growled, pushing her to the ground with force.

"TAKAGI-SAN!" Kohta, who was next to Saya, didn't hesitate to push Tsunoda back, defending his friend. This was enough to trigger a fight between the two, their voices mixing in shouts of anger and challenge.

"Hey! You two, stop!" Irina tried to intervene to break up the confusion, her voice trying to bring some order to the chaotic situation. But it seemed like her words were falling on deaf ears, the fight only escalating in intensity.

"AHHHHHHH!?" Then suddenly, a scream pierced the air. It was Misaki, her voice echoing through the room with desperation and pain. Everyone turned to see what was happening, and what they saw made their hearts freeze.

Todou, who had been lying on the man before, had gotten up, his eyes empty and craving human flesh. He had turned into a zombie and was quickly advancing towards Misaki, brutally biting her neck.

"HELP!" Shizuka, who was next to Misaki, was taken by surprise as she was held in the old man's hands, pleading for help.

The atmosphere in the shelter room became frantic and chaotic within seconds. Everyone was in despair at the terrible scene unfolding before them.

Irina and Saeko, who were closest, acted immediately. Saeko grabbed her wooden sword and tried to strike Todou's arms, but his grip was too strong for her to easily free herself.

Meanwhile, Irina prepared herself and aimed with her shotgun, firing a precise shot into the chest of the zombified old man.

BANG

He staggered backward, and Misaki's body fell to the floor, blood gushing from her wound.

Misaki was probably already dead, and shock took hold of the room. Irina immediately approached Shizuka, who was shaken by the scene, asking if she was okay.

"Shizuka-sensei, are you alright?" Irina asked, her voice filled with concern.

Shizuka was trembling in shock, her eyes wide as she looked at Misaki's body on the ground. She swallowed hard, unable to formulate words immediately. Sadness and horror mixed on her face as she tried to process what had just happened.

"HE... WAS BITTEN!" Miku shouted.

"They've been hiding this from us!" Miura also spoke up.

Meanwhile, Shido's group members began to stir. They accused Irina of lying about Todou being bitten.

"They must have been bitten too!" Tsunoda and others began to raise their voices, pointing fingers at Irina and bringing up suspicions about other group members, like Andrew and his pregnant wife.

The bald man stepped in front of his wife as a form of protection.

Saeko turned to Irina, her expression serious as she questioned the situation. "Officer Irina, what's going on?" Saeko asked, her voice firm despite the chaos around her. "Have you confirmed if anyone was bitten?"

Saya and Kohta approached Saeko, standing by her side as backup. Saya's eyes narrowed, her expression of distrust clear as she watched the interaction between Irina and the others.

Irina took a deep breath, trying to remain calm amidst the turmoil. She looked at Saeko, her expression serious. "I checked. No one was bitten," she replied firmly, her voice echoing in the room.

But Shido's group members were not satisfied with this answer.

"This is nonsense! You're hiding something!" Tsunoda yelled, his eyes flashing with anger.

Shido, who had been watching the whole situation with a subtle smile on his lips, decided to intervene. He saw this as a perfect opportunity to take control of the situation and manipulate the group's emotions in his favor.

"Silence!" His voice cut through the air, imposing itself over the chaos of the room. Everyone turned to look at him, their eyes shining with a diabolical determination.

"Of course the situation is out of control," he began, his voice smooth and persuasive. "But what we need now is leadership and swift decisions. Look at what just happened! Misaki is dead because of incompetence in dealing with this threat."

His followers murmured in agreement, some of them approaching Shido with looks of adoration.

"I can lead this group to safety," he continued, his tone confident. "We've already shown we can protect each other. But we need to act with determination and follow a plan. We can't afford to hesitate."

Shido's eyes swept the room, his followers eager for his words. He then pointed to Irina, Saeko, and the others who were closest.

"And what about them? They're hiding information from you! We can't trust her. It's time to make a decision. Who's with me?" He said, his gaze challenging.

Shido's group members began to line up beside him, their fervor growing as Shido fueled their emotions. Tsunoda approached Irina and Saeko, pointing at them with a smirk of superiority.

"You see? They don't want the truth. They betrayed us!" He shouted, inciting his peers to join him.

"BE CAREFUL!" Andrew's sudden shout made everyone alert.

Todou violently got up, his expression twisted in fury as he lunged towards Irina, who struggled to hold him down on the ground with her shotgun against his mouth.

Irina was having a hard time containing the zombie, her muscles tense as she fought to keep Todou's weight away from her neck.

Meanwhile, Misaki, now an aggressive zombie, turned towards Shizuka, who was on the ground defenseless. With a quick leap, Misaki tried to pounce on the nurse, her hands reaching out for fresh flesh.

"AHHHH!" Shizuka screamed.

"Shizuka-sensei!?" Kohta, seeing the imminent threat, acted quickly. With a strong push, he managed to knock down Misaki, who fell near Shido, who was on the ground screaming for help.

Shido tried to push her away, but it was too late. With a quick and fierce bite, Misaki tore a chunk of flesh from Shido's leg, making him scream in pain.

"AHHHHH! Help! Get her off me!" Shido screamed, his face contorted in agony as he tried to free himself from the hungry zombie.

Tsunoda, seeing Shido's critical situation, rushed to help. He grabbed the zombie by the arm, trying to pull it away from Shido, but Misaki was faster.

With a swift movement, Misaki knocked Tsunoda to the ground and began devouring the flesh from his exposed arm. The screams of pain and terror echoed through the room, sending Shido's group members into a panic.

"No! Tsunoda!" Kurokami, who was nearby, saw the horrifying scene unfolding before her eyes. She tried to move away but stumbled and fell next to Tsunoda, who held his shoulder with his free hand, begging for help.

"Please, help me! Get me out of here!" Tsunoda screamed in despair, his face contorted in pain.

But Kurokami, in a moment of pure terror, began screaming for her to let go, "LET GO OF ME! YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD!" His screams caught Misaki's attention. The zombie turned towards her, its empty eyes fixed on its prey.

"No! No, please!" Kurokami yelled, trying to move away, but it was too late.

Misaki pounced on him, her hands grabbing his helpless body as she began to devour his flesh.

Meanwhile, Taniuchi, Yamada, Miura, and Miku, who had arrived at the door of the shelter room, realized horrified that it was locked.

"We can't get out! We're trapped in here with these monsters--" Miku shouted, her voice full of panic, which was soon cut off by a sound.

BANG

Irina, desperate to free herself from the zombie Todou, accidentally pulled the trigger of the shotgun. The deafening blast echoed through the room, and bullet fragments flew towards the door, grazing Miku and Yamada but hitting Taniuchi in the thigh and Miura in the stomach.

"AHHHH!" The cries of pain from the wounded echoed through the room, mixing with the moans of the zombies and the chaos of the situation.

Meanwhile, Saeko acted quickly, her wooden katana cutting through the air with force as she struck Todou's head with precision. The zombie fell to the ground, dead on the spot, releasing Irina who was trapped under him.

"Let's get out of here now!" Saeko shouted to the others, her voice sounding firm and authoritative.

Saya ran to help Shizuka, who was shaken and stunned by the situation. With the assistance of Kohta, who provided cover with his makeshift weapon, they checked the surroundings for more threats.

Meanwhile, Misaki, now exhausted from devouring Kurokami, stood beside Tsunoda. Both had turned into zombies, their empty eyes fixed on their prey.

Kurokami tried to get up, but his transformation was already underway.

Shido, for some reason, still maintained his human form and seemed to be in a state of shock. He ran to Irina, pleading for protection and help.

"Please, protect me! I don't want to die here!" Shido whimpered, grabbing Irina's leg.

But Irina didn't have time to deal with him now. With a quick movement, she pushed Shido away, using the butt of her shotgun. He fell to the ground, groaning in pain and terror.

Irina then stood up, her expression serious and determined. She looked at the other group members, her eyes shining with determination.

"Everyone, stay alert! We don't know how many more are coming." Irina spoke firmly, her voice echoing through the room. "We need to get out of here as soon as possible. Follow me!"

Irina led the group towards the locked door. The keys were out of reach, flying close to the three zombies now possessed by an otherworldly force. Irina was out of ammo, with no apparent options, when a shot rang out through the room.

"What...?" Irina barely had time to process before seeing the door miraculously open.

It was Xenovia, her expression serious and determined, holding a gun. She had shot the lock, clearing a path for escape.

"Quick, let's go!" Shouted Takashi, who was next to Xenovia, turning to the group in the room, his voice filled with urgency and tension. "TO THE BUS! THE ZOMBIES ARE INVADING!"

Due to the shots, the zombies outside the police station became more violent and subsequently managed to invade the building. Xenovia and Takashi encountered some on their way here.

The noise of the zombies outside increased, their claws scratching at the door and their anguished moans echoing through the police station. The group was cornered, and the need to escape became even more desperate.

As everyone ran towards the bus, they could hear the sound of the zombies becoming more violent, agitated by the sound of the commotion.

Takashi and Xenovia led the way, their weapons in hand as they faced zombies crossing their path. The group followed desperately, each one fighting to reach the bus and escape from that hell.

Andrew ran alongside his pregnant wife, his face twisted with fear and determination. He knew he needed to protect her at all costs, and with a grateful look to Takashi, he saw the group leader turn and face a zombie approaching them.

"Takashi, watch out!" Andrew shouted, but Takashi acted quickly, dodging the zombie's attack and knocking it to the ground. He nodded to Andrew and his wife, instructing them to keep running towards the bus.

The scene was chaotic and tense, with zombies closing in from all sides, group members fighting to survive. The sound of gunfire and screams filled the air as a zombie got in the way of Xenovia and Irina, mingling with the smell of blood and death.

Finally, with one last collective effort, the group managed to reach the parking lot and closed the door behind them.

They ran to the bus, panting and exhausted. But this brief moment of calm didn't last long.

"T-Taniuchi and Miura didn't make it." Miku said between gasps.

Yamada, distraught by the situation, went to who he thought was responsible.

Yamada approached Irina, his eyes filled with anger and frustration. He began to vent, blaming her for the deaths of Taniuchi and Miura.

"Irina, you... you could have done something!" He shouted, his face contorted with the pain of loss, the words coming out of his lips like sharp daggers.

"Hey man, now's not the time for this!" Takashi and the others turned to Yamada, trying to calm him down. But his anger only grew, and in a moment of desperation, he threatened Irina.

"You... you

incompetents!" He growled, his eyes filled with fury. "You led us into this hell! You're to blame!"

BANG

Before anyone could intervene, the sound of a trigger echoed through the bus. Everyone turned in shock to see Xenovia, her expression cold and determined, holding her gun. She had shot Yamada in the head, interrupting his screams of rage with a deafening blast.

The silence that followed was heavy and painful. The smell of gunpowder hung in the air, mixing with the fear and anguish in everyone's hearts. The wide-eyed stares of the survivors reflected the horror of the situation.

"We don't have time for this." She said coldly, her eyes sweeping over the group, her voice echoing like a judgment. "We need to stay alive."

But before they could fully process what had happened, a gasping voice caught their attention.

Shido, pale and visibly injured, had made it to the bus. "Indeed, Officer Xenovia, an excellent choice. We don't have time to waste on emotional crises," he thanked Xenovia for the swift decision, his face showing a mix of relief and pain. But Takashi soon noticed something terrible.

"Shido-sensei... you've been bitten," Takashi said, his voice serious and grave, as if he were pronouncing a death sentence.

Shido tried to force a smile, his body trembling with pain. "Ah, this... it's just a scratch, nothing serious. We need to... we need to go."

He tried to force his way onto the bus, but Takashi stood in his way, his wooden bat pointed at him, a physical and emotional barrier.

"You can't go," Takashi said firmly, his eyes fixed on Shido's, a mixture of compassion and resignation in his gaze.

Shido tried to argue, his tone now tinged with false good humor. "Come on, Komuro-kun, you can't leave me here. I... I'm essential to the group. We need to go!"

But Takashi didn't back down, his face serious and determined, a mask of leadership tinged with sadness.

"You opened that door," Takashi said, glancing back at the path they had come from and the zombies appearing in the parking lot. "And the zombies are coming."

Shido grimaced in pain when Takashi mentioned the door. He tried once more to force his way onto the bus, but Takashi didn't yield, his hands firm on the bat like a sentinel against the inevitable.

"You... you're going to leave me here to die?!" Shido screamed, his voice full of desperation and anger, disbelief mixing with the physical and emotional pain.

Takashi stared at him with hard eyes, determination shining in his gaze, a leader forced to make an unthinkable decision.

"You're infected," Takashi said, his voice calm and firm, but laden with sorrow. "And we can't risk it."

Shido looked at him with a mix of shock and anger, his hands trembling as fear mixed with desperate denial.

"How... how dare you leave me here? I'm different, KOMURO! I'm strong! A bite will never turn me!" He shouted, the words coming out as a last desperate plea of hope.

But Takashi knew what needed to be done. With a quick glance to Xenovia, he made his decision, his expression a mask of pain he hid behind a cold determination.

"Get on the bus," Takashi ordered, his wooden bat pointed towards the vehicle like a portal to temporary safety.

Shido lunged forward. But the group leader was faster, his actions now guided by survival instinct.

With a quick and precise movement, he struck Shido hard on the head, the impact so strong that his eye popped out of its socket, a grotesque spectacle that shocked most present and even made Saya vomit, the brutal reality of the situation weighing on them like an unbearable burden.

"Everyone on the bus, NOW!" She shouted, her voice echoing through the vehicle like an echo of the cruel reality they faced.

The group, still stunned by what had just happened, promptly obeyed. They entered the bus in silence, the air heavy with tension and despair, their minds trying to process the horror they had just witnessed.

"I was tired! So tired! I just wanted him to shut up and accept his fate, but thanks to this worm, this day I started to realize something, if it was in the name of justice, survival, God, or whatever... I could do whatever I wanted."

"Get us out of here, we won't wait for anyone else." I said as I entered the bus "Sorry Rei..."

( To be continued ...)

It was 14k words, it took a while, but it came. I wanted to end this chapter in just one because there wouldn't be anything from the MC, elements that the fic can address sometimes without him, so tell me, dear readers, do you prefer it to take a bit longer to release chapters and give a beginning, middle, and end, to then return to the MC in the next chapter, or do you believe it's okay for 2 to 3 chapters to happen without the MC appearing to have more frequent chapters?

Either way, I appreciate the support so far and until next time!

Responses to the reviews:

Azai Jin: Takashi is much better presented in the Manga, but it could be better LoL

Destiny has its variables; who knows if there are red lines between these characters.

AstolfoBrHue: Beautiful canonical divergence indeed LoL

wellingtonlucas282: Arigato

Satsui8: You're on the right path

Muroku: Oops, some fell like the Roman Empire already LOL

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