Translated from Russian to English -
Day-Z. 15:02. Fujimi Academy
The school's medical center was a small room with two beds to the left of the door. To the right of the entrance was a sink, a table in the center, and cabinets with medical instruments and medicines on three sides. The room was run by a nurse, known at school not so much for her professional skills as for her memorable appearance.
"Deadman" entered the infirmary with a heavy and depressed mood. He had been through many trials and unexpected acquaintances that day. As expected, the girls at the academy were not only beautiful, but also had a difficult character. He tried to get the thoughts of the bodies and sexuality of the two students out of his head. Either the adrenaline or the inner demons awakened by shock and fear made him act like a horny teenager. This needed to stop as soon as possible. That was why he came here, to the infirmary, to take a sedative and rest on one of the beds. Unfortunately, one of them was occupied by the teacher of class 3-D, Kyoko Hayashi, whose silhouette was visible behind the screen. Perhaps she was dreaming about the recent incident in the form of a nightmare. "Deadman" understood her pain and grief, but now he could not focus on her. He came here for help, to get a sedative or at least an ointment for the bruises that covered his face and body after a tough fight with Teacher Teshima.
"Deadman" was often in the infirmary, not because of illnesses or fights, in which he usually emerged victorious. It was all connected with his plans for the future. At least with his former plans, since at this moment in time it is not entirely clear whether the world will be the same as yesterday.
Leaving the future to be considered for later, the "Deadman" approached the woman who ran the infirmary. She was sleeping peacefully at her desk, slumped in a chair. As he approached, his gaze fell once again on her alluring appearance.
Shizuka Marikawa looked like the embodiment of calm amidst the chaos of the world around her. Her blonde hair flowed down her back like golden threads, framing her face with soft curls. Two long strands, as if painted by a skilled artist, touched the edge of the table, emphasizing the perfect grace of her oval face.
Even in sleep, her face retained its delicate beauty. Half-closed eyelids hid deep brown eyes, reminiscent of warm amber. A slight smile froze on her lips, as if she was enjoying a moment of silence and comfort.
The white shirt, slightly wrinkled from sitting for a long time, gently clung to her lush forms. Her breasts, the largest in the entire school, attracted the eye, emphasizing the natural harmony of her figure. The light played on the fabric, emphasizing the femininity and elegance of her silhouette.
A brown Christian Dior skirt completed the look, highlighting the grace of her long legs. She was asleep on a chair, but even in this position, her pose resembled a scene from a painting: an amazing combination of vulnerability and effortless grace. Time seemed to stand still around her, giving the opportunity to simply observe her beauty, from which it was impossible to look away.
However, "Deadman" had to wake her up to directly ask for medicine and medication.
"Teacher Marikawa, wake up..." The guy very gently began to shake the nurse's shoulder until she woke up.
"Yes?..." Her voice was quiet, but with genuine warmth. A smile, soft and kind, lit up her face like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. "Ikuta-kun?..." Her student stood before her, the same one who often came to her during breaks, helping her with chores and sharing his knowledge of medical practice. His presence always brought with it a feeling of comfort and calm. "How is Aunt Yoshiko?" she asked, knowing that this question had always been important to Ikuta. Ikuta's mother, Aunt Yoshiko, was the link between Shizuka and her past, when she had interned at the city's main hospital under her sensitive guidance.
But now was not the time for memories.
"Marikawa-sensei, may I use some medicine? I just need a mild sedative. And some ice, if you have it."
"Okay... Let's look for it now!" Shizuka, with her usual sense of responsibility, did not forget about her duties even in a half-asleep state. With an unsteady gait, she approached the left cabinet, unlocked the first lock of the door and began to look for the necessary medicines and tinctures, leaning forward slightly and demonstrating one of the most attractive figures in the school. The "Deadman" was aware of the constant awkwardness and sexuality of almost every movement of the nurse. He could not help but admit that he often looked at her, but in his defense, he could say that he was attracted not so much by the woman's appearance, but by her inner world. Is it banal? Yes. But is it sincere? One hundred percent. "Take some ice from the refrigerator for now. The keys to the locker are in their place."
"Deadman" had been to the infirmary so many times over the past two years that he knew every corner of the room. He easily found the keys to the refrigerator cabinet on the top shelf of the work desk and took out a bag of ice. He wrapped it in a towel and applied the cold compress to his right cheek.
Shizuka, meanwhile, found some motherwort tincture. "Is motherwort enough for you? Or do you need something stronger? Hayashi, for example, asked for alprazolam. Poor thing. She was stuttering. What happened to her? I didn't even bother asking her, and then she fell asleep." Shizuka looked at the silhouette of her sleeping colleague with concern. "Deadman" was telling that he was one of the reasons for her nervousness.
"Motherwort will suffice for now."
"Deadman" sat down on the second bunk and waited for Shizuka to join him with a calming drink. After he emptied the glass, "Deadman" sat in silence, holding the ice pack to his cheek. Apparently, the medicine didn't have an immediate effect, so he tried to calm himself down with breathing exercises.
Shizuka refrained from asking Ikuta-kun about his injury and emotional state. She knew her charge well and his tendency to avoid discussing personal problems. On the one hand, this was evidence of his fortitude and unwillingness to burden others with his difficulties, but on the other hand, it made her very worried. At this moment, Shizuka was especially worried about the student because of his gloomy look and the noticeable trembling in his hands. The situation was aggravated by the fact that he was wearing someone else's suit, which the nurse noticed. Taking a closer look at his clothes, she noticed red stains on his white shirt. It was not in her nature to ignore such things.
Shizuka, suddenly standing in front of the "Deadman", began to hastily unbutton the buttons of his suit. The guy tried to suppress the growing anxiety, seeing the decisive actions of the nurse.
"Shut up! Place!" she ordered, knowing the magic words from Aunt Yoshiko that could immediately put the "riot" of the strong boy in its place.
Seeing no other choice, "Deadman" complied, allowing Shizuka's huge breasts to bounce lightly in front of his face. He then allowed her to see his blood-stained shirt.
"Are you hurt?!" Shizuka immediately became afraid for the "Deadman" and began to quickly unbutton the buttons of his shirt.
"Don't be afraid... This... Isn't my blood..."
"Really? Well, that's good!" A radiant smile of consolation lit up her face. She was more concerned about the health of the "Deadman" than guessing who her "protégé" could have bled. Not only did she not ask where the stains came from, but she also noticed a strange bloody fingerprint on the left side of his shirt. Shizuki's interest piqued, and she continued to stretch the shirt.
From the outside, this scene certainly looked depraved and unnatural between a student and a nurse. Continuing this whole action could make other young and not only males in the school envious and jealous. However, "Deadman" knew Shizuku and her attitude towards him well enough to understand her intention without any words.
"Slight swelling and redness. Did someone grab you? Oh. And there's some on the right side too... I'll get some ointment now. And take off your shirt. I want to make sure there are no injuries."
The "Deadman" felt awkward being the center of Shizuka's attention. Usually their relationship was strictly professional: he helped out at the infirmary, found medicine, carried things. He was not a noble young man, their cooperation was based on mutual benefit. He was a strong worker, she was a mentor who slowly and clearly explained the intricacies of medicine to him. But, of course, spending time in the company of such a beautiful girl also had its advantages.
However, it was one thing to just talk and look at her, and quite another to feel her gentle touch. Shizuka carefully applied soothing ointment to his bruises, and her fingers lingered slightly on his skin. He was even more embarrassed when she looked at his abs, even running her hand over the sculpted muscles.
"Oh-oh-oh... I didn't know you were so muscular..." she said, blushing slightly. Her gaze slid over his arms and back, which she checked out as well.
"No, I just do a lot of physical training. Almost every day, I guess... Just the bare minimum to stay in shape in case... I want to pick up girls." He tried to joke, a little embarrassed.
He trained every day for at least half an hour. It was not only for beauty, but also to be prepared for emergency situations. Oddly enough, this particular day partially coincided with the first point on his list of the most unrealistic but dangerous scenarios.
Shizuka thoughtfully ran her gaze over the sculpted abs of the "Deadman", her eyes slowly sliding over the well-defined abs as if she was trying to commit them to memory. Her face gradually flushed, betraying her embarrassment and awkwardness.
"Ahem, ahem." The "Deadman" cleared his throat, breaking the long pause. His voice sounded unexpectedly hoarse, causing Shizuka to flinch and look away. She quickly stood up, trying to hide her embarrassment, and, not knowing what else to do, sat down next to him. An awkward silence hung between them, which, however, was usual for both of them. Shizuka always found a way to say something awkward, and the "Deadman" was too polite and modest to break the silence.
"How... How is Aunt Yoshiko doing?" Shizuka finally decided to ask, hoping to change the subject and ease the tension.
The "Deadman" frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. He instinctively reached for the phone in his pocket, but quickly pulled his hand back, realizing it was useless. She would definitely call back if she had the chance. His heart sank with worry and concern for her life. He didn't blame Shizuku for reawakening these feelings in him, but the pain of not knowing was unbearable. "I don't know." He said quietly, nervously clasping his hands together. "I tried calling her earlier, but she didn't answer."
"Probably a lot of work. She is a hard-working woman. Before, I couldn't understand how a girl could want to work in a morgue. I myself would never agree to deal with corpses every day. Although I am not afraid of corpses! Aunt Yoshiko knows how to instill fearlessness in lifeless bodies. Her optimism and carelessness when dissecting corpses are especially inspiring! Now that's what I call passion for your profession! Haha!"
Shizuka sincerely admired Yoshiko Ikuta, with whom she spent only a short six months of practice. The admiration was so great that she tried to visit her whenever possible, be it during lunch break or at the end of the work day. "Deadman" could confidently confirm that his mother and the nurse became friends thanks to their similar characters and a common wave of "sunny" positivity. And their awkwardness was not much different from each other.
"I still remember my acquaintance with a 13-year-old boy who watched without fear or disgust as his mother performed an autopsy. Do you remember?"
A small smile appeared on the "Deadman's" face when Shizuka reminded him of that day. "Of course. How can I forget the sensitive trainee who almost passed out due to her liver being extracted, and I barely managed to catch her, almost falling with her. Back then, I wasn't as strong as I am now."
"I was a young and inexperienced student! What did you want from me? The same composure and nerves of steel as you?" Shizuka couldn't frown seriously, which made her expression seem cuter than hurt. Her sunny beautiful face couldn't help but radiate brightness and cuteness. "Well, yeah... You were definitely less than five years ago. You were as tall as my neck. I could easily hug you and bury my nose in your spiky hair." Shizuka indulged in nostalgic memories of the cute and inquisitive boy whose inquiries about her studies made her feel like a teacher teaching a young student.
"Deadman" also remembered those same times with warmth. He was the same attentive and focused boy as he was now. He did not forget a single word that reached his ears with her gentle voice. He did not forget her hugs either, when due to his shorter height, his face was pressed against Shizuka's large and soft breasts. Of course, she was smaller then, but the difference was insignificant, so as not to want to drown in them.
"And now..." Shizuka looked at the "Deadman" more closely and thought about something. Suddenly, she jumped up from her seat and unexpectedly pulled the guy's hand. Her palm was slippery from the ointment, but it was still soft and warm. Her touch always calmed him, as much as his touch on her skin.
Shizuka Marikawa stood in front of the "Deadman" and waited for his actions.
"Wow! You're even taller than me! I didn't even notice that. I wonder how much?" Shizuka knew how to surprise and stun him with unexpected thoughts. She came very close to him. Her huge breasts, comparable in volume to her head, pressed against his chest. He felt the softness and warmth of her body even under his shirt. Her charming face was so close to his that he could feel her warm breath. He could have been embarrassed, but he never showed it. Shizuka raised her hand and placed it on the top of the guy's head, then moved it above herself. "I'd say... four or five centimeters. You've grown a lot over the years!" Like an older sister, she rejoiced at the achievements of the "Deadman". Her smile warmed his soul.
"You've changed too, Teacher Marikawa... Your hair used to be shoulder-length," a change in a completely different part of the body popped up in the "Deadman's" head, but it would be indecent to mention it.
"You're right. At university and in the hospital, long hair is just a nuisance. But at school, I happily grew it out," Shizuka took a lock of hair and twirled it around her index finger.
Looking at her, the "Deadman" did not notice how the trembling stopped, her breathing became even, and her gaze softened. Of course, Shizuka Marikawa could do more than just treat people with medicine. At the very least, he was sure that her smile definitely increased the effect of the motherwort.
"Thank you, Teacher Marikawa. For helping me."
"It's my duty to help people! Whether they are alive or dead!" The last part, without a doubt, indicated that this phrase belonged to her mother. The influence of the teacher on the student was obvious.
This fact caused the "Deadman" to smile peacefully again. He couldn't be the usual gloomy "Deadman" next to her. "Thank you... You know, Teacher Marikawa..."
"It's simple, Shizuka! Since you're so big, we can just call me by my first name when we talk in person. We're not strangers." It was too bold a suggestion for a nurse to make to a student.
"And how will you address me?"
"The same as before. Sorry, but I'm a forgetful girl and might accidentally call you by your name in front of others. I'm not sure, but..." Shizuka pressed her finger to her chin and thought. "It seems like people might think something inappropriate. It'll be really awkward, right?"
"Indeed... It's awkward... However..." The "Deadman" took both of her delicate little hands in his strong and rough hands. Shizuka was extremely surprised and intrigued by his actions. The guy swallowed nervously, but still decided to say the next words. "Shizuka, I..." But the words suddenly got stuck in his throat. He thought about his decision for a few seconds. He looked into Shizuka's light brown eyes, remembered today, his mother, and realized that he could have made a stupid and childish mistake. "I always considered you a teacher, and you know it, but you have also become almost an older sister to me..."
"Yeah. Me too! You're like a little brother to me!" Shizuka reciprocated with a wide smile. She wasn't against this relationship.
"And I want you to know that to me... you are the second most important person after my mother. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even more than you can imagine." The words of a secretly in love boy, but the determination in the man's eyes. He put a particularly strong emphasis on the last sentence.
Shizuka did not understand the full meaning and seriousness of his speech. She saw him as a sweet and kind boy, whom she considered her little brother. She only smiled and was embarrassed by such sweetness. "I am very happy with such warm words! Let's take care of each other in difficult times!" Shizuka stuck out her little finger to seal their promise.
"That's right. In difficult times." The "Deadman" crossed his little finger with hers. The promise was sealed. His soul felt even lighter. "Thank you for your help, Shizuka. It's time for me to go." Throwing on his bare top jacket and hiding his dirty shirt behind the closet, the "Deadman" took some medical masks, gloves, ammonia, and bandages from the closet and slowly walked towards the exit, but turned around before the door and addressed Shizuka with a small request. "Take care of Teacher Hayashi. And don't give her too much sedative. Especially strong ones."
"I know it myself! I won't allow an overdose!" Shizuka answered confidently.
"I am sure of it..."
"The Deadman" stepped over the medical station's vice, closed the door and again met the pink-haired girl who leaned against the wall to his right. Only now she was no longer frowning, but quietly chuckling under his palm.
"Well, that was a cute confession of love. Oh, right... She's just an 'older sister', right?" the girl was clearly mocking his failure and his way of avoiding a direct confession.
"What do you want from me anyway?" turning to her, "Deadman" gave her a direct view of his naked torso.
The girl blushed at the sight of a man's body so close, and now her palm was covering not a grin, but girlish embarrassment. "Button up, you idiot..." The girl demanded, looking away from him.
"What? It seems like a good body. Not the peak of my capabilities, but still." The "Deadman" suddenly wanted to make a sarcastic remark in front of her, which he usually did not do.
"First of all, it's not polite. Secondly, it will attract unwanted attention, and you don't need that right now. Right?" She held up well, and her answers were reasonable.
"You're right..." The jacket was still buttoned, and "Deadman" returned to his question. "What do you want from me?"
The girl regained her composure and her normal complexion. "Teacher Ichijo asked me to keep an eye on you if you decide to do something rash."
"A logical decision. Although I still wouldn't do anything bad to Teacher Marikawa. But to be on the safe side, it's right."
"My personal benefit is to learn the whole truth about the farce that happened first-hand." He liked the girl's pragmatism and straightforwardness. Without unnecessary preludes, she asks everything directly.
"Do you think I know anything? I'm just a student, like you. I'd better ask the teachers about everything." The guy headed down the corridor towards the exit. The girl followed him.
"I'm not stupid, the adults are either panicking or doing everything according to the instructions. None of them know what exactly is going on. You, on the contrary, act as if you suspect something specific, but deny this option. Because of what? Maybe because of the unrealistic and insane nature of your theory? Plus, the director and his deputy somehow communicated and treated you in a special way, as if they considered you equal in the current situation. You are not just a random student like Komura and the others. And what did you do to get punched in the face by Igou?"
She wasn't just straightforward, she was also smart. The Deadman liked her more and more. Girls with brains are some of the best.
"And you're smart. There's no point in hiding it... Yes. I was in the front row and saw everything that happened at the gate. Yes. I have a stupid thought about what happened, which sounds more like a joke. Yes. I'm not a random student and I can be useful in some way. Yes. I did something to deserve the hit... I forcibly groped his girlfriend by the leg and locked myself in the toilet with her for a few minutes. Pure harassment." The "Deadman" admitted in a relaxed voice to harassing Rey.
The pink-haired girl slowed down a bit after the boy's revelation. He stopped and turned his head towards her. Surprise, shock, apprehension, fear and contempt were easily read on her face.
"What is it? Are you afraid of me now after my words? It wasn't just for nothing that Master Ichijo advised you to keep an eye on me... Although no one told him about this incident," he addressed the girl again in a calm voice. He had no need to hide anything. From now on, he would speak directly and harshly if he was asked about something.
"I guessed that something dubious had happened, but this... I'm shocked that Komura didn't kill you on the same spot. Wait. You didn't do anything to Miyamoto in the toilet, did you?" the girl wasn't sure of anything anymore.
"Don't worry. We just had a heart-to-heart talk. Then she hit me with a mop and took me captive herself. You probably saw that I was tied up," he replied, trying to maintain his composure.
"And how did this happen? First you let go of your hands, and then you let yourself be punished. Are you a sadomasochist or something?" - there was bewilderment and slight contempt in her voice.
"I can't resist girls who can punch me and tie me up with their own stockings. It was fun, in its own way," he tried to explain his point of view with a slight smile. Now the girl looked at him like he was an idiot. Progress.
The "Deadman" continued on his way, hoping that she would leave him alone, but the clicking of school shoes on the floor was clearly audible behind him. He could only sigh heavily.
"What is your name, young lady?"
"Saya Takagi. From 2-B. What's your name?"
"Last name - Ikuta. First name, you might as well say, is gone. Nickname "Deadman". 3-A."
"Clear."
The guy was surprised that she didn't comment or make a sarcastic remark about his nickname. Perhaps she was afraid of somehow offending him and provoking him. On the one hand, he was offended that she was afraid of him, but on the other hand, it was an adequate reaction to such a person.
The "Deadman" finally came out of the school walls into the fresh air. He unexpectedly stopped Saya with an important question:
"Are you sure you want to go? I'm warning you in advance: next to me you will see cruelty, violence and blood. You may feel sick and faint from horror. You may think I'm a sick psycho and just go crazy from what you see. I've warned you.
He didn't care about the girl, but he didn't want to traumatize another person on this fateful day.
But Saya surprised him with her persistence in striving for the truth. She left the school without delay and stood unexpectedly close to the "Deadman". He said nothing: no persuasion, no threats. They were both silent the entire way. A pleasant silence.
Reaching the gate was not difficult. Teacher Ohara and Deputy Ichijo were standing there. There were no other reliable teachers. At least the "Deadman" had normal relations with these two, and he had already become acquainted with the first one and his dark tendencies towards amputating various limbs.
"No one else was found?"
"Better less and reliable than a lot and of dubious quality. Right, Ohara?"
"Probably... Although another pair of hands wouldn't hurt." Ohara, to Saya's horror, handed the fire axe to Deadman.
Saya ran up and stood behind Ichijo. "What are you doing, teacher? How could you give a weapon to a student? Especially one with an unstable psyche!"
"Well, it's his axe... Director Kuro said that everything is fine, and the guy can take any action with the intruder." Ohara looked as if he accepted the absurdity of existence. He mechanically pointed his hand at the body hidden behind the security booth, which caused the deputy's displeasure and the interest of the student.
"He is well connected, as I see. May I approach him?" Saya asked permission to satisfy her curiosity.
"Ohara, escort her. Girl, be careful. Boy, you're standing next to me. You're scaring the girl." After assigning roles, Ichijo and the group surrounded the tied up man.
Saya immediately wrinkled her nose from the disgusting smell of rot. "Ugh... Is that what a severed arm smells like? I wouldn't be surprised if someone among us cut it off." Saya was hinting at the "Deadman."
"He was missing an arm." As one answered the two accomplices of this crime.
"Turn it over. And you'll see where the smell comes from." "Deadman" suggested.
Saya did as she was advised and was horrified by the sight of a huge wound on the man's back.
"Now check his pulse and breathing."
Saya obeyed the guy with the axe again. Her shock and surprise grew more and more. She couldn't feel a pulse, no matter how hard she tried. And she didn't just not hear his breathing, she couldn't even feel it with her fingers. She quickly jumped up when the man began to kick and twitch sharply. Doubts and fear of the incomprehensible were spinning in her head.
"This... is very strange..." Saya wanted to find a reasonable explanation for this, but nothing fit together.
"Add to your doubts the fact that after he bit the hand of the teacher Teshima, he became almost as twitchy and biting. He also had no pulse after that." The "Deadman" told her.
"And where is he now?"
At first, he did not dare to answer because of the risks that came with confessing, but the deputy director suddenly nodded to him and spoke:
"Speak. The girl already knows too much. It's better to convey the information to each person separately than to tell it to a mindless crowd."
"Okay... You see, Saya. Teacher Teshima... is dead."
Shock became her constant companion. At first, she did not believe his words, but after listening to the full story and receiving confirmation from teacher Ohara, she cast aside her doubts. And when she was shown the teacher's corpse, Saya instinctively covered her mouth, trying to suppress the approaching nausea, and was finally convinced of the reality of what was happening.
Saya took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. Her voice was steady, not shaking, as she addressed the boy, looking him straight in the eye, "So what kind of horrible theory did you form after all this?"
"Eh... You can laugh at me, but I suspect that a zombie apocalypse has begun, like in the classic horror films of Grandpa Romero. Living dead, whose bite leads to death and subsequent conversion. Chaos and confusion in the city and in the world. The inability of entire armies to cope with the threat of stupid meat bags with bones, which is funny and stupid by definition. Yeah... I would say that Romero's films were more about relationships and psychology of people than about the logic of what is happening." "Deadman" finally expressed all the stupid thoughts that he had accumulated over time.
He glanced at Saya. She was listening to him with equanimity, but her furrowed brows betrayed an inner tension. He sensed that her words were not idle amusement to her. She touched her chin thoughtfully, as if trying to grasp the essence of his words. Then her fingers slid smoothly to her forehead, massaging it in an attempt to comprehend something new, inexplicable. Finally, her hands moved to the bridge of her nose, where she began to gently rub the skin, as if trying to calm her thoughts. It was clear that she was struggling with doubts, with something that was disturbing her usual understanding of the world.
"Oh my… I don't believe what I'm saying, but… It seems like your crazy theory is the best explanation for all of this. Although more evidence would still be needed, the problem is that no fact other than logic can counter your words." Saya sighed heavily, acknowledging the right of the "Deadman" theory to exist.
He, in turn, could not believe his ears. "Seriously? Without arguments, discussions, even without… A banal insult in madness? You really believed me? No jokes?"
"I told you I don't believe my own words! But the fact is that this man is clearly dead. He certainly can't be alive with such injuries and lack of breathing," Saya rolled her eyes in irritation, feeling her patience begin to wear thin from having to repeat this absurd thought.
In a world where chaos and destruction have become the new reality, and the living dead threaten humanity, "Deadman" felt the joy of a new acquaintance for the first time. This girl was not just smart and stubborn, she had a character that was fascinating and attractive. Her appeal was like a lightning strike - bright and stunning.
She was bitchy, but that was her inner strength. Her coldness, like an ice shower, was refreshing and made him collect his thoughts. The "Deadman" felt his heart begin to beat faster.
"Let's be friends." He blurted out unexpectedly.
"Are you completely out of your mind, idiot? What friendship? We have a potential apocalypse with the living dead on our nose! No time to make unnecessary friendships! No time for this!" Her voice was sharp, but not angry. There was a logic in it that was both admirable and irritating.
"I agree in part," he said thoughtfully, looking into the eyes of his interlocutor. "But in times like these, it's almost impossible to survive alone. Even if you have nerves of steel and a cold mind like me, you still need loyal comrades and reliable partners. And best of all, loyal friends you can rely on."
He was surprised by his own words. How could he, who had always despised saccharine friendship and excessive romanticism, suddenly start talking about needing friends? But if you think about it, having a person with a cold mind and a sober view of things as an ally would be very useful. In a world where every day brings new trials and dangers, such people could become irreplaceable.
"You harassed Rey and who knows what else you did to her behind closed doors. The bar of trust in you has sunk to an all-time low. Do you even understand that?" Saya's voice was cold and determined. She no longer felt fear or disgust, but her face remained serious and her gaze was firm.
Saya did not avoid the conversation, but, on the contrary, put the "Deadman" in his place. It was better than completely ignoring him, although her words were still saturated with bitterness and mistrust. She did not try to soften the blow, but did not stoop to insults. Her speech was clear and logical, without unnecessary emotions. She did not lose her composure and did not lower the bar of adequacy.
"I accept all the accusations. But I can explain why I did it and convince you that nothing serious happened in the toilet." he answered quietly but firmly.
Saya pressed a hand to her face, trying to hide her mixture of irritation and confusion. His persistence in trying to win her favor irritated and respected her at the same time. He was an uncompromising man, his methods bordering on cruelty, but it was precisely these qualities that had probably saved lives at the school. She remembered how Rei had successfully protected him from Komuro, and that meant that their conflict with the "Deadman" was behind them.
"God, how do you expect to justify yourself to a random girl? It's even funny. More respect for yourself! You're a man, damn it! Prove your sincerity with actions, not words!" she suddenly shouted, not hiding her irritation.
Her words made the "Deadman" think. His next move could destroy the fragile threads of respect and trust that had just begun to form between them, but it was the only way to find out the truth. He approached Ichijo's deputy and moved away from Ohara and Saya so that no one could overhear them.
"Are you nuts? I won't approve of this!" That was the only thing Ohara and Saya could clearly hear.
"No... Does he really want to..." The teacher was already familiar with the "Deadman's" thinking and saw what he was capable of. He was beginning to guess what they were talking about. Saya just silently watched all three of them.
The argument between "Deadman" and Ichijo was intense and short. Both were adamant and had no intention of giving in. But the student, like an experienced strategist, easily won the verbal duel. Ichijo, realizing his defeat, did not continue the fight. He only threw a grim warning at parting: "If he turns out to be alive, the school and I will not cover for you. You will be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
"I know. I've already committed a couple of crimes. One more, one less..."
The "Deadman" approached the tied up man and crouched down in front of him. He emptied all his pockets, carefully folded the mask and gloves next to him, then unbuttoned his shirt, exposing the man's torso.
"What do you want to do?" Saya sat down next to the "Deadman" to better see all his further actions.
"Just don't be scared, okay? I want to... Operate on him. Look inside. And first of all, check his heart."
A grimace of disgust and rejection appeared on Saya's face, but literally a second later she swallowed, sighed heavily and exhaled, calming down. "Okay... It's cruel, but it's definitely the fastest way to check if he's alive."
"I adore you..." I couldn't contain my admiration for the smart girl.
"You... What are you talking about, moron? Come on, start your operation already!" Saya responded to this with blushing cheeks and sharp words of call to action.
"The Deadman" did not argue with the lady and began preparing for the operation. He put on a medical mask and wanted to put on gloves, but remembered one important detail about the infection. "Master Ichijo, can I have your glasses?"
"Explain"
"In some films, infection occurs not only through bites or scratches. For example, in the film "28 Days Later" it is only necessary for any bodily fluid to enter the human body. One of the film's heroes turned to the disease because of a drop of blood that got into the mucous membrane of the eye."
"I see. But I would like to personally see all your movements..." Ichijo was ready to take off his glasses, but Saya unexpectedly extended her hand with the glasses case to the "Deadman".
"Here you go. Put mine on." She didn't skimp on her glasses for the sake of an important matter.
"Thank you. I'll try not to get it dirty." Putting on his glasses, which were still a bit small, but not critically so, "Deadman" handed each of those present a mask and a pair of gloves. "Master Ichijo, hold him by the shoulders. Master Ohara, by the legs. Saya, prepare bandages to stop the bleeding from the wound immediately."
"Don't call me by my name. We're not that close." She blushed with irritation.
"We are going to cut a person together now for the sake of an experiment. What else can bring people closer together?" "Deadman" began to enjoy teasing Saya.
"Takagi. Address me as Takagi, Ikuta. This is not up for discussion." Saya's stubbornness also fascinated him.
"Okay. Let's begin."
The gloves were on. The axe was in his hand. Its blade was just below the ribcage. The "Deadman" pressed his hand down and the tip of the metal cut a hole in the man's body. Blood trickled slowly from the hole in a small stream. The "Deadman" drew the blade down to his stomach, creating a bloody slit of flesh two palms wide in length.
Ohara was tired of feeling sick and just closed his eyes, humming some pop song under his breath. Ichijo's expression didn't change, he didn't care. Saya turned her nose up at the horrible smell of rot and entrails that came from the wound. She kept squinting her eyes to see less blood. She still felt uncomfortable with this sight.
"The Deadman" took off his deputy director's jacket. He couldn't get it dirty, because it was indecent. He made Saya feel awkward again, but to her "luck", the blood and stench overcame her girlish embarrassment.
The "Deadman" finally pushed his right hand inside the man through his new hole. The hand went halfway up the elbow before the fingers reached the right spot.
"I'm holding his heart... It's cold. The average temperature of a human heart is about 36.5-37.5 Celsius... This is not normal..."
Saya first took a deep breath to calm her gagging. Then, with only a bit of her former confidence and audacity, she said: "Nobody has cancelled hypothermia. What is the minimum temperature for it?"
"I agree... Hypothermia is the most logical conclusion in all this. But... The heart does not move at all... This can happen with hypothermia... Only the person does not live long with it..."
"You cannot force every doubter to put his hand on his heart." Sai's critical remarks gave him a great boost.
After thinking for a while, he came up with an interesting but frightening solution to all the problems. Beads of sweat appeared on his face, because this decision could ruin not only his future, but also the whole life of a man. But in the end, he made up his mind. "Takagi… Read to three, please…" He asked his "assistant".
Saya was at first surprised by the strange request, but it was not impossible. "Okay. One… Two… Three!"
The guy's hand jerked back sharply, and everyone heard an unpleasant slimy sound, as if something had been torn away from something. The "Deadman" showed only slight confusion. "Is the man still moving?"
"Twitching with the desire to bite someone in the eyes." Ichijo answered.
However, this was a rhetorical question, because the guy saw everything with his own eyes.
"I see…" the guy slowly pulled his hand out of the man's body.
She was covered in blood and internal fluid. All three of them felt a little sick, but they held on until they looked at what exactly the "Deadman" was holding in his hand.
At first, no one realized what he was holding. His hands, wet and sticky, were tightly clutching something dark red, menacingly bright in the sunlight. Drops of scarlet liquid ran down his wrists, pooling on his elbows and slowly falling onto the man's cold body. The surface of something was smooth in some places, but in others it was cut with lines of vessels, scraps of tissue and valves that had recently been rhythmically opening and closing.
At the Deadman's fingers were visible shreds of blood arteries and veins, thick but now hanging limply like broken ropes. The breaks were rough, with jagged edges covered in dried blood.
Everyone knew exactly what was in front of them. A heart. A human heart. Obviously dead for some time, due to the distinct, acrid smell of rot and blood.
"Shit happened… Without a heart, a man doesn't live. The man should be dead. But he's still moving. How can you comment on this?" the question was addressed to everyone, but no one answered, because they were busy with other things.
Teacher Ohara gave in to his urge to vomit without a twinge of conscience, and his stomach vomited both his breakfast and his modest lunch. Ichijo, on the other hand, showed no signs of undue emotion. He quickly called the principal and reported what had happened:
"Headmaster. It's bad. The guy was right… Irrefutable evidence? He's holding it in his hand right now. Call an emergency. In ten minutes. We need to prepare for chaos. Send him to the gate… No, actually. There are no reliable guys among the teachers that I would trust… Fine. I'll take it all on myself."
Saya was the quietest of all, simply closing her eyes and holding her hands over her mouth to hold back the urge to vomit. Now she looked scared and stunned.
The "Deadman", concerned about her condition, placed his clean hand on her shoulder and shook her gently.
"How are you? If you feel sick, don't hold back. It's better to puke once than to endure it." But she only shook her head, not wanting to shame her pride. "Get away from the body and breathe some fresh air. Or at least take some ammonia and come to your senses." The "Deadman" gave her a bottle of alcohol, which she reluctantly accepted and walked away with it from the untidy smell with metallic notes.
While Saya was coming to normal, "Deadman" took off his bloody glove, putting his torn-out heart in it. Afterwards, he wrapped his torso with bandages to hide the gap under his chest and to make him stink less. During this time, Saya returned to him, now with a completely calm face and state.
"So, the apocalypse with the living dead has begun? You were right in your judgment."
"Unfortunately, yes… All we can do is…" But he couldn't finish because of the noise of the rotors coming from above. Everyone looked up and saw a group of four military helicopters. This was definitely a bad sign. "He hopes that the army won't disgrace its honor and shit itself."
"Do you think they can handle it? Usually in horror movies they can't do anything." Saya was well aware of the cliches that came with zombie movies.
"In the movie "Night of the Living Dead", both the original and the remake, the dead were dealt with by ordinary farmers with guns. They just shot them. The sequels don't count. They're not about logic anymore, they're more about people." A big expert in such movies answered. "Although I'm not sure about the dead. One instance is not enough to reach the scale of the fucking mess."
"I agree. This one may be shabby. And you can't judge other dead people by it. It seems you're interested in this topic. Hobby?"
"That's right. It was a hobby… Oh, yeah… I'm returning it." The "Deadman" returned the case with her glasses to Saya. "I don't think I broke it. Thanks again." He thanked her with a slight smile on his face.
"You're welcome. It's a serious matter. By the way, are you…"
"I don't want to interrupt your sweet talk, boys and girls. But I have a request for you, or rather, an order." Ichijo was more serious than usual. "Deadman" and Saya turned to listen to him. "The principal's announcement will sound at school now, and then all hell will break loose. I can't completely count on the teachers. Here… Only Ohara seems more or less reliable. Many, I'm sure, will panic along with the students. It will sound stupid, of course, but I want to know if there are any reliable guys among your acquaintances at school who can be relied upon to guard the gates and who won't run away at breakneck speed?"
Saya thought about it. "Komura and company are tough and not soft. And also..." she stopped abruptly. She wouldn't admit it, but her circle of friends was extremely small and limited due to her level of intelligence. There were few who could be on equal terms with her.
"Deadman" had no problem with that. "A classmate and, one might say, a good friend – Saeko Busujima. 3-A. But I'm 100% sure that she's in the campus dojo now. There are also two idiot buddies, but you can't find them now: either they're smoking somewhere or skipping class. They're definitely not in the classroom right now. There's also a good friend with specific skills and knowledge, but to be completely confident in himself, he'll need access to the labor class, where he should try to make a weapon."
"We'll give you access. Who is this?"
"Kota Hirano. I don't remember which class."
"This fat guy? Why do you need him?" Saya was genuinely surprised to hear her classmate's name.
"Do you know him?" asked the Deadman.
"Yes. A classmate. But what skills might he have?"
"You'll understand later. The main thing is to take him to a labor class and give him a kick in the ass so he'll turn on his brain."
"Okay. At least something. Takagi, you go to school, find all these people and send them here in a jiffy. Ask for the keys in the teachers' room and go with this Hirano to the shop class. Look for anything that can be used as a weapon and come back to us." Ichijo gave clear instructions.
"It's unpleasant to play the role of a messenger, but I understand everything. Just don't run away and leave this place unguarded." Saya declares with invigorating boldness, quickly running off to school.
Three men remained near the gates to protect them from the approaching threat. Not all of them were confident in their strength or even ready to fight to the death. But there was nothing to be done, they would have to stand to the end for the survival of the school. However, not everyone in the school would be happy about this.