Chapter 112: Residents of the Station

Exiting the subway platform and climbing a short flight of stairs, a barricade constructed from the stairs came into view.

(They do appear to be well-prepared in terms of defense.)

Climbing over it with a ladder brought us to a residential area where a considerable number of people were living.

The situation, at a glance, doesn’t look promising.

Everyone looks pale. It seems like they haven’t been able to have proper meals.

It’s understandable. Currently, numerous zombies wander through the city center. Moreover, if they try to escape to the outskirts, a large number of zombies are lying in wait along the way.

(Well, saving the people here might be a bit challenging, Koto.)

Thinking this to myself, I glanced at the helmet, which remained silent.

“Right?”

On the way, a woman of uncertain age with flashy clothes wraps her arms around mine.

“If you give me something to eat, I’ll let you have a freebie, how about it?”

She asks, pressing my arm with her chest.

Not sure how to respond, Kouichi gently pushes her aside.

“I apologize. He is our important guest.”

“Tch, what’s this?”

Uttering a shrill voice, the woman turns away.

In a low voice, I ask,

“Is the environment not very good around here?”

“Exactly. Most of the supplies in this area have already run out.”

“…? But this is Akasaka Mitsuke, right?”

I’ve only wandered around here once before.

There should have been a supermarket near the station.

“While there appears to be a variety of food still accessible on the surface…”

“That’s true, but… there are many zombies wandering around.”

“I see.”

I nodded but a bitter expression took shape.

(Instead of passively waiting for death like this, shouldn’t we take some action?)

That’s how it seemed to me.

However, I understand that there are many people in this world who can’t fight zombies, even when confronted by them.

Whether weakness is a sin is not an easy question to answer.

After all, I’m not someone who is inherently ‘strong’.

“Hey, have you heard about her, leader?”

“…Hm?”

At that moment, one of the three children who had been following us all along speaks up with a smirk.

He looks at the woman who pressed her breasts against my arm earlier.

“That lady is what they call a ‘sageman*.’ That’s why everyone dislikes her.”
(*TN: sageman is a woman purported to bring bad luck to the man she is near or has sex with)

Upon hearing this, Kouichi, looking disgruntled, comments,

“…Hey. Kids shouldn’t use such words.”

“What’s the big deal, president? Everyone’s saying it, so it’s fine.”

Kouichi furrows his brow and shrugs his shoulders.

“This is truly troublesome. It’s not good for kids to be in an environment that’s detrimental to their education.”

“Is ‘president’ your nickname here?”

“Yes. In a way, I’ve been entrusted with looking after the kids here.”

“You’re in charge of looking after kids?”

“I, too, am discontented. …Come, this way.”

We all entered a room labeled “Stationmaster’s Office.”

Inside, there seems to be a reception area, and a few men stand with solemn expressions, arms crossed.

One of them, a slender man with a shaved head resembling a barcode, glances at us and says,

“Hmm. Takatani, huh? How’s the situation on the Marunouchi Line?”

“No problems.”

“Huh? There shouldn’t be no problems. What about the zombie attacks?”

“Just a moment ago, my invaluable companion, Inugami, made a bold entrance and splendidly eliminated those walking corpses.”

“What? That many? Did he use explosives?”

I shrug my shoulders and reply casually, “Well, something like that.”

“Hmm… Well, go ahead and have a seat for now.”

Plush sofas were generously offered, and we comfortably settled into them.

Immediately, there’s a sensation of sinking into the cushions.

(Now that I think about it, it’s been quite some time since I’ve enjoyed such a luxuriously soft cushion.)

If it were allowed, I might just take a quick nap right here.

“Kids, please stand up.”

The man with the barcode-like shaved head speaks.

It appears he is the leader of this group.

“Ugh. I want to be with the leader!”

One of the kids complains, but,

“Hurry up.”

Sensing anger in the man’s expression, the child reluctantly leaves.

“Well, um… I’m Inugami Renji, but you can call me Inugami.”

I introduced myself again, but the leader didn’t respond.

“As for the meal? …Well, there’s not much we can offer.”

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Good then,” he says, unenthusiastically.

(If you’re not going to introduce yourself, I’ll just mentally call you ‘Barcode Baldy.’ Is that okay?)

“Well then, care for some tea?”

“But, there’s not much left here, right? No need to trouble yourself.”

“Young girl, there’s no need to hold back.”

Barcode Baldy said that with a bored expression.

“Inugami, was it? What brings you here?”

“Just passing through.”

“I see. So, you don’t plan on living here.”

“Not for now.”

Upon hearing this, Kouichi exclaims in surprise,

“Eeeeh! Don’t say that, Inugami! Let’s stick together!”

“Takatani… You should be quiet.”

Barcode Baldy’s words pierce through, leaving Kouichi looking disheartened.

“But if there’s anything I can help with, I’m willing to lend a hand,” I suggest, and Barcode Baldy responds with a sarcastic smile.

“Haha. No, thank you… For now, we have enough manpower.”

Even I, not being very perceptive, can sense that I’m not exactly welcome.

As someone entrusted with this group, having more mouths to feed would be inconvenient.

…But.

It felt a bit odd.

In situations like this, where things have become closed off, having more young people is generally considered a good thing. Having more manpower means better chances of securing resources.

Zombies are terrifying.

However, it’s a fact that they are not formidable adversaries when faced with a well-coordinated group of humans.

“Your parents, where are they?”

“They’re both overseas for work. Right now, they’re in France.”

“Oh. You’re lucky.”

“Maybe. Surprisingly, it might not be safe over there either.”

“That’s true. Any other relatives?”

“I lead a solitary life with a laid-back approach, living alone with no one to depend on.”

“I see, I see…”

At that moment, a warm cup of tea is offered to me.

To my surprise, sugar is even provided.

Gulp, my throat made a sound.

It’s been quite a while since I had a warm drink in front of me.

(I considered declining initially, but it’s proper etiquette to accept what’s offered, right?)

While mentally preparing myself.

I generously pour sugar into the tea and take a sip.

……

……

Whoa.

It’s so delicious that it’s almost tear-inducing.

I never knew tea could be such a soothing beverage.

Swallowing the hot drink feels like setting my whole body on fire.

“Thank you. It was delicious.”

I expressed my sincere gratitude.

“I suppose so. Don’t need your thanks.”

Barcode Baldy turns away.

…Does this guy have some kind of disease where he always looks disinterested, no matter what happens?

“By the way, do you have any weapons or something like that?”

“Weapons?… Ah, you mean the ones used to defeat the zombies?”

“Of course.”

I hesitated for a moment.

Describing the helmet matter wouldn’t be easily believed

“I saw that horde earlier, and… it wasn’t an easy number to handle, right? Do you have guns, or perhaps grenades?”

“Well, it’s not exactly like that.”

As I said this, I picked up the helmet.

(Showing is faster than explaining, I guess.)

Thinking that, I attempt to place it on my head, but…

“Oh…”

Foolishly, my fingers slip, and the helmet tumbles onto the table.

With a loud crash, the cup shatters and spills its contents.

“Oops, sorry…”

A bitter feeling fills me.

I’m already not particularly welcome, and now I’ve made such a blunder.

I stand up and try to gather the pieces of the cup.

“…Guh? …Huh?”

However, my legs suddenly lose strength, and I find myself on my knees right there.

(…Huh?)

And then, my thoughts quickly become blurry.

“W-Wha… Inu…gami!?”

A surprised voice came from Kouichi.

“Co-Could it be! Inugami, you…”

I notice my friend is enraged.

Barcode Baldy seems to say something in response, but…

“…………..”

I can’t hear well.

The muscles in my body loosen, and I collapse on the spot.

“No way! Is he…!”

“…”

My consciousness gradually fades away.