The escalator entrance was like a dividing line on one side stood humans wielding blades, on the other, a relentless horde of zombies scrambling upward.
After clearing the zombies on the second floor, a few men tried to rush over to assist Sosuke Kitahara, but he barked at them to stay back.
You've got to be kidding!
He was in perfect rhythm, cutting down zombies effortlessly. The escalator's landing wasn't wide; if more people crowded in, he'd have to split his focus to watch their side as well.
The men he rebuffed felt a twinge of dissatisfaction. Is this really the time to show off? Even if you're strong, don't you get tired? They thought he was just a hot-blooded youth who didn't understand teamwork.
But as time passed, their expressions shifted from annoyance, to solemnity, to sheer shock. Their jaws hung open, eyes locked in disbelief.
Utaha Kasumigaoka swept her long hair over her shoulder, revealing a crystal-clear ear, her machete casually hanging by her thigh. She tilted her chin with quiet pride.
Yukino Yukinoshita's pure features remained expressionless, her lips lightly pressed together beneath her delicate nose. Her gaze met her sister Haruno Yukinoshita's, and a faint smile flickered in her eyes.
Not that anyone noticed their subtle exchange everyone's attention was fixed squarely on Sosuke Kitahara.
The man before them swung his long blade tirelessly, its cold gleam sealing the escalator entrance so tightly that not a single zombie could slip through. The pile of corpses at his feet grew higher with every passing second.
Hundreds of dead bodies shattered everyone's understanding of combat power. The escalator was buried under mangled corpses, none with an intact head. Black blood pooled and dripped down to stain the floor below.
Those who had once coveted the few firearms now felt only dread. A man like this best not to provoke him.
With a wet squelch, Sosuke Kitahara skewered the last zombie that managed to climb up. He turned, splattered in black blood, his shoes stained so dark they'd lost all color. The once-shining blade was now streaked in black and white.
He gave his wrist a sharp flick, splattering ichor onto the floor, rolled his neck, and smiled faintly. "Alright, this mall is ours now."
Fujishima snapped out of his daze, eyes bright as he looked at the mountain of corpses. He stepped forward eagerly. "Brother, you're incredible. From now on, you're my friend. Whatever you need, you come to me no holding back." For someone of Sosuke's caliber, there was no "little brother" prefix to the title.
"Damn, that's insane," Tsumura muttered, still stunned. He glanced at Hiromi Takahashi beside him. "Where did you find a beast like this? He's not even human."
"Then maybe you should learn a thing or two. Keep acting stupid like before, and I'll find myself another man soon enough," Hiromi huffed. Tsumura scratched his head in embarrassment, knowing she was referring to the time he'd tripped over his own shoelaces.
Not far away, Haruno and Yukino began walking toward Sosuke. Shizuka Hiratsuka watched them with a knowing look and murmured, "So that's why you dared to head all the way to Yamanashi Prefecture."
The others wore similar expressions of respect. Those still on the second floor of the mall were the strongest fighters in the shelter. No one begrudged Sosuke his strength he made their dangerous supply runs safer. Only a fool would resent that.
Compliments began flowing freely.
Sosuke accepted them without the slightest hint of false modesty. In the apocalypse, power not titles or status determined who got to speak.
"Fujishima, want me to take a couple of guys and rough up those cowards who ran back to the truck?" Tsumura spat the words with venom.
"What do you say, brother?" Fujishima's face was dark. He'd known some people were reluctant to scavenge for supplies, but he hadn't expected so many to abandon their teammates.
"I don't care. You decide," Sosuke replied with a smile. Truthfully, he'd never considered those people his companions he'd only come along out of pity for the shelter's elderly and children.
Fujishima caught his meaning. Sosuke had no interest in meddling in the shelter's internal affairs, which only made Fujishima respect him more. "Forget it for now. Have them help move the supplies first. We'll deal with punishment once we're back."
"Fine. Let those cowards off easy," Tsumura grumbled, stomping away with two men in tow.
Shizuka Hiratsuka approached with Hachiman Hikigaya and Hayato Hayama. "Fujishima, there are still a few zombies breathing under that pile. I'll take two students down to finish them."
"Be careful," Fujishima nodded. Sosuke raised a brow. Hachiman, it seemed, was reluctant to be anywhere near Hayama even down on the first floor, he kept his distance.
Was this lingering trauma from last time?
The mountain of corpses was an imposing sight. Zombies trapped beneath clawed desperately at the ground when they sensed living prey.
"Sensei, leave these to me," Hayama said with a smug smirk, rushing forward to dispatch them. But before his self-satisfied grin could fade, a black blur shot toward him. He barely had time to register it before it slammed into him, knocking him to the ground.
"Look out!"
Sosuke's eyes narrowed on the second floor, ready to leap down, but Hayama, scrambling back, suddenly kicked the creature skyward. In one smooth motion, his entrenching tool cleaved it cleanly in two. The severed head rolled away, and the headless body crashed to the ground.
The attacker was… a small dog. Its belly was hollowed out by zombie bites, its furless body unrecognizable.
Leaning on the railing, Haruno tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her profile perfect against the dim light. She chuckled. "Hayama's a strange one. Sometimes he's useless, but other times… unexpectedly impressive. Maybe he just needs a brush with death to wake up?"
"…," Yukino said nothing but nodded slightly. Strictly speaking, Hayama was her childhood friend their families were close, and they'd grown up together. They should have been on good terms.
But after certain events, she'd grown to dislike him.
As for why she had no wish to bring up the past. It no longer mattered.
Because now, there was no room in her eyes for any other man.
Yukino turned her head ever so slightly.
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