The winter rain fell cold and sharp, drumming against the eaves of the apartment block with a relentless patter.
It had rained for an entire week. During that time, Sosuke Kitahara remained in the settlement, reflecting on everything that had happened since the outbreak began. Hiratsuka Shizuka's story from that night weighed heavily on his mind, a reminder that vigilance could not waver. The appearance of first-tier zombies only reinforced the truth: if he wanted to survive if he wanted to protect those beside him, he needed to stay ahead of the evolution curve.
That was why, when he felt faint signs of advancing to the second tier, he chose to remain at the base for another week. But to his disappointment, Utaha Kasumigaoka, Haruno Yukinoshita, and Yukino Yukinoshita still hadn't fully mastered the breathing method.
Not enough combat experience?
From the corridor outside, he spotted the sisters standing under the gray sky. Kitahara pushed himself up from the table and went to meet them.
Dusk had fallen, the rain at last subsiding only as night approached.
Across the way, at the base of another apartment block, Tsumura was speaking anxiously to Fujishima. Not far off, Michiko, Etsuko, and several other women lounged about casually, cracking sunflower seeds as if nothing concerned them.
Kitahara shook his head. Pulling on his raincoat, he exchanged a few words with Haruno and the others before heading downstairs toward the settlement's iron gate.
"What happened?" he asked Fujishima.
"Yohei took some of the guys out on patrol this afternoon. They haven't come back yet…" Fujishima's voice was low and grim.
Before Kitahara could respond, a lookout on the makeshift watchtower shouted:
"Boss! Yohei and the others are back but it's only Yohei and Hayama Hayato!"
Kitahara and Fujishima exchanged a glance and hurried to the gate. The old man on duty, clutching his makeshift spear-knife, moved forward as two figures staggered through the entrance. Yohei and Hayama, battered and bloody, leaned heavily on their companions.
"You're back, thank god!"
Fujishima's relief was cut short as Kitahara pulled him back. His eyes narrowed. "Wait. They're injured."
His warning carried loudly, and the gathered crowd reacted instantly. People scattered in fear, while the men supporting Yohei and Hayama recoiled as if burned. Yohei's side bore a deep gash still leaking fresh blood; Hayama's left arm was cut, and the back of his hand torn raw.
In this world, wounds were no small matter.
Everyone knew what injury could mean possible infection. If it spread unchecked, the entire community of nearly four hundred could be wiped out.
"Boss, listen we weren't bitten! We got cut on broken glass while escaping!" Yohei shouted desperately, clinging to what dignity he could.
Without support, he and Hayama collapsed onto the ground, forcing themselves to sit upright.
"Yohei," Fujishima said evenly, keeping his distance. "When you left, there were four students with you. Why are only the two of you back?"
"It was him!" Hayama snapped, glaring at Yohei. "He said there might be guns in the bank. Dragged us in there and then a horde of zombies trapped us inside!"
Yohei's eyes bulged in fury, but in the end he looked away with a heavy sigh. Hayama, however, remained pale and shaken.
"When we tried to escape, something else showed up," Hayama whispered. "A shadow fast as lightning. People's heads just… came off. We never even saw what it was. Just like Hiratsuka-sensei described. We barely broke a window and ran. These wounds glass did this. But the others… the others weren't so lucky."
When his voice broke, he slumped to the ground, trembling with remembered terror.
"Tsumura, get them some food," Fujishima ordered.
Once Tsumura left, Fujishima crouched slightly, his voice low but steady. "You've done enough. We'll prepare food and medicine for you, but for the safety of everyone here, you'll need to stay in the cages tonight. Tomorrow, if nothing happens, you'll be released. After that, you won't need to go out anymore."
"…Alright. We understand."
Yohei nodded heavily. It was the rule anyone injured outside had to spend the night in the iron cages. If nothing happened within a few hours, they were clear. If they turned… the bars would hold.
Kitahara, flashlight in hand, checked their wounds himself. No blackened blood, no immediate signs of infection. In his view, the cages weren't necessary but since they agreed, he let it pass.
If it had been him, he'd rather leave the settlement altogether than sleep behind bars. That was his pride.
With quiet compliance, Hayama stood, Yohei following him. Tsumura soon returned with food, medicine, and iron chains to lock the cages tight.
"Kitahara, go rest. I'll handle this," Fujishima said with practiced calm.
Kitahara nodded, turning back toward the apartments. On the stairs, Haruno and the others met him, anxious for answers. He had just opened his mouth when a scream tore through the night.
It was Yohei.
Kitahara froze. Hayama turned? But that's impossible… their wounds were clean.
"This time… something really went wrong."
He ordered the women back inside, then grabbed his blade and rushed down.
The "housewives' club" was still loitering nearby. Michiko now clutched a steel pipe, her phoenix eyes wide with fear.
"Etsuko you… go see what's happening! My husband's over there, bring him back!"
She jabbed a finger at her pale-faced friend. Etsuko's knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the ground.
"M-Me? You want me to go?"
"What are you scared of? I'm not asking you to fight zombies! Just check! My husband's there!" Michiko snapped, though her own face was just as pale.
"Enough. Both of you back inside. Lock your doors."
Kitahara's tone brooked no argument. Etsuko bobbed her head rapidly, as if granted pardon, while he gripped his blade and advanced silently toward the factory.
The fire pits on either side crackled dimly, but their glow could not banish the darkness. Fujishima and Tsumura were nowhere in sight. Ahead, the yawning doorway of the factory loomed a black maw, like some monstrous beast waiting to devour whoever drew near.
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