It seemed perfectly reasonable for any student to freely apply to join campus clubs. Yet, when Rojay voiced his request, a peculiar expression flickered across the beautiful face of Mitsurugi Shizuka.
"Is my request troubling you, Senior Mitsurugi?"
"Not troubling, exactly…" Mitsurugi narrowed her eyes slightly. "It's just… everything feels unusually chaotic today. We've had multiple new applicants to the Kendo Club this morning alone. And then, a team from Shohoku High's Kendo Club appeared out of nowhere—challenging us to a 'friendly' match during this afternoon's club activities. Still," she added, her tone shifting, "if you wish to join the Kendo Club, Rojay-kun, you are always welcome."
Shohoku High Kendo Club?
Rojay's face betrayed a barely perceptible muscle twitch. That level of efficiency… definitely players from the Japanese teams. Though their approach is… creatively unorthodox.
After Mitsurugi left, Rojay stubbornly lingered in the nurse's office all morning under the flimsy pretext of "worrying about Ms. Yurikawa." Air conditioning was a bonus, but necessity drove him. His school uniform offered camouflage, yes—but he was still a man with no verifiable identity. Roaming freely during class hours risked more than just reprimands from stern teachers; discovery could mean police involvement. And that was complication he couldn't afford.
Just survive until the outbreak, he reminded himself. Once the T-Virus—or "Dead Body" virus, as locals called it—exploded across Fujimi Academy, chaos would erase all concerns about paperwork. Society would fracture into just two categories: The Living and The Dead.
Lunchtime arrived. Yurikawa Rumiko retrieved her homemade bento from a storage cabinet and settled happily behind her desk.
"Oh, Yoru-chan! You're still here?" she chirped, her voice warm and slightly airy. "Would you like to try some of my bento?" The shared morning—and perhaps the earlier awkward incident involving the confiscated 'educational' game—had clearly warmed the nurse to him. She'd even spontaneously nicknamed him "Yoru" (Night).
If affection could be quantified, Rojay mused, Ms. Yurikawa's would likely be around 50 points right now. A few more nudges would hit the 60-point "Trusted Friend" threshold. It was a remarkably advantageous starting position.
For perspective: In the original timeline, when protagonist Koizumi Takashi first encountered Yurikawa during the outbreak, she barely recognized him beyond his name—maybe a measly 10 points. His leadership and combat prowess during their escape earned her trust much later. Her willingness to get drunk in his presence after bathing implied an 80+ point "Deep Confidant" bond. Her personality was naturally airheaded, not recklessly bold—a crucial distinction.
Conclusion: Once the outbreak hit, the original protagonist Koizumi Takashi wouldn't easily spirit Yurikawa away while Rojay was present. Besides, Rojay doubted Koizumi could even assemble his original seven-member team. During his morning surveillance, he'd already spotted fellow Players circling the key targets like vultures.
1. Mitsurugi Shizuka
Senior, Kendo Club Captain, Canonical Melee Champion.
The author-designated heroine embodied the "Yamato Nadeshiko" ideal: breathtakingly beautiful, refined, lethally skilled in "Mitsurugi-Ryuu Kenjutsu"—a warrior-poetess seemingly too perfect for reality. Even Asuna Yuuki (Sword Art Online), the undisputed poster girl for fan-created content (affectionately dubbed the "Queen of Doujins"), might pale in comparison.
Yet, perfection breeds flaw. To humanize her near-divine aura, the author imbued Shizuka with a hidden "Serial Killer" persona. In a vulnerable moment alone with Koizumi, she confessed her bloodlust, recounting a middle school incident where she deliberately lured and violently assaulted a stalker—a calculated act she framed as "setting a trap."
Honestly, Rojay internally scoffed, that's barely a dark secret. Where was the crippling fear of her inner darkness? The profound self-loathing? When Koizumi solemnly grasped her hands declaring his acceptance, Rojay had cringed at the sheer banality. This is 'dark'? Tell that to Katsura Kotonoha who dismembered Makoto, or Gasai Yuno who'd carve up anyone—including herself! Still, he conceded lighter tones had merit. Forcing gritty trauma like… say, having a heroine violated by some random delinquent with bleached hair (cough Jin Yong's Little Dragon Maiden cough)… well, that tended to make audiences throw remotes through TVs.
Focus. Mitsurugi Shizuka was the prime target. Predictably, five Players orbited her, posing as newly joined Kendo Club members. Add the lurking "Shohoku Team," and the competition easily doubled.
2. Takagi Saya
Pink-haired Twin-Tailed Tsundere, Glasses-wearing Genius, Wealthy Heiress.
A walking trope compilation designed for otaku appeal: petite, brilliantly intelligent, and endowed with assets defying her frame. Daughter of Takagi Ryouta—a Bedroom City magnate—she was genuine aristocracy.
Canon positioned her as the strategist. Yet, drowned by Koizumi's protagonist aura and hampered by tsundere pride, she remained largely ineffective throughout most of the crisis. The author later attempted a course-correction—gifting her a WWII-era Luger P08 pistol via her formidable mother, Takagi Yuriko—but the impact fizzled. Her perceived vulnerability and lack of combat prowess made her an accessible target… if approached correctly. Successfully escorting her to the fortified Takagi Estate unlocked one of the scenario's richest hidden rewards. Hence, a contingent of Japanese Players shadowed her as self-proclaimed "Takagi-sama Protection Brigade" members.