Somewhere, inside a presidential aircraft
"Mr. President, we will both die soon. We've been bitten."
The governor spoke while staring firmly at the President of the United States, who stood deep in thought. He continued, trying to persuade him:
"Sir, we must suppress any country that attempts to use intercontinental ballistic missiles. They could pose a threat to our nation. And you must officially declare a national state of emergency—so we can fulfill our duty to the citizens and to the Constitution!"
He finished his words and spat a large mouthful of blood, feeling his life slipping away. A nearby secretary raised his weapon, aiming it directly at the governor.
…
Nanashi recovered quickly. He had eaten a bean earlier, and what weighed on him now was not exhaustion, but the closeness of death itself. He could hear faint sounds coming from inside the house and assumed Saeko was inspecting it.
Once he felt steady, he stood up and entered the house. It was a two-story building, white, its paint worn by time. Inside, he saw simple furniture, a dining table in the center, the kitchen door open beside it, and the staircase leading upstairs nearby. Saeko was sitting on one of the dining chairs, cleaning her wooden sword with a blank expression. She was completely different from how she had been yesterday. The orange glow of sunset filtered in through the doorway, softly illuminating her. Nanashi quickly closed the door so as not to disturb her.
Saeko was lost in thought. Confused was an understatement. She had fully intended to kill Nanashi, driven by all the suspicions she harbored. Yet moments ago, he had risked his life to draw away the overwhelming number of zombies. He knew that Takashi and the others would be able to escape—but someone had to act as bait to ease the burden.
Why did he do it?
He could have crossed over and escaped, she thought. And yet… she hadn't hesitated.
Nanashi suddenly felt Saeko's sword at his throat. Her gaze was indifferent. He froze in shock—he had only approached to turn on the lights, and now he was pinned against the wall. Saeko broke the silence.
"Why did you do it? Answer me."
Nanashi was confused. What did I do? he thought. Their eyes met, and he could tell she was deadly serious. He lowered his head under that terrifying, icy stare, unaware that there was also a trace of expectation hidden within it.
"W-What… what did I do…?"
Although killing zombies had somewhat suppressed her sadism, seeing Nanashi so submissive beneath her awakened something she both denied and accepted as shameful—the pleasure of domination, something killing zombies alone did not give her.
The sword rose and fell.
Nanashi tried to raise his hands, but he was too slow. He collapsed to the floor as sharp pain tore through his shoulder. On his knees, all he could do was clutch it. It was the first time he had ever felt such pain.
"AAAH—ghh!"
He screamed, but a kick to the stomach knocked the air out of him and silenced him instantly. Nanashi writhed on the floor in pain, unable to see the smile forming on Saeko's lips. Sweat poured down his face from pain and fear as he desperately tried to recall what had caused this.
Then he remembered.
He remembered her cold gaze that morning before they left. His blood ran cold.
She knows.
Saeko spoke, confirming it.
"Why did you kill that man and his daughter?"
"I—I didn't—"
Nanashi tried to get up and protest, convinced she was mistaken.
Crack.
The sword struck his face, sending him back to the floor. The wooden blade pointed straight at him. Terror flooded him—he had seen her smash zombie skulls with that very sword.
"Stop making excuses. I'll ask you one more time. Why did you kill them? Someone who murders innocents and sleeps peacefully afterward, pretending to be a hero—you're disgusting."
As Saeko spoke, she became more convinced that Nanashi had some plan to escape. She didn't understand why he had saved them—but he had to have a plan.
Nanashi remembered Saeko's words from that night. Enduring the pain, he finally spoke.
"Do you remember what you said that night?"
Saeko didn't answer.
He continued.
'We can't save everyone.' I saw that man running with his daughter, begging for help. Then someone shot at them from that house. The girl was crying, screaming for help."
The more Nanashi spoke, the angrier he became, until he shouted:
"Do you think I could just let a child get bitten and die?! But I also know my own limits. I couldn't wake everyone and risk their lives for the chance to save one girl. Tell me—"
His voice broke.
"What did you want me to do, Saeko?"
His gaze was miserable, his voice trembling.
Saeko's heart clenched. Understanding finally struck her.
This is my fault. All of it.
She dropped to her knees in front of Nanashi and bowed deeply, pressing her forehead to the floor.
"I am truly sorry, Nanashi-kun. I regret everything I did to you. I regret my words. I regret hurting you."
Her remorse was so deep that she truly considered committing seppuku. Her existence felt detestable. Perhaps once my companions are safe, she thought.
Nanashi let out a breath of relief, though fear still lingered—fear of meeting the same fate as the criminal who had once attacked Saeko when she was younger.
So that's what this was, he thought.
With the memories he possessed, Nanashi knew everyone's personality well—but he understood Saeko best of all. She acted as an honorable warrior. And an honorable warrior would never raise their weapon against the weak, even if they couldn't save them.
"It's okay, Saeko. I forgive you."
"Eh…?"
Saeko lifted her head in shock, staring at Nanashi's bruised, swollen face as he offered a small smile.
"It was my fault too. I should've told you."
Nanashi felt no resentment—especially since he had those miraculous beans. He knew the pain would fade once he ate one. He only had to wait until night and do it without her noticing.
He stood up slowly, wincing. The thought that Saeko could have tortured him made him tremble slightly. Seeing him shake, Saeko immediately stood and helped support him.
…
Takashi and the others were heading toward the Takagi estate. The hill was already visible. Takashi let out a sigh as he remembered what had happened earlier.
He had insisted on going back for Nanashi and Saeko when reinforcements arrived, but the tide of zombies was overwhelming. Saya's mother refused—there were too few people, and sending a rescue team like that would only lead to tragedy.
Still, seeing Takashi's persistence, she told him something he would never forget:
"Takashi-kun, do you really trust your companions so little? Believe in them. Night is coming. We'll return tomorrow with a larger group."
Saya and Kohta were worried. Rei held Takashi's hand.
Takashi didn't argue. He clenched his fists. He had to believe in Saeko and Nanashi—to believe they would endure until morning. As they walked, he held Rei close in his arms. At least she was still with him.
"Just wait for us, friends. We'll definitely come back."
His remaining companions nodded, and they continued toward the Takagi estate.
…
Saeko finished inspecting the kitchen and felt deeply depressed. There was nothing left—every supply had been taken. She had wanted to cook something for Nanashi as an apology.
Nanashi noticed her return and sit beside him. Seeing her expression, he guessed what had happened. She had fought more than he had and burned far more energy killing zombies—she had to be hungry.
Nanashi pulled out the bento box from his ring.
Saeko didn't notice his movements. She was lost in thought, considering going out with her sword to find ingredients—until a familiar aroma reached her.
Nanashi opened the box in front of her, revealing the food Saeko had prepared the night before. He smiled happily—it looked exactly as he remembered. He handed her a small spoon he had found in the kitchen. He wasn't hungry due to the bean's effects, but he was curious whether it tasted the same.
"Isn't this the food I made last night?" Saeko asked, surprised.
"Uh… yeah. I saved some. It was really good, so I kept a bit," Nanashi replied quickly.
Saeko was sure there had been nothing left. Did he make it again? When?
But seeing his smile and her own anticipation, she pushed the thought aside. She took the spoon and began eating small bites. Her eyes widened slightly as their gazes met. Nanashi watched her closely, his heart stirring strangely.
"So… how is it?" he asked.
"Really delicious," Saeko said with a smile.
That wasn't what Nanashi had expected. He thought she would say it tasted the same.
She raised the spoon toward his face.
"Have some too."
Nanashi didn't resist. He opened his mouth and tasted it—truly delicious. He smiled with genuine happiness. So it really can be replicated perfectly, he thought. Now he only needed to try different foods, and he could eat anything whenever he wanted.
Saeko saw his smile and blushed, lowering her gaze. She knew she was attracted to Takashi—but these new feelings toward a stranger left her confused.
When night fell, Saeko helped Nanashi to a bedroom. She was deeply worried about his condition and assisted him with everything. Nanashi didn't refuse, though he secretly hoped she would leave so he could recover and eat a bean unnoticed.
He lay on his side, careful not to put pressure on his injured shoulder.
Then something unexpected happened.
Saeko lay down facing him. The bed was small to begin with, and they were now very close. In the darkness, Nanashi couldn't see her face. She pressed against him like a koala, wrapping her arms around his waist, burying her face against him, hiding the faint trace of vermilion that adorned her.
Nanashi could feel Saeko's warmth through their clothes. Nervous, he remained passive. He remembered scenes like this from his memories—and also remembered that he was still a man. Slowly, he felt his shirt grow damp.
A broken, sorrowful voice echoed softly in the small room.
"I'm sorry… I'm really, truly sorry."
Nanashi sighed. Unsure what to do, he tried to comfort her. He gently stroked her head. Saeko trembled at the touch, but he didn't stop.
The atmosphere grew warm and strangely comforting.
After a while, Saeko's arms loosened, and her breathing became steady. Nanashi exhaled in relief. The shock of the situation had made him forget the pain in his body. His eyelids grew heavy as well.
He completely forgot to eat the bean.
And he fell asleep too.