April 26, 2024, 7:00 a.m. Haizaki woke early to make the final preparations before departure. Food and water were prepared for only three days, leaving the remaining space for weapons, ammunition, and the diesel necessary for the SUV.
"Alright, get in…"
Haizaki opened the rear door. The husky leapt up, skillfully settling into the back seat. Yukino sat in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
"This weather… we might encounter crystallization mutants. Be careful."
The sky was gray and heavy with clouds.
Yukino checked her sidearm. Since Haizaki would be focused on driving, he wouldn't have the attention to deal with mutants. If they encountered any, she would have to shoot.
"Vroom…"
Haizaki climbed into the SUV, started the engine, and the roar filled the air. With the engine running, the revived SUV began to move forward.
Their target was Tokyo's Epidemic Countermeasures Headquarters—to obtain the research data stored there on the crystallization virus and to search for a possible vaccine. After that, they would prepare to head to Hokkaido. They needed safe and reliable transportation.
When the clouds covered the sun, the crystallization mutants hiding inside Chiba's buildings began to emerge. They were still living creatures. They still needed energy to sustain daily activity, scavenging food to replenish themselves. Weeds, bark, rotting food—anything could be their prey. They had no specific diet. But their craving for fresh blood and raw meat was the strongest.
Perhaps the engine's roar caught their attention, or perhaps it was the scent of humans. Mutants wandering the streets began running toward the sound.
"Right corner, mutants, Yusuke-kun…"
Yukino observed the road ahead. Whenever she judged danger, she immediately warned Haizaki.
The vehicle turned left, passing three meters away from three mutants. The SUV was no armored vehicle, no tank—it couldn't ram through everything. Even hitting one or two mutants could deform the car. Any more, and it might break down entirely. Unless absolutely necessary, Haizaki avoided direct collisions.
"Zzzzz…"
A mutant, vaguely still recognizable as female, lunged at the SUV. Haizaki drifted, the front of the car striking it aside, then shifted gears, hit the accelerator, and sped forward again.
"Behind us, more…"
Haizaki's free hand pulled the pin from a grenade and tossed it back.
"Boom…"
The explosion sent deadly shrapnel flying in all directions, destroying everything in its path. More than ten mutants were struck, their bodies stiffening before collapsing with howls, dead or dying.
"Hold on tight…"
Yukino clenched her teeth. Haizaki's sharp turns had left her dizzy. Without the seatbelt, she might have been thrown out. In the back seat, the husky shrank into a corner, unmoving. It had already experienced drifting. Painful indeed.
…
Fifteen minutes later, Haizaki finally saw no more mutants. But if Chiba alone had so many, then Tokyo, with its larger population, would have double the number. Entering Tokyo in this weather would be suicide. So they had to stay in a small town or village near Tokyo until the skies cleared.
Two hours later, Haizaki arrived at a small town near Ichikawa City, twenty kilometers from central Tokyo.
"Until the weather clears, we'll stay here."
Haizaki pointed toward the town.
"Mm…"
Yukino unfastened her seatbelt. They now needed to find a suitable house and confirm the town's safety. If possible, they would clear out mutants before nightfall.
Haizaki opened the rear door. The husky jumped down, its ice-blue eyes showing a trace of reproach before turning back to its usual silly look.
"Be careful. Remember where the muzzle points…"
Haizaki reminded Yukino.
"I know."
The husky took the lead, scouting ahead.
The town was silent. On the streets stood many crystallized statues, most of them elderly. Japan's aging population was severe, and in rural areas like this, there were few young people.
"Woof…"
Sensing something, the husky growled at a building.
Haizaki jogged to the door. It was closed, but not locked.
"Keep your distance…"
Yukino nodded.
Haizaki pushed the door open slowly.
"Roar…"
His pupils shrank. He hadn't expected a mutant right behind the door. As it lunged, he fired.
"Bang…"
The shot hit its abdomen. The pain made it howl, baring its fangs, trying to tear Haizaki apart.
"Bang…"
The next shot hit its head, leaving a black, oozing hole.
"Bang…"
Behind him, Yukino saw another mutant charging from inside the house. She pulled the trigger decisively. Seven days of practice paid off. A headshot.
Her face remained expressionless, but inside she felt a flicker of sorrow. They had once been human. The gentle girl still felt guilt for taking their lives.
An hour and a half later, Haizaki, Yukino, and the husky had searched the town. They eliminated thirteen mutants. The rest were crystallized statues.
Each statue represented a life. This virus crisis had taken billions.
Haizaki hoped survivors still existed. If so, humanity's civilization might yet endure.
"Let's go. Tonight we can rest well."
They unexpectedly found a villa with solar power. Besides electricity, the water system still worked. Perhaps because of the small population, the town's water supply was still functional. A pleasant surprise.
Yukino showed a joy unlike before.
…
For nearly ten days, she had only used a towel to wipe her body, keeping herself clean. But even so, it couldn't stop the growing discomfort inside her. Now, being able to take a hot shower again, to enjoy the pleasure of bathing—how could she not be happy?
Though her expression remained cool, Haizaki still caught the faint joy at the corners of her lips.
…
After confirming their residence, the first thing they did was a simple cleaning of the two-story house. The husky squatted at the doorway, lying lazily on the ground, waiting while the two inside busied themselves with the cleaning.
"Yusuke-kun, if you can't clean properly, leave it to me alone…"
Having just finished cleaning the bathroom, Yukino came to the room Haizaki had just tidied. A quick inspection revealed his cleaning was absolutely unqualified. He hadn't wiped properly at all.
"We won't be staying long. We'll leave soon…"
"Even so, I want the place we live in to be clean and tidy, with a good environment. And you, Yusuke-kun… even if you think the room doesn't need to be spotless, this…"
Yukino pressed her slender finger against the dusty table, dragging it lightly. The fingertip was covered in thick dust.
"Isn't this a bit too dirty?"
Faced with her stern tone, Haizaki felt embarrassed.
"Chiba wasn't…"
"The environment was different. In Chiba, there was no water or electricity. We could only meet basic needs. But here it's different…"
With water and electricity, a simple cleaning could restore the comfort of modern life. Even if only for a day or half a day, Yukino was willing to spend time making it clean.
Their standards for living conditions were different. When conditions allowed, she preferred a neat and comfortable environment. And for him… at the moment, he had no reason to refuse.
"I understand."
"Good. Then you can leave…"
She pointed toward the door.
"Eh?"
What did she mean by leave?
"I'll handle the cleaning. You go outside… and rest!"
Yukinoshita-san, you almost said "stand outside," didn't you!
"Won't it be too tiring alone…"
"It's fine. I can manage. You rest outside!"
She was full of energy, determined to clean the house thoroughly.
"If you need help, just call me. I'll be outside."
Since she insisted, Haizaki didn't argue further. If Yukino wanted to do it, he was happy to relax.
But as he stepped outside, he met the husky's ice-blue eyes. He felt the silly dog was mocking him. As if saying he was useless too.
Unbelievable.
"You're not getting dinner…"
Haizaki muttered coldly. Yukino criticizing him was fine—he hadn't cleaned properly. But this dog had no right.
"Awwooo…"
The husky whimpered, then rubbed its head against him, trying to please.
"Enough. Stop acting cute. Let's go check the surroundings for wild game…"
Just waiting outside was a waste of time. Better to wander the nearby forest. Maybe they'd find suitable prey.
The past ten days' meals had been too simple. Haizaki was tired of it. Now that they had electricity again, it would be a waste not to enjoy better food.
"Awwooo…"
At the mention of hunting, the husky grew excited, howling eagerly. Fresh meat meant delicious food. It was thrilled, determined to prove its worth—to find prey for its master, to earn praise from both master and mistress, so they wouldn't avoid it anymore.
Having decided, Haizaki turned back into the house. Dust filled the air. Yukino, wearing an apron and a mask, was focused on cleaning.
"Yukinoshita-san, I'm taking Duke outside to look for prey. If we find some, tonight's dinner will have a main course."
She had already overheard him speaking to the husky. But she didn't stop him. She wasn't so kind as to forbid hunting.
"Be careful."
She figured by the time Haizaki returned, she would have finished cleaning. Then she could start preparing dinner.
"You too. Even though we explored the town, there might still be mutants hiding. And possibly dangerous animals. Be cautious."
Haizaki pointed to the handgun Yukino had placed on the table.
"I'd prefer you carry it, but I know it's inconvenient while cleaning. Just be careful. After Duke and I leave, lock the door, and…"
He reminded her again and again, worried she might neglect her safety.
"I know."
Yukino felt Haizaki was overly concerned about her safety. But she didn't dislike it. Even if it felt like being treated like a child.
"Also, keep the walkie-talkie with you. Its range is short, but it's still useful."
"Mm."
Haizaki left the house, opened the map, and checked the surroundings. The deep forest offered the best chance of finding wild animals.
"Let's go…"
The husky jumped quickly into the back seat. Haizaki started the SUV.
As the engine's roar faded into the distance, Yukino realized Haizaki was gone.
"Can't sit still, can he!"
She had hoped Haizaki would rest outside. Driving was exhausting. But instead, he had gone hunting.
She wondered what prey he might bring back. Probably another rabbit.
She recalled the taste of roasted rabbit that night. It had been good. She nodded at the memory.
But…
Yukino went to the door, closed it, and locked it. She chose to follow Haizaki's advice—lock the door for safety.
With Haizaki and Duke gone, she had to be more careful. If something happened, it wouldn't just be irresponsible to herself, but also to Haizaki. If he got angry…
Would he get angry?
She wondered. In her memory, she had never seen Haizaki truly angry. Cold at times, yes, but not angry.
Forget it. Better to keep cleaning.
She turned her attention back to the task, determined to finish before Haizaki returned.
…