The following is the translation and localization of the chapters, continuing with the name Kagehiro Shiro and the established Japanese setting.
The gentle smile on Shiromeguri Meguri's face seemed to act as a balm for those around her. The injured girl she was helping, who had been shivering with tears in her eyes just moments ago, suddenly managed a weak, involuntary smile.
"Keep your chin up," Meguri whispered, patting the girl's head.
"Yes... thank you, Senpai."
Shiro, Hachiman, and Yukino approached her.
"Meguri-senpai," Yukino called out.
"Ah! Is that you, Yukinoshita-san?" Meguri clasped her hands together, her eyes lighting up with genuine joy. "I knew it! You really do look like Haruno-san's sister."
Shiro stood beside Yukino and watched her profile. As expected, the moment Haruno's name was mentioned, Yukino's expression turned rigid. She had a complex relationship with her older sister—resentment mixed with a desperate need not to be hated by her.
To prevent Meguri from stepping further onto that landmine, Shiro intervened. "President, we have something important to discuss with you."
"Hm?" Meguri turned her gaze toward him.
Shiro gestured to himself and Hachiman. "I'm Kagehiro Shiro, and this is Hikigaya Hachiman. Along with Yukinoshita, we need to speak with you in private."
"Oh? Well, alright then."
She agreed easily. Now, the "kidnapping" was underway. Meguri bid farewell to the injured girl and followed Yukino out of the room.
"I'm going down to the second floor to check the perimeter," Shiro said once they were in the hallway. "You two take the President to the Student Council room."
"Understood," Yukino replied simply. Hachiman just gave a wave and followed the girls.
Shiro quickened his pace, heading down the opposite staircase. This side of the corridor was packed with students—some standing, others sitting on the floor. If it weren't for their pale, solemn faces, it would have looked like a normal break between classes.
"They just wouldn't let go, those things..."
"Several people in my class were bitten. It was terrifying."
"Are they really 'infected' like in the movies?"
"I don't know. I didn't see the ones who fainted. Did they make it out?"
The air was thick with confusion and latent dread. As Shiro walked, he spotted Ebina Hina standing alone by a window.
"Slacking off?" Shiro joked as he approached her from behind.
Ebina squinted at him through her glasses and offered a playful smile. "I finished every task assigned to me, you know."
"Is that so?" Shiro followed her gaze out the window. "You guys really did something incredible back there."
"I have to thank Hayama-kun for that," Shiro said. "He's taking most of the heat from public opinion for us."
"People will realize it was you soon enough," Ebina noted.
"Why? Will you be 'subconsciously' helping Hayama deflect the blame?"
"Well," Ebina sighed, "most people find it hard to believe a 'gentle' soul like Hayama-kun would do something so cold. They'll look for a different villain."
Shiro let out a dry laugh. "How about another favor?"
"Don't look at me," Ebina said, waving her hands. "I'm perfectly useless at everything important."
"You and Hachiman really are two sides of the same coin..."
"Hiki-kage?" Ebina tapped her lip.
"At least get his name right," Shiro sighed. "You aren't one of those people who genuinely can't remember it."
Ebina just looked at him with her standard, perfectly polished fake smile.
"Because you and he are both reliable in your own ways," Shiro said as he walked past her.
He moved through the groups of students, sensing the fragility of their spirits. Pessimism, despair, confusion—it was a cocktail of emotions. He wondered: Is there really a difference between a flock of sheep led by a lion and a flock left to themselves?
Chapter 12: The Red Maiden and the Departed
Shiro reached the second floor. The density of students was similar to the floor above, but most of these were first-years, identifiable by the color of their neck ribbons.
"KAGEHIRO! SHIRO!" Zaimokuza Yoshiteru shouted from a window, his voice booming with unnecessary vigor.
"Oh. Glad to see you're still among the living," Shiro said.
"Naturally! I am the Peerless Shogun, Yoshiteru!"
THWACK.
Shiro delivered a sharp palm-strike to Zaimokuza's protruding stomach, cutting off the Chuunibyou speech instantly. The silence that followed was heavy.
"Shiro... why did you hit my belly?" Zaimokuza wheezed.
"Heh. You need to lose weight." Shiro stared at the boy's midsection, already mentally drafting a "hellish" survival training regimen for him.
In a world of peace, a belly like that was just a sign of comfort. In a world of monsters, a man needs to be able to wield a blade. Zaimokuza's current physique was a liability. Shiro decided that, out of the kindness of his heart, he would help the boy shed the weight—and it definitely wasn't petty revenge for the loud shouting that had just drawn everyone's eyes to them.
"Wait for it," Shiro muttered. "Where's Hachiman? Is he with you?"
"He's safe, upstairs. Just worry about yourself for now." Shiro gave the stomach another pat—this time with his right hand—before leaving.
Slap.
It really was a resonant sound. High-quality fat.
"Oof!" Zaimokuza clutched his stomach, left behind in the hallway.
Shiro continued down the hall. He found Hiratsuka Shizuka standing with two male teachers and Hayama Hayato. Tobe Kakeru and a first-year girl were nearby as well.
This part of the second floor was the exit to the school. Between the two buildings was the entrance where students changed their shoes, leading to the grand八-shaped staircase where Shiro had been sitting earlier. Hayama's group had already moved desks to block the path toward the main building.
The strategy was sound; it kept the main exit clear for potential escape but required constant vigilance over an extra entry point. Shiro didn't think it mattered much. They wouldn't be trapped in the Special Building for long anyway.
"How are things on your end?" Shizuka-sensei asked, snuffing out her cigarette as Shiro approached.
"We found the President. We're organizing the students now."
"Good. Do you need my help?"
"Actually, Sensei," Shiro said, "you should make sure the school gates are locked. Both the main gate and the side entrances."
Shizuka took a thoughtful drag of her cigarette. "Right. Those need to be sealed. The side gates too."
Sobu High had multiple entry points. Shiro remembered a small gate near the athletic field that was barely a meter high. The school wasn't built for a siege, and without enough scouts, those gaps were a problem.
However, Sobu High had one major geographical advantage: it was right on the coast. It was naturally isolated from the dense city center and residential districts. The beach was only a few hundred meters away.
"One more thing, Sensei," Shiro said, extending his hand. "I need to borrow your car keys. I have to go out for a while."
"Sure, that's fine. Do you know which one is—wait." Shizuka stopped, her keys dangling from her finger. "Can you even drive? You're a minor. Do you have a license?"
Sensei... it's the apocalypse. Are we really talking about driver's licenses right now?
"Back home in Hokkaido, I used to drive the farm equipment to help my family," Shiro lied smoothly.
"I see..." Shizuka believed him. The idea of "unlicensed farm driving" in the countryside was a common enough trope. She opened her key case—filled with work keys, house keys, and two car keys.
"What are you planning to do, kid?" she asked, hesitating for a split second before selecting one key and handing it over.
Sensei, I appreciate the trust, but shouldn't you have asked that before giving me the keys?
"The person I love is trapped at her school in Tokyo," Shiro said simply. "I'm going to rescue her."
The surrounding students immediately processed the "romantic" subtext. Love in the face of danger was an eternal classic; if only one of them survived, it would be a tragedy worthy of the Titanic.
"It's the red Aston Martin in the adjacent lot," Shizuka said.
Across from the school was a public parking lot used by residents of the nearby apartments and beach-goers. It was easier to park there than in the cramped school lot if you wanted to be able to leave quickly.
"Thanks."
"Sh-Shizuka-sensei..."
The speaker was Atsugi-sensei, the PE teacher. He was in his mid-thirties and wearing a green tracksuit. His face was contorted with a difficult emotion, his muscles twitching.
"I... I have a wife..." His voice was heavy with the weight of his heart. "I just called... no answer. She's at her office right now."
His speaking speed accelerated, his voice rising into a near-shout. "I have to go find her!"
He looked desperate, having reached a breaking point. It meant abandoning his duty to the students, but how could anyone expect him to ignore his wife's unknown fate?
"I understand," Shizuka said, her voice soft and encouraging. She gave him a small, supportive smile. "Go, Atsugi-sensei. I'll take care of things here."
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