As they arrived at the kindergarten, Haruka immediately tried to enter, but Daisuke stopped her. He shook his head, signaling her to wait.
Haruka bit her lip and nodded, trying to stay patient. Sho and Kousuke looked around cautiously before entering first to ensure the area was safe. They signaled for the others to follow once the coast was clear.
Inside, the kindergarten was in complete disarray. Blood stained the floors and walls, shattered glass littered the ground, and the entire place looked like a chaotic, filthy mess.
Haruka, Ayane, and Daisuke entered cautiously, each deciding to split up to search for Haruka's twin siblings or any other survivors.
Haruka and Sho took the exterior, while the others searched the interior.
The outside area was not large and included a small playground. Now, it was in complete ruin. Flower pots were shattered, and soil was scattered everywhere.
Haruka clenched her shirt, feeling uneasy. She couldn't shake the fear for her siblings' safety. 'What if I'm too late?'
The growing sense of dread worsened as Haruka failed to find any trace of her siblings. Sho lightly patted her shoulder, silently assuring her that things would be okay.
Just as Haruka was about to give up, a faint noise caught her attention near the small playground. She and Sho exchanged looks, confirming that they both heard it.
Haruka recalled her siblings mentioning a hidden spot behind the large slide. The playground had three levels, though it was small and not particularly tall. Beneath the slide was a secret hiding place only small children could fit into.
She and Sho quickly moved toward the slide. Haruka pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight, shining it toward the hidden space behind the slide.
There, huddled together, were two children-a boy and a girl who looked identical. They were unmistakably Haruka's twin siblings.
"Asuka? Asuki?" Haruka called to them softly, lowering the phone's flashlight so it wouldn't blind them.
The twins slowly turned their heads, their expressions wary as they feared the figure in front of them might be a zombie.
When they recognized their older sister, they immediately ran to her, throwing their arms around her and burying their faces into her shoulders. Their small hands gripped tightly onto her clothes.
Haruka embraced them tightly, feeling their little bodies trembling. She gently patted their backs to comfort them.
Sho stood nearby, giving them a brief glance before turning away to give the siblings some privacy.
After a few moments, Haruka loosened her hold. Sho noticed and stepped in to help her pull the twins out from behind the slide.
Haruka held Asuka's hand, while Sho took Asuki's. The four of them began making their way back into the kindergarten.
As Sho was about to call out to the others, he froze. His eyes widened as he saw Daisuke and Kousuke fighting off several zombies, while Ayane struggled to keep the front door barricaded against others trying to break in.
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A Few Minutes Earlier
Kousuke, Daisuke, and Ayane had split up to search the rooms and hidden areas for Haruka's siblings.
Kousuke took the back, Daisuke the front, and Ayane searched the middle. After ensuring the twins weren't in the open areas, they began checking inside rooms.
As Kousuke opened doors and Ayane checked closets, a loud crash echoed through the building.
The two of them rushed toward the noise, finding Daisuke pinned under two zombies, struggling to keep them from biting him.
Kousuke and Ayane quickly shoved the zombies off Daisuke. One of the zombies let out a loud, guttural wail, seemingly calling for others.
Realizing how dangerous their situation was, the three of them turned toward the exit to regroup with Haruka and Sho, but they were cut off by two more zombies blocking their way.
Daisuke considered calling out to Haruka and Sho, but he knew that doing so would draw even more undead attention.
Each of them grabbed whatever they could to defend themselves. They exchanged determined glances and nodded.
Kousuke engaged the two zombies ahead, while Daisuke turned to face the two behind. Ayane ran to the front door, using a long metal rod to hold off the advancing horde outside.
Kousuke kicked one of the zombies hard, sending it crashing into the wall. He grabbed a sharp knife from a nearby table and stabbed it in the leg, stomach, and shoulder before shoving it aside.
Meanwhile, Daisuke trapped one of his zombies in a nearby room, shutting the door quickly. A second zombie lunged at him from behind, but Kousuke intervened with a swift kick to its head.
"Thanks." Daisuke said, nodding to Kousuke.
Kousuke nodded back. "Ayane, can you hold out a bit longer?"
"I can manage, but hurry up!" Ayane yelled, straining to keep the door closed.
The two men worked together to finish off the remaining zombies. Ayane secured the door by jamming the metal rod into the handle.
Just as they thought they could catch their breath, two more zombies approached Ayane from behind. Kousuke and Daisuke immediately pulled them away, engaging in another fight.
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Haruka pulled Asuka and Asuki behind a wall. "Stay here and don't move, okay?" She said softly.
The twins nodded. Sho had already entered the kindergarten, helping Ayane drag a large cabinet to block the door.
Haruka spotted a rope on the kitchen counter and quickly used it to tie up the two zombies Daisuke and Kousuke were fighting. She yanked the rope hard, throwing the zombies into a room before slamming the door shut.
"Thanks." Kousuke and Daisuke said in unison, earning a nod from Haruka.
Sho finished barricading the door and went to check on Ayane. "You okay?" He asked, gently brushing her cheek.
Ayane nodded with a small smile. Sho returned it with a faint grin of his own.
Haruka rushed to her siblings, who appeared calm but were clearly terrified. She noticed Asuki gripping Asuka's hand tightly.
She crouched in front of them, stroking their hair gently. "Asuka, stay with me. Asuki, go with Brother Kousuke, okay?"
The twins nodded. Asuka clung to Haruka's hand, while Asuki moved to Kousuke's side.
Haruka's gaze swept over her friends and her siblings. She silently prayed they would stay together, no matter what.
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Later That Night
Haruka woke with a start, haunted by a dream of the outbreak's early days and the moment she was separated from her friends.
It had happened when they were scavenging supplies at a nearby mall. Asuki needed to use the restroom, so Haruka and Asuka accompanied him while the others continued searching.
By the time they returned, zombies had overrun the area where her friends were.
Haruka spotted them amidst the chaos, her heart racing with determination to save them.
But Kousuke's voice cut through the chaos: "Haruka, don't save us! Just go!"
His fierce gaze left no room for argument. The others shook their heads, silently pleading for her to listen.
With a heavy heart, Haruka grabbed her siblings and ran.
Days had passed since then, and Haruka still hadn't found her friends. She looked at her siblings staring out at the twilight sky.