Chapter 73: A World in Despair

“Let’s all introduce ourselves first. I’m Takashi Komuro from Class 2-B.” After a brief silence following the elimination of the zombies, Takashi Komuro was the first to speak.

“I’m Saeko Busujima from Class 3-A.”

“I’m Shizuka Marikawa, the school nurse. You all should know me!”

“Ah, you’re Senior Busujima, last year’s national tournament winner, right? I’m Rei Miyamoto from the Spear Martial Arts Club,” said the blonde girl.

“Uh... I’m... Hirano... Hirano Kohta from Class B,” the chubby boy stammered.

Finally, everyone’s attention turned to Yexing. As arguably the most formidable among them, he naturally drew notice. Though he had no intention of speaking, Yexing felt their gaze and reluctantly uttered, “Yexing.”

“Yexing? That’s an unusual name. Are you from China?” Takashi Komuro immediately associated the name with China and asked directly.

Yexing, however, offered no further reply. Leaning against the wall, he looked at them with indifferent eyes, as if none of them could pique his interest. His demeanor led the others to regard him as cold and aloof. Not wishing for Yexing’s relationships to sour, Saeko Busujima spoke up with a gentle smile, “Let’s get along.”

Seeing Saeko Busujima’s smile, Kohta Hirano’s round face flushed red, his mouth hung open and drool trickled down. Saya Takagi, only just realizing she had been saved, was still somewhat shaken and said, “Why is everyone acting so lovestruck? Don’t treat me like a fool—I’m a genius! If I really try, I won’t lose to anyone!”

Saya Takagi’s outburst was clearly abnormal, but Saeko Busujima was unfazed. She tenderly rested Saya’s head on her shoulder, gently stroking the back of her head in comfort. Under Saeko’s soothing embrace, Saya cried, venting her emotions. After all, even the smartest girl would be frightened in such circumstances.

After a bout of cathartic sobbing, Saya gradually quieted down. She knew that zombies were sensitive to sound, and perhaps some had already heard her earlier cries and were heading their way. The group quickly moved into the office, barricading the door with a folding table and chairs.

Only then did everyone begin to relax. Constantly on edge, they had been wary of a zombie appearing at any moment to bite them. If they were unlucky enough to be bitten, it would mean certain death. Now, finally safe after blocking the door, they breathed a sigh of relief, realizing their breathing was rapid and their hearts pounded fiercely.

Of course, Yexing had never regarded zombies as a real threat, so he sat calmly to the side. Saeko Busujima, as his follower, sat beside him, occasionally speaking with Yexing. She had already realized that Yexing’s attitude toward her was only marginally better than toward strangers—a difference so slight it was startling.

Could it be that, in Yexing’s eyes, she was merely a stranger he vaguely recognized? Saeko Busujima asked herself bitterly, “Yexing, what am I to you?”

“My number one subordinate,” he replied, paying little heed to the bitterness in her voice.

“Just a subordinate?” Saeko Busujima murmured, head bowed. But she resolved within herself that even as a subordinate, she would do her utmost. Someday, she would earn Yexing’s recognition. At that moment, she set herself a goal.

More attentive and caring than before, Saeko Busujima took on the task of looking after Yexing. There was some food in the office, and she gathered it, asking, “Yexing, would you like something to eat?”

It was afternoon, and no one had eaten dinner yet. After battling zombies, their physical exhaustion was severe and hunger gnawed at most of them. However, the provisions amounted to just a few pieces of bread, some bottled water, and a couple packets of instant coffee—likely left by night-duty teachers.

“Bottled water,” Yexing said after glancing at the offerings. He had no appetite and wasn’t hungry.

With concern, Saeko Busujima handed him a piece of bread and a bottle of water, smiling gently at him. “You should eat something at this hour. You must be hungry.”

Unaccustomed to others’ concern, except from C.C. and Xiaobai, Yexing hesitated when Saeko handed him the food. Xiaobai, more anxious than Saeko, urged, “Take it quickly! It’s a kind gesture—don’t refuse!”

After a brief pause, Yexing accepted the offering and said, “Thank you.” As C.C. had taught him, it was basic courtesy. Saeko Busujima smiled and nodded, then began distributing the food to everyone, taking a seat next to Yexing to rest.

“Miss Marikawa, where are your car keys?” Takashi Komuro asked, handing a damp towel to the sweat-soaked Saya Takagi.

“Oh? They should be in my bag.” Shizuka Marikawa retrieved her handbag from a corner of the office and rummaged through it.

“Are you sure your car can fit all of us?” Saeko Busujima doubted Shizuka Marikawa would have a vehicle large enough for seven people and reminded her coolly.

“That... doesn’t seem possible...” Shizuka Marikawa pictured her car, knowing it could only accommodate four people at most, and replied awkwardly.

“How about the excursion bus for the Activities Club? It’s still parked outside, hanging on the wall.” Kohta Hirano looked out the window, pointing at the bus parked outside as he suggested.

“The bus is good, but where would we go? The world is like this now—there’s no safe place left. Everywhere is likely as chaotic as the school, and transportation has probably come to a halt. Where can we go?” Saya Takagi analyzed the situation and came to a grim conclusion.

“How could it be!” Rei Miyamoto turned on the television, and the broadcast content sent her into panic. Just as Saya had said, the outside world was in much the same state.

“In response to the widespread riots... negotiations are underway for countermeasures, but the government is cautious about deploying the self-defense forces. So far, there have been over a thousand casualties... They’re firing! What’s going on? Is this real? Save me!” On the screen, corpses presumed dead and bagged for transport suddenly sat up, pursued by zombies. Through the television, Takashi Komuro and the others clearly witnessed the reporter’s death.

“Next comes the panic, which could trigger chaos and the collapse of order. Once order collapses, we’ll face not just the dead but the living as well—the harm humans can inflict is no less than that of corpses,” Saya Takagi said, adjusting her glasses and presenting a possibility that drove Rei Miyamoto further into despair.

The world had changed completely, becoming a place of utter hopelessness.