Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 100: And Now, Moving Forward

Chapter 100: And Now, Moving Forward

Gentle sunlight, easy to bask in.

The rhythmic sound of waves lapping at the shore.

The briny scent tickling my nose.

“Hyan! Kyan! …Kuu~n! Kyu~n!!”

My beloved dog, panicking with seaweed skillfully wrapped around her face.

“Hahaha! Hahahaha! How’d you even manage this, Sakura?!”

“…Pfft! ~!”

“…You can laugh out loud, Kanzaki-san. No need to hold back.”

I untangle what’s either wakame or kombu while glancing at Kanzaki-san, her face red from stifling laughter.

She’s trembling too much—let it out already.

This is a sandy beach, a ten-minute walk from the fishing port where I fished before.

Last year, it was bustling with surfers and swimmers, but now it’s a ghost of itself.

Well, it’s off-season, sure.

But even summer might not bring crowds this year.

Zombies might, though.

…What a grim kind of lively.

The beach is flanked by rocky shores where we’re fishing.

A secret spot those four old-timers told me about.

Honestly, with so few anglers now, fish probably bite anywhere, but I wanted a change of pace.

Sakura’s fascinated by the sea and the critters in the tidal pools.

Exhibit A: her seaweed whirlwind just now.

She’s wearing sturdy pink dog shoes to protect her paws from sharp rocks.

Good thing I nabbed them from that pet shop.

She’s also got a dog life jacket.

She fussed at first, not used to it, but the sea’s allure made her forget quick.

Like before, I cast a lure, aiming for small fish…

I underestimated those old-timers’ intel.

It’s insanely fishy here.

Cast, reel a bit, and bam—a bite.

Mackerel galore.

They’re biting so fast I toss them into a tidal pool as a makeshift tank.

It’s like a mini aquarium petting zoo.

“Wafu! …Hyan hyan!”

The VIP guest, Sakura, is thrilled, so it’s all good.

She’s lying at the pool’s edge, dipping her paws in and out.

What is this adorable creature…

“She’s so happy. Glad I brought her.”

“Reminds me of my childhood… Heh, she’s cute.”

“Oh? Kanzaki-san’s childhood… Bet you were a sharp kid, huh?”

“Pfft, I think I was pretty normal? …What about you, Tanakano-san?”

Me? Hmm…

First time here was… oh, that time.

“I rode a boat made of linked milk cartons with a friend… Got swept out and caused a huge fuss…”

“…Were you okay?”

“Coast Guard boat on nearby drills rescued us. Was fun…”

“I… see.”

Dad socked me good, though.

“Wonder how Genta-kun’s doing. He went pro in swimming, y’know.”

“That’s impressive…”

Probably retired and working a desk job now.

In another prefecture, no idea how he’s holding up.

Worst case, he could swim away—zombies don’t swim…

Anyway, usually I’d use a mackerel as bait by now, but… let’s take it slow.

Judging by this frenzy, it’ll get hectic fast.

Got time today, so I wanna chill.

Ignoring Sakura for fishing would be a shame.

Gotta prioritize family time.

Where’s Sakura… Oh, poking her nose there?

Found something good, huh—WHOA!?

“Grr! Haruru!!”

An octopus! No clue where she found it, but Sakura’s battling a huge one!

Is she okay?! It won’t strangle her, will it?!

“Sakuraaaa! Hold on!!”

I stab the octopus’ head with my ken-nata, and it ascends to nirvana gracefully.

“Nice work, Sakura! Now we can have takoyaki! I’ll grill you a tentacle!!”

“Wafu… wafuu.”

Her face is ink-stained and battered, but she looks kinda proud.

…Gotta wash her later.

“(Um… octopus and squid are hard for puppies to digest, so…)”

What’s that!?

…Fine, I’ll grill it well, chop it fine, and give her a tiny bit.

Forgive me, Sakura…

Sakura stares at the sea, tail wagging tirelessly.

Watching her, I decide to take a break.

“Kanzaki-san, coffee. It’s hot, careful… Want anything in it?”

“Black’s fine. Thank you.”

We sit side by side on folding chairs, sipping coffee.

Ahh, nice. So peaceful.

This spot’s only accessible by climbing from the beach, so no zombie worries.

Zombie virus or whatever, thanks for making zombies laughably weak!

And for not infecting animals!

Seagull zombies would’ve ruined this place.

“…Remember that problem I mentioned?”

I’m chilling when Kanzaki-san murmurs.

Forget? It was just the other day.

Ooki-kun’s volcano eruption overshadowed it a bit, though.

By the way, Ooki-kun’s still filming videos with gusto.

Gyaruko? Dunno, don’t care.

Haven’t seen her lately.

“Yeah, crystal clear. …You ready to talk?”

“Yes… but first, I need to tell you about myself. Will you listen?”

Hmm, about Kanzaki-san, huh?

“Sure.”

I answer, and she falls silent for a moment.

Taking a deep breath, she speaks.

“…My rank isn’t Lance Corporal. It’s higher.”

…Yeah, figured.

Lance Corporal’s, what, third from the bottom?

Like Moriyama-kun’s police rank, right?

No way, no how.

Her combat skills, her free-roaming assignments?

No way she’s that low.

Even a military noob like me can tell.

I’m more shocked it’s not something wilder.

Like, “I’m actually an SDF android.”

“…You’re not surprised?”

“Well, I kinda guessed since Hanada-san was so cagey about your background.”

“Since then!?”

“Yup.”

Hanada-san clammed up hard.

I gave up asking eventually.

Kanzaki-san looks stunned.

What, did she think I was that dumb?

…Kinda hurts…

“I figured there was a reason. I don’t like prying into stuff people don’t wanna share.”

“…Are you… upset? About me hiding it?”

“No way, that’s nothing to get mad over. You’re still Kanzaki-san, even if you were Chief of Staff.”

“N-Not that high!”

Yeah, I know.

That young, a supreme commander? Only in manga.

Plus, we’ve been through hell together.

Rank’s no big deal.

“You and I are partners!! …That’s enough, right? Something like this won’t change how I act.”

At that, a tear slips from Kanzaki-san’s eye.

Vweh!?

I made her cry!?

Oh no, what do I do!?

Please don’t kill me!!

She covers her face, head bowed.

…What now?

Screw it, here goes!

I hesitantly touch her head.

Her body twitches.

Whoa, super rough.

…Oh, she’s wearing a straw hat, duh.

I pat it lightly.

Hope this isn’t harassment.

“…Please don’t cry, Kanzaki-san. I’m not mad at all. I’m actually happy.”

“H-Happy…?”

“You shared something you haven’t told anyone else, right? Means you trust me that much… Makes me kinda glad.”

…Miyata-san, Oota-san, and Occhan probably know, though.

If even I noticed, they definitely did.

“I-Is that so?”

Her voice is nasal, face hidden, but she sounds brighter.

Good, good…

“Yup. And I’ve got tons I haven’t told you either. Not ’cause I don’t trust you—too embarrassing!”

Every adult’s got one or a hundred secrets.

That’s normal.

Oh! Crap, I’m still patting.

She seems fine, so I’ll stop…

“Um, a bit longer… please.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

A repeat customer, huh.

What struck a chord?

Now I’m the one flustered.

“…My real rank is Second Sergeant.”

Let’s see…

Above Lance Corporal is Third Sergeant, right?

So, Lance Corporal’s like Private First Class, Third Sergeant’s Corporal… maybe?

So, Second Sergeant’s… Sergeant in a regular army?

“Kanzaki Sergeant, huh? That’s cool!”

“Is it? …I never thought about it that way.”

She looks puzzled.

Honestly, her rank doesn’t change much for me.

I don’t get it anyway.

But why hide it? I’ve got a guess…

“Um, are you, like… special forces or something?”

I ask, curious.

It’s the only reason I can think of.

“…Yes, something like that. Special, in a way.”

Knew it.

I had a thought when she fought Yamada.

Her combat skills are too high.

Sure, individual talent varies, but her shooting and hand-to-hand?

On a different level from Yamada, who’s probably not much younger.

No clue about Yamada’s shooting, though.

Hmm…

“…Anything else?”

“Huh? …Anything else?”

“Besides rank and unit, any other lies? Like secretly planting a bomb in my house…”

“I-I haven’t done that! What do you take me for!?”

Her eyes go wide as she retorts.

“Just kidding… You seemed so serious, I thought maybe you were planning a sneak attack or something…”

My bad, my bad.

No issue then.

I wouldn’t get her unit name anyway, and I’m not that curious.

So, Kanzaki-san’s a Second Sergeant in some elite unit.

…Nothing else I need to know, right?

“Like I said, you’re you. No need to feel guilty. I don’t care one bit.”

We’ve gotten along fine so far.

If she said, “Everything was a lie! I secretly wished you’d die!” I’d be shocked, but a rank difference? No biggie.

“…You’re so kind, Tanakano-san. Really… thank you.”

She finally smiles.

Yup, smiles suit Kanzaki-san.

She’s so stunning, my heart skips a beat.

…Most people look good smiling, though.

“N-Nah, I’m just lazy, haha.”

“Are you? …Heh.”

Phew, back to normal.

All good n—

“Hyan!!”

Whoa!?

What’s up, Sakura, tackling me like that!?

Rubbing her head on my knee.

…Is she jealous ’cause I’m patting Kanzaki-san?

Wants some too?

“Kyun! Kyu~n…”

I rub her head with my free hand, and she calms instantly.

…Nailed it.

What a jealous little thing.

Such a cute creature.

※

“So, I get the rank thing, but how’s it tied to your problem?”

Kanzaki-san seems settled, so I steer back to the topic.

Sakura’s napping on my lap.

Finally, we’re getting somewhere.

“Yes. First, I’m not stationed at Shiiya Garrison.”

“Oh? Where then?”

“Kamunagi Garrison… Ever heard of it?”

“What!? That far!?”

Far? It’s in the capital!

Why come to this backwater from a bustling city?

“I had business with First Lieutenant Hanada and got leave to come here.”

With Hanada-san?

“SDF business?”

“No, family matters.”

Family…?

“First Lieutenant Hanada is my uncle. My mother’s younger brother.”

Uncle…?

Hold up, I almost thought something dumb!

Uncle!?

Hanada-san!?

“DNA’s wild… You don’t look alike at all…”

“What’s that mean… Um, I take after my mother, you know?”

…So, she looks like her mom.

Must be a real beauty, Kanzaki-san’s mom.

But still…

“…You’re so formal with a relative…”

“At work, we use titles and treat each other as superior and subordinate. Both my uncle and I dislike familiarity on the job.”

…Makes sense.

They’re both like that.

Keeping work and personal separate.

“No one at Akizuki Shelter knows this either… So, keep it secret, okay, Tanakano-san?”

She gives a mischievous smile.

…All these secrets are giving me heartburn.

“I was staying at his place for my grandfather’s 90th birthday celebration, but… zombies hit Shiiya the morning I arrived.”

Oof… Talk about awful timing.

90th, that’s juzu—long life for Grandpa.

“I went to the garrison to report in, so I ended up acting with the SDF and stayed on.”

“Why hide your rank?”

“…It’s awkward to say, but my position is quite unique. To avoid confusion, my uncle and I agreed to keep it under wraps.”

Got it.

Explains why she’s allowed solo missions.

Not part of this garrison, and she’s skilled enough to handle things alone.

…Man, Kanzaki-san’s incredible.

“…Sorry to interrupt, but what happened to Shiiya Garrison?”

“I was in the chaos, so details are fuzzy, but… at least half the personnel turned into zombies early on.”

“Half!? Did a horde swarm in or something!?”

That’s brutal…

Shiiya Garrison’s near a busy district.

Did zombies flood in from there?

“No… I didn’t see it myself, but radio reports said, ‘Healthy soldiers suddenly attacked.’”

…What?

Not bitten, just turned?

…My brain can’t keep up.

But it explains why the garrison fell.

I wondered how the SDF lost to weak zombies.

If half your allies turned and attacked out of nowhere, yeah, that’s panic city.

They probably didn’t even look like zombies at first…

“After that, my uncle, the highest-ranking survivor, took command, gathered supplies, and we escaped to Akizuki.”

“Why Akizuki? Shiiya’s got a big hospital, right?”

“Akizuki General Hospital’s terrain is easier to scout and defend. Also, recon saw flames at Shiiya Central Hospital…”

What, Central Hospital’s gone?

Never went there—didn’t care—so I didn’t know.

“…Wait, Miyata-san said they were taking in refugees until comms cut off…”

“There was confusion, and that’s how it was reported. I didn’t know either until talking with Inspector Miyata. Only Akizuki residents are there.”

Yeah, total chaos, makes sense.

“Hm? Didn’t you say you couldn’t contact the garrison when we met? Were there soldiers left behind?”

Kanzaki-san looks sheepish, averting her eyes.

“…Back then, I didn’t know what kind of person you were, so… for confidentiality…”

“I looked like a total creep, huh? My gear’s even wilder now, though.”

Munching cabbage like a savage.

Ah… I miss cabbage.

When’ll I eat it again?

“That’s not true now! I trust you! More than anyone I’ve met in Shiiya!!”

Red-faced, Kanzaki-san waves her hands frantically.

Rare Kanzaki-san in full swing.

And thus, Tanakano, provisional top-trusted Shiiya citizen, is born.

Kinda embarrassing.

“Haha… I’ll try to live up to that trust. Sorry for sidetracking.”

“N-No…”

Clearing her throat, Kanzaki-san locks eyes with me.

Serious gaze.

“Tanakano-san, will you come with me to Ryuugu City?”

She says it slowly, firmly.

“I’ll return to Shiiya periodically, but it’s a long, dangerous mission. No clear end date.”

“…Me? Not, like, SDF folks…?”

I blurt out, and she looks straight into my eyes.

“You… I want you.”

…Well, what can I say to that?

My answer’s set.

“…Like I said before, through fire, water… or Ryuugu City, I’m with you.”

I extend my right hand.

Master once told me: offering your dominant hand in a handshake shows total trust.

“Only to someone I’m okay with losing an arm to,” he said.

…Though, knowing Master, he’d probably cut first.

Point is, this handshake means that to me.

“Here’s to working together.”

“…Yes!!”

Kanzaki-san takes my hand with a dazzling smile.

“Hyan!”

Sakura, awake now, slaps her paw on top with a tash.

“Haha, nice one, partner-in-training.”

“Waon!”

“Heh, better watch out, or Sakura-chan might steal my partner spot. I won’t lose, Sakura-chan.”

“Won!”

Not sure if she gets it, but Sakura’s got a smug look.

Kanzaki-san’s smiling, but her eyes are kinda scary.

Why?

We decide to discuss the long-term mission later in Akizuki with Hanada-san.

Kanzaki-san only knows it’s a “long-term recon mission in Ryuugu City.”

To think she’d ask me at this stage… Her trust is intense.

“Oh!!”

“Hyan!?”

“What!?”

My shout startles Kanzaki-san and Sakura as I stand.

Sorry, just realized something.

“That Yamada… That’s why she came at me!?”

It clicks now.

Her muttering, “…and to a guy like you…” back then.

She was pissed it was me!?

“Y-Yes…”

Kanzaki-san shrinks.

It’s fine, really.

“Haa… Got it. Thought she was just a battle junkie, but that’s the deal.”

“She… overheard my uncle and me talking about it… and insisted on volunteering…”

“Oh? And you mentioned my name when turning her down?”

“N-No… I thought she’d refuse, so I just said, ‘I already have a partner, and if they say no, I’ll go alone.’ But somehow she figured it out…”

And charged ahead, leading to that mess.

She didn’t seem like the listening type.

Wait, she was gonna go alone!?

…Good thing I said yes…

“She was pretty attached, huh, despite knowing you so briefly.”

“Well… um…”

Kanzaki-san’s acting weird.

Hard-to-read expression.

“Did she, like, confess to you or something? Haha…”

“…”

She covers her face, super embarrassed.

…Meant it as a joke, but looks like I hit the mark.

For real!?

What’s that tower thing… Tokyo Tower?

Well, Kanzaki-san’s cool as hell.

Bet she’s popular with the ladies.

“…Since school, I’ve had… a lot of that. Why? I can’t see women that way…”

“Yeah, most people are like that. I couldn’t date a guy either.”

Love’s free, but so’s saying no.

Never had that experience myself.

…And I’m fine with that.

“Kanzaki-san, you’re so sharp and cool. Like a Takarazuka actress.”

“Ugh… That’s not exactly flattering…”

Her shoulders slump.

It’s a rare Kanzaki-san festival today.

Sakura looks up worriedly from her feet.

“I turned her down clearly, but… she kept being touchy, too close… Honestly, coming to Shiiya was a relief.”

“Even setting aside same-sex stuff, being stalked after rejection sucks. Never happened to me, but I get it.”

Gonna see Yamada differently now.

Don’t wanna see her, though.

Oh, but I’ll have to for the mission briefing.

…Pray I avoid her.

Or stick close to Kanzaki-san.

“Well… that clears up a lot. Shall we fish again?”

“Y-Yes…”

I hand the still-slightly-down Kanzaki-san a rod.

Once the fish frenzy hits, she won’t have time to brood.

Ryuugu City, huh…

Shiiya’s rough enough; a prefectural capital’s gotta be worse.

Recon means no contact either.

But, well, there are people I wanna check on—Master, my senior, Arata and Shiho-chan’s mom.

Oh, what about my veggie-kuns?

Harvest the ones ready soon, maybe.

Gotta think it over.

Gotta secure the house too.

Can’t have burglars.

And Sakura…

…She’s coming. That’s final.

Occhan’d probably take her happily, but I found her, so she’s my responsibility.

Gotta plan for that.

Not like we’re leaving tomorrow.

“Tanakano-san… Any regrets—”

“Nope! I’m pumped for the adventure!!”

Can’t worry Kanzaki-san.

I said yes, so I gotta man up.

“They’ve got seas there too! Let’s fish! Unless you don’t want—”

“I’m going! Definitely!!”

Great answer.

While playing with Sakura, who’s darting between me and Kanzaki-san, I bait a hook and cast it into the sea.

※

As expected, it turned into a fish frenzy.

Kanzaki-san, gutting the massive haul with me, looked like she was having a blast.

…Also, Sakura’s ink-stained face took three shampoos to clean.