Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 102: Making the Rounds (Part 1)

Chapter 102: Making the Rounds (Part 1)

“So, it’s quite the task, huh…”

In the principal’s office at Yurei High, Miyata-san lets out a sigh.

It’s just the two of us here.

Kanzaki-san’s on the radio with Hanada-san at Akizuki, and Sakura’s with Moriyama-kun, as usual.

After the briefing at Akizuki General Hospital, I decided to drop Kanzaki-san off at Yurei and explain things while I’m here.

The gist: I’m heading to Ryuugu City for recon, duration unknown, so I can’t help with missing persons searches for a while.

“Sorry, that means searches… probably off the table for now.”

“No, no, you’ve been doing it out of kindness, so don’t worry. Your efforts have helped plenty already.”

Miyata-san says with a gentle smile.

…Man, that’s a relief.

“I’ll let the refugees know.”

“You sure? I mean, they might complain…”

Honestly, I don’t feel guilty about the refugees, but I’d hate for the police to catch their flak.

The police have done a ton for me, after all.

“We’ll just say we asked you to scout the entire city. That’s probably the best way.”

“Whoa, hold on, that’s kinda rough on you guys!”

“Hey, a good lie works wonders, Tanakano-san…” Miyata-san continues with a wry smile. “And, well, how do I put it… the refugees who complain don’t have to stay here. We’re not forcing them.”

Whoa, there’s the real talk.

But yeah, he’s right—if they don’t like it, they can leave.

Want someone found? Go look yourself.

That’s what I’d do.

“Well, once the SDF joint ops start, the zombies around here should thin out. Then…”

“Then folks with working legs can go themselves, right?”

“Exactly. This isn’t a job for you alone to handle, Tanakano-san.”

Originally, I started to take the heat off Miku-chan and the kids.

That’s not needed anymore.

…Guess this is my cue to step back.

Plus, I can’t keep carrying the refugees forever.

Who knows when another Gyaruko might pop up?

My comfy unemployed life ain’t starting anytime soon.

…When will it start? No clue.

“Oh, and like with the SDF, if the police need me, I’m happy to help… but let’s keep that on the down-low.”

“Deal. Looking forward to working with you.”

“Same here.”

We shake hands, grinning like schemers.

“Now… I’ve got something for you, Tanakano-san.”

With the talk wrapped up, Miyata-san stands and heads to a safe.

He turns the dial, clicks it open, and pulls out something wrapped in cloth.

…Money?

In this mess, cash is useless, though…

“Here.”

Miyata-san unwraps it.

“What the—”

It’s a handgun.

The kind you see on a cop’s hip.

A sleek, black pistol.

“Please, take it, Tanakano-san.”

Whoa… I can’t accept this.

“No, I couldn’t…”

“From what I hear, Ryuugu City’s way more dangerous than here. Your fighting style’s close-quarters, but this won’t hurt to have.”

“No, no, this is something you police need, Miyata-san.”

In this situation, the more guns, the better.

“Truth is… every officer here has at least two handguns already.”

“What?”

“When we evacuated, we brought every gun from the station. Ammo too. Didn’t want them stolen.”

Yeah, makes sense…

That many guns, huh?

“Plus, there’s the shotguns and pistols you recovered.”

Oh, right, the ones from those fake cops and the construction idiots.

“And… not to shout it, but right before the zombie outbreak, we had a big yakuza bust in the city…”

I remember reading about that.

They seized a ton of weapons meant for gang wars.

Rifles, automatics, the works.

…What kinda post-apocalyptic mafia were they planning to fight?

“So, we’ve got more guns than we need. Way more.”

Got it…

But still, me having one doesn’t seem—

“We can’t exactly hand spares to refugees.”

Yeah, that’d be worse than giving a maniac a knife.

Some refugees are pretty high-handed.

Imagine them armed…

“And, you remember, don’t you? This is Takayama-senpai’s pistol.”

…!

That name hits hard.

The one I found at the police box.

That honorable cop’s gun.

“So, technically, it’s one of your finds.”

“No, it’s not like picking up a lost wallet… What about the Firearms and Swords Law?”

“Haha, bit late for that, no?”

…Oh, right!

The Swords part of that law nails me with my blade.

I forgot, it’s so second nature.

“Five rounds loaded. I’ll throw in thirty spare rounds—good deal, right?”

“Don’t pitch it like a late-night infomercial… What if I, y’know, do something bad with it?”

“Someone like that wouldn’t honestly turn in guns and shotguns.”

…Can’t argue with that.

“Here’s a shoulder holster to hide it under your vest. And a bulletproof vest too.”

Miyata-san pulls a holster and black vest from a drawer.

Whoa, straight outta Police 24/7.

…Wow, what a haul, Bob! They’re spoiling me!

Miyata-san had this planned from the start.

“I’m giving it to you because it’s you—the guy who gave Takayama-senpai a proper send-off. He’d say the same.”

“…”

“Kanzaki-san can teach you how to shoot and maintain it. She’s probably better than us.”

No way I can refuse this vibe…

A handgun, huh… I’m curious, sure.

Shotguns are heavy and bulky, but this is compact.

“You’ve helped us a ton, Tanakano-san. Please, use it for the recon.”

“…You won’t arrest me later, right?”

“When this mess calms down and peace returns, just quietly give it back.”

“…Got it.”

I pick up the pistol.

Lighter than my sword, but still hefty.

No telling what’ll happen in Ryuugu.

SDF soldiers are going missing.

…As a last resort, it’s not a bad thing to have.

And if I get bitten by a zombie, like Takayama-san…

This’d be easier than cutting my own neck.

…Not that I plan on getting there.

“…Takayama-san’s daughter went to Mikagura High, right?”

I tuck the pistol into the holster and put on the vest… kinda heavy.

The bulletproof vest goes in my backpack.

No need for it now.

The ammo… Kanzaki-san said it won’t go off unless you hammer it, so into the backpack’s inner pocket it goes.

“…Yes, but don’t feel obliged to search for her. Your safety comes first.”

“If I feel like it, I’ll check. If I feel like it.”

“…Alright.”

“Yup.”

I’ll swing by if I can.

Maybe it’s fate.

…If it looks safe, that is.

Mikagura High seems as sturdy as here, so she’s probably fine.

“Well, I’ll head out. I’ll drop by when I’m back—gotta share info too.”

“Yes, stay safe.”

Miyata-san sends me off with a crisp salute.

I grab Kanzaki-san, and we leave Yurei.

I won’t tell Arata-kun and the others about Ryuugu yet.

I plan to look for their mom if there’s time, but if I don’t find her or she’s dead, it’ll just hurt them.

I kept it from Miku-chan at first too.

…And I’m keeping it from Moriyama-kun.

He’d probably try to tag along, and that’s scary.

Total deadweight.

But me and Kanzaki-san aren’t like that, so no issue.

Alright, next stop: Ooki-kun’s place.

It’s closer than Occhan’s.

“Sakura, we’re going to Ooki-nii-chan’s!”

“Hyan!”

She seems happy, since it’s non-dark-mode Ooki-kun.

Let’s roll!

※

“…What the heck is this?”

I arrive at Ooki-kun’s used bookstore, but it’s totally transformed.

Since when did it have a barbed-wire gate?

And those spiky spikes at the base.

No way I’m getting in like this.

…Hm?

There’s a security camera above the gate.

Wasn’t there before… Well, the gate itself wasn’t either.

“Ah, Tanakano-san! I’ll open it now~”

The camera talks!?

…No, there’s a speaker attached.

Ooki-kun’s tech skills… unreal!

After a bit, Ooki-kun pops up on the rooftop.

He climbs down a ladder to the parking lot and opens the gate with a clatter.

Whoa, the spikes move with it?

“Tanakano-san, hi. Sakura-chan too.”

“Hyan! Hyan!”

“Hey… This is impressive.”

“Heh, got hyped after last time and worked nonstop to finish it.”

That’s one smug grin.

Fair enough for a gate like this.

“Got something to talk about. Can I come in?”

“Sure, sure! Got some good coffee beans too—nabbed ‘em from a café~”

…Man, he’s living free.

Embracing freedom.

Kinda jealous.

But he’s overcome hell to get here.

He deserves this much happiness.

No, it’d be wrong if he didn’t have it.

Alright, I’ll head in.

“So, Ryuugu City, huh?”

Sipping some insanely fragrant coffee, I fill Ooki-kun in on the plan.

“Yeah, I’ll be back regularly, though.”

“SDF soldiers going missing… Sounds fishy. Be careful.”

He says, petting Sakura as she scurries around.

“Yup, it’s probably different from Shiiya.”

“Shiiya’s probably the tutorial, and Ryuugu’s the main game, haha.”

“Don’t jinx it, you!”

Talk about bad luck.

I’ve already got permanent scars here.

A harder mode’s too terrifying.

“Well, I’ll be cautious.”

“But with you and Kanzaki-san, you’ll probably be fine. During that last attack, all I did was throw bombs.”

Throwing bombs as a baseline is wild…

His tech skills are no joke.

“Oh, what about your house, Tanakano-san?”

“Yeah, I’ll be away, so… Gotta fortify it in the next two days.”

I’ll take the generator on the truck and bring important stuff, but…

No precious metals or cash to worry about, but I gotta protect the house.

Can’t have weirdos squatting.

“If it’s okay, I could check on it for you.”

I’m mulling it over when Ooki-kun makes an unexpected offer.

“Whoa, nah, that’s too much.”

“Your place is near the river, right? I wanna film there anyway, so it’s no big deal.”

He pulls out a camera, all excited.

“Need river fishing vids too. I’m gonna roam around, so don’t worry. Just a quick check once or twice a week.”

Ooki-kun’s gotten bold.

…Or maybe he always was.

“…Alright, can I ask you to keep an eye on it? Just checking’s enough, but I’ll give you a spare key. Rest at my place, use the bath, stay over if you want. Fishing gear’s in the garden shed—help yourself.”

“Whoa! Awesome! It’s like a vacation home! Hell yeah!!”

“Watch movies, eat the stockpiled food, whatever.”

Better than looters taking it.

Maybe I’ll tell him about the community center too.

“Nah, I’ll take the movies, but I’ve got tons of food, so don’t worry.”

So reliable…

Guess I’ll take him up on it.

…Man, I’m always getting helped out.

“Hey, you’re making that face, Tanakano-san! It’s fine. You and the others helped me find closure.”

“I couldn’t have done it that cleanly alone,” he adds.

What a guy… Hope there’s an angel of a girl out there for him.

He deserves happiness.

“Oh, maybe I could set up bombs or mines for thieves—”

“No thanks!”

I’d come back to a crater.

“Stay safe! Once it’s safer, I’ll film in Ryuugu too! Keep me posted~!”

“Thanks! Take care of things here!”

“Hyan! Ooon!”

We wave from the car window as Ooki-kun sees us off at the gate.

I gave him the spare key and showed him how to enter from the second floor, so he’s set.

Told him the house’s location too.

Didn’t expect the house issue to get solved like this.

I owe him big—gotta think of a way to repay.

…Maybe let him film once it’s safe.

Don’t count your tanuki before they’re caught, though.

First, I gotta nail this job.

With Ooki-kun done, next is Occhan’s place.

…My social circle’s really small, huh?

“Ojisan! Sakura-chan! Hiii!”

“Miku-chan, yo!”

“Kyuun! Waon!”

Miku-chan greets us as we arrive at Occhan’s house.

Sakura dashes over… Whoa, that’s basically a tackle!

“Eek! Haha, c’mon!”

“Wan! Wan!”

Miku-chan scoops Sakura up, nuzzling her cheek.

They’re both happy, so it’s all good.

Through the house, I spot Occhan practicing swings in the courtyard.

Perfect timing—let’s talk first.

Leaving Sakura with Miku-chan, I head to the yard.

“Occhan, I’m here.”

“Bouzu, what’s up today?”

He replies, mid-swing.

…His form’s as steady and powerful as ever.

It’ll take me decades to reach that level, probably.

“Got something to talk about… Oh, and that sword I asked for—done?”

“Yup, sharpened it ages ago. Got too much time.”

Sweet.

No such thing as too many swords with what’s coming.

…Gonna bring my prized blade from home too.

If that got stolen, I’d never recover.

Took too much time and money.

“Here.”

Whoa, a bokken’s suddenly in front of me.

Occhan’s holding it out.

“Miku’ll probably ask you to stay, and you’re free, right? Spar with me.”

I’m not exactly free, but the house is sorted.

…Guess today’s fine.

No telling what’s ahead.

“…Go easy on me?”

“Pfft.”

I take the bokken, setting my backpack and helmet on the porch.

I take off the vest… Crap, forgot the pistol.

Better wrap it in the vest to keep it hidden.

Feeling lighter, I face Occhan.

“…Here I go.”

“Right.”

I hold the bokken in seigan stance.

Occhan casually grips his in his right hand.

…No openings, as always.

Waiting won’t change that.

He’s leagues above me.

Gotta go for it!

I step into range, shifting to a side stance, aiming low for his legs.

“Shh!!”

Clack, he blocks it effortlessly, but that’s a feint.

I slide the bokken along his, aiming high—Whoa!?

In a flash, he deflects it, thrusting at my stomach.

No time to pull back, so I leap backward to—Oh!?

He read that too!

Occhan closes the gap in one step, slashing at my thigh.

“…!”

I barely block with the bokken’s handle.

Ouch, that smarts.

His strikes are heavy as ever.

Keep blocking, and my hands’ll give out.

“…Haa!!”

I deliberately mistime my shout, twisting his bokken downward.

I ram my shoulder to push him back—!?

“Heh, not bad.”

…He flows with the tackle, floating back.

Just like Master.

Some tengu old man.

Anyway, reset!

…Pure swordsmanship? He’s got decades on me.

Gotta go all in.

I change stance.

Left foot forward, half-turned, bokken resting on my right shoulder.

Occhan’s expression shifts.

“Nanumo-ryu… Tanakano Ichirouta, here I come!”

I charge, swinging a kesa-slash with my whole body.

His bokken rises to intercept.

Now!

“Nua!!”

Mid-swing, I relax my arms, dropping to a low stance.

In a flash, I switch, aiming a slash to sweep his ankle.

Nanumo-ryu Kuuten.

A variant of what I taught Arata.

Got him!! …What!?

“Whoops, close one.”

“Oof!?”

His bokken taps my head as he hops up.

Sparks in my vision.

I tumble forward from the swing’s momentum.

…Damn it!

Using the roll’s force, I aim for his landing foot.

“Hoi!”

He hops lightly again.

…Knew it!

Rising with the swing’s momentum, I slash upward at him in midair.

“Hohoi… To!”

He parries with the bokken’s side, landing with a thrust at my solar plexus.

So fast!?

“Gah!?”

It’s like an iron bar slammed into me.

Mid-stand, I can’t fully dodge the impact!

I spin backward, swiping the air to keep him at bay.

Ugh… Are my abs still there? Yup, good…

What a hit.

How does he get that power…?

No clue…

My legs are shaky… Even deflecting some of it, it’s this strong?

I’m not done yet.

Can’t surrender this easily.

…Though, in a real fight, I’d be dead.

I stand, shifting to a side stance, bokken tip back.

“…Haa!!”

I step in, spinning for a horizontal slash—then fake it, bending my knees and reversing the spin.

A thrust from the opposite side.

“Oh!?”

Caught him off guard—he leaps back.

…Here!

I turn the thrust’s momentum into a sideways spin.

Reversing again, I step low and slash upward.

The force from my straining ankle fuels the strike.

My bokken nears his left wrist—What!?

“Orya!!”

He releases his left hand, dodging the slash.

Gripping with just his right, he swings down, sliding to hold the handle’s end.

The extended strike stops dead at my neck.

“…I yield!”

I slump to the ground.

I’m done.

The pain in my solar plexus makes breathing hard.

One more hit to the neck, and I’d pass out.

Man… Dodging that?

What reflexes for an old guy.

And extending his reach mid-swing…

That’s straight out of manga or movies.

Master could do it, but I didn’t expect Occhan to pull it off…

“You’re amazing, Occhan.”

“…Idiot, you’re too green. Announcing ‘Nanumo-ryu’ is like shouting you’ve got a trump card.”

…Oh.

My psych-up backfired.

“Still, that last one was nasty. Gave me a chill.”

“That final move was wild, Occhan. Never seen anyone but Master do it.”

“Learned it from Tamiya-sensei, after all.”

…Learning it doesn’t mean you can just do it.

I’d either drop the bokken or fumble the speed.

His smoothness is unreal.

“Nanumo-ryu Suntagae… right? Tamiya-sensei got me with it too. Practiced like hell to learn it.”

Between Hanada-san and Occhan, Master’s beaten too many people.

How much chaos did that old man cause in his youth…?

“Alright, pain’s fading. Round two.”

“…I’ll take at least one point.”

“Hah, good face. Bring it, Bouzu.”

“Ichirouta-chan, dinner’s ready~!”

As I’m getting pummeled, Obachan calls out.

Didn’t take a single point… Damn.

“Coming! …Time’s up, Bouzu.”

“Ugh… Got it…”

I’m gasping, while Occhan’s unfazed.

Monster…

Thinking back, he only moves what’s needed.

I’m wasting too much energy.

Gotta train harder.

“…Looks like you’ve got stuff to say, but food first.”

“Ugh… Yeah…”

I drag my aching body to the porch.

Oh, haven’t mentioned Ryuugu yet…