Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 13: The Shelter, Part 1

Chapter 13: The Shelter, Part 1

Rain poured as I drove the light truck.

“High school freshman, huh?”

“Yes, I just moved here in March, so I don’t know the area well…”

Chatting with Ogahara-san, the girl I saved.

Her unusual surname makes sense—she’s from another prefecture.

“You went scouting without knowing the lay of the land?”

“Ugh… I just wanted to help…”

“Dying kinda ruins that. There’s cleaning, cooking—plenty to do, right?”

“Yes…”

Oops, went too far.

Sounds like a lecture.

Not the vibe for a girl who just escaped death.

“Here, eat this to cheer up.”

I pulled a chocolate bar from the dashboard.

Got a ton from the convenience store—dashboard’s stuffed with bars.

Too many for me alone.

“Wow…! Is it okay?”

“Go for it. Like you saw, I’ve got tons.”

“Thank you! I’ll dig in!! …So good…”

Her eyes sparkled as she bit into it, tearing up a bit.

Must’ve been craving sweets.

She’s got this small-animal cuteness.

Man, if she’s this grateful, I’d give her a whole chocolate shop!!

…Whoa!

Is this how people get hooked on sugar-daddy stuff…?

Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous…

“There’s plenty, so take your time. But I can only give you what you eat here.”

“Thank you!”

I’d love to send her with some, but it’s not enough for a whole shelter.

Small inequalities spark fights.

Right now? It’s fine unless they cut open my stomach!!

No way!? She ate six bars!?

Where’s it all going…?

Women’s mysteries, man…

“Also, if you scout, wear less revealing clothes. Like a tracksuit. Bites are bad, yeah?”

“Do bites really turn you into a zombie?”

“No clue, but even without infection, bites cause big injuries. Germs too. Human teeth are filthy.”

“Y-yeah…”

“If possible, let guys handle scouting. Worst case, you gotta fight zombies.”

“Where’s a good place to scout?”

“If you’re in a big group, Kyonan nearby is solid. It’s got everything.”

I lectured her in the car.

We’ve got time till we reach her school, and she feels… reckless.

I saved her, so it’d suck if she died quick.

Especially since she’s a good kid.

I’ve got no plans to join a shelter, though.

・Carefree solo survival life > ・Shelter life.

Can’t help it.

Honestly, going solo makes this work.

I push myself because it’s for me.

Can’t quite die for strangers.

Let saintly hero types handle that.

I’m happy sneaking around the world’s edges, surviving.

“By the way, when we get to the school, I’d like to crash in a corner for the night. Who should I ask?”

Between everything and oversleeping, it’s late.

I’ve never moved at night.

Those active nighttime zombies worry me.

Gotta minimize risks.

Staying quiet in a corner should be fine.

Got my own food in the backpack—no burden.

“Um, the police seem to be in charge, so probably them…”

Police, huh?

Sounds like a legit shelter.

…Wait.

“The police told you to go scout?”

“Well… food rations were low, so my friends said we should look…”

“What!?”

That’s basically desertion!!

This girl’s wilder than I thought!!

No need to say I chewed her out till she was teary, warning her against recklessness.

Dying from gluttony would be a lifelong shame.

…Well, last of my line here.

We reached the high school in the downpour.

The gate’s huge “Yurei” sign stands out.

Fancy school, surrounded by a tall fence.

Perfect for holing up.

They’ve got a generator—lights are on in the building.

“Stop there! This shelter’s full!!”

A serious-looking young cop ran up, shouting.

“I rescued one of your students in town! I’ll leave tomorrow, so at least let me park!?”

I yelled back.

The cop froze, looking troubled, and started talking into his radio.

“Tanakano-san, you’re leaving!?”

“Yeah, didn’t I mention? Can’t leave my (comfy) home.”

“No way…”

Not lying, not lying.

Must be the suspension bridge effect, but she trusts me a lot.

…Still worried about her!!

“Uh… we can’t offer food, is that okay?”

The cop asked, looking genuinely sorry.

Nice guy.

He could be a bit tougher and it wouldn’t hurt.

Cops have it rough even now.

“I’m good, got my own.”

“Understood, we’ll open the gate.”

The heavy gate creaked open.

I followed their lead, parking at the lot’s edge.

“Phew, made it.”

“I’m suddenly so scared…”

“Don’t do dangerous stuff again, got it?”

“Yes…”

I drove one last nail in as we got out.

Ran to the school building through the rain.

Backpack on, bokken in hand.

Sword on my left hip.

Cops might hassle me, but I can’t risk it being stolen.

They’ve got guns, so they’ll probably overlook a sword. Maybe. Hopefully.

“Hina-chan!!”

“Hina!!”

“You’re okay!!”

“Waaah!!”

Inside, as I wiped my head with a towel (gave Hina-chan a new one too), she got swarmed by girls her age.

She’s popular.

Because she’s so reckless?

Aw, they’re all crying. Towels are gonna get soaked.

Good friends are a beautiful thing.

Worth risking my life to save her.

Where should I sleep?

Gonna ask that young cop.

Where’d he go?

I was thinking, watching the chaotic girl squad.

“Could it be… Tanakano-oniisan?”

A voice from the side.

I turned, recognizing it.

A single girl stood there.

“Hey, Yukiko-chan…”

Her name’s Sakashita Yukiko.

The only daughter of that ossan I first killed as a zombie.