Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 15: Return from the Shelter and an Encounter with Idiots

Chapter 15: Return from the Shelter and an Encounter with Idiots

Mmm… best wake-up ever!

Must be this sofa.

…No, it’s ‘cause I was dead tired yesterday. Yeah.

Clock says 7:30 a.m.

Looked out the window—yesterday’s rain’s gone, clear as day.

Gonna be hot today.

Alright, time to say bye to Miyata-san and head home.

Ogahara-san and Yukiko-chan seem safe here.

That fence is tall—zombies can’t climb it.

…I hammered it into Ogahara-san, so she’ll be fine. Probably. Hopefully.

She’s not a bad kid, but man, she’s reckless…

Friends, keep her on a tight leash, please.

Munched a calorie bar, got ready, and left the office.

“Good morning, Miyata-san.”

“Morning, Tanakano-san.”

Spotted Miyata-san down the hall and greeted him.

Rocking a crisp police uniform even in this mess.

Respect.

“Heading out already? Pretty early.”

“Yeah, weather’s good, so I figured I’d move.”

Walked with him to the main entrance.

“The girls are still sleeping. Don’t wanna talk to them?”

“Nah, it’s not a forever goodbye, so I’m good.”

Feels like I’m the one more likely to die out there.

No, definitely me.

Especially with Yukiko-chan, I don’t wanna talk ‘cause of her dad.

She’s not at fault, though.

“Sorry, but tell them I said hi. And to stay put.”

“Got it. They’ll miss you, though.”

“Haha…”

He walked me to the parking lot.

What a nice guy… oh, wait, it’s for the gate.

“We’d love to know more about the outside. Could you visit again?”

“Sure, info exchange is key.”

“Appreciate it. I’ll tell the gate guards your description and license plate.”

Joining’s a no, but that’s fine.

More intel sources, the better.

“We’d love to have someone like you stay, but special exceptions would cause chaos. Sorry.”

“No worries, I’m better off alone. Thanks for everything.”

Shook hands with a very apologetic Miyata-san and got in the truck.

He doesn’t need to feel that bad.

Drove out as the gate slowly opened.

Felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

I’m built for solo life.

Other people’s lives are heavy.

Checked out the shelter, so I’ll keep a friendly distance.

I’ll swing by to check on those two sometimes.

It’s early, so I’ll hit an electronics store on the way back.

Gotta find that portable DVD player.

Slept great, so I’m recharged.

※

Reached the electronics store.

It’s a mid-sized branch of a nationwide chain.

Parked at the lot’s edge, as usual, and got out.

Looked inside—pitch dark.

But I’ve got my high-powered flashlight-kun!

Didn’t go in, just shone the light from the entrance.

…It’s trashed.

Batteries and product boxes scattered everywhere.

Might be a bust.

But a portable player? Doubt anyone grabbed that in a crisis.

Worth a look.

Scanned the store with the light.

No zombies in sight.

Tossed some batteries around to test.

No reaction.

Should be safe for now.

Razor section’s wiped out, even the samples.

…Maybe I should shave soon.

I’ll do it at home.

I’m a hand-razor guy.

Found some portable players in a corner of the AV section.

Grabbed the best one—big screen, rechargeable.

Oh, it’s region-free! I can watch North American anime!

…If that giant online retailer was still up, I could’ve ordered more.

Wonder how America’s doing.

Maybe better than here.

The rifle association’s probably thriving.

Guns everywhere—strong advantage.

Here, you’d have to steal from cops or use hunting rifles.

Not worth the effort.

But that probably keeps armed idiot mobs from forming.

…Then again, America’s likely a mess in its own way.

Headed back to the entrance, browsing a small video section.

Stuffed some series into my backpack.

Been wanting to watch these.

Today’s scouting was peaceful.

Left the store in high spirits.

…Four people around my truck.

Not zombies—humans.

The kind you don’t wanna deal with.

Colorful tattoos peeking out from short sleeves, tank tops, and half-pants.

Laughing loudly, having a grand time.

One’s messing with the door.

Hey, what’s that wire!?

Trying to steal my truck!?

Zombies, your food’s right there!!

I quietly fixed my bokken to the water bottle holder on my backpack and adjusted the sword on my left hip.

Ready to draw.

“Hey, what’re you doing to my truck?”

“Huh? What’s—”

I called out, and they all turned.

The grubby blond leader smirked, about to speak.

But his eyes hit my sword, and his face froze.

I’d already cut the koi-guchi, left hand on the hilt.

Ready to draw and strike.

Depending on their move, I could unsheathe in a flash.

“Swords are scary. Even a graze shakes you. Unlike guns, you can easily imagine the pain.”

My master’s words.

These aren’t zombies.

No need to aim for the head.

A slash to the limbs would neutralize them.

They wouldn’t risk their lives for a truck when cars are everywhere.

“I wanna go home. Move.”

“Uh, um…”

“Move.”

I repeated, and the four backed off my truck.

Smarter than those blond punks from before.

Or maybe it’s the sword.

Super effective!

“Hey! Hey!! Any shelters nearby!? We haven’t eaten in two days!!”

The grubby guy yelled from a distance.

So loud, you moron!

Trying to burst my eardrums?

Two days without food? Total lie.

Starving people don’t laugh like that.

Even if it’s true, I’m not sending these guys to that high school.

Miyata-san would turn them away, but better not risk it.

Oh, wait.

“A bit far, but North Elementary’s a shelter!!”

I hopped in the truck and peeled out.

Last I saw, they were grinning and talking.

I know that look.

Idiots! North Elementary was a shelter.

Miyata-san mentioned it yesterday.

“Zombies everywhere!”

That was their last radio message before contact cut off two days ago.

Told them about a former shelter, so they should be happy.

Would’ve been nicer if they hadn’t tried to steal my truck.

…Nah, not really. I’ve hated dirty blonds since those punks.

Thinking of their fate, I sped home.