Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 20: Expedition to the Next Town, Part 2

Chapter 20: Expedition to the Next Town, Part 2

T/N: Oba-san is a non-rude way of referring to a middle-aged woman

“Ichirouta-kun! Is that you, Ichirouta-kun!?”

While chatting with a cool beauty SDF soldier in the tent by the hospital, a nurse burst in from the entrance.

Lieutenant Hanada-san stood behind her.

The nurse, in a blood-stained uniform, was someone I knew well.

“Sakashita-obasan, you’re safe! Thank goodness!”

“Oh, I’m so glad! No injuries? No bites?”

“Whoa, I’m fine, don’t scare me like that!”

Sakashita-obasan patted me down, teary-eyed.

Yukiko-chan, now her mom—everyone in that ossan’s family, except him, is so nice.

…How’d that ossan even get married with this beauty?

Blackmail or something?

Relieved to see a familiar face safe, Sakashita-obasan sank into a chair.

Tears streamed down her face.

The tension must’ve snapped once she knew I was okay.

I waited for her to calm down, then gave a quick rundown:

• • Shiiya City’s a mess.

• • No neighbors have returned except me.

• • Reunited with Yukiko-chan at a high school shelter.

• • The shelter’s tightly run by police, safe as can be.

…What? Missing something?

She didn’t ask, so it’s fine!!

But seriously, what did that ossan do… I don’t wanna know!

“She’s safe… thank goodness…”

“She was worried about you, Sakashita-obasan. Now I can give her good news.”

Feels like the first time in a while I’m talking with genuine relief.

The harem guy and blond Riki-kun roughed up my heart—this is healing it.

Weird how I only run into human radioactive waste out there.

Mysterious, like a Bulbasaur.

“So, what’s the plan, Sakashita-obasan? I can take you to Yukiko-chan…”

“Well, Ichirouta-kun…”

She said leaving’s tough.

She’s worried about her daughter, but can’t abandon immobile patients or the elderly she’s bonded with here.

Man, so serious.

A true white-clad angel.

No way a jobless slacker like me could think like that.

“It’s our sincere wish to let her go, but with the dangers outside and the shortage of medical staff…”

Lieutenant Hanada-san, listening from behind, chimed in.

Yeah, a helmeted fishing-gear dude with a sword asking to take a precious nurse would be a hard sell.

Not getting kicked out is a win.

The hospital’s locked down by the SDF—safer than the police shelter, gear-wise.

If only phones worked, I could let Yukiko-chan talk to her mom.

My phone’s charged, but internet and lines have been down since the zombie mess.

Base stations kaput from power outages?

Whatever, I confirmed Sakashita-san’s safe.

I’ll report to Yukiko-chan—mission complete!

Now I can enjoy my freedom guilt-free!

“Got it, Sakashita-obasan. I’ll tell Yukiko-chan you’re okay.”

“Oh! Ichirouta-kun, I’ll write a letter for her. Can you wait?”

A letter! Duh!

Too focused on tech, I forgot that option.

Sakashita-san headed back to the hospital to write.

“Tanakano-san, I have a request.”

I was reaching for a cigarette when Lieutenant Hanada-san spoke.

What’s up?

“I’d like Kanzaki-san to accompany you to the Shiiya shelter you mentioned.”

…Say what?

“I’ll be going there to deliver the letter, but why?”

This is getting weird.

“As you know, both the SDF and police are cut off from higher-ups, operating on our own.”

“Yeah, seems so.”

“We can’t take large-scale actions like this. We lack info and manpower. So, we want to coordinate with the police first.”

“But can my truck carry a big long-range radio…?”

“It’s a compact satellite-linked radio.”

Oh, right! The GPS worked, so satellites are still up!

Zombies haven’t reached space yet.

Got it—they want a police-SDF alliance, and Kanzaki-san’s the liaison.

Makes sense.

“Of course, not for free. Help us, and we’ll share some of our food reserves.”

Nice! Never tried MREs.

I’ve got plenty of food, but more shelf-stable stuff doesn’t hurt.

I agreed, deal sealed.

“Thank you for the trouble, Tanakano-san.”

Kanzaki-san bowed.

“Nah, sorry for the beat-up truck.”

She seems decent, so no issue giving her a ride.

She’ll have to deal with being stuck with me in a cramped cab.

…I’ll spritz some deodorant first.

Can’t exactly say no to this.

Staying on good terms with the police and SDF can’t hurt.

Apparently, Sakashita-obasan vouched for me.

Said I’m a great guy—kind to the elderly, friendly, takes on tough jobs.

…Who’s this perfect saint!?

That’s me, but not me!

The Sakashita family’s high opinion (minus that ossan) is glitching…

Got the letter from Sakashita-obasan and left the hospital.

“Be careful not to get hurt, okay? Stay safe, Ichirouta-kun!”

She slipped me some candies and waved like crazy till I was out of sight.

Candy’s rare now… she’s too good.

Makes me wanna take on any hassle for her.

Love saves the world, huh?

My backpack’s stuffed with SDF rations.

Nice heft!

Can’t wait to dig in!

Kanzaki-san followed, carrying a heavy pack—gear, ammo, radio.

Her steps didn’t falter.

SDF’s hardcore.

Near the truck, two zombies lunged from an alley.

I smashed the first one’s head, but the second slipped past, heading for Kanzaki-san.

A pervy zombie!

I turned to chase, but she was faster.

She snapped the zombie’s knee with a low kick, then crushed its skull with her rifle butt.

Precise, fluid, targeting vitals.

SDF’s insane!!

Finally reached my truck.

With Kanzaki-san here, I tossed my backpack in the bed and snuck some deodorant.

“Tanakano-san… if it’s okay, could I borrow that?”

Blushing slightly, she asked.

I handed her a fresh can.

A stoic beauty’s shy face hits hard…

No, no, stay calm.

Started the engine and took off.

Then I realized.

I hadn’t smoked since walking to the hospital.

Now that I noticed, I really wanted one!

But I can’t smoke here.

No secondhand smoke to non-zombie non-smokers! Absolute no!!

Hold it… hold it, me…

“It’s okay to smoke, you know? Cigarettes.”

“Huh? What’re we talking about???”

“I saw you reaching for your chest pocket while talking to the Lieutenant.”

Kanzaki-san smirked, amused.

…No, secondhand smoke’s bad…

“I smoke a bit too, so I get it.”

“Oh! Well, then, no holding back!! If you smoke, here’s a fresh pack—please, take it!!”

I lit up a cigarette from my pocket.

Handed her a lighter and a new pack from the dashboard.

“Thank you… unusual brand…”

Her eyes widened as she took it.

Haven’t seen a woman smoker in a while.

No big deal, doesn’t bother me.

In this mess, you’d smoke to cope.

Ahhh, delicious smoke, the best in the world~

Finished one and finally relaxed.

“You really enjoy that…”

“It’s delicious! Haha!”

In high spirits, I drove toward Shiiya City.

My beloved Mandrake didn’t suit her taste, damn.

Felt bad, so I gave her my second-favorite brand, a popular one from a convenience store.

Man, a beauty smoking looks so cool…

Drove carefully to avoid crashing.