Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 29: An Unfamiliar Ceiling

Chapter 29: An Unfamiliar Ceiling

Leaving the barcode bald guy’s shelter behind, I’m driving the truck.

Man, I was way too careless this time.

Should’ve just ignored them and gone home, but my bleeding heart and curiosity got me into this mess.

I’m pathetic.

Master would kill me if he saw this.

What a mess.

…And there’s another problem.

The bleeding from the wound on my left cheek won’t stop.

Actually, this wound’s bigger than I thought.

Checking the mirror, it’s a deep gash running diagonally from my left cheek across my face to my right forehead.

Thank goodness it missed my eyes…

I noticed when red started clouding my right eye’s vision.

I can’t tell if it’s sweat or blood running down my face.

The shoulder bruise isn’t a big deal, but this wound’s bad.

My right eye’s vision is shot, and driving’s getting shaky.

The towel wrapped around it is soaking red fast.

No way I’m making it home.

…No choice, as much as I hate it, I’ll head to Yurei High.

It’s less than ten minutes from here.

I’ll get them to at least stop the bleeding somewhere in the school.

Given my contributions and that pistol delivery quest the other day, I should have enough trust for that.

It shouldn’t be a big deal to ask.

I just need a safe place.

If I pass out on the roadside, I’ll turn into zombie chow.

※

Blood’s spilling over the towel, and my right eye’s useless.

Somehow driving with my left eye, I finally spot Yurei’s gate.

Today’s gatekeeper… ugh, my left eye’s blurring too.

Exhaustion’s hitting hard… blood loss, maybe?

“Hello, Tanakano-sa…! W-What happened!?”

That voice… Moriyama-kun?

“Hey… could you let me in? I need some treatment… parking lot or anywhere’s fine…”

“Y-Yes! Hurry, come in!!”

He frantically guides me, and I manage to park in the lot.

Whew… must be the relief of reaching safety.

My consciousness is slipping.

So sleepy and heavy.

My trembling hands try to unwrap the bloody towel when the door yanks open, and I’m dragged out.

Ow, ow, stop, stop, I’m gonna die!

“Tanakano-san! Hang in there! Tanakano-san!!”

Wow… even with that desperate look, a beauty’s still a beauty. Beauties are amazing.

Staring at Kanzaki-san’s frantic face, I let go of my fading consciousness.

※

“An unfamiliar ceiling…”

Anyone who’s seen that anime would totally say this.

It really is an unfamiliar ceiling.

…Where am I?

Sunset’s visible through the window.

I’m close to the ground.

First floor, maybe?

Let’s see… what was I doing…?

Right, I was at the civic center across from the fishing shop, and that bald guy…

Oh! I remember!!

I got slashed up, fled to Yurei, and passed out…

So this is a classroom or something…?

I sit up.

Ouch! My face stings when it moves.

Touching it, I feel bandages.

Just noticed—my right eye’s vision is pitch black.

They wrapped it tight.

A bed with white sheets.

An eye chart.

A handwashing poster on the wall.

A first-aid kit.

The nurse’s office…?

Feels nostalgic.

I slowly get off the bed and stand.

My head’s dizzy—probably the blood loss.

Liver’s out of the question, but I need meat or canned spinach to boost my blood.

I’m pretty sure I have both at home.

My left shoulder’s bandaged too.

They even put on a compress.

Man, this isn’t just even—I owe them big time.

Treated this thoroughly, I can’t go fishing until I repay this debt.

I’m shirtless for some reason, so it’s cold and embarrassing.

Where’s my shirt?

In the corner, a hanger holds the new jacket I got from the fishing shop.

Someone thoughtfully grabbed it from the truck’s bed.

I’ll wear it gratefully.

A mirror’s next to the hanger, so I take a look.

A guy with blood-stained bandages wrapped around his head stares back.

Yikes, I look seriously injured.

My backpack’s by the entrance, so I rummage through it.

Oh, there’s an iron-fortified calorie bar in my stock.

Not sure if it’ll help, but I’m grateful.

My beloved sword’s leaning nearby, so I grab it with the backpack and sit back on the bed.

Munching the calorie bar, I draw the sword to check the blade.

I was in a rush then, so some bloodstains remain.

I pull a towel and tissue from the backpack and start basic maintenance.

I’m worried about blood in the scabbard…

While thinking about that, the door swings open.

Kanzaki-san stands there, eyes wide.

I try to call out, but she glides toward me.

What a smooth, steady stride! Terrifying!!

In an instant, she’s in my face, snatching the sword and scabbard, setting them aside.

She gently grabs my shoulders.

Her face closes in—

“Injured people should stay in bed!”

“Ugh!”

She shoves me back onto the bed.

Not a wall slam, but a bed slam—ow, ow, my left shoulder!

“Y-Yes! Sorry!”

Her eyes are insanely scary, so I don’t resist and do as told.

“It’s great you’re recovering fast, but don’t push it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Kanzaki-san gently tucks the blanket over me.

She sits on a chair by the bed.

Her eyes are terrifying.

“…So, what happened?”

“Well, it went like this—eek!?”

I try to slip in a witty joke, but her eyes get even scarier!

I’ll talk straight—my life’s on the line!

So, I end up recounting the whole mess.

Going to the fishing shop.

Finding a shelter-like place nearby.

Getting ambushed out of nowhere.

Taking them all down but getting injured, then barely making it here before passing out.

That’s the gist.

I’m embarrassed.

Carelessness caused this.

“Wait, give me more details, move by move…”

You’re fixating on the wrong part!

She’s relentless…

No choice, I explain in more detail.

It’s not like I used forbidden or secret moves.

…In our school, groin strikes aren’t fouls or banned.

Pretty terrifying when you think about it.

“I see. I’m satisfied.”

Satisfied, not convinced!

Her eyes are back to normal, so that’s a relief.

“By the way, how’d I get here?”

The question’s been nagging me.

“I gave first aid, then Inspector Miyata carried you here.”

Wow, Kanzaki-san, Miyata-san, I’m sorry.

Wait, Miyata-san’s an inspector?

Sorry, Inspector!!

…Weird static in my head.

“I caused so much trouble… not even part of this place. Using up bandages…”

“What are you saying? You’ve helped us a lot, including me. No need to worry.”

Ugh, her kindness stings.

The gap between outsiders and this place is so big, I might catch a cold.

“The facial wound was deep in parts, so I stitched it.”

Apparently, the left cheek and part of my forehead were deep enough to show bone.

Yikes… that bad?

But the cuts were clean, so they’ll heal relatively fast, and disinfection should prevent infection.

No way, Kanzaki-san stitched me up?

“Kanzaki-san, you’re… medical corps, right? That’s your unit?”

“No? Not at all.”

“Huh?”

What?

…Don’t tell me she learned from Rambo?

“I learned from Black Hawk Down.”

“That one!?! Ow, ow, ow!?”

“It’s a joke. Don’t move your face too much, or the stitches will come loose.”

Damn it, whose fault is that!?

Like I thought before, she’s getting funnier!

Miyata-san approved me staying tonight, so I’ll take the offer and rest.

Seeing me calm down, Kanzaki-san seems satisfied and leaves the room.

“Everyone was worried. Especially Sakashita-san’s daughter—she was a mess.”

Saying that as she goes.

Ugh… Yukiko-chan saw me too?

Hope it didn’t traumatize her.

This is bad… I gotta repay this debt.

Might as well use this chance to rethink tactics and reflect.

The big mistake was falling for the enemy’s bait so easily.

I won, but looking back, it was too much of a gamble.

Sad to say, I shouldn’t trust strangers right away.

As that monk in that classic movie said, human hearts can turn to ashes fast…

And this time, I used up all my shuriken.

Didn’t expect to sell out so fast… popular item.

They’re super useful, so I need to mass-produce more soon.

The helmet saved my life, but checking earlier, there’s a big crack on top.

Good thing I removed the light, so it’s safe.

I need a new, sturdier one.

To my missing sister… your brother survived thanks to you.

Also, I should get shoulder and elbow protectors.

I’ve never been swarmed by that many before, but in a melee like that, I need to expect a few hits.

Too much armor will slow me down, so just those spots.

Helmet, protectors… I need to hit a motorcycle shop.

I owe this place, so fishing’s on hold.

Mulling it over, it’s getting dark outside.

I’ll rest for now.

“Never do today what you can do tomorrow.”

Recalling my favorite manga artist’s quote, I drift to sleep.