Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 34: Protection and Escape

Chapter 34: Protection and Escape

“Hi! Did you climb up from below, mister? That’s amazing! Like Sp〇der-Man!”

“Haha, well…”

The girl, eyes wide, showered me with praise.

Kinda embarrassing.

Maybe 10 years old?

Long hair tied in twin ribbons, a bright kid.

Her big, round eyes remind me of Hina-chan.

A bit worn from rooftop life, but she’s spirited.

“So, can I come over there?”

“Sure, go ahead!”

Got her okay, so I climbed the fence onto the rooftop.

Untied the rope wrapped around me and took a breather.

What a long, rough trip…

Gave a big double-arm circle to signal Kanzaki-san’s direction.

“What’re you doing, mister?”

“Oh, my buddy’s at that park. Letting ‘em know I made it.”

“Hmm…”

Oh, forgot something important.

“I’m Tanakano Ichirouta. What’s your name, little lady?”

“Miku? Sakurai Miku!”

“Nice name, Sakurai-chan.”

“Just Miku’s fine, Ichirou-ta-ojisan!”

“Thanks, Miku-chan.”

Super friendly kid.

Must’ve been lonely up here alone.

Surviving this chaos without panicking—what a kid!

“You been here alone, Miku-chan?”

Looked around the rooftop.

Tent’a fixed, plenty of emergency food stocked.

A hose runs from what looks like the water tower’s maintenance hatch.

Nice, water’s covered.

…But no way a kid set this up alone.

The entrance is boarded with nails and a padlock.

No way a kid did that.

“Um…”

Miku-chan’s face clouded when I asked.

Huh?

“Until the day before yesterday, Yokota-sensei was with me.”

“Yokota-sensei? Your teacher?”

“Yeah, my 4th-grade homeroom teacher. Set up the tent, got water, taught me how to eat emergency food… did everything…”

An adult, as expected—her homeroom teacher.

…Until the day before yesterday?

“She’s not here now?”

“No…”

But where’d she go on this sealed rooftop…?

“Sensei said…”

“Hm?”

Miku-chan spoke slowly.

“She went to find food and got bitten. What’s that mean?”

“!”

“Then she sealed the entrance and went that way… said it’s dangerous, so don’t come over there!”

Miku-chan pointed to the back of the school.

“She went down to find more food.”

“Drink lots of water, eat slowly, don’t move much.”

…Saving energy to make her supplies last until rescue?

Gotta check.

Walked toward where Miku-chan pointed.

“No! It’s dangerous over there!”

Miku-chan tried to stop me.

“It’s fine, Miku-chan. Stay here. I’m an adult, I’ll be okay.”

Crouched to her eye level and looked at her.

“Okay…”

“…Figured as much…”

At the opposite fence, there were marks like someone climbed.

Below, a woman—likely Yokota-sensei—lay mangled.

Looks like she jumped.

Bitten, she ended it to protect Miku-chan.

…Damn…

Takayama-san, now this teacher—everyone I meet who’s gone is so noble.

Respect.

Caring for others till the end.

Must’ve been a great teacher…

“Yokota-sensei… I can’t be like you, but I’ll take care of Miku-chan.”

Put my hands together for her below and returned to Miku-chan.

“Ichirou-ojisan!! You okay!? Was it dangerous!?”

My name’s like a legendary hit machine now!!

Guess Ichirouta’s a mouthful.

“Yup, I’m back, Miku-chan. That was dicey—floor’s cracked, almost fell.”

“You okay!?”

“All good, all good. You were right to avoid it. Look at you, keeping promises like a champ!”

“Nyuu!? Kyaha! Nnngh, stop! Hahaha!”

Rubbed her head rough to hide my lie.

She’s not mad… right? She’s laughing like crazy.

This isn’t a case, is it??

Can’t stay like this forever.

Plus, Kanzaki-san’s watching.

Gotta escape before I’m sniped.

“Alright, Miku-chan! Let’s get outta here!”

“But… Yokota-sensei hasn’t come back…”

Oh, that’s the angle…

Hmm, what to do…

Got it!

“I’ve got friends in the police and SDF. I’ll ask them to find Yokota-sensei and pass on a message!”

“…Really?”

“For real! That person in the park’s SDF. We’ll ask when we get there.”

“…Okay!”

Sweet, let’s move.

The third-floor balcony I used is zombie-packed now.

Peeked down—swarming tight.

Other third-floor balconies have open curtains, confirmed from the park.

Damn, without that slip-up, I could’ve gone back easy.

No choice—Plan B.

“It’s… scary…”

“It’s okay! Just look at me! Think of something fun!!”

Plan B: rappel from the rooftop to the walkway roof.

Brought the rope for worst-case scenarios, but didn’t think I’d use it…

Prep pays off, huh?

Cut the rope with my sword, tied Miku-chan to me, chest-to-chest.

Considered piggyback but nixed it—falling would crush her.

This way, she can’t see down.

Less fear, hopefully.

Tied the rope to the sturdiest railing, tested it with my weight.

Seems solid, so I climbed over and started rappelling!!

This is brutal.

Rope’s around my waist to ease the load, but it’s killing my back.

I’m a reverse N〇ke logo!!

Should’ve grabbed a carabiner…

“The SDF person—what’re they like? Scary?”

“Nah, a super pretty, kind lady.”

“Really!?”

“Yup, strong and cool too.”

“No way!”

“For real, Miku-chan, you’ll be shocked.”

Chatted to ease her fear.

Worked like a charm.

Thanks for being a topic, Kanzaki-san!

Reached the walkway roof.

My hands are shaking… I need a break.

“KIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAA!!”

What the hell!?

The fallen zombies are still moving!

…Is moving even the right word to use?

Their screams triggered a zombie chorus from the gym.

Heavy footsteps.

They’re spilling out.

They can’t climb, but that many might stack up like in World War Z!!

“Miku-chan… trust me and keep your eyes closed.”

“Ugh… okay!”

Miku-chan, trembling from the zombie roars, clung tight to my back.

Yokota-sensei, protect Miku-chan.

And maybe spare some luck for me.

Deep breath, resolve set.

“UOOOOHHHHH!!”

I sprinted across the walkway roof I’d crept along before.

The gutters creaked ominously.

I ignored it and ran.

If I break through, speed should carry me! Hopefully!

I leaped onto the gym roof like a long jumper, kept momentum to the top.

No slowing down—I raced to the edge.

Here!!

No time for the ladder—twisted mid-air and jumped for the outer fence!!

Cleared the top, grabbed it with my left hand.

Used it as a pivot to swing my body to the other side.

Left shoulder, fresh from recovery, hold on!!

Careful not to crush Miku-chan.

I scrambled down fast.

Zombies swarmed the fence.

Bad, bad, bad!!

I jumped halfway and landed rough on my hips.

I dashed for the park!

Lungs, don’t fail me!!

I saw Kanzaki-san aiming her rifle for cover!

So reliable!!

Almost there!!

“K… Kanzaki-san… behind us?”

“Rear clear, no zombies. The school wall’s intact.”

“C-Can I open my eyes?”

I met up with Kanzaki-san and collapsed, gasping.

Miku-chan kept her eyes shut.

So… tired…

Would quitting smoking help?

Nah, not stopping.

I untied the rope and freed Miku-chan.

“We… made it. You did great, kid.”

“Like a roller coaster! Fun!”

“…Glad you thought so. Haha!”

I laughed with Miku-chan.

What a gutsy kid, seriously.

“You did well alone. Impressive.”

Kanzaki-san crouched to Miku-chan’s level.

Onee-san vibe… feels off. No, fresh.

“You’re the SDF lady?”

“Yes, I’m Kanzaki Rin. You?”

“Sakurai Miku!”

“So spirited.”

Kanzaki-san smiled, patting Miku-chan’s head.

So her first name’s Rin—fits her perfectly.

“Wow…”

“What’s up, Miku-chan?”

Breath’s back, time to move…

“Ichirou-ojisan was right! You’re super pretty! A beauty!!”

“Eh?”

“Ah!”

Stop leaking intel!

Embarrassing!!

“Tanakano-san.”

“Y-Yes!”

Kanzaki-san spoke without turning.

“We’re withdrawing. Prep the truck.”

“Aye aye, Captain!!”

Scary vibe!

I rushed to the truck.

Don’t poke the bear.

…Can’t smoke with a kid around.

Fair enough, I’ll hold off.

※

“Kanzaki-oneesan, what’s wrong? Your face is red!”

“Oh… holding back a sneeze. Did Tanakano-ojisan really say that?”

“Yup! Said you’re kind, strong, and cool!!”

“Really…? Heh…”