Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 37: Shiiya High School

Chapter 37: Shiiya High School

Despite the morning chaos, I arrived at the destination without further issues.

The target this time is Shiiya City Shiiya High School.

It likely housed around 300 evacuees.

The police were guiding evacuations, but communication cut off even before North Elementary, and it’s been silent since.

…This feels pretty hopeless.

Unlike North Elementary, which sat on a hill with a clear view, this school is perched atop one.

It’s like a high school sprouted right in the middle of a residential area.

I parked the truck in a lot away from the neighborhood, and Kanzaki-san and I stepped into the residential streets.

I left my backpack in the truck, taking only weapons.

After last time, I brought the rope too, just in case.

Kanzaki-san left her rucksack behind, carrying her rifle and a large survival knife she says is personal.

The rifle even has a bayonet attached.

Whoa… she looks insanely strong…

The visibility here is poor… gotta watch for zombies.

The road to the school was clogged with crashed cars, so we had to cut through here.

Like special forces in an action movie, Kanzaki-san and I moved slowly, checking front and back.

We absolutely can’t let zombies make noise.

If the ones in the neighborhood swarm, scouting’s done for.

“Up ahead, one zombie behind the vending machine.”

I checked through my monocular.

A one-armed zombie swayed, facing away.

“…Should I shoot?”

“No, I’ll handle it.”

Gunshots echo, and ammo’s precious.

I crept along the wall, then lunged from the vending machine’s shadow, smashing my bokken into its face.

As it collapsed, I struck its head again.

Done.

We sometimes detoured, sometimes cracked zombie skulls from behind, inching toward the school.

This residential area’s crawling with them…

Suddenly, a zombie poked out from an alley.

Crap, it’ll spot us!

Kanzaki-san moved silently, thrusting her bayonet through its eye.

The blade pierced straight to the brain, and it went quiet after a faint groan.

…She’s too reliable.

Maybe she could handle this alone.

We made it through the neighborhood to the base of the hill where the school stood.

I saw parking for staff and visitors, plus a bike lot for students.

They’d climb a long staircase to reach the school.

There’s a car ramp too, but it’s longer.

“The cars and bikes are untouched…”

“Yes, it means a lot of people are still inside.”

Alive or dead.

After confirming no one was around, we took a break in a secluded spot.

We both lit up a cigarette.

“By the way, Kanzaki-san, you’ve taken a liking to Mandrake, huh?”

“…Yes, the aftertaste grew on me.”

“Right? Glad someone gets it. Next scout, I’ll grab some for you too!”

“Is that okay? Thank you.”

“No problem! We’re probably the only ones smoking this brand!”

I’ll hit up unmanned convenience stores from now on.

Manned ones? After that mess before, I’d rather not waste shuriken.

After the break, we climbed the stairs from the bike lot.

Looking back, I saw zombies scattered in the neighborhood, but their eyes are bad, so as long as we’re quiet, we’re fine.

Wait, didn’t those kid zombies at the elementary spot me on the walkway?

Maybe it’s individual differences.

Whatever, no point dwelling on it now.

The school building came into view.

Three stories, right?

This path should lead to the gate.

“Well, this is…”

At the top of the stairs, we saw a closed gate, and beyond it, a ton of zombies.

The area to the school building was packed.

Too many to count, but easily over 100.

Since the shelter’s walled on all sides, they can’t get out.

We started moving along the outer wall.

Occasionally, I peeked over the fence to observe the grounds.

Should’ve brought Mom’s hand mirror or something.

“It’s completely overrun with zombies.”

“From their clothes, they look like students and teachers.”

“Yeah… oh, there’s a cop zombie too.”

We reached the opposite side of the gate.

Beyond it was the sports field, empty.

“What now? Should we check inside?”

“No zombies around, so let’s secure an escape route and take a look.”

I climbed over the fence first.

A two-story apartment-like building stood in front.

…Clubroom block, maybe?

I checked the surroundings.

No signs or sounds.

I signaled Kanzaki-san.

She landed beside me almost silently, despite carrying a rifle.

What kind of moves are those?

…A ninja!?

We started exploring the clubroom block.

There might be survivors.

The first floor was mostly locked rooms.

No signs of people inside.

Maybe no one was here to begin with.

So, the zombies appeared during class time?

The second floor was locked too.

Only the “Judo Club” room at the end was open.

I put my hand on the door; Kanzaki-san readied her rifle behind.

I opened it slowly, quietly.

Inside was an eight-tatami space.

Judo uniforms hung, equipment scattered, but no zombies or humans.

No signs of looting, so probably empty from the start.

The window showed the school’s back courtyard.

Perfect—I pulled out my monocular to scout.

The courtyard, each floor, the rooftop—all swarming with zombies.

It’s a miracle Miku-chan survived.

“No good. Looks like a total wipeout.”

“The gym’s left, but… the doors are smashed open.”

I checked, and sure enough, the doors were broken, with zombies packed inside.

If someone survived in an isolated spot like Miku-chan, we could help, but… this is impossible.

Every approachable spot is zombie central.

“Too bad, but we should call this place done for… retreat?”

“Yes, that’s the smart move.”

We can’t go deeper, and this feels like the limit.

Not great news for Yukiko-chan…

I didn’t say I was going to Shiiya High, so I’ll keep it secret forever.

We left the judo room and climbed onto the clubroom block’s roof to double-check.

I scanned the school and rooftop again.

Nope, no signs of survivors.

Just lively zombies.

Time to retreat!!

We made it back to the bike lot without incident.

Having two people makes checking surroundings easier.

Kanzaki-san’s cheat-level combat skills help too.

We retraced our path through the neighborhood.

Daytime zombies don’t move much, so we could reuse the route.

Always exceptions, so we stayed alert.

Nothing major happened, and we got close to the parking lot where the truck was.

Maybe I’ll hit a supermarket or convenience store for Miku-chan’s souvenir…

“…Tanakano-san, survivors near the truck.”

As I was thinking, Kanzaki-san grabbed my shoulder to stop me.

Peeking from an alley, I saw four figures around my truck, peering inside.

Probably eyeing our stuff.

“What do we do?”

“…I’ll go first. Kanzaki-san, cover me if things go south.”

“Got it. Be careful.”

“I’d rather not add more scars, so I’ll be cautious.”

I handed my bokken to Kanzaki-san and approached.

All four had weapons: two with bats, one with a bokken, and the last—a woman—with a pickaxe.

…Isn’t a pickaxe a bit too murderous?

They might break the windows if I leave them.

“Hey, what’s up with my truck?”

I called out casually as I got closer, and they all turned.

I learned from experience.

People you meet outside are basically enemies.

…That sounded like a rap.

“Hey, I said stop.”

A bat guy approached silently.

He’s smirking, but his eyes are serious.

The other three braced themselves.

They’re… experienced.

Fine.

I warned them.

First strike wins.

“Wait a sec, hold up, that’s dangerous…!”

“Argh!?”

I threw a cross shuriken, already drawn from my thigh pouch and hidden behind my back, at Bat Guy 1, who was speeding up.

It spun fast and hit his thigh as aimed.

Another one sank deep into his right chest.

Pretty good power, if I say so.

Bat Guy 2 rushed out from the group, face pale.

They’re coming one at a time, how polite.

“Watch your face!”

“Guh!?”

I faked a throw with my right hand, then flung a rod shuriken underhand with my left.

He guarded his face, but it stabbed his stomach.

He collapsed, clutching his gut.

Too bad, it’s a trick.

It’s in deep—he won’t move from the pain.

Now, the third?

There’s about ten meters between me and them.

If they come closer, my shuriken rarely miss.

I slowly drew my sword, showing off to the last two, and took a modified hassou stance, low and ready.

“What’s it gonna be?”

I called out, and Bokken Guy started walking slowly toward me.

He’s up for it.

His stance is low, steps smooth, centerline steady.

A kendo guy, huh?

A cross shuriken stabbed into his shoulder.

“What…!? Argh!?”

I stepped into his range as he gaped in shock, slashing deep across his shin.

He screamed and collapsed.

Idiot, who fights fair against guys like you?

I kicked the screaming Bokken Guy’s head to knock him out.

I shook the blood off my sword.

I’ll wipe it later, so I kept it out.

One left.

I turned to Pickaxe Woman.

“S-Stop! Come closer, and I’ll wreck this truck…!”

“Go ahead?”

“Huh?”

“You can swing that thing once at this distance, tops. The next second, I’ll plant a shuriken in your skull, lady.”

A half-hearted pickaxe swing might not even crack the glass.

…Okay, I’m bluffing.

I’d really prefer no scratches on my truck.

“Wanna end up like these idiots? I won’t stop you, but decide quick.”

I pressed the threat.

She wasn’t that stupid—she lowered the pickaxe and backed away from the truck.

Since making shuriken is a hassle, I retrieved the cross ones from the guys.

After kicking their heads to knock them out, of course.

Bokken Guy’s shin cut aside, they’re not too badly hurt.

Without calling out, Kanzaki-san joined me silently from the shadows.

Her rifle was aimed straight at the woman.

Seeing it, she yelped and backed off further.

“Impressive work.”

“Haha, thanks to this scar.”

While Kanzaki-san kept her rifle on the woman, I hopped into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“You’re SDF, right!?”

As Kanzaki-san got in and we were about to leave, the woman shouted.

“It’s your job to protect citizens! Help us!!”

What’s she talking about?

Should’ve said that before attacking.

Oh, she only saw me, so maybe that’s why.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. My primary mission doesn’t include ‘that.’”

Kanzaki-san said something wild!?

I didn’t hear anything, I swear, I didn’t hear a thing, I reckon!!

“Whatever, you better run before zombies show up!!”

I slammed the horn repeatedly to cut her off.

Zombie roars echoed from the neighborhood.

The woman screamed, face pale.

“Argh! Murderers! Murderers!!”

What, introducing yourself?

“Take care!”

I said as I drove off.

In the rearview mirror, I saw them swarmed by zombies as I floored it.

Phew… that was exhausting at the end.

Later, I stopped to check an unmanned convenience store.

Only zombie clerks, so basically unmanned.

“…Tanakano-san, aren’t you checking the backroom?”

Kanzaki-san’s so reliable!!

And I’m such an idiot!!

I loaded the truck bed with boxes of long-lasting food and drinks, feeling great as we headed back to the shelter.

Got a ton of Mandrake too.

…That makes it a wash!