Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 42: The Report and Unwelcome Guests

Chapter 42: The Report and Unwelcome Guests

“What a tragedy… To think it came to that…”

After freshening up at home, we headed to the shelter and went straight to the staff room to report to Miyata-san.

On the desk lay the fifteen pistols and ammo we’d collected.

The story was so shocking that only Miyata-san and a few select officers were present.

No way we could let the evacuees hear this.

“Yes, we couldn’t confirm the evacuees’ bodies since they were dumped… but the belongings left no doubt.”

Kanzaki-san handled most of the report, with me chiming in only when asked about the hall’s interior.

Right person for the right job, you know.

Miyata-san, arms crossed, radiated barely concealed fury.

Not just a vibe—his pumped-up arms, veins bulging, screamed it.

Holy… are those logs?

“All three nearby shelters are gone… This place was lucky, then…”

I nodded and said.

“Yeah, so far. From now on, we’ll see more of those types.”

“…We’ll need to strengthen our defenses…”

It’s been a while since the pandemic started.

Early on, it was all panic—people getting killed or turning into zombies left and right.

But as folks figure out how to handle zombies and form survivor groups, a new problem emerges.

Fighting over limited supplies.

Places like this shelter or the hospital in the next town, with solid stockpiles and gardens, are doing alright.

With generators or solar panels, they can hold out long-term.

That used to be enough, but in this world, such well-off spots become targets.

As I’ve said before, there’s always a certain number of people who’d rather steal than work.

In a world like this, they’re probably multiplying.

Like that community center or the civic center we just dealt with.

I’ve heard more suspicious types have been scouting around this shelter lately.

It’s getting rough.

…My house could use some extra security too.

I’m away a lot.

Dad’s car’s just sitting there too.

Gotta hit the home center for supplies.

Home centers are the best.

※

After the report, we stepped into the hallway.

Kanzaki-san had more to discuss with Miyata-san, so I got permission to use the judo dojo and left.

Her “I messed up!” face was hilarious.

Does she want to watch that bad…?

“Ichirou-ojisan, welcome back!”

“Hey, Miku-chan, I’m home!”

Miku-chan spotted me and ran down the hall.

She jumped into my arms, so I caught her and spun her around.

“Nya! Ahahaha!”

Seeing Miku-chan’s smile washed away the grim mood.

Kids really are treasures.

For a moment, I thought of that ownerless schoolbag.

“…Ojisan, what’s wrong? Tummy hurt?”

Kids and their sharp senses—Miku-chan looked at me, worried.

“…Yeah, ojisan took a nap with his tummy out.”

“Oh no! Are you okay?”

“Your worrying fixed me right up! Here we go!”

“Kyaa! High! Fast!!”

To dodge the moment, I hoisted Miku-chan onto my shoulders and jogged.

…At least let the kids here live in peace.

Seeing other kids run up, begging for shoulder rides, I thought as much.

※

Man, I underestimated kids’ stamina.

After that, I gave shoulder rides to the evacuee kids, taught them simple games, and played along, but I’m wiped.

They were starved for fun, begging for more, and I went along until I was beat.

Finally satisfied, the kids, including Miku-chan, headed to the library.

Apparently, a retired elementary school teacher among the evacuees reads picture books to them.

With no smartphones, TVs, or PCs, it’s precious entertainment.

Probably good for their emotional growth.

Maybe.

※

At the judo dojo, I started with stretches.

After all those piggybacks and shoulder rides, I focused on my lower back.

Throwing it out in a fight would be the most pathetic death ever.

Then, I tested my new partner.

The extra length compared to the old one feels off.

I told the sword dealer to make it sturdy, durable, and heavy like the old-school stuff, so it’s hefty.

But that weight gives it serious power.

Swinging with centrifugal force, it makes a strong whoosh I’ve never heard before.

I trained a bit to get used to it, sweating buckets.

While wiping off, I saw Kanzaki-san at the entrance, looking like she “missed it.”

Her abandoned kitten vibe was so funny I burst out laughing.

Got glared at hard.

Not a kitten—a lion.

Please spare my life!!

I turned grasshopper again and escaped trouble.

※

With that, my mission’s done.

I think I repaid my debt for the treatment. Hope so!

I’ll pop by the shelter once a week from now on.

Gotta work on fortifying my house too.

And fishing! I wanna go fishing!!

That bald jerk from the community center delayed it, but now I can finally fish!!

I want sashimi, sashimi!!

Miku-chan might miss me, but she’s made plenty of friends, so she’ll be fine.

Yukiko-chan’s all “Miku-chan’s basically my sister!!” anyway.

…Though sometimes it feels like the sister roles swap.

“So, Miyata-san! Thanks for everything! I’ll drop by now and then!”

“You look thrilled, Tanakano-san… You’re really something else.”

Back in the staff room, I chatted with Miyata-san.

“It’s just how I’m wired. I’m more at ease alone.”

“You’ve been a huge help. There’s space now, so you could stay… but your face says it all.”

Miyata-san said with a wry smile.

Staying over sometimes is fine, but living here? No way.

I’m just not cut out for group life.

Feeling refreshed, I stepped into the hall and saw Kanzaki-san.

“Kanzaki-san, thanks for everything this time.”

“You’re heading home, Tanakano-san. No, I’m the one who showed some unsightly sides…”

I’m the king of unsightly, so please don’t worry.

“I’ll swing by once a week or so…”

“Twice.”

“Huh?”

“At least twice a week. Every day’s fine too.”

“That’d be a bother…”

“Miku-chan and the others will miss you. You can manage that, right?”

“Uh…”

Whoa, the pressure…

“If you don’t, I’ll visit your place for a welfare check. With Miku-chan.”

“…Aye, aye, Cap—”

“Stop it.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

That’s how it went.

…Guess it’s fine.

Can’t argue when Miku-chan’s brought up.

They say you can’t beat a crying kid or a Jizo statue.

Do they say that?

“Eh!? Oniisan, you’re leaving!? I thought you’d stay forever!”

“I… I thought so too…”

As I was leaving after parting with Kanzaki-san, Yukiko-chan and Ogahara-san caught me, just like before.

Terrible timing.

“Oniisan, you okay? Can you sleep alone? I might not sleep without Miku-chan now!”

“…What do you take me for, Yukiko-chan?”

“Tanakano-san, you’ll come back, right? You won’t disappear?”

“I’m forced to come twice a week, so I’m good. I’ll bring souvenirs too.”

I get why Yukiko-chan’s attached—she’s known me a while—but Ogahara-san too?

Why? Same reason as Miku-chan?

“Ugh… Okay, oniisan, I’ll handle Miku-chan! You’re still a loner, huh.”

“Thanks, Yukiko-chan.”

“But in return, bring us sweets as souvenirs!”

“Aye, aye, ma’am!!”

Thankfully, Yukiko-chan knows my annoying quirks from way back, so I’ll lean on her.

Oh, forgot.

“Yukiko-chan, Ogahara-san, come here.”

I called them to a corner of the hall and handed each a rod shuriken.

Things are getting dicey, and young women like them need some self-defense.

To their wary looks, I explained: if a bad guy attacks, pretend to comply, stab his crotch, and run.

“The eyes don’t work?”

Yukiko-chan, that’s terrifying!!

Kanzaki-san? She’s got one already and can probably destroy people barehanded.

“But, like, would anyone attack someone like me?”

“I’m just a shrimp…”

“What’re you two flower high school girls saying!? You’re both super cute, so you’re in demand!! Be more aware!!”

“Eh?” “A-Au…”

“Yukiko-chan’s tall and pretty, and Ogahara-san’s small and adorable!!”

“Oni…” “W-Wa…”

“Seriously, the world’s full of bad guys, so stay sharp! I’ll teach you basic self-defense next time!!”

“Y-Yes…”

I ranted on some weird tangent.

Especially for Yukiko-chan, with that sketchy Harada guy around, I had to be firm.

After that borderline creepy talk, I left the two red-faced girls and exited the school.

Phew, finally heading home.

“Let us in!” “Let us in!!” “The police have a duty to protect citizens!!!”

“No way!! Go home!!!”

“This shelter’s full, we can’t take more!!!”

What now!?

At the gate, some guys were arguing with the police, trying to force their way in.

Must be those suspicious types I heard about.

Oh, Moriyama-kun’s there.

Go for it!

Ouch, he got hit! That looked like a joint-breaker!

This is going nowhere.

The police are too nice.

Alright, time to step in.

Plus, I can’t leave with them blocking the gate.

I approached the gate.

The officers were facing off with a group of survivors across it.

Three men, one woman.

“Hey, Moriyama-san, mind letting me through?”

“Tanakano-san! Wait! It’s dangerous!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

I called out to the group.

“Hey, uh, I heard Shiiya High’s got openings? Just a rumor.”

“Who’re you!? That true!?”

“I’ve got a daughter here, so I live outside.”

“Even a dad can’t get in!?”

“Rules, you know. Supplies are tight, and I don’t want my daughter starving.”

I lied smoothly, calming them down.

They grumbled among themselves, cursed, and left.

Heh, idiots are easy to trick.

“Thanks, Tanakano-san… But was it okay to lie like that?”

“Just a rumor I heard, so I’m not responsible. If they come back, don’t let them in, even if you have to punch them.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Let those types in, and who knows what they’ll do. The kids’ and women’s safety’s on you police!”

“Yes, sir!!”

I drove the point home to Moriyama-kun.

Miku-chan and the kids are here.

I don’t want this place turning into another civic center.

Do your job, officers.

If worse types show up, I’ll help… with Kanzaki-san and Miyata-san, we’d manage.

I drove the truck through the finally open gate, lighting a cigarette.

Freedom at last!

Tonight’s a movie marathon!!

Oh… forgot to give Miku-chan those DVDs…

Whatever, I’ll bring them next time.