Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 50: The Cleanup

Chapter 50: The Cleanup

After wiping out the raiders and confirming no survivors, we decide to bury the victims’ bodies left behind the warehouse.

The site’s fenced, so some noise won’t attract zombies.

The victims might not want to be buried here, but there’s no safer spot.

There’s heavy machinery, so I figure I’ll dig with it, though I don’t know how to operate it.

Messing with levers might work, so I climb in.

“Let me handle it.”

Kanzaki-san can drive it, so I leave it to her.

She’s probably way younger, yet her life experience is insane.

The SDF is wild.

…No, Kanzaki-san’s just wild.

I carry the five bodies from behind the warehouse, lining them up out front.

Anything earlier, the raiders must’ve dumped elsewhere.

…If I’d come sooner…

No, no point dwelling.

I couldn’t have known.

I’m not a god—just doing what I can reach.

That’s all there is.

I leave the burial to Kanzaki-san and go fetch the truck.

Gotta haul out the rifles and explosives.

I call out to her and leave the site.

A zombie’s on the way, so I sneak up, smack its neck with the sword naginata’s spine, knock it down, and crush its head.

…These are just animals—way better than those scum.

At least they don’t eat humans for fun.

I reach the truck and drive back to the company.

Opening the main gate, I park and see Kanzaki-san skillfully digging with the power shovel.

It’s deep—good, keeps wild dogs away.

Next, we’ve got 19 scum to bury.

Honestly, I’d leave them to rot, but disease is a risk.

“Everyone’s a Buddha once dead,” they say, so I’ll bury them.

…Won’t pray or wish them peace, though.

While collecting rifles, I pile the raiders’ bodies.

Just toss them in a shallow pit later.

Seven rifles total.

There were ten, but three got smashed by the truck.

…Good thing I didn’t charge head-on.

Ten rifles in an open space? No chance.

Bullets were scattered in boxes, so I grab every one I see.

They’ll boost the shelter’s firepower.

Me? Don’t need them.

Guns are loud, and when ammo’s gone, they’re just clubs.

If this were some rice-loving country, maybe, but gun-toting enemies are rare here.

Sneak attacks, ambushes, and trickery handle most things.

I collect all the explosives too.

Don’t need them, but Miyata-san or Kanzaki-san might find a use.

I load 20 bags onto a warehouse cart and into the truck.

No idea if that’s a lot or not.

Can’t let some idiot find and use them, so I take everything.

As I finish, the pit’s done, so I join Kanzaki-san.

We lower the victims’ bodies into the pit, and she covers them with dirt.

“Namu Amida Butsu…”

I clasp my hands toward them.

Kanzaki-san does the same beside me.

I don’t know the chant, but I put my heart into it—rest in peace.

We crushed those scum, so…

After a moment of mourning, we toss the 19 bodies into a shallow pit and cover them.

This is too good for them.

Thought about dropping a container on top, but that’s tiring and pointless.

Not worth a single calorie.

“Good work, Kanzaki-san. You saved me…”

“No, I just happened to have the license. Glad to help.”

Kanzaki-san deftly unloads the rifles from the truck bed, removing bullets.

So that’s how they work.

The clacking’s cool—very movie-like.

“Um… is something wrong? Staring makes me… uneasy.”

“Oh, sorry! You just looked like an action star, super cool…”

“…I see.”

Whoops, stared too long.

Kanzaki-san glares with a squint.

Gotta watch it—don’t want a harassment label.

Now, what to do with this place?

Could ask Kanzaki-san to blow it up…

“The machinery and trucks are valuable. Let’s head back and consult Inspector Miyata.”

Sounds good.

I think about stopping at a convenience store but remember the truck’s loaded with dangerous stuff.

It’s covered with a tarp, but better safe than sorry.

“Tanakano-san, you’ve got blood splatter. Look, on your collar.”

“Oh, crap! …Gotta take this off. Don’t want Miku-chan worrying.”

“There’s some on your sleeve… Wait, isn’t that a gunshot wound on your right arm!?”

“Huh?”

“There! Pull into that parking lot! Now!!”

“Eek, got it!!”

I swerve into the lot.

As soon as I stop, Kanzaki-san unzips my vest.

“Whoa, whoa, Kanzaki-san, I can undress myself!”

“Just stay still!”

In a flash, I’m shirtless.

She’s inspecting my right arm.

Super embarrassing.

Uh… could you not get so close? I’m sweaty as hell…

“…Shotgun pellets grazed you. Any idea when?”

“Oh, yeah. Thought I dodged…”

There’s a small gouge above my elbow, bled a bit.

Didn’t feel it—too hyped up, maybe?

“You bled more from moving so much… Disinfect it, and it’ll be fine. We’ll stop by the infirmary at the shelter.”

“No need to go that far…”

“We’re. Going.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She glares fiercely.

I quickly dress and prep to leave.

Wait, Kanzaki-san…

“Oh, Kanzaki-san, you’ve got blood on your face. Here’s a mirror.”

I angle the rearview mirror.

She checks, then blushes bright red.

First time seeing that face.

She turns away fast.

“Tanakano-san… d-do you have any deodorant sheets!?”

“Here you go.”

Young folks are sensitive about grooming.

…Maybe I should shave soon?

Anyway, time to go.

We make it back to the shelter without incident.

Kanzaki-san heads to coordinate with the hospital, so we agree to meet at the infirmary.

After a quick report to Miyata-san, I ask the police to haul the rifles and explosives.

Miyata-san thanks me so much it’s almost awkward.

No need—heavier defenses mean Miku-chan and the others are safer.

The explosives go into a fireproof warehouse, locked tight.

The rifles are locked in the principal’s office, with keys held by Miyata-san and senior officers.

“The principal’s office, huh… Hey, Miyata-san, where’s the principal who was here?”

It just hits me.

The police have been in charge, but where’s the faculty?

Hard to spot teachers in civilian clothes, not being a student.

“That morning, the principal and vice-principal were on a city business trip. We haven’t seen them since.”

Got it.

Some teachers are among evacuees; others left to find family and never returned.

“Well, we took out one nasty group, but… it’s scary knowing they might not be the last.”

“If you’re not self-sufficient like us, you’ve got to steal from others…”

Gotta keep defenses tight.

“The seven rifles and ammo are a huge help… Want one?”

“Nah, too heavy. Use them for defense.”

A cop offering me a gun—wild—but I pass.

Too loud for solo scouting.

“If I hear anything sketchy, I’ll let you know. You guys tell me if you spot trouble too, yeah?”

I leave the staff room.

I just want to live my way, freely.

“Ojisan! Done talking?”

“Whoa! Hey, Miku-chan, yep, all done.”

Miku-chan tackles me with a hug outside the staff room.

She must’ve seen me go in and waited.

What a sweet kid… her parents raised her right.

I want to find them for her, but they worked at the city hall and station…

Maybe next time I hit Akizuki Town’s shelter, I’ll ask about the city hall.

“What’s up?”

“Hm? Nothing, just chilling. Up you go!”

“Kyaha!”

I lift Miku-chan, who’s looking up curiously.

I spin her into a shoulder ride—she loves this.

Her dad used to do it a lot.

“Welcome to Tanakano Taxi! Where to, Miku-chan?”

“Um… Miku wants to watch a movie!”

“Movie?”

“With Ojisan’s player!”

I’ve got the player and DVDs on me, no problem, but…

Oh, crap! Forgot to give her the DVDs I got for her! Still in the truck!

“Sure, but don’t they show movies on sunny days now?”

Miyata-san mentioned they use a library monitor with solar power for scheduled movie screenings.

Why my player?

“…Miku wants to watch with Ojisan!”

She hugs my head tight.

…Only dropping by sometimes, she must’ve missed me.

My dad instincts are maxing out.

“Alright, Miku-chan! Leave it to me! Got souvenirs too!”

“Yay!”

I dash to the truck, grab the DVD bag, and sprint to the infirmary with her on my shoulders.

Everyone’s staring.

Whatever! I’m watching movies with Miku-chan!

We plop on a sofa, setting up the player.

Always charged for downtime crushing.

“Which one, Miku-chan?”

“Oh! Miku loves this mouse and cat!”

The DVDs from the home center are all that series.

The one where they fight but are buddies.

Miku-chan’s humming excitedly.

“These are for you, Miku-chan. Keep them here to watch anytime.”

“No! Miku wants to watch with Ojisan!”

This kid pierces my heart…

What a precious soul…

Pick whatever you want.

We’ll stash them in the infirmary and watch whenever I visit!

She picks a DVD, and we sit close on the sofa.

“Uh, Miku-chan… Ojisan’s sweaty, right?”

“Nuh-uh! Miku likes this smell! Grandpa said it’s a hard worker’s smell!”

Occhan, you nailed it!

I’m impressed!

We watch the cat-and-mouse antics.

It’s a one-hour anthology of shorts, and Miku-chan’s loving it, reacting big.

Makes the scavenging worth it.

“Sorry, Tanakano-san, I got held up… Oh, what a good dad.”

“Got a daughter outta nowhere with no partner.”

Kanzaki-san walks in, sees us, and chuckles.

Miku-chan’s asleep on my lap, snoring softly.

After the DVD, we chatted, and she dozed off fast.

Kids grow when they sleep, right?

My lap’s her pillow anytime.

Careful not to wake her, I roll up my inner layer.

The wound’s tricky to show, so I strip to my waist again.

Kanzaki-san grabs disinfectant and gauze from a first-aid kit, pulls a chair, and sits on my right.

“You’re really built…”

“Y-Yeah, was aiming for a St*rn vibe…”

Straight-up praise is ticklish—ow!

The disinfectant stings!

“Oniisan! Where’s Miku-chan—AAAAH!”

“Hey, Tanakano-san—AAAAH!?”

“Wha—!?!?”

“Nyu!? What what what!?”

Yukiko-chan and Ogahara-san barge in, see me shirtless, and scream.

I yell back, and Miku-chan wakes up.

Total chaos!!

Kanzaki-san’s calm explanation saves me from a predator label.

But now the three of them are super worried about my wound.

We claim I snagged it on a nail—can’t exactly say I got shot.

“Wow! Ojisan’s abs are like chocolate!”

“Oniisan, you’re ripped… L-Let me touch!”

“M-Me too…!”

“Guess I will too.”

Stop! I’ll die of embarrassment!!