Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 58: The Matter of a Parent-Child Reunion

Chapter 58: The Matter of a Parent-Child Reunion

I wake up.

Man, nice weather.

Slept like a log, so I’m feeling great… OUCH!!

…Except for my left shoulder, I’m fine.

Kanzaki-san, who was sleeping in the next bed yesterday, is gone.

Probably up already—she’s so disciplined.

…Misa-neesan’s sprawled on the floor like a starfish.

Is this really Miku-chan’s mom?

She’s way too avant-garde for a supposed married woman.

…Miku-chan’s maturity might be thanks to her dad’s parenting.

I struggle to get up.

My left shoulder’s fixed with some weird contraption.

It’s like those things injured baseball players wear.

Hmm, how long do I have to keep this sling on?

It’s not my dominant arm, so it’s not the end of the world, but it’s inconvenient.

I mean, the joint’s back in place, right?

…So, maybe I can take it off?

“Hey, no way, Ichirouta-kun!”

“Whoa!?”

Just as I’m fiddling with the sling, Mayumi-obasan storms in from the entrance, scolding me.

“G-Good morning…”

“Yes, good morning. You absolutely can’t take off that brace for at least today and tomorrow!”

Huh?

That long… isn’t that a bit much?

“Two days? Isn’t that excessive? The joint’s back in, right?”

“If you don’t let the muscles and ligaments heal, it’ll become a recurring issue! You got lucky with a subluxation this time, but a full dislocation would’ve needed a month.”

I thought it was fully dislocated, but it wasn’t that bad?

That’s a silver lining.

Gotta thank my daily workouts.

Time to train even harder.

“No intense exercise for about a week. I’ll give you a shoulder support later, so switch to that the day after tomorrow.”

“Sorry… for using up valuable supplies…”

“It’s fine. Nobody comes back from a dislocation in one piece, so we’ve got plenty of these in stock.”

“Makes sense… but thanks, really.”

“Save your thanks for Rin-san. She stayed by your side the whole time you were out.”

Oof… I feel awful.

Made her cry yesterday, too.

Gotta reflect on that.

“The SDF medic said she was asking, ‘Is he okay? Will there be any lasting damage?’ with this desperate look.”

I really worried her, huh?

I feel even worse…

“Sure, Ichirouta-kun, you’re unusually tough and can handle most things alone… but don’t forget there are people who care about you.”

…Am I that tough?

Never noticed in normal life… guess it only shows in emergencies.

“Ugh… still edible… seconds~”

“Oh my, Sakurai-san, I know you’re thrilled Miku-chan’s safe, but you drank too much! Come on, let’s wash your face.”

“Umyumyum… okaaay.”

Mayumi-obasan rouses the squirming Misa-neesan from the floor and drags her off somewhere.

She’s so caring.

No wonder the patients and SDF folks love her.

Never heard a bad word about her in the neighborhood.

…Unlike that ossan, who only got bad press.

※

“Oh, Kanzaki-san, good morning.”

“…!”

I bump into Kanzaki-san in the hallway while trying to take a walk.

…Yesterday’s events make this a bit awkward.

“U-Uh, T-Tanakano-san!”

“Yes!”

Kanzaki-san’s slightly flushed and acting fidgety.

Well, she cried so much yesterday, she’s probably embarrassed.

“Um, uh…”

“Yes?”

“P-Please, let’s kweep working together!”

Whoops, she bit her tongue.

“…I’ll see you later!!”

She dashes off.

…Guess time’ll fix this one.

※

“Hey, you look lively, Tanakano-san.”

“Oh, Hanada-san. Hey.”

I’m sitting on a bench outside the hospital for a smoke when I run into Hanada-san.

“Sorry for the trouble this time…”

“No, no, what are you saying? Thanks to you, we got most of the city hall evacuees to safety. We’re the ones who owe you.”

“Glad you think so…”

Hanada-san sits beside me, rummaging in his pocket.

…Huh, he smokes too?

Wait, that’s not it.

A cigar!?

Whoa, that suits him…

If he wasn’t in a uniform, he’d look like a mafia boss…

“Good work yesterday. Leave the remaining evacuees at the city hall to us.”

He says, puffing his cigar elegantly.

“Kanzaki’s report says the route’s secured. Zombie cleanup should be quick.”

Yeah, shooting from the bridge would take care of them in no time.

The real issue is clearing the debris after, but those who stayed can tough it out.

With over half gone, their food should last longer.

“By the way, how’s Kanzaki doing?”

“How…?”

He throws me a curveball.

“Is she pulling her weight?”

“Oh, man, absolutely! I’d be dead in half the situations without her!”

“Not sure if that’s good or bad, but… glad to hear it.”

We chat about nothing in particular after that.

“Tanakano-san, keep looking out for Kanzaki.”

“I’m the one getting saved all the time…”

“Haha, it’s give and take. Isn’t that fine? I’m off.”

With that, Hanada-san leaves.

Crap, forgot to ask about Kanzaki-san’s unit again…

Oh well, he probably wouldn’t tell me anyway… never has before.

※

My shoulder’s the only issue, so I wanna head back to the shelter.

Gotta reunite Miku-chan with her mom ASAP.

But my left shoulder’s out of commission.

And my truck’s a manual.

Can’t shift gears, so I can’t drive.

What to do… guess I’m stuck waiting until the day after tomorrow…

※

“Well, no choice but this…”

I’m lying on my back, staring at the clear sky.

Clouds are zooming by.

I barely feel any vibrations.

Thanks to some mystery mat the SDF laid down.

Yup, I’m currently sprawled in the truck’s bed, being hauled like a tuna.

Kanzaki-san’s driving.

Misa-neesan’s in the passenger seat.

Misa-neesan offered to drive, but we nixed that since she might still be tipsy from yesterday.

So we asked Kanzaki-san.

Couldn’t put Misa-neesan in the bed, so I ended up here.

She insisted, “You’re injured, I’ll take the bed!” but we stuffed her in the passenger seat and set off.

“Still, lying in the truck bed’s kinda exciting… first time since elementary school. Right, you guys?”

“Piyo!” “Chun!” “Pipi!”

My fluffy yellow passengers chirp back in their own ways.

Chicks in a big nursery cage.

So cute.

These are a gift from Hanada-san’s SDF crew to the shelter’s cops.

The hospital’s partnered ranch was intact, so they grabbed some chicks.

The hospital can’t raise more, so they radioed Yurei to try breeding them, and Miyata-san agreed.

So here we are, transporting them in my truck.

When we left, Mayumi-obasan tearfully told me not to overdo it.

I’ve failed her enough, so I’ll follow orders until my shoulder’s healed.

It’d suck if she collapsed from worrying.

The cage, feed, cardboard boxes, and the mystery mat make the truck bed pretty comfy.

The only downside is I can’t smoke—don’t wanna hurt the chicks with secondhand smoke.

“Another downside is not knowing where we are… right?”

“Pipi!” “Pip!” “Piyo!”

“Yeah, exactly…”

“Ichirouta~ having fun chatting with the chicks? What’re you talking about?”

Misa-neesan calls from the open passenger window.

“The unfairness of the world and tasty food.”

“Hmm, well, we’re halfway, so hang in there!”

“Sure, sure. What’re you two talking about?”

“Girls’ talk! If you listen, your ears’ll explode, so don’t!”

“Girls…? I get Kanzaki-san, but you, Misa-neesan…?”

“Wanna get shredded right now!?”

“SORRY.”

Sounds like listening would be trouble, so I’ll pass.

Back to cross-cultural communication with the chicks.

※

The scenery starts changing.

Looks like we’re in town.

The chicks are busy with their feed, so I munch on an energy bar from my pocket.

Almost there, I bet.

※

“Welcome back, Tanakano-sa…!? K-K-Kanzaki-san!! G-Great work!!”

“Oh, right. I brought the evacuees and supplies. Tanakano-san’s in the bed.”

That flustered voice is Moriyama-kun.

Knew it instantly.

“Th-These are the supplies… Tanakano-san!? You okay!?”

“I’m getting by…”

The cops, probably pre-notified, start unloading the chicks.

These aren’t for eating—they’re for laying eggs.

Mostly hens, with just two or three roosters for breeding.

Kinda a harem.

Not jealous, though.

“Ichirouta! Where’s Miku? Where’s Miku!?”

“This time of day, probably the sports field…”

“MIIIIKUUUU!!”

Misa-neesan bolts off at an insane speed.

So fast! What a start!

She must’ve missed her so much…

That speed might get her flagged as a suspicious person, so I jog after her…

“I’ll go. Tanakano-san, walk there. …Sakashita-san told you, right?”

Kanzaki-san grabs my right shoulder with scary strength from behind.

Nice of her to avoid my left one.

“…Yes.”

I trudge along.

※

“Miku!! I’m so sorry! Leaving you alone, I’m sorry!!”

“Mama…! Mama…!!”

At the sports field, Misa-neesan’s hugging Miku-chan, bawling her eyes out.

She’s usually so carefree, but she’s overjoyed to see her daughter…

Good for you, Miku-chan.

“M-Miku-chan… I’m so g-glad… so glad…!!”

“C-Come on, you’re crying too much, Yukiko-chan…”

“Tanakano-san, can you even see through those tears? I’ll wipe them.”

“S-Sakashita-senpai, a towel, here! Tanakano-san too!”

…This feels familiar.

Also, my right hand’s fine, so I don’t need… they’re not listening, huh.

Ogahara-san and Kanzaki-san wipe my tears from both sides, and I just zone out and endure it.

※

“Tanakano-san, great work. Another big win, huh?”

I’m smoking at the designated spot since I couldn’t earlier when Miyata-san shows up.

“Nah, I botched it and ended up like this.”

I give a wry smile, showing the brace.

“Found Miku-chan’s mom, so I’ll rest up properly.”

“That’s the spirit. You can’t drive with that arm, so stay the night.”

“Sorry… I’ll take you up on that.”

“No big deal.”

We smoke and swap info.

No weird survivors lately.

Maybe those construction company guys were the local raiders.

“Oh, right, Misa-neesan… Miku-chan’s mom. Is it okay if she stays here?”

“Sure, we’ve got space, no problem. With the chicks from the SDF, food should improve once they’re raised.”

Those chicks should lay eggs in about six months.

Eggs, nice… maybe I’ll hunt for wild chickens.

Wait, isn’t there a ranch in our suburbs?

Gotta explore… after my shoulder’s fully healed.

Fishing’s on hold too—I need to recover properly.

Like Mayumi-obasan said, don’t want this becoming chronic.

After chatting, I head to the nurse’s office.

It’s basically my vacation home now.

No one else using it means things are peaceful.

It’s almost evening. Maybe I’ll watch a movie.

Something soothing… nope, got nothing.

All I have is B-grade action or panic flicks.

Guess I’ll go for something adrenaline-pumping…

※

“Here! Ojisan, say ‘ahh’!”

“…Miku-chan, my right hand’s fine, I can eat myself…”

“Ahh!!”

Nom nom

After watching a movie, I’m prepping dinner when Misa-neesan and Miku-chan show up.

Miku-chan was looking for me to thank me for bringing her mom.

Seeing my shoulder injury, she was shocked and started helping with dinner prep.

“Ojisan, is it good?”

“Tasty stuff. First time eating this.”

“It’s just pilaf! Haha! Here’s seconds!”

“Yum yum.”

When I try to eat, Miku-chan insists, “I’ll feed you!” and gets to it.

I tried refusing, but experience tells me she won’t listen, so I let her.

She’s probably doing it to say thanks.

“Hope it’s good, Ichirouta… spill any, and I’ll yank out that many hairs… munch munch.”

“Pwease shtop.”

“Ojisan! No talking while eating! Mama too!!”

“Fai.”

“Okay.”

I ignore Misa-neesan’s weird nonsense and chew mindlessly.

Is Miku-chan’s stubbornness from her mom…?

Thinking that, I keep letting the beaming Miku-chan take care of me.

Well, seeing her this happy makes the shoulder injury worth it.