Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 65: A Brief Respite and What Lies Ahead

Chapter 65: A Brief Respite and What Lies Ahead

“…A ceiling I know all too well.”

I wake up, my body heavy as lead.

Ugh… huh? Why am I asleep?

Let’s see, I brought Sakurai-san and the others to my house for the reunion… Damn, my thoughts aren’t coming together.

My head’s foggy.

I feel feverish, and my joints ache.

…Yup, it’s a cold.

No clue why, but staying up won’t help.

For some reason, there’s a sports drink by my pillow. I chug it and decide to sleep it off.

Mmm, my bed’s the best… smells nice too… goodnight…

・

This must be a dream.

Why? Because everyone in front of me is someone I’ve killed.

They’re hurling curses, clinging to me with blood-soaked bodies.

“It’s your fault!” “How dare you kill me!” “It hurts… it’s agony!” “I hate you…”

“…Huh?”

I slam a fist into the nearest one, peeling it off.

With my arms free, I knock another one flying.

“You think I care, you dumbasses? You brought it on yourselves!”

I kick, elbow, crush throats, and smash heels into skulls.

I jab eyes and knee groins.

I tear off every clinging specter.

“You came to kill me, so I killed you! What’s wrong with that, huh!? I’ll slaughter you all again!!!”

Before I know it, my beloved sword is at my waist. I draw it and dive into the horde.

※

I wake up.

See? Just a dream.

The room’s pitch black.

…Nighttime, huh.

I’m feeling a bit better, but not quite there.

…My sweat’s making me feel gross.

For some reason, there’s a change of clothes ready. I slip into them and go back to sleep.

※

Morning, me!

It’s bright outside.

Thanks to sleep, I feel great!

Nothing beats a cold like rest…

Now that I’m back to normal, my thoughts are clearing up.

I must’ve passed out watching Miku-chan and Sakurai-san’s happy reunion.

I guess the fatigue I didn’t notice hit me all at once.

…Did Sakurai-san carry me here?

No way, not with his left hand like that…

Misa-neesan… doesn’t seem likely either.

That leaves Kanzaki-san.

Always bailing me out.

I gotta repay her sometime.

Whoa!?

…Someone’s peeking through the slightly open door.

Scared the crap outta me…

Thought it was a ghost…

Ghosts are my one weakness—can’t punch those out.

“Hey, who’s that over there?”

“…Ojisan, you okay?”

Miku-chan’s worried voice comes through.

“All good, all good! Just a cold, but I’m cured. Morning, Miku-chan!”

“Morning, ojisan! …Can I come in?”

Hmm… better air out the room first.

I tell Miku-chan to wait and open all the windows.

The breeze feels nice.

Alright, that should do it…

Wait! Did I leave anything weird out!?

…It’s fine, just some manga.

“Come on in!”

“Coming in~!”

Miku-chan patters over and plops onto the bed.

“Mmph!”

She suddenly hugs me.

“What’s this? Feeling clingy this morning?”

“Yesterday, you fell asleep, so I couldn’t say… Thank you for finding Papa!”

Her eyes teary, Miku-chan burrows her face into my chest.

It tickles.

“No worries, don’t sweat it. But sorry, I got Papa’s hand hurt…”

I ruffle her hair roughly, apologizing.

It turned out okay, but one wrong move could’ve been a disaster.

“It’s okay! Papa said he wouldn’t have made it back without you and Rin-oneesan…”

…Kanzaki-san’s role was huge, for sure.

Guess I’ll accept the thanks.

“So, thank you, ojisan!!”

“…You’re welcome!”

I lift Miku-chan, still clinging to me, and tuck her under my arm.

“Alright! Time for breakfast! Ojisan’s starving!!”

“Me too!”

“Let’s go!”

“Hahaha! Yay!!”

I charge down the stairs… Ow! Stubbed my pinky!?

…I descend the stairs slowly.

Gotta be safe.

※

“Morning, Ichirouta. Cold better? …You look pale.”

“M… Morning… Nah, that’s something else… I’m fine…”

I set Miku-chan down and greet Misa-neesan, lounging on the living room sofa.

Where’s everyone else?

“Where’re Sakurai-san and Kanzaki-san?”

“Atsu-kun’s still sleeping. Rin-chan’s hanging laundry… Oh, you better thank her. She carried you to bed and got your clothes ready.”

Whoa… as expected.

I owe her more and more.

“And you, Misa-neesan?”

“Just woke up!”

“Got it.”

Misa-neesan must be exhausted from reuniting with her husband.

Sakurai-san’s recovering too, so let’s let them rest.

Guess I’ll say hi to Kanzaki-san.

“Morning, Kanzaki-san. Thanks for all the help yesterday.”

“Morning, Tanakano-san. Don’t worry about it. Feeling better?”

Kanzaki-san’s holding a laundry basket by the balcony drying rack.

Something about her looks so domestic, yet she’s got this crazy combat vibe.

She’s in camo, after all.

“Let’s eat. I’ll grab some stuff from the community center.”

“Community center…?”

“Yup, my emergency shelter, pantry, and vacation home.”

I leave a puzzled Kanzaki-san and head out.

I unlock the back door and step inside.

…This area’s still a dead zone, huh?

Haven’t run into anyone but Sakashita’s ossan here.

Like I’ve said, can’t get careless.

I don’t want any more big scars.

I open the basement door and head to the storage.

Let’s grab stuff nearing its expiration.

Hmm… these udon noodles are almost up.

And… here’s some dried green onions.

Zaru udon it is.

I’ve got tons of mentsuyu, and well water’s perfect for this.

Portions… screw it, let’s make enough for eight.

Sakurai-san and I can pig out.

That guy looks like he eats a ton.

Might as well grab the big pot used for community cookouts.

I head back, buzzing with excitement, and pull out the cassette stove.

It’s the big one we used for family hot pot, but it’s been collecting dust.

For just me, the small one’s enough.

“What’re you making, ojisan?”

Miku-chan wanders over as I set up.

“Zaru udon~ …Hey, Miku-chan, can you eat green onions?”

“I eat everything!”

What a great kid.

Misa-neesan’s… or Sakurai-san’s parenting, maybe?

Just in case, I check with Misa-neesan about allergies.

All clear, good.

“Nnsho, nnsho.”

“Nice, nice! You could open an udon shop. Careful not to burn yourself.”

“Ehe, okay!”

She wants to help, so I let her stir the udon to keep it from sticking.

The long tongs for yakiniku are surprisingly handy—better than chopsticks.

I glance at Miku-chan while filling a bottle with well water to dilute the mentsuyu.

Four-times concentrate… that’s about right.

I toss in some dried green onions to rehydrate.

Done. Easy.

I lift the pot of boiled udon and dump it into a colander.

This part’s hot, so I handle it.

Then, I rinse the steaming udon with well water.

The ice-cold well water means no need for ice—convenient.

I set a plate under the colander and place it in the center of the table.

“Done~!”

“Wow! Looks yummy!”

“I’m starving~ …Nice work, Ichirouta! I’ll get Atsu-kun!”

Kanzaki-san and Sakurai-san join us, and we’re all here.

Hands together, everyone…

“““Itadakimasu!”””

Mmm, perfect chewiness. Delicious.

“So good, ojisan!”

“Been a while, so it tastes even better. Dad’s a soba guy, though.”

“Must be the well water. Been ages since I had something cold.”

“I made enough for eight, so dig in. …Kinda wish we had wasabi. Maybe I’ll grab some from occhan’s place…”

“It’s delicious, Tanakano-san.”

We slurp udon, chatting here and there.

Eating with a big, familiar group like this?

Not bad at all.

The shelter?

Too many strangers. Pass.

※

“I… can’t eat anymore…”

After the meal, Miku-chan, belly full, falls asleep.

I carry her to my parents’ bedroom and cover her with a towel blanket.

Back in the living room, everyone’s chilling.

Perfect timing.

“Hey, Misa-neesan, Sakurai-san, can we talk?”

I share what Kanzaki-san told me.

How I’m getting envied.

How it might cause trouble, so maybe they should leave the shelter.

Ideally, to Mondo-occhan’s place.

…It’s big, has a garden, spring water…

And Mondo-occhan’s a total badass.

Ten or twenty zombies wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Misa, I agree. We’re probably the only family fully reunited at the shelter. …Sorry to my in-laws, but let’s stay with them.”

Sakurai-san’s on board, probably because of the shelter’s reactions.

“What Tanakano-kun did is amazing, and we’re endlessly grateful… but to others, it might feel like we’re rubbing it in.”

I don’t get it.

If they care about their families, they should act themselves…

Guess that’s because I’m the type who can act.

Some people would rather die than face zombies or looters.

“Okay, let’s move today then!”

Misa-neesan, that’s quick!?

“With Miku here, Mom and Dad won’t say no. They like Atsu-kun too.”

Oh, really…

“And lately, I’m fed up with people asking me to talk to Ichirouta. Like, find their families.”

Ugh, those types got to her too?

“I kept telling them to ask you themselves, but lately, I’m getting some nasty looks.”

Good thing I brought this up now.

If word got out that her husband was found too, who knows what’d happen…

Misa-neesan’s tough, but if anything happened to Miku-chan…

Anyway, that’s one problem down.

One left.

“Then there’s Yukiko-chan and Ogahara-san…”

They’re practically my crew now, so for their sake, they should leave too.

If Misa-neesan’s getting approached, those two are probably dealing with it too.

Maybe Kanzaki-san can pull strings to get them to Akizuki Town’s hospital…

Or they could live next door, and I’d look after them…

Wait!? That’d mean telling them about ossan… Maybe it’s time.

“Nah, they can live with us.”

“…Huh?”

“You know, the ponytail bombshell and the cute little animal one? I’m fine with them.”

Misa-neesan drops a bombshell.

“Miki’s room’s free… Miku loves them, so they’re not bad kids, right? If you’re this worried about them.”

“Well… that’d be great, but are you sure? What about occhan and oba-chan?”

“Should be fine… Alright, let’s go ask! Rin-chan, Atsu-kun, stay with Miku!”

Misa-neesan stands, grabs my arm, and yanks me up.

“Come on, no time like the present! Get ready!”

“Huh? Wha—?”

Before I know it, we’re off.

※

“Don’t care either way.”

“Bring those girls as soon as they’re ready.”

“See?”

“No way!?”

Yup.

We get to the shop, barely say hi, and Misa-neesan lays out the plan. They agree almost instantly.

This includes Sakashita-san and Miku-chan moving in.

“I’ve talked to those girls a few times. They’re polite, and Miku likes them.”

“They seemed like good kids. And if the shelter’s getting weird, all the more reason to bring them. They’re girls—can’t risk anything happening.”

Their hearts… their hearts are too big!

“This place housed my parents, siblings—twelve people total. Four more won’t change a thing.”

“With Atsu-kun here, once he’s healed, we can expand the garden. We’ve got water, and thanks to Ichirouta-chan, electricity’s covered.”

“And, kid, you’re too pure.”

Occhan lightly bops my head.

It stings a bit.

“You saved my grandkid, my daughter, my son-in-law… all of them. A request like this? I’ll take it any day. I owe you big.”

…Rough as always, but so kind.

Hearing that puts me at ease.

I notice Misa-neesan looking at me.

“Even if Dad said no, I’d have let them. I owe you too, Ichirouta.”

“Me too. …Oh, Ichirouta-chan, you could live here too! With that pretty SDF lady!”

“Yeah, yeah, move in with us!”

…Wait, why’s Kanzaki-san coming up!?

No, no! We’re not like that!

She’s a reliable partner! …Hope she thinks the same.

Also, no way! I’ve got my own house!

I love these people, but that’s a different issue!!

…Fine, my worries are gone.

Like Misa-neesan said, no time like the present.

Operation Move, let’s go!!

…Oh, gotta check with Yukiko-chan and them first.

Misa-neesan and Miku-chan probably have stuff they want to bring too.

Guess I’ll stay at the shelter tonight.