Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 68: The Matter of the Fake Request and the Reunion

Chapter 68: The Matter of the Fake Request and the Reunion

“Have a good one!”

“See ya!”

I raise a hand to Miku-chan waving as I start the pickup’s engine.

After crashing at Mondo-occhan’s place, I head out early the next morning.

Miku-chan, up bright and early, sees me off.

…Huh? “Have a good one”?

Does Miku-chan know I’m not living here?

…Hope occhan and oba-chan clue her in.

But just ghosting them feels wrong…

Maybe I’ll swing by once or twice a week.

Wait, once or twice!?

Hold up, I’m hitting Yurei once or twice a week too, right!?

That’s up to four trips a week…!

That’s basically a job!

M-My free time…

…What do I do?

F-For now, I’ll think about it later.

Yeah, that’s the plan…

Pushing the problem to the back of my mind, I hit the gas.

※

I roll into Yurei as usual and head to the staff room.

Some evacuees give me the stink-eye, but I shrug it off.

Probably about the search requests.

“Hey, morning, Tanakano-san.”

“Morning, Miyata-san. Got any requests?”

“Oh, yeah, way more than we expected…”

Figured.

The floodgates opened.

“Well, gotta keep up appearances…”

I flash a sly grin.

Like I said before, this is just to let the evacuees blow off steam.

No way I’m scouring the city for real.

It’s a “search” (not saying I’ll find anyone) deal.

Plus, there’s the shelter’s capacity issue.

If I brought everyone back, this place would burst.

Only room for three or four more, so I’ll keep that in mind.

“I’m heading to this part of the South District today… Pick some requests that fit.”

I point at the map for Miyata-san.

“Here, huh… These should do. Here you go.”

Miyata-san hands me a binder.

Flipping through, each page has missing persons’ info and photos, neatly organized.

Impressive work, as expected from the police.

“Don’t overdo it, please.”

“Haha, I used to, but I’m good now. My partner’d kill me otherwise.”

Yup, most of my worries and messes got sorted with the recent move.

Miku-chan and the others are in a safe spot, and I’ve done my part for the shelter… I think.

Food and supplies are steady.

From now on, I’m living slow, easy, and fun!

…Hopefully.

Anyway, time to find my partner.

※

“Done talking? Let’s go.”

“Whoa!? …Morning.”

“Good morning, Tanakano-san.”

Kanzaki-san’s waiting right outside the staff room.

Fast as always!!

“Where to today…?”

“East side of the South District…”

As we walk and plan, I spot Harada at the end of the hall.

He’s glaring at me with those creepy eyes.

What’s that punk’s deal? Still got a grudge?

I lock eyes with him, slowly, slowly reaching for my sword.

Then I flash a big, toothy grin.

He flinches, shrinking back into the shadows.

“That guy…”

“Petty jerk. …But those types are unpredictable, so stay sharp.”

“Understood. Just a small fry. Pathetic.”

…Kanzaki-san’s stare is terrifying.

She’s looking at Harada like he’s garbage.

“If I could take him out in one go, it’d be so much easier…”

…Scary!

※

Seeing that creep soured my mood, but I shake it off and head out.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a carefree drive and scouting trip!

…Huh? Missing persons search?

In an open-world game, that’s like a sidequest of a sidequest of a sidequest…

“Hey, Kanzaki-san, you sure about this? I’m just wandering today…”

“The SDF needs a break too… I just want some fresh air!”

Got it, makes sense.

Stuck in the shelter all day would drag anyone down.

…Wait, doesn’t Kanzaki-san go out a lot?

Guess desk work doesn’t suit her active vibe.

Hope the cops are getting breaks too…

※

And so, we reach today’s destination.

“A used bookstore…?”

“Yup!”

“You seem excited…”

“Hell yeah!!”

Before me stands a two-story chain bookstore, part of the national “Sell your books to FUCK=OFF Sonofabitch” franchise, famous for its catchy slogan.

This location’s huge, stocking used books, games, DVDs, clothes, and even new books.

A treasure trove!

Food keeps the body alive, but entertainment keeps the soul kicking!

Time to haul some loot—let’s get pumped!!

As I stride toward the entrance, something feels off.

The entrance is boarded up from the inside with planks and nails.

The first-floor windows too.

…All ground-level entries are sealed.

There’s a ladder to the roof.

They’re using the rooftop to get in and out.

Someone’s living here.

Reminds me of my place.

“Let’s skip this one. Looks occupied.”

“Agreed. Where to next?”

Don’t want trouble.

Plenty of other bookstores around.

It’s a big store, so it’s a shame, but I’m not fighting over used books.

“Hey? Aren’t you… Yamada-san?”

A voice calls from the roof as we turn to leave.

“W-Wait! Don’t shoot!”

Crouching at the sight of Kanzaki-san’s raised rifle is a familiar face.

“Kanzaki-san! He’s okay… Yo, long time.”

The aspiring big-shot streamer post-zombie-apocalypse.

Ooki-kun’s right there.

※

“So your real name’s Tanakano-san, huh?”

“Sorry, forgot I gave you a fake name on the spot.”

“No biggie. Can’t trust strangers. I almost called myself ‘Samuraiman’ too.”

“That’s… kinda weird.”

We’re in the second-floor employee break room of the bookstore.

Ooki-kun invited us for a chat, so we climbed up via the roof.

Kanzaki-san’s curiously eyeing the stacks of used books and trinkets.

…Doesn’t seem like she comes to places like this often.

“(So, is that gorgeous SDF lady your girlfriend?)”

This guy’s whispering some wild stuff.

“(No way! She’s my scouting partner!)”

“(Oh, got it. Thought I’d get her on a video if she was…)”

…This guy doesn’t quit.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, nothing! Just saying Kanzaki-san’s military look is like S〇gourney Weaver, super cool! Right!?”

“Totally! She’d take down an 〇lien in one shot! Yup!”

I sling an arm around him, and he plays along easily.

Good dude.

“That movie… you had it at your place, right, Tanakano-san?”

“Yup! The second one’s the best!”

“Now I’m curious… Let’s watch it sometime.”

“Count me in!”

“(…You sure you’re not dating?)”

“(I’m sure!)”

※

“So, you’ve got looters over there too, huh? Humans are such trash…”

Talking about the punks I put down, Ooki-kun sighs deeply.

“You said ‘too’—you’ve had some?”

“Yeah, what a pain. Listen to this…”

Ooki-kun starts his story.

I’ve got time, so I’ll hear him out.

He went to a nearby mall to shoot a video and got jumped by a rough-looking gang.

Outnumbered, he played nice to buy time, but they tried to rob his stuff.

He was on a scouting run, so he handed over a decoy camera to get by.

They weren’t satisfied, figured his clean clothes meant he had a hideout, and demanded he lead them there.

He played along, then made a break for it when they slipped.

…That’s the gist.

Places are getting rougher by the day.

“That’s rough. We’ve got those types around here too…”

“Yeah, such a hassle…”

“They haven’t found this place? Be careful—they’re persistent.”

Speaking from painful experience.

Bad luck could mean a one-way trip to the afterlife.

Best to wipe them out, but Ooki-kun doesn’t seem that tough…

…No, no, my mind’s getting too dark lately.

Can’t suggest that to a regular guy like him…

“Oh, it’s fine. They’re all dead.”

Time stops for a second.

What’d this kid just say?

Whoa, Kanzaki-san, don’t draw your pistol!!

It’s probably—probably—fine!!

“…They ram a truck or something?”

“What’s that? Nah, it was a lot of work…”

After escaping, Ooki-kun hid nearby, tailed them discreetly to their base, and pulled back.

He prepped all sorts of stuff until nightfall.

When they were asleep, he returned.

And blew their hideout sky-high.

“Blew it up!?”

“Yup. A bomb made from oil, scrap, pesticides, you name it. I’m into that stuff…”

“A bomb!? You make that for videos too!?”

“No way, that’d get me canceled—it’s illegal!”

“Huh…?”

Not sure if he’s missing the point or not… I’m no saint, but Ooki-kun’s something else…

Kanzaki-san’s eyes are wide too.

“Guys like that are trouble if they’re left alive. Plus, I hate their kind.”

He says casually that he was bullied by similar types in high school.

“Bullying, huh… Never did or got it. Some fights, though.”

“You seem strong, Tanakano-san. I’m no fighter, so I go for sneaky tactics…”

“…By the way, what happened to those high school bullies?”

Just curious.

“Oh, I dug up dirt on them, their parents, siblings, relatives, and spread it around their neighborhood, workplaces, online. Ruined them. Got them all expelled.”

With a bonus family fallout, he says with a smug grin.

What the… This kid’s scary.

A different kind of scary from Taniya-sensei or Mondo-occhan.

“But I didn’t just blow stuff up randomly! I checked carefully—no one else was around. Only they died.”

He’s a bit out there, but he’s reasonable.

As long as he’s not killing indiscriminately, he’s safe.

I’m no saint to preach, covered in blood myself.

Leave that to proper monks.

“Man, it’s nice talking to someone after so long. Group living’s not for me, but I need some chit-chat now and then.”

“Yeah…”

He’s all cheery…

I get the feeling, sorta.

“Oh, why’d you come here today?”

I almost forgot.

…Kanzaki-san’s giving me a deadpan stare.

“Well, actually…”

I tell him I came for used books and stuff.

“You’re pretty free-spirited, Tanakano-san. Take what you want—I’ve got what I need. The manager and staff are all dead.”

He says it’s thanks for the chat.

…Result’s a win!

Time to scavenge!!

※

Second floor’s got used clothes, trading cards, and model kits.

My coat’s been trashed since I quit my job.

I’ll grab some for winter.

Model kits… good for killing time.

Maybe some 1/144 scale famous mobile suits.

…Oh, there it is—the green mass-production model.

Love this one… It’s a limited version, premium price.

Not that it matters now!

“…You’re really into this, Tanakano-san.”

“…I’ve never seen you shine like this.”

I hear something behind me, but it’s my imagination! Definitely!!

※

…Man, my backpack’s stuffed!

Scoured every inch from second to first floor.

Ooki-kun says I can come back anytime, so I’ll definitely return!

…Wait, it’s already evening!?

Got too caught up in this sealed-off safe zone.

“You’re finally back to reality.”

Kanzaki-san says with an exasperated look.

“Ugh… Sorry, Kanzaki-san! My bad!!”

“Hehe… It’s fine. I had fun too. Don’t worry.”

…?

Kanzaki-san grabbed something too?

Nice.

Win-win!

“Don’t get too lovey-dovey in my hideout…”

“Wha!? N-No, it’s not like that!!”

“Waaaaah!?”

Hey, Kanzaki-san, don’t point your gun!!

I get you’re mad being paired with me, but still!

“Thanks, Ooki-kun. Big help.”

“No prob, come back anytime. Maybe star in a video…”

“Hard pass. Absolutely.”

“Haha.”

After some chaos, we decide to head out.

Nice spot we found.

Met a… normal? survivor too.

“Well, that’s it for today…”

“Oh, Tanakano-san, you dropped a file.”

My stuffed backpack must’ve let the search request file slip.

Turning back, the file’s on the ground, pages flipping in the wind.

“So this is the file you mentioned… Huh?”

Ooki-kun stares at the picked-up file.

Found someone he knows?

“…That’s me.”

“What?”

“What?”