Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 77: The Matter of Shiiya City Central Library

Chapter 77: The Matter of Shiiya City Central Library

As instructed to head to the back entrance, I walk ahead, shielding Kanzaki-san from behind.

I keep watch forward, while Kanzaki-san scans above.

I adjust the wakizashi hidden under my vest, ready to draw if needed.

The left suspender’s modified to hold it snug under my armpit.

Six cross-shaped shuriken are tucked inside the vest’s lining, and rod shuriken are stashed in loops at my inner sleeves.

The grenade’s in a back pocket of the vest.

The vest’s oversized, so it shouldn’t stand out too much.

Circling along the side, the library’s rear comes into view.

Whoa, impressive.

The empty lot out back is encircled by a fence—where’d they get that?

It’s reinforced with sandbags.

This much work suggests manpower on par with Yurei.

…But what’s with the wire wrapped along the fence?

“(…Probably an electric fence for animals. Normal ones just sting, but high voltage could kill a human.)”

Yikes, that’s scary.

No idea if it works on zombies, but it’d sure stop humans.

Part of the fence is a door, with two cops standing beyond it.

One’s probably the female officer who called out, panting hard.

Did she sprint down from the third floor?

The other’s a middle-aged cop with no distinct features.

Average build, thinning hair, nothing else stands out.

“S-Sorry… I’ll open… the gate…”

“No rush, take your time.”

“S-Sorry…!”

I can’t help but say something.

She looks exhausted.

Glancing back at Kanzaki-san, she’s got the same wry smile.

Once the female officer catches her breath, we’re let inside.

As expected, the back lot’s a big farm.

Lots of people—probably evacuees—working away.

Alright, time to leave it to Kanzaki-san.

I nod to the two cops and fall in behind her.

“Thanks for earlier. I’m Sergeant Kanzaki, from Yurei High School’s shelter.”

Kanzaki-san holds her rifle sideways and salutes.

Man, she looks cool—straight out of a movie.

“Y-Yes! I’m Officer Takame! And this is…”

“Inspector Oota. Nice to meet you.”

Whoa, an inspector! Highest-ranking cop we’ve met.

…Doesn’t seem that authoritative, though.

“Uh… who’s that with you?”

Right, my turn.

“Hello, I’m Tanakano. Sergeant Kanzaki’s bodyguard…”

“Bodyguard?”

“…Partner! Exploration partner!”

Kanzaki-san’s jab is terrifying.

“Uh… so, a civilian…?”

“Yup, unemployed.”

I say it with pride—it’s the truth.

“…I see…”

Takame-san’s expression is hard to read.

Well, duh.

Helmet, fishing gear, bandana mask, and unemployed?

Suspiciousness maxed out.

“To clarify, Tanakano-san has made huge contributions to Yurei—exploration, rescuing evacuees, securing food, neutralizing threats. He’s currently searching for missing people…”

“Y-Yes…!”

“Kanzaki-san, Kanzaki-san, ease up a bit…”

No clue what set her off, but Kanzaki-san’s leaning into Takame-san, so I intervene.

Takame-san’s practically in tears.

Kanzaki-san’s beauty comes with intense pressure.

“Well, standing around’s no good… Come on in.”

Oota-san gestures and starts walking.

Laid-back guy.

Probably the leader, given his rank, but kinda unreliable…

Then I notice something about Oota-san.

His walk has almost no sway—up, down, left, or right.

Even on the uneven dirt of the farm.

It’s so natural it feels unnatural.

…He’s trained. Martial arts.

No calluses on his fists, normal ears… Aikido? Kendo?

Kanzaki-san notices too.

Her expression tightens.

He’s probably showing off on purpose.

A warning not to try anything funny.

“Come on in.”

Oota-san, at the back entrance, holds the door open.

Takame-san, Kanzaki-san, then me.

“Don’t draw that, alright?”

“…Won’t if no one attacks me.”

“Good enough.”

…He noticed the wakizashi.

Not what he seems, huh.

We pass through the first floor, all windows boarded up, and head to the second.

Evacuees stare as we climb higher.

Up to the fourth floor, into a room labeled “Meeting Room.”

Looks like the cops’ HQ.

Several officers bustle about.

A city map’s pinned to a whiteboard, marked up.

…Seems like a legit shelter.

They’re fixated on the SDF soldier and the weird guy with her.

…Probably me, yeah.

“Here, take a seat. Takame-kun, could you get them something to drink?”

“Understood!”

Takame-san scurries out of the meeting room.

We sit on the offered sofa.

Oota-san takes the opposite side.

“Let’s exchange info. Make yourselves comfortable.”

I take off my helmet and bandana.

No sign of those guys here.

I scanned while climbing—didn’t spot them.

…Maybe they didn’t make it?

Kanzaki-san removes her helmet, setting it beside her.

Guess I’ll leave the talking to her.

※

“Yurei’s run by Miyata-kun, huh? That’s reassuring.”

“…You know Inspector Miyata?”

“We’ve worked together a few times. Still built like a rock?”

Man, small world.

Same city, same job—makes sense if Miyata-san’s well-known.

Kanzaki-san and Oota-san discuss their shelters and local conditions.

Me? I’m sipping coffee Takame-san brought.

Mmm, tasty.

Good beans… Not that I’m an expert.

Maybe I’ll grab some instant coffee next time.

“Uh… Tanakano-san, was it?”

“Hm…? Oh, yeah.”

Takame-san suddenly speaks up.

Bored, maybe?

“Sorry, but… could I see that search request file you mentioned…?”

“Oh, sure… Oh, crap.”

I reach for my bag… Forgot, it’s in the truck.

“Sorry, left it in the truck.”

Kanzaki-san’s talk with Oota-san looks like it’ll drag on, so it’s fine.

“Kanzaki-san, I’ll grab the search file.”

“Be careful.”

I stand, tie the bandana, and put on the helmet.

“Ah! The entrance needs unlocking, so I’ll come with you!”

Takame-san patters after me.

“Uh… those scars on your face, do they hurt?”

“Nah, they’re healed… Plus, don’t they make me look like a handsome space pirate?”

“Uh… um… y-yeah.”

Damn!

Misjudged the banter!

What’s with this awkward vibe!?

Good people I don’t know are the worst!

Conversation’s flat, so I observe each floor as we descend.

Third and second floors are living spaces; first floor’s for food storage.

“Generator’s in the basement?”

“Y-Yes! There’s a boiler too, so we’ve got showers!”

Sounds pretty livable.

Food’s mainly veggies from the courtyard and back lot, plus stored rations.

Same as everywhere…

“Any… attackers or looters around here?”

“No… just zombies. Uh… does Yurei get them?”

“Hmm… yeah, some showed up.”

This place is peaceful? Maybe.

…Zombies or looters, which is worse?

We exit the back, circle to the front, and I grab the file with my bag from the truck.

All set… Back we go.

“Takame-san! Good work!!”

On the way up to the fourth floor, someone calls from behind.

…That voice sounds familiar.

“Oh, Kamimori-kun.”

“On duty? Need help?”

“N-No, I’m almost done…”

I glance back—yep, it’s that harem dude.

Handsome face, hard to forget.

Ugh, he’s actually here.

Tough little punk…

Takame-san seems uneasy.

Not a fan of pretty boys?

Anyway, staying here feels like trouble waiting to happen.

Sorry, Takame-san, but I’m bolting to the fourth-floor meeting room.

I leave Takame-san chatting and hurry up the stairs.

“Oh? Where’s Takame-kun?”

“Uh, talking to someone on the stairs.”

Forgive me, Takame-san, I really can’t stand that guy.

Don’t want my brain cells fried again.

“…Something up?”

You can tell even with my face covered, Kanzaki-san!

“That Kannon wannabe from this morning’s here…”

“Oh, the troublesome survivor?”

“One of our evacuees causing trouble?”

“Sorry, Tanakano-san! I’m late!”

Takame-san’s back.

Perfect timing—might as well spill it now to avoid future hassle.

“Well, actually…”

※

“…Got it. Yeah, sounds like something he’d do. Right, Takame-kun?”

“Y-Yes… I suppose.”

Surprisingly, they buy it right away.

Didn’t expect my outsider word to be taken so easily.

“Doesn’t listen, thinks he’s a genius, assumes everyone’s into him…”

Oota-san says with a wry smile.

Man, I thought he was just panicking back then, but… that’s his actual personality?

“Sounds… tough, having him around.”

“Hah, he thinks he’s competent. Hopeless guy.”

Like Harada-kun at Yurei—annoying but not dangerous.

Cops have it rough, protecting guys like that.

“Oh, right… Here’s the file.”

“Oh, yes! Thank you! I’ll check it.”

Almost forgot, so I hand it over.

“Some people are just impossible, huh, Tanakano-san?”

Kanzaki-san crosses her arms, frowning.

Ugh, ruining her pretty face.

“Well, in a world like this, people change, big or small.”

Oota-san keeps his wry smile.

“The ones who don’t change are rarer… Like you, Tanakano-kun.”

His eyes aren’t smiling.

Feels like he’s seeing right through me.

“Haha, I’m just your average unemployed guy. Can’t get any lower!”

No shame here!

Morally questionable, maybe, but no regrets!

“…Don’t want you as an enemy. Especially with Kanzaki-kun.”

“Oh, come on! With Kanzaki-san’s firepower, she could blow up an aircraft carrier! I’m nothing…”

“What do you think I am, Tanakano-san!?”

Gahhh!?

My side’s being ripped apart!?

This pinch is beyond pinching!!

Help!!

“Hehehe… You two get along so well.”

Takame-san, flipping through the file, giggles.

“Ugh… We’re an invincible duo. By next year, we’ll take down Go**zilla.”

I grit through the pain.

Kanzaki-san could probably drive a death-ray tank.

The file has no matches for this shelter’s evacuees.

“We’ll take our leave for today. Yurei will likely send an official envoy later.”

I bow behind Kanzaki-san’s salute.

Time to dump the rest on the cops.

Miyata-san should have an easier time with a fellow acquaintance.

“More allies are welcome. Thanks for today.”

“Good work!”

We say goodbye to the two and the room’s officers, leaving the meeting room.

Now, let’s get out before that idiot spots me.

“SDF oneesan! Wait a sec!!”

…Caught.