Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 79: Things That Can’t Be Helped

Chapter 79: Things That Can’t Be Helped

“Whoa! Isn’t there… like… a ton of zombies here!?”

“Yeah… hup! Definitely… hah! More than usual!!”

I swing my bokken freely in all directions, calling back to Kanzaki-san.

Compared to my wild, hit-whatever style, Kanzaki-san precisely pierces vital points with her bayonet.

Man, she’s so composed.

Smashing a zombie’s skull, I think about that.

※

Here we are, scavenging as usual.

Lately, every time I try heading to a game shop, something gets in the way.

Maybe I should just hit up Ooki-kun’s place again.

But let’s give it one more shot…

So, we’ve come to a spot not far from Yurei.

I’ve never been inside, but there’s supposed to be a game shop around here.

Not a big one—just a small, privately owned store.

I’m after retro games, so a place like this has better odds.

Big chain stores often don’t even have a retro section.

“Sorry for dragging you along, Kanzaki-san.”

“Don’t worry about it. I enjoy this… scavenging.”

What a reliable partner…

Maybe I’ll invite her fishing again.

Should I ask if there’s anywhere she wants to go?

After last time, we’re moving cautiously, watching for more than just zombies—troublesome survivors too.

I can handle a sudden fistfight, no problem.

But bows or guns? Those are trickier.

“There it is… Looks like no traps this time.”

“We’ve had our share of trouble lately…”

No incidents, and the game shop comes into view.

…Don’t let your guard down, Ichirouta.

You never know what’s waiting.

We approach slowly.

The door’s locked, no signs of looting.

…Yeah, who’d hit a game shop in this mess?

Nobody but a deadbeat unemployed guy like me.

I gently force the locked automatic door, breaking it.

Zombies might be inside, so I slip in quietly.

“(Tch… T-Treasure trove…!!)”

No way—this is a retro game specialty shop!!

Stepping forward, something moves in my peripheral vision.

My body reacts before my brain.

I pin a zombie to the wall with a front kick, drawing my wakizashi in one motion.

“Don’t get in my way!!”

Before it can groan, I slash its neck.

Mondo-occhan’s wakizashi cuts like a dream, slicing halfway through in one go.

Tch! Ruined my good mood.

…But damn, this blade’s sharp.

“Tanakano-san… That was incredible speed!”

Kanzaki-san’s eyes sparkle as she praises me.

…It was reflex, but I pulled off a slick move.

Thanks to the wakizashi, huh?

“Haha, just luck, luck. Alright…”

No other zombies in sight.

…Time for some fun scavenging!!

Glass cases line up with all sorts of games.

Stuff for the console I wanted, and even older ones.

This… This is it! The one I lost in an auction!

And this! That crazy expensive one from that big online shop!

Whoa! So many treasures! Treasures!!

“You’re having fun, Tanakano-san.”

“Look at this, Kanzaki-san! This is from a bankrupt company, and this is a different version of…”

“I-I see… Hehe.”

“No, really!”

Who knows when I’ll get back here!

Gotta grab everything I want now!

Oh! This classic from an older console…

Screw it! Everything’s free! I’ll take the console too!!

I realize my backpack’s stuffed full.

I’m sweating buckets.

…Crap, got too carried away.

Kanzaki-san’s giving me a wry smile.

…Sorry about that.

※

“…Huh? Clothes?”

Back at the truck, all hyped up, I remember something I forgot.

“Yeah, I was thinking about getting clothes for Miku-chan… but I don’t know what’s good.”

I’d thought about it before, but my fashion sense is beyond wrecked—it’s a wasteland.

Kanzaki-san’s always in her uniform, but she’s gotta know more than me.

She’s always so clean.

…Not that I’m dirty, okay?

“I’m not exactly an expert, but… I’ll help.”

Score.

“…What about Yukiko-chan and the others?”

…Forgot that too.

Alright, clothes it is… Where’s a clothing store?

Wait, how did I even buy clothes before…?

Crap, my wardrobe’s just fishing gear and work stuff!

All I remember is buying at Unclo or Wrkman for comfort!

My fashion sense isn’t just a wasteland—it’s extinct…?

“Uh, even Unclo has cute stuff these days… right?”

Kanzaki-san tries to cheer me up as I mope by the parked truck.

Ugh… Her kindness stings…!

We search the car’s GPS for nearby clothing stores.

Kanzaki-san knows a chain store, so we head there.

Phew, a reliable partner’s a treasure.

Unlike the game shop, clothes are vital, so the store’s been looted.

A few zombies linger.

I grip my bokken; Kanzaki-san takes her bayonet, and we charge.

※

And that brings us back to the opening.

Zombies swarm from all sides the moment we enter.

Looks like housewives and staff who were shopping.

We dash to a wide aisle, fighting back-to-back against zombies from both sides.

No tactics or strategy with zombies—makes it easy.

But they’re strong, and one bite’s game over, so no slacking.

“Take that!”

“…Hup!!”

I smash the last zombie’s skull.

Kanzaki-san finishes hers with a throat stab.

“Phew, good workout.”

“…No more coming. They might be drawn by the noise, so let’s be quick.”

I don’t know women’s clothes, so I follow Kanzaki-san’s lead.

I grab big bags from the register and trail her.

“Sizing… Let’s go a bit bigger.”

Kanzaki-san tosses practical clothes into the bags.

No clue how these pants and tops differ, but they must.

“Wait here… I’ll take the bags.”

She grabs them and moves on.

Why so sudden… Oh. (Got it.)

I turn away from the underwear section, arms crossed, waiting.

…This is way beyond me.

Uncharted territory.

Kanzaki-san returns with stuffed, sealed bags.

“…Don’t look inside, okay?”

I’d tape them shut myself.

Not dying by accident.

Oh, right.

“You didn’t pick anything for yourself, Kanzaki-san?”

“I’m fine with just underwear and liners. Can’t exactly ditch this uniform.”

…True.

Like my fishing gear—work clothes.

“Guess fashion’s for after this mess settles.”

“Then you’ll help me pick clothes, right?”

“You’re picking mine too, deal?”

Kanzaki-san nods, a bit shy.

…Gotta work on my fashion sense by then.

Whenever that is.

Hope it comes someday.

※

We load the haul onto the truck.

Time to deliver to Miku-chan and the others.

“Tanakano-san!”

Kanzaki-san’s shout makes me look up—a staggering figure approaches.

A stray zombie?

Too close to run.

I’ll finish it… Wait.

That’s a human!!

“Hey! You okay!?”

I rush over as the figure collapses.

I catch them, easing them to the ground.

A woman.

A bit younger than me…?

Dressed for mobility.

“Hey! Hang in there!”

…Her neck, right wrist, and both thighs have deep bite wounds, bleeding badly.

Too late.

She’ll bleed out before turning.

I look at Kanzaki-san.

“…Tch.”

She glances at the woman, shaking her head.

Same assessment.

“…H…lp…”

Blood spills from her mouth as she murmurs.

Her last words? I’ll hear them out.

“What’s that?”

I lean close.

“The kids… th-they’re… at the preschool… s-save… them…”

Preschool?

I check her phone’s map.

…There’s one nearby.

“Yamanaka Children’s Garden?”

She nods faintly.

“P-Please…”

“…Got it. Leave it to me.”

I meet her eyes.

“Kanzaki-san, take care of her.”

“…Don’t push yourself, okay?”

I nod to her worried look as she starts bandaging the woman.

I hand over my backpack, grab my bokken, and run.

Heard her out—can’t ignore it.

I’m not heartless enough to shrug off a dying wish.

I’m doing this because I want to!

The preschool comes into view.

The wire-reinforced gate’s open.

Zombie groans echo inside.

…Too late!?

I vault the gate, spotting scattered zombies.

Beyond, a glass door’s about to break.

Terrified kids and staff huddle inside.

…Made it!

“Hey, zombies! Over here!!”

I yell, smacking one from behind.

Then the second, the third.

“Raaaaagh!!”

Roaring, I run around, bashing zombies that aren’t focused on me.

Legs! Break their legs!!

Finish later—take their mobility first!

I swing low in a side stance, slashing at their legs.

“Nuaaaah!!”

I crush the last zombie’s knee, pulling it down.

Switching my bokken to a reverse grip, I stab its brainstem.

That’s it…

I catch my breath, finishing the writhing zombies one by one.

I walk to the gate, close it, and re-tie the broken wire.

“Thank you so much!”

A middle-aged man approaches—probably the director.

“Any zombies inside?”

“No, we’re fine. I don’t know how to thank you…”

“It’s fine. A teacher here asked me to come.”

Gate’s fixed.

“Sakai-sensei!? …She really got help…”

Sakai-sensei, huh.

“How is she?”

He lowers his voice, likely to spare the kids.

I shake my head.

“Sakai-sensei was bitten… She ran to get help…”

He trembles.

“We tried to help, but… she said it was too late, told us to stay put…”

And she made it to me with those wounds.

Incredible.

“How many here? If you want a bigger shelter, I can arrange it.”

“Five kids, three staff, including me. Please, we’re out of food…”

Eight people.

Should be fine.

Yurei’s got space, I heard.

If not, next town or the library.

“Wait here. I’ll be back.”

I hop the gate and head out.

Gotta go back.

Gotta tell her.

※

“Tanakano-san! You’re safe…”

Kanzaki-san’s waiting by the truck.

Sakai-sensei’s wrapped in bandages, lying down.

“(How is she?)”

“(I did what I could, but she lost too much blood…)”

Her face is pale.

Even I can tell… she’s not long for this.

With those bites, even if she survived…

She notices me, opening her mouth.

“Ah…”

I crouch close.

“The k-kids… are…”

I grip her uninjured hand.

Cold as ice, even through my glove.

“They’re fine! All safe!”

“Ah…”

“Thanks to you, Sakai-sensei! They’re okay because of you!!”

Her ears probably can’t hear well, so I shout slowly.

“You did great! They’re all safe!! They’re worried, so get better soon!!”

“Ahh…”

A tear falls from her vacant eyes.

“Good…”

Her final breath comes with a relieved smile, and Sakai-sensei stops moving forever.

All I can do is close her open eyes.

※

“Damn…”

I stand.

“Why do the good ones always die…?”

I can’t do anything about it.

People are dying everywhere, right now.

Of course—I’m no god or hero.

I can’t save everyone.

Idiots and troublemakers dying? Don’t care.

I’d rather take them out myself.

But people like her are different.

…She was admirable.

Way better than me.

Not about strength.

I can’t explain it, but… she’s the kind of person this world needs.

“Damn…”

A hand rests on my shoulder.

Kanzaki-san looks at me, worried.

Her eyes are a bit red.

…Crap, I made her worry.

I pull a cigarette from my pocket and light it.

Ugh… Stings my eyes.

Damn faulty cigarette, secondhand smoke’s rough.

“Alright, Kanzaki-san. Let’s head to the preschool… There are evacuees.”

“Yes…”

Gotta plan the next steps.

I lift Sakai-sensei and gently place her in the truck bed, covering her with a tarp so the kids won’t see.

We’ll bury her near the preschool later.

That’s what she’d want.