Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 80: Those Who Pass and the Trash Left Behind

Chapter 80: Those Who Pass and the Trash Left Behind

“Tanakano-san, I got through to Yurei. They can take eight people.”

Kanzaki-san steps out of the truck parked in front of the preschool.

Miyata-san… thank you.

After seeing Sakai-sensei off, we came back to the preschool.

※

“Um…”

The middle-aged man calls out worriedly from behind the gate.

As I thought, he’s the director.

“Director, they’ve got space. Everyone can go to Yurei together.”

“R-Really!? …Thank goodness…!”

“Let’s move before it gets dark. Do you have, like, a preschool bus?”

“Yes! The shuttle van can fit everyone! It’s got a full tank too!”

Phew, good thing. I didn’t want to cram eight people in the truck bed.

That’s a relief.

“Everyone! We’re going to a safe place now! Grab your change of clothes!”

Inside, a surviving preschool teacher calls out to the kids.

“Kanzaki-san, sorry, but could you watch the kids? I’m gonna…”

I glance at the truck bed while talking to Kanzaki-san.

…I can’t let the kids see Sakai-sensei’s body.

Luckily—or not—they’re terrified of me after my earlier rampage.

They won’t come near.

I mean, I was roaring and bashing zombies with my bokken.

No wonder they’re scared.

“Got it, leave it to me.”

As Kanzaki-san heads off, I open the gate and back the truck into the preschool.

Now, where to bury her?

Leaving her exposed feels wrong.

I’ll grab a curtain or something from inside.

I enter the preschool.

Sorry, but I’m keeping my shoes on.

“Uh, excuse me…”

A young female teacher calls out.

“Oh, perfect timing… Could I get some cloth or something? For… Sakai-sensei…”

“Yes… Please wait.”

She hurries off and returns with a sheet and a stack of papers.

“This is a sheet… Can I help?”

The papers have crayon drawings.

“For Sakai-sensei’s birthday, the kids drew these… I want to bury them with her…”

I see.

She was a beloved teacher…

“What about the kids?”

“They’re okay. The SDF lady is helping…”

“Alright… Got a shovel?”

Guided by the teacher (Muranishi, she said), I head to the back garden.

“This… It’s a cherry tree we planted last year. I’d like to bury her here…”

A small but sturdy tree.

Yeah, this spot’s good.

I carry Sakai-sensei, wrapped in the tarp, from the truck.

Kanzaki-san cleaned her up, so her face looks peaceful, like she’s sleeping.

“Ugh… Senpai… Miyuki-senpai…”

Muranishi-sensei strokes Sakai-sensei’s cheek, tears falling.

…They were close, huh.

I’ll give her a moment to say goodbye.

I grab the shovel and start digging where the tree’s roots won’t reach.

Maybe this was a garden or flowerbed before.

The soil’s soft, easy to dig.

I can get it deep enough.

No way I’m letting wild dogs get to her.

“Everyone! Don’t go over there!”

As Muranishi-sensei and I dig, a voice calls out.

I turn to see kids running toward us.

Hey, keep them back!

But it’s too late—Muranishi-sensei tries to stop them, but they’re coming.

“Sensei!” “Sakai-sensei!” “Sensei!!”

The kids cling to Sakai-sensei’s body, crying out.

Kanzaki-san runs up behind them.

“Sorry, Tanakano-san! I looked away for a second…”

Five kids are a handful, I get it.

The director and the other teacher catch up.

…No helping it now. Let’s make this a simple funeral.

Gotta send her off right so the kids aren’t traumatized.

“…Everyone, say goodbye to Sakai-sensei.”

I call out to the kids.

“Is Sensei… dead?”

The closest kid looks at me, eyes brimming with tears.

“Yeah, she is.”

I crouch to meet their gaze.

It’s harsh, but lying won’t help them.

They’ve already seen her.

I pat the head of the kid who starts sobbing.

“Don’t hold back your tears. But look at Sakai-sensei’s face… What’s it like?”

“She’s… smiling…”

One kid says, sniffling.

“Right. She didn’t die in pain or regret. She was happy you’re all safe… She’s resting easy.”

“Happy…?”

“Yeah, because you’re all so precious to her. That’s why she’s got that face.”

I don’t know the truth.

Maybe she was in pain or full of regret.

But that final expression… it was truly peaceful.

“But leaving her out here like this would be sad for her, right?”

I look at each of the five kids, speaking slowly.

…They’re all crying their eyes out.

She must’ve been so loved.

“Let’s let her rest in the warm earth. She worked so hard for you all.”

“…”

“Right?”

“…Y-Yeah…”

I meet their eyes, speaking gently, and they nod.

Good kids.

“Alright… Time to say goodbye. Those drawings are yours, right? Put them in yourselves.”

I gently wrap Sakai-sensei in the sheet.

Kanzaki-san helps.

We lay her in the hole and climb out.

“Thank you, Sensei.” “Thank you… I love you.” “Goodbye, thank you.” “Ugh… Th-Thank you…” “Bye-bye, Sensei… I love you.”

The kids say their farewells, placing drawings in the hole.

To be sent off with thanks… Her character really shines through.

…I want to be like that someday.

The director and teachers clasp their hands, eyes wet.

“Namu Amida Butsu…”

I chant like a hymn.

My family’s Jodo Shinshu, so it’s what I know.

I don’t know Sakai-sensei’s faith, but an amateur prayer will have to do.

As I start covering the grave, the kids’ cries grow louder.

Cry all you want—it’s better for her than my chanting.

If zombies show up, I’ll take them out, so don’t worry.

We pile the soil, making a simple grave.

A kid brings a board, and they all write on it together.

“Sakai Miyuki-sensei”

It’s a fine grave.

Puts others to shame.

“Alright, everyone… Get in the van.”

The director urges the sniffling kids to move.

…I need to lead the way, so it’s time to go.

“Sakai-sensei, I’ll take care of the kids… Rest well.”

I say softly, clasp my hands, and walk off.

※

I drive to Yurei High in silence.

I check the rearview to make sure the van’s following.

Kanzaki-san, sensing the mood, stays quiet.

Ugh, awkward.

Maybe a cigarette to fill the silence… Huh? Lighter’s out?

Out of oil? Bad timing.

“Here.”

Kanzaki-san offers a lit cigarette.

I touch the tips together and inhale.

“Sorry… Got all somber.”

“It’s okay… It can’t be helped. …Tanakano-san, you can chant sutras?”

“Oh, uh, at my dad’s hometown funerals, the whole family chants, so I picked it up…”

Phew, back to normal.

Good, good.

“Tanakano-san, good work.”

At Yurei, Miyata-san greets us at the entrance.

“Hey, Miyata-san… Sorry for bringing people unrelated to the search.”

“No worries, don’t sweat it. I’d do the same… (I’ll tell the evacuees they were part of the search request.)”

Whoa, he’s even covering for us.

Much appreciated.

“Are you with the police? Thank you so much…!”

“No, no, you must be tired. We’ll get food ready…”

Moriyama-kun and some officers handle the director and group.

…Moriyama-kun’s a good guy when Kanzaki-san’s not involved.

“Ojisan.”

“Hm?”

Someone tugs my pant leg.

It’s the kid I patted earlier.

“…Thank you. Sorry for being scared.”

…Hits me right in the chest.

No need to apologize.

I can’t help but pick her up.

“Hey, don’t worry about that! …There’s lots of friends here, so cheer up!”

“…Okay!”

“Oh, right, there’s chicks here too! Go see them later!”

I ruffle her hair and let her go.

She runs happily to her preschool friends.

Kids are all about energy!

“Tanakano-san, you’re kind to kids.”

Kanzaki-san’s behind me, as usual.

“Haha, probably ‘cause my mental age is about the same?”

“Hehe… A big kid, huh?”

We banter, waving back at the kids heading into the school.

Hope they settle in quick.

※

Since we’re at Yurei, might as well make more shuriken.

It’s just past noon, so we can hit Mondo-occhan’s place after.

I get Miyata-san’s okay and head to the tech room.

…The kids are following me.

Preschoolers and some others I know.

Curious, huh?

…Kanzaki-san’s here too, naturally. I’ll just roll with it.

“Hey, stay back—it’s dangerous.”

““““Yes!””””

Good response.

I clank and grind, churning out shuriken.

Getting the hang of this.

…The kids’ sparkling eyes win me over, so I make wooden cross-shuriken for each.

No blades, edges sanded smooth—safe.

“Don’t throw these at people, ever! If you do, I’ll spank you till your butt’s twice as big!”

I warn them sternly, and they run off to the field, giggling.

What? I throw at people…?

Those aren’t people—they’re zombies.

Heh… So lively.

Kids make friends fast.

Sakai-sensei can rest easy.

“Heading to Nakamura-sensei’s next?”

“Yeah, wanna give Miku-chan and the others your picks…”

“They’re not that great…!”

Nah, they’re a hundred times better than mine.

…Wait, zero times anything is still zero…

Alright, time to go.

I say bye to Kanzaki-san, asking her to pass a message to Miyata-san.

As I’m about to leave the school, I spot someone.

…Harada.

Ignore him.

“Pfft… Bringing a bunch of kids… They’re useless.”

My body moves the instant he speaks.

“Guh…!?”

Next thing I know, my right hand’s gripping Harada’s throat.

“What’d you say, you bastard…!!!”

“…!! …!?”

I squeeze tighter.

His hands and feet hit me, but I feel nothing.

Sakai-sensei’s final face flashes in my mind.

“There’s someone who risked their life for kids!!”

“Gah… Hng…!!”

That faintly proud, gentle smile.

Her tears.

“Useless…!? You can’t do shit! Just a loudmouth, worthless leech!!!”

Rage distorts my vision.

“Why!! Why’s it gotta be like this!!”

I slam him against the wall.

Harada’s teary eyes beg.

“Why do great people die!! While trash like you lives!!!”

“Tanakano-san!!!”

Someone grabs my arm.

Incredible strength… Miyata-san.

Haha, can’t move my arm.

“…I get how you feel, but… that’s enough.”

His piercing gaze snaps me back.

…A bit more, and Harada’s neck would snap.

But Miyata-san would probably dislocate my elbow or shoulder first.

…Whatever, he’s not worth trading a joint for.

“Gah… Ugh…”

Harada slumps down the wall.

…I’m done dealing with this guy.

“Hey, trash.”

I grab his barely-haired buzzcut, forcing eye contact.

“You can stay here… but don’t mess with me again.”

I lean in, foreheads almost touching, glaring.

“Next time… you talk to me… I’ll kill you.”

“H-Hii…!”

“Answer!!”

“Y-Yes!!”

Ugh, he pissed himself too…

Awkward… Time to bail.

“Sorry for the trouble. Got a bit too heated…”

“No… Understandable.”

I bow to Miyata-san and head out.

…Stop following me, Miyata-san.

I walk to the truck.

“(His recent behavior’s been too much… We’ll deal with him soon.)”

“(…Want me to handle it?)”

“(No, don’t worry about it.)”

I see.

No sympathy for you, Harada.

Guess we won’t meet again.

※

It’s already evening…

Looks like another night at Mondo-occhan’s.

His shop comes into view.

“Ojisan!”

As I park, Miku-chan runs out.

“Hey, Miku-chan.”

I lift her as she clings to my legs.

“…What’s wrong, Ojisan?”

She looks at me curiously.

“Does it hurt somewhere?”

She pats my face.

…Kids are sharp.

“Nah, just had a rough moment… Oh, right! I got awesome souvenirs today!!”

“What!?”

“Heh, tons of cute clothes! For Yukiko-chan and everyone too!”

“Yay!!”

Miku-chan’s thrilled.

…At least, just for her.

I want her to live happily.

“Clothes, you say!”

“Here we come!!”

“Me too!!”

I watch Yukiko-chan and the others excitedly grab the bags from the truck bed, reaching for a cigarette… Oh, Miku-chan’s here.

Better not.