Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 88: The End of the Scum

Chapter 88: The End of the Scum

I’m driving the truck toward Yurei.

Kanzaki-san’s in the passenger seat.

Mondo-occhan’s in the truck bed.

“I don’t think I can drive calmly.”

Well, that’s what he said so I let him.

We’ll return later, so Sakura’s staying behind again.

Forgive me, Sakura…

That scum who threw out Kaori-san’s late father’s belongings for no damn reason—not even legally her dad.

We’re off to confront him.

Tossing out a daughter’s cherished keepsakes without so much as asking? Unbelievable.

At least get permission, you jerk.

And lying through his teeth in the request… I won’t forgive him…!!

Honestly, I’m pretty pissed, but Occhan, who was close with Kaori-san’s dad, is beyond furious.

Kanzaki-san’s livid too, after hearing the story.

Wait… we’re all pissed.

Well, Kanzaki-san’s level-headed enough to stop us if things go too far, probably.

Miyata-san’s at Yurei too.

“Tanakano-san, you’re speeding a bit…”

“Ugh, sorry!”

Crap, almost time-slipped to 1965.

Safe driving… safe driving…

※

“Thanks for your work, Tanakano-sa—HIEE!!”

Moriyama-kun, the gate guard, goes pale, probably from our radiating anger.

Sorry, Moriyama-kun, bear with us for now.

“Nakamura-san…!? And you two, what’s going on!?”

Miyata-san calls out as we storm into the staff room.

Yeah, with this much killing intent leaking, anyone’d notice.

Gotta explain.

※

“I see… No wonder you’re angry. Just hearing it makes my blood boil.”

After a brief rundown and showing the photos and video, Miyata-san grimaces.

I mean, any normal person would be pissed.

How that guy can live so casually after doing that is beyond me.

“So, could you call Touka-rin’s wife first? I want to hand over her husband’s belongings…”

“Right, that’s best. I’ll have her come to the principal’s office.”

If we face that scum now, who knows what Occhan’ll do—maybe me too.

I want to settle Touka-rin’s matter alone first.

Hand it to her directly.

※

“Thank you so much…”

A refined-looking older woman bows deeply to me.

This must be Touka-rin’s wife.

Her demeanor suggests she’s already sensed the truth.

“No… About your husband…”

I explain the situation and hand over the watch.

I tell her he passed but don’t mention the zombie part.

She might find out if they dig up the grave later, but now’s not the time.

…Besides, she didn’t ask.

“You…”

She clutches the watch to her chest, quietly crying.

I can’t do anything, but it weighs on me.

“We took the liberty of burying him in the yard.”

“No… Thank you for going that far… I’m sure he’s grateful…”

…We’re the ones who finished him off, though.

Ugh, getting chewed out would’ve been easier.

Good people make me feel so guilty…

She thanks me repeatedly, holding the watch tightly, and leaves the principal’s office.

I hope she lives strongly, despite the pain.

※

Now, time for that guy.

In the principal’s office are Miyata-san, Kanzaki-san, Occhan, and me.

Miyata-san’s in the principal’s chair; Kanzaki-san and I are on the sofa.

Occhan leans against the staff room door, arms crossed, eyes closed.

The scum should come through the corridor door.

After a wait, hurried footsteps echo, and the door flies open.

“P-Please! I heard you found my daughter…!”

Scum… oh, right, his name’s Nakajima.

Don’t even wanna use honorifics.

He looks like a polished, bespectacled middle-aged man.

Panting as he speaks, he seems like a worried father at first glance.

…If I hadn’t heard Kaori-san’s story, I might’ve been fooled.

That makes it even more infuriating.

“Sit down.”

I keep my emotions in check, gesturing to the sofa.

“Yes! …S-So, my daughter! Is Kaori safe!?”

After all he did, he’s playing the doting dad?

Don’t call her by her first name, creep.

Your face makes me wanna puke.

…Killing intent from behind.

Even I can feel it, so tone it down, Occhan.

“Yes, she’s safe.”

“Oh! Thank goodness… Where is she!? Is she here!?”

Nakajima exhales in relief.

…Knowing he’s a schemer, I’m picking up on the red flags.

It’s like watching a seasoned actor—convincing, but not overdone.

He’s nailing the “good father” role.

“You don’t get to know.”

I glare, half-lidded.

“…Huh?”

He looks confused.

“What does that—”

“You ain’t Kaori-chan’s father.”

Occhan cuts in, spitting the words.

The air grows heavy with his unleashed killing intent.

“W-What!? That’s rude! I-I’m Kaori’s father—”

“You didn’t adopt her, and you’re in the middle of a divorce. Don’t act like her dad, you scum.”

Occhan steps beside me, slowly.

…Holy crap, he’s a walking mass of menace.

Even a dimwit like Nakajima gets it—sweat’s pouring off him.

“Gh…!”

“I knew her real father. A cheap fake like you? Not needed.”

“D-Different, I’m Kaori’s—”

“You threw out all of Daisuke’s belongings, didn’t you?”

Occhan’s voice is icy, laced with killing intent—no, murderous intent.

“No matter how you spin it, you’re scum. Utter trash.”

His clenched fist creaks.

“What gives you the right to toss out a daughter’s inheritance? It was never yours.”

Occhan seems to loom larger, an illusion of rage.

“Why’d you do it… Speak.”

“…”

“Speak, damn it… Let’s hear your pathetic excuse.”

…I’ve never seen Occhan this angry.

He must’ve really cherished Daisuke-san.

Nakajima just clutches his head, silent.

※

“…gh.”

A minute, maybe two.

Crushed by the killing intent, Nakajima, pressed into the sofa, finally moves.

He raises a sweat-drenched, pale face, glaring at Occhan with bloodshot eyes.

Spittle flies as he screams.

“Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!! Who cares!? What’s wrong with that!?”

Madness glints in his eyes.

There it is—his true face.

He unleashes, like a dam breaking.

“I’ve always… always loved Satoko! Since elementary school!!”

“We were childhood friends! I thought we’d marry! It was fate!!”

“But, but in high school, she chose Daisuke!! She ditched me!!”

“I hated him! Hated Daisuke for stealing my Satoko!!”

His eyes don’t focus anywhere.

…What’s going on?

Satoko’s Kaori-san’s mom, right?

…Is this about cheating or something?

“…Were you two together? Did you promise to marry?”

Kanzaki-san asks quietly.

“Who cares about that!? It was fate!! We didn’t need that!! Satoko knew!!”

“…So, you never dated, never confessed…?”

“Yeah!! But I thought Satoko understood!!”

…Oh, I get it.

Just a fool obsessed with unrequited love.

“No… Satoko knew, I’m sure! Daisuke must’ve forced her!! That’s it!!”

…No, this is straight-up stalker territory.

Forced her? Then why didn’t you confess?

Creepy as hell… What is this creature?

“…You thought such shaky feelings would reach her without saying? Are you sane?”

Oh, Kanzaki-san’s pissed too.

Yeah, to a woman, this is beyond disgusting.

…How did Kaori-san’s mom remarry this guy?

He must’ve been a master at hiding this side.

“Shut up!! Don’t stick your ugly nose in—”

“What!? You call Kanzaki-san ugly, you bastard!? Got eyes or should I rip out your tongue, you maggot!!”

“Eek!?”

I slam the table, unable to hold back.

Nakajima, startled, jerks back, trembling.

…Crap, I lost it.

He was lunging at Kanzaki-san, so my body moved.

Ow, my hand hurts.

Whoa, the table’s cracked… No, it was already cracked, yeah, that’s it.

But seriously, are his eyes working?

If Kanzaki-san’s ugly, the world’s full of uglies.

And what’s he even saying to a woman?

I feel Kanzaki-san’s intense stare, but I’m too embarrassed to look.

Ugh… What did I just blurt out…?

I let my temper get the better of me…

Occhan glances at me and smirks.

Great, he’s gonna tease me later.

“…Fine, I get your nonsense, Nakajima.”

“Kaori-chan’s not your daughter. She’s Daisuke’s. Always will be.”

“Ugh…”

Occhan leans close to the groaning Nakajima.

“Her mom’s one thing… but you’re irrelevant to her life.”

He says it with pure murderous intent.

※

“…What?”

After a brief silence, Nakajima mutters, dazed.

“I didn’t want to, but since she’s Satoko’s daughter… I was gonna let her be family out of pity.”

My brain freezes.

…What did he just say?

“A kid with Daisuke’s blood!? I didn’t want her!! Her belongings!? She turned Satoko against me, even starting mediation!! Always getting in my way!!”

What is this guy?

“She’s just like Daisuke, always rubbing me the wrong way!! Disgusting!!”

Is he even human?

“Finally, Daisuke died!! The obstacle was gone, and I was free!! I comforted Satoko, took my time, and we finally got together!! But there was still an obstacle!!”

I have to stop him now.

“Satoko’s baggage!! A traitor’s kid!!”

This nonsense.

“Just existing, she’s in the way!!”

I have to.

“If that trash had just died with Daisuke!! Run over back then—”

Occhan’s gonna kill him.

“It would’ve been perfect!!”

A flash of steel.

Nakajima’s glasses, neatly bisected, fly through the air.

Occhan, face twisted in rage, slashes upward with a blade.

A hidden sword in his samue…!

I didn’t notice!!

I kick the table, forcing Nakajima’s body to move, or his face would’ve been split.

Occhan closed in for this strike!

“Nakamura-san!!”

Miyata-san starts to stand, but he’s too far!

“Occhan, no!!”

I cross my arms, blocking Occhan’s downward swing.

I catch the blade’s base at the perfect angle, but the force crushes into my shoulder.

What… weight! What speed!!

“Eek!? HIEEE!?”

The brief delay works—Nakajima topples backward with the sofa.

“You bastard!! You filthy scum!!”

Occhan’s face is unrecognizable, nothing like his usual carefree grin.

“Nakamura-san, hold back, please!!”

Miyata-san wraps his arms around Occhan from behind.

I grip the blade’s handle, pushing against him with my body.

“Let go, Bouzu!! Let go, Goujirou!! I can’t let him live!! This scum can’t live!!”

Occhan roars, voice terrifying.

“You being alive pisses me off!! You living means Daisuke can’t rest!!”

Shockingly, even with me and Miyata-san holding him, Occhan inches forward.

No way!? What strength!?

“You living makes Kaori-chan suffer!!”

“I’m… I’m not wrong!! I’m not wroooong!!”

“Oh, yeah, scum!? Stay right there!! I’ll kill you!!”

Nakajima tries to flee but can only flail, legs useless.

Kanzaki-san’s already behind him.

Nice move.

“Wait… Occhan…”

I call out desperately.

Guh, my collarbone’s gonna… snap!

“A real blade’s no good… here, it’ll… mess up the place… everyone’ll be in trouble…”

“…Huh?”

Occhan stops.

Grinning through the pain, I say:

“Let’s take it elsewhere… Kanzaki-san, please!”

※

“Let go! Damn it!! Put me down!!”

“Here’s what you wanted, off you go.”

“Gya!?”

I kick Nakajima, who’s screaming after waking up, off the truck bed.

He tumbles forward, letting out a weird yelp.

This is an empty lot near Yurei, fenced off, no zombie worries.

Good thing I remembered seeing it.

After Nakajima passed out from Kanzaki-san’s precise jaw kick, we wrapped him in a random curtain and hauled him out like luggage.

Since he’s clearly dangerous, I told Miyata-san we’d dump him outside.

He probably knew what we meant but let it slide.

Nakajima’s rant and Occhan’s shouts echoed down the hall, heard by all the evacuees.

So, we came up with a plan.

Miyata-san will explain to the evacuees: Nakajima’s a “pervert acting like a father to a girl who’s not even his daughter,” vaguely covering what he did to Kaori-san.

Add in his unhinged behavior in the principal’s office.

A guy this dangerous can’t stay in the shelter—too risky.

Shelters aren’t charities; troublemakers get the boot.

…We’re probably in that category too, but whatever. If they don’t like it, don’t file search requests.

If they say don’t come, I won’t.

Miyata-san’ll also warn against fake info in requests.

Thanks, man.

Not sure how convincing it’ll be, but after hearing that madness, no evacuee would want to live with him.

He’s a total nutcase.

Honestly, I was planning to lure him out of Yurei for a sneak attack.

Like, “Fine, if you insist, we’ll let you meet her.”

Occhan’s hidden sword stunt derailed that, though.

Can’t exactly slice him up in the principal’s office.

Cleaning would be a nightmare.

I’ve got zero sympathy for this guy. None.

His last words killed any shred of pity.

It was basically zero already.

Calling Kanzaki-san ugly didn’t help.

With that level of idiocy, letting him live would only cause trouble.

If he hurt Kaori-san, that’d be a problem.

Guys like this, when cornered, are unpredictable.

In this situation, keeping him alive isn’t an option.

※

“Here.”

Occhan, already off the truck, tosses something in front of Nakajima.

The hidden sword from earlier.

“Don’t interfere, Bouzu… Hey, Nakajima, kill me with that, and you’re free. Go wherever.”

Occhan pulls out a short… wakizashi-sized bokken.

…He was hiding that too?

“At first, I was just gonna whack you with this, tell you to stay away from Kaori-chan, and call it a day…”

“But no. After hearing that, a beating’s not enough.”

“It’s not just the belongings… Letting you live puts Kaori-chan at risk.”

Fair point—he called her an “obstacle.”

“Eek… Hihihi!! Shut up, you idiot!!”

Nakajima snatches the sword, drawing it.

Even after earlier, he thinks he can take Occhan?

He’s clearly not in his right mind.

Maybe his outburst snapped something else.

“I’m going back… to Satoko!! I’m going back…!!”

Occhan shifts to a half-stance, lowering his hips.

Right shoulder forward, bokken in a reverse grip.

…Not a single opening.

“She’s waiting… Satoko’s waiting for me!! Always, forever!!”

Nakajima charges, swinging the sword overhead.

“She’s waiting for meeee!!”

The moment he enters range, swinging down—

“Shut up, sewer rat.”

Occhan’s right hand blurs.

Nakajima’s right wrist snaps back, dropping the sword.

His right elbow bends the wrong way, bone jutting out.

A strike to the shoulder with the bokken’s hilt—joints buckle, arm dislocates.

“Shh… AAAHH!!”

With a spirited yell, a lightning-fast thrust hits Nakajima’s chest.

A sickening crack—or maybe thud.

Blown back over three meters, Nakajima hits the ground.

He clutches his chest with his good hand, convulsing.

“Guh…!? Gah…!? G-Gi…!?”

Blood gushes from his mouth, like he’s drowning on land.

From the angle… broken ribs pierced both lungs.

It’s excruciating and fatal, but not instant.

With Occhan’s skill, he could’ve crushed his throat or skull in one go.

He chose this.

So Nakajima would suffer as long as possible.

Occhan walks over, staring down.

No action.

Just watching, face contorted in rage.

After three full minutes of agony, Nakajima drowns in his own blood.

“…Let’s go.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

We leave Nakajima there and climb into the truck.

Man, I miss Sakura.