Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 91: Preparing for the Showdown

Chapter 91: Preparing for the Showdown

Ooki-kun’s residence, the used bookstore.

While waiting for a possible raid, we’re getting ready.

I’m cleaning up the parking lot—or rather, hauling away big chunks of metal.

I’m pretending not to see the smaller human bits.

Ooki-kun says he’ll douse them with gasoline and burn them later.

“Let’s block the entrance for now~”

Ooki-kun drags something over.

What’s that? A folded metal sheet with spikes?

“Yosh-koi-shoi~”

He pulls it out and stretches it across.

A spiked barricade now seals the entrance from the main road to the parking lot.

…Oh! I get it!

It’s that thing from police specials, used to stop biker gangs!

I don’t know the name, but it pops tires to halt them.

“Picked it up on a nearby road~”

“This area’s getting too wild, isn’t it?”

JSDF motorcycle, police gear…

Something big must’ve gone down around here.

“There were patrol cars and mini-patrols too, but they’re totally wrecked, so I left them.”

…Yeah, sounds about right.

“The first-floor barricades should be fine as is. The glass parts need reinforcing with boards later, though.”

Kanzaki-san returns from checking the barricades.

“You built something sturdy on your own, Ooki-san.”

“Well, I get so into work I forget to eat or sleep… I collapsed the moment I finished, haha. Had tons of materials, so it was fun.”

…That’s not funny.

It’s a bookstore, so no shortage of barricade materials.

Bookshelves and all.

“Feels like building my own castle, y’know? Gets you fired up.”

“Oh, I kinda get that. I had a blast fortifying my place too.”

“Right? It’s like super large-scale DIY.”

“Building a defensive position… Brings back memories.”

In games, the most fun part is tinkering with your base.

Once you get good, you optimize for efficiency, but it loses that early excitement…

Wait, Kanzaki-san, yours is a bit different, isn’t it?

“Alright, the first floor’s good for now?”

“Yeah, let’s have a strategy meeting on the second floor.”

※

“Kyuuun! Kyuuun!”

As the three of us head to the second floor, Sakura, left behind, whines through the window.

She must’ve been lonely.

But with fire and stench, it was too dangerous to bring her.

Back in the room, I dodge Sakura’s enthusiastic charge, pet her, and sink into the sofa.

Ooki-kun’s brewing tea again—much appreciated.

“Oh, almost forgot. Have some snacks… ahem, choco-late baaar~ (big robot cat voice)”

He pulls chocolate bars from various pockets.

Twelve this time.

I want a four-dimensional vest so bad.

“Thanks… but I’m more of a Hoshino generation…”

“Me too…”

A sudden generational gap brings tears to my eyes…

…Next time, I’ll show Sakura the old version and recruit her to the Hoshino faction…

Sipping tea, we discuss what’s next.

“Given the store’s location, the enemy will likely attack from one direction. It’s a good defensive spot.”

The place is surrounded by high concrete walls except for the main road entrance.

Plus, the bookstore’s reinforced concrete, so it’s sturdy and fire-resistant.

Perfect for holing up…

“And Ooki-kun’s got bombs… Speaking of, what weapons did this morning’s attackers use?”

“Iron pipes, hammers, bats… stuff like that.”

No ranged weapons, huh.

But…

“If there’s a main group, they might not be the same.”

Kanzaki-san’s right.

Gotta assume the worst.

“In the worst case, we might face a Stallone with an M60…”

“No way that’s happening. If it does, I’m out.”

“Same… though I might ask for an autograph.”

“You two sound like you’re having fun.”

Kanzaki-san, holding Sakura, gives us a deadpan stare.

“Well, joking aside, they might have hunting rifles… Ooki-kun, how many bombs you got left?”

“Hang on, I’ll grab them…”

Ooki-kun steps out.

“By the way, Kanzaki-san, I’m no expert, but… are bombs easy to make?”

“Well… with the right knowledge, a simple one can be made with high school-level chemistry.”

Huh… sounds kinda easy.

I’m a humanities guy, so I’m clueless.

“Sales are heavily regulated now, but in this situation, materials are easy to get with know-how.”

Oh, I remember something about that.

News about stricter pesticide sales regulations…

“Here we go~ This is all I’ve got.”

Ooki-kun hauls in a hefty bag and sets it on the table.

It makes a heavy thud.

Inside are metal and plastic pipes with fuses or calculator-like things attached.

Five in total.

First time seeing homemade bombs, so I’ve no clue about their power.

“Pipe bombs, huh… What’s inside?”

“Nitric stuff and diesel. Ignition’s either electric or fuse-based.”

“And these thicker ones…?”

“Same stuff, plus nails and metal bits.”

“I see.”

Kanzaki-san nods.

I’m totally lost.

I’ve seen movies where they add nails to boost damage against people.

“Uh, sorry, Kanzaki-san… How strong are these?”

“If that metal one went off here, we’d be dead instantly.”

…Yikes.

Bombs are scary.

That powerful, huh…

“Not many, but they’re plenty effective against people. Tougher against large trucks, though…”

Got it.

“I’ve got three pressure cooker bombs too, but they’re heavy, so I didn’t bring them.”

“Size?”

“Big pot size.”

“Best not to use those. Too powerful.”

“Pressure cookers…?”

I can’t picture it. A pot bomb?

Is that a common thing?

“The compressed contents explode all at once… Several times stronger than dynamite. At close range, the shockwave alone tears people apart.”

“My masterpiece! My last resort!”

“What are you planning to fight with that…?”

Stop that smug look, it’s annoying.

Stronger than dynamite!? That’s terrifying…

“Well, if enemies come when I’m half-dead, I wanna go out like, ‘A gift… from Matilda.’”

“‘…Damn it.’ …I get the vibe, it’s a masterpiece…”

Oh no, the ending theme’s playing in my head!

Here come the tears…

“…Another movie I don’t know.”

Kanzaki-san says, clutching Sakura tightly.

What!?

You don’t know that masterpiece!?

“I’ve got the standard DVD, director’s cut DVD, and Blu-ray at home, so let’s watch!”

“Oh… sure, more movies to watch, hehe.”

“But I cry like crazy watching it, so sorry if it’s weird.”

“No worries! Leave it to me!”

“…Can we get back on track…?”

Whoops, my bad.

I get too excited about movies…

“For now, since Ooki-kun’s got plans, let’s avoid using bombs unless it’s a big group, then hit hard upfront.”

“Right, I’ve got six grenades, so we can use those instead.”

“Hmm, then I’ll… use a bow, maybe?”

Oh?

He’s got a bow?

“It’s a makeshift archery thing from random parts. Don’t expect much.”

Still, ranged attacks are handy.

With Kanzaki-san here too.

“If they’ve got rifles, sniping’s key. Any safe spots to shoot from?”

“The women’s staff changing room faces the road. The bay window there should work.”

“I’ll check it out.”

Kanzaki-san heads off.

Guess I’m on my usual role.

Stirring up a confused enemy group after the first strike.

Simple and effective.

…Also called the brain-dead strategy.

“Wau!”

Sakura barks, looking up at me.

“Sakura… you’re the guard dog and chief healer, huh? Here, here~”

“Kuururu! Uuun!”

I ruffle her head.

She’s still too small to join explorations safely.

“Checked it. Looks good.”

Alright, sniping’s covered.

“Tanakano-san… I’ll cover you, but please don’t overdo it…”

“Y-Yes… I’ll be careful…”

Kanzaki-san leans in, driving the point home.

Ugh… I’ll watch out.

“Alright, time for lookout… I’ll start—”

“No need, check this out.”

Ooki-kun clicks a TV remote-like device, and one of the room’s monitors lights up.

It shows… the main road?

A surveillance camera.

“I adjusted the rooftop camera’s angle. This’ll handle monitoring.”

“Nice. Fuel for the generator okay?”

“It runs on solar panels and a battery, so it’s good all day.”

Wow, high-tech.

Being handy with machines is a game-changer.

Ooki-kun’s got some serious energy.

“Damn, Ooki-kun, you’re reliable!”

“Like I said before, I’m no good at close combat… Gotta win elsewhere to beat looters.”

He’s way more put-together than me.

Gotta step up… Not sure at what, but I’ll try, yeah.

So, we chill and keep watch.

Surveillance cameras… Maybe I should look for one.

Some don’t need wiring these days.

Security gear like that would be handy.

※

“By the way… how’s the younger Inokami doing?”

While playing tug-of-war with Sakura as usual, Ooki-kun, reading a manga, speaks up.

Inokami…? Huh…?

…Oh! His ex-fiancée’s little sister!

“Dunno… Haven’t seen her since then, so no clue… You curious?”

I wasn’t exactly interested.

“Well… it’s like wondering about a failing supermarket nearby. That level.”

That’s just small talk, man.

“She seems fine. She checked some data on the school PC afterward.”

Kanzaki-san drops a bombshell.

No way!? She looked at it!?

The stuff with her sister and… the six-way fusion thing!?

Ooki-kun looks a bit shocked too.

“I handed it over, but didn’t think she’d actually look… With her personality, I figured she’d have smashed it by now.”

“She couldn’t believe Ooki-san’s claims. A policewoman I know said she locked herself in the bathroom for a while after.”

Yeah… no kidding.

That’s top-tier shocking family footage.

Tough for a high schooler.

Well, she kept saying it was lies, so she brought it on herself.

“She’s been saying she wants to apologize to Ooki-san lately. I’ve been asked to mediate a few times, but I refused.”

Ooki-san’s feelings come first, Kanzaki-san adds.

“Huh, she’s had a change of heart… What do you think, Ooki-kun? Want me to pass a message?”

“Nah, too much hassle. I don’t even like her that much… Honestly, I kinda hate her.”

Oof… Right, he mentioned something before.

She treated him poorly when they were together?

Oh, sorry, Sakura, my hand stopped.

“She’s all about her sister, I get it… But I haven’t forgotten how she nagged me endlessly. I hold grudges.”

Yeah, I get that.

Ooki-kun’s pretty clear about who he likes or dislikes.

Very zero-or-one.

“Well, it’s like… she went from ‘go to hell’ to ‘maybe I’d light incense at her grave.’”

“That… doesn’t sound like you’ll meet her while she’s alive.”

I lift the rope, bouncing Sakura up and down.

Her eyes sparkle—she’s thrilled.

Her tail’s going wild.

A propeller?

“If she leans on me, it’s a pain. With her personality, she’d probably demand, ‘Find my sister!’”

“Sharp, Ooki-san. She said if you two ‘make up,’ she wants you to do just that.”

“Ugh, knew it. She hasn’t changed at all.”

Ooki-kun scratches his head roughly, spitting the words out.

Must be some bad memories.

“She’s got no claim on you… She hasn’t bugged me, at least.”

Not that I’d agree.

“You’re… not exactly on her good side, Tanakano-san.”

Yeah, figured.

If she liked me after that, she’d be a masochist of legendary proportions.

“Guess so. Well, less hassle for me. No way I’m going to Shiiya University.”

“Same here. I’d like some chemicals, but I can get them elsewhere…”

Nothing’s around there, and it’s probably crawling with zombies.

Since this mess started on a weekday, it’s gotta be swarming with student zombies.

“Still, her selfishness hasn’t changed even now… Unbelievable. She should go look for her sister alone and die quietly.”

Ooki-kun’s darkness flares up again.

And Sakura’s startled again.

It’s okay~ That big brother’s a good guy~

Just dealing with a bad egg~

The vibe’s getting heavy, so let’s switch topics.

Favorite movies? Kanzaki-san might not follow.

Favorite warriors? Ooki-kun might not keep up.

Hmm…

“Well, dogs… Beagles, maybe. Those droopy ears are cute.”

“I had a German Shepherd before. They look tough but are sweet and good dogs.”

“I’m all about bear dogs… Are bear dogs a breed? Also, Shiba, Akita, Kishu dogs are cute too. ‘Waf!’ …Sakura’s world number one, though~ Good girl.”

So, we talk favorite animals.

Can’t go wrong with this.

Sakura, maybe jealous, nibbles my wrist.

I pet her, and she’s instantly happy again.

So cute.

“Cats… Scottish Fold, maybe. The ears are adorable.”

“My grandma had a Russian Blue. Elegant and lovely.”

“Cats… I like plain calicos, I guess.”

Is this turning into listing breeds?

I don’t dislike cats, but I’m not dying to own one.

Dogs you can run around with are the best.

…Ooki-kun, you’ve got a droopy ear fetish, huh?

※

The talk drifts to reptiles when Kanzaki-san spots something.

“Movement on the main road!”

On the monitor, a convoy heads our way.

“Wow, that’s a lot.”

Ooki-kun grabs a bow-like thing from a locker.

It’s a mess of wires and parts, but definitely a bow.

“Big trucks… Can’t tell how many people yet.”

Three construction-site-sized trucks roll from the main road toward the lot.

…People in the truck beds.

Quite a few.

They want this place that badly?

No, probably some dumb pride thing.

Like Take and Riki, idiots moving on pure ego, no logic.

“Yosh!”

Ooki-kun pumps his fist.

The lead truck hits the spikes and stops.

Hard to see from here, but probably a flat tire.

Perfect timing.

“Alright, let’s do this!”

“Right.”

“I’m taking two bombs~”

I tighten my belt, equipping my sword and wakizashi.

Here’s the main event of the day.

Let’s go!!

Petting a worried-looking Sakura, we leave the room.