Chapter 45: Preparing for the Future

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the small apartment. Ryo and Sakura sat together at the kitchen table, finishing their breakfast. The previous evening's peacefulness lingered, but Ryo knew it was time to take the next step in ensuring their safety and future.

"Sakura," Ryo began, his voice gentle but firm, "I'm going to check out the house we talked about and start reinforcing it. There are a lot of things that need to be done—installing solar panels, setting up an emergency generator, and installing a water system. It might take a month or more to get everything ready."

Sakura looked at him with concern in her eyes. "You won't be here that long? What if something happens?"

Ryo reached out and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'll be back and forth. It might take two to three days for each trip. You need to stay on alert and keep yourself safe while I'm gone. Here," he said, handing her a gun, "this is for your protection. Don't hesitate to use it if you need to."

She nodded, her grip tightening on the gun. "I understand. I'll be careful. And you need to be careful too, Ryo."

He smiled at her, his heart swelling with love and pride. "I will be. I'll always come back to you."

Ryo stood up and grabbed his hoodie, pulling it over his head to hide his face. He checked his gun, ensuring it was loaded and ready, and then slung his backpack over his shoulder. He kissed Sakura deeply, their lips lingering as they drew strength from each other.

"I'll call you if there's any emergency," Sakura said, her voice slightly trembling.

Ryo nodded. "And I'll check in whenever I can. Stay safe, Sakura. I'll be back soon."

With one last look at her, Ryo stepped out into the morning light. The streets were eerily quiet, the presence of zombies almost a normal part of the scenery now. He walked past them with a casual air, his hoodie hiding his face. The zombies paid him no mind, their lifeless eyes glazing over him as if he were invisible.

Ryo moved through the town, his mind focused on the task at hand. He needed a large vehicle to transport the supplies necessary for fortifying their new home. He passed several abandoned cars and finally spotted a small truck that seemed perfect for the job. It was parked near a loading dock, its keys likely still inside.

Approaching the truck, Ryo gently pushed aside a zombie that wandered too close, his heart steady in the knowledge that he was safe from their attacks. He opened the truck's door and found the keys in the ignition, a small stroke of luck in an otherwise bleak world. The engine roared to life, a sound that felt both alien and comforting in the silence.

Driving through the streets, Ryo made his way to the various supply depots and hardware stores he had scouted previously. He loaded the truck with solar panels, an emergency generator, and a battery bank for storing solar energy. It took about an hour to drive back to the new house, where he unloaded the first batch of supplies.

By the time Ryo arrived at the house, it was already late afternoon. He parked the truck and began unloading the supplies, working methodically to set up the solar panels on the roof. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows, but Ryo worked with determination, knowing every step he took was one closer to ensuring their survival.

The next morning, Ryo drove back to town to gather more supplies. This time, he focused on acquiring a large water tank and the necessary piping to install a rainwater catcher. He secured the tank to the truck with ropes, ensuring it wouldn't slip or fall during transit.

Once he returned to the house and unloaded the tank, he decided to take a short break. He pulled out a can of coffee from his backpack and lit a cigarette, leaning against the truck as he surveyed his progress. As he took a drag, he reflected on the need for additional security measures.

"Why build spiked barriers?" he thought. The zombies wouldn't harm him or Sakura, thanks to the charm he'd given her—crafted from a piece of his clothing and a small drop of his blood. He'd discovered in an earlier encounter that his blood not only prevented zombies from attacking him but also repelled them when they came into contact with it. The real threat wasn't the zombies but other humans—those who might want to take advantage of his immunity or the resources he was gathering.

His mind turned to reinforcing the house against human intruders. It wasn't just about surviving the apocalypse; it was about ensuring they could live in relative peace and safety. He needed to make sure their base was operational even if the main power grid went down, which seemed inevitable in a world where society had collapsed.

Ryo finished his cigarette and crushed the butt under his boot. He got back to work, installing the emergency generator and setting up the rainwater catcher. Each evening, he would call Sakura, his voice a reassuring presence over the phone.

"How are you holding up?" he would ask, his concern for her evident.

"I'm doing okay," she would reply. "It's quiet here, but I'm staying alert."

"Good. I miss you," he would say, his heart aching to be with her.

"I miss you too, Ryo. Be safe."

Despite the distance, their conversations each night brought them closer, and Ryo drew strength from knowing Sakura was safe and waiting for him.

Each trip, Ryo returned with more supplies: wood and metal for structural reinforcements, additional batteries, and tools necessary for maintaining their new base. The process was slow and exhausting, but every step felt like progress towards a future where they could live with some semblance of normalcy.

Finally, after several trips back and forth, Ryo felt confident that their new home was beginning to take shape. The solar panels provided a reliable source of power, the water system ensured they would have a steady supply of clean water, and the enhanced structure offered strong protection against potential human threats.

However, Ryo knew there was still much to be done. The fences needed further reinforcement, and he planned to set up security cameras for additional surveillance. As he made another trip back to the apartment, he thought about the next steps. This time, he loaded the truck with materials to build a secure storage room for their supplies and weapons.

Stepping through the door of the apartment, he was greeted by Sakura, who threw herself into his arms, kissing him passionately. "You're back," she whispered against his lips.

"I'm back," Ryo replied, holding her tightly. "And the new place is coming along well. There's still a lot to do, but we're getting there."

That evening, after Ryo showered to wash away the grime of his hard work, they enjoyed a simple yet heartfelt dinner together. They talked about their plans, their hopes, and their dreams, finding comfort and strength in each other's presence.

"How much longer do you think it will take?" Sakura asked, her voice a mix of eagerness and anxiety.

"Another month, maybe more," Ryo admitted. "But each day we get closer. We'll have a safe place to call home."

Sakura smiled, her eyes shining with hope. "I can't wait to see it."

"As soon as it's ready, we'll move," Ryo promised. "We'll build a life together, no matter what."

With that promise in their hearts, they drifted off to sleep, ready to face the challenges of tomorrow, hand in hand.