Chapter 17: If I don't slap you, I won't feel better!

"Tsubasa!"

Saeko Busujima reached Tsubasa's side, the wooden sword in her right hand dripping with dark blue blood. In her left arm, she cradled the unconscious Saya Takagi. In the chaos just moments ago, she had been the closest to Saya.

Of course!

She had simply done what she could. Kohta Hirano hadn't been far from her either, but she hadn't moved to save him.

The risk had been too great, and ultimately pointless.

The most important thing was...

As Tsubasa's girlfriend, she didn't like touching other men.

"What happened to Saya Takagi?"

Shizuka Marikawa peeked her head out from behind Tsubasa, looking at the unconscious pink-haired girl. Perhaps it was her ingrained duty as a school doctor, but she subconsciously felt compelled to find out.

"..."

Saeko Busujima remained silent, her deep purple eyes fixed on the spot where Shizuka Marikawa had just been touching Tsubasa's back.

Teacher, you're going too far! You're so close you're practically squeezing him out of shape.

"Busujima-san, what's wrong?"

Shizuka Marikawa, completely oblivious to the unintentional jealousy she had sparked in Saeko Busujima, tilted her head in confusion when she saw Saeko staring at her without saying a word.

Her natural airheadedness, combined with her innocent curiosity, made her look even more endearing.

The phrase "pure desire" was perfectly embodied in her!

"Nothing."

Saeko Busujima replied lightly. Although a twinge of jealousy had surfaced, she knew Shizuka Marikawa hadn't meant anything by it. The teacher was simply a naturally affectionate person.

Besides,

Saeko Busujima's character and upbringing wouldn't allow her to openly compete for Tsubasa's attention out of petty jealousy.

Anyway, she was Tsubasa's girlfriend!

That was enough.

"Just now, when Hirano was knocked down by the zombies, Takagi wasn't far away and saw the whole thing. She was probably scared stiff."

After explaining to Shizuka Marikawa, Saeko Busujima's cold and beautiful deep purple eyes quickly scanned their surroundings. Whether it was the end of the corridor or the stairs leading up and down not far away, a large number of zombies could be seen converging on their location.

They didn't have much time left!

"Tsubasa, what should we do now? Should we stick to the original plan?"

Saeko Busujima turned her gaze back to Tsubasa, asking for his direction.

Originally, with their strength, even these zombies blocking their path wouldn't have posed much of a threat, and they could have reached the office effortlessly.

But now, with the delay caused by Komuro Takashi and the others, not only had the noise level increased significantly, but the initial small group of zombies had now multiplied several times over.

Just a quick glance revealed at least three or four hundred zombies rushing towards them. Even if they hid in the teacher's office, it might not be enough to hold back that many, right?

The best course of action now would be to leave immediately and head to another teaching building to avoid this massive wave of the undead. With her and Tsubasa's strength, plus Miyamoto Rei, who was still reasonably capable, it should be enough to manage.

But in that case, they wouldn't be able to get the keys to the bus.

"Continue with the original plan and go into the office to get the key first!" Tsubasa knew what Saeko Busujima was worried about. "Don't worry, I have a way to deal with these zombies!"

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Saeko Busujima nodded, agreeing to Tsubasa's decision.

"Let's go!!"

Tsubasa didn't hesitate. Holding Shizuka Marikawa's hand with his left, he gripped the Kuyo Knife in his right and once again transformed into a deadly force, rushing towards the teacher's office.

Saeko Busujima followed closely behind, still carrying the unconscious Saya Takagi.

"I..."

Tsubasa and Saeko Busujima were incredibly fast. Seeing them rush off one after the other, Miyamoto Rei was about to open her mouth to ask if she could follow, but the words caught in her throat, and her face fell.

What am I doing?

Tsubasa just risked his life to save me, and now I'm just going to follow him and hold him back. This behavior is really too much!

Moreover...

She looked at Komuro Takashi, who had already stopped moving but was still being brutally devoured by the tide of corpses, and her eyes grew even darker.

Dead!

All dead!!

This world is so cruel!

Everyone will die, including me.

Since I'm going to die sooner or later, why not die now? Why do I have to hold back Tsubasa and the others?…

...

Huh?

Why is one person missing?

Tsubasa Amagiri had only rushed out a short distance when he sensed something was wrong. He could hear Saeko Busujima's footsteps behind him, but hadn't Miyamoto Rei kept up?

"Miyamoto Rei, are you an idiot?! If you don't run, are you just going to wait to be zombie chow?" You didn't even need to see his face to know Tsubasa was furious.

How could Tsubasa not be angry?

He had just saved Miyamoto Rei, and now she wanted to give up? If he had known that, why would he have bothered?

"Ts... Tsubasa..."

Originally resigned to being surrounded and devoured, Miyamoto Rei suddenly snapped awake at the sound of Tsubasa's voice. Her dark eyes instantly brightened.

It was Tsubasa's voice!

He hadn't given up on her!

She couldn't help but look up. At some point, Tsubasa had turned back and was standing beside her. Seeing the anger etched on his face, she suddenly felt her heart sink, instinctively shrinking back, feeling inexplicably timid.

"Sorry, Tsubasa…"

Bang!

Before she could finish her apology, Tsubasa slapped Miyamoto Rei hard across the face.

"I saved you once, and now, I saved you twice. That slap is just repayment for both times. From now on, your life or death has nothing to do with me!"

"If you still want to die, then stay right here."

With that, Tsubasa turned on his heel and plunged back into the tide of corpses.

"Tsubasa, is this really okay?"

Looking at Tsubasa, who quickly rejoined her, Saeko Busujima couldn't help but ask.

She meant that Tsubasa had gone back just to slap her, which seemed hardly worth the risk.

"I wouldn't have felt right if I hadn't given her that slap!"

Tsubasa curled his lips.

A sapling won't grow straight without pruning!

He really gave me face!

That girl, Miyamoto Rei, deserved to be punished.

Sure enough!

Bang bang bang – the sound of rapid footsteps approached from behind, accompanied by the distinct thud of javelins piercing zombie flesh.

Miyamoto Rei, as expected, was catching up!