82 Rei's Feelings I

As I initially said, I took Rei with me towards the approximate location where the survivors were... as we cleared the fog, I could see the zombies in the distance.

"..."

"..."

Our pace was slow and silent, she had her pole and I had my crossbow, ready to tackle any threat the moment it resurfaced, however... I had something else that I wanted to discuss with her.

"So what's your deal?"

"What do you mean by what's my deal?" She asked me back with what I believe was an irritated tone.

"Aren't you Takashi's girlfriend? why are you acting like you and I are going out? throwing jealous fits on me and all" I said with a scowl, I don't like being controlled and more so, I don't like girls thinking they have something on me. And this girl... she's showing the signs of a second Miku. The worse part is, unlike Miku, she hasn't even confessed to me, moreover... she has a boyfriend who happens to be her childhood friend.

I don't understand what she's thinking at all.

Rei ran nimbly in front of me, stopping my path and dragging the two of us to a standstill in the middle of the fog.

"Y-You... so you have noticed my feelings all this time." Her tone grew even more wrathful.

'Were you trying to conceal them?' I wondered inwardly with a deadpan.

"So what if I have noticed-"

"Takashi and I aren't going out anymore... I broke up with him" She confessed to me all of the sudden, and I guess it makes sense... Takashi would have lunged at me by now or at least said something. He's not the type of boy to look for conflict, but he's not a pussy cat either.

So far what he has shown me are disapproving gazes.

Sadly, even if what she says is the truth, it doesn't give me a good impression of her in the least.

"..."

"I like you, Brand-kun".

"I don't like you".

Her eyes shivered when I said that, I saw her hands clench the pole hard, but nothing can be done... I don't like her. The world we're currently living in is a complicated one... I can no longer trust just on whether I 'like' someone or I am sexually attracted to someone... like Kyoko.

Those desires won't keep us alive.

This girl didn't confess to me back then, instead, she went for the second-best option even if she didn't like Takashi, that's a dirty move to do to your childhood friend. I don't know if I can trust her.

"... w-why? why don't you like me? you like all of those girls so why don't you like me?" Her gaze lowered and she hugged her elbows, showing me insecurity and sadness.

"I don't like indecisive girls like you that don't know what they want and go for what's convenient... I can see you as a friend, someone I can somehow trust at this stage... but I don't like you that way, Rei. I don't know if I can trust a long relationship like you..."

"B-Brand..."

"Now tell me, will I have to kill you? or will you turn into another Miku?"

!!!

I pointed my crossbow at her resolutely... one Miku was enough and she fucked me over so good... in the worst moment she betrayed us. It all could have been so much easier, perhaps we'd be in the Takagi Household already. I can't allow that to happen again, even if Rei is my friend.

"W-Would you shoot me?" She took a few steps back, aghast.

"I don't want to... but I will if I have to... I will. Miku fucked us up, Rei... we could have all died back then and it was for something so stupid. I have no assurance you won't do the same"

I explained to her, what kind of fucked up world this is if I have to keep my guard up against a girl I just rejected.

"Do you think I'm like Miku?!" That comment alone seemed to have made it for Rei, she shouted loud at me, so much so that she seemed to forget the position we were at.

She even closed up the distance between us, standing at the end of my arrow... I could shoot any time and kill her.

"..." I didn't say anything, awaiting her answer. If I kill her right now, everything would be so much easier... I could even go back and say she was devoured... her contributions to the team are notable but also not enough for us to need her. I'd get rid of a possible threat.

But I don't want to do it...

In the end, I sighed and lowered my crossbow, Rei started to sob.

"I don't understand... *sob* why are all of them so forward... I can't do it... I don't get it" she complained and I didn't understand what she was talking about for a moment.

"Rei..."

"I have liked you for a long time, Brand... ever since you helped me... but y-you have so many girlfriends, I don't like it" Rei cleaned her tears and spoke to me as if she was complaining that I was such a womanizer. It should be me complaining this version of Japan has so many gorgeous women and skewered physics where boobs wiggle away in different directions with the slightest move.

"Then don't do it, if you can't accept being another of my girlfriends, no one is forcing you, Takashi is there".

"That's the problem! I-I feel like I want to do it! I love you!- and ever since this started... I have only fallen more and more for you!"

This girl's confession is like an unstoppable waterfall... she could have picked a better place other than some eerie run-down foggy street.

"Rei..." I tried to hold her shoulders to calm her down, but she slapped my hand away in rage!

"Why do you have to be such a womanizer that won't settle down for one woman!? if you were... then I'd give up and move on... but since you are not then I still have a chance".

I tried to hold her shoulder... then she slapped my hand... and now... she's placing her hand on my shoulder. I rejected her and she's insistent.

'What the hell is wrong with this girl?' the more she speaks the more dangerous she becomes.

"I told you I don't like indecisive girls" I waved my hands back and forth and it was then that she grasped me by the collar and took my lips to hers.