24 23. Musings about the DEAD

"All of us are infected."

The silence in the room after Kazuki's comment was deafening. Everyone looked at each other, trying to confirm if what they heard was real.

"S-so, Kazuki? I think I didn't hear what you said correctly," Kyoko asked.

"No, Kyoko. You didn't mishear," Kazuki confirmed, the hearts of the people in the room quickened, various thoughts began to form in their minds until Shizuka broke the tension.

"Hm~ But, I don't feel like biting anyone~ And as far as I saw, no one was bitten. What do you mean?" She spoke with a finger on her cheek as if trying to recall the information from her memory.

"Indeed, no one here was bitten. I think some of you have already thought about it, like Saya, for example," Kazuki said, pointing to the girl with pink hair who jumped with a start at being called.

"Cough. Well, I suspected the possibility, but why are you saying this now?"

"Wait, wait! What do you mean we're infected?! And why were you already suspicious of this?!" Naomi, Takuzo's girlfriend asked, starting to freak out.

"Please calm down, Naomi, I'll explain," Kazuki began. "First, I would like to ask everyone here. How do zombies arise?"

"An infected person bites another, and it becomes a chain reaction," she replied.

"That's correct, but we would need an origin, a patient zero. An original carrier of the infection, right?" Kazuki asked in a way that made the whole group follow his reasoning.

"Yes."

"How many 'patient zeros' would be necessary to completely collapse social order in less than 12 hours in practically every country in the world at the same time?"

"Millions," Kyoko replied this time, already understanding where Kazuki's reasoning was leading.

"Therefore, to infect so many people individually would be impossible. The most likely scenario is that the infection spread massively and after an incubation period, the virus awakened and began to wreak havoc. Remember what happened at school, Takashi saw a zombie biting a teacher, who bit another teacher. It makes no sense for a school with 1000 students to be completely destroyed by a few zombies. Another point, considering the time Takashi saw the teacher being bitten, it would be impossible for a zombie to climb up to the third floor and go to the broadcasting room and kill someone."

[Affinity with Saya Takagi +4]

"Someone turned inside the broadcasting room," Saya summarized.

"That's our genius," said Kazuki with a smile.

"But if we're all infected, why haven't any of us turned?" Kasumi Miwa asked, joining the conversation.

Kazuki noticed that everyone seemed to follow his reasoning, and realizing how logical it was, no one panicked immediately.

"Now we enter a part that is my theory, but some things I've seen lead me to believe in its possibility," Kazuki prefaced before continuing, "Where did this virus come from? Well, the origin doesn't matter; what matters is the virus's objective. What it does to the body. What do zombies have? Heightened senses, superhuman strength, apparently infinite stamina, apparent immunity to pain, all traits that would be extremely desirable in...?"

"A soldier!" Kohta responded, surprised. "If your theory is correct, the virus's objective was to create super soldiers, but something went wrong, and the side effect would be zombification?"

"My friend Kohta, I'm glad you're smart," Kazuki said. "It might not be that either, maybe it was just someone trying to uncover the secrets of immortality and screwing up." Kazuki shrugged.

"But what does that have to do with us?" Takashi asked. "You don't mean there's a chance we'll turn into those things out of nowhere?"

"Are you stupid, Takashi? Pay attention to the conversation! Kazuki-senpai's theory is that the virus turned those who couldn't withstand the side effects into zombies. Now, what happens to us who resisted? Our bodies will adapt! And it may be that the fact that we didn't turn into 'patient zeros' indicates that the virus is acting differently in us." Saya intervened in the conversation with an arrogant tone while looking at Takashi as if he were stupid.

Takashi recoiled under Saya's gaze and remained quiet in the corner.

'Damn... I'm kinda sorry for the guy.' Kazuki thought.

[Affinity with Saya Takagi +2]

'Tsunderes.'

"Hey Saya, there's no need for that. It's all just theory so far," Kazuki commented to break the awkward atmosphere that had arisen. "But really, the idea is that we're being changed by the virus. As an example, Miku and Taniuchi."

Kazuki pointed to the girls who seemed a bit lost in the conversation.

"Uh, us?"

"Yes, when have you ever used a crossbow or a compound bow in your life?"

"Today was the first time I did that," Miku replied.

"I had only used traditional bows when I participated in the archery club. I've never touched a compound bow," said Taniuchi.

"Okay, and did you have difficulty aiming at the zombies or handling the equipment?"

"No... although I missed some shots, it wasn't very difficult to follow their movements to shoot."

"You and Taniuchi hit more than 70% of your shots," Kazuki said. "While you were terrified, shooting to kill, against bodies with low visibility and at night."

Everyone widened their eyes. In part due to the information and also because they discovered that Kazuki was paying attention to everyone in that confusion.

"That... should be impossible," Shura said.

"Exactly. I still need more data, and Saya, please record any changes you notice so we can confirm if I'm right. Since if we can get stronger in this situation, our chances of survival will increase exponentially."

"You can count on me."

[Affinity with Saya Takagi +1]

"Aren't you afraid of what might happen to us, Kazuki-san? That we might turn into those things?" Kenji Maresato, Alice's father, asked worriedly.

"Fear? I've passed the point of being afraid of what I can't change a long time ago. At this point, I'll just be thankful for anything that can help me," Kazuki replied, looking him in the eyes.

"I see, I can only imagine what you've been through so far to think like that. After this conversation, I'll see my family... But I don't think they need to know that we're infected."

"It's your call, initially I didn't plan to tell you. But it's important that at least you knew so that we don't have unnecessary conflicts. I hope you have a good night, and rest."

"Thank you, see you tomorrow," Kenji finished before leaving.

After hearing the sound of the door closing and counting to 30, Kazuki turned to everyone in his group to finally deal with something that almost went unnoticed.

"Takashi," he said with a serious tone, some swallowed hard upon hearing his tone. Takashi looked into Kazuki's eyes with a feeling of guilt. "You almost killed everyone for the second time in less than 12 hours."

"I, I..." Takashi stuttered, trying to respond, the reality thrown on his face froze any attempt at an excuse in his throat.

"I'm not going to blame you for helping the Maresatos, I think you did well." Takashi, Rei, and Takuzo visibly relaxed. However, Kazuki's next words made them swallow hard and break out in a cold sweat. "But... if you make rash decisions and BET MY LIFE, without first communicating with me or the rest of the group, I kindly ask that we go our separate ways."

"Kazuki-senpai... I'm sorry," Rei was the first to say.

"There's nothing to apologize for, it's just a logical matter, if our lives are worth so little to you that there's no hesitation in putting them at risk, we can't work together in a situation where we need each other to survive. Remember when I gave you the example of Shido and that yellow hair? That now is exactly the feeling I have with you."

"Ugh." Takashi, Takuzo, and Rei winced.

"Kazuki-kun, you don't need to speak like that," Shizuka intervened.

"No, Marikawa-sensei. They need to hear this; there are more than 10 of us, we have to be aware that if any of us messes up, everyone will pay the price."

"I understand..." Takashi began, "But their situation was very delicate, and we needed to act quickly." He commented.

"I know, and that's why I'm not condemning WHY you did it, I'm complaining that you didn't inform the group, if I hadn't left a phone with Kohta, what do you think would have happened? A bunch of zombies at the condo's door, and a bunch of survivors knowing that it's safe here and full of hot women. What do you think desperate people would do in that situation?"

Takashi, Takuzo, and Rei widened their eyes, finally understanding that it wasn't just zombies that worried Kazuki, but other survivors as well.

Immediately the three bowed 90 degrees to everyone in the room.

"We apologize for putting everyone's lives at risk because of our actions. This won't happen again, we promise."

"Look, I don't like to keep hitting the same key, so I'll conclude this. Saving the Maresatos was the right choice, and just because everyone helped, it didn't go wrong. From now on, saving random people should be done at your own risk, and you shouldn't bring the person to the group before communicating with us." Kazuki concluded the meeting.

"Now, let's take a shower. Men first since we're faster. So the girls can relax."

"Kazuki! Before you go~" Shura said before running up to Kazuki, hugging him, and crossing her arms around his neck to pull him in for a kiss.

Everyone around fell silent, completely shocked by Shura's action.

She kissed him passionately, it seemed like she wanted him to swallow her tongue. Kazuki, even if caught off guard, was no fool and returned the kiss, grabbing Shura's butt and pulling her even closer.

The kiss lasted a little over 30 seconds, but for those forced to watch, it felt like 30 minutes.

Everyone was blushing with embarrassment. Taniuchi and Miku had a look of desire and irritation as if someone had taken the first slice of a cake they were eagerly waiting for.

Shizuka covered her eyes with her hands but was watching the kiss through the space between her fingers, the pink of her cheeks couldn't be hidden. Kyoko just kept a slight smile on her face while checking the girls' reactions. Saya was wide-eyed and open-mouthed, incredulous at what was happening. Miwa just looked away with a red face, while Saeko stared directly without blinking. Rei seeing this glanced sideways at Takashi, who was just red, looking to the side.

Muah! Slurp, gulp.

Shura ended the kiss a little breathless but with a smile that stretched from ear to ear and a fiery look that only Kazuki could see.

[Affinity with Shura Kirigakure +25]

Smiling, Kazuki asked, "What was that? Not that I'm complaining, but it was a bit sudden."

"Well, you saved my life earlier, I told you in the middle of the fight that I'd give you a French kiss, didn't I? And I had to make it clear to the other girls that I want a piece too," Shura replied, looking at the girls around her who turned even redder, only Saeko stared directly at her. "Don't worry, I don't want to monopolize him." Her words giving some new ideas to the girls.

Kazuki, realizing it was still too early to start these conversations, cut the tension with a clap of his hands.

"Cough, so guys. Let's disperse." Kazuki with his best poker face, but everyone could see that even him didn't have enough nerve to remain impassive in this situation.

With light giggles, everyone began to disperse to their tasks.

...

30 minutes later...

...

The low sound of the news channel echoed in the room.

"In the face of the rapid infestation of this supposed 'killer disease.' The governments of all countries, including ours, find themselves helpless.

At the mass held just before we lost contact with the Vatican, the Pope vehemently denied the hypothesis that this crisis was a divine punishment to humanity... However, the other religious institutions that remain operational, especially the Muslims, reject this stance.

According to the report from the special research team set up by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, issued before the government cabinet evacuated the city of Tokyo... In Japan alone, there are already more than two million infected. With the terrible speed of the spread of this disease and the general collapse of almost all administrative systems in the country, it is estimated that this number will increase to at least ten million in the next 24 hours.

Finally, we, from this station, who have gone to great lengths and taken risks to remain on the air, bringing the news of this catastrophe to our viewers, regret to inform you that we will have to abandon our transmission station and transfer to a mobile or floating unit.

At this moment, we end normal programming indefinitely. Thank you for your viewership and farewell to all.

And... Good luck!!"