1 A Brother's Quest in the Zombie Apocalypse

Hobe Satsubasa cautiously made his way back home after a successful shopping trip, clutching a bag of supplies tightly in his hand.

He had managed to find a cute, light pink rabbit doll without having to venture to the zombie-infested toy store on the west side of the building.

Hari Antsumi, a five years old girl, his half-sister from a different father, would surely be delighted to receive such an unexpected gift.

As Hobe approached their makeshift shelter, an abandoned house they had fortified against the undead, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.

Despite the grim reality of their situation, he cherished these small moments of happiness that he could provide for Hari.

Pushing the door open, Hobe stepped inside and called out, "Hari! I'm back!"

Within seconds, Hari's energetic voice filled the air, her excitement evident. "Hobe! You're back! Did you find something cool?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Hobe's lips as he made his way to the room they shared. Hari was waiting there, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

He held out the bag and said, "Close your eyes and hold out your hands."

Hari giggled with delight and followed his instructions, shutting her eyes tightly.

Hobe gently placed the bag into her small, outstretched hands. "Okay, open them now."

As Hari's eyes fluttered open, they widened in pure joy. She peered into the bag and gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "A pink bunny! It's so cute, Hobe! Thank you!"

Hobe's heart swelled with warmth at Hari's reaction. Seeing her happy was worth all the hardships they faced in this apocalyptic world.

He knelt down beside her and tousled her hair affectionately. "You're welcome, Hari. I'm glad you like it."

With the pink bunny clutched tightly in her arms, Hari beamed up at Hobe. "I'm going to name her Rosie. She'll be my best friend!"

Hobe chuckled softly and pulled Hari into a tight embrace. "Rosie sounds like the perfect name. She'll keep you company and protect you, just like I do."

In that small, fragile moment of happiness, surrounded by the remnants of a world overrun by the undead, Hobe and Hari found solace in their bond as siblings.

They knew that as long as they had each other, they could face the challenges of this zombie-infested world together.

They had already survived for a year in this manner, relying on Hobe's magical key to access the mall where they scavenged for their needs.

As long as they had that key, they believed they could live peacefully like this forever.

With each passing day, Hobe and Hari had developed a routine, carefully navigating the treacherous streets and abandoned buildings to gather supplies.

Hobe's unwavering determination to protect Hari and provide for her had kept them alive and relatively safe.

The mall had become their sanctuary, a place where they found food, clothing, and essential items.

As they returned to their shelter, Hobe would lock the door behind them, feeling a sense of security in the barricaded house.

They would settle in for the night, knowing that they had enough provisions to sustain them.

Hobe would cook whatever they had managed to scavenge, and they would share a simple meal together, finding comfort in each other's company.

Their days were filled with cautious exploration, as Hobe ventured out to search for additional supplies while keeping an ever-watchful eye for lurking zombies.

Hari, too young to accompany him on these perilous excursions, would spend her time playing with the few toys they had salvaged or drawing colorful pictures to decorate their surroundings.

In the evenings, Hobe would tell Hari stories, weaving tales of bravery and adventure to transport them from their grim reality.

They would huddle together under a worn-out blanket, finding warmth in their shared presence and the flickering glow of a small candle.

Their unbreakable bond was their greatest strengths. No matter how severe the zombie outbreak became, they vowed to stay together.

But their hope turned out to be elusive. Hiding forever was not a sustainable solution. Hobe and Hari couldn't stay concealed indefinitely.

The world outside their shelter was unforgiving, and the constant threat of the undead made their existence precarious.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the surrounding zombie population grew more numerous and aggressive.

The once familiar streets became treacherous, and their supply runs became riskier with each passing day.

The mall, once a reliable source of sustenance, started to dwindle in resources as other survivors sought refuge and scavenged for their own needs.

Hobe knew that their secluded life couldn't last forever. The time had come to face the harsh reality and make difficult choices.

It was no longer enough to simply survive; they needed to find a way to thrive in this post-apocalyptic world.

What was actually happening at that moment was...

The pink bunny doll, and the joy Hobe had envisioned for Hari—none of it had ever come to pass.

It was all a figment of his imagination, a desperate escape from the grim reality that surrounded them.

The bag containing their plundered supplies slipped from Hobe's grasp, crashing loudly to the ground. His mouth fell open in shock as he surveyed the scene before him.

Approaching their once-safe haven, his heart sank at the sight that awaited him. The front door had been violently forced open, its remnants hanging from splintered hinges.

The interior of their home was in disarray, the aftermath of a merciless invasion by the ravenous horde of zombies.

Fear gripped Hobe's chest as he cautiously stepped inside. The familiar surroundings were now a grim reminder of the fragility of their existence.

Broken furniture, shattered glass, and torn remnants of their belongings littered the floor. It was evident that the undead had mercilessly ransacked their once-secure shelter.

Frantic thoughts raced through Hobe's mind. Where was Hari? Had she managed to hide or escape?

His heart pounded in his ears as he called out her name, his voice quivering with a mixture of desperation and hope.

"Hari! Hari, are you here? Please, answer me!"

Determined to find his younger sister, Hari, Hobe knew he had to proceed with caution.

With each step, he took extra care to avoid making any noise that could attract the attention of the lurking undead.