17 He is the protagonist

While Takashi smashed those "things" one by one, their numbers were still many, and soon, he might even die and be bitten.

Yet Isao, who observed Takashi from a distance as Takashi smashed those "things" to save this protagonist, thought that the treatment of those "things" toward the protagonist and the minor character was so much different. 

Toward the minor characters, those "things" would move so fast that they would bite them without hesitation. 

Yet, toward the protagonist, those "things" would move slowly, like the Chinese zombie, who could only move by jumping, giving the protagonist a chance to fight, showing his cool side by fighting them fiercely.

However, instead of being cool, what Isao saw was just a pathetic guy. Even Hirano, the chubby guy, was much better than this guy somehow. 

'Even though all of this problem was caused by him...' 

Isao felt helpless, but even so, it didn't change the fact that he was going to save this guy. Yup, this guy might be annoying, but it didn't mean that he didn't understand Takashi's hostility, especially when Rei, Takashi's childhood friend, showed such goodwill toward him. 

The jealousy was like this. 

If Isao was like Hirano, who was chubby and an otaku, even if Rei showed goodwill to him, Takashi might not say anything and even let them be close to each other. However, he was such a goddamn charming and capable man. It was natural for Takashi to feel threatened, thinking that Rei would be moved toward him. 

Yet, Isao felt like Takashi was thinking too much since he had only encountered Rei for a few hours. Did this guy think he was a succubus who could seduce any woman in such a short time?

Isao shook his head and clearly forgot that he had just slept with Kyoko, who was just his teacher, early this morning. 

Takashi also noticed Isao, who came to save him. While he felt conflicted deep in his heart, he also felt relieved and guilty. At this moment, he realized what kind of failure he was, and if he could get out of this place, then he would apologize profusely to him! 

Yet, probably because it was an event related to the protagonist, the number of those "things" increased even further, making them fall deeper into a helpless situation. 

Still, at that moment, one of those "things" came from behind Isao and was about to bite him. 

"Watch out!" Takashi shouted in panic. 

However, Isao was speechless when he saw that those "things" had moved away from Takashi and that most of them had moved toward him. Still, he wasn't afraid because he didn't think he would lose. His physical ability increased further as he gained the DNA of the Tosa dog. Moreover, even though Takashi was the protagonist, Takashi wasn't the only one who was special. 

However, when Isao was in danger and was about to be bitten, someone suddenly smashed the head of one of those "things" and saved him. 

"Let me help you!" 

Isao turned and saw Saeko, who came to help as she smashed those "things" with her wooden sword. Looking into her eyes, who showed such concern toward him, he wondered why she had such goodwill toward him. However, it didn't matter since he could think about this matter later. He laughed and asked, "By the way, can you cook Senpai?" 

Saeko, who fought along with him, was stunned by this question. "Why did you ask such a question? But of course, I can." When she saw Isao was in danger, she couldn't help but move her body to help him, yet why did this guy ask her whether she could cook or not? 

"I will get the meat later. Let's eat sukiyaki to celebrate the fact that we can get out alive here." 

"...." 

Saeko was speechless, but she also laughed, making her feel at ease even though they were in such a crisis. "I will cook for you whatever you want, whether now or in the future." 

Isao only laughed and kept smashing the head of those "things" like he was playing a "Whac-A-Mole" game in the arcade. Yet, why did it feel like... this girl was trying to propose to him? Still, he wasn't going to reject her proposal since it did him better than not, right?

Nevertheless, with the work of the two, those "things" weren't their opponents. 

"Hurry up." 

Saying those words to Takashi, Isao then led them to go to the bus. 

"Th-Thanks!" Takashi wanted to cry at that moment, but Isao didn't say much; he waved his hand as he smashed those "things."

Still, the moving scene where Isao had sacrificed himself to save Takashi didn't exist. What would exist was the scene where Rei would repay what Isao did to save Takashi, but that was in the future and probably wouldn't be seen till later. 

However, the three quickly came to the bus where everyone was waiting. 

"Hurry up! Hurry up!" 

When everyone saw the three, they were full of smiles, feeling happy that Isao and Saeko could return.

As for Takashi? They didn't even look at him. 

"Thank you!" 

Rei quickly thanked Isao when he arrived on the bus. 

"You don't need to thank me, but talk to your friend so he won't cause trouble again." 

Leaving those words, Isao went to the driver's seat where Shizuka was there. 

"Rei..." Takashi looked at Rei with a complicated gaze. 

Rei let out a helpless sigh and said, "Be careful next time." She wanted to get angry, but in the end, she couldn't since she was just too helpless for this childhood friend of hers. 

The change in the relationship between Takashi and Rei had nothing to do with him since what Isao wanted to do was just to get a place to rest. Still, when he came to Shizuka, he noticed she appeared to be in panic. "What's wrong, Sensei?" 

"Th-This car is different from mine..." Shizuka looked at Isao while crying. "I-I don't know whether I can drive this well..." Unlike her car, this bus was different! 

"Then, let me drive it." 

"Eh? Can you?" Shizuka was surprised. 

"Can you really drive the car, Iinuma?" Saya even asked, doubting since this was related to their lives. 

"I have had a chance to learn before. Let me do it." 

"O-Okay." Shizuka nodded and gave the driver's seat to Isao, but then she asked innocently. "But if you drive, won't the police stop us then? You don't have a driving license, right?" 

"...." Saya, Saeko, Kyoko, and everyone. 

Would the police stop them in this type of situation?! 

At this moment, they wondered what was on Shizuka's head. 

"Isn't that better? If we attract the police's attention, we can be saved," Isao said calmly. 

"You are right!" Shizuka clapped her hands excitedly, clearly happy as she imagined that a group of police would quickly approach them when they noticed a minor driving a car. 

"Hurry up and drive! Stop saying something stupid!" Saya scolded the two. 

"Yes~!" 2x

"....." 

While Saya was speechless, she confirmed that Isao must have been a delinquent in the past. Even though this guy might dress like an elite and smart student, with her genius mind, she knew that this guy must have done many illegal things in the past, but it didn't matter since it was much more reliable to leave the driving to Isao instead of Shizuka, who was unconfident. 

As expected, Isao was able to start the bus, and he appeared very capable as he sat in the driver's seat. 

"Are you guys ready?" 

When they were about to nod at his question, they heard a scream from the distance. 

"HELP!" 

"WAIT FOR US!" 

"DON'T LEAVE US!" 

They saw a group of people running in their direction in panic as they were chased by those "things." 

Takashi, who wanted to close the door, stopped his action and waited for those people. 

Yet, Rei, who saw one of the people in that group, her expression turned ugly. "Hurry up and close the door! Leave them away!" 

"What are you saying, Rei?" Takashi looked at Rei in doubt. 

"Just close the door! That guy isn't worthy of being saved! Don't give us more trouble, Takashi!" 

Yet, facing these words, Takashi became even more indignant toward this childhood friend of his and clearly didn't have any intentions to close the door, waiting for that group of people to come. 

"You..." Rei looked at Takashi in shock and said, "You will regret this." The disappointment she had towards her childhood friend was already on the limit, but she also wasn't sure how to say this to Isao as she knew that her problem with the person she hated the most was personal. 

Takashi shook his head, and when those people entered, he shouted, "Iinuma! We can go!" 

Isao glanced at the people who had entered through the back mirror, shaking his head slightly before he started the car. He moved smoothly as he smashed many of those "things" with a bus and even the gate, leaving the school safely in a brutal way.

Yet, watching all of this, everyone sighed in relief as they knew they were safe, but they didn't know that one person glanced at the front area and smiled.