Chapter 75 - Inside the Biting Cold Wind

On the rooftop of the Masanari Academy was a water supply tank.

The tank's previously pure white body had become slightly rusty but hadn’t gotten any damage.

Tooru’s figure, wrapped in a blanket, could be seen, looking in the direction of the wall.

Well then…

What should we do from now on?

For the time being, they had enough supplies.

He had confirmed that they only had enough to pass the winter.

However, they wouldn’t be able to continue plundering from other places in the long run.

When the supplies ran out, it would be over, and the risk of dying naturally increased when traveling longer distances.

Kazuma, Jun, and Tsubasa’s deaths had affected the people around him more than he had expected.

No, wasn’t that normal?

Wasn’t he the abnormal one?

…Wasn’t that the case?

In such an abnormal situation, it was more human-like to be unable to not shed tears after their friends had died.

It wasn’t like he wasn’t able to feel anything.

Meaning, he had gotten used to it?

During wars, there were tactics like kamikaze attacks.

In the beginning, soldiers were crying as they saw off kamikaze attacks, but when it became a daily occurrence, they became indifferent as they sent them out.

If they didn’t get used to it, people’s bodies wouldn’t be able to take it.

He was probably a person who had gone through that sort of remarkable change.

Even if someone died, he just thought it was sad on the surface while not thinking it was a big deal on the inside.

What was the deal anyhow?

You would naturally die.

In other words, except for being directly linked to death, it wasn’t such a big deal nor something to be sad about.

…He got off-topic.

It wasn’t about being cool-headed, but about what he would do from now on.

Anyhow, they need agriculture.

As he had previously guessed, self-sufficiency would be the key to survival from now on.

In other words, this school had too little land.

They should eventually build barricades to gradually expand the area where zombies couldn’t invade.

Fields should be spreading out not too far from here, so he wanted to expand to that area.

To plow, grow seed, and strew fertilizer.

That was how their food would become self-sufficient.

However, he wanted more people to do that.

Especially, since three boys dying meant that their labor force decreased immensely.

In other words, they had to accept more people.

If they did, more land would be needed and more work as well…

Ah, this was an infinity loop.

…Why not create a country instead?

Or something haha.

“Saejima.”

His thoughts were drowned out by the voice.

Yuuki was standing below the water supply tank.

“Can I sit beside you?”

“Huh? Yeah, it’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

Yuuki bowed her head and sat next to him.

“Did you sneak out and come here after all?”

“Yes. How do I say this… That kind of atmosphere doesn’t fit me.”

“Is that so.”

An awkward silence spread between the two.

“Uh, did you have something you wanted to speak about?”

“...Actually, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Oh, no, it’s not that I have any doubts about you. …it’s about the President.”

“What about Senior Shouda?”

“Yes. His behavior is slightly weird.”

“Behavior?”

“Yes. Most likely, only I who have spent a long time next to him can see how strange his words and behaviors are.”

“Hmm.”

“How do I say it, it’s like he isn’t living…”

At that time, a cold wind cut through their bodies.

“!”

Seeing Yuuki trembling, Tooru silently handed over the blanket that was wrapped around himself.

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

“However, what about Saejima then?”

“Don’t worry… achoo!”

“...He.”

“...Hehe.”

The wind was cold, but Yuuki felt something warm spread inside her.

Was that only her imagination though?