1 A Regretful Separation

Episode 1: A regretful Separation

5 months before doomsday

"Daichi.....Are you really going to leave?"

A solemn voice of a girl echoed at the lonely rooftop. The wind blew slightly, as her black hair was carried by the wind.

"It's not like I want to go Chika, the opportunity just came and I have no other choice…"

A young man leaned against the railings of the roof as he spoke, the setting sun shone on the two as they stared back at it.

"The kendo scholarship is my only option, that or go to the military and I know you won't let me go there"

The boy smirked as he spoke of his career options and to this, his companion pouted her mouth and walked towards the rails beside him.

"But you have other qualities other than having a good physique right?" she quirks "you're smart! Even the teachers praise you for pointing out their mistake, I'm sure you can get accepted to a good university"

"I don't have the money to go to one, I only work to pay the rent. Living alone can be a drag, but there are perks"

"You're also charismatic even the student council wants you to be the president, maybe you can get a something close to here and get a deal to-…."

"With my looks, I'll be taken as a spokesperson for a gang, besides I'll only be a leader when no one can be one…..I hate the responsibility"

Chika kept praising him, trying pressure him to change his choice but as Daichi turned and gave a small smile, she quickly stopped moving her mouth and stared at him with sad eyes. She closed her eyes as she tried to think of any way to persuade him but suddenly she felt something warm patting her head, opening her eyes she saw him caressing her hair.

"Will you miss me that much? I didn't know you were such a crybaby, you need to be strong for your brother, if he sees his big sis crying he'll cry as well"

Hearing this she nodded slightly and then the hand patting her stopped but before he could pull away she grabbed his hand, to this Daichi was about to speak but closed his mouth when he saw her eyes.

"Will you promise me, one thing before you leave?"

Without a word he nodded

"Then let's go to ride the Ferris wheel, today is the last chance we can go before you leave"

Daichi had to do a lot of things before leaving for his university, pack clothes, buy necessary stuff but he shrugged it behind and agreed to her request.

The two moved through the busy streets of the city and rode a train to their destination. As they did, sirens could be heard from the distance as several phones were displaying images of sick people, as well warnings about a sickness.

'Have you heard? There are people dying over at….'

'What? Is there some new disease?'

'I don't know but we better get vaccinated and soon'

Murmurs were heard here and there inside the train but the two who were sitting side by side were only focusing on themselves. Soon after they stopped and after walking a few more blocks arrived at the small fair, where several people were buying snacks and riding some rides.

"Well, let's go"

"hmmm"

Daichi was about to go ahead when he felt a tug on his side, looking back he saw Chika looking down while holding onto his shirt, seeing this he stopped walking and waited for her with his brow upturned.

"Umm…ca..can we hold hands?"

It was barely audible but she couldn't say it again as her face was flushed red. Seeing this he scratched his cheek and then suddenly clasped her hand, to this, she suddenly flinched but seeing him holding onto her hand she looked downward but a small smile was visible from her face.

"Alright, we won't see each other for a while so let's enjoy this"

Without saying a word she nodded and the two went inside the fair.

"Try this candied apple, now this cotton candy, oh there's a noddle shop let's eat"

The two kept going from one stand to another and after that, they were both now at the top of the Ferris wheel overlooking the whole area. Chika was leaning on Daichi as she stared out the window.

"tired? Can't be helped, I dragged you to every shop here but at least we got a prize for completing the fair stamp, well it's better to have it than not need it then need it and not have it"

He glanced at the umbrella they won and then stared outside.

"uh uh…., I just want to stay like this for a while longer"

As she said this she nuzzled closer to Daichi, seeing this he had a sad face which he didn't let her see as he stared out the window, he also wanted the time to stop and stay like this.

The ride ended and Daichi was about to get off when he heard faint snoring coming from his side, he saw Chika fast asleep on his side and a small smile appeared on his face. Without a second thought, he carefully carried her on his back as they returned to back home.

"geez…..you could have woken me up…."

"And wake up such a cute sleeping face? I'd rather not, look I even took a picture, see oh you have drool here"

"Ah delete it!"

"nope~, I'll set it as my screen pic"

"Bully….."

Suddenly rain started to fall down on the two, without a second to lose he quickly opened up the umbrella and the two were shielded from the rain. They walked side by side as the area around down were covered the by the tears of the sky.

The two then stopped at a fork in the road, Chika's house was on the left side while he was on the right. The two knew they had to part but they didn't utter a word.

"Chika...I-"

"Please…"

As he was going to say something Chika broke the silence.

"Please take care and I….I-"

Suddenly something met her lips and silenced her, she saw him quickly kissing her as the raindrops around them slowly cleared up. After a few seconds, their lips parted and a flushed Chika looked at him with eyes mixed with several emotions.

"I know~, I'll be sure to call and visit, once I set up there I'll quickly visit in a week"

She nodded and tightened her grip on his hand, but she still had a sad expression on her face.

"Take care"

The two then parted their ways both waiting for the day they meet again. But after leaving for the big city, the world fell and zombies rose.

5 Months after doomsday

"I'm finally back…."

A man spoke, clothed in garbs that seemed to have seen better days as he walked towards the sign of the town, blood spattered on the sign as words were written in red.

SAFE HAVEN

As he was looking at the sign several people walked behind him, one walked up and talked to the man.

"Commander, we've scouted the area, there are several supplies as well as a place where a facility is located, there are survivors, your orders?"

The man smiled as he pulled out a long blade from his side, the katana shined as the light was reflected by the blade.

"We'll rescue them, is there even a need to ask?"

The lackey grinned and gave him a nod, turning back to the other fellows he bellowed out a command.

"Alright, Let's go! Commander Daichi will lead us!"

The group of people moved towards the seemingly desolate town, as the man stared into the distance.

'I'm home….Chika please be safe'