CHAPTER 8

The door slid open slowly. "Takagi-san, it looks like no one's inside," Hirano whispered nervously.

"Move aside, fatass," Takagi said, shoving his shoulder before stepping into the room.

The room was meant for technical students, filled with scattered wiring, tools, and half-built projects.

"What now?" Hirano asked, his eyes following Takagi as she gathered various tools and placed them on the table.

"Shut up and lock the door! We don't need them coming in here!" she snapped, her voice sharp with urgency.

The door slammed louder than intended, alerting the creatures nearby, who began shuffling toward the room.

"Are we really using these as weapons?" Hirano asked, staring at the nail gun in front of him.

"You're a military nerd, aren't you? Ever seen a movie with one of these?" Takagi shot back, rummaging for more supplies.

"A nail gun? This one's gas-powered, huh..." Hirano muttered, more to himself than to her. He seemed intrigued as he examined it more closely.

"Of course it is, idiot!"

Suddenly, the door rattled, the creatures gathering outside. Takagi's heart raced.

"Hirano! They're coming! They're right outside!"

Hirano didn't seem to hear her. "It weighs around 9 lbs... close to an old assault rifle. My stance will be off... needs a sight," he muttered as he worked on modifying the air gun.

The door cracked under the pressure. Takagi screamed as the creatures began forcing their way through. One reached for her, but before it could touch her, a nail pierced its forehead, dropping it instantly.

A hail of nails followed, each striking their marks. Hirano, calm and focused, fired his makeshift weapon with precision.

"Grab the drill and more nails, put them in the bag," Hirano instructed, not looking up.

"Who do you think you are, ordering me around?!" Takagi snapped, but Hirano turned to her with a strange, calm intensity before giving a polite smile.

"Please~."

Takagi blinked, stunned by his sudden shift, before reluctantly doing as he asked, realizing there was little choice.

---

Meanwhile, Takashi was busy untying ropes that bound the pile of tables and chairs, while Hisashi struggled to control the fire hose.

"Ugh, the water pressure's too strong... but who do you think I am? I've got a black belt, you know!" Hisashi grumbled.

Rei was standing not too far from them holding their weapon. She staring at those creatures that slowly closing the distance between them.

"Hisashi, ready?" Takashi asked, releasing the last of the rope and moving to help Hisashi with the hose.

"You bet!"

"They're excited to meet us, huh?" Takashi grinned. "Feeling great, right?!"

"Eat this, you bastards!" Takashi and Hisashi shouted in unison as they unleashed the high-pressure water on the approaching horde.

The powerful blast knocked most of the creatures down. Hisashi quickly turned off the water once the hallway was clear.

"Good idea with the fire hose," Takashi smirked, impressed.

"Well, the pressure's no joke," Hisashi chuckled. Rei handed them the metal bat and stick she had hold for them.

"Remember that fire drill in middle school? You and Hisashi with the hose?" Rei teased.

Takashi groaned. "Argh, don't remind me."

"Oh yeah, that was a disaster," Hisashi laughed, reminiscing.

"Stop it," Takashi grumbled, but a small smile tugged at his lips.

---

(Flashback)

"Takashi-kun, hold this steady with your friend. Aim carefully once the water starts," the firefighter instructed, making sure both boys had a firm grip on the fire hose.

"Why am I doing this?" Takashi muttered, frowning.

"C'mon man, it's a simple lesson. It's not that bad. Look! Rei's over there," Hisashi teased.

"Huh? Where?" Takashi's head whipped around, searching for Rei in the crowd. He was so distracted, he lost his grip on the hose.

The hose went wild, flailing uncontrollably.

"Argh!" both boys yelped, trying to regain control.

"Turn it off! Quickly—" the firefighter's words were cut off as the hose swung up, hitting him directly between the legs.

The poor man collapsed, his face pale, as he sank to the ground in agony.

"We're really sorry! Please don't die!" Hisashi and Takashi pleaded, horrified at the scene.

---

"After that, you two had to write an apology letter. Hahaha that's so funny!" Rei laughed.

"Thanks for bringing that up," Takashi said sarcastically, scratching his head.

"We should get moving," Hisashi interrupted, eyeing the hallway as more creatures approached.

"Yeah," Rei agreed, tightening her grip on her weapon.

"Let's go!" Takashi shouted, charging forward with Hisashi and Rei close behind.

Takashi swung his bat with all his strength, shattering one creature's skull, while Rei drove her metal stick into another's head, the lifeless body collapsing before Hisashi finished it off with a hard smack from his stick.

"Once we get out of here, let's head home and help whoever's left along the way," Hisashi suggested, kicking a creature aside.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same," Takashi said, smashing another creature's head.

"You should call home soon," Rei suggested, concerned.

"I'll do it later. My dad works out of town. I live alone, anyway," Takashi shrugged. "The only family I had was my grandma, but she passed five years ago.

"Your mom's an elementary school teacher, right?" Hisashi glance towards him slightly.

"Yeah, she won't be home either. Even if I got ahold of them, they'd never stop nagging," Takashi chuckled.

"Geez, we shouldn't be laughing," Rei giggled despite herself.

Hisashi noticed the subtle shift in Takashi's expression and decided to stay quiet, understanding the weight of his friend's concerns.

(How can he not be worried,knowing his mom might be in the same danger right now...)

---

The group pressed on, ready to face whatever came next.