21 Saeko's Thoughts

Akito left Saya alone not knowing she had completely misunderstood him.

Akito would be the first to agree that intelligence was more important in such circumstances but a measure of strength was necessary.

In fact, overwhelming strength could clear most of the troubles.

After all, If violence isn't solving your problems then you aren't using enough violence.

...

Currently, everyone besides Akito was doing something, so he decided to have some fun outside.

He willed for the DCG's Quest Page to pop up.

[Main Quest- Find out the reason behind the Zombie Apocalypse!

Sub Quests- (1) Kill 10 Zombies. √

(2) Kill 100 Zombies. √

(3) Kill 1000 Zombies. (211)

(4) Secure a safe-hold]

[Note- Extra Rewards Would Be Given Depending On The Completion Of The Sub-Quests!]

'789 left. Damn this is going to take a while.'

Suddenly his eyes lit up, Taking his metal bat he went towards Saeko who was meditating, and said softly, "I'll be heading out to check the situation and for the Sub-Quest. Wanna come with me?"

Saeko opened her eyes and smiled instantly, "Sure. How many zombies have you killed?"

"Great! My kill count is 211, What about you?"

Saeko's eyes widened but soon found it reasonable, unlike her who was 'protecting', Akito was 'killing'.

"Impressive. I've only killed 97, far from you."

"Stop praising me, you'll catch up pretty soon." Akito inwardly shook his head, Saeko was faster and more nimble than him. Not to mention her sword.

'Maybe I should start using a sword too? A katana could work as well. What about a hammer? Smashing things is pretty addictive.' Shrugging he decided to pick on a proper weapon later.

"Let's go then, I'll go and inform Kohta about it."

Saeko nodded and got up.

Kohta was currently aiming the shotgun at air and moving it randomly for some reason Akito didn't know.

Kohta heard his footsteps and turned his head around. Seeing Akito approach him his expression turned weird, till now he hadn't had any proper talk with him.

Honestly, his impression of Akito wasn't bad but nor was it good. When Takashi and Akito had confronted each other earlier the vibe Akito exuded was similar to his high school bullies.

Someone who used strength to talk.

Of course, it might be because he was slightly biased towards Takashi but that was it.

"Do you need something Akito-san?" He asked with a confused smile.

"I'll be going out with Saeko to look for some supplies in the surrounding area, Just wanted you to tell the others if they ask about us." Said Akito nonchalantly while picking up two handguns. They were the ones he had looted.

"Ah, Okay I'll tell them." He also saw Akito picking up the guns and his eyes lit up, "Do you know how to use them Akito-san?"

Akito let out an awkward smile at his words, "No."

"Oh... I thought you did with how confidently you picked them up..." He mumbled to himself not knowing Akito heard him.

"Wait let me give you a quick guide about them then," Kohta said with a serious face as he lifted his chubby body. "While you won't become a proper shooter, at least you won't have any problems in a bad situation."

Akito smiled happily at his words, "Sure."

...

"You took your sweet time," Saeko said with annoyance the moment he arrived. She had been standing here for almost twenty minutes.

Saeko passed him the metal bat she was holding.

"Ahah," Akito laughed guiltily and took the metal bat, he then handed her a gun and said, "Kohta offered to instruct me on how to use guns, I'll explain it to you now."

Saeko's eyes brightened and she listened intently as Akito recited what Kohta just taught him. Even though he missed tids and bits in his explanation it was enough for Saeko.

"So is there anything specific you want to do?" She asked while looking at the black bag on his back.

"Yeah, I was planning to gather some food from your house."

He was planning to constantly make trips to bring about half the food they had stored in Saeko's house here.

He wanted to turn Rika's house into a temporary safe space because he didn't know what the exact requirements were for the fourth Sub-Quest to be completed.

If it didn't work like how he expected then he would use the island nearby or some countryside location.

But he was reluctant in choosing those options.

As for Saeko?

She nodded eagerly, nothing could be compared to returning home after such an experience.

With that Akito and Saeko exited the house and the soft growls of zombies entered their ears.

Saeko looked at the sight in front of her and admired Akito's handiwork. The street in front of her was littered with zombie corpses. He had technically swept the area clean.

Akito went forward and leaned against the metal gate, "Before you guys came I was scouting the area and found quite a few people still alive." He turned his head and pointed towards one of the houses in the far right, "That house has three people in it when I checked it, could be more though."

Saeko followed his gaze and looked at the house he was pointing to, her eyes widened when she saw a lady waving from behind the curtains with a stressed smile.

She turned to look at Akito questionably

Akito waved back at the lady with a warm smile and said, "Well when I was having fu- killing the zombies I saw them trying to break into their house. So I saved them... Actually, most of the people here alive were saved by me." He pointed at six other houses that still had people in them.

As he was telling her about the situation in the surroundings Saeko silently listened to him while looking at his back.

There was a vague question in her head for the past few days...

What kind of person was Akito?

The first time she saw him three words flashed in her mind: weak, polite, and cheerful.

As time passed she realized his mind was quite sharp. He was easy to talk to and thus she found it hard to accept when he told her that he had very few friends back in his world.

They had spent seven days together and knew quite well about each other. Akito's situation was similar to hers. He only had a single parent, that too a stepmother.

Though she found his eyes a bit odd whenever he talked about his stepmother, Yuna.

His eyes were filled with excessive adoration and love which she tactfully ignored.

She thought back to the day they returned from buying groceries. Akito had asked her whether she would try to save people in advance.

She hesitated but answered truthfully.

Would he look down on her? Disdain her? Think she was selfish and evil? Questions arose in her mind but Akito only replied with a vague, "I understand."

She was relieved by the understanding in his gaze and felt closer to him. Not to mention all the spars she had with him.

He was strong... Strong enough for her to be excited and joyful whenever they fought. This was enough to make him her best friend.

Someone she could open up to.

Someone that could keep up with her strength.

Someone that understood her thoughts.

Someone she shared a secret that nobody knew about with.

The seven days with him were one of the happiest days of her life. She didn't have to act polite, She didn't feel lonely anymore.

Time with Akito was simply enjoyable...

But all of this happiness caused her heart to thump in anxiety.

There was a reason she had never been close to people and kept them at an arms distance.

She feared... feared how he would react once he gets to know her true self.

Would he despi-

"Saeko?"

Akito's voice drifted over, snapping her out of her thoughts. Saeko saw his confused gaze,

"Y-yeah?"

"You look lost... Something the matter?" His voice filled with concern warmed her heart, devouring the fearful thoughts.

Saeko sighed in resignation, Akito wasn't someone she could just start avoiding. If he does find out then so be i- No she would tell him at the right moment.

It wasn't something that she should or could avoid.

Placing these thoughts to the back of her mind she smiled at Akito, "Nothing, Let's go."

Akito smiled back at her and they both began a trip to her house.

Only time would tell how this journey would affect their relationship.