Town of shops

(I'm getting some really intense Dead Rising vibes from this place. Because, you know, zombies and Shopping Malls. Wouldn't it be funny if the granny here actually had a dog too? Heh.

Though, now that I think about it, can animals even get infected? I know corpses are attracted to the sounds they make. Like, the way little ol' Zeke got a horde right outside of Rika's house by his incessant barking.

Yet, I have not seen a single animal corpse yet, walking or otherwise. I think I should be glad about that too. The last thing I need is resident evil zombie dogs. Yeah, jumping through windows and being able to run faster than your average human? No fucking thank you. But in any case, time to get back to it.)

I get up from the cushioned bench I was sitting on and exit the store that I decided to take a break-in. Which also happened to be the same store that I saw Saeko enter before Takashi interrupted me. Sadly, by the time I got back here, Saeko was nowhere to be seen.

As after Takashi dragged me along to check the barricaded doors, a good one hour had passed. During that time Rei left too, saying that she wanted to check the stores for things that we could use. Though I think she just got salty because she wanted to be alone with Takashi. And apparently, he was too dense to get the memo.

(Still, if both Rei and Saeko have disappeared, could they be at the bike store like in the manga? Hmm, I did spot such a store while I was walking with Takashi. So, yeah, let's go check that out. I want to make sure that Saeko is still in the building at least.)

I nod to myself and start walking on the second-floor walkway.

(The store was on the second floor if I was not mistaken, so if I keep going straight from here, I should find it on my left.)

While I kept walking, I looked to my right, over the railing and at the floor below. To see some of the other survivors strolling about. I could not make out who was who though, other than the fact that they were all guys.

(So far, I didn't have to interact with any of them. And honestly, I'm aiming to keep it that way too.)

After a couple of minutes, I also spotted Kohta, Saya, Alice and Takashi down there as well, speaking near the entrance of a store. Shortly after, I saw Takashi and Kohta walking away while Saya left with Alice in the opposite direction.

(I remember this scene. Kohta must be heading towards the bike store along with Takashi, right? Hmm… yeah, that could work.)

I pick up the pace and keep moving forward, following behind the two guys from a relative distance…

And in the end, thankfully, I was right. As after they went back to the second floor, they kept walking for a couple of minutes, until they reached the bike store. Rei and Saeko inside.

(She's still here, good.)

Some seconds later, Rei called out to Takashi. And he, along with Kohta, walked inside the store.

(Nobody noticed that I was here? Eh, meh whatever. Tis the Ninja Penguin skills.)

I turned around and walked towards the nearest bench, then took a seat.

(I'll just wait for them to finish, don't feel like joining in anyway.)

After I sat down, I took off my bag. Opened it, and looked inside.

(Uhh, why did I leave all these goddamn clothes in here? Got to leave them in the Humvee first chance I get. At least they work well enough at hiding the two handguns for now.)

I then take the bokken off the bag's side and look at the wooden blade.

(Hmm. Wonder how sturdy this thing is. The one that Saeko used didn't even have a scratch on it, even after she went nuts on multiple corpses with it.)

I strap the bokken back on the bag's side and lean my back on the backrest behind me, relaxing as I let out a sigh...

And several minutes later, the guys finally got out of the store. And this time, they did end up seeing me after they walked out.

"Oh, Naier!" Kohta waves at me as he shouts.

I turned my head and looked at the two guys as they moved towards me.

"Found anything useful?" He asks the moment he got near.

"Not yet. But I am interested in checking any electronic stores this place has. I have the feeling that the other group of survivors in here might have discarded everything in as busted." I reply as I fold my arms.

"Hmm. But Naier, even if we do find anything that works. Won't the other group demand that we hand it over? They have already laid claim to everything in here." Takashi responds.

I just chuckle as I get up and throw my bag over my shoulder.

"If they find out, yes. So we just make sure, that they don't." I reply as I motion the two guys with my head and start walking.

"Well, look who just became ruthless." I hear Kohta say as he snorts through his nose.

"What do you mean 'became'? I'm already an evil overlord buddy, ask mister rainbow knight if you don't believe me." I say as I turn around and point at Takashi, who just rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

"Uhh. You actually said something like that back in the car as well. What gives?" Kohta asks as he scratches his head. I just jerk my shoulders lightly as I let out a dry laugh.

"Ehh it's a long story, with the short version being that Alice thought I was trying to make Zeke my evil, minion? Yeah, that. So, she asked Takashi for help, meaning he's supposed to be the righteous hero in shining armor in this equation, no?" I say as I chuckle. Kohta just let out an awkward laugh as he tilted his head.

"Don't you think Zeke is a little too, fluffy, to be an evil minion?" He responds as he looks at me, folding his arms.

"Well, I wouldn't say no to a sarcastic, sentient ninja robot dog." I answer as I turn away from the two and start walking down the stairs.

We then went on with some mindless chatter for some time as we roamed about on the first floor...

Until, we heard shouting...

"Where's the help we have been promised?! You can't keep us in here like prisoners while you do nothing!" The three of us stop in our tracks, and turn towards the shouting voice.

"B… but… Asam… this Officer is still a new police officer, she..."

"I don't care! You are a cop! So do your goddamn job and protect us!" A female voice interrupts Asami.

While the voices came from the store next to us, I could not see any people in the store. Maybe they were in the staff room?

"Is that supposed to be a meeting, or a screaming blame fest?" I 'ask' as I frown.

"All they're doing is dump their problems on the officer." Takashi responds, with not a small amount of anger leaking through his voice.

"And the fact she's outnumbered everybody to one does not help either… " Kohta adds right after.

"Well then, think it's about time we repaid her for letting us in?" I say as I turn to the guys. They both grin slightly as they look at each other before they shift their sight to me.

"Got a plan?" Kohta asks.

"As a matter of fact my friend, I do. And you're the main part of it." I say as I point at Kohta, take off my bag and kneel down. Kohta folded his arms as he stared at me with his head slightly tilted.

"Pop quiz time." I speak up as I put my hand in my bag.

"What can a cop have and is normally considered illegal to own in Japan?" I say as I reach around the bottom of my bag carefully. No need for an accidental discharge here of all places...

Both guys narrowed their eyes as they started thinking, or well, Takashi did...

"Guns." Kohta responded almost instantly.

"Ding, Ding. Two points for you. Now, what was our dear cop missing?" I ask again as I pull out the P220...

"A gun… " Takashi responds as he looks at the handgun.

"Correct." I say as I get up and walk up to Kohta.

"You found this on the ground outside, and you thought a cop would be better off with it." I say as I give the gun to Kohta.

And before he could respond, I continued, this time with a degree of seriousness.

"Pay attention to the 'you' in this Kohta. We must not make the other group realize that we, as a group, would give away a gun willy nilly. Judging by the way they acted with Asami, I can bet that they would raise a huge stink demanding that we give them guns too. So, Kohta, you're the gun expert here, make a 'connection' about the gun and the police force and then 'return' it to her." I say as I take a step back. And Kohta starts grinning like a madman.

"I have mixed feelings about giving away a gun. But, heh, I got you covered. Asami will be rocking a new handgun by the time I'm done." He says as he looks at me with the grin still on his face. I nod, return to my bag, close it, and pick it back up.

"Alright, better if we're not seen all gathered out here then. So, I'm going to go deal with some unfinished business." I say as I turn my back to them, wave my arm, and start walking away.

(Alright, that should settle that matter.)

I nod to myself and wear the bag on one shoulder, then move towards the nearest escalator.

(Now, I REALLY need to find Saeko… )

And so, I returned to the bike store, only to have the same result as before.

(Fucking figures)

It was empty, Saeko and Rei seemed to have already moved on elsewhere. I sigh under my breath and start wandering around the second floor again, hoping to find our crazy purple-haired Samurai mid-way.

(Ok, let's see. Saeko looked, shaken up after what happened in the parking field. So, if I was a sadistic, yet possibly depressed person, where would I be? The roof? Hmmm, the giant windowed wall on the front part of the mall? Smashing up mirrors in the toilets? Uhh, she could be anywhere but, well, I got nothing to lose. So let's start with the windowed wall as it's the closest one.)

With that, I continue walking on the second-floor walkway towards the front part of the building, where the giant glass wall was at…

And, upon reaching near the end of the walkway which then turned right. I see a certain purple-haired person standing there, to my right.

(Holy crabs. Well, that was fast. I should be a friggin detective or something.)

Saeko was leaning against the railing as she stared outside, at the corpses on the parking field.

(Ok, Naier, do NOT fuck this up. Or you're so fired.)

I take a deep breath and walk towards Saeko.

She must have been really out of it, she didn't even react when I leaned on the railing next to her.

"How are you holding up?" I ask as I stare at the corpses below as well.

Saeko turns to glance at me before lowering her head, looking back at the corpses.

"I am, sorry" Was the only thing she said.

I laugh lightly through my nose.

"Don't be, mistakes happen. Or did you forget all the bad calls I made so far?" I respond.

"Yours were different. I… "

"Nothing is different Saeko, you made a bad call in the heat of the moment. And, I don't know about the rest, but from my side at least. I'm actually more bothered to see you down in the dumps like this." I say as I lean even more on the railing before springing myself back and turning around, leaning my lower back on the railing as I cross my legs.

Saeko just turns to look at me, a slight smile appearing on her lips as she turns her sight back towards the car lot.

"Should you really be this forgiving?" She asks as she keeps looking at the shambling corpses outside.

"Only when that person deserves it." I answer back.

"But, I do not des..."

"Saeko! Naier!" Then, a childish voice interrupted her mid-sentence. I turn my head to the left, to see Alice running towards us with a panicked expression. The moment she got close, she drops her hands to her knees and starts taking deep breaths

"Sh… Shizuka's in big trouble!" With her hands still on her knees, she shouts before either of us could speak. I turn to look at Saeko, her grim expression disappearing as she nods at me.

"Where?" I ask as I turn to Alice.

"The store with all the beds and pillows." She responds as she points her hand behind her, at a store that was towards the left part of the building.

I nod and give Saeko one last glance before breaking into a dead run.

(It should be fine, Asami should have the gun. And Kohta should be able to deal with this. He, better be. Because if that guy as much as touches Shizuka wrong while I'm there, I'm going to rip the nerves out of his fucking skin.)

It must have taken me less than a minute to actually get there, but it honestly felt like seconds. And the moment I entered the store, I saw Shimada sitting on the corner of the bed with a shit-eating grin, staring at Asami as she pointed the gun at him.

Shizuka was on the other side of the bed, her pants unbuttoned and her blouse over her chest, which she was trying to cover with her hands.

I look around the store as I walk up to Asami.

(The rest of the group is not here yet…)

As I get close, Shimada turns to me and raises an eyebrow.

"Huh, and what are you supposed to be? The group's clown? Or are you that ugly that you need a mask to even walk around?" He sneers as he looks at me.

(Great. Another talking donkey.)

The guy then started laughing through his teeth as he pointed the knife at me.

"Say ugly, I'll do ya a favor. Get that gun off that stupid cop bitch and I will let you have the front hole." He says as he points the knife behind him.

Shizuka's eyes go wide as she turns her sight to me and starts violently shaking her head, while Asami starts darting her head between me and Shimada. Clearly in a panic. I, just let out a deep sigh.

"Is your brain always a dumpster fire? Or it's just a 'now' moment because it got overridden by your dick?" I 'ask' as I tilt my head.

Shimada's eyebrow twitches lightly as his grin turns into a scowl.

"Ohh? So you think you are a fucking hero ahh, fuckface? Maybe I should fuck this bitch right in front of you, maybe that will teach you what happens when clowns like you run their mouth." He says as he slowly gets up from the bed and glares at me. Yet, he does not move any further.

"Just! Stop this already!" Asami cries out as the gun keeps shaking in her hands...

I, also must not have realised it because of 'tunnel vision'. But apparently. Both groups have finally gathered here...

"Clown huh? Heh, let this clown tell you what will happen now then. Either you stop this by yourself, here and now. Or, you get stopped by force. Though, do know that if we have to resort to force to stop you. Don't expect any forgiveness down the road." The guy, just started laughing at me, laughing rather hard too.

"Forgiveness?! Why would I want to be forgiven by you fuckshits? You know! Maybe I should fuck the rest of your little group while I am at it! These bitches are probably wasting away if the only thing they have around is guys like you!" He says as he points his knife at me and slowly steps away from the bed. I, just smiled under my mask.

"Because, you just done and fucked up." I say calmly as I fold my arms. Shimada, didn't get the time to utter any more stupidity. As a shadow appeared behind him.

A thin shining line went over his head and wrapped around his neck. And whatever stupid thing was about to flow out of his mouth, got replaced by another sound. Choking gasps.

I had seen Kohta hiding behind some mattresses a little further away from the bed that Shizuka was on for some time now.

And the moment mister 'thinking with your dick' got far enough from the bed. Kohta crawled up the bed Shizuka was on and behind the soon to be rapist. And, well, we got to where we were right now.

Shimada drops the knife as he starts desperately clawing at his neck, and the rest of the 'scene', played out normally.

Kohta 'asked' Shimada to listen to what the police officer has to say before kicking him to the ground after he stopped resisting. Takashi then disarmed him while Kohta slowly sneaked away, with me following behind him...

"Well, maybe I should start calling you rainbow knight number two." I say as I walk up to Kohta, after picking up some distance.

He just darts his head to me before he starts chuckling as he rubs his nose.

"That was some good teamwork there. You saw me hiding behind these mattresses didn't you? I saw you looking at me for a moment. Or well, I think I did, you know. Mask." Kohta responds. I just nod.

"Yep I saw you hiding back there, figured you would have a better chance disarming him rather than risking a frontal attack, so I just got him talking…" I answer as I fold my arms.

"Still, UGHHH. I just want to rip his friggin teeth out and replace them with inward facing nails. Then starve him and serve him a hard cold stake." I say as I jerk my shoulders and bring my hands up to my chest then bend them in a claw-like motion. Kohta just nods repeatedly.

"Yea I know what you mean. The things he said… "

"The mask does NOT! Make me look like a clown!" I cut him off as I turn to him, pointing at my face.

Kohta just stared at me like an idiot. And several seconds later, I just burst out laughing. Kohta following suit shortly after.

"Seriously though, good call there." I say as I strongly pat Kohta on the back, sending him a step forward.

"OW, oi take it easy, I'm a long-range player, no defense at all." He says as he starts shaking the shoulder I just pat… Ok, the shoulder I just slapped.

"Really? You seemed pretty up close and personal to me back there." I say as I point behind me with my thumb.

"That was a co-op stealth move, it doesn't count." He responds as he grins without opening his mouth.

"Whatever you say Rambo. Oh, I mean rainbow knight mark two." I say as I lift my hands to shoulder height and shrug. Kohta just shook his head.

"Your naming ideas though. They need some major improvements." He answers as he folds his arms.

"What?! But Rector was an awesome name… " I say as I dart my head to him.

"Hey! Leave my gun out of this! It was a great weapon!" He responds as he points at me accusingly.

"Ehh. Yea, I won't deny that. It was pretty lethal after all." I answer as I tilt my head and look away.

"In any case, I'll get going, see ya later captain." I pat Kohta on the back again and change direction.

I then move to the second floor and head towards the nearest door that led to the mall's actual staircase...

(Well, now that that's over. Next is, the clinic huh? It's been some time since I actually fought corpses in close quarters, maybe I should sit this one out? The others should be able to handle it. Other than that, I know I don't wanna be at our next group meeting, what with Rei being more bitchy than usual...)

Upon reaching a gray, fireproof double door. I open it and meet two sets of normal stairs.

The one on the left going downwards, with the label 'Garage' on the wall to my left

The other going up, the label 'Third floor - roof' the wall to my right.

I pick the right staircase and start going up.

(Still, if I don't go to the clinic, that dude from the other group will most likely die. And, uhhh, since I've been hogging the shotgun, Takashi never used it. So he probably wouldn't bring it with him to the clinic, and without it he won't be able to make that hole in the ceiling. Uhhh, crabs, looks like I managed to drive myself into a corner here, again. I wanted to stay back and deal with Saeko, but I guess I'll have to go to the clinic whether I like it or not. Ugh, places where sick people gather in a zombie apocalypse. What could ever go wrong.)

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, I was greeted by another single gray metal door. I give its handle a push, and the door opens with no resistance. The first thing that welcomed me to the roof, was a gust of cold wind.

(And of course it would be windy up here.)

I walk straight to the edge of the building and sit over it, my feet dangling in the air. I then put my hand under my chin and look at the field below me, before turning my head towards my left, in the general direction that the Humvee should be at...

(I should find out where they keep the canned food and water. If the mall falls, nobody will care who takes what. And, speaking of food, normally I should be starving by now. I have not eaten anything since yesterday noon? Yet, I don't feel hungry at all. Uhh whatever, I'll eat when I feel like it.)

My sight then stops at the grouped up corpses. The same ones Saeko tried to dive into.

(And then, we have Saeko. What am I going to do with her? She's starting to act up, and I don't think that the little five-minute pep talk I had with her by the windowed wall can act as a replacement for what happened at the shrine between her and Takashi. Ughh, come on Naier, think, think. You stopped Takashi and Saeko from getting together, so if she dies now. It's all on you.)

As I kept staring at the grouped up corpses, I also noticed something. A corpse in a blue uniform...

(Huh, wait, is that?)

I lean my head forward and squint my eyes as I try to get a better look. Not that it really helped mind you. But, I was sure of it.

(The other cop. Huh, did the mass of corpses gather there because of her? But, with so many corpses, there should have been nothing left of her. So, did she just happen to follow whatever caused the corpses to gather there? Or did she turn before they could tear her to pieces? Whatever the case, there is still some time before the rest of the group spots her. So if I could just… )

"So this is where you were hiding after all!" And a loud voice interrupts my thoughts...

Turning around, I see Kohta walking towards me, map and binoculars in hand.

"I needed some fresh air." I say as I turn my body to the side, so one leg was hanging over the wall while the other was on the roof.

"Uhh, should you be sitting like that Naier? It's a long drop you know." He asks as he sits on the ground next to me, next to the railing I was on.

"I'll be fine." I answer as I raise my arm and then let it fall...

(I also need to be able to see Asami coming so I can leave before she decides to bail because of me.)

"Well, just avoid Saya for a while." He adds with a chuckle.

"Huh, what do you mean?" I ask as I tilt my head.

"She was pissed that you skipped the meeting we had. We could not find you anywhere." He responds.

(Ain't Saya always pissed at me though?)

"I will make sure to stay out of her way for now then." I say as I turn to look at the mountains in the distance.

Kohta then filled me in on the meeting. That being that Takashi and the rest agreed on looking at a bank vault for working electrical equipment, and that we ain't sharing…

After that, we then stayed silent for some time, Kohta scribbling on his map, while I kept checking the door that led to the lower floors.

(Still, even if we find working phones and computers, the electrical grid is dead, we can't charge them when they run out of batteries. That is where solar panels should normally come into play, but we need to find a place to stay permanently for that to be even feasible. Maybe some kind of portable generator for now? But these are loud as crap and not very fun to carry around.)

After turning my head towards the door for what must have been the millionth time, I noticed that it was actually open this time around. I then keep staring at the door. And, I see an orange-haired head pop out slightly from the open gap, and then immediately retracting back behind the door.

(Yeah, time to leave.)

"Well, I got stuff that needs doing, so I'll leave ya to it." I say loudly as I get up, take one last glance at the corpse in the cop uniform and shake Kohta lightly on the shoulder. He responds with a nod without turning his head.

And so, as I moved towards the door…

By the time Asami peeked through the door again, she found me staring right back at her. She kept staring at me for a while before letting out an awkward laugh.

"A, Asami was just. This officer, was just, emm." She whispers, stuttering like mad.

I just open the door as she takes some steps backwards. I then enter the building, turning around and closing the door slightly, making sure that Kohta has not seen us. Then turn to Asami.

"I think he will be quite happy to see you right now." I say cheekily as I walk past her.

"Ummm Asami was really just… "

"Come on officer, get going. Or did you make me get up and leave the roof for no reason?" I cut her off as I turn around midway on the stairs and chuckle. Asami fidgets about for some seconds, until she finally capitulates.

"T, thank you." She bows down to the point that she almost folded in two. I just nodded as I turned around to walk down the stairs. Seconds later, I heard the door open, then close.

(You owe me big time Kohta. Playing cupid for your sorry ass while I still have my own shit to deal with. Why isn't anybody trying to hook me up with Saeko and Saya?

Huh, probably because one of them is more toxic than a golden toad, and the other gets hot and bothered as she beats you to death.

Not that they know the last one but ehh. Whatever. Still leagues better than Rei's self-centered, bitchy attitude.)

After going down the stairs, I took the exit on the second floor and started uhh, window shopping, for the lack of a better term…

Until, I stopped outside an electronics store to check what's actually left inside. Imagine my surprise, when I found that it looked untouched,

(Nothing has been taken.)

Everything was still neatly organized on the shelves.

(Figured, the people here didn't even bother. Don't they realize how important even working wires are right now? Matters not, better for me. More stuff to take.)

I take a step back and turn around, no need to start picking the place from now. I then head to the railing in front of the electronic shop and lean on it.

(Now, how do I go about the blood transfusion kerfuffle? In the manga, they end up going to the clinic because, one, Alice guilt trips them into it, and two, Asami tries to play the fucking hero. Me on the other hand. I got another plan.)

And right on cue, I spot the guy with the shaved head waving at me from one-floor below. Think his name was. Hiro or something?

"Hey! Mask man, have you seen the Police officer?! The granny ain't doing too good!" He shouted as he started taking deep breaths.

I point at the ceiling with my index finger.

"Roof!" I shout back.

He nods and starts running towards the escalator. After he reached the second floor, he turned to me again.

"The old lady and that hot nurse from your group are on the first floor! Down the escalator keep going left and you'll see them!" He shouts before going through the fireproof double door...

(Alright, let's go.)

I nod to myself, lift myself from the railing, then follow Hiro's directions.

(I also need to get our guns from the Humvee, I am not going to a frigging clinic unarmed. Something that the other group does not need to know. Hiro will eventually see the guns if he comes along but. If I just let him die…

...Uhh, what the fuck am I even thing. Pull yourself together Naier, you're not going to let that guy die just because he finds out that we have guns. I'll end up becoming worse than Shido if I keep thinking like this… )

I shake my head and start running. After going down the escalator and turning left, I keep running forward. I then kept looking at the stores as I sprinted past them. Until, I finally saw a group of people inside a store ahead of me to my right…

I stop running, and then enter that store. Shizuka, Takashi, Rei, Saeko and Saya were already there. From the other group, a woman in a black shirt, an old man, and some balding office worker were there.

"About time you showed up." Saya, who had changed to her new clothes, said to me with a frown.

"Sorry" I just shrugged and said nothing more as I walked towards Shizuka. Anything I might have said, would probably have ended up with Saya backlashing anyway. And now was not the time. I then looked at the granny before turning towards Shizuka.

"How bad is it?" I ask.

"She suffers from R.A and needs a blood transfusion." She answers bluntly.

"Or?" I ask back.

Shizuka just lowers her head and does not answer, the answer being obvious by her silence. I just nodded and stayed quiet...

Kohta, along with Asami and Hiro arrived a couple of minutes later, Alice also joined up shortly after, carrying a bunch of, what I think are emergency packs? Could not really see from this distance. The 'scene' then went on as it did in the manga.

Takashi, saying that he will donate his blood and Shizuka getting all fidgety for some reason. Kohta, showing his more than basic knowledge on how blood and plasma transfusions work. And finally, Saya, dropping the 'why us' bomb. And as Shizuka froze in place, seemingly bewildered by the fact that Saya even said that.

"I hate to say it, but..." Takashi started speaking...

(Alright, time to change the flow of this party.)

"I'll go." I cut Takashi off.

My whole group turning to look at me like I just said a bad joke.

"What!? Naier! You can't just..." Saya began to speak as her eyes went slightly wide before her usual frown returned to her face.

"But I'm not doing it for free." I cut her off as well.

Now, the other group was looking at me funny.

"Please! I'll give you all of my own share, just save my wife!" The old man shouts as he puts his hands together and bows, his face looking straight at the ground. Causing the other group's frown to deepen even more.

"You, you are awful. You are going to blackmail us now that we are in need? Even after we decided to let you all in?" The woman in the black shirt hissed at me.

('You' didn't let me in, Asami did. If it was up to you, I give it a fifty-fifty that we'd be still standing outside.)

"I won't take anything out of your pockets or stockpile." I respond as I shake my head.

"If I go to the clinic. Whatever I get in my bag stays with me." I say as I point at my bag with my thumb.

"And no, I don't mean I will hog all the blood the old lady needs to twist your fingers either. Painkillers, antibiotics, bandages, disinfectants. Things like that." I add, the other group beginning to relax slightly.

"And if the clinic has nothing. Then I again, won't take anything from you." A short silence followed after that. Until...

"I will accompany Naier" Saeko was the next one to speak up.

(Hmm. Oh, it's just Saeko…

Huh, wait, what? Saeko? I'm sure she didn't go to the clinic in the manga...)

Probably realizing that I was staring at her, Saeko started speaking again.

"If you are aiming to fill your bag with medical supplies, you will be vulnerable. It will weigh you down and make noise." She says as she rests her hand on the hilt of her Katana.

"So I will come along." She says she keeps staring at me. I, could feel a slight smile appear on my face.

(It seems that my little speech had an effect after all, or at least it feels like that.)

"If the building has corpses inside, we might end up with some close-quarter combat. If you want to come Saeko. Then you're more than welcome. You can probably handle close combat better than me anyway." I respond as I nod. Saeko smiles at me and nods back.

(It seems that the clinic-delving group, is Saeko and I. Damn, this almost feels like a date. A date where one of the two people in it don't actually know that it's a date.)

Saya then began to dart her head between me and Saeko, and. Decided to break the silence that was taking over...

"I, I'll come too!" She barked up. The whole group turning to look at her.

"What, my mama gave m..."

(OH SHIT!)

"You're H-Q." I cut her off as I point at the two letters on her shirt in an effort to distract our 'genius'. Saya followed my finger until she ended up staring at her own chest.

"Where are you looking at you pervert!" She shouts as she covers her chest.

(Idiot almost blurted out that her mother gave her a gun...)

"Shizuka will need somebody with a brain to help her keep the old lady alive, and. There's something else I want you to do anyway." I say as I lean slightly forward.

Saya just shifted her head away and didn't speak back, her frown still visible on her face.

(At least she didn't flat out deny doing something that I asked of her…)

"Asa, this Officer will go too." Asami says right after.

"Na, Nakoaka! Bu, but it's way too risky!" Kohta shouts right after.

(Ohh sure, now you say that it's risky. But when I said that I would go, you just twiddled your thumbs. Kohta ya friggin traitor.)

I chuckle under my breath as I arch an eyebrow.

"Hmm. I'll go too then, same deal with Naier." Takashi added shortly after.

Rei then turns to look at Takashi, and opened her mouth.

"Then I'm coming as well, the more things we can get for my group the better. And…"

"But then only your group will get things from the clinic, we need that stuff too you know!" Only to get cut off By Hiro.

(Hmm. No you don't Hero.)

"As I'm already playing the role of the black sheep in here, I would rather have Kohta with us." I say as I point at our gun nut.

"And yes, it would mean that only our group will get any medical supplies. But as I see it. Kohta has some medical knowledge on blood transfusions, so he will be better at gathering what the old lady needs. Plus we'll have better coordination like this. Don't take this the wrong way, but I prefer to avoid leaving things on luck. What's the point of saving one person, if we end up losing two in the clinic because we could not work together efficiently?" After I finish speaking I fold my arms. Hiro just, stared at me.

"No need to worry ! This officer will get things for her group!" Asami speaks up shortly after. Hiro, still did not budge.

"Did you forget why we are going there in the first place, Hiro? The more time you spend trying to cut a bigger deal for your group, the closer you bring the initial task to end up in failure." I add as I point at the sick old lady.

Hiro, finally sighs as he raises his arms, and with an annoyed smirk, he takes a few steps back with a slight 'bow'...

(I'm doing this to save you, you sarcastic fuck. Ughh, whatever.)

And so, the clinic delver group is finalized...

"Me, Takashi, Kohta, Saeko and the Police officer. Are we good to go?" I ask.

Everybody responds with a nod.

(So, it's not a date with Saeko after all...meh...)

I chuckle under my breath as I glance at Takashi.

"Alright. Takashi." I say as I turn to leave, motioning at him with my hand, Takashi nods and runs up to me.

"Once we are out. I, along with one more person from our group will go to the Humvee to get our guns, and some extra bags." I whisper to him.

"Hmm, are you sure we should take the guns?" He asks.

"As I said, nothing to luck. Asami seems to be getting along with Kohta so I don't think she will rat us out even if she sees the guns." I answer. Takashi turns to look behind him as I speak. Only to see Asami staring intensely at Kohta with big, round starry eyes.

"I think they are more than just 'getting along'." He says as he laughs awkwardly, scratching his cheek.

"Even better then." I say with a shrug.

"Hey, what are you two whispering about?" Kohta asks as he walks up to us.

"How you and the cop make a nice couple." I answer casually.

Kohta's eyes go wide as he bends over and starts choking, his hand over his mouth as his face turns into a Saya approved tomato red. Asami then instantly runs up to Kohta, a worried look on her face.

"What happened! Are you alright Kohta?" Kohta lifts his head. To meet Asami's face, a few centimeters away from his.

"AAAAuahaaAA!" Kohta yelps, and falls on his ass. Asami reacts by also yelping, leaning her body away and pulling her arms back until her hands rested on her shoulders...

I, just kept staring at the two 'lovebirds' for a few seconds, before turning to look at the rest of the group.

Shizuka and Alice were smiling gleefully. Takashi was also smiling, albeit awkwardly. Rei was giggling. Saya had closed her eyes and was shaking her head before turning to look at me with a tilted head, her eyebrows almost making a straight line. Saeko was just staring at me with an, odd expression.

"Aaaanyway. Let's go ah?..."