Chapter 52: Furious Saya Takagi

"There are two cups of instant noodles here. What flavor do you want?"

The girls who lived with Saya Takagi didn't object to her bossy attitude—everyone knew that's just how she was.

Raised in a conservative society like Japan, most people's sense of hierarchy developed early. The Takagi family was relatively wealthy in Oda City, so it felt natural, almost expected, for Saya to sit back and order others around.

Even though the world outside seemed to be falling apart that afternoon, the group's sense of safety remained intact, thanks to the presence of Saeko Busujima. No one fully grasped the concept of an apocalypse or how drastically things were changing.

"Only instant noodles? What about steak? Or sushi rolls? Why are we eating this lower-class garbage?" Saya wrinkled her nose, clearly displeased. She was used to fine dining—cup noodles didn't suit her tastes at all.

"There's only instant noodles," one of the girls responded, trying to keep her cool. But before Saya could respond, another voice called out to her.

"Eat it or don't. But why are you throwing a tantrum? Do you think this is your Takagi mansion?"

"Who the hell said that? Come out if you've got the guts!"

Saya snapped, ignoring the girl who was trying to appease her with noodles. Her anger was directed toward the source of the voice.

"Guts? Like I'd ever be scared of someone as pathetic as you."

The voice came from outside the room, and in walked a girl with light orange hair.

"It's you slut!" Saya shouted, glaring at her.

Smack!

Without warning, Miku's hand lashed out, slapping Saya across the face.

"Say that again," Miku hissed.

"Y-you…" Saya stammered, her face burning from both the slap and humiliation.

"Miku! Saya! Stop it!" Rei rushed in to intervene, trying to keep the situation from escalating. After all, this was the time to unite together and find a solution, not to fight among themselves.

"Stand aside, Rei. I'll finish this bitch," Miku said coldly, her eyes locked on Saya.

Saya, blinded by rage, lunged at Miku, but Rei managed to catch her before she could do anything serious. Miku took the opportunity and slapped her again, this time even harder.

Smack!

"AHHHHH!" Saya screamed, her face throbbing from the sting. "How dare you?! I'll kill you! Rei, you bitch, are you at her side too?"

"Kill me? You?" Miku sneered, leaning in close. "Don't forget—I belong to Master Busujima now. If you so much as try to lay a hand on me, it'll be your head flying off next under Saeko's sword. Hehe."

Saya's entire body trembled with rage.

Her hands clenched into tight fists, and her teeth gritted together, but she didn't dare speak again, afraid of receiving another slap. Instead, she turned her furious gaze toward Rei, deciding to vent her frustration on her.

"Is this what you wanted, Rei? To see me humiliated by this sl—this woman?" Saya's voice was dripping with venom. "I swear, if you don't apologize right now and slap yourself, begging for forgiveness, I'll make sure you regret it once my father comes to rescue me. Don't you dare think I will let you go."

Though her words were directed at Rei, the warning was equally meant for Miku. However, Rei remained silent, while Miku only laughed, enjoying every moment of Saya's outburst.

"Why?" Miku taunted. "You only know how to boss around people you can control with your family's name? If you're so bold, why don't you go demand justice from Saeko or Master Busujima? Aren't your families close? Let's see how much respect they give a worthless bitch like you. Hahaha."

Saya's face twisted in fury. "Y-you! Do you think I'm scared of Saeko?! I'll go right now and see who she sides with! Just wait and see what I do to you!"

Her hand instinctively touched her cheek where Miku had slapped her, the sting still fresh. Rage burned in her eyes, a deep hatred boiling inside her. Without another word, she turned to storm out of the room, but Rei's calm voice stopped her.

"Busujima-senpai told us to stay put and not move around," Rei said expressionlessly.

Rei knew Saya Takagi had never liked her, and she didn't care. She had no reason to get close to someone like Saya, especially not now. The world had changed too much in just one afternoon.

Rei had witnessed her classmates die horrifically right before her eyes. Unlike the others, she couldn't just brush it aside. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw that horrifying scene—blood, screams, death. She understood the reality of their situation better than the rest.

The world had changed, and there was no going back.

The old rules of their peaceful society were gone. If they wanted to survive, they'd have to adapt. And people like Saya, who clung to their former status, would be the first to fall.

Saya's temper flared again as she shot one last look at Rei and Miku. "I'll be back after talking to Saeko. Don't think this is over!" 

In her mind, Miku and Rei were clearly in cahoots, using Saeko Busujima's name to suppress her. But Saya wouldn't back down. She was the eldest daughter of the Takagi family—no one, not even Saeko, could control her.

She stormed out of the room, her mind made up. Today, she would confront Saeko directly. Let's see if Saeko would side with that slut Miku or with her, and see if she dares not give face to the Takagi family.

As Saya's figure disappeared, Miku watched her leave with a smile curling at the corners of her lips.

In fact, there was a reason she had come here specifically to argue with Saya Takagi. Belittling that arrogant girl, who acted as if the world owed her everything solely because of her family name, was an added bonus. But the real reason? She'd received her signal from Master Busujima.

Miku's task was simple: provoke Saya and send her off to confront Saeko. Everything had gone according to plan.

Miku was not concerned about whatever happened to Saya after this. But she knew one thing for certain: that spoiled, pink-haired brat was in for a rude awakening. Her end certainly wouldn't be a good one.

Now, all Miku had to do was deliver another piece of prey.

Her eyes drifted toward Rei Miyamoto, who was still watching Saya, hesitating as if she were considering whether or not to stop her. In such a state of mind, Rei naturally failed to notice the strange smile that crossed Miku's face.

…..

Saya Takagi had never been to a place as remote as Henggou Mountain. Not long ago, while eating dinner at home, she overheard her father mention it offhandedly. He had said Master Busujima was insane for spending a fortune to renovate a hill that no one would ever go to.

At the time, she didn't care, dismissing it as unimportant. But now that she was here, and her anger had subsided enough for her to take in her surroundings, she began to notice just how strange this place really was.

The entire mountaintop was artificially separated from the mountainside. Layers of barbed wire barriers surrounded it, and the edges had been carved into a sheer 90-degree cliff. From what she could tell, there was at least a 20-meter drop between the top and the next level below.

It allowed the people on the mountaintop to clearly see everything below, while those below would have no chance of seeing what went on above. It was an isolated fortress.

There was only one way up and down—a single old-fashioned elevator. A single malfunction or act of sabotage could completely isolate the mountaintop from the outer world.

Saya frowned. What the hell had she just walked into?

Moreover, before arriving at the mountain, Saya had observed the situation at its base. Henggou Mountain was completely cut off from the outside world. Aside from a single suspension bridge that could be folded up at any moment, the entire area was surrounded by a moat with running water and a thick city wall.

The mountaintop itself looked like an ancient fortress, almost like a replica of a Warring States-era stronghold. If someone owned a place like this back then, they'd have been considered a powerful and influential figure.

"Did he know all along that this was going to happen?"

The thought struck Saya suddenly, and it sent a chill down her spine.

She might be arrogant and spoiled, but she was no fool. Saya had always been top of her class, praised for her intelligence. And now, a dark suspicion had formed in her mind.

Could it be that Master Busujima had anticipated this? Why else would he spend such a fortune to renovate the entire Henggou Mountain into a fortress? And why was he so quick to kill people earlier that afternoon, without hesitation?

As this realization sank in, Saya's heart grew cold. If her guess was correct, then the real question became: why had Master Busujima rescued them in the first place? What were his true intentions?

When Saeko had arranged for them to stay in separate rooms for the night, everyone assumed it was just based on how close they were to her. But now, replaying it in her mind, Saya realized something unsettling.

Of the four girls staying at the top of the mountain, only Saya had any significant relationship with Saeko. The others were practically strangers to one another. But now that she thought about it, they all shared one notable trait.

They were the most beautiful girls in the class.

Even if Saya hated Rei Miyamoto with a passion, she couldn't deny that Rei was undeniably attractive. Not as attractive as herself, of course—but close enough.

A sense of dread began to creep over Saya. If this was all part of some plan, then the danger they were in was far greater than she had imagined. She needed to act, and fast.

Silently, she began to tiptoe toward the large, three-story villa in the center of the compound. If her hunch was right, that was where Master Busujima would be.

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