Afterburner

(You know. I don't know whether I should be surprised, or sigh at how comical this is…)

It has been a few minutes since we entered the 'conference' room. We as in Rika, Saya, Saeko, and me.

On the opposite side of us, sitting by a set of tables that created an 'arc' that extended to about half the room, three people. Saya's dad to my right, the from the burning mansion to my left, and the 'lot's o medals General that was responsible for this establishment in the center.

(...Uhh, I know I should not judge a book by its cover. But the General in the center, he looks like a fat guy straight out of an NTR game. Ughh, come on Naier, don't badmouth the guy. He might not be so b…)

"Is this some sort of joke? 'These' are the people that 'helped' you? It's just a bunch of kids." The 'lot's o medals' General scoffs.

(...Aaand he's an ass.)

The moment the General finished his sentence, I reflexively glanced to my left to find Saya glaring at the man, her eyebrow twitching slightly.

(Right, Saya really 'likes' being called a kid. And he just had to use 'these' words...)

"Did we get called here just so somebody can voice his displeasure?" I 'ask'. The General narrowing his eyes with an obviously displeased look.

"I have two people here in relatively high standing, telling me that 'you' provided some valuable assistance. Yet, all I see is an insubordinate boy and two highschool girls." The General responds as he keeps staring at me.

"Sir, we're in the middle of a very important operation. I would not have mentioned them if I didn't think they were up to the task." The M. General calmly speaks up as he turns to look at the grumpy ol General.

"I'm not one to mince my words General. That 'boy', as you called him, is the reason we managed to leave my estate, instead of having to flee from it." Souichiro adds with a stern look.

(I should be happy that these two are backing me up right now. But, task? I REALLY don't like the sound of that.)

The General lets out an exaggerated sigh before folding his arms.

"I will give you two options. One, you will go with the infiltration team into the airport. Two, you will hand over all of your equipment to us." The General states.

(Like hell I'm giving you my stuff you fat ass.)

"When are we leaving?" I 'ask'. Trying to hide the sarcastic tone that I really wanted to take.

"...'You' are leaving in ten minutes. I was only informed about you, not your. 'Friends'." He responds as he turns to look at Saeko, then Saya. Not even trying to hide 'where' he was staring at…

(Danm, he even acts like an NTR class old man. What's next? He will 'take care' of the girls while I'm gone?)

I was also rather surprised that the girls did not speak back, though they both didn't look too 'chirpy' right now.

"Fine, but they keep their equipment as well." I respond.

"You are not in a bartering position here kid." The General leans back on his chair.

"I'm not bartering. Nobody is touching my, or their equipment." I respond as I also fold my arms.

"I don't think you…"

"General, need I remind you that these people are under my command? I agreed to help with your operation. But I'm to decide whether their equipment gets taken or not" Souichiro finally speaks up. And uhh, the fact that he passed the General for about two heads in height, made it look like he was staring down at him now…

(Wait, we're what?)

"You never mentioned you had a military-grade Humvee mister Takagi." The General retorts as he turns to look 'up' towards Souichiro's face.

"Oh, that would actually be private property Mister General. My, private property." Rika brings her hand to her temple for a salute as she speaks up.

"You cops don't even know how to present yourselves correctly?" The General turns to stare at Rika now.

(Damn this guy is insatiable, and he's staring at somebody's boobs again…)

"My apologies General, but I'm no soldier." Rika responds as she makes a slight bow. Though, I could see her pursing her lips, as if not to chuckle.

"Ughh, just get going. We wasted enough time on this." The General makes an annoyed eye roll before making a 'shoo' motion with his hand…

(Good fucking riddance.)

We turned around and left the room, then walked down the hallway until we reached the couch we waited on before.

"UUUUGHHHH. That old fart!" Saya stomps her foot on the ground before plopping on said couch, folding her arms with one hell of a frown.

"Easy there, he might hear you and label you a spy, then demand to do a 'personal' pat-down on you." Rika responded with a slight giggle while folding her arms under her chest. Both Saeko and Saya turning to stare at the tanned woman...

"What? Don't tell me I was the only one who noticed 'where' he was constantly staring at." Rika adds as she 'pushes' her chest up with her folded arms.

"How did that guy end up in such a powerful spot anyway?" I ask as I glance towards the airport, half trying to change the subject. I was pissed enough at that ass as it is, didn't need more reasons to want to pass a blade through his spine.

"Right spot at the right time." Rika answers flatly.

"Well he's a creepo and I don't want him anywhere near me." Saya adds with a frown.

"While he is certainly not among the people I would rather spend time with. That is not what actually bothers me right now." Saeko speaks up next, then turns to lock her eyes on me.

"You do realize that he is just trying to lower his own casualties by sending you there instead." She adds up.

"If he believes what Saya's dad and the M. General told him about me? Possible, but there ain't much we can do about it. Shorty fatty here is the head honcho. Picking a fight with him, will go south for us pretty fast. From taking our equipment, to being moved to stay with the rest of the civilians." I respond as I shake my head, then turn to look at Saya.

"And it would also leave your dad 'exposed'. Your dad might have tried to take the pressure off us by saying that we are under 'his' command. But that means that our fuck ups can be used against him now." I point behind me with my thumb as I speak.

"I know. But that doesn't explain why 'we' can't come as well..." Saya answers with a slightly grumpy voice, her arms still folded under her chest.

(Uhh, right, I know they will hate my answer. But, here goes nothing)

"Because neither of you is ready for this." I respond, causing both Saeko and Saya to blankly stare at me.

"Care to, elaborate on that? I believe that I am more than capable of defending myself." Saeko 'asks' as she folds her arms, slightly narrowing her eyes.

"Yes, at close range. But all the soldiers will be using guns. You will end up in their line of fire if you try to close in to a corpse. And, neither of you know how to use a gun efficiently yet. Because I get the feeling that guns, will be the only thing we'll use." I respond as I glance between the girls...

Saeko, turns to look away in response to my answer. Saya just stared at me with a 'glare pout' while still sitting on the couch.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to return him in one piece." Rika then speaks up, placing her hand on my shoulder. And getting a bit, too close to me in the process.

"Naier can handle himself, he won't need 'protection'." Saeko responds as she turns to give a cold stare at Rika.

"Y,yea he can manage just fine by himself!" Saya exclaimed as she jumped off from the couch, grabbing me by my hand and 'pulling' me away from Rika…

And seconds later, Rika started chuckling.

"Sorry, sorry. But your reactions make you a bit 'too fun' not to tease." Rika responds as takes a step away from me, a smile still on her face.

(Really not the right time for this Rika…)

Saya then lets go of my arm and turns to look towards the airport through the window with a 'Hum', folding her arms once again.

"Still, I wonder who's fault it is, that I still can't use a gun." Saeko then asks, giving me an obvious stare. While she did not 'sound' sarcastic, I think it was obvious that she was...

"Saeko, even if I did show you how to use a gun. You'd still not be nearly as ready for this." I respond as I tilt my head.

"So we're not ready, but you are…" Saya whines as she keeps looking towards the airport.

"I was able to match headshot count with Kohta, the guy who probably has lead for blood. So yea, I think I'm at least average." I say as I turn to Saya, who did not respond. She just kept looking towards the airport.

And then, nothing. Saya just kept staring through the window, Saeko silently sat on the couch while looking at the window ahead of her. And me with Rika stood in the center of the hallway…

(We, really need to go. But...)

"Uhh, look. I really don't want to leave with the atmosphere being like this. I'll have enough on my hands as it is. Don't need my mind constantly reminding me that you're now pissed at me." I lift both arms slightly as I glance at Saya, then at Saeko…

"But you're an oh so awesome shot, I'm sure you'll manage the extra baggage just fine." Saya responds with what I could only call sarcasm in her voice…

(...Really? Really now? I knew they would not like this. But, holy hell. Isn't this a bit, too much? They do realize that I 'can' die over there, right?)

I let out a sigh as I lowered my head, shaking it lightly.

"Really? I really don't know what you hope to gain by making me feel like shit. But, if that's your aim, then good job, I guess. Maybe going into a fight while wanting to blow something up 'is' better than going in serene." I turn to my left and start walking towards the stairs.

"I need to head to my room to get the rest of my stuff." I say as I keep walking, not waiting for a response.

(I hope we 'will' blow this fucking airport up. Because I really want to light something up on fire right now.)

After reaching the floor with my room, I make my way straight to it.

"Don't need the bag, take the sword." I say to myself as I enter the room.

"Also ask Igano for magazines." I add as I grab my sword, then check my handgun to make sure it was still in its place.

With that, I turn to leave the room. And as I was about to walk through the door, the sword's hilt got caught on the door. Causing me to come to an abrupt stop...

"For Fuck's sake!" I take a quick step back and yank the hilt off the door, then throw a strong stomp on said door. An audible 'crack' sounding off as a vertical rip appeared to where my boot just landed…

After pulling my leg back. I, kept looking at the crack on the door for a few seconds, before leaning on the door frame behind me...

"God, ffffaaa…" I let out an audible sigh as I close my eyes and drop my shoulder slightly.

(Come on you fuckin lunatic, get your shit together. No such thing as human relationships without a headbutt or two...)

I take a few deep breaths and knock my mask a few times.

(Keep it together, don't do anything retarded out there. You don't want to end up dead, do you? The girls might be acting coldly towards you right now, but I don't think they would rejoice if they found out that you blew yourself up out there. Or, I hope they won't...)

"Umm, Naier?" With my eyes still closed, I hear a female voice speaking up next to me. Opening my eyes, I find Saeko next to me, staring at me. I give the door one last glance before turning towards the purple-haired girl, also spotting Saya a few meters behind her and to the left, looking pouty.

Saeko, without saying a thing, undoes her belt. Taking her sword off and extending it towards me.

"My sword, is of better quality and better maintained than yours. I want you to take it, until you return…" She says as she keeps looking at the sword in her hand, keeping her head slightly lowered. And while Saeko was speaking, I noticed Saya as she blankly blinked at Saeko. Before she started patting herself down, pulling her Lugger a few seconds later.

(You know, just saying 'sorry' would be more than enough for me. But uhh, ok, ok. Think, think…)

I glance at both girls without moving my head…

(Neither of them seem to want to look at me in the eye. Maybe they think that I'm the one who's pissed at them now? Uhh, let's make sure that that, ain't the case.)

I take off my sword and leave it by the inside wall of my room. Then bring my hand on Saeko's sheathed katana…

Yet, before she could let go of her blade. I slid my hand onto hers, grabbing it and pulling her towards me. Ending up with her 'landing' on my chest.

"You know, I'd rather we don't 'fight'…" I whisper as I wrap my hands around her waist. Saeko stood still for a couple of seconds, before she started nuzzling her forehead on my chest. Which, I reckon must not feel 'very' nice, as I'm wearing the bulletproof vest right now. She then lifts her head to look at me.

"It, is just. I know how reckless you can be. And letting you go alone, it makes me feel uneasy. It scares me." She responds as she lowers her head again.

"Hey, I told you once before. I'll tell you again. For as long as you need me, I will be around." I bring my hand to her head and ruffle her hair lightly.

"A, are you two going to take forever?..." I hear a whiny voice speak up after a couple of seconds. In response, Saeko backs away from me and folds her arms under her chest, all the time keeping her blushing face slightly lowered...

I then take a few steps out of my room as I fix the Saeko's sword on my belt, and by the time I lifted my head. Saya was in front of me.

"I, I want it back. So you better not lose it…" She says as she pretty much shoves the Lugger to me along with its holster.

(Saya type apology, 10 outta 10)

"Sorry…" She whispers as I take the gun.

(Ehh?...)

"I didn't mean to say that to you. I, was just angry at the whole situation and lashed out at you. Sorry..." She says as she lowers her head.

(Ehhhhhh? Saya is actually apologizing? Holy crabs.)

"As long as you understand. I take what you tell me seriously." I respond as I take off my jacket, then wear the luger over the vest before wearing the jacket back on again. Then, I spend a few seconds adjusting everything on me…

"Don't I get a hug? I said I'm sorry..." I hear Saya whisper with a whiny voice as she keeps looking at her feet, slightly pressing the tip of her shoe with her other shoe...

(...When did Saya learn how to be this fockin cute?...)

"C'mere" I hold myself back from chuckling as I spread my arms slightly. Saya takes a few steps before 'bumping' on me…

And, after a few pinkette head pats.

"It's not that I don't like this, but I really should get going." I say as I keep running my hand on Saya's head.

"Saeko was allowed to hug you for longer…" She whines without letting go of me.

"But I was not the one who made him feel like 'shit'." Saeko responds after hearing her name.

"S,shut up. I said I was sorry…" Saya replies as she presses her face against my vest…

(Talk about mood swings. But, well, I'd rather have this. Instead of thinking that they're mad at me…)

"They better leave us alone after this…" Saya speaks up as she finally let's go of me.

"It's all that perverted creepo's fault, sending you to do somebody else's work. This would not have happened if it wasn't for him..." She adds up as she takes a few steps back, folding her arms.

"Ahh, speaking of perverted creepo. Do lock your doors…" I chuckle as I fix my clothes.

"You think he would go as far as to try and barge into our rooms?" Saeko asks as she looks at me, blinking a couple of times.

"If he's as drunk in power as he seems to be? And with the way he was staring? Add a few extra locks, for good measure. " I add as I glance behind me.

"Ughh, please stop. I'm going to have nightmares if I keep thinking about his ugly face." Saya winces as she shakes her head.

"Yea, ehh, good idea. In any case. I should go get my rifle from Igano. " I nod before turning around.

(I have no idea if I'm late but, blahh. Whatever.)

I head to the stairs, and after giving the two girls one last glance, I start going down...

After reaching the bottom floor, I head outside. Heading straight to where Igano should be at, aka the central installation…

Upon making my way, and entering the makeshift installation, I scan the room. Until I spotted the bun tooting, not so ninja Igano.

"Hey, tell me you're done and I won't have to go to the airport with a bunch of peashooters." I speak up as I close in towards the man, his back turned to me.

"Ahh? Oh, it's you. So Rika was not joking? Damn, guess being 'too' good 'can' bite you in the ass after all. And no, Rika came some time ago and took your gun. She's waiting for you by the gate that leads to the airport, the one on the bridge in the front part of the building." Igano replies as he turns to look at me..

(First name basis with Rika ehh? Well, not all that surprising, he was working on her gun after all.)

"I see, also. Got a few magazines I could use? I got only one." I nod slightly before folding my arms.

"What happened to the ones I gave you? You lost em?" Igano asks back with a confused expression.

"You never gave me any extras for me to lose?" I respond with an even more confused expression.

Igano responds with an 'oh'. And after staring at me with a black stare, he tells me to wait before turning to go deeper into the building. He then asked a man that was working on a Type 89 something, and the man responded by pointing towards a shelf. Igano nodded and trotted to the shelf. After shuffling around for a few seconds, he took something off of it and ran back to me.

"Three magazines fully loaded. Just like the doctor ordered." He says as he gives me the mags with a smirk.

"Thanks man." I nod as I take the mags and put them in the free pockets on the vest, then turn around.

"Try not to get yourself killed ya hear." Igano gives me a few strong pats on the back as he speaks.

"Don't worry, not among the things I'm aiming to do." I respond as I start walking, waving my hand without turning around.

(Ok, front of the building now.)

I nod and start a light jog towards the front...

(Too good huh? Maybe I should 'spectacularly' fuck this one up.)

I chuckle to myself as I keep running. And after passing by the side of the building, I arrive at the front. Almost instantly spotting a jeep and the truck parked by the bridge's entrance…

(...a Half truck, and a jeep? Huh, what a 'coincidence'...)

I decided to hold my thoughts on what I was looking at, and headed straight towards the two vehicles. As I got closer, I spotted one tanned, purple-haired woman with a PSG1 and a Scar-H. Along with five? No, six more men, all near the back door of the truck.

"I'm not late am I?" I ask as I close in, causing the group to turn towards me.

"Not really. We're still waiting for the driver. He ate a bad taco." Rika responds as she tosses me the Scar-H. I catch the gun, then glance at the rest of the 'team'...

(Huh, two soldiers? The rest are wearing uniforms from Soiuchiro's group. So three from Saya's dad, two army men, one cop. And one penguin. Dream team alright.)

"Ahh, you're the one who helped us back there. Never managed to thank you." One of the two soldiers walks up to me, the second one following behind him.

(Uhh. Other than the fact that the first one is taller, they looked like a carbon copy of each other. That's the army for you. Zero individuality.)

"Back there? You two are from the burning mansion?" I ask, both of them nod in response.

"Wait, so no actual soldiers from 'this' establishment have been assigned? " I ask as I fold my arms..

"Well, there's me, and the driver." Rika speaks up.

"True." I nod slightly before wearing the Scar-H.

"So, uhh, we have a plan? Or we have been ordered to clear a possible triple-digit 'infestation' with just sticks and stones?" I ask again.

"We have a plan. We will take the truck and one jeep, fill the truck with fuel barrels and place them on the runway. Then use the jeep to attract these freaks before blowing them all up to kingdom come." One of Souichiro's men, who wore a red armband, answers…

(...For real? Really now? Where are my creds? I want an eighty present, plus interest...)

"Might not sound like much, be at least we 'have' a plan now. Initially, they were just aiming to toss half the armed forces into the airport to clear it out." Another one of Shouchiro's men speaks up. That one, was wearing glasses.

"You didn't hear this from me. But that General in charge here? A real strategic mind that one" The last one of Souichiro's men adds with a sarcastic tone. He looked, rather generic to be honest.

"How did that guy end up 'up' there anyway?" I shake my head as I fold my arms.

"Highest rank. Other high ranks are either M.I.A or K.I.A." The tall soldier responds.

"That's, not what I meant. How did that guy become a General in the first place…" I turn to look at the soldier who answered.

"Oh. Well, uhh. You know, the same way other incompetent people get positions of power?" The same soldier responds in a lower tone, reflexively glancing around the moment he said the word 'incompetent'.

"Matters not. We have a plan, let's do our jobs and get this over with. Taking back the airport is vital, as we don't have a place to land the evacuation planes right now. " The armband guy responds.

"Hmm? Hey Naier, ain't this the sword your purple-haired friend was carrying around? What, made up already?" Rika 'asks' as she grins at me.

"Yes." I answer flatly.

"Haah. Good to see that they decided to listen to me." She responds with a chuckle.

"Uhh, what?" I ask as I tilt my head. And just as I finish my question, another soldier runs up to us.

"Sorry for the delay, that damn taco." He says as he fixes his pants.

"Just don't get near me please." The generic-looking guy from Shouchiro's group says as he laughs through his nose.

"Yea fuck you too. Let's go." The Taco soldier responds as he gives the laughing soldier the finger. Making a beeline for the truck's driver seat.

"Ok, I will be driving the jeep, the rest, get into the truck's box" The armband wearing man glances at the other two men from his group as he also starts walking towards the jeep.

(Ok, so. We got, Armband dude, Glasses dude, Generic dude, tall dude, short dude, Rika, and taco man. Ten outta ten naming skills.)

With that, the rest of us enter the back of the truck. With me sitting next to the 'exit'.

"Careful not to fall off, we're leaving the doors open" Rika adds as she sits on the opposite side of me. I nod back in response…

"Hmm? Oh dude look, two hot chicks are staring at us." The generic dude says as he nudges glasses dude, who was next to him, with his elbow.

(...Uhh, something tells me that...)

Hearing the generic dude, I turned to scan around the front part of the building and its adjacent road. And true enough, one twin tailed pinkette, and one purple-haired samurai were staring towards the truck.

I raise my hand towards them, they respond by also raising their own hands.

"Wait, you know them?" The glasses man asks as he looks between me and them.

"Yea." I answer.

"Know them? He was traveling in a car full of condoms with them." Rika adds, her face seemingly looking like she was trying to hold her breath.

(...Oh, hell no.)

"Wait. One of them is the boss's daughter…" The generic dude adds as he squints his eyes, while at the same time, the truck started to move, going past the now open fence.

(Oh, double hell no.)

"Wait, really?" The glasses guy leans towards the truck's back exit as he also squints his eyes...

"Uhh, can't make them out now. Still, if the boss's daughter was waving at you…" Glasses guy stops speaking as he turns to me.

"Then you must be that nutjob who plugged the barricade at the estate when the E.M.P went off." He adds as he pushes his glasses closer to his eyes.

"Nutjob?" I 'ask' as I turn to look at the guy.

"In a good way of course." He responds as he goes back to a normal posture while smiling at me.

(How the hell can somebody be a 'good' nutjob?...)

"Plus the fact that you're 'nuts' enough to go after Souichiro's daughter. All the pretty in the world wouldn't be enough if I had 'him' waiting for me on the other side." The generic dude chuckles.

"Hah, wait until dad over there finds out that our guy here is going for doub…"

"Dubstep" I cut off Rika before she could finish. Locking my eyes on her. She just responded with a playful chuckle.

(Didn't you say that my 'secret' is safe with you, ya damn liar.)

"Uhh, you lost me there." The glasses dude frowns slightly as he looks between me and Rika.

"I was going to be, a dubstep Dj…" I respond with a deadpan voice…

(Really now me? Dubstep Dj? I barely even listen to friggin dubstep. Just, thank God that we got no electricity to spare, they can't ask me to prove it...)

"Heh, then maybe that's why you're getting sent here. Souichiro is trying to kill you, to get his daughter away from you." The generic dude chuckles. I respond by letting out a short dry laugh before turning to look through the open back doors. The fence that we went through, which was already closed shut, quickly losing its size. And, I could now see a couple of corpses that were roaming about between us and the fence.

"Can't see a single car on the bridge." I say as I keep looking outside.

"Yea, they kept the bridge empty and in order, up until the E.M.P's fell. And as cars didn't work after the panic started, nobody could actually use the ones inside the airport to leave, or crash them on the bridge." Rika responds as she also turns to look outside…

After that, we stayed quiet for some time, only the sound of the engine echoing as the truck kept moving forward...

"You know, I wonder how they'll decide to deal with all this." The short soldier speaks up.

"Bomb the whole city?" I 'ask' with a chuckle.

"If it was just this city? I would not rule it out. But all of Japan is a hot zone. They'll have to bomb the whole damn continent if so." Τhe tall soldier answers.

"From the info we have been given, they are aiming to use the small islands around Japan as outposts. And building on the ones that allow it. Then start taking back the mainland by taking over small strategic points. Like overrun bases, communication centers, fuel depots." The tall soldier adds up.

(Hmm, then 'our' island could fit the bill, the underwater tunnel could also work both ways too. If we clear it, it'll be a 'cheaper' path that leads to the mainland, compared to ships or planes. Still, something else bothers me right now. The four mercenaries, they lit a whole camp on fire, Meaning they got hired by somebody, and that 'somebody' does not give fuck if they burn one of the few safe camps to the ground. And, the mole they mentioned. As I said, it could still be something that has nothing to do with the outbreak. Like owing money to the wrong people...)

"We're actually in a much better position than countries that are surrounded by land. Poor sods there got nowhere to run to." Generic dude adds.

"Yea, and I heard America got hit pretty hard too. Which is rather weird, seeing as a lot of people there have loaded guns in their houses..." The tall soldier continues.

"You think it's weird? I mean, think about it, how many of these people would start shooting each other the moment they disagreed on something. Or hinder evacuation progress because they'd think that the army is trying to box them in. Having a gun makes escalating something trivial to a dangerous degree really easy. Now give guns to everybody, all it takes is one itchy trigger finger. And suddenly, everybody's shooting each other." Rika turns to look at the tall soldier as she speaks.

"Uhh, I guess, you could be right." The tall one responds as he sways his head from left to right.

"We're closing in towards the end of the bridge, get ready, making a beeline to the fuel storage, over." The radio in Rika's chest pocket goes live.

"Ok, you heard the man. Get ready." Rika glances around the truck as she speaks.

"I just remembered, I forgot to eat…" I respond nonchalantly as I keep looking outside, the bridge getting replaced by a wide field, the airport. And seconds later, I feel somebody poking me. Turning my head, I find glasses dude with a pack of biscuits extended towards me.

"Don't say I never did anything for you." He adds with a chuckle as I take the packet.

"I'll make sure to plug another barricade in your name. Thanks." I responded as I took the opened package, glasses dude just chuckled some more before leaning back on his seat.

I take off my helmet, then lift my mask along with balaclava, and pick the topmost biscuit…

(And once again, I'm eating junk food for a main meal…)

"Ok, I got to ask." Rika then speaks up.

"What's with the mask? I sort of expected you to be missing a nose, or having half of your face burned. Obviously not the case from what I can see now..." She adds up as she keeps eyeing my face.

(So while you thought that I looked like a malformed Golum, you also thought I was boning Saya and Saeko at the same time? What the hell 'did' go through your head Rika? Actually, I don't want to know. Because the points for a fucked up hentai are all there, and I like my sanity...)

"I wear it because I like it. Simple as that." I respond as I take a bite.

"Ehh? Real shame then, you're actually pretty decent to look at." She adds as she smirks slightly.

"Uhh, thanks?" I say as I arch an eyebrow.

(And now I'm feeling uneasy whether Saya or Saeko somehow heard that…)

"Dude, if you're going to steal all the hot chicks from around here. Then please go disappear." The short soldier groans.

"Ohh? You think I'm hot?" Rika 'asks' as she turns now to stare towards the short guy.

"Uhh, umm, well, I guess, yea…" The shorty stumbles on his words from the sudden question as he glances around.

"We're next to the depot. Look alive people, we got hostile bodies roaming around! Over!" The radio suddenly shouts.

Rika's face quickly turns serious as she nods slightly, placing the PSG-1's butt against the floor, so that the barrel was near her face. She then takes a silencer out of her pocket and attaches it to the gun.

"I will keep them off us while we get the barrels. Keep your eyes open on the sides, I won't have a full view from inside the truck." She adds with a serious expression as she readies her gun.

"I'll get out and watch the sides. Got a silencer on the gun as well." I add after her, grabbing the Scar-h that was on my side and lifting it slightly.

"Huh, why didn't we get silencers and scopes?" The generic dude asks as he gets off his seat, kneeling down on the floor in the middle as he readies his own Type 89.

"Hah, because we're expendable drones?" The tall soldier responds as he does the same.

And then, the truck suddenly stopped, and started moving in reverse, making a full u-turn while driving backwards.

"There! I see the barrels by the wall ahead of us!" Glasses guy shouts as he points ahead.

"Keep going, I'll tell you when to stop. Over." Rika presses the talk button on her radio as she keeps staring through the open door.

"Roger." The driver responds…

"You didn't say over, over." Rika says in a joking manner on the radio.

"Oh shadap." The radio responds.

"Ooooveeer?." Rika adds as she smirks...

"You might want to hold on on something." I add right after as I keep looking outside…

The reason? Without the driver being able to see the road, we were going straight towards a couple of lone corpses. Corpses that, as I suspected, the driver did not try to strafe over.

(Holy crap this thing shakes like crazy when going over bodies, feels like it's going to frigging flip.)

"Ok, stop!" Rika shouted to the radio as we got closer to the wall with the barrels.

(Red and blue, we got two sets of barrels. And corpses, a lot of em. At least, most of em are still far, but there are a couple on top of the barrels, literally.)

"Red barrels right?" The tall soldier asks.

"Yea." Rika responds as she looks through the scope.

"Red is gasoline, blue is kerosene. Latter one won't burn as good, plus, we need it for the planes." She adds as she pulls the trigger, taking out one of the corpses that were standing on the barrels, making it land face-first on the floor behind it, a rather big blood splatter appearing on the white wall..

"Ok red is good! Go, go!" The short soldier shouts as he pats the tall one on the helmet.

With me being next to the exit, I jumped down before the rest, then quickly took a few steps ahead before turning around, and kneeling down.

"The hell are you doing?!" Glasses guys shouts as he also jumps down.

"We run over corpses. Don't need em popping under the truck." I respond as I look through the scope while scanning under the truck. And sure enough, I found one corpse that was crawling towards us from under the truck.

"Found ya you little shit.." I add as I pull the trigger, then lift my head and glance around me.

(Holy shit, all I can see is corpses to our left and corpses to our right, we'll get surrounded if we take too long. At least the barrels are by a wall, so we're only 'half a circle' fucked...)

As I finish that though, Rika fires another shot, taking another corpse that was near the barrels down.

"I'll stay by the truck! Let's make a line to the barrels. If you want to shoot stuff, then keep the deadies the sniper can't see off us!" Glasses dude throws a few slaps on my helmet as he shouts. Meanwhile Rika took another shot as the last of the guys got out of the truck.

"We're going to get surrounded like this!" The generic dude shouts as he points towards the opening to our right.

"We'll have the jeep draw away some of them when we're done. Now quick shouting like a bunch of squealing schoolgirls. You are being louder than my damn gun." Rika responds as she fires another shot.

(Don't laugh, don't laugh…)

I let out a suppressed chuckle through my nose. Thankfully, seeing as everybody was a bit 'busy', they didn't realize that I was laughing from the fact that Rika just burned them.

(Ok Rika, has the corpses by the barrels, I'll keep the ones that are around us from closing in too much.)

I nod and get up. Then take a few steps towards the right side of the truck. Until I had a clear view of the corpse-filled field ahead of me.

(Time to waste my bullets.)

I look through the scope and scan for the nearest corpse. The winner? Some corpse woman in her middle fifties, and judging from her clothes, or the ones that she still had on her. She must have liked dressing like a, twenty-year-old...

(Cougar alert?)

One pull of the trigger, and with a satisfying 'muffled' sound coming off from the silencer, the corpse got sent flying back, hitting the ground with her face facing the sky. And it stayed there, motionless.

(Huh, didn't expect the gun to be 'this' silent. More weird world shenanigans?)

The second one, was what I suspected to be a worker here. The orange hard hat, illuminated vest and ear mufflers he still had on him made him stand out over the rest of the corpses. A bit, too much to be honest. There were probably a couple of corpses ahead of him. But, he just stood out, way too much.

(It'd be really retarded if the Scar-H can't punch through a hard hat. Even if it lands on a funky angle.)

Another shot, and the worker corpse falls backwards, the helmet still attached to its head.

(Ohh, he must have fastened that bad boy pretty good, it didn't fly off.)

I then turn to look towards my left. The soldiers and Souichiro's men had already created a line, rolling the barrels to the truck. The two men nearest to the truck then pushed the barrels up, and finally Rika pushed the barrels deeper into the truck with her foot.

With the gun still aimed, I walk past the 'line', towards the left side of the truck. Shooting three corpses that were a bit too close to the truck's side. Then, look towards the field.

(Bah, looks as bad as the right side...)

"Last one, we won't fit in if we add more." Rika speaks up as she kneels near the exit of the truck's box.

"Don't worry, you can sit on me if you want." Glasses guy says with a chuckle as he and the tall soldier push the last barrel up.

"Pull off a stunt that will wow me here, and I'll think about it." Rika responds with a slight smirk as she helps him get on the truck.

"Ok, call our back up, we're done. Over" Rika adds as she presses the talk button on her radio.

"Got it. Over." The radio responds.

(What a Rika thing to say.)

And one by one, everybody got back up inside the truck's box. With me staying out last as I was already on 'shooting' duty.

"Alright we're all in! Stop bullying the dead guys and come on!" Rika shouts at me.

I nod and let my gun drop to my sides before turning around, making a sprint to the back of the truck. The moment I got near, I grabbed Rika's hand and climbed back up.

"Everybody's set, drive like that Taco is chasing you!" Rika shouts to the radio the moment I got back up, a small smirk on her lips.

"Fuck you too sweetheart. Also, you didn't say over."The radio responds in an annoyed tone.

"Hah. What a comeback~" Rika answers, smirk still on her face.

The truck then starts picking up speed. Only to come to a quick stop seconds later.

(Of course it would not be this easy. Guess the road 'is' blocked)

I lean out slightly to see the field around us.

(And everything is still coming towards us…)

"Why did we stop?!" The short soldier slams the wall that was behind the driver with the butt of his gun.

"I can't drive through a wall of fucking flesh! Tell your boyfriends to pipe it down! We have to wait until the jeep draws some of them away! Over." The radio shouts back…

And then. Silence. We just sat there, corpses slowly closing the distance between us and them…

A minute passed, then two minutes. And nothing, no sound of any 'jeep'.

(This is taking too long…)

"Man, I am NOT dying here!" The short soldier shouts as he clutches his gun, glancing outside at the corpses that were now a few meters away...

"Hey, calm down, we can't do much anyway. Running out there now will get you swarmed. And they can't climb, we should be safe here." The generic dude responds.

"Nobody is dying, pull your shit together." The tall soldier adds with a calm voice.

"I AM calm!" The short one shouts.

(As calm as a psycho, on a brand new shiny meat bicycle.)

And just as the Shorty was losing his shit, and the corpses were getting a bit 'too' close for comfort. A car horn echoed.

"About damn time." Glasses guy speaks up with a slight sigh.

And it couldn't be any better timing, as the moment the truck started to move, a corpse grabbed on the bottom rail of the truck. And it obviously, did not let go, as it ended up getting dragged along with us.

"Sorry, but you kind of smell. Find another ride." Rika lifts her rifle, then brings the gun's butt flat on the corpse's face. The corpse, just kept groaning, not showing any sign of letting go…

"Ughh. Come on, I hate clingy guys." She groans as she pulls her handgun, then fires a single shot, punching a hole right through the corpse's head, causing it to let go and tumble on the road behind us.

"Ok, so. What's next?" I ask as Rika holsters her handgun.

"Now we go to the middle of the field and put the barrels, punch holes in them and leave 'em there, we will keep one barrel to make a fuel line. Then park the jeep next to the barrels, pick the driver, and bail." The generic dude responds…

(...Shouchiro, I better be getting some damn credit for this.)

And so. The jeep, with the horn still howling, started 'pied piper-ing' the corpses. For the lack of a better term, creating a sizable horde behind it…

Using the opening that was created, we stopped the truck in an open location. And started to unload the barrels. Well, I say we, but me and Rika stayed inside to keep guard, taking potshots at the corpses that strayed a bit too close to the rest...

(Uhh. I know that Rika is supposed to be a top shot, but hot damn she's good. No wonder she said to her partner that he can fondle her chest if he beats her. Fat chance that even Kohta can beat her. Yea, she's that good.)

"You know, you're a pretty decent shot." Rika spoke up after we had dropped a couple of corpses.

"A bit too slow to be honest" I responded.

"Even still, I see that your shots do land. That makes you pretty decent." She said back.

"Nowhere near our actual gun nut though, or you for that matter." I pull the empty clip out and change to a fresh one from my vest as I spoke.

"Want me to show you a couple of, 'tips'?" Rika ends her sentence by turning her head to me while leaning it slightly towards me, a smirk on her face.

"Are these tips going to make two certain girls I know chain me and toss me into a trunk?" I 'ask' as I turn to look at Rika.

"My, where's your mind wondering? Could it be that two ain't enough for you?" Rika 'asks' back with a sly smirk.

"I have enough trouble managing two. While also having my mind constantly remind me that I would probably be salty as fuck if it was the other way around. So no, two is more than enough. I also don't need to have 'somebody' that will be trying to chop my head off. And, I also don't want to see that 'somebody' bawling her eyes out because of me." I respond with a serious tone.

"Good answer." Her smirk changes to a smile as she turns to look back through the scope, taking a shot shortly after.

"Hahh? Good answer? What? Don't tell me that you've been testing me by poking me in places you shouldn't." I 'ask' as I also aim down the scope.

"Humm, don't get me wrong. It's not like I'm against a 'steamy fun night'." She responds as she keeps looking through her scope.

"But that reaction these two had when they realized you had to go. I get that feeling that for them, it's not just about, 'fun'." She narrows her eyes as she keeps looking through her scope, pulling the trigger once again.

"To put it plainly, I wanted to find out if you're an asshole. A pretty hardcore one if you somehow managed to lead on these two at the same time, but an asshole nonetheless." She adds as she turns to look at me.

(Damn, that woman is sneaky snek. But...)

"Heh, I shouldn't be surprised that you're doing this, should I? I mean, if Shizuka is as much of an airhead as she seems to be. 'Somebody' must be good at 'looking out' for her." I glance at her with a chuckle, then turn to look back through the scope, picking the corpse nearest to our group. And giving it a red flag, right through the head.

"Ehhh, so you're saying that it's my fault that she's that much of an airhead? It never crossed your mind that she is actually 'playing' the airhead? Combined that with her killer body, it makes guys literally drool over her." She responds as she arcs and eyebrow, then turns to look outside through her scope.

"You're just pulling my leg now. With the slight exception, that even she does not seem to understand. She's always like that. Always. Or what, her technique is so advanced that she can seduce inanimate objects? Because I have seen her acting like that even when nobody is around her." I ask as I glance at Rika.

By now, the others had set the barrels, had punched holes. And were waiting for the jeep to come and park next to the leaking fuel.

"Uhh, yea, ok. She's an airhead." Rika smirks as she takes a shot.

"And to answer your question. While answering this for myself probably means nothing. If I am an asshole. It won't be because of the way I'm treating these two. Though, I suppose the fact that I am hogging them both 'is' an asshole move. For the remaining guys on the planet that is." I pull the trigger as I speak. Sending yet another corpse to the ground.

"Hah. I can agree on that, these two sure seem to be quite the catch. Just, answer me one thing…" Rika stops shooting and turns to look at me.

"The mask, it stays during sex?" She asks with a flat tone…

(...)

I just kept staring through the scope for a few seconds, not aiming at anything. Then, I started laughing…

"What? It was an honest to God question. From the moment I first saw you till now. You never seem to take it off." Rika responds to my laughter by frowning slightly.

"I already told you, I didn't do anything to them. But, uhh. Seeing how they both agreed on a 'rule', where I have to take it off when we're in a safe location? I don't think they would be 'too' keep on the idea." I answer as I turn to look at Rika, shaking my head slightly. She just keeps looking at me for a couple of seconds. And seeing that I didn't say or do anything else...

"Wait, for real?" She asks as she raises her eyebrows in surprise.

"Yes for real." I respond flatly. And then, after a few seconds, it was her turn to start laughing instead…

And before this 'chat' could continue for any longer. The jeep's horn started to become audible, and louder…

"Ahh, that was fun. Hadn't had a good laugh since this whole thing started." She says as she lifts her rifle, then aims through it. All the while still chuckling.

(Was it really 'that' funny?...)

"I wonder if your girlfriends will be mad if I decided that I want to spend more time with you. You're pretty fun to be around." She adds as she takes a shot at a corpse to the right.

"I don't know if they'll kill me first, or you." I respond as I chuckle, also taking a shot at a corpse to the left.

"Probably me, less hesitation." Rika answers casually as she shrugs with her shoulders, keeping her eye near the scope.

"Ok, Jeep's in position, the rest are coming our way. Get ready. Over." Rika adds while pressing the talk button on the radio. In response, the truck shook, its engine coming alive.

The moment the rest got near, rolling a barrel that was leaving a trail of liquid behind, we helped em up, along with the barrel. After everybody was on, along with the new guy, aka red armband dude. Rika informed the driver that we can move. And the truck slowly picked up speed once again. The jeep sounding its farewell by blowing its horn non-stop. Or, you know, the guys jammed its horn.

"How far should we go?" Glasses guy asks as he keeps the leaking barrel steady.

"More importantly, how will we pass the corpses that have probably swarmed ahead of us?" I ask as I point my thumb to my right.

"Drive through them?" The tall soldier answers with a question.

"Uhh, hope the thing won't flip over then." I respond.

"Dude, eat your damn tongue." The short soldier growls as he glances outside with a worried expression.

"We can just stop and turn the engine off. Corpses should just waltz right past us, minus the ones that will get stuck on the front." I say as I lift both arms slightly.

"As risky as driving through them. The truck is slow, what if the ones in the front break in the driver's cabin while it's still going slow?" The armband dude folds his arms as he glances at me.

"Fair n…"

Before I could finish my sentence, the truck shook, violently. And after a couple of heavy bumps, and a couple of corpses that appeared flattened on the road under us…

"Nuff…" I continue as I let out a dry cough.

"I will go a bit further away, then stop. Over." The radio on Rika crackles to life. And then goes silent again. Rika nods and leaves her rifle next to her, then undoes the top of her combat suit. Pulling a cigar from an inside pocket of her suit, placing it on her lips, and lighting it up before leaning her head against the truck's metal pane behind her.

(Ok, the horn is loud as fuck, it should gather most corpses there…)

And so, after the truck drove on for a few minutes, it started to slow down. Thankfully, the barrel was still leaking fuel, so all we had to do now was light the match. Though, we decided to wait for a bit, in order for more corpses to gather around our 'trap'...

-Sometime later-

"You know, this is going to be one hell of a firework." The generic dude speaks up as he keeps looking towards the distant barrels and truck. Which were by now, barely visible. As corpses had literally swarmed to the jeep.

"All I know is, that like this we'll save a lot of resources. Imagine having to manually burn or shoot them." The armband dude states.

(Thank you, thank you, hold your applause. No, really, hold it. Better if they don't know it's my plan, lest it haunts me back by making the General dump more shit on to me...)

"Ok. Let's light em up." Rika, who still had the cigar in her mouth, jumps down the truck. And tosses the cigar at the fuel line we had cut off a little further up, no need to blow out selfs up after all...

The moment the burning tip touched the ground, the liquid line flared up, a line of fire quickly spreading, dashing towards the grouped up corpses…

"This is going to be loud." I glanced at the flaming line as I helped Rika up.

"Oooh. I'm getting all giddy." Rika adds with a rather playful giggle as she turned to look towards the soon to be flaming pyre...

And as the flame rushed into the mass of corpses, it disappeared from our sight. And…

Nothing…

"Shouldn't barrels expl…"

And a deafening explosion shut whoever was talking up...

"OHHH YEEAAH!" The generic dude shouts as he gets up on his feet, making a fist pump towards the roof.

(Heeeere's, kool aid man.)

"WHOO! Burn ya fuckers! Burn!" The short soldier also shouts as he also springs off his seat, trading a high-five slap with the generic dude.

"Hahhh, an explosion that loud. It will gather every corpse in the damn field..." I nod slightly as I also get up, a smirk on my face as the flames roared in the distance.

"And the car is still honking." Rika adds as she also gets up.

"So even more ka-boom is to follow." I respond with a chuckle.

"Ha, let it blow, fair trade-off for clearing the whole damn field." The armband guy answers as he claps his hands once.

"By the way. How will they put off the fire? Corpses are flammable, so it's not like it will run out of fuel any time soon." I ask as I turn to look at the rest, pointing behind me with my thumb.

"Ah, we have two firetrucks, small ones. If they ain't enough, the airport has big ones. Even if they don't work. We have enough manpower to push them if need be." The armband guy answers once again.

"Guess, we just took over the field then." I fold my arms and nod as I turn to look at the fire again.

"Easy peasy, now the building itself is left. Which will be the responsibility of another team. Because I, for one, am getting drunk as fuuuck." Glasses guy exclaims with a toothy one-sided smirk.

(Looking at this right now, it feels like getting back the city might not be that hard. If the rest of the army's higher-ups ain't lead-brained that is.)

And as the fire raged, a second explosion went off, this one coming from the jeep. Sending a rather big group of flaming corpses flying through the air.

"I will inform the outpost to move in for the second phase. Over." The radio speaks up.

"I feel a bit sorry for the ones that will be picked to clear the building. Close quarters with 'these' things, not a fun situation." The generic dude sighs as he looks towards Rika.

"Heard they have some heavily armored units set up for this." Armband guy responds.

"Hey, worse case, we just bomb the thing. All we really need is the tower anyway." The tall soldier shrugs as he keeps looking outside…

And with that, we waited in relative silence, looking at the flames that must have reached at least fifteen meters height...

Until…

"I'm going to turn on the engine. Tell your girlfriends not to scream like a bunch of little girls the moment the truck starts shaking. Over." The driver chuckles while speaking through the radio.

"Ai, fuck you too." The short soldier responds as he slams the butt of his gun on the wall behind the driver's seat, for the second time.

"The others are here? Over." Rika asks as she presses the talk button on the radio.

"Yep. And them being here, means it's a job well done on our part. Over" The driver responds…

And with that, the truck's engine got turned on, and we started moving for a few minutes, until we reached the bridge once again. And the moment we passed it, I saw a couple of jeeps blocking the road to the airport behind us. After that, the driver shut the engine and stopped the truck, this time for good.

"Alright team. You were all really wonderfully wonderful. But I have a bottle of Bacardi waiting for me, and I don't wanna keep it waiting." Glasses dude gets up as he speaks, before jumping down the truck, followed shortly after by the rest of Souichiro's men.

"He gets to get drunk, I get to stand in attention. I think I made a couple of wrong life choices. Heh, good work team, good luck." The tall soldier chuckles as he also exits the truck.

"Do you have to say it out loud? Now I feel depressed too." The short soldier adds as he also exits the truck, leaving me and Rika inside.

"Well, let's get going." I say as I also get out, Rika nodding and following suit...

"What are you going to do now?" Rika asks after we moved a couple of meters away from the truck.

"Find Saya and Saeko, go for a walk. Do nothing." I respond as I look around at the soldiers that were running around, setting up tables, erecting temporary fences and tents, shouting orders at one another...

"Well, you won't have to look for them from the looks of it." Rika points behind me as she tilts her head.

I turn around, to see Saya and Saeko coming my way, along with…

(...Well, shiet…)

"Ahh, I just remembered. I need to do, the thingi. Have fun~." Rika exclaims with a playful tone as she pats me on the back, then quickly turns to leave. The reason?

"Humm, I guess I was wrong about you. Good, good." The General speaks up. Saya's mother and father were also with him. Along with Saeko and Saya herself.

"Now take a small break, the team heading inside the building will be leaving in five. You're going with them." The General continues...

(What? WHAT!? Oh you fucking fuck fuckity fuck fuck fuck. Should have expected this, but ughh, let me unload my mag on his fat ass!)

"Really now? What's next? Want me to carry your groceries?" I 'ask' as I found myself with an annoyed, one-sided snarl.

"Watch your mouth kid! You should be glad you're of any use! Preferential treatment does not come for free! " The General barks back.

"Do you intend to take my men without my confirmation General?" Shouchiro then steps in, looking down at the angry dwarf.

"You have agreed to be part of our operations, taking part of your forces is only natural." The General responds as he looks back at Shoichiro.

"Yes, but it will be men that 'I' decide to give. I already have something that I need him for, so you will take somebody else if you really need to take one of my men." Shouchiro responds with a sharp tone.

(Great, now I'm between task n1 and task n2, when did I turn into fuckin property?)

"I would also like to ask him about some information he has." He continues.

"Private, information." He adds as he keeps staring at the General…

And after a few seconds, the General scoffs. Finally walking away, and almost instantly starts shouting at a group of soldiers in the distance…

(Jeez this guy's like a less rape-y, and less charismatic Shido.)

"Good riddance…" Saya whispers with a hiss as she keeps her arms folded under her chest, her head slightly hunched as she glared at the General...

"My daughter informed me about something that I need your input in." Shouchiro then turns to me.

I reflexively turn to Saya as her father stops talking. She lets out a small sigh as she stops glaring.

"I told papa about the foreigners we saw at the burning mansion." She says as she turns to look at me.

"Ahh, yea. Good thinking." I nod and turn to Souichiro.

"What did Saya tell you?" I ask.

"That they spoke English, were responsible for the mansion's state, were heavily armed mercenaries, and were looking for somebody." He responds with a serious tone.

"Yea, and that's pretty much it. They said they were looking for a mole. Also, they mentioned that their extraction will be by a port. Oh and, the mole was an 'egghead'. Aka, scientist." I answer. Shouchiro closes his eyes and nods, seemingly thinking of something.

"Hmm, I see. This city has only one major port, but three smaller ones. Normally, I would not pay attention to this. But they burned a whole refugee outpost down. They are being too hostile, and too effective for them to be just a bunch of random ne'er do wells" He says pretty much to himself.

"With the resources I currently have, I could watch over one of the ports. For the rest, we'll have to rely on the army. Hopefully, once we get connected with the rest of the military, we will find somebody a bit more, competent, to work with." Shouichiro turns to look towards the barking General as he speaks.

"There's also something else I need you to know" He adds as he turns to look at me again with a serious expression.

"I might have decided to overlook your past decision. But don't take it as proof that I agree with your choice to drag my daughter in needless danger." He says as he keeps staring at me with slightly narrowed eyes.

(I survived the apocalypse so far, to die from Saya's pissed off dad…)

"Papa, stop. It was my decision to do this, and he didn't even agree with me. But I couldn't just turn around and run..." She lowers her head slightly before staring back at her father. He responded by looking at his daughter, and saying nothing.

"You have grown..." Saya's mother then speaks up, and Saya turns to look at her, chest?...

I bring my hand to my face with an audible slap and start chuckling. Causing the pinkette to turn around and glare at me with blushing, puffed cheeks.

"W, what!" She shouts.

"You mother meant mentally, Saya..." I respond with a whisper, and Saya's face turns even redder...

"...I, I knew that!" She shouted before turning her back to me.

"Thank you for taking care of her up until now." Yuriko then continues speaking…

"I can take care of myself just fine." Saya whispered in a whiny voice, her back still turned to me…

"And the General was not wrong about one thing. You 'are' getting special treatment." Shouichiro then adds.

"The rooms you have been given are under my good grace, so I expect that if I ask of you, you will appear." He continues…

(...Great, the fun of being owned...)

"Let's go, we have a lot of work to do." Shouchiro then turns around to leave, his wife following behind him after giving us a slight, smiling bow.

(And Saya's dad just saved me from creepo-Generale, while also putting a leash on me. God, them conflicting feelings are real.)

"Uhh, I think I'm going to go back to my room." I say in a low tone as I turn around to look towards the bridge, soldiers running around on it, tossing the bodies that were not burning over the bridge.

"Are you alright?' Saeko asks as she starts walking next to me.

"Yea, I just don't want to be around the General. He might send me on toilet duty if he sees me wandering around." I respond with a chuckle.

(And I might as well use the benefits I have been given. If I am to pay for them in the long run anyway...)

"Ahh, good." Saeko answers with a small smile.

"Good?" I ask.

"I would get rather disheartened, if I found out that you would have to sleep through our date. Especially, since I have been waiting for it, all day." She answers as leans towards me, her eyes slightly narrowing as she keeps smiling.

"Hmm speaking of that. I wonder if the building's roof is unlocked." I respond as I glance at Saeko.

"It is." She answers flatly.

"You checked it?" I ask. Saeko nods at me.

"Hmm, guess the date is a date then." I chime as I lift both hands slightly…

"Why only Saeko gets to have a date…" Saya grumbles in a low tone as she keeps walking behind me…