Sound

"What-?" As they focused, they discerned a strange sound that seemed to grow louder and louder.

It wasn't a zombie's growl or someone's cry. Rather, it was the sound of someone humming, which soon turned into a song surprising each and every one present. 

"Is... someone playing 'Yoru ni' out there?" Orimura asked in confusion. (A/N: Japanese Song)

"Oi!! Look down there!!" While everyone was confused by hearing a song echo in the air, Yoshida pointed toward the ground, drawing everyone's attention.

"GROWLL!!!"

As Haru and the others looked down, they saw multiple Zombies rushing toward one direction. It was none other than the direction from where the song seemed to be originating.

"It's not just there! Look! There are less bangs on the door now!!" Someone amongst the other six students pointed out.

As they focused they realized the forceful banging on the door of their Lab was gradually subsiding, as the Zombies outside dispersed and ventured toward the sound. 

 "Finally... thank goodness..." A collective sigh of relief escaped the group as the immediate threat seemed to lessen before their eyes.

"They're all being lured by that music coming from afar.... But who could be playing it?" Haru wondered aloud, expressing the confusion they all shared.

It was then that their questions were answered as a voice resonated with the music, reaching their ears.

"To all my fellow students and teachers, who are still alive somewhere out there in school," the voice reverberated throughout the school.

"Haru!! This voice!!" Aki exclaimed as her tone filled with surprise.

"Yea!!... It's him!! I was wondering where he might have gone..." Haru nodded, a small smile gracing his lips as he recognized the owner of the familiar voice and continued with a small chuckle, "So, he is also alive and kicking, huh?"

The owner of the voice continued.

"I am Akio Kimura, the former Student Council President. I'm addressing you all through the broadcast system to let you know that we have successfully secured the whole Auditorium. Those of you who are still alive are welcome to come here and seek shelter. Along with the strong security measures, we also have provisions of food and water available enough to last long."

"What? Food!?" a collective surprise lit up everyone's faces as they heard his words. The mere notion of securing food and safety was enough to ignite a spark of hope within them, given the dire circumstances they had faced since morning.

"H-Haru!!" Aki's eyes were alight with hope as she glanced at Haru, her anticipation visible on her face.

"I know. But let's first listen to what else he has to say," Haru responded calmly, his expression a mixture of cautious optimism and curiosity.

The announcement then continued, "I understand that going out to reach Auditorium with Zombies lurking everywhere is a challenging and dangerous task, but rest assured. Every 10 minutes, we will play a song that will divert the Zombies in the opposite direction towards end of the school's parking lot. So, take your time to prepare with whatever resources you can find, and only set out when you hear the music for the 10th time, as a precaution. As your fellow schoolmate, I hope we all survive and be together in this chaotic times."

"I repeat -"

And then the announcement repeated three more times before finally ceasing, leaving only the music to continue its enchanting tune, drawing all the nearby zombies in a singular direction.

As the broadcast concluded, all eyes in the lab turned to look at Haru. 

"What?" he couldn't help but feel puzzled by the intense yet hopeful gazes fixed upon him. 

"Well, considering how you've managed to survive out there and are the only one with weapons to kill Zombies, your opinion holds weight in our decision to stay or leave," Orimura explained. She knew it was wrong to put such a responsibility on the shoulders of someone who was her student, but she understood that times were changing. As powerless as she was, her old ideals would be meaningless in the face of strength and chaotic apocalypse.

Perhaps understanding her feelings, Haru replied, but his expression was thoughtful. "I was actually planning to ask for your opinion, given your role as our teacher... But if you're asking me, I'm not sure what to say about the matter."

"Isn't going to the Auditorium our best chance to survive?" Aki asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Hah! Don't tell me you're scared now," Yoshida taunted from the side.

Ignoring Yoshida's taunt, Haru replied to Aki, "You're right, and we may not get another chance like this in the future. But..."

"If you know what needs to be done, why are you hesitating? Is something wrong?" Orimura inquired, her voice filled with concern.

'I don't know... Then again, why am I feeling a sense of... dread? Am I really getting scared now?' Haru thought to himself, his mind clouded with uncertainty.

Initially, he had been positive after hearing the announcement, but now, when they sought his opinion, a sense of wariness crept into his heart. Yet, as he looked at the hopeful gazes of everyone present, especially Aki's, Haru chose to set aside his uncertain feelings and think more rationally about their situation.

'No... I have to think more rationally. We can't be stuck here for long, not without any food.' 

After contemplating for a moment, Haru let out a sigh and said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hesitated when every second is crucial for all of us. You guys are right; I suppose we should head to the Auditorium, but not without making some preparations. Although the Zombies are moving away, we can't afford to be careless or hasty. We need something to protect ourselves with."

Upon hearing his words, a small smile appeared on Orimura's face as she spoke, "Don't worry. Don't worry. While you were busy with Aki-chan, I managed to create something really useful."

"Let me show you what I made," Orimura said, pointing toward the end of the lab where a few items were placed on a table. 

"Is that...!?" Everyone exclaimed in shock as they laid eyes on the items she had created.

"Yup, it is what you think it is," Orimura confirmed with a hint of pride.

Arranged carefully on the table, the row of glass bottles caught the light, each one tightly sealed with a cloth. Within these transparent containers lay a potent liquid, a highly concentrated alcohol known for its flammable properties, serving as the essential ingredient that formed the core of what the world recognized as Molotov cocktails.

"Haha... As expected of you, Sensei..... With these Molotov cocktails and a few more things, we will be more than ready to leave this place," Haru chuckled a little, taking hold of the Molotov cocktails in surprise.

'The things happened with Miami won't be repeated! With these, our chances of survival will increase even further and we all will survive!'