Chapter 18

"There we go. That should do it for the night," I say as I finish setting up the things we need for the night. We have some food and a toilet but that's only for Saeko's use. Men for the win. I am not as limited. We really should have raided a convenience store or something. Don't women need certain things? Maybe they become less important when you're in an apocalypse. People in the old days survived somehow right?

I don't have any knowledge of making said equipment so the girls will have to find a way to help themselves in the meantime. Times like these you really wish your parents were hoarders and doomsday fanatics. At least then you won't be starting from square one. I can see it now. Level one, no special skills, ugly, unathletic and antisocial. Many of us would die if this happened in my old world. Myself being included. I don't even think I would want to live. Life would be shit and people would start to show their true colors. You think you've lost hope in humanity already but you have no idea.

Saeko hasn't spoken much since the island. She's simply staring off into the distance occasionally taking a bite out of her energy bar. Man, we should get some seeds yesterday. Stardew valley up in this bitch. Damn, I should have gone there. So many missed opportunities. Rule number one, anything and everything that happens is your fault whether or not it is in your control. This might seem like trash advice but it pushes you to be better so that you can be prepared next time. For example rolling a one in a million chance of transmigrating to a slow life world. I'd probably be fishing level nine by now.

The only thing that matters in this world are the women. Speaking of women, here's Saeko. I should speak to her soon and take advantage of her moment of weakness while I'm at it. I don't want kids or anything but I swear before this night is out I'm going to hit. Maybe I am the bad guy?

"Hey," I start slowly. She doesn't turn her face to me. "how are you feeling?"

"It's nothing,"

"You know you can tell me anything right? I'm a good listener and I promise not to judge. I'm here if you need me," I go to take out the floor beds they have here. I have never been above sleeping on the floor. I wonder how many tourists have died or are suffering at this moment. People are really ugly. And most of them are the same. I wish I could help but there's only do much one man can do. This is why I think religion is important. If nothing else it gives you hope. At least now there won't be… oh shit. Some religious leader or the other is probably balls deep in some silly woman talking about some repopulation for the human race and faith. Maybe even more than one. Damn that guy has it easy. He probably singing praises to whatever deity he serves while he's getting it on.

Without noticing, I'm already curled up in bed before Saeko gets a word in with my back turned to her. I need to stop living in my head. I turn back to her and stare at her for a while. Again she doesn't say anything.

"Okay. Now I know something's up. Talk to me,"

"It's really nothing. I don't mean to be a bother,"

"You're not a bother. You've never been one. You are the most badass girl I know. You're an honorable person who chooses to do the right thing even when you don't have to. You're an all around great person to be honest and I don't like seeing you so down,"

"I didn't know you thought of me that way,"

"Even so…"

Here we go again. I love my skill of blocking out things I deem unworthy.

"I'm not as great as you think I am. You see when I was younger…"

Finally. In all honesty I don't understand why she would think so badly of herself when she did the right thing. At least in my eyes. That would be rapist is only sorry he got beat. He would have had no issues with violating her. It's really a no brainer for me. Maybe it's because of how she was raised but if we're really being honest it's because it's a low bar for the harem protagonist to jump over. The guy is so clearly in the wrong it makes no sense why she would feel that way. At the same time it doesn't go against the morals of the main character, so he has no internal conflict while also getting what he wants. It's pretty common actually. You just have to open your eyes.

"…so that's why, why I can't-"

Okay this girl talk too much. Sheesh.

I close the distance between us and kiss her. It's very effective. No wonder the movie people do it all the time. She seems surprised at my straightforwardness but doesn't pull back. That's not enough for me though. I want more.

"That doesn't change anything. I still want you,"

Before she can speak I snatch her lips again. This time she respond to my advances. That's what I'm talking about. Let's get it. I say this a lot but this world is bleak and the women are the only reason to keep going but damn are they fine.

The next morning

It's good to be me. Staring at the sleeping girl cuddled up next to me I thank my luck. Maybe that shit's not so bad after all. Now I have two pieces. I'm probably wrong for thinking of them as such but the numbers don't lie. I can't live comfortably without them. To me that comes first. I will not have anything that goes against my main goal. People who want to make things harder for themselves won't have much place or say on my team. Me, Saeko and Kikyo are sure bets. Shizuka if Kikyo is playing her part. The rest will come in time. Before tomorrow is over I'll hopefully have chipped away Takashi's standing in Saya's eyes but for now let me enjoy myself some more.