Chapter 74: Inside the Diner

"James, I will stay with Shizuka and make sure she and the vehicles are safe," Lois offered. 

"Do you want me to go with you?" Yuriko offered. 

"No, we are close by so you can rush back if needed," Lois replied. 

"That sounds okay, we are right here anyways, keep your eyes open," James replied. They all nodded. 

James, Rei, Saya, Jasmine, Saeko, and Yuriko cautiously approached the diner. The outside was littered with heaps of garbage bags, many of which had burst open, spilling rotten food and debris across the cracked pavement.

"Ew," Rei exclaimed, her face contorting in revulsion. She instinctively covered her nose and mouth with her hand.

Saya nodded in agreement. "This does smell bad," she said, her voice muffled through the sleeve she had raised to her face. "It's like a dumpster exploded here," she added. 

"It is awful," Yuriko added. 

"Lets go inside," James said as he stepped forward. They walked up the stairs slowly and opened the door. 

They saw rows of faded and torn red booths lined the walls. The stuffing could be seen from the cracks. The tabletops, scratched and chipped, bore the stains of countless spilled coffees. Some booths had overturned tables and chairs. To the opposite side, there was a long, curving counter with cracked and rusted stools. A faded, handwritten menu board hung above, "Burgers, Shakes, Hot Dogs, Fries." The walls were now covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs. The faded wallpaper peeled in long strips, exposing the cracked plaster beneath. A large, broken jukebox in the corner stood silent. The black-and-white checkerboard tiles on the floor were now dulled by grime and littered with debris. 

There were five zombies standing in the middle. They were all looking in the opposite direction. "Five of them," Jasmine observed. 

Yuriko and Rei swiftly took their positions. Yuriko shouldered her AR-10, the weapon's barrel gleaming as she took aim. Beside her, Rei gripped her M4W firmly in her hands.

"Ready," Yuriko whispered.

"On your mark," Rei replied.

They squeezed their triggers. Gunfire echoed through the diner as their bullets found their marks. The first zombie staggered back as Yuriko's AR-10 round pierced its skull, the force of the shot snapping its head to the side before it crumpled to the floor.

Rei's M4W spat out a burst of rounds, each one hitting. Two zombies dropped instantly, their bodies jerking violently before collapsing. Yuriko shifted her aim and dispatched the remaining two. 

The five zombies fell in rapid succession, with heavy thuds. Smoke wisped from the barrels of their rifles.

"Clear," Yuriko said.

"Good job you too," James congratulated. 

James pulled both Rei and Yuriko into a hug. Rei's face lit up with a smile as she hugged him back, her body relaxing in his comforting hold. Yuriko was taken by the hug however it felt nice, she found herself leaning into the hug. 

Saya cleared her throat "Focus," she said.

James let go and chuckled. "I will give you a hug as well," James said. 

Saya pouted. "I don't need one," Saya replied. 

Yuriko smiled. "My daughter can be a bit feisty. Thank you for taking care of her," Yuriko remarked.

"Mum," Saya said. 

"Danna-sama, let us go," Saeko said. 

"Okay," James said as he walked in. He looked to see there was no Speed-Cola perk on the side. James thought Quick Revive was not there either. That was strange for sure. He walked to the place where the perk was and saw a MP5 on the floor. He picked it up and looked at the gun. The MP5 featured a long sturdy design. It had a retractable stock. The magazine was a long slim stick. It was equipped with iron sights. He thought he had the MP5K back in the Dungeon. This was another variant, he thought. 

"That looks like an MP5," she noted. She remembered during her training days at the academy they had fired a range of weapons. 

"Yes, it is," James confirmed.

"We seem to be gathering quite a few," Jasmine said. 

Yuriko frowned slightly as she checked the magazine in her AR-10. "I'm running low on ammunition, though," she noted.

"We've been getting more ammo after we drank those strange bottles," Saya said, pulling out a handful of bullets for the Ray Gun from her pocket. 

"That explains why we haven't run out yet," Rei remarked, nodding in agreement as she remembered their seemingly endless supply of munitions.

Yuriko raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Interesting," she murmured. 

They walked around the diner to the back. As they moved, James noticed a hatch leading up to the roof.

"Do you think there's something useful up there?" Jasmine asked, peering up at the hatch.

James nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I think so," he replied. 

Jasmine stepped forward. "I can give you a boost," she offered, recalling their past rooftop adventures. "Just like old times," she added. 

"Alright, let's do it, "James confirmed, smiling at the memory.

Jasmine crouched down and interlaced her fingers, creating a makeshift step. "Ready when you are," she said, looking up at him with confidence.

Rei glanced at the setup. "Are you sure this is safe?" she asked.

"Danna-sama and Jasmine have done this before. They know what they're doing," Saeko commented. 

James positioned himself and ran towards Jasmine. He planted his foot into her hands, and with a strong push, she hoisted him upward. The momentum carried him up and over the edge of the roof in one smooth motion.

He landed lightly on the rooftop. "Made it," James called down, giving Jasmine a thumbs-up. He thought, why could he not do this in game. He knew the reason but still. 

James looked around and saw the Galvaknuckles on the floor. James walked and picked the Galvaknuckles by their handle. He could see the 4 holes at the front. He put it on his hand and heard the static electricity. He smiled. "Perfect," James replied. 

James walked back to the edge of the roof, peering down through the open hatch. He dropped down and landed back inside the diner, his boots.

Yuriko eyed him with a mixture of relief and disapproval. "That was risky," she remarked.

Saya, crossing her arms, added, "You could have shattered your kneecaps with a fall like that."

James chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, if that happened, I'd just count on all of you to carry me back," he joked.

Rei stepped closer. "Don't joke about getting hurt, James," she said softly, her eyes reflecting genuine concern.

"It really worries us," Jasmine added.

James thought they did care for him which was not surprising to him but it felt good. He reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Rei's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry any of you," he remarked.

"What is that in your hand?" Saya asked.

"Galvaknuckles. You swing at someone and it releases a powerful electric current, capable of killing a zombie," James explained. 

"Yuriko, I think it's best for you to have it for now," James said.

Yuriko nodded as James gave her Galvaknuckles and put it on. Her first gift from him, she smiled. 

James then spotted a large hand trolley. It was behind the seat. "We are going to need that," James pointed to.

"It looks like junk," Rei remarked.

"It is but like the Turbine once we put it on the bench, it will be useful and powerful," James explained. 

"Okay, I can carry it, Danna-sama," Saeko offered. 

"Are you sure?" James asked. Saeko nodded as she picked up the hand trolley. 

"We are done, here let's go to the repair shop next door," James stated. They all nodded.