Chapter 22

The mahogany conference table gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights of the sterile boardroom. Five figures sat around it, their faces etched with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. At the head of the table, Victor Crowley, the CEO of Randall Corporation, adjusted his cufflinks and cleared his throat.

"Gentlemen," he began, his voice laced with a practiced authority, "we stand at a crossroads. Project PL-X, codenamed 'Platinum Lily,' has finally reached its culmination."

A collective murmur rippled around the table. Dr. Togo Itaru, the lead researcher, leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with a mix of scientific zeal and something akin to pride.

"As you know," he continued, her voice precise and controlled, "PL-X is a unique bioweapon unlike any other. It utilizes a potent neurotoxin derived from the 'Platinum Lily' plant, combined with a highly contagious viral vector. The results, as we've witnessed in the controlled trials, are... remarkable."

Dr. Togo Itaru projected a series of holographic images onto the table, depicting scenes of simulated warfare. Soldiers, infected with PL-X, exhibited enhanced strength and aggression, overwhelming their opponents with a terrifying efficiency.

"The initial exposure phase," Dr. Togo Itaru explained, gesturing to the images, "triggers a state of heightened aggression and hyperfocus. This, combined with the rapid muscular growth, renders the infected highly effective combat units."

A heavy silence descended upon the room as the executives absorbed the implications. One of them, a man with a perpetually worried expression, finally spoke.

"Dr. Togo," he said, his voice strained, "you haven't mentioned the... side effects."

Dr. Togo's smile faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"The secondary phase," he stated coolly, "results in complete nervous system collapse. While the infected maintain a semblance of motor function, they essentially become mindless automatons, easily controlled and highly susceptible to external stimuli."

Victor Crowley steepled his fingers, his gaze cold and calculating.

"Excellent. This ensures minimal collateral damage and complete control over the affected population."

A flicker of unease crossed Dr. Togo's face, but he remained silent.

"Now," Crowley continued, his voice dropping to a low growl, "the question remains: where do we deploy this marvel of modern science?"

A tense silence followed, broken only by the soft hum of the ventilation system. Finally, another executive, a woman with sharp eyes and a predatory grin, spoke up.

"Tokonosu City," she declared, her voice dripping with a chilling certainty. "It's a small, isolated city, perfect for a controlled release. We can study the effects of PL-X in a contained environment, and if necessary, enact a swift and decisive 'cleanup.'"

A shiver ran down Dr. Togo's spine. He knew the implications of such a plan all too well. Tokonosu City wasn't just any city; it was his hometown. Images of his childhood friends and family flooded her mind.

"But... the civilian population," he stammered, his voice barely a whisper.

Victor Crowley's eyes narrowed.

"Dr. Togo," he said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, "your expertise lies in the creation of this weapon, not its deployment. We, the board, will handle the strategic aspects."

Dr. Togo felt a wave of nausea rising in his throat. He realized, with a sickening clarity, that he had become a pawn in a game far bigger and more sinister than he could have ever imagined. The weight of his creation settled upon him like a leaden shroud, and he knew, with a chilling certainty, that the true cost of Project PL-X was far from over. The only reason he was part of the project was his sick daughter having an incurable disease, a fact he kept hidden, knowing the board would never understand.

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As the first light peeked through the curtains, I stirred beside Sawa, her warmth a comforting presence against my side.

I playfully reached out, booping her nose, the gentle gesture eliciting a drowsy smile and a contented sigh. With a tenderness only reserved for her, I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, cherishing the quiet intimacy of the moment.

Sawa's eyes fluttered open, still clinging to the remnants of dreams. "Morning already?" she mumbled, her voice laced with sleep's sweetness.

A low chuckle escaped my lips as I traced gentle circles on her back. "Good morning, sleepyhead," I teased, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Sawa, in response, burrowed deeper into the warmth of the blankets, her playful groan muffled by the pillow.

"Just five more minutes," she pleaded, her fingers drawing lazy patterns on my chest. 

The way she mumbled, her touch feather-light, sent a wave of warmth through me.

Smiling at her sleepy protests, I bargained, "Alright, but only if you promise not to fall back asleep." Pulling her closer, I enveloped her in a warm embrace.

A sleepy grin met my gaze as Sawa reluctantly pushed herself up, stretching luxuriously. "Fine, but you owe me breakfast," she declared, her voice laced with a hint of mischief. Her eyes, however, held a warm glint as she met my gaze.

"Deal," I chuckled softly, the silent agreement sealing the promise. As we both rose, ready to face the day together, a sense of shared anticipation filled the air.

Making my way to the kitchen, I began to prepare breakfast. The familiar sizzle of bacon and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, a symphony of morning sounds that brought a smile to my face.

As the eggs cooked to perfection, I hummed a tune, the melody a reflection of the joy bubbling within me. With everything plated and garnished with fresh herbs, I carried the breakfast tray back to her room.

Balancing the tray in hand, I crept back to Sawa's room, careful not to spill a single drop. Quietly, I slipped inside, placing the tray on her bedside table with a soft smile.

"Breakfast is served," I whispered, brushing a kiss on her cheek as she stirred awake once more.

Sawa's eyes lit up at the sight of the meal, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "You didn't have to," she murmured, reaching out to squeeze my hand.

"I wanted to," I replied, returning her smile before reluctantly slipping out of her room once again, knowing I had to make a swift escape before anyone caught me lingering.

Returning to my dorm room, I greeted the familiar comfort of my surroundings with a sense of relief. Shedding my clothes, I stepped into the soothing warmth of the shower, letting the water cascade over me, washing away the remnants of sleep and lingering dreams.

Lost in thought, I methodically went through my morning routine, the rhythmic sound of water serving as a backdrop to my contemplation. As I lathered soap onto my skin, I couldn't shake the smile that tugged at my lips, the memory of breakfast with Sawa still fresh in my mind.

After drying off and getting dressed, I took a moment to gather my books and pack my bag for the day ahead. With each item carefully stowed away, I felt a sense of readiness settle over me, a quiet determination to tackle whatever challenges awaited me at school.

Stepping out of my dorm room, I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anticipation for the day ahead. With Sawa's laughter echoing in my mind, I set off towards campus, ready to embrace the adventures that lay ahead.

As I finished changing, I met Kyouko-sensei in the gym. Her light brown eyes behind her glasses held a hint of weariness, but her demeanor remained gentle yet firm. I couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't entirely satisfied with her life, but she still carried herself with grace and gratitude.

"Good morning, Will. I hope I'm not disturbing you," she greeted me softly as she entered the gym.

"Not at all, sensei," I replied, setting aside my Kyudo gear. "Does the ping pong club need repairs from the table again?"

She shook her head. "Not today, Will. I actually need your help moving some test papers."

Her request surprised me, considering she could have asked someone closer to her office, but I nodded nonetheless. "Sure, sensei. I'm free to help."

"I'll change my clothes first, sensei," I added before heading to the changing room.

Once I was in my uniform and hoodie, I returned to Kyouko-sensei, ready to assist her. "Sorry for the wait, sensei. Let's go."

Together, we made our way to the teachers' lounge, where the stack of papers awaited. I lifted them with ease, following Kyouko-sensei to her next class, curious about what else she might need assistance with.

As we walked through the hallway, Kyouko-sensei and I chatted about various topics, from school events to the upcoming exams. However, our conversation was interrupted by a sudden commotion near the school gate.

"Did you hear that, Will?" Kyouko-sensei's brow furrowed in concern as the sound of banging echoed through the corridor.

"Yeah, sounds like someone's causing trouble at the gate," I replied, my curiosity piqued.

Without hesitation, Kyouko-sensei quickened her pace, leading me towards the source of the disturbance. As we approached the gate, we could see several teachers gathering, their expressions tense and wary.

"Looks like they're trying to handle the situation," I remarked, glancing at Kyouko-sensei.

"Yes, but let's stay back for now, Will. It's better to let the teachers handle it," she advised, her tone calm but cautious.

As we looked toward the gate from a distance, the scene unfolding before us sent a chill down my spine. The man was thrashing about, his movements erratic and unnatural. I could see him repeatedly bumping his head against the bars of the gate, his actions unsettlingly odd.

Kyouko-sensei's eyes widened in alarm, and she took a step forward, her hand instinctively reaching out. But before she could move any closer, I grabbed her arm, pulling her back gently.

"Sensei, wait," I whispered urgently, my voice barely audible over the distant sounds of struggle.

She turned to me, her expression questioning, and I gestured for her to come closer, hoping to shield her from the disturbing sight unfolding before us.

"I-I don't understand, what's happening?" Kyouko-sensei stammered, her voice trembling with apprehension.

"I... I'm not sure, sensei," I admitted, my own voice tinged with unease. "But we should stay back. It looks dangerous."

As we edged closer, the situation became clearer. Teshima-sensei, one of the teachers accompanying us, had approached the gate, attempting to confront the man. But the man's reaction was beyond anything we could have anticipated. With a sudden lunge, he sank his teeth into Teshima-sensei's arm, tearing off a large chunk of flesh.

Horror washed over us as Teshima-sensei collapsed to the ground, convulsing in agony. I tightened my grip on Kyouko-sensei's arm, pulling her back further, desperate to keep her safe from the unfolding chaos.

But the nightmare didn't end there. As Teshima-sensei writhed on the ground, he suddenly rose to his feet, his eyes glazed over with a chilling emptiness. Without warning, he lunged at another teacher, his movements swift and savage.

"P-please, we need to get help," Kyouko-sensei pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.

I nodded, my heart racing with panic. "Yes, let's go, sensei. Quickly."

As I grabbed Kyouko-sensei's hand, I could feel her trembling slightly, her grip tightening around mine as we hurried back to the Kyudo club room. The adrenaline coursing through my veins urged me to move faster, the urgency of the situation pressing down on us like a heavy weight.

Once inside the safety of the club room, I closed the door behind us, trying to shut out the chaos unfolding outside. Kyouko-sensei sank into a nearby chair, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. I knelt down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's going to be okay, sensei," I murmured, my voice soft and reassuring. "We're safe here."

Pulling out my phone, I quickly composed a message to my friends, my fingers moving hastily over the touchscreen as I relayed the unsettling events unfolding outside.

Meanwhile, the back door to the Kyudo gym swung open, and Sawa burst into the room, her eyes wide with concern. She took in the distress etched on Kyouko-sensei's face and turned to me, her expression demanding answers.

"What happened, Will?" Sawa asked, her voice urgent as she approached us.

I glanced up at her, my own worry mirrored in her eyes. "It's... it's hard to explain," I began, struggling to find the right words to convey the gravity of the situation. "There was a... a disturbance at the gate. One of the teachers... he was attacked."

Sawa's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief. "Attacked? By who?"

"I-I don't know," I admitted, my voice faltering slightly. "But it wasn't... it wasn't normal. It was like he was... like he was out of control."

Kyouko-sensei nodded in agreement, her voice trembling as she spoke. "It was terrifying, Sawa. I've never seen anything like it."

As the words sank in, Sawa's eyes widened in horror, her hand instinctively reaching for mine as if seeking reassurance in the face of the unthinkable.

"One of them... like zombies?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, disbelief etched in every syllable.

I nodded grimly, my own heart heavy with the weight of the revelation. "It sounds crazy, I know, but that's what it looked like," I admitted, my gaze flickering between Sawa and Kyouko-sensei.

Kyouko-sensei shuddered, her grip on my hand tightening as she spoke. "He... he attacked the other teacher, Sawa. It was like he wasn't even human anymore."

Sawa's breath caught in her throat, a shiver running down her spine as she struggled to comprehend the sheer horror of the situation. "But how... how is that even possible?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

"I don't know," I confessed, my mind racing with possibilities. "But we can't stay here. We need to get out of here as soon as possible."

A distorted voice crackled through the loudspeaker, barely audible over the growing chaos outside. "Attention, all students!" it blared, static interrupting the message every few seconds. I strained to hear, my heart hammering against my ribs like a frantic bird trapped in a cage.

"Violence has broken out on campus!" the announcement continued. "Students should evacuate the campus according to their teacher's instructions. I repeat. Violence has broken out on campus!"

"They finally noticed," I muttered under my breath, my voice a mere whisper compared to the rising panic. Kyoko, next to me, was a picture of terror. Her face was pale, her eyes wide.

"Students should evacuate campus—" the loudspeaker crackled again, the message abruptly cut short.

"No way..." Kyoko whispered, her voice trembling. Her gaze darted towards the speaker.

A bloodcurdling scream pierced the tense silence. "Help! Save me!" the voice shrieked, raw panic and pain lacing each word. It was the voice of the school announcer, the same cheery voice that had become a familiar part of their daily routine, now twisted with fear. It died down just as abruptly, replaced by a sickening crunch and a wet, guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine. I knew, with a chilling certainty, what it meant.

Despair threatened to drown me, but I forced it down. I had to focus. Kyoko-sensei and Sawa, beside me, needed me. 

"We have to get out of here," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor in my hands. "There's no point waiting for help." I met her gaze, determined. 

"We need to find another way out, another exit."

Kyoko-sensei nodded, a flicker of determination replacing the fear in her eyes. We huddled closer, our breaths mingling as we strategized our escape plan. The moans and thuds outside were a constant reminder of the danger that awaited us. The world was a nightmare, but for now, all I cared about was getting Kyoko-sensei, Sawa, and myself, out alive.