Volume 2 Chapter 23 (1/2)

“Hekksho–”  (TL: sneezing)

Yusuke wakes up sneezing.  His naked body wound in blankets, he vaguely looks around.  The room was pitch black and he couldn’t see anything.

(……ah–, I had fallen asleep like this huh..)

Last night, Mizuki had left right after.  Fatigued as well, Yusuke locked the door and slept in the locker room.

Using the flashlight, he finds the light switch.  While quickly getting dressed, there is a knock on the door.

“………are you awake?”

“Yeah.”

“If you would like to eat breakfast, I can prepare it…”

“I’ll eat.”

“It’ll take about 10min to prepare.”

“Alright.”  (TL: “Aiyo”  Shortened form of “Aa, ii yo”)

Stepping out of the locker room, the hallway is dimly lit by the morning sun.  The corridors stretching to the left and right of the elevator, were lined with gla.s.s windows; and behind them, various plants and flowers had been placed.  Countless towels had been thrown over the tops of the foliage in place of a clothesline.

While yawning, Yusuke took in the scenery outside.  As always, the parking lot was a field of zombies.

“Good weather na~~~”

While humming a tune, Yusuke turns towards the men’s restroom.  Breakfast was bleak as always.  Countless Tupperware and canned foods adorned the dinner table.  They were was.h.i.+ng and reusing disposable chopsticks and the hot water in the tea cups was only warm.

When Yusuke shows his face, Mizuki displays a slightly awkward att.i.tude, but he silently ignores it.  The four face the table, everyone eating in silence.

(I want to eat rice…. Maybe I should bring a small rice cooker…)

While Yusuke was thinking as such, Mizuki lets out a small cough.  Pressing her hand against her face and turning away, she continues coughing.

“A cold huh?  Don’t spread it.”

To those words, Mizuki slightly raises her brows as if asking “who’s fault do you think this is?”.

“……because yesterday, I did something slightly unreasonable.”

“Is that right?  Don’t spread it.”

‘Mu~’ Mizuki gives a sour look.

Ignoring that, when the three finished their meals, Yusuke opens his mouth.

“Sate….to.  You guys.”

(TL: “Sate-to” is something you say when you are moving onto a new task.  It’s like “Alright…” or “It’s about time…”)

At those words Mizuki and her brothers stop moving.  Like that, they wait patiently for his next words.

“I’ll speak while omitting troublesome things.  I saved your lives.  Therefore I’ll have you return the favor accordingly.  Is anyone unsatisfied?”

“…..No.”

(TL: The literal would have been “Does everyone recognize this?”  “….Yes.”, but I felt like that was awkward.)

Mizuki answers in a small voice.  After locking eyes for a moment, Mizkui’s brothers nod in agreement.  Yusuke continues speaking.

“Then, what do you guys do all day?”

“All day…..?”

Mizuki tilts her head.

“While I’m out looking for food, what are you guys doing back here?”

“Nothing…. in particular”  (TL: “Tokuni…. nanimo”)

At those words, Yusuke became silent.

With an unpleasant look on her face, Mizuki and her brother sat there with an atmosphere like they had given up.  After a short interval, Yusuke once again opens his mouth.

“……is that so.  Well, it’s fine.  Anyway, today you will be searching the rooms on this floor.  I’d like to close the shutters at the loading entrance, but I haven’t been able to find the key.  Search for it.  Other supplies and equipment as well.  A floor plan, operating manuals, notes or memos for machinery, anything is fine.”

“Haa…..etto, so we should look for a key and doc.u.ments?”  (TL: “Haa…etto” = “Ye(s)….umm”)

“That’s right, all three of you will.”

“Understood.”

He could only hope that a supermarket employee hadn’t taken the key and gotten turned into a zombie.  Even if they are unsuccessful at finding the key, the work provides them with something to do to keep their minds off of meaningless things.

Even the two brothers quietly nod as if an important task had been left to them.

“I have stuff to do.  I’ll be back by evening…. probably.”

“Okay.  Please be careful.”

Mizuki says in a tone like she is worried about their meals disappearing.

Descending to the 2nd floor, Yusuke folds his arms in thought.