"No matter how deep the night, it always turns to day, eventually.."
— Brook, One Piece
---
Could it be that his presence had altered the course of events?
Regardless, Hirano's fate was sealed.
Just then, Saeko Busujima and Shizuka Marikawa entered the classroom.
Taking in the scene, Saeko approached Roy and looked at Hirano, paralyzed with fear and shock after being bitten.
With a calm expression, she said, "I'm Saeko Busujima, captain of the Kendo Club. Third-year. What's your name?"
"*Ugh!*" Hirano vomited a mouthful of black blood, then stammered, "H-Hirano... Kohta..."
He coughed violently.
"You protected your classmate. That's admirable. I acknowledge your courage," Roy said, taking over the conversation.
In this apocalyptic world, even the strongest bonds could crumble in the face of death. Betrayal and abandoning companions to their doom were commonplace.
Hirano's willingness to shield Saya Takagi demonstrated a certain level of bravery.
"However," Roy continued, his voice even, "you understand what becomes of those who are bitten. Do you want your family and friends to see you like *that*?"
His words made Hirano tremble.
"If not... then allow me to offer you release."
Hirano's face contorted in a silent struggle.
"P-Please..."
Finally, he closed his eyes, his body relaxing as he accepted his fate.
Roy raised his wooden sword.
"W-Wait... Wait a minute! What are you doing?" Shizuka cried, rushing forward to stop him.
"Marikawa-sensei, please don't interfere," Saeko said, gently restraining her. "To preserve a man's dignity is a woman's duty."
Her words held a double meaning, referring to both Roy and Hirano.
Roy smiled, surprised to hear Saeko's famous line. He remembered it well.
In the next instant, Roy's sword fell swiftly, granting Hirano a painless release.
...
"I'm Saeko Busujima, from Class 3-A," Saeko said, introducing herself to Roy as the immediate danger passed. She was intensely curious about his identity.
His speed, his swordsmanship, everything about him intrigued her.
Even Saya, who had been quietly weeping, stopped and looked up at the mention of Saeko's name.
"Saeko-senpai," Roy said with a smile, "My name is Roy Lucifuge. I'm a second-year student at Kuoh Academy."
"Judging by your name, you're a foreigner? I'm Shizuka Marikawa, the school nurse here," Shizuka said, her airheaded nature apparent.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Roy replied with a smile.
"Kuoh Academy?"
Saeko repeated the name, but it drew a blank. She had no recollection of such a school.
They exchanged introductions, but Saya remained silent.
"And you? What's your name?" Roy asked, extending a hand to Saya.
He knew that facing such a horrifying apocalypse, Saya, an ordinary student, was near her breaking point, just as she had been in the original story.
Saya lifted her tear-streaked face, meeting Roy's gentle smile. Somehow, his presence calmed her turbulent emotions.
She managed a weak smile. "My name is Saya Takagi. I'm a genius, you know?"
Though her smile was strained, Roy didn't find it off-putting.
She took his hand and stood up.
"It's a pleasure," Roy replied, smiling back.
Turning to Saeko, he spoke with a serious tone. "We can't stay here any longer. We need to leave immediately."
"What do you suggest?" Saeko agreed readily.
"As the school nurse, Marikawa-sensei should have a car, correct?" Roy looked at Shizuka.
"Yes!" Shizuka nodded, her expression vacant.
"Where are the keys?"
"Oh, let me look…"
Shizuka rummaged through her bag.
"Found them! Look!" she exclaimed, holding up the keys like a child showing off a prized possession.
"Marikawa-sensei's car should be able to fit four people, right?"
Including himself, there were four people present: Saeko, Saya, and Shizuka.
Roy remembered Shizuka having a small car, so it *should* be enough.
"No problem!" Shizuka chirped.
"Then we shouldn't delay. Let's go!"
"Now, let's assign roles. I'll take the lead, Saeko-senpai will cover the rear, and Takagi-san and Marikawa-sensei will stay in the middle. Any objections?"
Roy placed himself in the most dangerous position at the front, leaving the relative safety of the rear to the others.
"No problem!" Saeko agreed without hesitation.
She had no reason to refuse, especially considering this mysterious young man's evident strength.
"But..." Shizuka started to say something but was interrupted by Saya.
"I know what you're worried about, Marikawa-sensei, but we can't worry about that now."
Saya, having regained her composure, understood that Shizuka was still concerned for the other students.
"Indeed, Marikawa-sensei. Let's focus on escaping first," Saeko added.
Shizuka, though still worried, didn't argue further.
"Then let's go!"
Seeing no further objections, Roy led the way, and the four of them set off.
Just as they exited the classroom...
"D-Did... Did Roy-senpai kill all these zombies?" Saya asked, her voice trembling as she saw the numerous headless corpses at the doorway. She recalled the zombies that had fallen before her just moments before.
Saeko, recalling Roy's swordsmanship, was filled with admiration.
Such skill was unlike anything she had ever witnessed.
"Yeah, they were just ordinary zombies. Let's hurry," Roy said dismissively, waving his hand as he stepped out into the corridor.
The three girls followed close behind, saying nothing more.
---