The drive back to the apartment was quiet after that encounter, and just as the sun was about to set, they arrived.
Riku parked the SUV inside the lot of the apartment for a quick getaway in case they had to vacate the area, and then turned the engine off.
"Let’s go," Riku said as he stepped out of the vehicle and opened the second row door to grab the tote bags that contained food, water, and clothes. Then, they made their way upstairs.
Fortunately, there were no zombies so it was a smooth climb up to the stairs. At the eight floor, Riku led the way to their unit and once arriving in front of the door, he knocked.
"It’s me," Riku simply said and the door was instantly unlocked and the person behind it was Ichika.
"Riku, Miko...Thankfully you both are safe," Ichika paused, turning her head as if looking for someone. "Ahm...where are Miko’s parents?"
Riku and Miko had a sombered look on their faces and Ichika saw it. That was their answer and her expression turned gloomy.
She stepped aside, allowing them into the apartment.
Inside, Suzune was sitting on the couch with her leg propped up on a pillow.
"You’re back," she said, smiling faintly despite her discomfort.
From the other side of the room, a smaller figure rushed over—Hana, Riku’s little sister. She nearly tripped over the edge of the rug in her haste.
"Riku-nii! Miko-nee!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his waist first before turning to Miko.
Riku gave her a brief pat on the head, but his expression was grave. He let go and faced everyone.
"We didn’t make it in time," he said simply. "Miko’s parents... they’re gone."
Suzune’s eyes widened, the smile fading instantly. Hana froze mid-step, her small hands clutching the edge of Miko’s shirt.
Their eyes all shifted to Miko.
She didn’t say a word—she didn’t have to. Her downcast gaze, the way her shoulders trembled ever so slightly, said it all.
Ichika moved first, stepping forward and pulling Miko into a gentle hug. Suzune leaned forward from the couch, her own face clouded with sorrow. Hana wrapped her arms tightly around Miko’s waist, burying her face into her side.
"It’s okay... we’re here," Ichika murmured.
Miko didn’t cry, but her lips quivered, and her hands clutched at the fabric of Hana’s shirt.
Riku watched the scene for a moment before quietly moving toward the kitchen. He set the tote bags on the counter, unpacking the contents one by one—bottled water, canned goods, packets of instant noodles, and a few clothes.
Ichika and Hana escorted Miko inside the room while Suzune remained in the living room.
"Riku-san, do you have a moment?" Suzune asked.
"Sure," Riku said before walking up to her. "What is it?"
"By dead, do you mean Miko’s parents turned into one of those?"
Riku nodded. "Yes, their neighborhood was overrun by zombies. If only we were faster, the outcome might have been different."
"Don’t blame yourself for something you have no control over, Riku-san," Suzune said softly. "It was already a great effort from you that you had to go all the way to Miko’s home."
"I promised that I get you to your families once we arrived here, right?" Riku reminded.
"Yes I still remember you saying that. However, things have changed," Suzune’s tone turned sharp and subtly cold.
"I believe doing that kind of thing would put yourself and others in danger, and by others I meant us."
Riku furrowed his brow. "Are you saying that I will stop helping you find your families?"
Suzune nodded. "Yes. Ichika and I had a talk about it earlier. We were worried that you might not come back. And if you were not to survive, what would happen to us? We are completely dependent on your strength and skills. It is what made us able to survive a day in this new world. If we want to survive, then we must stop reckless things, even if that reckless thing is a sensible and a morally right thing to do."
She continued. "Bottomline is, you can’t save everyone. You saved us. That’s already more than most people could ever hope for."
He crossed his arms, the faint creak of his jacket filling the pause. "If I’d thought that way back at the school, you wouldn’t even be here to tell me this."
Suzune’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Maybe. But every time you step out there, you’re gambling all of our lives—not just yours. You have to think about the group now. About Hana." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
She added. "I’m not saying we are giving up on our parents. We are deeply concerned about their well-being. But the fact we tried reaching out to them through calls and no response, it felt like insanity."
"I understand and the way you spoke things, it seems to me that you have already adapted to our new world."
Suzune chuckled. "We did."
Hearing that, Riku contemplated. Suzune had a point. If this was like in the game, then there was really no hope for the government to contain the spread of the virus. After all, they are not just dealing with zombies, they are dealing with special infected too. In the game, the human population had dropped drastically from billions to millions. It was a worldwide pandemic according to the game’s lore and the main character’s goal was simply to save humanity from extinction.
Human instincts in times of calamity is to make sure their loved ones or relatives are safe. However, this said calamity is not like an earthquake, storm, or a tsunami where if given a time, things would return to normal. This is a zombie apocalypse, and there is no certainty that life will go back to the times it once was.
As much as he hated the logic of giving up on finding their parents, Suzune was right. He has to focus all of his strength in protecting those who are with him now. His little sister for example.
"Do you understand now?" Suzune snapped him out from his train of thoughts.
Riku looked at her. "I do. But, we can’t stay here forever. The supplies that we have plus the one we looted from Miko’s house is enough for us to last a week. If that runs out, I’ll have to scavenge.
"By that time, my ankle would be fully healed. I will help you on the supply run. Of course, Ichika and Miko too."
"No, that’s dangerous. Just let me do those thin—"
"Riku, we have to learn how to fight and defend ourselves. Sure we are depending on you now but our chances of survival won’t increase if there is only one fighter in our group. Please understand."