Riku felt something wet being swiped on his forehead, and based on the textures of it, it was like a handkerchief or something.
He squinted his eyes and opened and momentarily, his vision was blurry. Then, he saw something huge blocking his view.
"You’re finally awake," said softly by a familiar voice.
She straightened her posture and then looked down, and Riku now knew who the bosom belonged to. It was from Miko, and her charming face complemented with her glasses stirred something within him. And that’s not the only sensation he was feeling.
Behind his head was a soft, warm sensation—pillowy and comforting in a way that immediately made him freeze.
Riku’s brain slowly caught up with his body. He was lying with his head resting squarely on Miko’s thighs, and based on how she had straightened up just now... he had been there for quite a while.
His face turned red instantly.
"M-Miko...?" he croaked, his voice dry and raspy.
"You’re finally awake," she repeated, her voice soft and gentle this time. Her cheeks were pink, but she didn’t avert her gaze. "You scared us, Hayashi-san. You collapsed the moment you stepped in."
Riku opened his mouth, unsure what to say. Her lap was still under his head. He thought about sitting up, but his body ached all over—his arms were sore, his back was stiff, and his muscles felt like they’d been wrung out like a towel.
"You were burning up a little," Miko added, dipping the cloth into a small bowl of water beside her and gently wringing it out. "I’ve been wiping your forehead to keep your temperature down... I-I hope that’s okay..."
"I... yeah. Thank you," Riku murmured, blinking slowly. "I didn’t mean to just... pass out like that."
"You’ve done so much," she replied, brushing a few strands of his hair from his forehead. "You protected us. Of course you’re tired..."
She looked down for a moment, flustered, and added in a whisper, "I was worried about you, Hayashi-san. Really."
Riku turned his head slightly, trying not to sink deeper into her lap, but the comfort made it hard to resist. He felt like if he let himself go, he could fall asleep again—but the smell of food pulled him back to full awareness.
From across the room, Ichika turned around with a small smirk. "Look who’s alive and starving."
Suzune, sitting nearby with her injured foot propped up on a folded jacket, gave him a slight nod. "About time. You’ve been out for almost two hours."
"Two...?" Riku blinked and slowly sat up, reluctantly leaving the comfort of Miko’s lap. She helped support his back gently as he rose.
"Ichika found a couple more cans of food in the emergency supply locker," Suzune explained, stirring something in a small mess tin over a makeshift burner using candles. "We’re boiling instant miso soup packets with rice porridge. Not much, but it’s warm and edible."
"Smells like heaven," Riku muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I feel like I could eat an entire pot."
"Well, too bad," Ichika said, tapping the side of the tin with her chopsticks. "There’s just enough for three servings, so don’t be greedy."
"I don’t mind sharing mine," Miko offered quietly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.
Riku looked at her, touched by the gesture. "No—it’s fine. I’ll just take whatever’s left. I’m not picky."
Suzune handed him a small plastic bowl half-filled with rice porridge and a spoon. "Here. Eat while it’s hot. And don’t collapse again."
Riku chuckled softly and took it. "Thanks, Suzune."
She looked away, mumbling, "Don’t make a habit of scaring us like that..."
"I know I’m sorry," Riku said as he took his first bite.
"So, what happened back there?" Suzune asked.
"Hmm...well, there were a lot of them as expected. But I managed to lure them all out into a gymnasium where I locked them there. And while fighting on my way here to the music room, I encounter multiple hordes of zombies. I exhausted all my ammunition and had to fight with my tomahawk. It was a physically intensive fight. The good thing is we can finally get out of here because I thinned them out."
Hearing that they have a chance of leaving this place brightened their eyes. Earlier, they were reluctant because of the zombies, but since Riku told them he took care of it, their hope of getting out is now within reach.
"Okay, how are we going to get out?" Suzune asked.
"Simple, we make our way to the parking lot," Riku replied as he grabbed something out of his pocket. "While I was fighting zombies, I encountered one of the staff of the school and found a car key attached to his waist."
He showed them the car keyfob with a Toyota sign on it. "As long as we get to the parking lot and take the car, we can get out of here."
"Where are we going?"
"We are going to my apartment first. My little sister is home because she doesn’t have class at that time. I’m sure she wouldn’t leave. Once I secure her, I can get each of you to your houses and check if your family is still there," Riku answered.
"We have been trying to contact them," Miko said softly and added. "But there was no signal. Even the internet is not working."
"I see, so we are on a total blackout already. That means whatever is happening to our country, is worse than expected," Riku sighed.
"I’m worried about my family," Ichika joined the conversation. "I’m sure they are worried about me too. I just hope they are safe!"
"I’m sure they are safe," Riku assured the three.
"So when are we going to leave?"
Riku looked at Suzune and answered. "As much as possible, we leave soon. We have to take advantage of the situation I created. Don’t worry, just stay by my side and I can guarantee your safety."
"You are starting to sound like a hero," Suzune noted. "But how are you going to fight now that you have lost your weapons? The MP5 and the Benelli."
"I still have my Glock 17 with a last mag," Riku said, tapping the Glock 17 stowed on his holster.
"How are you going to fight while carrying me?"
Riku stood without hesitation and walked over to Suzune.
Then, in one smooth motion, he bent down, slipped an arm beneath her knees and another behind her back, and lifted her off the ground like a princess.
"H-Hey—!?" Suzune squeaked, startled.
"You’re light," Riku said casually.
Suzune’s face flushed a deep crimson, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck for balance. "I-I don’t think you can fight in this position...how are you going to fire your pistol?"
"Don’t worry, I’ll carry you on my back. Just wrap your legs around me."
Meanwhile, Miko, who was witnessing the scene, pouted.