The night had passed.
Hikari woke up to find herself leaning on Arata’s shoulder.
Her cheeks flushed pink—until she glanced down... and saw Rin, wearing nothing but a bikini, sleeping across Arata’s lap.
Her expression darkened instantly.
SLAP!
Arata jolted cawake.
"Huh!? What!?"
"You damn pervert! Enjoying it, huh?!" Hikari screamed, pointing at the scene.
Arata blinked in confusion, looked down at his lap—and turned beet red.
Rin, half-asleep, yawned, "Morning already...?" drool dripping from her mouth.
"You're drooling! Ew!" Hikari snapped.
Rin wiped her mouth quickly, blushing.
"I-it's not what it looks like!"
Yume giggled from the side, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Ohhh~? Rin, falling for him already?"
"STOP IT!" Rin and Arata yelled together, blushing harder.
Yume pouted a little—clearly jealous.
Takashi leaned closer to Yume, smirking.
"I like that jealous face, Yume-san. Super cute."
Yume stammered and looked away.
"C-cute!? Me!?"
Meanwhile, Miyuki’s voice cut through the chaos.
"Everyone! Get ready—we’re about to cross the river!"
Ahead of them was a massive bridge, but they opted to drive the monster truck through the river instead, because why not? Apocalypse logic.
Miyuki skillfully drove the beast onto the shallow riverbed and finally stopped once they hit dry ground.
Stretching with a huge yawn, she jumped out.
"Sunlight! Blessed sunlight! I’ve been driving all night!"
Arata smiled. "Thanks for the hard work, Miyuki-sensei."
Miyuki grinned slyly, sauntering toward him.
"Arata-kun, give your dear Sensei a kiss~!"
Arata stumbled back. "NO! Stay away!"
Meanwhile, Takashi carefully climbed down with Sana in his arms.
"Hey, someone help me get her down."
Arata moved to help, but Sana clung tightly to Takashi, sobbing, "Onee-chan... my... my underwear..."
Arata froze. He peeked down instinctively—
WHOOSH!
Hikari snatched Sana away faster than lightning.
"Boys aren't allowed to look! PERVERTS!" she barked. "We'll change at the back! No peeking!"
Arata raised both hands. "I didn't even do anything!"
While Hikari, Rin, Miyuki, and Sana changed at the back of the car, Arata and Takashi sat miserably at the front.
Takashi nudged Arata.
"Wanna peep?"
Arata paled.
"I don't want to get murdered before the zombies even get me."
Takashi laughed and tossed Arata a shotgun.
"Here. Take this. You'll need it."
Arata hesitated.
"I... don't know how to use guns."
Takashi grinned.
"It’s a Benelli M4, bro. Military-grade. And also very, VERY illegal here."
Arata stared at it like it was a bomb.
"I'll just stick to my baseball bat, thanks."
Takashi groaned and explained anyway.
"You load shells here. Holds four, plus one in the chamber. Rack it back, pull the trigger. That’s it. Even a caveman could do it."
Arata reluctantly took the shotgun.
Soon, the girls returned—all wearing matching green outfits.
Hikari proudly carried her sniper rifle.
Rin swung her wooden sword in the air.
Arata squinted.
"Hikari... do you even know how to fire that?"
Hikari beamed.
"Nope! But Takashi will teach me!"
Takashi looked physically pained.
"Whyyy me..."
Miyuki hopped behind the wheel again, looking fired up.
Arata and Rin scouted ahead, climbing the slope.
Clear.
Arata signaled. "It’s safe!"
One by one, the others followed.
Miyuki revved the engine and launched the truck up the slope—nearly flattening Takashi.
"MY LIFE JUST FLASHED BEFORE MY EYES!" Takashi wailed.
Everyone piled back into the car.
"Next stop," Arata announced, pointing, "Yume’s house! That giant mansion on the hill—that's it!"
Hikari's jaw dropped.
"She's loaded!"
Takashinodded wisely.
"Filthy rich."
Rin added, "If we secure that place, it could be our base."
Yume sighed. "Don’t hype it up..."
Miyuki kept driving while Yume and Arata gave directions.
Soon, a swarm of zombies blocked the main road.
"Take a left!" Yume instructed.
More zombies.
"Take a right!" she changed.
Even more zombies.
"LEFT AGAIN!" Yume panicked.
Miyuki swerved like a maniac.
Suddenly—
"STOP!" Rin screamed.
Miyuki slammed the brakes, "It’s not working—"
"TURN HARD RIGHT!" Rin barked.
Miyuki cranked the wheel—and barely missed a wall of thin, almost invisible wires strung across the road.
They swerved again—only to crash hard into a concrete wall with a loud THUD.
Silence.
The sound of the crash drew a swarm of zombies.
Arata jumped out of the car, shotgun in hand, yelling, “I’ll handle them!”
Hikari followed, hoisting the sniper she barely knew how to use. “I’ll help!”
Rin charged too, swinging her wooden sword with a grin. “No way I’m staying behind!”
Sana called after them, “Be careful, onee-chans!”
Zombies shuffled closer as Arata took position. Rin had already launched into action, knocking down three undead in a single swing. A near bite made her duck, then retaliate with a smirk and a solid crack to the zombie's skull.
Arata focused on his shotgun. “Open the chamber… load four shells…” He muttered as he fumbled with the ammo, “Close… reload…”
Click.
“Now fire!”
Boom!
He missed.
Another shot. Missed again.
“Damn it! Stop missing!”
The roof hatch slammed open. Takashi popped out, gun in hand. “Arata! Stay calm! Aim for the chest! Keep your hands steady!”
“Thanks!” Arata gritted his teeth, forcing himself to breathe. He aimed again.
Boom! Three zombies down.
Another shot—one more fell.
“I think I’m getting it!”
He reached for more shells but they slipped from his pocket, rolling toward the horde.
“Shit!” He scrambled to retrieve two, reloading fast.
“Chest… aim… fire!”
Boom! Four zombies down.
Missed the next. Zombies were closing in.
Takashi opened fire beside him—then click. Out of ammo. “Not now!”
Sana saw him fumbling and darted to the car’s back. She grabbed two mags and tossed them up.
“Here, onii-chan!”
Takashi caught them with a grin. “Thanks!” Reloaded, he fired again.
Arata looked around—panic rising.
We’re going to die.
Then his gaze found Rin—fighting with grace, fearless, striking down zombies like it was her element.
His eyes turned to Hikari—frozen, clutching her sniper but unmoving.
If we die, we die together.
He ran to her. Hugged her tight.
“Wha—Arata?!” she gasped.
“I’ll take the sniper,” he whispered.
She blushed as he pulled it from her shoulder.
Takashi called out, “Open the scope cap, switch off safety, and reload after every shot!”
Arata nodded. “Got it!”
He fired.
Missed.
“Damn it! Don’t miss at close range!”
With every shot, the recoil made the strapped sniper dig into Hikari’s chest.
“Ow! Arata! It hurts! Stop—ahh!”
“Sorry! Just bear with it a little longer!”
He kept firing.
Still missing.
Suddenly, Yume stepped out.
“I’m helping.”
Sana shouted, “No! Onee-chan, stay!”
Yume smiled sadly. “It’ll be okay.”
“Liar!” Sana cried. “My dad said that too… before he died!”
Yume’s heart clenched, but she walked on.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
She picked up the dropped shotgun. “Takashi! How do I use this?”
“Shells by your feet—load, close, aim at the chest, fire!”
“Thanks! Still didn’t get half of that.”
She loaded awkwardly, aimed—and nailed two zombies.
A cocky smirk spread across her face.
But the numbers were too many.
Miyuki stepped out too, solemn.
Takashi looked to Sana, then lifted her to the car roof.
“Get to the other side. Find help. We’ll catch up.”
“No! You’re lying!”
“Please, Sana! You’re our last hope! Go!”
With tears in her eyes, Sana nodded and leapt across.
Arata saw it all—everyone was out, fighting.
Even Rin… was losing ground.
The sound of the crash drew a swarm of zombies.
Arata jumped out of the car, shotgun in hand, yelling, “I’ll handle them!”
Hikari followed, hoisting the sniper she barely knew how to use. “I’ll help!”
Rin charged too, swinging her wooden sword with a grin. “No way I’m staying behind!”
Sana called after them, “Be careful, onee-chans!”
Zombies shuffled closer as Arata took position. Rin had already launched into action, knocking down three undead in a single swing. A near bite made her duck, then retaliate with a smirk and a solid crack to the zombie's skull.
Arata focused on his shotgun. “Open the chamber… load four shells…” He muttered as he fumbled with the ammo, “Close… reload…”
Click.
“Now fire!”
Boom!
He missed.
Another shot. Missed again.
“Damn it! Stop missing!”
The roof hatch slammed open. Takashi popped out, gun in hand. “Arata! Stay calm! Aim for the chest! Keep your hands steady!”
“Thanks!” Arata gritted his teeth, forcing himself to breathe. He aimed again.
Boom! Three zombies down.
Another shot—one more fell.
“I think I’m getting it!”
He reached for more shells but they slipped from his pocket, rolling toward the horde.
“Shit!” He scrambled to retrieve two, reloading fast.
“Chest… aim… fire!”
Boom! Four zombies down.
Missed the next. Zombies were closing in.
Takashi opened fire beside him—then click. Out of ammo. “Not now!”
Sana saw him fumbling and darted to the car’s back. She grabbed two mags and tossed them up.
“Here, onii-chan!”
Takashi caught them with a grin. “Thanks!” Reloaded, he fired again.
Arata looked around—panic rising.
We’re going to die.
Then his gaze found Rin—fighting with grace, fearless, striking down zombies like it was her element.
His eyes turned to Hikari—frozen, clutching her sniper but unmoving.
If we die, we die together.
He ran to her. Hugged her tight.
“Wha—Arata?!” she gasped.
“I’ll take the sniper,” he whispered.
She blushed as he pulled it from her shoulder.
Takashi called out, “Open the scope cap, switch off safety, and reload after every shot!”
Arata nodded. “Got it!”
He fired.
Missed.
“Damn it! Don’t miss at close range!”
With every shot, the recoil made the strapped sniper dig into Hikari’s chest.
“Ow! Arata! It hurts! Stop—ahh!”
“Sorry! Just bear with it a little longer!”
He kept firing.
Still missing.
Suddenly, Yume stepped out.
“I’m helping.”
Sana shouted, “No! Onee-chan, stay!”
Yume smiled sadly. “It’ll be okay.”
“Liar!” Sana cried. “My dad said that too… before he died!”
Yume’s heart clenched, but she walked on.
She picked up the dropped shotgun. “Takashi! How do I use this?”
“Shells by your feet—load, close, aim at the chest, fire!”
“Thanks! Still didn’t get half of that.”
She loaded awkwardly, aimed—and nailed two zombies.
A cocky smirk spread across her face.
But the numbers were too many.
Miyuki stepped out too, solemn.
Takashi looked to Sana, then lifted her to the car roof.
“Get to the other side. Find help. We’ll catch up.”
“No! You’re lying!”
“Please, Sana! You’re our last hope! Go!”
With tears in her eyes, Sana nodded and leapt across.
Arata saw it all—everyone was out, fighting.
Even Rin… was losing ground.
Arata and Rin kept walking through the dusty streets.
“Walking will take us two days from here,” Arata sighed.
“Yeah... some transportation would be nice,” Rin agreed, scanning the road ahead.
Then Arata’s eyes lit up.
“Wait! Didn’t we pass a motorcycle shop on the way here?”
Rin nodded. “I think so.”
Half an hour later, they reached the shop. It was old, run-down, but still standing.
“Yeah! A bike would be perfect,” Arata grinned, rushing to check out the vintage motorcycles.
As he admired one of the sleek, old-school models, Rin smirked.
“Bold of you to take a girl on a date while the world’s ending.”
Arata blinked. “Wha—?”
Rin pointed at a nearby poster: a man riding a bike, a woman sitting on his lap, kissing him passionately.
Arata stared, then burst out laughing.
“If the world wasn’t ending... maybe I would take someone like you on a bike date like that.”
Rin turned away slightly, cheeks pink. “Hmph.”
While Rin explored the shop further, Arata packed up whatever useful tools and supplies he could find.
“Arata! Come here!” Rin called.
He walked over. Rin stood beside a strange little three-wheeled car.
Arata tilted his head. “This thing?”
She nodded. “It looks functional.”
He checked the specs. “Huh... ‘AquaCrush X1’? Special edition. Says it can even move on water.”
Rin shrugged. “Guess we’re riding a mutant duckmobile.”
“Better than walking.” Arata chuckled, getting in.
They both climbed in, and the tiny vehicle sputtered to life as they rolled off down the road.
Yume sat alone on the balcony, legs tucked to her chest, eyes staring at the horizon.
“I hope Arata’s okay...” she murmured.
Behind her, Takashi leaned against the railing with a grin.
“You like him?”
“Wha—?! No! No!!” Yume flailed, her face going bright red.
Takashi laughed. “Your blushing face is pretty cute, Yume-san.”
Yume groaned and buried her face in her knees.
“Hikari-chan, stop running! It won’t hurt!” Miyuki called, chasing her down the hall with a med kit in hand.
Hikari sprinted ahead like her life depended on it.
“Nooo! Sensei, don’t! My chest already hurts enough, please!!” she whined dramatically.
“You’re not dying! I just need to check the bruise!”
“Exactly why I’m running!!”
Arata kept driving. Rin sat behind him, resting her chin gently on his back. It was oddly peaceful—until the car hit the water with a splash.
"Ahh! Didn’t think that through!" Arata yelped as water soaked them both.
Rin sputtered, “Arata... please... don’t... look at me right now…”
Arata gulped. “Okay…”
What is she hiding…?
Fifteen minutes later, they reached a small island.
Arata stepped out, stretching. “Zombies can’t swim. We’re safe for now. Let’s leave once our clothes dry.”
He glanced at Rin—and immediately turned red.
Her soaked dress clung to her body, revealing her violet bra underneath.
“Sorry!” he squeaked, turning away.
Rin blushed. “A woman has her pride and dignity, you know. Please don’t look.”
“Y-Yeah! Got it!”
Without another word, he pulled off his outer shirt and handed it to her.
“Here. Sorry if it’s sweaty... or still kinda damp.”
Rin took it slowly, their fingers brushing. “Thanks…”
As Rin changed behind him, Arata stared at the trees, fighting every instinct.
Don’t look. Don’t look. Focus. Think of literally anything else. Math problems. Zombies. THE WEATHER.
But curiosity betrayed him for a split second—he peeked.
Then immediately spun back around. WHY, ARATA, WHY?!
A moment later:
“I’m done. You can turn around now.”
Arata peeked. “Whoa... you look great in my shirt.”
Rin chuckled. “Thanks.”
They sat for a bit, warming in the sun.
“Rin,” Arata asked, “did you ever have a lover?”
Rin raised an eyebrow. “Where’s that coming from? Are you confessing or something?”
“N-No! Just curious.”
“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.” She laughed, and he laughed with her.
Eventually, they got back on the move, Rin’s wet clothes hung on a makeshift line across the radio antenna.
Once they reached the mainland, Arata looked around. “No zombies?”
“Guess we’re lucky,” Rin said, then wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder.
Arata’s heart skipped.
Then—
“Oh wow!” Arata slammed the brakes. A horde of zombies blocked the path.
Rin sighed. “Never mind. Luck’s a lie.”
“Through the park!” Arata shouted.
“Why?!”
“Just trust me!” He drove up the stairs and launched the car into a fountain.
Rin blinked. “What the hell was that?!”
“Gimme the scotch tape.”
She handed it over.
Arata wrapped the tape around the gearing system while grinning.
“This’ll keep the engine spinning and make enough noise to attract them.”
“Ooh. Clever,” Rin nodded.
With a final bite of the tape to snap it off, he stepped out.
Already, zombies turned toward the noise.
But suddenly—
A few child zombies appeared from the side.
“Rin, knock them out?” Arata asked.
But Rin froze. She was trembling.
“Rin?”
She couldn’t move, eyes wide in shock.
Arata quickly grabbed her hand and ran, dodging the child zombies.
They didn’t stop until they reached an old shrine. Inside was empty, silent, and blessedly safe.
“Wait here,” Arata said, rummaging around until he found a lighter. He lit a candle, filling the room with a soft glow.
“Arata,” Rin called quietly, “I found a kimono... I’m going to change, so...”
“I-I’ll go pretend to be busy!” Arata stammered.
He went behind a curtain, pretending to dig through his bag.
Don’t think about it. Don’t think about her changing. DON’T PEEK.
But his traitor brain short-circuited again. He peeked.
Too late—Rin was already done.
“You can come out now,” she said.
He emerged and sat across from her.
“That kimono suits you,” he said softly.
“Thanks.”
A long, heavy silence settled between them.
...
...
“Arata,” Rin broke the silence, “you asked earlier... about the lover thing. And why I froze with the child zombies.”
“You don’t have to tell me if it’s painful,” Arata replied gently. “Everyone’s got secrets.”
“I trust you.”
Arata nodded, quiet.
Rin began, “Four years ago, I was walking home from practice at night. A boy came up to me. I wanted to see what he’d do... play the victim. Toy with him. I had the upper hand, or so I thought.”
Arata listened closely.
“He pinned me. I kept saying ‘stop,’ but weakly. Inside, I felt in control. Until he crossed a line. When he groped me... and then went further...”
Her voice dropped.
“I snapped. I shattered his shoulder and arm with my wooden sword.”
Arata swallowed hard.
“He fell, crying in pain. And I—” she laughed bitterly, “—I loved it. I loved breaking him. That rush... that power. I never forgot the feeling.”
She laughed again, grabbing his shoulders. “How shameless is that?! Loving that? You must think I’m horrible.”
“The police—?” Arata asked quietly.
“They called it self-defense. Let me go.”
Rin shook his shoulders harder, laughing through it. “You probably hate me now, huh? Want to leave me? Run away?”
Arata gently took her hands in his.
“Stop. I would never leave you. I’m your friend. And I’ll always protect you.”
Rin’s eyes widened. She leaned closer.
Arata leaned in too.
“You don’t have to pretend around me. You can be the real you. And this stays between us. I swear.”
Tears welled in Rin’s eyes.
“Thank you...” she whispered.
Then Arata smiled.
And they kissed—softly, sweetly—under the flickering candlelight.
Arata broke the kiss. Rin slowly pulled her face back. A thin line of saliva stretched between their lips before falling.
Rin whispered, "Why do you accept me? I'm weird. I have a gross obsession. I shouldn’t be loved. So why...?"
Arata replied, "Because I accept the real you. I’ll be your comrade. I’ll always be by your side."
He meant it as a friend.
But Rin didn’t take it that way.
A long, heavy silence fell.
“…………”
“………………”
Arata scratched his head, a little awkward, “Sorry for kissing you. I just wanted to calm you down.” He stood up.
But Rin stepped forward, closed the distance, and pushed him down again. She straddled him, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
“Please stay,” she whispered, her voice soft but charged. Her face was flushed, and her smirk revealed more than just amusement.
Arata, under her, blinked. “…Okay.”
Arata was gearing up. He found a big steel sword. “Rin!”
Rin came over, maybe a bit too close, brushing against him. “Yeah?”
“A sword. Better than that wooden stick you’ve been using, right?”
Rin looked at it and shrugged, “Yeah, but I still like wood better…”
Arata insisted, “Take it.”
Outside, it was broad daylight. The zombies were everywhere. Rin now held the katana. Arata had no weapon.
He ran ahead, shouting, “Rin! Let’s dance!”
Zombies swarmed toward them. But Rin didn’t move.
Arata turned back, “Rin?!”
She stood frozen.
“I… can’t…” she muttered. Her katana clattered to the ground. “I want to forget… that past…”
“Tch,” Arata clicked his tongue. He ran back, wrapped her in his arms — and then, shamelessly, started fondling her boobs.
“Wake up, Rin! Be your real self!” he said, squeezing with determination. “Pick up the sword and carve out your future! Don’t run from it!”
His groping intensified.
Rin remained still… until she tapped his hand. A signal.
Arata stopped.
Rin gave him a devilish smirk, “Thanks. I’m okay now.”
She picked up the katana and charged forward, slicing zombie heads left and right with graceful, brutal precision. Blood sprayed across her kimono, but she kept smiling. A maiden zombie lunged toward her—slice—off with her head.
Two more closed in on Arata, but Rin leapt in and took them out.
Arata gasped, “Thanks.”
Rin grinned, “My duty.”
But then, baby zombies appeared.
Arata shouted, “Rin? Slash them!”
She froze again. Face pale. Hands shaking.
Arata noticed. “She’s freezing up again!”
He grabbed her hand, still holding the katana. “Then I’ll help!” Together, he moved her hand, and they cut through the baby zombies. Blood and gore soaked their path.
Rin breathed heavily, flushed from the rush, “Th-Thanks, Arata.”
Arata gave her a look — it’s okay, really.
They kept walking, finally reaching the mansion from the back.
On the balcony, Yume spotted them.
“Geez, when is that idiot—wait! That’s them!”
She squinted.
“It’s Arata and Rin! But—why is Rin hugging him that tightly?!”
Whatever.
She shouted, “OPEN THE BACK GATES! THEY’RE ALIVE!”
The back gates flung open. Hikari, Miyuki, Yume, and Takashi were waiting.
Sana ran forward and leapt onto both Arata and Rin, wrapping them in a wild hug. One of her legs around Rin’s waist, the other around Arata’s. Her arms hooked over both their shoulders.
To support her, both Rin and Arata hugged her—accidentally holding each other’s hands in the process. They looked at each other and laughed.
Rin whispered, “You’ll take responsibility, right?”
Arata smirked, “If that’s what you want, Rin.”
They entered the mansion. Hikari immediately hugged Arata tight, “You idiot! I thought you’d die out there!”
Arata chuckled, “Oh, please. I had the super-powerful Rin with me. I’d never die.”
Rin gave a victorious smirk.
Hikari frowned a little, just a tiny bit jealous.
But Rin felt more jealous watching Hikari cling to Arata like that.
They had so much to catch up on… but the real chaos was just getting started
