Untouched by the Outbreak

Several days had passed since Ryo had handed Ken the gun, and since then, Ken's life had taken on a strange sense of routine and security. He had added another female zombie to his harem after carefully cleaning her in the stream, bringing her into his fold with the same ritual he had for the others. Now loyal and obedient, she followed him with the same quiet devotion, her lifeless gaze fixated on him, an unusual kind of companionship Ken had grown to accept.

The small solar setup was functioning well, with enough energy to power his essential devices—a mini-fridge, a rice cooker, and an electric stove. It wasn't much, but it was more than he'd expected to have in this world. He felt fortunate, especially with Ryo's help. Ryo had come by with his truck, hauling tools and supplies, and together they'd reinforced the windows with metal grilles and iron plating, creating a sturdy defense against the unpredictable dangers of the town.

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Ken couldn't help but feel grateful for Ryo's company. Ryo hadn't once judged him for his peculiar attachments. Instead, he seemed to understand, offering quiet support without prying or questioning Ken's reasons. In fact, Ryo had even helped Ken locate another suitable female zombie, understanding the strange comfort it brought him.

As they worked, Ken noticed how Sayako, Ryo's female zombie, lingered close to Ryo at every moment, unwavering in her loyalty. He'd heard Ryo call her by name, and the way she clung to Ryo made it clear she was no ordinary companion.

Ken noticed early on that Sayako was no ordinary zombie. Her movements were swift and unnervingly agile, far more precise than the others in Ryo's "strider" horde. She moved with a speed and grace that made even the faster zombies look clumsy, her eyes sharp and aware in a way that was almost human. When Ryo called her, she responded instantly, covering ground in a flash that left Ken stunned. She was like Ryo's shadow, always poised and ready, yet silent and obedient.

The difference was obvious: while the other zombies moved with the instinctual hunger typical of their kind, Sayako's loyalty to Ryo felt deeper, almost as if she could sense his needs and intentions. She stayed close to him, keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings, and there was something protective in her stance—she was not just another zombie; she was his, in the same way Ryo claimed Sachiko and Yumi.

Ken could only wonder what kind of bond Ryo had with her and how he'd managed to command her with such precision. This wasn't something that came from a simple infection or mutation; there was a strange power in Ryo's influence that Ken could sense but couldn't fully understand.

Ken couldn't shake the question nagging at him. Watching Sayako's obedience and her speed—almost as if she were more than just a reanimated body—he wondered if Ryo had a similar relationship with his "female zombie" as he did with his own harem. Yet there was something different, something that went beyond what Ken himself had done.

Ryo's bond with Sayako seemed far more complex, almost as if she were connected to him on a deeper level. Unlike Ken's zombies, who followed him simply out of claimed loyalty, Sayako seemed almost to anticipate Ryo's thoughts, reacting with an intelligence that Ken's harem lacked. She was faster, stronger, and visibly more agile, and Ken couldn't deny there was something different in how she interacted with Ryo.

Ken found himself wondering if it was some other bond or a unique quality that Ryo himself possessed. Was it something in Ryo's presence that made his zombies evolve differently? Or was it simply that Ryo was special, beyond what Ken could fully comprehend? Whatever it was, it left Ken both envious and deeply curious, realizing that Ryo's influence went beyond mere control—it seemed almost transformative.

Ken lay on his bed, feeling the quiet presence of Akiko beside him, her cold, unmoving form offering a strange comfort. As always, he kept her close, holding her as if her silent presence could fill the void left by the past. Her body became his body pillow, a constant reminder of the life they once shared before everything turned upside down.

His other harem members took their places around the room, standing vigil in silent obedience. They formed a protective circle within the small house, creating a strange sense of security amidst the desolation. Despite the emptiness in Akiko's eyes, Ken found solace in her proximity, in the thought that, at least in some way, she was still by his side. He drifted off, feeling a touch of peace in the unsettling world outside.

Inside Ryo's house, the quiet warmth of the evening filled the air as they finished their dinner. Tonight, they'd feasted on crab—freshly caught and steamed to perfection. Sachiko and Yumi savored each bite, the rare treat a welcome change from their usual fare.

The clams and fish Ryo had brought back were safely stored in the refrigerator and freezer, stockpiled for the coming days. They'd worked hard to secure these comforts, making each meal feel like a small victory in a world stripped bare of luxury.

Ryo observed Sachiko and Yumi, noting the contentment on their faces as they finished eating. Despite his reserved nature, he felt a small surge of satisfaction seeing them safe, well-fed, and at ease. These were rare moments, fleeting but precious, and he allowed himself to linger in it a little longer before clearing the dishes and returning his mind to the next task ahead.

Tomorrow, there would be more to do—more supplies to gather, more defenses to check, and the ever-present threat of the mist and its red-eyed zombies in the back of his mind. But for tonight, they could enjoy the calm, however brief it might be.

Ryo, his expression as firm and unwavering as ever, glanced out the window into the darkness beyond. The sprawling land outside stretched around them, open and largely untouched, waiting for purpose. Turning back to Sachiko, he spoke with his usual seriousness.

"Maybe we should start planting vegetables outside," he said, his tone direct. "The land here is large enough. It'll give us another source of food we don't have to rely on scavenging for."

Sachiko nodded, understanding the practicality of it immediately. Growing their own food would not only increase their independence but also ensure a steady supply of fresh ingredients they hadn't had in a long time. The idea of tending to a garden felt strangely grounding, a small reminder of life before everything had changed.

Yumi perked up, listening intently. "I can help with that," she offered, eager to contribute.

Ryo gave a brief nod, already considering the tools and resources they'd need to gather to make it happen. In this world, where survival often depended on the weapons they held or the barriers they built, the thought of cultivating something felt almost revolutionary—a silent statement that they could build a life on their own terms, not just survive.

And as the three of them settled into a quiet determination, the future, for once, seemed to hold a spark of hope amidst the darkness.

Later that night, Ryo lay in bed, his body relaxed as he stared up at the ceiling, his mind a swirl of thoughts amidst the silence. Sachiko and Yumi were nestled on either side of him, their heads resting against his chest, their breathing soft and steady as they drifted into a peaceful sleep. Both held onto him with gentle, contented grips, as if he were their anchor in the chaos that surrounded their world.

In the dim light, Sayako sat on the nearby couch, perfectly still, her posture as calm as ever. Though her eyes were closed, Ryo knew she was alert, as always. She remained his ever-vigilant protector, loyal beyond comprehension and unfailingly obedient, almost as if she were tuned into his very thoughts. For Ryo, Sayako's silent presence was an odd comfort, a reminder of the formidable power he held.

Ryo's gaze softened as he looked at the three of them, each one unique in their place by his side. This life he was forging, however unconventional, was one that he alone controlled, shaping it to his own will. For now, surrounded by the loyalty he had created and the rare closeness he allowed himself, he felt a brief, quiet peace in the midst of the darkness outside.

As he lay there, Ryo's thoughts drifted to a part of his past he rarely let surface. Sakura and Aiko—two names that still stirred something deep within him, like an ache that never fully faded. The memory of them was as clear as ever, yet he kept it buried, suppressed by the cold, unyielding resolve he'd developed over time. But now, lying between Sachiko and Yumi, he felt an old, familiar pull, a quiet longing to visit the graves he hadn't seen since he'd buried them.

Maybe, he thought, a brief flicker of emotion crossing his usually impassive face. Maybe, when the time was right, he'd make the journey. The thought of standing before those graves filled him with a mix of anger and sorrow—reminders of what he'd lost and why he'd hardened himself so completely. It had been a long time since anyone had known him as he was before all of this, and no one in his current life, not even Sachiko or Yumi, truly understood the depths of his losses.

One day, he would go back, he promised himself. But tonight, he let the thought drift away, tucking it back into the shadows of his mind as he closed his eyes, allowing the rare peace of the moment to settle over him.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om