Untouched by the Outbreak

The sun was rising, casting a soft glow over the frozen landscape. The stream near Ryo's house had begun to thaw, its water slowly trickling and bubbling. It wasn't fully flowing yet, but it was a promising sign that winter was nearing its end. Ryo moved toward the water tank on the side of the house. He tapped it lightly, feeling the thin layer of ice inside starting to give way.

Soon, they would be able to use it again.

Satisfied, Ryo turned to check on his solar battery bank. The panels were already soaking in the first rays of sunlight, and the batteries were slowly beginning to charge after being dormant for weeks. The heater that had kept them warm through the harsh winter was no longer needed, so Ryo had carefully stored it in the garage.

Next winter would come eventually, and he wanted everything ready for when it did.

With everything else in place, Ryo walked over to the truck parked near the garage. He climbed in and started the engine, letting it hum to life. Beside it sat his scooter—the one he had used frequently before winter settled in. He glanced at it, considering when he might need it again, perhaps for another quick scavenging run once the roads cleared.

As always, the female zombie, Sayako, followed him closely, her presence never far behind. She was practically glued to him, sometimes walking too close, her pale fingers grazing his skin. Occasionally, she would nip at Ryo's neck, her cold breath brushing against him. He allowed it, barely reacting, as it had become a routine.

Sayako wasn't just any zombie anymore—she was something else, something more dangerous and loyal than the others.

Sachiko sat outside in front of the house, wrapped in a thick jacket, her eyes scanning the area. She watched as the army of zombies began to roam freely around their territory. Striders dashed between houses, brutes lumbered along the perimeter, and regular zombies shuffled aimlessly nearby. The area around their home was fortified by these creatures, who had become Ryo's guardians.

Ryo stepped out of the truck, walking toward Sachiko. Sayako, of course, followed. The morning was calm, but Ryo knew that with the end of winter approaching, new challenges awaited. He was already thinking ahead—what to scavenge next, where to explore, how to maintain control over the town and his growing army.

For now, though, he enjoyed the quiet moment, knowing that his house and everything around it was under control, with Sachiko at his side and Sayako loyally guarding him.

Sachiko noticed Ryo approaching and immediately stood up, her eyes lighting up as she moved toward him. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, passionately, savoring the moment. She had grown to love her life with Ryo, a strange yet comforting balance between danger and security.

The connection between them was undeniable, and moments like this made her feel grounded.

Though a small part of her still felt uneasy around the zombies—especially the way they followed Ryo so closely—she had slowly begun to get used to their presence. What once filled her with fear now seemed like part of her new reality. With Ryo's power over them and his unwavering protection, she knew they were safe.

Pulling back slightly, she smiled at him, her fingers brushing his face gently, the chill of the morning air contrasting with the warmth between them. "I can't believe I was once afraid of all this," she whispered softly, glancing around at the zombies that patrolled the area. "It feels almost... normal now."

Ryo returned her smile with a quiet, reassuring gaze, knowing that she had adapted well to the life they had built together. The world outside might have fallen apart, but here, in this strange bubble of power and control, they thrived.

Sachiko, still smiling from their kiss, gently pulled away and turned toward the house. "Breakfast is ready," she called over her shoulder, her voice filled with a sense of domestic normalcy despite the chaotic world outside. She moved inside, her steps light, as if she had embraced the strange new life they shared.

Ryo watched her for a moment, silently appreciating the balance they had found together. He nodded in acknowledgment, his usual quiet demeanor unchanged. After checking the area one last time, making sure everything was in order with the zombies patrolling the grounds, he followed Sachiko inside.

The warmth of the house greeted him, and the smell of food filled the air. It was a simple moment, but in this world, such moments were rare and valuable. Ryo closed the door behind him, mentally preparing for what the day might bring, knowing that despite the calm inside, the dangers of the world were always lurking nearby.

While eating, Ryo set his chopsticks down for a moment and glanced at Sachiko, who sat across from him at the small table. "Tomorrow," he began, "I'm heading to the next town. You'll come with me, along with Sayako."

Sachiko paused mid-bite, her eyes meeting his. "You want me to come?" she asked, a bit surprised.

Ryo nodded, his expression calm but serious. "Yeah. It's safer if I bring you along. Sayako will sit in the backseat, and I'll have a Strider or two in the truck bed for backup."

Sachiko blinked, processing the plan. "In the backseat?" She glanced towards the doorway, where Sayako, the ever-loyal zombie, stood watching them. It was still strange to her, but she was slowly getting used to Sayako's presence.

"Yeah," Ryo replied. "You'll be in the passenger seat, and I'll put another Strider next to her. Just in case."

Sachiko hesitated for a second but then nodded, trusting Ryo's judgment. "Alright," she agreed softly. "What are we going there for?"

"Supplies. Food, fuel, maybe some other things we need for the house," Ryo explained. "We're running low on a few things, and I want to see what's left in that town. It's untouched by survivors, so it should be a good haul."

Sachiko glanced at Sayako again, wondering how tomorrow's trip would unfold with their zombie companions. But she knew better than to question Ryo's decisions. Instead, she finished her meal, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness for the trip ahead.

After finishing breakfast, Ryo stood up and began gathering their weapons and equipment. It had become part of his routine—to check and maintain everything before any trip outside. He walked over to the corner of the room where their firearms, knives, and other tools were stored.

He carefully inspected each gun, making sure they were cleaned and loaded properly. Sachiko silently watched him, admiring how focused he was. Maintaining their weapons was essential, especially with the unpredictable world outside. If anything went wrong, they had to be prepared.

Ryo oiled the barrels of the rifles, checked the magazines, and ensured the blades of their knives were sharp. "We'll need to be ready for anything tomorrow," he muttered to himself, more out of habit than expecting a response.

Sachiko came closer, watching him work. "Is there anything I can help with?" she asked quietly.

Ryo glanced up for a second and then nodded toward the box of spare ammo. "You can organize the ammunition. Make sure everything's packed and ready to go."

Sachiko nodded and began sorting through the bullets, placing them into different clips and arranging them by type. It was strange, she thought, how life had become like this—constantly preparing for survival, surrounded by zombies and mutants. Yet, somehow, she felt safer here with Ryo than she had ever felt before.

As Ryo finished up with the weapons, he glanced out the window where the zombies patrolled the grounds. His army was growing stronger, and with them, he was becoming more confident in protecting what was his. Tomorrow would be just another step in securing their future.

As Ryo continued to check the equipment, his mind drifted to the upcoming trip. The thought of siphoning fuel from abandoned cars or perhaps a deserted fuel station crossed his mind. They were going to need more fuel, especially with the plan to travel to the next town.

It wasn't like they could rely on new deliveries or supplies anymore; everything was scavenged and taken from what was left behind in the chaos.

"The fuel in the truck should last for this trip," he thought to himself. "But we'll need to find more if we want to keep moving or power anything else."

He recalled passing by a few gas stations that might still have some fuel left in the underground tanks. Most people had avoided them because of the zombies, but Ryo had an advantage—his army. He could take his zombies along, let them secure the area, and siphon as much fuel as he needed.

The idea of using the zombies to protect him while he worked wasn't new, but it felt like he was constantly thinking of new ways to leverage their power.

He glanced over at Sayako, who was quietly standing by, her pale skin and sharp eyes focused on him, almost sensing his thoughts. She was the strongest among his horde, more than just a tool—she was a weapon. Maybe she could help fend off any trouble while he focused on getting the fuel.

"Tomorrow's trip won't just be about scavenging supplies," he decided. "I'll make sure we have enough fuel to last us through the next few months. The truck, the generator—everything will need it."

With that, Ryo finished his preparations for the day. He stood up, stretching slightly, already planning out their route to the next town and the places where he might find what they needed.