Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished loading the last of the supplies into the back of the truck. The canned food, dried food, and bags of rice sat securely stacked alongside other essentials he had scavenged from this quiet, abandoned town. He glanced around to ensure everything was packed tight, his sharp eyes checking for any signs of trouble.

Behind him, Sayako stood silently, her eyes ever-watchful over Sachiko, who was browsing through the clothing shop nearby. Ryo had commanded both Sayako and the regular zombies not to let any harm come to her, and he trusted they would obey. Sachiko, for her part, seemed more at ease in this strange world, her fear of zombies lessening the longer she spent with Ryo and his ever-present horde.

Two Striders, tall and imposing, casually flanked Ryo as he moved. They weren't just guards; they were an intimidating presence, ensuring no other survivors dared approach. These mutants, swift and deadly, followed him with obedient patience, guarding their master without question. He glanced at them, their loyalty undeniable.

Nearby, Ryo had already siphoned fuel from a station that miraculously still had some reserves left. Two large gallons now sat in the back of the truck—one filled with diesel, the other with petrol. His scavenging was fruitful, but he had kept the trip light. The supplies were essential, and the truck could only carry so much.

The plan had originally been to bring more Striders, but Ryo decided against it. The back of the truck needed to be filled with food, water, and fuel, not soldiers. Instead, he opted to bring only two Striders along with Sayako. Sayako and the Striders would take the back seat, while Sachiko would sit up front with him, riding shotgun as they made their way back to their base.

As Ryo double-checked the fuel cans and the security of the supplies, he felt the cold wind picking up slightly. Winter was slowly fading, but the chill in the air remained, a reminder that they were far from the safety of their home. The sun had risen, providing just enough warmth and light to make the scavenging possible.

He turned toward the clothing shop where Sachiko was inspecting some jackets, oblivious to the slow-moving regular zombies that roamed nearby. His heart tightened a bit as he watched her; she had become important to him in this new world. They had survived so much already, and he knew they'd face more dangers ahead.

"Sayako, keep watch," Ryo called out, though he knew she was already paying attention.

The female zombie nodded, her white eyes locking onto Sachiko's figure, always ready to protect her.

With the truck loaded, Ryo was ready to move out soon. Another successful run, but the world was always unpredictable, and he had to stay sharp.

He looked up at the sky, knowing they had time before sunset, but in this world, anything could happen.

Sachiko wandered through the aisles of the clothing shop, her fingers grazing the fabrics as she inspected the various garments left untouched by the collapse of the world. The store was eerily quiet, but she had grown used to the stillness that accompanied abandoned places like this.

Her eyes lingered on the lingerie section, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. It felt strange, indulging in something like this when the world outside was filled with chaos and death. But somehow, moments like this helped her hold onto a bit of her humanity. She picked up a delicate black lace set, holding it up to examine it.

It was beautiful, something she could imagine wearing for Ryo, though the thought made her heart race.

Moving on, she glanced over to the dress section. Even in this new world, she craved a semblance of normalcy. She browsed through several dresses, choosing one that was a simple, sleek design—something practical but still elegant. It wasn't about fashion anymore; it was about comfort, but she allowed herself this small luxury.

She made her way over to the jackets, a more practical choice for survival. The cold hadn't fully left yet, and she needed something warm. She selected a thick, durable jacket, one that would keep her safe from the lingering winter winds.

Sachiko also picked up some underwear and essentials. Even though her life was far from ordinary now, she wanted to feel clean, normal—like the woman she used to be. As she gathered her selections, her mind wandered briefly to Ryo. The life they were leading was far from easy, but at least she wasn't alone.

She had him, and while the world outside was dangerous, she knew they would survive as long as they stuck together.

Satisfied with her choices, she clutched the garments to her chest and looked toward the front of the store, where Sayako stood guard. It was strange having a zombie so close and yet feeling no fear. She had Ryo to thank for that. He had given her a sense of safety in a world that had none.

With a deep breath, Sachiko made her way to the door, ready to rejoin Ryo.

Ryo watched as Sachiko approached with a smile, carrying the clothes she had chosen. He tilted his head slightly, asking, "Got what you need?"

Sachiko nodded, her smile warm. "For now, yes," she replied softly.

Ryo glanced around the area, then back at the truck. "Time to head back," he said, though his voice was calm. In his mind, there was no need to rush. The zombies, even the mutants, posed no threat to him. He had control, command over them. As long as they followed his will, nothing out here could touch them.

He opened the door to the truck and gestured for Sayako and the Strider to get in. Sayako moved with ease, climbing into the back seat gracefully, while Ryo had to lend a hand to help the Strider settle in. The creature was large and imposing, but obedient under Ryo's command.

Sachiko, already accustomed to the routine, opened the passenger side door and climbed in without hesitation. She glanced back at Sayako and the Strider once more but seemed more relaxed now than she had been in the past. Her fear of the zombies was waning as she grew more comfortable with Ryo's ability to control them.

Once everyone was settled, Ryo slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. The truck rumbled to life, and without a word, they began their journey back to their base. The road ahead was quiet, the world around them abandoned, but Ryo felt no tension. He knew that they were untouchable here.

As they drove through the empty streets, Ryo's thoughts wandered, but they always returned to the same place: the certainty that this world, for all its dangers, was now under his control. He glanced over at Sachiko, her calm presence beside him reinforcing that sense of dominance and safety.

Sachiko gazed out of the window, watching the barren, winter-ravaged landscape pass by. The sight of the frozen world didn't bother her as much as it once had. She felt a strange sense of peace now, knowing that soon the winter would end, and the world might slowly come back to life. She could almost imagine the green fields and blooming trees again, a world renewed with spring.

Life, despite everything, wasn't so bad after all. Especially with Ryo by her side.

She smiled to herself, a quiet reassurance settling in her heart. With Ryo, she was safe. No zombie, no mutant creature, nothing could touch her as long as he was there. She had seen his power firsthand, how he could command the undead like puppets, and the trust she had in him was unshakable.

As she looked out into the distance, her thoughts drifted to something Ryo had mentioned before. The idea of other women, of adding more to their group. He had been clear: if he found another girl, she would only stay if she submitted to him. If not, he didn't care whether she lived or died. She could become zombie food for all he cared.

Sachiko wasn't bothered by the idea. In fact, she felt a sense of possessive pride. She knew her place by Ryo's side, and any new girl would have to accept her position too. Otherwise, they wouldn't last long.

The thought of Ryo's harem, of other women joining them, flickered in her mind briefly. It didn't make her anxious; instead, it only strengthened her resolve. She was his, and she had nothing to fear. Any girl who came into their lives would have to earn her place, just like she had.

With a quiet sigh, she leaned back in her seat, casting a glance at Ryo. He was focused on the road, but there was that familiar air of control and confidence about him. It made her feel secure, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to imagine the future. The world may have fallen apart, but with Ryo leading them, she knew she could survive anything.

Sachiko glanced over at Ryo as he lit a cigarette, watching the small flame flicker for a moment before he took a slow drag. The soft glow from the cigarette lit up his face briefly, and she noticed how calm he seemed, the smoke curling lazily out of the window. Ryo rarely smoked, but Sachiko knew that when he did, it was his way of finding a moment of peace, a way to gather his thoughts.

She said nothing, knowing better than to interrupt him. He had a presence, an aura that commanded respect without needing words. Sachiko had learned to understand Ryo's moods well enough by now—when to speak and when to give him his space.

She admired the way he handled everything, how he had led them through chaos and danger with such composure. If smoking a cigarette now and then helped him unwind, she had no problem with it. In fact, part of her even found it oddly comforting to see him like this, so in control, so unshaken by the world outside.

Still, she kept quiet, not wanting to break the moment or draw his attention unnecessarily. The last thing she wanted was to do anything that might upset him, even if unintentionally. She respected him too much for that and had come to appreciate the quiet understanding they shared.

As they drove through the empty streets, the faint scent of smoke lingered in the air, but it didn't bother her. It was just another part of Ryo—a part she had come to accept.