Continuing to the second problem:
The suggestion to escape the school using the microbuses and head to Saya's household for shelter was overruled by another idea from Hisashi, Rei's boyfriend, which she also supported.
"If we're not checking on our families yet, then let's wait a bit until help arrives from the authorities. At least until tomorrow morning."
Hisashi's suggestion was reasonable, considering they wouldn't have to risk everyone's lives in the first place and could simply endure their worries, exhaustion, and hunger while holding down the barricades at the door that kept the undead from getting onto the rooftop.
The real concern—or rather, annoyance:
"Hisashi is always right, so we should listen to him."
Rei's remark easily earned irritated glares from many, including Nach and Takashi.
For some of the girls, they were mostly annoyed at how Rei seemed to brag and cling to her boyfriend when they had lost theirs—who were now turned into the undead.
For some of the boys, they were, of course, jealous of Hisashi, having a hot girlfriend despite the world possibly coming to an end.
For Takashi, it was obviously envy, considering his feelings for Rei.
And for Nach…
This girl needs some serious character development, he thought, promising to find a way to immediately fix Rei's tendency to rely on someone else—particularly men—despite her supposed character being that of a girl who doesn't like to be pitied and wants to prove she's capable on her own.
Regardless of their decision to wait until tomorrow to act, the group decided to divide themselves by who would drive the four buses available and which bus each student would ride.
The four drivers would be Kyoko, Takayama, Shizuka, and a student who knew how to drive, Takuzo.
Setting aside Takuzo's sudden driving skills, looking at the groupings gave Nach an ominous feeling.
The first group included Kyoko as the driver with thirty students.
The second group had Takuzo as the driver with thirty other students, including his group and Ishi.
Perhaps Ishi didn't want to be with Shizuka's group anymore after almost dying protecting her. Or so Nach thought.
The third group had Takayama as the driver with another thirty students, including Morita, Misuzu, and Toshimi.
And for the fourth and last group—as if the story itself was trying to pull back to the original plot—it was Shizuka as the driver, with Takashi, Rei, Saeko, Saya, Kohta, plus Hisashi and Imamura.
The last group was even assigned to take in any other survivors who might show up once they attempted their escape.
It's a flag—a freaking massive red flag! Nach grumbled internally, blankly staring at the sky, troubled about which group he should join.
Why can't the main cast and all the named side characters just be in one bus?
If there was only one silver lining to Nach's dilemma, it was that Imamura was right where Nach wanted him to be—and that settled which group he was joining.
As for the third and last problem:
"So who will go down to get the bus keys in the faculty room?" Saya asked, trying to recover from her earlier embarrassment. Despite still looking flustered, she now wore her glasses, just as Nach had suggested.
---
…Yeah, of course no one wanted to do it, Takashi thought, seeing everyone scared or at least anxious. With that, he resolved himself to face the danger and the undead ahead for everyone's sake.
"Alright, I'll go."
"No, Takashi. I'll—"
"I'll go ahead of you," Saeko said, interrupting Rei before she could offer her help.
"No, you should save your strength, Busujima-senpai."
"Takashi… why?"
"I don't know," he said, answering Rei's question before walking ahead in front of everyone.
"I thought you were tired of everything."
Then he looked over his shoulder at Rei with tired eyes and a wistful smile as he responded:
"I still am."
---
At least that's how the scene was supposed to happen in the original story.
So why are you sitting in the corner acting like this doesn't concern you at all, you freaking MC!? Weren't you so intent on getting out of here just a moment ago?
"Tsk!"
Noticing Nach's intent stare at him, Takashi just annoyingly clicked his tongue before looking away.
You brat…
"I'll go."
"Then I'll come with you, Hayashi-sensei."
Kyoko's participation only made Nach more anxious—worried for her safety—and even if Saeko were to protect her, it only doubled his anxiety. After all, this situation wasn't part of the original plot anymore, and Saeko's plot armor might not protect her either.
"No, I'll go with Kyoko," Nach said, standing beside her.
"I can still come and help you fight, Smith-sensei."
"I know how strong you are, Saeko. But as a teacher, I can't put a student's life in danger. Besides, we need someone here to protect everyone else."
Or at least that's the reason he gave—which even earned admiration from Kyoko, Shizuka, Saeko, and many of the students. But in truth—
"Hey, pervert foreigner."
Takashi butted in, getting not only Nach's attention but everyone else's.
"He might be a pervert, but he's still a teacher, so show some respect!"
Saya lashed out at Takashi, still annoyed that he hadn't bothered to take her when he noticed the danger about to strike the school, despite being his childhood friend.
Regardless of Saya's personal reasons, Nach still felt delighted that she stood up for him.
"Tsk…" Takashi just ignored Saya and confronted Nach. "Give me back my baseball bat before you leave."
What? Is this baseball bat some kind of Hero's cypress stick?
While Nach wondered such playful thoughts, looking at the baseball bat he'd snatched from Takashi earlier, more of the students stood up for him.
"Just let Smith-sensei have it to protect himself and Hayashi-sensei," Hisashi said, immediately supported by Rei.
"If you want your bat so much, why don't you go instead of Sensei?"
Rei's harsh remark obviously irritated Takashi as he backed down and walked away.
Ehh?... What the heck is happening with the MC of this story?