With a gun in hand, there was finally a basic sense of security. Even if something forced its way through the door, Natsuki Yuu could respond.
He put the pistol away and, together with Mashiro Shiina, drifted into sleep.
They slept until morning, long and deep, the kind that left the body loose and refreshed.
The rest of the apartment building did not get that kind of luck.
In the units where Blood Corpses had appeared, most people had already died by their teeth.
As for everyone else, they had endured a night of raw terror.
They were exhausted to the bone, but no one dared to sleep. They were afraid that the Blood Corpse would smash through their door at any moment.
Natsuki Yuu woke up a little later than Mashiro.
When he opened his eyes, he could still feel the lingering warmth beside him, and that faint, sweet scent that clung to the sheets.
"She ran?"
His brows knit.
He got up and stepped out of the bedroom, only to find Mashiro busy in the kitchen.
Natsuki Yuu chuckled.
"So you know how to get up early and make breakfast."
But the fridge at home was basically empty. What could she possibly make?
"Natsuki-kun!"
Mashiro noticed he was awake. Her cheeks went pink as she spoke.
"Just a little longer. Breakfast will be ready soon."
This was her first time making breakfast for a boy.
She had woken up early, washed up, and immediately started cooking for him.
Without Natsuki Yuu's "treatment," she would have become a Blood Corpse.
Even though his methods were rough, even humiliating at times, Mashiro still felt grateful deep down.
Natsuki Yuu understood.
That was dependence at work.
In an apocalypse like this, Mashiro had no one else to lean on.
"All right," he said lightly. "I'm looking forward to it."
He went to the bathroom to wash up.
When he came back out, Mashiro's breakfast was already laid out.
There was not much to work with, but she still managed to make fried eggs, octopus-shaped mini sausages, and a bowl of noodles.
"Food's running low, huh?" Natsuki Yuu asked casually.
"I'm sorry, Natsuki-kun…"
Mashiro's expression dimmed. She thought she had made a mistake, that she had used up everything in his house.
They could not go out.
If they ran out of food, what then?
Natsuki Yuu laughed under his breath.
He lifted a hand.
A food gift pack appeared.
Then with a quick change, something popped out.
A bottle of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce.
Mashiro's eyes went round.
"Natsuki-kun! That's amazing!"
Natsuki Yuu, however, felt a little awkward.
Of all things, it had to be a bottle of chili sauce.
He waved his hand again.
A bowl of bird's nest soup.
Perfect.
Again.
A hamburger.
Again.
Bottled cola, a big meat zongzi, fruit cake, dragon fruit…
Under Mashiro's stunned gaze, Natsuki Yuu produced a messy mountain of food.
"That should do it."
After opening more than ten gift packs in a row, he was actually tired.
The food was random, some strange, some great, but overall he was satisfied.
There was fresh salmon.
And an entire box of instant noodles and sausages.
Mashiro was so shocked she could not speak.
Natsuki-kun was too incredible.
Summoning food out of thin air.
Was it an ability?
"Don't be surprised, Mashiro-chan," Natsuki Yuu said, rubbing her head. "Following me is your luck."
Mashiro nodded hard, eyes sparkling.
"Eat."
While eating, Natsuki Yuu scrolled through the building group chat.
Day two of the apocalypse.
Beyond panic, the biggest issue was food.
Some people had no запас at all, and they were already begging.
"Does anyone have spare food? I'll buy it."
"When can we go out? I want yakitori."
"You still want to go out? There are Blood Corpses outside."
"Are we just supposed to hide forever? Is there no rescue?"
"Food. I need food!"
"Someone think of something!"
No one knew what to do.
They could not even step into the hallway with confidence.
Then Tarou Kameda typed:
"I have a suggestion."
"Let's pool all food together and I'll distribute it fairly. In times like this, everyone should be cooperative. I believe we can get through it together."
Tarou Kameda was fat and bald, and his idea sounded noble on paper.
But if all the food got pooled, it would all be under his control.
He could skim extra supplies.
And then use them to threaten the pretty residents.
A greasy smile crept across his face as he stared at the chat.
Someone immediately replied:
"Mr. Kameda, but there are Blood Corpses in the hallway. We can't even go out."
"Hmph," Tarou Kameda replied. "Blood Corpses move slowly and react poorly. If we work together, are we really afraid we can't handle the ones inside the building?"
Of course, he had no intention of going himself.
He just wanted a few disposable people to act as bait.
"Mr. Kameda is right," a teenager called Ichirou Honda chimed in. "If we stick together, we don't have to fear zombies!"
A classic chunibyo type, already convinced he was the protagonist of the apocalypse.
"All right," Tarou Kameda said. "Who else wants to join?"
More people quickly echoed him.
"A bunch of idiots," Natsuki Yuu sneered.
Mashiro tilted her head slightly.
"Why do you say that, Natsuki-kun?"
Natsuki Yuu gave a cold snort.
"You think Blood Corpses are harmless? You heard last night. They're slow, sure, but they're strong."
"The best way to deal with that kind of creature is a ranged weapon."
"And food belongs to you. Hand it over to split with strangers. Would you do that?"
Mashiro thought for a moment.
"I would."
Natsuki Yuu went silent.
Then flicked her forehead.
"Ow!"
Mashiro clutched her head, eyes watering.
"Stop eating. Organize the food on the floor."
"Mm… yes."
…
"I'm digging in!"
Karen Inukai and Mrs. Oda ate breakfast together.
Mrs. Oda's cooking was genuinely good, and Karen took several big bites in a row.
Mrs. Oda, however, had no appetite at all. She stared at her bowl and kept sighing.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Oda," Karen said, forcing herself to sound cheerful. "We'll be rescued soon."
She showed her the latest messages on her phone.
"People are already organizing to clear the Blood Corpses."
Mrs. Oda gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"He was my husband."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Oda…"
Karen lowered her head, guilt written all over her face.
"I'm going to rest," Mrs. Oda said, putting down her chopsticks before walking into the guest room.
"Ah…"
Karen sighed and lost her appetite too.
"Woof! Woof!"
Kotarou barked and jumped onto Karen's lap.
"Kotarou…"
Karen fed him a little food, then frowned.
"How do I even comfort Mrs. Oda…?"
She was genuinely troubled.
Mr. Oda had become a Blood Corpse.
Mrs. Oda must be drowning in despair.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
Kotarou only barked back.
He was a dog. He could not speak.
But Karen always had this odd feeling.
Kotarou did not feel like a normal dog.
He was too smart.
And sometimes, the way he looked at her felt strangely human.
Doglike, but not doglike.
After playing with Kotarou for a while and finishing breakfast, Karen messaged Miyu Nekoya and Usagi Tsukishiro to check if they were safe.
Once she confirmed they were okay, Karen carried Kotarou to the front door.
Kotarou let out a few soft barks.
"Kotarou, are you saying Mr. Oda is still outside?"
Kotarou nodded.
Karen did not dare get too close. She only took a photo of the blood seeping under the door and posted it in the group chat, asking for help.