《Must I Go Out to Survive This?》Chapter 26 - The Real Haruka
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The scenery outside became blurry. Tanaka is now driving a new truck for the first time to experience driving in the rain. He had become very careful as there were quite a few things that should not be bumped into.
Right swipe, left swipe. Windows-screen-wipers move periodically. Movement which makes the windshield of the truck clearly visible. Tanaka was still getting used to this.
The eyes glance to the left. There was Haruka sitting in a position that didn't look like her normal nature. Or so it was Tanaka's judgment.
Haruka, a high school girl who is probably the same age as Yuki. She has black hair and a ponytail. Rude and most likely a school yankee.
Tanaka, who still didn't understand why Haruka was in the truck, tried to start a conversation. Communication is important for two individuals who are strangers to each other.
"So can you explain why you didn't pass that camp test... No, even to the point of being rejected. What really happened?"
With his face still facing forward, Tanaka asked the person to his left. Haruka felt called out.
Silent for a while, Haruka started to move her lips.
"...I got bitten by a zombie!"
With some hesitation Haruka answered. Tanaka who heard that was shocked in silence. However, he still had to focus on the movement of his vehicle.
"Wait, why haven't you changed?"
A confused Tanaka tried to comment in the form of a question. Questions in a flat tone that seem like people ask normally.
"At that time Yamada saved me. He took out all the blood on my hand as best he could and then this is how it is..."
Haruka explained as she opened the bandage on her right hand. Seen a long seam from the base of the elbow to the palm. It's a very long stitch.
Tanaka who saw this felt a little amused and pitiful. The color of the skin is in stark contrast to the rest of the body. The hand seemed to be dead, but still able to move.
"Does it still hurt?"
Tanaka, who felt pity, asked her a question. The camp now has medical equipment. Even though it wasn't advanced, at least it might help Haruka. That's what Tanaka thought.
"More like I don't feel my right hand anymore!"
Haruka explained while closing the bandage back on his hand. They were both silent for a moment.
"Alright, I guess it's normal for them not let you to in,"
At this moment, Tanaka was thinking of two things. He wanted to help Haruka. However, on the other hand he also thought about the potential danger if Haruka was accepted into his camp.
One of which Tanaka had to sacrifice. Moral values or sense of security in the camp.
"But, really, why do you think I will accept you in my camp?"
Tanaka continued to ask. He who was indecisive was now trying to come up with an excuse which might help him make a decision.
Haruka pondered for a moment. She was still not too sure what the answer would be. Tanaka, who was waiting for an answer, looked at Haruka.
The girl with the pigtail herself was looking ahead and saw something after the turn.
"Ah, Tanaka-san. Up ahead!"
Tanaka looked ahead after Haruka said something. Truck stopped.
The vehicle was stopped because there was something blocking the road. There were hundreds of zombies gathered on the road.
Zombies can be seen gathering at several points. Most of them gathered in a section where it was very close to the bridge. That's what Tanaka saw.
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"Oh, that's right!"
Tanaka remembered something. Zombies also need food. Tanaka had killed a lot of zombies around the bridge including on the road. Zombies have better senses when it rains. Also, the zombies will eat the corpses of other zombies.
This all led Tanaka to one conclusion. The zombies gathered there because they were eating zombie corpses that had not been removed. Right conclusion.
"I should at least get them off the streets..."
Tanaka, who was always too lazy to collect zombie corpses, muttered.
"Haruka, I'll take care of them in a bit!"
Tanaka continued to tell the person on his left.
"Wait, that's too much. If you really want to clean them up, let me help!"
Haruka, who was thinking of a good reason for her to prove her capability, made a suggestion. She was about to tell Tanaka that she had enough fighting ability to fight zombies.
"No, you stay inside. You know that it's right that zombies will be more sensitive when it's raining or at night. Besides, I can't let people with injuries like you fight hundreds of zombies!"
Tanaka informed while exiting the truck door. Haruka, who was about to help, didn't want to listen to that order. However, as soon as Tanaka came out, the truck door was locked.
"Damn it, I also don't know which button to press..."
said Haruka who looked at dozens of unfamiliar buttons. Haruka had never ridden before.
Tanaka who was outside dropped a noisy object down. Haruka, who was in the truck, could even hear it.
"That man is crazy!"
Haruka responded to Tanaka. The sound of the object was loud enough to make the zombies notice it.
Hundreds of zombies are moving towards Tanaka. Or so that is what Haruka thought through her point of view.
The zombies just went towards the direction of the sound.
"Alright, then let's get started!"
Tanaka took out a katana from its sheath. The katana that the old man gave as a weapon before the order that Tanaka ordered was finished.
One by one the zombies were split by Tanaka like a cake. The neck is the main target of the hunter with the weapon.
The zombies were cut down before they could reach Tanaka's side. Whether it was one or two or even five, Tanaka could cut them down quickly.
"He really is very strong. I didn't pick the wrong person!"
Haruka muttered in the truck. From her point of view, Tanaka's moves were really effective against the zombies. Even though she noticed that the zombies had abnormal movements, she only focused too much on Tanaka.
About a hundred zombies had already been slaughtered by Tanaka. However, that number was not the final number of the zombie wave. There were still about two hundred more arriving.
"What!"
A scream rang out in Tanaka's ears. It wasn't a human scream. It was more like a scream of something terrible.
The direction of the scream from the left side. Tanaka didn't really recognize its voice. However, in comparison, it was quite similar to the screams of a Mutant Tank.
"It will be dangerous if any mutants come!"
Tanaka continued to clean up the zombies around him. Until there were about a hundred zombies left, it was seen in front of Tanaka that three strange mutants had arrived.
"Damn it!"
The three mutants were quite far apart. They were near the bridge while Tanaka himself was in the front street area of the residential section. The three mutants looked at Tanaka. They noticed the man with the katana.
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"They are a type of deer mutants. They are not as strong as Tank Mutants but still they are dangerous because they are agile!"
Tanaka recalled the identity of this creature.
The two mutants are seen to have flesh that can be penetrated by a katana. However, another one that looked like the leader had iron armor. The armor is quite similar to that of the Mutant Tank.
One of them attacked with a jump. Tanaka immediately dodged to the right while preparing a vertical attack.
One mutant fell.
Two mutants which were moving simultaneously attacked. Tanaka dodged both attacks from the side without being able to deal any attacks at all.
Tanaka's focus was on mutants who had normal skin. It was clear that the katana could split their body apart.
The two mutants continued to attack simultaneously. This in no way gave Tanaka a chance to counterattack.
That is until the sound of the truck distracts the two mutants.
"Oi!"
It was Haruka who wanted to help Tanaka. The man with the katana immediately took advantage of their idle time to attack the non-armored mutant. The mutant's head was separated from his body.
The armored mutants are now alone facing Tanaka. He is a mutant with high intelligence. He knew that he couldn't beat that person alone so he chose to run away.
"Damn, he wants to run away!"
However, the blurred direction the mutant was headed was towards the truck section. It was a place where it was too dangerous for the mutant to run.
Haruka saw the mutant running fast towards her.
"What, dammit!"
"You think you can get away, damn it!"
Although the mutant can run fast, Tanaka is faster.
Before the mutant could reach the truck, Tanaka grabbed his left leg. The mutant was forced to be stuck close to Tanaka.
The mutant tried to attack using its wide mouth. Tanaka caught the monster's jaw with his right hand.
"... Hora!"
Tanaka's left hand let go of the mutant's leg. The hand used as a bat.
A cracking sound was heard. It was the mutant's jaw ripped out of his head. The mutant tried to wake his mind.
However, before he could do that, Tanaka showered him with heavy blows that aimed at the head.
Pain felt in Tanaka's fist. However, if he stops attacking, he would be the one to die.
More than forty punches were thrown, finally the deer mutant fell.
Three mutants fall.
"Graa!"
However, despite having the mutants fallen, Tanaka still hasn't finished his business. There are still a hundred zombies coming from all directions.
"Well... I should have brought my sledgehammer, didn't I?"
Said Tanaka while stroking his fist. He thought that the sledgehammer had another advantage over the katana. It was the durability against armored mutants.
Tanaka continues his zombie-slaying action. It didn't take more than ten minutes and all the zombies around couldn't move anymore. The streets are decorated with blood and corpses.
Tanaka, who had finished his business, took the mutant corpses with armor for him to load into the truck. It was an item that could possibly be sold.
...
"That was great, Tanaka-san!"
Haruka said to Tanaka who was opening the truck door. It was Haruka's first time seeing a human win against the three mutants. It was something amazing for her.
"Well, I didn't think there would be that many... So, what was I talking about earlier?"
Entering the truck, Tanaka with his drenched clothes asked Haruka. Tanaka remembered that they were talking about something, but he forgot the context.
"Ummm, about my qualifications to be accepted into your camp,"
"Ah, yes. Then... what would be those qualifications?"
Tanaka continued their discussion. Tanaka remembered that he had been hesitating whether to accept Haruka or not. However, his doubts were dispelled as he realized that the outside was extremely dangerous especially for an ordinary human like Haruka.
The battle with the mutants earlier was the thing that made Tanaka relieved. He wanted to just accept Haruka without any other chit-chat, but, since it would be strange if he suddenly retracted his words, Tanaka tried to just follow the flow of the conversation.
"I have martial arts skills. My strength is above average and I think I can become a troop in your camp!"
Haruka said confidently. Troops are survivors in a camp who have the task of securing the area around the camp. However, the term was misinterpreted by Tanaka as a job which colonized the territory of another camp. After all, this is the information that Tanaka got from various sources before the internet went down.
"Nope. My camp doesn't need anything like that. My camp doesn't have anything like troops or infantry!"
Tanaka replied with a denial. Even though he refused to do so, Tanaka didn't mean to reject Haruka. He just went with the flow.
Haruka fell silent. She looked like she was thinking about something else.
Tanaka continued the speed of his truck. Since it was late, Tanaka wanted to go home as soon as possible so as not to worry Yuki. Moreover, he wanted to check on Taki's condition.
"Then, I might be able to become a security guard!"
Haruka offered another idea. She's still trying out jobs which require her martial arts skills.
Tanaka smirked. He who had made up his mind was now just toying with the serious poor girl.
"No no. I've already secured the area around my base from zombies. Besides that, my camp is too small to have any major internal problems that need security. Security is still not required!"
Tanaka explained with a bit of a laugh. Haruka, who was running out of ideas, couldn't think of any other reason except something related to her body.
"Ughh... Then... I might be able to satisfy you with my body-"
"Nope... Nope... And nope. I'm not that lecherous person so no!"
Tanaka interrupted Haruka's words with an immediate refusal. Haruka, who was running out of excuses, could only bow her head in desperation.
"...Then what can I do,"
Tanaka glanced at Haruka. He felt that he might have been toying with her too much.
However, Tanaka already had an idea for what Haruka could do in the camp.
"... Alright, I'll still accept you. It's just, you have to agree to this deal!"
"What deal?"
Haruka, who had been pensive, now stood full of hope. She felt that her plan would succeed depending on the deal.
"You will join my camp. But, before that, you have to forgive Yuki and you still have to work. Hmmm... Maybe as a warehouse keeper!"
Tanaka, who knows the relationship between those two high school girls explained. Tanaka didn't want any hostility in the camp so he made that condition.
Haruka, who at that time misunderstood Yuki, didn't mind the terms and jobs given.
"Okay, I agree-"
"No, let me change. You're going to work as a trainer at the camp. You said you could do martial arts, didn't you?"
Tanaka cut off Haruka's words. He changed Haruka's type of work to another field.
"Yeah, but in order to become a coach, I don't think I'll be able to easily make Yuki-san follow!"
Haruka, who was still a bit hesitant about the girl as her age explained. Haruka and Yuki do have their own feud and it's definitely not going to be easy for Haruka to sort it out. Or so that is what Haruka thought.
"It's okay. I'll Tell her about that first,"
"Then, how about the weapon Yuki-san is holding?"
Tanaka said and followed by another question by Haruka. Weapons are another source of trouble. Previously, Haruka had been intimidated by Yuki's gun. It was something scary for Haruka.
"I will confiscate it when you two are together. I also don't want something like that to happen again,"
Said Tanaka while telling what was on his mind.
"I'm sorry about earlier!"
Haruka said, which refers to the incident where Haruka and Yuki were pointing guns at each other. Haruka felt that it was her ignorance that made the situation somehow bad for both parties back then. She felt regretted.
That Haruka words made Tanaka think of something.
"... Honestly, you don't look like a bad person, Haruka. I don't know why you and Yuki are even became like enemies like this,"
said Tanaka who initially thought Haruka was a bad girl. He still didn't understand clearly why the two of them were like oil and water.
"Th-It was actually just a misunderstanding. Ugh, I thought that Yuki-san was a villain who baited you into the zombie swarm. I got carried away with emotions at that time!"
Said Haruka who looked nervous. Tanaka understands.
"Ahhh, I guess that makes sense. Well, the reason why I didn't let Yuki out back then was obviously because it was too dangerous... Don't worry, you don't have to be scared. If you explain it to Yuki she will definitely forgive you!"
Tanaka, who felt it was his duty to mediate the matter, gave advice. After all, Tanaka knew that Yuki wasn't a bad person either. She just overreacts to stranger things just like she did with Tanaka in the first meeting.
Haruka nodded in understanding. She was now thinking of the right words for her to apologize to Yuki.
"But, why did you snatch this gun just now?"
"Ah... About that... Ummm... Me and her mocked each other indirectly and I got emotional again. Please forgive me for that!"
Tanaka still has questions about the origin of this dangerous incident. Haruka who heard it answered nervously and confused.
"Okay, then it's all clear. I thought you were a thug girl or something at first. Turns out it was all just a misunderstanding... then get ready to arrive at the base!"
Said Tanaka who had turned left. The distance between them and the base was very close.
The rain still hasn't stopped. However, compared to before, the intensity of the falling water has decreased. Tanaka could see Yuki standing waiting in front of room number one.
"Welcome back, Tanaka... Huh?"
Yuki greeted the arriving truck, thinking that only Tanaka was there. However, she did not expect that there would be anyone else in it.
Moreover she didn’t expect the most unwanted person that would come with.
"Yo, I'm home!"
Said Tanaka who just got out of the truck. Haruka walked behind him. The rain hit the two of them until finally they were under the boarding house.
"Wait, why is she here!"
Yuki, who still has a feud with Haruka, asked. However, the tone that was given was uncomfortable for Haruka.
"He-hello!"
Haruka tried to start a normal conversation rather nervously.
"What the hell with ‘hello’. Why did you even come back here!"
However, Yuki did not welcome her well.
"Uhmmm, Yuki-san, I want to-"
"Don't call me by that name. I'm not friends with you. Who wants to be friends with you anyways!"
Haruka's words were cut off by Yuki's words. The girl with pigtails changed her expression when she heard Yuki's final sentence.
"Ha? Alright, hey bitch. I have something that-"
"What did you say!"
Haruka coldly replied. The sentence was cut off by Yuki who was pointing her gun.
Tanaka who was somewhat familiar with the relationship the two of them had interceded.
"Alright, calm down you two... Oi Haruka, I thought you wanted to clear up the misunderstanding!"
Tanaka said quietly while facing Haruka. He turned his back on Yuki.
"...Yuki, come with me for a bit, okay!"
Tanaka then pulled Yuki to a place some distance away.
"Tanaka, what is the meaning of this!"
Yuki snapped at Tanaka. She was very upset when she found out that Tanaka actually brought someone Yuki didn't like back.
"You see Yuki... Uhmm, the point is-"
"The point is you're too kind again aren't you! Let me guess, the camp you went to didn't accept the girl and you brought her back out of pity!"
Tanaka's words were cut off by Yuki. The girl looked so angry that Tanaka couldn't help but listen.
"Ah, you guessed it,"
Said Tanaka softly responded. Yuki sighed to continue her sentence.
"Tanaka, you are too kind! Can't you just let her deal with her problems on her own!"
"I can't,"
Tanaka, who had been smiling stiffly, lowered the edges of his lips. At that time, Tanaka felt that Yuki's hatred was too dominant.
"Well, then you should at least try-"
"Yuki, I can't!"
Yuki's words were now cut off by Tanaka. The blonde haired girl realized what she just said.
"... Tanaka, sorry... Ugh, I was too sentimental earlier. By the way, what did you want to talk about earlier?"
Yuki apologized in a sorry tone. Her right hand covered one eye indicating that she realized her fault.
"Yuki, I may indeed be too kind in your view. However, for me this is a burden on my morale... Also, Haruka just wanted to explain something. So, next time you should listen first, okay?"
Tanaka explained in calmness. Yuki now felt even more guilty for being too mean to Tanaka earlier.
She remembered that she was able to survive until now thanks to Tanaka's overly good nature. She was now sobbing like she wanted to cry.
"Yosh, good girl... By the way, lend me all those firearms..."
Tanaka hugged Yuki who looked like she wanted to cry.
"Okay,"
Yuki, who was unfocused, acted according to what Tanaka said. Passive movement.
"Okay, then I have additional information. Starting tomorrow you will practice martial arts with Haruka! No fighting is allowed and you two should get to know each other better. Okay!"
Tanaka continued, which made Yuki get a confused feeling.
"Haaa?"
Yuki's words of disbelief sounded funny because while sobbing, based on Tanaka's view. Tanaka who was on the verge of laughing added his sentence.
"The point is, she will be your trainer so you can fight the zombies!"
Yuki couldn't do anything. She also felt indebted to Tanaka so his words were something that had to be agreed.
Yuki nodded.
After a while, Tanaka and Yuki came face to face with Haruka again. The girl with the ponytail immediately lowered her body.
"Um... I'm sorry!"
"Hm! Tanaka, you didn't force him to do this did you? That's not good, you know!"
Yuki responded to Haruka's apology by blaming Tanaka. She thought that Tanaka forced Haruka to do it. Tanaka coded eye movements which meant that Yuki had to keep paying attention.
"Um... 'chubby-cheeked blonde girl'-san... I want to apologize for what happened earlier. I was too emotional at that time and couldn't think straight. Also, I misunderstood your relationship with Tanaka-san. . I apologize!"
Haruka bowed her head, a sign that she really wanted to apologize. Yuki, who was called with a strange nickname, wanted to protest, but she remembered that her words earlier had forced the girl in front of her to not mention Yuki's real name.
Yuki blushed shyly.
"...Umm, I don't understand. Tanaka, I'll go upstairs first!"
The chubby-cheeked blonde haired girl headed for the stairs that were hit by the rain. She immediately went away from around Haruka and Tanaka.
"Well, at least she hasn't spoken harshly to you earlier...sorry about that,"
“It's okay, it all started from my words too. I deserve it!"
Tanaka said. Haruka replied with a sense of responsibility.
"Yeah, but instead she ran away to the room haha... Speaking of rooms, which room number do you want to choose?"
Tanaka continued while giving Haruka an option. The girl was a new member of the camp so it was normal for her to get a room.
"About that, I'm up to you!"
Haruka, who didn't think about it at all, left the room selection to Tanaka. The man knew that this was the answer for people who didn't want to be honest with him.
"Then the room at the end corner of the second floor!"
Tanaka pranks Haruka. The ponytail girl flinched at hearing the answer from the man she thought was kind.
"I'll choose room number five on the first floor then!"
Haruka clarified. She was too lazy to walk far each time she returned to the room.
"Okay, I thought it would be like that. By the way, if you're hungry you can grab some food in this room!"
Tanaka informed while touching the door of the room beside him. Haruka nodded.
It was the afternoon. The rain had not let up and the sound of thunder was now heard. The rain grew heavier.
"Well, today must be tiring isn't it. I'll go back to my room first. You rest too!"
Tanaka then parted ways with Haruka. The raindrops were now the only thing Haruka heard.
"Please hold on, Makise!"
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