"You really didn't want to sit this one out?" Nach said, looking at Saya carrying her shotgun and dressed in black sportswear for easy movement, paired with light body armor, arm guards, and knee guards for protection—the same outfit Nach was wearing.
"If I don't show those neighborhood survivors that I can lead a raid outside to get food, then they'll say I'm a fraud who's all talk," Saya replied, acting as calm as she could despite her hands slightly trembling, which Nach didn't fail to notice.
"We'll look after each other, so you can feel less uneasy."
"I can at least look after myself, and I won't drag anyone down, if that's what you're worried about."
Seeing Saya grow more anxious, Nach tried to calm her down.
"Ek—What are you doing, pervert?!"
Nach picked Saya up, carrying her over his shoulder, then ran toward the children playing with Alice and Zeke, who soon chased them as if it were a game of tag.
"I could easily carry you around if something bad happens, so don't worry."
"I already know that, so put me down!"
Setting aside their childish play, their raid team included Nach, Saya, Shizuka, Rei, Hisashi, Kohta, Hiro, Ishi, Takuzo, Naomi, Yamada, five other high school boys, three girls, and five of Souichiro's men—totaling twenty-four members.
Nach, of course, had to lead the group to keep Saya, Shizuka, Rei, and everyone he cared about safe.
Saya, as she said, needed to prove herself to be recognized as a leader. Shizuka needed to come to get the right equipment to continue studying Saki's body. Kohta volunteered for the chance to look for more guns and ammunition. Hiro volunteered to help get blood plasma for the elderly woman.
As for Rei, she volunteered because Hisashi did, with the goal of checking the shelter near the hospital where his family had evacuated. It was the same reason the other students volunteered as well.
Then there were Souichiro's men, who were supposed to be Saya's bodyguards and Shizuka's helpers.
"Put me down, or I'm really going to shoot you!"
Once Nach put Saya down, she was immediately swarmed by the children and Zeke. Saeko then approached Nach.
"Maybe I should come with you after all, Sensei."
Saeko had volunteered as well after receiving the new katana Souichiro gave her. Nach, however, refused her participation.
"We already discussed this, Saeko. I need you and Miku to stay here."
If there was indeed another half-undead hiding among them, it would be best to leave Saeko to defend the Takagi Estate.
The same went for Miku, whom Nach had assigned to guard Saki's body at all times until he returned—not only to protect her body, but to fight Saki if she suddenly woke up in her mad, murderous state again.
Miku, of course, begged to come with Nach. But a round of intimacy while she was wearing her kimono convinced her to stay.
"Also, teach the other students how to fight as the captain of the Kendo Club," Nach said before pulling Saeko closer into an embrace and whispering into her ear, "and be careful not to show anyone how strong you are."
"Be careful out there, Sensei," Saeko replied, resting in his arms until Nach let her go and spoke to the others.
"Just how many are you planning to add..." Kyoko said, pausing as she became flustered by everyone's curious glances, wondering what she meant.
She had already heard from Nach himself about Saeko, Miku, Yui, and Mitsushima being added to his harem aside from Shizuka. Although she was initially concerned about Saeko and Miku, she couldn't say anything since the two were already of legal age and had given their consent.
"It's not like we'll have less time together if I add more," Nach teased, then caught Kyoko's hand as she lashed out at him with embarrassed punches.
"Just relax and focus on doing your part. You don't have to worry while we're gone," he added, addressing everyone else.
Kyoko managed the students, now with Yui's help.
Mitsushima and Asami, as police officers, were assigned to handle internal disputes among the survivors.
All that remained, aside from the students, were Ms. Maresato and Zeke's master, Inukai.
"Having both of you look after the children is already a big help," Nach said, reassuring them that they didn't need to do physical labor, especially Inukai, who had a weak constitution.
"Imamura-kun has always been helping us too," Mr. Maresato said, causing everyone to look at Imamura with doubt about his real intentions.
Imamura, meanwhile, just awkwardly looked away while pulling the children away from Saya.
"Thank you, Nach," Inukai said as she walked closer, only to suddenly trip—though Nach flawlessly caught her.
"Should I bring you to your room before I leave—ouch!"
"Stop being a pervert and let's leave already."
With Saya pinching Nach's ear and pulling him away from Inukai, the members of the raid team gathered in front of the gate.
"Take this with you, Saya."
Yuriko handed a flare kit to Saya, then explained what it was for.
"If you can, shoot this flare into the sky at night to let us know your group is still alive and to tell us your location."
"But don't expect any help from us," Souichiro added. "Even if you are our daughter—no, because you are our daughter, you should be able to come back here alive with everyone."
"Don't worry, Mama, Papa. I'm definitely coming back alive."
***
With only two hours before sunset, the raid team rushed to reach the road by the Tokonosu River, ignoring the slow-moving undead chasing them so as not to waste strength or bullets.
The plan was to use the same route Nach and Saeko had taken to reach Onbetsu Bridge, since it was most likely that fewer undead remained there after they had already eliminated most of them.
Besides, it was safer compared to the main roads swarming with undead.
They could move more easily at night without worrying about too many blind spots, considering they had limited battery-powered flashlights and oil lanterns to illuminate their surroundings, until they reached a point closer to the hospital before returning to the main roads.
It was a plan with calculated risks that even Saya, a genius herself, agreed to—prioritizing the limited time the elderly woman had left.
Everyone agreed, knowing how dangerous it was to travel at night instead of waiting for the next day.
However, the sight that greeted them at the Tokonosu River made most of them doubt not only traveling at night but going out of their safe haven at all.
"I understand that they're all undead and have rotting brains," Nach said, looking at the river illuminated by the torch he was carrying, "but how stupid are they to all get stuck and swarm in the river?"
"Get away from there, Pervert-sensei."