Haruka woke up to the sight of the clock on her nightstand. It was 5:44 a.m. She got up from the edge of her bed, grabbed her towel, and headed to the bathroom.
After freshening up, she slipped into her school sports uniform. Haruka left her room, ready to wake her siblings after getting herself prepared.
She started with the room next door—Haruto's. Knocking three times, she turned the knob and entered. As usual, it wasn't locked. Switching on the light, she glanced around. Haruto wasn't there. Her gaze fell on a piece of paper lying on his bed.
Curious, Haruka stepped inside and picked it up. Unfolding the note, she read:
'I left early to buy something. Go wake the others. Breakfast is on the dining table.'
Folding the paper, Haruka stuffed it into her pocket. She left Haruto's room, closing the door behind her, and headed toward Akio's.
Knocking three times again, she entered to find Akio sound asleep in his bed. She turned on the light and walked over to him. The sound of his snores filled the room, and Haruka stared at her brother with an unimpressed look.
If I wake him gently, he'll never get up, she thought. Without hesitation, she yanked the blanket off him, causing Akio to roll off the bed and land on the floor with a thud.
"Ow! What the hell, Haruka?" Akio groaned, rubbing his face as he sat up. He shot his sister an irritated glare, but she just stood there, calm and indifferent. This was her routine every time she had to wake him up.
"Don't you have any other way to wake me?" He grumbled, running a hand through his messy hair.
"Nope. Oh, by the way, breakfast is ready downstairs." Haruka replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.
Akio glared at her in frustration. As payback, he flicked her forehead hard, earning a sharp glare from Haruka.
"Now, get out of my room."
Standing up, Akio grabbed Haruka by the arm and escorted her out, shoving her lightly before slamming the door shut and locking it.
Before she could yell at him, the locked door silenced her. Haruka let out a huff, rolling her eyes in exasperation. She headed to the twins' room next.
Knocking as usual, she entered to find her younger siblings, Asuka and Asuki, already getting dressed for kindergarten. Unlike Akio, they were responsible and efficient.
"Are you two ready?" Haruka asked, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Yes!" The twins beamed at her, nodding enthusiastically.
"Great. Let's have breakfast." She turned off their light and walked out with the twins following closely behind.
Downstairs, the three of them ate the breakfast Haruto had prepared. As they ate, Haruka glanced at the wall clock, her thoughts drifting to Akio.
He's going to be late for school again, she mused.
After finishing breakfast, Haruka walked the twins to their kindergarten. It was part of her daily routine.
When they arrived, she crouched down in front of them with a soft smile. "Be good, okay? Call me if anything happens."
"Okay!" The twins replied in unison, their smiles bright and innocent.
Haruka waved them off as they entered the kindergarten. She waited until they were safely inside before heading to her own school.
.
.
.
School started off like any other day until the recess bell rang. Haruka stayed in her classroom with Ayane and a few other friends.
Suddenly, the bell rang again, this time unusually long. Kousuke frowned, checking his watch. "Recess isn't over yet."
Daisuke and Sho exchanged confused looks while Ayane continued eating, grumbling about how hungry she was.
Then a window appeared before her.
[ Warning! A new event is happening! Be ready for the worse! ]
Haruka squinted at the sight of it and when she blinked, the 'thing' has already gone so she thought that it's just her imagination.
Haruka's brows furrowed as the prolonged bell was followed by the sound of a mic being turned on.
"This isn't a fire drill." Haruka muttered to himself mostly but the others heard it. They'd had one just last week.
A voice came over the speakers. "Attention, everyone. A group of zombies has been sighted nearby. The school advises all students to remain indoors—"
Before the announcement ended, Haruka bolted to her locker. She yanked it open and grabbed her phone with trembling hands. Without wasting a second, she dialed the kindergarten's number.
Her heart sank when no one answered. Worry etched across her face, she made up her mind to leave school and head to the kindergarten. But just as she was about to step out, Kousuke grabbed her arm, halting her.
"Let. Me. Go." Haruka hissed, glaring at him as she tried to pull free.
"Haruka, calm down." Kousuke said in a steady voice, his grip firm but gentle.
"Calm down? My twin siblings are out there!" She snapped, her tone sharp with a hint of desperation.
"I understand, but rushing out there without a plan won't help. Do you want to get caught by zombies before you even reach them? Calm your mind first."
Haruka took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her racing thoughts.
"Fine." She muttered reluctantly.
"Good." Kousuke patted her shoulder reassuringly.
From the window, Daisuke called out. "Guys, come look at this."
The group gathered by the window, their eyes widening at the chaotic scene outside. People were screaming, running, and being swarmed by zombies.
"We need to get out of here." Sho suggested, his voice tense.
"But the announcement said to stay put." Daisuke pointed out.
Sho gestured subtly toward Haruka. Daisuke understood immediately. Saving her siblings was her priority.
"Haruka, Asuka and Asuki will be fine. We'll help you save them too, okay?" Ayane said softly, rubbing her back in comfort.
Haruka exhaled deeply, nodding in appreciation.
Kousuke took charge. "All right, everyone. Grab anything useful—something to defend yourself if necessary."
The group quickly gathered their belongings. Kousuke kept an eye on Haruka, noticing the strain on her face despite her calm exterior.
The group moved out of the classroom cautiously, scanning the empty corridor. Most students were panicking, some even recording the chaos on their phones.
They headed for the back gate, avoiding the front where zombies had already begun to swarm. Haruka clenched her fists, silently praying for her siblings' safety.
'Hold on, Asuka, Asuki. I'm coming.'