Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo sat comfortably between Sachiko and Yumi, his presence grounding the quiet but warm atmosphere at the breakfast table. Sachiko, ever affectionate, held a spoonful of food, feeding him with a gentle smile. Yumi watched, still feeling a bit out of place yet observing the casual intimacy they shared.

She noticed how Sachiko moved easily beside Ryo, her actions calm and confident, while she herself was still cautious, trying to find her own place without stepping out of line.

For the first time, Yumi felt a strange sense of normalcy during breakfast—a far cry from the life she'd known in the turmoil outside. The table was set, the morning quiet except for the faint hum of silence that hung around their secure walls. In this moment, she allowed herself to take in the room, marveling at how even in this chaotic world, a scene like this could feel almost… safe.

As her gaze wandered, she took note of the abundance surrounding them. Nearly every shelf was stocked high with essentials: rice bags, dried foods, cans of all kinds, spices, coffee, packets of hot chocolate, instant noodles, and an endless array of necessities. More than enough, Yumi realized, for twenty or thirty people to survive for months.

She looked around in awe, surprised by the extent of their preparedness and realizing just how strategic Ryo had been to amass so much. Discover hidden content at empire

Yumi recalled what Sachiko had mentioned earlier: that Ryo had moved some of the supplies to a neighboring house, where an extra set of solar batteries powered the setup. It hadn't struck her before, but she was starting to understand the extent of his planning and resourcefulness.

Sachiko, noticing her gaze, chuckled softly. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" she mused. "The nearby houses—during the coldest months, Ryo would fill them with zombies. Kept things… insulated." Sachiko's smile held a mix of amusement and admiration, her words painting an unusual picture of Ryo's adaptability.

Yumi looked at him, seeing Ryo with a new layer of understanding, his every action now carrying a sense of purpose she hadn't noticed before. In this strange yet fortified home, she found herself realizing that, somehow, she too had a place in it—alongside Ryo and Sachiko, amidst a world far different than she could have imagined.

Yumi recalled a conversation with Sachiko from earlier that morning while they prepared breakfast together. As they chopped and stirred, she'd asked quietly, "Was Ryo always so… serious?" She wasn't sure how else to describe the intensity he carried, his protective gaze, the way his every movement seemed purposeful, as if always prepared for something that lay ahead.

Sachiko had smiled knowingly at the question, pausing a moment before answering. "From the first time I met him, he was already like this. Serious, yes, but… not without a reason." She had glanced down at the cutting board thoughtfully, as though considering something deeper. "Maybe something changed him long before we crossed paths, or perhaps this is simply how he's always been.

It's hard to tell with Ryo."

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Yumi found herself pondering Sachiko's words, realizing that while she was still learning to understand him, Sachiko's acceptance of Ryo's nature was unwavering. She admired Sachiko's ease around him, the way she embraced his intensity without question.

For Yumi, there was still much to discover about him, but this insight from Sachiko added depth to her perception of Ryo—a man shaped by something profound, who now held an unwavering commitment to what he considered his.

As they worked in silence, Yumi began to wonder if, with time, she too would grow as comfortable around Ryo's powerful presence, learning not only to live within the walls he'd fortified but also to understand the guarded, complex man who protected them.

After breakfast, Yumi lingered near the window, watching Ryo as he moved outside, checking the perimeter. Her eyes trailed to the female zombie shadowing him closely, her expression strangely intent. She didn't wander aimlessly like the others; her movements were focused, as if Ryo's every step directed her purpose. The sight was unnerving—she followed him so closely, it was almost… loyal.

Curiosity finally got the better of Yumi. "Who… who is that?" she asked, glancing at Sachiko, hoping for some clarity. "The female zombie… she doesn't leave him alone."

Sachiko looked over her shoulder, following Yumi's gaze to the figure outside. She gave a small, knowing smile. "That's Sayako," she replied, as if speaking of an old friend. "She's different from the others. Faithful to Ryo in ways even I don't fully understand."

Yumi raised her brows, surprised. "You mean she… has a name?"

"Of course." Sachiko's expression softened, watching as Ryo continued his rounds with Sayako quietly at his heels. "Ryo gave her that name. Sayako's not like the other zombies. She's faster, stronger, and… devoted. She was one of the first he encountered after discovering his abilities. Now, she won't leave his side unless he commands it."

Yumi's gaze returned to Sayako, feeling a mix of intrigue and unease. It was hard to understand how a creature that was supposed to be mindless could seem so attached, almost protective. But then again, she was beginning to learn that nothing around Ryo was ever quite what it seemed.

Sachiko chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with amusement as she looked back at Yumi. "Who knows," she said, her tone light and teasing. "Maybe Sayako was also claimed by Ryo in her own way. He's always had a way with those who belong to him.And you also experience it last night"

Yumi's eyes widened slightly at the implication, and she turned to Sachiko, searching her expression for a hint of seriousness. But Sachiko only continued to smile, clearly enjoying Yumi's reaction.

"But honestly," Sachiko added, still amused, "I've never seen it happen. So, it's hard to say for sure." She shrugged, the playful tone in her voice making it clear she didn't mind leaving a little mystery in the air.

Yumi's curiosity only deepened, but something told her not to press further. With Ryo, it seemed, there were layers to everything—and Yumi was only beginning to see the depth of what lay beneath.

Sachiko's eyes sparkled with a mix of nostalgia and excitement as she leaned closer to Yumi, lowering her voice. "Honestly, I'd love to observe Ryo and Sayako… just to see how his influence really works on her. Imagine the progress I could document," she said, her tone shifting into a familiar academic cadence. "After all, I was a researcher once.And you know that"

Yumi's curiosity piqued as she watched Sachiko reach over to a nearby shelf, pulling out a well-worn notebook, a few scattered papers, and a laptop. She handed them over with a proud smile.

"Ryo actually gave me these. He never told me to stop studying or stop being a researcher, even after everything." Sachiko's smile softened as she flipped open the notebook, revealing pages filled with neat, meticulous handwriting. Observations, theories, and small sketches were spread across the pages.

"This life with him is… different, yes, but I get to keep exploring and understanding the world, just in a way I never imagined."

Yumi took in the sight, feeling a new level of admiration for Sachiko's adaptability. Despite the apocalypse around them, Sachiko seemed to have found a balance between her past and her present, merging her intellect with a loyalty to Ryo that was undeniable.

Sachiko's curiosity lit up as she powered on her laptop, setting it on the table beside them. She held up her smartphone, ready to record, giving Yumi an encouraging nod.

"So, tell me about your… experience with your 'prototype' zombies," Sachiko began, her voice calm and professional, though her eyes held a spark of interest.

Yumi shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the phone's lens before looking back at Sachiko. "They're prototypes. My father used to call them that," she murmured, her tone edged with a trace of sadness. "He was the one behind it all… creating them, testing them.Making sure its perfect"

Sachiko's gaze softened slightly, though she kept her focus steady. "I suspected as much," she replied, her fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard as she recorded Yumi's words. "The government must have had high expectations for this research if they allowed him to go so far. Tell me, what made these 'prototypes' different?"

Yumi took a deep breath, her voice hesitant. "They were… stronger, faster,agile than regular zombie. And sometimes, they seemed almost obedient. But it was hard to tell if it was real control or just… conditioning."

Sachiko nodded thoughtfully, glancing between Yumi and her screen. She'd had her suspicions about the origins of Ryo's control, but hearing Yumi's firsthand experience lent new clarity. Perhaps there was a connection between Ryo's rare genetic mutation and the prototypes' strange obedience.

"Thank you, Yumi," Sachiko said softly, hitting save on the recording. "I think there's a lot more to learn from you. And maybe, just maybe, we can use that knowledge to help protect Ryo… and ourselves,for the future."