Chapter 16 - Chapter 14: A Self-Sacrifice Story
The update has been delayed for over a month. I'm sorry, truly sorry.
Because of that, I think there are places where the writing looks strange, but please forgive me, I'll do anything.
After talking for a while after that, I was able to grasp quite a bit of the circumstances of Naomi-san, who is a foreigner. Naomi Walker, 21 years old. An American born in America. Apparently, she was caught up in this turmoil in her third year of studying abroad in Japan and had been leading a survival life alone ever since.
"It's amazing you could stay alone for three months in this situation. If I hadn't met Yui and the others, I don't know what would have happened to me. And I don't know how to treat wounds and such."
"My hometown is conservative, you see; a civil militia was organized, and all the children were taught how to use guns and how to fight. Among that was, of course, field first aid, which retired veterans taught us."
"Civil militia?"
"I guess it's like what you'd call a private army. A gathering of people who take up guns to fight when the government oppresses our rights, or when our country or hometown is attacked."
Living in (the once) peaceful Japan, when I hear "militia," I only get the image of people driving around in armed trucks in the Middle East or Africa as seen on TV. Well, anyway, it means Naomi-san received training like a soldier. Then it's understandable that she was good at treating my injury and that she could eliminate a swarm of infected alone.
"So, why did you help us? Even if you have confidence in your strength, I think there are various problems like supplies and the risk of being found. Honestly, if it were me, I would have abandoned us."
"You don't have to worry about food and such; I've helped myself to it from here and there, so there's still plenty. Even so, there were problems like the risk of being found as you said, but well, I thought you seemed like a trustworthy person. One can never have too many comrades."
"A trustworthy person?"
Now, did I take such an action?
"You were running while carrying Mana-chan... right? That girl, in front of the river. If you had left her there and drawn the infected's attention to her, you alone could have escaped. Yet you didn't. I thought you, who went as far as discarding your luggage to help them, would be sufficiently trustworthy and reliable even when acting together."
Ah, that. I was indeed carrying Mana-chan while escaping from the infected, but I wasn't acting while thinking deeply. I just found myself doing it; it's definitely not for a reason like wanting to legally touch a little girl's body... I think.
Besides, since I'm the oldest, isn't it natural to protect everyone?
"Yes, yes, that's the spirit of yours I liked. In a situation like this in the world, everyone acts thinking of themselves. I don't intend to criticize that, and if I'm attacked by infected while with others, I might eventually abandon them."
"I used to do that too."
"The past doesn't matter; what's important is now. I had a hunch you were a person who wouldn't abandon your comrades, so I helped."
Saying so, Naomi-san gazes at the city from the window. The night city, where all artificial lights have vanished, is very eerie and hushed.
"In this era, it's difficult to stick to good deeds. Although it's unavoidable, everyone breaks into other people's houses to get food and kills the infected, who were originally the same humans, to live. Among them are those who act according to their desires, taking advantage of the fact that the police and military are no longer functioning. At such a time, you are acting while thinking of others; that is sufficiently worthy of trust, and I too would be loath to let such a person die."
If so, if I had abandoned them and escaped alone, Naomi-san wouldn't have helped me. Well, I have no intention of doing such a terrible thing at all. To the current me, Yui and Mana-chan are precious comrades, and if I were to abandon those two and escape, I'd rather fight the infected. Although I only have a mental state as soft as tofu, I want to live while holding at least that much pride.
"If you want to stay here, you can stay as long as the supplies last. If you're going to leave here, would it be okay if I went with you?"
"It's fine, but why? To be blunt, wouldn't we just be a hindrance to you?"
With the combat ability to slaughter over a dozen infected and the survival ability to have lived alone until now in a place like this. Frankly, she would have no problem living alone. Or rather, wouldn't it be a nuisance if we were there? We are in a position where it wouldn't be surprising if we were told to get out as soon as the injury healed.
But well, it's a welcome story that she says we can stay. This town is full of infected, and if we're unlucky, we'll be found the moment we step outside. I don't know where this many infected sprang from, but for now, we have no choice but to watch the situation here.
Besides, to escape from the infected, we discarded our luggage at the overturned truck in front of the bridge. There's water and food in the backpack; without that, we'll dry up in a day. Even if we go to get it, as long as we don't know the movements of the infected, we have no choice but to be in Naomi-san's care for a while.
I'm injured and can't fight properly, and the combat ability of Yui and Mana-chan, who are girls, is negligible. Even when considering their safety, Naomi-san, who defeated the infected, was a reliable existence.
"Should I go tell the two that you've woken up?"
I heard Yui and Mana-chan were safe and sleeping in the next room, but I shook my head at Naomi-san's proposal. They hadn't slept properly for a while, and the two must have added more fatigue from today's incident. I want to let them rest slowly now.
And there, my stomach suddenly growled. Come to think of it, I haven't had lunch or dinner. Moreover, I'm quite hungry because I'd been cutting down on the daily food intake quite a bit to save food. To recover my strength, it might be better to eat something here.
When I said that, Naomi-san took out several cans and some kind of package as if she'd been waiting.
"...What is this?"
"What do you mean? It's an iron supplement. I thought you didn't have enough blood right now."
I wonder if blood can really be made by taking supplements? I've heard Americans take a mountain of supplement tablets for their health, but...
But anyway, the top priority right now is to gain strength. The cans are centered on meat, and there's also liver among them; if I eat and rest for a while, I'll be back to normal. I, who decided to gratefully receive the precious cans, noticed something when I reached for the disposable chopsticks.
"Ah, my arm..."
Come to think of it, I've injured my dominant arm. When I tried to move my right hand a little, just that sent a pain that felt like it would pierce through the top of my head. I can't use chopsticks with my left hand, so how should I eat?
"Then, should I feed you?"
"No, it's fine. Give me a fork."
I regretted it immediately after saying it reflexively. I've never had the experience of having a girl feed me something. I was so close to experiencing the "here, say ahh" that riajuu often do.
For a moment, I wanted to punch my past self.
I look forward to your opinions and impressions.