Untouched by the Outbreak

They had just finished breakfast when Ryo, with a firm hand, insisted Sachiko join him outside. Though she knew the zombies wouldn't harm her as long as Ryo was present, commanding them, a flicker of fear still lingered in her mind. The sight of so many zombies always made her uneasy, but Ryo's presence gave her strength.

Sachiko reluctantly grabbed her phone, notebook, and pen, knowing Ryo wanted her to take notes. She followed him outside, with Sayako, as always, trailing closely behind Ryo like a silent guardian.

The morning air was cool and crisp, and Sachiko stretched her body, feeling her muscles loosen up as they stepped outside the base. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the mass of zombies gathered around. The sheer number of them seemed to have grown, with more and more appearing each day. It was a chilling sight, yet none of them made any move toward her.

She scanned the area and noticed the familiar figures of Brutes, their hulking forms standing like silent sentinels near the perimeter. The Striders, lean and agile, were scattered around, always on the move, keeping a constant watch over the area. The zombies, as usual, were fully intact with their greyish skin and lifeless black eyes.

Their appearance, while eerie, lacked the rotting stench or decaying flesh typically associated with the undead. Instead, they looked healed, as if the virus had somehow preserved and even enhanced them.

Sachiko scribbled a few notes in her notebook as she observed the horde. She could sense the silent tension in the air, the unspoken power Ryo held over these creatures. The zombies were his army, and they obeyed him without question. Even so, the sight of so many of them made her heart race.

Sachiko, trying to distract herself from the unnerving presence of so many zombies, began to record a video on her smartphone. It had become her new hobby—capturing footage of the strange world they now lived in and making little commentaries to keep her mind sharp. After all, she had been a researcher before everything fell apart.

As she filmed, her voice was soft but steady, despite the intimidating creatures around her. "The Brutes are standing still... almost like they're guarding something. No visible decay. Their skin, though grey, looks almost... normal.

And the Striders..." She zoomed in on a few agile zombies patrolling the area, "...are moving faster than any regular human could. It's hard to believe this is reality."

She paused for a moment, catching a glimpse of Ryo ahead, his figure commanding, even without speaking. He was in control of everything around him—of the zombies, of her. And though it scared her at times, she couldn't deny that part of her liked it.

Sachiko had always been gentle by nature, and though she was still scared of Ryo in some ways, she found herself drawn to him, submitting to his power, his presence.

As she continued to record, Sachiko's mind wandered. She remembered asking Ryo for a doctor's coat, something that would make her feel a bit more like her old self—a researcher, rather than a survivor. Maybe in their next scavenging run, she would join him, brave the abandoned stores and malls, and search for supplies they could still use. It wasn't just food anymore.

The house was well-stocked now, with piles of dried food, canned goods, instant noodles, flour, and rice lining the kitchen shelves.

The solar panels Ryo had installed provided them with power, and the solar battery bank kept it running even when the sun wasn't out. Water was no longer a concern either, with the solar water pump drawing water from the nearby stream, filtered for drinking and daily use.

Sachiko sighed, finishing her commentary, and lowered the phone. Life with Ryo was strange, but there was a stability here, even amidst the chaos. Still, a part of her feared what the future would bring.

With her phone held up, Sachiko switched the camera to face herself, a habit she had picked up during these quiet moments outside. She smiled faintly at the lens, trying to keep her voice calm despite the zombies that surrounded her. "So, this is what it's like living among the dead," she said softly, "with Ryo in control, it feels... strangely safe.

Like they're all part of our world now." Her words felt surreal, but this was her reality.

As she continued speaking to the camera, making small observations about the zombies and the changes she had noticed since living with Ryo, she walked absentmindedly, focusing more on her recording than her surroundings. "They seem to be getting stronger, faster... more organized even. It's almost like—"

She suddenly paused, lowering the phone and looking around. The realization hit her like a cold breeze—Ryo was nowhere in sight. Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced back, noticing the distance she had covered without thinking. She was farther from him than she had intended, and a sense of panic crept into her chest.

But as her breath quickened, she noticed something strange. The zombies weren't attacking. In fact, they weren't even moving toward her with any kind of threat. Instead, they were just... following her.

Sachiko's eyes widened as she watched the Striders and Brutes in the distance. Some were keeping pace with her, others standing watch, almost like they were guarding her. Their dark, emotionless eyes didn't seem so threatening now, and though her fear hadn't completely subsided, a strange sense of calm came over her.

"They're... protecting me," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she looked into the camera again. "Ryo said they wouldn't hurt me, but I didn't expect this. They're acting like I'm one of them... or at least under Ryo's control."

She stood still for a moment, watching the grey-skinned figures around her, unsure whether to feel terrified or relieved. And then, in the distance, she saw Ryo turn back, his commanding gaze locking onto her as he realized she had wandered off.

Ryo noticed Sachiko had wandered farther from him than usual, but he didn't feel any concern. He knew the zombies wouldn't harm her as long as he was nearby. Instead, he continued his slow, methodical check of the surrounding area, walking past their house toward the other empty houses nearby.

Sayako, the ever-loyal female zombie, followed close behind him, and the Striders moved alongside them, their swift and silent presence always ready.

Sachiko, on the other hand, felt a sense of urgency as she saw Ryo in the distance. She stopped recording on her phone, realizing how far she had drifted. Despite the zombies' protective behavior, there was still a slight fear lingering in the back of her mind. She didn't want to test the limits of Ryo's control over them any more than necessary.

With a quick breath, she hurried to close the gap, her feet moving a bit faster as she rushed toward Ryo. The zombies around her didn't seem to mind her movement, their black eyes still locked on her, making sure no harm came her way.

As Sachiko reached him, Ryo glanced over his shoulder, his expression calm. "You wandered off," he said simply, his voice steady but with an underlying possessiveness. He didn't stop walking, though; his focus remained on checking the other nearby houses for anything useful.

"I didn't realize," Sachiko replied, slightly out of breath, but smiling faintly as she caught up to him. She stayed close now, keeping her distance from the Striders that walked like silent shadows around Ryo.

Ryo gave her a brief nod and kept moving, his attention split between the zombies around him and the empty houses they passed. The silence of the dead world around them felt heavy, but in Ryo's presence, Sachiko couldn't help but feel a strange comfort. No matter how terrifying the outside world had become, Ryo's control over it gave her some sense of security.

As they continued to walk, Sachiko remained quiet, observing Ryo's careful, calculated movements.

As Sachiko caught up to Ryo, she instinctively reached for his hand. Ryo, without saying a word, gripped her hand gently. His touch was firm but tender, a rare moment of softness that made Sachiko's heart skip. Despite his cold demeanor, she knew there were moments like this when he showed a side of himself only she was allowed to see.

Ryo's thoughts began to drift as they walked, his mind turning to the approaching winter. The warmth of the current season wouldn't last forever, and he knew he needed to prepare. There was a heater he had spotted in one of the nearby stores, the kind that ran on gasoline.

It would be a lifesaver when the cold set in, but he'd also need to scavenge for more fuel and heavier clothing—jackets, blankets, anything to keep the cold at bay.

His gaze shifted briefly to the zombies that walked with them, silent and obedient. What would happen to them when winter came? The thought lingered in his mind. Would the cold affect them like it did humans? Would they slow down, freeze, or remain just as relentless? Ryo wasn't sure, but he knew he had to be ready for any scenario.

He looked at Sachiko walking beside him. Her body was still fragile despite her adapting to their new life. If the winter was harsh, keeping her safe and warm would be his priority, along with making sure the base stayed secure. His grip on her hand tightened slightly as he thought about it.

"We'll need to start gathering supplies for winter," Ryo said, his voice breaking the silence. "Fuel, jackets, blankets… whatever we can find."

Sachiko looked up at him, sensing the seriousness in his tone. She nodded quietly, trusting Ryo to lead the way as always. Together, they continued their walk, both of them knowing that the days ahead would bring new challenges.