Untouched by the Outbreak

The first snowflakes began to fall, blanketing the town in a soft, white layer. The air was crisp, but Ryo and Sachiko were well-prepared. Ryo stood outside, his breath visible in the cold air, watching the snow as it slowly covered the ground. He had taken the extra step to outfit the Striders, Brutes, and even the regular zombies stationed at his base with jackets scavenged from the shops.

They didn't need the warmth, but he wanted them ready—capable of moving and acting swiftly when he gave the command.

The zombies stood silently inside nearby empty houses, the jackets giving them a more human-like appearance, though their greyish skin and black eyes were still unmistakable. Ryo knew they could endure the cold without any trouble, but keeping them well-equipped was part of his strategy. He couldn't risk anything when the need arose.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm. Sachiko knelt by the fireplace, carefully setting up the charcoal heater. She glanced outside occasionally, watching the snow fall. It was peaceful, almost surreal to think they were surrounded by the undead, yet there was a sense of order—Ryo's control over the zombies gave her a strange sense of security.

Sayako, the female zombie, remained close to Ryo, following his every step as always. Her silent presence was a constant reminder of the strange new world they lived in, but for Ryo, it was normal. He glanced at Sayako and then toward Sachiko, his mind already planning their next move as winter set in.

With the preparations complete, he headed inside to join Sachiko by the fire. The heat from the charcoal heater spread warmth through the room, a comforting contrast to the cold world outside.

Sachiko busied herself with preparing coffee, the aroma filling the warm room as she moved about the kitchen area. There was a calmness in her actions, a sense of routine that she found comforting. Despite the world outside being overrun by zombies, their current situation was stable, even comfortable.

They had more than enough supplies, a stockpile that would last for years—rice, canned goods, instant noodles, dried food, and more. Ryo's careful planning and their scavenging efforts ensured they were well-prepared for anything.

As she waited for the coffee to brew, Sachiko glanced toward the window, watching the snow continue to fall softly. It was peaceful in a way, knowing that outside the walls, the world had become so hostile, yet here inside, they had everything they needed. The once intimidating task of scavenging had become second nature, and now they lived in relative comfort compared to the chaos others faced.

She poured the coffee into two cups and brought them over to the table, where Ryo was seated, lost in thought. As she placed the cup in front of him, he nodded in appreciation, his eyes flicking toward her briefly before returning to the fire. They didn't need to speak much—their bond was deeper than words, a mutual understanding of survival and possession.

Sachiko sipped her coffee, her mind drifting to their future. With all the supplies they had, she felt a rare moment of contentment. Life with Ryo, though intense and sometimes frightening, had given her purpose.

As Sachiko glanced around the storage room, she couldn't help but feel impressed. Rows of liquor and wine lined the shelves, each bottle neatly stored, a testament to Ryo's meticulous nature in preparing for anything. Next to them were gallons upon gallons of fuel, all carefully stockpiled and full, ready to be used when needed.

The generator sat nearby, along with other essential tools and equipment. Everything was arranged perfectly, showing how much effort Ryo had put into ensuring their survival and comfort.

Outside the garage, she noticed the truck, its imposing frame parked neatly. Ryo had acquired it during one of their scavenging trips, carefully repairing it to make it run again. It was more than just a vehicle—it was a symbol of their readiness for anything the world could throw at them.

With the truck now operational, it would allow them to travel further if needed or haul larger loads of supplies with ease.

Sachiko felt a sense of security wash over her as she took it all in. Ryo was always thinking ahead, always preparing. They were more than ready for the coming winter, and with everything set in place, she knew they could handle anything that might come their way. She admired Ryo's foresight, and it gave her a strange sense of peace knowing he had thought of everything down to the smallest detail.

As Sachiko prepared coffee, her thoughts drifted back to her time as a researcher at the government stronghold. The last winter had been brutal, the cold seeping into every corner except for the well-insulated rooms of the prime minister, the conference hall, and the quarters of high-ranking officials.

Only the privileged few had access to warmth, while the rest of the population huddled together, trying to survive with what little heat they could muster. She remembered how the government controlled everything inside the stronghold, ensuring that the elite lived comfortably while others barely scraped by.

The stronghold was massive and secure, impervious to the zombie threat outside its walls, but the true danger came from within. The population was strictly managed by soldiers and government personnel, enforcing work assignments for everyone. People had to farm, labor, and contribute to the survival of the community, with no room for weakness.

The strict rules kept the stronghold running, but at a high cost—freedom was a luxury few could afford.

Sachiko couldn't help but wonder what had become of the stronghold since she had left. Were they still controlling the population like before? Was there still food to farm, and were the people inside surviving the harsh reality of this world? Or had the system collapsed under the weight of its own tyranny?

The thought lingered in her mind, but she quickly pushed it aside, feeling fortunate that she was no longer a part of that controlled environment. Here, with Ryo, she had a new kind of freedom, even if it came with its own challenges.

Sachiko shook her head, banishing the memories of the stronghold from her mind. She never wanted to go back—not even if she were forced. The thought of returning to that place, where survival meant constant fear and submission to the government's control, made her feel uneasy. She remembered all too well how they had thrown her away, discarding her as if she were nothing.

If it hadn't been for Ryo, she knew she'd be nothing more than zombie food by now. Yes, she owed her survival to him, and though it had come with a price—her virginity—she didn't care anymore. She had long since accepted it. At the time, she hadn't had any choice, and she had resigned herself to that fact. Ryo had saved her, and she was still alive because of him.

It was a trade-off she had come to terms with. Life outside the stronghold, even amidst the constant danger of zombies, felt infinitely better than living under the oppressive rule of the government. She was free now, and with Ryo, she had carved out a life that, while far from perfect, was her own.

Ryo glanced at Sachiko, noticing the faraway look in her eyes. "What are you thinking?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.

Sachiko snapped out of her thoughts, offering a small smile. "Nothing," she replied, not wanting to delve into her past at that moment.

Ryo shrugged it off, his mind already shifting back to his primary concern. He stood up casually and made his way outside to check on his personal army of zombies. Sayako, his loyal female zombie, followed him as always, a silent sentinel by his side. Ryo appreciated her presence; she was fast, strong, and more than just a regular zombie.

But despite having Sayako as his personal bodyguard, Ryo didn't want to lose any of his other zombies. They were crucial to his defense, and with winter coming, he needed to ensure every zombie was stationed inside the nearby houses for warmth and readiness.

Walking among them, he surveyed the hordes of Striders and Brutes. The zombies obeyed him without question, their dark eyes following his every move as he gave silent commands. They were a formidable force, and Ryo knew he had something no other survivor did—a loyal, unstoppable army.

After thoroughly checking each zombie, Ryo made sure that every Strider, Brute, and regular zombie had settled inside the nearby houses as he instructed. He gave them a clear command to remain on high alert but to stay inside unless he shouted or called for them.

The streets outside his base were now quiet, but Ryo felt a sense of security knowing that his undead army was just a word away. With winter coming, it was crucial that they stayed in shelter, ready to act at his command. He had prepared for this—ensuring their protection not just from the cold but from potential threats.

Turning back toward his base, with Sayako following him closely, Ryo felt confident that everything was under control. Sachiko would be safe. And for now, his focus was on keeping his domain secure and maintaining his dominance over the growing hordes.