Untouched by the Outbreak

Though Ryo had assured her of their safety, the sight of the undead never failed to send a shiver down her spine. The way they moved, unnaturally quiet and obedient, was a constant reminder of the strange and terrifying world they now lived in. She knew these zombies were under Ryo\'s control, protecting him as if he were their master, but that knowledge did little to ease her anxiety.

Ryo finished refueling the scooter and then took a moment to inspect the tires, ensuring they were properly inflated and in good condition for the journey. He had become meticulous about such things; every detail mattered in a world where one small mistake could lead to disaster. Satisfied with his checks, he swung a leg over the scooter and started the engine.

The machine roared to life, its sound echoing through the quiet streets.

Sachiko hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before climbing on behind him. She wrapped her arms around Ryo\'s waist, pressing herself close against his back. The solid feel of him, the warmth of his body, offered a sense of security amidst her fear. The scooter vibrated beneath them, and Sachiko held on tighter as they prepared to set off.

Ryo glanced back at her, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of hesitation. Seeing none, he nodded, and they began to move. The scooter eased forward, carrying them away from the safety of their home and into the unknown. Sachiko\'s heart raced, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through her.

She knew this trip wasn\'t just about gathering supplies—it was about fulfilling a promise Ryo had made to her, a promise that seemed to carry more weight now that they were on the move.

As they rode through the desolate streets, the buildings around them stood as silent witnesses to the devastation that had befallen the world. The once-bustling city was now a ghost town, its former inhabitants either dead or undead. Sachiko kept her gaze forward, trying not to think about what lurked in the shadows. Instead, she focused on the road ahead, trusting Ryo to keep them safe.

The wind whipped past them, carrying with it the faint scent of decay that seemed to permeate everything now. The scooter sped up as they reached a long stretch of road, and Sachiko felt a thrill of speed, a brief escape from the heaviness of their reality. But even in this fleeting moment of freedom, her thoughts returned to Ryo.

She wondered what was going through his mind, what plans he had for their future. Would they find what they were looking for? Would this journey bring them closer together, or reveal more of the darkness that lay beneath the surface of their relationship?

She hugged Ryo tighter, closing her eyes for a moment as they rode on. The road ahead was uncertain, but she was beginning to realize that her place was with him, wherever that road might lead.

Ryo and Sachiko continued their journey until the sun reached its peak, casting harsh shadows across the deserted city streets. The heat of the day had set in, making it an ideal time to take a break and check out a nearby building that appeared to be a small grocery store. Ryo slowed the scooter to a stop in front of the building, parking it securely before climbing off.

Sachiko followed suit, cautiously stepping down and glancing around at the scattered zombies. Despite their ominous presence, they kept their distance, seemingly deterred by Ryo\'s proximity. She let out a sigh of relief, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

Ryo scanned the area, assessing the situation before speaking. "We need to check that store, see if there\'s anything useful inside. Stock up on whatever we can." His tone was matter-of-fact, his gaze sharp as he looked toward the entrance.

Sachiko nodded, her nerves still somewhat on edge but manageable under Ryo\'s calm command. Together, they headed inside the store, the door creaking open to reveal aisles lined with dusty shelves and remnants of the world before. The place was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the soft shuffle of zombies outside and the occasional drip of water from a leak in the roof.

As they explored the store, Ryo\'s attention was drawn to the counter area. He noticed a display of cigarettes, untouched and likely forgotten in the chaos that had engulfed the world. With a smirk, he walked over, picked up a pack, and casually opened it. He slid one cigarette into his mouth, lighting it with a match he found nearby.

The familiar taste of smoke filled his lungs, offering a brief moment of comfort in an otherwise relentless existence. He leaned against the counter, taking slow, deliberate drags as he watched Sachiko move through the aisles.

Sachiko, meanwhile, focused on gathering supplies. She chose canned food, dried goods like mushrooms, and bottled drinks—anything that would be easy to carry and store. She moved with purpose, her backpack slowly filling with items that would sustain them for the days to come. As she worked, she couldn\'t help but notice the zombies outside, their movements seemingly random yet strangely coordinated.

They roamed close to the store, but none made any attempt to enter or attack. It was as if they were aware of Ryo\'s dominance, his presence enough to keep them at bay.

After a while, Sachiko made her way back to Ryo, her backpack now heavy with supplies. She found him still leaning against the counter, smoking his cigarette with a relaxed demeanor that seemed almost out of place in the desolate surroundings. "I\'ve got what we need," she said, her voice quiet but steady.

Ryo took one last drag of his cigarette before flicking it away, crushing it underfoot. "Good. Let\'s eat something first. We\'ve got a long day ahead of us."

They sat down on the floor, using the counter as a makeshift table. Ryo handed her a can of food, and they ate in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. The food was simple, but it provided the energy they needed to keep going.

As they finished their meal, Ryo glanced out the window, taking in the sight of the empty streets. "We might need to sleep outside tonight," he mentioned casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Sachiko looked at him with a hint of concern. "But… we didn\'t bring anything for sleeping outside. No sleeping bags or blankets."

Ryo smirked at her, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and confidence. "We\'ll find what we need when we need it. This town\'s big enough; im sure we can find blanket easily.There a lot of shop here,and all for us to scavenge"

Sachiko nodded, trusting in his judgment. Despite the uncertainty, she felt a strange sense of security with Ryo leading the way. She knew he was right—whatever they needed, they would find it. For now, all she could do was follow him and hope that his confidence would carry them through the challenges ahead.

After Ryo and Sachiko finished their meal, Ryo stood up, brushing crumbs from his hands. He looked around the store one last time, making sure they hadn\'t missed anything important. Satisfied, he turned to Sachiko.

"Pack up what you\'ve got," he said. "We need to get going."

Sachiko nodded and started gathering the remaining items they\'d collected, stowing them carefully into her backpack. She worked quickly, her movements efficient and focused. Meanwhile, Ryo walked outside, his demeanor calm and purposeful. Sachiko followed him, noticing as he approached the scooter.

Just outside the store, Sachiko watched as Ryo began issuing commands to the surrounding zombies. He spoke in a low, authoritative tone, but Sachiko was too far away to catch the exact words. Despite the distance, she could see the effect of his commands. The zombies, which had been aimlessly wandering, seemed to stiffen and align themselves according to Ryo\'s directives.

It was a display of control that both intrigued and unsettled her.

The scene was almost surreal—Ryo, with his air of effortless dominance, standing amidst the zombies, who moved in response to his unspoken authority. Sachiko\'s curiosity was piqued, but she held her questions in check, not wanting to interrupt or draw attention.

Once Ryo finished his commands, he mounted the scooter and gestured for Sachiko to get on. She climbed up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist as they prepared to leave. Ryo started the scooter, the engine purring to life as he pulled away from the store.

As they drove through the deserted streets, Sachiko\'s mind raced with thoughts about the powerful display she had just witnessed. She couldn\'t help but wonder about the extent of Ryo\'s abilities and what other surprises lay ahead. Despite her apprehension, she felt a strange sense of reassurance in his presence, knowing that his control over the zombies was a crucial asset in their survival.

The silence in the vehicle was broken when Sachiko finally voiced her concern. "Ryo, how are we going to manage if we end up having to sleep outside later? We don\'t have any preparation, no sleeping bags, or even blankets."

Ryo glanced at her briefly, his expression nonchalant. "Why worry about something that\'s for later? We don\'t need to think about that now. We\'ll deal with it when the time comes."

Stay tuned to mvl

Sachiko was momentarily taken aback by his casual response but nodded, accepting his answer. The uncertainty still gnawed at her, but she trusted Ryo\'s judgment and chose to focus on the immediate task at hand.