"No matter how deep the night, it always turns to day, eventually.."

  — Brook, One Piece

  ---

  Could it be that his presence had altered the course of events?

  Regardless, Hirano's fate was sealed.

  Just then, Saeko Busujima and Shizuka Marikawa ehe .

  Taking in the se, Saeko approached Roy and looked at Hirano, paralyzed with fear and shock after being bitten.

  With a calm expression, she said, "I'm Saeko Busujima, captain of the Kendo Club. Third-year. What's your name?"

  "*Ugh!*" Hirano vomited a mouthful of bck blood, then stammered, "H-Hirano... Kohta..."

  He coughed violently.

  "You protected your cssmate. That's admirable. I aowledge your ce," Roy said, taking over the versation.

  In this apocalyptic world, evero bonds could crumble in the face of death. Betrayal and abandoning panions to their doom were onpce.

  Hirano's willio shield Saya Takagi demonstrated a certain level of bravery.

  "However," Roy tinued, his voice even, "you uand what bees of those who are bitten. Do you want your family and friends to see you like *that*?"

  His words made Hirano tremble.

  "If not... then allow me to offer you release."

  Hirano's face torted in a silent struggle.

  "P-Please..."

  Finally, he closed his eyes, his body rexing as he accepted his fate.

  Roy raised his wooden sword.

  "W-Wait... Wait a minute! What are you doing?" Shizuka cried, rushing forward to stop him.

  "Marikawa-sensei, please don't interfere," Saeko said, gently restraining her. "To preserve a man's dignity is a woman's duty."

  Her words held a double meaning, referring to both Roy and Hirano.

  Roy smiled, surprised to hear Saeko's famous line. He remembered it well.

  In the instant, Roy's sword fell swiftly, granting Hirano a painless release.

  ...

  "I'm Saeko Busujima, from Css 3-A," Saeko said, introdug herself to Roy as the immediate danger passed. She was intensely curious about his identity.

  His speed, his swordsmanship, everything about him intrigued her.

  Even Saya, who had been quietly weeping, stopped and looked up at the mention of Saeko's name.

  "Saeko-senpai," Roy said with a smile, "My name is Roy Lucifuge. I'm a sed-year student at Kuoh Academy."

  "Judging by your name, you're a fner? I'm Shizuka Marikawa, the school nurse here," Shizuka said, her airheaded nature apparent.

  "It's a pleasure to meet you," Roy replied with a smile.

  "Kuoh Academy?"

  Saeko repeated the name, but it drew a bnk. She had no recolle of such a school.

  They exged introdus, but Saya remained silent.

  "And you? What's your name?" Roy asked, extending a hand to Saya.

  He khat fag such a horrifying apocalypse, Saya, an ordinary student, was near her breaking point, just as she had been in the inal story.

  Saya lifted her tear-streaked face, meeting Roy's gentle smile. Somehow, his presence calmed her turbuleions.

  She managed a weak smile. "My name is Saya Takagi. I'm a genius, you know?"

  Though her smile was strained, Roy didn't find it off-putting.

  She took his hand and stood up.

  "It's a pleasure," Roy replied, smiling back.

  Turning to Saeko, he spoke with a serious tone. "We 't stay here any longer. We o leave immediately."

  "What do you suggest?" Saeko agreed readily.

  "As the school nurse, Marikawa-sensei should have a car, correct?" Roy looked at Shizuka.

  "Yes!" Shizuka nodded, her expression vat.

  "Where are the keys?"

  "Oh, let me look…"

  Shizuka rummaged through her bag.

  "Found them! Look!" she excimed, holding up the keys like a child showing off a prized possession.

  "Marikawa-sensei's car should be able to fit four people, right?"

  Including himself, there were four people present: Saeko, Saya, and Shizuka.

  Roy remembered Shizuka having a small car, so it *should* be enough.

  "No problem!" Shizuka chirped.

  "Then we shouldn't dey. Let's go!"

  "Now, let's assign roles. I'll take the lead, Saeko-senpai will cover the rear, and Takagi-san and Marikawa-sensei will stay in the middle. Any objes?"

  Roy pced himself in the most dangerous position at the front, leaving the retive safety of the rear to the others.

  "No problem!" Saeko agreed without hesitation.

  She had no reason to refuse, especially sidering this mysterious young man's evident strength.

  "But..." Shizuka started to say something but was interrupted by Saya.

  "I know what you're worried about, Marikawa-sensei, but we 't worry about that now."

  Saya, having regained her posure, uood that Shizuka was still ed for the other students.

  "Indeed, Marikawa-sensei. Let's focus on esg first," Saeko added.

  Shizuka, though still worried, didn't argue further.

  "The's go!"

  Seeing no further objes, Roy led the way, and the four of them set off.

  Just as they exited the ...

  "D-Did... Did Roy-senpai kill all these zombies?" Saya asked, her voice trembling as she saw the numerous headless corpses at the doorway. She recalled the zombies that had fallen before her just moments before.

  Saeko, recalling Roy's swordsmanship, was filled with admiration.

  Such skill was unlike anything she had ever witnessed.

  "Yeah, they were just ordinary zombies. Let's hurry," Roy said dismissively, waving his hand as he stepped out into the corridor.

  The three girls followed close behind, saying nothing more.

  ---