Dead Man's Tales: HSOTD

Kozen blinked his eyes open, squinting against the faint, dim glow of the single bulb hanging from the low ceiling. He looked at his watch and sighed. Exactly twenty minutes of morning sleep—done. Even though he'd been following this fragmented sleep schedule for months now, cycling through short naps around the clock, he still didn't like it. It grated on him, always waking up on someone else's terms, always jolted into half-consciousness before he was ready.

It was logical, and it made him sharper, kept him on edge. But it also left him feeling… hollow. Like he was a machine running through preset routines, rather than a person who could sleep in and wake up naturally, who could afford to let his guard down.

He pushed himself up, his muscles aching slightly, and took a slow look around the bunker. Takashi had built it months ago, hidden beneath Rika's house, intending it as a safe space for him and with the threat of the apocalypse looming, it had become Kozen's personal fortress—his only lifeline in a world that could change any day.

The bunker wasn't luxurious, not like those high-tech, multi-million dollar bunkers that the rich could buy, buried under Swiss mountains. 

No, this was practical, straightforward. Reinforced concrete walls, thick metal beams, and a heavy steel door that locked from the inside. It was designed to keep things out, to hold fast even if chaos erupted above. And that was enough. It didn't need to be fancy. It just needed to work.

He'd been staying down here for the past week, sleeping in the bunker, eating in the bunker, moving through his routines as if the apocalypse had already begun. It was all part of his training, an attempt to get used to this underground life. But the truth was, no amount of training could erase his unease. Even though he tried to hide it, the idea of the apocalypse scared him.

Why?

Because he didn't know what it would be. The fear of the unknown clawed at him, kept him up at night in the silence of the bunker. If it was a straightforward zombie apocalypse, that would almost be comforting. Rika had trained him in combat, survival, endurance. He could handle zombies, could imagine fighting his way through hordes with a clear, defined goal. But with the way Rika hinted at things, even she didn't fully know what was coming. She just kept telling him to prepare for anything.

Kozen shook off the thoughts, running a hand through his hair as he moved around the small space, familiarizing himself with every corner. The bunker had three main sections: a sleeping area with a narrow cot and basic bedding, a tiny kitchenette with enough dehydrated food and water to last a decade, and a weapons cache that took up almost half the space.

The weapons were lined up neatly against one wall, each piece gleaming faintly under the dim light. There were melee weapon of varying sizes, each one sharpened to perfection. Guns were stashed in a locked metal cabinet, and he had his favorites—a Glock 17 and an older, reliable shotgun that had belonged to Takashi. There was also a small stack of smoke bombs, flash grenades, and a few handmade explosives he'd learned to create under Rika's guidance.

Every morning, he went through the routine: inspecting each weapon, cleaning and reloading where necessary. He was methodical, going over each piece of equipment, feeling the reassuring weight of the knives, checking the triggers on the guns. 

As Kozen pedaled down the empty morning streets, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out, glancing at the screen, and felt a small smile tug at his lips as he read the message:

Saeko: "Meet me at the Kendo club when you come to school. I'm ready to talk."

Hook, line, and sinker, he thought and moved to the bunker's single exit, a heavy, reinforced hatch that led up into the house's basement. It had three different locks and a retinal scanner that Rika had installed, which only accepted his and Rei's scans. This place was a small fortress, and as he locked the hatch behind him, he tried to push away the nagging voice in his head. The one that whispered about how he wasn't ready, how he'd never be ready for what was coming.

"Kozen! Breakfast is ready!" Rei's voice echoed from above, breaking the silence.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax, then climbed up the narrow ladder, pushing open the latch and stepping into the basement. As he closed the hatch behind him, he ran his fingers over the bolts, feeling the weight of the security measures. Thick steel, reinforced from every angle. 

Upstairs, the house was quiet. Rei had set the table, and they both sat down, a faint tension in the air. Breakfast was simple—rice, eggs, and a few vegetables. They ate mostly in silence, the unspoken countdown hanging between them. Every day, the clock ticked down a little more, bringing them closer to whatever unknown fate lay ahead.

Rei finally broke the silence. "We'll do well in the mission."

Kozen nodded, though he didn't say anything. Unlike him, Rei had convinced herself that the apocalypse would just be another tough mission, another challenge they could overcome if they stayed focused. He let her think that. She was tough, sure, but he didn't see the need to add to her stress. No point in dragging her down with his own fears.

He ate quickly, finishing his food with a sense of urgency, and Rei raised an eyebrow as he set his empty plate aside.

"Slow down. Your girlfriend can wait," she teased, smirking.

Kozen gave her a look, smirking back. "Jealous?"

Rei rolled her eyes. "Jealous? Please. I just don't get what you see in her. All those 'dates' you're wasting time on… don't you think there are better things to do?"

He shrugged, leaning back in his chair with a faint, knowing grin. "Simple. I want to lose my V-card before the apocalypse."

Rei turned red, her mouth dropping open as she stared at him in shock and irritation. "You're disgusting, you know that?"

He shrugged, unbothered, standing up and grabbing his bag. 

If this were a normal life, sure, maybe Miku would be my girlfriend. I'd actually care about building something with her. But with everything that's about to happen… The thought trailed off, the smirk fading. 

She's a means to an end, that's all. I don't think too much on it.

Rei hurled a crumpled paper cup at him, her face bright red, but he dodged it easily, chuckling as he made his way toward the door.

"Asshole," she muttered, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.

As he walked outside, the early morning sunlight hit him, and for a moment, he paused, his thoughts lingering on Rei's reaction. He wondered, not for the first time, if this numbness he felt was truly his nature, or if it was something that Rika's relentless training had instilled in him. He used to care about things, didn't he? Used to feel more deeply. But now, every decision felt calculated, every emotion dulled, as if survival had overridden everything else.

He shook off the thought, pushing it to the back of his mind as he climbed onto his bike. The morning air was cool against his face as he drove to school, his mind already shifting to the day ahead. Rei would catch up later—she had stamina training to do, which meant running to school as part of her workout. He grinned at the thought, knowing she'd complain about it the whole way.

But as he rode, his thoughts drifted to Miku. He knew he was using her, that he was keeping her at arm's length even as he let her get close. She was sweet, kind, the sort of person he might have genuinely wanted if the world wasn't hanging on the edge of a knife. But with the apocalypse looming, he didn't see the point in investing his heart. This was survival. Attachment was a luxury he couldn't afford.

As he approached the school, Kozen allowed himself a fleeting thought, wondering if he was right to shut himself off, to build walls around every feeling that didn't serve his purpose. But the moment passed as quickly as it came, replaced by the usual edge of determination. Rika had trained him well, and he'd survive whatever came next, no matter the cost.

For now, that was enough.

Kozen strolled into school that morning, his uniform crisp and his bag slung casually over one shoulder. The campus was buzzing with the usual morning energy: students chattering as they hurried to class, a few soccer players practicing on the field, the distant hum of the morning announcements crackling over the PA system. He walked with an unhurried confidence, scanning the crowd until he spotted Miku waiting by the lockers, her face lighting up the moment she saw him.

"Kozen!" she called, waving excitedly.

A warm smile broke across his face as he approached her, and before she could say another word, he leaned down and pressed a quick, gentle kiss on her lips. She blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink as she glanced around to see if anyone had noticed. Kozen found it adorable, how shy she got every time he did something like that in public.

"Babe," Miku began, grinning as she reached into her bag. "I was thinking… how about a date tonight?" She pulled out two tickets and held them up with a flourish. "I got us tickets to the premiere of The Hobbit!"

He felt a slight pang of guilt as he looked at her hopeful expression. "Sorry, Miku. I'm a little busy tonight."

Her face fell, just a bit, and she pursed her lips in disappointment. "You give me amazing dates all week long, and now, when I finally make some plans…" She trailed off, crossing her arms in a pout.

Kozen chuckled, finding her reaction endearing. He reached out and ruffled her hair playfully. "Hey, don't look so down."

Miku frowned, dodging his hand and smoothing her hair back down. "It's not fair, Kozen. You're always the one surprising me. I finally get a chance to do something for you, and you're busy." She sighed, holding the tickets loosely in her hand, her disappointment clear.

"Tell you what," he said, leaning in as if he were about to kiss her again. She tilted her head up, expecting it, only for him to stop just shy of her lips, grinning mischievously. "Let's go tomorrow instead."

She narrowed her eyes, realizing he'd teased her, and huffed. "Fine… But what's so important that you have to miss it tonight?"

Kozen hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, the Kendo Club president asked me to train with her."

Miku's expression shifted, her eyebrows knitting together. "Saeko?" she asked, a faint edge in her voice. "Why would she need you to train with her?"

He shrugged casually, keeping his tone light. "She's got the national tournament coming up, and she thinks sparring with me will help her get better."

Miku's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you just… agreed?"

Kozen chuckled, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Miku, it's not a big deal. It's just practice. You're not jealous, are you?"

She looked away, crossing her arms defensively. "I'm not jealous. I just… don't get why she'd pick you. I mean, you're not even in the Kendo Club."

Kozen held back a laugh. Her jealousy was cute, but he knew better than to point that out. "Well, I'm the one she thinks can help her improve. And honestly, if it helps her win the nationals, what's the harm?"

She sighed, glancing up at him with a reluctant smile. "Fine. Just… don't go falling in love with her or something."

"Trust me, I'm not interested," he said, grinning as he leaned in for a real kiss this time. Her lips softened under his, and for a moment, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them.

When he finally pulled back, he tapped her nose playfully. "Tomorrow, okay? I'll make it up to you."

"Fine," she murmured, rolling her eyes but smiling all the same. "But I'm holding you to that."

With one last wink, Kozen headed off toward the gym, leaving Miku watching him with a mix of fondness and exasperation.

The Kendo Club's training hall was tucked away in the far corner of the school grounds, quiet and isolated. As he entered, the sound of bamboo swords striking training dummies echoed through the space. The air was thick with the faint scent of polished wood and dust, and the morning sun filtered in through the high windows, casting stripes of light across the floor.

Kozen's eyes immediately found Saeko in the center of the room, moving with focused precision as she practiced her swings. She was fast, her form sharp and relentless, each strike filled with an energy that hadn't been there the last time he'd seen her practice. Did she get faster? He wondered, genuinely impressed. Her intensity reminded him why he'd chosen her—Saeko wasn't the type to sit idle after a defeat. She'd only push herself harder until she surpassed whatever had held her back.

Interesting, he thought, watching her with an appraising gaze. This is the kind of person I want on my team.

It had been on his mind ever since Rika and Takashi had forced Rei to be his partner, preparing them for the mysterious apocalypse they'd hinted at. But he knew that Rei alone wouldn't be enough. He'd need more people if they were going to survive whatever was coming. He wasn't interested in gathering just anyone, though. He needed people like Saeko—strong, resilient, and with the potential to be sharpened into something deadly.

For now, he hadn't told Saeko everything, only dropping enough hints to make her curious. Let her come to him, he'd thought. Let her want to know more.

"Not worried about missing class?" he called, leaning against the doorway, his voice casual.

Saeko didn't look up, landing another clean strike on the training dummy. "Class doesn't matter. Not if I can win the nationals for this school."

He nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Fair point." He pushed off the wall, crossing the room until he stood beside her. "You wanted to talk?"

Saeko finally stopped, resting her wooden sword against her shoulder as she turned to face him. Her eyes were intense, filled with that fierce determination he'd come to expect from her. "You've been acting strange, Kozen. You tell me something big is coming, something that could change everything, and then you vanish, barely giving me an explanation. So, I'm here. Tell me what's going on."

He took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "What if I told you… the world as we know it has less than a week left?"

She narrowed her eyes, suspicion flickering across her face. "You're not trying to recruit me into some kind of gang, are you?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "No. This is… much bigger than that. I'm talking about the end of everything. The apocalypse, Saeko. In five days."

For a moment, she was silent, studying his face as if searching for any hint of a joke. When she found none, she raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

He nodded. "Completely. I know it's hard to believe."

To his surprise, she didn't look shocked or frightened. Instead, her expression grew sharper, more intrigued. "I believe you," she said simply.

Kozen blinked, his mouth opening in surprise. "Wait… you just believe me? Just like that?"

She shrugged, her gaze unflinching. "Not completely. But in five days, we'll know for sure, won't we? And if you're right… well, I'd be lying if I said the idea of a fight like that didn't excite me." Her eyes gleamed, her lips curving into a small, almost unsettling smile. There was a strange hunger there, a spark of anticipation that made him pause.

Is she… actually looking forward to this? He wondered, a bit thrown. Maybe Saeko was a little more intense than he'd anticipated.

"Alright," he said carefully. "Well, if you're serious about this, there are some things you'll need to learn. For starters…" He glanced at her kendo stick. "Do you know how to use a gun?"

She shook her head, unfazed. "Never tried. My father always said guns were for cowards."

Kozen smirked, crossing his arms. "Then it's time for you to learn. If we're going to survive this, you'll need more than just a sword."

She tilted her head, intrigued. "Fine. Show me."

A few minutes later, they walked out of the gym, heading towards the school's parking lot. Saeko followed him, curiosity written all over her face. As they reached his bike, he swung his leg over the seat and glanced back at her, gesturing for her to get on.

She hesitated for a second, then climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist to hold on. Kozen felt the slight warmth of her chest pressed against his back, the faintest distraction, which he quickly forced himself to ignore.

"Try not to fall off," he teased as he started the engine.

Saeko tightened her grip, her voice cool but with a hint of amusement. "You just focus on driving, hotshot."

As they roared out of the parking lot, skipping the rest of their classes for the day, Kozen couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. He'd taken a gamble with Saeko, and though she was unpredictable, she was also exactly what he needed.

And with the clock ticking down, he'd need every edge he could get.

Author Note: More chapters on [email protected]/LordCampione.