Chapter 17: CHAPTER 17
As they approached the main road, the scene outside grew more chaotic. Countless cars lined up in a desperate attempt to flee the city, their progress crawling at a near standstill. At the front of the blockade, police officers struggled to maintain order, their voices booming through megaphones.
"It's dangerous outside! Please remain inside your car under any circumstances!" One officer repeated the command, while others stood at the ready, their fingers hovering over their triggers, prepared to shoot at any sign of the undead.
"We're moving at barely one kilometer per hour," Saeko observed, her voice calm but with a hint of concern.
"Can we make it to the bridge?" Okada asked, looking nervously at Kazu.
"Who knows," Kazu replied, his expression grim.
"I hope we make it over by morning," Nishinoya said, glancing at the growing crowd ahead.
"That seems impossible, given the situation," Takagi added with her usual sharpness.
Hirano suddenly interrupted, his stomach growling audibly. "I-I'm still hungry..." he muttered, uniting his index fingers sheepishly.
Takagi shot him an annoyed look. "Oh, shut up! Are you still hungry? You just ate earlier!"
"Y-yeah, but..." Hirano fumbled, looking embarrassed.
"That's why you're fat!" Takagi snapped.
Hisashi, ever the peacekeeper, handed Hirano another piece of bread. "Here, Hirano. Don't worry, we've got enough food for a couple of days."
Hirano looked grateful, hesitating for a moment before accepting the bread. "Thanks, senpai..."
Meanwhile, Niikaz approached Marikawa, noticing the way the bus's rough ride was affecting her. "Sensei, are you okay? If your back is sore, I can give you a massage."
Marikawa blinked in surprise. "Eh? Really? Oh, thank you, Niikaz! My shoulders have been so stiff!"
(isn't because of you giant boobs at fault right?) Nishinoya and Okada thought at the same time.
Niikaz lift up her both hands in a midair causing a dim light appearing in her palms. As Niikaz placed her glowing palms on Marikawa's shoulders and began massaging, the scene quickly escalated. Marikawa's exaggerated moans of relief echoed through the bus. "Ahh~ That feels so good~ Oh~ Not too hard, Niikaz, ahn~"
(Ero!) Nishinoya and Okada turned red, their eyes wide with disbelief. Blood began trickling from their noses like fountains, causing Kazu to shout in alarm. "Wah!! Are you both okay? Hang in there!"
Takagi pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation, while Saeko cast a bored glance in their direction. (Sigh~.)
However, Hirano remained unaffected, his eyes fixed on the outside, studying the movement around the blockade. "Submachine gun... maybe Shipka SMG, 9x19mm... or is that 18mm?" he muttered softly.
Takagi noticed his focus and called out to him, "Hirano-"
Suddenly, gunshots echoed from outside. Bang! Bang! The sound of police officers taking down the undead sent waves of panic through the civilians. Hirakawa and Taniuchi screamed in terror.
Shido, always quick to seize an opportunity, immediately wrapped his arms around them, his voice dripping with fake concern. "It's fine, we're safe in here. Itfine~," he cooed, gently stroking their backs.
"Sensei..." Hirakawa whispered, her fear subsiding as Shido continued to comfort them.
Saeko, Hisashi, and the others exchanged suspicious glances, clearly unsettled by Shido's manipulative behavior. Hisashi narrowed his eyes. "He's up to something," he muttered under his breath.
"I bet he is," Kazu replied darkly. "I can't stand him."
"Wish we could split up from him," Nishinoya added with a scowl. "Just looking at him makes me sick."
Niikaz, standing by the window, observed the situation carefully. "We'll make a plan," she said quietly. "But for now, we have to be patient. Nishinoya, focus on healing your leg. You'll be able to walk soon."
Nishinoya blushed as Niikaz bent down to rub his ankle, her glowing palms working softly. He was about to sneak a peek down her shirt when Kazu's face suddenly blocked his view, glaring at him.
"Oi, Kazu! You're in my way!" Nishinoya growled, frustrated.
"Niikaz, you don't need to do that," Kazu said, ignoring Nishinoya. "It's just a light sprain. He'll be fine soon enough."
"Ah, Is that so?" Niikaz tilted her head, then quickly stood up and returned to her seat without protest.
Nishinoya scowled at Kazu, glaring daggers at him. (You bastard!) he thought angrily.
(Idiot-pervert.) Kazu thought back, both of them glaring at each other as if a silent war was brewing between them.
As the bus continued to crawl forward, Niikaz glanced in the rearview mirror, her gaze falling on Yamada, Takuzo, and Naomi. They all wore worried expressions, their thoughts likely on their families.
In the chaos of the apocalypse, nobody could be sure if their loved ones were safe-or if they had already become one of the undead.