The sound of crickets was heard. The coldness of the earth gave off a characteristic odor which was inscribed in quite a number of living beings' memories. The smell of life, the smell of earth after the rain.

The dark sky was lit by a bright moon. There were absolutely no clouds over a town that Tanaka lived in. The sky is clear in the black of the night.

"Ughhh... It's a bit heavy this time..."

Tanaka woke up. Like humans in general, he also needs sleep.

However, unlike usual when he woke up from his slumber, this time Tanaka felt a bit tired when he did. Even so, the feeling disappeared in just a few moments when Tanaka opened his eyes.

"Two o'clock in the morning. I've slept for about four hours. I think if my body is tired or injured, the duration will be increased,"

said Tanaka in the silence of the room. The room where the only light was from the cell phone that Tanaka was holding.

Tanaka went towards the door. He went out to see the scenery outside.

"It's so dark,"

Tanaka's impression of the sight at night. The minimal light from the moon illuminates the part of the surface that faces directly into the sky. However, the light is not strong enough to bounce off other objects.

Very dark second floor corridor. None of the lights were on because the electric generator was turned off. Tanaka is trying to save as much fuel as possible.

Cool air entered Tanaka's nose. Moves in and supplies the lungs. Oxygen that sustains many creatures' life on earth.

It was early morning. No creatures other than insects and zombies awakened around. Really peaceful atmosphere in the early hours of the morning.

Moment of tranquility, Tanaka then took the food bars and the keys to the truck in the room.

"Yosh, this time I'll take something that can still be consumed around!"

Tanaka said in the silence of the moment. He heads to the truck to do his daily activities. Collect items for camp needs.

Tanaka's current destination was a food warehouse in the city. It was a place where a food company kept its rice. A very suitable place for Tanaka to explore.

Relying on the maps app and the name of the location, Tanaka bet that the building he was going to was a rice storage warehouse. About half an hour drive and Tanaka arrived at the place.

"Woahhhh~"

Ignoring the zombies around, Tanaka opened the huge warehouse door. There are hundreds or even thousands of sacks which are commonly used for rice containers.

Tanaka approached one of the sacks. He opened it.

"It's really rice all over here!"

Tanaka's guess was correct. Now there are tons of sacks that can be transported. However, the capacity that can be taken by Tanaka is not that much.

There were only about forty sacks that Tanaka could load into the truck. There's still room left in there, but the truck's maximum load can't hold it up.

If Tanaka wanted to take more, he needed more than a box truck. He needs a heavy truck.

"Fortunately there is still enough rice here. This is even more than enough for my camp to eat for two years!"

Tanaka refers to the bag of rice in the box. He knew that this storehouse could supply more than hundreds of years of his camp. However, Tanaka was not sure that at that time the rice would not have lice.

"Maybe I'll just report to the other camps about this warehouse,"

Tanaka muttered. He closed the barn door while clearing the approaching zombies. He didn't want the place to be polluted by wandering-former-humans.

"This will be the main food source for my camp from now on!"

Tanaka said as he started the truck. He was ready to return to the camp with a lot of groceries.

Imagined in Tanaka's mind about the food that would be available every day. Food which he hadn't tasted in a long time since Tanaka's unhealthy cup noodle diet for a year and a half.

"But well, if you only eat rice it will feel favorless. Of course the addition is noodles and curry!"

Tanaka said while stepping on the gas pedal. The truck sped past the approaching zombies.

Tanaka's goal now was a place where it had the ingredients he wanted. Nearby supermarket, which has a lot of spices and food flavorings Tanaka wanted.

"Ughh, this is so messed up!"

That is Tanaka's impression of the place he went to. It was a supermarket which he had never been to before. Most likely the place had already been crawled by hungry zombies as it had lots of fresh ingredients on display.

Luckily, the shelf which is the part where the group of spices is inhabited is still intact. Tanaka immediately collected them to put into the truck.

One spice fell. It was a condiment with a picture of a cow on the wrapper. It reminded Tanaka of meat and livestock products.

"Damn it, if only I was around there would still be animals to raise!"

However, livestock is considered extinct at this time. In addition to many who died because there was no one to take care of them, they were also a source of food for the zombies. Zombies really aren't picky about meat.

Tanaka comes out and se

es his truck surrounded by zombies.

"Damn it, what are you guys doing!"

Tanaka took care of them all. One mirror is broken and some parts are dented. It was the result of Tanaka leaving the truck unattended for five minutes.

"And, so... what's my next plan..."

A taped rearview mirror. Hundreds of zombie corpses lay around. Tanaka is now smoking while thinking about plans for his camp.

The members of the camp were not just him and Yuki. There were two additional members, which meant he was starting to get serious about setting up the camp.

For Tanaka, the most important things in the apocalypse were food and drink, shelter, medicine, fuel, water, electricity and weapons. He began to search for more in his memory.

"I have this super ability. Short term food sources are nothing to worry about. Goods supply is nothing to worry about either. Security is a bit of a problem for now. I'll add more medical supplies. Fuel that sustains for two months. Weapons are the main problem. ..hmm, I guess I should look for this resource soon!"

In the dark silence Tanaka spoke to himself. Things that are said directly are sometimes more memorable than if they just came to mind.

Tanaka also wrote it into a note on his cellphone. Things which help him in considering the plans to be made. Aspects of each individual in the camp.

"Yuki has the ability to cook and knows about hydroponic plants. She also has a project to make hydroponics at the base. Taki has many abilities. Damn, she really is a crazy woman. Even though we are the same age, she is more knowledgeable. About Haruka... well, I think of her as a second fighter after me,"

all the things Tanaka said were written in the phone's memory. Now Tanaka returned to his original thoughts. The next plan that the camp will complete.

"What's the next plan... Maybe build a big field!"

Tanaka thought about the project of making sustainable food sources. It was a field which could be harvested repeatedly.

The sky is looked at. Thousands of sparkling stars adorned the sky that Tanaka saw.

"Well, I'll make a big field. The area behind the boarding house has a fairly large field. With this, food production doesn't have a problem!"

Tanaka muttered as he concluded his mind. He was aware of the big idea and then wrote it down.

Or so that Tanaka still wants to think more.

Still on his standing feet. Tanaka thought of something else. He was still not satisfied with just one answer.

"Then what's the next plan... Make a farm, maybe?"

Still in the context of food production, Tanaka muttered questioningly.

For a few minutes Tanaka thought of something else. A loud scream from something that was clearly not a human sounded some distance away. This made Tanaka realize that he was currently in an unsafe area.

“Maybe, go back first,”

Tanaka continued his journey back.

......

...

In the boarding area, Tanaka walked toward the truck.

"Damn it, it's still four in the morning!"

Tanaka looked at the phone. The clock shows 04:02 AM which means it's still early. Usually Yuki would wake up at half past five in the morning. For the other two Tanaka was still not convinced.

Feeling lonely. That was what Tanaka unconsciously felt.

"Well then I'll just take something else!"

Finally, Tanaka used the remaining time to go somewhere else. A place where there are useful objects to pick up.

……

...

Tanaka wandered around looking for various useful things for the project. He is now on his way back to the camp. It was 06:05 AM. The time when Yuki usually woke up.

"Hah, you think I can't beat you when it comes to crunches!"

A distant voice rang in Tanaka's ears. The source clearly came from the boarding area. Tanaka got out of the truck to open the gate.

"Then prove it!"

There was a reply. This time, Tanaka clearly knew that the two people who were arguing with each other were Yuki and Haruka.

"You two are really excited about practice this morning,"

Tanaka entered the boarding house while opening the gate wider.

"Shut up Tanaka! I'm about to embarrass this girl!"

Yuki answered rather harshly. Tanaka knew that those words were the result of Yuki's anger towards Tanaka. However, that didn't stop him from laughing at the funny remark.

"Ha? Who in the hell will lose to you? I can do something like this all day!"

Haruka realized that the subject ‘girl’ in Yuki's sentence was her.

"Just a day? Then I'm two days!"

Yuki replied challangely. Tanaka had now loaded the truck inside. It was time for Tanaka to unload things, but since there were two people who wanted to have a contest Tanaka chose to postpone it.

"Okay, but what are we betting on?"

"...Whoever loses must eat the super spicy noodles in the warehouse!"

Haruka asked as she wanted a fair match according to her experience. Yuki pointed towards room number one which was mostly filled with groceries.

"Alright, challenge accepted!"

"To think it only took more than a day for them to become close,"

Tanaka, who had closed the gat

e, was now about to head into the room. Unexpectedly he met Taki who was already outside the room. The woman sat near the guardrail on the second floor.

Their eyes met.

"Oh, Taki, why did you come out?"

Tanaka asked. The man knew that Taki's condition was not very good last night. getting out of the room is clearly something that is not good for her health in a normal context.

"Well, it's pretty lively downstairs, isn't it? I'm feeling much better too!"

Taki explained how she felt. She knew that Tanaka asked about the context of Tanaka’s words.

"Really? It should take you a few more days to recover. Well, but if you're really feeling better then fine,"

Tanaka approached Taki.

"Do you always wake up very early, Tanaka? I see you haven't been in the boarding house since five o'clock,"

Taki's forehead was touched by Tanaka. The man checks the woman's temperature.

"I always wake up around three or four o'clock. I go out at that time,"

Tanaka answered Taki's question. He patted Taki's shoulder twice indicating that she was indeed in a better condition than before.

"You are really diligent, master,"

said Taki in a very low voice. Tanaka who heard it always felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Oi, I told you not to call me that, didn't I... Aghh, whatever!"

Tanaka's response was stopped because of Taki. The woman put on a disappointed and sad face when she heard Tanaka's words.

"Hehe, then, welcome back, master!"

"Aghhh... by the way Taki, I'll make an announcement later. I want to make a division of work!"

Taki greet with her trademark nickname for Tanaka. With a growl of discomfort Tanaka responded while telling the woman something.

"Alright, I'll let you know when the two girls downstairs are done!"

Taki replied with acceptance. Tanaka signaled that he would stay in the room for something. Taki nodded.

All Tanaka did was play games during that time.

......

...

"Tanaka, they're done!"

Taki opened the bedroom door to tell Tanaka. The 'esc' button was pressed, the game was paused and Tanaka left the room. Returning to a place where the air was fresh, Tanaka relaxed.

"So who won?"

"Haruka!"

"As expected,"

A super short conversation took place between Tanaka and Taki. The two of them then went downstairs.

Tanaka gathered the people of his camp. Haruka who was panting for breath. Yuki who was sprawled. Taki who had followed.

"Alright everyone, I want to tell you important information regarding the division of labor in this camp!"

Facing the boarding house, the three women saw Tanaka who wanted to explain something. Taki with a serious face. Yuki with a lazy face. Haruka with a doubtful face.

The girl with the ponytail looks like she has something to say. Or so that is how Tanaka interpreted Haruka's body language.

"Do you have something on your mind, Haruka?"

Tanaka asked which made Haruka flinch. Although she didn't look surprised, Tanaka knew that the girl didn't expect her to be the one to be called.

"Ah, no. I thought we had our respective jobs already?"

Haruka replied in a tone that questioned Tanaka's certainty. The only man in the camp responded with a small cough and gave the impression that he had never said that.

"No, since yesterday I haven't done such a division... Therefore, here I will tell you directly about the division of tasks. First, I am the chairman and the main supplier in this camp. Does anyone have any objections?"

"No!"

Tanaka made sure and was answered in unison by the three women in front of him. Tanaka wrote this down on the whiteboard. It was the board that Tanaka would use as a place of information which was important to know.

One of them is information on the structure of this division of tasks.

"Then... secondly, Taki, you will become a doctor as well as a communications and technology manager. The reason I gave you an assignment in this field is because you have related experience. Do you mind this?"

"No, that's my job from the start anyway!"

Tanaka wrote it down again. Tanaka would always write down the order as long as there was nothing else to discuss.

"Good... third, Yuki, you will be the logistics manager at the camp. This job starts from you having to record food supplies and prepare food. You can still do your hydroponic project because it's a good thing. I'm also thinking about the next bigger project like using the backyard as our farm. That's the point... Next is-"

"Wait, why don't you ask me if I mind or not?"

Tanaka explained and was cut off by Yuki. The girl with spiky wavy hair protested against Tanaka.

"Okay... So, do you mind?"

Tanaka with a sigh responded to Yuki.

"No!"

Yuki answered excitedly.

"Good... lastly, Haruka, you'll be the security guard and trainer in the camp. I decide this based on your martial skill. Do you mind?"

"Well, I don't mind. But I don't think you need that… just like what you said yesterday!"

Haruka protested because of something Tanaka had said before. It was the moment when Tanaka played with Haruk

a's emotions. The innocent man remembered what had happened.

"Well, what's past is past. You don't need to think about what I said yesterday. Basically you agree. Well, now, you all disbanded except for Haruka... Come with me after this!"

Tanaka exclaimed while signing the array of the whiteboard. Yuki and Taki stood up while Haruka was still in her sitting position.

"Alright... Oi! Don't run away, 'blonde girl'-san!"

Haruka, who realized that there was a bet that still had to be fulfilled, grabbed Yuki's hand. The blonde haired girl just grinned wryly trying to play dumb.

"E-Ehhh, do I really have to?"

Yuki in a pitiful tone asked. It was a tactic she had used for the first time in her life. But, unfortunately, this tactic is being used towards the wrong people.

"That's our agreement. You're not thinking of breaking it, are you?"

Haruka paid no heed to Yuki's words. The girl who lost the bet could only leave feeling like a failure. Failed to cheat.

Tanaka took care of something on the whiteboard. Haruka was just waiting for him while thinking about something. Something so deep.

"...Okay, done... Oi, Haruka, let's get out!"

Tanaka, who had finished his work, asked Haruka out. These two people then headed to the street area outside the boarding house.

"Haruka, I want to test your skills against zombies. Wait here a moment!"

Tanaka said to Haruka. Immediately he went in the direction of the alley. Go, leave Haruka alone.

No more than four minutes, the sound of footsteps was heard. It was obvious that it was Tanaka’s sound step.

"Alright... this is a zombie that will attack you. I've covered its mouth so you won't get bitten even if you fail. Are you ready?"

Tanaka appeared from behind the wall while carrying a zombie. It was a male zombie with an undercut shaved hairstyle.

Tanaka put down the zombie who was eager to 'hug' Haruka.

"I am ready!"

Haruka focused her thoughts. Now she is ready to fight against the zombies captured by Tanaka.

Tanaka removed his hand from the zombie. The creature that was once a human immediately rushed towards Haruka.

The girl who was quite skilled in martial arts saw the perfect momentum to take advantage of. When the zombies and herself were close enough, Haruka dodged to the right side of the zombies while tripping over the zombie's legs.

The zombie fell down.

Haruka immediately headed near the head. The foot which was armored with thick boots stomped hard on the zombie's head.

The contents of the undercut hairstyle zombie's head came out. He didn't move anymore which could be interpreted by Tanaka and Haruka as dead.

In thought, Haruka wanted to celebrate for successfully completing what might be a form of test from Tanaka. However, another thought haunted her again. Haruka was pensive again.

"Your moves are excellent. They are effective and critical. You've also managed to get along with Yuki too... Hmmm, what's wrong Haruka?"

Tanaka said as he approached Haruka. However, Tanaka realized that the high school girl had something distracting her. He can see it in her eyes and look at her face.

Haruka was called. She turned her face into a look that seemed unique to Tanaka. It was a pitiful face that seemed new to the man.

"A-Anu, Tanaka, may I ask you something. This may sound redundant. But I want to ask your help to save my friend!"

Haruka explained shortly. This made Tanaka somewhat startled because he didn't think that Haruka still had other friends.

"Wait, so you have another friend?"

Now various questions appeared directly in Tanaka's mind. Where is Haruka's friend, what's wrong with Haruka's friend, and other related questions.

"Yes, and to be honest she is my only precious friend!"

Haruka said as he got somehow emotional. The sound of spit being swallowed could be heard. The girl was really worried and tense at the same time.

Tanaka tried to calm the girl down. Haruka sighed.

"Can you briefly explain the situation?"

With a calming tone Tanaka asked. He still didn't fully understand what had really happened to Haruka's friend.

"My friend is from the same school as me. She's until now trapped inside the warehouse!"

Tanaka got the context. Haruka was currently in a flustered mood. She wasn't sure what Tanaka's answer would be.

"... Can I ask you something... Since when was she stuck there?"

Even though Tanaka already understood what the problem was, he was still not sure how urgent the situation was. The worst that Tanaka could think of was that a friend of Haruka was trapped for more than ten days.

"Ummm, May twenty-fourth!"

Haruka answered somewhat hesitantly. Tanaka automatically calculates the total days missed until today.

That was twenty days aka more than the worst possible thing that crossed Tanaka's mind.

"Then we must hurry!"

Tanaka immediately pulled Haruka into the boarding house. This situation is an emergency situation, Tanaka decided.

Urgent mission.