Chapter 657

"Hmm... hmm, I see, I understand. I was just joking."

Asagami Fujino a sigh of relief, feeling both relieved and slightly disappointed.

There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, so there's no need to rush now...

The girl comforted herself in this way.

"Seriously, Fujino- senpai teased me again. That joke was way too much for a middle school boy."

Shirou lay down on the bed while grumbling.

Asagami Fujino lay down on the bed, staring at the mottled ceiling and muttering to herself.

Thank you, Shirou.

Shirou: "I don't remember ever doing anything that Fujino- senpai needs to thank me for."

Fujino: "Of course! Didn't Shirou risk his life to protect me last night?"

Shirou: "Ah, I was trying to buy time for my senior, but I almost got killed instead..."

"Thank goodness Miss Shi arrived in time, otherwise I would have become one of the zombies. How pathetic!"

The boy's tone was very unwilling, and the girl quickly said something.

"Not inferior at all, even Shirou back then, he was really super handsome..."

"You don't have to force yourself to say that."

"It's not forced—really, I've fallen for you countless times, Shirou."

"... Hmm."

Although it was pitch black and she couldn't see clearly, Fujino guessed that her beloved boy must be covering his face with the blanket because he was shy.

"I'm having a little trouble sleeping... Shirou, could you chat with me a bit longer?"

"Sure, because my senior kept saying things that made my heart race, it even kept me up at night."

"I can't sleep because of Shirou too, we're the same."

As she said this, Asagami Fujino smiled happily.

"Whispers before bedtime..." Hehe, it feels like a school trip.

...?

Suddenly, an indescribable feeling ran through Asagami Fujino's back.

Is this... a sense of déjà vu?

The fleeting sense of unease didn't garner much attention from Fujino.

After that, the two chatted about trivial things until they both succumbed to sleep.

The former site of "Garan no Dou".

The fourth floor of the abandoned building has been transformed into a contradictory space that is both pitch black and brightly lit.

The old projector clattered and clicked as it shone light onto the screen.

On the sofa in the room, Shirou, Fujino, and Shiki were lying haphazardly, fast asleep.

The fabricated story continues.

Only the apocalyptic dream (the massacre) will continue to repeat itself.

Volume 9: Chapter 408 A Union?

Asagami Fujino had a dream.

She dreamt that when Shirou was attacked by zombies the previous night, it wasn't Ryougi Shiki who saved him, but herself.

"Fujino- senpai... what are your eyes...!?"

Shirou's eyes showed fear.

Yes, compared to zombies that would be assimilated or eaten if bitten, high school girls who can twist a human body 180 degrees just by looking at them are much more terrifying.

"I'm sorry... Shirou... I didn't mean to hide it from you..."

She tearfully apologized to her lover and revealed the secret of her superpowers.

"I'm sorry, Shirou... I'm just an ordinary girl, not a monster like this..."

"Fujino- senpai isn't a monster."

The red-haired boy hugged her as he spoke, "Didn't you just protect me, senior? Thank you."

"Shirou... haven't you started to hate me?"

"How could that be? I love Fujino- senpai the most, both in the past and now."

"Waaah..."

Asagami Fujino nestled in the arms of her younger lover, raising her eyes, which were numb from using her abilities.

The dream abruptly ended there.

When she woke up, she was greeted by an incredibly cold reality.

The world has ended.

She became one of the last remaining humans on this planet.

Although his beloved lover survived, it wasn't he who saved him.

Ryougi Shiki).

A girl who is very similar to me yet completely opposite.

They also have eyes that are different from ordinary people, but they have never felt inferior or distressed because of it.

She possesses the same beauty as a Japan doll, yet lives more freely and unrestrainedly than anyone else.

Ryougi Shiki doesn't care at all about how the world views her.

Fujino could never live like her.

That's why I envy them.

That's why I'm jealous.

That's why I'm unwilling to accept it.

Fujino will never forget the look and expression in Shirou, Ryougi Shiki had protected her.

That was definitely the moment of love at first sight.

Life continues after the apocalypse.

Ryougi Shiki locks herself in her room most of the time, so Shirou and Fujino usually act together.

For Asagami Fujino, having more time alone with Shirou was a huge help.

If they relied solely on the existing supplies, they would eventually run out, so they started planting on the rooftop of their dormitory building.

On the fourth day, Shirou found a radio among the students' collected belongings.

"Maybe we can get in touch with other survivors."

Shirou excitedly explained to Fujino.

With television stations and the internet completely obsolete worldwide, the only remaining means of communication for humanity is the ancient and primitive radio signal.

Shirou plans to use this to gather information about the area outside Reien.

To be honest, Fujino wasn't interested in this plan.

As long as Shirou is by her side, she doesn't care if she's stuck in school for the rest of her life.

Fujino, of course, didn't voice this thought; she simply wouldn't spoil Shirou's mood.

"Okay, let's give it a try... Hmm? Why can't I open it?"

"It seems to be broken."

"Shirou, can it be fixed?"

"I'll give it a try."

With that, Shirou took a screwdriver and disassembled the radio, beginning his repairs.

Shirou seems to have been good at fixing things since he was a child, and he claims that this is his only special skill.

That's not how it is at all...

Fujino could talk for a whole day and night about Shirou Amamiya's good qualities.

"Um... Fujino- senpai?"

"What's wrong, Shirou?"

"You've been staring at this area since just now..."

"Wow, Shirou looks so handsome when he's working hard, I can't help but keep staring at him."

While Shirou was repairing the radio, Fujino sat opposite him, resting her chin on her hand and admiring his face.

"I have a feeling that Fujino- senpai's spirits have been lifted since she came here."

"Yeah?"

Shirou pointed out in a tactful tone that Asagami Fujino had recently become frivolous.

But that's to be expected, isn't it?

Rather, this is the normal thing to do.

Human societies other than ours have collapsed and perished.

No one is watching us anymore.

Shirou, how long are you going to stop using honorifics with me?

I'm your woman, so quickly drop the "Fujino- senpai" title and just call me "Fujino"!

Somewhat annoyed by herbaceous boyfriend's slow-wittedness, Asagami Fujino moved to sit next to him.

"Uh... senior?"

Fujino was pleased by Shirou's troubled expression, and she slowly reached out her hand towards the boy's cheek.

"Shirou seems a bit cold today, hehe, it must be my imagination..."

"------Snap."

Just before the girl's hand was about to touch the boy's cheek, Shirou himself slapped it away.

"Huh?"

Asagami Fujino stared at her hands in disbelief.

Physical contact was refused... Why?

"Shirou?"

"No, this... is not it."

Shirou explained in a flustered manner, "I didn't mean to slap your hand away, senpai..."

"It's still daytime, isn't it inappropriate to do that kind of thing?"

"Ah, um, that's true."

Asagami Fujino smiled awkwardly and withdrew her hand.

She reflected on herself inwardly. Although there was the strongest suspension bridge effect—the apocalypse—her behavior just now was indeed a bit out of line.