Relax While You Can (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets) (Continued)

It had started half a year ago, too. I didn't know if that was the so-called V virus, but if it was, I really wanted to see what it would turn the mutated creatures into.

I set the switched-off radio aside and lay on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind in a bit of a jumble.

I'd... actually started to think of Juanjuan as my own daughter.

I understood now why girls didn't like resting their hands behind their heads: their hair was too long.

I straightened my long hair and let it drape diagonally over the edge of the bed. As I looked out the window, my thoughts wandered.

Juanjuan had grown up and made something of herself. If it weren't for the rainforest mutations, I probably wouldn't have gone looking for her again... would I?

Maybe I would have.

In any case, I now thought of Juanjuan as my own daughter.

I wondered if it was because becoming a woman had brought out my maternal instincts.

Tsk, tsk. What a bizarre feeling.

Next, I should seize this opportunity to cross the desert, reach the rainforest, find Juanjuan, and rescue them.

Of course, the risks ahead would be even greater. If the mutations really were caused by the V virus, then the rainforest would be home to terrifying creatures unlike anything seen before. I couldn't even imagine what they would be like.

As I thought about it, I drifted off to sleep. I even forgot about the vehicle I'd left in the distant building, and everything else.

I slept through the night and woke at dawn.

The next day, sunlight streamed into the room. I opened my eyes and looked around. Remembering what had happened the day before, and recalling the little girl from my dream,