Even Zombies Have Fandoms

Chapter 58

“I… I didn’t mean anything. Anyway, about the plan… I’ll organize it and let you know tomorrow morning.”

“You need to organize it?”

The woman bristled at his look that seemed to say, ‘You’re really something.’

“If I stutter even once, you’ll pester me about whether it’s a proper plan or not! It doesn’t seem like you were planning to leave right away today anyway, so why are you being so picky?”

“…Alright. One day should be fine.”

As soon as Seokjae nodded with a slightly disinterested expression, the woman immediately stood up.

“We’re done talking now, right? I’m leaving.”

Seokjae watched the woman disappear with stomping footsteps, and only after her figure was completely out of sight did he lean back comfortably on the sofa again.

“Um… hyung.”

Kyungho, one of the three who had been watching the situation cautiously after the conversation ended so abruptly, carefully spoke up.

“Are we really going to leave those two behind?”

Muyoung and Junwoo also held their breath, waiting for the answer, seemingly curious about the same thing. Seokjae made a long “Hmm…” sound as if pondering, then said:

“Well. This isn’t us leaving them behind, it’s us splitting up.”

“That’s not what I meant-“

“I know. You’re worried they won’t survive long if they stay behind with just the two of them.”

Seokjae looked over the three who were sitting up straight, giving him their attention.

“But, as you know, the outside world is full of exhausting struggles just to survive, even when you’re gritting your teeth. How long do you think we can last if we forcibly drag along someone who doesn’t want to come? Is that really the best thing for them?”

“That’s…”

“And what if they blame us for dragging them out every time something happens? Can you handle that?”

It was a harsh truth, but there was nothing wrong with what he said. It was clear that in a situation where it’s hard enough to take care of oneself, being resented by others would not only cause stress but also have a psychological impact.

Kyungho wasn’t the only one who thought so. Junwoo, who looked convinced, and Muyoung, who wore a gloomy expression, also agreed with his words.

‘Then couldn’t we at least leave them more food? But it would be selfish of me to suggest that… Since I can’t actually share my own food.’

Unable to completely cut off his worries, Muyoung was inwardly agonizing. With all three of them in low spirits, the atmosphere in the living room showed no signs of lightening.

‘…Is he suddenly going to say he wants to stay here because he’s wavering?’

While it wasn’t his business if she decided to split off, it would be troublesome if she tried to persuade Muyoung. Knowing Muyoung always prioritized the weak, Seokjae narrowed his eyes, full of suspicion, as he looked at the dejected Muyoung. If he really went to the woman’s side, there would be blood spilled that day.

‘I cut my arm last time, so maybe it’ll be less shocking.’

Of course, he meant his own blood, not Muyoung’s or anyone else’s.

If he made Muyoung realize that he himself could die at any moment without him, the tender-hearted and kind Muyoung would have no choice but to give up on them. To save himself.

‘He’d probably think I’m completely crazy then.’

But rather than pretending to be fine and losing Muyoung again, it was better to become a lacking person with separation anxiety. From the moment he showed that unsightly appearance yesterday, it was unrealistic to remain a sane person.

‘Still, it would be nice if we could resolve this with just persuasion.’

Of course, this was the last resort to be attempted only if all methods of persuasion and coaxing failed. Being such an extreme method, there was no knowing what side effects it might bring.

“We agreed to talk again tomorrow, so let’s not think about it anymore for now and just wait.”

Seokjae ruffled Muyoung’s slightly bowed head as if to refresh the mood and draw his attention.

“Who knows? With her being so adamant, her plan might actually be good. After all, she’s someone who survived while taking care of a child on her own, as she said earlier.”

At these words, Kyungho, who had been quiet, made an “Ah” sound as he recalled the events at the hotel.

“That’s right. From what she said at the hotel, it seemed like she wasn’t there from the beginning but joined in the middle.”

“Yeah. At least it’s not a decision made without any experience. Maybe it’s arrogant of us to doubt her like this when we have no experience traveling with a child.”

As Seokjae deliberately spoke words that raised trust in the woman, the three, fully convinced, nodded in turn.

“By the way, if her story seems too unreasonable, we’ll try to persuade her more, but if she’s still firm…”

While checking Muyoung’s reaction, which had improved since earlier, Seokjae drove in the final nail to comfort him.

“I was thinking, instead of splitting up here, how about we leave our food supplies with them?”

Seeing him struggle alone, it was obvious he wanted to help, so he had to give him a way to do so.

‘But only up to the line I’ve set.’

Muyoung had a nature that would make him fall ill before going even one li, let alone ten, if he passed by someone in need without helping. If that was the case, it was safer to throw out a one-time action first rather than letting him think alone.

‘Hmm. Good effect.’

As soon as he heard the proposal offered as a means of persuasion, Muyoung’s face brightened as if he had shaken off all his remaining worries. As expected, it seemed he wasn’t thinking of doing anything more for them at the moment.

In reality, the first problem they would face after splitting up, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would be food. By solving that, even if it was temporary, it would ease their worry and guilt compared to just leaving them as is.

Of course, being a one-time help, that feeling wouldn’t last long, but if they left immediately after reaching a conclusion tomorrow, even Muyoung wouldn’t have time to entertain any idle thoughts in between.

“Our food supplies?”

However, food was precious to everyone, so naturally, there had to be someone who didn’t like his idea.

“All of it?”

Junwoo, who didn’t have a very good image of the woman, said with a slightly disgruntled face.

“That’s something we all need to decide together. We’ve been eating the food that was here while staying in this place, so our supplies are still intact. I don’t think we have so little that we can’t share.”

“That may be true, but…”

“I’m not forcing you. We don’t have any guarantee that we’ll continue to have steady food supplies either, so I understand if you refuse.”

It wasn’t easy to openly show dislike towards someone who acted as if it didn’t matter at all if they refused. Junwoo made a groaning sound as he agonized, then sighed and nodded, thinking that if they split up without doing anything, he might have trouble sleeping.

“Okay. Well… I haven’t seen the child, but they say there is one. Still, I’m against giving everything.”

“I, I agree too. Giving everything is a bit burdensome, but I’m in favor of sharing some.”

After Junwoo agreed, Kyungho, who had been worried about the two, also spoke with an expression of relief.

“Are you both really okay with this? You didn’t have to answer right away.”

“It’s fine. If we think about it, it’ll just make us feel more regretful. Honestly, I’m probably the only one who’s hesitant about helping here… I’m not an idiot who doesn’t understand majority rule. You’re all just too kind, really.”

As Seokjae furrowed his brow as if apologetic, Junwoo grumbled. Kyungho, who had been quietly watching him, poked his friend in the side.

“But you ended up agreeing too. Doesn’t that make you just as kind?”

“It’s completely different!”

Junwoo, who was fine with saying it himself but embarrassed to hear it, exclaimed in disbelief.

Seokjae quickly shifted his attention from the two who were about to start another argument to the person he thought would have been the first to eagerly agree.

“…Hmm.”

Why is he still quiet? Wondering this, Seokjae slightly turned his head, and upon seeing the face he encountered, he let out a small sigh. Then, to hide his twitching lips, he immediately crossed his legs and pretended to rest his chin on his hand.

‘Judging by his face, he looks like he’s about to wag a tail he doesn’t have, so why isn’t he saying anything?’

Muyoung was looking at Seokjae with sparkling eyes, sending a ‘I’m so happy!’ look. However, he didn’t seem inclined to actually speak, so Seokjae finally prompted him.

“Muyoung, what about you?”

“M-Me too?”

Muyoung was happy that he could provide the help he had only been thinking about inwardly, but he thought it wasn’t his turn to step forward since he wasn’t sharing the risk. So he had been keeping his mouth shut, but he was startled by Seokjae’s question and answered.

“Yes. You’re going to keep traveling with us, so of course we need to hear your opinion too.”

Seokjae couldn’t have known Muyoung’s thoughts. He subtly emphasized the words “keep traveling together,” feeling that Muyoung’s attitude of questioning whether it was right for him to give an opinion somehow seemed like he was distancing himself.