HOTD: Tōshiro Nagi

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(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 2565

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~Inside The Faculty Room~

As they entered the faculty room, Saya excused herself to the washroom to clean up, while the others took a moment to rest on the chairs and couch, their exhaustion evident. Taking advantage of the brief respite, Takashi decided to strike up a conversation.

"You never introduced yourself earlier. What's your name?" he asked curiously.

"Nagi. Toshirō Nagi. You can just call me by my first name if you'd like," Nagi replied calmly. He reached under the table and retrieved a bag of food, placing it on the table. With a swift unzip, he grabbed a couple of granola bars and tossed them to each of the group members. "Here."

Kohta fumbled to catch his granola bar, but his face lit up with joy as he hungrily unwrapped it and began to eat. The others followed suit, satisfying their hunger. Once Kohta had finished his snack, he eagerly inquired, "Where did you find this? Is there more?"

"In the cafeteria. And yes, there's more, but we need to ration it," Nagi replied. "There's only a small amount here, and it needs to last us at least three days or until we reach the city."

"The cafeteria?!" Saya exclaimed with a touch of disbelief, having overheard the conversation as she emerged from the washroom. Nagi tossed her a granola bar, which she caught while readjusting her glasses. "You're telling us that you went all the way to the cafeteria, gathered all this food, and made it back here to the faculty room without any trouble?"

Nagi simply nodded in confirmation. "Pretty much. I don't see what the fuss is about. They're just zombies, after all. As long as you outsmart them, you'll be fine."

With that, he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, hoping to gain some insight into the situation outside. While he knew that similar chaos was unfolding out there, the scale of it might differ due to the larger population in the city compared to the school.

However, the news they witnessed painted a grim picture. The entire world had descended into chaos and anarchy. Streets were overrun by the walking dead, and humans seemed to aid in the annihilation of their own kind. Desperation had driven countries to contemplate resorting to nuclear strikes on densely populated cities as a last-ditch effort.

Footage from various cities around the world showcased the grim reality of the zombie apocalypse.

In Tokyo, the once-bustling streets were now overrun with hordes of the undead. Buildings stood in ruins, smoke billowing from the wreckage. Survivors, if any, were few and far between, desperately trying to fend off the relentless onslaught of the infected.

"We are currently experiencing technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience. Going forward, our broadcast will originate from the central Security Office, which has become the designated hub of information."

"The government requests that all citizens remain indoors and, if possible, stay within their homes. It is advised to close all windows and seal off any potential entranceways."

"The ongoing evacuation efforts have faced significant challenges, and therefore, it is strongly advised not to allow others into your homes. These measures have been implemented due to the prevailing threat posed by the ongoing crisis."

The somber voice on the broadcast relayed the urgent message, highlighting the severity of the situation. It was clear that the authorities were struggling to maintain control and ensure the safety of the populace.

The broadcast emphasized the need for individuals to take immediate action to protect themselves from the encroaching dangers that lurked beyond their doors. As the group watched in with different expressions, Nagi stayed stoic, planning his next moves as he continued to watch the news.

The news channel abruptly switched to another one, this time broadcasting from the United States. The screen showed the ruins of New York City, a once-bustling metropolis now turned into a post-apocalyptic nightmare.

Times Square, once illuminated with dazzling lights and teeming with people, was now reduced to rubble. Cars were overturned, buildings lay in ruins, and the sound of gunfire echoed through the desolate streets.

"The United States is making efforts to regain control over these inexplicable events. The President and his cabinet have evacuated the White House and are reported to be heading westward.

"In addition, the United States is in the process of readying its nuclear arsenal. However, critics warn that the consequences of such actions would be catastrophic."

The news coverage shifted to scenes from other major cities across the globe. Paris, Moscow, Beijing, Sydney—all depicted a similar scene of devastation and despair. It was evident that no corner of the world had been spared from the relentless onslaught of the undead.

As the camera panned across the desolate landscapes and the cries of despair filled the airwaves, the gravity of the situation sank in for the group.

"We are currently awaiting updates from Moscow. The city of Beijing is engulfed in flames, while London seems to be managing to maintain a semblance of public order, albeit with some difficulties. However, the extent of looting in Paris and certain other areas is staggering."

"Is that all?! Why aren't they showing anymore?" Takashi questioned, his frustration evident in his tone.

Adjusting her glasses, Saya provided an explanation, "They don't want to incite panic among the viewers." Takashi and Rei exchanged puzzled looks, prompting Saya to continue, "Fear breeds chaos, and chaos can dismantle societal order. And in the absence of order... Who knows how many lives will be lost?"

The TV screen flickered into static, prompting Nagi to switch it off. He placed the remote back on the counter and took a moment to ponder what he had just seen, while Rei seemed to have a sudden breakdown as she denied the reality of the situation.

"I can't believe it… Nothing like this has ever happened before…" Rei exclaimed, but no one responded. They all seemed lost in their thoughts.

"Hey, I'm right, aren't I? There's got to be somewhere that's still okay, right? Everything's probably the same as it ever was…" Rei continued.

"You're completely wrong," Saya interjected.

"Don't talk like that," Takashi said, attempting to console Rei. Saya glared at him, ready to retort, but Nagi swiftly intervened, taking control of the situation.

"Saya is correct, and Takashi, your sympathy shouldn't lead you to deceive her," Nagi stated calmly. "Rei must face reality sooner rather than later. If she clings to false hope, she will be engulfed by it. And when the harsh truth finally shatters her illusions, she may be lost forever."

Nagi's words remained cold and devoid of emotion, causing the air to grow stagnant. However, before the tension could escalate, Saya's attention shifted abruptly to something else: Nagi had referred to her by her first name. The realization struck her, and she confronted him with a glare.

"Who gave you permission to say my first name?!" she demanded, her tone laced with anger, as she locked her gaze onto Nagi. In response, he simply looked at her, tilting his head to the side.

"Does it matter?" he asked, puzzled. "It's just a name, after all. You can call me by my first name as well, you know?" His words may have appeared rude, but to him, the act of addressing each other by their given names held little significance in the current situation.

"Of course, it matters!" Saya retorted, her voice firm and unwavering. "Addressing someone by their given name is a matter of respect and courtesy. It's not something to be taken lightly, especially in times like these. We need to hold on to our sense of normalcy and treat each other with dignity."

Shrugging in an uncaring way at her retort, Saya grew increasingly annoyed. However, her annoyance was replaced by confusion as Nagi handed her a lollipop. "What's this for?" she asked as she took the lollipop from him.

"I like people who are straightforward," Nagi replied, unraveling the wrapper from his own lollipop and placing it in his mouth. "I'll call you by your last name until you change your mind. However, I believe you should start enlightening the poor souls behind you first."

Blushing slightly at Nagi's initial comment, Saya unwrapped her lollipop and placed it in her mouth. She then turned around to face the rest of the group and addressed Nagi, "As a genius, I suppose it's only right that I enlighten them."

Agreeing silently, Nagi took a seat on a nearby chair and observed as Saya briefed them on the current circumstances.

"The reality is that we are facing a pandemic," Saya began, her shoulders shrugging in resignation. Shizuka muttered the word "pandemic" under her breath.

Continuing her explanation, Saya stated, "The infection is spreading rapidly, much like wildfire! The rest of the world is grappling with the same disease that we are facing here."

"Is it similar to Influenza?" Takashi inquired. Saya shook her head in response and clarified, "It bears some resemblance to the Spanish Flu of 1918. Recently, there have been warnings that the bird flu could potentially reach the magnitude of the 1918 pandemic. They cannot afford to underestimate it, you see?" Saya posed her question, immediately answering it herself.

"Back in 1918, the Spanish Flu infected around 600 million people, claiming the lives of 50 million," she concluded, emphasizing the devastating impact of the zombie virus.

Shizuka spoke up, her voice filled with somberness. "That sounds reminiscent of the Black Death from the 14th century."

Saya offered an unexpected compliment. "That one killed a third of the Europe's population. You're smarter than you look."

Curious, Takashi posed a question. "What measures did they take to halt the spread of the disease?"

Shizuka pondered for a moment before responding, "They attempted various strategies... Many lives were lost, but eventually, the outbreak subsided. People developed immunity to it."

Kohta, gazing out of the window, chimed in with a solemn tone. "However, those who die come back and attack the living."

Saeko, her expression serious, asked the crucial question. "So, you're saying there's no way to prevent its spread?"

"When the temperature rises, their muscles will decay and they will lose the ability to move," Shizuka exclaimed.

Curious, Saeko inquired, "And how long does that process take?"

"During the summer, it should take approximately 20 days for them to deteriorate into skeletons... Since it's winter now, it will likely take a few months. However, our homes are quite distant from here, so we could relocate..." Shizuka deduced, counting on her fingers.

Saya interjected with a comment, casting doubt on the assumption. "We can't be certain if they will start decomposing."

Confused, Takashi sought clarification. "What do you mean?"

Saya's tone turned solemn as she explained, "Since they are already dead bodies, finding a cure is out of the question. Therefore, we can't predict how long we'll have to endure their presence..."

Sighing, Nagi broke his silence and spoke up. "Instead of fixating on how long it will take for the zombies to vanish, let's focus on how to effectively deal with the situation and secure our chances of survival amidst the outbreak."

"I'll state it plainly," Nagi began, his words carrying weight. "The virus won't simply disappear. As Kohta mentioned, the infected rise from the dead and prey upon the living, turning their victims into one of them. There is no cure, and the whereabouts of scientists and other influential figures remain unknown."

"Similarly, the military is likely engaged in special missions such as establishing survivor camps or protecting high-ranking individuals. Therefore, our best course of action is to optimize our strengths in order to survive this apocalypse."

Everyone was taken aback by Nagi's unexpected display of verbosity. It was a rare occurrence for him to utter more than a few sentences, let alone articulate complex thoughts.

Breaking free from her state of astonishment, Saya concurred, "I agree with Nagi. Depending on adults when we are capable of defending and safeguarding ourselves is foolish."

"I agree as well," Saeko chimed in. "However, I believe some of us are still determined to find our families. Despite the virus's rapid spread, there is a higher chance of locating them now rather than later."

Taking hold of the map from the bulletin board, Nagi placed it on the table and retrieved a pen. "Let's mark our homes and potential locations of our families. Those who don't have any family or are overseas can abstain."

As Takashi, Rei, and Saya began marking the map, Saeko approached Nagi. "You seem oddly at ease with our current situation, Nagi. It makes me wonder what thoughts occupy your mind."

Maintaining his characteristic stoic expression, Nagi replied, "I simply desire to nap and enjoy my lollipops in peace. Besides, I possess sufficient knowledge about the zombies to survive even if I were to part ways with the group in the future."

Just as Saeko was about to question his choice of words regarding leaving the group, Takashi interjected, breaking the silence. "Alright, we've marked our names next to our parents' potential locations. What's our next step?"

"We need to list the necessary resources," Nagi explained, as he retrieved a marker and wrote on a blank piece of paper. "Food, water, medicine, clothing, hygiene items, batteries, weapons, and so on. By labeling them, we'll be reminded of what we require and plan our pit stops accordingly."

"Pit stops?" Kohta inquired, visibly perplexed. In response, Nagi walked over to the bulletin board and retrieved one of the bus keys.

"We'll be using the bus. It's large and sturdy enough to run over the zombies without sustaining significant damage. Moreover, it offers ample space for storing our supplies. We can rest comfortably inside during the night, and the zombies won't be able to break in due to the windows being positioned too high for them to reach."

"I will mark the different facilities and stores along our route so we can gather necessary supplies," Nagi stated calmly. "There's no need to feel remorse, as most of the stores and pharmacies we will be scavenging from have likely already been looted and damaged."

"In a city engulfed by panic, acts of arson, murder, assault, and other atrocities will be committed without hesitation. Once we arrive, it's crucial that you maintain control over your emotions. Allowing yourself to be consumed by them will lead to madness."

After concluding his speech, Nagi took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He felt a sense of mental exhaustion from expending so much energy.

Paying no mind to the shocked expressions on their faces, the room fell silent, with only the sound of the pen gliding across the paper breaking the stillness.

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Author Words:

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