Untouched by the Outbreak

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Preparing for Winter

Ryo's mind wandered as he and Sachiko continued their walk through the area surrounding their base. The approaching winter lingered in his thoughts, bringing new concerns about survival—not just for him and Sachiko but for the army of zombies that now guarded their home.He glanced at the Striders that followed him closely. Fast, agile, and dangerous, they were his most valuable asset in keeping their base secure. Though zombies didn't feel pain or cold the way humans did, Ryo didn't want to take any chances.

**Could the extreme cold slow them down?** He remembered the previous winter and how the zombies had survived, but the idea of protecting them further intrigued him.

As the wind brushed past his face, he thought about how the Striders would fare once the bitter cold hit. They wouldn't die, of course. He knew that much. But losing their speed or agility, even temporarily, could leave gaps in his defenses, and he couldn't afford that.

"Maybe I should make them wear jackets," Ryo muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he considered the possibility. The idea sounded almost absurd, but it wasn't without merit.

**If clothing helped preserve human body heat, it could prevent the Striders from freezing up and slowing down.** They had survived the first winter, but now he had the luxury of thinking ahead, planning for every contingency.

He turned his gaze to Sachiko, who was quietly observing him, her phone still in hand, occasionally recording bits of video footage. She was still getting used to her new role—documenting the strange reality they now lived in, but Ryo could see the fear in her eyes was slowly being replaced by a cautious curiosity.

"I'll need to start scavenging for more than just food and supplies," Ryo said, half to himself, half to Sachiko. "We'll need jackets, not just for us but for the zombies. They survived the last winter, but I want them ready—stronger."

Sachiko tilted her head, surprised at his words. "You think clothing will help them?" she asked softly.

Ryo shrugged. "It might. We won't know until we try. I won't lose a valuable army to the cold."

Sachiko nodded thoughtfully. It wasn't the strangest thing she'd heard from Ryo, and deep down, she knew he was right. The zombies were their strongest line of defense. If the cold could even slightly affect them, they had to be prepared.

As they continued walking, Ryo's mind raced with ideas. There were plenty of abandoned stores in the town—jackets, coats, scarves. He could stockpile enough to ensure his zombie army remained unaffected by the freezing temperatures.

He smirked to himself. **Who would've thought I'd be clothing zombies for winter?** But then again, in this world, anything was possible, and Ryo always stayed two steps ahead.

Ryo glanced at Sachiko, who stood quietly beside him, a gentle smile on her face. "You want to come with me into town? We can walk there," he asked casually, his tone more relaxed than usual. It felt almost like an invitation to a date, though the world around them had long forgotten what a date truly meant.

Sachiko's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Of course, I'll come," she replied softly, her smile growing wider. Despite the chaos of the world they lived in, these moments with Ryo felt oddly special to her. There was a sense of comfort in his presence, even with the danger that constantly surrounded them.

Ryo slung his MP5 over his shoulder, the weapon a necessary precaution more for any potential human threats than zombies. He handed a smaller gun to Sachiko, one that fit comfortably in her grip. "Here, just in case," he said, knowing she wouldn't need it for zombies but preferring that she stay prepared for anything else.

He then commanded a few of the Striders to follow them, their dark, greyish forms standing silently in the background. Though zombies wouldn't attack Ryo or Sachiko, Ryo was always wary of the government. He knew they were still out there,

For Sachiko, this quiet life with Ryo, despite the unusual circumstances, was far more peaceful than she had ever imagined.