Untouched by the Outbreak

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Warmth in the Cold

Sachiko finished preparing breakfast as the smell of freshly baked bread filled the house. Ryo sat at the table, already enjoying the meal. The sight of him eating well brought a smile to her face. It had been so long since they'd had something as simple and comforting as fresh bread, and now, with the abundance of supplies they had stockpiled, it felt like a small luxury.The flour, sugar, honey, and other ingredients they scavenged filled the storage rooms—more than enough to last for years.

She sat across from Ryo, savoring the bread she'd baked. It was a simple dish, but it brought them both a sense of normalcy amid the chaos of their world. Ryo seemed pleased, a rare, calm expression on his face as he chewed slowly, enjoying each bite.

"How is it?" Sachiko asked, her voice soft, curious.

Ryo looked up at her, his eyes briefly softening. "It's good."

That single compliment meant everything to Sachiko. She nodded and smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. After all the hardships, she was glad to have found a rhythm in this life. Not only were they surviving, but they were slowly reclaiming small comforts like good food.

With the many rooms in their house stocked with dried food, rice, flour, and other essentials, Sachiko felt more secure than she had in a long time. She also had books—another treasure from their scavenging trips—and was eager to try new recipes she'd learned. Cooking had become a way to occupy her time, a reminder of her life before all of this, and a way to contribute to their little household.

"I'll try something new tomorrow," Sachiko said, a little spark of excitement in her voice.

Ryo nodded but remained focused on his meal. To him, food was fuel. But to Sachiko, it was more than that—it was a way to create moments of happiness, even in a world overrun by the undead.

Sachiko watched as Ryo walked over to one of the rooms, returning with a large box of biscuits. He glanced at her and casually mentioned, "We should put some of these in jars." His voice, though always straightforward, carried a tone of practicality that she'd come to appreciate.

Looking at the pile of boxes, Sachiko realized just how much they had. The store they'd scavenged from was untouched, filled with crates of biscuits, crackers, and other preserved foods. With their stockpile, they could afford to keep some out for daily use while the rest stayed stored away safely.

She grabbed a few jars from the kitchen shelf, wiping them clean and smiling to herself. "It'll be nice to have these ready. Maybe we could even make some tea to go with it later." The idea of having tea with biscuits, something so simple yet so distant in this world, made her feel a bit of joy.

As she filled the jars, Sachiko couldn't help but think of all the other things she was eager to make—cakes, pies, and other desserts. The thought of trying her hand at baking something special excited her. It wasn't just survival anymore; it was about making a life, no matter how bleak the outside world seemed.

"We'll have to try baking something sweeter next time," she said, almost to herself, as she sealed the biscuit jars. Ryo, always focused on the practical side of things, gave a brief nod but didn't respond. She didn't mind. Just knowing they had the supplies and safety to do something so normal was enough for now.

Sachiko felt a wave of silent gratitude as she looked around the house, knowing how well Ryo had prepared everything for them. He had meticulously ensured their survival, even when the world outside was in chaos. She was especially thankful for the way he maintained the heaters, making sure they had warmth through the winter nights.

Her thoughts drifted to one of the rooms in the house, which was dedicated to their energy needs. It was where Ryo had installed a large solar battery bank, providing them with power during the day, even on cloudy days. The setup was impressive—two massive solar batteries that could power the entire house. She had never seen such systems in use when she was working as a re