Untouched by the Outbreak

Chapter 118 - 118: Clothing Shop

Ryo slowed the scooter to a stop in front of a small clothing shop nestled between two larger, dilapidated buildings. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows across the street. Zombies roamed aimlessly nearby, their dull eyes occasionally glancing toward Ryo and Sachiko, but none dared approach.

Ryo's commanding aura kept them at bay, as if they instinctively knew he was not to be trifled with.

"We'll check in here," Ryo said, dismounting the scooter. His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it that made Sachiko nod in silence. She still felt uneasy around the zombies, especially with so many of them nearby, but she knew she was safe as long as she stayed close to Ryo.

He scanned the area briefly, making sure there was no immediate danger before stepping toward the shop. The glass windows were cracked but not shattered, and the door hung slightly ajar, creaking on its hinges as Ryo pushed it open.

"Stay close," he instructed, not looking back as Sachiko followed him inside.

The interior of the shop was dark, with only faint beams of sunlight filtering through the grime-covered windows. Dust motes floated in the air, disturbed by their entrance. Ryo flicked on his flashlight, illuminating racks of clothes that had been untouched for months.

Sachiko's eyes adjusted to the dim light as she looked around. The shop was small, but there was a surprising variety of clothing still neatly hung on the racks. Dresses, jackets, and casual wear lined the walls, while a few shelves held boxes of shoes and accessories. In one corner, she noticed a section dedicated to lingerie and underwear.

"This should do," Ryo muttered, more to himself than to Sachiko. He began to walk down the narrow aisles, his flashlight sweeping over the various items.

Sachiko followed quietly, her eyes flicking nervously toward the windows and the occasional shadow that passed by outside. The zombies were still out there, but they kept their distance, as if an invisible barrier held them back. Ryo seemed unconcerned, his focus entirely on finding what they needed.

He stopped in front of the lingerie section, turning to Sachiko. "Find something that fits," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Sachiko nodded and began to sift through the racks. She found a few sets of underwear in her size and a couple of bras, along with a simple black dress that caught her eye. It wasn't flashy, but it was practical, and she knew Ryo preferred practicality over extravagance.

While she

"Well, it was a bit of a letdown, really," Ryo said, addressing his audience of zombies. "The mall was dark, and we didn't find much of what we needed. But we did get some supplies."

The Brutes stood stoically, their massive forms barely moving, while the Striders, perched on the edges of nearby walls, seemed to listen intently. The Creepers, with their quick, twitchy movements, gave off an impression of restless anticipation, even though they remained still.

The entire ensemble was an intimidating sight, yet the way Ryo interacted with them made it almost feel like a surreal social gathering.

Sachiko watched from the doorway, her initial surprise at the sight now replaced with a sense of amusement. Ryo's ability to treat the zombies as if they were companions rather than threats was a strange, almost endearing aspect of his personality. He spoke to them with a level of familiarity that made the chilling atmosphere seem oddly warm.

"Well, at least we didn't run into anything too dangerous this time," Ryo continued, taking another drag from his cigarette. "I'll head back out tomorrow to check more places. For now, just keep up the good work. Stay alert."

Sachiko approached, catching Ryo's eye. He gave her a knowing smile before turning back to his undead audience. "Make sure warn me when something happen."

Sachiko shook her head with a chuckle, her apprehensions about the day's events eased by Ryo's strange but effective way of dealing with his army of the undead. She was ready to spend the evening in his company, whatever that might entail, and found herself more intrigued by the unusual dynamics of their life together.