"...So your dad's a big-shot in the National Police Agency, that Shidou guy also has a powerful father, family drama got you held back a year, and you threw a tantrum and jumped out of the evacuation bus because you didn't want to ride with him." Liz continued bonking zombies from his floating platform, now armed with a stone sword. "And your devoted boyfriend, Hisashi, ditched the safest escape vehicle just to follow you?"
"...Sorry, Hisashi." Hearing her actions retold by a third party, Rei flushed with shame.
No matter how deep the grudge, risking their lives was stupid. To most people, "held back a year" wasn't worth a life-or-death feud.
"Don't worry. You're my girlfriend—who else would I protect?"
"Hisashi~~" No wonder Rei chose him over Takashi. Meanwhile, Takashi—who'd scolded her for not letting Shidou on the bus—might one day get screwed over by that very decision. Oh well. Rei was too pissed at him to care now.
"Hey, less flirting, more zombie-killing. You're stealing my EXP and slacking off!" Liz kicked the lovebirds toward the platform's edge, then turned to the other two. "Those two are glued together. What's your excuse?"
The beautiful kendo champion smiled. "...I'm interested in you and your abilities. Is that reason enough?"
"Absolutely!"
The chubby military otaku grinned. "An otherworldly player?! So cool! I'm interested too!"
"...Uh-huh."
The difference in treatment between beauty and otaku was stark. Kohta's shoulders slumped.
"Don't sulk. That was half a joke." (The other half? Dead serious.) "So you wanna party up?"
"Any issues?" Saya asked.
"A few." Liz ticked them off. "One, I'm not a babysitter. My goal's grinding zombies—deadweight who won't fight? No thanks."
"No worries~" "Same." One raised a wooden sword, the other a modified nail gun.
Liz nodded. They'd survived this long while protecting a useless nurse—proof enough.
"Two, even if the outbreak's global, I call the shots. No frantic family-searching sidequests." (No guilt if we arrive too late.)
"My only family runs a dojo abroad. No attachments."
"My dad's in Amsterdam, mom's a Parisian fashion designer, grandpa's a ship captain, grandma's a violinist touring Europe."
"Kohta… Your family's wild." Liz was impressed.
Saya and Kohta had no ties binding them (Hisashi's family presumably too). Only Rei had loved ones in the city—though her cop dad was likely safer than most.
"Three… I didn't plan to drag this many people." But they're growing on me. "Fine. Like before, kiss someone to form a temporary party."
"Wha—?!" Rei froze mid-zombie-bonk. "Me again?!"
"I don't mind~" Saya smirked—though her interest wasn't romantic.
"Ugh, fine!" Rei grumbled. Saving Hisashi was one thing, but this… "Seriously, what kind of rule is this?! And why's the buff so short? No permanent version?"
"If I told you, you'd slap me."
"...Never mind! I get it!" The implication was obvious.
(Even if they agreed, Liz wasn't ready for permanent villagers. Too early in the game!)
"Uh… What about me?" Kohta raised a hand.
"That guy." Liz pointed at Hisashi.
"!!!" Hisashi, pretending to focus on zombies, shuddered.
———————————————————————————————
Final tally:
Kohta remained powerless.
Hisashi refused to kiss him (understandable).
Kohta himself refused to kiss a dude (also understandable).
Asking Rei or Saya? Dream on.
But Kohta was chill. Just watching their abilities was enough. Plus, with his family scattered globally (and unreachable), this was the safest spot—even the military couldn't be trusted now.
Of course, like Saya, he had another reason to stay:
Unrestrained zombie slaughter.
One was a gun nut finally living his COD fantasy. The other? A closeted violence addict.
Well, sunset's hours away. Might as well keep killing!
"Hey, Kohta! Stop kill-stealing! No EXP if you're not in the party!"
"...Then what do I do?"
"Yell and lure zombies over."
"......"
At least Saya's having fun.