Highschool of the Dead: Fanfiction Darkpenn

Chapter 0.1: Z-minus 1- Saeko's story

Z minus 1 - Saeko's story

After doubts and delays, Saeko takes a romantic plunge - but her timing is lousy

[Author's Note: This story takes place the night before the day on which the first zombie comes to the gate of Fujimi High School.]

As usual, it was after midnight when Saeko Busujima returned to her apartment from work. She did not mind the hours, and the job was not difficult. All she had to do, she reflected, was serve saki and beer to businessmen while she was wearing her underwear. The bar had a strict 'look but not touch' policy, although she often received quiet offers from customers. She always politely turned them down, but she admitted to herself that she did not mind the attention, and that she liked to be looked at.

And, of course, the money was good. Unlike many of the students at Fujimi High School, she did not come from a wealthy family. There were school fees, the rent on her apartment, and kendo tournaments that often required travel. And university next year would be expensive as well.

She turned on the television, hitting the mute button as she did so. She activated her computer and poured herself a drink: whisky, her preference. She told herself that she would have only the one tonight, but the next thought was that that probably would not happen. She usually ended up having at least three. Yes, tomorrow was a school day, but she had become very adept at hiding hangovers. It was school: how much could happen?

The world news on TV seemed to be more chaotic than usual: military forces doing things in developing countries, riots or something in North America and Europe. Ho-hum.

Her computer beeped: email. It was, of course, Akhiro: no-one else ever sent her emails.

The message said: Hello, Saeko. Thank you for the picture.

She had been corresponding with Akhiro for nearly six months now, after meeting him at a kendo tournament. She had been matched against him in the second round, and had beaten him without much difficulty. He had taken defeat with grace, realising that he was simply not in her class. She had been surprised when, later, he had asked her for coffee; she had been more surprised that she had agreed. Most surprising of all, she had given him her email address when he had asked her for it. Generally, she did not do that sort of thing. But this time she had, and she did not really know why. So there had been a trickle of messages back and forth, always initiated by him.

A month ago, he had asked if she would send him a picture of herself. Eventually, she did: her official school photo, with the long skirt she usually wore as part of the uniform. It was the least sexy picture she could possibly imagine, chosen for just that reason.

She typed: It is not as if you have never seen me before.

- Hard to get a good image of someone when they are beating you about the head. I still find it hard to believe you are in high school yet knocked the crap out of me.

You are not the first to think that I am older than I am. Perhaps it is because I am tall. I will be going to university next year.

- What will you be studying?

Shakespeare.

- ?

Henry V, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, The Tempest. You know, Shakespeare.

- Does tragedy make you happy?

She considered. Then she typed back: I am not generally a happy person. Yet to find my place in the world, perhaps.

She poured herself another drink. She glanced at the television: there was a news article about some sort of crisis in the north of Japan. Police and soldiers had been called out to keep order, apparently.

Another message appeared: Are you still working at the burger place you mentioned?

She typed back: Girl's gotta pay the rent.

She wondered why she had lied about her job to Akhiro. She drained her glass and re-filled it.

You like him, she said to herself. Admit it, moron. You only met him briefly but you think about him when you're in bed alone. So grow a pair.

She typed: I have been thinking about what you asked me a while ago.

About a date? A proper date?

Yes. I would like to do that. I can meet you tomorrow, early evening.

She suggested a place and a specific time. He agreed.

Will you be wearing your school uniform? Or your kendo outfit? (A joke.)

No, and not my work clothes either. You will have to accept me as I am.

I will be pleased to do so. See you then.

They both signed off.

She sat looking at the blank screen, sipping whisky. Well, she thought. How about that. Samurai girl has a date.

On the television, talking heads were talking, animatedly but silently. Someone from the government was saying something. She turned it off.

"Tomorrow," she said aloud, "is going to be an important day."

END