Highschool of the Dead: Fanfiction Darkpenn

Chapter 4: the promise

The Promise

One thing ends, one thing begins, and pieces of the past point to a new future

Z+54

It was a month after they had arrived at the Maresato farm. Much had changed.

Hirano and Takashi had repaired the Maresato's car, and also their tractor, using parts from the garage at Sheroda and a larger town a bit further away. They had repaired a truck, and they had used the truck to bring a generator and a large tank of petrol to the farm. They had also salvaged two caravans, since the farmhouse was not large enough to comfortably accommodate them all. Saya and Hirano took one, and Saeko took the other.

Grandfather and Grandmother Maresato were delighted to have them at the farm: not just to have their grand-daughter with them but because of the better security and the extra hands. Grandfather Maresato enjoyed showing Hirano how to milk the cow, and Grandmother Maresato fussed over Saya, trying to teach her to cook - 'something every mother should know', she said. Saya did not prove to be a particularly good cook - her genius, apparently, did not extend to the kitchen - but Hirano ate everything she produced and pronounced it to be wonderful.

Rei was standing on the porch. She was watching Saeko, silhouetted against the setting sun, working through her kendo exercises. Her wound had fully healed, and now she did these exercises every evening, showing her usual self-discipline and strength.

Grandmother Maresato came up beside her. "She is beautiful, that one," said the old woman.

"I have always admired her," said Rei. "And she saved all our asses more times than I can count."

"A warrior," said Grandmother Maresato. "Necessary in times like this. But lonely. Needs a man."

"So she has said."

"Needs a particular man. And he needs her as well, although he probably does not know it. Men do not know much about these matters."

Saeko finished her training routine. She knelt, in the formal position of the samurai, before the setting sun. She bowed her head.

"Then why doesn't she do something about it?" said Rei. "Why doesn't he?"

Grandmother Maresato shook her head. "Because of you," she said.

"Me? How so? Just because Takashi and I played together when we were little kids?"

"Made promise," said Grandmother Maresato. "Only you can take it back."

"Huh. Is that how it works?"

"Sometimes."

Rei considered this. Hirano came out to the porch.

"Dinner is ready," he said. "Saya made it."

"Oh dear," said Grandmother Maresato.

"Please eat it and say you like it," said Hirano. "Even if you don't." He bowed and then went back inside.

"I wish I had someone who loved me that much," said Rei.

"Perhaps, one day, you will," said Grandmother Maresato. "The world has a way of bringing things to you, sometimes when you least expect them. Sometimes they seem to just fall out of the sky."

"Maybe," said Rei. "I hope so."

Later in the evening, Rei went to Takashi's room. He was studying maps of the region, as he often did.

"Planning a holiday?" she said.

"More like a reconnaissance mission," he said. "To neighbouring farms and things. See what's there. See if we can find anyone else."