Chapter 93: Koichi Wisteria’s Scheme

Flickering sparks slowly spread across the sky as they drifted downward, as if without aim. Yet the moment those wavering embers fell upon the zombies, it was like a bucket of gasoline had been hurled into a bonfire; in an instant, a monstrous blaze erupted.

The flames were like fireworks that flashed and vanished, releasing light and heat only for a heartbeat before collapsing into ashes. But when they touched the uninfected humans, nothing at all happened. All across the Takagi estate, clusters of fire ignited and died out in quick succession.

In a matter of moments, every zombie scattered throughout the Takagi household, each one that had infected countless humans, was reduced to ash and blown away by the wind, as though it had never existed, leaving behind only those still trembling with fear, unable to understand what had just happened.

“...!”

Those who had just been reprimanded by the swordswoman fell silent at once. No one wanted to find out what it felt like to be consumed by that flame. Night Star had not lied; for him, it truly was a matter of moments.

After sweeping his gaze over the ground to confirm that no zombies remained, the energy within him ceased its endless surge. The flickering sparks finally went dark, and with a slow motion he sheathed his blade, causing the dark night to vanish as well. It was almost as if everything that had just occurred was nothing more than a dreadful dream.

But the ruin strewn about them told everyone that it had all been real. Takagi Soichiro immediately began directing his subordinates to restore order. The first task was to send men to seal off the barricades outside. Since the vehicles had been damaged and could no longer be used, they had no choice but to rely on manpower. Seven or eight people laboriously moved them back into place, though against the vast number of zombies, it still seemed rather flimsy.

Lightly descending back into the infirmary, Takagi Soichiro had meant to offer a few words of praise, but he noticed that something about Night Star’s presence had changed. If before it had been a detached indifference, as though he were not worth a glance, then now it had become the madness of a man on the brink of slaughter, thirsting for blood.

At once, the infirmary was filled with a chilling murderous aura, so frightening that none of them dared speak. Busujima Saeko seemed to understand this situation a little and immediately helped Night Star by reminding them, “The piano!”

The others instantly came to their senses and led Night Star straight to the nearest music room. In the spacious room stood only a single, expensive piano. Night Star immediately exchanged places with Ye Chen, his fingertips tapping lightly over the keys. Lovely notes emerged and echoed through the Takagi estate. The music seemed able to soothe the heart; the fear left behind by the zombie attack gradually faded, and those who listened found comfort in its sound.

In a house tucked away in a corner of the Takagi estate, its secluded location having spared it from the zombie assault, Fuji Shiroichi and the others hid inside unharmed. The repulsive, sinister smile never left Fuji Shiroichi’s face as he waved his one remaining hand and launched into a fervent speech.

“Students! Do you see it? How powerful such strength is! As the teacher who has been guiding all of you, I have always had one worry: in this world, where people are constantly being devoured and death surrounds us, how terrifying is reality itself!”

“This world is already full of filth. Only people like you are the hope of the world! But hope has not yet grown strong enough, and before that day comes, it must endure terrifying danger. How heartbreaking that is!” Fuji Shiroichi clenched his remaining fist and easily squeezed out false tears, deceiving the foolish students before him, then continued, “But now we have an excellent solution!”

“That is Night Star! Everyone knows what kind of power Night Star possessed during the time he stayed with us before. Please look at what he is showing us now—it is far stronger than before, no one can even tell by how much! With such power, our safety can be guaranteed at once!” He pointed out the window toward Night Star, who was still in the air confirming whether the zombies had all been eliminated.

Then he made a deeply pained expression, clutching his chest and saying mournfully, “We actually let such a powerful person leave us before. That was the greatest mistake I, as a teacher, ever made! Though his personality was a little poor, and he even hurt the teacher, the teacher has never once blamed him! I have only blamed myself for not teaching him properly, for letting him become what he is now!”

“Now that we have met again, for everyone’s future safety, I must persuade him! This is the duty a true educator must fulfill! Everyone, for the sake of your future safety, please help me bring Night Star into our ranks and make him the hope of this new world!”

With that, Fuji Shiroichi spread his arms wide. In the eyes of the students he had thoroughly brainwashed into losing all normal judgment, a holy radiance seemed to blaze behind him, as though he truly had become the hope and ruler of the new world.

One of the blond delinquents who had previously been beaten by Miyamoto Rei with a bat immediately voiced his support, roughly grabbing the female student beside him. “Teacher, please rest assured! Night Star-senpai must only be confused for the moment. With people like us, who can enjoy such comfort at any time, Night Star-senpai will definitely join us!”

The others, too, wore depraved, lewd grins and echoed him with great confidence. “That’s right, Teacher! With such a wonderful life waiting for us, Night Star-senpai will surely repent and join us!”

“You are all so clever. To think of such a good method—it makes this teacher, filthy adult that I am, deeply ashamed!” Fuji Shiroichi inwardly sneered at their suggestion, scorning their intelligence, but his mouth praised them all the same before he continued. “However, there is a small problem with this excellent plan. Our class’s most beautiful student, Busujima Saeko, seems to be very fond of him. She may become a bit troublesome for us.”

“So what if she does? If Busujima-senpai really tries to hinder us, then we’ll first make sure she can no longer stop us, and turn her into one of us. If Busujima-senpai becomes one of us, then the chances of Night Star-senpai joining us will surely be much higher, won’t they?”

At the mention of Busujima Saeko, the blond delinquent could not help swallowing. Busujima Saeko was the undisputed beauty of the academy: not only the young lady of the renowned Busujima family of swordsmanship, possessing extraordinary sword skills, but also an immense asset. She was humble and gentle, and excellent at cooking—truly the perfect goddess in most people’s eyes.

Just imagining Busujima Saeko joining their side made several of the boys’ hearts grow hot. Compared with her, the girls among them were not even worthy of carrying her shoes, and they all eagerly approved the blond delinquent’s suggestion.

As for the other women, they were equally jealous of Busujima Saeko. Since she could arouse so much interest, they too intended to make her one of their own. Thus they began discussing how Night Star and Busujima Saeko should be “dealt with” in the future, as though it were already certain that the two of them would join them.