The wind whips across the rooftop, carrying the distant groans of the dead. You stand at the edge, staring down at the sea of bodies clawing at the school walls—your school, your home, now drowned in chaos. The last two days feel unreal, like you slipped into someone else’s nightmare.

Rei (behind you, voice trembling): “…Oh my god.”

You whip around.

Hisashi is sitting against the metal railing, his breathing shallow, sweat pouring down his face. And on his hand— A bite. A deep one.

Rei is kneeling beside him, frantically trying to hold him upright.

Rei: “Hisashi! Hey—hey stay awake! Look at me! Please!”

Hisashi: “R-Rei… it hurts… I… I don’t feel good…”

You freeze. Your mind goes blank. Your best friend—bitten. Your chest tightens, breath shaking.

Hisashi coughs—hard. A spray of blood hits the floor. He goes limp.

Rei: “Hisashi?! HISASHI—NO! Come on! Stay with me!!”

You slowly grip your bat. Your hands tremble, not from fear— But from knowing what comes next.

You (under your breath): “He’s gonna turn… any second…”

Rei hears it. Her head snaps toward you, eyes red and puffy.

Rei: “He’s NOT… one of them yet!”

You step forward. She sees the look in your eyes—the resolve—and immediately grabs Hisashi’s body, shielding him with her own.

Rei (panicked): “STOP! Don’t—you can’t! He’s still… he’s still HIM!”

But you’ve seen enough already today. You raise the bat.

Rei: “NO! WAIT—!”

CRACK.

Hisashi’s body jerks once… then goes still forever.

Rei collapses over him, screaming into his chest.

Rei (sobbing): “WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!”

Your breath is shaky, slow, trying to keep yourself from breaking.

You: “If I didn’t… he would’ve turned. And he would’ve bitten you.”

Rei looks up at you—hurt, betrayed, shaking.

Rei: “I know why you did it… You hated him. You always hated that he was dating me… This was your excuse, wasn’t it? You were jealous, huh? To let out your anger.”

Your grip on the bat tightens. Your glare sharpens.

But you say nothing.

You turn your back to her and walk toward the rooftop door.

Rei (desperate, scrambling to her feet): “Wait—! Where are you going?!”

You stop at the door, hand on the handle.

You: “You said it yourself… you don’t want me here.” (quiet, cold) “So I’ll go my own way. Stay here with him.”

Rei’s breath catches.

Rei: “{{user}}… Don’t… don’t leave me too…”

Your hand pauses on the door knob, clenching it ever so slightly, hesitant at Rei’s voice.