Chapter 22: Takagi Estate - Madam Takagi

Chapter 22: Takagi Estate - Madam Takagi

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(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 2830

Announcement: The Takagi Estate Arc has been finished, and I am now delving into manga territory while incorporating my own elements more prominently. If you'd like early access, join my Patreon. Anyways, peace.

Also, thank you to those who offered their opinions in the last chapter. It helped clear my brain and gave me a couple of ideas as well. Some people made assumptions that it was a 'bit far,' and it wasn't wrong.

It's the Mall Arc; however, it will be extended, as I said above. My own elements will be prominent. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the story! Peace.

The mansion stood proudly atop a hill, surrounded by imposing walls and intricately designed iron gates. Its grandeur was enhanced by the meticulously maintained gardens, adorned with vibrant flowers and well-trimmed hedges.

The fusion of traditional Japanese and modern architectural styles resulted in a captivating facade.

Large windows, balconies, and a traditional Japanese-style rooftop added to the mansion's allure. On the balconies at the rear of the mansion, Kohta, Alice, and Zero sat in silence, their gaze fixated on the back gates.

Alice, her brows furrowed in confusion, questioned the choice of their location. "Why are we in the back?" she inquired, seeking clarification. Kohta, maintaining his unwavering focus on the gate, responded, "I have a feeling they would come through the back if they wanted to sneak in."

Zero's heightened senses detected a familiar scent in the vicinity, causing the canine to stand on its paws and unleash a series of barks.

Kohta and Alice, alerted by the commotion, directed their attention towards Zero and followed his gaze, discovering Nagi and Saeko approaching the gate. Their presence at the back entrance surprised both Kohta and Alice.

Positioned by the window, Saya's lips curled into a smile as she caught sight of Nagi and Saeko approaching.

However, a hint of unease flickered across her face as she noticed their proximity to each other. Resolute, Saya moved away from the window, striding towards the room door, and issuing a command with authority, "Open the gates!" This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

The gates smoothly slid open, granting Nagi a momentary respite. He relished the prospect of a longer period of rest, intending to make the most of it.

However, his contemplation was interrupted by the excited barking of Zeke, who energetically circled around Nagi and Saeko. Opening his eyes, Nagi's attention was drawn to Alice, who leaped towards them with a sense of relief and joy, seemingly hovering in the air.

Reacting swiftly, Nagi caught Alice in his embrace as she wrapped her arms around Saeko, who wore a gentle smile. Nagi stood there, momentarily unsure of how to respond, before yielding to the moment and returning the hug with one hand.

Meanwhile, Kohta approached with a grin on his face, extending a thumbs-up towards Nagi and Saeko to congratulate them on their arrival.

Acknowledging the gesture, Nagi gently placed Alice back onto the ground, allowing her and Saeko to engage in conversation. Meanwhile, Nagi approached Kohta and inquired, "Where are the others?"

"Takagi is having a conversation with her mom, and Takashi and Nurse Marikawa are attending to Rei's injuries. Rei took quite a beating from that fall, so she's not able to move much at the moment.," Kohta explained while Nagi nodded to show his understanding.

Feeling a small hand grasping his, Nagi looked down to find Alice smiling brightly. Her enthusiasm was evident as she exclaimed, "Let's return to the mansion! It's safe there. And, um, not to be rude, but you and Saeko... well, you both smell a bit."

Kohta's laughter filled the air as he found Alice's comment amusing, while Saeko blushed slightly, feeling a touch of embarrassment. Nagi, with his perpetually stoic expression, sighed and nodded in acknowledgment of Alice's observation. "Yes, you're right. Let's head to the mansion."

With that said, the group made their way toward the mansion.

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~One Day Later~

It had been a full day since Nagi and Saeko arrived at the estate, and each member of the group was occupied with their own tasks.

Takashi dedicated his time to assisting Shizuka in tending to Rei's injuries, while Kohta busied himself with tinkering with the firearms, exploring different combinations and cosmetic modifications.

Approaching them, Takashi offered his help, but they dismissed him, saying, "No, kid. It's alright. This is an adult's job. You kids just kick back and relax."

"The adults?" Takashi questioned, raising an eyebrow in confusion as he wondered why they didn't accept his offer. As the men picked up the box again and walked away, they muttered, "Just go relax, pretty boy."

"What's their problem?" Takashi muttered to himself, his face a blend of annoyance and confusion. Nagi observed the scene with an impassive expression, his gaze fixed on the retreating backs of the adults. He took note of their attitude and the potential implications it held.

Suddenly, a female voice broke the silence, resonating with a calm and soothing tone. "Don't dwell on it too much." Nagi turned his gaze towards the source of the voice, discovering Saeko approaching them from the corridor.

She was no longer in her school uniform but rather adorned with a mesmerizing purple kimono embellished with intricate patterns of yellow and light blue. Gazing at her, Nagi commented, "It appears you have chosen comfort as well, Saeko."

Saeko smiled in response to Nagi's comment, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Thank you, Nagi. Your attire suits you too," she replied, her gaze briefly flickering to his exposed physique, visible through his shirt. His well-toned forearms and legs were on display, hinting at the physical strength he possessed.

"Thank you, Saeko. The kimono truly complements your purple hair and ocean-blue eyes. You look absolutely stunning," Nagi complimented, his gaze attentively observing Saeko's attire and appearance.

His words carried sincerity, as he genuinely appreciated her beauty. Saeko's long violet hair cascaded down her back, adding to her distinctive allure, while the elegant kimono accentuated her unique features.

Saeko couldn't hide the visible blush that adorned her face, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as Nagi's compliment sank in. She averted her gaze slightly, feeling a rush of shyness overwhelming her. "Thank you," she muttered softly, her voice barely audible but loud enough for Nagi to hear.

Just then, the door to the estate swung open, revealing Alice accompanied by Zero. Alice curiously tilted her head to the side and approached Nagi and Saeko. In her innocent voice, she asked, "Nagi, why is Saeko's face red? Does she have a fever?"

Saeko's cheeks flushed even deeper as Alice inquired about her red face. Nagi knelt down next to her, his touch comforting as he lightly stroked her hair.

With the intention of preserving Saeko's image of strength and composure in Alice's eyes, Nagi responded, "No, Saeko isn't sick. It's just that wearing the kimono can make you feel warm, and that might be why her face is red."

Nagi's intention, as mentioned earlier, was to preserve Saeko's image. However, it may not be in the sense you initially assumed. The idea behind this is to provide Alice with a positive role model. Children, being impressionable, often emulate those they admire.

Saeko has already presented herself as someone strong and composed, so Nagi aims to inspire Alice and instill in her the necessary qualities for survival in this new world.

Nagi acknowledges that the group members may not always be there to protect and guide Alice. Thus, he wants to ensure that she has someone to look up to and learn from.

He understood that, regardless of his or anyone else's capabilities within the group, death was an inevitable reality that could strike at any moment.

"Fine, you're always right! Always!" Saya's voice, filled with irritation and annoyance, abruptly echoed from within the mansion. Nagi perked up at the sound, bidding farewell to Saeko and Alice before heading upstairs. Takashi, deciding to tag along, followed Nagi.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Nagi and Takashi saw Saya walking towards them with clenched fists and closed eyes. Her brows were furrowed with annoyance and irritation, clearly upset with whomever she was speaking to.

Nagi was about to speak, but Takashi cut him off, asking Saya, "What's the matter with you?"

"You don't have to act like such a pri" Saya started, prepared to retort to Takashi before realizing Nagi's presence. Stopping her sentence, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her fists were unclenched as she stared at Takashi before replying, "I don't want to talk about it."

As Saya started descending the stairs, Nagi couldn't help but be consumed by a multitude of questions. Her sudden outburst, the shift in her demeanor, and her remarkable control over her emotions intrigued him.

Nagi was well aware of Saya's emotional nature, particularly when it came to her pride being challenged and her fear of the undead. However, at that moment, she had managed to maintain a composed facade, responding calmly to Takashi before swiftly departing from the scene.

It was a display of self-control that piqued Nagi's curiosity, leaving him wondering about the deeper layers of Saya's emotions and the true extent of her inner turmoil.

However, before Nagi could delve deeper into his thoughts, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors, catching his attention. He turned his head towards the source of the sound, his gaze fixated on the approaching figure.

She had long, light purple hair that cascaded down her back, framing her face. Her hair was styled with shorter strands in the front, pushed to either side of her face. Her purple eyes shone with an air of mystery. She possessed a slender figure and was dressed in a style reminiscent of aristocratic attire.

She wore a thin red dress, with a white cloth wrapped around her arms and lower body. A silver necklace adorned her neck, featuring a small charm at the front. Her lips were painted with a deep shade of lipstick, adding to her enigmatic allure.

As the woman came to a halt in front of Nagi and Takashi, Nagi confirmed her identity within his mind, 'Yuriko Takagi.'

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