Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Breakfast Revelations

They both sat down at the table, Ryo took a leisurely sip of his coffee, savoring the rich flavor. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, mingling with the sweet smell of pancakes and the hearty scent of baked beans. Sachiko, still feeling the weight of the morning's events, served him with a mixture of nervousness and apprehension.

Ryo glanced at the pancakes and baked beans, nodding appreciatively as he took his first bite. He savored the taste, giving a satisfied hum. His eyes then turned to Sachiko, who was seated across from him, her hands nervously clasped in her lap.

"I must say," Ryo began, breaking the silence, "the breakfast is quite good. You've done well."

Sachiko offered a tentative smile, her eyes downcast. She was still processing the fact that she was being treated with a semblance of normalcy after the recent events.

Ryo took another sip of his coffee, then looked at her with a curious expression. "By the way," he said, his tone casual yet commanding, "I don't believe I know your name yet. What should I call you?"

Sachiko hesitated, her gaze meeting his for a brief moment before she looked away. "My name is Sachiko," she said softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and resignation. Discover exclusive tales on m,v l'e-NovelFire.net

Ryo raised an eyebrow, considering her response. "Sachiko," he repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "Well, Sachiko, you'll need to remember your place here. I expect you to keep up the good work."

Sachiko nodded, her heart pounding as she processed the reality of her situation. The tension in the air was palpable, but for now, she focused on fulfilling her role and keeping herself in Ryo's good graces.

As they ate together, the atmosphere was tense yet strangely intimate. Ryo's hand rested casually on Sachiko's thigh, his fingers lightly brushing against her skin. Sachiko, though still apprehensive, had come to accept her place in this precarious situation. She knew she was bound to Ryo now, her life intertwined with his in ways she hadn't anticipated.

Sachiko focused on her meal, the food a comforting reminder of a normalcy she hadn't experienced in a long time. The pancakes were soft and fluffy, the baked beans rich and savory, and the coffee was a warm embrace in her hands. She savored each bite, taking her time to enjoy the flavors that had been absent from her life for so long.

Ryo's presence was constant, his hand a reminder of the control he wielded. His casual touch was both a declaration of ownership and a subtle assertion of his dominance. Yet, for Sachiko, the comfort of the food and the quiet rhythm of the morning provided a small reprieve from the underlying tension.

She glanced at Ryo, who seemed relaxed, enjoying his breakfast with a casual ease. His demeanor was a stark contrast to the intensity of the previous night, and it was both unsettling and oddly reassuring. Sachiko felt a mix of relief and apprehension as she continued to eat, her mind racing with thoughts of what her future might hold.

Despite the circumstances, the simple pleasure of a good meal and the temporary sense of normalcy it brought was something Sachiko cherished. It was a brief escape from the harsh reality of her situation, a moment of solace in the midst of uncertainty.

Ryo finished his breakfast and, with a satisfied grunt, turned his attention to his small backpack resting by his side. He unzipped it and checked its contents, ensuring his ammunition was securely packed and his water supply was sufficient. He glanced around at the stocked shelves of food—canned goods, rice, and other essentials.

For now, food wasn't a concern; he could easily procure more from the shops nearby, though navigating the streets was far from safe. Ryo's grin widened as he thought of the deserted stores he could exploit without anyone to challenge him.

Turning back to Sachiko, who was still sitting at the table, he instructed her, "Get ready. We're going out."

Sachiko looked up, her face pale with apprehension. "Why do we need to go out?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ryo's smile faltered, replaced by a hardened gaze. He reached out and grabbed a handful of her hair, pulling her closer. "Just be ready," he said through gritted teeth. "We're going out. And you better follow my orders."

Sachiko winced at his grip, her fear evident. "But… what if something happens?" she stammered.

Ryo's smirk returned as he released her hair. "If I'm around, no zombies will attack you," he said with a twisted sense of assurance. "Well, as long as you follow my command." His eyes gleamed with a mix of menace and confidence. "Now hurry up."

Sachiko, still shaken but knowing she had little choice, nodded and moved to prepare herself. The fear of the unknown weighed heavily on her, but she had learned that resisting Ryo's demands had severe consequences. As she gathered what she needed, she could only hope that whatever Ryo had planned wouldn't endanger her more than she already was.

Ryo handed Sachiko the empty backpack, its worn fabric starkly contrasting with the pristine contents of his penthouse. Sachiko's hands trembled as she took it, her fear palpable. She dared not ask what they were going to do next, knowing that any question might only draw further ire.

Ryo grasped her hand firmly, his grip unyielding as he led her towards the door. Sachiko's heart raced as she followed, each step filled with dread. When Ryo opened the door, the sight that greeted them was terrifying—a horde of zombies milling around outside, their grotesque forms moving aimlessly in the corridor.

Despite the nightmarish scene, Ryo's demeanor remained unnervingly calm. He stepped confidently into the threshold and addressed the crowd of zombies with a casual air. "She belongs to me," he declared, his voice carrying a chilling authority. "None of you will attack her, unless I command otherwise."

The zombies, as if comprehending his words, kept their distance, their gaze fixed on Sachiko with a mixture of curiosity and hunger. Ryo's presence and his command seemed to exert a powerful control over them, creating a protective barrier around her.

Sachiko's legs felt weak as she stepped outside, the enormity of her situation sinking in. She moved carefully, trying to avoid making any sudden movements. Ryo led the way with an air of ease, his confidence in his control over the zombies evident in every step he took.

As they both headed downstairs, Sachiko's fear was palpable, and she stayed close to Ryo, her hand tightly gripping his. They reached his scooter, and Ryo began the process of filling it up with the fuel gallon he brought. After securing the fuel gallon in the box on the back of the scooter, Ryo climbed onto it.

Sachiko followed, wrapping her arms around him from behind, her anxiety mingling with a fragile sense of security in Ryo's presence.

Ryo stopped the scooter at a nearby store, the sun high in the sky as noon approached. He needed to eat, and Sachiko followed him inside, her fear evident as she navigated the zombie-infested area both inside and outside the store. The zombies, though numerous, kept their distance from Sachiko, intimidated by Ryo's presence.

Inside, Ryo began gathering supplies. He found a large stock of ramen and instructed Sachiko to fill her backpack with as much as she could carry. Meanwhile, Ryo set up a portable gas stove and canister, pulling out a small pot and filling it with bottled water from the store. He placed the pot on the stove to boil.

As Ryo moved around, he took inventory of the store's canned goods, selecting various items and adding them to his own backpack. He opened a few cans for their lunch, preparing to cook as Sachiko continued her task.

Unbeknownst to Sachiko, she was slightly out of Ryo's line of sight as she put the ramen into her backpack. A nearby zombie, drawn by her movement, approached with an unsettling groan. Sachiko let out a scream, her terror evident as she realized how close the zombie was.

Ryo's gaze shifted to the zombie, and he chuckled darkly. With a smirk, he said, "Don't worry about it. She's my woman," his voice dripping with a mix of amusement and menace. The zombies, still fearful of Ryo, kept their distance, their unnatural eyes following him warily as he continued his tasks.

The zombies, visibly unnerved, hesitated and retreated, leaving Sachiko to breathe a sigh of relief as she returned to her task, her hands trembling slightly.

After finishing the task of boiling the water, Ryo called Sachiko over. "Bring the cup of ramen," he instructed, his tone indifferent as he waited for the noodles to cook.

Sachiko, still visibly shaken by the recent encounter with the zombie, carefully carried the cup of ramen to where Ryo was seated. She handed it to him, her hands slightly unsteady. Ryo poured the boiling water into the ramen cups, the steam rising and filling the air with the comforting scent of noodles.

He settled into a makeshift seat he'd created from various store items, patiently waiting for the ramen to be ready.

Sachiko stood nearby, her eyes darting nervously around the store. The zombies outside and inside continued to roam, their movements disjointed and erratic. They seemed to linger around the store's entrance and windows, drawn to the area but not daring to approach too close.

Sachiko couldn't help but wonder about the zombies' behavior. She noticed that whenever Ryo sat down, a larger number of zombies would gather nearby. It was as if they were drawn to him, yet stayed at a safe distance. Her fear was palpable, but she also felt a strange sense of security knowing that Ryo's presence kept the zombies at bay.

She watched him with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, trying to understand the dynamics at play. The way the zombies seemed to avoid crossing a certain threshold when Ryo was present was both fascinating and terrifying.

Noticing Sachiko's silence and the way her eyes nervously flitted between him and the surrounding zombies, Ryo broke the quiet with a disarming revelation. "You know why the zombies are near wherever I go?" he asked, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

Sachiko shook her head, her expression a mixture of confusion and apprehension. She glanced at the zombies, who continued to loiter near the store's entrance, their dark eyes occasionally drifting toward Ryo.

Ryo's smirk widened as he continued, "They're guarding me."

The statement hung in the air, and Sachiko's eyes widened in shock. The idea was both unsettling and incomprehensible. Ryo's casual demeanor contrasted starkly with the gravity of his words. He watched her reaction with a sense of satisfaction, fully aware of the impact his statement had.

Sachiko's mind raced, trying to process the notion that the zombies, creatures of terror and death, were somehow under Ryo's control, acting as his personal guards. She couldn't shake the feeling that this revelation only deepened the mystery of Ryo's true power and the precarious position she was in.

Ryo leaned back, a cold satisfaction gleaming in his eyes as he continued explaining. "It's the same with the new mutant types of zombies. No matter what type, when I command, they follow."

He then reached out and gripped Sachiko's hair firmly, pulling her closer so that she could see the steely determination in his gaze. "So will you," he added, his voice low and authoritative. "You are mine and mine alone."

Sachiko's breath caught in her throat as she felt the force of Ryo's grip. The weight of his words settled heavily on her shoulders. The realization that she was bound by his commands, just like the zombies he controlled, made her shiver. She was now fully aware of the extent of his dominance and the dangerous world she had been drawn into.

Ryo's gaze hardened, and he tightened his grip on Sachiko's hair once more, pulling her face closer to his. "Let me give you a final warning," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. "If one day you betray me and turn me over to the government—"

He paused, letting the threat hang in the air before continuing with a chilling promise. "I will ensure that all the zombies, the Creepers, the Brutes, the Striders, and every last one of them will attack the last human stronghold. Believe that."

Sachiko's eyes widened in terror, her heart racing as the full gravity of Ryo's threat sank in. She could see the unwavering resolve in his eyes, understanding that he was not one to make empty threats. The thought of the zombies rampaging through the last bastion of humanity filled her with dread, making her more aware than ever of her precarious position.

Searᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.