Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The Shadow That Follows

After enjoying the evening under the dimming sky, Ryo and Sachiko made their way back inside the house, Sayako silently trailing behind them. The night was calm, but Sachiko couldn't shake the unease from her heart. She glanced back at the female zombie, now named Sayako, and asked nervously, "Ryo, are you sure this is a good idea? Letting her inside the house?"Ryo smirked at her concern but didn't slow down. "And what if she starts banging on the door in the middle of the night? You wouldn't be able to sleep, right?" he said, his tone casual, though there was an edge of humor in his words.

Sachiko frowned, still feeling uneasy. "I guess you're right... but what if she does something else? Can we really trust her?"

Ryo shrugged, locking the door behind them as they entered. "She's not like the others. You saw that yourself. She's faster, smarter—and I think she's starting to follow my commands. Besides, it's not like she's going to hurt either of us."

Sachiko looked at Sayako, who stood silently, observing them both. "I hope you're right," she said softly, still unsure of the growing connection between Ryo and the strange female zombie that had somehow found her place among them.

Sachiko moved to the kitchen, her thoughts still lingering on Sayako but pushing her concerns aside for now. She had dinner to prepare. Grabbing the rice cooker, she measured the grains, added water, and set it to cook. The soft hum of the machine brought some comfort to the otherwise tense atmosphere.

She opened the cupboard and reached for the canned chicken curry, pulling out four cans. "This should be enough," she murmured to herself. She heated up the curry on the stove while simultaneously preparing instant soup, the warmth of the steam fogging up the small kitchen window.

Next, she turned her attention to the dried cuttlefish, soaking and washing it carefully before cooking it. The familiar scent filled the air, mixing with the rich smell of curry and soup. Sachiko felt a sense of normalcy in this routine, even if everything around her had drastically changed. The food was simple, but it was hearty—and enough to keep them going. Find your next read on M V L

She glanced toward the window, catching a glimpse of Ryo outside, the ever-watchful Sayako still lingering nearby. Sighing, Sachiko turned back to her cooking, hoping that tonight would pass without incident.

Sachiko set the table, placing the dishes of rice, chicken curry, and soup in neat order. She made sure everything looked perfect, hoping Ryo would appreciate the effort after the long day they both had. The cuttlefish, cooked just right, gave off a pleasant aroma. She paused for a moment, glancing at Sayako, who still lingered quietly nearby but didn't approach.

Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out two cold cans of beer, setting them beside Ryo's place at the table. She hesitated for a moment, considering taking one for herself but quickly thought better of it. Getting drunk, especially with Sayako's unpredictable presence in the house, didn't seem like a wise choice.

After all, she needed to be alert. Sachiko wasn't fully comfortable with the idea of Sayako inside the house just yet, despite Ryo's confidence. With everything ready, she took a deep breath and called softly, "Ryo, dinner's ready."

Ryo sat down at the table, noticing how neatly Sachiko had arranged everything, just like a wife would. She had clearly put in effort to make the meal special for him, and he appreciated the warmth of the gesture. He picked up one of the cold cans of beer, cracking it open with a satisfying hiss.

Taking a long sip, he let out a contented sigh. "Fwah... this is nice," he said, glancing at Sachiko, who was smiling softly as she sat across from him. The food smelled great, and the beer was the perfect way to unwind after a long day dealing with Sayako and everything else.

Sachiko watched as he started eating, making sure he had everything he needed. She silently hoped he would enjoy the meal as much as the beer.

As they ate together, Sachiko felt a sense of calm, the quiet evening contrasting the chaos of the outside world. However, that calm was disrupted when Ryo, between bites of his meal, casually mentioned, "Oh, by the way, I found a survivor the other day. A guy named Ken."

Sachiko paused mid-chew, surprised. "A survivor?" she repeated, her eyes widening. It wasn't often Ryo brought up anyone else—let alone other survivors. "Where is he now?"

Ryo leaned back in his chair, taking another sip of his beer. "He's alive, hanging around the outskirts of town. Told him to stay far from here. Didn't seem like much of a threat." He didn't elaborate further, avoiding the... disturbing details about Ken's relationship with the female zombies.

Sachiko's curiosity was piqued, but something about Ryo's tone made her hold back from asking too many questions. She trusted Ryo, but the idea of another survivor nearby unsettled her slightly, even if Ryo didn't seem too concerned.

Sachiko hesitated for a moment, the tension palpable as she set her fork down. "Ryo... are you sure it's a good idea to let Sayako be near us? What if she—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Ryo snapped. His hand shot out, gripping her hair firmly, pulling her face close to his. "You're a researcher, right?" His voice was sharp, eyes locked on hers. "You can use this opportunity to research Sayako if you want. Don't ask me that again."

Sachiko's heart raced as she winced slightly from the pressure on her scalp. Ryo's grip was firm but not painful, just enough to make his point clear. "You saw how easily I grabbed her hair, didn't you? If she tries anything with you, I'll just grab her head and shoot... easy."

He released her slowly, leaving Sachiko shaken but understanding that he wasn't about to entertain her doubts any longer. His confidence in controlling Sayako was unsettling, but she knew better than to question him again. She nodded silently, her fear and uncertainty still lingering.

Sachiko felt a flicker of something unexpected beneath her unease—a strange sense of satisfaction. Ryo's sudden dominance, the way he easily took control, sent a thrill through her, though she kept it buried deep inside. She couldn't let him see that she liked it, not now.

As she straightened her hair, trying to compose herself, she glanced over at Ryo, who was already back to his meal as if nothing had happened. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, hidden behind a neutral expression. She liked it when Ryo grabbed her like that—assertive, in control.

But she remained quiet, keeping her emotions under wraps, as the dinner continued in silence, the tension lingering in the air like an unspoken secret.

Ryo leaned back in his chair, his smirk curling into something more mischievous. "Be ready after this," he said, his voice low but commanding.

Sachiko paused, her hands still resting on her bowl of food. She looked up at him, her eyes slightly wide. "For what?" she asked, though a part of her already knew the answer. Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Ryo didn't hesitate. He met her gaze with a piercing stare, his smirk deepening. "To entertain me," he said, his tone smooth and teasing. "In bed."

A shiver ran through Sachiko as the weight of his words settled. There was something in the way he said it that made her both nervous and excited at the same time. She swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure, though her heart was already racing.

Sachiko's heart raced as she processed Ryo's words, knowing exactly what awaited her tonight. She had grown used to his commanding nature, and deep down, she loved the way he took control. There was something undeniably magnetic about his dominance, and every time he claimed her, it reaffirmed that she was his—completely.

She glanced at Ryo, who was now focused on finishing his meal, his presence exuding confidence and authority. Her body reacted instinctively to the thought of him climbing over her, his touch possessive and strong. Sachiko felt a mixture of nervous anticipation and excitement. She knew tonight would be no different, yet every time felt new and exhilarating.

She was ready. She belonged to him, after all.

Sachiko hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to Sayako, who remained eerily calm in the corner of the room. "What about Sayako? She's going to follow you," she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Ryo's lips curved into a smirk. "Isn't that fun?" he replied, his tone dripping with dark amusement. "Doing it while being watched?" His eyes gleamed with a hint of challenge, as if daring her to voice any objections.

Sachiko felt a shiver run down her spine at his words. The idea of being observed added a new layer of intensity to their intimate moments. It was unsettling, yet undeniably thrilling. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself, and nodded. "If that's what you want," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Ryo took another sip of his beer, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched Sachiko wrestle with her thoughts. He loved having control, and seeing her react to his teasing only added to his satisfaction.

Sachiko glanced at Sayako, who was silently lingering nearby, still obedient to Ryo's command. The idea of being watched sent a shiver down her spine, but she knew she had no choice but to follow Ryo's lead.

She quietly nodded, her hands trembling slightly, as she continued to finish the meal, preparing herself mentally for whatever was to come.