In the end, the group relented and agreed to let Sora attend the meeting. Although they constantly found reasons to criticize and complain about Nakaoki Asami, they still relied on her.
Even though everyone here was older than her and she was a woman in a vulnerable position, she was the only police officer here!
However, what surprised Sora was that the first to back down was the glamorous woman who had been the most aggressive toward Nakaoki Asami earlier. Not only did she acknowledge Sora's status as a newcomer, but she even helped persuade the others, completely opposite to her initial attitude.
A cold smile formed on Sora's lips. He could clearly see the occasional flashes of resentment in the woman's eyes! Sora wasn't some magnanimous saint. If they didn't provoke him, they could coexist peacefully, but if they dared to mess with him, he wouldn't mind being ruthless!
Of course, this woman wasn't exactly a delicate flower. In every aspect, any of his women could outshine her by a mile, so Sora felt no psychological burden at all.
Shopping Center, Temporary Meeting Room.
"We can't keep waiting like this. The government is completely unreliable!"
"Yeah, yeah, the supplies here are almost gone, and the food is starting to rot. If we keep going like this, we'll be trapped here and die!"
"Me too! My phone isn't working. I need to contact my company!"
"Personally, I don't mind, but my wife needs a blood transfusion every week. Can you please take her to the hospital?"
…
In the meeting room, the uncles, aunties, and elders were all voicing their opinions. Sora was only there to support Nakaoki Asami and make sure she wasn't bullied by these people. He had no intention of getting involved with them.
"Um, that's not possible! Senior Matsushima said that until rescue arrives, everyone must stay here. It's too dangerous to go out!"
Although these people had repeatedly made things difficult for her, as the only police officer here, Nakaoki Asami felt it was her duty and responsibility to speak up and stop them.
"Haha, wait? How long do you expect us to wait? That so-called rescue you're talking about isn't coming. If we keep going like this, we'll all be trapped here and die!"
"Yeah, yeah, you don't have the right to keep us here. Your only duty is to help us!"
Seeing Nakooka Asami intervene, everyone immediately turned their attention to her.
Sighing inwardly, Sora finally understood why these people were so brazenly bullying her. It wasn't because she was the only police officer here, nor because she was young and a girl, but because this girl was simply too pure and kind-hearted!
Who else would they bully if not someone like her?!!!
If it were Sora, he wouldn't bother wasting words on these useless people who only knew how to rely on others. Whether they lived or died was none of his concern! However, for Nakooka Asami, who had a strong sense of responsibility, it was different. Even though she was repeatedly blamed, complained about, and even insulted by these people, she still didn't abandon her duties.
In some ways, she was a determined and brave girl!
"I… I…"
Covering her mouth with her hands, the girl looked at these unreasonable people who kept acting this way. Her heart was almost at its limit, and tears were welling up in her eyes. If it weren't for the last bit of strength supporting her, she would have already burst into tears and run away.
"What 'I'! Didn't you say you'd figure something out? What's the result now?"
Mockery and questioning came from a middle-aged bald man in a tie—the same guy who had earlier said he needed to contact his company.
"Heh, if you're a police officer, then deal with those monsters outside!"
A cold laugh came from the seductive woman, who usually bullied Nakooka Asami the most. Because Sora had stood up for the girl earlier, she now harbored even more resentment toward her.
"But… but I didn't do well in school, and I'm just a girl…"
Nakooka Asami felt a wave of despair and helplessness. These people actually expected her to deal with those monsters. She was just a weak girl with no strength—they were pushing her to her limits!
Sora, who had been smiling all along, now had a gaze that grew colder and colder…
"Heh, so what if you're a girl? It's your responsibility!"
Without a hint of sympathy, the seductive woman sneered.
"Since everyone has decided, let's leave this place!"
The man in the tie flashed a look of joy. He had been going crazy being trapped here and seized the opportunity to push further:
"To leave, we first need to scout the situation outside, and someone needs to distract the monsters so the rest of us can escape safely."
"But who should go…"
The man in the tie wasn't completely stupid. He knew that to leave, someone had to lure the zombies away. However, when it came to deciding who should go, his gaze kept drifting toward Nakooka Asami.
The others naturally understood his meaning. As long as it wasn't them, they didn't care who went. And here was the perfect candidate!
"Officer Asami, haven't you always claimed to protect us? You're the only police officer here. Now's your chance to prove yourself."
"Yes, yes, little girl, don't let us down!"
"Officer Asami, this is a glorious and challenging mission, but we believe you can do it!"
…
One after another, Nakooka Asami looked at these people she had been trying so hard to protect, feeling nothing but irony and absurdity.
To them, the monsters outside were devils, but to her, these people were the real devils!
"Heh, Officer Asami is just a girl. This task is too difficult for her. I think we should send someone else with her."
With a flash of malice in her eyes, the seductive woman chimed in at the perfect moment.
The others were stunned, not understanding this woman was up to. Why send someone else with the foolish officer? Yourself?
"Officer Asami mentioned that this young man is called Sora, right? We saved you, took you in. Don't you think it's time you contributed something?"
"Besides, you wouldn't want Officer Asami to go alone, would you? If you go with her, you'll both be safe."
The seductive woman smiled brightly, but her words were like venom, sending a chill through everyone in the room.
How ruthless—she was pushing both of them to their doom!
"Right, I think that's a great idea! Young man, you should know how to repay kindness. Since we saved you and your companion, it's only fair that you contribute something."
"Yes, yes, Officer Asami is just a girl. How could you bear to see her go alone?"
"Young man, you've got a bright future. When this disaster is over, I'll recommend you to my company!"
…
Though surprised by the seductive woman's suggestion, the others quickly realized the benefits. Having both of them distract the monsters was much better than just the foolish officer going alone. It made them safer, and only a fool would refuse!
Their expectant gazes, like venomous snakes, locked onto the two. Sora remained indifferent, but his eyes were filled with unmistakable mockery. Meanwhile, Nakooka Asami's face turned pale.
"No… this can't happen…"
Terror filled her eyes as the girl kept backing away.
At this moment, she finally realized—they were the real demons!
Fear, despair, and helplessness overwhelmed her as she retreated under their cold, merciless gazes.
Until she fell into a warm embrace…