They keep talking rubbish

The quietness in the classroom got thicker by the second... Some students glanced from one to the other, some agreeing with Yuto's words and logic, while a few pulled away, holding tight to what Mrs. Rin said just because she was in charge. 

 Yuto knew it was completely rubbish. The world had become a total mess... And in order to survive, they must adapt. 

Mrs. Rin then stepped forward, her expression a lot stricter. “Listen to me. I am the teacher here. Until the authorities arrive, this classroom is the safest place for all of you. We are not leaving. That’s final.” 

Yuto clenched his jaw, staring right back at her. “So your plan is to sit and pray that someone comes? That’s not survival, that’s suicide.” 

Aoi looked from one to the other, clutching Yuto's sleeve tighter, her words a bit shaky. "Just - please quit it. Fighting now? Bad idea." 

Then he coughed. 

Yuto quietly gripped his ribs... The pain from the fall from the hostel’s third floor was starting to catch up with him now that the adrenaline was fading. 

He gave a slow nod. "Alright… we stay put..." His voice sounded hollow, and he didn’t see a point in wasting more energy arguing. Deep down, he knew the truth... no one was coming. The government was not going to save them. 

Yuto then walked to the far edge of the classroom and sat down heavily against the wall. His ribs ached for every breath he took... 

Aoi followed him without hesitation, lowering herself to sit beside him.

She leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing his arm. "Hey, Yuto," she said in a soft-like manner, "you alright?" 

“I’m okay,” Yuto mumbled, but his tone showed he was hurting. Aoi’s eyes lingered on his side, her hands twitching like she wanted to help but didn’t know how. Finally, she just sat still, her body steady beside him. 

Over by the side, Mrs. Rin was up near the board, keeping an eye on everyone... While Minato leaned against a desk, glaring at Yuto, but said nothing this time. 

Yuto waited without speaking, then shut his eyes - just hoping to catch a brief moment of rest. His body begged for it. But the quietness was shattered when a loud zombie roar came from outside the university compound. 

Yuto’s eyes shot open fast, his body and muscles stiffening up. His breathing quickened, and he started to push himself up. 

Aoi noticed instantly. Without hesitation, she placed both her hands gently over his ears, blocking the sound. Yuto froze for a second. His face turned red, his heartbeat rising for a completely different reason now. 

He tried to stand up, embarrassed, but Aoi pushed him back against the wall. “Rest,” she whispered, her voice firm and soft like an angel. “Just for a little while, your body needs it, okay?” 

He exhaled from his nose slowly, then gave a small acceptance nod. Before closing his eyes again, he accepted her terms and conditions.

After sleeping for what felt like a good amount of time, Yuto woke up to the heavy sound of rain hitting the classroom windows. 

He blinked his eyes twice, adjusting to the classroom's dim light. He looked to his side. Aoi wasn’t there. Her voice came faintly from across the classroom, mixed with Mrs. Rin’s. Yuto turned his head towards the podium... 

Aoi stood with Mrs. Rin, and the rest of the students were gathered around them, listening.

Slowly, Yuto pushed himself up from the wall. The movement sent a sharp sting through his side. Something felt wrong. Really wrong. 

He pulled his shirt up, real slow. His eyes widened in frustration. Alongside his ribcage, dark blood had clotted thickly over the wound he’d gotten from his fall. The skin around it was swollen and discolored. 

His chest felt tight, but he quickly pulled his shirt back down. No one had noticed yet. Not Aoi. Not Mrs. Rin. Not the other students.

And he intended to keep it that way. If they knew, he’d only become a burden, or worse, they would think he was infected. 

So he forced himself to stay quiet. Yuto held his side as he stood, trying not to draw attention to himself. His steps were unsteady, but he forced them to look normal. He started walking toward the podium where Mrs. Rin and the others were gathered. 

The chatter quieted a little as some students noticed him approaching. Aoi turned quickly, her eyes softening when she saw him awake.

“Yuto, you’re up,” she said, almost rushing to his side, but Mrs. Rin raised a hand to keep the focus. “Stay here, Aoi. Let him come.” 

 “Fucking bitch,” he uttered internally, while clicking his tongue.

Yuto finally reached them, his breathing heavier than it should have been. He gave a small nod, pretending he was fine.

“What’s going on?” he asked, keeping his tone down.

Mrs. Rin looked over the group, then back at Yuto. “We’re discussing what to do next. The food and water here will only last us a few hours. And with the noise outside, we can’t risk leaving yet. But… staying here too long without food is also dangerous.” 

Aoi tugged lightly on Yuto’s sleeve. “We were waiting for you before fully deciding. What do you think we should do?” 

All eyes landed on him. Yuto didn't move a muscle... At first, he was surprised, but the feeling passed quickly... 

"Leader? Since when did I become that?" He murmured to himself. 

Aoi saw him that way, and he didn’t mind. It meant she trusted him. But he knew the truth. Leadership here had no benefits. It wasn’t a gift. It was pressure, and it was a trap. One mistake, and every single one of them would throw the blame on him.

Then a voice snapped Yuto back to reality…
“Come on, why the hell do we need this loser’s opinion?” Minato spat, his voice filled with hatred. He leaned back in his chair, arms spread wide like he owned the room, a smirk twisting across his face as the mood changed. 

 Yuto narrowed his eyes, nonchalantly and unfazed. "Of course, it had to be this son of a bitch."

Minato scoffed and stepped forward, his eyes locked on Yuto. “You think you know everything, huh? Just because you’re the only survivor from the hostel doesn’t make you the leader here. Stop acting like you’re in some video game main character…”   

“Minato,” Mrs. Rin’s voice cut through briefly. She raised her hand, her expression stricter. “Let him speak, please.”

Minato stiffened, his teeth clenching... yet shuffled backward, keeping his voice low and grumbling. 

Mrs Rin turned her attention back to Yuto. “Go on. Everyone deserves to hear your thoughts. This is about survival, not ego.” 

Yuto gave a small nod, steadying himself as all eyes in the room turned back to him.