As Shirakawa's physical abilities continued to strengthen, combined with the skills from his Exorcist profession, it was no exaggeration to say—
No evil spirit could withstand his blade.
The Ex Curry Stick not only purified resentment within the body but also allowed him to banish evil with ease. Even for ordinary people, exposure to holy light had healing and cleansing effects.
He specifically sought out Takagi Saya and Shizuka Marikawa because the former had excellent grades, and the latter was a teacher.
After all, they both owed him their lives at the academy today.
Their study session was lively and, surprisingly, filled with laughter. The bubbly and slightly airheaded Marikawa often found herself clashing with Shirakawa's straightforward way of thinking.
Eventually, Saeko came knocking to call them down, bringing an end to the two-hour-long conversation.
Looking at the clearly exhausted Takagi Saya, who had fought off undead earlier and was now running on fumes, Shirakawa lightly pushed her shoulder.
Yet her eyes, now filled with admiration, remained fixed on him.
Even through her fatigue, she asked, "Shirakawa-sama… is there anything else I can help you with?"
"This one's a serious request."
The misunderstanding had clearly run deep. Shirakawa shook his head and clarified, "I asked the teacher for leave today. I still have to make up for missed homework tomorrow."
"I want you to help me."
"…"
Looking at the textbook, she noticed it was a second-year high school curriculum—but unlike anything from Fujimi Academy. More importantly, the world had ended. Was schoolwork still a thing?
Taking the book into her hands, Saya couldn't help but wonder.
With Misaka Mikoto having gone off with another group and no longer in sight—
Could it be that…
Takagi Saya finally gave in to her curiosity. "Lord Shirakawa… forgive me for asking, but… You're not from our world, are you?"
"Correct."
From a god's-eye view, anyone with power comparable to an Academy City Level 5 esper would easily stand out in an apocalyptic zombie setting like Highschool of the Dead.
Shirakawa looked at her with mild surprise, then chuckled.
"Smart girl. In that case—your reward is double the homework tonight."
Can I… not have that kind of reward?
Saya could only groan inwardly. Holding the book in her hand, she felt her mind slipping. Everything was getting hazy.
She couldn't concentrate.
Especially with the lingering aches in her body, the kind that left her gasping for air, her cheeks flushed even now from the strain.
As for Marikawa, having rested enough, she didn't feel the slightest embarrassment being around Shirakawa—probably because Saeko and Rei were also nearby.
"Lord Shirakawa, could you pass me my towel?"
"Of course."
Saeko Busujima's cooking was quite excellent. As a refined young woman with the full "mature wife" charm, she used the available ingredients to whip up a sumptuous dinner.
Wearing nothing but a pristine white apron.
She stood before Shirakawa without a hint of shyness. After setting the table, she turned and smiled radiantly.
"Dinner is ready, Shirakawa-kun."
"It does look like a feast."
Even the atmosphere felt more relaxed. Several cans of alcohols had been placed on the table—Shirakawa knew he hadn't brought them, so they were likely part of Rika Minami's stash.
Meanwhile, Shizuka Marikawa seemed to have lost the energetic bounce she had earlier.
Without the slightest regard for the others' gazes, she wrapped her arms around Shirakawa's, as if openly declaring their relationship.
Not to be outdone, Saya Takagi suppressed her pain and latched onto Shirakawa's other arm. Her intense gaze locked onto Shizuka.
As if saying, "I'm not giving up either!"
Faced with such flirtatious bickering, Saeko Busujima simply smiled gently—like a proper head wife overseeing her household.
After all, Shirakawa was simply too outstanding...
She didn't mind. If anything made her regretful, it was that she hadn't seized the chance earlier to make dinner—her instincts had long been urging her to act.
If only she'd gotten ahead of Shizuka and Saya...
"..."
Still not fully integrated into the group, Rei Miyamoto sat alone, cheeks faintly flushed from the alcohol. The deaths of her two simps and the lack of contact with her family weighed heavily on her.
Watching the ambiguous scene unfold before her, she felt the emotional distance grow.
She knew full well that Shirakawa was her only hope of survival—yet now, he felt further and further away.
What's worse, his excellence didn't need to be proven. His strength was extraordinary. And under the haze of alcohol, that already handsome face...
The room was buzzing with noise.
But Rei could hear the rapid thumping of her own heart—a sensation she had never felt toward Komuro Takashi or that other simp. This was true attraction.
Maybe it was that very feeling...
No matter how luxurious the food, it tasted like ash in her mouth. She waited impatiently for dinner to end, hoping for some conversation—but instead, the room turned into a battlefield between Shizuka and Saya.
"Shirakawa-kun still has some assignments I need to help him with. Shizuka-sensei, you've had a long day driving. You should rest early, don't you think?"
"I am a teacher, you know. I can help him too."
Shizuka smiled sweetly, her tone leaving no room for refusal. Both women held onto Shirakawa's arms with firm determination, dragging him toward the guest room.
"This..."
Rei couldn't even process what she was seeing. It all felt so surreal. Was there something wrong with her values... or with the world itself?
Beside her, Saeko calmly stood up.
Perhaps she didn't want to watch what came next. The collapse of morality in the face of the apocalypse was something she had come to accept. At least she still held on to her own restraint.
But—
Rei hadn't expected that Saeko-senpai would also follow after Shirakawa, heading for the guest room. At some point, the ties of her white apron had come undone.
The fabric slipped off her flawless figure.
Revealing a body so perfect that even Rei couldn't suppress her envy.
"Just what... has become of this world?"
Finally—
With a crisp pop of a alcohol can opening, a tipsy Rei took several deep gulps and let out a soft burp.
She looked toward the partially ajar door of the guest room in the distance.
She had joined the group last, and Shirakawa hadn't yet given her his approval. But now... even if it meant giving up something most important—
Rei Miyamoto was desperate to survive.