Untouched by the Outbreak

After stepping inside the house, Ryo casually draped an arm around Sachiko, guiding her into the living room. Sayako, the ever-loyal female zombie, followed silently behind them. Her presence had become a constant—wherever Ryo went, she was never far behind.

Ryo settled into the large, comfortable sofa, and as expected, Sayako positioned herself nearby. Sometimes he would direct her to sit beside him, a silent command she always obeyed without hesitation. Despite being undead, her movements were fluid and almost graceful, a testament to how far she had come under Ryo's influence. Her body was no longer stiff or awkward like the typical zombies; instead, her limbs moved with an eerie smoothness, as if she were still alive.

Sachiko took her usual spot next to Ryo, her body leaning into his, enjoying the quiet intimacy they shared. She cast a glance at Sayako, who remained still, her white eyes fixed on Ryo, waiting for his next command.

"She's getting better at blending in," Sachiko noted, her voice soft. "Almost like she's... human again."

Ryo smirked, his eyes lingering on Sayako for a moment before shifting back to Sachiko. "She's mine, completely. That's all that matters."

Sachiko nodded, resting her head against Ryo's shoulder. The house felt calm, the outside chaos of their zombie-guarded world a distant thought. With Sayako's unwavering loyalty and Ryo's growing power, their little sanctuary felt untouchable.

Yumi stood quietly in the corner, observing the scene. She watched as Sachiko nestled close to Ryo, while Sayako remained ever vigilant at his side. Yumi's expression was unreadable, but inside, a whirlwind of thoughts stirred.

She was still new here, trying to understand her place in this strange dynamic. Ryo had claimed her, and though the process had been overwhelming, she had come to terms with it. The reality was clear: her prototype zombies, once her greatest achievement, were no match for Ryo's ever-growing, formidable army. Any rebellion, any attempt to defy him, would be met with swift retribution, likely with her precious prototypes being fed to his ravenous horde.

The weight of this knowledge kept her grounded, silent, and compliant. There was no room for defiance. She had become his, fully aware of the consequences of resistance. The fact that she now belonged to Ryo wasn't something she had envisioned for herself, but in this world, survival meant adapting—and submitting.

Yumi sighed inwardly, her gaze fixed on Ryo. He was undeniably powerful, and despite her reluctance, she couldn't deny the strange sense of security that came with being under his protection.

Ryo's eyes locked onto Yumi, his expression darkening. "Why are you just standing there?" he barked, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Get my beer from the refrigerator. Now."

Yumi flinched at his harsh tone, her body stiffening. She quickly turned, hurrying to fetch the beer as instructed. Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the refrigerator, retrieving the cold bottle. Returning to Ryo, she held it out cautiously, avoiding direct eye contact.

Ryo snatched the beer from her hand, his grip firm. "Sit," he ordered, motioning to the space beside him on the couch.

Hesitant, Yumi lowered herself onto the seat slowly, her nerves on edge. Just as she thought she could settle, Ryo's hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of her hair. He yanked her head back slightly, forcing her to face him.

"You shouldn't resist me," he growled, his voice low but menacing. "You're mine now. Understand?"

Yumi's breath hitched, fear evident in her eyes. "Y-Yes," she stammered, nodding as much as his grip allowed.

Ryo released her hair, letting her head drop forward slightly. "Good," he muttered, leaning back and taking a swig from his beer. "Remember that."

Sachiko watched the exchange between Ryo and Yumi, her eyes narrowing with a mix of amusement and desire. Without a word, she leaned closer to Ryo, taking his free hand and gently placing it on her own hair. Her silent request was clear—she wanted Ryo to grip her hair too.

Ryo smirked, recognizing Sachiko's unique desires. She wasn't like Yumi. Sachiko thrived on his control, relishing in the dynamic they shared. Slowly, he tightened his fingers around her hair, giving it a firm but measured grip.

Sachiko's eyes fluttered shut briefly, a soft sigh escaping her lips. The subtle pull of pain mixed with pleasure sent a shiver down her spine. She loved the way Ryo's gaze bore into her, filled with both dominance and desire.

"You like this, don't you?" Ryo murmured, his voice low and teasing.

Sachiko opened her eyes, locking onto his. "Yes," she whispered, a small smile playing on her lips. "I love it."

Ryo's grip tightened just a bit more, his smile widening as he leaned closer. "Good."

Yumi hesitated as she slowly lowered herself onto the couch beside Ryo. His arm immediately wrapped around her waist, pulling her close with a possessive grip. She tensed under his touch, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ryo's voice cut through the silence, low and commanding. "What's mine is mine," he declared, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her shiver.

Yumi swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. She understood all too well what he meant. She was his now, just like Sachiko, just like Sayako. Resistance was futile, and any thought of rebellion was quickly snuffed out by the cold reality of her situation.

Ryo's grip tightened slightly on her waist, his gaze never leaving her. "Do you understand?" he asked, his voice softer but no less firm.

"Yes," Yumi whispered, her voice barely audible.

Satisfied, Ryo leaned back, a smug smile playing on his lips. He had claimed her, and now she was exactly where she belonged—by his side, under his control.

Yumi watched as Sachiko leaned into Ryo, her movements fluid and natural, as if this was an everyday occurrence. Sachiko seemed completely at ease, her expression soft and content as Ryo's hand gently brushed through her hair. There was no hesitation, no fear—just an unspoken understanding between them. Yumi couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Sachiko had embraced her place beside Ryo, finding comfort in his possessiveness, while Yumi was still grappling with her own situation.

It had only been two days since Yumi had arrived, yet the reality of her new life was sinking in fast. The house was well-stocked, a fortress in a world overrun by chaos. Shelves lined with food, supplies meticulously organized—it was a stark contrast to the constant hunger and fear she had known outside. Here, she could shower with warm water, a luxury powered by the solar panels that Ryo had set up. The lights flickered on with the press of a button, a reminder of the stability and safety this place offered.

Outside, the ever-present threat of the government loomed. Yumi knew they were hunting her, but she also knew they wouldn't dare approach this place without significant losses. Ryo's zombie army was an impenetrable wall, a force that no human could reckon with. For now, she was safe, hidden from the eyes of those who sought to control her.

Yumi glanced back at Ryo and Sachiko. The weight of her circumstances pressed down on her, but at least here, she had found a temporary refuge. A place where she could breathe, if only for a moment, even under Ryo's unyielding dominance.

Yumi's eyes widened at Ryo's sudden mention. "Maybe we should go to the beach," he said, his tone almost casual, but his gaze unwavering. Sachiko looked at him, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise.

"What for?" she asked, clearly curious.

Ryo's mouth curved into a faint smile. "I want to catch fish, crabs... whatever we can find out there. The ocean's probably teeming with life now. No one's touched it since the outbreak." He paused, his confidence growing. "And besides, the zombies will protect us. They'll clear the area on my command."

Yumi could hardly believe it. While they were sheltered within the walls of this fortified home, the idea of venturing out, let alone all the way to the beach, felt surreal. But the idea began to spark a sense of excitement and a thrill she hadn't felt in ages. Fresh seafood, the freedom of the open shore—things she'd assumed were lost forever.

Sachiko seemed to be warming to the idea, a small smile spreading across her face as she thought it through. Ryo's ability to control the undead meant that even the most treacherous places were theirs to explore. With his growing army, their protection would be unmatched.

Yumi's surprise shifted into a glimmer of hope, realizing that life with Ryo might offer more than mere survival—it could be an entirely new existence. She felt an undeniable pull, a force that tethered her to him in ways she hadn't fully understood before. The world outside was chaos, a constant reminder of what had been lost. Yet here, with Ryo, she found herself at the center of something entirely different—a world where fear no longer dictated her every move.

She gazed at Sachiko, who stood with a quiet confidence that came from knowing she was safe under Ryo's protection. Yumi could feel the weight of her own acceptance settling in. There was no going back. The life she once knew, with its illusions of freedom and control, was gone. Here, she was part of Ryo's world, bound to his power, and there was a strange comfort in that realization.

Yumi's thoughts spiraled as she contemplated her new reality. The understanding that she belonged to Ryo wasn't just a submission—it was a transformation. The old Yumi, fearful and alone, had no place in this new world. This was about survival, yes, but it was also about something deeper, something primal. She felt a growing determination to embrace her place, to not just survive but to thrive in this new existence.

She took a deep breath, the weight of her decision pressing on her chest. "I belong to Ryo now," she whispered, as if speaking the words aloud would solidify her fate. And with that, Yumi stepped fully into her new life, ready to face whatever came next under Ryo's dominion.