Chapter 136: 136
I opened the door and I’m wearing a look of defeat.
“Hi guys, what are we eating today?” I asked.
“Oh! Oh! Mom said we’ll be having Chickenjoy!” Aya exclaimed.
“Yeah! I saw the boxes earlier and they’re all real!” Kenny shouted as well with excitement.
“It smells good!”
“Yeah!”
“Come down now!”
The other kids are restless and they also knocked on the other doors.
“TIME TO EAT~!” they shouted again.
“We’ll do this later.” She said though she’s still wearing the forehead protector.
We came down with everyone and Oscar immediately nudged me.
“Kid, I thought you were cooking today?” he asked.
“Maybe tomorrow, I’ve done a lot today.” I replied as he patted my back.
“Oh, okay then.” he said.
We had fried chicken for today but Kaley and the rest even took the packaging from the store and my aunt placed them on it. The kids were really excited and we all started to eat. It’s a simple gesture but the parents of the kids were happy to see their kids smile even from all this.
*sniff*
I looked at the direction of the sniffle. It was Allan.
“I miss this shit.” he said.
“Me too.” Russel said with teary eyes.
“Me as well.” Bing chimed while wiping his eyes.
“Oh god, the three crazy dudes suddenly have a connection. The coming days will be crazy I could feel it.” I thought to myself.
We cleaned up and then we started another meeting for tonight.
“Okay, simple day today. We hauled a few supplies and we reclaimed everything from Mrs. Thelma’s store. I refilled our ammo with Rin in the afternoon and we had our usual lesson. Tatiana, can I task you in teaching some of them CCW or H2H in some cases that I wouldn’t be able to? It’s ju-” I said then I was interrupted.
“No problem.” she replied.
“Oh, thanks.” I said.
We talked about the usual items and Chris puts his hands up.
“Umm, Sky, you said earlier in the class that I’ll be going out in the future as well. Do you mean to take me in your runs outside?” Chris said.
“Some of you, yes. Jay told me that he has been taking some of you when clearing the place outside as well and it’s fine. Though we still need more people helping with the 3rd road for now. However, as we get more people, we’ll expand from 1 or 2 teams for supply runs to 2 or 3 depending on the situation.” I explained.
“Can I help in going out as well? I helped with clearing the dead below in the 3rd road also. Though I’d like to have one of my guns returned. I cleared my head and I think I could help you guys.” Arthur asked.
“You’re still grounded dear. Remember what you did last time?” Amanda said.
“I’ll think about it. I could return one of your guns but make sure it’s not pointed to one of us. I’ll let you come to one of the runs in the future though we still need people to hold this place.” I reminded him.
He got pretty excited in his seat when I agreed.
I ended the meeting and we went to the gym.
Tatiana is now holding the mitts for Kaley and she’s teaching her a series of kicks coupled with delicate movement and footwork. The mitts would ring out with crisp sounds with every kick that Kaley does. Matthew is still in one corner doing core exercises but he’s still sore from yesterday.
I did my own routine and I showered after but Kaley and Tatiana are still going at it. I just watched them train after changing clothes. I analyzed each technique that she teaches her.
“It’s a mix of everything. I believe that she taught her gymnastics first and now a mix of Command Sambo and Taekwondo. However, all the movements Kaley is making is more focused on kicks. I’m noticing a bit from Chinese Kenpo as well, at least the way she steps seems familiar from that perspective. Hmmm, what else does she know? There’s a lot mixed in and I can’t figure it out.” I thought to myself.
They finished their training so I headed down to my room. Zeus was snug in my bed as he rolled over the blankets and he’s now looking like a large burrito.
“Olivia~! Come quick!” I shouted.
“W-what?! W-why?!” the door to their room opened and she gasped when she went to my room.
“AHHHHH!!! HE’S SO CUTE I’M GONNA DIE!!!” she exclaimed.
“Quick! Take a photo of us!” she headed to grab Zeus from me and I caught the camera that she threw at me.
*click*
*click*
*click*
I can’t get a proper shot since Zeus is moving too much.
“Zeus, stop moving!” Olivia shouted.
*whine*
“Woof! Woof! Woof!” Zeus said.
“I think Zeus doesn’t want to take a picture with you…” I said.
“WHY?!” she bellowed.
“I don’t know, sometimes he gets like this.” I explained.
She looked at the photos and Zeus’ face are always blurry.
“Zeus! Come here and let me love you!” she shouted at Zeus while Zeus jumped at me.
I caught him while he’s still wearing the blankets and he is panting but has a happy look in his face. I saw Olivia grumbling but she pointed the camera at us.
*click*
“Not fair! You’re the only one who has a perfect picture with him!” she pouted.
“Hah! Now’s your chance, try to take a picture while I’m carrying him. I’ll be in the picture though.” I said.
Her eyes lit up then she pointed the camera at us when she snugged with me.
*click*
“Finally!” she exclaimed.
“What was that racket about?” Kaley said as she went down with Tatiana.
“Sis! Sis! Look!” she exclaimed.
“Sky! Keep still, I’m calling Rin!” Kaley shouted.
Tatiana was confused at what’s happening so I told her.
“I think they’ve been trying to take a photo with Zeus but they can’t. He would always move at the last second so they’re using me to take a proper one.” I explained as she nodded.
The three came back with excited expressions and Rin dragged Tatiana with us to take a photo. I just saw Tatiana smiling as she poses with us.
*click*
They made a victorious pose and they took another one when Matthew and Marisha came up.
To my surprise Zeus actually wanted to be carried by Marisha so I handed him over. He snuggled close while Marisha caresses his head. A few moments pass and Zeus is comfortably sleeping on Marisha’s shoulder.
I looked at the sisters and their facial expressions are priceless.
“Mom, I think I hate you. I can only sleep with him if I caught him with my hands.” Olivia pouted.
“Right, she has that grip.” I thought to myself.
“Hmm, jealous, are we?” she smiled gracefully.
Matthew is mesmerized by his wife and I just gave a faint smile.
I invited them all for a movie and we watched a heartwarming film. Matthew was crying after with Olivia while his wife comforts him.
“He’s really different from what I assumed he was before.” I thought to myself.
We all took to our beds and we slept soundly. I spooned Kaley as we slept together. She held my hand close to her as my eyes slowly droops. We’re about to do something else but my bed is really calling for me.
Day 12
We have more people now and taking watch wouldn’t be as frequent as before since there is a lot of us to go through before it cycles. Add to that Johnny’s eagerness to almost always take watch in the evenings. He even brings his own gun and he teaches the people he takes watch with when he’s on watch duty.
I came down before Kaley and I checked the watch and it reads 5:12 AM. Johnny, Daisy and Anthony are now on watch duty. I walked up to them and sat on the stairs I was before where the new fence is on.
“Morning.” Daisy said.
I replied promptly and I yawned.
“You’re early.” Anthony said.
“Yeah, I’m actually sleeping much more now. I used to wake up everyday at 4:00 AM.” I replied.
“Hmm? Really? Why?” Johnny asked.
“Oh, haven’t told you yet. Before all this, I’m just a simple business owner. I mainly sell rice to consumers and you should always open shop early. Early bird gets the worm, right?” I said.
“Well that is true.” he nodded.
*sniff* *sniff*
“That smells good.” Daisy said.
“It’s tuyo, right?” Anthony said.
“What? What’s that? It smells great. We can even smell it from this distance.” Johnny asked.
“You never had those? How long have you been here? It’s dried fish basically. It comes in different forms and it’s dried in the sun while placing a ton of salt on it to preserve it. It also lasts a long time if you store them properly.” I asked.
“Oh, I’m gonna try that then. I’m a little picky eater ever since I retired. I got tired of MREs and I always like to have something from home.” he said.
“I see, try it with vinegar and chilies. It’s too salty to eat it like that because of the salt on it. Just grab a small piece, dip it in the sauce and eat it with a spoonful of rice.” I explained.
“Don’t forget to add some tomatoes and salted eggs on it too!” Daisy added.
“Right! It’s a perfect pair. It’s very cheap as well.” I said.
“My mouth is watering now.” Anthony said.
“Hey Sky…” Daisy trailed.
“Yeah?” I looked at her.
“You’re part Japanese right?” she asked.
“Yeah? Why?” I asked.