Chapter 155 Silent Warmth
Ryo lay sprawled on the living room couch, his body relaxed against the soft cushions as the heater buzzed softly, spreading warmth throughout the room. The biting cold of winter couldn't penetrate the thick walls of his penthouse, and for now, the outside world, with all its chaos, seemed far away.
Sachiko rested on top of him, her body curled into his, breathing softly against his chest. Ryo's hand traced gentle circles in her hair, a calming, repetitive motion that soothed both of them. She had become his anchor in this desolate world, and in moments like this, he almost felt like things could be normal again, as if the zombie-ridden wasteland outside was a distant nightmare.
Beside them, sitting with an eerie stillness, was Sayako—the female zombie who had grown closer to them than any of the others. Unlike the mindless horde that roamed the streets, Sayako had become something more, a product of Ryo's strange power over the undead. He had taught her simple things, like sitting on the sofa, and now she obeyed his commands with uncanny precision.
Her pale, drained skin and white eyes might've once been terrifying to behold, but now, she was as much a part of this strange family as Sachiko. She sat perfectly still, her posture straight as she watched the pair in silence, awaiting any unspoken command from Ryo. Her presence didn't unsettle them anymore—it was just another piece of the new world they had come to accept.
Ryo looked down at Sachiko, her warmth contrasting the cold reality outside. He gently stroked her hair, his thoughts wandering between the peace of the moment and the dangers that always loomed over them. Sayako's unwavering loyalty had been useful, but he knew there were things out there even she couldn't stop.
Striders, Brutes, and Creepers—mutations that threatened to tear apart any semblance of safety they managed to create.
Sachiko, with a playful glint in her eyes, looked up at Ryo and softly puckered her lips, wordlessly inviting him for a kiss. A small, mischievous smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, her fingers gently tracing his chest as she waited for him to respond.
Ryo, noticing her playful gesture, smirked but didn't move right away. He enjoyed teasing her just a little, savoring the moment of peace. Sachiko, in turn, leaned in closer, her lips barely an inch from his, her warmth filling the small gap between them.
She whispered, "Come on... just one," her voice light and teasing, her eyes sparkling with affection.
Ryo sighed, pretending to give in, then closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. For a brief moment, the world outside didn't matter—there was only this, the two of them, wrapped in each other's warmth.
Sachiko felt her cheeks flush with warmth as she hugged Ryo tightly, her heart beating faster. She was deeply in love with him, but the thought of saying it aloud made her shy, her words always catching in her throat. Instead, she simply held him closer, savoring the comfort of being in his arms.
Ryo, meanwhile, casually unlocked his smartphone, scrolling through the videos he had saved. He stopped at one in particular and, with a teasing grin, held it out for Sachiko to see. The video captured their most intimate moment—Sachiko on top of him, her body moving against his in the heat of passion.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn't help but blush even deeper. "Ryo!" she exclaimed, half-embarrassed but smiling, her voice a mixture of shock and playful reproach.
Ryo only smirked in response, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He found her reaction amusing, the way she would blush at their private moments, even though she had been the one taking the lead in the video.
As Sachiko watched the video, she playfully nudged him. "I can't believe you kept that," she said with a soft giggle, her eyes sparkling.
Sachiko, still smiling from the playful teasing, took out her own smartphone and started scrolling through her videos. Among them were not only personal moments between her and Ryo, but also clips she had secretly recorded of Sayako and the other zombies around the base.
She clicked on one video and watched as Sayako, the female zombie who had become something more than just another creature, followed Ryo's commands with unnatural grace. The way Sayako had learned to sit, stand, and even act almost human at times fascinated Sachiko, and she couldn't help but record those moments.
One particular video caught her eye—Sayako interacting with the Striders and Brutes Ryo had brought to guard their base. The zombies moved in unison, their black eyes void of life yet somehow deeply loyal to Ryo. It was mesmerizing in a chilling way.
Ryo glanced at Sachiko's screen, noticing what she was watching. "You really recorded everything, didn't you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Sachiko shrugged lightly. "I was curious... It's not every day you see zombies being trained like pets," she replied, her voice playful but with a hint of seriousness. "It's strange, yet... they follow you without question."
Ryo, still relaxed with Sachiko lying beside him, looked at her and casually asked, "Can you get me a beer?" His voice carried a hint of a smirk, knowing she'd indulge his request.
Sachiko smiled warmly, leaning in to kiss Ryo softly on the lips before getting up. She walked over to the refrigerator, her steps light and graceful, and opened it. Reaching inside, she grabbed two cans of beer and a dried snack for Ryo, something he liked to munch on when he was drinking.
She wasn't much of a drinker herself, but sharing a drink with Ryo felt nice. She could handle a sip or two—just enough to enjoy the moment with him. Returning to the living room, she handed him a beer, settling back beside him. Ryo cracked open his can, taking a long drink, while Sachiko opened hers, taking a small sip.
It was moments like this—simple, yet peaceful—that made the chaotic world outside feel distant, even if only for a little while.
"Thanks," Ryo said with a satisfied smile, leaning back comfortably with Sachiko nestled against him, the two of them enjoying their quiet evening together.
Sachiko, feeling warm and content against Ryo's body, gently took his hand and guided it to her chest. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't hesitate, wanting him to touch her, to feel the closeness between them. She pressed his hand softly against her, a silent invitation, her breath steady but filled with a quiet anticipation.
Ryo glanced at her, meeting her eyes, noticing the subtle desire in her expression. Without a word, he responded, his fingers lightly tracing the curves beneath his touch, indulging in the moment as Sachiko nestled closer, feeling the warmth of his hand and the comfort of his presence.
Sachiko looked up at Ryo, her eyes filled with warmth and longing. "I can't wait for this winter to end," she whispered softly, her breath warm against his skin. Without waiting for a response, she reached up, cupping his face, and pressed her lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss.
Ryo responded, pulling her closer, feeling the intensity of her emotions. The cold winter outside seemed distant as the heat between them grew, their kiss deepening, filled with desire and the unspoken bond they shared. Wrapped in each other's embrace, they let the moment consume them, lost in the warmth and closeness of their shared passion.
Sachiko smiled through the kiss, feeling the electric connection between them, and without breaking the moment, she reached for her smartphone. She angled it perfectly, capturing their passionate kiss on video. The soft glow of the heater illuminated the room, the intimate moment between them recorded for them to cherish later.
With each kiss, their bond grew stronger, and the harshness of the world outside felt further and further away.
Sachiko smiled mischievously as she kissed Ryo's neck, her lips soft and teasing against his skin. Slowly, she began unbuttoning his shirt, her fingers tracing his chest as each button came undone. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with playful intent, enjoying the moment of intimacy.
Ryo gazed down at her, smirking slightly, and said in a low voice, "You're a naughty girl."
Sachiko giggled softly, leaning back in to kiss him again, her actions bolder now as she let her desire guide her. The warmth between them intensified, and the world outside continued to disappear, leaving only the two of them in their moment of passion.
Sachiko giggled, standing up and tugging at Ryo's hand with a mischievous glint in her eyes, trying to lead him to the bedroom. "Come on!" she teased, her voice soft yet full of desire.
Ryo, smirking, playfully resisted, holding his ground on the sofa. "Damn girl, you're persistent," he chuckled, his tone full of amusement.
She pulled harder, her determination only making her more charming. "Please?" she whispered, leaning in closer, her lips brushing his ear. Her warmth, combined with the anticipation, was making it hard for Ryo to resist.
Sachiko pouted playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why wait for the night when I can have you now?" she teased back, her voice soft and sultry. She leaned down, brushing her lips against his again, her breath warm against his skin.
Ryo chuckled, enjoying the moment. "You really are a naughty girl," he teased, his hand sliding around her waist, pulling her closer. "Alright, you win this time." He stood up, allowing her to lead him toward the bedroom, the playful tension between them growing with each step.