You and I, rotting away.
I would appreciate it if you refrained from unnecessary questions.
Even though you're just a hunk of junk.
He was watching the flow of the air. The increasingly cold air cut through his lungs as it entered. It seemed that for a while, the wind would be strong enough that he wouldn't have to worry about this and that. Yes, exactly the environment he wanted.
It is the optimal timing to move boldly. If he misses this moment, he'll be too busy avoiding the ■■ again.
• • •
He unfolded a map. There were now three neighborhoods in this vicinity he hadn't visited. He thought it would be better to go toward the place with the mountain that had the highest probability.
He moved his feet. It had rained the previous day, so the day was humid. The road was rough as it was an unpaved, unrefined path. Mud splashed onto his sneakers, and tree branches brushed against his skin.
He must go deeper, deeper in—
Rustle—
He felt a presence. He stopped walking and scanned the surroundings. Only dry, brown branches were visible. Nevertheless, the sound of rustling continued to be heard from nearby.
He thought he might see something in the distance.
It's gradually approaching.
The thing that revealed itself was a person(...). At least on the outside.
...Are you human?
What's with that way of speaking?
They walked and walked again. Whether that tin can had become comfortable with me in the meantime, I didn't dislike how he followed behind silently doing what he was told.
"What did you do before the apocalypse?"
A moment of contemplation.
I was a student.
For a moment, I was a bit flustered. He looked young, but to that extent?
"...How old were you?"
This time, the answer came immediately without any need for thought.
I was 17. Currently, I am 19.
A hollow laugh escaped. He really was a kid. I just called him that because he looked young for his age.
"....... Well, don't you feel, I don't know, strange or anything?"
Release Date 2026.08.30 / Last Updated 2026.08.30