kazema

Careful! Let me help you.

Oh dear, girlie. Where did you come from? Didn't see you in here till now.

Though, you did save my stew. Thank you.

Maybe because I was behind you the whole time? But take your time, okay? I'll help you serve it.

Alright. Thank you, dearie.

My pleasure. I know you've been buying medicine for the Infected and have even come to help cook today, so this is the least I could do.

The old woman smiles, and reaches out to tuck stray strands of hair back under her headband.

Ooh, that hairband of yours is so pretty.

Really? I'm glad you think so—I made it myself.

(Phew, did I subconsciously go all stealth-mode earlier? Good thing I didn't give her a fright.)

(Now I should hurry and distribute the stew.)

Oho! Look! Another dish for our table!

Come on now, lass, you've worked enough. Sit down and eat with us!

Hear, hear! We even have red wine!

Sure thing.

Brother, I'd like to make a toast to you! Gotta thank you for helping me decorate the shop a few days back. Would've taken days more doing it alone.

Hah! That was nothing. Didn't your family share all those fruits with mine back then? They filled my belly with hope for a better future. Just think of it as returning the favor.

And you, I have to thank you too, for helping us rent a car! Couldn't have even gotten our hands on those fruits and veg without that!

No, no, I hardly did a thing.

Haha, after going through those nightmarish days together, we'll be buddies forever! C'mon, everyone! Cheers!

(...My hard work wasn't in vain. That's great.)

Cheers—!

Huh? What's with the long face, gramps? Food not to your taste?

...No, the food is wonderful.

Maybe I'm just a little tired... haha.

No worries. Come on, let's have a drink together! A pint of our newest brew!

Best beer of my life!

My, my, boys! I know this is a celebration, but keep it down and try not to bother the neighbors, will you?

We should be more elegant, more 'Victorian' in our revelry! Here, a toast, with a precious vintage from my collection. Hahaha, it was worth it hiding it in the cellar!

Sounds great!

Let's have a toast then. I've never tried wine before!

The old man remains silent for a long time.

Before the smiles on their faces can be replaced with doubt, the old man finally clinks his glass against the rest. He drinks the wine in one gulp, then immediately stands up.

Alright, I'm going.

But the joyful party-goers are reluctant to let him leave just like that.

Come on, we've still got more food on the way, and you're leaving already?

Just stay a while longer, old chap. Who else will enjoy this fine vintage after you're gone?

...I'm good.

Hey, just a little longer won't hurt, right?

Yeah, look...

Hey now, what if he's busy or something? No need to hold him up.

...Thanks.

Oh right, gramps. Where's that darling daughter of yours? Didn't bring her today?

Glass shatters as if a bomb was dropped, halting multiple conversations.

The boisterous banquet falls into a dead silence, and several people stare with shock at the broken shards on the floor.

My daughter is dead!

My little girl, who I looked after ever since she was born. Always a healthy one, and I never let her suffer even during the war. But, but...

But she died of acute Oripathy!

She had a wonderful life ahead of her! But now she's gone, while the Infected are allowed to sit here and eat with us?! Hah! Do you even care if you spread it to someone else?!

You, all of you, the Infected and those who allow them to live alongside you. I hate you all.

You'll all meet a wretched end, sooner or later.

...And that concludes my report on the party last night, Captain.

These past few days, we've been resettling the Infected, helping to rebuild damaged buildings, transporting supplies, and re-opening factories and shops.

Many Infected have volunteered and contributed to our efforts. Last night was a long-awaited party to celebrate the recent work done in Caladon.

...I just didn't expect <i>that</i>. Now I'm worried that anti-Infected sentiment will return unless we do something.

Based on our recent findings, many feel their quality of life hasn't increased since the war, but that the risk of contracting Oripathy has increased due to the growing number of the Infected.

Others have lost their family or friends to Oripathy, so the situation is... as expected, really.

I think we need to assign people to deal with this, Captain, or it might spiral out of control.

But we're already short on hands. Resettling injured Infected, post-war reconstruction work... There's still a lot to handle on our end too.

The best we can manage is to keep an ear to the ground. If you notice any conflict, contact the police right away, and give them your cooperation.

...Understood, Captain.

My next missions are... to visit privately opened classrooms, resettle the Infected, and organize files in Parliament...

I'll do my best.

(Schools have yet to reopen, and these ad-hoc classes have been going unreported to the government. But since they're run by actual school teachers, I guess it's fine.)

(Phew. The lesson's finally over. I'll head back and mark the mission as complete.)

...Hey, did you see it? The boy in front looks like an Infected.

Huh?

(I should follow them and see what's going on.)

Whoa, he sure does! Don't sit on any chairs he's been on, or you might catch it.

Man, the war's over, but with so many more Infected around all of a sudden, who's to say we won't catch it ourselves one day? Why don't the teachers separate us into different classes?

Your recovery's going well and your condition's stable. Look, we even found a place for you to reopen your business. You can start from selling some daily necessities here.

It's a good spot with plenty of foot traffic, so you won't go home empty handed. But remember to save your earnings. Don't worry about the medical bills, you can pay them when you've got extra money.

Alright. Thank you, really, I mean it!

Don't mention it.

This a shop? Can I get two bottles of water?

Coming right up, sir! Here you go!

—Wait! Y-Y-Your hands! Crystals?!

I...

S-S-Stay the bloody hell away from me! I don't want these! And keep the cash! I didn't survive that entire war just to catch your sickness! ...What rotten luck.

Calm down, sir. Haven't you seen the government announcements? Oripathy doesn't spread through ordinary physical contact.

Hmph. Who cares what they say? I don't believe a word of it. Are they gonna help me if I get Infected later? Now go! Get far, far away from me!

One more, just one more...

And, and also...

(Is that the old lady from the other day?)

What are you doing tearing down this wall by yourself, ma'am?

Ma'am?

Haven't seen you around before, but this uniform... Are you from the government?

Yes, I work at the town archives. Here's my work pass.

Let me see... Looks like it's no lie! You people have been doing good work lately, so I'll talk.

The old woman stands up and points to a house surrounded by the wall.

Old Hamm's in there. A good man, and neighbor of mine for decades. We've always gotten along.

Don't know where those hooligans heard rumors about him being Infected, but they kept going on and on about how he'd infect us or whatnot, and that we should wall him in.

He didn't want to be a bother, though, so he just agreed. But I don't. He's been sick for so long, you know, and we used to have our meals together, and I haven't caught Oripathy from him, no.

Alright, that's enough from me. When my son gets back he'll probably try and stop me, saying we'll be shunned by our neighbors if I keep this up... My goodness...

I'll help you out.

Oh girlie... thank you so much. My eyes aren't so good anymore, but what's your name? I'll thank you at your workplace someday.

It's fine, you don't have to know who I am. I'm just someone who wants to help.

...That'll do. Alright, let's hurry and get this over with so Old Hamm can get some sunlight again!

Mum!

Gah, speak of the Feline...