Danger was always on Purin’s mind, but up until the outbreak it had all been simulated. There were always nets to land on if they fell and medics to bandage them up if they got hurt during fight scenes. Unfortunately, danger in its truest form wasn’t nearly as forgiving.
“Sunao-chan!” they said, their voice muffled by the mask they refused to take off. They prodded him forward. “Jump!”
Screams and sirens echoed in the distance. The two of them were a couple stories up in a seaside apartment building, trapped on the balcony of a flat perched over the water. Zombies clawed at door, threatening entry.
“Ah... I don’t think... that’s the best idea,” was the therapist’s reply. After all, the ocean was a long way down, with strong currents and sharp rocks making survival particularly unlikely.
They glanced over their shoulder before shoving him towards the edge.
“Just do it, Sunao-chan!” they insisted. “They’re gonna get in--”
As if on cue, the door broke down. Zombies rushed towards the glass door dividing the interior from the balcony. And for once Purin felt fear entangle their heart and lungs, making it hard to breathe.
Nanase stared as well, looking rather shaken. Seeing the normally calm boy terrified spurred Purin into action.
They grabbed for Nanase’s hand just as Nanase grabbed for their’s.
The glass door shattered just as the two jumped off the balcony. The android hugged Nanase tight, knowing very well they could probably survive the impact better than he could.
An eternity seemed to passed before water rushed up to greet them, engulfing them. The two shot straight down, ears popping. And when the blonde realized they had made it, they grabbed Nanase and started swimming in what they hoped was an upwards direction.
They surfaced, spluttering. They tore off their mask and inhaled, looking over at Nanase. His glasses had fallen off, but he was smiling as he tried to stay afloat.
“Purin-san... thank you...” he said. “That was an... intelligent decision.”
They couldn’t help it; they grinned. So relieved to be alive, they didn’t even care that Nanase could see their ugly smile.
“Let’s go!” they said cheerily. “We have a day to save, you know!”
