Untouched by the Outbreak

The next morning, Sakura woke early, sunlight filtering through the window blinds. She stretched and glanced over at Ryo and Aiko, still asleep beside her. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and made her way to the washroom to start her day. As she showered, she let the warm water wash away the remnants of sleep, her mind already planning the tasks ahead. Read the latest stories on M-VL-em|p,yr

Ryo stirred and opened his eyes, noticing Sakura's absence. He stretched, then got up, careful not to wake Aiko. Downstairs, he heard the shower running and smiled. He brewed a pot of coffee, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. He poured himself a cup and took a sip, savoring the warmth.

Soon, Aiko appeared, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "Morning," she murmured.

"Morning," Ryo replied, handing her a cup of coffee. "Sakura's in the shower. You can go in after she's done."

Aiko nodded and took a sip of her coffee, the caffeine helping her wake up. She headed to the washroom, passing Sakura on her way out. They exchanged a quick smile and a greeting before Sakura made her way to the kitchen.

"Morning, Ryo," Sakura said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Morning," he replied with a smile. "I was just about to start breakfast."

"I'll help," she offered, grabbing a pan and some ingredients. Together, they prepared a simple but hearty meal, working in comfortable silence.

After Aiko finished her shower, she joined them in the kitchen. "Smells good," she said, taking a seat at the table.

As they ate, they chatted about their plans for the day, enjoying the casual morning routine. Ryo mentioned his thoughts on their next steps. "We need to think about our future supplies and possibly planting some food," he said. "We've done a lot of organizing already, so today we can focus on planning."

Sakura nodded. "I agree. We should make a list of what seeds we need and think about the space for a garden."

Aiko added, "And we should keep an eye out for any tools we might need for planting and maintenance. It's going to be a big task, but it'll be worth it."

Ryo smiled at their enthusiasm. "Definitely. Also, I was thinking about getting more solar batteries for backup power. We need to be prepared for any eventualities."

They all agreed, and once breakfast was finished, they set to work. They spent some time relaxing and chatting more about their plans. Ryo outlined the supplies they would need for a sustainable future, including seeds, extra solar battery banks, and some additional food supplies.

Sakura leaned back in her chair, thinking aloud. "I think we should also look into getting some protective gear, just in case. Better safe than sorry."

Ryo nodded in agreement. "Good idea. And binoculars, too. It's always good to have a way to spot potential threats from a distance."

With the day's tasks outlined, Ryo moved on to planning their next supply run. He wanted to ensure they had everything needed to stay safe and self-sufficient. He made a list of items to look for, including seeds for planting, extra solar battery banks, more food supplies, and binoculars.

He also thought about potential new routes for their supply runs, considering both safety and efficiency. He marked these on a map, making notes of any dangerous areas to avoid.

Sakura and Aiko finished their tasks and joined Ryo in the living room. They sat together, reviewing his plans and discussing their next steps.

"We should start thinking about planting a garden," Sakura suggested. "If we can grow our own food, it will give us a lot more security."

"Agreed," Ryo said. "I also want to get some more solar batteries. We need to be prepared for any power issues."

Aiko nodded. "And we should keep an eye out for any tools or equipment that could help us with repairs or building new things."

Ryo smiled, appreciating their input. "All good ideas. i'll keep an eye out for those items on next run."

As the day turned into evening, they gathered in the living room. Ryo had set up two laptops with downloaded movies, offline games, and thousands of music tracks to keep them entertained. The gentle hum of the solar-powered lights created a cozy atmosphere.

Ryo recorded Sakura and Aiko as they chatted and prepared dinner, capturing the warmth and normalcy of their interactions. The smell of the food and the sound of their laughter filled the house, a stark contrast to the chaos outside.

They ate together, sharing stories and plans for the future. The bond between them grew stronger with each passing day, giving them the strength to face the challenges ahead.

As night fell, they settled down to watch a movie, the glow of the laptop screen casting a soft light in the room. They knew the world outside was dangerous and unpredictable, but inside their fortified home, they felt safe and ready to face whatever came next.

Later that night, after Sakura and Aiko had gone to bed, Ryo stepped outside for a final check of the perimeter. The cool night air was refreshing, and he felt a sense of calm as he walked the fence line, ensuring everything was secure.

He checked the gate lock, the truck, and the water tanks. Satisfied that everything was in order, he climbed the ladder to the roof to inspect the solar panels. They were clean and functioning perfectly, soaking up the last rays of the setting sun.

With a sense of satisfaction, Ryo lit a cigarette and took a long drag, the smoke curling up into the night sky. He looked out over the dark landscape, feeling a sense of peace despite the danger that lurked beyond their walls.

He made a mental note of the tasks for the next day: checking the soil for planting, planning their next supply run, and making sure they had everything they needed to stay safe and self-sufficient.

Once he finished his patrol, Ryo went back inside, washing his hands and grabbing a cold beer from the refrigerator. He took a few moments to relax on the sofa, enjoying the quiet before heading back upstairs.

Sakura and Aiko were sound asleep, their faces peaceful in the soft light. Ryo smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for their presence in his life. He climbed into bed, settling between them, and drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges the next day would bring.