Untouched by the Outbreak

"You never get tired of this, do you?" Ryo murmured, his fingers tangling gently in her hair.

Sachiko tilted her head, looking into his eyes. "Why would I? You're my shelter in this world, Ryo. Being with you makes me feel safe... and wanted."

Her words stirred something deep within him. Ryo, who had once distrusted everyone, found solace in the way Sachiko trusted him unconditionally. He traced his thumb along her cheek, his gaze softening ever so slightly.

"You're spoiled," he teased, though his tone carried a hint of admiration.

"And whose fault is that?" Sachiko replied with a playful smirk, leaning in to rest her head on his shoulder.

They sat in comfortable silence, the sounds of the bustling zombie horde in the distance fading into the background. Sayako remained nearby, her expression unreadable as she observed the tender moment between Ryo and Sachiko.

For now, Ryo let himself relax, enjoying the closeness. The world outside was chaotic, but here, with Sachiko in his arms, he found a rare moment of peace.

Yumi stood a few steps away, watching Ryo and Sachiko in silence. The scene before her was intimate, almost like they existed in a world apart. She knew better than to interrupt. In the few days since she had been claimed by Ryo, she had learned her place—silent, observant, and ready when called upon.

Her mind wandered to the reality of her situation. She was no longer in control, no longer the independent figure she once was. Ryo's dominance was undeniable, and his control over the zombies and even her prototype creations left no room for rebellion. She had accepted this, for now.

Yumi cast a glance at her prototypes patrolling nearby. They were her only reminder of the life she once had—scientific precision, control over experiments. Yet even they were subservient under Ryo's command.

She shifted slightly, her fingers twitching at her sides as she waited. She would only approach Ryo if he beckoned her. Until then, she remained a silent observer, blending into the backdrop of this strange new life.

Ryo's gaze shifted toward Yumi, his eyes narrowing as he noticed her lingering at a distance. His voice, firm and commanding, cut through the quiet.

"Yumi," he called out, his tone sharp, "why are you just standing there? When you see Sachiko come to me, you should do the same."

Yumi's heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She hesitated for only a moment before slowly making her way toward him. Her steps were tentative, the nervousness clear in her eyes. She knew better than to disobey or question him.

As she approached, she could feel the tension in the air, her gaze flickering briefly to Sachiko, who seemed perfectly at ease in Ryo's lap. Yumi swallowed hard, forcing herself to push aside the uncertainty and fear. She reached Ryo and stood beside him, waiting for his next command, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

Ryo's hand gripped Yumi's hair, pulling her close with an unyielding grip. His eyes were fierce, filled with irritation.

"How dare you stay far from me?" he growled, his voice low and edged with intensity. "You're mine, Yumi. You should be near me, always."

Yumi winced but didn't pull back, knowing his strength and possessiveness all too well by now. She nodded, her eyes downcast.

Sachiko, watching with a calm smile, placed her hand gently on Ryo's chest, letting her touch be a quiet reassurance. Leaning in, she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, her warmth soothing him without a word. Ryo's gaze softened slightly under Sachiko's touch, his grip loosening on Yumi's hair.

Turning back to Yumi, he spoke with a cooler edge. "Look at Sachiko," he commanded. "Watch how she is with me. Learn from her."

Yumi's eyes moved to Sachiko, who returned her gaze with a subtle nod and a calm, knowing smile. Yumi took in the unspoken message, understanding that submission and loyalty were what Ryo demanded—and what Sachiko gave willingly.

Sachiko's hand moved gently over Ryo's chest, a slow, soothing motion that spoke volumes without a single word. Her fingertips traced circles against him, soft yet grounding, as if to coax his tension away.

Ryo's breathing steadied under her calming touch, the fire in his eyes dimming just a bit. Her gaze met his, warm and reassuring, silently urging him to let his frustration go. She didn't need to say anything—her presence alone was enough.

Ryo exhaled, his grip on Yumi's hair easing even further. Sachiko's subtle influence worked its way through him, grounding him in the moment. For Ryo, Sachiko's calm was a quiet reminder of the stability she brought into his life, a balance to his own intensity.

Ryo leaned in, capturing Sachiko's lips in a fierce, consuming kiss, his hand slipping to the back of her head, holding her close. She melted into him, her hands gripping his shoulders as she returned the kiss with equal hunger, meeting his intensity with her own.

They were both lost in the moment, the rest of the world fading as they held onto each other, both passionate and deeply connected. For a brief moment, it was just the two of them, the outside world, the chaos beyond, forgotten. Sachiko's fingers slid into his hair, pulling him closer still, neither willing to break the bond between them.

Yumi sat beside Ryo, watching him and Sachiko kiss, a mix of emotions flickering across her face. She felt a strange blend of admiration and longing, yet also an uncertainty that kept her silent. She knew her place was now beside Ryo, yet witnessing the closeness between him and Sachiko reminded her how new she was to this dynamic.

Her fingers fidgeted slightly in her lap, but she kept her gaze steady, observing the ease and comfort between them. Part of her wanted to draw closer, to feel that same connection and reassurance, but for now, she stayed still, waiting for Ryo's cue, knowing that in time, she would find her own place at his side.

Ryo pulled away from Sachiko, his gaze shifting to Yumi with a sudden intensity. Without a word, he reached over, his hand finding its way around her waist, drawing her close. Yumi barely had time to react before he pressed his lips to hers, the kiss deep and fierce.

Surprised but unwilling to resist, Yumi responded, matching his movements as best as she could, her nervousness gradually fading as she mimicked his rhythm. She felt her pulse quicken, her body caught between the unfamiliar yet undeniable feeling of being pulled into Ryo's world.

Sachiko watched, her eyes soft with understanding. She knew this was Ryo's way of solidifying Yumi's place beside them, binding her to him, and to this strange new life they shared.

After a moment, Ryo leaned in closer, trailing soft, lingering kisses along Yumi's neck, his grip still firm around her waist. Yumi closed her eyes, feeling a mix of apprehension and intrigue as his touch moved down to rest gently on her shoulder. He shifted, turning to Sachiko, and placed a series of warm, tender kisses along her neck as well.

Sachiko sighed, tilting her head to give him better access, clearly accustomed to his closeness. She wrapped her arms around him, a soft smile gracing her lips as she leaned into his touch, her gaze flickering over to Yumi with a reassuring warmth, inviting her to feel at ease.

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Ryo smirked, a possessive gleam in his eyes as he held both Sachiko and Yumi close. These were *his* women, bound to him alone, and he had no intention of letting anyone else come near them. The very thought of another person even attempting to intrude sent a fierce protectiveness surging through him.

"If anyone tries to touch either of you…" he muttered, his voice low and edged with steel, "they won't live to regret it." His mind drifted to his zombie horde, loyal and relentless under his command. He could already envision the gruesome fate awaiting anyone foolish enough to test his boundaries—an entire legion of Striders, Brutes, and Creepers tearing any intruder limb from limb without hesitation.

Sachiko and Yumi exchanged glances, both seemingly aware of the intensity behind his words, but comforted by the security it brought.

Behind him, Sayako, the loyal female zombie, stood silently, her eyes focused and unwavering as she observed Ryo and his human companions. She was always there—shadowing him, awaiting his command without question, like an ever-present guardian. Though she made no sound, her stance was poised, ready to spring into action at his slightest signal.

Ryo didn't even need to look back to feel her presence; he knew she was there, steady as ever. She was as much a part of his protection as the rest of his formidable zombie horde, yet unique in her devotion.