But... if she were to use a blade to kill Dead Bodies... There was still a hint of hesitation in her eyes. Ren saw through her thoughts. He stated it clearly.
"Are you worried about your desires?"
"Huh? Ren-kun, you..." Saeko Busujima was surprised by Ren's words. He saw through her?!
"Your eyes are full of confusion and hesitation."
"..." Saeko Busujima lowered her head in silence, preventing the two from seeing her expression. Although Exusiai didn't know what was happening, she also didn't speak to disturb them.
After a long time, Saeko Busujima looked up. Her slightly bloodshot eyes met Ren's clear golden pupils. She slowly opened her lips and began to tell her story.
"In junior high, I was once attacked by a pervert who tried to assault me on my way home from school."
"At that time, I was carrying a wooden sword and deliberately let the pervert approach me, then used the wooden sword to severely injure him, breaking his leg bones and shoulder blades. It was actually self-defense that went too far."
"Considering the situation at the time, a junior high girl fighting a pervert, the police naturally didn't pursue my responsibility and drove me home."
"I knew very well that I did it on purpose at the time."
"After that incident, I painfully realized that I have a strong tendency towards violence."
"When I was hitting that pervert, I felt incredibly happy and excited inside."
"There's an unforgivable darkness hidden in my heart."
She raised her hands, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Am I still a normal person like this…?"
Ren listened, then calmly told her, "Saeko, you don't need to be so self-pitying."
"Whatever your personality, it is your own personality. Don't let your personality lead you; learn to control your nature."
Saying this, he placed the katana in her hand. His expression was solemn. "There's nothing wrong with liking to cut people. As long as you know your enemies, use your blade to protect yourself and your friends, and swing your blade to kill your foes, what does it matter if it's violent?"
"What's more, this is already a world of apocalypse."
Exusiai scratched her head. "I don't know any grand principles. I also really like to shoot people with my gun, but my gun won't be pointed at my friends!" When she finished speaking, Exusiai's usual playful eyes became sharp, firm, and unyielding.
"Swing the blade at your enemies…" This sentence echoed in Saeko Busujima's mind.
A moment later, Saeko Busujima gripped the hilt of the blade and raised her head. The red in her pupils became even brighter. But the previous confusion and distress were gone.
"I understand. My nature is me, and I must accept myself."
"Thank you."
*****
Saeko Busujima, now free from her confusion, slaughtered Dead Bodies with even greater decisiveness and ferocity. Every move, every stance, was for a single, fatal blow!
Exusiai didn't need her to worry; her mobility was very high. She could even jump onto rooftops. Even if surrounded by Dead Bodies, she wasn't afraid.
Saeko Busujima's side didn't need it either. Most of the Dead Bodies she killed were those Ren had cleared and missed, making it much safer.
Ren's side was even more relaxed. He stomped his foot forcefully on the ground. The earth was overturned. Large numbers of Dead Bodies were pierced by earthen spikes or buried by the earth. Shattered stones shot out like sharp arrows, penetrating one Dead Body after another. Facing these guys, he didn't need any defense at all. A reflective layer automatically formed on his body's surface. It was enough to block any Dead Bodies from approaching. Coupled with his Palm Thunder, he killed with both hands and feet unleashed.
By midday, the surrounding area, except for the roads, was almost completely destroyed by him.
"Ren's combat truly has astonishing destructive power." Exusiai and Saeko Busujima shared the same view on this.
*****
As dusk fell, the three also returned to Rika Minami's home. As soon as they entered, Saya Takagi couldn't help but ask, "What did you guys do this afternoon? It looks like an earthquake happened outside."
Saeko Busujima took a towel to wipe off the sweat on her body and chuckled, "You'll probably have to ask Ren-kun about that."
Ren spread his hands. "Just cleared out the Dead Bodies in the surrounding area."
"Hmm? Is dinner ready?" The table was already laden with various foods. Water and electricity hadn't stopped yet.
"Just a moment, there's one last dish." Miyamoto Rei, wearing an apron, showed half of her body from the kitchen. Shizuka Marikawa was also there.
"The food left in her house would be wasted if we didn't eat it. We're leaving in a couple of days, so we might as well just use it all up."
"We are very grateful for the help of Ren-kun, Exusiai, and Saeko. As we can't do anything else, we can only prepare a feast for you."
"Hmm, very good." Ren nodded.
"Leaving in a couple of days? Saya, have you contacted your parents?" Saeko Busujima caught the key information.
Saya Takagi showed a happy smile. "Yes. My father established a gathering place, and it needs to stabilize. Once it's stable for a few days, it will be very safe for us to go there."
Safe… Ren wasn't sure what the fate of that gathering place was, but he guessed it was destroyed.
"The last dish is here. Everyone, wash your hands and eat." The last dish was brought out. Miyamoto Rei seemed to be in a much better mood.
*****
After dinner, everyone took turns showering. There were only two rooms. Exusiai, due to her halo and not being familiar with the others, was assigned one room. The other four squeezed into one room, and Ren slept on the living room sofa. Most of the surrounding Dead Bodies had been cleared by the three of them, so there were no safety issues. They could sleep peacefully.