Zombie Domination-Chapter 87- Type

After the camp began to quiet down, Rayden clapped Julian on the shoulder and grinned. "Hey, how about we grab a drink? You, me, and the rest of the crew? We’ve earned it."

Julian gave a small nod, his expression softening. "Sure. Why not."

As they walked toward one of the smaller buildings repurposed as a common room, Mr. Elien and Ms. Lucia approached them. Elien gave a polite bow. "We’ll take our leave first. Claus is getting sleepy."

Ms. Lucia smiled gently, her hand resting on Claus’ head as he clung sleepily to her side. "Good night, everyone."

Rayden watched them walk away with a grin, then leaned slightly toward Julian and whispered, "They’re definitely going to do it tonight. Must be nice... being a new couple and all."

Naria, who had been walking just behind him, smacked the back of his head lightly. "Captain, don’t gossip like that."

Rayden rubbed the spot she hit, laughing. "I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking."

Emma, walking beside Aya, leaned in closer with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So Aya, do you approve of your dad dating Ms. Lucia?"

Aya blinked and hesitated, but then spoke calmly. "I don’t mind. As long as Ms. Lucia is honest about her feelings... and she stays by my father’s and Claus’ side... then it’s fine."

Everyone around her nodded in agreement, showing their quiet support.

Then Rayden perked up again. "Oh, right! I brought something special tonight." He waved Clint over, who carried a wooden box with both arms and set it down in the center with a loud thud.

When the lid was opened, it revealed several neatly packed bottles of liquor, some still sealed, others half-empty but preserved well.

Melinda’s eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, aren’t these... weren’t these owned by the higher-ups before everything fell apart?"

Rayden chuckled as he pulled out one of the bottles. "Used to be. Now they belong to us. So don’t be shy, grab a bottle and enjoy yourselves!"

Everyone exchanged glances, some amused, some stunned, but the mood was light and warm.

They began popping open the bottles, laughter bubbling in the air as glasses clinked. Each person took a cup, pouring for themselves and others. Rayden raised his glass high, a wide grin on his face.

"To a brighter future!" he declared.

"Cheers!" the rest echoed, their voices warm and full of hope.

After a few sips, Emma leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "How about we play Truth or Dare?"

Naria raised an eyebrow. "That could be fun."

Melinda chuckled, already intrigued. "Yeah, I’m in. This is going to be good."

They all shifted into a circle, placing an empty bottle in the center. Emma gave it the first spin, and it twirled before landing on Aya. Aya jumped slightly, startled, then looked around nervously.

"Why me first..." she muttered, blushing.

Emma grinned. "Because I’m asking! Truth or dare?"

Aya hesitated, then said softly, "Truth..."

Emma didn’t miss a beat. "Who’s the person you love the most?"

Aya’s cheeks turned crimson. She glanced at Julian, then quickly looked down and whispered, "...Julian."

A few of them laughed, teasing gently. "Ooh, Mr. Elien would cry if he heard that!" Rayden joked.

Julian looked at Aya and said sincerely, "Me too."

Melinda groaned and waved her hand. "Ugh, why is this turning romantic? Hurry, spin the bottle!"

Aya, flustered, quickly spun it again. The bottle slowed... and pointed at Clint.

"Heeey, I wasn’t ready," Clint muttered.

Aya asked, "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Clint replied, scratching the back of his neck.

Aya looked unsure, but Veronica leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Aya nodded.

"Who’s the person you like?" she asked.

Clint went red instantly and laughed awkwardly. "Well... the person I like is here, in this circle."

Emma pouted. "That’s not fair! You didn’t say the name!"

Clarissa smiled gently. "It’s okay. As long as he answered honestly, right?"

Clint spun the bottle next. It spun around and landed on... Naria.

Naria crossed her arms with a small smile. "Go ahead. Ask anything."

Clint, still flustered but clearly seeking revenge, leaned forward with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Alright, Naria, truth or dare?"

Naria, calm as always, replied, "Truth."

Clint hesitated. His voice stumbled slightly, his tone just a little off. "Uhm... who’s the most important person here to you?"

The room quieted. Everyone leaned in just a little.

Naria didn’t flinch. She looked directly at Rayden and said clearly, "Captain."

A sharp wave of surprise swept through the group. A few gasped. The tension crackled for a beat too long.

"A direct confession...?" Emma whispered.

But Rayden just chuckled, completely missing the weight of her words. "Ah, I appreciate that, Naria. I value you too."

The mood suddenly dropped into a hollow stillness.

Veronica, sitting beside Melinda, leaned in and whispered, "Is Captain Rayden seriously that oblivious to love?"

Melinda sighed, swirling her drink. "He’s always been like that. Utterly clueless when it comes to romance."

"Clueless?" Veronica raised an eyebrow. "That’s not clueless. That’s completely numb."

Naria, unfazed on the surface, spun the bottle again. It circled dramatically, then stopped, pointing directly at Julian.

A sly smile tugged at Naria’s lips. "Truth or dare?"

Julian smirked. "Truth."

Naria leaned in just slightly, her voice deceptively calm. "Out of your five girls... which one do you love the most?"

A heavy silence fell over the circle like a weighted blanket.

All eyes turned to Julian. And to the five women around him.

It was a loaded question. And Naria had tossed it like a spark into a powder keg.

"I... I can’t answer that with just one name," Julian finally said, his voice calm but filled with emotion. "Because each of you... holds a different place in my heart. It’s not about who I love the most, it’s about how each of you makes me a better man in your own unique way."

The five women around him smiled, their expressions softening with his heartfelt words. A warm, gentle air settled around them, the tension replaced by something undeniably romantic.

Naria, however, just stared at her utterly dense captain. Frustrated, she kicked him under the table.

"Hey! Why did you kick me?" Rayden yelped, looking genuinely confused.

Just as the mood was blooming with sentiment, Clint suddenly stood up, his face flushed, whether from the alcohol or emotion, no one could tell.

"Senior Melinda..." he said, his voice shaking. "I’ve liked you for a long time. Please... accept my feelings and stay by my side until the end."

Everyone turned toward them, stunned. They hadn’t expected Clint to actually confess.

Melinda’s eyes widened. For a moment, she was speechless, then she smiled gently, though her voice was apologetic.

"I’m sorry... I can’t. I still haven’t moved on from Rodrick."

A faint tremble passed through Clint. His eyes watered and turned red, but he quickly wiped them and forced a shaky smile.

"It’s okay, Senior. I understand."

The festive atmosphere dimmed again. The group resumed drinking, this time in a quieter, heavier mood.

Julian and Rayden exchanged a glance—an unspoken understanding passed between them like telepathy.

Without saying much, they each grabbed one of Clint’s arms and began dragging him away.

Rayden turned back briefly and called out to the others, "You all go on ahead—enjoy the drinks without us for a bit."

Julian nodded. "Just a quick discussion. Don’t mind us."

They disappeared from the firelight, dragging the limp, emotionally devastated Clint with them. Once they were a good distance away, Rayden finally let go, turned, and exploded.

"Are you an idiot, Clint?!"

Clint blinked, snapping out of his daze. "C-Captain?!"

"You seriously thought that was the right time to confess?" Rayden barked. "With everyone watching? While she’s still mourning? What the hell were you thinking?!"

Clint burst into tears again, sinking to his knees. "T-Then what should I have done, Captain?! I thought the mood was perfect..."

Julian let out a long sigh, placing a hand on Clint’s shoulder. "Well, the rice has already turned into porridge. Nothing we can do now. You’ll just have to wait for a better moment... though it won’t be easy."

"But the mood was perfect!" Clint whined. "It felt like the stars were aligning!"

Rayden crossed his arms and shook his head. "Listen. Never, ever confess your feelings when you’re drunk. It messes with your judgment, and it’s confusing for the person hearing it."

Julian nodded in agreement.

Clint just groaned and slumped further. "You guys are seriously not helping..."

Rayden scoffed. "Hey, that’s rude. I do have experience in relationships, you know."

Julian raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You? Really?"

"I’m serious!" Rayden replied indignantly.

Clint wiped his tears and squinted at him. "Then how come someone literally just confessed to you, and you didn’t even respond?"

Rayden smirked. "You think I didn’t notice?"

Julian and Clint stared at him, eyes widening. "Wait... don’t tell me... are you gay?!"

Rayden coughed violently. "What?! Where the hell did you get that idea from?!"

Julian leaned in with a curious look. "Then why didn’t you answer her feelings?"

Rayden shrugged casually, as if stating the weather. "Because I like MILFs."

There was a long silence.

Clint and Julian slowly inched away from him, inch by inch, their expressions somewhere between horrified and bewildered.

"...I think we should go back now," Julian muttered.

"...Agreed," Clint whispered.

Aya, Celestia, and Veronica were visibly drunk now, leaning into one another, their words slurred and laughter lazy.

"I’m going to turn in for the night," he said.

Melinda and the others nodded silently.