stonecrandall Page 54
Page 54
He pointed to himself, then to Nami and Saeko Busujima.
"The three of us are not suitable to go back to the police station with you."
Jill was taken aback: "Why?"
Chris and Barry also looked over.
Zhou Ye shrugs:
"It's very simple. What are we? Or are we just ordinary citizens who suddenly appeared in the mansion? Or are we just bystanders trying to help?"
"How do you explain our presence in the mansion? And how do you explain our survival?"
"especially……"
Zhou Ye paused.
"We're still alive and kicking, unlike you STARS who are fighting so hard."
Nami gave a soft hum, which could be interpreted as agreement.
Jill frowned.
Indeed, the existence of Zhou Ye and his two companions is itself a huge point of suspicion.
If they go back together, they could easily slip up when questioned by both the police and Umbrella.
"Then what are you going to do?"
Chris asked, his tone much softer, but with a hint of inquiry.
Zhou Ye pointed to the city lights below the window, which were gradually becoming clearer.
“Mr. Brad, find a rooftop on a tall building, or a slightly secluded spot.”
"My companion and I went down from there."
"We'll go back to the city by ourselves."
"In this way, your reports will only need to mention STARS's operations, without adding unnecessary details."
"Let's split up, minimize contact, and reduce risk. We can contact Jill once we get to Raccoon City. Getting mixed up now will make us too conspicuous."
Jill, Chris, Barry, and Rebecca exchanged glances.
This suggestion sounds like the safest approach.
Although they had many questions about Zhou Ye and his group, separating was indeed the best option given the current situation.
"it is good."
Jill finally nodded in agreement. "Brad, do as he says."
"Roger that!"
Brad responded.
The helicopter changed course and flew towards the edge of the city.
The cabin fell silent again.
The STARS team members tidied up their damaged equipment, calmed themselves down, and prepared to face the storm that awaited them upon their return to Raccoon City.
Zhou Ye leaned against the cabin wall, closed his eyes to rest, and tapped his fingers unconsciously.
Nami gazed at the lights outside the window, lost in thought.
Saeko Busujima sheathed her sword and adjusted her posture.
The brief alliance is about to come to an end.
The helicopter hovered on the roof of an unfinished high-rise building before slowly landing.
The hatch opened, and the night wind rushed in.
Zhou Ye stood up.
"Well then, heroes of STARS, until we meet again."
He waved to Jill and the other two, then jumped off the helicopter first.
Nami and Saeko Busujima followed closely behind.
Jill watched their retreating figures, opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately uttered only one sentence:
"Take care of yourself."
Zhou Ye waved his hand without turning his head.
The helicopter took off again and flew towards the Raccoon City Police Department.
Only Zhou Ye, Nami, and Saeko Busujima remained on the rooftop.
The night breeze ruffled the hem of their clothes.
Chapter 40 New Book - Please Like, Comment, and Share!
The roar of the helicopter rotors completely disappeared into the night sky.
The wind was blowing fiercely on the rooftop of the tall building.
Zhou Ye, Nami, and Saeko Busujima stood on the edge, looking down at the city lights below.
"Well then, Professor Zhou, Professor Tohsaka, I'll take my leave now."
Saeko Busujima spoke first; her voice was somewhat muffled by the wind, but her tone was calm.
Her hand rested on the hilt of the knife, her gaze fixed on Zhou Ye's face.
"I need to go back and report to Professor Yoshiyuki Tomioka about the destruction of the Lower Moon that appeared at the Western-style mansion."
Zhou Ye didn't respond immediately; he reached into his coat pocket.
He took something out.
A work ID card with the words "Fujimi Academy" printed on it.
The plastic card dangled between his fingers.
"Hmm, what a coincidence."
Zhou Ye began:
"We're also heading back to Fujimi Academy."
He took back his work permit.
"After all, such a big thing as the [Zodiac Train Incident] happened. As a teacher, I have to give the college an explanation and also give an explanation to the students' parents who are worried and scared."
Zhou Ye, however, was inwardly complaining:
[Before the biohazard outbreak in Raccoon City, this legal status was still needed; now, the real issue is going back to fabricate a story.]
"Explain?"
Saeko Busujima repeated the word.
A smile appeared on her face, a smile that was both playful and cold.
"Teacher Zhou used a very special [spray] in the basement of the mansion, didn't he?"
She took a small step forward, the wind blowing through her long purple hair, a few strands brushing against her cheek.
"Officer Jill and the others' memories have been altered."
"Is your explanation to the college and parents also a carefully crafted answer?"
These words directly exposed Zhou Ye's previous statement, showing no mercy.
Zhou Ye replied nonchalantly:
"Saeko-kun, you can't say that."
"What memory modification? That's a high-tech psychological counseling tool to help the heroes of STARS alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder."
[I don't believe you for a second. Do you even believe it yourself?]
Saeko Busujima's smile deepened.
"A psychological counseling tool? That can make people forget about the cat cart and lightsaber?"
She tilted her head.
"Teacher Zhou, your excuse is far too perfunctory."
Zhou Ye slumped his shoulders, spread his hands, and simply stopped pretending.
"if not?"
He countered Saeko Busujima's question with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"What am I supposed to say when I get back?"
"Tell the principal, tell those wailing parents, that I led their precious daughters through a series of spectacular events, from the Zodiac Train to a mansion teeming with zombies and monsters, and blew up a tentacle monster several stories tall?"
"Oh, right, I should also add one more thing: is that tentacle monster a demon from another world, or some kind of waning crescent moon?"
Zhou Ye scoffed.
"Do you think the chairman of Fujimi Academy will award me the annual Outstanding Teacher Medal, or will he immediately contact a mental hospital and arrange a deluxe private room for me?"
Or worse, they might just pack me up and send me to some secret research institution interested in paranormal phenomena.
The waters of this world are far deeper than they appear. Umbrella is merely what's out in the open.
The very existence of the Demon Slayer Corps is a huge variable. We can't reveal too much right now.
The key is to play defensively and develop your character. Don't go around drawing enemies everywhere, making yourself an enemy of the world. While you might not be afraid of that, it's very annoying.
Saeko Busujima's smile faded.
She stared into Zhou Ye's eyes, her gaze sharp, like the edge of a knife.
"It doesn't matter to me."
She spoke very clearly and without any hesitation.