Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

Chapter 40: Sign-in, Dinner, and Retrieving Rika's Guns.

Rei sat quietly in the corner, her gaze fixed on the floor. Saeko handed her a cup of the warm tea Shizuka had made, offering a gentle smile of reassurance. Shizuka hummed softly to herself as she sorted through medical supplies, her cheerful disposition a much-needed balm in the tense atmosphere. Guldrin glanced at his system interface, and a faint notification chimed in his head as he chose to sign in.

"Ding, Daily Sign-in Complete!"

Reward: Rika Minami's Custom Dual Holster & Bulletproof Vest Set.

The reward materialized in a subtle shimmer, folded neatly on the couch Guldrin was resting on. The dual holster was a sleek, black tactical design, accompanied by a gray and white digital camouflage vest with reinforced plates that looked both lightweight and durable. Guldrin raised an eyebrow. 'Rika's? I wonder if it is a copy of the original… Imagining her losing her vest and holster mid-combat doesn't sound pleasant, He thought, recalling the few tidbits Shizuka had mentioned the exploits of her sniper friend. It wasn't the weapons themselves, but these were certainly a step in that direction.

'It is a copy, nothing is stolen from someone if you gain it through the system, well, maybe one of a kind items, but that is rare, rare, rare cases.' Emily explained in his mind, making Guldrin feel a bit better.

"Shizuka," Guldrin called out, lifting the gear. "Does this look familiar?"

She turned, blinking in surprise. "Oh! That's Rika's gear! How did you get that?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"It was behind the couch, maybe she left it there is a hurry," he replied vaguely, slipping the items into his pack. "But we'll need to grab her weapons too."

Shizuka's expression fell slightly. "Yes, but they're in the safe, or at least most are. Rika never gave me the combination or key. She said it's too dangerous for me to have them unless she's here; something about I would shoot myself by accident. It isn't surprising that Rika would leave her gear out of place, she always was a slob if I didn't come behind her and clean up the mess, her clothes and underwear would be strewn across the house." She puffed her cheeks as she pouted about being told she would shoot herself when Rika couldn't even keep the place clean.

Guldrin was curious and reached in between the cushions of the couch and found a pair of black latex panties, slightly wet and slimy. 'Nope, didn't see that…' He shoved them back into the crack and ignored that new discovery. Feeling awkward, he didn't know what to do with his wet hand and simply placed it on the couch, hoping no one would notice.

His action seemed to have gone unnoticed as Saya rolled her eyes. "Of course she did. Because that helps so much now that we are in the middle of an apocalypse. Do you at least know where the safe is?"

"Oh, yes! It's in her bedroom closet, behind a panel," Shizuka said brightly. "But, uh, getting it open might be tricky."

Saeko leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "We'll figure it out. Those weapons could make the difference in our survival."

Guldrin nodded. "We'll prioritize retrieving them before we move on. If her guns are locked up, they're likely in good condition. But we'll need to do it carefully, no point damaging them in the retrieval process."

Kohta stepped forward, adjusting his glasses with a determined gleam in his eyes. "If we can't find the key or combination, I have an idea. It's not foolproof, but I think I can get it open without damaging anything inside."

Shizuka tilted her head, curious. "Oh? What's your idea?"

Kohta's voice took on a rare confidence. "If it's a mechanical lock, I might be able to crack it by feel. If it's electronic, we can try bypassing the keypad. I've seen similar safes in videos and at the range, though I'll admit, I've never had to open one under these circumstances. Worst case, we can brute force it with a crowbar and a hammer."

Guldrin folded his arms, weighing the options. "We don't have the luxury of time to experiment too much. Let's search for the key or combination first. If we come up empty, Kohta, you're up."

The group agreed, and they began a thorough search of the apartment. Saya took charge, directing everyone to specific areas. "Check anywhere it makes sense, drawers, cabinets, even under the furniture. But don't overlook places she might have hidden it for security reasons."

Guldrin wanted to join Shiro in the kitchen, but a sharp glare from her and Shizuka made him place his butt down and grumble. Inside the kitchen, Shiro and Shizuka opened drawers methodically, pausing to glance over their contents before moving on. Shiro checked the pantry, her small hands patting down shelves and feeling behind boxes. She glanced at Shizuka. "If Rika was a sniper, she'd probably think tactically about where to hide something important. Somewhere inconspicuous but accessible."

"Good point, she always was crafty," Shizuka said, turning her attention to the underside of the kitchen table. She ran her fingers along the edge and paused, feeling something taped underneath. Peeling it away, she found a small envelope labeled Emergency.

She opened it, revealing a folded piece of paper with a series of numbers and a tiny brass key. "Found it~" she said, holding them up.

Shiro grinned. "Not exactly hidden well but… Nice find."

The pair brought the items back to the living room, where the others had gathered empty-handed. Guldrin looked at the given envelope, opened it, and read the contents before, he handed the paper and key to Kohta. "Think this is it."

Kohta examined the numbers and key, nodding eagerly. "Looks like it. Let's go."

The group followed him to the bedroom, where Shizuka revealed the hidden panel in the closet. Behind it was a large, imposing gun safe. Kohta inserted the key, and with a satisfying click, the lock disengaged. He entered the numbers from the paper into the keypad, and the safe door creaked open.

Inside, the contents were impressive. Several rifles and handguns were arranged neatly on racks, accompanied by many boxes of ammunition, cleaning supplies, and a few flash grenades. Kohta gushed as he looked at the spread of weaponry gold, "An M1A1 Super Match, Holy Hell! It's semi-auto, which is fine, because the M14 series' Full-auto is just a waste of bullets anyway." He took the gun in hand, dropped to a knee, and aimed the rifle. His strict care made Guldrin nod in appreciation, "Good form." He praised, 

Kohta continued to mutter with a scary look, "Holds twenty rounds of pure destruction. This rifle is fucking illegal in Japan!"

Shizuka chimed in, "Rika is a former member of the JSDF Special forces, and is now a SAT sniper. She has each weapon legally, along with all the proper paperwork."

"That is so fucking COOL!" Kohta was gaining more and more admiration for Rika even if he hadn't met her yet. Turning back to the safe, he found a new item to inspect, "Knight's SR-25 Enhanced match rifle! You can't get these in Japan either, oh, it is a modified AR-10! There is even a Barnett WILDCAT C5 crossbow, it's a descendant of one that Robin Hood used!"

Guldrin raised a brow, 'He is lost in his own world… If I am not mistaken, Robin Hood was an alias used by many different outlaws who had the same ideology. Not like Santa, now that is a myth that is real, even NORAD tracks him each year.' Emily wanted to protest, but she knew he wouldn't listen to her even if she did, so she kept her mouth shut and allowed him to think what he wanted to.

"You can even kill a bear with this thing! Oh my GOD!!! That is an Ithaca M-37 riot shotgun! She has everything in here, is that a 4 times scope?!?! This is an awesome gun made by the Americans, it played a huge role in the Vietnam War as they cleared trenches." Saya picked it up and aimed it at him, "Woah! Don't ever point a gun at someone, even if it is unloaded! Only aim it at those you intend to kill," 

"So the Zombies? Let's hope that is all we will have to point it at." Saya asked, holding the gun in a different direction, "Yes, but you know this is going to get much worse before it gets better if it does at all… That is what Takashi doesn't get, the world is different, it isn't going to be a lawful world anymore, but a lawless, where the biggest fist rules." He grinned a smile Guldrin had only seen in his life as Big Boss, "In a war like this, there's no surrendering or negotiation, or shit like that. Kill or be killed, survival of the fittest, it is terrifying but exhilarating!

At the center was a pristine disassembled Barrett M82A1 .50 caliber sniper rifle, Rika's weapon of choice. The group stared in awe.

"Jackpot," Kohta whispered, his voice filled with reverence. He quickly shuffled through the ammo types and found 2 boxes with 10 rounds. "10 rounds of .50 ammo, not a lot, but it will certainly do the job when needed!

Shizuka clapped her hands together. "Oh, good! Now we have Rika's babies to help us!"

Guldrin inspected the contents, carefully lifting a few Glocks and checking their chamber. "These will help. But we need to distribute them wisely. Not everyone here is trained to handle firearms." He handed one Glock to Shiro, and the other to Shizuka, "I know Shiro can shoot, and I assume Miss Shizuka can as well since I can't imagine Rika would have left you ignorant of their use." They both nodded, and Rei seemed to want one as well but knew she had never fired one before, so she kept quiet.

Kohta nodded, already mentally cataloging the inventory. "I'll make sure everyone knows how to use what they take. Safety first."

Saya crossed her arms. "We also need to ration the ammunition. It's not like we can go out and buy more."

As the group discussed their strategy, Shizuka noticed a photo tucked into the back of the safe. She pulled it out, her expression softening. "Oh, it's Rika and me," she said, showing the picture to the others. It depicted the two women, one in a police uniform and the other wearing a skintight suit and a doctor's jacket, smiling and holding up peace signs.

Rei glanced at the photo, her expression conflicted. "Do you think Rika's okay?"

Shizuka hesitated, then smiled. "Rika's strong. I'm sure she's fine. She probably holed up somewhere safe and is waiting for the right moment to move."

Guldrin placed a hand on her shoulder. "If she's anything like you've described, she's out there fighting to survive. And now, we have the tools to do the same."

The group spent the next hour distributing the weapons and discussing tactics. Kohta took charge, instructing the less experienced members on basic firearm safety and handling. Shizuka watched with a mix of pride and melancholy, her thoughts clearly on her absent friend.

Kohta stepped into his element with fervor, transforming from a quiet otaku into a confident instructor. He lined up the firearms on the dining table, arranging them meticulously as he began his lesson. The group gathered around, their curiosity and apprehension evident.

"First things first," Kohta said, adjusting his glasses. "Before you even touch a gun, respect it. These aren't toys, and one mistake could cost a life, yours or someone else's. Always assume a firearm is loaded, even if you just checked it yourself."

Saya raised her hand like a schoolgirl. "And how do we check if it's loaded?"

Kohta handed her a Glock, showing her how to remove the magazine and check the chamber. "See here? No magazine doesn't mean it's safe. Always check the chamber for a round."

Saya mimicked his movements, her brow furrowed in concentration. Kohta nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, grip it like this." He demonstrated, his hands steady and precise. "A firm grip, but don't crush it; too tense, and it will affect your aim, too light, and it will slip from your hand when fired. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire."

Rei, watching intently, couldn't hold back. "Kohta, what about aiming?"

He smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. "Ah, aiming! To line up the sights, the front post should be centered in the rear notch. Focus on the front sight, not the target; the target should follow the front post, not the other way around."

Guldrin chimed in, his voice calm and authoritative. "Breath control helps, too. Inhale, exhale and squeeze the trigger gently on the exhalation. Don't yank it, don't say bang, and don't jump when firing. Allow it to be a smooth and easy process."

The girls stared at him, surprised by his contribution. Saeko tilted her head, her usual composed demeanor showing a flicker of curiosity. "You seem to know a lot about this, Guldrin. I know you were capable of using one when you took down that abomination on the roof, but you seem oddly comfortable with everything."

He shrugged. "I've picked up a thing or two." He stared at her, allowing her to know that was all she was getting out of him on the matter. 'How do you expect me to tell you I lived a life as a super soldier; and even now I train constantly… Guns are my lifeline, killed my first man at 10, that isn't something I share with someone I am just now getting to know…'

Kohta resumed his lesson, covering stance, recoil management, and reloading. His enthusiasm was infectious, and even the initially hesitant Rei began to relax, her hands growing steadier as she held the shotgun. Shiro, ever the quick learner, absorbed every detail, her small hands deftly mimicking Kohta's movements with the Glock. Even if she knew how to handle most guns, a quick refresher never hurt, and using a shotgun was rather foreign since Guldrin only taught her pistols and rifles. Feeding the shotgun ammo into the bottom till filled was different than simply reloading a magazine.

Meanwhile, Shizuka moved to the kitchen, humming a cheerful tune. "Well, since everyone's busy learning, I'll start dinner!"

Saya, overhearing, raised an eyebrow. "You can cook?"

Shizuka laughed. "Of course! I'm not just a pretty face, you know!"

In the kitchen, Shizuka moved with surprising efficiency, rummaging through the fridge and cabinets. Despite her usual airheaded persona, she handled the ingredients with care, quickly assembling a makeshift meal. However, her injured arm from when she plowed through that barricade limited her movements, and she winced occasionally.

Noticing this, Guldrin rose from his seat. "I'll help."

Shizuka waved him off. "Oh, no need! You're injured too!"

He ignored her protest, stepping into the kitchen and rolling up his sleeves. "You're hurt, and we need to eat. Let me handle it."

Shizuka blinked at him in surprise but stepped aside. "Well... okay. Just don't burn the place down!"

Guldrin surveyed the ingredients: rice, canned vegetables, a few frozen cuts of meat that were who knows how old, and some spices. He quickly got to work, his movements smooth and practiced. Shizuka watched in awe as he diced vegetables, marinated the meat, and started the rice cooker. 

The aroma of sizzling meat and spices soon filled the air, drawing the attention of the others. Even with his injured state, this wasn't the first time he needed to cook hurt, and certainly won't be the last. At least he didn't have anything dislocated as he tried to fix a meal without treating whatever was injured; so he felt this was a win in his books.

Saya peeked into the kitchen, her eyes widening. "Wait, you can cook?"

Guldrin glanced at her, smirking. "What, you think only women can cook?"

Saya flushed, crossing her arms defensively. "No, it's just... unexpected."

Saeko approached, her curiosity piqued. "It's rare to see a man so comfortable in the kitchen. Where did you learn?"

He shrugged. "A shop I worked at and survival. You don't always have someone to cook for you, so you learn."

Shiro appeared beside Saeko, her nose twitching. "It smells amazing, Hubby-San." This drew some raised brows but no one asked, they always wondered what Shiro and Guldrin's relationship was, and now they had an answer. The way of address made Guldrin pause, but he shook his head after thinking for a while and agreed, technically they were married. So referring to him that way was odd but also acceptable.

Even Rei, still holding the shotgun, wandered over, her expression softening. "I didn't know you could do this."

Kohta, still fiddling with the disassembled sniper rifle, glanced up. "Guns and cooking? Man of many talents."

Shizuka clapped her hands, her usual cheer returning. "Oh, this is wonderful! We'll have a proper meal for once! Even before the outbreak, I used to eat fast food and restaurant meals… Having a home-cooked meal will be nice."

As the food neared completion, Guldrin handed Shizuka a spoon. "Taste this. Let me know if it needs anything."

She took a tentative sip, her eyes lighting up. "It's perfect!"

The group gathered around the dining table, their earlier tension easing as they sat down to eat. Plates were passed around, and the first bites were met with a collective hum of approval. Even Saya, who had been skeptical, couldn't hide her satisfaction.

"This is... really good," she admitted reluctantly.

Guldrin smirked. "Don't sound so surprised. Remember, eat a lot, I am not sure how long power will be available, and we will be leaving this apartment tomorrow. So we have no idea when a meal like this can be done up in the future."

As the meal progressed, the atmosphere grew lighter. For the first time that day, there was laughter and conversation. Kohta regaled them with stories of his favorite military documentaries, Shizuka shared amusing anecdotes about Rika, and Shiro clung to Guldrin's side, clearly proud of him but also extremely guarded.

Rei glanced at the window, her expression softening as she listened to the chatter. "For a moment, it almost feels normal." She thought of Takashi but shook her head; he made his choice and it wasn't her fault that she chose to survive. So instead of worrying about that, she focused on the here and now, enjoying her meal.

Saeko, seated beside her, nodded. "Moments like this remind us why we fight to survive."

Guldrin leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the group. Despite the dangers lurking outside, here, in this small apartment, they had found a moment of peace. It was fleeting, but it was enough to renew their resolve.

As the meal ended, Shizuka began clearing the table, but Guldrin stopped her. "You cooked part of it, too. Let me at least help with the cleanup."

She protested, but he waved her off, moving to the sink. The others watched with a mixture of admiration and curiosity in their eyes. Even Saeko, usually reserved, found herself smiling.

"Who knew," she mused, "that a man like you could bring so much to the table, both figuratively and literally?"

Guldrin chuckled. "Stick around. You might be surprised by what else I can do."

Later, Shiro signed into the security cameras for their warehouse base and was pleased to see no one had attempted to break in and everything was still up and running. While they may be planning to head to Saya's home, the ultimate goal was to arrive at the warehouse, start a fully sustainable base, and complete their mission.

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)