Stigmata of Survival [ High School of the Dead / Resident Evil /

A huge number of people were meeting their relatives, close friends and just acquaintances at the airport. The blond's eyes were caught by small posters, although it would be more accurate to say that these were just sheets of paper with inscriptions. It was precisely such a sheet with his own name that Ichiro was looking for.

After a few moments, the blond finally found his name. The sheet with his name was held by a very mature couple. Ichiro noticed that both were blond. The general facial features were also striking to the blond. And taking all this into account... Ichiro walked towards the couple quite boldly.

"Hello," Ichiro said in perfect English. "You must be Henry Michaelson and Jeanne Michaelson?"

Henry Mikaelson and Jeanne Mikaelson looked at their nephew with undisguised interest in their eyes. Ichiro Masuda was the son of Richard Mikaelson, who in turn was Henry's brother, and Hitomi Masuda, a Japanese woman from Tokyo.

Henry Michaelson and his wife saw in Ichiro's features that which is truly Michaelson. Straight nose, blue eyes, blond hair, well-defined cheekbones and tall stature.

"Hah, call me Uncle Henry," Henry said with a slight smile on his face.

Zhanna also smiled easily and said:

- And me, aunt. You look a lot like Richard.

The young blond was glad that his uncle and aunt had greeted him so warmly. The first impression of this part of his family... Completely pleased Ichiro and for this reason he said:

- Okay, Uncle Henry, Aunt Jeanne.

Henry nodded with satisfaction and, glancing sideways at Ichiro's suitcase, said:

- Isn't it hard?

As soon as the blond shook his head and lifted the suitcase with one hand as proof, Henry understood everything perfectly.

"Okay, in that case we can go towards our car," Henry said.

The blond followed his uncle's gaze and saw a very good muscle car. Ichiro wasn't a fan of this kind of car, but Masuda didn't have much of a choice. Besides, Henry's car wasn't such a bad option, considering all the cars that could be found in the US.

"By the way, Ichiro, what do you prefer... Lasagne or pasta?" Henry's wife asked.

Ichiro thought for a moment and answered decisively:

- Lasagne. I wouldn't mind trying your lasagne.

Zhanna was pleased with her nephew's violent reaction. Ichiro's smile especially reminded Zhanna of their youth.

"Hah, you really are a Mikaelson," Henry said.

- Hm? - Ichiro was surprised.

"Your father always chose lasagna, too," Henry explained with a slight smile on his face.

The blond could not help but be surprised by such a similarity and for this reason he said:

- Heh, that's really interesting... Can you tell me more about him?

Ichiro saw that in the eyes of Henry and Jeanne there was no pain that there is in the eyes of people who have not yet come to terms with the loss. The couple before Ichiro's eyes, in the opinion of the same Ichiro, had already passed this stage.

"About your father?" Henry asked, looking into Ichiro's eyes through the mirror.

Henry wasn't surprised that Ichiro would ask such a question. After all, Richard was Ichiro's father, and what child wouldn't want to know about his parents?

"Yes," Ichiro nodded. "I think you know more about my father than Akemi and the others."

Henry grinned and said:

- In this assumption you will be right, since I spent more than 18 years with Richard. After all, he is my brother... Hm, where to begin?...

- Maybe from that, but what did he do for a living?

"Heh, that's a pretty simple question," Henry said. "He worked for Umbrella. Richard was a smart kid who was very interested in biology, and viruses to be more precise."

-= After a while =-

A small provincial town called Raccoon City was located in the Midwest. The total population of this settlement was approximately 100,000 people.

Raccoon City served as the hometown of the famous rock band Big E, home of the Raccoon Sharks football team, and the site of the Juicy Raccoon soft drink.

To the north of the city stretched the Arklay Mountains, which remained beyond the influence of civilization, as well as the Raccoon Forest, untouched by civilization.

The most notable natural landmark was Lake Pobedy. Several types of herbs with amazing medicinal properties grew in this area.

Most of the city's drinking water came from the Marble River. The city was divided into east and west by the Round River. To the northwest, the Amis River flowed from the Arklay Mountains and was dammed. A tram line provided a link between Raccoon City and the nearest town, known as Stoneville.

The city's economic growth was directly dependent on the infusion of funds from the Umbrella Corporation. At least two factories operated within the settlement: a pharmaceutical one and a chemical one, both owned by the corporation.

Funding for the fire and police departments was adequate, with the police department even including a special forces unit. Investments in much of the city's infrastructure were also generous. The main concentration of businesses was in the central part of the city.

It was perfectly clear that almost the entire city worked for the corporation, since the entire life of the city depended on the corporation. And it was just as easy to understand that most likely the influence of this very corporation in the city was great.

"Phew..." sighed Ichiro, who was at his daytime training.

The blond's body made progressive movements. Muscle bundles contracted in intense training, received injuries and regenerated extremely quickly, thus becoming stronger.

Metallica was playing in the blond's ears. For some reason, the music of this band, and this genre in general, was the best way to keep up the blond's training pace.

Come crawling faster,

Obey your Master.

Your life burns faster,

Obey your Master,

Master!

Master of Puppets I'm pulling your strings.

Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams.

Blinded by me, you can't see a thing.

Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream:

Master!

Master!

Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream:

Master!

Master!