The morning progressed with the comfortable rhythm that had become familiar in our makeshift household. As the sun climbed higher and cast warming rays through the kitchen windows, the sounds of awakening filled the air—footsteps on creaking floorboards, the gentle murmur of morning conversations, and the increasingly appetizing aromas of breakfast preparation.

Rachel, having finished her washing routine, had emerged from upstairs with damp hair and a refreshed appearance. She immediately joined forces with Daisy in the kitchen, the two of them working together with the kind of synchronized efficiency that spoke to months of collaborative meal preparation even though Daisy barely started helping Rachel in the kitchen.

I offered to help with breakfast preparations, approaching the busy kitchen with genuine intentions of contributing to the communal effort. After all, I'd been consuming meals prepared by others for two months now without offering much in return beyond scavenged supplies and occasional cleanup duties. It seemed only fair that I should learn to contribute more directly to our domestic routines.

"I can help with something," I said, surveying the organized chaos of breakfast preparation. "Maybe chopping vegetables or setting the table?"

Rachel and Daisy exchanged a look that carried volumes of unspoken communication before Rachel smiled diplomatically. "That's sweet of you to offer, Ryan, but we've got this handled. You should focus on preparing for your trip to the municipal office."

"I really don't mind helping," I persisted. "I know I'm not experienced with cooking, but I can learn. Everyone should contribute to meals, not just consume them."

Daisy giggled softly, stirring what appeared to be a pot of porridge made from scavenged grains and dried fruits. "Your talents lie in other areas, Ryan. Leave the culinary arts to those of us who actually know which end of a knife to hold without endangering everyone in the vicinity."

Daisy, you are the last one I wanted to hear that from.

Even Elena, who wasn't directly involved in the cooking process but was organizing our communal eating area, chimed in with gentle firmness. "She's right, Ryan. You contribute plenty in other ways. Let the kitchen experts handle breakfast while you focus on more important tasks."

Their unified rejection was quite hurting…

While I appreciated their confidence in my other abilities, I couldn't shake the feeling that my complete incompetence in basic domestic skills was somewhat embarrassing. These women were capable of so much—combat, scavenging, medical care, technical repairs, and apparently excellent cooking—while I seemed limited to fighting and equipment maintenance.

"I could still learn," I grumbled, but I retreated from the kitchen with good grace, accepting that this particular battle was already lost.

After our modest but satisfying breakfast, I began preparing for the trip to the municipal office. The electrical components we'd retrieved from yesterday's warehouse expedition needed to be delivered to Mark as soon as possible, and I was curious to hear his technical assessment of what we'd managed to recover. I felt the weight of the equipment bags as I loaded them into the car's trunk.

I was securing the final piece of equipment when Sydney emerged from the house, clearly ready for whatever adventure the day might bring. She'd chosen her outfit with the kind of casual confidence that had become characteristic since her virus enhancement had manifested.

"Another beautiful hot day," she said, stretching her arms above her head and tilting her face toward the morning sun. "I absolutely love summer weather like this."

Her clothing choices reflected both the warmth of the season and her newfound confidence in her enhanced abilities. She wore a simple black shirt that emphasized the lean muscle definition she'd developed, paired with lightweight summer pants that allowed for unrestricted movement. In the early days of the outbreak, such clothing would have been considered recklessly dangerous—the exposed skin would be vulnerable to infected bites, and the thin fabric could be easily torn during combat or while navigating debris-filled environments.

But Sydney's virus enhancement had fundamentally changed her risk calculations. Her superhuman speed meant that no standard infected could catch her, and her enhanced reflexes allowed her to avoid dangers that would threaten normal humans. She'd gradually abandoned the thick protective gear she had worn before.

I wanted to caution her about overconfidence, but I had to admit that her assessment was probably accurate. There weren't many threats that could successfully target someone capable of moving at her enhanced speeds.

"Try not to cause too much disruption at the municipal office," I said, closing the trunk and checking that everything was properly secured.

"Don't be ridiculous, Ryan," Sydney replied with a grin that suggested mischief was definitely on her agenda. "Everyone there absolutely loves me! I'm like their favorite entertainment."

I couldn't deny that truth. Sydney's personality and enhanced abilities had made her something of a celebrity among the municipal office staff.

"I know they enjoy your company," I said carefully, "but some of the guys there are getting the wrong idea about us. They think we're sending mixed signals about our relationship status or whatever they think we have."

The situation had become increasingly complicated over the past few weeks. Initially, some of the municipal office workers had assumed I was romantically involved with Rachel, probably because of our obvious leadership partnership and the way we worked together so seamlessly. But Rebecca had apparently launched a deliberate campaign to dispel those assumptions clearly not liking the idea of her big sister being with me but she didn't understand that neither me nor Rachel denied it because it gave her protection.

With the Rachel rumors squashed, attention had naturally shifted to Sydney, whose behavior around me was considerably more openly affectionate and possessive. She didn't hesitate to touch me casually, make suggestive comments, or position herself in ways that suggested intimate familiarity. Since neither of us had explicitly denied romantic involvement, the assumption had solidified into accepted fact among the municipal office community.

"What's this?" Sydney asked, her grin widening with obvious delight. "Are you jealous, honey?"

Before I could formulate a response, she launched herself toward me with the kind of playful energy that had become her trademark. I caught her automatically to absorb the impact without losing my balance, though her sudden movement caught me off guard.

"Careful," I said.

"Answer me," she insisted, staring directly into my eyes with that mischievous expression that meant she was thoroughly enjoying my discomfort. "Are you jealous when I speak casually with other men?"

"Of course I am," I said, looking away slightly because the intensity of her gaze was making it difficult to think clearly. "I don't particularly enjoy watching other men try to flirt with you."

Sydney's grin widened with obvious pleasure at my confession. "Don't worry," she said, her voice dropping to that intimate whisper she used for private conversations. "In front of everyone else, you're the only man who exists in my world."

Without warning, she leaned forward and bit my earlobe gently, the unexpected contact sending an electric shock through my nervous system that made me stiffen involuntarily.

I hadn't even had time to process what she'd done or formulate a response when another voice cut through my confusion.

"Am I interrupting something?"

I turned to see Rachel approaching from the house, clearly ready for travel. She was dressed in practical outdoor clothing—sturdy pants, a lightweight but protective shirt, and boots suitable for walking over uncertain terrain.

"R…Rachel?" I called, surprised and still rubbing my reddened ear slightly in an attempt to dispel the lingering sensation of Sydney's attention.

"I'm also coming along today," she said, settling a small pack across her shoulders. "It's been too long since I've had a chance to get some fresh air and sunshine outside our immediate area. Liu Mei and the others are perfectly capable of watching the house in my absence."

Her reasoning made sense, though I had to admit that Rachel's presence at home always made me feel more secure about leaving the others. She projected that reliable older sister energy that somehow made everyone feel safer and more organized, and after me, she was probably the strongest Dullahan virus enhancement holder in our group. If something dangerous happened while I was away, Rachel's leadership and combat capabilities would be crucial for everyone's survival.

But I wouldn't dream of trying to force her to stay home when she clearly wanted a change of scenery. Everyone deserved breaks from the routine pressures of communal survival, and Rachel had certainly earned some personal time.

Of course, if Rachel was joining our expedition, it was virtually guaranteed that her protective younger sister would insist on coming along as well. Rebecca had developed an almost obsessive need to stay close to Rachel whenever she left our secured area.

Sure enough, Rebecca appeared from around the side of the house, wearing a floral summer dress. She gave me what could only be described as a dismissive "hmph" before walking past me with obvious attitude and settling into the back seat of our car without invitation or explanation.

Rachel smiled wryly at her sister's behavior and joined Rebecca in the back seat.

"Are you driving, or are we going to sit here all morning?" Sydney asked from the passenger seat, where she'd positioned herself with her legs casually crossed and resting on the window frame.

"Yeah, I prefer driving," I said with a sigh.

I settled into the driver's seat and adjusted the mirrors, taking a moment to ensure everyone was properly settled before starting our salvaged vehicle.

The trip to the municipal office wasn't particularly long as always.

As we approached the familiar complex of buildings that housed the municipal office, I could see the same signs of progress that had impressed me during previous visits. Solar panels glinted on the rooftops and the barricades seemed as strong as ever, clearly Mark's work.

I parked our vehicle in the designated area and began the process of unloading the electrical components we'd risked so much to retrieve.

We'd barely finished extracting the equipment from the trunk when familiar voices called out in greeting. Martin and Clara emerged from the main building, both wearing the kind of genuine smiles that suggested our arrival was genuinely welcome rather than merely tolerated.

"Ryan!" Martin called, approaching with his characteristic energy. "Good to see you again, my friend. And I have to say, you seem to be growing better every day. It's remarkable how much you've developed since we first met."

His observation made me slightly awkward, though I tried not to let it show. While he didn't know about the Dullahan virus or the specific nature of my enhancements, he'd clearly noticed that my strength, speed, and general physical condition had improved significantly over the weeks we'd known each other.

"Just staying in shape," I replied with careful casualness. "Survival requires maintaining peak physical condition."

Clara's attention had already shifted to Rachel, and her greeting carried the warmth of genuine friendship. "Rachel! I've missed you so much. It feels like forever since we've had a chance to sit down and really talk. How have you been managing everything?"

"I've been well," Rachel replied, accepting Clara's enthusiastic embrace with obvious pleasure. "Though I have to admit, I've been feeling a bit tied down lately. Someone needs to keep an eye on the house."

"Well, you're here now, and that's what matters," Clara said, linking her arm through Rachel's with familiar affection. "We absolutely must catch up properly while you're here."

"Looking at you Sydney, some might wonder if we are truly under an apocalypse," Martin said then laughing looking at Sydney.

"I am just trying to enjoy my life to the fullest," she replied.

Before the conversation could continue, Margaret appeared in the doorway of the main building.

"Ryan, Rachel, everyone," she said, approaching our group with a smile. "It's wonderful to see all of you. I hope you have been good.."

"Perfectly good," I assured her, gesturing toward the equipment bags we'd arranged near our vehicle. "We brought those electrical components that Mark requested for his grid expansion project. Everything on his list, plus a few additional items that looked potentially useful."

Margaret's expression immediately shifted to one of mild exasperation mixed with concern. "I still can't believe Mark sent you into potential danger just to retrieve industrial equipment. The man's dedication to his technical projects sometimes overrides his common sense regarding personal safety."

I shrugged, understanding her concern but also appreciating the larger context of Mark's work. "The risk was manageable, and the potential benefits make it worthwhile. Mark's electrical grid project isn't just about convenience—it's about creating the kind of infrastructure that could support a genuine long-term community rather than just a survival encampment."

"Besides," I continued, "Mark made it clear that if we successfully retrieved these components, he'd prioritize installing electrical infrastructure at our house as well. Reliable power for food preservation, lighting, and other essential systems would significantly improve our quality of life and security."

Margaret nodded, her expression softening as she considered the broader implications. "I suppose you're right. Mark's vision for a comprehensive electrical grid could transform how we live and work. It's just that sending people into dangerous situations for equipment makes me worried."

"We knew the risks going in," Sydney added. "And Ryan ensured that everyone came back safely. The mission was successful by any reasonable measure."

Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from the municipal building. I turned to see Jasmine walking toward our group, her face lighting up with obvious pleasure when she spotted me among the arrivals.

"Ryan!" She called, increasing her pace until she was almost running. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Before I could formulate an appropriate response, Jasmine threw her arms around me in an enthusiastic embrace that was both affectionate and slightly overwhelming. Her cheeks were flushed with what appeared to be a mixture of excitement and embarrassment, and the intensity of her greeting caught me completely off guard.

"I... I'm happy to see you too, Jasmine," I replied, returning her hug somewhat awkwardly while trying to process this open display of affection.

The embrace lasted several seconds longer than a casual greeting would typically warrant, and I was acutely aware that Sydney, Rachel, Rebecca, and the others were all observing this interaction with varying degrees of interest and amusement. Jasmine's obvious pleasure at seeing me was flattering but also potentially complicated.

As Jasmine finally stepped back, still smiling with obvious happiness, I caught sight of Jason watching our interaction from the entrance. His expression was carefully neutral, but there was something in his gaze—a studied indifference that suggested he was working to appear unaffected by what he'd witnessed.

Our eyes met briefly across the distance, and I saw Jason's jaw tighten almost imperceptibly before he turned away and walked back into the building without acknowledgment or greeting. I thought he had turned the page after Jasmine rejected him a month ago but I suppose still not…

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