Chapter 12 - Maki's Smile

As Souta raced through the underground bunker, his heart pounding with fear, he thought back to the conversation he had had with Twilight just moments before. "This place is full of zombies," Twilight had warned him. "Lots of bodies were left unburied here after World War II, and now they've mummified underground. It's a breeding ground for the undead."

Souta's mind raced as he thought of Maki, his friend who was exploring the facility. He knew he had to find her and get out of there fast. But as he ran, he saw the bodies of dead soldiers rise up and turn into zombies, their mummified flesh cracking and crumbling as they shambled towards him.

Thinking quickly, Souta summoned his trusty Android to hold the zombies off while he searched for Maki. As he continued deeper into the bunker, he saw more and more corpses that had not yet rotted away, evidence of the horrific conditions that had plagued this place for decades.

"Maki! Maki!" Souta shouted, his voice echoing through the cold, dark corridors. But he received no response. His heart sank as he thought of the worst possible outcome. Was Maki already dead? Had the zombies gotten to her first?

Determined to find her, Souta came to a darkened part of the bunker that was barely lit by the flickering electric lights. He summoned his gun and cautiously made his way inside. There, he saw a door, and nearby, a dead scientist who suddenly sprang to life and attacked him. Souta quickly shot him and took his ID to open the door.

What he saw inside made his blood run cold. Maki's body was being devoured by a horde of scientist zombies, their gnarled, mummified hands ripping chunks of flesh from her body. Souta's mind went blank with rage and grief as he witnessed this horrific sight.

The next thing he knew, Souta found himself sitting in a dark, empty space, crying uncontrollably. He looked around, confused and disoriented, before he saw Maki. "Maki!" he shouted, reaching out to her, but she vanished before his eyes.

Slowly, he realized he was back in the control room of the bunker, which was now destroyed beyond recognition. Blood was everywhere, and his Android was kneeling before him, holding Maki's lifeless body. Souta felt a surge of anger and despair, knowing that he had failed to protect her.

But then, a miracle occurred. Maki's hand twitched, and Souta's heart leapt with hope. He stood up, aiming his gun at her, not sure if she was still alive or if it was just a reflex. "I had lots of fun meeting you," he said, tears streaming down his face. "I promise to save as many people as I can. I promise to protect them. I promise to make them happy."

As he cried and pulled the trigger, he felt a sense of release. He had said his goodbyes, determined to keep his promise to Maki and all the others who had lost their lives in this terrible place. With a heavy heart.