If only I waited a few minutes before destroying Plant 42, we would gain some reinforcement namely the patrol group. They were a 5-men group fully geared to the max with military vehicles and machine guns on the top of their car.
And I felt even worse after we met up with them because they had spare gasoline in case their vehicle ran out of fuel. We could have used that to burn down Plant 42 from outside instead of blowing it up.
Anyway, the group was led by a Second Lieutenant called Richard Johnson, a middle-aged guy with short brown hair and blue eyes. Tania and Lucy were also here, sitting next to me.
In front of the car was the driver, a Corporal whose name I forgot, while Private Walker, a young black guy was manning the machine gun. He had been on that thing ever since we went on our way.
"So you burned down a giant tree that can grow and attack on its own?" Second Lieutenant Johnson asked.
"Affirmative, sir!" Corporal Williams said. "We have Busujima to thank for the idea of destroying it, and he was the one who killed it while saving Private Clark."
"If we left the tree, I am afraid it will spread its infection and mutate other zombies." I explained calmly, "These mutated zombies use the roots to feel where the enemy is, so their perception is very wide. If we left that thing alone, they would easily surround us."
Not to mention their speed and strength was greater than a normal zombie. They were a menace.
"And this tree, you found it in a file?" Lieutenant Johnson asked.
"Yes. I shall relay all information I have to the base in Chicago after my request has been fulfilled."
"Which is the transportation. Understandable." Johnson nodded and patted his shoulder, "Thank you for saving one of our soldiers. We owe you a big debt for that."
I smiled, "It's nothing. If I didn't save Private Clark, my conscience would eat me alive."
And the situation in the encampment would be awkward. I didn't want to deal with hostility, and it was better to make the soldiers my friend.
After some time, our car finally arrived at the camp. We entered after a short security check from the soldiers in guard to ensure no bite marks on our body and went straight to the infirmary to check Private Clark.
The encampment was pretty crowded today. It seemed some of the squad went back from a long patrol.
I didn't have much to say in the medical check up. My back was slightly burned, but it was a mild one and didn't require any special treatment. I was given an ointment and sent away.
"Welcome back." Saeko greeted me with a smile before turning concerned. "How did your clothes end up in that condition?"
It wasn't only Saeko. All the girls also looked worried when they noticed it.
"Well, I blew up a giant tree, which exploded with a bang." I shrugged, "My back was burned slightly but the medic told me it will heal with ointment and time. Don't worry too much about me, I'm a strong man. You can trust my strength to keep me safe."
"You're reckless." Saya clicked her tongue and crossed her arms.
"Come inside, Daiki. Let me see the wound." Miss Shizuka added in a worried tone. She quickly went to our Humvee and grabbed the first aid kid before pulling me inside.
I couldn't help but follow her.
She sat me on the seat and I was told to pull my shirt up, so I did. My upper body was naked, revealing the toned muscles I worked hard for.
"Your body is really good." Miss Shizuka complimented, but her face immediately showed worry again, "However, this burn mark is concerning. Does it hurt?"
Her finger touched my back, caressing my skin gently. The ointment was cold on my skin.
I smiled and said in a reassuring voice, "No. Not much, at least."
Thanks to the vest and my layered clothes, the burn didn't touch my back directly, but it still made a nice burn mark on my back.
"You should take better care of your health. We are depending on you."
Miss Shizuka applied the ointment and then put the first aid kit away before looking at my upper body once again.
"You've been working out a lot." Saeko commented this time, crouching in front of me and staring at my chest. "In the past your muscles aren't this toned. You look really handsome now, brother."
She put her palm on my abs, feeling it.
"In the past?" Saya raised her eyebrows and turned to my sister.
"Yeah," Saeko smiled in response. "We were always sleeping together since middle school. Naked, of course."
"Wha- What the hell are you saying!?" Saya was surprised.
Actually it was due to the stalker incident.
In middle school, she was stalked and almost got attacked in the middle of the road. She managed to beat the crap out of the guy, and the incident ended in a short time. But ever since then, she became so clingy toward me. She would always sneak in my bedroom when she had trouble sleeping.
And so we always slept naked. Well, we did that since forever, but it has been a habit to do it every night ever since the incident.
"Fufufu, now we were sleeping together too with him, no? Saya is the only one who still feels embarrassed to sleep naked." Miss Shizuka giggled.
"That's-...!" Saya's face was red in embarrassment.
Not wrong. I looked at the pinkette and grinned.
"You can lean over my chest, you know?"
She shook her head and looked away. I knew she would be the hardest one to convince. Her embarrassment and tsundere nature always won over her curiosity.
Ah, I hope she never grew from this state. It was so fun teasing her.