A youth story of a passerby at the end of the world

Skipping over the splattered blood on the ground and making sure his shoes were clean, Uesugi Genshin leaned against the railing of the walkway and looked down from the third floor.

The ground floor was covered with countless corpses that had not yet been moved, and apart from them, there were no other moving figures around.

Generally speaking, the top floor is much easier to clean than the bottom floor, partly because there is more space on the first floor.

On the other hand, in the previous two days, the zombies on the upper two floors were also attracted down, either by taking the elevator or by jumping down directly.

It was indeed a bit creepy when they jumped down, but seeing those zombies who had broken their legs and could barely stand up, and who walked with a limp, made me want to laugh a little.

But if there are zombies that can't stand up and are crawling forward by scratching the ground with their arms and fingernails, that's a different feeling altogether.

"It's so quiet." Walking to Uesugi Genshin's side, Amasawa Ichika leaned against the railing and looked around. The entire shopping center was quiet.

"It's going to be scary tonight," she thought, "like in a horror movie."

"If you think it's not lively enough, you can shout it out," Kiryuin Kaede teased, leaning on her cane.

"I'm not that bored," Tianze Yixia said, rolling her eyes slightly.

“There might even be an echo,” Uesugi Genshin guessed, echoing Kiryuin’s words.

"Really?" Hearing this, Tianze Yixia became a little curious, so she actually shouted it out, as if she wasn't the one who had just said it was boring. Girls can change their expressions very quickly.

"Hey~, is anyone there?"

The noise was loud, and after waiting for a while, nothing obviously happened, so it was still very boring.

"Before I leave, I'd like to get some cake flour," Horikita Suzune said as she stepped forward.

"Sure, would you like some desserts?" Uesugi Genshin tilted his head, indicating that he didn't mind.

He was quite pleased that Lingyin had completely let go of her psychological burden and fully adapted to her identity as a scavenger.

"Mm." Horikita Suzune nodded. After all, she considered herself to be quite good at cooking and baking, and she felt more at ease eating food made in her apartment without any additives.

"I've already notified them," Hayasaka Ai reported. "Meet them at the parking lot in 15 minutes."

"Then we need to hurry." Uesugi Genshin lowered his hand from the fence and called to the others, "I need to go to the supermarket for a bit. Anyone who doesn't want to go can follow Haruno to the parking area first."

As he spoke, he looked at Yang Nai and asked, "Is it alright?"

Yang Nai shrugged, which served as a substitute for an answer.

“If you want anything else, just say so in advance,” Uesugi Genshin joked to the others, spreading his hands.

Then they went their separate ways. Hayasaka and Amasawa followed Haruno outside, while Kiryuin seemed to have seen something he liked and walked in another direction. Uesugi Genshin was quite relieved about this.

With Kiryuin's skills, even if he can't win, he can escape. As long as he doesn't go into those small spaces, there's nothing to worry about.

“Actually, you don’t need to follow me.” Horikita Suzune said to Uesugi Genshin as they walked.

“I also want to take something,” Uesugi Genshin explained, not entirely because of her.

"..." Kamuro Masumi silently followed the two. She didn't want anything, and the reason she followed was because of this man. She felt that she could make some new discoveries.

For example, the day before yesterday, he passed by a sock store called Tabio and picked out a few pairs of knee-high socks.

Masumi Kamuro was certain that this was definitely not something he wore himself, and he didn't know who he would give it to if he wanted to.

However, she has only seen two people wearing stockings at Soubu High School so far: one is Yukinoshita, the accountant, and the other is a girl named Sawamura Eriri.

Watching the two of them go to the shelves to get their own things, she looked around boredly, then took out her phone and started scrolling through her notes.

"Three colors in harmony, three concealed engravings, a single color..."

She also reviewed the mahjong rules she had asked Horikita about last night, just in case, in case a leader ever asked her to play mahjong, so she wouldn't lose so quickly.

But if that were to actually happen... she imagined it for a moment, and suddenly felt her heart beating very fast.

After collecting their belongings, they took the car back. Before getting in, they threw their dirty coats into the trunk, planning to wash them properly at the water tap on the playground later.

After Uesugi Genshin returned to school, he went to the student council office first to finish up some work before dark. However, he saw a guest in the student council office.

"Hello, I was sent by Guild Master Shirogane." A pink-haired girl greeted her cheerfully. "Ah, Uesugi-kun, do you remember me?"

“I remember, Ms. Fujiwara, what brings you here?” Uesugi Genshin asked with some curiosity.

It must be quite a big deal for Shirogane to send a student council member, but to send the most outspoken member of the Shuchiin student council is an even bigger deal.

The reason for this... is probably that Fujiwara Chika is the one who has the most free time.

Chapter 355: Working Double Jobs Should Result in Double Pay

"Are you alone?" Uesugi Genshin glanced around the room. Apart from Yukino sitting in her office chair, there was no one else there.

To everyone's surprise, Fujiwara Chika shook her head and said, "Ah, actually Shijo-kun is here too."

After saying that, she gave an awkward but polite smile, because mentioning Shijo Tei in front of Uesugi Genshin always reminded her of those silly boys at Shuchiin who used to discuss girls' breasts.

To this day, she still hasn't forgotten that her classmate Shijo emphasized that he liked sagging breasts, to the point that she couldn't bear to look at him.

"Where is he?" Uesugi Genshin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Isshiki took him on a tour," Yukino said from the side. When he looked over, Yukino's eyes softened. "And thank you for your hard work."

"Ah." Uesugi Genshin smiled happily at Yukino's concern, then looked at Fujiwara Chika, "What brings Secretary Fujiwara to Chiba?"

"Regarding this," Fujiwara Chika said, pulling a folded piece of paper from her school uniform pocket. "This is a message from the radio station that Uesugi-kun asked me to send."

From Azusagawa?

Uesugi Genshin reached out and took it, then looked at it together with Yukino who had come over.

"Well, we've actually seen it too," Fujiwara Chika said apologetically.

"It's nothing," Uesugi Genshin replied casually. After all, it was going to be written down. He had already anticipated this when he asked Shirogane to do it, so of course he didn't take it to heart.

The paper's main content was that a conflict might break out between the Self-Defense Forces on the Izu Peninsula and those at Haneda Airport, and that a Self-Defense Force officer was urging the delivery of gold.

Of course, this is an exaggeration. The truth is that the Self-Defense Force officer who was dealing with them in arms deals heard radical remarks about taking action against the Maritime Self-Defense Force at a meeting concerning the Izu Peninsula.

I had heard before that there was a conflict of leadership between the Maritime Self-Defense Force on the Izu Peninsula and the Ground Self-Defense Force at Haneda Airport.

The original plan was to transfer everyone at Haneda Airport to the Izu Peninsula, where a new base would be established.

As a result, the Maritime Self-Defense Force, relying on its ships, first occupied the Izu Peninsula and took the opportunity to transport the survivors from the airport. Then, the Ground Self-Defense Force discovered them en route. With land and people, it seems they are planning something big.

Furthermore, because the Maritime Self-Defense Force has control of the sea, it can trap them at the airport. What's more, if it wants, it can launch missiles at the airport. Even if the Ground Self-Defense Force has more personnel, it can't compare to a powerful warship and cannons; they're not even in the same league.

Thus, the two sides reached a stalemate. The Ground Self-Defense Force held onto its manpower tightly, refusing to let go, even if it didn't need them and they were simply sitting there slowly starving to death, rather than handing them over to the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

To Uesugi Genshin, the conflict between these two sides felt like a return to the era of "naval idiots" and "army idiots" nearly a hundred years ago.

However, they don't have the same historical ties as the Satsuma and Choshu domains. Their current conflict is purely a struggle for interests, since they were never part of the same system and there was no superior-subordinate relationship between them.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force's confidence is obvious. Whoever has a few missiles that can hit any target will stand tall and develop ambitions.

"Will they really fight?" Yukino wondered.

"Both sides probably have concerns. Until the very last moment, no one knows whether they will really break off relations," Uesugi Genshin said, shaking his head.

However, no one can predict war. Both World War I and World War II had their triggers, and no one knows when or if World War III will break out.

Infighting among the Self-Defense Forces is now commonplace. However, judging from the meeting content revealed by that Self-Defense Force officer, some members of the Ground Self-Defense Force seem to be very wary of the "Sword of Damocles" that has been hanging over their heads, and their dissatisfaction is growing day by day.

But no one wanted to back down, because they all felt they held a lot of power in their hands.

As for the last part of the paper written by the Self-Defense Force officer urging him, Uesugi Genshin glanced at it and then put it away without paying much attention.

“That Self-Defense Force officer seems to be in a hurry,” Yukino said thoughtfully, stroking her chin. This was her judgment based on the contents of the paper.

“Indeed, he’s definitely much more anxious than we are,” Fujiwara Chika asserted, raising a finger.

A smart person can see at a glance that the Self-Defense Force officer is using the Self-Defense Force's resources to make money for himself. It's a sure-fire way to make money. Even if he is exposed later, he can use the gold bars he has earned to cover it up. So he certainly doesn't want any changes to happen.

“But if we wait any longer, things are bound to change.” This would also affect them, Uesugi Genshin sighed.

We can only speed up the process within the limits of what is possible.

“Chairman Shirogane thinks so too,” Fujiwara Chika said. “That’s why he sent me here to ask Uesugi-kun for his opinion.”

"Is there any problem with holding the tripartite talks tomorrow on the artificial island of the Advanced Nurturing High School?"

“No problem, President Shirogane has given me authorization.” Fujiwara Chika put her hands behind her back and smiled easily. “Also, our preparations at Shuchiin are almost complete.”

After all, she was a member of the Shuchiin student council, and Fujiwara Chika was known as a genius in the past. She was also the daughter of a diplomat and came from a political family. It was only natural that Shirogane Miyuki trusted Fujiwara Chika.

Look! Look! Eriri is also the child of a diplomat, so how can there be such a big difference between people?

Eri Hakuki, you only draw banned manga, you should be ashamed!

"Yes, I will..."

Before Uesugi Genshin could finish speaking, the door behind him opened.

After not finding anyone in the executive department office next door, Hayasaka Ai came directly over. Because they were so familiar with each other and often "visited each other's offices," she no longer needed to knock. She herself felt that it was perfectly acceptable for her to call herself the student council's general affairs officer.

She was followed by Masumi Kamuro; the two of them had come together.

"Excuse me." Hayasaka Ai still spoke politely, though in a somewhat casual tone.

"Ah! Hayasaka-san?"

"Ah, little secretary."

Hayasaka Ai and Fujiwara Chika looked at each other and exclaimed in surprise.

However, Fujiwara Chika was filled with some surprise, while Hayasaka Ai felt more tired. To this day, Fujiwara Chika still doesn't know that she was actually Kaguya-sama's close attendant.

When facing Fujiwara Chika, she will also disguise herself as a male butler, a black-haired Bob wearing glasses, who is portrayed as a refugee of Irish descent.

In the past, Fujiwara Chika's unpredictable and eccentric behavior had caused him a lot of trouble.

“Perfect timing,” said Uesugi Genshin. He had just wanted Hayasaka to go to Advanced Education High School to act as a messenger.

So he shared his idea and what had just happened.

"Okay," Hayasaka Ai replied casually, thinking that if she went early and came back early, she might be able to arrive before it got completely dark.

On the way back, you can walk along the coastline and turn on the searchlights at the Inage Beach pier to return safely.

Having a boat and someone who knows how to sail it makes traveling to Tokyo much easier, not to mention that Advanced Nurturing High School is relatively close to Sobu High School, much closer than going to Shuchiin High School.

If you want to do something in Tokyo, you can drive your car directly onto a cargo ship and have it transported to Tokyo, without having to drive there by land.

“Eh~” Fujiwara Chika looked at Hayasaka and made a subtle sound.

"What's wrong, Secretary?" Hayasaka Ai turned around and asked.

"It's nothing, I just feel that Hayasaka-san has adapted well to life here." Fujiwara Chika said with emotion. Before coming here, Kaguya-san had specifically told her to keep a close eye on the situation inside Soubu High School and how Hayasaka-san was doing.

“Hayasaka is my adjutant,” Uesugi Genshin said to Fujiwara Chika.

"Hmm, I see... Eh?!" Fujiwara Chika nodded subconsciously, but immediately realized something was wrong.

In her memory, Uesugi-kun seemed to be a combatant!

So Fujiwara Chika widened her eyes and quickly asked Hayasaka to confirm, "Um, Hayasaka-san is handling odd jobs in the office, right?"

She couldn't imagine that Hayasaka, the lively girl at school, would pick up a weapon and fight zombies.

"Secretary Fujiwara, you're talking about a secretary." Although Hayasaka does some work in that area, he actually does more of the work of an adjutant.

"Is there any difference?" Fujiwara Chika asked.

“The main difference is that the adjutant is in charge of military affairs, while the secretary is in charge of documents,” Uesugi Genshin replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Then why don't you give me two salaries?!" Hayasaka Aino complained to him first.

Looking at Hayasaka muttering complaints, Uesugi Genshin paused for a moment, then exclaimed, "That makes sense!"

Chapter 356: How Can I Be Like You?

"Wait, have we gone off-topic?"

Fujiwara Chika looked at the two of them suspiciously, while Yukino beside her had a smile she couldn't help but chuckle.

“Okay.” Hayasaka Ai changed her voice and said in a very foreign accent, “Actually, I am Kaguya-sama’s SP. I was ordered to hide by her side and be responsible for her personal protection.”

"W-that voice?!" Fujiwara Chika put her hand to her mouth, her expression revealing undisguised shock. "You're Hasaka-kun?"

"You?" Kamuro Masumi looked at Hayasaka with a very strange gaze from behind.

"Hey, don't look at me like that." Hayasaka Ai turned around and complained when she noticed the gaze. Dressing as a man was just part of her job.

"Good morning, is Hasaka a girl?" Fujiwara Chika was uncertain about the truth. It was hard for her to reconcile her impression of Hayasaka, who was close to her, with the slender boy she met at Kaguya's house.

She had even imagined that Kaguya and Hasaka might have a forbidden relationship, like that between a butler and a young lady.