Anime Crossover: Post-Apocalyptic Survival, My Stand is the World

As Sagiri spoke, she unconsciously extended her slender finger and touched the painting lightly, trying to explain.

Her attention was completely drawn to the painting.

She didn't even realize that the distance between herself and the strange man in front of her was gradually closing.

"I see." Su Chen nodded, a genuine smile on his face. "Thank you, Izumi-sensei. You've been a great help."

The word "Izumi-sensei" made Sagiri's body tremble violently.

A suspicious blush suddenly rose on her cheeks, and even her ears turned bright red.

"No, that's not it, teacher..." she hurriedly waved her hands, then began to stammer again.

Su Chen smiled at her adorable appearance and didn't tease her any further.

He closed his sketchbook, stood up, and prepared to leave.

at this time.

“That…that!”

Sagiri mustered the greatest courage of her life and called out to him.

Su Chen turned around.

The silver-haired girl, head bowed, carefully took something out of the pocket of her oversized sports jacket.

It was a palm-sized piece of chocolate, neatly wrapped in tin foil.

In this apocalyptic world of food scarcity, this piece of chocolate is undoubtedly a top-tier luxury item, comparable to gold.

"this is for you."

Sagiri handed over the chocolate, her little hands trembling violently with nervousness and shyness.

"Consider it a thank you for saving me just now."

Her voice was soft, but every word was spoken with exceptional clarity.

Su Chen looked at her, then at the chocolate, and remained silent for a moment.

Then he reached out and took it.

"Thank you."

He said.

"I accept your gift."

The moment she received a response, Izumi Sagiri felt as if she had accomplished something extraordinary, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, clutching her graphics tablet, she ran back to the darkest corner without looking back, curling herself up into a ball once more.

This time, however, her beautiful blue-purple eyes, visible outside the mask, held less panic and more of an indescribable, sparkling light.

Chapter Nineteen: The First Clash Between Queens

Night has fallen.

Inside the television station building, most of the survivors had already fallen asleep.

Only the emergency lights continued tirelessly, emitting a ghastly white glow.

On the second floor, in a fairly clean control room.

Yukino Yukinoshita and Mai Sakurajima sat facing each other.

A cold metal table separated the two people.

An invisible, confrontational atmosphere permeated the air.

"Well then, Sakurajima-senpai."

The first to speak was Yukino Yukinoshita.

She held a notebook in her hand, which was filled with dense records of the quantity of supplies that had just been counted and the information of the survivors.

Her expression remained as aloof as ever.

"I'd like to hear your thoughts on the team's future development direction."

This sounds like a routine work discussion.

But Mai Sakurajima sensed an undisguised scrutiny and...challenge in the other person's icy blue eyes.

'Ah, what an interesting little girl.'

Mai-senpai chuckled inwardly, but her face maintained that composed, perfect smile befitting a national idol.

"My opinion is very simple, Yukinoshita-kun."

Her voice was gentle and pleasant, yet carried an undeniable confidence.

“Survival is the top priority right now. We should take advantage of the strong defenses of the television station building to establish a long-term, stable base here, instead of putting everyone in danger again for an uncertain goal, as some have suggested.”

The "certain people" she was referring to were naturally Su Chen.

But she was saying this to Yukino Yukinoshita.

Yukino Yukinoshita's pen paused slightly on the paper.

"I admit, senior, your 'prudent' approach makes a lot of sense."

She raised her head and calmly returned the greeting.

"However, 'sitting and waiting to die' is never the best way to solve problems. The food and water here are only enough for a dozen or so of us, which will last for less than two weeks. What about after two weeks? We still have to go out."

"Instead of waiting until we run out of ammunition and food and passively going out to take risks, let's take advantage of the present moment, when we still have the strength and the option, to take the initiative and seize more resources for survival."

"This is also what 'he' means."

The last four words were uttered very lightly by Yukino Yukinoshita, yet they were like a precise bullet, shot towards her opponent.

Mai Sakurajima's smile remained unchanged.

"His meaning is certainly important. But as team managers, we have a responsibility to provide him with more comprehensive and safer alternatives, don't we?"

"After all, no matter how powerful he is, he is still just one person. He can't protect every single one of us every single moment."

"And my solution can reduce his burden to the greatest extent possible."

“Is it to lighten his burden, or…” Yukino Yukinoshita’s lips curled into a cold smile, “…weaken his absolute leadership in the team, the one who has the final say? Sakurajima-senpai, your ambition is not as harmless as you seem.”

At this point, the gentle facade had been completely torn away.

Two equally intelligent, equally proud, and equally powerful "queens" finally revealed their sharp claws.

On the surface, their argument was a debate between a "radical" and a "moderate" approach.

But they both knew the truth in their hearts.

What they were actually fighting for was...

In this team with that man at its absolute core, who is the only indispensable "female master" who can stand by his side and offer him advice?

"Ambition?"

Mai Sakurajima chuckled softly, leaning slightly forward, and an invisible, powerful aura befitting a top star slowly emanated from her.

“Yukinoshita, perhaps you should understand one thing. Everything I’ve done is for the sake of this team’s longevity. It’s not like a little girl blindly worshipping someone’s strength and putting everyone’s lives on that one person’s shoulders. That’s not trust, that’s 'foolishness'.”

"you!"

Yukino Yukinoshita's expression finally changed slightly.

The word "stupid" pierced her pride.

"At least, my 'foolishness' was based on witnessing his 'unreasonable' power firsthand. But what about you, senior? You haven't even seen his true power yet, and you're already talking nonsense on paper. That's not 'prudence,' that's 'arrogance'!"

"Really?"

"Of course!"

……

Outside.

Su Chen leaned against the wall, feeling a bit of a headache, listening to the silent war unfolding inside.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, standing next to him, wore a gloating expression and even pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds from somewhere, watching the show with great interest.

"Tsk tsk tsk," she murmured, cracking sunflower seeds as she whispered in Su Chen's ear, fanning the flames, "A battleground, Su Chen-kun. And the highest level, a 'Queen's Duel.' How about it? Don't you feel like a tyrannical ruler who brought ruin to the country?"

Su Chen rolled her eyes.

"Are you free? Kasumigaoka-senpai."

"There's nothing I can do about it, the 'materials' here are just too interesting." Senior Shiyu laughed like a cat that had just stolen some cream.

Su Chen ignored her.

He knew he had to step in and end this argument.

If they continue arguing, this small team that was just united will probably start to split from within.

He pushed open the door to the control room and went inside.

His appearance was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the tense atmosphere in the room.

Yukino and Mai stopped arguing at the same time and turned their gazes to him.

That look seemed to say, "Who do you choose?"

This is a question that could cost you your life.

Any ordinary man caught in this "red and white rose" duel would probably be terrified and at a loss.

But Su Chen is no ordinary man.

He simply pulled up a chair, sat down between the two of them, and wore a calm smile.

"Have you two finished talking?"

"..."

"..."

Neither woman spoke.

"Now that we've finished talking, let me share my thoughts."

Su Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, drawing the attention of both of them.

"First of all, Mai-senpai."

He looked at Mai Sakurajima and gave her a positive evaluation.

"Your 'base theory' is correct. A solid defense is the cornerstone of our survival. Your caution is the team's most valuable asset."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of smugness flashed in Mai Sakurajima's eyes.

Yukino Yukinoshita's face paled slightly.

However, Su Chen's next words instantly reversed the situation.

"But, Yukino."

He turned his head and looked at Yukino Yukinoshita, his eyes filled with approval.

"Your 'attack theory' is also correct. Offense is the best defense. What we need is not a tortoise shell, but a 'kingdom' that can keep expanding outward. Your ambition is the 'engine' that allows this team to go further."

This time, a light shone in Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes.

Mai Sakurajima, however, was somewhat confused.

What is this guy trying to do? Is he trying to smooth things over?

"so,"

Su Chen stood up, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward slightly.

A powerful aura of confidence and pressure, befitting an absolute leader, swept over us.

My decision is—

"We want both of them."