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

The continuous sound was very jarring in the quiet corridor that had become silent after the four people quieted down.

Hachiman walked to the door that had made the noise, looked at the tightly closed door, and realized there was no way to go in and deal with it.

"Let's go up first," Uesugi Genshin said to Yui and her mother as he watched Hachiman return.

"Yes." Yui Yuigahama nodded.

“Yes, let’s go up first anyway,” Yuihama’s mother agreed.

The four of them took the elevator back to the tenth floor. The sound of the door being banged on from the ninth floor continued. In this deserted corridor, there was silence for a moment.

"Please come in." Yuihama's mother opened the door to welcome the three of them. Actually, she should have been welcoming Uesugi Genshin and Hachiman, as only the two of them were considered guests.

"Excuse me." Uesugi Genshin and Hachiman took off their shoes in the entryway and entered Yuihama's house.

"Ah, Sabre."

This time, Yuihama's dog didn't circle around Hachiman; instead, it ran towards Yuihama with a "puff puff" sound.

Yui Yuigahama crouched down and hugged her dog, "Sabre, you're alright too."

"Woof woof." Sabre, who clearly couldn't understand human speech, was probably showing affection to his long-lost master, sticking out his tongue excitedly.

"I'll make you some tea, and there are some cookies at home." With that, Yuihama's mother went into the kitchen. "Please make yourselves at home."

Yuihama's house also features a semi-open kitchen, with the kitchen and dining table on the right and the living room on the left.

Sitting on the sofa, Uesugi Genshin began to observe the layout of the apartment. The walls were a warm flaxen color, giving it a cozy feel.

"Luckily, the water and electricity weren't cut off," Yuihama's mother said as she boiled water in the kitchen.

"Yes, the Self-Defense Forces are still at the power station and water plant; they haven't withdrawn," Uesugi Genshin explained.

"Is that so?" Yui Yuigahama asked in surprise, putting her hand to her mouth.

"Otherwise, why do you think the water and electricity haven't been cut off yet?" This is probably the only thing the Self-Defense Forces have done well.

At least there is water and electricity, so people hiding at home can barely survive for a while.

If the water and power are really cut off, the mortality rate will definitely skyrocket.

However, how long they will hold out is the question.

The issues of water and electricity hang overhead like the Sword of Damocles.

It is a shadow that cannot be ignored or erased.

"Here you go~" Yuihama's mother brought out the cookies first, while the water was still boiling. "These are the only cookies we have at home, because we're out of flour and can't make them by hand."

Cookies are undoubtedly better when they're homemade; how can factory-made cookies compare to handmade ones?

Uesugi Genshin looked at the cookies on the table, which were clearly torn from their packaging. "No, this is enough."

Someone's stomach rumbled in response; it was almost five o'clock, not to mention that the battle had just taken a toll on their energy.

He and Hachiman picked up the cookies from the plate and ate them, then picked up the tea that was served behind them and took a sip.

"We came here to pick you up." Setting down his teacup, Uesugi Genshin looked at Yuihama's mother sitting opposite him. "I wonder if you can leave today?"

“Well…” Yuihama’s mother thought for a moment, “Then I’ll go and invite the building manager over first.”

"Ah."

Chapter 194: Mother's Hope for Guidance

According to Yuihama's mother, when they were almost out of food at home except for rice and noodles, the building manager's wife came to their door.

That is, on the third day after the zombies appeared, the reason for the speed was mainly that there was no food stored at home.

This is especially true when a wife in a family gives up her career and chooses to become a full-time housewife.

In this situation, there will basically be very little food stored at home.

Using stale ingredients to cook is an insult to the profession of a full-time housewife.

Hachiman understood this very well, and he had done his homework on it.

Then the building manager, with the apartment building keys, led the survivors to collect food from the building and distribute it to the remaining occupants.

First, knock on the door. If no one answers, put your ear to the door and listen for any sounds inside. Only after you are absolutely certain that there is nothing inside, whether it is a living person or a zombie, should you open the door.

The method isn't particularly sophisticated, but it's very practical, and caution is a commendable quality.

There were also instances of people repeatedly banging on the door or making banging noises from unknown sources, and even more coincidentally, the doorknob was pulled off, right on the 10th floor.

The reason why the staircase leading upstairs, which Hachiman saw in the stairwell, was blocked was also due to this.

"I see." Uesugi Genshin nodded, sitting opposite the caretaker's wife, indicating that he understood.

The manager's wife looked quite young, but not in the same way as Yuihama's mother; she looked to be a woman in her thirties or forties.

With her long, wavy brown hair, delicate eyebrows, and rather extravagant clothes, she clearly pays attention to fashion and exudes a timeless charm.

"To be honest, if you hadn't come soon, I wouldn't know what to do," she said, interlacing her fingers.

Uesugi Genshin believed that this statement was an understatement. At least the staple food collected from each household should be enough to last for another month or two without any problem. As for the nutritional issues of eating only carbohydrates, that was not a concern.

"No, we're too late. The Chiba Self-Rescue Committee, established by Councilor Yukinoshita of Chiba, has set up a safe base. I can take you there."

"Is that so?" The caretaker's wife looked surprised and delighted, then covered her mouth with both hands, extremely excited.

Upon hearing Genshin mention the matter of the snow, Hachiman, who was sitting lazily on the sofa in the living room, looked over.

It seems he has no intention of taking these people to Zongwu High School, and he doesn't even intend to say it.

"Hmm, but I'd like to confirm how many people are in this building?" After glancing at Yui beside him, who remained silent, Uesugi Genshin turned his gaze to the other side of the table.

"There are six people in total, including me and Mrs. Yuihama." The caretaker's wife said without thinking, without even needing to count, which showed that she was very familiar with the place.

"Six people..." Uesugi Genshin pondered, considering how to arrange these people.

"Is there a problem?" The caretaker's wife took this as some kind of uncertainty.

"No." With his arms crossed, Uesugi Genshin shook his head. "I have two cars here. If you can leave immediately, you can go today, right now."

"Today?!" she exclaimed in surprise, clearly not expecting it to happen so soon.

"Is there anything that needs to be packed?"

"Um... can't we do it tomorrow?" the caretaker's wife said hesitantly.

If Uesugi Genshin were to insist that he leave immediately, he would likely comply.

He glanced at the clock; it was five o'clock. It would be dark soon. If he could set off in half an hour, he should be able to get back to Zongwu High School in time.

"Okay." After closing his eyes and thinking for a moment, Uesugi Genshin opened them and agreed. "Then please tell them to pack their things and leave tomorrow morning. Also, don't bring too much luggage, just one or two bags or one suitcase. Don't skimp on food; eat anything that won't last long and can't be taken, and try not to leave anything to waste..."

He listed the precautions in detail, and the female administrator opposite him nodded in agreement.

"Well, it seems we're going to stay here." Sitting across from her daughter, Yuihama's mother rested her hands on the table, cupping her face with a broad smile.

She was probably happy that her daughter's boyfriend was staying at her house for the first time, since this was an opportunity that didn't come often, and might even be the only one.

"Are you sure it's okay?" Yui Yuigahama tugged at his sleeve to confirm, after all, she knew that Xiao Xuan had important responsibilities at Soubu High School, in the executive department and the student council.

“I told Hayasaka before I left,” Uesugi Genshin blinked and closed his left eye, “so a day or two shouldn’t be a problem.”

It's hard to say in the long run. He was well aware that the combat effectiveness of the executive department was rapidly built up because of his prestige. His confidence made the members believe that they could do it, which was the role of a leader.

If someone is absent for an extended period, the executive department's work style will likely shift towards being hesitant and timid.

After saying that, he looked across at the other side and said, "That's all. Please make sure everyone is informed."

"I understand." The caretaker's wife stood up, intending to take her leave.

"Ah," Yuihama's mother said, as if remembering something, "I'll inform Mrs. Kawashima next door."

“Aunt Kawashima, huh?” Yui Yuigahama sighed softly. She knew the aunt next door; back when they were still in contact, the lady next door her mother was referring to was her.

"Okay, thank you." The housekeeper bowed slightly, then turned and walked towards the entrance.

Out of courtesy, Yuihama's mother also got up to see her out the door.

Next, we discussed where to stay, which was the original plan.

"I plan to go home and visit," Hachiman said after much deliberation.

He ended the discussion abruptly because neither he nor Shizuka Hiratsuka lived there anymore.

“Okay.” Since it was him who inspired it, Uesugi Genshin had no objections, but he still added, “Be careful.”

"Oh." Hachiman glanced at the time and prepared to leave.

We should be able to get home around 7 p.m., before it gets completely dark. He will give directions and Hiratsuka-sensei will drive. This isn't the first time, so it's a natural and tacit understanding between us.

Aside from feeling a little guilty for troubling the teacher, upon reflection, it seems there's no need for him to feel guilty about his relationship with the teacher.

Without realizing it, he quickly adapted to his role as the teacher's lover. Even if the teacher suddenly said she wanted to go home for a visit, he would go with her.

Okay, I'll ask them later.

“I’ll go down too, you don’t need to.” Uesugi Genshin said to Yui, who was sitting down, as they arrived at the entrance with Hachiman.

"Okay, I understand." Yui Yuigahama nodded obediently.

I went downstairs mainly to park the car and then bring the things out of the trunk.

Thinking that there might be no food left here, he brought some canned goods with him so that he could give them to Yuihama's mother to cook later.

"..." Knowing this, Yui Yui looked at the gently closing door and confidently made a strongman gesture to her mother, "Mom, I've learned how to cook. I'll help you later."

“Ara~” Yuihama’s mother cooperated with a proud expression, blinked, and stuck out her tongue. “Then let me see how good my daughter’s cooking skills are.”

To be honest, I was thinking that I would teach her someday when she felt she needed to learn, but I didn't expect my daughter to learn it on her own. So what was the opportunity?

"Hmph~, I'm cooking for hundreds of people every day now, so my ability is definitely above average."

Sabre also called out enthusiastically.

"Wang Wang~"

"I see." Yuihama's mother said knowingly. "By the way, Yui."

"what happened?"

"How far have things progressed between you and Uesugi-kun?" She covered her mouth, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

Unable to resist her parental curiosity, Yuihama's mother decided to investigate.

Or perhaps I should consider offering some guidance, but this isn't from the perspective of parents, but simply from the perspective of a mother.

Because if it were an elderly father at home, he would probably do this to his son: kick him and let him try it himself.

After all, his father figured it out on his own back then. If his father, who was also his grandfather, had taught him, he wouldn't have been unable to find the right spot when he was trying to feel down there, and wouldn't have been constantly fiddling with his belly button.

Or perhaps they thought they had pinched the clitoris, but it turned out to be hemorrhoids, causing the other person to jump out of bed in pain.

"Mom!!!" Yui Yuigahama sighed speechlessly, then stood up and pushed her mother's back forcefully.

"Eh~~~" On one side was Yui Hama's mother resisting, and on the other side was Yui Hama pushing her back even harder, which eventually developed into a tug-of-war between them.

It's so nice to see mother and daughter playing together...

Chapter 195: Sleeping on the Sofa or Sleeping on the Floor

"I'll be back tomorrow morning," Hachiman said to Uesugi Genshin before getting into the carriage.

As soon as Ms. Heiwazuka mentioned going home, she immediately agreed.

For the teacher, the only question was whether it would affect the operation, but after seeing Xuanxin follow him down, he understood that Xuanxin had given his permission.

"You know it yourself." With a hint of sarcasm, Uesugi Genshin rubbed the end of his hair. He knew that the other was very rational and would not recklessly rush forward if something happened.

They have a spirit of self-sacrifice, but not much, about the same as him.

Well... not really, at least he wouldn't risk his life to save a dog that's been hit by a car.

...Unless there is truly enough time, then each case needs to be analyzed individually.

"With me by his side, he can rest assured. Hahaha..." Hiratsuka-sensei let out a hearty laugh.

This prompted Uesugi Genshin and Hachiman to quickly look around, wondering if a cute little creature might pop out from a corner.

"Ah~, sorry, my voice was a bit loud." She quickly stopped, seemingly remorseful.