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

"I haven't said anything yet," Uesugi Genshin said, looking at her with an innocent expression.

With her back ramrod straight and arms crossed in a dashing manner, Hayasaka Ai tapped her arms with her fingers as if playing the piano, saying, "I know."

"Aren't you being a little cold to me?" Uesugi Genshin asked, feigning a slightly sad expression.

"Is that so?" Hayasaka Ai turned her head to look at him directly, but quickly looked away. "I feel the same as before."

"Ha... I understand." Uesugi Genshin walked forward as if giving up.

Just as I passed Hayasaka, I heard her say, "Really."

Then she was pulled by the arm and gently kissed on the cheek.

"Chirp."

"Mmm." Uesugi Genshin pointed to his mouth in dissatisfaction.

"Are you a child?!" Hayasaka Ai retorted angrily, suppressing her embarrassment.

She would never kiss someone in the hallway like Kaguya-sama did in the student council room, completely oblivious to everyone else. Absolutely not!

Ah, her exasperated look almost made Uesugi Genshin think she would stomp her feet cutely on the spot.

"Hayasaka, do you like children?" Uesugi Genshin asked her with a smile, tilting his head.

"...Who knows?" With her hands on her hips, Hayasaka Ai turned her head away, then realized that if she continued to stand there, she would be taken advantage of sooner or later, so she started walking forward.

"Yes, yes." Uesugi Genshin ran a few steps to catch up with her.

"Speaking of which, who is this?" After walking for a while, Hayasaka Ai turned around and asked the girl who was following closely behind.

"Kamuro Masumi." Kamuro Masumi, with no particular expression, gave a perfunctory self-introduction.

She was completely stunned by what she just saw. These two actually had a special relationship. It was a sight that could only be witnessed by someone who was by her side.

“I wanted her to help you with your workload,” Uesugi Genshin said to Hayasaka with a smile. Wasn’t this exactly what the secretary had always wanted?

"Ha, that's wonderful." Hayasaka Ai sighed wearily, then turned to Kamuro again. "Ms. Kamuro, is there anything you're good at?"

What is this, an interview?

Masumi Kamuro thought for a moment and said, "I'm good at sports and I can draw a little."

I originally planned to join the art club, but unfortunately that idea will never come true.

"Okay." Then Hayasaka Ai looked at Uesugi Genshin.

"That's really good. They managed to handle being surrounded by two or three zombies." Uesugi Genshin agreed with Kamuro and praised him, "Kamuro's execution was also excellent."

"Yes. Please take care of me from now on." Hayasaka Ai nodded, then turned to Kamuro and said.

"I am." Kamuro Masumi honestly lowered her head in response, probably because she used to do the same job as the other person.

On the way, Uesugi Genshin briefly recounted his experiences of the past few days to Hayasaka, including the situations where she, a former member of the Shinomiya family, was needed.

"As for gold, the Shinomiya Bank headquarters has it," Hayasaka Ai answered without hesitation. "There's an underground vault there, which does indeed store a large amount of gold."

In turbulent times, traders love gold.

"where is it?"

"Central District".

"Can we go take a look?" He wanted to assess the level of danger of the operation.

"No, we can't get through it," Hayasaka Ai declared definitively.

"Can't we get through?" Uesugi Genshin tilted his head.

“Yes, it’s impossible to get through,” Hayasaka Ai said definitively. Then she took out her phone, fiddled with it for a bit, and handed it to Uesugi Genshin. “This was taken by a drone.”

Uesugi Genshin took the phone, glanced at it, and saw a photo taken from a top-down angle.

A congested street.

The scene resembled a failed Tetris game, with cars parked either vertically or horizontally, completely blocking the road.

Ah, if someone could fail at Tetris like this in real life, it means they were really skilled and almost got to continue playing, but unfortunately, they were just one step behind.

“This is Ginza.” Hayasaka Ai pointed out the location of the photo. “Initially, in order to find out the surrounding situation, President Shirogane used the school’s drone to scout around. This photo was taken at that time.”

"Is Shinomiya's bank in Ginza?" After swiping left and right without finding any more useful photos, Uesugi Genshin returned the phone to Hayasaka Ai.

“No, it’s still to the east, over at Nihonbashi,” Hayasaka Ai shook her head. “The drone could only fly this far, which is why it took this picture, but…”

She gently closed her eyes and stopped walking. "Ginza is already like this during the day. It can't be much better in Nihonbashi."

Ginza is bustling at night; there aren't as many people during the day, which is why she said that.

Nihonbashi was completed in 1911, the 44th year of the Meiji Restoration, the last year of the Meiji Restoration, and also a memorable year.

Japan regained its tariff autonomy that year, so this building is a symbolic structure marking Japan's rise to power.

At the bridgehead stands a bronze unicorn with outstretched wings, symbolizing the rise of Japanese society during the Meiji era.

It's considered a landmark building, and there are many tall buildings and a lot of people around there.

“Nihonbashi…” Uesugi Genshin pondered, then suddenly thought of something and asked, “What if we move a little over there and launch the drones?”

"Give up." Hayasaka Ai patted his shoulder and sighed helplessly. "It's because of frequent use, plus all sorts of accidents."

This includes situations such as drones crashing into buildings, drone operators being attacked by zombies, and drones hovering at excessive distances and being unable to be retrieved.

"So Shuchiin no longer has any drones."

"..." Hayasaka's words left him speechless.

"If you really want to go see it this afternoon, you can only try the Metropolitan Expressway Ring Road."

At least part of it passes through there, or is very close to the Shinomiya Bank.

“Ha, are there any other options?” Uesugi Genshin asked.

"The other options can't be decided in just one noon and one afternoon."

Just like when she used to travel from Tokyo to Chiba, she took a long detour and spent a lot of time to get there.

And now, as they travel between Tokyo and Chiba, they are still following the same route she took at the beginning.

She had confirmed that this route was unobstructed and wouldn't waste any more time.

There might be a more time-saving route, but finding it requires both time and luck.

“We still need to go and take a look,” Uesugi Genshin decided.

"It's up to you," Hayasaka Ai said nonchalantly.

She glanced ahead and then said, "I'll go check on our lunch. It should be almost ready."

Uesugi Genshin only learned after asking that their lunch was prepared by the French chef from Algeria.

Well, as long as it's not Chinese food, he doesn't have a critical stance; as long as it's edible, it's fine.

“Let me go with you, we still need to bring it over, don’t we?” Kamuro Masumi suggested.

"So be it."

To be honest, he didn't even know where Yukinoshita and the others were. Just as he was about to call out to Hayasaka, he saw Eriri sitting on the steps downstairs.

"..." Hayasaka must have seen it and that's why he knew, which made Uesugi Genshin give up the idea of ​​calling Hayasaka.

He walked over and asked Eriri, who was sitting on the steps, "Why are you sitting here?"

"What do you want?" Eriri blurted out, but immediately realized it wasn't a stranger trying to strike up a conversation.

Uesugi Genshin said nonchalantly, "Isn't he still running a fever?"

"I...I just wanted to get some fresh air." Eriri curled up into a ball, a posture that didn't seem like she wanted to get some fresh air at all.

"Yes, yes." Uesugi Genshin sat down next to her and they enjoyed the breeze together.

It was just a breeze; the two of them didn't say a word until Eriri spoke first.

"Say something?"

"..." A familiar conversation, but this time...

Uesugi Genshin sighed inwardly, "What did you say?"

"Well, well..." Eriri didn't know what to say, a sense of inexplicable fear rising in her heart. She changed the subject, "That Hayasaka-san, she's coming with us too, right?"

"Yes."

"Will the car be big enough to fit everyone?"

"If we squeeze in, we should be able to sit down."

"......" This dialogue sounds familiar.

Eriri lowered her head and chuckled softly, but no laughter came out.

“The trunk is full this time,” Uesugi Genshin added.

"Hmm." Eriri hugged her knees tightly. "Um... Tomoya's here too."

“Yes,” Uesugi Genshin nodded.

"..."

"..."

Their conversation was interrupted for a moment, and Uesugi Genshin couldn't understand what Eriri was thinking right now, whether she wanted to stay.

But if not, asking her directly would be like kicking her out.

Considering the other person's awkward personality, saying nothing is probably the best option.

There are still seats available if you squeeze in the car.

"Do you think I should go see him?" Eriri asked in a weak and feeble voice.

"It's your decision," Uesugi Genshin said softly.

Is this considered an emotional question? Why would you ask him that?

“But aren’t I his childhood friend?” Eriri muttered to herself.

"Then let's go see her," Uesugi Genshin suggested, then he stood up, reached out and took her hand, trying to pull her up.

Eriri countered with, "Don't you care at all? Aren't you worried?"

"?" Uesugi Genshin looked down at her, not understanding. "What are you hesitating about?"

He was curious about what was reflected in those clear, transparent, azure eyes.

"I... I just felt..."

"Didn't your Cold War end?" You even lived together in the villa for a while.

Uesugi Genshin sighed inwardly. The hand he was holding was icy cold. Even the sun overhead couldn't help it.

Feeling the warmth of her hand, Eriri gripped it tightly and tried to speak again, "I just feel..."

"Do you think he'll try to keep you?" Uesugi Genshin asked tactfully.

"I didn't think that way," Eriri shook her head insincerely.

"Do you want to stay here?"

"Didn't Dad say you were supposed to take care of me?" Eriri still held on, but she rested her head on her knees and turned her face to the other side.

"..."

Memories tend to be romanticized, while reality is harsh.

Is Mr. Spencer spoiling his daughter too much?

After some time, he saw Hayasaka and Kamuro carrying boxes that were walking towards him, which probably contained their lunch.

However, upon seeing themselves and Eriri, they very considerately took a detour and made no intention of getting any closer.

Hey! Come here already! Uesugi Genshin didn't know what to say.

"Say something," Eriri said again after a long silence.