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

With a touch of emotion, Uesugi Genshin looked at Toyohama Kazuka, who was covering herself with a black puffy miniskirt.

They stared at each other with smiles for about three seconds, her cheeks flushed, and she stammered, unable to speak.

"what?"

"I thought you were the type to wear cat-patterned clothes, Toyohama..."

That's a bit of an exaggeration, but since she's attending a prestigious girls' high school, it's somewhat foreseeable that she wouldn't have a boyfriend.

"Huh?! How could I dress so childishly for a performance?"

"Huh? What kind of theory is this?"

"You won't feel the presence of the event, like your mood or the atmosphere."

"I see." His throat bobbed, and he tasted vanilla, dried fruit, caramel, and tobacco, with a smoky flavor that filled his nostrils.

"Don't you have anything else to say?"

"What did you say?" Uesugi Genshin pondered, then suddenly realized, "Ah, do you want me to show you mine too?"

"Terrible~" She sat down opposite Uesugi Genshin again.

"I am a champion of gender equality."

"Is it that delicious?" Kazuka Toyohama asked curiously, clutching her skirt with both hands.

"Hmm, it tastes good, but it takes some getting used to." There are age restrictions for drinking alcohol here; you must be at least an adult.

The drowsiness didn't return; instead, his heightened nerves were the reason he drank. The clock hands weren't even pointing to the center; it was only eleven o'clock.

Then he remembered something, got up, and took another transparent bottle out of the refrigerator.

"what is that?"

"water."

"It's a lie." Without hesitation.

"There's no way it could be put in a glass bottle." The number 96 is clearly labeled on the glass bottle!

Not to mention the strong smell when you open it.

He then poured the eaux-de-vie into the whiskey, which was already half-drunk. The amber and the transparency collided and combined, leaving behind a glass of golden liquid, along with the aroma of alcohol that once again filled the air.

"This is a bar."

Uesugi Genshin smiled gently, and as he smelled the scent, he was lost in memories. "There is such a name."

The cup was pushed forward slightly, revealing a captivating, clear amber color within.

"But I prefer to call it oolong tea."

"??? What kind of oolong tea is this?" Feng Bin and Xiang asked, pouting.

Uesugi Genshin revealed a mocking smile and said, "It's a special blend of oolong tea made in the Uesugi family."

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

Then, under the suspicious gazes of Toyohama and Kaori, she poured the contents of the cup into her mouth.

"..."

"Cough cough cough."

Toyohama Kazuka laughed gleefully, "It really doesn't taste good."

"No, it tastes good, but the proportions are a bit off." Uesugi Genshin said, while suppressing a cough.

Seeing Uesugi Genshin's face turn red from being choked, Toyohama Kazuka couldn't bear it and got up, saying, "I'll go heat up some fried chicken for you. I remember there's a bento box with that; it's at least a snack to go with drinks."

"Thank you so much."

She headed towards the kitchen, while Uesugi Genshin opened the beer on the table, intending to warm up first.

It's quite surprising that Kazuka Toyohama is the kind of girl who goes into the kitchen. To be honest, looking at this hot girl's appearance, plus the fact that her mother made her "go out to work" at a young age.

Mai Sakurajima's mother is a strong-willed person, and it's highly likely that her parents' divorce was partly due to this discord. Her next marriage partner will likely be someone who takes care of the family, which seems like a reasonable consideration.

Therefore, she probably wouldn't have the time or opportunity to prepare for being a good wife and mother at home.

He sat at the dining table, squinting as he scrutinized every move in the kitchen, fearing that he might cause a tragedy like Yuihama's.

"..."

Simple processing, semi-finished food, served on two plates at the table.

Japanese fried chicken and karaage squid.

I was hungry again, and my stomach rumbled appropriately.

I picked up the snack with my hands, which I had just washed in the restroom, still covered in hot oil.

The squid meat is tender and white. The shrinkage after deep-frying makes it chewier and more fragrant the more you chew it.

"How about it?"

This statement made Uesugi Genshin pause in his actions. "I'm already very surprised that you can cook it so well."

"What...?" Toyohama Kazuka waved her hand angrily, "I'll study hard from now on."

"Hmm." A thought worth encouraging.

You may not be able to cook, but you can't be unable to cook.

Watching Uesugi Genshin tentatively adjust the water ratio for the oolong tea, Toyohama Kazuka couldn't help but ask, "Hey, are you really leaving?"

"Yes."

"Stay here." It's hard to imagine that she would say such a thing; the rebellious girl admitted to dependence one day.

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

This is like another option: what would happen if one left the common route and stayed here? Uesugi Genshin had some ideas about it.

"No."

"why?"

Feng Bin and Xiang raised their eyes uneasily.

why?

"......" Resentment? Loneliness? Ambition? Boredom? Or an untamed spirit?

"Well then, if I'm free in two weeks, I'll come back and take a look."

"Really?"

"Well, really."

Absolutely.

Nothing is absolute.

"Humph~"

"..."

"We made plans."

"...Yes, it's arranged."

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Second Day

What does my sister really think of me?

Kazuka Toyohama also picked up a beer and started drinking it, but she muttered that it didn't taste very good.

"Hmm? Didn't I already tell you? She's a very cute little sister."

"It's a lie, it must be." She lowered her head, her expression gloomy, and pouted.

"In the beginning, I was so busy that I only had time to sleep when I got home, and I didn't even have time to look at my own work. People in front of me would say flattering things, but I was thinking, 'Who are these people?' Then a younger sister appeared and said that her older sister was the best, which made her realize that she was actually doing very well."

"So I wasn't lying to you. Anyone would fall for a cute little sister who admires them, right?" Uesugi Genshin chuckled nonchalantly.

"You! What are you saying..." On the contrary, the one on the other side tried his best not to admit that he was a sister-complex.

"Yes, that's the truth." He picked up a piece of fried chicken with his fingers and put it in his mouth. It was juicy and delicious. He then couldn't help but take a sip of oolong tea.

"The letter you sent to your sister is treasured by her."

"Ahhhhh! Stop talking!" Feeling ashamed as if she had heard something embarrassing from the past, Toyohama Kazuka covered her face and swayed her body from side to side.

I don't want to open my childhood diaries or my teenage creations now; I'm afraid to.

"It seems she keeps the letters you sent her in a cabinet."

How do you know so much?

"Does it say on it that you love your older sister the most?"

"No, don't say anymore."

It's so sweet.

Ah.

Dead memories are attacking her.

Finally, the two finished all the food on the table, leaving nothing behind.

"I'm going to sleep." Uesugi Genshin yawned softly. His head was still foggy from the alcohol, and now he could go back to sleep.

"Oh, shall I take a shower first? The water in the bathtub is still warm."

It's OK because the insulation was turned on.

After all, anyone returning from that kind of place would feel an unbearable, faint stench of decay emanating from them.

"I'm afraid I'll collapse in there." Muttering to himself, Uesugi Genshin made an almost 180-degree turn and headed towards the bathroom.

"I'll wash your clothes for you; they should be dry by tomorrow morning," said Feng Bin and Xiang as they tidied up the plates and bottles on the table.

"well."

Yesterday was truly a terrible day; my clothes inevitably got some blood and dirt on them.

I rinsed myself under the showerhead and then sank into the water, which turned a clear, dark green because of the added bath salts.

This must be fresh bathwater, right?

Uesugi Genshin was puzzled. After all, five people sharing a bathtub of water, let alone six, seemed a bit too harmonious.

He dented the water with his palm, but couldn't see anything, then shook his head and lay down completely.

Footsteps came from outside the bathroom; it must have been Feng Bin talking about doing laundry.

"I left my towel and change of clothes here."

???

"Isn't this a woman's home?"

What spare clothes do you have?

The voice was soft, and the person was already far away, so there was no response.

Uesugi Genshin shook his head again, lay down, and enjoyed this rare bathing experience.

After a long while, a knock on the door startled him awake.

"...Are you not asleep?"

The door was pulled open, and Feng Bin and Xiang Kazuka gripped the door frame with both hands, their upper bodies exposed, as they peered into the room.

The moment he saw the person, he visibly relaxed, then his gaze darted around—or rather, swayed from side to side.