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

I told my mom I wanted to apply to Zongwu High School, and she smiled and said, "Sure."

Then, as I studied, I passed the exam.

Seriously, how did they even pass the exam?

"Don't worry, you will transform today, from a carefree ordinary high school girl into a carefree ordinary high school girl who can beat up zombies without batting an eye."

"Huh? Is that how it's said?"

"Are you ready then?"

"Wait, wait! Isn't this too fast?"

"Let's start moving then."

"Didn't you say you'd give me time to prepare?" Yui Yuigahama clenched her fist and waved it in front of her chest from across the table.

"No, I still need to make lunch later."

People need to be pushed to take action, and that was true for her as well.

"You grab that side." Uesugi Genshin started by lifting the outermost zombie, which was only facing his direction.

Seeing that he made a move, Yui Yuigahama could not stay still. She did not resist grabbing his ankle, so she closed her eyes and grabbed his ankle.

This is an elderly man whose yellow teeth were sticking out when he died, and they haven't closed up yet.

Even Yuigahama Yui, who was holding onto his leg, didn't dare to look in that direction.

"It's time to go," Uesugi Genshin reminded her, gesturing for her to open her eyes.

"Okay, I understand." As if to encourage herself, she took a deep breath.

But then he immediately realized the air wasn't actually that fresh, and quickly coughed it out, "Cough cough cough..."

"Three, two, one." Uesugi Genshin ignored her silly movements and counted down.

The two of them worked together to lift the zombie up, then turned it around and moved it toward the railing. With just a slight lift, they could drop it from the second floor to the ground.

"One, two." While counting, the two coordinated to throw the zombie in an arc before it crashed heavily to the ground.

For some reason, the urge to look prompted Yui Yuigahama to look down. The zombie that had fallen to the ground looked no different from before, except that blood had inevitably splattered on it again.

She looked at the bloodstains on her gloves again and suddenly felt a sense of unease.

This sense of incongruity is part of growing up...

The second one was also facing Uesugi Genshin, but Yui Yuigahama stared wide-eyed, as if she were in a daze.

Looking at Yui Yuigahama, who was listlessly staring at the tattered head of the third zombie, Uesugi Genshin knew that she had changed.

In the end times, people will inevitably change, but it is undeniable that these changes will be for the better.

After one or two people threw the zombies down, only an empty cart remained.

"It's finally over. I'm so tired." With her shoulders slumped, Yui Yuigahama let out a deep sigh.

"Yeah, keep it up, there are still several more trips to go."

And... can't they really hear?

Uesugi Genshin expressed his doubts, and just in case, he placed the baseball bat next to the door; the lesson of losing a weapon only needs to be learned once.

It's been so long that I've forgotten the habit of always carrying my weapon. After all, it's a peaceful era, and now I need to gradually recall it.

"Hey~" Her dejected tone sounded like a coquettish plea, but it couldn't shake his heart of stone.

Once is out of curiosity, twice is out of excitement, but after a few more times you become numb. You have to go through a few more times to overcome and adapt to the discomfort in your heart.

She returned the shopping cart to the supermarket, with Uesugi Genshin following behind her.

"What are we eating today?"

"Chiba's specialty is lobster."

"Really? I really can't wait to eat it..." she said, full of anticipation.

Then, Yui Yuigahama was ruthlessly forced by this man to carry the last few batches of zombies alone with Yumiko Miura, which was truly heinous.

When Miura Yumiko went to complain, he slammed the kitchen knife he used to dismantle the lobster onto the cutting board and asked, "Why don't you do it?"

-----------------

"Ah... this restaurant is delicious." Hiratsuka-sensei deliberately slowed down while driving so that Hachiman Hikigaya could see clearly.

"Um, teacher..."

"what happened?"

"Isn't this a ramen shop?"

Teacher, is this the only ramen shop you know that's known for its masculine vibe...?

No, just because it's Hiratsuka-sensei, it's just a common prejudice to only know that older men go to certain shops, right?

He usually drinks alone at an izakaya.

"Any dissatisfaction?"

"No, rather, this restaurant looks like the kind that's absolutely delicious."

Every city has its share of "fly restaurants," unassuming little shops hidden on the side of the street. They're not exactly unassuming, though the storefronts are unremarkable, but gourmets from all over flock to them, forming long queues outside.

"Right?" She was as happy as a child, sharing what she liked with him.

That smile instantly conjured up an image in his mind: a woman in her thirties smiling as she faced a mountain of ramen!

No, no.

He shook his head, trying to dispel the terrifyingly real imagery.

"Oh! The look on your face, are you thinking about something rude?"

No, that's not true.

"No, you were thinking that it was obvious from your expression just now."

He flaunted his unique dead fish eyes: "This is my natural expression. Besides, what's the basis for thinking I would think this way? What's the evidence? Is there any evidence? To be honest, I have no motive for it."

"Isn't this a unique way of expressing oneself used by prisoners who have been driven to the brink of desperation?"

"Forget it, I know exactly what others are thinking. Honestly, everyone's like that, saying they'll miss out on marriage... It's okay, right? Going to a ramen shop on a day off isn't a big deal, is it?" She slammed her hand on the steering wheel, almost hitting the horn.

This nearly startled Hachiman Hikigaya, as honking his horn on the road nowadays is considered very inappropriate.

"No, I don't think it's a problem, really! There will definitely be men who like women like that."

After all, this world is vast!

"Ah, that's a comforting way of putting it~" Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly thought of something, "No, wait, what do you think? Generally speaking, what do you think of a woman who's taken to a ramen shop on her first date?"

"Huh? Are you asking me?"

"Of course, comments from a sensitive teenager like you are quite valuable as a sample of ordinary people, aren't they?"

"Ah, well... I feel perfectly fine."

"Is that so? I see! As expected, there's nothing wrong with a woman who's particularly knowledgeable about ramen in this world."

"Wait a minute... isn't there something wrong with using my opinion as the standard answer? Isn't that going too far with the interpretation?"

"No, I have a deep appreciation for your sharp and critical eyes, otherwise I wouldn't be able to write such awkward little essays. They are more useful and persuasive than what those elderly relatives who are only seen when they go back to their hometowns for the New Year say! So I think your opinion is in line with the public's."

"Wow, this is such a forced excuse, but you know, not all men in the world are like this. In the end, it's just me as the object of your affections, only me!" He emphasized to avoid being irresponsible.

"Hmm... Ah... Yes, I see..."

What? Why is this person suddenly shy? He's usually so handsome, and now he's reacting like this. Is this what they call the "gap moe" phenomenon?

They are absolutely adorable.

"It's a pity we can never eat it again," Ms. Hiratsuka sighed, as if trying to hide something, looking very regretful.

Well, if I have the materials next time, I can help Hiratsuka-sensei make a replica.

At least he can make regular ramen.

Don't underestimate his dream of being a stay-at-home dad!

If you want to be a full-time househusband, then being able to cook is a basic requirement.

He was seriously preparing for his ideals.

Chapter 51: The Drunkard and the Supermarket

The moment I ate the food, all the previous fatigue and grievances disappeared, and a feeling of happiness rose from the depths of my heart.

No matter how tired I am, if I can eat this kind of delicious food, nothing else matters.

A perfect combination of bread slices fried to a golden brown and crispy with butter and tender lobster meat drizzled with mayonnaise.

With each bite, your teeth first touch a layer of flaky pastry, and then travel to the soft interior.

This lobster sandwich has a lot of lobster meat; you need to hold it with both hands to avoid it falling out.

The unique sweetness of fresh lobster, combined with the perfectly cooked, bouncy texture of the meat, creates a refreshing and harmonious taste.

What's even better is the sauce on top. In addition to mayonnaise, there's a savory seasoning powder that's absolutely the finishing touch.

Yui Yuigahama ate happily, a relaxed and carefree smile on her face.

She suddenly noticed the extremely calm expression on the face of the person sitting opposite her, even though Yumiko next to her couldn't help but praise how delicious it was.

"Xiao Xuan, what's wrong? Is it not tasty?"

Why would someone ask me if my cooking is good or bad?

"No, I'm thinking that I must marry a woman who can cook in the future."

It wasn't that the food was bad, but spending two hours cooking it stirred up a complex mix of emotions within him.

"Huh? Is it that strict?"

"?" Uesugi Genshin looked at Yui Yuigahama, who seemed confused, as if she thought that way was wrong.

"Isn't being a good wife and mother a basic requirement for being qualified? What do you think of your mother?"

"How about what?"

"Are you taking good care of your family at home?"

"Ah... um, that's how it is." She suddenly thought of her mother, who was truly a very qualified full-time housewife. If she were to say, she would be the best mother.

"But, but, we only found out after we got married. Isn't it a bit hasty to judge someone simply by whether they can cook?"

“That’s right.” Uesugi Genshin nodded.

Yui Yuigahama tilted her head, somewhat puzzled as to what the other person agreed with, but after seeing him open his mouth and take a big bite of the lobster, she forgot about it and started eating.

Listening to their conversation, Miura Yumiko felt a bitter taste in her mouth. These past few days, she'd suddenly started thinking about the woman Hayato would marry—probably not someone like her...

My stomach felt like it had eaten a bitter melon; only the delicious food I swallowed could suppress the bitterness, but it would soon return.

"If you finish eating, there's more." With that, Uesugi Genshin pushed the plate toward Miura Yumiko, who had already finished eating.

"Yes, thank you." I didn't dare ask... it was indeed as he said.

She hadn't thought about it much before, but now that she's paying attention, she's discovered a startling incongruity. The distance between him and her is probably the distance of longing. Hayato has never truly shown any affection for her, so she's never dared to make any move, afraid of ruining this hard-won relationship.

I'm afraid to know, I'm afraid of the truth. If it's really something bad... I really don't want to know.

Uesugi Genshin was somewhat doubtful. Was the labor he had just done really that damaging?

Looking at the taciturn and completely lacking in her former arrogance, and the carefree (in a good way) Yui Yuigahama.

He didn't know what to say, so he handed over the wheat juice as well, asking, "Are you alright?"

"It's okay." Miura Yumiko frowned as she looked at the wheat juice handed to her, but still took it.

She held it in her palm as if pondering it, and finally chose to open it, releasing a pungent odor.

He took a small sip and complained, "It doesn't taste good."