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

Chapter 81: You Can't Do It

"Idiot! Why did you close your eyes?!"

A new wave of roars erupted from the Execution Department's training grounds; it was quite a lively morning indeed!

"Because..." Unable to deny it any longer, Sagami's eyes were indeed closed. "I'm sorry."

"Then remember not to do it again next time." The tone was no longer as fierce as before, but it was still full of authority.

"Household Department? Do you think you didn't blink just now?" Uesugi Genshin saw Hobe Sho grinning.

"I...I didn't close it completely, did I?" He thought he was different from his colleagues who had never seen blood, but when the bamboo sword struck his face with a whistling sound, he still subconsciously lost control.

"You must always keep your eyes on the enemy and never look away, even if the enemy falls. Always be vigilant. This is what is called 'Zanshin' in Kendo."

"Next." Uesugi Genshin dismissed the team member who had been knocked down three times and called for the next person to come on stage.

“Uesugi-kun is very strict,” Hayama Hayato said to Hachiman, who was sitting next to him.

"Really? I don't think it's any different from usual." Hachiman suppressed a yawn that was about to escape his lips.

"Too disappointed to see someone succeed"? Not quite. We can't be too demanding of someone who only trains for the second day to have an iron will or expect them to have unparalleled talent.

We are all ordinary people, and the main purpose of the reprimand is to encourage them to remember the lesson and at least be more serious during training.

Meanwhile, they formed a circle, watching the miserable state of the person in the middle and the comical attack and speechless defense. The thought that they would probably end up like that themselves filled them with shame.

What's more, Xuanxin actually demanded to hold out until he was knocked down three times—three times! Being hit doesn't even count.

The impact of the opponent's immense force on me... was truly unforgettable.

He can still recall the comical moment when he met that big guy and lost his balance and fell to the ground, and was criticized by Xuanxin for having an unstable lower body and being too big for his size.

Nobody wants to become the next Yamato, and they're struggling desperately.

"Ugh..." Yu Sheng also fell down, sliding a distance on the ground, which can be considered as wiping the floor. However, the Ministry of Health will come to clean it up in the afternoon.

“Looks like I’m the last one.” Hayato Hayama, who was standing next to him, put on his mask and stood up.

"Good luck," Hachiman whispered his blessing from behind him.

"Hahaha......"

"Nice to meet you," Hayama Hayato said to the person opposite him after standing in the middle.

"Ah."

Both raised their weapons, adopting the same upper stance. Uesugi Genshin took the initiative to attack, stepping forward and thrusting.

Hayato Hayama took two steps back, slashing his bamboo sword upwards to temporarily repel the probing attack.

There was no overwhelming, storm-like attack; the two fought back and forth.

Sometimes he attacks frequently and sometimes he is forced to defend. Hayama Hayato's movements may not have reached the point of being effortless, and upon closer inspection, they may even appear somewhat clumsy.

"He's just giving me a taste of what's to come," Hachiman thought to himself.

Just like before, Xuanxin didn't want to test their courage, but rather hoped that they could further develop their skills.

Indeed, it's a case of teaching according to aptitude.

Uesugi Genshin seized the opportunity to advance and close the distance, restricting Hayama Hayato's movements. Hayama Hayato tried to kick him, but Uesugi Genshin beat him to it.

A loud thud was heard as the object fell to the ground.

"very good."

The third instruction session ended. Because it involved practicing moves, it was surprisingly entertaining to watch, unlike modern kendo competitions where participants would hover almost motionless, testing each other for a long time before quickly determining a winner.

"The morning training is over. This afternoon, Hachiman's men will be on a mission to clear out the zombies around Soubu High School. Take a break and we'll meet again this afternoon."

"Yes!"

Therefore, there will be no extra training for Yoshiteru Zaimokuza and Hachiman today, but there are still some things to explain.

"Here you go." Uesugi Genshin tossed a can of protein powder to Zaimokuza Yoshiteru. "I got this especially for you."

Hachiman walked out of the dojo first and saw his subordinate, Isshiki Iroha, standing to one side.

When he came out, someone waved to him from the other side.

"Minister, you haven't forgotten your promise, have you?" Isshiki Iroha reminded him.

"I haven't forgotten."

The other people passing by glanced at the two of them, guessing it was because of their work within the department, since they were the secretary of the student union.

"That's good." Isshiki Iroha looked over again with a smile.

"Stare~~~"

"I'll take you there now." He sighed and led her back to the dojo. They stopped at the entrance and could see Uesugi Genshin talking to Zaimokuza Yoshiteru inside. Hayama Hayato was also there; they must have some work to discuss.

"Are you really sure?" Just in case, Hachiman asked again.

"Huh? What are you talking about now?"

"No, if your feelings are as casual as your feelings for Hayama, I wouldn't recommend you do this."

"Of course they're different, Hayato-senpai..."

"Think it over carefully. I don't recommend you contact Xuanxin either; it's also very difficult." We need to make that clear beforehand.

Isshiki Iroha complained, "You're only saying this now?! Isn't it too late?"

"Decisions made on the spur of the moment reflect one's most immediate thoughts." This is similar to the situation where the first answer that comes to mind on the exam paper is written down immediately during an exam.

Hachiman pointed to Uesugi Genshin inside, "Don't you see the black hair tie on his wrist?"

“Yes.” Isshiki Iroha nodded.

Hachiman shook his index finger. "That doesn't belong to him. It belongs to some girl outside. And the handkerchief on his palm is something you only see at school. So that means there are at least two people involved."

"Ah..." Isshiki Iroha's mouth gaped open.

"Not to mention that he actually has someone he favors, and that person is very competitive. I wonder if they are the same person as the owner of that hair tie," Hachiman continued his analysis.

"Hmm... I see. It's just like how Kawasaki-senpai and Orimoto-senpai treated the club president."

"What does it have to do with those two? Besides, Orimoto and I aren't..." No, Kawasaki isn't either.

"Minister, isn't it obvious? I saw it yesterday!"

After the two separated, the minister had only taken a few steps when he ran into senior Orimoto. Orimoto immediately abandoned his classmates and went up to talk to them. They were even together when they disappeared at the end of the corridor, clearly planning to go somewhere together.

When Isshiki Iroha thought of this, her face showed a mix of complex emotions, including "I know," "Okay, okay, no need to say more," and "Guess whether I believe you or not."

Hachiman emphasized, "In short, think it through before you speak. Are you really prepared to fail?"

Iroha Isshiki puffed out her cheeks and complained, "Why is it based on failure?! And what does the captain mean by this? Are you checking things out for Uesugi-senpai in advance?"

Hachiman nodded in agreement, "Well, if you're only half-heartedly committed, then pushing you over there would make me a terrible accomplice, and I don't want to cause him any trouble."

"I've made up my mind." Isshiki Iroha lowered her head and clenched her fists at her chest.

"So what exactly do you like about that guy?"

"That's right, that's right... Uesugi-senpai is a very peaceful person, and it's very easy and warm to be around him. Unlike Hayato-senpai, who treats everyone the same, Uesugi-senpai is easier to approach, and he's very direct and doesn't hold back, so he seems very sincere."

She spoke without the slightest hesitation, her tone becoming more and more lively, and her eyes shining.

Well, in short, he's incredibly kind, and because of his "stinginess," the warmth is even more focused. Completely different from Hayama, who's like a little sun shining brightly across the land, this one's more like a kotatsu (heated table) for the home.

Seeing that she was serious, Hachiman said, "I understand."

Yoshiteru Zaimokuza, carrying the protein powder, walked out of the dojo. As he passed the two of them, he pressed his index and middle fingers together against his temples and said, "Yo~"

"Goodbye, I still have exercise tonight."

These words made Yoshiteru Zaimokuza stagger, his back view heavy and sorrowful.

"Let's go in." Hachiman led Isshiki Iroha into the dojo.

They approached Uesugi Genshin and Hayama Hayato, who smiled at each other in unison to greet them before continuing their conversation.

"The hardware stores in Xinhang should be able to find longer nails, then there won't be any problem."

“Then let’s drive there this evening. We can also take care of Yukinoshita’s accounting problem at the same time.” When he said “us,” Uesugi Gen casually pointed to the three people present, including himself.

Are you talking about hammering nails into a baseball bat?

"Then I'll be going now," Hayama Hayato said with a smile to the three of them, then got up and left.

"What do you want?" Uesugi Genshin raised an eyebrow; he had just seen the two of them loitering around the doorway.

“It seems our department needs someone to specialize in ‘financial management,’ but we can’t have combat personnel do it on the side, so the pressure is already immense. I’ve brought some recommendations.” Hachiman spread his left hand toward Isshiki Iroha beside him.

She was wearing her school uniform, her small, pert bottom sitting on her calf socks, her posture upright and serious.

"Is it Isshiki-chan?" Uesugi Genshin confirmed.

“Yes.” Isshiki Iroha had her hands resting awkwardly on her knees. “I hope I can help you, senpai.”

"Hmm~~~" Uesugi Genshin looked him up and down, though he was someone he could trust. "Isshiki... how are your science grades?"

"Huh?" Iroha Isshiki, sitting opposite him, gave him a strange look. "Ah, not bad?"

She herself wasn't quite sure what she was saying. She never expected the other person to ask about studying, especially since this was the apocalypse.

“Besides the financial issues of the Executive Department, there’s also the matter of your daily action reports,” Uesugi Genshin complained to Hachiman, turning his head away.

"Don't you have to write the summaries of your action reports and the executive department's action reports?" This tedious paperwork...

"If it could be shared out."

How should the costs be shared?

"If I find someone to act with me, they'll know the general outline of my operation." Uesugi Gensuke rested his cheek on his hand.

"You really dare to think this way..." Clearly, no one could keep up with this guy's movements the whole time. He and Ye Shan both had their own things to do, which meant they lacked a strong and capable deputy. Soubu High School didn't have such a person.

“Isshiki,” Uesugi Genshin said, turning his head.

"exist!"

"The financial management of the executive department requires a certain level of calculation ability, which you may not be able to handle." It's different from the cheerleading-style football department manager, especially as things get more complicated later on.

"Is that so..." These words were like a bolt from the blue. Iroha Isshiki felt like she was about to cry. Tears were about to spill out, and she slightly raised her head.

Hmm... is it really necessary to be so frustrated? Uesugi Genshin scratched his head in confusion.

"However, if you want to help, you can stay in the student council and do general affairs. As the vice president, I welcome you. Also, keep an eye on our accountant so she doesn't overwork herself."

Yesterday, he and Yukino worked very late. He originally just went to visit them, but he ended up being dragged into working with them!

"Yes Yes!"

Oh my, what a beautiful smile the girl has!

Chapter 82: Suspicious

I almost thought I'd be defeated in the first encounter. I mustered up my courage and took the first step, only to crash headfirst into a solid wall and end up with a bloody head.

As her minister, Hachiman was quite pleased, but he really didn't think she had any hope at this stage.

Moreover, he himself is not on her side and will try his best to provide only verbal support afterwards.

"That's fine then, you can go now." Uesugi Genshin waved his hand, urging them to leave.

Aren't we going to eat together?

The person opposite him actually showed a slightly disgusted expression, "Go ahead, go ahead, who wants to eat with you?"

We ate at the cafeteria together twice, and each time I sat alone in a corner, watching Hachiman himself being surrounded.

“Being the center of attention…” Uesugi Genshin shook his head. “I need to catch up on some sleep here. I went to bed a little late last night. We’ll talk about dinner later.”

After saying that, he turned and lay down on the wooden floor, his hands placed on his chest, very upright, as if he were being carried into a funeral.

"Don't oversleep," Hachiman reminded him, getting up from the floor.