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

Hum~~~

She walked to the car, followed by the other people who had come to see her off, in addition to the two people who had come to see her off.

"Ah~, Yukino-chan, don't worry, I'll take care of persuading Mother," Yukinoshita Haruno assured her, raising her hand.

"Ha." Yukino Yukinoshita didn't quite believe it, but she still said, "Then I'll leave it to you, sister."

"Yeah, leave it to me."

"Be careful on the road." Hiratsuka Shizuka said, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from her lips. She had lit it and smoked half of it in the short time since she finished playing the drums.

"Yes, yes, it's actually not that far." Yukinoshita Haruno waved her hand dismissively.

The Chiba Self-Rescue Committee's base was established around the Yukinoshita family residence, with the original surviving company employees of the Yukinoshita family as its core members. The actual location was on the other side of the Mihama Bridge, roughly sandwiched between the Sobu High School and Tokyo, some inland from the coast to the east.

Yukino took one last look at her younger sister.

Ah~~ Ah~~, I'm so envious.

She will have to go back to the table and compete for bargaining chips with others. As the heir of the Yukinoshita family, she must set an example, take on the responsibility of going out, and do it well.

It's always been like this. In parents' eyes, older children are naturally expected to be more mature than younger children, regardless of whether they are truly mature or just pretending.

They always give the best food to the children first, and they spoil them.

From personality and preferences to clothing, etiquette, and interpersonal relationships, everything about him had to conform to the identity of a family heir. The band he formed with Shizuka in high school was his last act of rebellion.

Yukino, on the other hand, was never forced to do anything by her mother; she was basically left to her own devices, unlike Yukino who had no choice at all.

My sister's confusion about her place in the family and society, stemming from never being explicitly asked of anything, is also a kind of happiness.

As a result... she actually started to envy me, imitating me in every way, wanting to walk the path I had walked, and making all the efforts for things I hated.

What a...foolish little sister.

Yukinoshita Haruno shifted her gaze to the young man standing at the front, whose azure eyes reflected her like a mirror.

Wearing a plain T-shirt and simple casual pants, with no more than two colors on his body, he was impeccably clean. Some might see him as a radiant cherry blossom, like a samurai, but in her eyes, he was more like a poppy, deadly.

Finally, she stepped forward, placed her hands on his shoulders, pressed her body close to his, and whispered in his ear, "Remember our promise."

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

"Stay away from my sister."

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

Today's work wasn't as troublesome; it was simply a continuation of yesterday's work. The surrounding area was completely cleared, and the area around Zongwu High was completely blocked off. Only the roadblocks on both sides of the seaside avenue were the kind that could be easily moved, allowing traffic to pass.

The direction facing the coast is a bit more troublesome, as this is the only side without any buildings or walls, but instead a green belt composed of dense trees.

Is it possible to get past people? Yes, but it's very difficult, as various branches and bushes block the way.

Is it possible for zombies to sneak over? It's not impossible, although the chances are very slim.

Hayato Hayama led a group to check and cleared out a few zombies near the exit of Inage Beach Park. They didn't continue looking deeper in, as there might still be some zombies there.

When the day was over, they sat down at the table again, and there were only the three of them in the room.

Yukino Yukinoshita's constant glancing at him was really bothering him, like a cat stealing fish. What's wrong with him? Just say it.

Uesugi Genshin put down his pen and looked directly at Yukino Yukinoshita's face. Upon seeing this, the person opposite him also put down what they were holding and looked at him.

"Speaking of which, what did your sister say to you this morning?" The question was asked casually, as if it were just a casual remark.

"Huh? Ah... you told me to stay away from you." Uesugi Genshin propped his forearm on the table, shook the back of his hand, and said it was nothing to worry about.

Yukino Yukinoshita's index and middle fingers trembled slightly, then she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Haa, so what do you think?"

"Haha, I don't really think so. She's probably afraid that my irresistible charm will attract the Second Miss."

"Eh~" Isshiki Iroha tilted her head in her seat and made an unintelligible sound.

Generally, when someone refers to themselves as "Second Miss," it's usually in a teasing or joking manner.

Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head. "Don't take my sister's words to heart. She usually lies when she says things like that, hiding malicious manipulation."

"I understand." Moreover, Uesugi Genshin did not think he had shown any favoritism towards Yukinoshita. If Shiromaki-senpai were sitting in her seat, he would have done the same.

These two are the kind of people who, even during community cleanup voluntary activities, would quietly clean up any dog ​​excrement they came across, just like those girls who yell and demand that boys come and clean up. So good girls should be treated this way.

"Your plan to win over your sister has failed."

"I don't think so, there's still a chance."

Where is that opportunity?

"Freedom. Your sister, according to Hiratsuka-sensei, is being used as the main force over there to go out and collect supplies, helping the Yukinoshita family maintain sufficient influence in the diluted armed forces."

"Mother asked for it?" In an instant, Yukino Yukinoshita could only think of her mother, because even though her father was soft-hearted, he was henpecked.

“No.” Uesugi Genshin shook his head in denial. “She stepped forward herself. As the heir of the Yukinoshita family, she has an obligation to fulfill. Your parents don’t need to tell you that, do they?”

It's heartbreaking to see her acting this way.

To protect her parents' and her own lives, and to prevent the survivor base from slipping out of control, she stepped forward.

Those who should be in power are not, and those who shouldn't be are. The Yukinoshita family has always done a good job in various activities in Chiba. But this post-apocalyptic world is like this now, and some people with unusual qualities and unclear character have suddenly stood out. Not everyone is like him, leaning towards neutrality.

Sitting to the side, Isshiki Iroha listened with a reserved expression, as if wondering, "Is this a topic I should be listening to?"

"I see, sister..." Yukino Yukinoshita had never seen her sister from this perspective before. In this person's eyes, her sister was actually somewhat pitiful.

"Besides, your parents undoubtedly love you. As parents, they should be thinking about your safety more at this time."

Since we've enjoyed the benefits of being part of a family, we should fulfill our obligations to carry on that family legacy—that's normal in ordinary times. But now, in this apocalyptic situation where it feels like dancing on a knife's edge, nowhere is truly safe, and the person themselves is the most important thing.

"As long as you can prove that we are safe enough here, that your safety is fully guaranteed, and that your importance and strength are enough to contend with the other side, then your mother will only praise you with satisfaction."

"Is that so?" Yukino Yukinoshita smiled. She took her mother's praise to heart. It was as if it had never appeared in her memory before, as if it had been a long time ago.

"Is it safe...?" She lowered her head in thought, then looked up, her beautiful blue eyes shining. "I also want to have the strength to kill zombies. Can you help me?"

“No problem at all.” Uesugi Genshin said that it was no problem. He stretched and said, “After that, there’s only the apartment building and the New Port factory left. If they can operate independently, I’ll be free too. Ah, I still have to go to Tokyo later. Hmm, and maybe Kanagawa too.”

"What are you doing there?"

"Pick someone up."

After the student council's paperwork is completed, there will be a meeting to convene all departments to finalize the policy for currency operation.

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

"What is this?! A ban on impure sexual relations?"

The monetary implementation plans posted on the side were far less eye-catching than this; everyone's attention was drawn to the announcement on the bulletin board.

Some people who initially intended to look at the important information posted next to them were influenced by the loud and boisterous people around them.

Most people have a vague idea of ​​what the publicity department does, and they know that Hachiman Hikigaya is the student council secretary, and they seem to have some understanding of the secretary's responsibilities.

However, it was difficult to connect these three things, so no one paid attention to the ordinary student, Hachiman Hikigaya, who had just been in charge of posting the announcements, the head of the publicity and organization departments, and one of the only two captains of the executive department.

Apart from people he knows.

"Hachiman, what's going on?" Kaori Orimoto whispered in his ear, covering her mouth with her hand.

"It means exactly what it says: impure sexual relations." The list includes a series of punishments, such as expulsion, for any egregious offenses; that's why it's called a ban.

Kawasaki Saki subconsciously touched her pocket, and realizing what she had done, she crossed her arms and looked away as if to cover it up.

The things still ended up with her. She originally wanted to help Hachiman's sister do laundry, but that guy didn't even check his pockets! His sister almost found out, if it weren't for her there.

"No, didn't you hear me at all? I was asking about your relationship with Ebina." Kaori Orimoto nudged Hachiman Hikigaya's waist reproachfully with her elbow.

"That's just an act. Her friend is planning to confess to her, and she's afraid of ruining her current circle of friends," Hachiman Hikigaya explained quietly.

Because Ebina and Kawasaki are friends, and their families now live together, they often see each other. To outsiders, there's nothing wrong with them dating, and they can just act as usual.

"What?! That's hilarious! Isn't this a scene from a shoujo manga?"

"As long as it works."

It really works well. I just got back this afternoon when Tobe Sho came up to me and said something like, "If you make Ebina sad, I won't let you off the hook," before leaving, sounding like he was entrusting me with something.

......

How is he supposed to break up with me now?!

Xuanxin! What a terrible idea you came up with!!!

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Chapter 91: Separate Actions

Indeed, people cannot stop thinking.

"One or two!"

"One or two!"

Along with the chants, the opposite room echoed with the sound of banging on the door.

Based on the combined sounds from inside and outside, it seems there's only one zombie.

The door was pried open with a "bang".

Qin Ye and Sagami, who were responsible for using the crowbars, almost tripped due to inertia. The crowbars in their hands also slipped and fell, making a sharp and crisp clattering sound on the floor tiles, a noise that made one frown.

Then a tall, thin zombie appeared. Hachiman, holding his homemade shield, smashed it directly into the zombie's forehead.

The zombie fell backward and crashed to the ground. Apart from the sound it made, the room was quiet.

"This must be the apartment manager." Zai Muza poked the body of the zombie he had just killed and carried out of the apartment with a stick.

"Probably." Uesugi Genshin was waiting at the door.

"Found it!" Qin Ye shouted from inside, then took out three large bunches of house keys.

The keychains were packed tightly together, with each key labeled with the door number and location of the room it belonged to.

Sagami came out of the room too. "What? It's over there with you."

"Well, it's really fortunate that we were able to find it." Hachiman stood behind Sagami and scanned the entire room.

There's nothing particularly noteworthy about it; the furniture and layout are very simple, suggesting a person with a simple lifestyle.

“Yes, it would be too difficult to pry open each room one by one.” Qin Ye pushed up his glasses, picked up the crowbar that was placed aside, and said that the door had also been pried open and could no longer be used.

"Even if you have the key, don't enter the room easily," Uesugi Genshin repeated. "Remember what I told you?"

"I know, we made a commotion at the door to get a preliminary assessment of the situation inside before making further judgments," Sagami said, indicating that he remembered.

“Very good.” He looked around at the others.

In any case, you should avoid fighting zombies in narrow terrain, especially in entrances, because you will lose the advantage of weapon length.

Using shorter weapons might avoid the risk of getting stuck, but is that a contest of who has the longest reach against zombies?

So they were all asked to take their homemade shields and put a wooden board on their arms. It was thanks to the students who were used to doing this kind of craft at the cultural festival.

From wrists to ankles, everything was completely covered, providing at least some protection.

"Let's go." The next step is to gradually clear out the residents of the entire apartment building.

Hachiman followed leisurely at the very back, acting as a defender.

"When you encounter a T-shaped corner like this, pay attention to your positioning." He shared his experience from street fighting and indoor combat along the way.

"If it's a zombie, you can stick close to the wall and tentatively peek out through the corner, but if it's a human, you have to be careful. If the other side is also standing on the other side, they might grab you first."

"people......"

"The people on both sides need to coordinate well, and the people in the middle need to quickly follow after the people on both sides move. This is the formation, and you need to be familiar with it. You should use it regularly and make it a habit."

"Where did you learn all this? Are you really preparing to get guns later?" Hachiman thought to himself.

The real combat practice was about to begin. Just as Qin Ye was about to peek out from the corner, Sagami looked over and made a cautious gesture, while pointing to the other side and saying, "Your side is fine."

Then he gestured to Hachiman behind him, warning him of zombies, and suddenly turned the corner.

Upon hearing the sound, the three zombies turned around in a daze. The moment they saw a living person, they roared, opened their mouths wide, revealing a patch of blood, and then pounced on Qin Ye.