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

"No, no matter what, we shouldn't let the aunt stay there." If there's no water or power outage, then there's really no need to worry too much. The refrigerator is working properly. As a housewife, she knows more about food than most people. However, Uesugi Genshin plans to take action as soon as possible because the longer things are delayed, the more they will accumulate.

"It's alright when you have time, Xiao Xuan," Yui Yuigahama said obediently, not pretending, but genuinely saying it was alright.

"..." What should he do if that's the case? "Then let's do it the day after tomorrow or some other time."

Since Yuihama has said so, and tomorrow's itinerary has already been planned, let's not disrupt it.

"Mmm." Yui Yuigahama nodded understandingly.

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

It's impossible to stay inside.

Uesugi Genshin walked down the corridor, the lights turning on with each step.

"Hey, Hachiman."

"What's wrong?" Hachiman tightened his clothes. He was about to go to sleep when this person dragged him out the door. It was indeed a bit cold at night.

"I felt chest pain, was so scared I couldn't walk, and had strange sensations in my lower body... these symptoms..."

“You’re sick,” Hachiman said decisively, interrupting Genshin.

People like them with these symptoms are definitely "sick," no doubt about it.

"I see." Uesugi Genshin nodded seriously. "Having had this symptom several times, does that mean..."

Hachiman's tone was grave. "Hmm, it seems you're quite ill. By the way, may I ask when you first experienced these symptoms?"

Uesugi Genshin recalled earnestly, and couldn't help but smile, "Well... it was about a year ago."

Hachiman shook his head. "...I can only suggest you go and see Shiromaru-senpai."

"Hey! Do you want me to lose face even more?!" What kind of bullshit suggestion is that?

"Is this the place?" Uesugi Genshin stopped in his tracks and stood in front of the door.

Hachiman took a half step back, looked around, and said, "Probably."

"Knock knock knock," Uesugi Genshin knocked on the door, in a way that was anything but polite, making it clear that the guest was either impolite or someone he knew very well.

Before long, the person inside opened the door. "Oh, it's the two of you."

Hayato Hayama was really surprised that the two of them would come.

"Why wouldn't you welcome us in?" Uesugi Genshin joked.

"If you weren't carrying a bottle of whiskey, I would have been very happy to welcome you," Hayama Hayato said with a wry smile.

"It's so quiet here." Uesugi Genshin said, taking off his shoes and looking at the empty living room.

"That's because everyone has already gone back," Hayama Hayato said, unconcerned.

"I see." Hachiman was not surprised at all.

In fact, given how welcome Hayama was, this was to be expected.

In the evenings, everyone would gather at Yeshan's apartment, calling out to friends and chatting, laughing and making a ruckus, practically turning it into a new social venue.

“If you don’t want whiskey, beer will do.” Uesugi Genshin placed the whiskey bottle on the table.

"Ha..." With an expression of utter helplessness, Hayama Hayato went to the refrigerator to get a drink.

The large shelf in the living room caught Uesugi Genshin's attention. He walked over and flipped through it. The top shelf was filled with various music tapes, and next to it was a large radio.

The original owner of this apartment seemed to be a very old-fashioned person.

The radio was still working, and the cassette tapes mostly contained songs from the last century, many of which were very famous classics, carrying with them the tranquility of bygone days and the changing times.

Where will you be at this time tomorrow, and who will you be thinking about?

You are always gonna be my love...You are always gonna be the one...

The radio works well, and the sound remains clear even in its old age.

This is a song about first love. The melody is catchy and combines R&B style with sad lyrics that incorporate "letting go", "courage", "gratitude" and "blessing".

Hachiman, intrigued, came over and rummaged through the items on the shelf, eventually finding a movie box.

Unparalleled subordinates

The four large gold characters on the side are very eye-catching, but what is even more eye-catching is the office lady with red underwear showing. The composition of this cover is indeed ingenious.

"..." There was more than one box; as I flipped through them, I found another one.

Hayato Hayama couldn't possibly have this. If he knew about the movie disc, he wouldn't have just left it here.

Since it's always been here, it means... he probably hasn't considered this place his home yet, so he hasn't touched the original owner's things.

“You’re still missing a woman here,” Hachiman chuckled, put the box back in its place, and then sat back down at the table.

“Why not just need a man?” Holding the cassette tape in his left and right hands, Uesugi Genshin looked at Hachiman and raised an eyebrow.

It’s okay.

Hachiman shrugged. "Speaking of which, Hayama, do you ever experience chest pain that scares you so much you can't walk, or strange sensations in your lower body?"

"No. Who's in love?" Hayama Hayato chuckled, opening a beer can and taking a sip.

The Ministry of Revenue and the others often talked to him about this kind of topic, so he immediately understood.

"Pfft, hahahahahahaha!!!" Just as expected! Hachiman clutched his stomach and burst into laughter. The chair fell straight to the ground, but he continued to roll and twist on the ground.

Like a curled-up reptile, Uesugi Genshin stared at him coldly.

After he finished laughing, he kept saying, "Sorry, sorry."

Still wanting to live, he naturally didn't continue speaking.

Ah, since Ye Shan said no, that means he has never fallen in love with any girl at first sight before, no matter the circumstances, and his heart has never felt even a little bit of romance.

......

Or perhaps no one has ever truly given him such a profound and unforgettable feeling, involuntary and inevitable.

Even Yang Nai didn't have it.

Uesugi Genshin and Hachiman said at the same time, "Then it seems you really need a man."

Chapter 147: A Man Arrives in the Dead of Night

"What's going on between you two?" Hayama Hayato asked with a wry smile.

“We’re just worried about your mental health.” Uesugi Genshin sat down, opened his beer, and with a hiss, gas burst out.

Everyone has a friend like this, someone they can confide in about their troubles, and someone they don't need to shy away from telling dirty jokes about.

Moreover, they are usually of the same sex, and people would define these kinds of friends as "best friends".

“No need to worry.” Hayama Hayato took a swig of beer. “I’m perfectly fine.”

No, even if something happens. Uesugi Genshin knew that Hayama would never tell Tobe and the others. He wouldn't project any negative emotions outward, but rather act as a little sun for "everyone." This was Hayama Hayato's way of surviving.

"Well, since you think it's okay." Hachiman didn't want to ask, but after all, Hayama was now his partner.

It's strange that Hayama, who doesn't drink at all, would keep beer, a must-have for office workers, in his refrigerator.

"Don't worry, if it's... the two of you, I'll have something to tell you."

Hayato Hayama raised his beer can and clinked it against the two men.

Uesugi Genshin took a sip of beer, raised a finger, and said, "Who knows? Maybe you won't tell me until the very end. You'll probably try to figure it out yourself first."

"Hehehehe..." Hayama Hayato laughed as if trying to brush it off.

Maybe.

"So how did you end up here?" Hayato Hayama asked another question during their casual conversation.

"Ah, my apartment has been invaded." Uesugi Genshin said with a bitter face, "I've been forced to come here to find some peace and quiet."

"Isn't that proof that everyone trusts you?" With his right hand resting on the back of his left, Hayama Hayato shared his inner thoughts and personal experiences.

“…” Uesugi Genshin turned his head away and stopped talking, shaking the empty can.

"The feelings of someone who trusts and someone who is trusted are definitely different," Hachiman said, hesitating to finish his sentence.

The person who trusts has something to rely on, while the person who is trusted needs to meet those expectations.

"Speaking of which, want to see a movie?" Uesugi Genshin suddenly laughed.

"A movie?" Hayama Hayato asked, somewhat puzzled, as he didn't have any movies or anything like that here.

"..." Hachiman narrowed his eyes as if he had thought of something.

Uesugi Genshin got up, walked straight to the shelf, picked up a box of movies, and waved it at the two of them.

"So you saw it earlier!" Hachiman thought to himself.

"...Where did you get this from?" Hayama Hayato's smug smile froze.

“On your bookshelf,” Uesugi Genshin pointed to Hayama.

"I never expected this, really... I never expected this." Hachiman was looking forward to seeing Hayama's embarrassed expression, as if to say, "You're such a big-eyed guy with thick eyebrows."

"No, it's not mine," Hayama Hayato shook his head in a defensive manner; he had no reason to lie.

"It's alright." Uesugi Genshin shook the CD case in his hand again. "Want to watch it?"

Upon re-examining his own heart, Hachiman felt a glimmer of longing arise, his eyes darting around.

The boy's curiosity compelled him to accept the offer.

"Forget it," Hayama Hayato replied directly.

"Oh, I see. That's a shame." Uesugi Genshin glanced down at the box. "Could I borrow your TV to watch something?"

"Hey, hey, hey." Hachiman couldn't help but want to complain, "What are you planning to do in someone else's house?"

"Just kidding." Putting the CD back in its place, Uesugi Genshin turned on the radio and changed the song. It was another old cassette tape. "It's so strange to watch this in someone else's house."

"That means I can at least go back and look at it by myself," Hachiman said, pursing his lips.

"Hahahaha..." Hayama Hayato laughed easily.

"I'll go back after I finish this." Sitting back down, Uesugi Genshin opened another can of beer.

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

When we got back, everyone had already left. The living room was very clean, and basic etiquette had been observed.

I just don't know how many snacks are missing from the cupboard.

Looking up at the time, Uesugi Genshin decided to take a shower first.

"..." Upon arriving at the bathroom, the hot water was already prepared, steaming hot. Who made this?

He clearly intended to just take a quick shower, and there was even a lavender-scented bath soap next to him.

He impolitely soaked in the bathtub until his fingers became wrinkled.

After drying off, she came out with a towel draped over her head.

"Uh." Startled, she leaned back, not expecting anyone to be in the living room.

"I took your key without permission, is that alright?" Mai Sakurajima shook the key in her hand.

Uesugi Genshin glanced at the time again; it was already past 11. "Can't you sleep?"

On the table was an open bottle of whiskey and the letter he'd slipped into his pocket that afternoon; he remembered putting it there...

"Hmm." Mai Sakurajima looked out onto the balcony with little interest.

“There’s no need to look at this kind of thing.” Uesugi Genshin picked up the letter and casually tossed it into the trash can. “The more you care, the more you’ll overthink it.”

"What do you think?"

"Want some ice?"

"What do you think?" Mai Sakurajima wouldn't allow the topic to be diverted; she always was like that.

"Death is a philosophical question, an inescapable cycle. Besides, his home is in Osaka, and there's nothing we can do about it. People should be a little selfish. Keep your head down and follow your own path; look up and see your family. There's no need to be anxious about things that are far away and unseen."

"You're right." She nodded silently as she watched Xuanxin put the ice cubes into the glass.

“We’ll build him a monument later; that’s more than enough.” Uesugi Genshin then rummaged through the trash can for the crumpled paper, unfolded it, looked at the wrinkled words on it, and read aloud, “Mr. Noda Toshitomo from Osaka, right?”