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

Chiaki Matsushita came to this school because she wanted to live a life that belonged only to herself.

She believed herself to be excellent enough, unlike others. With a beautiful figure and outstanding appearance, she not only came from a good family, but her abilities did not meet the standards of Class D. However, she was still assigned to this class.

In order to blend in with the people around her, she hid these things and pretended to be an ordinary girl.

But... why was she chosen?

"Sakura, you actually got chosen!" Everyone quickly turned their attention to the inconspicuous person in the back.

"I...I..." Sakura Airi stammered, unable to speak. The perceptive girl quickly noticed that the gazes of those around her were scrutinizing and questioning, but none of them were genuinely congratulating her.

Her classmates took turns teasing and praising her, saying things like, "It's really strange that you were chosen."

"...I will refuse." Surrounded by people, she said those words.

"Eh~, that's not good." Haruki Yamauchi nodded, feeling smug that he had achieved his goal.

Seeing this, Matsushita Chiaki sighed. She looked up at Karuizawa and Sato, "I'll talk to that person. I want to stay with everyone. If you can't leave, then I won't leave either."

"Matsushita..." Karuizawa Kei suppressed her guilt, wanting to say with a heavy heart, "Actually..."

Sato Maya, standing nearby, had no suspicions and was deeply moved by their friendship. She reached out and hugged them, exclaiming, "Matsushita-san!!!"

Sensing that Karuizawa had something to say, Matsushita Chiaki asked, "What's wrong, Karuizawa-kun?"

"Ah, well, who knows who that guy is? Even if the student council president vouches for him, it's never a bad thing to be careful." Karuizawa Megumi's words changed as she spoke.

"Right!" When others heard this, it immediately turned into a widespread outcry of condemnation.

"A bunch of idiots." Horikita Suzune in the back seat silently stood up, intending to leave.

"Horikita-san." The person behind her called out to her.

"what's up?"

"Who is that man?" Horikita is currently doing odd jobs in the student council, so if he remembers correctly, she should know something.

"I don't know." Horikita Suzune, who was in a bad mood, walked forward without looking back. She didn't want to answer a question from a classmate whose name hadn't even been called.

"..." It seems I need to go and confirm this in person.

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

In the end, everyone in the class left in a rush because of Horikita Academy's policy of accepting outsiders in order to ensure that there were enough places to live.

He reassigned student dormitories, with at least three students living together in each dormitory, and for safety reasons, they were all concentrated in one building.

He distributed the vacant dormitory building and other available accommodations to other people.

So they left in twos and threes, going back to their rooms together.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji told Yamauchi and Kane Ike that he had other matters to attend to, and then headed in another direction.

"......" Where should we look for him?

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji was somewhat troubled. Since the other party intended to talk to him privately, they would definitely choose a place where they wouldn't be easily observed.

As he pondered the place in his mind, he began to stroll slowly through the school.

At last.

I found the man by the railing at the beach.

He stood at the railing, gazing at the horizon.

Thick clouds were scattered over the sea, and the sun remained hidden behind them, so the light was not strong.

It had just rained, and the air was exceptionally cool, as if everything in sight had been filtered through a refreshing lens.

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji walked over, stood at a safe distance, and said, "It took me a long time to find you."

"Ah, I searched for a long time before finding this place with hardly any water." Uesugi Genshin stepped on the ground; there weren't any puddles around here.

"What do you want from me?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked.

“Come with me.” Uesugi Genshin looked at him, whose expression revealed no thoughts whatsoever. Compared to Nagumo Masaru, this man was a natural politician.

"why?"

"Because of your strength."

"I'm just average, it should be written in the information." If all the grades are very average, and this can still attract attention, then perhaps the other party is another perceptive person like President Horikita.

“I know the White Room.” Uesugi Genshin didn’t intend to waste any more words.

"What else do you know?" Kiyotaka Ayanokoji asked, his gaze shifting as he looked intently at the other person.

What are they talking about?

Around the corner in the distance, Matsushita Chiaki leaned against the shadows, having come to reject the man, only to see her classmate talking to him, as if she had been specially called there.

What was that "White Room" I just heard about?

She always felt that there was a huge secret hidden inside, and two mysterious people.

The wind at the beach was a bit noisy, making it difficult for her to hear their conversation.

"your name."

"Uesugi Genshin."

"Uesugi, even if you know about the White House, that place no longer exists."

“You’ve misunderstood. I came here because of you. You are the greatest gain of my trip.” After taking a few steps forward, Uesugi Genshin stopped and slightly raised his hand.

“Even so, I don’t intend to become a pawn.” Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head.

What chess piece? Matsushita Chiaki didn't quite understand. Was it Ayanokouji's past experiences?

“Your condition is different from the others.” Uesugi Genshin brought up another matter. Everyone else’s hunger was evident in their bodies. The faces of the girls in the class earlier were mostly thin and bony, and malnutrition was written all over their faces.

However, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji and Genshin Uesugi did not sense any weakness in him.

"..." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

“I see.” Uesugi Genshin nodded knowingly. “You’ve been sneaking out to find something to eat last night, haven’t you?”

Eh!!! Matsushita Chiaki covered her mouth. Ayanokouji actually went outside?

She was well aware of how dangerous it was outside.

The incident caused a serious commotion at the school, and the live broadcast she had seen on Kanto TV earlier also confirmed the danger outside.

So Ayanokouji secretly ran away alone again, is that true...?

"You actually guessed it, that's really impressive," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka admitted.

"No, because if I were you, I would do the same. Not wanting to cause trouble for anyone, not wanting to be troubled myself, just wanting to survive, but also wanting to maintain a good condition."

For people like them, if they don't get proper nutrition, their muscles will become weak. If any danger arises, wouldn't they be asking for trouble?

"That's right." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka did indeed think so, but he was still impressed that the other party could guess it.

The other party is no ordinary person; Uesugi is a man I should treat with utmost care.

“I need your combat power, and you need a stable environment to survive. I’m not trying to recruit you as a subordinate; this is a collaboration.” Uesugi Genshin extended his hand in invitation. “I will provide you with a life where you no longer need to sneak out, and you just need to complete your missions within your responsibilities.”

"..." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka began to weigh the pros and cons, "But how can I trust you?"

"Then let's have a fight first." Uesugi Genshin tossed another sword to his opponent, having specifically returned to the car and found a good spot for it.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took the sword from his hand. It was a 2-foot-3-inch long katana. The entire scabbard was covered with lacquered leather, the blade was made of silver and decorated with peacock patterns using the hair carving technique. The scabbard was black lacquered with copper. He gently opened the blade and saw that the blade had a beautiful chamfered edge.

"Sorry, I'm only good with a sword." Uesugi Genshin wasn't confident he could beat his opponent unarmed.

“No, you don’t need to apologize.” Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked up and said, “Drop your weapon like a lion taking off its fangs is completely unreasonable.”

He held the knife at his waist, "and I've also studied kendo."

Kendo is Japan's national art, and that man naturally demanded that he have studied it.

Moreover, being armed makes me stronger than being unarmed.

Uesugi Genshin laughed. Ayanokouji's "learned" shouldn't be interpreted as a beginner. He wouldn't be considered qualified if he didn't defeat the instructor.

"Shall we use the scabbard?" To avoid injury to either party, Uesugi Genshin asked tentatively.

“There’s no need for that.” Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head. “I also want to experience your true strength.”

“Then there’s no problem.” Uesugi Genshin walked to the opposite side of him, stopped seven steps away, turned around and took out a game coin from his pocket.

"When it falls, start." He twirled the game coin in his hand, showing it to the other side.

"That's fine then." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had no objections.

What?! Are they going to fight?! Matsushita Chiaki, who was lying behind a tree, watched the scene unfold in astonishment.

A classmate who is very well hidden and a mysterious boy who appeared out of nowhere are going to have a knife duel!

She wasn't naive enough to think they were using fake knives.

What if someone dies?

Didn't they think about it properly?!

Logically, she should have immediately called someone to stop her, but for some reason, she couldn't move her feet, as if there were nails in her feet.

Matsushita Chiaki poked his head out so that he could see more clearly.

As the coin was tossed, Uesugi Genshin and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka simultaneously placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, assuming an attack stance.

The coin spun several times in the air before finally falling downwards along a parabola due to gravity.

"Ding~"

With the sound of a coin hitting the ground, Uesugi Genshin and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka instantly sprang into action.

"boom"

The seven steps passed in the blink of an eye, and their forearms collided solidly.

Both men had only pulled their knives halfway out.

unwise!

They originally intended to test each other with a sword-drawing technique, but it was obvious they were on the same page.

Chapter 257: The People from the White House Have Arrived Too

Not being close enough to draw their swords, the two engaged in a physical clash.

They are currently in close contact.

Uesugi Genshin and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka both strained, but still couldn't draw their swords.

The next second, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka changed tactics, quickly grabbing forward with his left hand, attempting to disarm his opponent.

He wins as long as he can take the opponent's knife.

He couldn't let him have his way, so Uesugi Genshin quickly retreated to defend himself, while simultaneously drawing his sword to force his opponent back.

Threatened, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji also slid back, drew his sword with his right hand, threw away the scabbard, and charged forward.

Several crisp metallic clanging sounds.

The two completed their initial probing.

"This person's swordsmanship is very strong," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought to himself.

Even though he launched a quick surprise attack, his opponent immediately created distance and prepared to respond.

Uesugi Genshin casually tossed away the scabbard at his waist, knowing that carrying it would only slow him down.

The two soon began their second round of confrontation.

Uesugi Genshin was the first to make a move. He lowered his body and made a feint attack with a low-cut foot slash. After the feint, he immediately used a high-cut stance known as the Fire Formation to make a straight slash.