Chapter Text
April 1, 5738.
Isn't it a sweet coincidence?
As his finger traced in each characters carved in the tree near the Miracle Cave, nothing but bewilderment was drawn all over his face.
“This guy is insane!”
His gazes lingered at the tree with amusement and pure admiration.
After being depetrified from the stone, the modern-era mentalist, Asagiri Gen, was introduced to search for a dead young scientist named “Ishigami Senku.”
At first, he assumes that Senku is just a teenage boy who has the wisdom of a typical high school nerd— expecting that the young boy's intelligence came from common science knowledge and academic textbooks. He was not even fazed after seeing the bird stones, broken clay pots, and rusty spears after Tsukasa showed him the scientist’s hut, believing that it was built for the means of survival in the new civilization.
However, before he enters the empire's base, the date written on the tree he passed by entices him. Gen lost his sense of time and motion; the seconds stopped momentarily, and he felt like the wind breezes slowed down along with the leaves and petals swaying by.
Being imprisoned in the void where consciousness is drowning in darkness and silence, this Senku guy spent his entire life counting seconds, not even getting lost in the amount of numbers which a normal human struggles to catch up.
“I must find him… I will definitely find him.”
Determined to meet this guy, Gen strolls around the area as he begins his mission, following the smallest trail he could spot from the mountain of Hakone through the forest. As a matter of fact, he was perplexed with the fading lines imprinted on the ground. Perhaps, the young scientist has already invented a vehicle.
It's impossible!
How could he build a car with the non-existent modern resources but rocks, trees, bamboo, and flowers on the surroundings?
After spending almost a day and half walking towards the path, Gen met the dead end— the traces of wheel-like lines were gone. He was about to take a rest after trekking a long way from the miracle cave when the sound of a trombone caught his attention.
He leaned on a tree, with his eyes lit up as he saw the figure of a stranger that felt familiar despite seeing him for the first time.
“It must be him.”
As soon as he reached the small ramen stand near the village, Gen secretly stole glances at the scientist. Even though he was a mentalist by profession, his mind could not resist the irresistible charm of the green-haired scientist.
“It’s definitely him. It's Senku,” he told himself while receiving a bowl of ramen from a young girl with a watermelon helmet.
They may not be wary of his presence, not even noticing that he is a foreign to the village. Maybe because the people gathered at the ramen stand were concentrated by the aroma of unfamiliar food.
While admitting he was amazed by the decent meal on his front, Gen almost choked on the first bite on his bowl of ramen. The aftertaste of the green noodles lingered on his tongue.
Rather complaining about the quality of the dish, he accidentally chuckled, “After eating this, it made me crave for a drink. Something like cola.”
Gen didn't mean to say it out loud. But what's done is already done. Since he got his target’s attention, he had to come up with a convincing excuse.
He was able to pull off to manipulate the situation despite battling inner panics with the spears around him, where one of them is about to poke his neck.
“You're Asagiri Gen.”
Given his status back in the modern world, he was not surprised to have someone recognise him. It just feels odd now since 3700 years have passed, and everything has drastically changed.
“Do you know him, Senku?” The girl with blonde hair holding a spear asked.
“No, not at all. He's just a magician who wrote that trashy psychology book.”
“Trashy?!”
Now, he's surprised. Who would have thought that the guy he admired even before meeting personally, the same guy whom he’s searching for, was actually his silent hater?
“Trashy, you say?! How harsh of you! Do you even know how my manager pesters me everyday just to publish that book?”
Gen would be hypocritical if he said it didn't offend him. Good thing, his mentalism was his advantage to keep his poise.
The village warriors might have spared his life, but he is no exemption to the tedious labor of pumping the man-powered furnace.
“This guy is literally insane!”
Gen was a mentalist by profession and by passion. And he was tricked by the pragmatic scientist who hates his psychology book.
For the short amount of time they've spent together, Gen was able to witness Senku’s invention, though the idea of a power generator caught him off guard.
Truth to be told, he might use his desire for “harem” as an excuse, but he had decided which team to join. After all, the guy who was conscious for 3700 years never fails to amaze him, specially when he shows him the steamed bamboo lighting up the dark night of the village.
It seems like his betrayal to the entire Empire of Might is an exchange for a bottle of cola. In fact, he already betrayed Tsukasa even before Senku promised a trade for his cooperation to the Kingdom of Science.
“Gen.”
He laid on the tree by the Miracle Cave. The blemishes on his body are still aching— if he didn't cover himself with blood bags, and if his organs are not inverted, he would instantly die from the spear piercing through his heart.
Gen was aware of the footsteps reaching closer to his side. Yet, he shuts his eyes as the voice calls him once again.
“Gen?”
“What is it, Ukyo-chan?” He uttered in a faint tone, enough for the other one to hear.
“Are you okay? Want me to treat your injuries?”
Gen declined the sonar’s offer as he shook his head and raised his chin up a bit, “I'm fine, Ukyo-chan. I just need some time to rest my body.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I'm eally-ray fine.”
Speaking of Ukyo, Gen just realized he might have said something about cola or Senku. He just silently hoped that Ukyo didn't hear him, or if ever he did, he hoped for him to pretend not to hear anything at all.
“Once I'm healed, I'll go back to the village,” Gen told.
“You don't have to push yourself. If you need to, I could investigate the village for you.”
Gen did not accept Ukyo’s offer. After all, his betrayal to the empire is an unwritten pledge of protecting the village and the kingdom of science.
“Thanks for your concern, Ukyo-chan,” Gen reassures.
“It’s nothing.”
⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚
It was the day of the Grand Bout.
The competition is already starting when he arrives, witnessing how Kinro was smashed from behind with the brutal hands of Magma, the villager who attempted to murder him.
Gen actually came to support the team, to observe the whole competition. He believes that the Kingdom of Science would be able to win the Grand Bout, like how Senku won his trust. From his position, he was able to witness how Suika jumped into action, how the young girl unhesitatingly threw her precious helmet to the rule-abiding guard.
He was awestruck by that moment. The Kingdom of Science depicted the attitude of catching up with the situation and taking actions immediately. It's all thanks to Senku and his never-ending rambling about science and other knowledge from the modern world.
Gen also commends the young scientist’s leadership. As a man of psychology, he knows how difficult it is to persuade humans, specially those who were not easily bribed.
There was a sigh of relief, because he thought Kinro had defeated Magma, the guy who attempted to murder him. Until the latter's name was declared as the winner of the first round.
Their second and trump card to the competition, Kohaku, was out of nowhere— which led the referee, Jasper, to declare that the Grand Bout advances to the next round. And the team’s remaining contenders to defeat Magma were Ginro, Chrome, and…
“Senku.”
As he continued watching, Gen was frozen from his place. The Kingdom of Science is… outmatched?
“This is bad.”
Gen takes a closer view to the contest as he trespasses the village. He heard Senku explain about the burning lenses, which gave him an idea to turn the circumstances into their favor.
“How many seconds does Chrome-chan need?”
“Sixty. 60 seconds precisely.”
“Okay. Leave the rest to the mentalist.”
It might be true that he is doing this for a bottle of cola. But more than that, Gen really wants to be useful to the Kingdom of Science, to earn Senku's trust.
“Well, I also want my revenge,” with his eyes glaring intently at the guy who ‘murdered’ him.
Deep inside, Gen was bursting in laughter. The village folks actually believed he cast a spell on Magma— well, of course, the science team already knows that it was part of the bluff. He almost gave in when Senku backed him up with a passive innuendo.
“How espicable-day, Senku-chan.”
As soon as the fire spreads all over Magma’s clothing, Chrome seized the opportunity to defeat his opponent— the Kingdom of Science wins!
From afar, by the cliff near the village, Gen watches the rest of Grand Bout to witness Senku compete in a round versus Ginro. Thankfully, he still has good eyesight that allows him to observe from a distance.
Gen eventually understood why Senku was there; despite being physically weak, the scientist registered his name to compete for the Kingdom of Science’s advantage. And as he interprets the current situation, the scientist’s plan backfired against him.
“He’s unbelievably smart, yet naturally unlucky at the same time.”
Gen’s eyes were fixated on Senku, who was running away from the crazy blonde village guard, avoiding the possibility of injuries— given that the hellish work for the medicine awaits after the competition.
Senku won against Ginro, with the power of science, and Suika’s broken helmet; how convenient it was for the three rounds for contenders from the Kingdom of Science.
Since Chrome is unconscious, the village declares Senku as the Grand Bout’s champion, awarding him not only with clay barrels of wine and a title as the new chief, but also a wife.
“Senku is a married man now, huh?”
Like how the scientist managed to surprise him with his crazy ideas, the villagers were dumbstruck as Senku demanded a divorce and rushed over to the science laboratory.
The burst of laughter he’d been suppressing earlier finally escaped from his mouth, “HAHAHAHA! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU'RE ILARIOUS-HAY, SENKU-CHAN?!”
⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚
Until the last drop, Gen didn't miss the nostalgic taste of the bottle of cola that Senku promised him. And it was sweeter than the one from their old world.
“That was so efreshing-ray!” Gen enthusiastically told.
It may not resemble the cola from the modern world, but it made his cheeks burn like wild fire as he stares at the empty bottle in his hand.
“You really did keep your promise, Senku-chan.”
Gen wandered his gazes in each corner of the room, no one was there but him. He suddenly remembered his past life— alone, no friends or acquaintances at all. It might be the same as today, but for some reason, it feels… different.
Before, he was all by himself; no companion to share his food with, nor someone to talk about weird topics or anything else— no one. The difference is that, now, he has someone to wait for.
“Oh, Senku-chan. Welcome back.”
“Yeah.”
Gen furrowed his eyebrows, and somehow got nervous with Senku's short response. He then scans him, from head to toe, analyzing his body language to get a clue to his current behavior.
“How are y— wait! Is that a rat?”
There was no response to his inquiry. Gen quietly followed the scientist inside the lab.
He might be a sucker when it comes to complicated science. But he understands one thing; Senku was frustrated.
Given that both of them were completely foreigners to the village, and the kingdom is lacking with manpower, Senku must persuade them with science. Or else, Tsukasa will soon find out he’s alive, and humanity will be doomed.
“Guys, there's a problem! Ruri is…”
A deafening scream suddenly interrupted. As Kohaku rushed her way outside, Senku took a long, deep breath as he removed his mask.
Gen noticed that there was a hint of hesitation in Senku. He’s not mistaken. That moment, the mentalist witnessed the fear in the scientist’s face; fear of failing to convince the village, fear of surrendering his defeat against Tsukasa, fear of proving his hypothesis about the priestess's pneumonia is incorrect.
When seconds were about to reach a minute, Gen stepped in, and lightly pats Senku's shoulder.
“Everything will be just fine, Senku-chan. You must go now,” Gen said with a comforting smile.
He was paid by a gentle smile from the scientist who seemed to have finally brushed his worries away.
“No need to remind me, mentalist.”
⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚
Gen anticipated that he would be back to the village after a month. He already received his reward, and the village’s priestess is consistently taking her medicine. His skills won't be necessary for the meantime.
However, Gen had to retreat from the empire sooner after Tsukasa deploys his strongest warrior to infiltrate and attack the village. He already came up with an alibi to Tsukasa, and now, he has to warn Senku and everyone about it.
“Where is Senku-chan?”
After the villagers successfully drag him to join the banquet, Gen wandered his eyes, ending up asking Suika.
“Senku’s with Ruri. They went somewhere else."
"Do you know where they'd go?"
"I don't know. But if I heard it right, they went to Senku's father."
Gen immediately understood what does the young girl is trying to say. "To the graveyard, huh?" is what he thought.
“Ohh, is that so?”
For some reasons, there was heaviness inside Gen. As much he wanted to mourn for a total stranger who died millenniums ago, he empathizes the scientist's feelings after losing his father figure.
Senku might be stubborn or stoic towards his genuine emotions, yet, he's not a saint. As a mentalist, Gen could somehow see through his mind, his gestures, and his feelings; though, Senku is naturally unpredictable.
The young girl approaches him, a huge and sweet smile is etched from her tiny face, “Are you happy with Senku, Gen?”
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck him. His lips refuse to move as his mind couldn't come up with an answer.
Happy? With Senku?
Gen did his best to smile at the young girl. He knows that there's no malice in her question, but pure innocence.
“Yes, I am, Suika-chan. Everyone in the Kingdom of Science makes me happy.”
“I know it! You're a good guy, Gen!”
Suika’s beamed with her lips drawn from ear-to-ear, and a tiny blush painted on her cheeks as she compliments him.
“I’m really glad to have you on our team, Gen!”
“I'm als—”
He was cut off when a bunch of drunk villagers drags him away, again. He wanted to tell Suika that he feels the same.
Ever since he met Senku, Gen has found a camaraderie that will listen to him, who he can rely on, who he can share his interest and all. And if the scientist would allow him to, he would consider him as his first true friend.
“Yeah, let me hear it, mentalist,” a voice interrupted, saving him from the village drunkards in his front.
⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚
Now that his facade is exposed, Gen has been officially debarred from the Empire of Might.
Surely, if the science team did not consider inventing katana, he would’ve been stabbed by a spear, again. And if Suika didn't follow the trails of black nightshades, he won't receive the tiny knife that Senku specifically crafted. The scientist might be familiar on reading minds, or he's just really good at anticipating the worst case scenario.
Compared to Tsukasa, Hyoga was merciless— his cold stares alone could kill someone.
And as an opponent, he is invincible.
The fire rapidly crossed from huts to huts, the bridges burning down to the river, and the village was entirely destroyed. Everything was a disaster.
They oversee that Hyoga only spared the Kingdom of Science’s headquarters to lure and attack them helplessly, mainly Senku.
“Where is Suika?”
Despite the uprising panic amongst the villagers, the young girl seems to be missing. She just want to be helpful regardless of the danger that may probably occur.
“Isn't it windy today?”
While they failed to notice Suika's disappearance, the sudden shift of weather wasn't overlooked. Given that the directions where Suika went, according to Ginro, is towards the spring near the sulfurina lake.
Truth to be told, now that he is the new chief of the village, Senku was torn between assisting the villagers to the headquarters or prioritizing Suika's whereabouts. Specially, there are still elders left at the village, including Ruri, Torques, and Jasper who were trapped on the other islet.
Senku seems worrying, his eyes could not deny the frustration as they fall into the situation. Obviously, as how the mentalist perceives, the scientist is about to lose his composure because of the guilt of not being able to protect the people in the kingdom of science, and for involving them into the war where they're not supposed to be part of.
The time is running out, hence, Gen instinctively commanded Senku with his voice full of assurance.
"Leave this to us, Senku-chan. You must hurry and find Suika-chan."
Senku, who finally woke from his trance, quickly grabbed the gas masks and nodded to him.
"Thanks, Gen."
⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚
"Suika-chan!"
As they arrived back at the headquarters, Gen greeted the young girl who was removing the mask on her face. Suika sprinted towards him, looking up with her wavering hands clasped together.
"I'm glad, you're ine-fay."
For some reasons, he got a soft spot for the young girl— she never suspected nor doubted him regardless of his facade. She even believed he was kind.
"Senku and Kohaku saved me. T-that was scary! I thought, I'll die!" Suika cried.
Seeing that the young girl is still trembling in fear, Gen bent down with a knee on the ground, wiped her tears underneath the watermelon helmet, and caresses her cheeks.
"You can calm down, Suika-chan. You are safe now. And..," within the pause, he gently smiled and continued his affirmation, "nothing to be scared of, because Senku and the whole science team will be always there to protect you."
"Including you, Gen?"
He nodded, "Yes, Suika-chan. Me, too."
The mentalist was about to hug the young girl, only to be interrupted by a voice that echoed within the area.
"Don't worry! We'll rebuild the village!" Kokuyo, the former chief, declared.
"Yeah," almost everyone agreed.
Meanwhile the villagers are listening to the former chief's instruction, Gen's eyes observe the scientist entering the laboratory. Later on, he decided to follow Senku inside.
"By any moment, Tsukasa will know that you're alive," Gen reminded the scientist, only to wake him from his reverie.
"Hmm," Senku nodded.
"Does it scares you?"
Senku monotonously replied, "Why would I?"
Gen notices Senku staring blankly at nowhere. He then clears the table before sitting on its corner— they should consider creating more chairs first before modern technologies.
"The village, the kingdom, if we fail to win against Tsukasa, we'll lose everything."
"We?" Senku huffed, and returned his question to him, "Perhaps, you are the one who's actually scared of it."
Instead of denying, Gen quietly admits, "I'm afraid of conflicts, Senku-chan. The absence of peace makes me anxious. And I hated," he released a heavy sigh after a short reminiscence of the past, "that I got revived only to be involved in this war."
"I thought, you were the most superficial person in the world?"
"I am."
While it can be true that he is doing things that would benefit him, Gen was genuinely sane to recognize his morals. He was afraid of seeing dead bodies, the sound of gunshots, weapons, explosions— everything that reminds him of chaos. That fear that he has was something that his mentalism couldn't cover up, no matter how he tried to pretend.
"I never thought that the mentalist would have such weakness."
"I'm still a human, Senku-chan."
"Well, did it ever made you regret siding on my team?"
As Senku uttered those words, he regained his usual smirk and enthusiasm. The fear in his eyes were now full of desires, and Gen was sure, it's because the scientist already had an exciting proposal for their next science project.
While Gen haven't articulated his response, Senku proudly declare, "Starting today, I'll prove you that science is your greatest ally in this stone world. Get excited!"