Chapter Text
Today is January 7, 5756. Senku woke up with an unusual ache in his back as he winced at the pain on his right shoulder, feeling a heavy weight on his right forearm, he lethargically opened his eyelids. He carefully listed down the first things that came to his mind. First, the morning light was basically blinding his eyes, it made him groan once again. What time is it? Senku glanced outside after letting his eyes adjust. Oh, it was around 1PM. He had better wake up Gen soon.
Second, Gen? Senku looked towards the other side of the bed, only to discover that the other was dead asleep with no intention of waking up sooner. Slowly, he looked over the other. The man slept as if he hadn’t for years. His head was placed on Senku’s forearm, a bit of drool pooling on the side of his mouth and the partition between his bicolored hair was messed up. His arms were hung over Senku’s waist, and his legs were placed between Senku’s thighs.
“I’m going to kill myself.” Senku deadpanned. He was thinking of maybe waking the other up, but the sorry sight opt him not to. So, he figured he might as well call Kaseki to let the poor man sleep a bit longer.
Ring, Ring, Ring…
“Senku! Called me?”
“Kaseki. Morning.”
“Good afternoon.”
“...”
“...”
“You mind if the mentalist visit the school tomorrow?” Senku twirled Gen’s bangs.
“Oh ho ho? Why is that? Haven’t sobered up yet?”
“Nah. The dude looks tired, it’s his first day here and I think it’s better if we let him adjust first…Besides, he’s sleeping like a log. I don’t want to hear his pathetic cries when I’m forced to wake him up, nor his nagging.”
“We don’t mind. Tell Gen to come same time tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
Gen muttered something under his breath, but Senku didn’t hear it as he reached for the door.
“Wanna go to Francois’ cafe? It’s pretty new. They have those souffle pancakes you liked.” Senku decided that today was a free day, so he might as well spend it as much as he could. Plus, with the amount of dragos he earns, he’s willing to go anywhere and spend them all. So long as Gen drives.
“On my way Senku-chan! Hey, let’s go around Ishigami Village today. Show me all the new stuff, won’t you?”
“ ‘Kay.”
Over the years, the village has grown exponentially larger than when Gen had left. Along with the new structures, he couldn’t help but bite his lip for what the day had in store for him as he took in Senku’s hand.
For brunch, they ordered light meals. Gen got a souffle pancake, topped with berries and whipped cream accompanied by the soothing aroma of piping hot green tea just as Senku had recommended. The other got coffee jelly and a cup of bitter dark coffee.
He glanced down at the other’s repetitive choice of food. Interesting.
“You seem to like coffee a lot.”
“Have you ever watched Saiki K? That one popular slice of life anime?”
“Senku chan. Its been 3742 years. Mind refreshing me?”
“So,” Senkuu took a bite of the jelly, letting out an impressed huff at the flavor. “It’s about this overpowered guy with pink hair and antennas. He’s an alien.”
“I’m guessing he likes coffee jelly. I’m also guessing that this is your first time tasting it?” Really, for Gen guessing random things out of his ass was no problem. He was after all, ‘The Mentalist’.
“Ten billion points for you. They always ran out when I went here, as luck had it, the closest I got to it was when the person in front of me ordered it. It was the last in stock.”
“Your luck is still that bad huh, Senku-chan? Guess keeping me around turned the tables around for good.”
“Eh, It had to happen at some point.” Gen just replied with a defeated groan.
“Anyway,” Senku pointed to his half-finished plate. “You seem to like those a lot.”
“I do,” Gen placed his utensils down before continuing. “My oba-chan took care of me as a kid because mom and dad were always away. Whenever I did something good, oba-chan would cook me the yummiest souffle pancakes as she played doraemon and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure in the background.”
“Jojo? That’s quite a lot for a kid.” Senku argued.
“I mean, it’s part of why I got into psychology! Isn’t it impressive how the rule: Strength ❌ victory applies to everything? If you carefully study your opponent and decide the most appropriate action to take, victory’s not that hard to attain even if you got a trashy stand.”
“Anyway, when mom and dad placed her in the nursing home, and I couldn’t meet oba-chan anymore, I missed her a whole lot. I guess tasting them again helps me relive the memories. My way of coping I guess.” Gen frowned, placing his hand on his cheek.
“Was she still alive?”
“Mhm.”
“Why didn’t you just revive her then?” Senku frowned, studying Gen’s face as he paused before replying.
“I have thought of it. That would be ruel-cay, Senku-chan. Not yet, Who knows what will happen to her?”
“So you’re just going to keep her petrified forever?”
“No. Maybe once I’ve settled in somewhere.”
“And when is that?”
“I don’t know…” Gen nervously tapped his fingers in the table. “Honestly, I’m not even sure what I want to do in the future. I might leave Japan again.”
Senku let out a snort, “At this point you’re going to grow old with your grandma when that time comes.”
Gen chuckled in response, it wasn’t that he was too busy to care for anyone. Rather, the thought of what could happen to his grandma scared him. The technology the modern world possesses right now is good, he and Senku themselves were the one who built it after all. However, the hesitation washes over him like a wave destroying a sand castle the moment he sets out to look for his oba-chan, revival fluid in hand. Again, his mind is plagued with unnecessary worries he need not fret over. Gen has time right now. No more wars, no more countries to unify but, why can’t he bring himself to do the deed?
He dismissed the thought, not having noticed the concern in the other’s eyes unbeknownst the fact that he was spacing out again.
“You okay?” Senku said as he chewed another piece of his coffee jelly.
“Something is bothering you.”
“‘I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.” Gen let out a defeated sigh.
“Honestly, Gen.” Senku’s brows furrowed before hearing Gen’s hum of acknowledgment.
“No one ever is, really. Even those who’ve completely planned their lives out and shape them what they want to be —in the end, there will always be that foreboding feeling that overcomes them when life’s drained them of their wits. So whether or not you want to, it’s up to you, Gen. We’ve learned much this far that nobody ever has the power to change what’s meant to happen. So, revive or not it’s your choice.”
“Heck, even I’m not sure myself.”
“But I thought you wanted to dedicate it to science? Save humanity?”
“But what about after that, even if I do manage to find out every single thing, what comes after?”
“I don’t know.”
“Exactly.”
That was enough to stop their conversation as the chime from the bells by the door alerted the two, as the familiar figures of two shadows closed the distance between them, but even as they waited for an obnoxious greeting, they just sat in silence only for it to never come.
Ah. Gen heaved a sigh of relief as soon as he turned his head towards their direction. It’s just the Stone World’s evilest couple ever, he shuddered. To his regret, one of them took notice and had locked eyes with Gen while the other looked over the menu with their metallic finger claws. He wonders why Xeno still keeps them on. It just makes him look out of place, like Jack the Skeleton or the Puppet in a children’s playground.
“Oh…Hi Stanley-san. Couldn’t help but take notice, seeing as how you’re with Xeno-san in this cafe.”
“Ok.” Was all he recieved as a response.
“Hm? What do I have to do with this?” The other perked up from above the menu, slowly placing it back on the table.
Before Gen could continue, Senku took his arm and out the cafe. “Let’s go.”
They both walked to nowhere, and as soon as they were far enough, Senku finally let out a laugh as he pointed a Gen.
“HA! HA- You idiot! You almost-“ Senku couldn’t contain it, unable to continue as Gen tapped his shoes towards the pavement.
“You do know that they’re in an established relationship, right?”
Gen’s face only stirred in horror in between Senku’s laughs.
In truth, Gen wasn’t surprised, seeing that homoerotic moment between the two a few years ago as Stanley so romantically caressed Dr. Xeno’s face within seconds of being revived.
Or that heroic statement, “Xeno can be resurrected and continue with his beloved science. In exchange for keeping my statue a hostage forever.”
But seeing it in full action…
“That’s nice…though I wouldn’t say I was urprised-say, Senku-chan.”
Senku’s laughs was finally put to a halt before quirking his brow inquisitively, “It was pretty obvious, wasn’t it?”
“Well, aside from Xeno assesing their relationship as a knight and a damsel in distress, and that one time where Stanley got revived for the first time and you know…” Gen winced, “Is there really a heterosexual explanation between their relationship? Surely, it was impossible for ‘nothing’ between them.”
The other man chuckled, “You’re lucky that’s all you get to see. It’s a nightmare having to see those two during lunch time. Stanley usually brings him some caesar salad and coffee, visibly flirting too. Once, they invited me over and it was…the most awkward interaction I’ve had with anyone.” He shivered.
“Though it’s sweet, isn’t it, Senku-chan?” Gen said as he sighed.
“Hell No.”
“I mean, the idea or the concept itself of loving someone so much that your mind just knows you’re going to be with them up until your last days is beautiful. Waking up knowing that someone adores you the same way as well, and doing domestic stuff with them. Like —I don’t know. I believe the idea of having to go grocery shopping, watching movies, or going to museums with your significant other is truly precious.” Gen nudged at Senku’s shoulder as they walked together, looking at his surroundings.
“Haven’t told you this before Senku-chan, but I’ve gone through some relationships back when I was still doing those mentalist gigs. Maybe two or three, but I’ve never gotten that feeling for them that others say will happen. They all just seemed temporary. That just makes me wonder when or if I’ll ever meet that person.”
Senku scoffed, “With how you are right now and your popularity? You’re bound to meet someone who likes you. Maybe you’ve met them already?”
“Trying to say something, Senku-chan? Wouldn’t say no to an opportunity~” Gen’s face twisted tauntingly like a fox, poking Senku’s face to tease the other.
“Shut up. I don’t think you’d have time for that, anyway.”
“Nuh-uh!~ Of course I do. First course of action would be to clear off all my schedules and have 3-day dates and vacays with them!”
“Doubt it.”
“Eh…”
Senku stopped. “Hey, where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere you want to. Though, I’d like to see the Stone World’s newest mall first!”
“You drive.”
“Deal.”
For the whole day, the two strolled around
“
-
“This was all because of you!” A woman wept endlessly, hands shaking as she struggled to grip the knife in her hand, her glare as sharp as the blade pointed towards the man across the kitchen table.
“What the fuck should I have done then?!”
“I don’t know—! Maybe, rather than being such a loose fucking ballsack in this household— you could have just— STOPPED taking those drugs—! God, you promised me! For our son, pleasepleaseplease—“
“—-stop trying to take control over my life! I have said this a million times —I do not want that child anywhere near me!”
The two went on and on, as the fight grew deeper, it got even more physical. The woman’s cries were heard even in the thickest of walls as the man beat her helplessly on the floor.
Yet, in the corner of the room, they didn’t realize that their split-haired child had been spectating, innocent yet utterly aware of the chaos ensuing. Eyes bright yet empty, hands trembling yet still and steady. He cradled his pet bunny in his arms and held tightly on to it as his voice shook, “Mother?”
No one answered.
And in a split second-
He saw-
Red.
The only thing the little split-haired child could see was red. No, he couldn’t merely process the seconds it took his mother -with bloodshot eyes, running to the man- his father, plunging the knife onto his chest and slowly twisting it, his mind shattered.
No, he could not process the scene at which his mother had grimaced at the slaughter, turning her head and seeing her child standing yet so motionless.
No, he could not process seeing his mother turn the knife in her direction and in a swift movement -slitting her throat.
It was only after a few seconds where he suddenly snapped back to reality, had he finally noticed that his face was completely covered in blood, and his white bunny’s fur stained with the shade of red.
_______
“CUTTT!” The sound of a clapperboard sliced through the silence as cameras rolled back, videographers and the documenting team finally let out a breath of relief after two days of non-stop work. Gen finally wiped off the last bead of sweat on his forehead, before heading to the dressing room.
Pang! The sound of a slap ringed through Gen’s ears as the bruising pain on his cheek coursed through his body. “Asagiri Gen! What was that shitshow?!” The older man snarled, and Gen just stood. Crying was not a choice in the entertainment industry, if you wanted to impress the audience then do it, otherwise the cast and your own peers would scowl at you.
However, if you broke even once, then your career was over. One misstep was enough to end it all, Gen understood.
So he didn’t speak, not even a squeak or a squirm.
Frustrated, the man –his ex-manager planted another bruise on his left arm.
“You–pathetic!” Gen didn’t even notice he was pinned on the wall with all the punches, and kicks, followed by another painful set of words.
Pang!
“Piece of Shit!”
Boom!
“Worthless!”
Squish!
“Scum! Fraud! Useless!”
The man let out a satisfied huff, with a visible smirk in his voice as his actions finally stepped onto a halt. “You’re not even trying to stop me. All the worth you have is that pretty face.” he said, cupping Gen’s chin.
Gen could swear a rib was broken, everything hurt, he wanted to sob, he wanted to scream, he wanted to call for help, but no one was there. Any form of calling was useless, and only tiny drops of tears dripped from the side of his eyes. “About that…” the man chuckled, frisked Gen’s hips, then carefully creeped his fingers under Gen’s shirt. “You wouldn’t let out even an eep if I…”
–
“Hey! Shit, Wake up! Gen!” Senku pat Gen’s back repeatedly, watching the man sit up immediately in a cold sweat as he struggled to breath inbetween a flurry of coughs. The man was hunched up, hugging his chest and panging his fist into where his heart was located.
“Senku…there.” Gen pointed to where his bag was, sobbing and still coughing uncontrollably as he wallowed in the corner. “God- what the hell happened? Hold on, I’ll get it–” Senku ran to grab the bag’s handle and threw all of the contents into the bed. He carefully thought out the best possible decision he could, Gen wasn’t getting any better than he looked.
‘A panic attack,’ he guessed. ‘A quick and sudden episode wherein one experiences a brief episode of anxiety and fear, usually induced by stimulators that aggravate the person, usually through traumatic events or too much stress. Think, Think! Gen pointed towards this bag, therefore it’s something that can cure it for a short period of time. Pills?’ The man scurried around for anything that might resemble a pill bottle or a container, but still he found a plastic bag mixed with different kind of medications. ‘Acetimonophen…Aspirin…Naproxen…used for fevers. These aren’t it. Ibuprofen…mints. No. No!’ Gen’s condition was worsening the more time ticked, and Senku still couldn’t find whatever he needed. Finally, there were only two pill packs. ‘Benzodiapine…and lastly, Monoamine oxidase inhibitor.’
Senku’s cortisol levels were rising. Even more as he read the labels, still, he popped out a pill in each hand and swiftly shoved them into Gen’s mouth. Slowly but surely, the coughs lessened and his breaths were starting to regulate, the two were sitting in silence again.
“You…” Senku spoke first, he said gently as to not spook the other. He couldn’t see Gen’s face having a blanket over his head, facing the other way with his legs tucked towards his chest. Gently, he smoothed circles to where Gen’s back was placed, and that was enough to ease the tension in Gen’s shoulders.
“You should rest, Gen. We can talk about this when you want to, or not at all. I’m here. Go back to sleep?” Senku pat the other’s back in reassurance.
Love is a broad term, spread across a vast spectrum of relationships.
Many years ago, Gen spoke about the various shades of love. There were the primaries: Eros, Mania, and Storge. Then came the secondary traits: Mania, Pragma, and Agape.
Many years ago, Gen gave Senku the second greatest gift that he had ever received. A beautiful, orange padparascha.
He’s figured out what was the first, though he’s still too blunt to accept it. Maybe he was being stubborn, or maybe he was scared. ‘But of what?’
–Is a question that haunted his mind for so long.
Love and care are inter-related, they work together, hand-in-hand like certain scientists and mentalists. There is no love without care, and there is no care without love. However, they have different definitions and intentions depending on the latter. Your care is different from the care of your spouse, therefore applying to relationships. If you care for someone, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you immediately love them like a partner. How much do you care and what type of love? That, is for you to decide.
Senku has decided, from the very start already.
He had already found that conserved quantity, his —“dynamical system which is a function of the dependent variables, the value of which remains constant along each trajectory of a system.”
In other words, his constant. However, like any other system he works, and works, tirelessly that he completely forgets about the existence of that constant.
His Medusa, or his infinity. He thought, “Infinity as a prospect, is derived as something immeasurable, beyond the bounds of quantity. However, this doesn’t exactly signify that humans are incapable of reaching it. In fact, we are able to see, feel, and experience it through the atoms and planets that we reside on. Even humans themselves created a whole concept of eternity using numbers. Circles, lines, decimals, and loops are ideal examples of this. It goes on, and on, deducing the possibility of it even knowing it itself is infinite. Yet, beyond the—“
That thought was interrupted.