Chapter Text
“Tell me. Did he ever order you to do these things?”
As if all the stars in the sky fall when he heard those words. A phrase not only made him ponder his relationship with his brother but also hinted at his affections for a complete stranger who has been accompanying him since the day he was revived.
As soon as these words pierce through his soul, Sai decided to use his full potential to be part of this Kingdom of Science and to help this certain someone whenever he needed him in return.
However, he never thought it would be difficult. Sai admits his crush to Gen, but never acts obviously since he doesn’t want his brother to pester nor tease both of them.
He has only recently gotten closer to Ryuusui. Thus, he doesn't want his brother's connection to affect his personal desires.
Usually, Sai sends his sign of affection through binary codes, love equations, and mathematical languages. It was just he wasn’t sure if Gen understands his messages. But he hopes that Gen got an idea about his feelings that moment he handed him a flower of daisy.
All he waits for now is a response.
“Gen,” he greeted as soon as he recognized the sound of the footsteps approaching him.
“Oh, Sai. How’s tutoring?”
Handing him a cup of tea, Sai grabs the opportunity to stare dreamingly at Gen. He couldn’t prevent himself from imagining this moment as if they're a married couple. He badly wants to kiss Gen’s cheeks while he examines how smooth and soft it is. When Gen’s eyes averted on him, he pretends to code for their computer project.
“Aren’t you tired yet?” Gen asked.
“Nope.”
“Well, better if you sleep early. The bags under your eyes are growing~”
“I hope I could. I have a lot of things to do.”
“Do you need a hand? I’ll lend it if you want both of us awake until you finish.”
Cupid’s arrow seems to hit the exact spot to his heart. His internal soul is screaming, yet he keeps his composure knowing the guy he’s in love with is a professional mentalist. He is about to have a heartfelt conversation with Gen, not until a familiar voice is yelling a certain nickname.
“Oi! Mentalist!”
“Argh.”
He glanced at Gen who sighed annoyingly. Placing the tea besides, he continued coding while waiting for his students. In his peripheral vision, he could see Gen marching his feet to the doorway.
“Let’s talk again some other time,” Gen gestured his hands to him, which he gave back.
“Yeah.”
As he watched him from the distance, Sai's mood suddenly shifts. His heart squeezes as his eyes dim. Gripping tightly at his pencil, he couldn’t prevent observing their unusual interaction. He rarely sees them together, but they seem to value even the split-second from the way they talk to each other.
“Oi, Sai. We’re here,” Chrome greeted as soon as he sits at his desk.
“Oh. Yeah. Now, should we continue?”
Sai finished his tea before proceeding. He still managed to keep watching them from nearby while continuing tutoring Chrome and Suika. Until their shadows disappear, the glimpse of Gen’s pouting face embedded in his memory.
It was kinda impressive that he hasn’t messed up in his discussion in spite of being distracted by them. Though he seldomly spots them together, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling jealous.
He had imagined those things with Gen. But he didn’t realize that all of them were real, when he is with Senku.
Sai was on the verge of giving up after seeing how strong their relationship is, even they were distant lately. But, after hearing that Senku has a girlfriend, he found a ray of hope. Sai discovered it while he was playing chess with his brother, Ryuusi mentioned their journey to America.
“… Then, Senku got into a relationship with a med student named Luna,” is the only phrase that brightened up his mood.
“Really? I never knew you’ve gone through,” he grinned.
“Right?”
“So, Gen helped a lot during that time?” Sai interrogated.
“Yeah. Well, he infiltrated the enemy’s base and pretended to betray us.”
He was about to move the last piece when Ryuusui stopped him. There was a sense of dejavu when he felt the nostalgia. Sai thought he is frustrated since Ryuusui has a higher defeat count than him. But, when he saw the smug in his face, his heartbeat went louder.
“Sai, do you think, Gen would return your feelings?”
“I hope s—”
He cut his words for blurting out his answer unintentionally. When he sharply glared at Ryuusui, he didn’t falter.
The thing he fears finally happens.
He realizes that even they were siblings, he shouldn’t underestimate his instincts. Now, his mind was preoccupied with ideas on how should he explain this matter. His body was frozen that he couldn’t even move his piece on chess.
“The construction of rocket ship will be done any time soon. Means, if we departed, Gen will be all yours.”
“Whaaa-?”
To be honest, Ryuusui didn't say it in a sarcastic or sneering tone. Sai stood up quietly and exited the room. He was relieved that his brother didn't try to stop him from leaving.
For the next following days, they were the same as usual. However, Sai is more vigilant and conscious with his actions now that Ryuusui discovers his crush for Gen. He was preparing some explanations if ever he got exposed one day.
Each day passes by was normal. It was just surprising that Ryuusui has kept his feelings for Gen a secret from everyone. He recognizes it when they were gathered one time to announce that they will have visitors from America, and one of them is Luna. But the timing isn't perfect.
It was the day they reunite with their American friends. Senku and the others are at the harbor, and the rest of the citizens are busy with their work.
However, Sai was preparing the flowers he chose for Gen inside his room. He just finished his work so he could spare his time with the mentalist.
On the way to the place where the mentalist is, he was taking a few deep breaths and mustering his courage. Though he did his best arranging it, it was a bit sloppy.
"I wish he would like it," he told himself.
On his final attempt to inhale, a loud explosion startled him. When he found where it came from, he dropped his bouquet and rushed towards there just to see Senku insisting on helping Gen.
Sai frowned his face while cringing from watching them. But when he caught a glimpse of a pink-haired woman with an obscure facial expression, he quickly apprehends its meaning. Before the two could go any further, he gets between them and offers his hand to Gen.
"Gen, if you want me to hel-"
Sai was cut-off when Senku shove his arms away. He couldn't even miss his deathly glare. As much as Sai wants to take revenge, he was restraining himself so people around them wouldn't be suspicious of their unusual tension. And Gen's blushing face is irresistible, even he wasn't the reason behind it.
He stormed out, dejectedly. Slouching his back while slowly walking back to his hut. He hasn't confessed yet, but he knew he will be rejected.
He picked up the bouquet he fell earlier. It became more cluttered because of evident footprints. He sighed in defeat, suppressing his tears.
While looking at the flowers, he summoned his courage, again. He take a few deep breaths and slaps his cheeks to wake him up to reality.
Giving up is a choice, but he is determined to confess no matter what the outcome will be. It's now or never.
Sai sneaks at the clinic to make sure Gen is still there. But he was surprised as he is about to take his seat beside the bed. A squeak from the person under the bed left him stunned in his position.
When the cover unfurls, a crying Gen is what appeared right in front of his eyes. The way he widened his eyes convinced him that the mentalist is surprised and embarrassed at the same time.
"S-sai?"
"Gen, are you okay?" "Obviously it's not", he argued at the back of his mind.
"Yeah," Gen replied.
"Hmmm."
The awkward silence lasted for minutes. Sai was about to break it, but Gen spoke first.
"By the way, Sai. Why are you here? Is there anything you need?" Then, a faint smile flashed on his face.
"Uhm, I just wanted to give you this." Sai handed him the bouquet of purple roses.
With one look, Gen already guessed Sai's intention. "I'm sorry."
"Is this a rejection?" Sai clarified, even the answer is clear.
"Hmmm," Gen nodded.
"I know."
"I'm really sorry," Gen apologized.
"But we can still be friends, right?"
"Yeah," Gen giggled. "I didn't know you sucked at confession~" Then, he joked.
"Don't blame me. You just guessed it right away before I told you," Sai chuckled lightly. "Won't you ask me what I like about you?"
Gen shook his head, "You being here with me is enough evidence."
The way Gen delicately touches the purple roses ease his heavy feeling. He knew it's not his favorite flower, but the way Gen handled it with care despite its appearance made Sai realize that falling in love with him is still worth it.
It may be his worst confession, but it wasn't the worst rejection he could ever experience. Rather than being heartbroken, it made him flutter that his efforts is somehow appreciated. Then he smiles fondly at the guy who captured his heart.
"Thank you for the bouquet. I liked it," Gen said.
"You're welcome."