Chapter Text
Over years and years, finally, they are going to launch the two-way rocket to the moon.
Because of the success of the manned satellite, the construction of the rocket ship became less challenging. After countless trials and errors, they certainly figured out the simpler methods which make the process easier than before. Also, the success of the stone world internet made it closer to plausibility.
The chosen spacemen who'll join the moon mission are now equipped for their flight that will happen the day after tomorrow. All of their friends have gathered to personally witness the first-ever stone world rocket takeoff.
The only news station is also preparing for the stone world’s news articles, and video recordings as they can’t temporarily access the internet for safety purposes when the mission starts. The tailored space suits are also displayed in front of the manned rocket ship.
"So, it's settled. We will be leaving the day after tomorrow," the scientist with leek hair announced.
Suddenly, the gloomy, ominous, and dark atmosphere appeared and made their heart palpitate. They were supposed to be excited because the mystery of petrification will be solved and they have two rockets for a two-way trip. Yet they are all anxious.
What if they fail their mission? Or would they succeed in exchange of tragic consequences? What if one of them must be sacrificed in order to save humanity?
"What if we hold a party?"
All of their eyes averted to the most trustworthy liar as soon as he spoke. A sudden light illuminated as he smiles fondly in front of them.
Most of them got sparkling eyes, smiling from ear to ear, showing they agree with the mentalist's suggestion, except the scientist who was wearing a frowning face.
“But why? For what reas--”
“Senku, don't be such a killjoy. It is everyone's desire,” Ryuusui interrupted him while snapping his fingers before he could formulate his question.
“I believe, we should all prepare for tomorrow’s special event,” Francios said politely.
“Yeah!”
Their mood lifted up. As if they forgot the abrupt agony when all of them were fired up and automatically grouped themselves.
Without being ordered, they were psyched up starting to organize for the party. The scientist was in awe, his lips curved upwards as he watches them being excited about the party and how they instantly ignore the predicament of next day’s departure.
Such enthusiasm washed their worries away. The crafts team started again with another project. Others also prepare the ingredients as their world class chef prepare additional cuisines.
Most of the teams cooperated as they organize for a huge sudden event that will happen tomorrow. Senku, however, watches how alive they are despite the tiring and piles of labor.
"What was it for?" Senku asked, pertaining to the mentalist's suggestion.
"It's a farewell party, Senku-chan," Gen indirectly replied. "After all, we couldn't let you go without saying goodbye."
Though Gen didn’t gave him a convincing answer, Senku’s lips pursed as he saw the glimmer in his eyes. There were no signs of deceit nor superficiality.
On the other hand, Senku is extremely happy to chat with Gen again. Despite his busy schedule, he felt Gen’s absence. Maybe it’s because he was distracted by his priority—which is the upcoming moon mission— the reason why they barely speak recently.
He took few glances on his cheek before totally looking away when Gen turned to him. There was an odd warm inside his chest, his cheeks are abnormally burning, his stomach is churning.
Senku is ten billion percent sure, he’s not sick. He could also hear his heartbeat pump faster as if he sprinted in a huge track field. It was foreign to him, but strangely, he didn’t dislike it.
For the rest of the day, Senku can’t get rid of his smile. The memory of Gen’s gentle face and their small talk—it all play repeatedly on his daydream.
Then all of a sudden, he desires of going to the department store. Out of the blue, he meets Yuzuriha and requested to create something. Maybe Ryuusui is right. The farewell party is everyone’s desire.
“This is exhilarating,” he grinned.
When the night has come, most have taken a rest meanwhile the science engineers and few villagers are still awake. Even though they have equipped the things they’ll be needing, they’re still inventing additional space materials and spare equipment.
“I think, it’s all that we need,” Senku concluded.
“Yup. We could rest now,” Chrome yawned while stretching his arms.
Though there’s nothing left for them to do, Senku seems uneasy. He should be worrying about nothing.
There’s a hollow inside him that even he thinks of it hypothetically, he couldn’t explain. He knew something’s wrong when he drifted his gaze across the room while wrapping his blueprints. He sighed and quickly stored the materials before rushing out of the room.
“Matte, Senku. Where are you going?” Chrome asked.
“You may take a rest. I still have something to do,” Senku replied instead.
His feet brought him to the forest nearby at the place where he was revived. Soon as he reached the place, he could hear someone else’s voice. When the figure of the person is getting clearer, he suddenly hid behind the bushes and guess who are they. He clenched his fist when he learned it was Sai and Gen talking.
“Why do I always have to see them together?” he whimpered.
“Hey, Gen?”
“Why, Sai?”
“Are you avoiding Senku?”
Sai's question made their jaws hanging open. Senku wanted to react, but he remembered he was sitting against the tree where he was hiding. Senku never thought that Gen was avoiding him, instead, he just put in his mind that they become distant lately because of his busy schedules. Putting his fist to his chest, he deeply inhaled as he waits for Gen to speak.
“Oh, I never thought our very own mathematician is also an expert in human psychology. How ruel-cay~” Gen sarcastically replied.
“So, it’s true?”
From the distance, Senku peeked just to see Gen’s shadow nodding. The sweat on his forehead starts to form. His eyes were fixed on the figure of the guy he was looking for.
Random questions blew up in his mind, but he got no time figuring their answers. Biting his lips, he continued eavesdropping.
“Well, I hate being the third wheel.”
“Third wheel?”
“Yes. To Senku-chan and Luna-chan.”
“Me and Luna?” he whispered.
He is undeniably disheartened after discovering how Gen feels around him these past few days. He sighed in dismay as he lightly slapped his forehead.
Gen might be uncomfortable after what he did to him last time. If he is not mistaken, their last and casual conversation they had was when he attempted to take care of him after the headphone project failed. Not proper at all, perhaps since they never spoke again after he left Gen. If only he did treat him right that time, not only his injuries.
Is it the reason? Or maybe Gen is avoiding him for not clearing up some misunderstandings?
Senku had heard enough. He decided to leave them alone. It was a crime if he continues listening to their whole conversation. And he is not supposed to hear the rest of it.
“I should talk to him tomorrow,” he mused.
On the other hand, Gen was still conversing with Sai. It happened when he was alone at the tree where Senku’s depretrification date was marked. He was brushing his hands on it while looking up to the moon.
“Gen.”
He immediately turned his head to look whose voice it is. Until he recognizes it, it was Sai. Gen was surprised he found him in his special place.
He taps his side to offer a seat next to him. Once Sai joined him, they watched the moon shining brightly in the sky. The breeze of cold air passes through his skin and blow the long white half portion of his hair.
“How did you find me?” Gen bewildered.
“Simple. I follow you,” Sai giggled while ruffling his own hair. “Well, I’m worried for a friend.”
“Eally-ray?” Gen smirked.
“Really.” Sai looked at his hand placed on the tree. Gen suddenly hid it when he realizes Sai is staring too long.
“What are you doing here?”
“I should be the one asking that.” Sai sarcastically replied. “You look gloomy,” he added.
“What is it, Sai-chan? Don’t tell me, you’re also a mentalist?” Gen joked.
“So, you are?”
“I am, what?”
“You’re sad.”
“Wha--”
“Then why did you suggest a farewell party when you’re not anticipated for it?”
He was dumbfounded.
It is true, Gen suggested celebrating the farewell party. After receiving the piece imported from America, they’ve successfully acquired the rocket ship. However, the news is discouraging, and too painful to handle. Thus, this suggestion becomes a shining hope for everyone.
But to be honest, Gen didn’t initiate it to help them lift their burdens inside their chest, but instead to give Luna a chance to enjoy the rest of the day with Senku. This is the only way he could think of for making up things.
He must be the most superficial person in the world, but he can’t let them be separated again without proper conversation or moments that both of them could relish. Though he did his best to distance himself away from Senku the whole week, he could still sense the unusual tension between their interaction.
“Hey, Gen?”
He snapped out from reality when Sai called him. He raised an eyebrow with a restrained smile on his face.
“Why, Sai?”
“Are you avoiding Senku?”
He choked as he heard this question. At the same time, it impresses him. His smile turned into smug, then he mockingly responded.
“Oh, I never thought our very own mathematician is also an expert in human psychology. How ruel-cay~”
“So, is it also true?”
Gen nodded with pride. It was his way to deceive Sai it was nothing for him. “Well, I hate being the third wheel.”
“Third wheel?”
“Yes. To Senku-chan and Luna-chan.”
“Why?”
Gen paused, looking at Sai’s seriousness. He was speechless for this guy’s persistence and incomprehensible interrogation.
“Why?”
“Yes. Why?”
Gen gasped then facepalmed, “What do you mean?”
“Why would you feel like a third wheel? Are you really getting in between them? Or is it you’re jealous because Senku is in a relationship with a person who is not you?”
“This guy is unbelievable. His instincts are scary and accurate like Ryuusui’s. No wonder they were brothers,” Gen thought as he stared with the mathematician sitting next to him. He sighed in disbelief and defeat, bringing his gaze back to the moon.
“How did you know?” he bewildered.
“Well, my brother told me about the history before I was revived and this moon mission began. At first, I was wondering how you became acquainted with these American people. Then, Ryuusui explained everything,” Sai explained.
“When will you confess?” He changed the topic.
“What?!” Gen shouted.
“What? Aren’t you in love with Senku? Besides, you have a chance.”
“Why? Don't you understand? He’s in a relationship. I never stood a chance,” Gen defended.
“Don't you know? They already broke up ever since their team came.”
“Huh?”
Sai pats some dirt in his pants as he stood up. He gave Gen a teasing smug. Then, he brushed his hair with his fingers and waved.
“I didn’t mean hear her talking this matter last time to Kohaku. Well, your efforts throwing them a party failed. Why won’t you use it to have a great time with Senku? It seems you’re less intimate than how you define it.”
Then, Sai left him stoned in his place. The breeze of cold wind passed through him, but he didn’t feel it because of his warming cheeks and burning heart.
Sai is totally out of his sight when he got his senses back. He covered his face with the layers of his kimono, then tries to process what is happening.
“Is that how you talk with someone who rejected you?”