Archive of Our Own

Never once had Senkuu argued or thought of himself as a good person. Hell no. 

He was brutally honest to reach his goals, he was fine with manipulating others for his goals, and he was ambiguous enough to try and convince a whole village to join his side in a war they had no part in. 

Hell, even his even being there put them in danger. 

“Now Senkuu?” Suika asked.

“Go for it,” Senkuu grinned.

Suika lifted the shell to her mouth and started to play a little song on it like a stone world ocarina. Although it was a lot rougher than modern ocarina. Didn’t matter though. Senkuu watched the people in the village’s heads turn around to face the cart he was pushing. He had already tested out the effects of the foxtail ramen on Chrome, Suika, Kohaku, and himself. While he, a modern man, found the food repulsive the villagers didn’t have as refined of a palette as him. Chrome, Suika, and Kohaku ate up the ramen like it was a gift from the gods. Not to mention the strong aroma the ramen was surely sending to the village. 

It was only a matter of time until the village would join in his efforts for the kingdom of science!

“Cut it out Senkuu,” Kohaku nudged him. “You look creepy with that grin on,” She sighed. “I don’t even want to know what you were thinking about,”

“Oh just how-,”

“Ehhh said I didn’t want to hear about it. As long as this helps cure my sister I don’t care. Just work your science magic and I’ll try to convince Ginro and Kinro to join us,” Kohaku added.

“It really isn’t magic,” Senkuu deadpanned. 

“Sureeee, shouldn’t you be more focused on them,” Kohaku tilted her head to the people crossing the bridge. 

“Ohhhhh this is so bad!” Chrome smiled.

Senkuu found Chrome’s excitement for science enduring in a way. “Get excited Chrome. With a bit of luck this should go down without a hitch,”

The first one to come up was a child was ponytails sticking up. She seemed hesitant but tried to look over the counter to see what was going on.

“What is this?” She asked.

“Ohhh you’ll love it, Shovel,” Suika smiled. “It’s this really good soup with foxtail in it,” Suika explained, not realizing how unappetizing that sounded. 

Shovel looked back behind her at the other villagers that had joined her as if asking for confirmation that it was safe. “Is it safe?” Shovel questioned.

Senkuu already had all the ingredients in the bowl. All that was left was to add the broth. A bit crude but Senkuuu didn’t care to make it fancy. “You want to try?”

Shovel looked at the bowl with a weary expression. The rest of the village seemed to have the same reaction but one. Exactly the one he was hoping for.

“I don’t even care anymore. As long as it isn’t smoked fish,” Ganen groaned, walking up to the booth.The village followed behind and watched as Senkuu handed him the bowl and chopsticks. Ganen looked into the broth for a second before swallowing his fears and taking a bite of the noodles. He slipped up one noodle and stood there for a moment processing what he just ate.

“Ganen?”

“Is he ok?!”

“It’s so good!” Ganen shouted with delight. He quickly went back in for more. “It’s so chewy and amazing. Like nothing I’ve ever had before,” He said through bites of the noodles. 

The villagers looked at themselves and nodded. One by one they all took a bowl of ramen. 

“Well I mean, if Ganen gives it the ok, you know it’s good to eat,”

“Woah what is this?!”

“Ummm excuse me,” One of the village girls stepped up to Senkuu. “Were you the one who made this?”

“Yeah,” Senkuu answered plainly, pouring more broth into the bowls.

“Senkuu was it?” She tried to keep the convo alive. “Just as a random questionnnnn, what’s your type in women?”

“A woman who can pump a ton of oxygen for forging,” Senkuu snickered.

“Oh- uh,”
“Ughhh,” Kohaku groaned. “Ignore him Ruby, unless you’re a rock, he has no interest,” Kohaku tried to put it lightly.

“Oh ok. Sorry to bother you,” Ruby frowned as she walked away.

“Ku thanks for the save their lioness,” Senkuu thanked.

“I was not saving you!? You’re way too blunt. Did you not have small talk in your time?” Kohaku glared at him. “I know you have no interest in women but that was just straight-up rude!”

“Wait I never told you-”

“Look at you,” Kohaku raised her eyebrows.

“Heh fair,” Senkuu shrugged. “I thought you were going to convince Kinro and the other one,”

“One rude, two, I let Chrome handle them,” 

Senkuu looked up and saw Chrome and Ginro bickering with Kinro. 

“How many bowls am I supposed to give Senkuu?” Suika asked. “I think Ganen’s had like 3,”

“How much as they want,” Senkuu replied. “They’ll learn soon enough, the more they eat, the harder I’ll work them,” Senkuu’s features once again twisted into a grin. 

“You really need to stop doing that,” Kohaku deadpanned.

“Right, right, sorry,” Senkuu shrugged.

Everything was going so well. Maybe his luck wasn’t so bad after all-

“Mannn I sure am thirsty. What I wouldn’t give for a cola right about now,” No, it was definitely shit. 

When Gen broke out of his stone prison he looked around at a wide-open field around which he sat above... It was very different from the brightly lit stage he once stood. His wasn’t a prank. It couldn’t be, but something made the hairs on the back of Gen’s neck stick up. There was definitely someone standing behind him who had yet to say anything.

I don’t like this feeling-

“What is this, a prank?” Gen asked, trying to brush it off like a joke. “Did my manager not stop them? I told them I’m a mentalist so I only work as the prankster,” Gen sighed getting off his knee. The person behind him still hadn’t said anything.

Say something damn it.

“It is currently the year 5793 AD, but you are still as you were at age 19,” The voice finally spoke. The voice was a bit rough around some words but generally sounded younger. The voice was empty and sounded devoid of any joy. Gen felt the despair seep out with each word out of the man’s mouth. 

Gen knew that voice from somewhere. Like a switch in his head, it snapped into his head where he heard that voice before.

“If I recall you were with me on the psychological magic TV special,” Gen pointed out “The strongest primate high schooler, Shishiou Tsukasa,”

Gen should have been excited to hear a familiar voice but this wasn’t the TV special’s more calm and friendly tone Tsukasa normally had on interviews or shows. It was callous and really disheartening to hear. It sent a small chill down Gen’s back. Tsukasa didn't even try to hide the cold tone in this voice. He wanted Gen to know just how serious he was. Gen waited for the man to say something else but Tsukasa gave no response to Gen’s observation and just turned his back to Gen. Gen kept his eyes trained on Tsukasa’s limbs. It was unlikely but if he were to attack, Gen needed to watch those 4 parts to even have a chance to live.

“You have no reason to worry. I won’t attack you,” Tsukasa stated like he could hear Gen’s thoughts. 

“Oh I didn’t have any worries like that Tsukasa chan,” Gen lied.

“Well, not yet at least. All this here including you are the gathered humans that should be revived first,” Tsukasa pointed up the mountain in front of him.

Gen followed Tsukasa’s finger. Gen almost stumbled backward at the sight before him. He could no longer keep his act up. Men and women alike, all encased in stone and looking like they get clawed their way out of hell. Many were frozen with twisted faces screaming or looking like stoic stone statues towering over Gen. Any hope Gen held on to that this was a joke was gone. 

Is it really 5793 AD…?

“Gen,” Tsukasa broke the silence. “With your talents as a mentalist there is a job that I wish to request of you,” Despite the polite way Tsukasa had asked, it still felt like an order. “I want you to track someone and read into their psychology. If by some chance the man named Senkuu is still alive I want you to find him,”

“Ohh may I ask why Tsukasa chan?” Gen sang.

“The man I killed with my own hands. The sharpest most intelligent man in the world,” Tsukasa answered. “I need to make sure he’s dead,”

Ahh, so that was it huh? Gen was to do a job for a murderer in trade for his own life.

“Oh ya and what’s in it for me?” Gen asked, trying to get control of negotiations.

“It’s not an order but it would be in your best interest to do it,” Tsukasa replied coldly.

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It became clear as Gen was walking around the empire of might that Tsukasa ruled and because he was a celebrity, he had charm. Tsuksas had basically given him the promise of an easy life and there was a part of him that would like nothing more than believe that promise but working with a murderer didn’t quite sit right with him. Gen could turn a blind eye to it though if Tsukasa and his kingdom was the only ticket to his survival. 

Horrible sure but he was only human.

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Gen trudged his way down the mountain looking for ance trace of human life. Gen soon noticed some out-of-place leaves on the ground. Someone had definitely been here but the way they were scattered around made it seem almost childlike. A few blonde hairs about too. As Gen followed the leaves he soon heard a voice. No, many voices. Some sounded feminine and others sounded more masculine. Was this Senkuu’s doing? Tsukasa had explained to Gen that Senkuu couldn’t have depetrified more people because he didn’t have the cave anymore but Gen knew what he had heard. When Gen finally made it to a clearing in the trees he saw a whole village already built out on a cliff. Gen stepped closer to get a better look but was met by a small child in a Watermelon mask..? She had a bowl of what looked to be Ramen in her hands and reached it out toward Gen.

“Here you go! Ramen,” She smiled. 

“Thank you,” Gen said, taking the ramen off the kid’s hands. 

The kid was clearly in a hurry and went to serve others. 

There’s was a ramen stand? Strange thing to make.  

Gen looked at the bowl in his hands. Noodles, broth, chicken, and fish. It looked like a proper bowl of ramen from back in the modern world besides the thick green-colored noodles. What were the noodles even made out of? 

“Surely this genius Senkuu could make some decent ramen,” Gen thought out loud to himself. He raised the green ramen noodles to his mouth.

He was wrong! The moment the noodles touched his tongue though he almost had the reaction to spit it out. It was gross and wasn’t like the modern world’s ramen at all. The noodles, if you could call it that, crumbled in his mouth and tasted so bitter. Nothing like the wheat noodles Gen was used to. Was this even the right person? Honestly, the taste of the soup and the meat were fine but the noodles were so bitter. How could all the villages just eat it like it was a gift from the heavens? Weren’t they also people Senkuu had depetrified? Gen glanced in front of him to see who the ‘mastermind’ behind this bitter ramen was. A bit scrawny teen with white and green colored tips at the end gravity defending hair plus a strange-looking tunic with E=Mc2 written on the collar. If the modern-day look of the ramen didn’t give it away, the equation on his tunic definitely did. This was the Senkuu he was looking for but just to make sure-

“Mannn I sure am thirsty,”

“Cola..?” Senkuu repeated to himself.

“Huh? A friend of yours Senkuu?” Kohaku asked.

“No, they aren’t,” Senkuu put down his latte. 

“Well then,” Kohaku cracked her neck. “Give me a moment,”

Senkuu watched as her, Kinro, and Ginro circled the strange man, all with their blades pointed at the man.

“Better answer truthfully,” Kohaku sneered.  “Or I will slit your throat before you know what hit you. Are you one of the long-haired men's underlinings?” With that question, she adjusted her spear just a bit to get a better grip.

“Well, I don’t admittedly don’t mind the attention of a cute thing like you. I believe you must have mistaken me for someone else,” He lied through his teeth “I have not yet met any long hair man. I have been wondering all my lonesome since breaking out of the stone,” 

It was so clearly a lie too but it was said with all the genuineness of the truth. Senkuu wouldn't fall for such fluff but besides Tsukasa, this man was definitely the next biggest threat to his plan. 

Wait a second.

“Hold it Kohaku,” Senkuu told.

“Yeah what? This is one of the long hair man underlings right?” Kohaku scoffed.

“No doubt but I think I just realized where I know him from,” Senkuu stepped up to Gen. “You’re Asagiri gen aren’t you?”

“So do you know him or not?” Kohaku questioned.

“Not one millimeter. He’s just some magician who wrote a trashy book on psychology,” Senkuu crossed his arms.

“You’ve read my work? How onderful way, calling it trashy though,” Gen had this shit eating grin that half got under Senkuu’s skin and half interested in the other. “And please call me a mentalist,”

“Like hell, I’m doing that,” Senkuu scoffed.

“Well, either way, I supposed I should apologize for sneaking a bowl of ramen,” Gen spoke softly. “So why don’t you all lower your weapons? I’m so scared my hands are shaking,” Gen’s personality changed so quickly. “I wouldn’t want to spill even a drop of this ramen,”

“Oh oh! I’ll take it off our hands,” Ginro offered.

“Ohh thank you so much,” Gen handed the ramen to Ginro. “You couldn’t imagine my surprise when the nostalgic aroma of ramen met my nostrils. Finally a dish from the old world,”

Lying or not Gen’s labor could still be useful. “Heh I guess I’ll believe your story magician but there's no such thing as a free lunch. There’s plenty of work to be done by the people who ate the ramen,” 

“Well, either way, I supposed I should apologize for sneaking a bowl of ramen,” Gen judged the reaction of Senkuu. It was rather interesting. “So why don’t you all lower your weapons? I’m so scared my hands are shaking,” Like a push and pull game between the two.“I wouldn’t want to spill even a drop of this ramen,”

“Oh oh! I’ll take it off our hands,” Ginro offered.

“Ohh thank you so much,” Gen handed the ramen to the blonde man. “You couldn’t imagine my surprise when the nostalgic aroma of ramen met my nostrils. Finally a dish from the old world,”

“Heh,” Senkuu started to snicker. “I guess I’ll believe your story magician but there's no such thing as a free lunch. There’s plenty of work to be done by the people who ate the ramen,” 

“Work?”

“Care to see?” 

Senkuu Ishigami, what an interesting person. 

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“RAHHHHHHH!!!” Gen screamed as his arms pumped the oxygen. 

Gen’s arms were so ready to fall off but for the sake of his mission, he kept pumping. His lungs were on fire and his sweat glued his shirt to his back. 

“Magician,” Senkuu’s voice chimed in. “How are Taiju and Yuzuriha nowadays?”If Gen could laugh he would. He was right. This Senkuu guy was truly interesting. “Ah, so that’s your game?” Gen let go of the bamboo. “Pull one over on me while I’m distracting and slaying away? I can’t tell if you’re a brave or a foolish man,” Gen grinned. “To challenge a mentalist like me to that sort of battle,” Gen turned to Senkuuu. “Oh but don’t worry Senkuu chan, They’re doing just fine. Especially Taiju, with this bottomless stamina, but you knew that already,”

“I fucking knew it! That bat bastard is working with that long hair man! Should I kill him?” Gen heard Kohaku pull her knife. 

“Wait you fool,” Senkuu replied. Senkuu glared at Gen. “Alright Gen, you were ten billion percent into us from the start. So why just let it slip so easily that you’re working with Tsukasa,”

“Well, the dynamic changed,” Gen hummed. “Once I saw all of this,”

Senkuu softened his glare and uncrossed his arms. “Well if you think this is interesting you should see what comes next,”
“Hmh love too, only, I’m going to need a break,” Gen said though lungs about to give. 

Fshhhhhh

Gen watched as Senkuu poured the melted iron into the mold. The villagers ‘ohhh’ed in amazement and Gen found himself joining them. The metal cooled and the villagers all gathered around to look at the metal. Gen stood back and looked from afar. 

“Well Gen if you don’t mind me asking,” Senkuu stood by Gen’s side. “Care to tell me what changed your mind,”

“Like I told you, the dynamics changed,” Gen repeated. “In all honesty there was no doubt in my mind that Tsukasa’s empire would win,”

“Ku clearly,” Senkuu huffed.

“My job was to basically confirm your death once and for all Senkuuu chan,” Gen explained. “So if I went back and said ‘Tsukasa! Senkuu is still alive, well you’d meet your end soon enough. Well, that was the plan, but with iron weapons in play, who can say how the tides of war may change,” Gen motioned with his arms. “‘All I found was a primate village and absolutely no trace of Senkuu. Yup he’s definitely dead’ would save you and you’re kingdom of science,”

“Heh heh I’d really appreciate that,”

“I bet you would,” Gen stated. “Only issue with that is you’re dealing with me here, and I have no hard-set beliefs. I’m just some smooth talker. Living a life of ease and cute girls is all I care for. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s you or Tsukasa chan who ends up dead in the end,” Gen lied. 

Come on Senkuu, give me a reason to believe that you'll be on top. 

“I’ll be on the winning side no matter who I have to cut loose,” Senkuu looked at Gen with a hint of disgust but it didn’t matter. He didn’t need to be liked. “But I’m at a loss now. Should I betray Tsukasa and join you Senkuu? It’s the Tsukasa empire versus your kingdom of science. In the end it’s up to me who lives and who dies,” 

“I bet you would,” Gen stated. “Only issue with that is you’re dealing with me here, and I have no hard-set beliefs. I’m just some smooth talker. Living a life of ease and cute girls is all I care for. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s you or Tsukasa chan who ends up dead in the end,” Gen knew his power in the situation and knew Senkuu knew the same damn thing. “I’ll be on the winning side no matter who I have to cut loose,” Senkuu was almost shocked at how shallow one man could be. “But I’m at a loss now. Should I betray Tsukasa and join you Senkuu? It’s the Tsukasa empire versus your kingdom of science. In the end, it’s up to me who lives and who dies,” 

But Senkuu knew his beliefs. “Isn’t it obvious magician? It’s the kingdom of science,”

“Sure sure, that’s easy to say but but compared to a harem and carefree life this brutal manual labor is just not for me,”

“What’s a harem?” Senkuu had not even noticed the young one.

Gen seemed a bit surprised too. “Ohh nothing you need to worry yourself with,” Strange… his persona broke for a second. 

“Well, whatever it is Suika is sure ramen is a lot better!” She smiled.

“Ramen is nice but on a hot day like this… I’m leaning more toward Tsukasa,” 

“Gen Asagiri was it?” Kohaku asked. “A shallow self serving man like you should be locked up for 6 feet under!” Kohaku pulled out her daggers quickly.

“EEEEP! Scary!!” Gen jumped.

Gen's persona dropped again for a moment. “Cut it out Kohaku. If we don’t send him back to Tsukasa, that killer’s going to be knocking down our doors before we know it. It’d be a check mate. I don’t disagree with the sentiment though,”

“Hey!” Gen protested. 

“Ku ku don’t worry magician,” 

“Mentalist,”

“Magician,” Senkuu repeated. “We’re using the iron to create something else. After that, you'll ten billion percent be on the kingdom of science side,” 

“Ohh what could that be?” Gen got his persona back. “A katana or something?”

“A generator,” Senkuu bluntly stated.

“eriously say!? Are you kidding me?! You think this is some kind of video game?!” Gen blankly stared. 

“Well considering this isn’t  Minecraft,”Senkuu replied. “Oi Chrome! You got native copper up there?” Senkuu shouted up to the hut.

“Well duh!!” Chrome huffed.

“Great! We’re going to need to melt it down,”

“You’re kidding…,”

“Now all we need is lighting,”

“And of course he’s not listening, Chrome groaned.

“We just need some luck-,”

Fwashhhh!

Oh you have got to be kidding me.

Rmbbblll!

“Well we’re about to get some,” Suika looked up at the sky.

“Hah it is storm season after all,” Kohaku added.

“Oh we’re so lucky!” Chrome cheered.

“No, you idiot!! This is horrible timing. We’re not even one millimeter prepared for this!” Senkuu shouted.

“I know you wouldn’t do this but the lighting isn’t going to power your generator right?” Gen asked.

“Of course not,”

Of course,”

“It’s going to be powered by magnets,”

“Are you kidding,”
“Magents?” Suika hummed. “Don’t we already have those?” Suika held up the natural magnet.

“Nope! Too weak! It wouldn’t come close to cutting it,” Senkuu stated. “We can make even stronger ones with the power of science, and we really can’t leave this to chance,” Senkuu shouted. “Chrome, get the copper! Kohaku, where is the lacquer in this village?”

“I’ll get it!” Suika tucked in her legs and rolled.

“What are you doing Senkuu?”

“No time to explain! Just trust me,” Senkuu knew he was asking a lot of Kohaku. She really had no reason to do so but-

“Yeah! Ok!” She nodded.

“I got it! I got  it!” Suika rolled back.

“Thank you Suika!” Senkuu took the lacquer from Suika. “Use this as an insulator. Just got to coat the iron in it,” Senkuu haphazardly poured the lacquer. “Now all we need is a channel…,” Senkuu looked around when he noticed the bridge made of wood planks. “Perfect!” Senkuu got to his feet and pulled the plank up.

“What are you doing Senkuu!?” Ginro yelled.

“Not now! Kohaku, a channel!” Senkuu threw the plank of wood at her.

“On it!” Kohaku stabbed down the board and started to carve.

“Chrome you ready?”

“Yup!” Chrome held the scolding native copper in the pot.

“Done!” Kohaku looked up.

“Chrome pour it in the channel!”

“Okay!” Chrome rushed through it but filled the channel with copper.

It luckily only took a second to cool. Senkuu took it out of its channel. “We just need to wrap the wires..,” Senkuu said to himself as he worked.

“Ahhh Senku,” Suika’s voice shook. “We got a problem,” 

“Huh?” Senkuu looked up.

“Magma,” Kohaku clicked her tongue. “He’s the kind of man you can’t reason with,”

“Shit-,” Senkuu said under his breath. We can’t afford to go to war with the village right now,”

Senkuu tried to rush an idea to defeat the incoming threat but nothing was coming up. As strong as Kohaku was, against three people, she was outnumbered. 

“Well well,” Gen’ voice stopped Senkuu’s thoughts. This was what Gen was talking about. He could let Magma kill him and not have a second thought about it. “This just doesn't do. I’m not about to be killed for just talking to you lot,” Gen hid his hands in his overcoat. “Find me some flowers Suika chan,” Gen smiled. “No need for a war yet, don't you say Senkuu chan?”

Senkuuu couldn’t quite understand Gen’s logic. This was the moment he was talking about. The weakness of his kingdom showed and if Gen really wanted to he could easily run away and if Senkuu thought of that Gen had to have. 

“Flowers over war if you will,” Gen took the flowers from Suika.

“Gen what are you doing?” Suika pulled on Gen’s robe.

“Don’t worry about me. Just make sure Senkuu finishes with his project,” Gen smiled.

Why is he doing this?

Gen stepped up to Magma with no fear. “Magma I’m assuming,”

“How’d you know sorcerer?” Magma raised a brow.

“The gods told me of course,” 

“The gods huh?” Magma scoffed. “That the reason they are so upset?”

“Ohhh no Magma chan, you see we’re trying to stop this on slough from above,” 

“And what makes you think you can do that?” Magma questioned.

“Well…,” Gen pulled out the flowers in his hands. “Just watch,”

Gen flipped his wrist back and the flowers disappeared. 

“They vanished!”

“Imposable!” Magma looked wide-eyed.

“Can they really not see the flowers?” Kohaku whispered.

“I think it was called the back palm,” Senkuu replied.

“Ok but why is the bat bastard protecting us?”

I have the same question.

“We can ask later. He’s buying us time,”

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“So we're really going to get electricity from this,” Gen pointed to Ginro and Kinro.

“Yup,” Senkuu showed a w shaped fiber on a leaf. “It’s a fiber that I baked,” 

“Care to tell me what that’s going to do?”

“Just watch,”

While all that Senkuu could do was impressive, Gen just needed one more thing to convince him. 

As Ginro and Kinro spun the wheels of the generator Senkuu and Chrome climbed up the hut.

What are you up to Senkuu?

A bamboo fiber, wires, electricity… Of course. 

“Edison!” Gen realized. “You have to be kidding me Senkuu,” Gen whispered to himself.

In the stone world, where the only light was fire compared to the once lit the streets of Japan. It was quick, maybe a second or two but it was light. Had to shield his eyes that was how bright it was. It was something small but it was still a small reminder of home. 

“Heh heh,” Gen sat where he stood. “Electricity in the stone age. Hard to elieve bay~,” Gen couldn’t hide the smile. “Did you see that Tsukasa? I chose my side,”

Senkuu, Kohaku, Suika, and Chrome headed up to the hut but Gen stayed behind. Why would he join? There was no reason for him to be there. He just admired his surroundings for a moment. How Senkuu manage to do all of this in such little time?  He was definitely the one who carved the date into the tree.

“Hey listen up Gen!” Chrome shouted. “You saw it right!? That badddd electricity! Who cares about winning or losing! Or Senkuu v Tsukasa or whatever! Screw all of that! Science is way more interesting than any of that!

“Who cares about the money?! Magic is cool and I’m going to be a magician!” 

Chrome’s enthusiasm was endearing but it got under Gen’s skin. It reminded him of something… but that just wasn’t how the world worked. Even if he joined up with Senkuu for now it was for his survival not for some science dream.

“Ahhh I carefull Chrome chan, your naivete is showing,” Gen forced a smile. “Sadly for you, Chrome, I couldn’t care less about that. I’m truly the earth’s shallowest man. I only care what benefits me,” And with that Gen walked away. He didn’t care to see the looks of disgust coming from the group. Strangely he found himself in front of the generator. It was the thing that had made that light. A piece of home Gen had long thought was possible to see again. 

He placed his hand on the wheel and spun it a bit. Was he really getting emotional over such a thing? 

This is ridiculous.

Senkuu was crazy but he couldn’t help finding him interesting. The wind blew a bit and Gen heard the grass behind him sway… only it was louder than usual…

Gen turned to look in case there was some kind of animal but-

Kapow!!

It was too dark to see who it was but before Gen knew it he was on his back with a spear too close to his heart for comfort. 

“What the hell?” Kohaku suddenly said.

“What?” Chrome asked. 

“Didn’t you hear that?” Kohaku replied.

“Hear what?” Suika hummed.

“Sounded like someone punched something,” Kohaku looked out the hut door. “Ohhh shit!!” Kohaku grabbed her sword and jumped outside without saying anything else.

“Oi Kohaku!” Chrome, Suika, and Senkuu rushed after her.

“What was that sound?!” Chrome shouted, not yet seeing what was in front of Kohaku. “Oh shit-,” He noticed.

It was Gen layed on the ground in a pool of blood with a spear sticking out of him. 

“Shit shit shit, Gen you ok?!” Chrome was going to shake him but stopped when he noticed the blood.

“No- no way someone would lose that much blood and be alive,” Kohaku pointed out. “But who could be so cold hearted?”

“What do we do with the body…? I mean he wasn;t a villager,”

Senkuu caught up to them. “No wait!” He huffed.

“What?”

Senkuu walked to Gen’s side and noticed something off with the blood. It looked too clumpy. Senkuu put his hand on the spear and pulled it out.

“Senkuu?! What are you doing?”

“H- He’s not dead. Not yet at least,” Senkuu continued. “C- check his robe,”

Suika was hesitant but checked. She pulled out a packet tied with string. His hypothesis was correct then.

“It’s fake blood. Something the performer here would think of,” Senkuu turned to Gen. “A magician to your core,”

“He has them all over his body!” Suika cheered.

“Yeah but he’s still pretty banged up,” Kohaku added.

“Plus we need him to go back to Tsukasa soon right?” Chrome pointed out. 

“Can’t worry about that right now,” Senkuu sighed. “Let’s just get him inside,”

“On it,” Kohaku picked up Gen and threw him on her back like he was nothing. 

“Never fail to surprise me, lioness,” Senkuu joked.

“If you don’t shut up you’ll be joining him,”

“Got it,” 

The five made their way back into the hut, somehow not dropping Gen, and laid him out to rest. Luckily Chrome already had herbs needed to stop the swallowing. Senkuu kelt down next to Gen explaining him for any signs of injury.

“Ughh! We need to find out who did this!” Chrome shouted.

“That aside, how are we going to get him ready on time? He needs to go back to Tsukasa after all,” Kohaku pulled her knees close to her. “If we don’t Senkuu will be killed,”

“Like I said, we can’t worry about that now,” Senkuu pushed down his worry. 

“How are you so calm!?” Chrome grilled. “If Tsukasa finds you here-!”

“I know Chrome!” Senkuu stopped him. “I know, but I can’t do anything about that right now. We’ll figure something out tomorrow just- need space to think,”

Chrome relaxed his shoulders “Alright then. Kohaku can I stay with you can Suika because huh…,” Chrome pointed at Gen.

“Sure, hope you like the floor though,” Kohaku snickered.

“You can have my bedroll Chrome,” Suika chimed in.

“What about you Suika?” Kohaku asked.

“I’m going to go look for who killed Gen!” Suika huffed.

“Even though he’s not dead though?”

“Yup!” Suika went down the ladder.

“Be careful!” Kohaku shouted after her. “I swear,” Kohaku sighed.

“I’ll go after her,” Chrome went down too.

Kohaku rolled her eyes. “He knows he’s not going to stop her right?”

“He’ll figure it out,”

“Yea, but with how thick headed he is,” Kohaku chuckled a bit.

“Yeah,” Senkuuu joined in a bit. “Hey Kohaku,”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks… for trusting me back there,”

Kohaku smiled. “You know I think that’s the first time you thanked me,”

“Ku ku don’t get used to it,”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Night Senkuu,”

“Night,” Senkuu replied shortly. And with that, it was just Senkuu and Gen in the material hut. “Alright, then Gen, can you follow my finger with your eyes?” Senkuu put two fingers up in front of Gen’s face. While Gen didn’t say anything, he was able to follow Senkuu’s fingers. “At least there’s that,”

Senkuu sat back down and threw his head back. So much had happened all at once… and now Tsukasa could find not only him but the village.

I put them in danger.

Gen rolled over to his side. Probably to get a better position. Senkuu didn’t really care, his focus was more on the herbs he had to ground with some kind of prayer they’d work in time. It was crude but nothing he could do. God he felt powerless.

“Senk- ku chan,” Gne coughed out the words.

“Yeah?” Senkuu looked up. 

“Come closer. It hurt to talk this loud,” Gen’s voice was raspy and he was very clearly unwell. 

Senkuu leaned his closer and put his hand on the other side of Gen to support himself.

“You know as well as I do that if I’m not back by tomorrow Tsukasa will look for me,” Gen whispered.

“Rubbing it in?”

“No, a deal,” Gen replied. “If you can promise me one thing I’ll go to Tsukasa tomorrow and tell him you’re dead,”

“You’re in no shape to-,”

“Senkuu,” Gen cut him off. “You know as well as I do that if Tsukasa learns this village knows of science he’ll burn it to the ground. You can’t negotiate here,”

Senkuu hated how he was right. Gen had all the power in his conversation. He held his life and the lives of others in balance. “What do you want?” He could ask for anything and that’s what scared him.

“In this stone world… Could you make me one? A bottle of cola,” Gen mumbled.

“You know what magician, I don’t understand you, the world’s shallowest man holding my life in the balance and you want cola?”

“Maybe I’m not,” Gen said quietly. “But can you make one or not?”

“Yeah… Who do you think you’re talking to? I mean I’m the only one who can, mentalist,” Senkuu leaned back.

“Heh finally,”

.

.

.

Senkuu had fallen asleep against the wall of the hut and just rested there.

“Ohhhh this is bad! Senkuu Senkuu!” He was rudely woken up too.

“Yeah….? What?” Senkuu groggily groaned back.

“That bastard Gen! He’s gone!”

Senkuu moved his head to look behind Chrome. “Oh he is,” was all Senkuu said.

“Isn’t that a problem!?”

“What’s all the yell for?!” Kohaku shouted.

“Gen’s gone!” 

“He’s what?!” That woke her up. “That bastard! I knew he’d go back to Tsukasa!”

“Calm down will you?” Senkuu cleared out his ear with his pinky.

“How are you not freaking out? He’s going to tell Tsukasa everything! He’ll know you’re alive!” Chrome protested. 

“I can probably still kill him,” Kohaku climbed up the ladder to join the two in the hut.

“Why is that always your solution?” Senkuu stood up, his back sore. “Will both of you think for a second? If Gen really had no millimeter interest in scientists he wouldn’t have helped us from the start. All it took was the electricity and he knew what side he was on, but a performer like him, he just had to put on a show.

.

.

.

“And just like that! Batteries have been acquired!” Senkuu grinned.

“Yayyyy,” The husk of Chrome and Kaseki cheered.

“Hmmmmh I don’t know…,” Ginro looked at the batteries closer. “You’re telling me there is the power of the river in these tiny bottles?”

“I wouldn’t touch it, Ginro,” Kohaku warned.

“Or what- AHGHHH!!” Ginro stumbled back. “Ouchhh! Senkuu what the heck!”

“It works,” Kohaku snickered.

“Don’t waste the power. We only have so much stored,” Senkuu scolded Ginro but still went over to help him.

“Hmh hmh,” Gen chuckled a bit. It was funny seeing Senkuu continue to scold Ginro while treating his wounds. 

“I didn’t know you were gay as well,” Kohaku bluntly stated.

“Wha- what?” Gen choked for a second. “I’m not. I’m bi- wait,”

“So that thing about wanting a harem of cute girls wasn’t a lie?”

“I-,”

“You like Senkuu don’t you?” Kohaku asked like it was nothing.

“I mean- yeah… How did know?” Gen was still processing the questions Kohaku threw at him.

“You keep looking at him with that look on your face,” She teased. 

“Wha- I do not have a look!”

“Getting soft there bat bastard,” Kohaku nudged him.

“Yeah yeah, I don’t even know if- you know,” Gen found himself whispering.

“If Senkuu’s gay too?”

“Well… yeah,”

“Why don’t you just ask?”

“Well, you know that thing people do when you ask and they’re not…,”

“No I don’t,” Kohaku replied.

Gen sighed. “Some… don’t like it when you assume they swing that way,” 

“Senkuu?” Kohaku raised an eyebrow. “You know actually, before you showed up Ruby tried to ask him out?”

Cue the hint of jealousy. “Oh really now?”

“Don’t be like that,” Kohaku playfully rolled her eyes. “Poor girl tried to ask what his type in women was. He said one’s who could blow air into a furnace,” Kohaku started to walk away. “And also,” She stopped. “He told me,”

“Thank you,” Gen mouthed.

“We’re in the age of energy!” Gen heard Senkuu state, hands on his hips and everything. (Yeah how did Gen not notice it before)

“Horray for energy!” Kinro and Ginro clapped.

“You too Kinro?” Kokuyo seemed studdened. 

“Never again,” Kinro whispered.

“It wasn’t about make your live easier. You’re just needed else where now,” Senkuu stated curely.

“Yeah, come on you two,” Kohaku basically dragged them off.

“Kaseki, Chrome, Suika, you’re with me,” Senkuu motioned with his hand to follow him.

“You’re kidding…,” Chrome groaned.

“You can’t work an old man like this,” Kaseki’s voice barely left his mouth.

“Senkuu are they dying?!” Suika panicked.

“What- No Suika they’re ten billion percent fine,”

“Are you sure? They look exgushed,”

“Yes they’re fine, they just need to get off their a-... butts,” 

“Noooooo~,” The two moaned together.

Senkuu pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t you want to see the blueprints I got?”

“Don’t care,” Chrome muttered.

“Guys-,”

Gen placed a hand on Senkuu’s shoulder. “Let me Senkuu chan,” Gen got that devilish grin. And Senkuu got the same one. Gen took the blueprints from Senkuu and pretend to look them over. He had no idea what he was looking but-

Geeezzz Senkuu chan, what are you thinking?” Gen pretend to be upset. “No wonder Chrome chna and Kaseki chna are tired,” Senkuu played right along.

“Meantlist it’s none of your business,”
“Well am supposed to loook over everyone’s well being right? Having thoses two work on as big of project like this, I mean come on, I know they’re skilled but you’re going to need professionals from our time for this project,”

“Huh what did you say?” Kaseki glarred.

“Oh nothing you should worry yourself with Kaskei chan,” Gen waved him off. “I’m sure even professions from our time would have tro-,”

“Give me that!” Kaskei took the blueprints from Gen in a huff.

“You owe me another bottle of Cola,” Gen whispered in Senkuu’s ear before going to join the others.

.

.

.

“Care to tell us why you’re bring us all out here Senkuu?” Kokuyo asked.

“And in the freezing cold no less,” Turquoise shivered out a response. 

“He is the village chief,” Jasper reminded.

“Yeah I know that Jasper,” Turquoise hissed.

“Well if you want to turn back you can,” Senkuu shrugged. “It’s really just a light test,”

“Don’t say it like that,” Kaseki huffed. “We worked hard for this light test! You know how many light bulbs I had to craft just for this,”

“I’m sure it’ll be great old man Kaskei,” Suika hummed. “You cand Senkuu worked hard on this,”

“Hey I helped too!” Chrome added.

“Is that why I saw you sleeping in the lab?” Kohaku pointed out.

“I- I was tired ok!”

Senkuu couldn’t even blame him. Him, Chrome and Kaseki started to take turns sleeping in the lab from the amount of work went into this “light test”. Hopefully it’d all be worth it in the end. As the village walked up the hill with leftover snow… you could say Senkuu had his fingers crossed that it would snow more. 

“Where are we going by the way Senkuu chan?” Gen questioned. “And why couldn’t we do this at the village?” Gen yawned.

“Why are you tried?” Kohaku raised a brow.

“Who do you think made sure those three slept?” Gen answered

“Well mentalist, don’t want to broadcast our location to Tsukasa do we?” Senkuu replied smugly. “It was the logical thing to do,”

“And we all know how logical you are Senkuu chan,” Gen put his hands together.

Senkuu only grinned in response. No need for words anyway, they reached the ‘testing area’. Batteries right where they left them. 

“Ohhh look guys! It’s snowing,” Suika awwed.

Perfect.

“Oh crap! Does that mean we have to call of the test,” Chrome’s expression soured.

“Nah, glass can hold up to the cold pretty well actually,” Senkuu informed. “Plus this is the only day we can do it,”

“What do you mean by that?” Chrome asked.

“Don’t worry about that,” Senkuu waved it off. “Kaskei!”

“On it! 3, 2, 1! Happy whatever Senkuu called it!”

Right on cue, the three lit up with what must be dozens of lights. Not as fancy as the old world. It was one just one color and simple white but the reaction from the village made it partially worth all the effort.

But honestly the person’s opinion he valued the most about this was-

“A proper light show huh Senkuu chan?” Gen hummed. “Just like I’m back in the modern world,” Mission: successful. “Though what happened to the ‘I only do what’s logical?’ Senkuu chan?”

Senkuu didn’t know when he started to value Gen’s opinion so much but soon it was just something he wanted to hear.

“What do you mean mentalist? Just testing out how much juice those batteries can hold,”

Not like he’d tell him that though. 

“Ohhh come on Senkuu, you kept talking about the one holiday from your time the whole two months we’re working on this. Oho sure did take a while to finish,”

“I’d say it’s right on schedule,” Senkuu replied.

“Schedule?... Wait a second today- It’s Christmas,” Gen looked up at the tree again. “No wonder you had us come all the way out here,”

“Yeah.. come to think about it. What a coincidence,” Maybe he showed off a bit.

“You liar,”

“I have no idea what you mean,”

“Sure you don’t,” Gen kept his eye fixed on the tree. “You know Senkuuu chan, you’re not a bad person,”

“Heh what are you saying mentalist? Me a good person?”

“I didn’t say that. Just said you weren’t a bad person. A good person wouldn’t have made me come out  here in the freezing cold,”

“Where’d this come from?”

“Ohhh othing nay. Just thinking out loud,”

.

.

.

“Oii will you two hurry up!” Magma scolded. “It’s just some damn rocks,”

“Rocks!? Come on Magma! It’s like a treasure chest don here! Right Senkuu?”
“Oh totally!” Senkuu agreed, happily picking away.

“I said time to pack it up!” Magma scoffed. “Unlike you wimps, I’m caring all this junk,”

“Awww just a little more,” Chrome whined.

“You want me throwing his?!” Magam picked up his pickaxe. 

“Fine,” Chrome and Senkuu groaned.

“Let’s go!”

“Why are you in such a rush,” The two of them climb down from their ladders.

“I don’t have to answer to you two dumbasses!” Magma kept walking.

Senkuu rolled his eyes but followed Magma. It was getting late anyway… but if Senkuu could spend this whole day just studying minerals he would.

Just got to get to tomorrow.

The three of them had almost reached the village. By then the sun had already fully gone down and all the light came from their headlamps. Senkuu got so excited to get back to work he hadn’t even noticed Magma had slipped behind him and Chrome.

Clop clop

Before he knew it- A piece of cloth was pulled over his eyes. Next thing he knew it was tied there, and then his feet weren’t on the floor, and then he was picked up, and then whoever had him start running, and then-

“What the!? Magam!? He heard Chrome shout.

Clop clop

“Hey let go!” Senkuu tried to struggle but it was no use. It was like clawing at a bear.

“Stop struggling,” Magma somehow moved which arm he was holding him in.

Suddenly it wa slike Senkuu was moving up something… It wasn’t the material hut, it was much taller than that… For how cold it was, Senkuu felt a beed of sweat. Magma could’ve killed him before so why now?
Some door creaked on it’s hinges and Senkuu was forced down on his knees on the floor.

Someone walked next to him “The in the hell Magma!?” Senkuu hissed.

“Good guess but incorrect. I’ll give you another chance,” The voice…

“Meantlist?!”

“Hey there Senkuu chan~ Welcome back,” Gen greets him, for a moment Senkuu relaxes hearing the nickname before snapping back to where he is.

“What the fuck Gen?! Why can’t I see?”
“Ha it’s pointless to beg for help Senkuu. Everyone in the village is with Gen now,” Kohaku stated. 

Kohaku too…?
“We all pitched in on his plan,” Kaseki huffed.

“How many of you?” Senkuu’s heart dropped.

“All of us,” Chrome joined in. 

“Heh,” Senkuu breathed out a laugh. “Hehehe,” Who was he kidding. “Could it be that you guys have finally realized that offering my head, and science, to Tsukasa on a plate is the most rational, if an underhanded course of action for the stability of the village?” 

You don’t belong here Senkuu!! If only you hadn’t shown up!

Magma’s words had cut deeper than he’d like to admit. Who could blame the villagers for the backstabbing? He already knew he wasn’t a good person, but he at least thought he’d make up for his sins.

Not only that, the one who held the kife was none other than the person he trusted the most.

 “Hmhhhh, I swear I haven’t a clue what your on about,” Senkuu could see the sly grin on Gen’s lips.

Swiftly the blindfold around Senkuu’s eyes fell down. It took Senkuu’s eyes a second to adjust to the new light but when Senkuu finally adjusted he looked wide-eyed.

“ An astronomy telescope… or rather, an observatory..,” Senkuu mumbled in amazement. Senkuu’s mind was still spinning. Only a few seconds ago he thought he was a dead man but now he was looking at Saturn.

“Oh ho! It’s the fourth of January. “Stone day” Kaseki gave a hearty laugh.

“We heard it was your birthday Senkuu!” Kohaku joined in.

“We all got you a birthday gift!” Suika beamed.

“Well to be fair it was kinda just made from faint memories of it. Like, stick two lenses in a cylinder, right? Or something like that,” Gen shrugged “But everyone in the village worked their hardest to put this together, and then, you know, we figured you’d be able to fine-tune it yourself later,” Gen sang at the end.

Senkuu stood up and placed a hand on the bamboo tube. It was nothing like the metal one he used to have that was for sure. 

“Dang, you guys did a great job! This is really practical. We can totally use this as an observation tower against the Tsukasa army!!” Senkuu commented pointing up the mountain.

“Uh ya I guess,” Kohaku grumbles

“A very rational opinion as usual,” Gen sighed.

Senkuu tilted the telescope up. “I’m not the type of guy who talks about his birthday. How did you know it was today?” Senkuu asked Gen.

Gen got his scheming grin. “Don’t tell you forgot,” Gen sang. “You told me. New year's day?”

What? I didn’t tell him…

“Ohh… so you used a leading question on me,” Senkuu realized “Still, you couldn’t have figured it out if you didn’t know when I was revived,”

Gen softly laughed a bit before regaining his composure “Don’t you remember?” Gen asked “You wrote the day your petrification was undone. By the miracle cave as soon as you woke up,”

Gen took a couple of steps to stand by Senkuu's side and look up at the stars as well.

“Come to think of it… Ever since the beginning, I more than a little liked you, Senkuu-Chan. Personal gain aside. It’s probably the same for the whole village,” Gen confessed to Senkuu looking up at the stars as well. “But know you, you’re going to call this gross,”

Senkuu looked over at Gen who stood by his side. It felt right.

“Yup,” Senkuu crossed his arms. “I’m going to be sick from how sweet that how,”

“Called it,” Gen’s smile looked so right.

Senkuu joined the mentalist and looked up at the stars for a moment.

“Kiss already!” Kohaku shouted.

Senkuu had enough birthday wishes to last him a lifetime at that point. The village filed out one by one our of the new observatory and back to their homes. All but one. 

“Quiet a show you put on there mentalist,” Senkuu joked

“You know me Senkuu chan. Forever the performer,” Gen hid his hands in his coat.

“Bastard,” Senkuu rolled his eyes. “Really had be believe you were going to kill me and send my head to Tsukasa,”

“Awww, and here I thought you trusted me,”

“Maybe for your birthday gift I’ll have Magma blindfold you and bring you,” Senkuu teased.

“Ohhh? Already planning my birthday gift? How sweet,” 

“Gross,” Senkuu playfully clicked his touge. “And it would be kinda weird if I didn’t aftr you did all of this,”

“Even if it’s not logical to do so?”

Senkuu clicked is touge. “You’re the one who kidnap a man to confess your feelings to him,” Senkuu reminded.

“Guess ya got a point there,” Gen shrugged. “Still didn’t get an answer by the way,”

“You’re a mentalist, figure it out,” Senkuu felt so smug.

“Oh?” Gen raised an eyebrow “And if I…,” Gen guided Senkuu’s face towards his.

Their eyes meet before Senkuu looked at Gen’s lips.

So this is what it feels like to want to kiss someone? Interesting.

“Well now that I got my answer to that,” Gen took a step back with his showman smile but he was definitely blushing.

“Ku ku guess ya did. Very effective,” Senkuu commented.

“Thank you,” Gen regained his composure. “Say, Senkuu chan,”

“Hmh?”

“I’m glad I meet you,”

“Ughh I’m going to be actually sick!”

“You jerk!”

“Ku ku, last I checked you just confess to that jerk,” Senkuu teased.

“Oh what a fool I am,” Gen put his hands together in his overcoat.

“Yeah you are,” Senkuu agreed. “So- Are you going to kiss me or not?”

“So eager Senkuu chan,” Gen teased but hid his mouth behind his sleeve. “I won’t have expected something like that coming from you,” Gen was truly a showman. Even when embarrassed he put on a show. “But I guess I don’t mind,” 

It wasn’t quite clear yet but something about Gen’s showmanship he liked.  “You silver-tongued mentalist,” Senkuu playfully scoffed.

.

.

.

Senkuu sat up in the observatory, looking at the new placement of the stars to hopefully have a better understanding of how much they moved. Sure it was interesting to say the least. Seeing now the position of the earth changed while running calculations simultaneously. It should’ve been ten billion compelling…

But a thought kept breaking his concentration, and of course, it was the mentalist.

“He’s a clever guy, your dad,” Gen pointed out. “What he created was the motivation for the villagers to revive the folks from our time with a single one of Lillian chan’s songs. Plus your guilt over throwing them into this war… the hesitation is gone too right?”

Had he really felt guilty about that? He knew from the start that bringing the village into the war meant putting them in danger when they had no real reason to do so. He just chalked it up to part of his apathy… But now he wasn’t sure.

Crkkk.

It was a small noise but with how dead silent it had been, it still caught Senkuu’s attention.

“You know I can hear you right?” Senkuu said, not moving away from the telescope. 

The door creaked open more and Senkuu heard footsteps walk next to him. A certain mentalist’s eyes came into view of the telescope.

“Steller work today huh?” He grinned.

“Did you just come up here to tell me that?” Senkuu looked up from his telescope. 

“So ruel cay,” Gen put his hand over his heart. “It’s normal for couples to spend time alone,” Gen pointed out.

“Too bad I know you better than that,” Senkuu cleaned out his ear with his pinky. 

Gen sighed. “I can’t tell if I like or hate or hate how you can see through me,”

“Or maybe you're getting rusty,” Senkuu grinned. “Plus you have that look on your face like you’re planning something so out with it,” 

“Maybe you’re right Senkuu chan,” Gen sang. “I just couldn’t bear for those pure and earnest souls to have to hear this. Y’know Kinrou chan or Kokuyou chan,” 

Senkuu knew the look Gen had when he was scheming something. “Ku ku ku, whatever you’re thinking, I can tell it’s underhanded as hell,”

“You read the mood~” Gen replied “All we need is a record and two cell phones,” Gen focused his attention on Senkuu. “If all goes well and we defeat Tsukasa chan’s empire without bloodshed and save seven billion people,” Gen’s grin grew “On the other hand if it doesn’t and if God is watching us, “Ishigami Senku and Asagiri Gen will happily fall into hell together,”

“Is that what you’re worried about mentalist?” Senkuu stood up from his stool. Senkuu had the same grin. “Relax man. God has been absent from the world of science for a good ten billion years. So let’s hear it mentalist,”

“Knew you’d say that,” Gen’s grin soften for a moment. “Pop quiz!” Gen snapped his fingers. “Does Senkuu chan know the key to the Tsukasa’s empire? Like what holds it up or keeps the people together,” Gen put his finger up to his mouth. “Is it A food, B beauties, or C dear Tsukasa himself?”

“Heh the answer is C isn’t it?” 

“Ding ding! Ten billion points to you! As the strongest primate high schooler. Dear Tsukasa chan was already a charismatic celebrity, even more so than myself. Meaning we can’t use me for this plan. What we need is something even more famous for this plan. A charismatic-,” Gen put his fingers to his throat as his voice pitched up. “Celebrity of our own… you know like dear Lillian Weinberg herself,” By the end, Gen’s voice sounded almost like Lillian’s.

“Ok Gen how the fuck-,” Senkuu deadpanned.

“What? You know I can mimic voices. Plus its part of the plan,” Gen explained.“I can play the part a bit. Thought I’m ear fay from perfect,” Gen coughed.

“No, that was pretty good, especially for high pitched Lillian’s voice was but you can defeientily still  tell it’s not her,”

“Exactly,” Gen hummed. “However, it may pass as her over a certain low-quality phone,” 

The idea clicked. “And we use the record as proof!” Senkuu added.

“Right again,” Gen nodded. “They’ll hear Lillian’s raw voice over the phone. With her fantastic singing, they’ll think it’s her,” It was almost like the malice was seeping out of Gen-“They’ll be convinced that on the other end the pop diva is alive and well from the US,” 

-And Senkuu wasn’t scared of it. “So in order to win those guys over with false hopes, we’re creating a zombie Lillian and telling one hell of a lie. Oh we are definitely going to hell for this,” Senkuu stood up from his stool. “Sounds good. We can think about the details later,” Senkuu waved off.

“Just like that?! Are you serious!!?” Gen shouted.

“I mean yeah. I trust you enough,” Senkuu shrugged.

“No that’s not-,” Gen sighed. “Senkuu chan is so weird but as long as you’re on the same page,”

Senkuu knew Gen was teasing him but it left good not being alone on this scheme. 

“Oiiii!!” Chrome banged on the floorboards below. “You two might be but I’m not!”

Senkuu uncovered his ears. “You could have just asked normally,”

“So you guys are planning to lie to Tsukasa’s army using the disk Senkuu’s dad gave us?” Chrome asked.

“That’s the gist of it ya,” Senkuu shrugged.

“It’s probably best if you don’t get involved Chrome chan,” Gen pointed out. “It’s not exactly the most ethical plan,” Gen watched Chrome’s expression. Sure him and Senkuu were underhanded and far from goood people- But chrome…

Come on Chrome.

“But wouldn’t they find out you were lying?” Chrome looked up from his hands.

“So?” Gen turned up the malice in his voice. “So long as we take down dear Tsukasa and Hyoga. The rest will work itself out. Right Senkuu chan?” Gen glanced at Senkuu.

“Heh heh It’s ten billion percent the sort of bastard plan I’d expect from you mentalist,” Senkuu crossed his arms.

“So you’re just going to lie until they find out?” Chrome questioned more. “Won’t they be pissed then they find out?”

“Sure they will,” Gen shrugged nonchalantly. “In the aftermath, the Tsukasa’s empire will no doubt they’ll be out for blood but just me and Senkuu’s blood,”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” 

That’s why you shouldn’t join. 

“It’s just now things are,” Gen kept his smile. 

“Keep this a secret, will ya Chrome? Don’t need the others finding out,” Senkuu explained.

Come on Chrome chan.

“Ok what about me?” Chrome pointed to the two of them. “I’ve heard the whole plan now. I’m basically an accomplice now!”

“Hey, you’re the one who stuck your neck in our business,” Senkuu raised his eyebrows. 

“So?!” Chrome huffed. “I was always going to be part of the mission team! Someone with technical skills has to be on the team to go set up the phone. Plus with Senkuu’s cracked face, they’ll be able to spot him easily,”

“You sure about this Chrome? You’ll be hated by many,” Gen tried to convince Chrome not to join. 

“Tch so what?” Chrome crossed his arms across his chest. “Like I would let you two go through all that alone,” 

“Chrome-,” Senkuu started.

“No!” Chrome stopped him. “I get you guys are trying to protect me but I can take care of myself! Plus you guys are my friends. If you’re doing something stupidly selfless. I’m doing it too!” Chrome put his fist out.

Selfless? Did he hear the plan?

Senkuuu groaned a bit. “What a pain. Guess we can’t stop ya though,” Senkuu sighed, putting his fist out as well. 

“We’ll all go to hell then,” Gen put his fist into the circle. 

“But the payoff will be seven billion lives,” Senkuu added.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Chrome hummed. 

“Well first, the snow on the roof might be something,” Gen reminded.

“Oh leave that to me!” Chrome was so pumped up He might just agree to anything.

And with that, Chrome was off to clean the roof. Leaving Senkuu and Gen to work on the record. 

“More metal stacking,” Gen groaned. “What even are these parts anyway?”

“Capacitors, and variable condensers,” Senkuu replied like it was nothing.

“How are you so nonchalant about all this work?” Gen moaned. 

“I like work,” Senkuu reminded.

“Right,” Gen deflated. 

Gen’s hands were more than stable enough to stack plates but something else was on his mind. 

Selfless…? Me? I know Chrome chan is naive but.

Crashhh!

“Huh Gen?” Senkuu turned.

Gen had dropped the plates. “Ahh sorry Senkuu chan. Just a bit lost in thought. That’s all,” Gen went to pick up all the disks from the ground. 

“I guess it is getting late,” Senkuu noted. “Didn’t get much sleep huh?”

“Nope,” Gen went to reorganize the disks.

They sat in silence for a bit, both working on their own things, but Chrome’s words kept eating at Gen.

“Is this one of those things where I’m supposed to ask you what is bothering you?” Senkuu broke the silence

“As blunt as ever,” Gen smiled a bit. “And I guess it would be nice to have someone listen,”

“Got it,” Senkuu replied. “But next time tell me. Not good with social cues,”

“Right right,” Gen knew he had to be more honest with Senkuu but it was strange, to be honest with anyone. “Just thinking about what Chrome chan said. About the plan being selfless and all,”

“I see,” Senkuu still focused on his welding. “I guess on paper it could be called that,” 

“I guess so,” Gen flipped though the plates. “”Just weird hearing someone say I was doin something selfless,”

Senkuu looked up from his tools. “Same. I don’t really know what to make of it but I think I’m happy about it,”

Senkuu had always been the better person out of the two. He expected him to be the one getting the praise for being selfless. Gen on the other hand-  “I guess.. I am too,” So that was what he was feeling.

.

.

.

“Hey Senkuu… you sure this is a good idea?” Minami asked. “I mean I get reviving Ryusui but letting him first off  re-establish a currency, secondly, letting him control it,” She put emphasize on the last part. “You’re just letting him do as he pleases?”

“Heh I ain’t worried about it,” Senkuu shrugged, sketching out the bow of the ship. “Currency itself is just a scientific invention. Really, it’s just paper with value assigned to it by people,” 

“Yeah! That people being the the worseeee kind of capitalist. Him, Nanami capitalists,” Minami pointed behind her. “He’s literally printing money. 

“I don’t see the big issue,” Senkuu shrugged. “And since he went through the effort of creating money, We’ll exploit it for all it’s worth. Once they’ve all saved up a small fortune that is,” Senkuu sickiy grinned. “We just need a few things,”

“Ohhhhhh!” Senkuu watched as the people awwed at the fabric. 

“It looks so soft,” Suika beamed. 

“Much nicer than the anime leather,” Minami noted. 

“Glad you guys like it so much…,” Yuzuriha wombled.

“I knew we could count on the craftsman team,” Senkuu praised. “We just need a bit more though,”

“Senkuu,” Suika muttered.

“Oh and thank you all your hard work,”

“Thanks guys,” Yuzuriha took shallow breaths “A lot won’t make the cut though. Some cloth is too thin to use,” Yuzuriha collapsed on her knee’s.

“How thin?” Gen joined in. 

“Uhhhh… I guess kinda like your coat Gen,” Yuzuriha recalled. “I’m sorry Senkuu… I’ll need more time to make more thread. Plus I think everyone is worn out,”

“Ohhh I think I can magne that Yuzu chan,” Gen smiled.

“You know how to make thread?” Yuzuriha curiously asked.

“Oh no, but I know people who can,” Gen hummed. “You just get your rest,”

“But I-,”

“Come on Yuzuriha, you’ve been up all night,” Minami helped Yuzuriha up. “I’m sure Gen knows what he’s doing,” Minami shot him a glare.

“Yeah- yeah ok,” Yuzuriha yawned. “Thanks guys,”

Gen waved with a smile as Minami helped Yuzuriha away. Of course he already had a plan up his sleeve. 

“Ok spill mentalist, what are you planning?” Senkuu whispered.

“Who me? Nothing,” Gen put his hands up like he was being so harshly questioned. “Just follow me,”

Gen walked towards the miracle cave with his hands in his sleeves, making sure what he had put in there earlier was still in place. The miracle cave served as a kind of living quarters for the empire of might. Having all the strongest in one area was definitely useful. Gen stopped where he knew his voice would travel the most.

“What  are we doing here meantlist?” Senkuu looked around.

“Play along,” Gen whispered. “Oh what was that Senkuu chan?” Raised his voice. 

“Wha- I didn’t,” Senkuu mumbled in confusion.

“Oh no!” Gen cut him off. “We’re out thread? Too bad. Looks like we’re all going to have to go back to the grind stone,” Gen sighed.

“What?!” 

“Again?”

“I miss Tsukasa’s rule,” 

“Ok what the hell?” Senkuu whispered again. 

“Trust me,” Gen squeezed Senkuu’s hand for a second. “Oh you’re right~! A little incentive would go a ong lay way. Hear that everyone? Whoever makes the longest thread gets 10,000 drgaos!” Gen pulled out a bunch of paper cut out to look like dragos but only the one on top was real. Back in the day forgery was a crime but in the stone world-

“Yeah!!!” 

It was a means to an end.

Gen watched as everyone got so diligently to work. Come morning there should be more than enough thread for the ballon and his plan. The two made their way back down the cave with the others.

“What the hell are you thinking?” Senkuu pulled Gen’s sleeves so he’s be at the the same level as him. “I know we need them motivated and all but I know damn well thoses are real. Where do you plan to get these 10,000 dragos?”

“Oh we’ll have all the funds we need don’t worry,” Gen hummed. “You remember all that extra cloth Yuzriha made? Light a breathabllle just like my coat? And you heard Minami right? It’s much better then the animall leather most of us wear. I see not reason we can’t make that into good for a Senkuu department store,” 

“And to think I doubted you for a second,” Senkuu smirked.

“Like U’d ever let you down,” Gen put his hand together in his sleeves. “Now, probably best to let Yuzu chan rest right now though, but we’ll have to find a way to stall tommmowor I doubt she has the energy to-,”

“I’d love to!” Gen and Senkuu almost  jumped.

“Yuzuriha?!”

“Yuzu chan?!

“I heard what you guys said!” Yuzuriha beamed. “Took a quick nap and I feel ready to start working again!” She huffed.

“How did you hear us… we were whispering,” Gen said, amazed by her skills

“Not the point,” she huffed again. “Just give me until tonight! Ahhh I’m so exictedddd! Senkuu, where’s the paper you made?”

“Ask Kaseki. He should have some,” Senkuu replied casually.

“Got it! Thank you!” Yuzuriha was absouleily beaming with delight as she ran to get the paper.

“Has she always been like that?” Gen questioned.

“Oh yeah,” Senkuu replied. “She always so full of energy,” Senkuu’s smile warmed. 

It was rare too see Senkuu smile like that. He would normally try to hide it, but out in the open like that-

“Is Senkuu chan actually smiling,” Gen nudged.

“Tchh,” Senkuu clicked his touge. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,”

“Oh yeah?”

“Maybe a little,”

.

.

.

“Why is it so hot?” Gen groaned. “It’s september. Shouldn’t it have colled by now?” Gwn whipped the sweat off his brow. 

“You’re the one all all those layers,” Nikki pointed out. “Plus, gardening takes a lot of effort to do right,” Nikki swung her scytheand perfectly cut down the wheat around her.

“Wow impressive,” Gen awwed.

“Thanks but don’t except me to do your side just because you praised me,” Nikki half joked. “Not falling for your tricks again,”

“Awww, and I thought it would work ,” Gen sang. 

“Keep dreaming,” Nikki sarcastically put.

Gen knew it was just a joke but it still kinda hurt. He honestly just thought it was cool. /he understood why though.

“Oi you!” That caught Gen’s attention.

“Oi me what? Another guy challenged. 

“You just stepped on the wheat I just cut!” The first guy scoffed. 

“So?” Guy number two crosse dhis arms. “I’ve seen they way you cut your wheat. Don’t think it’s worth saving,”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Nikki pinched the bridge of her nose. “Them again? I told them last time to knock it off,” Nikki placed her basket down to go talk to them.

“I got this Nkki chna,” Gen stopped her. “Everyone is a little on edge before lunch right?” Gen pointed out.

“Gen I don’t think-,” Nikki started.

“Trust me Nikki chan,” Gen reassured. “I’m part of the 5 generals for a reason right?”
“If you say so,” Nikki hestanted.

“What did you just fucking call me!” Guy one snapped.

The two were practically in each other’s faces.

“Hey guys relax,” Gen stepped to them. “I know tenison is high right now and all but how about-,”

“Huh?” Guy one turned around. “Well well,” Now the guy was getting up in Gen’s space. “Well if it isn’t leader Senkuu’s bitch,” He sneered. “Aye Ms. fake Lillian Weinburg?”

“It was you, you basatrd!” Guy two clicked his touge in disgust. “What? Did Senkuu no longer have a use for you an dump you here Ms. Lillian,”

“Maybe go back to America and tell ya buddies to come help us,” Guy one pushed Gen. “Better yet, go back and tell Senkuu we don’t need his spy watching us. Traitor,”

Gen looked as the two insulting him. “Ahhhhh so that’s what this is about. Orry say,” Gen smiled. “Idiots like you would think like that,”
“Oi what did you just say-”

“You really thought Senkuu chan was ok with my plan? He was so gun ho about how immoral it was, but you know words like ‘bloodless’ and ‘only way’ might have changed is mind,”
“That was your idea!?”
“Oh my, Do you hate me for that? Care to do something about it?” Gen’s grin grew. “Well then, I guess no one blame you for striking me down. I mean if you’re ok with that on your conscious. Plus having to explain that to Senkuu chan,” Gen knew his face had an untrustworth feel to it. He knew how to use it to his average.

“The fuck is wrong with you,” Both of them backed off.

“We aren’t murders,” One of them mumbled as they walked off.

“G-Gen!? Are you crazy!?”  Nikki spun him around. “Why did you piss them off like that? You trying to make them hate you?”

“Everything I said was true thought. Well most of it,” Gen shrugged. “Plus it be eriously say bad if they still had lingering hatred to our leader. Plsu I was the one who back stabbed them first. It only makes sense. Give people a common enemy and they’ll bond,”

“But that would mean-,”

“Don’t worry about me Nikki chan. They wouldn’t dare attack me,” 

“But you said it yourself, you’re a wise general aren’t you? If you keep making people hate you… No one will trust you,”

“So?” Gen asked. “Probally for the best they don’t. After all, all I care about is who’s on the winning side,”

“How can you say that Gen?” Nikki sighed. “Don’t you love Senkuu? What happens if he’s on the losing team? Then what?”

“I-,” Gen didn’t have the words.

“Come on you guys! It’s lunch!” Taiju called.

.

.

.

Gen sat up in the observatory, looking out at the village in the distance. The lights from their lanterns one by one were blown out as the village called it a night. It was getting pretty late after all. That warm temperature he was complaining about earlier chose to play a prank on him and brought winter early. Normally he would’ve been asleep by then. Working gruely hours in the kingdom of science meant he needed sleep to be able to function but he had tried and no luck. Gen kept hearing what Nikki had asked him.

The answer was supposed to be simple. Of course he loved Senkuu. Senkuu was one of the few people who truely understood him. They had been dating over a year now and this was the happiest Gen had ever been, but Senkuu was underhanded like him. 

Gen knew who he was. He was someone no one trusted and they were right to do so. He watched out for himself and sure- sometimes that meant others too but…

“Don’t you love Senkuu?”

No that wasn’t right. Where he sat was proof that he had changed. He used his skills in manipulation to make this for Senkuu. Why? Because it was his birthday and he wanted to see Senkuu happy just like how he had made him happy seeing the christmas lights. 

“Awnnnnn!” Senkuu yawned as he opened the door. “The heck? What are you doing up meantlist?”
“It was too cold to sleep alone,” Gen hummed.

“Guess it did get cold quick,” Senkuu noted. “And smart choice. It would mess up your cardiac autonomic response,”
“You’re an idiot,” Gen scoffed. 

“What? I just told you about a scientific fact. If anything that’s  like ten billion percent opposite of stupid,” Senkuu pointed out.

“Not what I meant,” Gen snickered a bit. “I meant your cute,”

“Uhh-,” Senkuu gawked for a moment. “Gross,” He blurted.

“Pfttt ahhaah,” Gen whezzed. “Kissign you have no problem with but god forbin I call you cute,”

“It’s just a stupidly romatic thing to do,”

“You know what else is stupidly romantic? Being in a relationship for a year ad a half and living together with your partner,”

“We already lived together,” Senkuu agrueed. “Not much changed. “Senkuu slipped into the bedroll. 

“We share a bed Senkuu chan,” Gen slipped into bed with him.

“To keep warm,” Senkuu corrected.

“And why you’re spooning me?”

“It’s cold,”

“Admit it, you love me,”

“Huh you say something?” Senkuu pretend to be asleep.

“Hmhhh maybe I should find a new boyfriend, you know what that’ll tell me they love me. I wonder if Ryusui chan-,”

“Fine, I love you,” Senkuu cut him off.

“Love you too,” Gen put his hand over Senkuu’s.

Gen felt Senkuu pull him in a little closer. For as hard as Senkuu tried to come off stoic and fearless, there was a soft side to him.Senkuu was kinda like a 3-D puzzle he had yet to figure out yet. There were many sides to Senkuu. Some contradicted the others and some fit so well. Gen was sure there was more to Senkuu that he wanted to learn about. Humans were normally pretty complex and figuring them out, well it never ceased to amaze him what you could find out.

Gen on the other hand. Not much to figure out. He was as shallow as they came. Everyone in the old world made it a point to tell him. Sure he tried to change a few times but would just fall back into old habits. It was just better if he accepted who he was and in the end it made it easier. All the untrusting glares, the whispering, people assuming the worse of him; it all got easier. 

“How can you say that Gen? Don’t you love Senkuu? What happens if he’s on the losing team? Then what?”

So what if he loved Senkuu? If the time came where the kingdom of science would lose, Gen would just change teams. It made sense after all. It was who he was. 

What does Nikki know? A untrust worthy bastard like me? Who in their right mind would trust me. 

Gen shallowed the lump in his throat. 

Yeah, I know who I am. I know who I am!

.

.

.

“Ukyo!” Suika cheered, hugging the now revived Ukyo.

“Hey there Suika,” Ukyo pat the young girl’s head. “I’m guessing I was revied cause we need intel on the enemy,” 

“Fun that’s the first thing out of your mouth,” Ryusui snapped his fingers. “But you are correct,” 

“More the most part we got it figured out. We already got Kohaku and Ginro on the inside for that,” Senkuu stated.

“Do I want to ask how you did that or-,” Ukyo paused. “Suika get behind me,” 

“Huh? What’s going on?” Suika moved back.

“Someones swimming towards us,” Ukyo pulled an arrow from his quiver and pointed it at the seemingly still water. 

“Ukyo-,” Ryusui started.

“Shhh,” Ukyo focused.

Gen watched the stills waters as well when he noticed some feathers pop up from the water. “Ukyo don’t,” Gen put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. 

Soon more of the figure came up from the water’s surface. It was Amaryllis. She got to shore and started to cough out all the water in her lungs.

“Amaryllis? What happened to Ginro and Kohaku?” Senkuu asked.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Gen couldn’t tell if it was the seawater dripping down her face or if she was crying. “Ginro and Kohaku are-  They were,” Amaryllis muttered to herself. “Ibara found out. He stabbed Ginro and they were turned to stone,” Her voice quivered. 

“So Kohaku and Ginro are…,” Suika tumbled.

Gen looked to Senkuu. He was most worried about him. “As long as they are turned to stone, they’ll be fine,” Senkuu pushed away his worry. “But what’s important right now is that we know what is in their arsenal. As long as they only have one petfrication weapon we might be able to wage a war of brains,”

“Wait!?” Chrome interjected. “How the hell do we know that?!”
“I agree,” Amaryllis pulled herself up from the water. “Even I don’t know that,”
“Still don’t get it?” Ryusui raised a brow, giving Amaryliss his cloak.

“Come on it’s pretty simple,” Senkuu added. “The master guy doesn’t actually have the power right?”

“No, It was always minster Ibara who commanded it but I don’t see-,”
“May I reterject~?” Gen sang. 

“Go right on ahead meantlist,” Senkuu smirked. 

“Dear Ibara is the type to out source anything that may put him in danger. For a guy so focusedon himself, keeping a device that could turn him to stone, he wouldn’t dare. Meaning-,”

“Kirisame is the only one!” Amaryllis finished.

“Bingo!” Gen hummed. 

“Rotten bastard,” Chrome groaned. “Can’t even do his own dirty work,”

“One last thing Amaryllis,” Ukyo stated. “When Kirisame throws the device, is she careful not to aim it to the Masters hut?”

“I.. I guess so,”

“Why would she be so carful if the masters already turned to stone?” Senkuuu realized.

“Exactily,” Ukyo said. “And if Kirisame doesn’t know we might be able to use that,”

“Worked that out did ya?” Another voice chimed. “Impresive, but won't do you any good,”

“Mozu…,” Amaryllis looked up in fear. “How did you find us?”

“Did you really think no one saw a beauty like you run away?” Mozu chuckled. 

“Hey don’t mess with!” Taiju went to stand in front of Amaryliss but Mozu’s weapons quickily hit him down.

“Shit! Taiju!” Yuzuriha cried. 

“I’m- I’m ok,” Taiju whipped blood from the corner of his mouth. “But you better not hurt my friends Mr.!”

“Well I admire how well you can take a beating,” Mozu hit his weapon to the floor. “But stalling wouldn’t help you. Unless you have some other plans stepped aside,”

Gen looked at th much stronger guy in front of them. Possablily only Tsukasa could beat this guy and he was still on Ice. For all of Taiju’s strength he’d never dare to hit anymore.

This is bad. Unless Senkuu had a trick up his sleeve-

“Gen,” Chrome whispered. “Senkuu. Why did Mozu tail Amaryllis insead of killing her? Maybe he knew we were spies,”

“Good point,” Gen thought itthrough. “And if he knew and didn’t tell Ibara,”

“Mozu wants Ibara dead,” Senkuu finshed. “We just need someone to convince him to join our side, but who?”

“Mentalist-,” Senkuu deadpanned. 

“Oh right-,” Gen groaned.

“Oi what are you three whispering about!” Mozu ordered. 

“Oh us? Nothing noting,” Gen step forward. “Just a proposition you might find to your liking,”

“Keep going,” Mozu raised an eyebrow. 

“Why not join the kingdom of sci- I mean sorcery? You know, we both want the same thing,” Gen put his finger to his mouth. “Even got some magic up our sleeves,” Gen threw up his hands, and out came flower petals. 

And with a little help with Senkuu- The drone shot up with the petals. 

“You like our sorcery Mozu? We can command it to fly wherever we want. Thank about it. We could even take Kirisame’s device from her,”

Gen glanced at Senkuu when Mozu was fixated on the drone. It was small but with the eyebrow raise Gen basically heard what Senkuu said. 

Oh give me a break Senkuu chan. 

“Or,” Mozu took his weapon in both hands. “I kill your leader and you work for me,” Mozu pointed the weapon at Senkuu.

“No!!” Gen panicked for a second. “I mean no- that wouldn’t be smart. We are outsiders remember. If you help us we’ll leave and you can rule this whole island and have the harem you want. If you kill Senkuu there’s no telling what we may do for revenge,” Gen carefully stepped to Mozu so they could face the same direction. “You can’t do it with out us and we can’t do it without you. It was a simple trick but this way at least there be some solidarity. “I mean since you’re so amazingly strong. Even with aall of Ibarra’s soldiers combine you’re what- 1.5 times stronger,” Step 2. Say something clearly wrong so the other person feel a needs to correct you. 

“Only 1.5 times? Please,” Mozu scoffed. 

“Ohhh really now?” Gen hummed. “Then you’d have no problem helping us right?”

Mozu glared down at Gen like he was next to nothing. 

Why does it feel like he’s seen thought me?

“That’s true, or maybe I should slaughter the all of you and kill Ibara myself,” Mozu purposed. 

“Then what’s stopping you?” Senkuu crossed his arms. “If you could kill Ibara anytime then do it,” 

“Smater than you look,” Mozu lowered his weapon. “I would’ve if not for Kirisame. You see she’s no weakling, even worse since she has the weapon. Hand to hand I could take her but she has the weapon and could turn me to stone,”

“So in other words, the petrification threat is an obstacle in your way and we want the weapon. Seems our intrest align,” 

“Honestily it truely is that simple,” Gen sang. “All we need is the device and we’ll leave. A fair and equal deal is it not?” Mozu glared back down at Gen. “Our sorcery can take down Kirisamme and you can take the throne while we get the device,” Gen pushed more. “Whatever you need but the part about the device is unnegotiable,” And even more.

“Heh you really think I’d play by your fair and equal? I’m the strongest here so I set the terms. Put your sorcery to work for me and I get the device,” Mozu demanded.

“Wha?! But that’s not fair!” Gen protested. 

He felt the group behind him practically scream at him. Mozu moved his weapon on top of his head.

“Listen, I’ll help you bastards but in return, you have no choice but to obey me,”

And step 3, reactance. when someone feels coerced and is told to do this and that  they’ll instinctually reaffirm their right to decide. 

He moved the goal post basically. Moved it from kill them to joining up with them. 

“Fine,” Senkuu put his hand out. “Shake on it?”

“Might as well,” Mozu dared to shake.

After the negotiation Soyzu took Mozu back to up top. Gen watched as the boat left his line of sight. 

“They’re gone right?” Gen asked.

“Yeah…?” Suika answered. 

“Oh thank god,” Gen neaily collapsed. 

“Shit Gen,” Senkuu got him. 

“Yeah yeah I’m ok Senkuu chan,” Gen caught his breath. “Just- oh geez,” 

“You did great Gen!” Suika ran to hug Gen.

“Knew we could trust you,” Taiju slapped Gen’s back

“That was badddd Gen!” Chrome shouted.

“You’re negotiation skills are something I desire!” Ryusui snapped.

“Good job Gen,” Nikki hummed. 

“Thank guy,” Gen leaned on Senkuu for support. “Feels like my knees are going to give out though,”

“Ha! Seems to me that we just acquired the mightiest force on the island! Am I wrong?” Ryusui snapped his fingers.

“Heh heh… There's no doubt that he's playing a murder as when it's done though,” Senkuu noted.

“Thinking about death comes later!” Chrome huffed.

“Yeah sure, can we sleep now?” Gen moaned. 

“I second that,” Yuzuriha yawned. 

“Fine, but we’re getting up bright and earlier tomorrow,” Senkuu stated.

“Ughhhh,” The groans of everyone echoed off the cave.

Gen didn’t care at that moment. He was just ready to call it a night. 

“Hey Gen,”

“Yes Nikki chan?” Gen yawned. 

“Seems you’ve gained everyone’s trust,” She pointed out. “And I- I was wrong about you. Sorry,” She apologized.

“But-,” You were right.

“Hey Nikki can you help me dry off Amaryllis?” Yuzriha called.

“Coming!” Nikki shouted back. 

Gen reached out to stop Nikki but just put his hand on his arm. Nikki had a point. Mozu was clearly the stronger one and probably the best bet but instead Gen fabricated lie on top of lie on top of lie for Senkuu. Even when he had a weapon on his head, he wasn’t swayed a bit. Even the thought of betraying Senkuu felt wrong.

I don’t have morals. What am I doing?

“Something wrong Mentalist?” Senkuu put his hand on Gen’s shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Oh yeah,” Gen shook off the thought. “Nikki chan just needed something quickly,” Gen hid his hands in his overcoat to hide his minor fidgeting. “How about you? You holding up alright?”

“Honestily,” Senkuu rumbed the back of his neck. “Worrried there maybe a small chance we’ll get our asses handed to us by either Mozu or Ibara,” Senkuu groaned.

“How small?” Senkuu didn’t answer and just looked away instead. “That bad huh?”

“I keep trying to wrap my head around a way we can win but in each situation it’s always up to chance,” 

“Hey, I’m sure come tomorrow you’ll think of something,” Gen squeezed Senkuu’s hand. “Let’s get some rest though,”

“I hate how you have a point,” Senkuu sighed. “Might as well though,”

“You set up without me,” Gen let go of Senkuu’s hand. “Going to relax a bit. Having a weapon to the top of your skull isn’t really something laming cay,”

“Fair enough,” Senkuu shrugged. “Don’t be upp to late though. Still waking up earily in the morning,”

“No rest for the wicked huh?”

“In you’re dreams Mentalist,” Senkuu rolled his eyes.

Gen softly smiled for a second before looking back at steal water in front of him. It it’s reflects there was Gen, but not in the way he remembered himself looking. 

His hair had been cut short (by Yuzuriha), his dark circles had mostly cleared away (From how much more sleep had gotten recently, His eyes looked a bit rounder, even his scar that once reminded him of a wrecked grinn looked more like a smile.

That wasn’t the Gen he knew himself as. . .

But to be fair, did he know himself? He just put his life on the line to save Senkuu and the others. Not to mention the time Chrome said his action was selfless or how he and the village made a observatory for Senkuu’s birthday just because they wanted too. That had been his idea but why? 

I wanted to see him happy.

Was the first answer that popped into Gen’s head. 

“You did great Gen!” 

“Knew we could trust you,”

“That was badddd Gen!”

“You’re negotiation skills are something I desire!” 

“Good job Gen,” 

People had really started to trust him of all people? But how? They were around him all the time. They should have realized by now how idiotic that was. 

But they hadn’t. Years together and they had’t noticed. Had Gen really manipulated so many people into believing something that wasn’t true? No way a con man could be that good right?

Gen looked back at his reflect.

Or maybe- I have changed. 

Gen reached for his face and his reflection did the same. It was definitely him he was looking at. 

“You doing alright Gen?” Gen heard the archer call to him. “Can’t imagine having an ax.. Looking thing on your head wasn’t nerve racking,”

“You know,” Gen thought for a second. “Not really,”

“Really? Then what are you sulking about?” Ukyo joined him.

“Ukyo chan, you knew me back in the Tsukasa’s empire right?”

“I mean we talked a few times ya,”

“Do I seem different to you?” Gen asked. 

“Different?” Ukyo looked up in thought. “I mean in a way yeah,”

“Really?”

“I mean yeah,” Ukyo put his finger to his chin. “The whole empire kind of knew you as someone who almost lied as much you you breathed and how you didn’t care about anyone but yourself. Hell the few times I talked to you I could tell you were shallow,”

That sounded right.

“But now, I don’t know. It’s like it’s a different person. In a good way of course. No longer feels like I’m talking to someone I can’t trust,”

“What does it feel like?”

“Like I’m talking to a friend Gen,”

.

.

.

“Everyone!” Chrome shouted. “We have to line up spaced evenly apart!!”

“The length of the mobile lab! Put tht pace between us all!” Ryusui added. 

Gen looked away from the petrifaction beam coming towards them quicker and quicker. Gen took his place behind Ryusui as the beam came closer. The bright green light reminded him of that day 3700 years ago.

“Reach towards the Light! When your fingertips start turning to stone send a signal with your other hand! We do this Right Senkuu will be able to calculate time!” Chrome quickly explained.

“Ready when you all are!” Ryusui boasted.

The green light started to consume Gen’s hand. His hand started to feel numb as that feeling worked itself through his body. Gen shot his other hand up as the feeling crept over his eyes. His visions once again turned black and there Gen was in the void again.

How asty nay. My first petrification in 3700 years. Almost forgot how this felt. 

Gen looked around the void and once again, he couldn’t tell up from down, left from right or even where he stood. He left it all up to chance. 

We’re leaving the rest to you Senkuu chan. 

.

.

.

“Hmh what’s that Francois?” Suika looked at the glass bottle in the servant's hand.

“Calpico master Suika,” Francois replied, pouring the bubbly liquid in a glass. “Care to try?” They pushed it towards Suika.

The glass had a paper straw with a little watermelon mask on the side. Suika looked at the drink more in hesitation. “It’s bubbly. Like Gen’s colas,” She noted.

“It follows the same idea,” Francois replied.

Suika looked at the drink a moment longer before trying it for herself. “Oh my god! It’s so yummy! I’ve never had anything like!”

“Oho ho and that little decoration on the rim looks like your helmet but from a cucumber. So adorable,”

“It’s no mere decoration. Try putting it in your drink master Suika,” Francois requested.

Suika picked up the small decoration and dropped it into drink. Suika gave a little huff and tried the drink again.

“No way! Just like that it taste like watermelon!” Suika gasped. “Thank you Francois!” 

“Ohh I want to try!”

“Do me do me!”

“Got any booze?” 

Gen watched from the back of the crowd as the crew got their drinks. Seeing all of the crew so excited over something in retrospect was pretty small was nice. 

“Funny huh?” Gen noticed Ukyo walk up beside him. “Seems everyone’s cocktails fits them perfectly,”

“Francois is just that good I guess,” Gen shrugged.

“Sureeee Gen,” Ukyo teased. “You don’t think it’s just a little too perfect? Like pieces falling into place?” Ukyo lightly nudged Gen. “Thanks to that poker game, the casino is a roaring success, and the crew getting this bar as a benefit almost to get morale up,” Ukyo looked at the others havig fun. “Not that t’s a bad thing.Maybe a bit underhanded but everyone looks happy. Don’t they Gen,”

“I have no idea what you mean,” Gen took a sip of his coke.

“Of course. It’s just a fun theory though,” Ukyo shrugged. 

“Exactly. You’re overthinking it Ukyo chan,” Gen waved off. Who would go so far just to make others happy? I was genuinely trying to win against Senkuu chan. So if nothing else my lost was a bit frustrating,” 

“Glad ya fun too Gen,” Ukyo smiled. 

“Strange, never though I’d have like this in the stone world,” Gen hummed.

“Welcome to having friends,”

“Yeah yeah shut up,” Gen playfully rolled his eyes. “It is nice though,” 

Gen watched the party rage on. Francois enjoying there time mixing drinks, everyone enjoying the syrupy taste of the old world, Yo complaining about the lack of alcohol. Gen used to be a wallflower in social situations like this. Just watching the party with no real way to join the celebration. Even at the celebration for Senkuu winning the grand bout. He was pretty repulsed from joining in with a group he didn’t know.

But it felt different now.

“Hey Gen!” Suika rolled up to him. “Show them that card trick you showed me!” Suika grabbed the edge of Gen’s coat. She looked up at him with such bright eyes.

“Ya come on Rat!” Kohaku called.

“Kohaku that’s mean,” Suika pouted.

“No it’s alright Suika chan. If you all want a show, Ill give you all a show,” Gen pulled his cards out. “Just try to keep up,” Gen went in the join the others. 

A bit of booze and partying later Senkuu was ready to call it a night. He had to plot a course in the morning anyway. Normally parties weren’t his thing but it was pretty funny to see Yo and co make asses of themselves. 

“Pretty successful day huh?” Senkuu asked.

“With all the planning we did it better have,” Gen closed the door behind him. “Though I was surprised you let them have alcohol,”

“Well if they get hung over I’ll have an excuse to reinvent caffeine,”

“Sureeeee,” Gen sarcastically hummed. “Or maybe you just wanted the others to have fun?”

“Don’t know what you mean,” Senkuu yawned. “Me caring about others happiness? You might be losing it mentalist,” Senkuu stumped his words a bit.

“Awww come on Senkuu chan. You got to admit, you’re not as cold hearted as you act,” Gen slid his hand to cup Senkuu’s cheek. 

“Ohhh really now?” Senkuu challenged. “Maybe then we should talk about how much you changed mentalist,” Senkuu smirked.

“I have no-,”

“Bullshit Gen,” Senkuu protested. “You think I haven’t noticed how much more you’ve been smiling? Or how you started taking care of yourself more Senkuu brushed Gen’s bangs,”

“Come Senkuu chan, pretty sure that’s the alcohol talking,”

“And if it was?” Senkuu asked, his face as serious as ever. “You look so much happier now. It’s like the guy I first met is gone but later realized he wasn’t. He just changed,” Senkuu chuckled a bit. “I never could really figure you out. At first I thought I was thinking too much into it, but no, you never fail to interest me,” Senkuu leaned on Gen’s shoulder. “I’m glad I got to meet this side of you, and you seem much happier now. I’m glad,”

“Damn Senkuu chan. Really just dropped that all on me,”

“Better than never. Just wanted to tell you that’s all,”

“Let’s get you to bed before you spill your heart out even more,”

“Good idea,” 

“Though Senkuu chan, I’m glad I met this side of you too.” 

The two shared a chaste kiss, both ready to call it a night.

“Ughh you taste like alcohol,” 

“You do too mentalist,”