Work Text:
Gen stood away from the door, only stopping cause he heard his parents talk. It wasn’t soft, but with the upcoming war against another scientist, Gen understood they needed to discuss. But what interested him was that his parents were talking about him. His father, Xeno was all about allowing Gen to be a part of the spy team, while his dearest dad Stanley was not having it. It was rather amusing how divided they were about the plan of the next action. It wasn’t like Gen couldn’t handle himself. He knew a quick way around words. Though it was nice to know his dads were on the fence on whether to allow him to be involved at all.
“No, Stanley he would be the perfect spy. They’re all young Japanese kids. Having a celebrity among them would let them slip up.” Xeno tried to reason things out with his lover. “Besides, I know their top scientist, Senku, wouldn’t allow any harm to come to Gen. he's as harmless as a fly.”
“It’s risky.” Stanley admitted. But saw Xeno’s points clearly.
Knowing what Gen also specialized in would help them in the long run as well, showing their weakness and how they operate as a society.
“I know. He won’t get hurt as long as you’re around.” Xeno could only add. It was the end of that conversation.
—
“You understand the plan, right Gen.” Stanley started on their mission brief as they walked along the forest to where the enemy boat was last located.
“Mhm~” Gen seemed to be already preparing for a performance of a lifetime. Wild flowers and a deck of cards in the pockets of his sleeves. “Leave this job to the world’s beloved mentalist.”
“Don’t get cocky while in there. You still have no clue who you’re dealing with.” Stanley huffed as he looked around the area. He found a splendid tree to hide in. Along with his gun, that would take out Senku for good.
“I won’t have some trust in me,” Gen said. A perfect fake smile painted on his face.
“Don’t get caught and I’ll consider more missions.” Stanley said as he got into position into the trees.
They left Gen with a sense of obligation. He had a duty now to accomplish. Quickly he got ready again, making sure he looked tossed up and messy from running in the forest. Saying his goodbyes to Carlos and Max, who had to join this mission to set up camp.
With a gulp of his nerves and an acting career that got him through his middle and highschool years, Gen ran for his life. Quickly tripping and falling near the boat's entrance, coughing up a storm. That seemed to gain the attention of everyone who was on the boat, looking toward the helpless guy at their doorstep.
At first, nobody seemed to go over towards him to help him to his feet. Though that was quickly wasn’t the case as a man held out his hand towards him.
Gen understood that what he saw was all because of the adrenaline pumping in his veins, but he couldn’t help but notice how cute this boy was. The scars on his face looked powerful, and his hands looked strong. He didn’t understand the hair, but it gave him a sense of personality. Though those eyes, red like blood and staring right into his soul, that glare spoke to him.
“Hey, get your ass up; I’m gonna check your scratches now.” The guy said.
That killed the mood, but reminded Gen that he had a mission. Gen took the boy’s hand and stood up on his own.
Before the boy could talk to him again, there was a loud voice from behind. “HEY IS THAT ASAGIRI GEN!” said a boy with brawn and brown hair.
“Huh, now that you mention it. You wrote that trashy book.” The green-haired boy said as he guided Gen onto the ship.
“I see that my work and words transcend through time, but the trashy part hurts. So ean may.” Gen sighed as he got padded down first.
“No weapons on him.” The boy said to the crew, who surrounded Gen. Even in the new world, he was as popular as can be. At least some of this crowd included old-worlders and others were just curious why he was such a big deal.
“Wow what an amazing audience you folks are! I didn’t think I would have so many fans here.” Gen said. He missed living in the spotlight. People look at him with a sense of wonder. Gen pulled off the best smile he could muster as he took out his cards. “How about a brief show before that man there cleans me up?~”
Some louder folks were excited to see the amazing Gen perform, even if it wasn’t on stage.
“Think of this as a private show!” Gen said to stir the crowd even more. The fact that he made it limited and private makes it more alluring; even the people who didn’t watch now see the crowd and join in on the fun.
Gen could only smile at the crowd he created for himself. He was going right ahead with his first trick, something simple enough. All while performing, he considered who was watching him. He noticed that at least 3 people paid no attention to him. Gen considered it looked as though it was the ship's captain, the boy who helped him, and a butler. No matter the case, he knew to pay attention to the three most suspicious people there. Who wouldn’t want to see a magic show in the stone world?
“Thank you for this! I have missed my favorite audience. Sorry for the rusty performance.” Gen bowed, and the crowd had already gained trust in him. Favoritism and apology make you seem weak but other worldy. They love him, and Gen was reviling in it all.
“Wow, quite the performance; looks like your injuries aren’t as bad as we thought.” The boy with green hair said. But with a smirk that saw right through Gen.
“I wish I could go longer, but I am quite weak.” Gen smiled as he stared back at the boy.
“Well, I’m sure Fran will take good care of you. But keep in mind that lunch is never free.” The boy said with that smirk again. But right on time, the butler that Gen can only assume is Fran, catches him by the arm. Gen gulps at the strength. Clearly, this guy was wary of him.
“Hey, we should get back to work; Scientist and I will be downstairs.” The boy called out to the crew.
Gen gulped down since Scientist was in the crowd he formed, using what Gen assumed was a new type of slang he had never learned.
“You got it, Chief! Are we going to get anybody from the power team?” Scientist asked.
Chief nodded his head. “We got Oak on standby.” He said as he descended into the ship.
Gen went pale; he couldn’t be for sure now. Everyone had a code name. It was like this Senku guy knew he was a spy even before he got there. Oh, how Gen was going to have some fun with this group.
—
“So Gen’s magic is bad!” said Chrome as they went downstairs.
“It’s as dangerous as your sorcery.” Senku huffed as he reached his lab. “He’s a spy, a proper one at that.”
“Really? How do you know?” Chrome asked as he helped Senku get ready for their next thing..
“The first thing he did was try to make everyone like him. With trust comes the access to the ship in all directions. But the fact they sent a spy instead of killing me on the spot means that Xeno forgot what I looked like or didn’t even bother to tell his army buddy.” Senku explained while also kinda muttering to himself.
“This is perfect. We have information in the form of Asagiri Gen. All we need to do is charm him to talk.” Senku said as he shoved a couple things away for a new science tool.
“How do we do that?” Chrome sighed.
“We have two ways: make him feel like the celebrity he wished he was again or enlighten him with our meager science.” Senku huffed as he thought of a couple of things they could do to make Gen feel right at home.
“Do we still have to use the code names?” Chrome asks.
“Yeah, especially you and me. We can confuse him with the amount of names that change within our team. But we can’t let Gen know that I’m Senku. So our titles and nicknames gotta reflect that.” Senku looked around to find some carbonated water from when they made the antibiotic.
“Well, since he’s famous, do we know any of his super fans? Like how Niki knew everything about Lillian.” Chrome asked as he got a couple of glasses.
“You’re looking right at him.” Senku said.
“Oh, really?! Thats so useful!” Chrome said which Senku tried to get him to lower his voice.
“Say nothing to Oak and Craft, but I listened to his show as background noise when I worked late hours.”
“So you know how to get him to our side?” Asked Chrome.
“Not at all.” Senku said with a smile. A plan was forming.
—
Gen had eaten nothing this good in a long while. He was slurping down the crumbly ramen since it tasted like home. A bit of modernity in a life that wasn’t so normal anymore. Of course, giving his compliments to the chef.
“Wow, this boat is lovely. Even has a whole casino.” Gen smiled as he looked onwards towards the working people.
“Yes, a design made by our top greatest minds. Dragon truly wanted this ship to be the best thing anyone had lied their eyes on.” Fran smiled as they continued the conversation.
Gen could tell they were being careful with their word choices. He was sure that Fran wasn’t even their real name. But it didn’t matter none. This person couldn’t be the top scientist Senku. Gen had been crossing out names and faces of people he was sure weren’t scientist. Mostly people who did a lot of labour. But even with all his deductions, Gen felt that no matter who he talked to, he wasn't getting anywhere.
“Oi Asagiri.” Chief called out to him.
“My, no need to be so formal. Call me Gen.” He said with that fake smile on his face.
“Well Gen, how did you enjoy that meal?” Chief asked.
“It was good. I haven't felt this refreshed since forever!” Gen said with a smile, oddly noticing the ends of his mouth moving upward involuntarily. Gen quickly fixed that for himself.
“Great, well now you have to pay off your debt to Fran.” Chief said as he grabbed some paper from Scientist. He showed the paper to Fran whom only laughed.
“If you wish, Dragon would like something placed right beyond the pool table.” Fran said, pointing towards the end of the lower deck.
“It’s perfect! I’ll get Fossil over here to get started.” Chief left the plans by Fran who allowed Gen to take a peek.
“He wants me and Fossil to build a stage?! Is he azy cray? I barely know how to work with a hammer.” Gen complained already. But grabbing his sleeves to make sure his clothing wouldn’t get ruined during work.
His complaining didn’t last long, since Chief came right over with a man named Fossil. He was an older gentleman that Gen didn’t have time to meet. Which only made Gen more worried on the fact that there could be other people around and he didn’t realize it. There could be spies and others around him at all times whom he could barely see. It was already hard enough to take a glance at his dad, but this mission made him uneasy.
“The name is actually Kaseki. Don’t mind the names. Think of it as a fun ritual.” Fossil started off.
“Pleasure to meet you. So a stage?” Gen asked. Still unsure about the whole work thing.
“This should be easy for a young one like yourself. Let me see your hands.” Kaseki grabbed Gen, only to scoff lightly.
“Feels like you haven’t worked a day in your life. Imma change that!” Fossil said, and with that Gen never felt more tired.
At first it was kinda easy. Take measurements and cut wood. Then it became more annoying when he had to figure out how to make the wood curve around to have a circular stage, since that was the only space they had. At first it was only him and Kaseki, but then Dragon joined. Slowly, Oak and Craft joined. Their real names peeking through as they trusted Gen. He wasn’t sure why they were so comfortable with him around. But he kept at work, all the while still mentally crossing off names and faces.
The sun fell. Gen worried he was taking too long to figure out who was Senku. That dad was stuck waiting while he had an enjoyable time with a team of misfits he never learned the real names of.
“Hey! Come try this baad drink we made!” Scientist said as people stopped their work. Only to be met with many shouts of happiness.
Gen didn’t understand what he was looking at. Making it last for the celebration. Until someone tapped him on the back. It was Chief, holding two bottles of Cola.
“I heard in an interview you really liked Cola. Hope this brings back memories.” Chief said as he took a swig of the drink himself.
Gen looked down at his hand that was offering him a bottle. He smiled, feeling the prick of tears welling into his eyes. It had been years since he had a sip of cola. Now it was here in a world that didn’t look or feel like home. Gen took the bottle graciously and opened it with much ease. With a smile at the corners of his mouth, he took a swig of the refreshing drink of cola.
Chief looked onwards at him, Gen knew his eyes became fixed on him just like his father’s.
“So, I think we both know what’s going on.” Gen started, with his usual sly smile.
“Knew the moment you caused a commotion. So Spy, why don’t you tell me everything about Xeno.” Chief was direct, which Gen could only laugh at.
“You know you suck as a negotiator. I wonder how you mange to get so many people to work for you.” Gen said with a chuckle.
“I think my science makes them believe in me. But if I had you around, you’d be much better at handling this sort of thing.” He sighed, taking another drink.
“It is my specialty. Before, I was a magician. I was a psychologist.”
“So, what made the switch?” Chief asked.
“I wanted people to notice me. I wanted people to appreciate my efforts. The knowledge wasn't my passion. It was my parents.” Gen shook his head.
“Well, the only thing I can offer you is this.” Chief said as he stood on top of the newly built stage. Red curtains dawning on it and falling perfectly.
“We aren’t a small crew either. We have many people waiting at home, and everyone of them would love to see you.” Chief reached out his hand to Gen.
He gave a brief hesitation as Gen took his hand in his own.
“Didn’t take you for a flirt, either.” Gen smiled as he covered his mouth only slightly to hide the smile on his face.
“I save the charm for political prisoners.”
“How cruel Senku~”