Work Text:
Gen wanted an entirely fresh start in his life after moving away from his parents' house.
"New home, new me!" He exclaimed excitedly as he looked around his brand new, empty apartment.
Despite it not being fancy or expansive, it was good enough for now. Working on his next tour would eventually allow him to afford a larger apartment later.
"Anyway, overthinking doesn't lead to anything worthwhile, and this package won't unpack itself."
___________♡___________
The last week has been long, from unpacking his stuff to buying new furniture, plus the lack of sleep he got.
He wasn't just suffering from insomnia this time, but it was caused by his neighbor constantly working in the middle of the night doing god-knows-what.
As he turns left and right in his newly-built bed, trying to block out loud sounds with his pillow, he tightens his grip on his pillow.
What even are they working on? Gen thought annoyed.
The thought of speaking to them was a huge no-no, in case he could be recognized. I couldn't risk getting doxxed when I just moved on!!
He guesses he had only one choice.
Standing up, he grabbed a yellow sticky note from his desk drawer and began writing.
That'd do
Leaving the note on his neighbor's door, hoping they'll listen
Dear room 204,
For the past week I haven't slept due to whatever you worked on late at night. Could you please stop? I'd really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Room 202
___________♡___________
The next day, Gen went to the grocery store and bought all kinds of microwaved food and many cups of noodles and cola.
I don't want to burn my new kitchen this early with my cooking skills.
He excused himself.
After returning home, he finds a notebook page on his door, takes it inside with him, and puts his purchase aside so he can read it.
Room 202,
Concerning I never complained about hearing you sing in the shower ( that you took so long on it) whatever religious song you liked so much in the past week.
So you have no reason to be upset with me.
(By the way, are you okay?)
Room 204.
And Gen wants to jump out of the window out of embarrassment.
___________♡___________
Gen sent another note saying no, he's not religious, he was just singing "take me to the church by hozier" and yes, I'm fine thank you very much, it's not like I sing THAT loud anyway...
Since then, they have left sticky notes on each other's doors every day.
Whether it's complaining to each other, teasing, or just talking about nothing in particular.
Since Gen studied psychology and people's minds, he could not make normal friendships.
He really gets tired of people wanting to be his friends just for money, because he's popular, or for any other damn personal reason.
Having someone know nothing about him and still want to talk to him... it feels pleasant.
They've been talking for a week now, and Gen is weirdly addicted to their small conversations.
Okay, but did I just consider them my friend now? That's pathetic...
And now, in the middle of his dressing room, preparing for the long day of recording his upcoming TV show, he can't help but think of his mysterious neighbor.
".... Asagiri-san?"
Gen snaps out of his thoughts. Looking in the mirror, he sees his manager behind him.
Gen immediately fakes a smile.
"Pardon me, I was lost in my thoughts ~ do you need anything?"
"we're starting recording in 5 minutes. Get ready."
Gen nods, letting his make-up artist fix his make-up for the final time. He looks at his reflection and smiles weakly, clearing his thoughts while walking up to the shooting area.
___________♡___________
Gen returned to his apartment at midnight looking for his beloved bed. But he noticed the big notebook page on his door and suddenly all the tiredness melted away.
After throwing himself onto the bed without changing clothes, he smiled fondly before starting to read.
Since you asked nicely, I was working on an electromagnetism experiment. This is basically the law of attraction of ferromagnetic objects, like iron or steel, when electric current flows through a wire. This was something we studied in class today. I wanted to try it but I guess my apartment's electricity didn't handle it very well, which is why the power turned out.
The good news is that it was just in my apartment. I really don't want to deal with the old lady next door calling my dad to lecture him on how to raise his son. Anyhow, I'm staying with my friend until the problem is fixed.
Gen rereads his letter and giggles. It looks like he's a guy, huh? He's still studying, so probably around my age. Despite being a mad scientist, from his handwriting he seems confident and balanced. He doesn't like mystery, he's an expert at making speeches and showing his talents in front of othe-
Why the HELL am I trying to figure out his personality through his letter?
He stood up to get another note to write to him in order to stop his train of thought.
204 - chan!! That's really razy-cay 0.o!! (Even though I didn't understand half of it) but you really should be careful next time!(Please, I can't sleep in the dark).
Also why do you have such neat handwriting? The page looks like you printed it out (it has been bothering me).
BTW, I tried the ramen place you recommended! This tonkotsu ramen is not like I expected. It is extremely tasty! Also, bounce points for servers' Cola (maybe we should go together next time)
Gen shouted at himself, frantically scribbling the last line. It was too early for that!!
If this guy wasn't what he expected, what would happen?
Gen might not be ready to face the truth.
___________♡___________
First of all, who talks like that? What are you fifteen? Secondly, my handwriting is perfectly normal. You just have a terrible one and that's nothing I'm responsible for.
I told you so you'd enjoy your ramen, not anyone could make this delicious rich soup like this old man! And why are you so obsessed with cola?
Anyway, do you have by any chance a LED lights ?
204-chan ! That's rude >.<
You're lucky I am a kind and generous neighbor because I actually have LED lights for you to use.
But can you enlighten me what you'd use it for? Another crazy experience in the same week? The landlord will kick your ass (or call your papa) if you're not carful ~
Nah this time it's more of a simple experience. I'm testing plant growth under LED light.
All LEDs emit photons, which is basically what plants need to grow, so in theory any LED should work. But different LEDs emit light with different wavelengths. Not all wavelengths are suitable for plant growth. The LED lights we generally use in homes do not have the optimal wavelength for growing plants.
Despite the fact that the answer is painfully obvious and scientifically proven, I must try it and film my experience to earn my A+ :)
Ugh seems like a lot of work ;-; good luck though!! (If you need assistance, I am more than happy to help.)
Okay.. let's not..
Ugh seems like a lot of work ;-; good luck though!! (If you need assistance, I am more than happy to help.)
That's a good opportunity to grow flowers; you seem like someone who cannot be honest with his feelings, so how about using flower language instead?
That sounds like ten billion percent ridiculous and cheesy. I express my feelings just fine, what are you, florist ?
florist my plan B if I failed in my field, but 204, you don't get it! Flower language isn't chessy! As an example, you might give your friends a yellow lily if you're grateful to them, or a chrysanthemum when you appreciate them! there are more interesting flowers than "rose represents love"!
Wow dude, I didn't know you were so passionate about this, but I apologize I'm still uninterested and still think it's 'cheesy'.
Oh dear 204 chan, you better sleep with one eye open ♡.
:P
___________♡___________
Okay 202, if I recall correctly I'm the scientist not you. So what on earth did I smell something like burning chemicals last night?
LISTEN.. I CAN EXPLAIN.
Well, I got back late last night after a busy and exhausting day. I was so sleepy and tired and barely able to think straight (big highlights on this), but I was extremely hungry!
As I opened my fridge, I found a microwave meal from god-knows-since-when, which you apparently have to put on a different plate because the one it comes with is metal, but I microwaved it right away.
The rest of the story is history ;)
.... I still can't believe you are alive.
And why the hell are you eating microwave meals? You may not be aware that heating food at a high temperature creates acrylamide, which can cause many types of cancer. You should stop being lazy and start cooking your own meals instead of eating meals with endless artificial ingredients!
Gen's heart skipped a beat. His neighbour makes him feel loved and cared for every time.
He makes Gen want to flip and jump on his bed like a teenager who received a love letter.
(which are two completely different letters but he can't help it)
Aww do you care about me that much? I'm blushing >.<
But honestly if I even thought of cooking you'd smell something even asty-nay than last night, and because of my work I don't really stay at home that much that much, but they feed me well at work and they give me all the cola i want so i don't mind ~(˘ ▾ ˘~)
So that's explaining why I haven't heard you sing that much lately, and seriously cola again? Do you know how many grams of sugar are in this junk? You really need to fix your food habits...
No 204 chan you can insult me as much as you want but don't you dare insult my dear cola !
•̀ㅁ•́
___________♡___________
204-chan....
I don't think you see the problem
Would be better if I courtesyd or told you the truth?
I am a nice person! I don't see why she doesn't like me
...??
1- You always work late at night and make annoying noises.
2- You always turn off the electricity or/and almost explode the building because of your experiences.
3- You are honest in a way that could be taken hurtfully.
Do you want me to keep going?
No thanks, I get it -.- none of the last two have happened lately so how did you know that?
I helped her the other day with groceries and she thanked me with coffee and cookies and telling me that 204 is the most annoying neighbor in the whole building and i should be careful :p
I'm the old lady's favorite after all~
I bet you tricked her somehow.
Rude!!
___________♡___________
Gen lay on his couch, waiting for his manager to pick him up, boredly looking through some tiktoks
His neighbor didn't send him any letters or notes in the past two days and Gen is eager to talk to him again.
Click on the search icon, then type in science facts
Gen cringed at how depressed he was.
As soon as he got his manager's call informing him he had arrived, he grabbed a note and wrote something he saw on Tiktok. hoped he'd get an answer when he got back home.
204 chan Did you know that a telescope is basically a time travel machine?
... Okay?
The moment Gen sees his answer, he feels nervous, wondering if he didn't say something right or if his neighbor just got tired of talking to him.
But he decided to send another note anyway.
Because light travels slowly! We see objects not as they are now but as they were at the time when they released the light that traveled across the universe to us „• ᴗ •„
(I just saw a tiktok about it)
What kind of baby science is that..
Anyway did you know time travel is possible? Travelling to a hypothetical point in time has very limited support in theoretical physics.
It is well established in physics (Theory of Relativity) that traveling into the future (not the past) is possible through time dilation. In fact, astronauts have witnessed this phenomenon routinely, but only for a few milliseconds, as they can verify by comparing an accurate clock to one left on Earth.
Traveling at light speed could dilate time years into the future. However, this is not currently possible for vehicles right now, but maybe in a few years it'll be possible :)
Gen giggles at relive, of course any science fact would make him rumble non stop.
Gen reread it fondly trying to understand most of it.
Wow! But I don't think I fully understand half of it but it's interesting, so genius chan if you travel in time, will you visit Little ol' me?
Yes, just to mock you for destroying your health with your processed food.
;-; you'll not let this slide?
Never.
___________♡___________
So you weren't going to tell me about your cat? That's cruel! What's its name? Tell me now!
I'm not even bothering to ask how you saw him, but it's Sagan.
I have a feeling this name has something to do with science.
Gen opens another search window.
Sagan....
Carl Sagan
Of course.
.... Sagan? Like the American astronomer? My god 204 chan, I know you're a nerd but why.. poor kitty
Moreover, I saw him sitting in your window yesterday. And I'm still hurt you never mentioned him!
This is my father's cat anyway. I'm taking care of him until my dad returns from ISS. And Sagan is a cool name by the way.
He's an American bobtail cat with no concept of gravity as if he was an astronaut (almost destroyed my lab because he jumped from one bench to another).
Hence, he deserves such a name.
What a cute story! An orange cat's most normal activities ~ no wonder they have nine souls!
I always want to adopt one but I'm not always at home so I can't really take care of them all the time ;-;
Did you know the origin of this phrase? In Egypt, Greece, and China, the number nine is considered a lucky number. Since in Egypt cats were sacred animals worshipped as gods. I think that's where it comes from.
Anyway, when you have free time, you can play with Sagan. He's an outsider cat and always gets out for a walk without me noticing and returns late at night. He might visit if you put food in front of your door.
Hmm interesting, cats are still considered powerful animals not only in Egypt but around the world. They are cute small balls of fur that can wrap a person around their fingers; we still love them regardless ~
Are you describing yourself now?
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Gen yelled mentally as his face reddened
Hmm interesting, cats are still considered powerful animals not only in Egypt but around the world. They are cute small balls of fur that can wrap a person around their fingers; we still love them regardless ~
Are you describing yourself now?
Are you saying I am cute :0?
No, you're lazy..
╥﹏╥
___________♡___________
Having arrived home late as usual, Gen climbed the stairs to the second floor because of course the elevator is out of service.
His day was stressful. He didn't sleep enough last night and woke up too late for work
As a result of his exhaustion, he slipped on one of his tricks. although he corrected it before anyone noticed it, his manager found it an opportunity to yelled at him again.
His day ended with some of his fans waiting outside the backstage door.
While her friend complains about how they like fake manipulation magicians like him to his face, he casually responds with a fake chuckle. He brushes it off as a joke.
However, the way they didn't even respect his personal space caused him anxiety, but he tried to act as if it wasn't a problem
Now he only wants to lay down in his comfortable bed and sleep for 3 more days.
Upon reaching his floor, he heard giggles coming from the end of the hallway, so he stopped behind the wall to look.
The tall, muscular, brown-haired guy giggled while taking out the apartment key from his pocket. holding a girl's waist, kissing her cheeks shyly.
204 apartment
Gen felt dazed and sick. The couple had already entered but he couldn't move for a minute.
Of course he has a girlfriend. Why did I assume anything else?
He entered his apartment slowly, threw himself on the couch carelessly, not caring about the noodles cup and cola he left on the table in the morning.
Since they have a different schedule, it was almost impossible for them to meet and Gen was thankful and excited about their little notes conversations.
Even though he came back to a cold, lonely apartment, there was always something to look forward to.
But I don't get it. Why am I feeling so awful now?
We were just sharing a silly conversation through notes so it probably meant nothing to him
It's not like I had any chance anyway
So crying won't change anything
He closes his eyes, trying to calm himself down.
It's not even clear to him why he is crying at this point. Is it because of what he saw? Or because he is exhausted from work, or just because since he moved on he has never felt this lonely.
Hearing the bell ring, he looked confused for a moment, then wiped away his tears and tidy himself up. He looked through the eyehole without finding anyone.
He slowly opened the door to find... A pizza box on the ground and... a bottle of dark liquid? With a note on top.
He picked it up to read it while closing the door.
No 202, although it's possible to convert plastic into vanilla flavor, but don't expect to eat plastic-bottle-vanilla-flavored ice cream anytime soon. The possibility exists, but not whether or not it is safe for human consumption.
Anyway, I invited my friends over and we ordered pizza, but it turned out that big oaf ordered more than we wanted. Take a box so you won't blow up your oven this time.
+ I was doing experiments and I ended up making this homemade healthy cola, and you're gonna be my lab mouse. Enjoy :).
In the letter, Gen giggles wetly, looking fondly at the homemade cola and pizza on his kitchen counter.
Knowing how much his neighbor cares for him but not showing it very well.
He's really Tsundere. I bet he ordered it for me
While wiping his face, Gen felt warm all over.
No wonder I have a crush on him.
As he opened his pizza and enjoyed it with the cold cola, a slight smile spread across his face.
At least he cares about me, not Asagiri Gen the mentalist.
___________♡___________
204 - channnn ♡♡♡
Thank you so much!! The pizza came in perfect time ◜▿◝ and the cola was really tasty!! Better than the one I usually buy. I'd love to be your lab rat if I got more of it :p
BTW, do you have a way to murder someone without getting caught? I'm asking for... a friend.
.... I have multiple ways, but I don't think I want to get involved with you, or your 'friend' in that case.
Care to explain why? That might change my mind.
It's just! My manager is so annoying:(
My schedule was filled with meetings and programs he added without my permission, and he yelled at me for everything and anything I do!
And I love my job so much but it all started to be too much to handle.
Your manager? There is no right for him to add anything without your permission. The only thing you should do if he gets on your nerves is talk to him about it or to kick his ass out.
Don't force yourself to deal with assholes.
Gen smiles softly as he reads his letter.
He just got back after asking for a week off (after a longer conversation with his manager than he'd like to)
He's already overwhelmed with everything but Senku makes him feel like everything is going to be alright.
I'm taking a break now, and then I'll determine what to do next.
Anyway, Sagan-chan is staying in my apartment today! He scratches my door to open it when I put cat food outside for him ♡.
.. have fun taking care of him
___________♡___________
I now can see why you want me to take Sagan-chan.....
:P How many things are broken?
MANY! I know orange cat is so hyper, but god!
He'll jump and scream everywhere, he literally runs at full speed without stopping until he hits the wall ( I don't think this is normal?)
And you know what makes him stop? When I pick him up, I cuddle him like a baby
At first, I thought that was really cute, but my god, he never gets enough of it! It takes me forever to hold him until my arms become exhausted before he wants to get down, the moment I let him go he'll be back to his madness.
How did you make him get to this state? Be honest 204 about what kind of experiments you performed on him.
You tell me! I've been dealing with this creature all this time and he didn't even want me to touch him.
My dad spoiled him so much he became this annoying brat. It's out of my control.
My LED experience has been ruined twice (he played with the plant until it fell down the table), so I was planning to make him stay at Tajiu's house meanwhile.
Good, I'd love to see him from time to time but living with him is another level of madness ;-;
___________♡___________
Today Gen relaxes in his apartment this afternoon after he took a week off from work.
Finally, he got time to check his e-mails and start writing a few new scripts for his performances.
That's it until the power shuts down.
Gen growled annoyed, I have a Hunch that it is 204's fault somehow ..
He scrolled on his laptop. Thankfully there was still a little light from outside.
Until he heard someone arguing outside his apartment.
He sighed and stood up. Getting closer to the door curiously, he heard an old lady's voice
His head poked out slowly as he observed the old lady nextdoor lecturing a boy with spicky white hair and green tips. The boy seemed to be fighting against every bone of his being not to roll his eyes as she lectured him.
Who is he?
"..... My god, Senku! How many times will the power shut down? This isn't acceptable! I'll make sure to call Byakuya this time!"
Oh? No he can't be..
Gen threw his thoughts out. And think about saving this boy's ass. He appreciated them saying with his soft professional voice "is everything alright Matsu-san~?"
The old lady immediately changed her voice to a soft tone and smiled, "I'm sorry, was my voice too loud? Senku was playing with the electric again, he cut it off!"
"Senku-chan isn't to blame! It looks like I bought an imitation microwave online, but I got scammed as you can see."
He lies weightless, acting apologetic to gain the woman's affection, noticing out of the corner of his eye the boy Senku's smirk.
"Oh I'm so sorry this happened to you Sweetheart, don't buy these things online! I'll send you another reliable brand to purchase from instead."
"Thank you for your consider~ I'll call the landlord to fix the electric. You can just relax in your apartment until then hmm?"
After a nod, she turned back to return to her house.
Now, Gen is standing with the boy "Senku" in front of him, unsure of what to do.
The boy grinned, tilting his head slightly with a finger in his ear, for the first time he spoke with his deep voice:"thanks for the save dude, I didn't know my lazy annoying neighbor is the mentalist Asagiri Gen, nice to finally meet you" he scratched his other hand encouraging Gen to shake hands.
Gen's brain stopped working for a moment, so that guy wasn't the one I've been talking with? Was he his roommate? No wait, he recognized me! Should I run? But wait maybe that means I have a chance he's cute- GEN FOCUS!
As he realized that he had been staring silently at him with the way Senku drew his hand, he quickly grabbed his hand and shook it.
" What a pleasant evening! The mad scientist who keeps me awake all night! And you know me too? Didn't take you for a magic fan as well ~ what a honor!"
"Nah not even one millimeter.. your face is literally everywhere and it becomes extremely difficult to ignore. Your book was trash though."
Gen twitched a little bit but kept his professional smile: " oh senku-chan ~ is that how you reward your savior? What did you even do this time?"
"Well, I experimented with the difference between amps and volts. I don't want to bother you with things you won't understand. However, it ended in a problem, I think more than the building's electricity meter could bear."
"No it's fine, even though I won't understand most of it I admire how much you're so eager and passionate about science ~"
Senku turned away from him. Gen can't see what expression he's putting, panicking because he thought he said something wrong.
" Ah well... It was pleasant to mee- "
" Would you like to eat ramen?"
Senku interrupted him quickly, leaving Gen speechless for a moment so he continued.
"Well I own you, you saved me and since the power is out so ... My treat ?"
A chuckle escapes Gen's lips as he wonders why he looks so nervous.
"Who says no for a free food~ sure"
They walked out of the building silently, Gen looking at Senku's face from his side.
"Anyway, since we finally met, I'm curious what sparked your interest in science?"
Senku grins before answering: "Doraemon"
Gen's beaming immediately: "Oh, you're an anime fan?"
"Nah-uh, I only found Doraemon interesting when I was young because it was full of science. What about you? What made you into mentalism?"
Gen sighed slightly, "what a shame, I thought we could bond through anime! Anyway, I got into mentalism because I wanted to know how the human mind worked ~"
Senku hummed softly: "Simple enough."
"I'm not really that mystery guy you think I am ~" gen lie easily, but that didn't convince Senku.
"Whatever makes you sleep better at night mentalist"
They reached the ramen shop, finding the farthest sit on the counter, after ordering some two tonkotsu ramen with one bottle of cola (Senku glares at Gen who tries his hardest not to blush under his glance).
After the owner left, Gen exclaimed: "Now it's my turn to ask!"
"What. Are we about to play the 20-question game?
As Gen tilted his head, "Do you have any better plans for spending this afternoon?"
"Heh, okay go ahead "
"So senku-chan~ I thought you'd be way older than me with how mature you are, but somehow you look younger ~ did you finish college yet?"
"No, I'm 19 and in my last year of college."
He was genuinely shocked: "How did you finish this fast?"
" I skipped a few classes and those are two questions. It's my turn"
Gen chuckles: "Okay go ahead senku-chan ~ what do you want to know about lil ol' me~"
"Okay there's something that has been bothering me for so long. Gen you're brilliant, dare I say the best in your field. Even though your book is crappy, it's genuinely genius, using a combination of psychological tricks to get people interested in reading it!
Now be honest with me, why did you write it this poorly even though you're a literal genius in your field?"
His question dropped like a bomb on Gen. As much as he could, he tried not to let his blush spread.
My gosh, he's gonna be the death of me.
Gen was saved by the owner who served them their meals, so he distracted himself by testing the soup while answering.
"You're flattering me senku-chan ~ I only made the book for profitable sales at my manager's request~"
Senku raised his eyebrows and said irritably: "But why? In one of your interviews, you mentioned your psychology degree! You easily analyzed the hostess without knowing anything about her? You could write a psychology book that contained more information than this book!"
"Senku, you're overexcited for someone you're not a fan of, don't you think so?"
Senku tsks, whispering, "You started this stupid game," while covering his face with the ramen bowl, drinking the soup all at once.
"Say senku-chan ~ why you know all this about me when you said you're not really a fan of me hmm~" gen teasing him
Enjoying the fact that the mad scientist he has been talking to for the past three months is just an awkward teenager.
"You haven't answered my question."
"I did! And you asked two different questions. Now it's my turn~"
Senku said avoiding Gen's eyes "Yuzuriha, my friend- is one of your fans. She always talks about your shows and uses your book's questions in our group meetings..."
Gen hummed a bit then said:" I'm amazed by your audacity and also ashamed because you think I won't know you are lying to me, hmm where's the always straightforward 204 chan?"
"Okay okay, I was curious so I searched about you, and psychology is another type of science, right?
"True, I know it's difficult to admit that psychology is a kind of science as a scientist so I appreciate it~ but what made you so curious about me to the point of watching my interviews?"
Senku stood up hastily:"you already finished your ramen don't you? Let's head back, and it's my turn"
What is this boy hiding?
Gen paid for them, as he said, "I don't want to make a broken teenager pay for me" just to bother their neighbor forward, not because he's cute when he pouts, nope.
The pair is walking back to their neighborhood, and Senku Jumped again to continue asking questions.
"Do you enjoy being famous?"
Gen thought between telling the truth or a lie.. he decided to go for the latter.
"As a famous person, I get the money and the attention I want~ so the positives outweigh the negatives."
"Now you are the one who is not being honest this time."
"Will you promise to answer me honestly if I do?"
Senku hesitated for a moment, but then shrugged: " Okay"
A soft smile appeared on Gen's face before answering him.
"I really love my work. I enjoy doing it and seeing people's sparkle and excitement. Nonetheless, I've been overwhelmed lately, thanks to the tight schedule, and people's criticism that I'm a fake fraud. 'Slept your way to the top', saying psychology is not the science we need, and so on.
I don't usually get impacted by those comments, but with how stressed everything is, the comments just add more pressure to it. Sometimes I don't feel very confident in myself because of all this."
"That's ten billion present bullshit. Psychology has a significant effect on social science. Without it we will never have Human Resource Management, Education, Forensics, Politics, even entertainment and the list goes on!
My suggestion to the person who told you that you should seek therapy, but guess what? We don't need psychology so there's none!"
Gen burst out laughing at that. Of course Senku will focus on this particular part and nothing else! But his anger speech is really cute.
Senku glared at him until Gen stopped laughing apologically. They stayed silent for a moment until Senku continued on, embarrassed: " and your shows are really brilliant and well written, you really put effort into it, even I take a minute to figure out what your tricks are, so you should be more confident in yourself."
Now that Gen had lowered his walls, he couldn't hide his red cheeks this time. He said in a soft voice: "I'm so happy you think so. I'll make sure to write a trick you won't figure easily next time~"
"Deal" Senku chuckles
The sunset on their side makes for an attractive sight. Gen secretly wishes they could hang out like this more often from now on.
Having already reached their building with the power already back on, Gen beams: "So, before we end our journey of today ~ why don't you answer my question from early?"
Senku sighed, nervously scratching his neck while looking away: "I knew you were my neighbor from the beginning."
Gen's smile dropped, and he paused. Almost screaming: "What! Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you start talking to me instead of putting a stick note on my door?"
After Gen remained silent, Senku continued: "I saw you throwing out garbage late one night. I think you forgot your mask. It seems super weird to me that a sociable person like you talks to me through notes?
But Yuzuriha explained that you probably didn't want to be recognized or bothered in your own apartment. She told me it was wise to keep talking with notes until you're comfortable."
Gen's life has never been filled with so much emotion on one day, but it felt strange and warming at the same time.
All this time, he knew me, and yet he didn't treat me like some freak!
Someone caring about you is really pleasant.
After a minute of silence, Gen smiled, genuinely this time: "That's really sweet. Yuzuriha is a really thoughtful person. I wonder why she's your friend though." Senku hit his shoulder lightly, making the two of them giggle.
"I wouldn't have kept this notes thing up if I knew you knew me from the start, but it was nice to last, thanks senku" Gen surprised himself by his honesty.
Senku's infection affected me
Now they're on the second floor, standing in front of each other and smiling.
"Can you come inside my apartment for a second? I.. want to show you something."
"Oh, umm sure?" Gen said hesitantly, afraid that Senku would hear his own heartbeat
Senku's apartment felt cozy and welcoming as they entered
Senku leads him to his room. Gen giggles to see the big Doraemon poster and a doll on his bed.
Gen's eyes scanned the room until they caught a sight of a purple book on the shelf. He smirked: "going so far to buy my book just to know me better? that's adorable ~"
Senku pulled him from his arm out of shame so he'd stop looking around the room.
Now they're standing in front of his desk, which had some plants with a light on top of it.
"Oh is this the LED experience you've told me about? What did you plant?"
"Cilantro, it's.. One of the ingredients for healthy cola"
Gen's heart flutter: "Oh."
"With lemon and honey too. Together it gives the cola flavour"
A soft smile spread across Gen's face: "I didn't expect these to be the ingredients! I love it. Will you make more for this cute mentalist?"
As Senku looked away shyly, he said: "It is very easy to make. I can give you the recipe, or we can make it together later... if you want to."
Gen jumped at the opportunity: "well I think you know my cooking experience already ~ so I'd really love it if we made it together!"
Senku chuckles: "alright alright you sneaky mentalist, you'll make me do all the work, huh? Anyway, that's not what I wanted to show you."
Senku bent down to get something from under the table. Straightening up, he carried a pot filled with almost wilted flowers.
"Take it."
Gen looked surprised: "Oh? What's that for?"
Senku's cheeks scattered pink, but he looked into Gen's eyes determining: "You are the florist, not me. What do you think this is?"
Gen's eyes focused on Senku's pot for a moment before blurting out: "pink begonia?"
"Yup" Senku replied, popping the p.
Gen glanced, trying to process in his mind what Senku was trying to tell him: "is this what I think it is?"
"Yes, you're the mentalist, why are you surprised? You should expect that from the beginning!" Senku getting more impatient
Gen complains with a blushing face: "Senku-chan!! Cut me some slices. No one used flower language with me before! I don't know how to react."
"Do you feel the same or not? It's as simple as that!" He deadpanned.
The thought of his adorable neighbour being romantically interested in him was too much for Gen's brain!
And he's too shy to say it out loud, so he used flower language even though he said it was cringe! Have mercy on Gen's heart!
However, he must react before the scientist throws the pot on him.
Gen Hesitantly held Senku's hand that carried the pot, didn't want to make him uncomfortable: "Senku-chan ~ that's ... Really sweet and thoughtful of you, and fortunately for you I'm also interested in you ~"
"God, was this difficult?"
Gen hit his shoulder while gigging: " come on~ you caught me off guard, and what's up with the flower wilting? Did you plan to do this a long time ago~" He smirked teasingly despite being as red as Senku.
"It's my fault to take your advice, but I also blame your shitty LED for not helping grow it well."
Gen smiled wider, moving closer to Senku to kiss his cheek: "I promise to give you a better one next time, okay?"
And thank goodness he was already holding the pot, otherwise it would have shattered on the ground.
