Chapter Text
While many others in this world get an advantage at birth, some unique talent, an ability they’re unique for and one they might use to gain some benefits, Senku, in fact, does not have any.
Yes, that’s right. Ishigami Senku, a talented highschooler and an outstanding scientist, doesn’t have any superpowers, these things of fiction that suddenly just came true one day.
These are highly unscientific anyway, given there still is no viable explanation of the occurrence. And, probably, won’t ever be, now that any possible traces of what has happened must have been completely erased by time by now, after 3719 years that humanity has spent in stone…
It’s been 3720 by now. Each additional year that it takes Senku to rebuild society stacks - he must not forget that. Though, it isn’t that easy to overlook when there’s always an unstopping counting happening somewhere in the back of his head, never giving Senku a quiet moment in his thoughts.
Not that Senku actually cares about explaining these powers now anyway, even if he claims that. Everyone's a little bit different from everyone else. So what? Cry about it. Personally, he’s no less of a successful scientist, and he would never not be simply because there’s no lasers he can shoot from his eyes or whatever.
Besides, he’s seen how much harm having a power in modern society did to his best friends…
Now it probably helps them, back in Tsukasa’s Empire of Might though. There’s no modern society, this new stone world is different, so, like Tsukasa claims, it’s changeable. While Senku doesn’t agree with him on many things, this one he’ll probably endorse - not judging a person by their power alone.
It might be helpful for them now, but Yuzuriha would probably still try to hide her power if she can, even if Tsukasa may already have an idea of her empathy since his aura control must be rather similar.
These all tend to sound so cool, once referred to like that, but really, they’re barely helpful in day to day life, as it’s with most powers. None of those Senku knows are particularly powerful or impactful, tending to boost some characteristic of its’ owner, or helping them with doing something very particular. They’re almost within what’s humanly possible too. Almost.
When Senku first got into the village (well, technically, he’s still never set his foot inside there yet, but he’s hanging right around anyway, so it almost checks out), apart from all the urgent thoughts and feelings on point, he also felt partially relieved on one matter.
No one (probably) knows what superpowers are, and, considering how they held onto their rules, mostly advising against using what’s unknown, Senku highly doubts they use any powers they might have in the first place.
And the more time he spends around the villagers, the more this thought solidifies.
So, of course, it was safe to assume no one would talk to him about them. Right?
…
Well, fuck him, wanting piece for once, Senku thinks.
Mentalist. Famous for his psychology books and magical shows, charlatan Asagiri Gen. A mystery man, claiming he’s the shallowest human on earth, so a guy with very questionable morals.
As suddenly and out of nowhere as he appeared in the village one moment (which Senku heavily tried to capitalize on instantly, showing himself and his science off), in the very same way he asked a damned question out of the blue.
“By the ay-way~ Does anyone in the village have superpowers?” The man asked in a light tone, curious. This pig-latin word switcharoo starts palling.
Senku instantly internally cursed, damning the absolute worst luck of his.
The group were just watching the guards working their asses off, powering the generator, Senku getting his last piece of technology (his tongue isn’t happy to call the bamboo string proper technology, but it is what it is) to show it to Gen and others, when this man decided to break the ice with this? Seriously?
“Superpowers? What are those?” Chrome asked, sounding exactly the same as when Senku mentions any other fact, obvious to the modern people. Although, this confusion of his thoroughly confirmed Senku’s hypothesis on villagers' opposition to them.
“What Gen meant, is unique abilities some individuals show that no one else has, which I, personally, think is bogus - every skill can be described the same.” Senku educated the boy, not bothering to hide the spite in his voice.
And the stance he expressed is exactly on point too! Why would Senku like something so mainstream that science can’t even agree on giving at least a temporary explanation to, before finding the more valid one? (Yeah, okay, maybe he lied before about not caring for it, but he’s a petty man when things come to science!)
“Oh? So science objects special abilities?” Gen said in a pestering manner, which irritated Senku even more, but he kept his calm.
“Well, not objects per se, but they still are rather stupid and can easily be explained.” He said, showing how this sharp-mindedness was not impressive to him in the least.
“How can you explain Tsukasa’s aura control then? I always shiver when near him.” The man tried, while actively doing so.
“Well he is a fearsome guy” Senku deadpanned. He almost gave in to the urge to add “duh” even. And his opponent seemed to agree on that at least.
Before he could counteract with some other example, he was interrupted by the other guy.
“Oh, so you mean oddities!” Chrome finally understood what the two were talking about.
“Huh. So that’s what you call them here?” Gen was the first to react out loud. Senku felt about the same. It’s the first time he heard Chrome (or anyone else, really) use such a word, so maybe Gen’s curiosity was actually at least partially beneficial?
While hating on superpowers, Senku actually is very open to learning new things, so he would actually also like knowing what others can do.
Purely for scientific reasons, of course!
“Oh, yes. Their large usage isn’t really allowed, since it can be dangerous. I remember being told someone accidentally harmed themselves with their own.” Kohaku nodded to Gen.
So, officially, Senku’s hypothesis is confirmed. Superpowers (well, oddities in this case) are forbidden here. Damn, he likes the one in charge here already. They’re actually smart.
“Yeah, but not everyone can just avoid using their oddities like you” Chrome side eyed her.
“I tend to minimize it either! The weird stuff I saw as a kid still scares me…” She huffed.
“I did guess Chrome’s night vision, but what about you, Kohaku?” Senku actively joined the asking side.
“My sight, of course. How else would I catch every little detail so easily?” Explained the girl, which now made a lot of sense. “When I was a kid, I looked into the dirt a bit too close. Apart from noticing the exact structure, and bugs or something up-close, I also then saw something… Weird, when looked even closer. It’s not like any insects I saw yet, and I don’t think it was even alive. Well- Not really…” She tried explaining, sounding rather confused and scared.
“Wait, so you zoom in on things like a microscope?” The man was surprised, he was very missing his lab equipment, so the possibility of having it back... “That’d be really useful for when we-”
“I’m never doing that again!” Kohaku interjected, before Senku, in his thinking mode, could plan something. It was akin to a whiplash to the man. He instantly stopped the racing thoughts, now cursing himself.
It was one thing to even think of using the girl like that, let alone saying it out loud! Senku sounded just like all those who-
“Oh, okay.” After swallowing a lump in his throat, Senku mentally backed down.
And… Well, that’s good to know that even this Lioness has her limits.
Besides, that's yet another example of how abilities can be rather harmful to their users. As if Senku hasn’t met enough of those harmed already… And still haven't learned to do better, huh. He must be extremely cautious around Kohaku with the topic then.
He thought so and then heard Gen saying: “You sure, Kohaku? That power of yours is our only way to see-”
“ Drop it, mentalist. I’m not forcing anyone to do things that would normally be impossible.” Senku stopped the guy’s attempts, barely containing acid from the tone. It isn’t a matter to joke around, you foolish celebrity.
“So… Anyone else?” Gen asked then, clearly not getting the point, but at least actually stopping.
“Ginrou can almost turn invisible for a short period of time. It’s funny how he tends to skip work that way.” Chrome chuckled.
“Yeah, Kinrou, always the rules maniac, usually stops him anyway. I think he’s kinda right in that sense?” Kohaku shrugged.
When a short silence occurred, Suika perked up.
“Oh, I can do this!” She sneaked into her melon-head, now presenting as a fruit.
“Yeah, we already know.” Senku couldn’t help but remind the child.
“Don’t go that hard on the kid, Sunku-chan~” Mentalist tried to reason, which was ineffective anyway, but was stopped by the girl in question.
“Oh, yes, you probably couldn’t notice it… Well, how about this?” She laid on the dirt with outstretched arms, lying almost completely still.
It’s impressive how she can stop the muscles’ uncontrollable shake at such a young age, almost like a good surgeon or operator. It just confirms Senku’s theory of her simply needing glasses to function properly. That’s the only reason for the girl’s sloppiness. She would be very competent otherwise.
Which is a mental note Senku just highlighted in his brain.
In just a couple of seconds, the little girl’s skin started mimicrying to the dirt beneath her, akin to a chameleon. It was very impressive, though barely useful if not nude, which Senku highly doubts the girl (or anyone else, in that matter) will be comfortable with.
So her coming up with wearing a melon as a helmet and using that to hide more successfully is a brilliant move. No wonder how no one notices her now.
Everyone started clapping for the giggling girl, so Senku joined in on them.
“What about you, Gen? Do you have a sapa- supra- sap-” Suika struggled with the word.
“A superpower? Well of course.” The questioned man smiled. It was one of these stage-practiced facial expressions that Senku sees on many showmen like him. It is charming in a way, but Senku dislikes those fakes. “It’s definitely not as cool or useful as any of yours…” He said, posing self deprecating and all, while obviously thinking on the right phrasing. So not something easily explainable or showable? “I can see love. ” He said at last, leaving Senku speechless.
Seriously? All this pompous just for this?
Could’ve at least said it right away that he’s one of the normal ones, like Senku himself is. Although, good showmen don’t stay good after revealing the truth behind all their tricks and lies, so he’ll give him that.
Senku never personally gave enough of a bother to read any of Gen’s books, but heard others discuss it a lot (his science club really liked the man for some reason). As far as he remembers, they did mention something about his power being “so romantic” and “unique” and all that, so now Senku sees that it’s probably just a lie for marketing or something.
Scientist turned away from conversation, now finishing the last preparations for his improvised lightbulb.
“Um- Well, Chrome. You love someone back in the village, don’t you? And you, Kohaku. Love to a family member is also love, you know?” Gen still defended himself.
“Yeah, well, not impressed. Anyone would have guessed this dumbasses feelings for my sister.”
“Hey!” Chrome loudly objected.
Senku barely listened to what “love” the four were now discussing, getting up on the roof of Chrome’s hut.
“Well, I did also guess Kinro and Ginro were suitable for the generator. Their love is special. Both good brothers and great friends!” Gen made some more points, which Senku was not at all interested in. He’s a mentalist after all, probably used some psychology trick like he did with everything else. In this case, he’s clearly just precisive enough to notice the two were close. Senku himself also thought of these two being suitable for the job, he just didn’t assume they would actually be able to lure them in for help.
“Yeah, no, leave the cheap tricks for the parties, mentalist.” Senku dismissed them, speaking louder to grab their attention.
He wanted to ask Chrome the next question, but it seemed counter intuitive with the man’s ability. Reminding Kohaku of her ability, considering how it’s a tad relevant to sight, seemed weird too, and Suika is a child, so fears like this are probably mostly due to age. So he just chose Gen due to the lack of alternatives.
“Gen, are you afraid of the night now, that it’s so dark?” He asked, looking at the mentalist all the way down.
“Don’t tell me you- Is it Edison's Lightbulb?” He seemed to finally get the point.
“Yes.” Senku smirked, now facing away. He had to explain what’s going on to the others though. “With science, humanity fought the dark off. There was no night for us anymore - humanity had all 24 hours of the day under its jurisdiction. And now, in all the past 3700 years, this is the first time we’re shining a blindingly bright light of Science.” Senku connected the two ends, beaming said light for everyone present to see.
The lightbulb is short lived. In just a couple quick seconds it completely burned off, but it wasn’t the point. Reminiscing on the past, and looking forward to how many more he can accomplish…
Senku couldn’t help but smile very broadly to celebrate this small win.
It was only fitting how, even after getting beat up nearly to death, Asagiri Gen, the mentalist that was sent there specifically to rat him out, still agreed on joining Senku after seeing all of that.
And Senku himself is very happy for a new ally.