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For all his life Ginrou has been living in the Ishigami village.
As small as it was, as slow as the life in it felt, - it was all he knew, and he didn’t ever mind it being like that. It always has been this way, and always will be. There’s some beauty in it if you squint hard enough.
For any dangerous and out of ordinary things the village had him and his brother Kinrou, after all. All-mighty guards, standing on their post and protecting the village of any possible threads every day. It was a relatively easy job (like, just standing in one place, doing next to nothing) that earned Ginrou respect among other villagers, so he didn’t even mind eventual hardships all too much.
Like… Yeah, fighting is never fun, but it’s manageable.
About a year ago there was a wild boar who roamed near the bridge and scared the shit out of him. Ginrou involuntarily used his oddity, disappearing from everyone's view. He obviously wanted to use his signature move - flee away and let others deal with the problem, but, thankfully, Kohaku was returning back from the hot spring with a new portion of bath water for her sister, so she instantly jumped into the scene and helped Kinrou defeat the animal.
It was so easy for the two that they didn't even notice Ginrou standing at the side, clutching his spear in shaking hands. Both from fear and sheer disgust of himself and these unnecessary emotions that always make him useless at a time like this.
Kohaku spared a few words with his brother, picking her vase back up and telling him she’ll call someone to help carry the dead animal into the village.
They didn't notice Ginrou standing on the side, just as no one ever does.
Well- Okay, it wasn’t completely true.
When swiping blood off his spear, Kinrou turned and locked eyes with his younger brother.
Even after all those years… Kinrou still is the only one to notice the boy. He’s the only one to still show empathy for the disgusting mess of a human he is. And the man is the only one who holds his hand out for Ginrou to take and get picked back up (he hadn’t even noticed how or when he fell on his knees). Of course Kinrou was looking with a bit of judgement in his eyes - Ginrou should learn to stand for himself, even Ginrou himself knew that, but Kinrou also always was there to help him make it come to life one day.
Ginrou doesn’t have courage or strength like Kohaku and Magma, sorcery like Chrome, or even sheer perseverance like his brother, but the latter, having that trait in him and enough of care for Ginrou in general, still keeps teaching him to wield a spear. And well… He’s improving!
Ginrou still is nowhere near to the level of any of the fighters the village has, but he’s good enough.
As much as it’s easy to live there… Growing up in Ishigami village wasn’t easy at all.
Especially with an oddity like Ginrou’s.
It’s not invisibility per say. Others can definitely see him if they squint or concentrate hard enough, know where to look and well… Have a will to do that too.
As a child he was almost constantly using it without even meaning to, but, thankfully, Kinrou helped him get over it and contain the terrifying power it kinda is. Not in exactly a pleasant way though, sternly reminding Ginrou to turn his oddity off. His older brother was always a rules freak - insisting on following the law, and he was very insistent in that. So, of course, Ginrou couldn’t help but follow his lead.
It just made life easier.
That’s probably exactly the reason Kinrou insists on following the rules too - having the exact instructions set in stone is easier than thinking for yourself, than having to make your own decisions, to have moral conflicts when faced with a difficult decision. So if it helped Kinrou be who he is - Ginrou can’t ever be the one to judge.
So, after his brother’s guide, everything shifted if just a little bit. Parents stopped forgetting about him (at least when he was in the same room as them), and other kids weren’t ignoring him when playing.
He still hates hide and seek though. He had always won of course! But at what cost…
So, once it was about the time for him to start picking a job to do in the village, Ginrou, not wanting to be forgotten once again with reaching adulthood, simply continued following his brother’s lead. Noone can forget a guard, especially if you only have two (not counting Priestess’ bodyguards), right? He’s actually doing things that benefit everyone, surely they will credit him at least sometimes!
One day there came this Senku guy with his sorcery he persisted in calling “science”.
At first Kinrou was wary, so, naturally, Ginrou copied his brother. Still he was rather curious of the guy who gathered their great sorcerer Chrome and even gorilla Kohaku around his finger though.
Then, before they could even do so much as blink, the two guards found themselves being completely loyal to what the group was doing.
A moment that changed everything for Ginrou personally was when he was already actively helping the group. Not only were he and Kinrou practising day and night for the tournament, there was another thing, another obstacle on the scientists’ way to make this cure-all thing for Ruri, the Priestess they all fought to save.
Senku made him a silver spear, but Ginrou wasn’t sure if he actually even wanted it anymore.
“I don’t have a single millimeter of sympathy for you,” The scientist mused, and- Ouch. Like that comment didn’t already sting, Senku just had to add the next part. “The price for the spear is high… High enough to die, Ginrou.” The guy turned with an ominous- No, pretty much villainous grin, the one he very rarely makes, but each time it’s for a moment worth all the credit it gets. “And truly, you may very well die. You’re gonna put your life on the line!”
It was then that he knew he fucked up. Still though, with being given a role of protector, optimistic Ginrou came with the group.
And it was after being given a proper explanation when the man realized just how badly he did fuck up with his silver spear request.
Then… It was when almost dying from that beautiful fairy lady of the spring water, the one Senku called Sulfuric acid, did Ginrou fully experience the actual threat to his life for the first time. Faced with a new previously unknown danger, met with yet another fear…
Intinctly, Ginrou used his oddity to hide from the world.
And yet this lady of the spring curse still-
No. No, it wasn’t a person. Senku said something about it. Just nature being merciless, deadly. And there is no way for Ginrou to hide from something that isn’t looking (or overall feeling), from something that doesn’t have an attention which Ginrou can slip away from.
It was terrifying. Absolutely bone-chilling. Scary to the death, and literally so! There were just no words in his vocabulary to describe just how scared Ginrou was of that thing.
A day had passed and yet Ginrou’s terror didn’t go anywhere.
There was just no possible way for him to go out there, anywhere near the vicinity of the deadly liquid! And they wanted him there? With nothing but a spear (as if that was effective) and some weird mask to breath through? NO SHOT!
He expressively told that to the scientists. In turn, the two purified his silver spear and headed out on their own.
And…
Well, he would lie if he said he didn’t feel guilty.
Yet there it was - Ginrou’s weak and he knows that all too well. Then why…
Then why were the two who are even weaker so fucking brave?
“There’s something wrong with them both!” He expressed this to Kaseki. “Of course I’d be scared. I might die, you know?!” Confessed Ginrou. Now that he started that, there’s no way he could shut up. “Ahhhh. I can’t stand these types of guys!” Which was only half true. “They’re just being reckless, and yet they’re still going into it like they’re all brave…”
And well… He can’t stand them, that’s true. But not because there’s something wrong with them, no. He can’t bear them being all cool and mighty, while Ginrou’s out there shaking in fear. It’s not because of what they can do. It’s because of what Ginrou himself can’t do. He just can’t act the same way.
“Running away while saying nothing and then trying to paint them in a bad light over it…” The old man summarised. “Shows more of your own weak nature as you sit there in fear.”
“T-That’s not it!” Ginrou protested, snotting. Ironic, isn’t it? Deep down, he knew full-well that’s exactly what he was doing here.
Confirmation from an elder just soured up his already terrible mood even more…
“Don’t worry though, Ginrou. You’re not weak at all. ” The craftsman said all of the sudden.
That made the boy stop all of his fuming self-deprecating thoughts right on their tracks
Wha-
“Rather, being afraid is the secret of survival. An old man like me must have done something right to live this long, don’t you think so? I was always afraid too!” The old (and wise because of that fact, Ginrou reminded himself) man went on. “In fact, deep in everyone’s hearts… All humans are afraid. ” He let the words sink in.
Ginrou saw his brother and Kohaku sparring a bit further into the clearing.
That’s right, the boy thought. He’s not the only one afraid.
For the first time ever… Ginrou looked at his older brother, his role model and one he loves very dearly, at a bit of a different angle. Because… Kinrou must be terrified somewhere deep down too, mustn’t he?
Even though no one knows it (and Kinrou made sure to keep it that way, which is yet another sign of just how strong-willed he is), Kinrou has the blurry eyes disease. It makes him vulnerable to some attacks, and does one hell of a good job at preventing him from estimating the distance correctly. All and all, it’s a great liability, one he can’t do anything with, and one that his opponents can and will take advantage of.
Even with this disease though, Kinrou still is set on fighting off Magma, their greatest warrior.
And just how afraid Kinrou must be? Ginrou can’t imagine how much weight there is on his shoulders…
“But, for the sake of what matters and precious to you… With enough of a reason and a full heart invested in the matter you can try and beat that fear. ” Kaseki continued his trail of thought, opening Ginrou’s eyes. “I might not know exactly what’s going on, but that’s how it looks for me, at least.” The man finished it with a humble addition, as if his words didn’t just strike Ginrou exactly where mattered the most at the moment.
And… He’s right, isn’t he? All elders usually are.
Kaseki left this extra gas mask he accidentally made unattended, and Ginrou knew what he had to do now.
It’s about time for him to start beating his fears.
Or, at least, try facing them with no hiding (well, unless it’d be for his advantage, of course).
Ginrou was set on helping the scientists, and even more set on finally standing up for himself, tired of busying everyone else by always relying on them. He is a guard of this village for fuck’s sake! Who needs a coward at such an important position?
Noticing how Ginrou picked up the mask, Kinrou, resting after his fight, softly smiled, nodding in approval.
That was all it took for Ginrou to gather up the much needed courage.
He had beat that fear.
“I just want to save my sister.” Kohaku's sudden plea made Ginrou relate to her on a level he never thought he even could to anyone.
If something similarly life-threatening happened to Kinrou… Ginrou doesn’t even know what he’ll do, how he will react…
Definitely not with such power and dignity as the girl before him though, despite desperately wanting to.
And well…
Who knew that it can and almost will actually happen?
Senku has won the tournament and actually saved their Priestess.
Ginrou wouldn’t have actually hit him in their duel… Well, probably. Hopefully. He may not be bright, but even he’s not that stupid, despite doing first and thinking later. He was bluffing, or what does thIs magician Gen call this, and already thought of how he would’ve ‘accidentally tripped’ or something… Right then and there the man made him pay for that greed that overtook him for a moment with this stupid science shit anyway.
Senku even made Kinrou see clearly with these glass thingies a bit later! Ginrou was very happy for his brother, really! But this was after another sudden thing happened, which made the memory way more sour than expected.
The enemy showed up right in the middle of their celebration. Ginrou, just as he always did, reacted very slowly. Thankfully, the man's instincts allowed him to run away unnoticed with the help of his oddity.
It’s not like he didn’t change - he did. It’s just that between him and his brother, the latter is definitely the greater warrior. And, well… Someone needed to alert others. It was always Ginrou’s job, even though it was just a disguised fear at first.
He quickly got the message to other villagers, but by the time he came back Kinrou was already one arm length down the bridge and into the waters below, desperately clinging to the edge of one of the planks.
Ginrou knew what he needed to do. Knew what was expected of him-
Fuck, even Kinrou himself straight up ordered to slice the rope holding the bridge in half!
He had to do this, yeah. But Ginrou has always been slow to react. Always oh so hesitant and afraid…
Relief was far beyond what he felt when Senku found some probably smart way to scare the intruders away. It didn't really matter to Ginrou what the exact method it was. The important thing was that Kinrou, his stupidly heroic, diligent, kind and overall absolutely the best brother ever was safe.
He didn't die! Kinrou was alive!!!
After experiencing whatever that was, the thought of almost losing his brother, the fear (even bigger than that of the acid) and then floods of relief, he never wanted for it to happen again.
And so, here and then Ginrou was set on becoming way better than he is right now. Kinrou wouldn’t ever have to be in such a position where he would be alone against an enemy, not until Ginrou can’t influence that in any way.
The Stone Wars started (this confrontation at the bridge was literally a declaration, if you come to think about it) and then they’ve won.
Like yeah, maybe Ginrou himself wasn't that much of a reason for their victory, but it was a collective effort, and damn did he try his best!
The worst was over and the two Kingdoms merged into one. The things… Didn't go as smoothly as most would've wanted, yet they were good enough.
Tsukasa’s men were enemies just a moment ago, but Ginrou wasn’t even that uncomfortable. At least when not alone with them - Kinrou’s presence soothed any possible fears Ginrou had left, which he’s actively working on overcoming!
Besides, quite some things changed in that sense too.
Gen had some sort of theory of Ginrou’s oddity (well, modern people call them abilities or superpowers) being that because of his fleeting nature. Which- rude, but it did become a bit harder to use as of lately, when the man quit running away and started fighting off the fears.
The only thing he still keeps fleeting from is work. He’s practising the art of slacking off, ‘disappearing’ at the right moments, and looking busy whenever necessary so as not to draw any attention. Ginrou might become stronger, but that doesn’t mean he likes working!
Those enthusiastically productive members of the Kingdom are rather scary to him, to be honest.
And, by the way, pretty much all modern men have no problems with using their abilities. They said that there weren’t any rules prohibiting that and all the powers were deemed cool.
Ginrou must be lucky then, huh?
Taking them all as an example, Ginrou started using his power in battles too. “All is fair in love and war” or whatever it was that someone said once. And Kinrou, always the rule maniac, didn’t even bat an eye at such a drastic change! Before that, he would’ve scolded Ginrou for less. Now… If anything, his brother looked almost proud when Ginrou first beat him with that trick. It was awesome, really!
So, under Senku’s rule, their Kingdom got rid of old trashy rules and traditions, keeping only the best from both worlds, both old and new. From the point of the one who gets all the benefits - Ginrou couldn’t be happier, really.
The man’s ability isn’t invisibility. It doesn’t make him completely disappear, rather distracts everyone from his existence. It only worked because no one needed Ginrou or cared for him in any way. And yet Kinrou, his coolest older brother, was always the exception. He notices Ginrou and that is what matters.
Now, even more people do the same, and yet, for some reason, Ginrou is still grateful the most to his brother.
Huh, so they need a lab, right? Yeah, that’d definitely be cool to have, given the situation at hand.
Does Ginrou really need to go then? Hiding here seems way more preferable at the moment though.
But, that’s no good either. Kohaku clearly was desperate if she screamed for anyone to hear openly like that. Ginrou bets they won’t be able to stand the ground all by themselves and well… He’s the only survivor.
Kinrou wasn’t there to save him anymore either…
“Uggghh.”
The smell of seawater barely registered in the man’s nostrils, he was used to it from all the time spent on the ship. A puddle of water soaked off him and onto the floor beneath, which wasn’t making the hiding spot any more comfortable. Yet there was no way he could just switch the position from under this cramped barrel.
Ginrou survived the petrification happening on the Perseus by being underwater at the exact time the beam suddenly appeared and was now hiding from the enemy on board. He made his presence known to the exploration team (which is hard when in a panic state your body always uses its oddity against your favour), but quickly concluded they wouldn’t probably be able to save him right now… He’s the one they need help from, huh?
The enemy just almost caught him and yet Ginrou was saved by some random noise downstairs (he did desperately force the power back to work too, so there was a chance to stay hidden, yet he still didn’t want to bank on it). On the way, they also said something about the room made of clear ice…
Glass? Did they mean the greenhouse? Who was making the noise in there?
Although, it didn't really matter at the moment. The men flocked to the sound as flies usually do to the villagers' torches. So, once sure everyone cleared the view, Ginrou hastily escaped the dreaded barrel and was about to use his secret art of fleeting, while still making sure to hide with the oddity. It's only natural and within his instincts to care for his life first and foremost, despite hating himself for the exact reason more often than not.
It's logical though! He's the only one left and the team on land will surely appreciate any help-
And then realisation hit him. Hard enough to stop right before diving into the water.
He's the only one left.
He was spared, but that wasn’t the part Ginrou needed to focus on. Only he was.
He… He just can’t leave his brother here!
Ginrou quickly ran up to Kinrou’s statue. The man was completely frozen in motion, as all the stone statues tend to do. Once hot to touch skin is all rough in texture and so terrifyingly cold, as if it was one of the dead.
He was alive though, Ginrou reminded himself. Somewhere deep inside through all these stones he was. Every modern man went through this. Every one of them revived by the liquid they all came here to start creating again.
And until then, Ginrou just has to make sure his brother is intact against anything that may break him.
“Jeez,” Ginrou huffed, carrying the heavy carcass of a statue that is his brother. “Why are you sleeping, Kinrou?” He mocked. Might as well be the one to humble the difficult brother for once, as opposed to how Kinrou always does the opposite. “Let’s escape together.” He gritted through his teeth and watering eyes. He’s crying so often… “Since there’s no other way… I’ll carry you out of here myself!”
Ginrou was about to finally gather all his strength and lift his brother up, when a sudden noise disturbed him.
It took him just a couple of moments to easily figure out who was the reason for all the fuss on the ship.
Suika! The little girl, beloved by the entirety of the Kingdom. But-
“Suika, why?” Ginrou was struck by how sudden it all was.
If they get caught, they’ll definitely get petrified with the others. Why was she risking everything here?
That didn’t matter to Ginrou too much at the moment though.
He turned back to face his brother, feeling tears creeping up his eyes once again. There’s no time, they needed to escape together, right?
…
Right, Kinrou?
.
.
.
Staring into that stupid surprised and concentrated face of his, Ginrou wasn’t so sure of what to do anymore.
Though-
No, actually, it was very clear what Kinrou expected him to do in a moment like this.
Despite the latter turning to stone… Ginrou knew his brother enough to almost read his thoughts at times.
And right now… Right now wasn’t the exception either.
“Think about what you have to accomplish now.” Was written right all over his face.
“Aggghh. With these serious and stubborn eyes of yours,” Ginrou said, while still admiring his brother for the sheer resilience he had in him. “I can hear you even when you aren’t talking.”
Now, with being done giving his brother one last look, Ginrou wiped the drying tears away. He was sure of what his next move was supposed to be.
“I’m sorry, Kinrou.” He said, meaning it wholeheartedly. “Just wait here a bit. I’ll definitely come back and save everyone!”
And save the day he did!
Maybe it didn’t look (and it definitely didn’t feel) pretty, but Ginrou tried his best! He and Suika are from the water tribe, they’re a great team!
Yet still…
Despite all those experiences Ginrou couldn’t help but feel sorry for leaving Kinrou on that ship.
It’ll be alright.
Ginrou will try his best to help Senku in whatever his future plans. And not just for his own survival, like he usually does, but for the sake of his own brother!
Damn, did Ginrou already miss him…
Well.
As pompous as Ginrou felt, when he, all mighty and that, promised his petrified brother to do his best… Who in their right mind would like going right in the heart of the enemy’s territory? Into the harem. Dressed like a girl too. Ginrou certainly wasn’t a fan!
That needed to be done though, so he persisted. Like Kinrou would, he did. Maybe not as gracefully, but in a way that mattered!
The thought grounded him, giving the blonde all the courage (not that much, but any amount counts, when it comes to the coward and quitter Ginrou is) to continue even when he had absolutely no will to.
That didn’t help much with being pierced through the chest though.
Ibara… When Ginrou turned his back to that man, he instantly used it to his advantage. Ginrou was almost sure that was his end!
And… The thought was terrifying.
Not in the way Ginrou is always panicking in near-death moments, no. Not like it was with the sulfuric acid. He’s cautious in moments like these, sees the risks, but there’s no way he ever thinks of this situation being deadly. Like really deadly. In a way it is literally exactly the thing that puts the end to his life, to everything Ginrou knows of.
This was the first time he has finally felt that the moment indeed crept up to him.
And… He didn’t want to die.
Yes, no one ever wants to, as far as Ginrou knows. Not really they don’t. Not when there’s still so much they want to do, to experience, people to see… And he didn’t keep his promise to Kinrou quite yet!
Which was why he was o h so fucking greatful for Kohaku to come up with a way to save him.
Yes, he feeled gratitude towards those who had saved him countless times before (Kohaku was the one who did that way too many times, coming second only to Kinrou), and yet none of those relieves he felt after being spared has ever been so genuine.
Seeing the girl smile so fondly, despite the green light creeping up to them, assuring him that it would all be okay…
“The Medusa is, undoubtedly, science.” Kohaku said, noticing the thing Kirisame threw. “And so… All that’s left now, is to wait and believe in everyone and their science.”
It was one of the most comfortable he has ever felt himself to be. Almost comparable to the old times that he and Kinrou shared as they would lay late at night, his older brother wrapping his bigger arms around the smaller boy, whispering reassurances for the latter sad boy to sleep.
“Yeah, definitely… It’ll be okay” Ginrou couldn’t help but smile and agree with her.
And the exact petrification process…
It felt calm.
Kohaku made it feel desirable, given it was their saviour. So Ginrou wasn’t at all afraid. How could he, when he was almost parting with his own life already, with having an injury this severe anyway?
Despite what modern men shared from their experience, the process actually wasn’t scary. Maybe it was because Ginrou couldn’t really move at all in the first place to care about the stone restricting him? Maybe it was because he knew the implications of that process? He doesn’t know. He’s not a know-it-all Senku, or Gen, somehow advanced in human brains and whatnot.
The thing he felt instead was a soothing feeling of sturdiness in the body, and yet almost out of said body experience. Once the darkness came, Ginrou was completely at ease, free from pain and worries of death, met with nothing, in both all good and bad ways.
So, to put it short - petrification was nothing like a terrifying experience everyone made it out to be, at least not for him.
Although, one thing was true - it’s hella weird and unsettling to not experience anything at all.
Being trapped all alone with only his thoughts in nothingness that is essentially only his mind… Yeah, he sees why it wasn’t enjoyable, especially out of the blue. The thought of it being necessary to save him helped though.
And also, being trapped all alone with only his own thoughts gave Ginrou enough time to process quite some things too.
Being this close to death… Ginrou thought that witnessing Kinrou almost dying was the worst it could possibly be, but, once again, his love for himself far exceeded that.
As much as he loved his brother and never wanted to lose him- No, even more than that Ginrou loved himself.
The thought instantly disgusted him.
He… He kinda knew that before, didn’t he?
In a way he’s always afraid of everything… It’s self-preservation.
It’s only natural for people to care for their own life and wellbeing, old man Kaseki told him that! Take Gen for example. The man was very open about preferring the winning side only. Yet none of the others seemed to be that self-obsessed, not to the point Ginrou is. Not even the self-proclaimed ‘shallowest man on earth’. Even Ginrou saw that much.
In a way he seeks power over others. He really wanted that chief position back in the tournament, actually. Despite all the excuses he made afterwards, he can’t lie to himself. And damn did he want the reputation of a brave guy who was left on land cause they didn’t notice his desire to go with the others!
Magma and Yo get him in being power-hungry, but they’re not really the good guys, are they?
And what did that make Ginrou then?
…
Actually, he didn’t want to think about that.
At an instant, Ginrou felt some strange fatigue.
“Ah, so that's what the modern men talked about, when they said something about the urge to give in and fall asleep?” He thought.
Well…
“Nothing better to do than that, I suppose?” Ginrou mentally shrugged. “Others will definitely help us. He and Kohaku over there did everything they could to help, so really, they would.”
And, just like that, the world went completely blank.
Everything is okay.
Like- Literally, everything is awesome, even.
Senku, like he always does, won once again and depetrified everyone, including Ginrou. The latter man’s no longer dying either, which he can’t be happier about!
Actually- No, what he was happier about, is having Kinrou back.
After being hit by Kohaku (she didn’t let him hug her, which Ginrou was pouting over, since she then immediately threw herself over their chief) and then standing back up, the man didn’t wait any longer before embracing his older brother. Others gave the two no mind, focusing on the aforementioned duo, which made it feel like it always has been in the past.
Like Ginrou was using his oddity once again.
Actually, now sitting curled into himself, thinking of that moment, he is using it.
There wasn’t that much time to wallow in his thoughts where such a lot of things needed all the hands they could get (and damn did Ginrou hate manual labour there was such a lot of in the Kingdom of Science), but every business died down once everyone had gathered on the beach in anticipation for something, but mainly just a celebration.
Not that Ginrou cared all that much at the moment. Whatever business will wait till tomorrow, when they’ll pack up and leave.
What he experienced… It was what modern men called trauma, wasn’t it? Almost dying that is.
He could still feel his hands shaking. Terror-striking experience.
Ginrou had thought about it all when got petrified, but it wasn’t really the place and time to process everything right, like he did now. He really thought of dying right here and then, huh?
He was contemplating whether he would be content with his life, and the answer didn’t really come positive, no matter how he made it seem to Kohaku. Ginrou doesn’t like the turn his life takes right now, but he has no idea how to change that. How to change himself, and really, how could anyone even like such a person as him-
He felt a cold hand gently touching his shoulder. The presence of someone standing near suddenly came to the man’s attention. Someone barely noticeable unless they wanted to be, much like Ginrou, but this someone wasn’t using an ability like the man himself.
That motion did bring Ginrou back though.
“Are you okay, Ginrou-chan? This is a place of celebration - not mourning.” Their resident mentalist spoke, hands already back into the sleeves of the lavender overcoat he always wore.
Out of anything, it was probably to be expected for someone with Gen’s talents to be the one to notice Ginrou, even with having the latter using his oddity. That didn’t make it less surprising for Ginrou to get found by anyone other than his own brother when it wasn’t an extreme situation.
“Um- Yeah, of course. Just thinking, nothing serious.” He tried to force a smile and brush the man’s concern’s away. It was all just stupid thoughts, not actually resulting to anything-
Wait. Was he actually interested in Ginrou’s wellbeing?
To that, Gen didn’t say anything.
He watched Ginrou though. Closely, as if calculating something, looking for something in the man’s eyes.
After about a full minute of the two staring one another down (well, in Ginrou’s case - up, since he was still sitting on the sand, hugging his own knees) Gen’s gaze- Softened?
Gen looked at Ginrou with much emotion behind his eyes. The man sat next to him with intent to comfort. It almost felt humiliating, to be caught in a self deprecating act like that. And yet…
Gen looked at him with understanding. Almost pity, but like- In a good way? If it was possible.
In a way that mattered, at least. Like he could understand. Relate even. Like… Maybe not personally, or at least not completely, but he still can easily get what Ginrou’s feeling.
That made something in the man’s stomach churn slightly, for some reason. As if experiencing that alone already was a justification for feeling that way.
Instead of any confronting words (his presence alone shifted Ginrou’s mood already. This man has always had such an effect on everyone), Gen started telling something weird all of the sudden.
“You know, you’re quite a lucky fella, Ginrou-chan~” The mix-coloured-haired man mused.
“Huh? What do you mean?” The blonde was taken aback.
“You’re one of the lucky few ones who have not one, but two soulmate strings. ” The man explained, though Ginrou didn’t feel any more clarity.
As if Ginrou’s expression, changed after the man’s words, was a question in itself Gen clearly got the meaning and elaborated.
“That’s what I meant when saying I can see love. There’s this concept of two souls being connected to one another on some spiritual level, by fate itself. ” Mentalist seemed entranced, as if he was in the middle of telling one of these stories he performed with in the village a couple of times before.
This time, it was clearly way more personal though.
“Those two connected souls are what we call soulmates. Whereas I possess the ability to see the strings that connect them.” He finished, adding that dramatic flare in the end.
And- He said Ginrou has two of those soulmates? Huh?
“Here.” Gen said, nodding to Ginrou’s hand. That gesture resulted in, there on the ring finger of the latter suddenly appeared two flowing threads of something. “The cyan one is obvious. Your bond with your brother has always been one of the brightest I’ve seen.” The man babbled, as if oblivious to Ginrou’s shock of the implications of seeing the two strands on his hand, which he was staring at profusely. “The other one is tricky though. Purple, but not quite like my own. It’s more like dark indigo or something? More to the bluer, platonic side of the bond. It’s so fascinating too! I just saw it appearing with my own eyes! And not really with Matsukaze’s revival, no. Just the moment he noticed you! You must really be his leader’s reincarnation or something? I dunno, fate works in mysterious ways! If it even exists, that is.” The man shared something Ginrou barely registered.
Wait, so he really was that brave man’s, that this Matsukaze guy is so fascinated about, reincarnation, huh? Ginrou just used the man’s belief to his advantage, and now, knowing that it might actually be the truth felt…
Weird.
But wait, did that mean that these two, connected to him with the said strings, are actually sharing with Ginrou a very deep connection of some sorts?
…
Huh.
Ginrou followed where the strings led to with his gaze.
Gen was still talking about something, theorizing on implications of fate or something. Ginrou didn’t deem that important anymore, satisfied after hearing exactly the part he was concerned about the most. Fate, souls connected by it, Ginrou possibly being the reincarnation of the leader Matsukaze was very close to, which makes him yet another person Ginrou could possibly rely on. It sounds just perfect!
The strings, surprisingly, followed one another. Turns out, the two men where standing together near the rest of the crowd, discussing something and also staring somewhere in the direction of those strings. Did they see them too?
Just in time as Ginrou made eye contact with his uncertainly waving brother (he must have noticed that the weird strings were connecting them) there was a sound of footsteps right near Gen, who suddenly stopped talking.
“Well, that’s my cue to go, then. Hope it helps, Ginrou-chan~” Gen seemed way too happy to get approached by Senku, who immediately took the guy’s hand and said something about ‘Gen ruining a surprise for himself by spying’.
The two were far too weird with each other as of lately. Way too close. But that didn’t bother Ginrou at all at the moment.
He slowly stood up and clenched his fist, feeling the weight of those strings escaping his fingers.
Kinrou… Ginrou has loved his brother more than anything (apart from himself, of course), so getting to know of himself probably being just as valuable to him too.. That made the man very emotional all of the sudden.
Oh, and Matsukaze. The man came out of nowhere, and yet is quickly climbing the ranks up in Ginrou’s eyes. There’s a huge possibility that one day he might as well stand beside Kinrou in his books, just like they literally stand next to one another in the moment.
The man didn’t wait any other second to sprint right to those two.
“Ginrou!” Kinrou let out a surprised huff when his brother had launched himself into him and Matsukaze after rushing right at them. “Do you know what these are? Matsukaze says his invisible string also leads to you.”
The question seemed weird. Could Kinrou not see the other string Ginrou shared? That was so weird, but Ginrou dismissed his brother’s question in favour of enjoying the hug that the other was quick to reciprocate in just a matter of a couple of moments.
Matsukaze also joined in, just a tad awkwardly and hella surprised.
The three had, for the first time ever, watched what modern men called fireworks lighting up the dark sky, as well as, by extension, everyone’s (Ginrou included) mood.
It was beautiful in itself, but what made the moment exceptional, of course, those who Ginrou has shared it with!
Well, maybe he is needed. At least to someone. To those two.
He is noticed, despite the oddity. And if that isn’t happiness - then what is?
Oh, also, Ginrou has used that confirmation from Gen to his advantage and settled Matsukaze right by his side.
He did very well, didn’t he? Used Soyuz’s words as a ground for his own proposal, and Matsukaze happily obliged!
“Ginrou, you're such a bastard.” His older brother disapprovingly shook his head, yet his fond smiling face betrayed the true feelings.
He may be a bastard, but he's loved , and that's enough.