Chapter Text
…
“I've lost all control of my heartbeat now,
Got caught in a romance with him somehow.”
…
“Here's the flowers you asked for, Senku.” you slide open the familiar lab room door with the same metallic rattle every time.
Warm afternoon light reflected over polished floors, flooding the room with golden glow as it bounced off white walls and science equipments idly tucked and displayed.
The lone scientist inside who doesn't seem to mind bathing under gleaming warm rays turns your direction, wearing his usual mess of a hair with the single stray strand that has fallen over his neutral face, expression shifting unnoticeably in the slightest upon seeing you.
“Great job, bring it here.” he beckons over, tilting his head as you slide close the door behind you with a sharp thump.
“Are you going to stay late again for this experiment? I met Yuzutai on my way here, said they're going ahead.”
Senku takes the small bouquet off your hand, his being clothed in considerably dirty white gloves.
“Nah, I can leave it here after it's done so it wouldn't take long. You?” He starts working immediately, sparing you a glance as he does so.
Occupying the seat beside him, you slumped down with a sigh, arms folded and propped over the cold table as you rested your head on top.
“I got nothing to do so I'll stay, walk home together?”
The scientist continues to busy himself, moving with calculated ease in his domain. Glass beakers clinking as he pours two different colored powdered substances together in a bigger one after careful measurements.
“Sure, give me a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
Comfortable silence sits in between as you both settle on each other's world, long been shared to one another as either welcomes the other one in.
Outside, past clear windows, the world continues to move—yet being inside with the scientist in the comfort of the lab room feels like a space separated from the rest, time seems to slow down as you listen to every precise movement he does while he works.
Across the wall past him, your gaze settles upon a bulletin board, a year old list made by you is now almost covered by various printed diagrams and sketches. The only part left to stick out is Senku's name and yours, it's the club's officer's list.
President: Ishigami Senku
Vice President: L/n Y/n
It's been a year.. since he trusted you with the position worthy of being beside him.
A year since you started harboring a feeling that is considered an illness in the name of science.
Out of all the people you could be falling to.. you steal a quick glance at the busy scientist working beside you.. it had to be the person who shows zero interest in romance.
No chances, a billion percent guaranteed flat rejection. Damn.
With confession being automatically out the window, you tell yourself that this is enough. Being beside him, watching, listening, and supporting him and his science. It's the best you could do, the closest you can be around him until eventually parting ways when the time comes.
Convinced that you wouldn't regret it, keeping such strong feelings to yourself for a long time. It's fine. Rejection is cruel and no way you're ready for that when Senku is the first person to make you feel this way.
You sigh. I can't believe I'm literally inlove with this mischievous cabbage nerd.
“I saw you had a guest earlier again for the third time this week, must be rough.” he mused, now stirring a combined solution of the two substances earlier in heated distilled water, making sure the solution is saturated enough.
Your brows immediately creased, understanding what he meant. “You were watching again?”
Senku shrugs, “No, just happened to catch it from here.”
“For the third time?”
“Yeah,” he throws you a look like it's obvious, “Not my fault they kept calling you on the same spot that's visible from here as I happen to look out the window. Why do you even accept their invitation anyway.” the last part, you could've sworn his face turned sour for a moment as his tone had a bit of a bite to it.
You just shook your head anyway, even if he did, he's probably annoyed because you remember him once quoting how seeing confessions and couples alike from here is an eyesore. As expected from the guy who'd marry science in a heartbeat if he can.
You shift on your seat, doing a big stretch before planting one elbow on the table and resting your chin over a hand while facing him.
“I do that to properly reject them.”
Senku stops stirring the solution as he takes a moment to stare at you, you stare back, starting a small staring competition with him.
He's probably thinking of something I don't know and wouldn't tell even if I ask.
… ←Senku not thinking of anything.
A beat passes and he turns back to his work, changing the subject. “I'm almost done here.”
No reaction huh?
You purse your lips, a bit hurt but immediately ignored it, simply used to his hints of uninterest on your end.
“What are you doing anyway?” you shift the conversation, imitating him. It's the ideal thing to further ignore the slight pang in your chest.
He started dipping one flower into the solution, leaving the rest of the stem untouched and kept it there.
A small smirk tugged his lips, “Kuku, it's still under trial and error so I can't tell you, but you'll find out soon enough once I successfully pull it off.”
You raise an impressed brow, smiling slightly yourself. “You know I can easily figure it out if I look at what substances you used right?”
“Now where's the fun in that?” he chuckles.
“Is it a surprise or just another fun thing you decided to do?” you rose from your seat, taking a step beside him to check on what he did up close.
Senku didn't move an inch, feeling your shoulder brush against his, catching a whiff of your shampoo and mentally noting the scents he recognized, mostly sweet. Thinking, it suits her.
He discreetly glances your way, catching you squinting as you try to distinguish what substances he used by just simply looking at the beaker as a joke. Not missing his appreciation towards your side profile, something he wouldn't say out loud but one will see it with the way his face softens.
“Both.”
…
“How long are you going to leave that there?” you ask the scientist as you look back to see him swiping his IC card on the ticket gate before casually settling beside you like it's the norm.
“I'll check on it tomorrow.”
You look around the station, grimacing upon the realization of now being caught in a possible rush hour with the amount of people already there before turning back to him. “Can I see?”
Senku huffs a playful lilt, “Unfortunately.”
You pout, about to ask him why not as you two continue to walk when someone accidentally stepped at the back of your shoes, causing it to slip off and almost tripping you over.
Almost.
For Senku caught you in time, his arms found itself around your waist.
You screamed internally, stomach doing a flip. He just.. HE JUST..!!
Contact gone as fast as his reflexes when he went back to get your loafers and now crouching in front of you while holding it in place.
“Here.” he says, expression neutral as ever despite the odd situation. How is he doing that like it's the most normal thing in the world, hello? Did something like this happen to him before?
Is he being Senku or are you overreacting plus overthinking?
Biting the inside of your cheek, you lean down to hold on his firm shoulder for balance, hand shaky and catching the warmth that seeped from underneath the uniform, slipping on the footwear and tapping it in place twice.
“All good.” you hear him mumble as he pushes himself up, now facing you.
You fought the blush threatening to bloom up your neck, hands fidgeting together. “Thank you.”
Then casually, “Here.”
You blink, eyes falling to where he gestured. His arm.
“What?” puzzled, you look at him weirdly. What is he trying to say now?
Senku looks behind you, more passengers about to crowd in at a speed he's quick to mentally calculate before the place gets congested. Things are about to get cramped real quick.
No time to waste, more to catch, and before you know it he's pulling you in to catch the train, bigger calloused hand wrapped around yours in a steady hold as he starts to make a run for it.
Your eyes gradually widen upon the realization, breath slowing down as sense of touch heightened to focus on the feeling of holding Senku's hand. Neither cold nor warm, just the perfect balance to remember how it made butterflies flutter, your heart racing and loud in your ears as the muffled noises inside the station fade into static silence.
Taking a subconscious gulp, you struggle to look away from his back as he leads the way, wild hair lightly bouncing as he does.
It's scary—you thought, expression falling genuinely solemn despite the pleasant sensation enveloping your system.
A bittersweet smile etches your lips as you continue to watch his back, unable to look away.
I might accidentally say it if he continues to do something like this.
In the end you both still got stuck inside the next train because reality hits fast and Senku was begging for oxygen after only a few steps.
Senku:
found a cool mineral
[sent a photo]
Y/n:
that's so pretty :0!
Senku:
right, wanna have it?
Y/n:
can i? i’ll add it to my collection :D
Senku:
okay rock nerd :P
Y/n:
thanks science nerd :v
Amused, the scientist couldn't help chuckling by the short exchange. Currently taking a break from studying, he just came back from buying snacks in the nearest store, looking down the whole time on his way back to look for any good looking minerals and rocks.
Because you love these things.
Senku can still vividly remember how he found it out.
One busy morning, you ran late for the first time at a club meeting. Lab coat disheveled and gasping for air, probably from running all the way to catch up on the assembly after being appointed as the vice president of the club.
The lab’s door slammed open, all heads turned towards the noise; you and at the center of it all, Senku's gaze caught yours, flickering with familiarity as his lips curled in a way more softer than his usual mischievous smirk.
There you are.
You huff, “Sorry..! I..”
“Catch your breath first, then join me here once you're all good. No pressure.” he voiced, carrying on with the discussion as he calls all attention back to him. As expected of a leader.
Once the meeting was shortly dismissed after, you stayed behind to tidy up, mainly just cleaning up the white board that was used. Senku slumped down his usual spot, chin resting over a hand while watching your figure work. Calculated. Analyzing.
In the silence of the room other than the faint squeaking of the board being wiped clean and the murmur of the world spinning behind the walls. Senku catches another sound coming from you, something softly clacking.
One of his brows twitches, curious. Hm?
Scarlet observant gaze travelled down to your lab coat’s lower side pocket, noticing a few small bumps stretching the fabric upon its weight.
“What’cha got there?”
“Huh?” you look over your shoulder, “What?”
He points to your pocket, “There, it's making a noise.”
“Oh,” you pause, finishing up the board quickly before skipping your way towards him while beaming. The brightest sight he ever saw you make so far, mentally noting it down while trying to hide how it stole his breath for a moment. So radiant.
“It's the reason why I got a bit late, got distracted on my way.” you chuckle, digging a hand inside the pocket then presenting a couple of small different shaped smooth rocks to him.
Senku blinks, curiosity piqued, both brows rose up in sync.
And not one bit did your smile fade, “There's more to where they came from, almost took them all but can't so I just picked the ones that really stood out to me. Aren't they cute?”
He reaches out to pick one, feeling the roundness and the smooth compact surface against his fingers.
“So you like them?” he asks, gaze turning back to see sparkles still twinkling around your person as you lovingly hold the pebbles. He might've burned the sight at the back of his mind.
Your expression gradually softens, causing something inside him to flutter. “I love them.”
“Same with crystals and other minerals, I have a growing collection!”
And since then, Senku started to pay more attention on the ground every time he walks outside. Searching for any potential offering to add on your collection just to see that bright smile.
Reminds him of how penguins.. wait.
He stops mid-thought, pausing when his phone receives a notification—from you.
Y/n:
i’ll be out shopping with yuzutai tomorrow, wondering if we need anything for the club?
Senku gave it a thought, staring at the message for a moment before starting to type.
Senku:
nah, i think we're good :D
Y/n:
you think..?
Senku:
i’d know if we need anything. and last time i checked we're still good so :}
Y/n:
oh okay, nice!
how's the secret experiment going that you did a great job hiding from me the whole week? :)
That earned him a chuckle.
Senku:
it's done >o<!
Y/n:
really?! can i see it now?
Senku:
nope! only the experiment is done, so now i’ll be working on the actual final thing :D
Y/n:
it better be worth the wait because i’m actually curious as to what it is, looking forward to seeing it ><!
Senku's lips tugged up, throwing a glance towards the final outcome of the experiment he did, one he left in his room to watch closely throughout the week.
Senku:
kuku, get excited then >:)