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April 1st 5738 AD.
April 1st.
April Fool's Day.
His birthday. Carved on a tree.
If his past self had seen this, he would have laughed over such stupidity.
"Is just a weird coincidence. It could have been one day before, or one after, or not even close to the date, and it could have been someone else's birthday~!... Don't you dare thinking it's something special... And much less for you."
Yet he wasn't sure what exactly changed for him leaving behind that past mindset. Seeing a literal new world, untouched by the human for 3700 years? Maybe. Or giving himself a long, deserved and restorative nap? Uhm, maybe tranquility could have helped.
The point is, now he thought differently. He chose to believe it was signal, as romantic as it sounds. A signal maybe because of destiny. That strange and fascinating word which implied that every thing that had happened wasn't for anything. It was for something. It meant something.
And seeing such date, could mean that the new era of the world had started. It wouldn't be of much importance what had happened before. Whatever the industry wanted, his fans wanted, his manager wanted, it wouldn't be important now. The lies he had told, the fame he had got, or the false image he had created of himself, it wouldn't all matter anything.
The day Gen Asagiri saw the date on the tree, granting luck to destiny, he understood that it was his own time to start over. To find his own salvation.
The first person he met in this reborn world was Tsukasa Shishiou. He revived him. He chose him to be part of the new world. A strong, formidable yet not intimidating man, highlighted for strength and courage. His presence was overwhelming, not only in body, but in ideals. In his own wish to restore humanity's goodness, he thought about only reviving people who really deserved it, and by its own judge, the youth did. That's how he was starting to create his own empire of "young, pure-hearted" people. If his own hands must be dirty for accomplishing that purpose, Tsukasa wouldn't care. That was truly admirable.
As a self-proclaimed mentalist, Gen knew better than anyone that it happened because of Tsukasa's own hard reality. He empathized with it. He knew about the "old people corrupting the young ones", because he lived it himself. Behind every successful person, there is a harsh story behind of sacrifices, pain and many unhappy moments that are usually thought as something that shouldn't happen, but they still did. Gen should had been someone who fought by Tsukasa's side.
However, Gen would laugh at that thought. Even if it was the truth, anything is assured at its total. Tsukasa's ideals were utopian. Not everything are whites or blacks. Not everything is yes or no. Not every "old person" was bad... and not every "young person" was good. He could easily be placed under that last exception. Tsukasa did a mistake when he unpetrified him. He was sure.
But for the same reason, he believed in change. Not everything is always white or black, because there are gray tones. Not everything is always yes or no, because there is maybe. Not every "old person" remains bad, and not every "young person" remains good. People want to change, must change, usually for the better. If someone decided for the worse... Gen wouldn't enter that debate. But they did want to change, and Gen did too. He wanted to. And the tree was the definitive sign for him doing it, for him remembering that possibility.
Whoever who wrote down that date on the tree, Gen Asagiri was infinitely grateful and impressed, because they remembered him he could start over.
Later he met Ishigami Senku. He was, in summary, someone madly passionate about science, technology and human progress. Gen had never met someone like him, someone that keen on something. Although Senku should never be placed just to be that. His crimson eyes irradiated confidence, perseverance, and an unmistakable characteristic of believing in teamwork. He was sure about his field being science, not sociology, so he didn't want to choose who was revived or not unlike Tsukasa. He wanted to revive all humanity, even if it could sound impossible. All seven billion people who were petrified 3700 years ago. He had a more grounded mindset, and he wanted the best for everyone around him, even if he wouldn't admit it. Gen liked that. Senku's leadership seemed to be magnetic.
At first glance, Gen noticed how crazy Senku could be. And included in these crazy actions, was included the indulgent work of counting every single second while being in stone. While Gen slept during such time, Senku was counting. And thanks to that, he was responsible of carving that date on the tree. The first moment he saw him, Gen was sure of it. And with only that statement, Gen knew that the side he should fight for was by Senku's.
Nevertheless, his pride wouldn't abandon him that easily. Some old habits wouldn't change until long, long time. Even if his decision on which side to choose had already been made, he needed something to justify the others what he wanted. The habit of showing himself shallow remained. And for that reason, he asked Senku for cola. Something simple in his days, but seemed impossible in the stone world. Yet Senku did it, and when they saw each other again, the refreshing bottle with the soft drink was already in his hands. Gen officially became part of Senku's Science Kingdom.
Not much time passed with Gen being in the Kingdom of Science without him noticing how it worked. It was made up of the people who were part of a primitive village, the Ishigami Village. Everyone had a role. Even if sometimes they weren't needed, everyone was important for accomplishing the final goal. Without someone, everything could change and it wouldn't be that easy, Gen was sure of it. He liked that way, being a real team.
His first job in the Kingdom of Science was being a slave manual worker. However, he knew it wasn't his thing, he hated it, he didn't end to find a job which could suit him. So he often spent the days by Senku's side, for being accompanied and observing his new usual environment. Where Senku was, he would probably be there too, even if it was only for listening to him talking about the next chemical reactions or apparently impossible projects he was going to do next.
The first people from the Kingdom of Science Gen knew about, apart of Senku or only noticing them, were part of the Crafts Team. In that division was Senku, therefore, Gen would be in the Crafts Team. And in it, two villagers who were always there with authentic enthusiasm of helping, unlike him: Kaseki and Chrome.
He met Kaseki. An old man who who joined after him, someone he met first when he went back to the village as the person who definitely betrayed Tsukasa. Kaseki was an artisan who surprisingly was strong, joyful, passionate about what he did, crafts and later more advanced machines, like Senku. He had no idea how Kaseki actually liked him, or how later he got along so well with him. He just one day randomly wanted Gen to stay with him, to cheer him up, guess he had seen before what Gen did. Then it became a habit of his, like if Gen was a member of the Crafts Team not for being with Senku, but with him. As unexpected as their friendship started, unexpected was the tenderness which started to grow. Kaseki usually treated Gen not only as a friend, but as family, someone who was like a grandson. Many times they were found together, Kaseki building something and Gen being only there, near. Kaseki liked Gen's company. It felt... warm, a feeling Gen wasn't familiar with. Something odd, because Gen was used to being hardly ever needed when he wasn't useful. Aside from Senku, just like that, Kaseki became part of Gen's most close people, someone who suddenly became part of his daily living...
He then met Chrome. Another young boy, similar to Senku in his undeniable love for science, who did it without knowing he was actually doing science. His creativity, enthusiasm, curiosity, and often slowness to understand between the lines, always overflowed the place. What first seemed to be an annoying teen ended up being someone who wanted to learn everything, even from him a little bit. Gen taught him some useful tricks for him getting his way and fool others that he actually used, telling later Gen, who felt a weird feeling of pride. That was, again, odd for him, a new experience. Chrome became like a child he should look after to, even if he wasn't that young. He became suddenly important too...
Gen didn't know how to react. He started to feel something he thought was long ago off, feeling genuinely loved. Both of them were people who unconsciously reassured Gen that the new change of him, including the relationships and how he related, was being held.
Senku had a problem as leader: He was bad with feelings. He wasn't interested in them. Logic was in first place, so it didn't have space for them. Even if Senku wanted to help people and make their life better, he didn't admit that a loud. He only assured it was "for the tedious process of science". That could confuse people. People who didn't know him that much would think it was for his own benefit and goals, although he didn't try hard to hide the truth.
Gen wasn't sure of how exactly it happened, if it was for his mentalism abilities, or him doing the same kind of thing in a different way but with the same objective, confuse others about himself, or a real connection (?), yet Gen understood Senku completely, like if he was for him an open book. No feeling nor intention from Senku went unnoticed by him. He well knew about Senku's nostalgia when it came to his dad or friends, Senku's frustration when it came to projects not succeeding, and Senku's guilt when it came to him feeling he arrived and put the village in danger, even if it was a fundamental part of the Kingdom of Science.
That's how Gen knew what he wanted to do. Watching around the territory, he noticed how people from the village openly wanted to help. They weren't worried about being in danger nor missed the past peace they had before Senku arrived. It was all alright for them. Senku wouldn't take his time to see it and notice that, so his mind would remain uneasy. Gen didn't want him to feel like that, he didn't deserve to. So he had the idea of asking for help to them and building an observatory on Senku's birthday.
They accepted gleefully, and in the three days Senku was out due to being in the mines, everything was prepared and ready. When he was given the observatory, he doubted at first, but then he realized it: Everyone from the village helped, it was fine by them, they didn't feel worried, they trusted Senku. Apart of obviously liking his telescope gift, he felt finally calm about what he thought was wrong. And if Senku was tranquil, Gen was too.
Gen said some weird words that day, addressed to Senku: "Come to think of it, ever since the beginning... Since before I met you, I've been rather fond of you, Senku-chan". They held a hidden affection, but confusing on purpose for others. They could be interpreted as a romantic confession, admiration affirmation or just a friendly compliment. Whatever they thought about it, he didn't care, at least he was clear what he meant. Their meaning, what Gen wanted to openly express, was more or less words that said "Thank you", gratitude. Those silent thanks he wanted to say for a long time ago now. Gratitude that had flowered in him since he saw the date on the tree. Senku wrote it, of course he did. Senku was the person who was still unaware of how he reminded Gen he wasn't completely lost, that he had still an opportunity. If Gen was incomprehensibly grateful with someone, was with Senku. And he would repeat it the times it was necessary.
Since that day, it was well-known without being told a loud what Gen's role became: Senku's left hand as a mentalist. Even if he continued to help with manual labor, he did works that didn't require that much strength (Although he could sometimes help with that, it was Senku's decision itself, he wouldn't doubt the leader's decision... Much less if it was something he was pleased with).
His principal job was looking after the villagers, noticing their necessities and informing them to Senku, who didn't look like but he was glad to help in what he could. It was his idea of telling stories to the children while they worked on the long gold cable, so they wouldn't be that bored. It was unsurprisingly well received, and all the children liked to help while listening to his stories, both about the new and old world.
He also became a great strategist, making the final plan for defeating Tsukasa without any drop of spilled blood, taking advantage of people's hearts from the rival empire, living up to his name as a mentalist and playing with their feelings, even if it was for a greater good. After the plan, he didn't pay attention to be hated though, meanwhile they didn't hate Senku, their leader... If he was going to play the villain role was fine, after all, he learned that he necessarily needn't to be liked by everyone, as he did before, because it wasn't possible. It was part of his own maturity.
It was thanks to that battle he met other two important people who were before from the rival kingdom: Nikki Hanada and Ukyo Saionji.
Nikki was a girl who seemed both brawny and intimidating, but who was a sweetheart deep inside. She was the one who helped the most with the plan, perfecting abilities which helped them to be undoubtedly believed. Later Gen found a friend in her, because she loved to talk about dreams and hopes, it was heartwarming.
Ukyo later helped too. He had an awesome listening skills because he used to work as a submarine sonar operative. He had a clear idea, "no one can die", which fit perfectly with the Kingdom of Science goals. Apart of that, he was sweet, comprehensive and attentive to others, similar to what Gen was discovering about himself. A great friendship formed from that too.
It was surprising for him how easily he did friends with them. If he had to be honest, he didn't use to have many, or better said, none at all. Now it was gratifying, joyful to find those people who are often called "treasures"... It was part of Gen's change being with them, something that wasn't know if it would have happened if the world didn't start over.
What used to be Tsukasa's empire joined the Kingdom of Science after the battle they had. People who were there joined their cause. However, there were two people who were there as spies, people who since the beginning trusted in Senku: Taiju Ooki and Yuzuriha Ogawa.
Taiji was strong, but in what he really stood out was resistance, that man wouldn't get tired, even if someone as Gen tried to persuade him for resting. He wasn't precisely smart, but he was a good guy. He liked to trust everyone around, maintain a positive energy, help with what he could to do his own part.
The only one who could could convince him, his soft spot, was his crush since childhood, Yuruziha. She was a girl who was especially skilled at crafts which required high attention, like sewing or large models. She was kind, empathetic, caring with everyone around (They complemented each other perfectly~).
Both of them were best friends of Senku since kids, before the petrification. What amazed Gen the most about these two was the the blind faith they had in Senku, pure trust to even put their lives in danger (Not that he would admit he did too...). The three of them held a beautiful friendship which often only needed the reassurance of one another being fine. Gen admired those deep bonds of friendship... He sometimes found himself thinking about what would have happened if he met them before the petrification, perhaps he would be also part of that close circle...?
But even if that scenario didn't happen, he wasn't left behind that much. As said before, Gen had to persuade Taiju for resting, and like that he started to know more about him, plus being a usual companion for him and Senku. Along with relating with Taiju, he did with Yuzuriha, and because of the genuine generosity these two had, apart of him being already close to Senku, accepted Gen freely in their circle, like if it was normal.
It was weird for Gen, yet he admitted it was really wholesome. Were people always like that, even without the petrification? Or better said... Did he have the chance to meeting people like that before? Whether it was others or himself? Maybe the last questions were the correct ones. So many things changed, and with them, the way the world and Gen saw each other. At least Gen was glad he opened his mind to that idea, and gave a little credit to the tree that in his opinion was the first precursor to making him realize that.
Many things changed with the new kingdoms of the stone world unifying. Not only some of the intern structure, but also the objectives to achieve the goal of restoring humanity. Now they needed to set sail to other parts of the world. Therefore, they needed a sailor, experienced with large ships and the open sea. That's how Gen met the following person: Ryusui Nananmi.
Someone who could be easily pigeonholed into the stereotype of a human being who only thinks of himself, money and owning everything, easily interpreted as wild capitalism's reincarnation because his flooding greed didn't permit to see something else at first glance. But even if his avarice couldn't be denied, he wasn't rude at all. He wanted everything, true, but with it he wanted everyone's well-being. He wanted to shine and be highlighted, but he didn't want to do it alone, he wanted everyone by his side on that gold spot. He wasn't only that, but charismatic effortlessly, joyful with the triumph of others and critical when necessary. That was amazing, he was a leader by nature, someone who looked forward his crew, and for the same reason, he was perfect.
They both started a friendship because they both new how to have fun together. Ryusui wanted entertainment, and being sometimes a clown too, Gen was an entertainer, so it was amusing being with each other. In addition, sometimes Gen had to take care Ryusui controlled himself and didn't make things just because.
That's how Gen noticed how old society used to kept only with first impressions and that was all. Ryusui was the ideal example it didn't work, he was more than the "greedy capitalist" type... If you are going to have a judge about someone, you should know him in more than they show or say... Maybe Gen himself deserved that opportunity too so others could see his change?...
Now with a sailor, next step was sail on seas. And starting with this long journey, first to an island, later to other continents, they needed people to help. That's where Gen's role He took a very important part. And that's when he met more people. That's how he acknowledged her.
Kohaku was a villager who was part of the Kingdom of Science since the very beginning. She was the one who brought closer Senku so he could meet all the other villagers, having his first allies. She was the recognized best warrior from there, with an unbelievable agility and enviable strength. She was energetic, cheerful, compulsive, but would do anything for her loved ones. She was pretty loyal too, and for that reason trusted Senku's cause from the beginning. She was indisputably one of the best allies they have ever had.
At first, Gen didn't get along with her. Not that they would hate each other, of course not, but Kohaku assured she couldn't understand why Gen seemed to be so selfish when he clearly wasn't. Her eyesight that left no loose ends knew how contradictory were Gen's words with his actions, so it would be difficult to understand each other. But after some events that were the proof of such irregular acts, and yet Senku accepting those because he believed more in actions than in words, she understood him: He did it per mere pride, for not showing vulnerable. That was her signal for her knowing she "should protect him". And that's how their friendship bloomed. They teased together, because they were both flirtatious, they did it to each other jokingly, and both were the perfect equilibrium for Kohaku not acting impulsively and Gen don't overdoing with his manipulation.
Gen liked so much that friendship, noticing how a person who was always there could be one of your closest friends at the end. Kohaku gave him a late opportunity, yet she did, he wasn't lost... Once again, world showed Gen that he could be comprehended by many people, no matter if early as Senku or late as Kohaku, and that was something Gen needed to be reassured of to discover his new self.
Something that didn't go unnoticed by Gen, yet it didn't get enough attention from him until later, was Tsukasa's state after the battle they had. Thanks to Ukyo and not wanting a tear of blood spilled, they had to find a way to make a peace treaty and not continuing fighting. While being in the battle, they found it: Saving Tsukasa's sister. That's how Gen knew about Tsukasa's backstory, realizing exactly why his ideals were those, a consequence of hadn't been helped before.
But after Tsukasa's sister was already safe, he was betrayed by someone else and wounded in the lung. There was no other option than petrify and later saving him, curing him thanks to the petrification's healing properties. Yet they couldn't do it that soon, they needed what caused the petrification so they could use it. That was one of the reasons they needed to travel to other places, find that.
And when they did it, successfully finding the petrification device, Tsukasa was once again restored and healed. There weren't any other kingdoms, no necessity of more battles... Tsukasa should join the Kingdom of Science. And the one in charge of convincing him, their victorious diplomat and mentalist, was anyone else but the person who left his side and later was his perdition, Gen himself.
He did persuade him with a silly thing, painting his petrification marks again as a sign of "this mission isn't over yet", so Tsukasa would officially join and leave his ideals aside. But when doing that, he couldn't help but feel a little seed of shame. He had changed, that's true, but sometimes people remain with first impressions, and that was it, no second opportunies, like the old world did. Gen would have never Tsukasa's forgiveness...
How incorrect he was, Tsukasa accepted him. He realized how Gen, even if he betrayed him, chose the correct side, even being glad to be in the same team once again. That's how a friendship that Gen never foresaw to see again could be seen. Also, a feeling from Tsukasa who thought wouldn't be noticed, but Gen as perceptive as he is of course did: He saw how he was growing with all his team, forming a circle everyone deserves to have at least once in life...
And the last of the people who Gen would have never thought about relating with, was Hyoga Akatsuki.
Hyoga was one of the first people Tsukasa revived, even before Gen. He was silent, analytical and skilled with his arm, the kudayari spear. He agreed at first with Tsukasa's ideals, reviving only a few ones, but not with "the youth"... Who really deserved to live, according to him, were "the correct ones", people who lived according to humanity's morals. He would do anything to make his ideals prevail, that's why he did what he did. He was the man who damaged Tsukasa's lung, causing his own punishment, not that he would regret it.
He joined the Kingdom of Science because Tsukasa knew he had potential to become a great warrior for them. He and Gen had some problems in the past, obviously, because of Gen leaving his side. Even if Gen needn't to play a big role to convince him for siding with them, Gen had to look after him (part of his unsaid role) and see his progress. Hyoga could be a bit scary to be with, but when he has something to protect, he could even sacrifice himself... And now, part of what he had to, was protecting him too. Despite not being close friends, Gen was assured he would be in good hands for being with all his closest ones.
Senku, Kaseki, Chrome, Nikki, Ukyo, Taiju, Yuzuriha, Ryusui, Kohaku, Tsukasa, Hyoga... And those were only the ones he highlighted, because the list could go on and on... How many were them, compared to what he had before? How many people... cared for him the way they all did? How many people protected him, without being interested in money or prestige, only because they wanted to take care of him, before? How many people stayed with him for having real fun or just seeking company before, having actually a friendship? With how many people... he felt a genuine connection, just like the one he felt with Senku now, before?... It would be interesting to find those answers, even if Gen knew he would be empty of them.
They... actually cared for him, he was important. They liked to talk about non-sense, spend the time, share their thoughts, do gifts... or just being there, understanding him, loving him, the way he was.
Gen didn't have any idea how his change would have developed if they weren't there, by their side, seeing his change, seeing how he left behind everything to start over. They were their saviours, Gen Asagiri's salvation. He wanted to stay, never let them down, not when he found that joy he never knew he needed, yet now he couldn't leave. Those words carved on the tree, what he thought as his signal, were great, they were indeed destiny, they guided him to happiness. Gen promised he would be with them and keep by their side, with the people he now could call family...
... And that's why it hurt so much seeing all of them fall, one by one, in the America's massacre in the fortress (because it didn't deserve any other name than that)... He saw all of it crumble beneath his eyes, everything of his world was destroyed. He saw Taiju's body incinerated after a grenade's explosion, Ryusui's body laying on the floor after a direct shot, felt how everyone of the warriors, Kohaku, Tsukasa, Hyoga, laying down without strength and just with a faint sign of life, and knew how the rest were almost death... He saw Senku's body, shot too, strenghtless after so much violence he suffered, saying what Gen thought as his final words... All because of the Americans, the team where he met Dr. Xeno Houston Wingfield and Stanley Snyder, who had to end all of it like this, destroying what he loved because it seemed that they didn't have any more option.
Seeing Senku's body in that state was the final trigger for him breaking down, for him already wanting to give up... But the little hope that was left, the little girl under the tower, the message of "this isn't over yet" and the green light that was once the cause of the new beginning of the world, seemed to never falter out.
With his last energies, with his last attempt to protect what he built for a long time, with his last efforts, he fought, trying to stop the last threat, just for him ending wounded on the ground, surrendering himself to the green light that surrounded all, and with it, the uncertainty of not knowing how much time was going to pass for everything being restored again.
"I hope... this isn't a goodbye... Only a see you... until the day humanity has its salvation again..."
He felt the crack. Similar to what he felt twice some time ago. The stone broke quickly. Gen was free of it once again.
The person in front of him, a girl that even if time grew her older couldn't be unrecognized, grinned with emotion.
— Gen! — Suika exclaimed.
He first gasped, restoring his self-control of "being alive again". He startled with the impression of the person he had in front of him.
Suika, the little sweet kid he had met in the Ishigami Village and the first one to approach him without fear, even if she had doubted, had already grown up. Suika was a girl who since the beginning required attention. Not because she was selfish as him, but because she genuinely wanted to be loved and of help to others. Gen knew about it. And since then, he joined the mutual silent alliance everyone did of looking after her. Gen somehow saw himself reflected in her: She also needed a family, she deserved to. She wanted to be acknowledged, accompanied, loved... That's why Gen took care of her like no one else, like a daughter. They spent time together making flower crowns, recollecting fruits for helping Senku in their own way, telling stories which filled their hearts with a sentiment they both needed: Hope of not being alone.
Suika was undeniably their hope now. She was the little girl under the tower who did her best. With all her effort, with all her mind trying to remember all the lessons she had got, with all the time she spent alone and all of them in stone, with unbelievable determination of seeing everyone again, she saved them all...
— Suika... — Gen could only voice that. How couldn't him, when a mixed feeling of pride and sadness filled his heart, seeing how she never gave up, how much she had grown?
— You may have already noticed it, but I spent a while alone — she said scratching her neck, a bit nostalgic and shy —... But! Suika improved her making flower crowns' technique! You won't believe how many beauties I made!! — She looked excited, with a fist in a victory sign and looking to an non-existent point, until her mood was down again. — Although, they withered... Suika didn't know how to keep them fresh.... I'm... I'm sorry.
Gen couldn't help but see her with a tender gaze, crouching down a little to be at her level and stroke her hair. — Is ine-fay Suika-chan! We could make new ones, together~. If you already know about the flower types is even more erfect-pay! But hey, don't you dare thinking you will win me!
That comment seemed to warm Suika's heart, giving a small smile. — Yes, there are some really pretty flowers around! I found some red ones, orange ones... even pink ones, my favorites!
— Then is a deal, we already have a plan — Gen winked playfully. Suika nodded, and suddenly got closer to embrace Gen. And in a natural moment, he did too.
It was a sensation Gen wasn't used to before. He could count with his hands' fingers how many of them he received previous of the petrification, and some fingers would be left over. However, now he liked them, and had received many, especially from Suika. But at the moment, this new hug, with her grown-up and the feeling of comforting her, was pretty heartwarming. The only problem of this (a really superficial one, but it is Gen!)... was that he was half-naked. Well, with leaves covering him, but still... He definitely didn't like that. But now it wasn't time to think about that!
— You did etty-pray well, Suika-chan... — Gen murmured.
Suika moved away a little, keeping her little, sweet smile. Her big brown eyes full of kindness shone with a glow that remained since she was a child.
— Now now~, you should also greet others, everyone wants to congratulate their savior ♪!
— Yes, you are right, Suika will do it! — And she closed her eyes and tilted her head, chuckling a little, starting to walk away for approaching Ukyo, beside him.
Gen stared at Suika with a final, worried gaze. She had been through a lot, was alone for he-didn't-know-yet years. So, how was she feeling? When they were in their already planned sessions of making flower crowns, he would touch the topic subtly as the mentalist he is, pretending Suika to open her heart and free herself.
He looked around, finding all the familiar faces... Everyone was safe, and that made Gen smile, feeling something unexpected: Tranquilness. After witnessing how everyone died in front of his face, he was figuring out the petrification played an important role with them being alive now... Maybe, it granted them eternal life? Being inmortal? Hmm, that's a nice theory, he should discuss it with Senku.
Speaking of the devil, he was feeling a gaze fixed on him for a while now. He turned his face meet with those crimson eyes. Senku was there, standing with one hand on his hip, smirking, even if his stare revealed relief of seeing him. He had in his hand a bottle with a liquid, probably the revival fluid, marked with a 15. But he had stopped to notice he was fine...
He just raised his eyebrows, and Gen bowed his head a bit, still having his dramatism. Senku chuckled softly with that, something special for Gen. He was alive, with him once again. Everyone was fine, his family came back, and the people who were left would also come and be safe...
Oh, but, his clothes! He looked down to see what he was wearing. Thanks god Suika (or Senku too, who probably was the first one to be revived, Gen inferred) knew he didn't like to show his bare skin, so he had more leaves than the rest. Although he still felt unsure.
He quickly looked up again and glanced Senku smiling embarrassedly, who was still watching him. One thing he was most glad of was that inmediate understanding he had with Senku, he liked to say it was "telepathy", even if the scientist didn't like the idea because it wasn't scientifically proven. And this wasn't the exception, Senku exactly knew what he was referring to. With his free hand, he pointed to his back, where there were some huts which probably had the just revived people's clothes. Gen thanked it with another head bow and Senku continued his path, to Tsukasa's statue still in stone.
He already knew where his clothes were, decided he would greet everyone later too (when he felt more sure), and was heading to the huts, but couldn't help turning around to see Tsukasa alive again, who was just depetrified by Senku. What caught his attention the most wasn't his impotent figure, was his gaze which showed uncertainty. Reading his lips while he was talking to Senku, he discovered he was asking about Hyoga, still in stone. Gen understood what he was pointing out, Tsukasa saw Hyoga dead too... If Hyoga depetrified healed, then Tsukasa would also deduce the petrification's properties, like immortality. Maybe the correct person Senku should discuss about that was Tsukasa, and he could touch the topic with Senku later... Ah! And he would also need to talk with Tsukasa and his feelings about it (Better said, with everyone). It seems that a mentalist's job never ends!
Near a small stream close to the fortress they were, with a minuscule flow of water which couldn't compare nor a bit to the great Amazon river, Gen was resting leaned against a tree that remembered him of that tree, even if he didn't know it wasn't nothing similar because Amazon jungle's nature was obviously different to Japan's.
He finally had his clothes back after Tsukasa and Hyoga went hunting with new fabric for making them. He still wore his lavander-pink overcoat and the wheat-colored yukata, but now it was tied up with fabric. He lengthened his pants, and his foots which used to be barefoot were now wearing the simple sack-like shoes Senku made for everyone.
The others were in the fortress, preparing everyone for the little banquet they were having at night celebrating Suika and her determination, so there he would appear and cheer everyone, calm now that he was wearing real clothes. But at the moment, he would take advantage of time to be alone, thinking of how relieved he was to see everyone again, tranquility overflowed him...
He made the effort for not being seen and go by himself. However, there were two people who always seemed to be experts finding him, and one of them knew exactly where he was... He didn't need to turn around to see the culprit behind the sound of rustling dry leaves on the floor.
— Nee~ and I thought my hiding spot was erfect-pay... What brings you here, Senku-chan? — he said still looking ahead, not seeing directly to the face of the one who just arrived.
— You should be helping bringing food, so why are you here? — Senku sat down next to him, leaning against the tree too and with one knee raised to support one of his arms.
— Hmm, look who is talking, the person responsible for looking for me, and when you do you take the chance to relax too! So what's your new excuse?
— Seems that seven years aren't enough for habits changing, you avoid work and later you complain about everything, you are doing great mentalist — Senku said with a sarcastic tone.
— Well, in this case, nope, seven years aren't enough for me fu fu~ — Gen chukled. He finally turned his face to see Senku, changing his tone to a friendlier one. — I'm also glad to see you again Senku-chan.
Senku wasn't looking directly at him, but smiled with the last comment. Gen leaned against the tree again. It was already slowly getting dark, moon subtly arising. The natural sound of birds seemed to intensify while as that of some insects made themselves more noticeable, plus the tireless sound from the stream's flowing water in front of them. Even if being out there in the Amazon was dangerous, they were safe thanks to the ants' repellent Senku made before.
— Seven years... Suika-chan did a great job, didn't she? — Gen broke the comfortable silence that installed between them.
— And that's counting since we petrified. Judging by her appearance, she spent not less than two years in stone and then five or four years discovering how to bring us back, alone... You are right, she did great.
— Hmm, I never imagined myself in that scenario, and I'm "ten billion percent sure" — Gen imitated the scientist by his side — I wouldn't have survived!
— That's why I didn't choose you, you wouldn't be safe — Senku said pretending to be nonchalant. Even if what he said implied mockery, it was also a confession which revealed the worry Senku would have felt for him. And that was something Gen understood perfectly and appreciated.
— But still, five or four years alone in the Amazon are isky-ray, so why did you choose Suika-chan?
— I knew she was capable of — Senku made a pause. — I passed for something similar too you know, but I am sure she would do it. However, that doesn't change the fact that I was still concerned. Yet she did it... — Senku snorted, but now he was calm.
— That's right, we shouldn't be that worried now... — Gen tried to relax, he knew pretty well about that feeling Senku had just admitted. — Suika-chan deserves something special, don't you think?
— Huh? Like what? — Senku turned to see Gen, smirking.
Gen looked at him excitedly, moving his hands theatrically as he talked: — You know, something big! Something that reminds people of how "Suika the great" saved us all ♪! Like a holiday! Oh, and if you feel jealous, you can share the day with her too~. After all, you did the same, remember? —
— A day? — Senku frowned. — You are talking nonsense mentalist.
— I'm not, I'm being serious! It would be called "Humanity's Salvation Day", and the perfect date is... April 1st.
— Why specifically April 1st?
Gen swore Senku remembered why that day was so special, so the question caught him off guard. Despite it, he didn't mind answering it, preparing to open his heart a little with what he was going to say: — Because... that's the date you carved on the tree, remember? "April 1st 5738 AD." The date you broke free of stone and began your mission... The date the new world started over, thanks to you.
Senku wide-opened his eyes, remembering what his past self wrote on a common tree, only to know when he had commenced his journey. He already knew Gen learned the date by heart, but hadn't realized how much significance it would hold...
— No — he said bluntly.
— What!? Why not!? — Gen was astonished.
— Because that date is already another celebration.
— Don't tell me you now like April fool's Senku-chan... — he said exasperatedly.
— Not at all.
— Then what? The birthday of an important scientist?
— No. Not of a scientist at least.
— Whose?
— You should be the one remembering it the most Gen — Senku stared at him, without games or scorn, only sincerity.
Gen doubted, but of course, how he could forget...? April 1st didn't only mean the date the new world started, or the traditional day of April fool's, it meant something else. That was the reason why he believed at first sight seeing such date was destiny, meant especially for him...
— My birthday? — He said hesitantly. Senku nodded, glad for him finally remembering. — But since when it's important? I still think April 1st should be the official date for celebrating humanity's saviours... Not the birthday of a shallow man who was saved by them.
— I told you the same, birthdays aren't important, yet you were the one who proposed an entire village to build an observatory for me, and that without counting the other celebrations of it where you were the main organizer... Aren't you being contradictory?
— But because you are one of those saviours Senku-chan! You deserve something big, something azing-amay! I... I don't. There's no need to celebrate my birthday, and seriously, I don't mind it being overshadowed by a celebration that I see as more fundamental.
— Are you conscious of how many times you have saved us too mentalist? Even if I don't care of celebrating birthdays that much, it's obviously something big, for you. So, — Senku said serious — you need the consent of "those saviours" for making it reality, and I won't accept it, and I'm ten billion percent sure Suika won't too, so don't insist for that specific date.
Gen sighed, resigned. — We will leave it like that today, but this discussion isn't over yet.
Looking to the stream again, he grabbed his knees like a scolded child. — I can't believe there isn't going to be "Humanity's Salvation Day" because of my birthday... Something insignificant — he murmured.
Senku was determined with his decision, he wouldn't change mind, Gen knew that. When he had a purpose, he wouldn't change it for anything, would do everything to achieve it. That was what Gen liked the most about him, but couldn't help feeling ashamed for such decision.
— It's not —. Suddenly, Senku reached into one of the bags he was carrying and got out something out of them, a magenta necktie. He put it in front of Gen, who cautiously took it.
— And this?
— I made it these days while I was with Suika. It's not a big deal really.
Gen examined it carefully. He noticed the folds, the seams, the handmade dyeing. It even had Senku's signature sewn on the tail, reassuring him of the creator. Senku made it all by himself, only for him, thinking of him wearing it... It was a gift.
— Why?
— You said it, saviours need something... Is not big, but I think is enough. Plus, our mentalist needs something representative.
Gen couldn't deny he liked it, all of it was beautiful. He quickly started to tie it up, feeling joy. When he was done, even if there weren't mirrors to confirm it, he felt like it suit him pretty well.
He turned all his body to look at Senku intentionally. — How do I look? — He asked eagerly.
— Not bad.
— I look etty-pray handsome, don't you think so ♪?
Senku remained silent, he didn't say anything about it, he just snorted again. However, he was smiling, seeing how happy Gen was.
Senku got up first. — Well, done. Time to go back and help.
— Aww~, we were already relaxing! Can't we stay a little bit more?
— No, we must go before it's too late and nocturnal predators go to hunt, unless you want to be their main dish.
— Okay~, you have a point... — Gen exhaled and stretched. — Let's go.
He got up and stood next to Senku, ready to go walking by his side. Although, he didn't want to leave just like that.
Many things had passed since he had seen the date carved on the tree, since he decided it was a signal... He found people who loved him, understood and accepted him. He also found himself again, realizing he deserved a chance too... He was grateful, with everyone, with his family, even with himself, and again with that person who decided to write down that date without attaching any further importance to it, but that meant everything for him...
— Hey, Senku-chan.
— Hmm? — Senku glanced at him sideways.
Gen smiled, with that genuine smile he saved only for those special moments. — Thanks. —
— For what? — Senku turned all his face to see him.
— For everything.