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Physical affection was never something Gen had received. His parents were absent his entire life—leaving him alone with his grandparents, who rarely interacted with him outside of dinner time as they often had to work at their farm and at the market to sustain themselves as well as earn money for Gen’s education.
At school, as his classmates often hugged others when experiencing emotions such as happiness or when getting picked up by their parents—he felt out of place and confused. Was that a normal thing? The thought that people show affection through touch was a foreign concept to him.
This continued throughout his childhood and adulthood. He was always uncomfortable with physical affection, even now at 25 years old. Though he tried to work on enjoying it for his romantic partner, he was unable to initiate the contact they wanted. Even reciprocating a simple hug or kiss on the cheek was a difficult task, often leading to the impatience and irritation of his parters—becoming part of the reasons why they break up with him.
“I really should work on that, but for now… I’m content with wearing long sleeves for the rest of my life.” Gen thought when his clingy (now ex) girlfriend ended their relationship complaining about his lack of affection. He was affectionate in his own way—he gave sincere compliments often, it was his way of showering them with his affection. What did he get in return? A breakup... At least he was free from the fear of getting hit.
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Senku had always gotten quite a lot of physical affection, an overabundance if he says so himself. Whether it was a hug he received from his father after the elder Ishigami came home after working in NASA for a few months or a tackle from Taiju for no reason whatsoever, he always knew that people showed affection differently than he did. And while he didn’t enjoy it—at least, that was what he told himself—it wasn’t unwelcome.
Watching Gen Asagiri’s programs with his friends made Senku want to know more about the mentalist. Not because he idolised him,—that couldn’t be, psychology was a soft science and Gen’s work in it was horrible—but because he felt different compared to most celebrities.
Though it was the mentalist’s job to keep his emotions under control, it seems he was unable to hide when he was uncomfortable being affectionate with other celebrities. The man was clearly touch averse, often even wearing layers upon layers of clothes that are too hot for the weather—just to avoid having skin-to-skin contact with others. Senku might not like public displays of affection but the Mentalist’s distaste for it reaches near-obsession.
Gen Asagiri is a weird man. How exhilarating.
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The day Senku and Gen met was nothing short of crazy, and to be honest—Gen wouldn’t want that day to repeat, even if he was offered ten billion yen for it.. Ryusui—a childhood friend of Gen’s and an acquaintance of Senku’s due to the millionaire being a sponsor of a science fair—invited the two to his birthday party on a yacht, an extravagant and luxurious occasion that quite literally has around five hundred people. Who even knows that many people?! Either way, since most people here are celebrities, Gen had to at least exchange pleasantries with them—or else he could risk his already fragile reputation.
“Gen!” Ryusui’s booming voice sounded from across the room as the mentioned man was conversing with a couple of celebrities that were in the entertainment industry as well. “Come over here and meet some of my friends!” The millionaire laughs, snapping his fingers in his usual manner, startling his partner—and Gen’s adoptive older brother—Ukyo, who looked far too drained for an event this early in the night. Gen walked over to the two and the group of people Ryusui was talking to, giving a sympathetic glance at Ukyo since the white-haired man was the one to deal with Ryusui’s overexcited antics.
Ryusui gestured to a group of three friends right in front of him. “This is Senku, he’s a scientist that’s working in NASA right now.” The millionaire gestured to the strange guy with a labcoat then pointed to the two brunettes next to him “He’s with Taiju and Yuzuriha, a farmer and a designer seamstress respectively. They had a huge engagement party recently, their wedding’s been long awaited for, they’ve been dating for seven years!”
“Good evening, Asagiri-san. It’s so nice meeting you!” Yuzuriha says with a light blush on her cheeks, the brunette woman bows in greeting. “Please, just call me Gen.” he says as he smiles at the couple “Say, Yuzuriha-san, was it? Do you own the brand ‘Ogawa’? I found the pieces from your newest collection so orgeousgay!”
Yuzuriha’s eyes practically beamed at the mentalist as she grabbed both of his hands, much to Gen’s dismay. “They were designed with your aesthetic in mind, Gen-san!” Gen, trying to hide his uneasiness from the others, gently pulls away from the girl—the action going nearly unnoticed by everyone, other than Senku. “Oh, they were? I’m glad to be your muse!”
“Are you not fond of physical contact, Mentalist?” Senku asked with an eyebrow raised at the mentalist. ‘Shit.’ Gen thought as the attention focused him for the worst reason. “Oh, I don’t know what you’re alkingtay about…”
“You don’t have to hide it, Gen! If you’re open about it, maybe you wouldn’t need to cover up!” Ginro—one of Ryusui’s bodyguards—says boomingly, pulling off Gen’s cardigan before the Mentalist could stop him, revealing the bruises on the mentalist’s thin and lanky arms. The blonde quickly pulled away in shock of what he did to the noirette, who quickly covered up and ran away before anyone could even think of chasing him.
“Wait! Gen!” Ukyo ran after the Mentalist as Kinro started scolding his brother—leaving Senku, Ryusui, Taiju, and Yuzuriha standing frozen near the appetiser table.