Archive of Our Own

In the old world, Asagiri Gen would be considered a vain person. He cared so much about how he presented himself, a mirror would always be easily accessible, and if he thought he didn't look as good as he could, then, he simply wouldn't go outside. He had a lengthy skincare routine, had his minimal makeup done before even being in the vicinity of a camera and curated all photos of himself whenever possible.

He never put himself out in the world for someone to critique him on the basis of appearance. Almost as if his mere identity were a set of guidelines to never deviate from.

Needless to say, all of this changed in the Stone World. Gen's habits were changed forcibly. There was no room to be vain. Survival came first and Gen didn't really have time to think about his appearance when he was revived from the stone.

The only thing that should matter was survival. If he were rational, unfortunately he still thought about it more than just occasionally. Coming out of the stone had a unique set of circumstances and stakes he's never faced before, humanity has never faced before. No one could sue him for wanting some damn normalcy.

So, at the first chance Gen got to be alone, he looked into a shallow pond. The sun high and bright in the sky making the water glisten. A fine view and regrettably not safe for drinking, Gen looked into the water. Though water is a poor replacement for a mirror or camera, he still got to understand just how much he had changed.

He found half of his hair shocked dramatically pristine white, and a tattoo-like de-petrification scar on his face. Like everyone here, he bore the marks of three thousand years of imprisonment but to him this felt jagged and sinister. A drastic and unwelcome change from the way he remembered himself, and he touched it in near-disbelief. But ultimately there was nothing to be done about it, so all Gen did was cope. He was a master at that and eventually he'd get over it. (Probably.)

In all honesty, he could have looked worse. Should have considering the still-unbelievable circumstances.

It was all still something to wrap his head around, this wasn't some prank show, or an elaborate dream this was real. He knew it, and more than that he knew soon, he'd have more pressing things to think about. But in this moment alone he mourned his reality.

Still, he shouldn't have lingered at the pond as much as he did.

Tsukasa Shishio had scars along his face and he didn't look any less attractive than when Gen first met the man. A bit unfair really. At least, that was until Tsukasa crushed a stone statue with his bare hand in front of his entourage, and him. Gen forced himself to remain impassive about it. As if what Tsukasa did wasn't basically just murder considering everyone encased in stone was still alive in there.

Tsukasa explained his reasoning and Gen found himself saying that he agreed with them, while also simultaneously wondering how the hell was this his life now? Gen could detach himself from this, he thinks. Tsukasa is essentially the autocratic ruler here, and Gen really has no choice but to agree with everything the man said. If Gen pushed aside the murder, he understood Tsukasa as charismatic, calm and collected. He'd talk about murdering an entire age demographic and make it sound like implementing solar power into everyday usage.

Gen wasn't swayed anyway, he had to convince Tsukasa he was though. Tsukasa knew who he was, and this man was wary of everyone, scorned once probably, and Gen's here for a reason. Everyone was.

With the distribution of the revived skewing young, strong and dim-witted as the majority, Gen could say Tsukasa was building an army. As soon as that thought occured to him, he regretted thinking it.

Small steps, small steps. Gen was de-petrified less than five hours ago, and he was mentally exhausted at the unloading of information and now all the inferences his brain was making about the state of, well…the world it seemed.

After a couple days Gen was told basically everything, he still felt like there were things missing, but Tsukasa's craziness from earlier made him not want to bother poking holes in things. Actually he might never poke holes in things with Tsukasa. He met most of the people around, and held conversations fairly well with all of them despite how tired he was.

He was someone who could quickly adapt, and read situations easily. He knew he wasn't useful to Tsukasa outside of his old world skillset. They weren't in a position to be reviving just anyone with the revival fluid being slow to replenish. So he understood before Tsukasa even hinted, that he wasn't revived for the same reason as the muscled majority.

Gen felt he understood Tsukasa's deal within a day. In Tsukasa's not even a year in the stone world he was granted this freedom from accountability. He had no one to contradict his philosophy and even if he did, there was no way he'd take it idly. He was The Strongest Primate Highschooler, no longer limited by the society he grew up in.

Tsukasa made sure everyone would understand he was the one in control here the second they woke. It was in plain sight how much power he wields in this world which primarily relied on strength. Stone Age indeed, to Gen it was so predictable it was almost laughable.

Though Tsukasa understood the value of intellect, it would not be a deciding factor in his ideal future. He valued strength.

Gen for all his charms, and white lies would eventually move to the wayside, Tsukasa woke him up now but who's to say he would trust him further? Or see him as valuable to his Empire? You'd think societal collapse and the state of nature would bring some level of freedom, but it didn't.

Gen didn't like being beholden to the wills of others, yet some things never changed.

Tsukasa had this quiet rage. A need to be strong in order to compensate for something. Here he was now, the strongest who compromised for no one with no authority to hold himself to. It was terrifying, to put it in one word. Or perhaps just dangerous.

Gen was always a liar, yet he couldn't lie to himself not nearly as well as he could others. His life was turned inside out in a wave of sickly green and now he was expected to be someone for another. He shoved down his deep-rooted insecurity and fear with a smile and a gracious attitude to his savior. It was the only way.

Come on Gen, you've done worse. Could be doing a lot worse all things considered.

☆

It took maybe a little over two weeks for Tsukasa to reveal Gen's purpose and send him away. Thinking back, he likely wanted to foster a sense of loyalty or companionship. Or make sure Gen knew that it was much better to be with Tsukasa than against him.

He made it a point to be in Gen's vicinity during these first weeks of awakening. Asked questions about him and spoke about himself. He seemed genuinely cordial about it, and it added context to everything he said about the old world.

Gen could hardly forget the danger the man was though. Despite these niceties during these lone talks. He was no amateur, he knew what Tsukasa was doing, and that he was a smart, cautious man. He likely inferred what Gen thought about him, or maybe just wanted Gen to appreciate him. Maybe Tsukasa thought he knew all about him. Gen would make sure that he didn't know a thing.

His first task in the land of the living was to observe the members of Tsukasa's Empire at their leader’s behest. Gen was certain he was being observed too. He'd call this paranoia if he wasn’t actually a very good liar.


Gen was observing, thinking, making conversations as best he could even when he didn't want to. These men made him uncomfortable, none more so than Hyoga and it'd cut into his demeanor if he let thoughts fester in his head for too long. It was fine, none of them would hurt him if Tsukasa had a say in it.

Besides for the inner trepidation he felt constantly, this was boring. Oh god it was boring. Tsukasa's got a celebrity Mentalist here who ran circles around his betters and lied for fun and Gen's over here talking about something as mundane as the weather. Or what meat they'll be chowing down on for dinner, trying to discern ulterior motives when there were none whatsoever. Tsukasa had to know there was nothing, but he'd have to say something of note.


The only thing that got him through it was the knowledge that it was a hell of a lot better than the shit Tsukasa has everyone else doing. The manual labor Gen isn't suited to, (and doesn't want to be) or the one woman sweatshop that is Yuzuriha making everyone's clothes. And mending when possible.

If Gen could not fulfill the role Tsukasa gave him then he was as good as useless. Tsukasa didn't take kindly to those who were not useful to him. So he'd report on the only people of any interest, even if he thought it wasn't necessarily useful.

 
"Nothing much to discuss Tsukasa," you're paranoid, "Everyone's simply having too good of a time here to worry about usurping your authority."


Tsukasa looked at him, and Gen slightly felt like he was pushing his luck. He takes a dramatic sigh to express an air of uncaring, despite electricity simmering under his skin under Tsukasa's gaze.

"Taiju and Yuzuriha keep to themselves, eat away from everyone and separate to do their own assigned tasks. They spend free time together and just seem to talk but there's obviously something wrong. Now whatever that is, I'm no psychic but they try their best to make a life here. I have no real evidence they plan to do you harm."

Tsukasa's still looking at him, his eyes are minimally expressive and his hair is…so glossy in this world with no conditioner—Gen gets a little distracted but continues with his boring observations.

"I can't watch both of them at once, and I follow Yuzuriha mostly since she's always alone while working. She just mends and makes clothes in the cave most of the day from what I've seen."

Tsukasa never explained why Gen should be keeping an eye on them specifically, they seemed like the most normal people here. Even if Taiju shouted all the time and had a work ethic like a well-fed horse.

"I'd like to know the reason why you wanted me to look into them specifically. I only have to assume you don't like their level of assimilation."

"Elaborate."


Gen pauses, "Like I said, they keep to themselves. They eat together, work seperately. Not everyone in the group seems to take to them and I can only assume it's because of how they look at you, and how you treat them."

"I don't treat them badly." Tsukasa says, and it's not defensive, but also not self-reflective, as if he doesn't even take a moment to think about even his implicit actions. It's strangely thoughtless for the person Gen has observed this entire time.

Gen desires a close proximity to power in this environment, but that was obviously more than Tsukasa could handle, keeping everyone over arm's length. It must be incredibly isolating, to be a leader with not a single true friend.

Gen could use that.

"You do not treat them at all, acknowledgement is necessary when building a community, and you do not acknowledge the efforts of them or anyone. Most are fearful of you or want to be you."

That last sentence barely gets out Gen feels like he's testing the water giving Tsukasa direct criticism like this.

"I suppose I haven't truly acknowledged anyone, so you are claiming this is about avoidance?"

"Yes. You are looked up to, your behavior a metric for the people you manage. It's no mistake Taiju and Yuzuriha aren't completely embraced.” He hesitates before asking, “What is this about in the first place?"

Tsukasa looks, about the closest to impressed as he gets. Gen thinks he can weasel his way into Tsukasa's confidence. He just needs the man to trust him.

"Yuzuriha and Taiju are good people. I wanted them to adjust here. They know the consequence of opposing me more than anyone, but I thought they might just be determined enough to do it anyway. But when they didn't, I was suspicious, I suppose I still don't believe they're content here."

Gen thinks something that wasn't said in Tsukasa's words. When he says content, that implied there was something to be unhappy about. They know the consequences of opposing me more than anyone…What has Tsukasa done before?

"There's nowhere else to go, they need to be content, if not now then eventually." Gen knows there's more here. Something Tsukasa is circling around. If Gen knew Tsukasa better, he might even reach for contact, simulating closeness though he obviously can't afford the cost of it if it went badly. So he doesn't.

He tried to focus on what Tsukasa wasn't saying. He felt that it was important. It's obviously tied to the reason he's even here.

Yuzuriha is an empathetic person, he didn't mention it to Tsukasa but he did actually talk to her. It's mostly boring just watching her work alone so he came up to her. He just sparked a conversation, and introduced himself. From the moment he first saw her he knew she knew him from before. When he was The Mentalist and not whatever he was now. She was wary at first, but opened up to him.

They spoke rather lengthy about the past, and she seemed to even get things done faster with someone around. (Even though Gen was hardly helping at all) He knew she was suspicious of his intent considering how much time he spends around Tsukasa. (And likely due to what she knew of his profession)

She sometimes chose her words carefully. It didn't come naturally to her. Like a person forcing a stutter. There was something she paused at in their conversations, something or someone she hesitated to talk about.

But Gen thinks he knows. He didn't think it wise to give this much to Tsukasa, because Gen wasn't sure he could supress his own horror if he were to guess correctly.

"…Yuzuriha is an introspective person, smart, she thinks more in her own head before speaking, if you're worried about either of them, it's likely her to look out for. But she doesn't seem to hold resentment toward you or anyone."

"I've tailed Taiju as well, but there's so many eyes around he can't get anything done alone. He's a hard worker and everyone likes him. He's clearly in love with Yuzuriha. She's shy with the others but gets along fairly well with Nikki, who you know is ostensibly loyal to you. No odd movements from either of them for as long as you've had me watch them."

"As far as I've observed they're safe,” He concludes, delivery rather anti-climatic.

Tsukasa pauses, probably thinking if Gen is hiding anything, which he isn't really. Neither are threats to someone like him. Tsukasa seems to find this acceptable. But Gen would be lying if he said he wasn't terrified Tsukasa might want more. He can’t make materialize motives, plans, means from  thin air.

"Okay, continue to keep watch on them space it out, and do not engage so much. Hyoga?"

Gen really dislikes Hyoga.

Not only does Hyoga never fail to spot him, he freaks Gen the fuck out. Gen put emphasis on 'aura' in one of his books because he knew certain demographics would eat that shit up but Hyoga has aura, specifically of a killer. A person who’d do whatever it took to win.

Where Tsukasa can be managed, maybe even deceived if he played it right…Hyoga seemed to look right through him and that horrified him. Gen never liked looking in the mirror.

"He's mostly a loner. Doesn't speak much to anyone, once or twice to Homura. As far as I’ve seen. I'd ask him if they knew each other in the old world but I doubt he'd give me the time of day. He does what he's asked no problem but…"

Gen has a feeling about him, if anyone is a threat to Tsukasa's Empire, well…it was him.

Hyoga is an insecure opportunist, he'd strike when the chance came, to get any power for himself in that respect Gen knew he was the same. Where they differed is Gen has no means or desire to kill anyone. Hyoga could do it, he’s sure.

"Give me your assessment." Tsukasa urges, an order. Gen has never felt more like a soldier or spy than living in the Stone World. He's practically not even an individual, just a pawn for Tsukasa to summon, but he's not even trusted.

"He dislikes you. I believe he thinks you're soft." Gen says, it's a feeling he gets from Hyoga. Which may be an understatement. Hyoga feels more ruthless, and trains every single day, he asks Tsukasa to spar and puts everything in it to kill him, while Tsukasa hardly needs to sweat.

At Gen's assessment of Hyoga's loyalty, Tsukasa doesn't seem to be surprised. He probably just wanted Gen to give his honest opinion and see if it lined up with his.

"Anything you believe I should worry about?"

"Not as long as you can beat him. Everyone is loyal to you. Hyoga won't be making a move anytime soon, he might just grin and bear it."

But once he gets an opportunity.

"Good work."

Gen wonders about this, it can't be stable having someone strong willing to oppose you. Would it really be better under Hyoga's rule? Gen's opinion lies in no, especially for himself. Hyoga sees him as someone useless and unredeemable. Someone with no honor. Which Gen can't really refute.

It's a little like he's more comfortable in his station now. He knows a bit better where he lies with Tsukasa, and needs to continue to be serviceable.

Tsukasa doesn't let him go, after this conversation. He decides to give Gen the answer he's looking for.

"I can't have opposition. Hyoga is one I knows I should be aware of, but there's someone who concerns me more." Tsukasa says, and it's the first time Gen feels like a confidant and less of a subordinate. "If they're still alive that is."

☆

By the time he was free from his stone casing, there were less than 30 people in Tsukasa's Empire of Might. Majority of which were strong young men. Gen already disliked the company of strong, dumb men in a lawless society as a closeted gay man in the old world. In the stone world this was subjectively worse.

They were all unable to keep up with Tsukasa himself of course, but certainly enough for manual labor, hunting and construction. Which anyone could tell he did not fit into. He knew it would not go unnoticed.

As if high school wasn't bad enough. This entire situation felt almost like a meticulously constructed horror scenario of his insecurities mirrored back at him. That's if he could find some humor in this, and with Tsukasa around nothing seemed all that humorous.

It was easy to see that there was a bit of a gang mentality. Aside from the clear hierarchy of Tsukasa being unilaterally in charge, Gen observed a social structure that exhibited clear typical behavioral patterns. Everyone came together on a common basis. A philosophy, a shared trait, or preferences. Whatever it may be there were few outside of it. Those that were have been ostracized by not really eating with the group, or being overshadowed in conversation. People always looked for bits of power when they didn’t have any, and this is more than a powerless situation.

Tsukasa gives them structure, purpose, but outside of that, they’ll seek any outlet for control. It was a bit cruel, and Gen wasn’t in the in-group, but had Tsukasa’s (outward) favor, so no one really knew yet how to treat him. 

Gen knew he'd need to find those who may disagree with Tsukasa at some point. With hardly much else to do, he makes note of any potential turncoats or doubters. If he were to remain here he needed leverage and information. But things wouldn't be that simple. Gen thought he might just have to manage in this world unfit for him by doing whatever Tsukasa asked of him. 

He hoped an opportunity would present itself, because this environment was not a welcome one.

Then ‘the Opportunity’ is handed to him on a silver platter, and Gen struggles not to believe in it. In him.

"The man who woke up first, you may have wondered was Senku Ishigami. A genius by all rights, who discovered how to revive people."

The cave. Gen did wonder about it, but not that hard considering he was trying to figure out where he stood.

"…He and I didn't see eye to eye. You understand the world I am trying to build here.”

A genius who opposed Tsukasa. Did Tsukasa take lethal measures against him? 

“In the old world, Gen, you were a performer, but who were you before that? I know you understand that people aren’t always as we wish them to be. With my way, this world becomes a clean slate with which to build a proper foundation.”

Gen says nothing to this, not only has he heard this spiel before in much more words and yelling. He didn’t care about Tsukasa’s philosophy, at this moment, right now, he wanted to make his life easier. That was his goal, one step in that goal was to not contradict Tsukasa unless Gen thinks the man wanted him to. 

"I killed him."

Tsukasa says, immutable. God, does Gen hate being right sometimes. At least he's able to mask his emotions. It's not like he knew the guy.

Compartmentalization Gen, it's not like he's about to kill you now.

"But something was off about it."

Try asking your conscience?

Gen didn't believe Tsukasa felt guilty about it, so maybe he thought he didn't succeed in killing him.

Oh.

Oh shit. It's kind of a jump, but Gen remembers Tsukasa mentioning his encounter with someone in the woods. Not long ago. There could be a settlement of survivors' descendants.

The true reason for his revival. More than the silly spying on non-threatening Yuzuriha and Taiju. He's to find this Senku Ishigami and see if he's still alive. He's practically a myth: ‘the man who woke first.’

As Tsukasa explained, some of his revival which Gen never heard before Gen listened intently. He knew there were things being left out, a perpetrator would always make it seem like the victim had a choice. Or that their decision wasn't as bad as it was on paper.

"You're the type of person who can lie easily. I can't say that I will ever fully trust someone like you, but I am sure you are intelligent enough to work toward a common goal and what benefits you individually. In time, I think you'll be able to earn my trust Gen."

And you know what is at stake here if you don't.

The price was very obviously his life or freedom if Tsukasa had a distaste for killing people that weren't stone. (Which Gen now knew he didn't considering Senku.) Gen had just nodded at Tsukasa's words, and assured him of his motives. Namely, his own survival.

To a more calculating man, Gen's motives may seem untrustworthy themselves, and that he'd throw himself at the feet of someone stronger just to save his own skin. Gen could not deny in that moment that he might.

"You already noticed Taiju and Yuzuriha who don't quite fit in with everyone and keep to themselves. You blamed me for it, and that's not an incorrect assumption."

Yuzuriha was wary of him at first when he approached, it suggested something. Gen realized soon she was an incredibly kind person, just scared. Gen could see how someone like Tsukasa controlled his subjects through fear even if it wasn't explicit there was always an implied threat. Someone as in tune as Yuzuriha would know well.

Taiju was less easy to pin down, he had nothing to fear from a group of people who clearly appreciated his work ethic, but he ate lunch and dinner with Yuzuriha and sometimes looked over his shoulder if they were being watched. Or wary that they were.

A fact he didn’t mention to Tsukasa because it resonated with him. 

Hell, Gen was fucking scared of the people Tsukasa chose to wake, he has no idea who they are or what they're capable of. He only knows they're strung together with a flimsy set of morals which could be abandoned at any moment in time.

Gen knew that. He wished he didn't have to see it in other people too.

"Those two were the first revived as well as myself. But they were friends with Senku who could have opposed me, would have opposed me. So I need you, the greatest liar to find out if he's truly dead. I need him to be."

Tsukasa explains this as if he admired the guy he murdered. Gen wished he met this Senku, he was certainly less of a coward than Gen was.

Now it makes some sense, those two were friends with someone Tsukasa has killed (or attempted to kill) someone who Tsukasa actively fears retaliation from.

Gen was woken up for this purpose. To see if Ishigami Senku was dead. They don’t want to fully join their group, because they hold onto Senku. A misguided hope or a promise to return? Which was it?

Intriguing, truly, but how could anyone have escaped if Tsukasa wanted to kill them?

Gen wanted to ask this considering Tsukasa was a beast but kept he his mouth shut. Tsukasa fills the silence and answers his unasked question.

"He was the most intelligent person alive. If anyone could have survived my strike, it's him. And if he is alive, he could undermine everything I am working toward…Senku could never be persuaded. So I need you to infiltrate that village to answer this one thing for me. Shouldn't be more than a two day trek northeast and you will to go alone. Say what you will to those survivors’ descendants, I am sure you'll come up with something. They are not of the modern world. You'll come back to me with an answer and you will have earned your place here. Don't return until you have a definitive yes or no."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes." Gen answers, Tsukasa's gaze was clearly filled with some complex expression. Even Gen could not completely discern.

He didn't know anything about this Senku, and Tsukasa was a hard book to read. Though Gen did his best to decode it.

He was guarded, and made Gen want to sprint in the opposite direction. But that expression held no anger, or betrayed his idea of Senku's status or not. It merely felt like something like remorse Gen got idea that Tsukasa respected this person, but it was still horrifying a thought that Tsukasa would kill someone he respected for his ideals of the right kind of world he was trying to build.

What would he do to someone like him, someone he didn't respect and didn't trust. Gen was just a tool to fulfill a mission to him, but a tool can easily exchange hands. A tool held no allegiance.

Gen set off just days after that revelation. He wasn't happy about it, but he could finally breathe. He thought back to his conversation with Tsukasa with a clearer head and thought that his awakening was an answer in itself. Tsukasa believed Senku was alive and wanted reassurance that he wasn't.

When he passed by the tree near the cave of resurrection, a date had been carved into it. It's so unbelievable that Gen had to pause to take it in. He hadn't seen this before. Tsukasa didn't mention it, but when he woke they told him how long it's been but it was unbelievable. Not in a sense that he thought it was false but simply…how would anyone know the date if no one counted?

For this reason, had this Senku counted to the exact date? The entire time? It was an insane feat. Nothing short of insane.

1. 4. AD 5738

Gen could have laughed at the irony. His own birthday?

He read it again, ran his hand over the tree carving as if it were some monument to be revered, and ultimately he can't help but smile. He was so curious it was sparking energy within him other than this hopelessness and fear.

His body made space for something that wasn't suffocating. He hoped in that moment this Senku was alive, just so he could meet him. With his knowledge of Tsukasa and this person making that powerful man fearful, Gen needed to meet him.

Senku had to be alive, he had to be. As Gen set off in hopes of meeting him, little did he know, that man would change his life.