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The battle between the Petrification Kingdom had completely gone off the rails. All we wanted was to take the Medusa, but now we’re waging a full on battle.
Fire engulfed everything, as far as the eye could see. All you could hear was battle cries and sounds of pure and utter agony that a battle to the death would bring.
Gen was on the run, his lungs burned like the fire surrounding him, but he couldn't stop. He was running away from it all, though not for the reason you may think.
Senku had given him one mission, get to the mobile lab they had hidden previously in case of emergencies. Then, they could drive away and regroup.
“You’re our last hope, mentalist.” Senku said amidst the chaos. His body was facing the opponent in front. The world blurred. Despite the flames claiming all the evergreen in sight, despite their comrades putting their lives on the line to fight on. Gen could only see him.
“And I don’t have a millimeter of doubt,” Senku turned his head towards Gen,
“that you can pull it off.”
He gave Gen smirk of reassurance before returning his focus to his own battle. That’s when Gen started to run.
Past the 52nd tree, Gen thought, mind racing with adrenaline. Then take a right, and keep going till you see a branch with purple cloth tied to it, the thoughts continued. The voice shifting from Gen’s own to Senku’s, back when he had told him how to get there.
Gen stopped to see the purple cloth hanging above him.
“That’s when you get to the exhilarating part,” Senku put a finger up, his voice as clear as day in Gen’s memory. “Because then you just turn left and keep running till you find it!” Excitement clearly evident in his voice.
He spun to his left,
“I don’t know about you,” Gen started. “But just the idea of all that ork-way just to get to the thing makes me ired-tay.”
And sprinted like he never had before.
…
Cold, Gen thought.
He was on the ground now, trembling and shivering from this overwhelming tundra his body had just become.
I’m…so cold.
But, why?
“Hello there, Gen, was it?” said an eeriely familiar voice.
“Moz,” Gen said weakly. He peeked through his eyes to see the man before him. He used his last bit of strength to check his surroundings; It was just him, Moz, and—he gazed down at where the cold was most severe—the spear through his stomach.
“I saw you run from the fight, and I–” Moz started, with his arrogant tone.
Gen was struggling to stay conscious now, he could tell that much.
Moz jumped down from the tree he was sitting in, and slowly strode towards Gen.
Wait…did I hear noise behind me? Sounds like the bushes, or maybe the trees?
Moz stopped just short of him, and crouched down before taking hold of his face by the chin.
My vision’s blurring, Gen thought to himself. I’m not gonna make it am I?
“–just had to see what you were up to.” Moz finished joyfully.
“But I realize now,” he started again. Freeing Gen’s face from his clutches.
“That if I wanted to know what you were up to.” He stood and surveyed the area, head turning left and right. “The spear—probably could’ve waited a bit.”
Gen coughed into his hand, only after pulling back did he see the red that now was his hand.
“Oh well,” Moz said. He reached toward Gen, “I’ll be needing this back either way.” He finished simply. Before promptly tugging his spear from within him.
There was no hesitation in that act, not a hint of remorse. There was just pure exhilaration in that pull. Anticipation of how Gen would react to such gut wrenching agony.
“I’ll be needing this back either way.” He finished simply.
Gen gasped in pain as he fell backwards onto the ground. He could see the stars.
“Goodbye Gen,”
Moz moved to stand over him, shielding Gen’s newly found view of the sky. Which upset him more knowing Moz was enjoying this little exchange.
“See you in hell.” Moz said with a smirk. He turned, though his eyes rested on Gen a moment longer. Before he disappeared into the darkness.
Gen tried to relax, he wanted to enjoy his final moments after all. Still heard that rustling from behind him, it sounded closer, but he couldn’t really tell anyway.
It was like…the world was in slow motion.
He was so close.
He would’ve given anything to move in that moment, to muster up the energy to drive the lab back to his comrades. They were waiting on him.
Why’d this have to happen now? He pondered pointlessly. What he did know…
was that he probably deserved it.
“Haha…” Gen laughed weakly to himself. “Well,”
His gaze found refuge in the surrounding blood, in his own hands.
He once dreamed of living in red…or crimson more specifically.
But maybe dying in red wasn’t such a bad thing either.
Gen took a breath, that might very well be his last.
“Such as the fate of a liar I suppose.”
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Finishing up some grueling work, Gen slowly lifted his head to gaze above at the night sky overhead. The stars shimmered like diamonds in the sunlight, they were beautiful as always.
It was mid winter though, so he was glad the Yuzuriha was kind enough to make him a new and improved coat.
If there was one thing Gen enjoyed about this Stone world, it’s how much he got to be among nature. He may not seem like it, but he enjoys caring for flowers and such.
And though he definitely wasn’t fond of the work, his newfound time allowed him to care for his hobbies he otherwise didn’t have time for as a famous magician. It paid well, but that comes with a cost, I suppose.
Gen started walking towards the forest to find what only he knew resided there. A garden of sorts, though he wouldn't call it that.
He bends down at a nearby pond and gathers some water, before checking behind him to see if any one had followed him.
“Coast is clear!” He whispered excitedly to himself before quickly rounding the final tree.
No, he would call it his sanctuary.
A bit on the ose-nay I know, Gen thought. But I am one for theatrics and drama~! So whatever, he finished as he shrugged.
Gleaming under the moonlight was a magnificent array of flowers that flowed in the wind with the utmost grace. He had started this garden after Senku gave him the cola. After that, he was wholly convinced the Kingdom of Science would triumph, and acted accordingly by making himself at home.
He carefully places his watering can Kaseki made for him near his feet.
To the right, many ferns and southernwood lay. Gen’s love of magic and teasing nature he felt was shown through their beauty. To the left, snapdragons, peonies, and crab blossoms bloomed into the lit night.
Against my better judgement, Gen thought wistfully. I shouldn't have planted these here.
He lets out a sigh of resignation.
But these ones felt more me than southernwood ever could, he finished defeatedly.
Deception, shame, and ill of nature, he started again within his mind.
He gazed down as his eyes caught the flowers that lie directly in front of him. He slowly lowered himself down beside his most revered floret, the black nightshade.
They were elegantly white, like the sun apparently. Senku had actually reminded him recently that the sun isn’t yellow and how it ‘didn’t make sense for a millisecond’ how they’re called nightshades yet match the sun.
He closed his eyes, and began to laugh unapologetically. Senku always found his way to Gen, even just through memories and joy. As his breathing slowed, he sight found the flower once more as he stared for a moment, taking in what he had seen many times with a new found perspective.
“But none will ever be as piercingly accurate as you my dear.”
He reached for the watering can, now beside him in his new found elevation. And began to pour. Smile still wide on his face from his previous trip down memory lane.
“My pretty little liars.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The door of the observatory quietly clicks open, as Gen’s head pops into view. He looks to either side, before stepping in carefully and sneakily closing the doors. He observes for a moment…nothing. A sigh of relief leaves him.
“Been a while since I was up here,” he said quietly to himself.
He observed the stars through the opening for a moment. I don’t particularly care for the stars, Gen thought. But everyone else seems so into them, so, seeing them from the best view may help me see what they see.
Gen tilted his head to the side, honestly, Gen began mentally. I don’t get what interests Senku about the sky. A voice broke through his thoughts.
“Can’t sleep, mentalist?" asked the void behind him.
Gen turned slowly to face the familiar voice.
“Seems I’m not the only one, Dear Senku.”
Senku emerged from the darkness, finger in ear and signature smirk not far behind.
“Yeah–I guess you could say that.”
Gen faced the stars once again and glided his way towards the telescope. He was glad he paid attention in science class here and there, or else he would’ve never been able to make such a thing in this primitive era.
Senku's eyes followed Gen’s movement before he silently followed suit. Lacking the practiced grace Gen had mastered, but moved quietly with relative ease.
“Question for you Senku,” Gen started. Still facing the open roof, his practiced facade already in place. No one could ever tell what he’s thinking, and that was a plus.
“Hah?” Senku said, an annoyed, yet curious tone clearly seeping through. But which one would truly make their debut?
“Do you know the psychology behind colors?”
That earned Gen a deadpan look.
“Why in the hell would I care about that?”
Gen turned towards his companion thoughtfully.
“They each have their own perception surrounding them.” Gen began.
Senku turned to face him. “Cool but, I don’t care.” Senku stated plainly.
“But favorite colors,” two of his fingers rose from his sleeve, and pointed towards the sky. A pose he tended to make when getting really into the psychology aspect of being a mentalist.
“is where you can uly-tray see through a person, with just one question.”
“...”
“So you’re just gonna ignore me?” Senku asked. Clearly put off by the lack of reaction to his previous remark.
Gen just stared for a moment, hand still in the air and words on the tip of his tongue, waiting.
Senku stared back in response, then let out a sigh.
He sits on the ground below them, and gazes up at the silhouette of the man before him. He then patted the ground next to him, by Gen’s feet.
Gen knew he had one, and lowered himself to the level of the scientist, facing him fully.
Senku faced Gen in turn. As rested his head in his right hand lazily, before fully surrendering his focus to the attention seeking mentalist beyond him.
Gen smirked, before picking up where he left off.
“Each of the colors I’m about to name–have reasons behind why certain people are naturally drawn to them.”
Gen closed one eye to form a wink.
“Are you eady-ray?” He asked maliciously.
“Just get on with it, mentalist."
“Okayy~” Gen coughed to clear his throat.
“Many studies have shown how color preferences have been shown to reflect many personality traits, your state of mind and psychological needs. Though not scientifically sound, these studies reveal something fascinating. For example, for orange, many of the people who—”
As Gen’s voice faded, it merely became background noise for the thoughts reeling through Senku’s mind.
There’s no way he didn’t know I was up here, Senku thought amidst the rambling.
He’s a mentalist after all, he pays attention to stuff like that. So why intentionally come—to talk about colors? He wondered.
There had to be something else, some bigger picture he was missing.
Gen was always one for theatrics anyway.
“–and for purple, my ignature-say look, they say that–”
What about talking even benefits him right now? He’s the world's most self serving, superficial man right? Or maybe,
“–and I feel like yellow is eally-ray Dear Yuzuriha’s color, you know? No demerit to our Dear Ukyo of course but–”
he just wants…
“—so Dear Senku,” Gen said eagerly.
to get to know me?
“Which color is your favorite?” Gen finished, clearly content with his grandeur explanation.
Senku raised a finger towards the sky and closed his eyes, thinking carefully. Actually considering each color in its entirety and which one sounded like him.
He never put much thought into it, why have a favorite color when you can have a favorite experiment or equation anyway? Science had so much more to offer. But, if he had to choose one, it’d be–
“Green.” Senku said as he opened his eyes. “Green’s the most logical answer.”
“Right, of course you would go with what’s most logical.” Gen said defeatedly as he sighed.
Senku’s gaze returned to the sky on his left.
“You know what’s also illogical?” Senku started. Gen slowly entered his line of sight as he turned his head.
Wait, what am I doing…? Senku thought to himself.
“How you made me tell you my favorite color,” Senku met Gen’s eyes.
Why am I asking,
“But didn’t tell me yours.”
something as illogical and meaningless…
The room fills with silence.
as a favorite color?
Before a small, genuine smile forms on Gen’s lips. A small chuckle escapes.
“For eal-ray?” He laughs a little harder, amused by the sudden surge of interest.
“Well,” Gen rotates his body towards the stars. And turns only his head back towards Senku, meeting his eyes while resting his head on his arms.
“Why don't you try to guess?”
“...”
Senku snaps his body towards the view of the cosmos as well. Desperately trying to ignore how his body temperature has risen 6.98° in the last 15 seconds. And heart palpitations on top of that must mean,
he’s getting sick.
He raises his two fingers towards the sky and his eyes shut once more. Determined to get this right, though not sure why.
This…felt important.
Silence engulfs the room once more.
Seconds pass, then minutes.
But Gen doesn’t speak.
He’s getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch humanity’s greatest scientist, struggle to guess his favorite color. With quite a pained expression at that.
Without warning, Senku’s eyes shot open.
“I’ve got it!” He exclaimed triumphantly, before turning back towards Gen.
“There’s a ten billion percent chance your favorite color,” he said as he pointed. A knowing, excited smirk formed on his face.
“Is red!” His voice full of conviction.
…
Red huh? Gen thought curiously.
An amazed, yet not surprised expression filled Gen’s face.
Do I seem like I would like red? I eally-ray wonder, he continued to ponder.
“You’re right Dear Senku! That’s amazing!” Gen exclaimed.
Well, a mentalist like myself needed a favorite color anyway
“How’d you do it?.” Gen finished quietly.
…so why not have it be red?
“The Kingdom of Science’s very own mentalist offering praise?” Senku asked jokingly.
“Hey! I aise-pray all the time!” Gen said defensively. A fake pout forming on his lips.
Maybe I should add some new flowers to my garden.
“I don’t have a millimeter of interest in your excuses, mentalist!" Senku retorted.
Though not sure,
“Well, are you tell me how you did it?” Gen asked finally.
Senku only smirked in response.
“First, to narrow down the possibilities, I had to think of—”
whether to add daffodils or yarrows.