Chapter Text
"Isn’t it time to call it a day, Senku-chan?” The singsong voice interrupted his calculations, but Senku couldn’t bring himself to be annoyed. Gen was a big help, and despite his ostentatious display of supposed laziness and numerous complaints, there was a strange, unbreakable perseverance in him that matched Senku's own. That was it. It was scary in a way—smart, manipulative, efficient. No one would expect that from Gen at first, and that was exactly his goal. Being underrated was useful. Senku smiled at the thought.
"Not a chance in hell. You’re just trying to slack off, aren’t you, mentalist?" he replied without looking up from his papers. They were surrounded by all kinds of lab glassware and dangerous chemicals, so he had to be careful not to knock anything over. Making medicine was a complicated process.
"Well, you’ll have to make a lot of cola for that. And improve the ramen."
"Ramen meets all our nutritional needs; no need for enhancements."
Gen let out an exaggerated sigh, placing both hands on the table in mock seriousness. "Always so pragmatic. I meant the taste! Don’t you ever want to eat something delicious?"
Of course, he would like to. But there was always something else demanding his attention—like a war to win. Not exactly the perfect time to hone cooking recipes.
"There’s nothing I can do about it..." he murmured dismissively, jotting down notes. Would it help if he increased the temperature by 0.05%? Or would the result stay the same?
"Don’t tell me it’s impossible for someone who created a cell phone, electricity, a car..." The mentalist was counting on his fingers. "...glass, cola!"
"Well, it’s not on my priority list," Senku interrupted him. They both knew it would take forever to list all his inventions, and Gen would run out of fingers. "I’m trying to build a civilization, remember?"
"It’d be a good way to pay for all that hard labor!"
Senku couldn’t help the slight curve of his lips. Gen always had an answer ready, his logic sharp and undeniable.
"I’ll think about it. Always a businessman, huh? Trying to get your end of the bargain."
"A capitalist to the bone, Senku-chan."
After the playful exchange, they fell into a comfortable silence. Gen continued stirring the chemicals steadily while Senku worked on his measurements, preparing for the next step.
Even though his vision was growing blurry, the thought of stopping hadn’t crossed Senku's mind. The day was slowly coming to an end, shadows creeping into the corners of the lab. He preferred to finish the task while there was still daylight. There was always too much to do—as usual, Ishigami Village demanded his attention. Not that he minded. Few things were more satisfying than accomplishing something new, taking another step forward toward modern civilization.
However, countless tasks no longer challenged him but couldn’t be entrusted to the villagers, no matter how well he explained them. They required his intellect and the understanding of a modern mind.
When he first asked Gen for help, it was out of necessity. He had said it plainly, as he always did: he needed someone who at least understood the basics of modern science. But somehow, Gen stuck around, turning into a reliable companion—a quality Senku appreciated most in people.
"I was wondering, Senku... Wouldn’t we need more medicine? If someone in the village gets sick, it’d be useful to have something ready, don’t you think?"
Senku smiled faintly, not pausing his work. "I’ve been thinking about that too. I’m planning to set up a small pharmacy with supplies to handle the most critical conditions and diseases. I’m just waiting for Chrome to gather the materials I need."
Gen nodded thoughtfully. "I saw him gathering supplies. Everyone’s helping out. I didn’t know you were planning a pharmacy, though."
"One of my many ideas. The villagers are a hardy bunch. They’ve survived this long without modern medicine; they can probably go on a bit longer. But if someone’s in critical condition, like Ruri was... I’ll make sure they don’t kick the bucket if medicine can prevent it."
Senku turned to grab an ingredient from a high shelf when a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. His mind blanked for a second, and he swayed. Suddenly, he felt a gentle grip on his shoulders, steadying him.
"Are you okay?" Gen asked, concern evident in his voice.
"It’s nothing. I just moved too fast."
"Senku-chan, always thinking of others first. Take some rest, or you’ll be the first one needing medicine."
As his vision cleared, Senku realized how close Gen was. He stood just inches away, ready to catch him if he fell. His pupils were wide in the dim light, worry evident in his eyes.
How did he even move so quickly...? The mentalist was full of surprises. Just as he could suddenly appear on stage, he had shown up in Senku’s life, ensuring there were no holes in his supposedly foolproof plans. Senku would have to be blind not to notice the care, the devotion—always being at arm’s length, ready to jump into action when the situation called for it.
But why?
The question arose from time to time, but no matter how hard Senku thought about it, the answer eluded him. The urge to shake Gen and demand an explanation flickered in his mind, but he pushed it down as always.
"Are you really all right?"
Gen reached out but hesitated for a brief moment, torn between worry and uncertainty. Finally, he placed a hand on Senku’s forehead to check his temperature. His hand was cold, and Senku flinched, uncomfortable.
"Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, I spaced out," Senku replied, stepping back. He was never comfortable with physical contact, especially skin-to-skin. It always felt... too intrusive.
Gen’s hand, having lost its purpose, withdrew quickly, but there was no awkwardness in the gesture. Always graceful, each movement was smooth, like a dancer’s.
"It’s time to rest, Senku."
"So, slacking off anyway?" Senku aimed for a humorous tone, but Gen was serious. It was always interesting to watch how that childlike, dandy demeanor could shift into something entirely different.
Looking him straight in the eye, Gen said:
"The future of the village rests on you, Senku-chan. If you’re sick and something happens... it can be prevented easily with a bit of rest." Then, the sharpness in his voice melted into sweetness again. "Let me make you some tea, Senku-chan!"
He was off before Senku could protest. Both had strong personalities, but while Senku was straightforward and bossy—backed by confidence and competence—Gen had a subtler approach, steering people toward his desired outcome with effortless charm.
Senku smiled to himself. What a pair they were, huh?
Gen returned soon, holding two cups of steaming tea.
"Thanks," Senku said, accepting his cup.
They sat in silence for a while, sipping the tea. The rich taste of local herbs was soothing, helping him relax after a long day of complex tasks and experiments. The warmth of the cup seeped into his hands. Senku wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he enjoyed this part of the day—sharing a quiet, comfortable moment. It was... pleasant to just sit and unwind after hours of grueling work. Achieving his goals required enormous effort, but there was no avoiding that. He was only one man, accompanied by a few dozen villagers to help out.
One step at a time, Senku. One step at a time.
The first thing Gen felt as he opened his eyes was the chilly morning air. He woke earlier than usual, his mind subconsciously looking forward to the unusual routine ahead of him. Today, he was going to spend time with Senku. That itself wasn’t extraordinary, but it would be the first time they’d deliberately decided to meet without work being involved. Well, more precisely, Gen decided it. Senku needed the rest.
He could see how the shadows under Senku’s eyes grew darker each day, how his skin became paler. Everyone in the village was so used to Senku’s relentless pace as their leader that no one stopped to consider that he was human. Gen couldn’t blame them; after all the “miracles” Senku had pulled off so effortlessly, it was easy to believe he was beyond the rules and limitations of ordinary mortals.
But Gen was too rational, too perceptive, to fall for that illusion. Everyone had a breaking point, no matter how brilliant they were. Senku was flesh and blood, just like everyone else.
Of course, Gen wouldn’t be himself if there weren’t selfish motives mixed in with the altruistic ones.
Just as the villagers didn’t question Senku’s need for rest, they also believed that physical needs or attraction didn’t apply to the great scientist. Those things, they thought, were beneath his attention in the face of grander pursuits.
But Gen wasn’t so sure.
Senku seemed like a cold fish, with eyes only for science. No one questioned it. His lack of romantic interest in anyone and his straightforward rejections made that much clear.
Yet… every time Gen entered his personal space, something about Senku shifted. It was subtle, nearly imperceptible, but Gen could sense it. Senku’s crimson eyes, as impenetrable as always, betrayed nothing—but his body told its own story. The way he unconsciously angled himself toward Gen. The way his gaze lingered just a fraction of a second too long.
Was it real? Or was it just something Gen desperately wanted to see, tricking himself into believing it?
Gen sighed, biting his lip, his thoughts drifting into uncertain territory.
How do you really tick, Senku-chan?
***
Gen inhaled the crisp air deeply into his lungs. It was his favorite time of the year—summer was almost gone, but not quite yet. The air had grown cooler, foreshadowing the coming autumn. The change always made him feel more alive.
He cut the ingredients absentmindedly, wondering when the last time he did this was. Well, for one, around three thousand years ago, but before that...? He couldn’t quite recall. Probably when he was still a student, and the school canteen simply didn’t match his delicate palate.
He enjoyed the smell and texture of the vegetables he was handling. Cooking was... simple. And relaxing. He could certainly have used more of both in his previous life. But that life seemed distant now, almost like a dream.
"Hey, Gen! That’s early for you!" The familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Morning, Kohaku-chan," he said, looking over his shoulder with a warm smile. "Early bird and all that, right?"
Kohaku stood with her usual ease despite carrying a heavy bundle of spears. Were these all the hunters’ weapons? She looked as if she was preparing for battle.
The girl dropped the spears with a loud thud and leaned over his shoulder, peering curiously.
"And what are you doing?" she asked, then added in surprise, "I didn’t know you could cook!"
Gen smirked. There were plenty of things others wouldn’t expect from him.
"I have many hidden talents you know nothing about, Kohaku-chan," he replied sweetly.
"Then you could help with the meals," she pointed out.
"...And that’s exactly why they stay hidden."
The blonde put her hands on her hips, frowning.
"First in line to eat, but never to help!"
"Have mercy, Kohaku-chaaan!" Gen protested with exaggerated dramatics. "Senku already drove me mad in the lab; I can’t handle another shift in the kitchen."
He really needed to stop emphasizing how lazy he was. Repetition had power, and Gen knew that better than anyone.
"Oh, I see. Are you cooking this for him? Or does he need cooked potatoes for some new experiment?"
Gen’s hand froze for a moment. It was tempting to say the latter, but he could already imagine the villagers pestering Senku later about "potato experiments."
Admitting he was up early to prepare food for Senku felt... embarrassing. Too revealing. Something twisted uncomfortably in his stomach, as if even acknowledging it to himself was difficult.
"Hmmm, who says I’m cooking it for Senku-chan? I just felt like eating stew. It’s perfect for this weather, don’t you think? Maybe I’ll share some with him, though."
The answer seemed to satisfy her. Kohaku simply nodded with a hum before sitting on the ground and picking up the first spear to examine its blade.
"Are you going to sharpen them?" Gen asked.
"Mhm. They’ve gotten a bit dull, and we’re going on a hunt tomorrow."
Gen glanced at the pot, where bubbles rose to the surface of the boiling water, and tossed in the potatoes he had just cut.
"Autumn is coming. It’s high time to start preparing reserves for the winter, right?"
"Right. But in winter, it’ll be easier to store meat," she said with a smile, clearly looking forward to it. A carnivorous diet seemed to suit her best. No wonder, considering how active she was. Her muscles flexed beneath her skin as she sharpened the blades, the grinding sound harsh against the stone.
"Ah, I wish we had refrigerators," Gen mused, stirring the stew. Should he add more tomatoes? It would certainly brighten the color.
"And what’s that?" Kohaku asked, pausing for a moment.
The villagers never tired of hearing about the modern world. To them, it was like talking about magic, except it was even more captivating because it had been real.
"It’s a cold box that keeps food fresh," he explained.
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"That sounds so useful! Will Senku build it?"
Gen smiled. Of course, he would. Eventually.
"Sure. But I’m not sure when. He has so many projects planned."
"He’s always up to something. Life in the village got so exciting after he appeared. There’s always something new coming, something we could never imagine!" Kohaku said, reaching for the next dull spear.
"As he says, it’s exhilarating, right?" Gen agreed easily, leaning over to smell the dish. It had a rich, warming aroma.
"Can I try some?"
"Sure, just hang around. It needs some time," he explained, continuing to stir.
"What is it, Gen?"
Gen flinched at the unexpected voice. Suika had appeared out of nowhere—though, with her speed and stealth, it was hardly a surprise.
She eyed the ingredients and the pot curiously.
"It’s gonna be stew," Gen explained.
"Wow, Suika didn’t know Gen could cook! Can Suika have some?"
Gen smiled uneasily. Oh boy. It looked like he’d be feeding half the village before he even made it to Senku today.
Senku raised the tube with the chemical, holding it up to the light. Good. It seemed to have the desired color. Now, he just needed to synthesize it with the compound he had prepared yesterday...
Making medicine was a meticulous process, typically done in large factories with machines and a team of scientists. Senku couldn’t deny that sometimes he felt overwhelmed by having to do everything on his own, but that only made the accomplishment even sweeter.
He was thinking about making penicillin. Antibiotics would be crucial for fighting bacterial infections like pneumonia, sepsis, or infected wounds. Herbal remedies were already familiar to the villagers, but for more serious problems, they wouldn’t be enough. And he couldn’t rely on sulfa drugs for everything.
"Good morning, Senku-chan!"
Gen entered the lab, wearing a smile that matched the beautiful, sunny weather. Maybe it was the weather that made him so cheerful—the last warm days of the year.
"Morning, mentalist. Today, we’re gonna grow molds."
"That sounds..." Gen paused, searching for the right word, "...irresistible. But Senku-chaaaan, didn’t you promise to spend some idle time with me? What kind of man breaks his promise?" he asked with a reproachful look.
"What kind of man takes a break at this hour?" Senku retorted. "Let’s get some more work done first."
"But Senku-chan, I prepared us a warm meal. It’ll get cold if we wait. It won’t make a difference if you take that one-hour break now or later, right? The math still works the same."
He prepared food? That was unexpected. Senku looked down at the bag in Gen’s hand. He had noticed earlier that Gen was carrying something, but he hadn’t thought to ask.
"I have better energy levels in the morning. My speed in the afternoon is about 0.3 times slower." He gave Gen a quick glance. "That would make the calculation slightly different."
"Okay then... If Senku-chan wants to eat foul food that’s completely lost all the delicious flavor I worked so hard on..."
Senku sighed, realizing he was being manipulated—just slightly—but he didn’t care much.
"Just today, all right? Starting tomorrow, we’ll take a break in the afternoon. I should’ve clarified that yesterday," he said, clearing the table.
Then he sat down and looked at Gen expectantly.
"Well? Didn’t you want to have a meal?"
Gen pursed his lips, unimpressed.
"But not here! The day is so nice! Let’s have a picnic."
Senku hesitated, his hands freezing over the test tubes. A picnic? Really? The word seemed so ridiculous he almost laughed. Even before the end of the world, picnics had struck him as absurd. To him, they meant people eating excessive amounts of food and lying around aimlessly, wasting precious time doing nothing. Sure, taking a break was fine—even by his standards—but lounging in the sun for hours like some lazy animal? That was another matter entirely.
And here, in this age? Where survival was a constant challenge, and being alone could mean running into wild animals—or worse, enemies?
But it was just an hour, right? Senku glanced at the bag in Gen’s hand. Gen had already put so much effort into this. And he always followed through with everything Senku told him to do in the lab.
"Okay then. But not too far away. We don’t have much time, and I don’t want to end up as a meal for a tiger."
Gen’s lips stretched into a smile, delight shining in his eyes.
"Who’d have thought you just need to plead a little to pull Senku’s strings..." he said playfully.
"Don’t push it, or I’ll change my mind," Senku replied, moving around the lab and searching for the blanket. It would definitely make eating outside more comfortable.
"Okay, okay."
"Do you already have a place in mind?"
"I was thinking about the meadow west of the village. It’s a nice spot and not too far away."
"Is that the one near the oblique rock formations?"
Gen frowned slightly, trying to recall. "Yes, I think so."
Senku hummed thoughtfully, packing the blanket and rummaging through his equipment.
"I was planning to measure the magnetic fields over there."
"But Senku-chan, wasn’t this supposed to be a break?" Gen protested.
"Using a compass and writing down measurements can hardly be called work."
"Hmm, by that logic, you’d name half of the modern world’s population work-less."
"Just half?" Senku teased.
"Ah, Senku-chan, just how high are your expectations of other people?"
It was a rhetorical, teasing question, so Senku simply shrugged.
He packed the compass, magnetic sand, paper, and pen. That should do.
"Okay, let’s go," he said, stepping out of the lab. Gen followed closely behind.
Senku squinted, momentarily blinded by the sun. It made him wonder: would it be better to sit in the sun or the shade? It was that time of year when the sun wasn’t so strong anymore, and the shade was already quite chilly.
His thoughts wandered to the insulation of his lab... It was said that cold could boost the thinking process, but trembling in dreadful cold wasn’t his idea of an effective workday.
“I can’t believe I am going on a picnic,” he said, adjusting his bag.
“Senku is going on a picnic. Does it sound weird in one sentence?”
“It does.”
They walked through the village, passing the empty huts. Everyone was already up, busying themselves with work or friendly chatter. The air was filled with the smell of cooked food and the laughter of children who took advantage of their occupied mothers to play and cause mischief.
“Kids are always so noisy. It was a good idea to settle the lab at some distance from the village,” Senku commented.
“Some things never change, no matter how many hundreds of years pass,” Gen agreed, watching the kids chase each other tirelessly.
In a short while, they were outside the settlement, walking along the path to the meadow. Senku could feel the crunch of dry leaves and twigs under his feet. The smell of smoke gave way to the earthy scent of pine, and the soft hum of voices was replaced by the sound of wind rustling through the trees. The sunlight filtered through the branches, casting long shadows on the ground.
Gen kept pace easily. He wasn’t the weakling he had been after the awakening. The harsh conditions had shaped everyone. It was quite fascinating how quickly humans adapted when thrown into a new environment. This made him wonder...
“What was the most difficult part of starting fresh here?”
“No bathtub,” Gen answered simply.
A bathtub? How could a bathtub win over technology, central heating, a variety of food...?
“C’mon, but I’m being serious here.”
“Why, Senku-chan! I am being serious!”
He looked at Gen searchingly, but considering how much effort he put into maintaining his appearance and all his meticulous mannerisms, he was probably being honest.
“You won’t have to wait much longer. I’m going to build a pipe system.”
Gen’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“No way, Senku-chan! Then I’ll be infinitely in your debt!”
“No need. It’s not just for your bath. Not having access to running water is obstructive for many things I’m making or planning to make. Running to the river every time I need water makes many procedures inefficient.”
“It’s just wonderful to think I’ll be able to take a bath anytime I want. Every day!”
“As much as you please, mentalist. But then you need to keep up with me in all the other work to get it done quickly.”
Gen nodded enthusiastically.
“Sure, Senku-chan! I’ve been a great assistant, haven’t I?”
Senku thought about it for a moment. Gen worked swiftly, had dexterous fingers, and rarely broke or spilled anything. He listened to instructions carefully and learned quickly. With explanations, he could understand complex concepts that were unfamiliar to him before. He complained a lot, but the complaints were mostly for show. Senku had seen through it a long time ago. For some reason, Gen didn’t want others to realize how kind and helpful he really was.
“The best one I’ve ever had,” he said honestly.
Gen’s surprise was unmistakable; his eyes widened, mouth slightly agape. He collected himself quickly, emotions vanishing behind his usual facade. There was a hint of tenderness there, but Senku couldn’t quite grasp what it was.
“Ah, didn’t know Senku-chan is such a flatterer... Chrome has much more knowledge than me...”
“That’s true. But Chrome cannot move as efficiently as you, and that’s important in the lab. Besides, you have knowledge of the modern world. And...” Senku paused, considering whether to count it as an advantage, but for him personally, it evidently was one. “And you don’t talk about Ruri non-stop.”
Gen was first shocked by this unexpected remark, but then burst into laughter.
“I never imagined you’d say something like that. It’s such an... emotionally loaded argument.”
“Well, I’m not a robot. I do have emotions. And repeating the same information over and over again makes me weary, which influences my performance. So the argument is logical as well.”
“Chrome-chan has been talking about Ruri-chan quite a lot, huh?” Gen mused.
Senku sighed.
“First the Big Oaf, now Chrome... Why do people think I’m a good confidant? I don’t know shit about romance. And they don’t follow my advice anyhow.”
Gen looked at him curiously.
“Oh? What was your advice?”
“To finally make a move!” he snapped, letting out his impatience. “From doing nothing comes nothing. If we just sat around waiting for miracles to happen, where would we be now? I don’t know much about love, but I’m pretty sure it’s relevant. It’s common sense and the cause-and-effect relationship. It applies to everything.”
Gen fell silent for a moment. Senku glanced at him briefly but couldn’t figure out what was going through his head.
“Well, not necessarily. If someone makes a move on him, then something could happen between them without him initiating any action.”
“A response is also a kind of action. And Ruri initiating something? C’mon, it’s not gonna happen.”
Gen giggled, covering his face with his hands.
“Senku-chan is right. Chrome needs a boost.”
Senku’s lips stretched into a sinister smile.
“Oh, I’m going to give him a boost. If I have to endure any more monologues like that, I’ll tell her myself.”
“That would be a dramatic scene. Ex-husband telling Ruri-chan about a secret admirer.”
He rolled his eyes and gave Gen an unimpressed look.
“It was a two-second marriage.”
“Senku-chan can accomplish everything at the speed of light!”
“You’re such a tease.”
“Admit you love that about me, Senku-chan!”
“You wish.” As if he was ever going to say something so cringey out loud.
As the path opened up and the trees thinned, the meadow stretched out before them. Senku glanced over the place and breathed in deeply. It smelled of flowers and the freshness untouched by civilization. Dandelions dotted the meadow, their heads swaying gently in the breeze. The colors blended nicely with the grass. The chirping birds and the whistle of the wind were the only sounds breaking the otherwise complete silence.
"Guess here will be fine," Senku said as he took out the blanket and spread it on the ground.
Gen didn’t wait for an invitation. He set down the bag he was carrying and sprawled himself on the blanket with a loud thud.
"Mmm, what a beautiful day it is!" The mentalist crossed his arms behind his neck and turned his face to the side to look at Senku. A lazy smile stretched across his face.
It was oddly heartwarming to see him this happy. Senku knew Gen could fake his emotions, but he was getting better at distinguishing when Gen was genuinely happy and when it was just an act.
"Shall we?" Senku asked, pointing to the bag. "You were complaining about the food getting cold, weren’t you?"
"Admit it—you can’t wait to taste the delicacies I’ve prepared!" Gen replied, sitting up and reaching into the bag.
"Am I even gonna survive it?" Senku teased, unable to help himself.
"How can you doubt me!" Gen exclaimed, feigning disappointment as he gently bumped Senku’s arm.
Gen opened the container and handed over plates and spoons. Then he poured the stew into them. The appetizing smell reminded Senku just how hungry he was. Skipping breakfast had always been one of his bad habits.
Senku took a bite of the food.
"It’s good," he admitted. "Where did you learn to cook?"
"When I was at uni. It somehow appealed to me more than eating out," Gen replied, taking a bite himself.
Right. Senku often forgot that Gen was a little older than him. Somehow, he always made himself seem younger.
"How was it?"
"The uni? It was just my first year. I liked it. The faculty of psychology was quite chill, so I had time to write my books and perform my shows."
"I was looking forward to starting university," Senku said.
"I can imagine. You’d probably take on ten faculties at once and get a Nobel Prize before your twenties."
"Maybe."
There was a hint of bitterness in that one simple word, enough that Gen glanced at him apologetically.
"Do you sometimes think about it...? Not having the chance to do it?" Gen asked carefully.
"Rarely. There’s no point. We can’t go back," Senku said curtly. Thinking about what-ifs wasn’t his style. He was far too pragmatic for that.
"But if you could..." Gen adjusted himself on the blanket, "just theoretically... would you?"
Senku thought about it for a moment. He recalled all the comforts of modern life, the innovations on the verge of discovery. The mission to Mars. The development of robotics. Everything he could have achieved in that age.
But no matter what he could have done, nothing compared to the challenge of building a civilization from scratch. And... though he would never say it aloud, he had come to appreciate the people he had met here. Some of them had become like family to him.
"No," he answered after a longer pause. "Would you?"
Gen looked at him with that strange emotion Senku had noticed before but couldn’t name. Then it disappeared again behind a Mona Lisa smile.
"No," Gen said so quietly it felt like he was revealing a secret.
"Why not? I thought you were dying for the modern lifestyle."
"Well, back then, I was just a magician. Here, to the villagers, I am a sorcerer! Who would give up this power?"
"Careful there, or you’ll proclaim yourself a god soon," Senku retorted, putting away his empty plate and lying down on the blanket.
Gen joined him, and they both gazed up at the sky. It was clear, with clouds drifting slowly across.
"They look so delicious. Just like cotton candy," Gen said.
"Would you like some?"
"I’d prefer cookies. And chocolate. And dorayaki."
Senku laughed, hearing him list off sweets like a kid in a candy shop.
"I can’t! You’re so greedy! Maybe you’d want to go back after all. Should I build you a time machine?" he joked.
"I think it’d be much less time-consuming to build an oven, Senku-chan!" Gen suggested.
"I should have known there would be no end to it after I made you cola."
They fell into a comfortable silence, gazing at the flawless sky. Maybe that’s why so many people loved picnics after all. There was something about just being there and appreciating the beauty of the world around them.
Senku felt drowsy after the warm meal, his eyelids growing heavy. Slowly, he drifted off into dreams filled with chemical formulas, clouds, and familiar faces.
And then, something he usually didn’t dream about—a gentle touch of someone’s hand, caressing his face hesitantly. It disappeared as suddenly as it had come, but a sweet, soft emotion lingered, allowing him to sleep soundly.