Chapter Text
Everyday was another long day of work. From dawn to dusk, the Kingdom of Science’s green-haired tyrant would order the forces to participate in grueling hours of hard labor and various tedious tasks. It was all for the progression of humanity, yes, but that left very little time for anything else.
In the case of Gen Asagiri, this drive kept him from doing what he wanted to do most: spend time with those he cared about.
A psycho-analyst of his stature didn’t come to be this way by serving hard labor. He talked to people, got to know them, saw what made them tick… People were such fascinating creatures, especially those of this tribe of misfits, so he wanted as much time picking apart their brains as possible. He could not, however, disobey the order of Senku Ishigami.
Don’t get him wrong, Gen wasn’t the type to blindly follow someone’s lead, but there was something about Senku. Senku was a mad scientist, by all means, but just one look and you could tell: in the end it was passion and curiosity that drove him forward, creating a genuine love of science. Someone with that level of devotion, one that blinded the average spectator, was hard not to notice. Gen liked seeing him get all giddy, like a kid on Christmas, whenever he had a new crazy idea for an invention or project. Gen could’ve quickly unloaded his duties onto someone else, except he’d miss seeing him that way. It was like a reward for his efforts, making the pain and fatigue worth it.
Senku wasn’t that hard of a person to figure out. Spend enough time with him and he’s like an open book. Or maybe he just was to Gen, after spending so long with each other in such close proximity. He would deny his kindness, even though he announced he’d restore the entirety of humanity straight from the get-go. Only someone that kind, and incredibly selfless, could say that with his full chest and work day and night to see it happen.
He hides what he may see as a weakness with his brilliance, that blunt sense of logic he moved with, but one cannot hide their true emotions from the mentalist.
Of all the miscellaneous citizens of the Kingdom of Science, Gen had to admit Senku was one of the ones he valued the most. He wouldn’t dare look further into it though, he made something good here and he wanted to keep it.
And with that, the day’s work was over. Gen had to ask himself: why exactly did he spend all day psycho-analyzing Senku and what he thought about him? It made his work pass by faster, yes, but he was daydreaming like a schoolgirl with a crush. From the start, Gen has deeply admired Senku, even before they had officially met. Time spent together made him realize that while Senku is the absolute genius he thought him to be, he’s also just some guy. Some guy that made him feel at ease. Some guy with an incredible sense of humor. Some guy who just made him feel like he really had a place in this world; that a life where he had never met him sounded like- …The past.
If the petrification didn’t happen, he would’ve never met Senku. Or would he have? Fate was a crazy thing, and frankly not his area of expertise. Destiny gave him the chance to meet the Kingdom of Science, so what exactly would he do with that chance?
“Yo, Mentalist,” a familiar voice exclaimed, startling Gen. “Something on your mind…?”
Gen looked up and their eyes met, locking onto one another with wide gazes. It was as if time had stopped. Gen doesn’t even think his face flushed, it was like he was in some sort of stasis.
“Senku! Gen!” And just like that, Chrome’s voice broke through, bringing them back to reality. “The others managed to catch these wickedly huge boar and put them up to cook tonight and- It’s so bad! But yeah, everyone’s waiting on you two!”
“Uh, yeah.” Senku rubbed the back of his neck. “Be there in a sec.”
“Alright! I can just smell Francois’ cooking from here…” Chrome said, the smell of the feast drifting him away.
Gen stood up and dusted himself off, putting on his usual facade. “Sounds like quite the feast. We should join the others-”
“Hey. …Um-” They both looked surprised as Senku froze in place, for the first time in forever struggling with his words.
“Hm? Yeah, Senku…?”
“...What else you think Francois’ cooking up?”
“Hopefully a pleasant array of side dishes and desserts. Just eating what I’m assuming is some smoked boar would be orrible-hay.”
“Boar’s good for protein, but our forces need a rich variety of nutrients if we want to keep them in top condition.”
“Oh, Senku… Always thinking about productivity.”
And as if nothing had happened, they quickly returned to normal conversation.
Then dinner happened.
Midway through their portions, Suika held up a glass jar, triumphantly showing off a pair of butterflies encased inside.
“Look, everyone!” she exclaimed. “While I was out scavenging in the woods, I found a pair of swallowtails!”
Everyone was smiling over in their dear watermelon’s direction, but the village people seemed especially enamored by it. Gen noticed Ginro grow especially ecstatic. Senku meanwhile saw Ruri blush a little at the sight. Both their attentions then turned to an elderly couple who smiled fondly at each other, humming old memories.
“I still remember when the swallowtails granted us their blessing,” spoke the woman.
“And I’m glad they did!” added the man. “Because now I’m married to a woman like you.”
“Is there something special about swallowtail here?” asked Ukyo.
Ruri smiled and nodded her head. “Tale 32 of the 100 tales tells the story of…true love. True love is born when two or more souls intertwine beyond basic human understanding. In this story, the man, Kentaro, and the woman, Sayuri, were children of feuding families, therefore, under no circumstances, should they ever become friends. Or even meet for that matter!”
It was at that moment that something finally clicked for all present modern men. ‘...Is this just Romeo and Juliet?’
‘Dad…’ thought Senku, a look of pity and distain on his face. ‘You did not…’
The priestess continued her story. “But, against all odds, the two met, and there was this spark ignited within the two of them. To continue as a civilization, humans must reproduce, so Kentaro and Sayuri knew they’d have to marry and have kids one day, but maybe there could be more to it than just animalistic instinct. Being in the company of one another was truly all they could ever ask for, and maybe that was the true purpose of this connection. If it wasn’t for the bitter feud, they would’ve married, right on the spot, but devotion to their families held them back.”
‘This is definitely Romeo and Juliet…’
“‘Kentaro!’ cried Sayuri. ‘Can we not simply forget our lives in this cage we call home and run away together?’
“‘My dear Sayuri,’ Kentaro told her calmly. ‘You would surely miss your friends and family, should we simply up and leave with one another! Sayuri, this burning desire I feel for you is beyond my understanding. I cannot put into words the ways in which I feel when you smile in my direction, or those moments where we catch ourselves locking eyes with one another… But you are a gift, not just to me but to everyone. I could not live with myself knowing that I’ve taken away your beauty to selfishly hoard it to myself.’
“Sayuri understood and felt exactly the same, though as to what she’d call the whirlwind of emotions that stirred when he was with her… ‘Then this love. My darling Kentaro… I love you!’ And so… A pair of gentle swallowtails fell onto their heads and they took that as a sign. No matter who or what stood in their way, their love would triumph over all.”
“And then what happened again?” asked Suika.
“Unfortunately their families found out and chased them to the edge of a cliff, where they died, not letting each other go even in their final moments…
‘Just as we thought: Romeo and Juliet.’
“Where their bodies fell grew the great lover’s tree! Which is where marriages are held, as a sort of memento to the fallen lovers. But as for the significance of the swallowtail: whenever you find two in a pair you’re supposed to bring them and release them into a crowd. If they find a worthy couple, they’ll land on them and solidify their true love. Or at least according to superstition.”
“So I should…!” And with that, Suika popped open the lid of the jar, everyone watching with anticipation as the pair took to the air.
“My dad’s…one real corny guy,” Senku sighed, letting out a small chuckle.
“So we agree?” Gen asked. “Your dad’s love story was absolutely just a rendition of Romeo and Juliet.”
“The guy had no luck with girls, as far as I could tell. I guess he had to pull from somewhere.”
“If he’s anything like you, I’m sure that’s true.”
“What does that mean?”
“The great, mad scientist Senku couldn’t land himself a date if he tried.”
“What makes you so sure? I totally could and it’d be damn easy too! I’ve been married before, remember?”
“Ah yes, for two whole minutes.”
“Just watch me, Mentalist.”
Lost in their own world, Senku and Gen didn’t even notice when the twin swallowtails promptly landed and perched themselves on their heads. No one dared to tell them, afraid they’d ruin their little banter.
Ginro sighed, pretending to hold their backs with his hands. “It should’ve been me…”
“What’re you doing, Ginro?” asked Kinro, a hint of distaste in his voice.
“Do you ever wish you could just…” Ginro pretended to push Gen toward Senku. As if the mistress of fate, wonderful force of nature she is, felt Ginro’s desire, Ryusui stood up, bumping into Gen and throwing him off balance.
Quicker than lightning, Senku slammed a hand in Gen’s face, catching him before their faces fell against one another.
“Sorry, Gen!” Ryusui smiled. “Uh, whatcha doing?”
“Senku…” said Gen weakly. “Ow, my face…”
“Oh, sorry…” Senku muttered.
Luckily for Gen, Senku didn’t catch him averting his gaze, his face flushing a bright red hue. Instead his eyes lingered on the wild swallowtail, frightened and fleeing the scene. Senku searched for the other, wondering what this underlying sense of unease could possibly be from, but didn’t catch it as it flew into the night sky, reuniting in a dance with its companion.
“Am I some kind of sorcerer…?” muttered Ginro, looking down at his hands with a hint of fear, partnered with a hint of arrogance.
“I really hope not,” intervened Kinro.
On their way back to their designated sleeping quarters, Kohaku ran up to Senku. She spoke, not so loudly that everyone could hear her, but loudly enough to avoid suspicion from him.
“I was wondering… Do you think the whole thing with the swallowtail is true?”
“Ruri said it’s just superstition,” said Senku with a yawn. “Things like destiny or luck have no way to be proven, so I don’t really have any reason to believe it’s true or not.”
“So if the swallowtails landed on…say Gen and Ginro, you wouldn’t think anything of it?”
“Hm? Why them specifically? Kohaku?”
‘Crap! I think he’s onto me.’ “They’re just the first people I thought of!”
“Well then… I don’t think there’d be anything to think of it. If it’s fate, then may they get married for all I care. If it’s not, then so what? I’m not really a mushy-gushy romance guy anyway. Don’t tell Gen that though, I’m trying to win a bet.”
“You look like you have fun when you’re with Gen.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You both just look so happy.” ‘Maybe I should just…’ “Fate or not, maybe you guys would make the better couple.”
Senku choked on his own saliva. “Okay, what’s this all about?!”
“Uh- Well, looks like I gotta go!”
“Hey! Don’t ignore me!”
Even if he ran after her, with her speed he’d never catch up. Thus, admitting defeat, he dragged himself back home. When he arrived, Gen was brewing a pot of tea, watching the fire with great interest. Just because Kohaku thought they’d make a better couple than him and Ginro, didn’t mean they’d necessarily be a good couple. In any case, why was he thinking about this so much?! He glared daggers in Gen’s direction, which he noticed but didn’t dare note.
They sat in silence for some time. Gen didn’t even offer him a cup of tea, just placed the cup in front of him and watched as he quietly accepted it, drinking with such carefulness.
‘Someone spike my drink,’ they thought. ‘Please.’
“So…” Gen finally managed to utter. “Something on your mind? You have a weird look on your face. It’s honestly ary-scay…”
“Huh? What’s my face look like?”
“You’re staring me down. Did I do something?”
“You…” Kohaku’s words echoed in his head, playing again and again like a broken record. “You insisted I couldn’t land a date with a girl if I tried. I greatly beg to differ.”
“Still on about that? You’re quite competitive, I must say.”
“There’s… There is kinda a problem with that though.”
“Hm?”
“...There’s no girl I like, ‘course. And I’m not gonna lead on someone I don’t like just to break their poor, little heart later. Do I look like a scumbag to you?”
“You’re better than me, gotta say.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Well, pre-petrification I was a bit of a douchebag.”
“Seriously? …You got laid?”
“Uh- I won’t answer that.”
“Dude!”
“Well, thanks to my fame, I got to meet a lot of people. Some just happened to be around my age, and they just happened to pique my interest…”
“And so you led them on, only to leave them behind when you got bored. I never took you for the scummy heartbreaker type of guy!”
“It’s not like I enjoyed it. Okay, well sometimes it was funny. …Especially this one guy who only wanted me for my money. He…bought me a car and I could swear for a second I actually fell in love… Ha…!”
“You made money from this too?”
“...Senku, I can tell you’re avoiding it.”
“Avoiding what?”
“I led on girls, yeah, and guys…”
“So?”
“Because I could. Because sometimes I meant it. With the both of them, I mean.”
“...And like I said, so?”
“...Okay.” Gen sighed, clearly a little frustrated.
The fire had died down. The tea was finished. Senku and Gen laid side by side on the floor of their hut, staring at the ceiling.
“Senku. Look at me.”
Although it was dark, just enough light peaked in and faintly illuminated Gen’s outline. Senku could make out the gentle curve of his smile, the tiny sparkle glittering in his eyes.
“If you wanna say something…” whispered Senku, “then say it.”
“No. It’s not my place to say. I am who I am, and I can’t fight that truth. I won’t say a thing, not unless you do first.”
Senku’s eyes widened. The direct eye-contact became overwhelming and he had to turn away. “I don’t know if I can.” “Good. Because I don’t want you to.”
“B- But you could! It’s only three simple words, Gen… Hell, if you wanna recite a damn sonnet, be my guest.”
“And it’s years upon years until civilization is finally rebuilt. And after that, I know full well you’ll continue to chase the stars. It’s like that guy in Ruri’s story said… You are a gift to this world, Senku, I couldn’t bear to tear you away for it, just because I want to be a little elfish-say.”
“...Then can I?” He paused, like a lightbulb went off in his head… “Three seconds.”
“Three seconds?”
“Give me three seconds. Not now but once I finally bring humanity back to our former present. Three seconds and I promise, you’ll have my full undivided attention for…you know.”
Gen chuckled, burying his face in his hands. “I don’t know what you plan to do in three seconds.”
“A lot can happen in three seconds, ya know?”
Senku moved in closer to Gen, turning over to face him. Gen couldn’t seem to keep himself from laughing, possibly from hysteria. Senku simply smiled, pushing his hands away to the side, and quickly pecked him on the lips.
With that, Gen’s laughter slowly died down. They were happy, easily intertwined in an embrace, fitting together like two puzzle pieces.
Love didn’t seem as foreign a concept to them as it had this morning. For two people, once afraid of this very intimacy they were sharing, it felt as easy as breathing now. Maybe Senku and Gen were just like that. After all, there’s no need to fear the unknown once it’s known. That in of itself is both the beauty in the love and science they’d pursue together, hand in hand in order to finally have their promised moment.
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