46. Treasured
02-10-2024
A/N: I'm back~! I haven't seen you guys since last year, hehe. Anyways, I've had a nice break and am struggling with school, so I wrote a few chapters ahead just in case I need to catch up if I can't finish the next one in time.
ALSO, please read the author's note at the end!
Q: How has your 2024 been since New Year?
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Once upon a time, the world was basked in a green sea of light. The dominating inhabitants of the world were turned to stone with the touch of that light--plunged into frozen darkness for years. Meanwhile, the six members of the Soyuz Rocket plummeted back down to Earth to create a new generation of humans, which also continued for some time.
But after 3,700 years, a man named Ishigami Senku had broken free from the stone and began his quest to restore modern civilization. Making a formula to revive those who were turned, he brought his friends back and fought those who had turned against him. He had won after countless months of preparation, as well as having support from the new generation of humans. In that process, he had lost the Cave of Miracles, which was used to create that revival formula. Now, all that's left is to continue advancing science and reviving every single human on Earth through exploration.
"Why'd you skip out on the romance entirely?!"
You were standing behind the wooden, make-shift stage when you heard Haru's voice call out from the crowd. You peeked your head through the curtains and saw all of the villagers and Tsukasa's Empire standing together, but it was clear that the groups weren't completely comfortable with each other yet. The mentalist thought it would be a good idea to give background on how and why everything happened to those who were part of the Empire and the newly revived. It took at least a week or two to get it ready, according to the man himself.
"I was going to get there~!" Gen cheerfully called out. "Romance stories need to have their own section, do you understand, Haru-chan?"
You shook your head in annoyance as Gen finished up the play. Slowly stepping out onto the stage, you used a staff as you slightly limped forward. You noticed your teacher in the middle with Haru, watching the play with a calm smile, holding their child back from yelling out anything else.
Gen started with a wide grin, "The romance between Senku-chan and (Y/N)-chan was like a bud slowly blooming into a beautiful flower. Carefully nurtured, but with encouragement and a little push, they grew to be a lovely couple! They started off as childhood friends--"
"You are not gonna go there, mentalist," you declared as you placed a hand on his shoulder. Looking back at the crowd, you spoke loud and clear for all to hear, "All of you now know the situation. In this frame of time, all of you should also know that we need to work together if we're going to bring back civilization to modernity. However, in order to do that, we need to figure out the answer to the biggest question we have."
Gen set his gaze onto you. "And that is...?"
A serious expression appeared on your face as you replied, taking your hand off of him, "Who petrified the entire world? That is the question we're all asking. I know Senku should be telling all of you this, but right now, he's thinking of a new plan on how to get to the other side of the world."
"Right! Senku-chan is--wait, what?" Tbe mentalist was flabbergasted by the words that came out of your mouth. Even many of those in the crowd were wondering how that was possible. "The other side of the world?! Why?!"
"Because he told me that the source of the green light we all saw was located somewhere in South America. If we could find the source of the petrification, we could find out who did it and why," you explained to them.
You then heard Magma laughing hysterically as he pointed directly at you. "BWAHAHAHA! The other side of the world?! Did you give Senku your brain or something?! If you went to the other side, you'd fall off and DIE!"
Widening your eyes in offense, you questioned him with a calm but low tone, "Are you seriously calling me stupid?"
With a nervous smile, Gen placed both of his his hands on your shoulders and squeezed. "(Y/N)-chan, please don't kill him yet~ I'm sure you still have things to announce as well--"
"If (Y/N) won't do it, then I will!" Kohaku blurted out with furrowed brows, shocking your friend in the process. She immediately jumped onto the stage to join you as she glared at the brute.
"Not you too, Kohaku-chan!"
Off to the side, you heard some snickering echoing from the large group of people. You saw that it was Yo, the former police man that Tsukasa had revived previously. He stopped laughing and looked up. "Ah, sorry. It's wrong to laugh at the savages for their ignorance. Pfft... but I can't with this guy! He was so serious when he shouted it! And, uh... I'm so sorry that he insulted you... Miss (Y/N)."
Not even a second later, the two men were battling it out through anger and stupidity. You breathed out through frustration, watching Kokuyo try to stop their fight. However, they weren't letting up. Gen just shook his head in disbelief as Kohaku rolled her eyes when her father couldn't do anything. You noticed Haru being held back from joining the fight that they so desperately wanted to participate in.
You cleared your throat before yelling at them, "Ahem! If you two don't stop fighting right now, I will cut your heads open and show everyone HOW SMOOTH THOSE BRAINS REALLY ARE!"
The loud voice caused them to stop, and then you signaled Kokuyo to handle them. You turned to your friend, who only had sweat dripping down his temples. The mentalist spoke, "It's only natural that something like this would happen. Two opposing groups joining together as one is something that doesn't happen often. Do you need some mentalist work for the time being?"
"Of course. Being a leader is hard work, and it doesn't help that I'm a little bit at a disadvantage at the moment. It's not really a good image if you wanna give hope, you know? I'm sure Senku would've done a better job at this," you said in a tired tone. "He said I need at least a day or few until I can walk properly."
"You're a great leader, (Y/N)!" The lioness argued as she stared at you with her big, blue eyes. "Yes, Senku is a good leader, but you're more like a saint compared to that devil!"
Sweat dripped down your head as you let out an awkward laugh. "Ahaha... is that really the best way you can describe him...?"
"Well... not exactly. Senku-chan knows how to handle it in his own way, but you do, too. You've proven to us that you can lead when you put your heart to it," Gen told you with a small smile, in which you returned the gesture after hearing those words from both of your friends. "Now, what else does Senku-chan want us to know?"
"He wants to make a boat so we can cross the sea," you answered him.
"A BOAT?!" You heard the villagers speak up. With the look of confidence splattered all over their faces, you knew that this was something they could handle.
"Ohoho! Usually, Senku has us making weird things, but this is something we can do!" Kaseki cheered.
"Yeah. Ishigami Village is full of people who live on water. So this time, we might actually be more useful than you and Senku, (Y/N)! We got experience!" Magma gloated.
You placed a palm on your head as you watched him proudly fill himself with enthusiasm. "He's not wrong...I'm only a swordsman, while Senku is just a scientist."
"I wonder what kinda bad ulterior motive he has," Chrome mumbled.
"Probably a really stupid one," Haru piped up as they joined your group, separating themselves from their mother. "Where's your science guy, anyway, senpai? I'm surprised the headband guy isn't with him right now."
"I have a name, you damn brat," the brunette hissed at him.
"I'm not a brat, you stupid headband guy!" The kid growled back. They butted heads and were giving each other a stink-eye. But they knew better than to fight in front of you directly.
"Chrome wanted to be here in Senku's place to help out if anything happened. Meanwhile, Senku's in his lab, working on some new blueprints for his boat. I'm not really sure what kind of boat he wants, though," you said as you kept a close eye on both Chrome and Haru.
"In that case, why not make it a competition? We can all work together in a way, but whoever comes up with the best boat is the one we'll use~! Deadline is tomorrow!" Gen cheerfully suggested.
"BWAHAHA! I have this in the bag!" exclaimed the blonde brute before he ran off with his little lackey, Mantle.
"HAH, leave it to me!" Yo blurted out with a smug grin on his face. The ginger went in the opposite direction of Magma with a head full of ideas.
Kohaku glanced over to the mentalist before speaking, "And what was this competition really for...? For one, Senku is going to win in the end."
He quietly replied, not to let any outsider hear, "Well, do you know the sleight of hand known as 'forcing'? Despite the card you choose being decided, it gives the illusion that you chose it yourself."
You nodded in understanding. "I see. It's a bit manipulative, but I understand why you'd do so."
"And I'm very glad you do~" the man let out a chuckle.
You then saw Yuzuriha and Taiju come up to the stage as a majority of the crowd was leaving. The girl held up what looked like two pirate hats. "I made these to commemorate the new journey we'll be making when the time comes. What do you think?"
You kindly took the hat off of her and placed it on your head. It was a perfect fit along your head's diameter. The cloth used was also very comfortable. "Not bad! It's a cool hat! Fits the overall theme that we're heading into."
"Maybe we should get you a peg leg, (Y/N)! You'd look like a cool pirate!" Taiju exclaimed.
You and your modern day friends just looked at him. "Taiju... I'd have to cut my leg off for that..."
"Pirate? Peg leg?" Kohaku wondered as she grabbed the other accessory from the seamstress. "This is a strange hat... but it's nice and firm."
"Yup. I've been experimenting with the leftover material after making clothes for all these people. Hopefully, I could make different types of clothes in the future when I have enough material!" She happily exclaimed as she took the hat back from the lioness. She let the hat hang off of your sheath like a hook.
You grinned before you got off the stage, others following as well. "I'm sure you will. If that ever happens, you're free to use me as a model like before."
As you touched ground floor, you placed the wooden staff on your knee scooter and looked at the sky. Dusk was approaching, as the hues of blue were overtaken by the warmth of oranges and yellows. You looked back at your friends, who were still talking amongst themselves, and smiled. Oh, how you were grateful to have such good friends.
"I'm going to start heading over to Senku. We'll meet up tomorrow and select who has the 'best' boat idea at the beach," you instructed.
"See you guys later!/Later, senpai," your friends said their temporary goodbyes, and you waved to them as you started rolling away.
Gen added with a smile, "Don't be getting to frisky when you see him~!"
Almost stumbling on the scooter, you looked back with furrowed brows and a large frown. "As if we'd do anything as risky as that! Especially in the world like this!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about~ I'm just saying don't stay up too late making blueprints! You need sleep!" The man chuckled in a silly way, causing you to flush heavily at your guttered mind. You quickly turned tail and headed straight for the lab.
"Ew," Chrome and Haru said in sync.
"You don't seriously think they're gonna do that, Gen?" Kohaku scoffed in disbelief.
Gen shrugged and stuck a tongue out, "No. I know for a fact they're not going to ever do it. But (Y/N)-chan is so fun to tease~"
~~~
Walking inside the newly created lab in Tsukasa's former empire, you saw Senku sitting on a chair by himself in front of a table of papers--all of which were piled up with blueprints. You could tell that the one in the middle was the final version due to how Senku was looking at it; his sight was focused as his arms were crossed. A pencil hung from between his teeth, and a slight smirk of satisfaction was stuck to his face.
You quietly walked up to the boy and took your arms, slowly wrapping them around his neck; you let them rest below his chest. Embracing him, you were like a blanket resting on his back. He took the pencil out of his mouth; his hands trailed up your arm to feel your warmth, and you leaned your head down to the side of his face.
In a gentle voice, you greeted him, "Hello, love."
"Hey, slowpoke," he replied in the same tone. Senku turned his head to you with tired but soft eyes as he laid them onto you. "How was that 'play' that the mentalist suggested?"
You let out the biggest sigh as your head dropped to his shoulder, causing him to snicker. "It was fine up until the end. Magma and Yo were causing issues, and Gen had to come up with a solution to see if they could work together in some way."
"And what was that solution?"
"He told them to create some boat ideas, and whoever had the best one would be hailed as the best boat maker."
The scientist let out a small chuckle, "Kukuku, good on that mentalist. I'll know how knowledgeable they are when it comes to ship-making by the end of it. Their knowledge should be weight in gold. By the way... what's with the pirate hat?"
"Oh... Yuzuriha made it to commemorate our new journey ahead of us. She made you one, too," you said as you showed him the second hat she made for him. He turned his entire body toward you, allowing you to place it on his head. "Hey, it fits perfectly! Now you look like a captain!"
"Heh, are you my first mate then?" Senku lightly jested as you placed your hands on his face.
"Of course. You're my treasured captain, after all. What's a first mate without a captain?" You giggled, and he just smiled tenderly at you.
"Speaking of captain," the scientist started, "we're going to need one if we're gonna make a boat. When's the deadline for that boat-making competition?"
"Tomorrow."
"Then after I win tomorrow, we'll go meet that reporter and ask her to give us information on the best captain she knows. You don't know any, do you? Considering your family had connections?"
You stood still and thought about it. There was one name that popped up in your head, but you'd rather die than revive him. You gave him a lie, "Not that I know of closely. But I'm sure that she'll give us a good one, if anything."
He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged his shoulders as he took your hands off of your face. "Well, skill is all the matters. Who knows what kind of person we're gonna revive?"
"It better be someone decent..."
~~~
"You've got a job, reporter!"
You and Senku had met up with Hokutozai Minami, a well-known reporter from the modern Japan, after the scientist had won the so-called competition in boat ideas. Luckily, your leg was all healed up and you could reach the top of the hill she stayed at with no problem.
"A job?" You heard her mutter. She was rolled up in a ball. Apparently, she cried to herself after finding out that Tsukasa was put into a cold sleep. But knowing she was going to be useful brought her back from her depressed self. The woman stood up and placed her hands on her hips with confidence. "Who do you want? I'll find whoever you're looking for!"
"We're going into the great age of sailing, so I want a godly skilled captain with ten billion percent sailing power!" Senku told her.
She grinned. "Great! I know exactly where to look for that! But first, I want (Y/N) here to answer a few questions for me!"
You looked at her, dumbfounded. "And that would be...?"
"Hokutozai Minami reporting in! How does it feel to be the second celebrity that an Ishigami has claimed as theirs?" She asked you as if she were giving you an interview for live television.
"What?!" Your eyes widened, causing Senku to also be shocked. "I am not a celebrity! And what's up with that claim?"
"First off, I have had suspicions that you are. Your build, voice, and hair color all match the description of the heir to the (L/N) Trading Syndicate! A princess hiding away from the public! Sure, your last name might not be uncommon, but you're the only (L/N) around in Japan!" She explained to you with a determined look on her face.
"How do you even know my last name anyways?" You raised an eyebrow.
"Little Haru had told me after I had done an interview with their mother. Getting information and connections is my best weapon, after all," she replied with a smirk on her face.
Haru, you little shit! You screamed in your mind.
She continued, "Second, I have heard the story of how these people came to be. I've concluded that Lillian Weinberg and Ishigami Byakuya were somewhat involved with each other throughout their time together due to the features that many villagers have."
You nervously coughed as you replied, "A-Ahem...you have no proof of those claims. But despite concluding that Byakuya-san and Lillian were together, that doesn't make me a celebrity!"
Senku then piped up with a small snicker, "I don't know about that, slowpoke. You're pretty famous with the people here now, so you could call yourself one."
"Senku, you're not helping."
The reporter was getting fired up. "Exactly! A skilled scientist dating a modern-day prodigy with a hidden past is something straight from a drama! People love this kind of news! It's perfect for balanced storytelling!"
"Okay, look--I'll answer these questions later! But right now, we need to get a skilled captain so we can drive the sailing ship we're going to make!" You groaned as you started heading off on your own.
Minami trailed behind you with a finger up. "Of course! And you better promise!"
"Heh, she probably won't," the green-haired boy replied with a sneer.
The blonde woman then turned her head to the scientist and asked, "Okay, since she won't answer now... How do you feel, as an Ishigami, claiming (Y/N) as yours and vice versa?"
The boy watched you run off to your friends to tell them of the situation. His eyes softened upon seeing your face, and responded,
"Pretty treasured."
-To be Continued-
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, despite Senku showing up at the end! Don't worry, the next chapter is going to explore your favorite sailor!
I've also taken into consideration about your requests and you'll be seeing those requests in the future chapters! It may still follow the original story, but I've also included more original scenes like you guys asked.
Regarding holiday chapters some of you asked for, I might tweak that a bit so I can somehow manage to come up with good scenarios for them, as well as including them into the story nicely.
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