"If Tsukasa really is killing people, I'll—" Taiju piped up but was quickly cut off by Tsukasa who had returned from his trip, catching everyone off.
"Calling it 'killing people' is a really matter of perspective. I'm culling them..." Brown orbs darkened as he narrowed his eyes, no longer hiding his true personality behind that gentle façade of his. "...for the benefit of the new world."
Then, he threw his coat onto the ground and stalked forward like a predator ready to pounce on its prey. You froze in fear, unable to move a single muscle as Taiju took a stance in front of everyone else, ready to protect his friends from the enemy once more.
'He doesn't even try to hide his murders from Taiju or Yuzuriha.' You trembled at that realization. 'In other words, anyone who gets in his way...'
(E/C) orbs drifted towards his clenched fist, his fingers unfurling to reveal broken pieces of stone falling like snow. That sight left you feeling nauseous and you kept watching, unable to tear your gaze away from those shattered fragments of another innocent life lost.
With that proof, everyone now saw Tsukasa for the heartless monster that he was from the very beginning.
"Senku, (Name)," Taiju, who was also horrified by the scene he saw, spoke up. "If things go bad, take care of Yuzuriha for me. I'm going to stop Tsukasa!"
Before any of you could react, he let out a loud yell and took off towards Tsukasa who got into a fighting stance, ready to meet the brunette head-on.
Your eyes widened and thought to yourself if the idiot had a death wish, willingly to throw his life away from this easily for the second time.
Next to you, Senku growled through gritted teeth, his brows furrowing in frustration over his friend's lack of self-preservation. "You damn simpleton! The guy killed a lion with his bare hands. You're screwed, ten billion percent! You're forcing me to use the weapon I've been keeping secret!"
Without a moment to waste, he turned around and reached for something inside one of the pots next to him, pulling out a crossbow that he had built the night he began to suspect Tsukasa with an arrow already loaded onto it.
With a quick aim in the other's direction, Senku released the arrow and it whizzed past Taiju, heading straight for Tsukasa.
Even though the accuracy was dead on, Tsukasa simply dodged the arrow with a tilt of his head and caught it in mid-air with a single catch. He then cast it aside, the sharp tip striking into the ground from the force alone.
Without losing his momentum, he spun a couple of times before aiming a powerful kick with his knee at Taiju who, thanked the lucky stars, managed to deflect with his arms thanks to his fast reflexes. Even then, the force sent him skidding backwards, leaving scratches on the hand he received the kick to.
"Taiju!" You cried out worryingly while Yuzuriha covered her mouth, her eyes wide with fear and worry for the brunette.
Surprise flashed across Tsukasa's face at the fact that Taiju was still standing before it was replaced by confusion. "You're the first person who's managed to remain standing after receiving my kick. Yes...And even more interestingly, it wasn't that you failed to attack me just now, but that you refused to. Why?"
"I don't hit people!" Taiju was quick to respond, his brows furrowing with fury. "You can hit me or kick me all you want but stop destroying the statues! Killing people is bad!"
Then, he proceeded to tear open the front of his shirt, revealing his bare chest as he demanded Tsukasa to use him as a punching bag. The trio sweatdropped at his unexpected action and Senku held in the urge to strangle the idiot he called his friend for his stupidity.
You retracted your earlier statement about how Taiju had a possible death wish and instead, decided he really did have one for his action just proved it.
Folding his arms, Tsukasa processed his proposal. "Taiju, let me get this straight. You'll let me keep hitting you and never fight back, therefore, don't destroy statues. Is this right?"
"That's right!" Said person was quick to confirm and you facepalmed, not doubting that your friend really did have a death wish.
Tsukasa blinked his eyes once, completely puzzled by Taiju. "I don't understand. There's no deal being made here. If you insist on getting in my way..."
"I don't care how many times you attack me!" Taiju interrupted him mid-sentence. "I won't stop trying to stop you!"
"That girl who was just revived...What if I told you I'd kill her?" Tsukasa threatened, staring dead into the brunette's eyes.
A whimper escaped your lips, fearing for your friend's safety. Meanwhile, Taiju wasted no time in running over to stand in front of Yuzuriha and stretched his arms out, his bigger frame blocking her from Tsukasa's sight.
You flinched when glinting amber orbs slid over to you. You caved in on yourself, trying to appear smaller. It didn't go unnoticed by Senku who swiftly pushed you behind him, cutting off the other's line of vision.
Ruby red burnt with fury as they stared steely at the enemy, daring him to take another step. The atmosphere felt heavy as nobody said anything, both Taiju and Senku held their stares against Tsukasa.
However, it didn't last for long because, in the next second, Taiju let out a choking sound before blood exploded from where he had received Tsukasa's kick to the head and he fell onto his back, immediately passing out.
"Taiju-kun!" Yuzuriha cried out in concern, her eyes pricking with tears as she knelt onto the ground next to the male, her gaze roaming over his body for any more injuries.
"So that did hurt him," Senku commented as both of you walked over to take a closer look. "He's bleeding like mad. We'll have to let him sleep for a few days."
You were still glued to the scientist's back, afraid of leaving his side since Tsukasa was still in the picture. Your head peeked out, peering down at your friend in worry. "We'll have to clean and bandage the wound or else it'll get infected."
"Yes." Tsukasa agreed, his eyes fixated on the unconscious teen. "Let's not fight among ourselves. You protect Yuzuriha, instead of worrying about statues of people you don't know. And I'll do what I need to do. I won't let you get in my way."
He picked up his coat from the ground and slung it over his shoulders before meeting your gaze, amber eyes softening slightly with regret. "I wish things didn't have to turn out like this, (Name). You're a good person which is something I respect."
You hesitated over his words before looking him in the eyes and softly replied, "I don't believe you're an evil person, Tsukasa because I've witnessed your kindness beforehand. There's goodness in your heart, don't forget that."
Tsukasa was taken aback by your words since he didn't expect you to say such things after seeing what he had done. However, he wasn't going to give up on his vision of a new world purged of sins caused by the older generation.
Nothing could change his mind. With that, he grabbed his spear and left the campsite, not once looking back.
When Tsukasa's retreating back was no longer in sight, you finally released a sigh of relief that you didn't realize you had been holding in all this time.
"Oh, thank goodness he's gone. That was frightening!" You shivered and wrapped both arms around yourself.
Senku lifted a brow in question as he glanced down at you. "You really do see the good in everyone, don't you, (Name)?"
"I..." You lifted your gaze towards where Tsukasa had gone, absentmindedly tucking a stray of (h/c) hair behind your ears. "I don't blame him for wanting to rid of a world of adults, not after what had happened to him as a child. Anyone in his shoes would've probably done the same, especially when an opportunity was so easily handed on a silver platter to them."
The scientist said nothing because there wasn't anything to say when he agreed to an extent. Instead, he shifted his attention to the arrow still stuck into the ground and frowned. "The crossbow arrow was moving at over 200 kilometres per hour."
"He snatched it right out of the air..." Yuzuriha remarked from where she was still knelt next to Taiju, her eyes focusing on the arrow too.
"It should've been impossible for a normal human." You commented. "It really showed that Tsukasa's not one to mess up."
Senku sighed in exasperation before turning to Taiju who was still out like a light and proceeded to step on him. "Hey, get up! Come on! Come on! Come on!"
"E-Eh?!" Yuzuriha startled, concern spilling from his lips as Senku kept stomping his foot on the unsuspected victim. "You said you'd let him sleep for a few days!"
Chuckling over the brunette's worry, you grinned in amusement. "Yuzuriha, you should know by now that when Senku says something, it usually means another. Besides, Taiju's gonna be fine. You'll see."
"But..." Yuzuriha hesitated, clearly still anxious over the male's well-being.
The corners of his lips stretched into a teasing smirk as Senku continued with his rough treatment on his friend. "You're not gonna go down that easily in front of Tsukasa, are you, big oaf?"
In the blink of an eye, Taiju regained his consciousness and exclaimed, "Of course I'm not!"
"See, I told you so." You laughed as the teen got onto his feet in a heartbeat. "Nothing can take him down that fast."
"You're okay now?" A wide-eyed Yuzuriha questioned.
"I'm built to last," Taiju remarked, a grin breaking out onto his face. "I've got plenty of energy left to spare!"
"Thank goodness." Yuzuriha sighed in relief.
Suddenly, realization dawned on the brunette. "Right! Tsukasa! We need to stop his murdering!"
With his blood still leaking down the right side of his face, Taiju tried to run off but was stopped by Senku who grabbed onto his belt in an effort to hold him back.
"Hold it, big oaf." The green-haired male growled, struggling to halt his friend's from his suicide mission.
"I'm not giving up!" Taiju declared, dragging Senku as he tried to break free from Senku's hold on him.
"How simple-minded can you be?" Senku argued while you added with an exasperated sigh. "Taiju, do you really have a death wish? We just learned that we can't stop him!"
The stubborn teen finally stopped fighting back and crossed his arms in contemplation. "Still..."
Walking past Taiju, Senku headed over to where the arrow was stuck into the ground and bent down to pull it out. Staring at the stone head covered in dirt, he started, "There's only one way to stop a monster in this stone world."
Everyone stared at him, wondering what that one thing could be.
Looking over to the trio, Senku finished with his trademark smirk. "Advance civilization and make weapons of science."
Time skipped
The four of you were currently in the laboratory, watching in confusion as Senku grabbed pots off from the shelves and threw them onto the floor where they shattered before proceeding to break them into smaller pieces by stomping on them.
"Such a waste..." Yuzuriha mumbled, watching with wide eyes.
"What are you doing, Senku?" Taiju questioned, furrowing his brows in confusion.
"He's making it look like Tsukasa freaked us out and made us run off with just our food." You explained, having caught on to what the male was doing when he suggested for the group to abandon camp and leave before said person returned.
"What are you talking about? Are we running away?" Taiju exclaimed, feeling even more puzzled.
"It's just an act," Senku answered. "If we make weapons of science before he takes notice, we win. If he finds out first, we lose. That's the kind of race this is."
You clapped your hands in excitement for the adventure awaiting for everyone outside of this small clearing, (e/c) eyes shining with anticipation. "Let's not waste any time and start getting ready for the long journey ahead of us!"
And so, the four gathered their belongings with Taiju carrying most of them. When everyone had double-checked what they needed, Senku laid out his plan. "We're going to go find materials to make weapons. Our goal is Hakone!"
"Yes, sir!" Both you and Taiju saluted.
With that, the group set off for Hakone.
***
"So," You dragged out the word as the group trudged through the forest, their old camp long behind them now. "How far exactly is Hakone from here?"
"Hmm," Senku did a quick math calculation in his head before replying, "It'll just be like a huge 80-kilometre adventure that's all."
"8-80 kilometres?!" Your mouth dropped in disbelief. "And you expect us to walk all the way there?!"
"All transportations eroded away like thousands of years ago. Unless you're able to magically make one appear, what else do you expect us to do?" The scientist raised a brow, his tone full of sarcasm.
"You don't have to be so mean about." You sulked, pouting like a kid next to Senku who smirked at your misery.
"Two full marathons, huh? Five hours ought to do it." Taiju smiled matter-of-factly.
"Only for a meathead like you." Senku deadpanned.
A fond smile graced Yuzuriha's lips as she watched the trio bickered like kids when she noticed pink petals drifting like little dancing ballerinas around the woods the three of you were walking in.
"The cherry blossoms seem different." She stated, lifting a hand to catch one of the falling petals.
Senku caught one in his hand too, turning the petal back and forth and started explaining, "The cherry blossoms we know, Prunus yedoensis, aren't self-pollinating."
"Which means..." Yuzuriha trailed off.
"They must have gone extinct right off the bat." You finished quietly, glancing down at the petals in your cupped hands.
Soon, the group reached the edge of a cliff which offered a beautiful panoramic view filled with trees and mountains stretching for miles on end. (E/C) eyes widened in awe, trying to take in everything at once.
You wanted to imprint this picturesque view into your mind forever, treasuring how precious and wonderful Mother Nature was without man in her way and destroying her beauty.
From beside you, Taiju exclaimed loudly. "Man, what a great view!"
"Perfect." Senku meanwhile nodded in satisfaction and pulled out some sort of unknown instrument from one of the bags tied around his waist, closing an eye as he began looking around with it.
"What's that, Senku?" Taiju asked, pointing to the device in his friend's hands.
"A sextant." The scientist replied before spewing some large numbers related to the sun somehow. "It's been 35,970 seconds since sunrise as of now."
Yuzuriha sweatdropped. "Did you really just that like it's no big deal?"
You placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder and let out an exasperated sigh. "Here's an advice: just go with the flow. Don't bother trying to understand how Senku works, it'll just hurt your brain."
"Senku counted for hundreds of billions of seconds while he was petrified. This is a piece of cake for him." Taiju added, not helping at all.
"A sextant is supposed to tell you your current location based on the time, but the accuracy is such trash, it's a complete joke." He grumbled. "Still, this trash is the only GPS we have. We must be around Kamakura, I guess. I wish I knew our exact longitude and latitude."
"We've walked that far already?!" You gasped before just choosing to accept it. "Huh. I guess we really did."
"Are there any buildings that could serve as landmarks?" Taiju asked, looking both ways as he searched the surrounding.
"A bit hard considering anything metal is rusted away by now." You remarked with a tilt of your head. "There's nothing left."
Yuzuriha, who had been quiet all this while, looked around as well when something in the far distance caught her eyes. Her eyes widened and all she let out was a quiet gasp which caught Taiju's attention.
"What's wrong, Yuzuriha?" He asked.
However, the female gave no reply and instead, turned on her heels and took off into the forest. The three of you exchanged confused looks and decided to follow her to see what the commotion was all about.
'Isn't that...' Your thought trailed off, (e/c) eyes widening with realization when you finally saw what had captured your friend's attention the closer you neared it.
The brunette, who was leading in the front, noticed something strange up ahead. "That area's completely bare of trees for some reason."
She stopped when she came to an open field, panting for breath. "Kamakura's landmark is..."
Senku was breathing heavily from all the running, but there was no mistaking the smirk on his face when the area they were at finally sank in. "I know where we are. We're at 35 degrees, 19 minutes north, 139 degrees, 32 minutes east."
Standing before the group, in all its glory, was a giant Buddha statue. Even though there were missing holes, the Great Buddha of Kamakura was still intact and in good condition after 3,700 years; the only remaining connection to the modern world in this new stone world.
You watched with misty eyes and the more you stared at the statue surrounded by dancing petals, the more it reminded you of the many spring days you had spent with Senku thousands of years ago. A wave of nostalgia washed over you when a particular memory came to mind.
"Senku!" You were grinning from ear to ear as you barged into his bedroom without so much as a knock to indicate your presence.
The teen, who was working on some science experiment that could rival those with PhD degrees despite only being in his second year of middle school, glanced up and clicked his tongue in irritation.
"What do you want?" His eyes twitched at being disrupted.
In your excitement, you brushed off his clear annoyance by grabbing one of his arms that was folded across his chest, twined your fingers with his larger palm and tugged him towards the room's exit, all the while urging him to hurry up. "Come on, Senku! I want to show you something!"
Senku rolled his eyes, but obliged anyway, knowing how persistent you could be when you didn't get your way. (In actuality, he could never say no to you, but he would never admit that out loud.)
You led the boy out of his room, down the stairs, then out of the front door and to the small park he usually frequented as a child. You kept dragging him until you came to a stop in front of the only cherry blossom tree in this entire park.
Come every spring season, the buds would bloom when the time was right and painted a beautiful picture of cacophony pink for all to see and admire. That time had finally come and you had been looking forward to it for weeks on end, wanting to share this special day with the person your heart held closest to.
Releasing Senku's hand, you ran up to the tree and stood beneath its foliage. Slowly, like the blossoming sakura flowers, the corners of your lips lifted into a bright smile.
(E/C) orbs glittered in the setting sun, turning a shade lighter against the streaks of evening colours –
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