n-307-! (I love you)

by Bridgy

Senku is not a romantic, nor has he ever flirted with the idea. But if he had to choose someone, it would be Yae Sawa. Senku admired her brilliant mind. When Senku wakes from his sleep, he finds Yae in Kohaku's village, but she has lost her memory. Senku makes it his mission to restore her memory, but Tsukasa has plans to use Yae, and Senku will do everything he can to stop him!

23. Chapter twenty-two

Yae awoke the next morning with Senku's arm still wrapped around her. It was comforting the way he held her from behind in his sleep. And she'd never tell him just in case he'd stop doing it. He was still sound to sleep when Yae carefully peeled his arm off her.
She sat up, rubbing her face and picking the sleep from her eyes. The sting from crying was still there, and she reached over to grab the cloth sitting in the bowl of water. The coolness of the water soothed her aches somewhat, but her heart still hurt.
I won't let it eat me up inside. I'm stronger than that!

After she washed her face, she stood up slowly and walked over to a small rack of weapons: a sword, a few daggers, and a spear. These all belonged to her seeing as Senku never had a need for them. Yae stared at each weapon, trying to decide which one she would keep on her person. Her loose strands of hair tickled her face. Her braid was messy and reached to her lower back. It got in the way a lot while practicing with Kohaku.
It was decided then; Yae reached for the dagger, the one Kohaku gave her when she first arrived in the village.
"Yae...?" Senku sat up slowly, his mouth opening wide and a long, drawn-out yawn followed after. "How are you feeling?"
Yae turned the dagger this way and that, the blade glimmering. "Oh, I'm okay."
"Just okay?" Yae nodded, and Senku grunted in response. He ran his fingers through his hair a couple of times and cocked his head to each side, his neck cracking. "Why not take it easy today. The rest of us can handle today's chores." Yae didn't respond. "Yae?"
"Okay, sounds good." Her voice remained monotone, and she lifted her braid and the blade, slicing it off at the nape of her neck.
Senku gawked at her. He was speechless.

Finally, Yae looked over him with the faintest smile on her face and said, "Well, how do I look?"
Senku blinked once, then twice, and said, "You look great." And he gave her a thumbs up. He stood, stretching his arms and legs. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Yae nodded. "Yes." She looped a belt around her waist and sheathed her dagger. "I can't sit around feeling sorry for myself. I have to move forward." She stepped closer, planting a small kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for listening, Senku."
"Of course."
Yae straightened herself out, feeling more confidant. "You said I could have the day to myself, right?"
"That's right." Senku nodded.
"Then I'll be practicing on my own today in the forest. Don't worry. I can take care of myself." She handed him her braid.
"What am I supposed to do with this?"
A small grumble slipped through Yae's lips. "Doing something like this is considered to be sentimental, but I guess that's not like you, huh."
Senku grinned. "Right, forever the heartless scientist."
Yae ran a hand through her short hair, enjoying the feeling of freedom the weight. "Burn it, keep it, I don't care." With that, she walked out.

It wasn't long before Senku emerged from his place of residence and spotted Asagiri making his way toward him.
"Ah, Asagiri. What brings you my way so early in the morning?"
The mentalist grinned, delighted that Senku took an interest in asking. "I'm so pleased you already know that I have something to tell you." He brought a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. "Stellar work yesterday. And I'm glad I have you alone, I couldn't bear for those pure-hearted, earnest souls to hear this. Like dear Kinro and Kokuyo. By the way, how is Yae doing? Is she still asleep?"
Senku laughed. "Something tells me your schemes gotta be pretty nasty. And she's fine. She left before me to go practice her fighting."
"Sharp as ever! And its good to hear that. But what I came to tell you is this: what we need is a record player and a pair of cell phones." His attitude suddenly changed mischievously. "If this works, dear Tsuaka's empire will be ours without any bloodshed." Senku liked the idea already. "We can save all seven billion! But in exchange, if there really is a God watching us, then we will be condemning ourselves to an eternity in Hell!"
This made Senku laugh. He hadn't heard a joke that funny in a long while. "Don't sweat it. God's been absent from the world of science for a good ten billion years. So lemme hear it mentalist!"
Asagiri was so pleased to know how excited Senku was getting. "I know you're a busy man, so later tonight in then, at the observatory."

Later that day, once Yae had her fill of wild berries, she got back into training. She easily remembered all the correct footing and forms that Kohaku had shown her and followed through with them effortlessly. She swung her dagger this way and that, her blows coming down hard each time. And every swing she made, it cut through the wind like a sliver.
CLASH!
Her dagger collided with Kohaku's.
"OH! Kohaku!" Yae quickly took a step back.
The lioness smiled. "Don't let me stop you. C'mon, let's keep at it!"

The two spared with each other for a good twenty minutes before finally stopping, both of them a little out of breath. "Your skills have improved greatly. Pretty soon, you won't need me anymore." She sheathed her dagger.
Yae laughed. "What are you talking about? I'll always need you." She suddenly realized what she said, and her face went red from embarrassment. "I mean, you're my friend. You're like a sister to me." She thought of her father and the daughters he had in America. Kohaku had American blood in her too.
Kohaku crossed her arms, a tender smile spreading across her face. "In a way we, are like family. Maybe not directly, but Senku is our ancestor, and since he has taken you to be his partner, you're part of the family too."
"That's a really nice thought."
"It's true!" Said Kohaku. "And don't you forget it." Her voice became soft again. "Yae, what happened yesterday? Are you okay? Nice Haircut by the way."
Yae wiped the sweat from her forehead and put her dagger away. "I'm fine." She ran her fingers through her hair again. It was going to take time to get used to short hair. "Really, I am."
Kohaku did not look convinced. "You remembered your life from 3700 years ago, and you say it's nothing. I know you're not a liar, Yae."
"What do you want me to tell you, then?"
Kohaku shrugged. "You don't have to tell me anything, but don't lie to my face and tell me you're fine because I know you're not." She walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her friend. "The village cares about you, Yae. Remember that."
This was rare, Kohaku's embrace and Yae never took it for granted, not even for a second. "Thank you, Kohaku."

When evening arrived, and Yae returned to her and Senku's hut, she found him nowhere and decided to look for him. It was fairly easy to find him, and her assumptions were correct when she heard mumbling up in the observatory. She stepped inside and found Chrome with his ear pressed against the ceiling.
"What are you doing?" She whispered.
Chrome waved her over. "Senku and Asagiri are planning something." He whispered back.
"Really?" She pressed her ear to the ceiling and listened in.
"A quiz," came Asagiri's voice. "On the key to Tsuaka's empire. What is that holds that empire together? What keeps those people united? Food? Beauty? Or dear Tsukasa himself?"
Senku chuckled. "The answer is C, right?"
"Bingo! Ten billion points for you! As the strongest primate high schooler, he was already a charismatic celebrity."
"And your point to all this is..." Senku wondered out loud.
"We need to bring him down." Asagiri rubbed his throat, his voice changing to a higher pitch. "We need someone just as famous. A charismatic icon of our own. Hi! I'm Lillian Weinberg!"
Senku choked on his spit.

Down below, Yae looked at Chrome. "He sounds just like Miss Lillian." Chrome nodded.
Asagiri continued. "I can play the part. A bit. Though I fear it's not good enough."
"No, that was good," Senku told him. "You're quite the impressionist, but it's still ten billion percent obvious you're a dude."
Asagiri sighed. "Exactly. However, with that rough sound quality, and me talking over our phone..."
"So the record song serves as proof!" Senku was getting excited.
"Bingo! One-hundred billion points! They'll hear the raw recording dear Lillian's voice over the phone. With her fantastic singing, they'll really think it's her."
"Well," said Senku. "It was really her."
"They'll be convinced that on the other side, Lillian the Diva is alive and well."
"So in order to win those guys over with false hope, we're creating a zombie Lillian and telling one whopper of a lie." He laughed. "We really will go to Hell for this."
Asagiri was surprised to see Senku so ready to create such an elaborate lie. "So you're totally cool with this?"
"Oh yeah, sounds good. Let's hammer out the details later. Plan approved!"
"Just like that? So quick!"

Yae and Chrome could no longer take being left out and they burst their up into the Observatory.
Chrome yelled, "I get it! But not really! I'm still totally in the dark."
Yae rubbed her hands together to warm them and stood next to Senku. "You little sneak. I'm totally in."
Chrome's mouth suddenly dropped. "Your hair!"
"Hah! You now just noticed?"
"Anyway," said Senku. "Let me break it down for you, young apprentice, step-by-step. First, I have to get the cell phone to Taiju and Yuzuriha. Second, have them show it to Tsuaka's army in secret. The third step, play dear Lillian's song over the phone. And four, fool them all!"
"So," Yae started. "The only thing keeping them tied to Tsukasa is them thinking the old world was destroyed."
"It was," said Gen. "But they don't know that."
Senku went on. "Plus, if America's back in action and sending the military to help Japan, then that changes everything for everyone."
"And once most of Tsukasa's empire turns on him, and Taiju relays the massage for us..." Yae let the idea float up in the air.
"We rush in and take over! All without ever spilling a drop of blood." Senku said excitedly.
"OHHH! But wait, then they'll figure out you lied!" Chrome seemed concerned, but Asagiri and Senku on the other hand didn't care.
"Whatever!" Said Asagiri. "So long as we take down dear Tsuaka and Hyoga, the rest will work itself out."
"It's ten billion percent the sort of slow-down, underhanded plan I'd expect from our mentalist." Senku cackled. "Get excited!"
"But what about after all is said and done?" Yae wanted to know.
Asagiri was glad to fill her in. "In the aftermath, the Tsukasa empire will be out for blood, but only mine and dear Senku's. That's just how it is."
Yae crossed her arms. "Over my dead body!"
Senku rested a hand on her shoulder. "Keep this a secret from the other villagers, okay? Then the only villians'll be us two past-timers."
"Sure," said Chrome. "But now that Yae and I have heard the plan, that makes us accomplices."
"Hey, you two are the ones that came barging in."
Chrome stuck out his fist. "Well, I was always gonna be part of the mission team!"
"Me too!" Said Yae. "Don't even think about trying to get rid of me now."
"Yeah," Chrome went on. "Someone with technical skills has gotta be on site to set up that big old phone. Better me than you, Senku, with your cracked face!"
Everyone joined their fists together. They were going to march into Hell together. But the pay-off was going to save seven billion lives!

On the way back to the hut, Senku threw off his heavy coat and collapsed on the fur-covered bed. Yae made sure to feed her hawk before getting cozy with Senku.
"How's he doing?" Senku asked, referring to the hawk.
Yae patted her now trained hawk on the head. "He's a good lil guy."
"Is he trained well enough to send secret messages?" Senku yawned, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Yae nodded nonchalantly. "Kind of. He follows me and Furo out into the forest and keeps an eye on us. I may take him with me when we leave for Tsukasa's empire."
"That's nice." Senku rolled over on his side, his front facing Yae.
With one last gentle pat on the head, Yae let her hawk rest. Everyone was going to have a busy day tomorrow. After that, she put on more comfortable clothes and slipped into bed. Senku was already asleep. This allowed Yae the opportunity to touch him softly; it was something he rarely let her do to him unless they were making love. The young scientist was always so serious, even when they were alone, but he was getting better at that.
Yae tucked a stray hair behind his ear, moving slowly as to not wake him from his slumber. She loved him so much. And despite her life so many years ago, Yae was happy to be alive. Everything that happened to her brought her here to him. She leaned in, kissing him on the lips. Senku twitched, and Yae paused where she was, her nose almost touching his.
Finally, she lay her head down, staring at Senku's sleeping face for just a moment before losing consciousness.
I want to spend every day with you, Senku. I love you.

The following day the plan was set in motion. Asagiri, Senku, and Yae put together the parts while the rest of the team got ready for the mission. Yae kept a hat over head to hide her hair, not wanting the attention from her lack of locks. This was far more important. She would surprise the rest of the village later.
"Now, the first hurdle is carting the finished cellphone over to Taiju and Yuzuriha. We need a team of four people for that mission." Began Senku. "Chrome, the engineer. Yae, the swift one. Magma, the hauler. And Gen, who will be your guide." Senku mapped it all out for them. Their goal was to reach Tsukasa empire's base, near what used to be Tokyo."
"Hah!" Kohaku laughed. "One big problem, though. What about Tsukasa's scout, Homura?"
"Kohaku has a point." Agreed Yae. "Go on." She urged her.
"Well, judging from the tree branches missing now, we can assume she kept watch from over near that hill."
"How can you see that far?" Ginro was impressed.
"How is that possible?" Kinro strained his eyes to see further.
"She picked a good spot." Said Senku. "Straight on the path to Tsukasa's empire."
Kokuyo stepped forward. "If our team marches toward enemy territory with all those supplies, the scout is sure to pursue them."
Kohaku nodded. "Right. She'll figure we're planning a primitive strike, no doubt. Then it would be all for naught!"
Ginro suddenly got scared, completely second-guessing this entire plan, so he tried to think of something else. "What if they sneak out in the dead of night?"
Chrome shut him down. "We'll be hauling vacuum tubes and stuff. What if we trip and fall, and they break?"
"Could you outpace her, perhaps?" Kohaku pitched the idea.
Magma fired. "Lugging this? No way, idiot!"
"I'm afraid dear Homura is as fast as Kohaku and Yae."
"Ugh." Senku groaned. "Talk about a dilemma." But Senku was quick to think of another solid plan. "We'll use a shocking science item to lure Homura from her position. That's when the team heads out."

The plan was to shoot an electric current through water to get hydrogen and oxygen to bubble out. Brown's gas was the name of the mixture. It would need to be pumped into a deer's bladder to make a balloon. The explosion wouldn't pack much a punch but would be loud as hell. In other words, sound bombs!
It was now or never to make their move as everyone got into position. Yae left with Magma, Gen, and Chrome. If they failed, it would be up to her to carry everything back, or at least what she could salvage, back to the village as quickly as she could. She was also there in case they would be attacked. And her hawk, her trusty little companion, flew high above them just as Yae had commanded.
They were not going to wait. Instead, they were bringing the battle to Tsukasa's empire. This was the opening volley of the stone wars! And as soon as the bombs went off, Yae took off with her group, hoping the others would not fail on their part, because if they did, that meant serious trouble for all of them.

Author's note: I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. I finally finished writing an original book I'd been working on for the last 3 and half years. So now I can focus on other things. And with all the crazy going on, I think it's the perfect time update and bring some joy to your lives. I'm following the manga now, so bare with me. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out. Life is crazy for everyone at the moment. Please take care, and stay safe!