Sometime prior, during Senku's youth…
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Sitting on a table, doing anything that took his interest, Senku began to hear cheering and yelling coming from a good distance away. As he looked away from what he was doing, he noticed a class of kids about half his age running down towards the park that sat in front of him.
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"That's dumb. Why waste your time on that, when you can be doing something that's 10 billion percent more interesting and worthwhile." Senku spoke to himself, not really waiting for a response.
"10 billion percent?" Senku was surprised at the fact that someone answered him and curiously looked towards his left. There he noticed a young girl with shoulder length, black hair looked up at him. "Why say something like 10 billion percent? Why not just 100?" The girl asked as she tilted her head just a bit in a curious fashion.
"That's because 10 billion is a bigger number than 100." Senku said while smiling.
"So?" Was all the girl answered as she heard Senku's explanation, which nearly caught him off guard.
"So? Is that all you have to say?" Senku spoke, clearly getting frustrated that this young girl, who looks to be half his age, looking at him like he was the least interesting person in the world. "Okay answer me this. Why are you here?" Senku asked not really looking for an answer.
"I broke my hand, and I didn't want to stay at home, so I came here. It was the only logical answer." The girl answered without changing her tired expression.
"Huh?" Senku responded, not even noticing that the young girl before him just changed the conversation entirely.
"What are you doing?" The girl asked.
"Building a rocket. I want it to go into space." Senku answered.
"Hmm?" The girl replied as she began to look at Senku and his actions.
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1 minute later…
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Continuously asking questions to Senku, as the young boy continued to focus on trying to build his rocket, the young girl kept going from side to side, taking in every moment she saw.
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5 minutes later…
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As the group of kids began to leave, Senku looked up and spoke.
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"Shouldn't you leave with them?"
"I never came with them. I told you didn't I, I came because I was bored." The young girl answered as she began to draw in the dirt with her free hand. "Besides…" As she turned her attention back towards Senku, the mentioned boy noticed a smirk on the young girl's face. "You're more interesting than anything around me. I like you."
"Jeez, only spent 6 minutes with me and your already in love?" Young Senku answered, not liking his current situation.
"No, I don't think its love. But more like…" The young girl tried to think of the best word to describe the situation, then smiled as she walked up towards the table, sat down and placed her head down on the table before her, while also poking her finger on Senku's right cheek near his mouth. "Admiration." She said sweetly as she began to close her eyes.
"Admiration, huh?" Young Senku was a bit thrown off by the girl before her, showing that he really didn't know how to handle her. "Before you go and sleep, tell me: What's your name?"
"Saki." The young girl known as Saki responded.
"Then, I'm Denki." Senku responded in turn, thinking Saki was not the girl's real name. "You big oaf."
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Waking up from his dream…
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As Senku began to open his eyes very slowly, at the same time he began to grit his teeth. Having a hangover was really something a teen should not have to experience in their lifetime, at all. But here it was, and if it wasn't for being 3700 years into the future, not only would Senku be arrested for drinking as a minor, but the noise of the modern world would probably drive him insane.
Slowly getting up, Senku held his head in pain as he began to make his way towards the door of the hut. But before he ever set foot outside, he heard Ayane's voice speaking to something. Unsure of what that was, mostly being due to his heart beating extremely hard on his chest, Senku just moved forward and peered outside.
What he was able to see before being blinded by the morning sun was a creature of sorts rushing through the tall grass, and Ayane holding her hand out as it ran away. Sighing before turning around, Ayane had a sad look to her eyes, but as she turned and saw Senku, that look turned to complete shock before rushing to get to work. Unsure of what to make of what he just witnessed, Senku began to start his day.
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As Noon began to approach…
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With Ayane off hunting, Senku once again stayed behind as he continued to work on remaking the revival fluid. Stopping for a moment, he began to stretch his right shoulder and crack his neck a bit before feeling someone pull on his collar.
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"Hey!" He said only to see Ayane looking at him with sadness in her eyes.
"I guess some pieces stayed on, huh?" Ayane spoke for the first time that day.
"I guess so." Senku answered as he shook off Ayane's grip. "Oh, by the way, what was that thing that rushed off this morning."
"Nothing, just the wind." Ayane answered as she slammed two rabbits on the table before Senku. "I guess we're having rabbit for lunch today."
"I guess we are." Senku answered as he looked up to see Ayane, only to come to a revelation. "Hey, quick question."
"Knowing you, it probably will be. Go ahead." Ayane responded as she began to start to a fire.
"Are you…Saki?" Hearing Ayane gripe in pain, Senku looked to see Ayane's right index finger bleeding.
"Come here." Senku ordered as he began to pull on Ayane's arm.
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Several Minutes Later…
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Wrapping Ayane's finger he placed in her mouth a purple pedal plant in her mouth. After a few minutes, Ayane pulled it out and looked at the weird plant.
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"Where did you find something like this? I'm sure I didn't pick up a plant like this." Ayane spoke.
"It's an opium poppy. It's great for reliving pain." Senku answered. "I found it not far from where the river runs. Also you'll probably feel a bit loopy for a bit."
"Why give me something like this, for only a small cut?" Ayane answered as she placed the pedal back in her mouth, only to feel a sharp pain to her side.
"This is why." Senku answered as he began to grip Ayane's side. "Also, I wanted to interrogate you for a bit." Senku answered as he continued to focus on wrapping Ayane's scraped finger.
"And I'm guessing you wanted to ask if I am Saki?" Ayane asked, to which Senku never responded. "Hey." As Senku looked up to look at Ayane, felt her finger poking his right cheek near him lip. "Is this proof enough, Denki?" Ayane asked. Hearing her say a name he had only said to one other person, caused Senku to grin widely.
"So, it was you, Saki." Smiling widely as well, the two began to giggle. "But why didn't you tell me when you first woke me up?"
"Uh, I only knew you by Denki, not Senku. Also, you changed quite a lot in the 6 years we hadn't met. So, naturally I thought you had forgotten about me." Ayane replied as she turned away in embarrassment.
"How can I forget someone who's 10 billion percent as interesting as you?" Senku asked, which caused Ayane to look at him.
"Hey, what do you mean…" But Ayane cut herself off as she noticed face extremely close to Senku's. Frozen from the sudden moment, the two teens just sat there as the world continued to turn.
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As the wind blew, and the creatures began to move, both Ayane and Senku just stayed there, not moving an inch. As she tried to utter a single word, Ayane's lips only began to move like a fish. But before she could speak properly, Senku placed his finger on her lips.
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"We can catch up later, okay?" Senku said as he got up, and placed Ayane's left arm over his shoulder. "Come on, you're probably to dizzy to move."
"Right." Ayane answered as she felt her legs give in. "Whoa!" As the two teens fell towards the ground, Senku was looking down on Ayane with the said girl looking up at Senku with her red, blushing face.
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But before Senku had a chance to get up, Ayane wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in. As his eyes widened in shock, he felt a warm sensation on his lips. As he looked, he noticed Ayane blushing more profusely as she began to kiss him. But even if her kiss was basic, Senku felt some weight to it.
As the two moved their heads away from each other, they continued to look at each other, before slowly moving away from each other. Getting up to her feet, with the help of a tree, Ayane spoke.
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"I guess you were right." Her sudden words caught Senku off as he looked back towards the girl. "I guess it wasn't admiration but love instead." Ayane giggled embarrassingly.
"No." Senku answered as he began to slide his index finger across his lips to remember the feeling of Ayane's lips. "At first it was admiration, then it became love." Hearing Senku speak so casually about the word love, caused Ayane to giggle. "What?"
"I thought you were always the type who only saw love as a distraction." Ayane smugly spoke as she began to lean on the tree behind her, only to see Senku point his finger upwards.
"In science, there are always exceptions." Senku responded while smiling widely. "Afterall, laws were made to be broken."
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After saying his line with confidence, the two began to giggle then burst out laughing as the midday started to close. Walking back, Ayane continued to focus on cooking the meat that was left out, and Senku went back to recreating the revival fluid.
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As the evening began to roll around…
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Chipping away on the block of wood she held in her hand, Ayane began to hum the familiar tune of Claire De Lune. Even when her hums cracked and lowered in volume, since Ayane was not great at singing, she still showed passion in finishing her song. Lifting the piece up under the lamp she created which just hung on a branch right above her, Ayane showed a pointed triangular side and continued to do the same with the opposite side of the block.
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"So, you like classical music?" Senku answered.
"I do. I find it soothing, since it allows me to stop thinking for a bit and see what's around me. Modern music has too much amp in it, that it makes it harder to think. But…" Ayane looked up towards the setting sky as it slowly faded to a dark purple-black hue mix. "I just can't seem to explain it." Ayane answered with a sweet, tired smile. To which eventually she yawned.
"Go get some rest." Senku answered.
"You're not going to join me?" Ayane teased.
"Not on your life. I may have made an exception, but that doesn't mean I'm doing anything stupid at my young age." Senku spoke back.
"Whatever. Good night." Ayane got up from where she was sitting and walked up to the hut. "Don't work to hard." Was the last thing Ayane said before entering in.
"I won't." Senku replied, not expecting a reply back. As soon as Ayane was gone, Senku spoke to himself. "I wouldn't dare leave someone as interesting as you all alone." As Senku closed his eyes, he smiled before getting back to work.
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April 5th, 5737…
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"My life with Senku is slow. I don't mind it being slow, but… Senku continues to try and recreate the formula that I worked on for nearly 2 years since my awakening. And with each passing day, I fear he has grown closer and closer. Even though I told him that any mistake he makes is his problem, I can't help but feel responsible as well."
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Ayane stopped writing for a moment and looked up towards the Spring sky. The lukewarm air flowing past Ayane's now fully washed hair.
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"I managed to grab what Senku needed, especially for a quick and ready soap. Luckily, thanks to his knowledge, I also managed to create a sort of hair conditioner to keep my hair in check. Don't know if it will be useful, but if you find it along with this journal of sorts, then go for it. Use it to your hearts contents, or at least until it runs out."
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"Hey, Ayane." Senku spoke as he walked up with a small jar in hand. "What's this?"
"Oh, that." Ayane answered as she looked up towards Senku. "That is the finished product. The revival formula." Hearing the girl before him state something he wasn't expecting, Senku went ballistics.
"Then why the hell didn't you tell me?!" Senku began to berate Ayane, only for her to stop him by placing her finger on top of his lips.
"You talk to much." Ayane spoke as she began to back up.
"Don't think doing something like that will stop me from…" Then before Senku realized it, Ayane was out of his sight.
"Go ahead and revive someone you know. I'll be right back. We've been running low on supplies, so I'll be back in a few days. See ya!" Ayane said her goodbyes as she rushed off without another word.
"You better stay alive so you can tell me how you did this, you hear!" Senku yelled back as he saw Ayane rush off. "That girl." Senku said as he began smile. "She just does whatever she wants." Then coming to some sort of realization, he smiled embarrassingly. "No, in fact, she always did what she wanted."
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Back during their youth…
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Ayane, under the name Saki, always made it a habit of visiting the park as often as she could. Mostly to annoy young Senku, under the name Denki, with many upon many questions.
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"Denki!" Ayane asked. "What does this do?" Ayane held up what looked to be pen-like tool.
"That is for soldering wires together." Senku answered as he began to focus on placing a few pieces of a rocket together.
"Denki!" Ayane yelled as she began to run around. "Look at what I can do!" She yelled as she began to walk on her hands.
"Oh, that's amazing." Senku's response was boring and not exactly what Ayane was looking for.
"Denki!" Ayane yelled again as she began to approach him. "Why are you building a rocket?" She asked.
"Because I want to be the youngest child on the planet to send a rocket into space." Senku answered still focused on the rocket.
"Why?" Ayane asked.
"Because humanity strives to reach the stars." Senku answered.
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As evening began to approach…
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The sky began to darken, and both Ayane and Senku began to walk away from the park. Looking up to the sky, Ayane pulled on Senku's sleeve.
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"Denki?" Ayane spoke, to which Senku sighed in defeat.
"What is it, Saki?" Senku reluctantly answered.
"What is that constellation called again?" Ayane pointed towards the constellation that was higher than any of the other constellations.
"Oh, that. That's the Ursa Minor." Senku answered. "That is what astronomers use to locate true north. See?" Senku pointed towards the last star on the constellation. "That is the Alpha UMi, otherwise known as Polaris, the North Star."
"What about the others?" Ayane asked, then Senku began to point out the other stars in numerical order.
"So, just remember this: If you are ever lost, always rely on Ursa Minor, or its companion the Ursa Major." Senku pointed just where Polaris was and went down to show the major of the constellation right under it. "There." As he looked down towards the young girl besides him, he noticed her eyes widen with curiosity as she began to take in what she saw. "That's all the lesson I'm giving you."
"Okay." Ayane answered as she began to run in the opposite direction of Senku. Then before she was out of earshot, Ayane yelled back. "Denki!" Senku turned around to see the small girl looking at him. "If we ever meet again, can I become your assistant, and help you get to space?!"
"You have to be 10 billion percent smarter than me if you wish to become my assistant, alright?! So, be sure to get the highest scores in your class, otherwise you can forget about it!" After saying what he wanted, he saw Ayane waving frivolously before turning around and running away from Senku's sight.
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Present Time…
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As he was lost in thought, Senku looked up to see that he had no idea where he was. Looking around with nothing but confusion on his mind, he noticed a large tree in the middle of a clearing and saw someone he recognized. Smiling grandly, he rushed up to get a closer look.
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"Well, would you look at that. Even you survived, Yuzuriha." Senku spoke. "Then if you're here, then that means that big oaf is not that far behind." Senku answered as he looked into the distance, then back at the jar he held in his hands. "Not sure how long it takes for the fluid to kick in, so I guess I'll leave a little note for that big oaf." Climbing the tree, Senku began to scratch into it as he began to write. "There, now let's head back. I walked for to long." Senku spoke as he noticed the sun beginning to set. "I guess I'll do it tomorrow."
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As Ayane walked alone in the dead of night…
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She sat atop a cliff that looked out towards the untainted paradise. Smiling as the Moon's light reflected calmly on the water's surface below, she once again began humming the Claire de Lune for a few minutes before pulling out a leaf and blowing into it. To which it caused a high pitched ring. Less than 5 minutes later, she began to hear a rustle behind her. Looking she smiled at the creature that responded to her call.
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"Hello there, Hansuke." Ayane spoke sweetly as the wolf-dog, Hansuke, who now looked to be a bit more built than the last time she saw him, walk up and began to rub his head against her. "I know, I missed you too. But not yet." Ayane spoke as she pulled out what looked to be a few strands of hair. "You can trust this person, don't you ever forget this scent, you hear?" Ayane pleaded as Hansuke began to sniff the strands of hair. "Don't you ever forget. Because I feel like something bad is about to happen." Ayane spoke under her breath, while bitting down on her lip.
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