Senku had never met the kid before. He had no clue why this stranger was defending him and his science project. The boy was Senku's age, although taller and brawnier. He stood like a brick wall, stoic and unyielding even as the high schoolers rained blows upon him. He never winced once.
Eventually, the big kids got bored and sauntered off, leaving Senku and the strange kid alone. Senku gingerly picked up the remains of his science project, his heart aching briefly as he surveyed the damage.
"Is it okay?" the strange kid asked. "I'm so sorry… If I'd been here sooner-"
"Why did you help?" Senku demanded. "And why did you just stand there and not fight back?"
The kid seemed perplexed. "Hitting people is mean," he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Breaking people's stuff is mean too, though. My dad always said that if I saw someone being mean, I should make them stop."
"Your dad's gonna freak out when he sees all those bruises you got from it."
The kid's head bowed. "My dad's been gone for a long time..."
...Well. This was awkward. Senku hated awkwardness, so he dealt with it in his usual way-by grabbing his stuff and walking away. He looked back after a few steps, though. "Come with me. You're bleeding."
"I am?" The strange boy touched his face, as if just now noticing the scarlet liquid leaking from his nose. Senku rolled his eyes. What an oaf…
Byakuga wasn't home, but that was okay. Senku had learned the hard way that science often resulted in injury, and so had taught himself first aid. Patching up the big oaf-whose name was Taiju-was a simple matter.
"You're good at this," Taiju said in awe, fiddling with the bandages.
"Don't scratch," Senku ordered dismissively. His attention was back on his science project. Fortunately, most of it could be salvaged, but the destruction still irked him. He got to work dismantling it, a plan forming in his head.
"What is that anyway?" Taiju asked.
"An electrical generator-at least a prototype of one. Do you know anything about science?"
"Uh-uh… That's for grown-ups, isn't it?"
Senku snorted. He spun to face Taiju, chubby child face set in a stony expression. "Science is for everyone. It's the great equalizer. Do you know what that means?"
Taiju shook his head dumbly. Senku had expected that.
"Then listen up, you big oaf. Little kids like us can't fight high schoolers, not with our fists. We'll never be strong enough to beat them. But with science-" Senku gestured at the tools and books that filled his room. "-We can gain the power to crush them."
Taiju gaped, mind-boggled by this revelation. His face quickly shifted into a frown. "But...hitting people is mean!"
"Trust me, we won't need to lay a finger on them." Senku paused. "That is, if you want to help me. I could use someone to run errands for me."
Taiju perked up. "I don't know science, but I know how to run!"
"Then let's get to work."
Senku was not a malicious person, but he couldn't help taking pleasure in his success. When the high school bullies flopped like beached fish in the current of his electric ray-beam, it brought a smile to his face.
The beam soon sputtered out-it took a ton of power to send electricity through the air- but the big kids scampered off as soon as their legs stopped twitching. Senku holstered his weapon with satisfaction. They wouldn't be breaking any more science projects.
"Oh. My. Gosh!" Taiju squeaked from the sidelines, his eyes wide as saucers. "That was amazing!"
"That's science." Senku grinned at him.
"Science is amazing! You're amazing! That weapon is unbeatable!"
"It's not bad for a first try." Senku fiddled with the settings as they walked along the beach. "But there's plenty of improvements to make. Science is all about improving things."
"...Senku?" Taiju's suddenly timid tone made Senku look up. The taller boy wrung his hands, looking uncharacteristically nervous. "I know I'm not smart, and I don't understand most of what you talk about. But… I like helping you. I want to see more science." Taiju met Senku's gaze, eyes shining with hope. "Could...Could I please be your friend?"
"...That is by far the dumbest question you've asked me yet." Senku deadpanned. Taiju slumped like a kicked puppy. With a sigh, Senku realized he'd have to clarify. "We're already friends, you big oaf. We have been since we first met."
Taiju went from kicked puppy to ecstatic puppy in a nanosecond. Before Senku knew it, he was pulled into a rib-cracking hug while the other boy sobbed happily into his shoulder.
"D-do you really m-mean that?" Taiju blubbered. "I'll be the best friend ever, Senku, I promise-!"
Senku tried to respond, but the embrace had squeezed the air from his lungs. Friendship, he thought silently, had its downsides.
...Oh well.