7th Shot: The Call from the 'Dead'
Time flew by and seasons changed–once grueling hot weather turned into slightly colder one, accompanied by trees in orange, yellow, and red from their previous greenery. Cold winds flew by, which means they needed warmer clothes than their previous thin ones. Autumn is also a season for harvest–shifts were rolled out to hunt and gather food supplies. A preparation is needed to face the grueling next four months of nothingness.
Once autumn ended, the first snow day for them in this stone world came–signaling that winter has arrived. It didn't take long for ground to be blanketed in white, trees to lose their leaves in order to survive and decorated with icicles, wild animals were nowhere to be found, rivers and water sources has frozen surface.
Shinko exhaled slowly, watching as her warm breath clashed with the coldness of the air–morphing into white cloud. Japan is a country of four seasons, handling winter was far easier in the modern times with heaters and all. Worry nagged her mind–everything became nonexistent in this stone world and all they could depend on to stay warm are coats and bonfires. Will they be able to survive until spring?
"I hope we stocked many firewood." she muttered to no one in particular. "If we chopped wood at this temperature, it will take long for it to burn because of too much moisture it held."
No wood means no fire, no fire means probability of freezing to death.
"Shinko-chan!" she could recognize that familiar call anywhere. Turning her head to look over her shoulder, she gave a certain brunette who jogged towards her a warm smile.
"Yuzuriha-san, is there something you need?"
She giggled in glee before putting something on Shinko's head gently. It felt fuzzy, soft, and covered her ears. "Ear muffs?"
"Your ears are so red from cold, Shinko-chan, so I thought ear muffs can help. Especially you and Ukyo-kun go patrolling often." Yuzuriha explained.
The pink-haired young woman smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much, Yuzuriha-san. I feel warmer now, thanks to your ear muffs."
"No problem! By the way, what about your coat? Is it comfortable?"
"It's perfect!" Shinko exclaimed, twirling slightly–fawning over the thick coat with fur edges she wore currently. It stopped above her knees. "I love it! And it even has a hoodie. Much appreciated."
"I'm glad you like it! Designing it was so much fun too! I wish I could make it more stylish but we don't have any materials." she sighed dejectedly, mulling over how everything was limited in this stone world–including her desires to create more fashionable clothes to wear.
Shinko laughed nervously. "We are in a stone world after all…"
Yuzuriha's company was the epitome of fresh air–having someone with a gender as same as yours was a blessing. There are some topics that couldn't be discussed with man because it was too personal–imagining herself talking about… womanly needs with Ukyo sent chill crawling down her spine. No, too embarrassing, Shinko rather die.
Spending time with Yuzuriha was so much fun. The girl was really kind and caring, it's almost impossible to ever dislike an angel like her. The brunette is her one and only female friend–she couldn't even get close to Nikki because she seemed to always glare daggers at her when she tried to approach. Minami is also out of option because the older woman is always fawning about Tsukasa.
"Time sure flew by, huh?" Yuzuriha piped up, eyes looking at the cloudy sky above–her gaze seemed nostalgic. "It's almost a year already."
"Yes," Shinko replied breathlessly. "A lot has happened in this new world."
Yuzuriha sighed. "Sometimes, it's like a dream, you know? I can't help but still in denial about how the world we know is gone completely."
Shinko hummed understandingly. "I agree. It's like a fever dream. But knowing every time I woke up it's the same view I come to see, I begin to accept it. It took quite a while but we'll manage."
The two talked some more, occasionally joking here and there to reduce the tension–girl talks with Yuzuriha was something she looked forward to. Then Taiju showed up, which became a signal for her to take her leave. Shinko bid her goodbye, knowing that the two without a doubt visiting Senku's grave again like they did every day. Watching as the two walked away, she noticed a familiar person began tailing them–Nikki.
She sighed, letting her shoulders slumped.
"Come along, Shinko. We have to get going." Ukyo already stood behind her, hand holding his trusted arrow.
She nodded, approaching his figure–then she blinked, noticing some changes made for his clothes. "Ukyo-san, your sleeves have furs on it."
"It's winter after all," he chuckled, playing with the yellow fabric. "Have to stay warm."
She chuckled in return. "So, where should we go today?"
"Around west side and then maybe a bit further." Walking side by side, the two began ventured out from the area towards their destination. Instead of getting things done by hopping to one tree to another, they decided to venture around the ground because not every day they could roam free without fearing for dangerous wild animals.
"Homura-san isn't back yet." Shinko informed after they were far away from anyone's reach. "Well, she did just a few days ago. Only to pick up warmer clothes from Yuzuriha-san."
Ukyo hummed. "Looking on how much she respects Hyoga it's not a surprise."
That girl crazily respected Hyoga–so, it's not a wonder if she really didn't come back to the area for quite a long time. In order to show how much she's loyal to the man, she would do anything necessary.
"This winter is literal the calm before the storm," she sighed, puffs of her breath formed in the air. "As soon as the snow melts,"
"The war will be started." Ukyo finished. "Tsukasa is preparing for Senku's preemptive attack. Stone Wars will happen in the dawn of spring."
"I still can't accept that we have to go to war," Shinko muttered underneath her breath.
He completely understood because he didn't want the same thing–as long as history goes, war only brings pain, suffering, and untreatable lost even with time stretching forward. Ukyo halted his tracks, turning to face her. When she got close, he reached out to pat her head gently.
"Me too." He replied softly.
As long as Tsukasa and Senku haven't reconciled with each other, Kingdom of Science and Tsukasa Empire would clash nonstop.
.
.
Winter was grueling for sure because of frosty air biting your skin every second even if you bundled up thickly. The only thing that could relieve you was sitting close by the fire, accepting the warmth radiating from it. Fortunately, they could get through it all.
Surprisingly, the two opposite team went along the winter peacefully–busy with their own accord and agenda. Tsukasa Empire was busy stocking up food and preserve it along with clean water for drinking and cooking, meanwhile the Kingdom of Science probably crafting some modern weapons to face Tsukasa Empire. Noticing how there's nothing other than peace, Kingdom of Science needed time to prepare it.
Both of their deadline was the same; spring.
It was truly the calm before the storm–Shinko still couldn't help but feeling cautious and anxious. It's almost impossible to sit still and be calm if you have future war looming over your mind. For the past few days, Tsukasa upped the security, having more frequent rounds of lookout being conducted. It also affected Ukyo and her rounds because it changed into nights. When usually they went separate ways so the patrol would be easier and shorter in duration, this time it took longer because he refused to let her walk around alone in the middle of the night.
"Not a chance. It's either you stick with me the whole patrol or stay until I'm done." He stated, making no room for protests. Shinko had no choice but to accept his terms if she wants to keep her duty.
Sometimes staying in the area just sitting by the fire was extremely tempting, however she slapped herself mentally for it every time. Patrolling at night was harder, way harder–at night, the temperature decreased significantly it made her shivered even under layers of clothing. Even so, she had to endure it–spring was coming in a matter of few days. She could survive three full months of fields of snow, she could endure it in mere few days.
Yuzuriha certainly had her own share of helping her getting through–sewing mufflers and thigh-high socks for her because she couldn't stand the cold. It was something to admire knowing that Yuzuriha only wore knee-length off-shoulder cloak, if it was Shinko she would've been frozen to death or at least caught a cold.
They just finished their round for the day, that's why they're walking on the stone cliff. Shinko could have an endless inner complain about the cold, however milky way galaxy that never failed to show up every night made up for it. She could never experience this kind of view back in the modern day because of pollution and such, to think it's an everyday sight now.
"The night sky is always beautiful." she muttered to herself, appreciating the never-ending glimmers of stars.
"It is." of course, the quietest voice wasn't going to be missed by Ukyo's ears. He walked closer and stood beside her–enjoying the same view.
"It's almost spring…" Shinko said. "The war will be here soon."
"Yeah."
A comfortable silence fell between them, accompanied by breeze flew by.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure there's no bloodshed and protect you all the time." he promised, turning his head to face her straight in the eyes. The held their gaze before she opened her mouth.
"Ukyo-san… you sounded like a knight in the shining armor, you know?"
He sputtered. "What!? I did!?"
Shinko snorted before it changed into a full-blown laugh, which made Ukyo tried to shush her not because of how the loudness could disturb someone, but how more embarrassed he became each second passed. "I appreciated it. I mean, who am I refusing a gentleman's offer? How rude of me."
"You really enjoy teasing me that much, huh…" he sighed in defeat, covering his face with his hand.
"But, I'm really thankful, Ukyo-san." she gave him a smile, now more genuine. Reaching out, she took his hand in hers–emphasizing her words. "Truly."
He sighed for the second time, but still smiled in return and replying the gesture with slight tightening hold on her hand. Then he froze, body instantly stiffened which made his partner do the same–something was wrong and she could understand it clearly. Turning his head to a certain direction, his brows furrowed in caution–concentrating on his hearings. "I heard something from the graveyard. Let's go."
.
.
"You don't give a damn about anything, do you, Magma!?" Chrome shrieked in panic and frustration over his companion's reckless act.
Right in front of Senku's 'grave' was the place they decided to bury the mic and receiver for Kingdom of Science's communication–the place where both Taiju and Yuzuriha visited every day without fail.
It was all a part of Senku's strategy–an exchanging place where the two wouldn't be under suspicion. For people with deceased ones, talking to a dead man wouldn't be something odd.
Gen was already hiding the long snaking tables underneath the ground using a shovel and Chrome placed the antenna on the tree in order for it to get radio waves without disturbance.
They just needed to hide the mic and receiver next. Turns out, there's a big stone buried under the dirt–making the depth not enough. And Magma, being a person of brawn-over-brains, just straight up swinging his axe in full force against it–both successfully destroying their problem but also triggering a very loud crumbling and thudding sound that's going to be undoubtedly heard by Tsukasa's super-hearing man.
"Just hurry up and hide it!" Gen hissed. Knowing they had no time for dilly-dallying, the three frantically digging and dropping both mic and receiver right away.
Covering it and fixing the ground to hide signs of digging, the next thing they did was to scurry over and hiding behind a rock not far away–poking their head, watching and waiting anxiously for someone to appear as the results of their commotion.
Chrome sighed in relief. "Looks like we got away with it."
"You scrawny wimps freak out way too much," Magma remarked.
"We don't know yet," Gen added, face still tight with caution. "I told you, there's a guy with crazy hearing and a girl with crazy sight-"
As if answering the mentalist's words, an arrow whizzed and buried itself right above his head–on the woven basket he brought over his shoulders. Gen immediately shrieked and ran away, followed by both Magma and Chrome, who tried his best to not scream in fright.
Just in time, Ukyo and Shinko landed on the cliff ride by the sight of the graveyard–a high place where they could observe the whole place.
Her purple moved to scan the area closely in silence. Noticing frantic movements under the shadows, specifically a small road sandwiched between two stone cliffs, she immediately pointed out. "There are people running to that direction. Three, one with biggest build and two smaller ones."
Ukyo nodded, bow already in hand and an arrow between his fingers. "Look out for something suspicious here. I'll check on them."
With that, Ukyo ran to the side of the cliff in pursue of the three intruders–leaving Shinko to inspect the area in case the three left something behind. She turned to face the view under, eyes looking for any sorts of difference anywhere.
"There's something long buried under the ground." she muttered to herself, noticing a long vague line of dirt that's slightly different with the other area–without a doubt someone just dug and buried something there. The question is; what kind of something.
Following the line with her eyes, it stretched long enough to one of the cliffs, taking a curve, and disappeared behind it. She approached the place next. Looking over, behind the cliff were thick and lush bushes–a perfect place to obscure something. Shinko jumped down, landing on the ground safely with a dull thud.
"The line stopped here…" her hands moved to part the bushes, revealing a red-colored box. She blinked in confusion, however her hand reached out to touch it–embracing cool sensation underneath her fingertips. The sensation she was extremely familiar with–metal.
"Kingdom of Science is really amazing…" she breathed, tracing the item. When she shifted it slightly, it revealed a name painted in white. Senku, it read. Of course, she should've expected it–the only man in this stone world who have guts and abilities in crafting items from modern time. "But what is this?"
Then she noticed another long black line attached to it, a cable, stretching far to the other direction which her eyes instantly followed. Finally, it zeroed on a tube tied securely on a tree branch–glinting in metallic chocolate color against the moonlight. [First Name]'s eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way…" she then ran back to approach the graveyard, dropping herself on her knees and start digging the ground using her bare hands. It was slightly different from its surroundings, no doubt that someone dug and buried something there. At first, it revealed nothing. Instead of giving up, she continued until stumbling upon a glint of golden-colored thing.
Huffing, she trying to get rid of the dirt as fast as possible–pulling out an item similar to a funnel but made from metal with the cable attached on its bottom. "Is this what I think it is?"
A telecommunication device? A phone? In this stone world!?
She knew Kingdom of Science is amazing, but it still left her gaping by the fact they managed to build a phone from scratch. Even though it's primitive, it was a feat and an absolutely smart move. In this dawn of war, communication is extremely important. Information warfare is the thing that led a group to a victory.
Shinko fixed her grip to look at it closely, which made her accidentally pressed on something. Instantly, there's ringing sound echoing, sending her heart into a frenzy.
I made a mistake! She shrieked internally, panicking on how she supposed to turn it off. Why did it have to be this way!? She was just inspecting-
"Yo." in the middle of her internal crisis, she missed the moment when the ringing came to stop–replaced by a voice, a male's voice. Someone's picking up her accident call. [First Name]'s mind ran a thousand miles per hour, her hand still holding the mic trembled.
Should I answer? Or just ignored it? Which one should I do!?
.
.
It was already late night once they arrived back at the village, bringing Homura along who's tied up and pouting in displease. The village was done preparing a comfortable stay for their new guest came from Tsukasa's Empire–a brig made of bamboo. Homura maybe agile in terms of movements, however her strength was nowhere near enough to possibly break out from her temporary prison.
The team were back settling in Chrome's shed to place the phone back. Gen, Chrome, and Magma were supposed to finish their duty in hiding the phone by the grave–maybe now they're already on their way back.
Kinro huffed, removing the weight from his shoulder, which Senku immediately unpacked. Kohaku and Suika watched as he assembled the parts again into one functional phone, Kaseki also watching from the side.
"They're supposed to be on their way back, now." Senku remarked. "If things going along the time schedule, we can receive a call by tomorrow."
"We'll finally hear Taiju and Yuzuriha!" Kohaku exclaimed in determination, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Senku chuckled. "Just pray we won't engage with the enemy."
Or the enemy managed to find the hidden phone they worked their ass of for months. If it reduced into a junk by someone's loyal to Tsukasa–Kingdom of Science has to kiss their arranged plan goodbye. As if answering his statement, ringing of the phone echoed throughout the shed–surprising all of them.
"Oooh, the first call from Tsukasa's Empire!" Ginro exclaimed, eyes shining. "Accept it, Senku!"
Kohaku's brows quirked. "I have a bad feeling about this…"
Senku snickered, hand moving to reach for the mic to talk through it, "Yo."
Instead of familiar dramatic sobbing and the dawn of yelling his name out loud so the world could hear them courtesy by Taiju, he was met with silence. The scientist froze, eyes widened–an unsettling feeling turned into the pit of his stomach. He laughed in disbelief, covering his face with a hand.
"I know you're there." he stated confidently. "To think we've been found out even before Taiju and Yuzuriha made in contact."
Gasping in disbelief, Kohaku frowned. "That's not either Taiju or Yuzuriha!?"
"The enemy has our phone!" Suika cried, body shaking in fright.
"…I guess…?" the voice answered, their tone unsure. Senku raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar feminine voice. A woman?
"Now, what are you gonna do? Sold me out to dearest leader, Tsukasa-sama?" he taunted, wanting to see how she would react.
There's a soft chuckle across the line. "…Do you think I will do it, Senku-san?"
"S-she knows it's Senku!" Ginro screamed and his mouth instantly being covered by Kohaku, muffling his voice.
"If you don't stop screaming, you just blew it up to her." the said man deadpanned. Senku scoffed, little finger began picking is own ear in boredom. "Nah, you're not interested. If you are, you would've dropped the call instead of answering."
"You have a good instinct, Senku-san." she praised followed by a laugh at the background commotion, which he snorted in reply.
"It's called logic. Not instinct. Now, what do you want? I don't have all day."
"Nothing, I just accidentally pressed something when I inspect the phone." she replied simply. "By the way, Taiju-san and Yuzuriha-san always visit the grave in early morning. The next call will probably from them. Don't worry, I won't tell to Tsukasa's men."
"Technically, you're one of his men."
"You mean woman? You can hold onto my words. I'll be hanging up."
That ended their unexpected conversation, a signal for Senku to put his mic down–slumping on his seat with a sigh. Soon he was snickering, feeling a bead of sweat running down his temple. "To think our plan almost bit the dust."
He indeed has the worst in terms of luck.