16th Shot: King of Resources
Knowing everything would be according to their plan, having everyone being united and work together in harmony for humanity's restoration to its former glory–for Ukyo it was living the dream. A pacifist he was and maybe until the end simply because he wanted to live in peace.
Throughout his military experience, he'd seen many types of disasters–natural or human-caused, each of them only brings pain and grief that lasts forever. Maybe the world would forget, people would forget eventually–however the scar will remain. It left a bitter taste upon his tongue and his chest suffocate in sadness. He couldn't possibly put it to stop or terminated it for good, but he would at least try.
Now, he didn't have to worry–Senku's science and wisdom gathered them into a group as whole with one goal only, reviving earth's seven billion population.
That's why a little bit of sore muscles and dripping a little sweat he found enjoyable. To reach their grand goal, they have to make something to reach it–which is a sail ship with primitive manual control. Ukyo has been walking around bringing and carrying materials for hours without rest.
He only dropped his load once Yuzuriha signaled that it's time for some break. The idea was well received considering the sun was hanging above their head. He could already see people sitting under tree shades with containers of water or some food to replenish their energy. There's no excuse for Ukyo to neglect the hunger that crawled in his stomach.
"Don't tell me you're going to keep working?"
She was teasing, that much he knew but he couldn't help but feeling fond of it. Ukyo went straight to approach her after putting his equipment away. The young woman was still sitting on the log with stack of papers in hand and another few surrounding her–filled with notes, crude sketch of the boat, and something more written in black ink.
In return, he snorted. "As if. It's time to rest and I'm going to spend it accordingly."
He could hear her giggles, which induced a smile for him. "Good to know."
"You have much more papers than before." Ukyo commented, noticing that indeed the young woman handled much more than before.
She shrugged lightly. "Senku-san and the others are searching for our captain at the moment so he asked me to handle the fort until he returns."
He blinked from the statement alone. For Senku to trusted her a big responsibility like this, then he certainly found her capable–Ukyo couldn't help but feeling proud about it. "I have to say he chose the right person. Did he say anything about it?"
"Well," Shinko laughed nervously. "He did say besides you, the only other person sane and logical around here is me so…"
He lost his words from the blunt statement–he couldn't expect more from Senku. Ukyo couldn't help but snorted in the end. "That's definitely Senku."
When the others were sitting not far from their construction site, Ukyo took this as an opportunity to lead Shinko to a more peaceful place deserted from human's appearance. He accidentally found it in their past splitting patrol–a small hill carpeted with lush green grass, bed of colorful flowers grew on the dip, trees surrounding the area.
Right after they filled their stomach, they were immediately on their way to the place. It would be a lot harder to have some time of their own in the future because they will be extremely busy until the ship is done. Now thinking about it, it's been a while since the two of them could just lay down and relaxed. That's why Ukyo appreciated the opportunity he got in his hand.
Feeling the breeze flew by and caressed his cheeks, he sighed in content–shifting slightly to find more comfortable position. His hat was resting on his stomach, an arm behind his head as he's lying down on the bed of grass. Shinko sat beside him, back resting against the tree bark behind her–hands fiddling with flower stems to craft a flower crown. The comfortable silence shared between them was accompanied by rustling of trees–just a state of utter peace.
"Why don't you sleep, Ukyo-san?" she suggested, looking into his teal eyes. "You still owe yourself some shut eye after pulling an all-nighter for the past two days."
It's a good idea honestly. And as if agreeing with his mind, his eyelids began to feel heavier.
"Aren't you going to do the same?" he yawned, covering his mouth with his palm.
"No," Shinko replied, placing the newly made crown on his head. "I don't do any heavy lifting so I'm not tired at all."
Ukyo scrunched up his nose when he felt some leaves grazing his forehead, but he didn't make any movement to remove the object. Instead, he tried wore it properly before slumping back and stretched his arm once folded arm.
"Come here." he didn't know if his sleepiness made him bolder than ever but he didn't regret it–in his mind, he just wanted her to be closer. She did as he asked without any protests–lying down next to him with her head resting on his arm. He never minded the extra weight he received, what he knew it brought a certain relief and assurance for him.
Shinko is there beside him in flesh and recovering in a good pace unlike before. Ukyo realized he changed greatly–he didn't want her out of his sight, he didn't want her to be out of his reach. Maybe he developed some kind of separation anxiety as a result of previous horrible event. He hoped she would put up with it for some time until he's back to normal.
Never did he imagine she would be that close to death–he almost lost her, that thought alone drove him to agony.
Drove by instinct, he pulled her closer to him until distance cease to exists between them.
"Ukyo-san…?" Her voice was slightly muffled by his shoulder.
"Just…" he licked his lips before burying his face into her hair, inhaling deeply. "Let's stay like this for a while…"
She didn't push him for further explanation and he was grateful for it. Instead, Shinko placed a hand on his back–stroking gently and he felt himself relaxed by the touch. Soon, he was lulled to sleep by her distant humming and her warmth that held so much promise to him.
.
.
Once they returned, they were greeted with boisterous laugh of a young man with tall physique wearing their designed captain outfit.
Both Ukyo and Shinko couldn't help but deadpanned at the sight of another weirdness they have to go through. Senku did explain to them briefly (almost too briefly because he was nonchalant about it mostly) about him being their ultimate choice for a captain–an ex-conglomerate named Nanami Ryusui. Knowing how the scientist decided to revive him meant only one thing; this man had the god-like sailing ability they needed the most.
But of course, an equally formidable skill also comes with a… formidable personality as well–a skilled individual who's also over-the-top kind. I guess this is what you call a balance in life?
"He's too… I don't know. I have no words anymore." Shinko muttered underneath her breath as she witnessed his quite extravagant… attitude.
"So do I." Ukyo agreed, standing close to her.
"Believe me, I don't want to revive him either." Minami grumbled from beside her, before slumping over her. "This is too much even for me."
Shinko chuckled nervously but wrapping an arm around her nonetheless–patting her back in hope to give her a little more consolation. "By the looks of it, you're not recommending him at all, Minami-chan."
She did coax the reporter into talking a little bit more since Senku's information was too short, maybe Minami could provide more because it's an importance to understood their additional ally more.
"No!" she whined, rubbing her head onto Shinko's shoulder–which kind of reminded her of a house cat. "Nanami Ryusui is Nanami Conglomerate's grossly extravagant brat who likes to collect things like model cars and ships in bottles since little using his pocket money of a hundred million yen!"
Shinko tilted her head in confusion, alien with the name even though Minami seemed to make a big fuss about it. "Nanami Conglomerate?"
"I've heard of it before," Ukyo replied. "Apparently, they're the king of shipping industry and owned a naval school called Nanami Academy."
"He still found his already over-the-top hobby unsatisfactory and constructed a real sailing ship. Then he sailed with it all over the world since junior high. Aside from that, he's the kind of person with vested interests! The kind of Tsuka-san would hate the most! There's probably no one can captain a sailing ship as well as he is, but there's also no one with a personality as bad as his either!" Minami explained, sniffing.
"Wow, he's a captain since junior high. No wonder Senku-san chose him." Shinko commented, couldn't help but quite impressed with Ryusui's achievement.
"Real experience is most precious," Ukyo added, folding his arms across his chest. "I can't even think of someone else more suitable than him."
She nodded at his words, before turning her gaze back to Minami. "But, how can you revive him after being so adamant about looking for another person, Minami-chan?"
"Senku just dumped the revival fluid without waiting for our input." She deadpanned.
"Oh…" both Ukyo and Shinko uttered at the same time.
"You guys aren't bad!" Ryusui exclaimed as he witnessed their grand project. It gave her a certain satisfaction knowing it could throw his composure off even just a bit. "I'll take it…!"
"Can we make it with this to the other side of the globe?" Senku asked.
"Naww~ no matter how we try, there's no way~" Gen was quick to be negative about it–the truth or he's just using his understanding as a mentalist to test him. "For a modern sailor who's used to high-quality ships, this kind of primitive manual control boat has gotta be-"
"Before I answer to that question, we must first fall back and protect the ship." Ryusui cut him off. "My seafarer's intuition knows what's up. The temperature rose suddenly. It's now 14 ."
The scientist chuckled, looking at the thermometer in his hand. "You're damn right. It's exactly 14 ."
Shinko blinked in bewilderment. "Well, now we know his ability speaks for itself."
"He's crazy good alright," Ukyo complimented. "For him to understood that detailed, he's experienced."
"The humidity is ninety percent and rising. A south-south-westerly wind." He continued, looking at the sky. "Likely an air mass from the Yangtze boosting an air mass out of Siberia. Those capillatus clouds are moving at a pace of sixty kilometers per hour towards us, which means there shall soon be a spring storm!"
Ryusui snapped his fingers. "A maelstrom is coming!"
Those words made her froze for a second before Shinko got a hold of herself completely and started exclaiming. "We have to cover the logs, everyone!"
It managed to make everyone around reaching for covers and started to place it upon their materials. Just as Ryusui predicted, a storm indeed came and showered the area with heavy droplets of rain along with howling wind. Fortunately, everyone was already entered the tents for shelter by the time the first sprinkles of rain started.
"He was spot on!" Suika said in awe as she sat on Shinko's lap, peeking outside to watch the downpour closer.
"It was a good thing, too." she could hear Ruri remarked from another tent.
"Who is that Ryusui guy?" Kohaku questioned. "Is this science!?"
"Yeah, it's called climatology." Ukyo answered, kneeling behind the pink-haired young woman to drape a blanket around her. After he finished, he took a seat beside her.
"Clima, what?" Kohaku repeated in confusion.
"It sounds hard to say." Suika commented.
"It's a study about weather," this time, Shinko tried to explain. "Basically, it helps us predict weather changes, when it will rain for example. We will predict it by observing the temperature, looking at the cloud types, measuring the wind's speed, and many more."
"So cool!"
"Science exists in many fields and covers almost everything…" Kohaku's glimmered in awe.
Both Ukyo and Shinko shared a look for a second, smiling at their curiosity.
.
.
Aside from their extravagant boat, they were on their way to find a more suitable fuel for it–Ryusui mentioned that it would be impossible for them to sail across the ocean with coal-fueled boat, it's a recipe for disaster. After understanding that their boat was going to be a hybrid type between sail ship and motor-power ship, then the best choice of fuel would be oil–the king of resources itself.
"But oil in Japan?" Shinko was unsure, mainly because she never heard of it exists in their country. "Can we really find it?"
"What do you think Shizuoka's specialty product is?" Senku asked instead, unruffling the map he owned on the rocky ground.
"Hm? Why are you asking about that now?" Gen questioned, peering to look at the map too. "Is it like, green tea or something?"
"It's oil!" the scientist cackled, which sent a jolt of surprise to both the mentalist and Shinko.
"Wait, seriously!?" Gen shrieked in disbelief, meanwhile her eyes widened in bewilderment.
"Yeah, I'm serious. It's called the Sagara Oil Field. Due to issues with profits, the digging stopped, so it's just sitting there to this day. We can get some of the best quality oil in the world from that superb treasure spot!"
"Japan sure has a lot of natural resources I didn't even know…" Gen commented.
Shinko couldn't help but chuckled nervously. "It's amazing for you to know about this, Senku-san…"
It means they needed to look for that place called Sagara Oil Field which still exists until this very moment–the source for their most decent fuel of voyaging. A team must be formed for this special occasion–consists of people with extra senses and complete understanding of the topography around them.
So far, only four people that fits the category without any room for error–if she's out of commission, then the other three should be ready knowing it would be a long excavation and exploration in search for their treasure source.
"Yo, leave it to us! It's the reborn of Chrome's Excavation Team! The strongest exploration trio!" As if responding to her statement, Chrome was ready with luggage slung across his shoulder just outside. Behind him were both Ukyo, who has their primitive phone over his back and Kohaku bringing an additional load. "That king of resources or oil or whatever, we'll definitely find it and bring it back for you!"
Shinko should've expected this team–she could join too, however the fresh injury that still needed time to recover preventing her to do so. More importantly, Ukyo certainly wouldn't let her tag along for the sake of not putting too much pressure on her healing wound–it's the positive side, whereas the negative lies on the absence of one another for indeterminate time.
This would mark the first time ever the two of them being apart.
Chrome and Kohaku didn't even need to bid everyone goodbye knowing they would be back without a doubt–in fact they could just turned their back and fled without a second glance, however Ukyo and her need a little bit more time to let this settled in both of their mind. They are practically inseparable.
"…Are you going to be fine without me?" Ukyo asked, eyes radiating slight worry for both him and her. Maybe for him a bit more–every morning he automatically search for her figure in his line of sight, every night he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully before bidding her good night. Now, he had to endure a few days without it.
Shinko gave him a sheepish smile. "I will be, even though I have to get used not seeing you anywhere for a few days."
He couldn't help but chuckled in respond–noticing how their way of thinking in this matter was identical. "Don't worry, it won't be long. Besides, we have a phone. You can ask Senku to call me anytime."
"Oh, I will," she giggled and it ease his mind a little. "Don't be annoyed if call often."
Ukyo snorted in amusement, reaching for her hand as he did so–he welcomed the warmth engulfing his chest as they intertwined their fingers. "Like I'd be. I should be the one telling you that because I'm the one who will call often to check if you're still alive or not."
"GOSH! Hurry up you two!" Chrome's frustration voiced successfully made their soul jump out of surprise. "You're just going to be separated for a few days! Not forever!"
Soon his yelling turned into series of yelps of pain–looking over his shoulder, the two laughed nervously when they noticed Kohaku gave him a good beating on the head for interrupting their moment. The scientist was kneeling on the ground and holding the back of his head, groaning in pain.
"Don't mind him!" Kohaku remarked, fist still clenched as if ready to give another good smack on the head if Chrome couldn't control his mouth. Behind her dazzling smile, lies an ominous aura which made the scientist cowered away and froze–hands over his mouth. "Take as much as time as you need!"
Ukyo turned back to face her, eyes softened. "I guess I have to get going."
Shinko nodded in understanding. "Take care and be safe."
He could just turn his back and walked away–promising himself to not look back because it would make his resolve crumbled. But he can't–words were far from enough after realizing he couldn't find her hand to hold for some time. Ukyo knew people were watching them intently, he wasn't fond of spectators looking–however, if he didn't do it he would be restless for the rest of their adventure and undeniably become a hindrance later on.
That's why he braced himself, convincing himself it didn't matter if people are witnessing because at the moment only she mattered. Ukyo would make this as quick as possible–if he had another chance in the future, he would try to relish it more.
Reaching out, he placed a hand on the back of her head and gently pulling her closer until his forehead met hers–gently bumping. He tried to ignore gasps of shock and squeals of glee he could hear–the fire licking the back of his neck was burning.
"Take care, okay? I'll see you in a few days." he whispered before finally pulling away–walking to approach both Chrome and Kohaku, bidding their comrades goodbye with a wave.
.
.
"OH MY GOODNESS!" Minami squealed in pure delight, throwing herself on to the unmoving younger woman. "You two are the cutest ever! Who knows Ukyo-kun could be such a romantic gentleman!?"
The reporter giggled in glee as she replayed the scene in her head repeatedly–how without any warning Ukyo just pulled Shinko's head until they're extremely close with each other. It was a scene straight out of those tooth-rooting romantic movies, while those were just made up takes by the actors this was a hundred percent real. In only a year and several months of being partners turned Ukyo into a bold man.
Minami was ready for Shinko to started flailing her arms and stuttered endlessly from the action–which reminds her, the younger woman still stayed rooted on her spot without even giving her a glance. She hummed in confusion and lifted her head up to study her face closely.
The respond was completely unexpected– Shinko stiffened with eyes widened and jaw unhinged slightly, her face flushed immensely with red. Her eyes still haven't moved even the slightest bit from the direction Ukyo gone to. Slowly reaching her hand out, she traced her fingers on her forehead as if trying to reminded herself that it did happen. For real.
Ukyo-kun, you broke her! Minami internally screamed.